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Autumn 2012
Sumner Community Connection
Mayor Column This summer, acting legend Andy Griffith passed away. Sumner constantly gets compared to Griffith’s mythical Mayberry. Why is that? Our Main Street bears a passing resemblance, but honestly, I couldn’t tell you what Mayberry buildings looked like. When someone says “Mayberry,” I picture Griffith along with Barney Fife, Aunt Bea, Opie, and all the other cast of characters. I’ll bet you did too. I think it’s the same with a real town. The people are the true community, not the buildings. Buildings are important. I am all for historic preservation, good planning and design guidelines. But, sometimes I worry that we put more energy into those than we do into relationships. In the end, people are our greatest resource, and relationships are not disposable. Building the relationship side of community can be hard. I made a conscious choice when I entered politics that I wasn’t going to dislike anyone because that just becomes baggage that weighs you down. I have kept that promise, and it’s helped me through some sticky situations when people mistakenly mix up an issue with me personally. On the other hand, relationships can be the easiest part because they’re simply fun. They get built over slices of rhubarb pie and the melodies of Music Off Main. They get built when we save a 40-year festival and gather for Friday night football games. People loved Griffith because he seemed like anyone. He wasn’t slick and polished. He led with an “aw shucks” attitude and common-sense style of humor. He showed us that each of us are leaders in our community. We just need to listen to each other, share our thoughts, want the best for our neighbors and be part of this community. Thank you, Andy Griffith, for reminding us what is important in any town! Mayor Enslow enjoys the personalities of Sumner at the Homecoming Parade
Sumner’s Sales Tax Rate Goes Down! There’s something you don’t hear every day! Starting October 1, Sumner’s sales tax rate decreases by 6/10 of a cent. That means, if in a year you spend $25,000 in Sumner, you will save $150. The rate reduction comes as a result of Sumner no longer being part of Pierce Transit’s taxing district. Pierce Transit wanted to continue to collect $2 million in sales
tax revenue each year in Sumner while only providing a bus from the Sounder Station to Portland Avenue in Tacoma and shuttle service to the disabled in only 25% of the town. (Over a year ago, Pierce Transit already pulled shuttle service from the other 75% of the town, including areas around Franklin House and Stafford Suites.) Instead of continuing this payment,
Council Column
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
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 299-5641 Interim 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
Golfers Take Swing at Cancer The City of Sumner Relay for Life team sent $9,200 to the American Cancer Society, thanks to the businesses and individuals who helped make Golf for Life another success. Thank you for your support! Denny’s Valley Autobody & DM Disposal Branks BBQ, Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., BergerABAM, Sumner Meadows Golf Links, KPG, The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse, Sumner Lawn & Saw, Whispering Firs, Gray & Osborne, Harborstone Credit Union, Parametrix, UW Tacoma Milgard School of Business MBA Beth Anne Wroe, Cascade Blood Center, Cascade Ice, Chambers Bay, City of Sumner Administration Dept., City of Sumner Community Development Dept., City of Sumner Finance Dept. , City of Sumner Legal Dept. & Municipal Court, City of Sumner Police Dept., City of Sumner Public Works Dept., Dixon Golf, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sumner, The Home Course, Kellogg’s, LeMay Family Collection, Mount Si Golf Course, Pam St. Martin, Patricia’s Creations, Popchips, ProGolf, Ross Widner, Shannon & Associates LLP, Sumner Downtown Association, Tacoma Concert Band,YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties
City Council Action June-August 2012
Councilmember Randy Hynek declined to provide a column for this newsletter. He prefers that you read his postings online, as found by searching for “Randy Hynek.”
MAYOR Dave Enslow
Sumner pulled out. It may not seem like a big savings, but the impacts are lasting. Not only is it cheaper for you to shop in Sumner, but that also means Sumner businesses get an advantage over neighboring businesses who still must charge the higher sales tax rate. In this economy, any advantage is a great thing for Sumner businesses.
City Expresses Concern for Trains
There is a proposal in Whatcom County for the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point. This terminal would ship coal overseas. Why does it matter to Sumner? It is estimated that the terminal would bring an additional 18-20 coal trains, each over a mile long, on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line every day. The Washington State Department of Ecology is already taking the lead on a full Environmental Impact Statement of the proposal. Mayor Dave Enslow has already sent Ecology and regional legislators a letter expressing concern that the impact of such train traffic to Sumner’s environmental and economic health be included in the assessment. Many cities and counties throughout the State are expressing similar concerns, so this proposal will likely receive a long and thorough process.
299-5610
Beth Anne Wroe 299-5541 Financial Operations Director
Steve Zamberlin 299-5591 Human Resources Manager EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE Main Number 863-1800 Jerry Thorson, Fire Chief
Approved an interlocal agreement with City of Auburn for East Valley Resurfacing Project Approved Resolution 1350 amending the Metropolitan Development Council Lease Agreement Confirmed Mayoral reappointments of Donna Hardtke, Norman (Rom) LaVerdiere) and Judy Kimball to the Arts Commission and Thomas McDermott to the Planning Commission Adopted Ordinance 2393 imposing a tax on commercial parking transactions Adopted Ordinance 2394 amending code related to truck parking in the Interchange Commercial zone Authorized the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with Pierce County for street striping Awarded bid for East Valley Highway Resurfacing Phase I to ICON Materials Awarded bid for White River Trail construction to Lloyd Enterprises, Inc. Awarded bid for construction of Parker Road and Puyallup Watershed Culvert Improvements to R.S. Underground, Inc. Adopted Ordinance 2395 extending Stewart Road interfund loan repayment
Adopted Ordinance 2396 amending required floor elevation for residential structures in the flood plain Authorized contract with FCS Group for update to the Rate Revenue Study for the water, wastewater and stormwater utilities Adopted Ordinance 2397 authorizing natural gas franchise agreement with PSE Approved Resolution 1352 amending the Metropolitan Development Council Lease Approved Resolution 1353 authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Sumner Police Guild to add the animal control shelter position as a represented non-commissioned employee Adopted Ordinance 2398 amending the development and design guidelines Approved Resolution 1354 for LID 67 segregation for Sumner Business Park Approved Resolution 1355 for LID 70 segregation for Sumner Business Park Authorized the mayor to enter into an employment contract with John Galle for city administrator Adopted Resolution 1356 authorizing a lease agreement with the Sumner School District at the Multi-Purpose Center
Awarded bid for Poole Road project to Rodarte Construction, Inc. Accepted the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Perimeter Wall Phase II Effluent Pump Station project Authorized the Mayor to execute an engineering services agreement with Gray & Osborne, Inc. for design of the WWTF Confirmed Mayoral appointment of Bob Johnson to the Arts Commission Adopted Ordinance 2399 updating the Shoreline Master Plan Adopted Ordinance 2401 adopting interim development regulations related to multifamily uses in commercial zones Authorized city attorney to file an appeal of the Growth Management Hearings Board Decision Awarded bid for Parker Road Sidewalks to Road Construction NW, Inc. Adopted Ordinance 2402 amending Chapter 3.26, entitled “Commercial Parking Tax” Adopted Ordinance 2403 imposing a moratorium on any business licenses for building or land use activities relating to a medical marijuana business