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Community Connection

Issue 71

City of Sumner Newsletter

Summer 2012

The Vision for Orton Junction: Answering Why Beyond the Y Please enjoy this “virtual tour” of the vision for Orton Junction. In addition to the YMCA, these concept images give you an idea of how this new area will build off the best of our past for a bright future in Sumner…

Diversified retail options that keep and attract shopping (and sales tax revenue) in Sumner

Acres of parks and open public space

Farmer’s Market Hall, something more permanent like Pike Place Market

Housing options to match the look of downtown while providing new, low-care solutions for downsizing seniors and young, first-time homeowners

Community gardens and incubator farms

Compact neighborhoods with sidewalks and parks, perfect for walking or biking

A YMCA to build a healthier community in spirit, mind, and body for all ages

Replacements for services and recreation options that Sumner has lost over the years, including medical facilities and possibly a movie theater

What’s Next?

Permanent protection of over 500 acres of farms like this one in the Valley, removing the option forever for homes to go on this land

The project is being appealed by groups from Tacoma and Seattle who would like to leave the land in the County and zoned for agriculture and 10-acre housing lots. If they succeed, all of the above does not happen.

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Summer 2012

Sumner Community Connection

Mayor Column With my grandchildren, I’m quickly reminded of a two-year-old’s favorite word. Do you want to color? No! Do you want to nap? No! Do you know any other word? No! What surprises me is how many people still communicate this way.

Their “no” now comes with complaints and sometimes even verbal finger-pointing.

It’s based on the desire to criticize without the desire to find a solution. Football fans would call it “Mondaymorning quarterbacking.”

The message gets heard by everyone because even a

The power of working together instead of just saying no: Mayor Enslow (far left) with community member Lisa Steudel and John Rader from Tully’s at a celebration for the building of the Main Street Alley.

If you always thought Sumner looked beautiful, thank Warren Peloli. He spent over 30 years with the City of Sumner and led the Parks crew in maintaining 40 acres at Sumner’s parks, sports complex, City facilities, Ryan House and waysides.

He set up the furniture in Warren Peloli with Chamber City Hall for meetings, director Shelly Schlumpf in watered hanging baskets, the Sumner Visitor Center pruned trees, fixed leaky faucets and did just about everything to keep City facilities working.

The Parks Department remains in capable hands, yet for many years, the beautiful trees, parks and landscaping of Sumner will bear the “green” thumbprint of Warren Peloli.

City of Sumner 1104 Maple Street, Sumner, WA 98390 253-863-8300 253-863-2850 FAX

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

MUNICIPAL COURT

respected environmental groups in the nation, took the time to use Orton Junction to permanently preserve over 500 acres of farmland and open space… forever. Ironically, saying no to Orton Junction now means saying no to the best farmland protection Pierce County has ever seen.

It’s always going to be easier to say “no” to each other. But where will that get us in the long run? Let’s move back to discussing solutions for Sumner. We may disagree, but we’ll always get to a place where we’re building a better community for our grandchildren. They’ll thank us, once they say something other than “no”!

Council Column

Sumner’s “Green Thumb” Retires

MAYOR Dave Enslow

two-year-old can understand it. It’s not particularly effective, though, in accomplishing anything useful.

Thankfully, many people do graduate beyond “no” to seek solutions. It takes creativity, collaboration and innovation—in other words, it takes hard work— but they are willing to go there because it will have enormous, long-lasting effects.

Look at Orton Junction.

Everyone wants to save farmland; that’s not the issue. The only difference is how we do that. Most environmental groups have just shouted “no,” which could stop development today but let it happen tomorrow. Only Forterra, one of the most highly

I am coming out of a of you known and unknown new adventure in my life... for your kindnesses. total knee replacement.

Sumner is full of wonderful Those of you who have had people, and I thank you for to completely depend on your understanding and others know what I mean. assistance.

Everyone has been very patient. I appreciate the Councilmember Ed Hannus handicapped ramps on the ehannus@ci.sumner.wa.us street corners, the automatic doors at the stores, and the electric carts in the stores.

I have progressed to a cane now.

Slowing down has given me a chance to enjoy all of the beautiful flowers in the well-kept yards in town. I thank all of the neighbors who Ed Hannus (far left) appreciates the kindoffered to help, all ness of neighbors in Sumner, shown here with Leroy Goff and Cindi Hochstatter.

CITY STAFF

John Galle 299-5501 Acting City Administrator

Terri Berry City Clerk

299-5500

Brad Moericke 299-5641 Acting Police Chief

Carmen Palmer 299-5503 Communications Director

Bill Pugh 299-5701 Public Works Director

Paul Rogerson 299-5521 Community Development Dir.

Brett Vinson City Attorney

299-5610

Beth Anne Wroe 299-5541 Financial Operations Director

Steve Zamberlin 299-5591 Human Resources Manager

Timothy A. Jenkins 863-7635 EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE Judge, Court Offices Main Number 863-1800

Cathy Pashon, 299-5621 Jerry Thorson, Fire Chief Court Administrator

City Council Action March-May 2012 Accepted Wood/Gary/Gault storm improvement project Approved Ordinance 2389 increasing the Historic Preservation board membership Authorized the Mayor to execute a contract with T. Bailey, Inc. to construct the Sumner Springs Reservoir Seismic Retrofit Project Accepted FEMA Golf Course Riverbank Repair Authorized the Mayor to execute a purchase and sale agreement for property located on West Main Street Adopted findings of fact in support of Ordinance 2383, enacting a moratorium on business licenses or applications related to medical marijuana business or dispensary

Authorized Mayor to execute the Waste Water Treatment Facility Expansion Agreement Approved Ordinance 2390 amending the 2012 Compensation Schedule Adopted findings of fact in support of Ordinance 2388 renewing the interim development regulations placing a definition of “private off-street parking lots” in the zoning code Accepted FEMA storm outfall project Adopted Ordinance 2391 amending the 2010 Comprehensive Plan and Map Adopted Resolution 1349 setting the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program Authorized Mayor to accept an employee separation agreement

Summer 2012

Sumner Community Connection

YMCA Program Grows Strong Youth

Growing Kids, Plants and Partnerships with Orton Junction

Everyone knows the Y provides health and recreation activities. Few know about Friends and Servants, a quiet but powerful program of the YMCA. YMCA Friends and Servants provides troubled teens and juvenile offenders with tangible work experience in landscaping, horticulture and farming. The end goal is to break the cycle of hopelessness among troubled teens.

Friends and Servants provides teens work experience at its greenhouses and farm as well as through lawn care and landscaping. Through these areas, teens mow lawns, clean up landscaping, and assist with renovations for senior citizens.

They learn horticultural skills while assisting in planting, raising, and selling nearly 20,000 annual and perennial flowers.

And, they use the land in the Puyallup valley to plant, nurture, and harvest produce from Teens could use the valley soil at Orton a berry patch, Junction not only to grow vegetables but also vegetable a brighter future for themselves. garden, and fruit orchard, all without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. Teens donate all harvested produce from the farm to the Puyallup food bank.

From this work, teens are able to complete their community service hours, pay court fines, and develop as a person, all in a supportive environment. Perhaps more importantly, they build relationships, learn values and skills that prepare them to succeed in the workplace and avoid reoffending. In other words, they learn how to connect with their community is a positive way.

The YMCA Friends and Servants greenhouses and farm are located in Puyallup. With 20 percent of participants currently from the Sumner area, talks are already underway about the possibility of bringing this program to Orton Junction. While the flowers sold at the farmer’s market are a great result, the blooming of young people already in danger of getting into more trouble is perhaps the best “crop” possible.

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Forterra Brings “And” to Sumner

One of the newest partners in the Orton Junction project is a nonprofit group called Forterra. When Pierce County unanimously passed Orton Junction, they included a Seven Principles Agreement that was shepherded by Forterra to ensure the project met the needs of the community. So, who are they? Formerly known as the Cascade Land Conservancy, Forterra describes themselves as “the largest community building and conservation organization dedicated to this region. We are shaping a future in which our environment and economies will flourish.” For over 20 years, Forterra has led efforts to conserve more than 177,000 acres of forests, farms, shorelines, parks and natural areas. They partner with leaders and residents across the region to create healthy, livable and prosperous communities.

Orton Junction and the Seven Principles Agreement are examples of Forterra’s approach to protect land and build stronger communities. They are helping Sumner to be a vibrant community with housing options, jobs, new parks, farmer’s market, medical services, retail and a YMCA while simultaneously conserving over 500 acres of farmland and open space around Sumner. Hopefully, Orton Junction continues past the appeal process, and Sumner will see more of Forterra as they help this community grow well and protect the surrounding rural land.

For more information, visit their website at www.forterra.org or contact them at info@forterra.org.

Even graphically, Forterra’s new logo includes their commitment to “and” in the heart of their name.

Join Rhubarb’s Pet Parade Bring your pet to Sumner before the parade passes by, literally! Rhubarb, the Tacoma Rainier’s mascot, will be leading a pet parade through Sumner on Saturday, August 4, at 9 am. Metro Animal Services is hosting this parade as part of the Sumner Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival. It’s free to participate, but register in order to receive special goodies and the chance to win prizes for best Art Costume and best Rhubarb Costume. Sign up at www.metroanimalservices.org or at or Sumner Veterinary Hospital.

For more information about YMCA Friends and Servants, call 253-840-8110 or visit www.ymcapkc.org.

Greenhouses and farms help teens raise flowers and vegetables.

ASK DR. SUMNER: Who “owns” the Ryan House?

If you live in Sumner, you do! The house and property were originally dedicated to the Town of Sumner in 1926 for use as a park and library to be maintained by the Town. Of course, the Town is now the City. That deed was amended in 1979 when the library moved to its present location. The Ryan heirs said the property could be used for a library, historical museum, or a park site.

The deed also said the “real property and house” must be “kept open to the public to provide reasonable access and use by the public.” The City was tasked with maintaining the lawn, trees and shrubs.

Over the years, the City has done just that and more, replacing the roof, the foundation, the wiring and maintaining the beautiful grounds. The City also allows the Sumner Historical Society to occupy the interior of the

house itself. Summer is a great time to rediscover this local treasure. If it’s sunny, enjoy a picnic on the park grounds.

If it’s rainy, take the chance to roam through the rooms and explore the historical society’s displays. The museum will be open Sundays 1-4 pm and during Rhubarb Days and the Sumner Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival.

Summer is a great time to rediscover the grounds and treasures of your own Ryan House.

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Sumner Community Connection

Summer 2012

Sumner’s Facility Flexes Its Green found that Sumner’s facilThrough Orton Junction, ity exceeds best practice Sumner is going to set a standards. In fact, Johnson new standard of “green” with compact development could not find any energy around existing freeway saving opportunities that Sumner is not already usaccess; LEED certified ing. buildings; unprecedented The WWTF is also being farmland preservation and more. Before all that hapawarded the 2011 Wastewapens, the Sumner-Bonney ter Treatment Plant OutLake Wastewater Treatment standing Performance from Facility (WWTF) is already Washington State Dept. of Ecology. Ecology wrote, quietly setting some great environmental “Your excellent record standards. proves The that WWTF is a dedicated leader in enoperators ergy efficienrun the cy. Johnson City of Controls, Inc. Sumner conducted an independent WasteGardeners use the popular soil water audit and amendment instead of feritlizer.

Any Bag Will Do!

Treatment Plant and their combined efforts lead to outstanding compliance.”

And, then there’s Bonney Good Sumner Grow, a Class A biosolid that exceeds all EPA standards for use as a soil amendment. For years, gardeners have been picking up the biosolid for free in the shelter at the end of State Street. The biosolid has been so popular that gardeners completely eliminated the City’s need to haul it away to Eastern Washington to be burned. That means that this one program reduces gardeners’ use of chemical fertilizers, greatly reduces the City’s fuel consumption and improves regional air quality. Not bad for a little soil amendment.

The doggie bags in parks are expensive and produced just for that one use. Help reduce Sumner’s plastic bag use by reusing bags you already have. Options include plastic grocery bags, newspaper bags, fruit bags or even used sandwich bags. Really, when it comes to scooping up after Fido, a pristine bag is not necessary when any bag will do!

“If you went looking for Main Street America, you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier one than Sumner, Washington. ” ~John Larson, PBS

Sumner City Council

Steve Allsop

Curt Brown

INSIDE: The Vision of Orton Junction

Nancy Dumas

Ed Hannus

Cindi Hochstatter

City of Sumner 1104 Maple Street Sumner, WA 98390

Mike LeMaster

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SUMNER, WA PERMIT NO. 1

Sumner’s “Green Thumb” Retires YMCA Program Grows Strong Youth

Randy Hynek

ECRWSS

Forterra Brings the “And” to Sumner

Postal Customer

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City Hall Calendar August

2 Planning Commission, 7 pm 6 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 9 Forestry Commission, 4 pm 9 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 13 Council Study Session, 6 pm 14 Parks Commission, 4 pm JUNE 15 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 18 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 16 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm 19 Public Works Committee, 5 pm 20 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 20 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 21 Public Works Committee, 5 pm 21 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm 23 Arts Commission, 6 pm 25 Council Study Session, 6 pm 27 Council Study Session, 6 pm 26 Finance Committee, 5 pm 28 Finance Committee, 5 pm 28 Arts Commission, 6 pm

July

2 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 4 City offices closed 9 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 10 Parks Commission, 4 pm 12 Forestry Commission, 4 pm 12 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 12 Planning Commission, 7 pm 16 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 17 Public Works Committee, 5 pm 18 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 19 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm 23 City Council Study Session, 6 pm 24 Finance Committee, 5 pm

September

3 City offices closed 4 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 6 Planning Commission, 7 pm 10 Council Study Session, 6 pm 11 Parks Commission, 4 pm 13 Forestry Commission, 4 pm 13 Design Commission, 6:30 pm 17 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 18 Public Works Committee, 5 pm 19 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 20 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm 24 Council Study Session, 6 pm 25 Finance Committee, 5 pm 27Arts Commission, 6 pm

SAFETY SALLY SAYS: Call Before You Dig There’s a tool you should always use with your shovel: the phone. Why? It’s important to call 811 at least two business days before you dig anything to schedule a free utility locate. If you hit an underground line with even a shovel, you could disrupt your electric or gas service, not to mention cause a dangerous situation that puts you at risk for fines or even injury. Last year alone, PSE had 850 incidents related to accidental dig-ups in its service area. Don’t add yourself to that statistic for 2012. Get details at www.pse.com or www.call811.com.