scc_summer10

CommunityConneCtionTraffic, Fryar & Main Get Major Upgrade

Just when the joys of

summer begin,

so does

the pain of road

work. Sumner is in for some fairly major work this summer at the Traffic, Main & Fryar intersection. However, the results are going to greatly improve the intersection.

Starting late in spring, construction is expected to last four to five months. The contractor will be re-quired to keep access open through the intersection during the day, but you may expect some delays.

Will it be worth it? Of course! The intersection will go from an efficiency rating of D to an expected rating of B. In other words, you’ll get through the light a lot faster and easier. West Main will become a right-

Issue63CItyofsumnernewslettersummer2010

in, right-out only that is not on the light signal. That will greatly reduce the time spent sitting at the light. It will also reduce the confu-sion caused by the current two-light situation.

Fryar will change from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane and bike lanes. Although it may seem backward to remove a lane, getting vehicles turn-ing left out of the line of traffic will greatly increase

safety while the new side-walks and bike lanes give non-motorized transporta-tion a much safer route.

Although road work means things like delays and noise, it also means a much better, safer intersec-tion for years to come.

Go to www.ci.sumner.wa.us for more details and to sign up for weekly e-up-dates on the project.

Summer Funguide enclosed

road work ahead

expect delays

doing Business during construction

although you may experi-ence traffic delays, all your favorite businesses on Traffic, Fryar, Main and Bridge St. are open and ready to greet you. please continue to give them your business during the road work.

Businesses open & accessible AM/PM Gas StationBeyond the Bridge Cafécaptain Jack’scastle perk espressoEdlund Dental GroupInfinity CoachJohnson Barlow & Coventry, CPAsk&d auto werkskaleena’s coffeeMcLendon HardwareW. Brent Nash, DDS, PLLCOld Cannery Furniture WarehousePacific Pride/Snider PetroleumparametrixRiverside TavernSessler, Inc.sumner collision centersumner pierce county librarySumner Post Officesunset chevroletRonald J. Tracy, DDS, FAGD, PSWashington Marble Works

Sumner Explores Future of a YMCA with a UGA

About 50% of Sumner citizens would like a YMCA in Sumner. The YMCA has committed to building a facility to open here in 2013. They are halfway to their fundraising goal of $10 million and also have land donated for the facility.

So, what’s the second set of letters--a UGA? The land donated is just off 160th south of Highway 410, in an area being called Orton Junction. It is outside of Sumner’s Urban Growth Area, or UGA, as set by Pierce County. To put

Sumner’s YMCA on that land, the City needs to ask the County for an amend-ment to the UGA.

The process is not easy with good reason. It is the UGA that defines where growth occurs and where land should remain rural. The City of Sumner has to present to Pierce County why it thinks this is a place to make an exception. Part of that involves the fact that the City is proposing “swapping” land--taking what is already fairly rural,

See UGA continued on page 2

City Welcomes Supler to New Role

You’ve known her as the City’s deputy city adminis-trator for four years and as the interim city administra-tor since January. Now, Diane Supler is your new city administrator.

Mayor Dave Enslow brought her new contract forward to the City Coun-cil, who approved it on May 3. Mayor Enslow commented that after talking to a lot of people during the interim period, he found that Sumner did not need someone from “outside” to lead the city next but preferred someone who had already been part of the City family.

Sumner is a strong-mayor form of government in which the city adminis-trator serves as the city’s chief operating officer, managing daily operations under the supervision of

You’re a Grand--New--Flag!

the mayor.As Sumner’s deputy city

administrator, Supler led the work in finance, human resources, fleet, parks and facilities. She has been instrumental in Sumner’s five-year financial planning, biennial budget, economic response, and negotiations with the Cascade Water Al-liance for water supplies.

Before Sumner, Supler served as Tacoma’s director of the office of manage-ment, budget and analysis; Auburn’s finance director; chief financial officer for the Pierce County Housing Authority; and audit man-ager for the State Auditor’s Office. She grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Pacific Lutheran Univer-sity. She and her husband Steve have been long-term residents of the Lake Tapps area.

Sumner congratulates Diane Supler, a familiar face in a new role of city administrator.

Thank you to the many Sumner citizens and councilmem-bers who felt so strongly that Sumner needed a city flag that they donated their own money. The final design, shown above, incorporates the heritage of the daffodils, the rhubarb and agriculture in general that built this city. The flag’s debut will be at the Washington Cities conference.

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

east pIerce FIre & rescUeMain Number 863-1800

Jerry Thorson 863-5451Fire chief

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon2 summer2010

In summer you hear the words freedom and democracy a lot. I’d like to pause a moment from the fireworks and celebrations to think about what these words ask of me and you.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence….”

“…[O]f the people, by the people, and for the people.…”

“...[A]sk not what your country can do for you - ask

CounCil ColuMn

what you can do for your country.”

We say these quotes all the time, but they hand us quite a challenge. We are the government! That sounds really good until you realize the incredible work that takes. It means understanding the issues, forming opinions and having the guts to share those opinions while knowing that someone won’t agree.

No doubt, it was hard for the colonists to start the Revolution, but I think it was even harder after the

war for the leaders to start a whole new government, one where every citizen took responsibility and couldn’t blame all their problems on a king across an ocean.

This summer, I’d like to celebrate George Washington and Thomas Jefferson but also the council, commissioners, and citizens of Sumner who take the time and energy to engage in democracy. Sumner’s lovable small-town feel doesn’t come from buildings or parks or even hanging baskets: it comes from the fact that people in Sumner still care to shape this town rather than be shaped by it.

And I challenge you to truly celebrate your own liberty. Meet a new neighbor, get involved in an event, attend a City meeting, ask questions, argue your viewpoint. Just make sure you’re exercising your freedom so that it remains in good shape for many years to come!

Mayor Enslow was honored to serve as a crossing guard one morning to promote Safe Routes to Schools. By serv-ing as guards, these two students are already participat-ing in their community.

residential land up the East Hill toward Lake Tapps out of the existing UGA in exchange for adding the Orton Junction area to the UGA. However, this is a long process that hopefully involves you sharing your view. Here’s what’s coming up.

Late July: Draft Envi-ronmental Impact State-ment (EIS) is released.August-Sept: Please read the EIS and share your comments on it. Mid-August: The Plan-ning Commission will hold a public hearing on the project.December: The Council will likely decide on whether or not it wants to ask Pierce County for a UGA amendment.

If the City Council de-cides to make the ask, then it’s up to the County Coun-cil to determine whether or not they agree with the proposal. If the County ap-proves the amendment, then it would go to the neighbors in that area to see if they want to annex into the City of Sumner.

It’s a long, complicated process, but many in town have expressed their thoughts that it’s worth it to get a YMCA in the place where the land is being donated. Please share your opinion as well, and togeth-er, Sumner will see what happens for a UGA and a YMCA.

Details about the project are online at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Living/

Long_planning_Orton.htm

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UGA continued from page 1

To keep with the current rage, I thought I’d devote my space to Rhubarb. Then I realized that the only thing I know is that I LIKE it, which doesn’t take 300 words. So, let’s talk about regional edicts with which Sumner and communities have to comply.

The School District is finding it increasingly difficult to absorb the swimming pool’s annual financial loss when it’s a small part of the curriculum. I met with District person-nel recently and asked why they don’t use it more. The answer: state mandates. As the state drives its education agenda, demanding more instructional time, we’re left with fewer choices. The District is trying hard to keep the pool afloat (was that a pun?) but because of state mandates can no longer offer the swimming programs from which our kids used to benefit.

That’s unfortunate, but I understand the District’s dilemma, given my experience with re-quirements the state’s Growth Management Act places on Sumner via the Puget Sound and Pierce County regional councils. For example, we’ll likely be required to plan that 25% of new housing stock be “affordable.” This is the classic case of legislation designed for “passage” rather than “implementation.” How do you mandate affordability?? By struggling to comply with others’ agendas, we inevitably impact the complexion of our community.

Another example is the bias toward transit and away from autos in transportation funding outlined in “Vision 2040.” What’s good for King County is apparently good for the region. Road construction is certain to lag far behind need as the result.

It all adds up to a substantial threat to our ability to deter-mine our destiny. Be careful who you vote for in state and regional elections; they have an increasingly direct impact on “good ol’ Sumner.”

Councilmember Steve [email protected]

A typical scene of “good ol’ Sumner” in the summertime.

ASK DR. SUMNER:

Authorized Mayor to execute a contract with robinson and Noble for Phase II environmental assessment at the Fleischmann site

Adopted findings of fact to support and renew Ordinance 2286, interim development regulations defining private off-street parking lots

Authorized Mayor to execute professional services agreement with ICF International, Inc. for preparation of an EIS for 2010 Comprehensive Plan update

Authorized Mayor to execute consultant contract Amendment #3 with Parametrix, Inc. for design of Fryar/Main Street Intersection

Authorized Mayor to sign a professional services agreement with transpo for transportation analysis for 2010 Comprehensive Plan Update EIS

Approved firework stand permits

Adopted Ordinance 2317 updating surplus property procedure

Authorized Mayor to enter into a contract with robinson Noble Saltbush, Inc. for

hydrogeologic services in support of drilling a well at the Fleischmann site

Accepted completion of Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Improvement project

Accepted completion of Seibenthaler Pump Station No. 6 Improvements Phase I project

Adopted Ordinance 2318 vacating portion of 136th Ave E, 30th St E and 24th St E

Adopted Resolution 1293 authorizing Mayor to execute a development agreement with ronary llc

Amended professional services contract for Fleischmann’s phase II environmental site assessment

Adopted Ordinance 2320 establishing code regarding lewd acts and conduct

Adopted Ordinance 2321 amending environmental code

Adopted Resolution 1294 authorizing purchase of surplus property from wsdot for stormwater purposes

Adopted Ordinance 2322 establishing graduated penalties for violation of parking regulations

City CounCil aCtion MarCh-May 2010Adopt Resolution 1295 declaring property as surplus

Confirm Mayoral reappointments of doug Henken and Jeanne Walter to design commission; Barbara Skinner to Parks Board; Earle Stuard to Planning Commission; William Dugger, Bob Moltke and Margo Stewart to Forestry commission

Adopted Ordinance 2323 amending code regarding fireworks

Adopted Ordinance 2324 amending code regarding animals

Adopted Ordinance 2325 creating a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

Adopted Ordinance 2326 ratifying County-wide Planning Policies Amendments regarding affordable housing

Adopted Ordinance 2319 amending the zoning code to implement a Manufacturing/Industrial Center designation

Adopted Resolution 1296 authorizing Mayor to enter into an Interlocal agreement with Pierce County to fund the army corps investigation for the puyallup river Basin

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon 3

Help more dogs like Rocky at www.MetroAnimalServices.org

Shelter: 253-841-5595 Licenses: 253-299-PETS

summer2010

What’s the difference

Other than the fact that you use

both each

day, there’s a huge difference! Your appliances, sinks,

tubs, showers and toilets all flow into the sewer system.

They go to our wastewater treatment plant where a number of high-tech pro-cesses neutralize the waste before it goes into the river.

The storm system is the drains you see along curbs. These drains flow right into the river without passing through the wastewater treatment plant. If you pour left-over oil or paint into the drain, you are simply pour-ing it right into the Puyal-lup River and Puget Sound, doing as much damage as the major oil spills you see on TV.

between my sewer and stormwater?What else could you be

doing that sends pollution to the river through the stormwater system? If you have a dog and leave his or her waste laying in your yard, rainwater washes elements of it right into the stormdrain (= river). If you get zealous with the chemical fertilizers in your garden, the next rainfall will

carry those chemicals right into the stormwater drain (= river). If you wash your car on pavement (like your driveway), all the grease and oil you wash off plus the soap goes right into the storm drain. In fact, after large carwash events, we’ve seen the suds in the Puyal-lup! Not good.

how can you help? Clean up dog waste right away.Use commercial car washes that filter water or wash your car on lawn or gravel.Use as little fertilizer as possible or choose organic choices such as Bonney Good Sumner Grow.

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Your sewer (blue line) gets

treated, but storm-water flows from the

drain straight to the river.

How You Helped Rocky Find a Forever Family“My husband and I adopted a sweet little dog from the shelter (Rocky) at the beginning of April and we just wanted to send a little update to say how much we love him. When we adopted Rocky you had told us he was dropped off by his previous owner because he wasn’t potty-

trained, but with a lot of love and attention he is doing just fine! Thanks for all you do for homeless animals!”

If you contribute to Metro Animal Shelter by donating or simply by licensing your own pets, you help hundreds of pets--including Rocky--find happy new homes. Thank you to Petco for a $500 gift and to Sherwood Forest Elemen-tary in Federal Way, whose students saved pennies to donate $500 to Metro Animal Services!

The average American home uses 260 gallons of water per day. When it’s hot, the average household can use 1,000 to even 3,000 gallons of water in just one day. That’s equivalent to leaving the garden hose running for nearly eight hours. Keep Sumner green by turning off the taps!

Water landscapes only when needed in early morning or late evening. Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and scrape dishes off instead of rinsing when loading the dishwasher.For a summer refresh-ment, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it’s cold.Put your favorite handy person to work fixing leaks around the home.Consider a shower instead of a bath. A full bathtub can be 70 gallons of water while a five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.

The City of Sumner is proudly becoming a Water-Sense partner. More info at www.epa.gov/watersense/

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Use Water Sense

Rocky in his new home.

INSIDE:

diane supler takes New Role

Traffic & Main Road Work

Storm vs. Sewer: the Mystery Revealed

rocky’s story

FOR THE LATEST information between paper issues, sign up for e-news at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

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SuMner City CounCil

steve allsop curt Brown Cindi HochstatterLeroy Goff Ed Hannus Randy Hynek Matt Richardson

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon4 summer2010

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. “ ~Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

SAFETY SALLY SAYS:

JUNE3 Planning Commission, 7 pm 7 Council Meeting, 7 pm8 Parks Board, 6 pm10 Forestry Commission, 4 pm10 Design Commission, 6:30 pm14 Study Session, 6 pm21 Council Meeting, 7 pm24 Arts Commission, 6 pm28 Study Session, 6 pm

JUly1 Planning Comm., 7 pm 5 City Offices Closed6 Council Meeting, 7 pm8 Forestry Comm., 4 pm8 Design Comm., 6:30 pm12 Study Session, 6 pm13 Parks Board, 6 pm19 Council Meeting, 7 pm22 Arts Commission, 6 pm26 Study Session, 6 pm

Beware of ScarewareA lot of computer viruses give you red flags that

they’re fishy. Scareware, however, is frighteningly realistic. Scareware can pop up when you’re on the Web, even on main-

stream pages. It looks like a security alert and asks if you want to fix detected viruses. The problem is that by clicking on the button to “fix,” you actually launch the virus. What can you do? If you get an alert, take a deep breath and avoid quick reactions. Know your anti-

virus software. If the alert doesn’t use your anti-virus software name, it’s likely scareware. In fact, the window with the alert will have a Web address in the

header if it’s scareware. If it’s legitimate, the window will have your anti-virus software name. Once you determine an alert is scareware, use your task manager to close the window without clicking on it. Then, you may want to run your actual anti-virus software for good measure. Scareware and other viruses are often searching for your identity. The Police section of the website includes a lot of information to help you prevent crime, including ID theft. Learn more at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Government/Police/Sumner_police_crime_prev.htm

City hall Calendar

AUGUST2 Council Meeting, 7 pm5 Planning Comm., 7 pm9 Study Session, 6 pm10 Parks Board, 6 pm12 Forestry Comm., 4 pm12 Design Comm., 6:30 pm16 Council Meeting, 7 pm23 Study Session, 6 pm26 Arts Commission, 6 pm

Remembering When Animals Are Wild

They’re sometimes cute and look as cuddly as a

stuffed animal; however, wild animals are not something you want to cuddle...or coddle.

Sumner neighborhoods have seen an increase in populations of wild geese, rabbits, and rats. There’s also skunks, possums and even feral cats. These animals leave harmful deposits in yards and on sidewalks, and they may bite or scratch you or your pets.

While sharing the land with wild critters may be a fact of life, make sure you’re not giving too much hospitality to these visitors.

Definitely do not feed any wild animals except for songbirds. That includes geese in stormwater ponds where their excrement is becoming quite a nasty problem.Do not leave your own pet’s food out where a wild critter can help himself. Don’t try to trap or approach or pet wild animals.

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More Streets Get Chip/Fog Seal

Every summer, when the sun shines, Public Works gets to more stretches of Sumner streets to add protective chip seal and fog coat as needed. The map above shows which streets will get this new coating this year.

Red line = street will get chip seal & fog coat

Green line = fog coat onlyneeded