April 30, 2011

Event

Shred Clean

CommunityConnectionQuestion of Orton Junction Goes to County in 2011In November 2010,

the City Council passed the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change Sum-ner’s Urban Growth Area. The process took nearly a year, involved many pub-lic meetings, thousands of pages of impact and envi-ronmental studies and a lot of discussion about Orton Junction and the YMCA. What exactly happened, and what’s next?

What Passed in 2010The Council amended the

City’s Comprehensive Plan, which guides the City’s growth, to decrease Sum-ner’s Urban Growth Area (UGA) by approximately 100 acres. A lot of people have called this a “UGA expansion,” so it is worth noting that the proposal is to remove more land from East Hill from the current UGA than is added south of SR 410 in the Orton Junction area (see map). The reason for the exchange is that the East Hill is very rural in nature and not readily ac-cessible to City services. To make that the next area for growth for the City would

issue 66 City of sumner newsletter spring 2011

Event

Shred CleanApril 30, 2011

10 am - 2 pmOld Red Apple Parking Lot

Corner of Maple & alder, downtown

Celebrate spring, earth day, and the fact that your taxes are done. Get rid of the following items all in one place:

Sensitive documents for immediate shredding

Left-over prescriptions to sumner Police

Light bulbs & batteries to McLendon hardware

Old cell phones to YWCa for violence victims

Clothes, household items and electronics to Goodwill

For detailed information of what you can dispose, go to www.ci.sumner.wa.us

&&

Report to taxpayers enclosed

be a major undertaking. The Orton Junction

area, on the contrary, is near existing services with direct access to a freeway exit. Property owners there would like to develop hous-ing and business, including talk of a farmer’s market and possibly a movie the-ater. Land already has been donated for the Sumner YMCA and the potential for a new MultiCare center.

The purpose of urban growth management is to recognize that all cities will grow and to keep that growth contained within a limited space to avoid sprawl. By bet-ter using land to accommodate the same growth within 100 less acres, Sumner feels this amend-ment lives up to the very spirit of urban growth planning. For the change to actually happen, though, it must also be ap-proved by Pierce County.

CoMinG uP in 2011In January, Sumner

officially submitted the proposal passed by the City Council in November to Pierce County. Now, the County will take it through its process with a final deci-sion expected in November. (See sidebar for calendar.) In short, the process the City conducted in 2010 now gets repeated on a County level in 2011. Once again, it’s a process that incorpo-rates public hearings and input from citizens of the entire county.

ORTON JUNCTION IN 2011April 12 & 19: sumner university features a session on upcoming development.

April 15: Proposals for Comprehensive Plan amend-ments go to the County Planning Commission.

June-August: Pierce County Planning Commis-sion holds a public hearing about the proposal. the Growth Management Co-ordinating Committee also reviews sumner’s proposal.

August: Pierce County Planning Commission makes their recommenda-tion to the Pierce County Council.

Sept.-Oct.: Pierce County Regional Council reviews the proposal. Pierce Coun-ty Council’s Community development Committee holds a public hearing.

Sept.-Nov.: Pierce County Council holds a public hearing.

November 15: Pierce County Council approves or denies sumner’s pro-posal for orton Junction

Throughout the year, details and updates will be available at www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Living/Long_planning_Orton.htm

the green shaded area would be added to sumner uGa while the blue shaded area would be removed.

Summer Road Work AheadWhile the Traffic and Main road work is wrapping up this

spring, a few more new jobs will be starting. None of these projects will be as large as Traffic & Main, but they could impact residents who are in the adjacent area. Elm Street Sidewalks: Construct approximately 700 lineal feet of sidewalk moving east from the East Valley Highway to match into existing sidewalks. This project will also install drainage features and improve the roadway.East Valley Resurfacing Phase 1: Resurface East Valley Highway from the King County line to Forest Canyon.Parker Road Sidewalks: Fill in gaps of missing sidewalks on Parker Road. This project will also install drainage features and improve the roadway.Wastewater Treatment Facility Perimeter Wall: Raise the existing perimeter wall around the facility and install a removable wall across the roadway to protect the facility from flooding and keep it operational through high water.Sewage Tanks at Golf Course: Decommission an existing tank and install a new system that is watertight and ready for connecting to the city system in East Valley.White River Trail at Golf Course: Construct approxi-mately 0.8 miles of trail including a pedestrian bridge across the White River. This will connect the 16th Street trail to Stewart Road.Wood/Gault Storm System: Extend the stormwater main 1930 feet from Valley Avenue through Gary Street to serve Wood Avenue and Gault Street.

Portions of east Valley will be resurfaced.

MaYoRdave enslow 299-5790

CitY CounCiL

steve allsop 299-5793Curt Brown 299-5796Cindi hochstatter 299-5795Randy hynek 299-5792ed hannus 299-5791Leroy Goff 299-5797Matt Richardson 299-5794

CitY oFFiCes

administration 299-5500Cemetery 299-5510Finance/utilities 863-8300Golf course 863-8198inspection line 299-5530Recreation 891-6500Permit Center 299-5530Police (non-emergency) 863-6384senior Center 863-2910

MuniCiPaL CouRttimothy a. Jenkins 863-7635Judge, Court Offices Cathy Pashon, 299-5621Court administrator

City of sumner1104 Maple street,

sumner, Wa 98390253-863-8300

253-863-2850 FaX

Mayor Column

CitY staFF diane supler 299-5502City administrator terri Berry 299-5500City Clerk John Galle 299-5644Police Chief Carmen Palmer 299-5503Communications director Bill Pugh 299-5701Public Works director Paul Rogerson 299-5521Community development dir. Brett Vinson 299-5610City attorney Beth anne Wroe 299-5541Financial operations director steve Zamberlin 299-5591human Resources Manager

east PieRCe FiRe & ResCueMain number 863-1800Jerry thorson, Fire Chief

sumner Community Connection2 spring 2011

On February 7, Sumner celebrated its 120th birthday as an incorporated city. It’s important to celebrate our history, but it occurred to me that the best part of history is that it gives us the foundation for our future.

Enclosed in this newsletter is our report with some highlights from last year. These accomplishments are just as important to Sumner’s history as when George Ryan built the train depot or the Woolery family donated the cemetery. After all, having a working sewer

Council Column

system may not sound glamorous, but try hitting the toilet handle and having nothing happen and then tell me it isn’t important!

These accomplishments happened because of our employees, our elected officials, our commissioners, and all of you. History is really just a collection of all our stories put together. No one is exempt. Sumner’s story is now your story whether you were born here or recently moved here. It’s your story whether you’re 8 or 80. It’s your story whether you live

Mayor enslow and the council celebrated sumner’s 120th Birthday at the February 7 Council Meeting.

This boy came to the shelter in terrible condition. He was

sullen and depressed, and no one came looking for him. However, he was extremely polite and under all his grime appeared to be a fairly young dog.

Metro Animal Services worked with a local groom-ing business to bathe him and give him a haircut. It took all of two hours when an employee of the groomers called the shelter to ask what it would take to adopt him! She named him Fisher, and she is now his Forever Family.

There are lots of pets like Fisher whom Metro Animal Services want to connect with their own Forever Families. Could that be you? Even if you can’t adopt an animal right now, you help by licensing your own pets. The funding from licenses helps Metro care for pets like Fisher.

Take a look at who’s waiting right now at www.metroanimalservices.org

Fisher’s Story

the funds from your pet’s license help shelter and care for pets like Fisher, shown above

after his grooming. With this care, he found his Forever Family.

Art, Fire Meet in April

Pierce County Reads returns with timothy egan’s The Big Burn. this book chronicles the forest fires of 1918 and their lasting legacy on firefighting in public forests.

Check with Pierce County Library for more information.

You can even meet the author in person on april 30 at 7 pm at Clover technical

College in Lakewood.

as part of the events, the sumner arts Commission is teaming up with east Pierce Fire & Rescue to bring you a look at how your own fire department is equipped to

tackle fires, including forest fires, today.

April 2 at 2 pm, Bonney Lake Pierce County Library

April 16 at 2 pm,Sumner Pierce County Library

Free and include refreshmentsMore information at

www.piercecountylibrary.org

here, work here or just care about this city.

The year 2011 gives us all yet another chance to shape our future history together. We have openings on our Design Commission, Arts Commission and Historic Preservation Commission. Pierce County will be discussing Orton Junction, and Sound Transit is leading the discussion about access to our Sounder Station. We’re holding Sumner University and getting farmers and chefs together to discuss agritourism.

Please come on in and be a part of all this. Some day, people will be cutting a cake celebrating another Sumner birthday. When they talk about Sumner’s history in 2011, I want to make sure your voice is helping to tell that story.

Fisher when he arrived

Don’t you just love Sumner? This is a special town, and one of the ways we can keep it a strong, independent community with its own identity is to welcome visitors.

People want to visit us to experience that same friendly, home-town atmosphere that we enjoy every day. When they visit, they spend money that keeps our businesses healthy and adds to the sales tax revenue that funds City services.

I’ve been learning more about tourism lately through our lodging tax advisory committee and a recent workshop on agritourism that came to Sumner and Puyallup thanks to

the Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. At the workshop, we learned that people want an experience when they travel. They want to connect with authentic people and places. They want what Sumner has to offer.

Now, we have to work together to package that experience in a way that is attractive to travelers. In short, we need to give visitors “3-3-sleep.” They need three meals, three things to do between meals, and a place to sleep. It was heartening at the workshop to see local restaurants, farms and hotels brainstorm

what this 3-3-sleep looks like for Sumner.

For starters, visitors will now get their own special welcome: on April 7, the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce is opening the Sumner Visitor Center at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse. This is a visitor center like no other and truly gives visitors a taste of Sumner. After all, once they get a taste, they’ll want more. Thank you to the Cannery, the Chamber, and Columbia Bank for making it happen. Please come for the grand opening on April 7 at 5 pm. After all, you are the reason Sumner is so special.

Councilmember Cindi Hochstatterchochstatter@ci.sumner.wa.us

adopted Resolution no. 1311 authorizing holiday leaveadopted ordinance no. 2344 amending animal control feesadopted Resolutions no. 1312 -1316, interlocal agreements with algona, Bonney Lake, edgewood, Milton and Pacific for animal control servicesadopted Resolution no. 1317, an interlocal agreement with Algona and Pacific adding Pacific to the South Valley Police explorer Programawarded Wastewater treatment Facility’s (WWtF) piping modifications to nordic Construction, inc.awarded WWtF’s Building C Furnace Replacement to emerald aire, inc.

authorized change order to the Fryar/Main lntersection improvement ProjectConfirmed the Lodging Tax Funding Recommendationsapproved the 2011 Legislative agendaawarded east Valley hwy Resurfacing and drainage improvements design to ahBLadopted Resolution no. 1318 authorizing the ewing property purchase for WWtF expansionadopted ordinance no. 2345, an interfund loan between the general fund and Golf Course operations Fundelected Councilmember Cindi hochstatter as deputy mayoradopted ordinance no. 2346 amending the MdR/hdR Zoning Code

City Council Action Dec 2010-Feb 2011

sumner Community Connection 3

Sumner University ReturnsApril 12 & 19

Are you curious about what’s going on in Sumner? Want to know how the economy affects things around you? What’s it like to run a farm in the 21st Century? Want two nights out for free with refreshments and a souvenir t-shirt?

If you answered yes to any of those, then Sumner Uni-versity is for you. This popular favorite returns April 12 and 19, 6-9 pm each evening. The 2011 session include

• 10 Things to Notice this Year• Policing: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow• Public Works and You!• The Future of Sumner• Where Is Farming Headed?• Emergency: Neighbors Helping Neighbors• The Sumner Story

PLUS the favorite What Makes This a Great Place when you tell us what’s working, what could be better and what we can do to make it better.

Space is limited, and Sumner University only comes around every-other-year. Sign up by contacting Sally Abrams at sallya@ci.sumner.wa.us or 253-299-5520.

spring 2011

Sumner University students ask questions and tell Mayor enslow what they would like for sumner.

How to Keep Your Yard & House “Green” This Spring

It’s time to come out and enjoy the great outdoors. When you make plans to enjoy your green grass and blue sky, be sure to include steps around the house and yard that ensure the environment stays healthy too.

in YouR YaRd• Use pavers or bricks for your next walkway or

patio. They let water soak into the ground while cement just sends it to the rivers. Find out more at http://www.paversearch.com/permeable-pavers-introduction.htm.

• Trust the tag and follow recommendations for plant-ing in the shade or sun. Forcing a shade plant into the sun will waste water on a lost cause.

• Avoid pesticides. They will wash into the very water you drink. Try to identify your pest and treat it as naturally as possible with help at www.extension.wsu.edu under “Gardening.”

• Avoid fertilizers. They also wash chemicals into your drinking water. Use Bonney Good Sumner Grow or your own compost for a natural alternative.

in & aRound YouR GaRaGe• Avoid spills. Store hazardous materials in their

original containers and the containers in tub-like bins in case the containers leak, are punctured, or tip over. If storing materials outdoors, also provide shelter to keep the tub from filling with rain water.

• Contain your car’s oil spills. If you notice an oil leak or fluid stains under your car, place a drip pan or a piece of cardboard under the vehicle when you park until you can get the leak fixed. The cardboard will absorb the hazardous materials, preventing them from washing down the drain.

• Use a commercial car wash. It uses less water and disposes the water safely. Washing your car at home only sends all the oil and muck down the drain to the river or into your soil and your future water supply.

Are those cameras on the new signal poles at Traffic & Main?

Yes, you may notice

cameras on top of the new signal poles at the Traf-

fic/Fryar/Main intersection. Al-though they may

look like “red light” cam-eras in other cities, they are not. These cameras actually detect vehicles and control the timing of the lights.

The cameras detect when

Coming Soon: New Bill Design

Your May utility bill will have an improved look to better keep you in-formed of your water, storm and sewer use. You can also go paper-

less to pay your bill online and receive it by

email. sign up at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

adopted ordinance no. 2347 amending Mud Zoning Codeauthorized 2010-11 Collective Bargaining agreement with teamsters unionapproved Joint Recreation agreement with sumner school district and Bonney Lakeapproved ordinance no. 2348 amending timing for payment of sewer and water system development charges and transportation impact feesapproved dM disposal solid Waste Contractapproved 2011 stormwater Comprehensive Plan updateauthorized supplement to the interlocal agreement with Pacific for the Valentine Ave/l36th ave improvementsConfirm Mayor’s appointment

ASK DR. SUMNER:

of thomas Mcdermott to the Planning Commissionauthorized purchase of stover property for WWtF expansionaccepted completion of the Central Well drilling projectadopted ordinance 2349, amending e-verify codeadopted ordinance 2350, amending public records codeadopted ordinance 2351, amending the 2011 compensation scheduleawarded Golf Course septic tank Replacement to R.s. underground, inc.awarded Wood/Gary/Gault st storm drainage improvements design to Warner engineeringadopted ordinance 2352, renewing interim development regulations of private off-street parking

a vehicle has approached the intersection and will change the signal as soon as all the traffic coming the other way clears. This helps vehicles move through the intersection more efficiently than if the light changed on set times.

The old intersection did use sensors before, but the old sensors were wire coils in the street. These cameras are more reliable, are better at detecting bicycles and don’t wear out like the wires sometimes did. Plus, their

maintenance doesn’t involve tearing up the pavement.

It is worth noting, though, that even though these cameras are not recording those drivers who run red lights, it’s still not a good idea to run a yellow or red light. Slow down, wait your turn, and rest assured that the camera will know you’re there and change the light back for you as soon as possible.

drsumner@ci.sumner.wa.us

INSIDE:

orton Junction Goes to County

Road Work ahead

sumner university Returns

time to shred & Clean

how to Green Your Yard

are those Cameras?

art & Fire Meet in april

City of sumner1104 Maple streetsumner, Wa 98390

eCRWss

Postal Customer

PRsRt stdu.s. PostaGe Paid

suMneR, WaPeRMit no. 1

Sumner City Council

steve allsop Curt Brown Cindi hochstatterLeroy Goff ed hannus Randy hynek Matt Richardson

sumner Community Connection4 spring 2011

“The lyric sound of laughter/Fills all the April hills/The joy-song of the crocus,/The mirth of daffodils.” ~ Clinton Scollard (1860 - 1932)

SAFETY SALLY SAYS:

City Hall Calendar

MaRCh21 Council Meeting, 7 pm22 Finance Committee, 5 pm24 Arts Commission, 6 pm28 Study Session, 6 pm

aPRiL4 Council Meeting, 7 pm7 Planning Comm., 7 pm 11 Study Session, 6 pm12 Parks Commission, 6 pm13 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm14 Forestry Commission, 4 pm14 Design Comm., 6:30 pm18 Council Meeting, 7 pm19 Public Works Committee, 5 pm21 Safety Committee, 4:30 pm25 Study Session, 6 pm26 Finance Committee, 5 pm28 Arts Commission, 6 pm

MaY2 Council Meeting, 7 pm5 Planning Comm., 7 pm9 Study Session, 6 pm10 Parks Commission, 6 pm11 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm12 Forestry Comm., 4 pm12 Design Comm., 6:30 pm16 Council Meeting, 7 pm17 Public Works Committee, 5 pm19 Safety Committee, 4:30 pm23 Study Session, 6 pm24 Finance Committee, 5 pm26 Arts Commission, 6 pm30 City Offices Closed

Community Events

MaRCh12-27 State Fair ManeStage Theatre Company, PAC17 Community Summit, 5 pm, Calvary Church21-25 DM Disposal Spring Clean

aPRiL2 Clean Sweep, 8 am-noon, Downtown Association2 The Big Burn with East Pierce Fire, 2 pm, see page 24 Monthly test of the lahar siren, noon 7 Grand Opening of Visitor Center, 5 pm, Old Cannery9 Daffodil Festival Parade, 2:30 pm, Downtown 11 Sumner Family Center Job Resource Fair, 6 - 7:30 pm,

Daffodil Valley Elementary School Gym16 The Big Burn with East Pierce Fire, 2 pm, see page 223 History Walk, 11 am, Sumner Downtown Association29-30 Beauty & the Beast & A-Z Oh the Adolescence of It

All, Ascension Theatre at The Old Cannery 30 Shred & Clean, 10 am-2 pm, see page 130 The Big Burn with author Timothy Egan, see page 2

MaY2 Monthly test of the lahar siren, noon6-8 Beauty & the Beast, Ascension Theatre at The Old Cannery 21-29 The Importance of Being Earnest, ManeStage

Theatre Company, Performing Arts Center28 History Walk, 11 am, Sumner Downtown Association

June6 Monthly test of the lahar siren, noon

Help share your eyesWhen you see a person walking with a white

cane, do you know what that means? Not everyone realizes it means the person has a full or partial sight impairment. With our popula-

tion aging, pedestrians with sight issues are increasing in numbers. Here are a few basic

things you can do to help when you see a sight-impaired person.heLPinG WhiLe dRiVinG• Do not honk. It only causes confusion and fear.

• Do not pull into a pedestrian crossing zone when approaching an intersection or turning right. Always stop and look first for any pedestrian. Wait

for the person to get out of the street before entering the crossing zone. • Be extra cautious when driving a hybrid. Remember, there’s no engine noise to hear, particularly when you’re backing up, starting up at stop signs, and making right turns.• Do not stop in odd places. The pedestrian has carefully mapped his or her route and uses traffic noise as a guide. Stopping where there is no crosswalk will only cause confu-sion and unsafe situations.

april 30, 9 am, City hall

no agenda, just ask questions or share

what’s on your mind!

heLPinG WhiLe WaLKinG• Do not walk in front of the cane. Believe it or not, it’s common for other pedestrians to cut in front and damage the cane, greatly endangering the sight-impaired pedestrian.• Offer assistance if you see a cane is damaged. • If the sight-impaired pedestrian shows signs of confu-sion, you may offer assistance by asking “would you like a sighted guide.” • Never simply grab the arm of a sight-impaired person. It is frightening to that person who has no idea if you intend to help or hurt. If the person expresses a desire for assis-tance, stand next to them and place your arm where they can easily take hold of it.heLPinG at hoMe• Keep branches and shrubs pruned out of the sidewalk. A sighted person can see an overhanging branch and duck, but not a sight-impaired person.• Watch your garbage cans and recycling bins on garbage day. If they’re in the sidewalk, they pose a major hazard to a sight-impaired pedestrian. Same goes for kids’ toys.• Do not block the sidewalk with your vehicle. A sight impaired person may lose their orientation, or worse, need to go out into the street to get around the vehicle.

Canes such as this one tell you that the pedestrian has sight impairments.

Coffee with the Mayor