City of Sumner newSletter January 2008iSSue 52

Police Stories

INSIDE: Meet Your New Councilmember • Take an Arts Survey • Avoid Costly Repairs • Find Treasure

To keep the City’s finances solid in the short- and long-term, there will be two key efforts in 2008. Both will bring efficiency and stabilization to the City’s revenue without sacrificing your service.

Fire & EMS AnnexationIn 2007, the City began its contract with East Pierce Fire and Rescue to provide fire and emergency medi-cal services (EMS). In its first year, citizens saw better service and cover-age, the benefits of a much larger fire district that has resources the City never could have afforded on its own. That contract is step one.

The second step comes this April

New Year Brings New Opportunities for Sumner

Continued on page 7

Our community’s holiday season kicked off with lights and fireworks. Photo courtesy of Steve Fowler/Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse

when voters consider whether or not to fully annex the City of Sumner into the East Pierce fire district. While this vote doesn’t affect service, it changes how you participate in the fire district.

With the current contract, you wouldn’t participate in East Pierce elections. If fully annexed, you would become a voting member of the fire district.

Under the current contract, the City pays East Pierce the full $2 per $1000 of assessed value per residence for fire and emergency medical services. However, what you pay to the city keeps decreasing each year because of the 1% cap on revenue that can be col-

lected. So, the City has to keep making up the difference from the general fund, using money that otherwise would go to roads, parks, police, etc.

It would be more efficient for your City’s finances if you paid straight to East Pierce and voted on your own rate. In other words, annexing into the fire district is simply a change in gov-ernance for fire and EMS services and is much more efficient than contract-ing for those services long-term.

More information is on the City’s website at www.ci.sumner.wa.us and more details will follow in the next newsletter.

City of Sumner1104 Maple Street

Sumner, WA 98390253-863-8300

253-863-2850 FAXMAYOR

Dave Enslow 299-5790

CITY COUNCILSteve Allsop 299-5793Curt Brown 299-5796Cindi Hochstatter 299-5795Randy Hynek 299-5792Ed Hannus 299-5791Leroy Goff 299-5797Matt Richardson 299-5794

CITY STAFFJohn DoanCity Administrator 299-5501

Diane SuplerDeputy City Administrator 299-5502

Carmen Palmer Communications Director 299-5503

Brett VinsonCity Attorney 299-5611

Terri BerryCity Clerk 299-5500

Paul Rogerson Community Development Director 299-5521

Beth Anne WroeFinancial Operations Director 299-5541

John GallePolice Chief 299-5644

Bill Shoemaker Public Works Director 299-5701

Lee Anderson Parks and Facilities Manager 299-5631

CITY OFFICES

Administration/Finance 863-8300 FAX 863-2850Cemetery 299-5510Fire (non-emergency) 863-1800Golf Course 863-8198Inspection Line 299-5530Parks and Recreation 891-6500Permit Center 299-5523Police (non-emergency) 863-6384Senior Center 863-2910

MUNICIPAL COURT

Judge Stephen R. SheltonCourt Offices 863-7635

Cathy Pashon, Court Administrator 299-5621

EAST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE

Main Number 863-1800Dan Packer, Fire Chief 863-5451

Sumner Community ConneCtion2 January 2008

Mayor’s Message

How was your holiday season? Did you get that Wii you wanted? Did you

enjoy a deserved rest with family and friends? Did you make a big list of

resolutions for 2008?

I’d have to say yes to all of those (except for the Wii thing--I’m still trying

to pronounce that correctly). You see, I got a very special visitor. At our last

Council meeting in 2007, Santa himself dropped in. I asked for a big box store

and a car dealership for our city. Why would I spend my wish on something like

that? Because this is what we need for our city to be healthy.

Costs keep going up--you know that if you’ve bought gas lately. We need to

provide the same excellent level of service that we’ve come to expect from our

City, but we also need to provide for Sumner’s financial needs without raising

taxes on the people who live here. We need to develop the other revenue source:

sales tax revenue.

We have great stores already, but we also have an opportunity to make the 24th

Street interchange help support the rest of the city. With its freeway access and

distance from the downtown core, it’s the perfect location to bring those bigger

chain stores without endangering the charm of Sumner. It

cuts down on the driving we do to similar stores in neighbor-

ing cities, and our community gets the sales tax revenue.

This is going to be a big year for us to

make this happen. We are hard at

work on it, and for good measure,

I can always remind Santa that this

was my wish for 2008!

The very best of the new year to all

of you,

The Old Cannery brought Santa for a visit during the last 2007 City Council meeting.

Sumner Community ConneCtionJanuary 2008 3

On January 7, Cindi Hochstatter be-came the newest City Councilmember. Hochstatter was elected in November along with the re-elections of Council-members Curt Brown, Leroy Goff and Matt Richardson.

Hochstatter grew up in Kennewick and moved to the Seattle area in 1979. Her husband Pete started a welding supply and industrial gas business, and the family bought a home in Sumner 25 years ago. “We found the Sumner community and have always been very happy with that decision,” says Hochstatter.

“I love arts, flowers and music. I enjoyed the Sumner School District, and our family life rotated around the basketball and tennis games of my

Council Welcomes New Member, Honors Retiring Member

daughter Shannon and son Mi-chael. Now, I’m busy switch-ing my focus over from the Arts Commission to being on the City Council.”

The position was previously filled by Mike Con-nor, who retired after 15 years of service. In that time, he tackled countless subjects and issues for Sumner. He also rep-

Judge Stephen Shelton looks on as Councilmember Cindi Hochstatter signs her oath to serve the City of Sumner.

resented the city in such regional efforts as Puget Sound Regional Council, Pierce County Regional Council, Growth Management

Steering Committee, Economic Development District, and Rainier Communications Commission.

Said Mayor Dave Enslow, “Sumner is a better place because Mike Connor gave a part of his life to invest in this community. He has made an enduring contribu-tion to Sumner.”

You’ll see a familiar face at the helm of the Sumner Police Department. In November, the City Council confirmed the mayor’s selection of Lieutenant John Galle as the City’s new chief of police. Chief Galle had served Sumner for ten years, most recently as acting chief after former Chief Colleen Wilson went to the Port of Seattle.

“We’re here to work with the commu-nity, to build trust and help make this a safe place to live and work,” said Chief Galle. “To do that, we need a partnership between the citizens and the police. I want to give our officers the resources and support they need to build that partnership and that trust before an emergency happens.”

Chief Galle started his career in law enforcement as a patrol officer and has since achieved many accomplishments including graduating with top academ-ic honors from the Basic Law Enforce-ment Academy; earning a Certificate of Merit in 2000 for responding off-duty and apprehending a rape suspect;

introducing the School Resource Office program in the Sumner School District, and developing and expand-ing Sumner’s Communications Center to include multi-agency dispatching responsibilities.

“It was difficult to select just one person from so many qualified candi-dates,” said Mayor Dave Enslow, “but it also gave us a variety of styles and experiences from which to choose just the right fit for the Sumner commu-nity. The best fit is John Galle.”

Chief John Galle (standing front, left) with Sumner Police officers.

New Chief Focuses on Community Safety Council Action October 2007Accepted construction of North Street Parking Lot, Phase 1Accepted construction of Van Tassel Pump StationApproved salary adjustment for Communications OfficerApproved State to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds to Pacific Crest IndustriesAwarded design of Traffic/Fryar and Main Street Intersection Improvements to ParametrixAdopted Ordinance No. 2230 amending Downtown RPZ codeAdopted Ordinance No. 2231 amending code related to special events

November 2007Adopted Resolution No. 1228 establishing a purchasing agreement with Kitsap County Public Transportation Benefit AreaAdopted Resolution No. 1229 establishing a purchasing agreement with Tacoma Community CollegeAdopted Ordinance No. 2232 creating the Miscellaneous Grant FundAdopted Ordinance No. 2233 regarding Impound Hearing Filing FeesConfirmed Mayor’s appointment of Marsha Vandenberg and Anita Miller to the Arts CommissionAdopted Resolution No. 1227 encouraging Buy American and Buy Local EffortsAdopt Resolution No. 1230 endorsing a solution to parking at the Sumner StationAdopted Ordinance No. 2238 for 2007 Budget Adjustments

Continued on page 7

Sumner Community ConneCtion4 January 2008

Calling 911 from a Cell PhoneMore and more, we’re using cell phones as our primary or even only phone. If you need to use a cell phone to call 911 in an emergency, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Tell the dispatcher the nature of your emergency.

Tell the dispatcher that you’re calling on a cell and give your location, in-cluding your city. When you call from a traditional phone in Sumner, your call goes to Sumner’s communications center and automatically shows the address. However, if you call from a cell phone, your call may go to a different commu-nication center. Plus, the dispatcher won’t see an address for a cell phone. This makes it very important for you to give your location, including city, rather than relying on confusing local references such as “I’m at Heritage Park!”

Think about location markers to give if driving. Use cross streets, landmarks and mileposts to help police find the exact location of the emergency.

Give your name and cell phone number. You may get disconnected, and the dispatcher will want to call you back. If you are disconnected, call 911 again.

Prevent “pocket calls.” Unlocked cell phones can easily dial 911 by accident, especially if it’s preprogrammed. Be

sure to lock your phone to avoid accidental 911 calls.

Staying Healthy Focuses on the Basics

Whether you’re worried about a pandemic flu or catching the bug your co-worker has, your best bet to stay healthy is to keep up the basics.

Wash Your HandsAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, simple hand-washing is the single most important method of preventing the spread of infection. Keep in mind:

Anti-bacterial soap can actually be more harmful than regular soap by killing the “good bacteria” that keeps you healthy. Scrub for 20 seconds when you wash (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday two times).

Cough or sneeze into a tissue. An infected person shares germs through a cough or sneeze, and tissues can help, but the best way to prevent colds and the flu from spreading is to practice the next tip.

Stay home when you’re sick! Germs can live for 2 hours on surfaces like tables, desks and doorknobs, so the best way to keep from getting co-workers sick is to stay home and rest.

This information and more is available from Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, available online at www.tpchd.org.

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2008 RESOlutION IDEAS:Just in case you needed a few more, here are some ideas to help you start the new year off right!

Stay healthy (see details on this page)

Renew pets’ annual licenses before they expire

Understand how to effectively call 911 from a cell phone (see details on this page)

Pay next utility bill online

Avoid causing damage to the water meter (see facing page)

Find ways to reduce water use

Get prepared for an emergency (see page 8)

Go for a walk and try out some of the new sidewalks and trail sections around town

Details on the following pages or at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

Sumner Community ConneCtionJanuary 2008 5

Avoid Damage and Costly Repairs with One Phone Call

We’ve all been there. You want to replace a drain or a faucet and decide to shut off your water, so you go out to the meter. The danger is that you may not know exactly how to do it correctly. Many residents who have tried end up breaking the meter, causing loss of water to their home and their neighbors and costing the city (and every taxpayer) up to $3000 in repairs! Think jackhammers, vacuum trucks, asphalt repair, City crews, etc.

We can help! In fact, please let us help. City code prohibits individuals from turning their water on or off at the meter box without prior permission for just this very reason. Technically, the city could bill any repairs to the individual who caused damage as the meter and meter box are owned by the water utility.

The good news is it’s easy to get help and avoid costly repairs. Just give Public Works a call, and we’ll arrange with you a time to come out and shut off the water for you. Once your repairs are done, we’ll come back and turn it back on. This service is available free of charge, Monday-Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm. If you absolutely must do work on a weekend or evening, still call during regular business hours, and we’ll come meet with you before you begin to show you how to do the work properly and avoid a problem.

So, next time, save yourself (and your neighbors) the risk of damage, and have us do the “dirty work” for you. To make an appointment, call the Public Works Shops at 253-299-5740.

treasure in Our Backyard: Rainier View Park

This year, we’re taking a look at all the treasures that are in our backyard in our city parks. Likely, you have your favorites, but can you name all the parks and identify all the ameni-ties they have to offer you? Probably not! So, read up on each park this year, and find some new treasures.

Our first featured park is our newest park, officially opened last summer. Rain-ier View is the first park on the east side of Sumner. It was designed directly from the ideas that citizens gave about what a day in their ideal park would be like. The theme throughout all the responses was whimsical fun. You’ll find this in

Rainier View’s colorful mosaic entry and the low rise of grass intended for flying kits and rolling. (Remember the fun of simply rolling down a hill?)

All of this light-hearted fun makes Rainier View a great park to visit in winter. If the grey has you down, sit in a giant “chair” covered in the colors of springtime or use the breeze to get out a kite. Enjoy the children’s play areas, shoot a few hoops,

or enjoy a dry winter picnic in the shelter.

Let the youthful enthusiasm of Rainier View’s design bring a bit of spring into January.

RAINIER VIEW

At: Meade-McCumber & Parker Road

Key Amenities: kite hill, entry plaza, playgrounds, picnic shelter, basketball court, walking trails

Sumner Reads with Pierce County

The Easel

The annual Sumner Reads program went county-wide this year! As with Sumner Reads, Pierce County READS encourages you to read the same book

as others across the county and then enjoy a variety of events, including a presentation by the book’s best-sell-ing author on April 26.

So, on February 3, look for the book title announced in Pierce County Libraries, The News Tribune and online at www.piercecountylibrary.org or through the City’s site at www.ci.sumner.wa.us. Then, get read-ing and join in the fun to share your thoughts, ideas and insights.

Sponsored by Key Foundation, funded by KeyBank. Many community partners are also participating including Pierce County Library Foundation and Sumner Arts Commission.

utility Rates to Increase Slightly

In 2008, utility rates increased by 3.5% to keep consistent with local inflation rates as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

If you have a 3/4” meter (which most people do), your water use base rate goes from $9.72 to $10.06. Storm goes from $9.14 to $9.46. For sewer, a single family home’s base rate goes from $34.48 to $35.69.

There are a number of different rates for various flow uses and meter sizes.

For a full update on the new rates and an explanation on how the rates are calculated, visit www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

Sumner Community ConneCtion6 January 2008

Wetlands are areas that con-

tain a high water table for most of the growing season. They provide

flood water storage, habitat for fish and wildlife, and natural processing and

filtering for stormwater run-off.

Under the City’s Wetland Protection Ordinance, wetlands of certain size and quality are protected from being filled or otherwise destroyed. They also have buffers of undisturbed native vegetation around them for protection.

Wetlands are categorized from 1 to 4. Category 1 is the highest wetlands value and requires the largest buffer. These wetlands normally have open water and mature vegetation. Category 3 and 4 wetlands often appear in pas-tures and are less distinguished from surrounding areas.

The regulations give some flexibility in reducing or expanding the buffer, depending on circumstances. Varianc-es are also possible if a wetland or buf-fer would prevent a reasonable amount of development on the property such as a single-family house.

And, here’s something else you may not know: you can plant the outer edge of wetland buffers with fruit and nut trees to benefit wildlife (and people). The trees must be “naturalized,” native to North America and require little or no maintenance. But, they can be a great way to use some of the buffer and enjoy fresh fruit at the same time.

You can e-mail Dr. Sumner at DrSumner@ci.sumner.wa.us.

ASK DR. SuMNER:What exactly

is a wetland, and what can I do with it?

Arts CommissionCarol BellLillian “Ronda” BishopBarbara Bitetto - ChairMary DearingDonna HardtkeLana HooverMelinda McColleyAnita MillerKellie Monette-Chapman Lisa RichardsonJan SanfordMarsha Vandenberg

Design CommissionStephen AtkinsonMarshall Bennett David Bisom - Chair Kevin CleggEd F. DavisRobert “Doc” Hansen

Commissioners Give time, talent to City

Forestry CommissionWilliam Dugger Gene McCaul - ChairMelissa MontgomeryDennis Tompkins

Parks BoardLarry JohnsBarbara SkinnerPaul Surek - ChairJim WooleryKen Woolery

Planning CommissionCynthia Bush Gary GanzTom Powers Brett MorrisonJon Swanson - Chair Jeanne Walter

Commissioners are residents and professionals who give their time and energy to provide technical expertise to various aspects of the City. Their time and talent is very valuable, and we want to thank them for their assistance.

GEt INVOlVED!

the Forestry Com-mission is looking for a few good volunteers. If interested in applying, contact terri Berry, the City Clerk, at 253-299-5500 or go online at www.ci.sumner.wa.us and select Working and Getting Involved.

Civil Service CommissionMichael CarnahanDr. Patrick Duffy A. Eugene Hammermaster

The biggest news about the 2008 budget is that there really is no surprising news. In keeping with the City Council’s strategic priorities, it contin-ues such programs as building sidewalks while holding the line with no increases in staffing. It focuses on maintenance, efficiency and moving the City forward to long-term financial stability.

The total budget is $57.4 million, and of that, $14.5 million is in the General Fund. Most of the services you think of the City providing come from the General Fund.

Key highlights of this year’s budget include no new staff, a new partner-ship with three other cities to provide better animal control services for less money and the fire annexation vote.

City Passes Conservative 2008 BudgetWhile the budget is con-servative, it also strives to keep the same or better level of service for you. It includes a community survey so that the City can check in with what you’re thinking as well as the continuation of build-ing sidewalks and trails, a long-standing community priority.

The budget will be online in late February at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

Strategic PrioritiesLong-range financial stability to provide a balance of City services

Enhance community character

Protection of water, open spaces, and other natural resources

Safe and efficient transportation system

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Sumner Community ConneCtionJanuary 2008 7

City Hall Calendar

CoMMunity events

January21.....Dr..Martin.Luther.King.Day,...........City.Hall.closed22.....Finance.Committee,.5.pm22.....City.Council.Meeting,.7.pm24.....Arts.Commission,.6.pm28.....City.Council.Study.Session,.6.pm

February4.......City.Council.Meeting,.7.pm7.......Planning.Commission,.7.pm11.....City.Council.Study.Session,.6.pm12.....Parks.Board,.6.pm14.....Forestry.Commission,.4:30.pm14.....Design.Commission,.6:30.pm18.....Presidents.Day,.City.Hall.closed19.....City.Council.Meeting,.7.pm25.....City.Council.Study.Session,.6.pm28.....Arts.Commission,.6.pm

JanuaryThrough Jan 31 Keep the Warm Feeling Going, drive for new or gently used

coats, mittens & blankets, Sunset Chevrolet30 Senior Trip: Kent Senior Center for Lunch, 11 am, Sumner Senior Center

February6 Senior Trip: Red Wind Casino, 9:30 am, Sumner Senior Center9 Sweetheart Wine Walk, 4-8 pm, Sumner Downtown Association16 Nut & Fruit Tree Planting, 9 am, see page 8 for details20 Senior Trip: Old Spaghetti Factory, Tacoma, 11 am, Sumner Senior Center

March5 Senior Trip: Pike Place Market, 10 am, Sumner Senior Center

2008 OPPORTUNITIEScontinued from page 1Growing the PieMaybe because Sumner is known as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World, the City always uses the analogy of growing the pie, or increasing the sales tax base so that the City comes to depend more on sales tax revenue than on property tax revenue. The City is “growing the pie” by increasing both the retail opportuni-ties and the shopping done within the city limits.

To increase the retail opportuni-ties, the area around the 24th Street Interchange is now zoned for com-mercial use, and the City is recruiting those businesses where you shop. A study done last year provides details about the kind of stores you already use. The City will use that informa-tion to recruit the same kind of stores so that you have retail options closer to home, and the stores have a good chance of succeeding in Sumner.

The second piece is to get locals and visitors alike to shop in the stores Sumner already has. The City is working with the Sumner Downtown Association for a promotional effort. By working together, Sumner will have a polished, coordinated look so that whether visitors come for one day to shop or consider starting a business here, they recognize the community and its benefits.

Together, these efforts will move the city forward in 2008 to build a strong base for the City’s finances for the years to come.

Tell us what you thinkWhen we ask someone to consider visiting or starting a business in Sumner, we need to tell them about our community. Tell us why you chose to live or work in Sumner by sending an e-mail to carmenp@ci.sumner.wa.us.

Approved contract with John Galle for police chiefAwarded design of White River Trail, WWTP to Bridge Street, to OtakAdopted Ordinance No. 2234 adjusting sanitary sewer rates by the CPIAdopted Ordinance No. 2235 setting the Ad Valorem Property Tax LevyAdopted Ordinance No. 2236 setting the EMS Property Tax LevyAdopted Ordinance No. 2237 adopting the 2008 budgetAdopted Ordinance No. 2239 reducing interior side yard setbacks in General Commercial ZoneAdopted Ordinance No. 2240 setting the 2008 Compensation ScheduleAdopted Ordinance No. 2241 amending the personnel policies compensation authority

DecemberAdopted Resolution No. 1231 declaring Christmas Eve a paid holiday for unrepresented employeesAdopted Ordinance No. 2242 establishing an interfund loan for Valley Avenue Phase III improvementsAdopted Ordinance No. 2243 establishing an interfund loan between the General Fund and the Golf Course Operating FundApproved the 2008 Legislative AgendaAccepted construction of Railroad Avenue/North Street Resurfacing and Drainage Phase 2Accepted construction of Sumner Trail Phase 1BConfirmed Mayor’s appointment of Lillian “Ronda” Bishop to the Arts Commission and Ed F. Davis to the Design CommissionAdopted Ordinance No. 2244 adopting interim amendments to the 2006 International Fire CodeAdopted Ordinance No. 2245 amending rules at the Sk8 ParkAdopted Ordinance No. 2246 adopting interim development regulations for cottage housing

COUNCIL ACTIONcontinued from page 3

Sumner Community ConneCtion8 January 2008

City of Sumner1104 Maple StreetSumner, WA 98390

ECRWSS

Postal Customer

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

SUMNER, WAPERMIT NO. 1

suMner City CounCil

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

Safety Sally Says, Make a list!Remember, emer-gency preparedness is as easy as 1-2-3!

Number 2 is to pre-pare at home, and that in-cludes having

an emergency kit that you can

grab. It can be scary to think about buying all the supplies for your kit at once.

So, go easy on yourself: make a list of what you need, and pick up one

or two items when you see them on sale at the store. This makes build-ing and maintaining your kit a part of everyday shopping -- easier on you and on your budget!

For more Safety Sally, go online at www.ci.sumner.wa.us.

For your kit, be sure to pick up

Garbage bags/plastic sheetingBottled waterBlanketManual can openerFlashlight & batteriesDuct tapeNon-perishable food (pick what you like and avoid high sodium)Paper and pencilWhistleBattery operated radio & more batteries

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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.