Community Connection
from Happy the C Holi ity o days fS umne r!
Issue 57 City of Sumner Newsletter November 2008
Council and Mayor Make Tough Choices in Hard Budget Year On November 17, the City Council passed Sumner’s budget for 2009 and 2010. The September newsletter talked about how the City is finding efficiencies and recruiting new retail. It also said that the money coming into the City is down so much that these efficiencies and recruitment wouldn’t be enough. The Mayor and City Council would have to reduce services and/or raise fees. When putting together a budget, the Mayor makes a recommendation to the Council. The Council reviews this proposed budget, deliberates, and makes any changes they’d like. Then, it’s the Council who passes the final balanced budget. This year’s budget does include cuts in many areas: • Leaving open one vacant position in both police and planning plus a parttime records clerk. • Eliminate the position of
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parks and facilities manager on March 31, 2009. Cut the hanging basket program and the part-time seasonal parks employee. Reduce time for domestic violence advocate position. Reduce funding to the Arts Commission. Use police cars an additional two years to delay replacement vehicles. Reduce newsletter costs. Reduce staffing at the senior center. Shift funding of Sumner Downtown Association to come from additional lodging tax revenue. Eliminate the funding to Forever Green and the Stream Team. Cut police training, equipment and over-time.
In addition, the budget includes some increases in fees including • Charge for additional staff time associated with special events. • Charge regular users of
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the Sports Complex to help defray maintenance and operations. 1% increase in property tax revenue. 6% tax on stormwater rates starting July 2009.
None of the news is good, but Sumner is in better shape than many cities right now. This budget does not use any of the credit available to the City. It uses money that was saved when there was “extra” money for just such a harder year, but it keeps all of the City’s reserve funds intact for emergencies. Even a passed budget is just a plan. If things get worse, the City will continue to cut in order to make sure it’s not spending money it doesn’t have. And, if things get better, these cuts can start getting reversed. Hopefully, this is a short-term situation that will leave the City more efficient and stronger in the long run.
Why is money so
tight?
I’m still paying ta Of your property ta xes! xes, only about $0.4 4 per $1000 of assessed value goes to the City of Sumner. The rest goes to others such as the St ate, the County, the lib rary, schools and the Port of Taco ma. Also, this is the first year that your money for fire and EM S service will go stra ight to East Pierce Fire & Rescue rather than through the Ci ty.
work for the same Why can’t you do the same d last year? amount of money you collecte the same. Gas
don’t stay Unfortunately, costs to the City electricity, and health goes up 200%, and costs for paper, ease cost of goods also insurance all goes up. Plus, the incr ich by contract raises many raises the cost of living index wh ater percentage than 1%. of the employees’ salaries by a gre tically while income goes up So, when costs go up this drama s down, the City ends up 1%--or in the case of sales tax, goe trying to do the same with less.
Could the City
hav
e raised taxes? Yes. Following th e fire annexation, the Council coul reset the proper d have ty tax rate up to $1 .60 per $1000 of However, they ch value. ose to stick to on ly the 1% raise si didn’t seem to be nc e it the time to raise these taxes.
? ity get money C e th s e o d at supply e Where els the programs th to t gh ri go u at th e water that yo th There are fees r fo ay p u yo ample, animal services. For ex help support an to se en lic et p ra funds must use. You pay fo shelter. These al im an d an esses. control program individual busin e lik t ac d an e stay separat hich om sales tax, w fr w o n is e nu of reve we all The key source eral fund. And, n ge s y’ it C e th op of cilmember Alls n funds over 47% u o C s A . w o new e been sl know sales hav ne Chevrolet, a o , rd Fo e n o ys e bu said, “If everyon od!” tor, we’ll be go couch and a trac With 47% of the City’s general fund now being funded by sales tax revenue, strong businesses and lots of shoppers are even more important to the City’s future!
Safety Sally Says: Efforts Kept Neighbors Dry in November Flood On November 12, the Puyallup River once again rose to levels above flood stage. However, some changes made for a better outcome than in 2006. First, the river thankfully didn’t rise quite as high this time although early predictions indicated the potential for even higher levels. It came within inches of going over the sandbags, but the difference of those inches meant
that homes stayed dry this time. The second change was the incredible efforts of residents along the river. Since 2006, they had organized and prepared, from information networks to teams that helped the City fill and place sandbags. (And with water only inches from the top of the sandbags, these efforts literally made all the difference.) Thank you to everyone who helped out including the City of Bonney Lake, the residents and East Pierce Fire & Rescue.
What does a recommended evacuation mean?
It means the final choice to leave or stay is up to individuals. While we realize evacuating is never pleasant, it is always easier than a river rescue. We recommend putting your safety first by evacuating before the river rises.
How do you decide when to recommend evacuation?
Any time the river rises above 24’, it is considered to be above flood level. Sometimes, as in this case, homes may manage to stay dry even when the river goes over the 24’ mark, but a river is always unpredictable. In this case, predictions for the crest level varied from 26’ to 31’. So, we recommend evacuation over the 24’ mark and continue to hope, as in this case, that homes will remain dry.
What are you doing about long-term flood protection?
The City is working with the residents in the area of Rainier Manor, Rivergrove and Riverwalk to pursue building a flood wall that would serve as a permanent option to the sandbags. It wouldn’t help in a large flood, but in floods like this, it could mean the difference between a wet home and a dry home. The wall is too expensive for the property owners to build alone, so we’re continuing to seek funding assistance from the County and State. This month’s close call serves as another reminder of how important this project remains.
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Sumner Community Connection
November 2008
Have Coffee with the Mayor!
Mayor’s Message Do you remember Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings from 1943: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear? (If not, look them up online!) Sixty-five years later, these depictions of freedom are as important as ever. Freedom of Speech We saw this demonstrated in the long lines of the election. Whether your candidates won or lost, you made your voice heard, and that’s the most important thing. As issues continue, always respectfully submit your opinion. The more ideas we have, even if they differ from one another, the better chance we have of finding the best solutions for us all.
December 6 10-11 am Sumner Fire Station It’s not quite the same as telling Santa what you’d like, but it is a great time to tell Mayor Enslow what you think. What’s working? What could be better? There’s no formal process or agenda, just stop by during the Pancake Feed to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with neighbors and the Mayor!
Freedom from Want and Fear These really hit home this year. I want to thank the City Council and all our partners for choosing some painful cuts in the budget rather than passing the pain on to you in the form of higher taxes. Please continue to support each other through programs like the Food Bank and the Pancake Feed. And, please join in the holiday celebrations this next month. It’s wonderful if you can do your shopping here in Sumner, but even if you don’t spend a dime, still join in. Wave at Santa, sing a carol, walk the bridge. Together, we can create a whole lot of cheer that can drive away the fear. Freedom of Worship Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or another holiday, let’s all be thankful that we can celebrate together what we individually believe. No matter what personal beliefs you hold, the bottom line is that we’re celebrating peace and friendship with each other, and that, as they say, is priceless. Thank you, Mr. Rockwell, for showing us the freedoms we must treasure always. No matter how tight budgets get, may we always have our Four Freedoms.
Need Help? Dial 2-1-1!
City of Sumner 1104 Maple Street Sumner, WA 98390 253-863-8300 253-863-2850 FAX MAYOR Dave Enslow
299-5790
CITY COUNCIL Steve Allsop Curt Brown Cindi Hochstatter Randy Hynek Ed Hannus Leroy Goff Matt Richardson
299-5793 299-5796 299-5795 299-5792 299-5791 299-5797 299-5794
CITY STAFF John Doan 299-5501 City Administrator Diane Supler 299-5502 Deputy City Administrator
Carmen Palmer 299-5503 Communications Director Brett Vinson City Attorney
299-5611
Terri Berry City Clerk
299-5500
There’s now an easy way to get help finding the resources you need. Just dial 2-1-1! You can get help finding: •
Senior & Disability Resources
•
Shelter & Housing Services
•
Food & Clothing
•
Healthcare & Counseling
•
Rent & Utility Assistance
•
Youth & Family Services
•
Volunteering
Thank you to United Way of Pierce County for providing this free resource.
299-5644
Bill Pugh 299-5701 Public Works Director Lee Anderson 299-5631 Parks and Facilities Manager
CITY OFFICES
EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE Main Number 863-1800 John McDonald Interim Fire Chief
863-5451
Approved FEMA trail repair project Adopted Resolution 1243 amending Pierce County Countywide Planning Policies Adopted Resolution 1244 authorizing applications for three Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grants Appointed Timothy Jenkins as Municipal Court Judge
Authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement regarding liability and Pierce County engineering costs associated with the Stewart Road project
MUNICIPAL COURT Timothy A. Jenkins 863-7635 Judge, Court Offices Cathy Pashon, 299-5621 Court Administrator
Adopted Ordinance 2263 creating standards for noise control
Adopted Resolution 1245 setting the public hearing for the Gary Street vacation
Beth Anne Wroe 299-5541 Financial Operations Director
Administration 299-5500 Cemetery 299-5510 Finance/utilities 863-8300 Golf course 863-8198 Inspection line 299-5530 Recreation 891-6500 Permit Center 299-5530 Police (non-emergency) 863-6384 Senior Center 863-2910
City Council Action July-November 2008
Adopted Ordinance 2265 amending Peddler’s Regulations and Fees
Paul Rogerson 299-5521 Community Development Dir.
John Galle Police Chief
Norman Rockwell’s paintings, such as Santa!, came to life in Sumner’s windows for Hometown Holidays on November 15.
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.
Adopted Ordinance 2266 amending provisions of automatic sprinkler system regulations set forth in the 2006 International Fire Code as adopted in the Sumner Municipal Code Approved a professional services contract with ADCOMM and Karen Reed Consulting for a Communications Center study
Way to go!
Adopted Ordinance 2267 amending the 2008 budget
Accepted Golf Course Pond project
Adopted Subst Ordinance 2255 denying application PLN200700073 for rezone
Authorized mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with East Pierce Fire & Rescue defining the ongoing relationship
Authorized mayor to execute a settlement agreement with Sumner Business Park Associations; Reef Adams, LLC; and Michelson Knapp Land Ventures Adopted Resolution 1246 authorizing the city to provide staff time and costs associated with the continuation of the community garden in 2009 and allowing movement of the City shed on site and keeping of chickens at the community garden
Directed staff to prepare documents for Greenwater Development Agreement Accepted construction of Cyrus Woods Sidewalks Phase II Authorized mayor to execute a contract with Sleed, LLC for Tacoma Ave. Pump Station Improvement Project Adopted Ordinance 2271 amending restricted parking zones
Accepted the 2008 Chip Seal project
Adopted Ordinance 2272 for street occupancy permit
Adopted Resolution 1247 retiring Police Service Dog Max
Adopted Resolution 1249 setting rates for the Community Garden
Adopted Ordinance 2268 adding Inattentive Driving to the Municipal Code Adopted Ordinance 2269 amending the Design and Development Guidelines Adopted Ordinance 2270 amending provisions for Truck Routes Adopted Resolution 1248 authorizing purchases prior to approval for payment of fuel, utility payments and animal control refunds
Accepted 2008 Street Striping Project Adopting Resolution 1250 allowing holiday leave Adopted Resolution 1251 for Puyallup River Flood Wall Adopted Ordinance 2273 adopting the 2009-2010 budget Adopted Ordinance 2274 setting 2009 Ad Valorem Property Tax Levy Adopted Ordinance 2275 establishing historic preservation
Sumner winners in Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington: Big Foot Java (serving Dillanos coffee)--1st for Best Coffee Shop Beyond the Bridge Cafe--4th for Best Coffee Shop Dr. April Ziegele--5th for Best Dentist Secret Garden Tea Room--3rd for Best Tea House The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse--3rd for Best Furniture Store Chief Dan Packer--3rd for Man of the Year
November 2008
Sumner Community Connection
Council Column With Thanksgiving here, I’m pondering the things for which I’m thankful: For Pastor Lori, Christ the King Lutheran Church’s congregation and Bruce Hotvedt who let the Sumner Community Garden use 1.5 acres.
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Give Your Pets the Gift of a Safe Home This holiday season, as you buy presents for your pets, don’t forget the license! For $10 for cats and $14 for dogs, you can give your pet a year of safety plus peace of mind for yourself.
For eighty families who planted, watered and harvested. For support from City employees and Council members. For gardeners who braved snow blowing horizontally on opening day. For Don Proctor, who has twice the wisdom, humor and energy of a man half his age.
Also, Metro Animal Services is participating in the 10th annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive. Our goal is to help all animals find a forever family. If you’d like to participate, come visit us!
For gardeners who donated over 3,000 pounds of fresh organic vegetables to the Sumner Food Bank. For Barry MacGray & Sharon O’Leary who planted a pumpkin patch and let children enjoy its benefits—right off the vine! For Ben DeGoede of Windmill Gardens, Stacy Ota of Ota Farms and Paul Moseby of Sumner Tractor for their generous use of machinery.
www.299pets.org Shelter: 253-841-5595
For gardeners who watered each other’s plots and shared knowledge and good times together.
Licenses: 253-299-PETS
For Denise McDermott, Garden Coordinator, who kept us organized—with a smile. For Becky Rice & Betty Sullivan for How We Eat What We Grow, a cookbook available this December for $10, proceeds benefitting the community farm. For Mike Hendrick, Ed Smith, John Munyan, Bob Dearing, Ken & Kay Creech, Patty Villa, Barbara Peterson, Flo Arieson, Steve Ulsberger, Kathy Hammad, Sue Casillas, Nancy Retynski, Bill Sandell, Carolyn Fudge, Jay Couey and many others whose volunteer time helped make the project a success. For those who will forgive me because I forgot to mention their name—or because I did just list their name when they would prefer to avoid the limelight! (Too late now.) Finally, I’m most thankful to live in a community that has shown such wonderful support for our community garden—one of the most successful in the state! Randy Hynek rhynek@ci.sumner.wa.us
ASK DR. SUMNER: Why do I see big trucks not on the truck route? Lots of vehicles share Sumner’s streets including large tractor-trailers, more commonly referred to as “big trucks.” Like many cities, Sumner has a truck route system that requires trucks to use particular streets when traveling through town. Truck routes are, in general, a win for everyone: • you get less traffic and noise on residential streets; • the impact of truck traffic on our roads is confined to specific areas (one truck equals the wear and tear of 80 cars); • truck drivers know which streets can accommodate turning trucks. So, this brings us to the question: why do you still see some trucks on streets not on the truck route? Likely, this is because the truck routes
only apply to cut-through traffic. Trucks still must use other streets to make deliveries and pick-ups so that we get the things we need like milk, gas, and packages. With the truck route system, a truck is required to use the shortest route possible from the designated truck route to their destination. So, it still tries
to limit traffic on non-routes, but it doesn’t eliminate it altogther. The other option is that the truck may be either lost or disobeying the truck route rule. The code regarding violations just changed so that it is easier to enforce. Should police find a truck that is violating the route, the driver could receive a civil infraction with a maximum penalty of $250. A map of Sumner’s truck routes is online at www.ci.sumner.wa.us. Contact Dr. Sumner at DrSumner@ci.sumner. wa.us.
A Sumner Police Officer checks a vehicle during a Comercial Vehicle Enforcement Emphasis that Sumner Police held in October. In one day, officers from other cities and the County helped Sumner check 21 trucks and put four trucks and one driver out of service.
Treasure in Our Backyard: Heritage Park Perhaps no other park in Sum- park to honor loved ones or ner is more aptly named than their connection with Sumner. Rueben A. Knoblauch Heritage Park. This is Perhaps because HERITAGE the park where we it is built on gifts At: Main St. & Kincaid really come togethand involvement, er as a community Key Amenities: Heritage is the Gazebo to celebrate either park that’s all Benches in small groups or about meeting Tables large events. Chess/Checkers tables people. Some Heritage Tiles & Pavers meet a friend for Heritage Park was lunch and/or a designed and congame of checkstructed in 1995-96. It started ers while others use the park with an initial contribution by to enjoy the sounds of Music the late Senator Knoblauch, Off Main. For larger events who served in the Washington such as Mutts Off Main, the State Legislature for 30 years adjoining street becomes part before retiring in 1977. His of the space for a town-square gift bought the land and other kind of set-up. Together with materials. The rest of the the gazebo, it harkens back to park followed in this tradition the days of community bands, and was built primarily with town centers and Sundays materials and labor donated in the park--all part of our by local individuals, families, Heritage that remains and businesses. Even now, today in Sumner. families still purchase bricks to be engraved in the
Local kids enjoy a decorated Heritage Park.
Sumner Community Connection
November 2008
City Hall Calendar
Thank You from the Animals! An individual who lives near Sumner recently donated $5000 to Metro Animal Services. The donor wished to remain anonymous, but we still wanted to acknowledge and thank them for a very generous gift.
November 24 .... City Council Study Session, 6 pm 27-28 City Hall closed for Thanksgiving December 1 ...... City Council Meeting, 7 pm 3 ...... Special Council Study Session, 6 pm 4 ...... Planning Commission, 7 pm 8 ...... City Council Study Session, 6 pm 9 ...... Parks Commission, 6 pm 11..... Forestry Commission, 4 pm 11..... Design Commission, 6:30 pm 25..... City Hall closed for Christmas
Sunset Chevrolet’s Toy & Food Drive Through Dec. 15, Sunset Chevrolet is holding their 3rd Annual Toy & Food Drive to help St. Francis House. Drop by donations of cash or items at Sunset Chevrolet on 910 Traffic Avenue. Also, watch the holiday sales because in January, they’ll bring back their “keep that warm feeling going” Coats & Blanket Drive!
Don’t Forget the Sumner Food Bank January 2009 1 ...... City Hall closed for New Year’s 5 ...... City Council Meeting, 7 pm 8 ...... Forestry Commission, 4 pm 8 ...... Design Commission, 6:30 pm 12..... City Council Study Session, 6 pm 13..... Parks Commission, 6 pm
Thank you to everyone who has kept up donations to the Sumner Food Bank even with tough economic times. Your donations are very much needed and appreciated, now more than ever. So, don’t forget through the holidays and even after to share with those who need a little help through the Sumner Food Bank. You can call the Food Bank at 863-3793 or drop off donations at 15625 Main St E.
“Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some” ~ Charles Dickens Sumner City Council INSIDE: Discover a new format and all the same great information for your Community Connection! This format actually saves the City (and you) $1000 each year, even
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Community Events Tim Pierson Photography
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Pedestrians and drivers enjoying the decorated bridge.
November 28..... Bridge Lighting & Processional, 5 pm, Old Cannery to Windmill Gardens, www.sumnerdowntown.com 29..... ManeStage Theatre presents It’s a Wonderful Life!, 7 pm, Sumner Performing Arts Center. Tickets $14 for adults. Details at 253-447-7645 or www.manestagetheatre.com. 30..... ManeStage Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life!, 2 pm, see Nov 29 for details December 3 ...... Sumner Social Circle, 7-9 pm, Ryan House 5 ...... ManeStage Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life!, 7 pm, see Nov 29 for details 6 ...... Annual Pancake Feed, 7 am - noon, Fire Station 6 ...... Coffee with the Mayor, 10 - 11 am, Fire Station 6 ...... ManeStage Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life!, 2 & 7 pm, see Nov 29 for details 6 ...... Santa Parade, 2:30 pm, Downtown, www.sumnerdowntown.com 7 ...... ManeStage Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life!, 2 pm, see Nov 29 for details 10..... Senior Center trip to Fantasy Lights in Spanaway, 4:30 pm, free reservation: denises@ci.sumner.wa.us 13..... Christmas Stroll, 10 am - 7 pm, Downtown, www.sumnerdowntown.com 17..... Senior Center trip to Fantasy Lights in Spanaway, 4:30 pm, free reservation: denises@ci.sumner.wa.us 17..... Sumner Social Circle, 7-9 pm, Ryan House 22..... Santa in Sumner, 11 am - 5 pm, East Pierce Fire & Rescue will bring a special visitor throughout the city, route maps will be available at the fire station PLUS the Ryan House will be open and decoratJanuary 2009 ed for the holidays every Saturday and Sunday, 7 ...... Senior Center trip to lunch at Kent Senior Center 1-4 pm, from Thanksgiving to New Years! $5, denises@ci.sumner.wa.us 7 ...... Sumner Social Circle, 7-9 pm, Ryan House 18..... Senior Center trip to The Greater Tuna at Lakewood Playhouse Theater, $21, denises@ci.sumner.wa.us