City of Sumner newSletter AuguSt 2006iSSue 43

See InSIde

In July, the City Council adopted Sumner’s new six-year Transportation Improvement Plan. This plan outlines the priority street projects for 2007-2012. Priorities may mean that a project needs attention for further study, funding or construction. Together, they help the City keep Sumner’s traffic moving.

2007-2012 Priorities#1--At the intersection of Traffic Avenue and Main Street, close West Main to left-turn and straight traffic in order to increase capacity for vehicles on Traffic and Main. A thicker asphalt will be laid in the intersection, and the City will decide if Fryar Avenue should be restriped as three lanes plus bike lanes.

#2--Improve Stewart Road to five lanes in 2007. Replace the two-lane bridge with a four-lane bridge with a sidewalk on the south side and trail crossing on the north side after 2007 EIS money is available.

#3--Study whether a 24th Street bridge is needed to link 142nd Ave E to East Valley Highway.

#4--Add traffic signals and possibly new ramps to the SR 410 interchange with Sumner-Lake Tapps Highway and Wahl Road. Although a State project, the City may need to contribute in order to improve access in a timely manner.

#5--Reapply for a State Transportation Improvement Board grant to improve Valentine Road (136th Ave E) to minor arterial (truck route) standards.

#6--Improve the intersection at Main Street and 160th; widen to minor arterial standards with bike paths and sidewalks.

In addition, the City will continue with recurring annual projects including the Street Overlay Program to rebuild exisiting streets, Striping for Safety and Neighborhood Traffic Control Program.

Find more details online at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

Planning Sumner’s Transportation Through 2012

Mayor’s Message page 2Council Corner page 3New Firefighters page 4New Commissioners page 5Dr. Sumner: Jury Duty page 7

The dog days of summer came early with Mutts Off Main in July (above) followed by the Sumner Vintage Mo-

torcycle Show (below).

The Transportation Improvement Plan helps keep Sumner’s roads up to date to serve thousands of cars each day.

City of Sumner1104 Maple Street

Sumner, WA 98390253-863-8300

253-863-2850 FAX

Sumner Community ConneCtion2 AuguSt 2006

Mayor’S MeSSage

The fireworks of the 4th of July are a faded memory, but I want to remind you

that the important part of our country’s birth is the fact that this is a nation of

the people. That’s something to celebrate every day. It is what gives us our

wonderful freedom. It also gives us the responsibility to take part in our

government, and that responsibility starts at home with your city government.

As in many cases, Sumner is way ahead of most communities. You are a very

involved and caring group of citizens. When we sent out those sidewalk sur-

veys, we received nearly 500 back completed. That’s an amazing response rate!

This is one of the main reasons that Sumner is the strong community that it is.

In fact, I heard from many of you that you want a better connection with our

City’s government, which is wonderful to hear.

So, on Saturday, September 9, we’re introducing a new way to hopefully

improve that connection: a Town Hall meeting starting at 9 am. This meeting

isn’t anything fancy. It’s just coffee and doughnuts in City Hall, and I’ll be there

with some of the council members and City staff to chat with you about what’s

on your mind.

I hope you’ll be able to stop by and ask questions, listen and be part of your

government in action. There probably won’t be any quick answers or easy

solutions, but when do the really important things in life ever have quick, easy

answers? The long-term complexity of most of the issues facing our city is the

very reason why we need to continue to have open conversations together.

Whether or not you can make it

to this Town Hall meeting, please

be involved: attend or watch City

Council meetings, visit City Hall,

call us when you have a question,

be an active member of the com-

munity. Together, we’ll continue to

make Sumner the model of an active,

democratic community.

Mayor Dave Enslow

Meeting and chatting with citizens is one of the best parts of being mayor.

MAYORDave Enslow 299-5790

CITY COUNCILSteve Allsop 299-5793Curt Brown 299-5796Mike Connor 299-5795Randy Hynek 299-5792Ed Hannus 299-5791Leroy Goff 299-5797Matt Richardson 299-5794

CITY STAFFJohn Doan,City Administrator 299-5501

Diane Supler,Deputy City Administrator 299-5502

Carmen Palmer, Communications Director 299-5503

Patricia Bosmans,City Attorney 299-5611

Susan Clary,City Clerk 299-5500

Paul Rogerson, Community Development Director 299-5521

Colleen Wilson,Police Chief 299-5641

Dan Packer, Fire Chief 863-5451

Bill Shoemaker, Public Works Director 299-5701

Bruce Johnson, Community/Senior Services Manager 299-5731

Lee Anderson, Parks and Facilities Manager 299-5631

CITY OFFICES

Administration/Finance 863-8300 FAX 863-2850Cemetery 863-6345Fire (non-emergency) 863-5451Golf Course 863-8198Inspection Line 299-5530Parks and Recreation 891-6500Permit Center 299-5523Police (non-emergency) 863-6384Senior Center 863-2910

MUNICIPAL COURT

Judge Stephen R. SheltonCourt Offices 863-7635

Wendy Shook,Court Administrator 299-5621

Sumner Community ConneCtionAuguSt 2006 3

Change Comes to Heavy Manufacturing ZoneCounCIl Corner

Visit us at

www.Ci.SuMner.wa.uSfor up-to-date information on

City of Sumner services, projects,

special events and more!

On June 19, the City Council passed an ordinance that permanently re-moves the following four land uses from the list of uses permitted in Sumner’s Heavy Manufacturing, or M-2, zone:

hazardous waste off-site treatment and storage facilitieshazardous waste on-site treatment and storage facilitiesmanufacturing, refining or storage of noxious, volatile or explosive productspharmaceutical plants.

As stated in the ordinance, the Council made this change because such land uses “could be contrary to the City’s vision, Comprehensive Plan, and Town Center Plan and have negative effects on the long-term development and character of the City.” The changes will apply to new businesses coming into the M-2 zone and won’t affect existing permit applications.

As with all cities, Sumner’s Municipal Code provides the rules by which the City governs. The zoning section, Title 18 of the Code, provides the policies and procedures that guide and regulate develop-ment within the City of Sumner

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according to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Sometimes, as in this case, the City Council determines that the code no longer follows the vision set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, so it makes adjustments like this to ensure that our present rules lead us to the future we want for Sumner.

Sumner’s Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code are available online at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

M-2

The purple shows the M-2 area zoned for Heavy Manufacturing. Each zone has its own set of policies and procedures to ensure that each area of Sumner contin-ues to develop to serve the activities and functions that occur there.

The Heritage of active Citizens

It has been a very enlightening six months since being elected. I serve on the Public Safety and Finance commit-tees. After seeing things from the in-side and looking at other cities around the state, I must say that the former leaders and elected officials in Sumner have done a good job.

It is my sincere intention to listen to the will of my constituents. That is why it is so very important to convey to me your thoughts and concerns. I would like to thank the following citizens for their recent involvement: Derrek Berkompas and Sarah Spencer regarding the sidewalk issue and especially Kathy Hammad, Julie Moltke and Sara Hoime for their past and current citizen involvement.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the space to list the hundreds of other citizens who have volunteered their time and money over the years. Sumner is blessed with a rich history of citizen involve-ment and it has played a critical role in shaping the city we call home. When informed, active citizens get involved, great changes are possible.

As the pace of change seems ever increasing with your active, informed involvement, I believe we can steer a course to preserve for the coming generations what the prior generations have bequeathed to us. We have many issues facing us in the future: parking, pass-through traffic, trains, mandated growth, to name a few. It is an honor to represent you, and I want to thank you for the opportunity.

Sincerely,Randall Hynek

Sumner Community ConneCtion4 AuguSt 2006

As the Sumner Fire Department gets more and more calls, it must also in-crease its staff in order to continue to provide you a quality level of service.

This summer, the department welcomed Rhonda Grant, Eric Shurtz and Tomas Sumbera. They join three other firefighters who came to the department last year: Corey Sander-ford, Don Cole and Mason Lewis.

Rhonda Grant is a native of Edgewood and lives in Graham. She has been a paramedic in Pierce County for 12 years and most recently worked at Pierce County Fire District 17. She is married with a 2-year-old son.

Eric Shurtz is from Puyallup and recently came from five years at Moses Lake. He’s glad to be back on this side of the state and resides in Bonney Lake with his wife and five boys.

Tomas Sumbera was born and raised in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). After working in an aircraft factory, he was drafted for

Sumner Welcomes Six New Firefighters in the Past Yearmandatory service in the army. He has made the United States his home since 1993. His entire family lives here now, and he’s happy to have moved with his wife from Florida to the Pa-cific Northwest a year ago.

Don Cole, originally from Salem, Oregon, received his initial medical training when serving eight years of active duty in the Air Force Pararescue. Cole now lives in Puyallup with his wife Christie and 18-month-old daughter Hannah.

A pandemic flu is a world-wide out-break of influenza, whether it’s the much discussed bird flu or another strain. Amid all the hype is the fact that pandemic flus are always a pos-sibility. The world experienced it in 1918 and again in 1957 and 1968.

The City of Sumner has a Compre-hensive Emergency Manage-ment Plan that covers a wide range of potential emergen-cies. This past spring, the City added a section that

City responds to Pandemic Flu Potential

miSSion: To provide needed and valued services that promote our sense of community.

viSion: Sumner will set the standard of

excellence for a progressive small city.

valuES: We are collaborative & professional.

We are innovative & visionary. We are responsive & accountable.We serve with respect & integrity.

outlines the City’s response plan to a pandemic flu. This plan will supple-ment the extensive preparation being done at the federal, state and county level to serve you in the event of a pandemic.

There are many internet sites that can help you prepare your own

home and family for emergencies, includ-

ing a pandemic flu.

www.pandemicflu.gov

www.doh.wa.gov/panflu/family_brochure

www.redcross.org

mason lewis grew up on a farm in University Place before earning his AA at Tacoma Community College and his Bachelor of Science at Central Washington University. Lewis has worked at a private ambulance com-pany in King County, as a volunteer firefighter in University Place and for Pierce County Rural/Metro before coming to Sumner.

Corey Sanderford, originally from Texas, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health, Recreation and Sports Man-agement. While working in Vancou-

ver, Washington, as an athletic trainer and soccer coach, Sander-ford volunteered with Clark County Fire District 1 and attended Paramedic school. He worked in Longview before coming to Sumner with his wife Jennifer. Their son Evan joined the fam-ily eight months ago.

From left, Corey Sanderford, Tomas Sumbera, Rhonda Grant, Eric Shurtz and Mason Lewis

Sumner Community ConneCtionAuguSt 2006 5

Pierce County Bonds assist Local Business

This summer, Charles Girtz, owner of Quality Stamping and Machining of Sumner, took advantage of a little known resource for manufacturing businesses: industrial revenue bonds.

The Economic Development Corporation of Pierce County offers tax-exempt, non-recourse economic development revenue bonds to new and expanding manufacturers. “Non-recourse” means that the bonds carry no risk to the City or the County.

The purpose of the bonds is to support jobs and economic development in Pierce County. In Girtz’s case, he will be using the bonds to greatly expand his operation.

For 15 years, Quality Stamping has made metal aircraft parts. Their market is expanding, and they are now producing a wide range of custom and high quality parts for the transporta-tion and manufacturing industries.

Currently, Quality Stamping’s 34 employees work in a 7,200-squre-foot building on 137th Avenue. With the help of the bonds, they will expand with a 20,000-square-foot addition to accommodate double the number of employees.

While stories often focus on globaliza-tion and overseas manufacturing, it’s good to know the resources available for those things right here in Sumner.

For further information, contact Susan Suess, Economic Development Corporation of Pierce County, at 253-383-4726 or susan@edbtpc.org

new Commissioners Jump into a Variety of rolesSumner’s commissions provide a way for experts from many walks of life to become involved in Sumner’s govern-ment. Recently, new commissioners have joined in to help shape the City’s present and future activities. Please thank these individuals when you see them for their service and dedication.

aRTS CommiSSionmelinda mcColley is a stay-at-home mom who has a BA in interior design from Wash-ington State University. “I’m deeply interested in...the role public art can play in elevating arts appreciation and promoting civic pride,” said McColley.

Kellie monette-Chapman is a bank branch manager who is also involved with Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. Said Monette-Chapman, “I have a passion for the arts and will enjoy applying my passion and experience to the Arts Commission.”

SalaRy CommiSSion met in May and June to review and set the salaries of the Mayor and City Council. This commission consists of three members who review the salaries every five years.

april Evers is an escrow officer who felt that her role as a small business owner and wife of a former coun-cil member gave her an idea of the amount of time that the positions require and fair compensation for such work.

William Heath, a retired educator who has been a member of service clubs for 46 years, thought that public officials’ salaries need to be reviewed periodically and found the commission a way for him to serve the community.

Jon Swanson is a retired business owner who has previously been in-volved in Sumner Rotary and Sumner Downtown Association. He noted that his business background “would be helpful in analyzing facts and figures necessary to making decisions.”

PaRKS BoaRDBarbara Skinner previously served on the Sumner City Council, Pierce County Council and most recently as Sumner’s mayor. Skinner is also an accountant who has lived in Sumner through various times of her life.

PlanninG CommiSSionJonathan Haines works for the state legislature and is earning an MA in Conflict Analysis & Management. In high school Haines served on his local youth commission and has been involved with various chambers of commerce.

The hard work of Sumner’s commissioners can be seen all around town. For example, the Arts Commission brings the annual favorite, Music Off Main.

Sumner Community ConneCtion6 AuguSt 2006

1-800-424-5555

If you’re digging call the Utilities Underground Location Center at least two business days before you begin to avoid hitting underground utilities and causing injury to yourself.

Call Before You Dig

Parking downtown just got a little easier. The City worked with Sumner Downtown Association to put up new signs at the five public parking lots. These signs help new visitors find the lots.

Plus, each lot has a unique name, helping everyone remember where they parked. In keeping with Sumner’s character, each lot is named after a daffodil species.

Parking Lots Get Makeover

Go to www.2good2toss.com to get rid of or find everything from bricks to refrigerators. Items are $99 or less--many are free! This service helps you clean your house while recycling useful items to keep them out of the landfill.

The Mt. Hood lot is just south of North Street.

King Alfred is on the corner of North Street and Ryan Avenue.

Cheerfulness is at the corner of Ryan Avenue and Main Street.

Fortune runs between Kincaid and Alder Avenues.

Golden Ducet is just off Main Street, east of the dry cleaners.

To complete the makeover, the City recently repaved and restriped the King Alfred and Fortune lots.

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Planning Continues for Future Fire ServicesEarly this summer, a task force of citizens recommended that the City immediately increase staffing for the Sumner Fire Department. They also strongly recommended that the City look for a partnership with another agency in order to expand the services, reduce overhead costs and maximize the quality of service to Sumner citi-zens and businesses. They were par-ticularly concerned that the increased demand on the department was also increasing the amount of time it took for the department to respond to calls.

The City Council reviewed these recommendations as well as those of a consultant who helped the task force. The Council decided to hire three additional paramed-ic/firefighters, bringing Sumner to a total of 21 firefighters and paramedics. (See related story on page 4.) The Council also agreed to continue to review and exam-ine the long-term possibilities for the City to partner in some form with another agency.

Starting in August, Dick Moore, former Sumner Director of Fire and

Emergency Services, started working with the City Administrator to review the available options for a partnership and what could make the best fit for Sumner’s needs, culture and future. In this temporary position, Moore will combine his experience in Sumner with his first-hand knowledge of simi-lar projects, which he gained while serving as Tacoma’s Fire Chief. The City Council expects to be reviewing options for long-term fire services in October.

The task force was composed of the members of the Sumner Planning Commission, additional representa-tives of the residential and business community, Fire District No. 1, and City Councilmember Steve Allsop. The task force found that in addition to growth in the community, the need to expand services is also related to the aging population, increased reliance on the fire service, and traffic growth around Sumner.

In 2005 the City entered into a con-tract with East Pierce Fire and Rescue (Fire District No. 22) to provide the command and ad-ministration of the Sumner Fire Department. The partnership with East Pierce has allowed time for the City to study the Fire Depart-ment and make changes to staff-ing, training and organization. While a continued partnership with East Pierce is an option, the City will be examining all the options around Sumner.

For additional information about the Fire Department, please contact Fire Chief Dan Packer at 253-863-1800 or dpacker@eastpiercefire.org.

The pride of the past meets the changes of the future in Sumner firefighting: the 1930s Kenworth and the new medic vehicle.

Sumner Community ConneCtionAuguSt 2006 7

CIty Hall Calendar

CoMMunIty eventS

ASK DR.

SUMNER

What is the Jury Duty Questionnaire

i got in the mail?

A trial by jury is one of our country’s great rights. Dr. Sumner counts it up there with freedom of speech and the right to vote. However, it requires citizens to serve as jurors, including in Sumner’s own Municipal Court.

Each year, the Court sends out ques-tionaires to establish its pool of poten-tial jurors. By law, you are supposed to fill out and return this questionnaire. However, the Court sends out about 700 questionnaires annually, and only about 200 citizens return it.

Perhaps people don’t fill these out because they don’t know what it is or are frightened that jury duty will pull them away from their responsibilities to family and jobs. However, Sumner Municipal Court only handles misde-meanor crimes, and trials rarely last more than one day.

Please do your part: if you receive a jury duty questionnaire, fill it out and send it in. It’s a great thing you can do to further the pursuit of justice. You can contact Dr. Sumner at drsumner@ci.sumner.wa.us. For questions about Municipal Court, contact Court Administrator Wendy Shook at wendys@ci.sumner.wa.us or 253-863-7635.

August21 ....City Council meeting, 7 pm28 ....City Council study session, 6 pm

September4 .....Labor Day -- City Hall Closed5 .....City Council meeting, 7 pm11 ....City Council study session, 6 pm18 ....City Council meeting, 7 pm25 ....City Council study session, 6 pm

October2 ......City Council meeting, 7 pm9 ......City Council study session, 6 pm

September

9....Town Hall Discussion, 9 am, City Hall

9....Wine Walk, 4-7 pm, Downtown Sumner

17..Classy Chassis Car Show, 10 am - 3 pm, Downtown Sumner

October

7....Scarecrow Celebration Contest, 10 am - 5 pm, Downtown Sumner

7....Autumn Evening, 5 - 8 pm, Downtown Sumner

Come to a Playground Raising Party!

October 21 & 22Rainier View Park

Help install the new playground equipment and join your

neighbors in building a future for Sumner’s parks.

City of Sumner1104 Maple StreetSumner, WA 98390

ECRWSS

Postal Customer

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

SUMNER, WAPERMIT NO. 1

Sumner Community ConneCtion

SuMner CIty CounCIl

8 AuguSt 2006

Steve Allsop

CurtBrown

Mike Connor

Leroy Goff

EdHannus

RandyHynek

MattRichardson

mayAdopted Ordinance No. 2172, interim development regulations for the Light Manufacturing (M-1) and Interchange Commercial zones

Approved a Professional Services Agreement with the Buxton Company

Adopted Resolution No. 1191 declaring the Council’s intent to create an LID for phase I of the sidewalk program

Adopted Ordinance No. 2171 authorizing the refunding of ULID No. 67 bonds

Reconfirmed members of the Arts, Design and Planning Commissions and the Parks Board

Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Pierce County regarding grant monies for meth lab responses

Approved an agreement for participation in the Pierce County 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points

Approved a contract with Microflex, Inc. for conducting a tax and licenses audit

Adopted Resolution No. 1196 for repay-ment of the Golf Course Operating Fund’s Interfund Loans

Adopted Resolution No. 1195 to award bid

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for a vehicle exhaust system

Approved contract for street striping

Adoped Resolution No. 1197 designating the Financial Operations Director respon-sible for issuing official intent certificates

Approved firework stand permits

JunEAdopted Ordinance No. 2172 adding uses prohibited in the IC zone for six months

Adopted Resolution No. 1198 exchanging right-of-way and relocating storm water bioswale along 142nd Ave E

Approved acceptance of work by MCD McDonald & Co. for Zehnder Street

Approved Professional Services Agreement with Gray & Osborne for Wastewater Treat-ment Plant

Approved grant agreement with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for trail planting

Approved interlocal agreement with Sumner School District for partial support of Sum-ner Family Center Coordinator

Approved interlocal agreement with Valley cities for fiber optic and wireless broadband study

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Approved contract with Springbrook Software for online utility billing services

Adopted Ordinance No. 2175 approving the 2006 supplemental budget

Adopted Ordinance No. 2174 removing four land uses from list of permitted uses in the Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) zone

Adopted Resolution No. 1199 supporting issuance of economic development revenue bonds for Quality Stamping and Machining

Accepted the Cannery Pump Station upgrade project

Approved hiring of three firefighter/ paramedics

JulyAdopted Ordinance No. 2176 executing Franchise Agreement with Pierce Co. for storm drainage pipes

Adopted Resolution No. 1201 outlining Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan

Appointed Melinda McColley and Kellie Monette-Chapman to the Arts Commission

Accepted 2.0 MG Water Tank improvements

Adopted Ordinance No. 2177 revising SMC for petty cash account

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ITEMS PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL MAY/JUNE/JULY 2006