Community Connection
Need Sumner’s Lower Sales Tax Rate? There’s an App for That!
Did you remember that Sumner’s sales tax rate is now 8.8%? Do you need to remind service providers when they come to your house? You may! With neighboring cities still at 9.4%, businesses don’t always realize to charge you only 8.8% sales tax when doing work at your home. For a job costing $10,000, that’s a difference of $60. The Washington State Department of Revenue can help you point out the error. They have a new app to help you figure out the sales tax rate wherever you (and your phone) are. This is a great tool for mobile businesses like landscapers who need to charge various sales tax rates. It’s also a great tool to remind your landscaper to be sure to use Sumner’s lower sales tax rate.
2012
Issue 74 City of Sumner Newsletter Spring 2013
Report to Taxpayers: A Look Back
161,665 visits to the city website Of those, 91,837 were unique visitors and 27,670 were using a mobile device 10,809 e-newsletters sent & 18,000 newsletters printed
$2,621,785.68
revenue from permits
From 154 building permits issued for projects with a total value of $77, 621,004.56 (triple the value built in Sumner in 2011)
220 tons of street sweepings
disposed safely instead of washing into our rivers
27 tons of patch in potholes 1500 stormwater manholes 814 million gallons of sewage treated before being safely returned to the environment
Did you know.... that the Sumner City Cemetery
is home to veterans who have served in America’s wars, going all the way back to the Civil War? Now that you know, help us to remember. Join the Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27, at 10 am. You can also help Sumner’s VFW put flags at all veterans’ markers on Thursday, May 23. Both are great ways to show your appreciation for Sumner’s veterans. More information at www.ci.sumner.wa.us or call the cemetery at 253-299-5510.
Shred& Clean
April 27 27, 2013 10 am - 2 pm
Event
Are you spring cleaning? Drop off lots of things all at once!
Sensitive documents for immediate shredding Left-over prescriptions to Sumner Police
12,892 visitors to the animal shelter (human) 1,984 visitors to the animal shelter (animals) 37,745 visits to metro animal’s website Happy trails Received ForeverGreen Council award for leadership in building trails
Selling a course, of course held extensive public process to determine the future of the golf course with the debt owed. the result? Sell!
Responsible with our money
Old cell phones to YWCA for violence victims
passed a balanced $93 million budget while retainiNg the second lowest property tax rate for cities in Washington
Great building reuse
Old Red Apple Parking Lot Corner of Maple & Alder
million in grants for roads, bridges, trails, sidewalks, etc.
615 arrests 15,113 calls for police 2,786 citations filed 2,948 vehicle stops 447 arraignment hearings held
Light bulbs & batteries to McLendon Hardware
Clothes, household items and electronics to Goodwill
$30
Saved a bus!
after Pierce Transit’s cuts, got Sound Transit to take over the Bonney lake-Sumner shuttle
Recreating recreation
EXPANDED lOYALTY PARK WITH LAND FROM THE PASQUIER FAMILY AND BUILT MORE TRAILS
Taxes went.. down?
sumner’s sales tax rate went from 9.4% to 8.8% when pierce transit left town
partnered with the sumner school districT to turn the city’s multipurpose building into elhi hill school, helping 33 at-risk youth get the help they need to stay in school
www.ci.sumner.wa.us
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Sumner Community Connection
Spring 2013
Mayor Column I am very proud—not in a boastful way, but proud that I represent a great city at an exciting time. With other cities slashing services, we are starting to grow again while keeping the second lowest city property tax rate in the state. We earned so many grants last year to build trails, roads, and bridges that it’s almost embarrassing. We improved services at the Senior Center and helped the school district serve at-risk kids. We’re moving closer to bringing a YMCA to Sumner (yes, we are!), and we’re finally taking steps to stop the financial bleeding from the golf course. While we lost Pierce Transit when they cut most services in Sumner, their absence lowered our sales tax rate, helping our businesses, and gives us the opportunity to find a transit program that actually serves us instead of just taxing us. We’re making great strides in regional transportation and flooding, very important issues facing Sumner. I’ve been asked to join a group of other Pierce County mayors and leaders to meet with our legislators in Washington DC. We need them to cut the red tape and finally get solutions rolling that will protect our way of life. After Gene Duvorney, president of the highly respected environmental group Forterra, worked with Sumner last year, he wrote me, “Your leadership to make Sumner a livable place for families is evidenced in the populated downtown, the thriving industrial business sector, the well-kept yards, and the connected transit system.” Being mayor is not just about talk; it’s about getting things done. But it’s not just me: Sumner is a great place because we all work together to make it so. Thank you for your partnership this past year. Let’s make this another great year ahead. Mayor Enslow and the City got help planting trees along the City trail from students and Pierce Conservation District.
Council Column I want to take a moment to thank you for your heart. This community has the biggest and most generous heart I’ve ever seen. Instead of staying in the comfort of anonymity, you dare to get involved and affect change. You help those in need through the Family Center, the Food Bank, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, churches, etc. You explore new ideas through Sumner Reads (which grew into the now county-wide Pierce County Reads program). You seek beauty and celebrate together though Music Off Main, the Daffodil Parade, and all the events that fill our community with life. You even fight disease through Relay for Life and Come Walk With Me. Have you ever noticed that
percentage that I think are people from larger cities are actually frightened by it. It is just puzzled by Sumner? so foreign to them that they They can’t figure out how we figure there must be a catch. have the active, supportive Their response is to lash out, community everyone seeks. generating the negativity that I think it remains elusive for we’re missing, merely beso many others because they cause it’s more comfortable don’t see the hard work you and familiar. It’s a small but do to make it happen. Comgrowing trend that worries munity is not something you me. Please hold tight to your move into or even earn. It’s generous, positive something you spirit. I’m hoping create. it’s strong enough What scares to help even those me is that we who fear learn to may have it too trust and begin to good. When work together to most people continue building move here, a great Sumner they embrace for the future. Sumner’s Councilmember Hochstatter enjoys strong sense building community, and pies! of community Cindi Hochstatter and marvel at their luck to be part of it. But, there’s a small chochstatter@ci.sumner.wa.us
Sumner’s Spring Clean Returns!
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 Nancy Dumas Cindi Hochstatter Randy Hynek Ed Hannus Mike LeMaster
299-5793 299-5796 299-5794 299-5795 299-5792 299-5791 299-5797
CITY OFFICES 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
April 29- May 3
MUNICIPAL COURT
Timothy A. Jenkins 863-7635 Judge, Court Offices Cathy Pashon, 299-5621 Court Administrator
CITY STAFF
John Galle 299-5501 City Administrator
Terri Berry City Clerk
299-5500
Brad Moericke Police Chief
299-5641
Carmen Palmer 299-5503 Communications Director
Bill Pugh 299-5701 Public Works Director
Kassandra Raymond 299-5541 Financial Services Manager
Paul Rogerson 299-5521 Community Development Dir.
Brett Vinson City Attorney
299-5610
Steve Zamberlin 299-5591 Human Resources Manager EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE Main Number 863-1800 Jerry Thorson, Fire Chief
DM Disposal will take extra garbage, extra yard waste and/or an appliance at no extra cost. Watch your mail for coupons. Together with the Shred & Clean, Sumner makes spring cleaning a breeze! Coupons will be mailed to DM Disposal customers within the City of Sumner limits only.
Is La Connor Better than Sumner? KING 5’s Evening Magazine loves telling people the best Northwest Escapes. For years, Sumner has placed third behind La Connor and Chelan. Is this the year when Sumner makes it to the top spot? You can vote online now! Check the City’s website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us to get the link to vote.
Trib Returns as Paper of Record Once again, The News Tribune is Sumner’s paper of record, the paper in which the City publishes its legal notices. To save money, the City switched to The Puyallup Herald last year. However, a number of timesensitive items require a daily paper instead of a weekly paper, at least for the time being.
Pile in the Peanut Butter Last year, Sumner beat Puyallup in the Peanut Butter Challenge, collecting jars for local food banks. Peanut butter is much in demand, especially in the summer months when kids may be home from school by themselves. The expectation is that Puyallup is not going to want to lose twice in a row. How can you help? Drop off jars of peanut butter at City Hall or at the Shred & Clean on April 27. Lots of other businesses get involved, so check for alternate drop-off locations at www.ci.sumner.wa.us. Sumner may want to win again, but the real winners are those who simply need a jar of peanut butter to keep everyone fed.
Officer Eller and Rick Kelley load jars of peanut butter into a truck to get counted and delivered to the Sumner Food Bank.
City Council Action January - March 2013 Elected Councilmember LeMaster as Adopted Resolution 1375 setting convenience fee for online pet deputy mayor licensing Confirmed mayoral appointment Authorized the Mayor to execute of Warren Peloli to the Forestry a contract with KPG Inc. for Commission construction assistance of the Adopted Ordinance 2421 to Parker Road Sidewalk Improvement rezone 4.23 acres from low density project 4,000 (LDR-4) to neighborhood Authorized the Mayor to execute commercial (NC) a contract with AHBL for design of Approved tree voucher to the Pierce the East Valley Highway Resurfacing Conservation District project phase II Accepted Sumner Springs Reservoir Adopted Resolution 1376 setting a Seismic Retrofit project public hearing date and time for sale Accepted East Valley Highway of surplus property Resurfacing project Adopted Ordinance 2422 adopting Approved Central Well final design standards for delivery of public contract defense services Authorized the Mayor to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Dieringer School District regarding school impact fees
Approved an interlocal agreement with Sumner School District and City of Bonney Lake relating to the operation of the joint recreation program
Authorized the Mayor to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Sumner Authorized the Mayor to execute School District regarding school the amendments to the Operations impact fees and Maintenance Contract with Billy Casper Golf Authorized the Mayor to execute a consultant services contract with D.A. Authorized the Mayor to execute Davidson & Company for issuance of the amendments to the Golf Shop water and sewer revenue bonds and Food Service Concession Agreement with Billy Casper Golf Authorized the Mayor to execute a consultant services contract with D.A. Davidson & Company for financial advisory services
Adopted Resolution 1379 designating The News Tribune as the City’s newspaper of record
Confirmed 2013 recommendations for lodging tax funds
Accepted the White River Trail project
Adopted Resolution 1374 establishing the annual CPI-U index rate increase for solid waste collection, recycling and yard waste
Authorized the Mayor to enter into a contract with Berger/ABAM for design of the Bridge Street bridge Adopted Ordinance 2424 authorizing LID foreclosure acceleration and administrative costs
Spring 2013
ASK DR. SUMNER: How do you clear the FOG to avoid clogs? FOG stands for fats, oils and grease which are found in common foods and food ingredients. These foods include meat, fish, butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, dairy, sauces and food scraps. When not managed properly, FOGs can stick to the sides of your kitchen drain and sewer pipe. Over time, build-up of FOG can plug your pipes and cause a sewer backup into your home. Not a pleasant experience. These build-ups can also have harmful effects in our public sewer system and back up sewage into our streams, lakes and Puget Sound. Sumner is proactive, helping local restaurants manage their FOGs through Local Source Control specialist Kelsey Jensen. Kelsey provides businesses with information to reduce their FOGs and maintain their grease traps correctly. Homeowners can help too. Unlike a restaurant, you don’t have a grease trap, so you have to get a little create to cut down on your FOGs and keep them from plugging your sewer system. Here are some simple tips for you to follow: • Let pots or pans cool slightly and then drain any FOG into a container, such as a used plastic container, and set aside to toss in compost or trash when it completely cools down. • Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain! • Install screens in your kitchen sink instead of using a garbage disposal. Disposals will continue to release FOGs and help them get in your system that way.
2012
Sumner Community Connection
Report to Taxpayers: continued
In a “normal” day,the City investigates crime & arrests suspects checks buildings for safety reviews plans & provides permits issues passports
monitors parking
maintains ryan house
fills potholes
keeps street lights operating treats sewage via 54 miles of sewer line prosecutes cases
TESTS DRINKING WATER
provides a public defender hears & tries court cases captures wild animals
monitors parking
provides information
collects unused prescriptions sweeps streets
prunes trees
mows lawns
hangs banners
plans for the future
conducts funerals
reads water meters
licenses pets
provides public records collects stormwater
Beyond the Borders is Expanding
3
helps special events
IMPROVES TRAFFIC SAFETY helps keep kids away from drugs provides water via 64 miles of pipe
Free transportation is available for more people in rural Pierce County
Helping special days happen:
New ‘Beyond the Borders Connector’ routes are available for: - Low-income residents - People with disabilities - Seniors If you live in the Sumner/Bonney Lake/Prairie Ridge or Spanaway/Roy/Yelm areas, you may be eligible for FREE rides to: - Work - Medical appointments - Local shopping centers - Social outings - Pierce Transit and Sound Transit
For more information call 2-1-1 or 800-572-4357 This service is provided by Pierce County Community Connections www.piercecountywa.org/cc
Innovative ideas With new electronic water meters, our staff can see when a home is using more water than usual. By alerting the homeowner of a probable leak, we help the owner save money and the city save water!
Small changes save $$ The City offers wreaths that families can purchase for their loved ones’ graves at the cemetery. By swapping a postcard for a letter, the City saved money on office supplies and postage and made it easier for customers to spot the annual mailing.
Community Connections
More information: See more information about 2012 at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.
Sumner to help sustain 593rd Brigade
Mayor Enslow and General Brown chat while waiting (at 4 am) to welcome members of the 593rd Sustainment Brigade home from Afghanistan.
Just as Sumner was getting into its Community Connector with 17 Fires, Joint Base Lewis McChord rearranged the cities and paired Sumner with the 593rd Sustainment Brigade. The 593rd is very excited to be part of Sumner. They are already holding their own meetings at local restaurants. On March 9, Mayor Enslow went to the Base--at 3 am, no less!--to welcome soldiers in the 593rd back from Afghanistan. The hope is that everyone in Sumner gets to know the 593rd and help their families feel right at home here. Two upcoming events get this started. The first will be in May when you have the chance to hear what it was like to be in Afghanistan from the Brigade Commander over breakfast at The Buttered Biscuit. The second is AUSA’s Great American Picnic on July 20 at the Daffodil Valley Sports Complex. Sumner and the 593rd will compete against Puyallup and their 2-2 Strykers in field games. Watch the City website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us for more information about both events. For the July 20 event, we’ll need softball and volleyball players as well as lots of citizens to cheer for Sumner!
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Sumner Community Connection
Spring 2013
SAFETY SALLY SAYS: Consider safety in planting Have you ever heard of a plant attacking a fire hydrant? It happens. Sumner’s great soil helps plants grow fast and grow large. Sometimes, they grow so large that they block or grow near fire hydrants. This is not good if the fire department needs quick access to that hydrant for your home or your neighbors’ homes. You really don’t want anything, much less a juniper, getting in their way! As a rule, keep 3’ clear around a hydrant. Never let anything grow in front of it so that it’s hard to spot in the first place. Prune back existing shrubbery, and take this into consideration when planting new plants. Remember: the size they are when you plant is not the same size they’ll be in a few months! Don’t stop at hydrants. Make sure plants aren’t blocking your sewer access points or stormwater drains. You may be tempted to hide them for aesthetic reasons, but that also often hinders their ability to do their job. When your sewer is backing up, you want it cleared quickly. No one wants thyme to add time to an emergency response!
Pierce County READS Travels to Paris
Fertilize wisely Spring is here! It’s a great time to double check what you should fertilize when. It’s different for shrubs, trees, flowers and grasses. To help you out, Sumner has collected recommendations for different types of plants and compiled them in a handy chart. Take a look at the fertilizer guide online at www. ci.sumner.wa.us or pick up a hard copy at City Hall. Also, check online how to get free fertilizer with Bonney Good Sumner Grow.
Join the Sumner Arts Commission and Pierce County Libraries on an adventure to Paris as Ernest Hemingway and his new wife Hadley travel from Chicago to Paris in the 1920s. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain explores their relationship and the glittering world of the “Lost Generation.” Read the book and meet the author (see below). Plus, Sumner’s library is hosting three events: Paris Antique Galleries on April 20 helps you discover auctions and collectors of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. On April 26, watch a movie based on a Hemingway book and join in a discussion. And, on April 28 there’s Antiques Identification to assess your treasure’s value. Find more information at www.piercecountylibrary.org.
Pierce County READS is presented by the Pierce County Library System and The News Tribune and is sponsored by KeyBank Foundation and the Pierce County Library Foundation.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” ~Abraham Lincoln
(1809-1865)
Sumner City Council INSIDE: 2012 Report to Taxpayers Shred & Clean Returns Clear the FOG
Steve Allsop
Curt Brown
Nancy Dumas
Ed Hannus
Cindi Hochstatter
Randy Hynek
Mike LeMaster
Beyond the Borders Is Sumner the Best? Mayor Greets 593rd
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SUMNER, WA PERMIT NO. 1
City of Sumner 1104 Maple Street Sumner, WA 98390
WEEKLY CONNECTION Why wait until next year to hear all that the City is doing? Mayor Enslow is hosting weekly e-Community Connections with insights in what’s going on. Sign up on the City’s website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.
ECRWSS
Postal Customer
City Hall Calendar April 1 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 8 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 9.Parks Commission, 4 pm 9 Planning Commission, 7 pm 10 Public Works Committee, 4 pm 10 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 11 Forestry & Parks Commissions, 4 pm 15 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 17 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 18 Public Safety Committee, 5 pm 22 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 23 Finance Committee, 5 pm 25 Arts Commission, 5 pm May 6 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 9 Forestry & Parks Commissions, 4 pm 13 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 14 Planning Commission, 7 pm 15 Public Works Committee, 4 pm 15 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 16 Public Safety Committee, 5 pm 20 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 22 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 23 Arts Commission, 5 pm
27 Holiday, City Offices Closed 28 Finance Committee, 5 pm 28 City Council Study Session, 6 pm June 3 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 10 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 11 Planning Commission, 7 pm 12 Public Works Committee, 4 pm 12 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 13 Forestry & Parks Commissions, 4 pm 17 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 19 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 20 Public Safety Committee, 5 pm 24 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 25 Finance Committee, 5 pm 27 Arts Commission, 5 pm June 28 August 18
From sports to music to food, there’s something for everyone!
www.rhubarbpiecapital.com
Community Events APRIL 1 Test of the lahar siren, noon Through April 7 Oliver! Performing Arts Center, www.manestagetheatre.com 12-28 Twelve Angry Men, ACT1 Studio, www. atheatrepro.com 13 Daffodil Parade, 2:30 pm, Main St, www.daffodilfestival.org 20 Paris Antiques Galleries, 2 pm, Library, see above 24 Hemingway Movie, 6 pm, Library, see above 27 Shred & Clean event, 10 am - 2 pm, see page 1 28 Antiques Identification, 2 pm, Library, see above 29-May 3 Spring Clean, see page 2
Welcome spring with the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade on April 13 at 2:30 pm in Sumner.
MAY 6 Test of the lahar siren, noon 11-26 A Little Princess, Performing Arts Center, www.manestagetheatre.com 17 Meet author Paula McLain, Pierce County READS, see above 23 Placing of flags, City Cemetery, www.ci.sumner.wa.us 27 Memorial Day Ceremony, 10 am, www.ci.sumner.wa.us
JUNE 3 Test of the lahar siren, noon 15 Merchant Sidewalk Sale, 10 am - 5 pm, www.sumnerdowntown.com 28-August 18 Rhubarb Pie Festival, www.rhubarbpiecapital.com