CommunityConneCtion

Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s elections. Sumner voters chose to reelect Mayor Dave Enslow as well as Councilmembers Ed Hannus, Steve Allsop (not shown) and Randy Hynek, shown here with fellow Councilmembers Matt Richardson, Curt Brown and Leroy Goff--and Santa. Also not pictured: Cindi Hochstatter.

Construction Improves Flow and Travel Through CityA number of projects are underway or completed that improve your ability to move around the City of Sumner.

Riverside Trail Phase IITrails are a great way to get fresh air and exercise, and

Sumner’s trails are a good option when your favorite mountain hiking trails are under snow. Try out the recently completed 2,135 feet of trail. This new loop circles the White River between the Fryar Avenue bridge and the

Tacoma Avenue bridge.

Stewart Road/8th StreetThe City of Sumner is cur-rently working with Pierce County to widen the Sumner section of Stewart Road (also known as 8th Street) on the north end of town. The two lanes are being widened to four lanes (two in each direc-tion) plus a center turn lane and sidewalks on either side. This will extend the four lanes from Lake Tapps Parkway to the White River. While the road construction is the most visible piece, this project also included extending sewer and water service (see next item), relocating a fish-bearing stream, creating new sections of trail and creating a new intersection at 140th. This project is still under construc-

How You Can Make Holiday Dreams Come TrueThe holidays bring gifts, food and festivities into homes. It’s also a time to share with those families in our area who are experiencing tougher times. Here are some ways you can help.

Issue61CItyofsumnernewsletter wInter2009-2010

Toys for Tots/Sumner Giving TreeSumner Police Department Through Dec. 15Bring new toys to the Sumner Police Department at City

Through Toys for Tots, you can help fill kids’ wishes.

The new trail offers walking/biking options and fills in one more piece toward a complete trail system.

Construction continued on page 3

Accreditation Places Sumner in Elite 10% of State’s Police DepartmentsIn November, the Washing-ton Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) accredited the Sumner Police Department. Although few non-police personnel know of this designation, it affects every citizen in Sumner.

Through this program, the top managers of law enforce-ment agencies throughout the state set standards by which police departments can be evaluated. Approximately 10% of the state’s police departments have earned accreditation. Sumner police did in 2005, with accredita-tion lasting four years.

However, this process was not simple renewal pa-perwork. Accreditation is always a rigorous program. To start, the Sumner Police Department had to review all of its own policies and procedures and compare them against WASPC’s 140 standards.

The department prepared a report on each of the 140 standards. Next, WASPC representatives came to Sum-ner for an on-site assessment. They reviewed policies and interviewed employees. Sumner came through with flying colors.

Hall and volunteers will wrap them and match them to local kids’ wish-es. Thank you to the Sumner Family Center for helping connect kids with the program.

Toy & Food Drive Sunset ChevThrough Dec. 16 910 Traffic AvenueDrop off your contribu-tions at Sunset Chev to brighten the holidays

for others. Bring toys for St. Francis House and food for Sumner Food Bank.

Annual Pancake Feed & Food DriveDecember 5, 7 am - noonSumner Fire StationEast Pierce Professional Firefighters are once again serving up pancakes to buy gifts for Toys for Tots. Proceeds will purchase any remaining wishes not covered by the toy donations. Dona-tion is $3 per person. You can also bring new or gently used coats, gloves, scarves, hats or sleeping bags for the local community.

tion although major work is on hiatus for the winter.

Safe Routes to SchoolsA grant for Safe Routes to Schools is building approxi-mately 1,995 feet of sidewalks on the main walking routes to Sumner Middle School and Maple Lawn Elementary. The project also includes 645 square yards of driveway ap-proaches and associated ADA ramps. These sidewalks were under construction through the fall and further complete the City’s goal of a full side-walk grid throughout the city.

North Sewer & Water Citizens along Stewart Road on the north end of Sumner used to have to rely on the neighboring City of Pacific for water service, but not any-

more. This summer, Sumner completed 1,520 feet of water main and 2,110 feet of 6” sanitary sewer force main to bring service to these citizens. The project also involved building a new pump station, which should be finished by the end of the year.

Fryar/Main IntersectionThe project to rework this intersection includes making West Main a right in/right out only. This change reduces the intersection’s streets or “legs” from five to four and im-proves traffic flow on the four other legs. The pavement will also be improved from the intersection north along Fryar to the Fryar Bridge, and restriping will make Fryar one

Why is this so important to you as a citizen? First, it gives you the comfort of knowing that not only are your police personnel and elected officials happy with how your department func-tions, but the best in the state also agree that you are getting the best of services.

In addition, accreditation tells future potential officers that this is a well-run depart-ment, which tends to attract a higher caliber of individuals to serve you. It decreases the department’s susceptibility to litigation and civil court set-tlements that would cost you, the taxpayer, money. And, it

broadens your department’s perspective, giving the opportu-nity for other professionals to suggest ways to make things work even better.

Learn more about your Police De-partment on-line at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

Representing Sumner Police to accept accredi-tation were (from left) Marsha McGehee, John Doan, Deputy Chief Brad Moericke, Chief John Galle and Jason Wilson.

Authorized Mayor to execute a contract with RS Underground, Inc. for Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Improvement projectApproved purchase of cemetery’s commercial mowerAdopted Ordinance 2296 amending the 2009 Compensation ScheduleAuthorized Mayor to sign the interlocal agreement with the Port of Tacoma for support of transportation projectsAdopted Resolution 1276: 2010-2015 Six Year Transportation Improvement ProgramAdopted Ordinance 2297 requiring use of E-VerifyAuthorized Mayor to execute a contract with Anthony Construction Company, Inc. to complete Seibenthaler Pump Station #6 Improvements, Phase IAccepted Chip Seal and Asphalt Fog Coating ProjectAuthorized Mayor to execute a supplemental agreement to a design contract with KPG, Inc. for Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalk Improvement ProjectAuthorized Mayor to sign a letter of understanding with YMCA for support of a facility in SumnerAdopted Ordinance 2298 amending Comprehensive Plan

Adopted Ordinance 2300 amending Zoning Code for side yard setbacks and accessory dwelling unitsAdopted Ordinance 2301 amending Zoning Code for front yard parking and landscapingAdopted Ordinance 2302 renewing interim development regulations of off-street parkingAdopted Ordinance 2303 deannexing portion of Highway 162 for enforcement purposesAuthorized Mayor to sign interlocal agreement for Pierce County Tourism Promotion AreaAdopted Ordinance 2299 amending Comprehensive Plan to include a manufacturing/industrial center designationAdopted Ordinance 2304 amending Municipal Code to increase radius for public notice of certain land use applicationsAdopted Resolution 1278 declaring property at Wood Ave & Gault St as surplusAuthorized Mayor to enter into an agreement with ESA Adolfson for updating Shoreline Master ProgramAccepted completion of Riverside Trail Phase II Authorized Mayor to execute agreement with Widener & Associates for environmental

City CounCil ACtion September-november 2009

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

permitting of Culvert Replacement ProjectAuthorized Mayor to execute agreement with Berger/Abam Engineers, Inc. for design and PS&E of Culvert Replacement Project Accepted completion of North Sumner Water & Sewer ProjectApproved Resolution 1279 expressing opposition to I-1033Approved Resolution 1281 expressing support for Wellness ProgramAuthorized Mayor to execute a change order for Phase II of Parker Road Storm Repair Project Adopted Ordinance 2306 for an interfund loan between the LID Development Fund and the Sewer Operating FundAdopted Ordinance 2307 amending E-VerifyApproved Resolution 1282 declaring certain property as surplus and authorizing its saleAdopted Resolution 1283 authorizing Mayor to execute a purchase and sale agreement with Pierce CountyAccepted Street Striping ProjectAdopted Ordinance 2308 setting the 2010 Ad Valorem Property Tax LevyAdopted Resolution 1284 updating the Water System Plan

CITY STAFFJohn Doan 299-5501City Administrator

Diane Supler 299-5502Deputy City Administrator Carmen Palmer 299-5503Communications Director

Brett Vinson 299-5610City Attorney

Terri Berry 299-5500City Clerk

Paul Rogerson 299-5521Community Development Dir.

Beth Anne Wroe 299-5541Financial Operations Director

John Galle 299-5644Police Chief Bill Pugh 299-5701Public Works Director

EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUEMain Number 863-1800

Jerry Thorson 863-5451Fire Chief

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon2 wInter2010

Did you notice that Ascension Productions, those fun people who fill Main Street with dancing scarecrows and life-size Rockwell paintings, is at it again? This time, they’re lifting our spirits with the song “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame at the Christmas Stroll.

The song says, “I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder, grown a little older.” I guess that’s one depressing way to look at winter. Times are definitely leaner. It feels colder, and we may even be sadder. (I’m not even

Generosity AboundsBusinesses in the Sumner area don’t know the meaning of “Bah Hum-bug”! Thank you to the following for their wonderful dedication and

generosity to the citizens of Sumner.

Gift Thinks Big for Toys for TotsWalmart of Bonney Lake donated 14 pallets of toys and inven-tory to Sumner’s Toys for Tots program--an estimated value of $25,000! In addition, Dillanos provided a truck to move the gifts to their future homes. It may not be a sleigh and reindeer, but Walmart and Dillanos are definitely helping the big man in red make holiday dreams come true.

Furniture, Coffee and Grocery Pitch In for SandbagsWhen Sumner wanted to make sandbags available, partners quickly joined in with vital resources. Pierce County Depart-ment of Emergency Management provided a sandbag machine, sand and bags, and workers to make and place sandbags. To keep workers going, The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse provided a tent, table and chairs; Dillanos donated hot coffee, and the Lake Tapps Top Foods gave snacks and juice.

Aerospace Gives with Precision and GenerosityPrecision Aerospace has been spending quite a year collecting and donating food, clothing and toys. In the last food drive, their 160 employees filled seven grocery carts with food for the Sumner Food Bank (shown below). At the drive before that, they collected almost 800 pounds of food!

Sunset Chev Brings Toys, Food and Warmth to SumnerSunset Chev is collecting toys and food for the holidays (see page 1), but their sharing doesn’t end with the new year. In January, Sunset Chev also invites everyone to “keep that warm feeling going” by bringing coats, hats, mittens, blankets and sleeping bags to the dealer to go to those needing extra warmth. This drive will be available the entire month of January.

Precision Aerospace delivers gifts to the Sumner Food Bank.

Thank you for reelecting me to another four years in office. Upon entering office, I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I take that oath very seriously.

People ask me why I talk about national issues at meet-ings. The reason is that the vast majority of issues facing Sumner originate outside our city’s boundaries, and I want you to know about them. You may figure that’s the role of media, but I believe there’s total lack of coverage of very important issues and worse, misrepresentation of the facts.

CounCil Column

touching “older.”) But then the song says, “we need a little music, need a little laughter, need a little singing ringing through the rafter, and we need a little snappy ‘Happy ever after...’” That’s more like it.

One of my favorite things about Sumner is that when you’re feeling lean, cold and sad, you have neighbors to provide laughter and maybe even music. Perhaps it’s The Old Cannery putting lights and music on our bridge to brighten our dark winter days. Maybe it’s your neighbor inviting you over

for coffee and a chat. Each of these moments build up our community and transform us from a collection of people who happen to live near each other into a kind of family.

Like any family, we can have our disagreements and our hard times. But, we also know when to pull together. Sometimes we pull together for fun things like building parade floats. Other times, it’s quite serious, like donating to or working at the Sumner Food Bank to make sure none of our neighbors go hungry. We know in life there is no “snappy happy ever after” as the song wishes for, but if we continue to reach out to each other, we’ll get pretty close here in Sumner.

That’s why you can’t take information at face value; you need to question it and form your own opinion. I know that I state my opinions blunt-ly, to say the least. People either like what I have to say or hate it, but few end up in the middle and that’s fine with me. Please, disagree with me if that’s what you think. The point is, I’ve made you think.

The evil forces that are cor-rupting and destroying our great country prey upon the ignorance and credulity of the people and succeed through the use of slander and decep-tion. I realize this column is

unlike others you have read but it explains why I say some of the things I say. When my end comes and judgment day is before me (which might be sooner than we think), and I’m standing before the pearly gates, and I’m asked by my maker did I do all that I can to resist evil and protect and help the people regardless of the consequences to myself, I want to be able to say YES!

Councilmember Randy Hynekrhynek@ci.sumner.wa.us

The annual Santa Parade provides singing and laughter for a little “happy ever after.”

The new plans for Stewart Road include more lanes.

Recently, one neighborhood in Sumner experienced the unpleasant results of their sewer line backing up into homes. Later, residents com-mented that they had heard a gurgling sound in their pipes for weeks before it happened.

If you hear such noises or notice that all of your drains, not just one, are running slow, it may be a sign that your sewer line is getting clogged. Instead of waiting for a major incident or calling out a plumber at your own expense,

ASK DR. SUMNER:Are You Listening to Your Pipes?

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon 3

Does your pet Bet?

www.299pets.org

Shelter: 253-841-5595

Licenses: 253-299-PETS

let us know! We can check if the problem is with your sewer line. (If the line checks out clear, then you may need the plumber.)

In addition, you can help make sure your sewer lines don’t get clogged in the first place. The number one problem is people confusing their toilet with their garbage can. Do not flush things like cotton swabs, rags, diapers, kitty litter, latex gloves, hair, cigarette butts or disposable toilet brushes. We’ve even found things like wood and toys in the sewer lines!

To request your sewer line be checked, please call the City Shops at 253-299-5740.

Trivia Question:

How does Sumner have a direct impact on a new subway in Cologne, traffic tunnels in Shanghai and

the proposed tunnel to replace the Seattle viaduct?

Find out the answer--plus other up-to-date Sumner information--in next month’s e-news version of

Community Connections.

Sign up to receive it at www.ci.sumner.wa.us

Are you avoiding getting an animal license, forcing your pet to “play the odds” that he or she will never get lost? Why gamble with your pet’s future?

The holidays are the perfect time to make sure your pet licenses are current. For as little as $10, you can tell him or her that you care enough to make your relationship legal.

I’m glad you asked! Yes, you

are. This

surprised a few newer

property owners last year when we

got that nice holi-day “gift” of weeks of snow. They

assumed that clearing sidewalks was one of the ser-vices that the City provided.

It’s understandable that this may surprise some as our snowfalls are (thankfully) so few and far between. How-ever, it’s always been the role of the property owner to clear sidewalks. Why? It’s simply the most realistic way to keep our city moving.

When it snows, our Public Works employees are out before dawn, attempting to clear and sand over 54 miles of streets in Sumner, start-ing with the main arterials. If it keeps snowing, like last year, they have to repeat the

process over and over. There simply isn’t a way for the same people to also clear over 100 miles of sidewalks as well. And, if you don’t get to it right away, you know what happens: the snow refreezes into ice, requiring something closer to a pickax to clear than a simple shovel or snow-blower. (This is an illustrative point only: don’t actually use pickaxes on your sidewalk!)

to clear my own sidewalk when it snows?

Please make sure you’re prepared--pick up a snow shovel or talk to neighbors if you can’t clear your own sidewalk. When we have snow and ice, more people, especially our elderly resi-dents, rely on sidewalks to get around. If we all do our part, we’ll enjoy safe, clear side-walks for travel.

You can ask Dr. Sumner a question at drsumner@ci.sumner.wa.us.

Am I supposed

A cleared sidewalk helps everyone get around safely.

Construction continued from page 1

wInter2010

See Sumner from Here!

lane in each direction with a continuous two-way left-turn lane and bike lanes on either side. The City expects to start construction by spring.

Pump Stations In flat Sumner, pump stations are needed to keep waste moving to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City is nearly done upgrading the ex-isting Tacoma Avenue Pump Station to include newer pumps and a back-up genera-tor. This project should be done at the end of November. The new pumps are already in service. Next, the City plans on relocating and upgrading the Parker Road Pump Station from the corner of Parker and Main to a lot north of Main.

Mountain Circle Outfall The name is a bit misleading: this is the project that should help keep Highway 410 from shutting down every time the Puyallup River rises. The water over 410 and going into the Mountain Circle neighbor-hood was never overflowing a bank: instead, the neighbor-hood and WSDOT drains were running backward. Normally, they emptied water from the streets and high-way into the Puyallup River, but when the river rose high

enough, the water ran the oth-er way. This project discon-nected the stormwater system for the streets and highways from the river so that this backwards flow won’t happen the next time the river rises.

166th Avenue EastWinco foods is currently building a 99,451-square-foot store off 166th Avenue E. In addition to the parking lot and building improvements, this project is also improving 166th from the southern city limits line to the intersec-tion of 64th St E. The project will include on- and off-ramp improvements to Highway 410, two new traffic lights, widening the roadway, adding new lanes of travel, adding new curb and sidewalk to both sides of the road, storm system improvements, and repaving the entire roadway through the project. This project includes permits from Pierce County, the City of Sumner, and WSDOT. Construction is moving along and is currently placing the concrete curb and gutter at the new wider location. The roadway beneath the overpass has been widened with new abutments built, and most of the underground work is complete.

Catch the latest Pierce County news,

including past meetings of the Sumner

City Council, on the new Pierce County TV

(PCTV). Now you can stay in tune with city

government when it’s convenient for you!

TV: Comcast Channel 22 Web: www.piercecountytv.org

INSIDE: How to Make Holiday Dreams Come True

Construction Improves Flow and Travel

Police in Elite 10% of State

Generosity Abounds

Listening to Your Pipes

What to Do with Sidewalks When It Snows

GET THE MONTHLY CONNECTIONKeep updated monthly with the e-newsletter. Sign up on the City’s website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

City of Sumner1104 Maple StreetSumner, WA 98390

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Postal Customer

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

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Sumner City CounCil

Steve Allsop Curt Brown Cindi HochstatterLeroy Goff Ed Hannus Randy Hynek Matt Richardson

sumnerCommunItyConneCtIon4 wInter2010

“It is another’s fault if he be ungrateful, but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so. ~Seneca (5 BC-65 AD)

SAFETY SALLY SAYS:

City HAll CAlendAr

DECEMBER3 Planning Commission, 7 pm7 City Council Meeting, 7 pm8 Parks Commission, 6 pm10 Forestry Commission, 4 pm10 Design Commission, 6:30 pm14 City Council Study Session, 6 pm14 Arts Commission, 6:30 pm21 City Council Meeting, 7 pm25 Holiday--City Hall Closed31 Furlough Day--City Hall Closed

JANUARY1 Holiday--City Offices Closed4 City Council Meeting, 7 pm7 Planning Commission, 7 pm11 City Council Study Session, 6 pm12 Parks Commission, 6 pm14 Forestry Commission, 4 pm14 Design Commission, 6:30 pm18 Holiday--City Offices Closed19 City Council Meeting, 7 pm25 City Council Study Session, 6 pm28 Arts Commission, 6 pm

FEBRUARY1 City Council Meeting, 7 pm4 Planning Commission, 7 pm8 City Council Study Session, 6 pm9 Parks Commission, 6 pm11 Forestry Commission, 4 pm11 Design Commission, 6:30 pm15 Holiday--City Offices Closed16 City Council Meeting, 7 pm22 City Council Study Session, 6 pm25 Arts Commission, 6 pm

Community eventS

DECEMBER4-6, 11-13 Miracle on 34th Street, www.manestagetheatre.com, Performing Arts

Center5 East Pierce Fire & Rescue Pancake Feed and Food Drive, 7 am - noon,

Sumner Fire Station, $3 donation per person5 Santa Parade, 2:30 pm, Downtown, www.sumnerdowntown.com 9 & 16 Senior Trip to Spanaway Fantasy Lights, 4:45 pm, www.ci.sumner.wa.us12 Christmas Stroll, 10 am - 5 pm, Downtown, www.sumnerdowntown.com

FEBRUARY13 Sweetheart Wine Walk, Downtown, www.sumnerdowntown.com

Stock Up the PantrySay you or one of your family members wakes up with a sore throat tomorrow. You know the drill: stay home from work or

school, and don’t return until 24 hours after your fever breaks (on its own, not with the help of medicine). Whether you have a

cold or the flu, it’s important not to share it. But, do you have the medicine, fluids and food you need to not share

your germs at the grocery store as well?

Stock up so that you can take care of yourself for a week without going to the store. Some good things to make sure you have Soup (there’s the old chicken noodle stand-by) Fluids such as juice and tea Medicine (hint: make sure what you have already is not expired)Any prescriptions you take regularly

Plenty of tissues, paper towels, etc.CrackersWhatever else you need to help you feel better--movies, books, etc.

Most of these should be in your emergency kits anyway. We usually assume those kits are in case we need to leave quickly for an earthquake or lahar. But, it works the same, whether the store isn’t available or you can’t get to the store!

•••

••••

Checking Up on Neighbors

There are the old jokes about small towns and how much neighbors know about each other. In an emergency, this knowledge can be help-ful--even a life-saver.

Do you know where to shut off your neigh-bor’s gas after an earthquake? Do you know

if they have gas? Do you have a neighbor with mobility issues if you need to evacuate? Do you know of a neighbor who relies on electricity to run a respira-tor?

If your answer to any of these is, “I don’t know,” it’s time to say hello again to your neighbors. The holidays are a great time to combine fun with a little preparedness research.

If you’d like our help, you can sign up for Block Watch in a Box, which in-cludes a roster for you and your neighbors to fill out with emergency contact information and answers to questions such as these. Once you’ve completed the form with your neighbors, we can copy and mail it back out to them.

So, sing some carols, deck some halls, and let us know if you’d like to really give meaningful gifts to your neighbors: the gift of looking out for each other in emergencies.

To sign up for Block Watch in a Box, contact Jason Wilson at jasonw@ci.sumner.wa.us or 253-299-5642.

Teen Late NightsJanuary 23 and February 20, 7 - 10 pm

Sumner Middle School

Do you have a teen who’s looking for something fun to do on Saturday night? How about enjoying movies on the big screen, foosball, ping-pong, basketball, dodgeball, karaoke, dancing, contests, prizes, pizza and more?

Teen Late Nights are open to Sumner School District students in grades 6, 7 and 8 only. Cost is $3, and students must present a current ASB or student photo ID card.