CITY OF SUMNER NEWSLETTERISSUE 30

How better to stave off the cold dreari-ness of the post holiday winter than bycurling up with a good book? MayorBarbara Skinner has announced“Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger asthe inaugural title for the "SumnerReads Together 2004" program.

The town-wide explo-ration of this novel will behighlighted by a series ofevents held at theSumner Library and opento the public withoutcharge. The events aredesigned to be of interest

to both those who have read the bookand for those who haven't yet had thatpleasure.

Copies of the book are available to bor-row at the Sumner Library and for saleat "A GOOD BOOK" on Main Streetand other book sources. The “SumnerReads Together 2004” Program is co-sponsored by the Sumner A r t sCommission and the Pierce CountyLibrary System with partnerships andsupport by Dillanos Coffee, The NewsTribune and other in-kind donations.

JANUARY 2004

Welcome to Matt Richardson and Curt Brown, newly elected Sumner CityCouncil members who will begin their four-year terms in January.Returning to the council are Mike Connor (Position 5) and Leroy Goff

(Position 7) who both won their elections in November. Here’s some quick informa-tion about the two new council members.

Matt RichardsonMatt Richardson takes over in Position 4, formerly held by RonScholz.

Richardson has lived in Sumner since 1997 and works for aSeattle public and corporate consulting firm, Ryen, Richardsonand Soneji. He is a former congressional staff member for Reps.Rick White and Doc Hastings. He also served as a legislativeresearch analyst for the state House and Senate. He has a bache-lor’s degree in international studies and a master’s degree in pub-lic policy. Richardson is married and has three daughters, ages 13,8 and 6.

Richardson served on the Sumner Planning Commission for sixyears including more than a year as vice chairman.

One of his main goals as a City Council member is to commit the City to build side-walks in neighborhoods that currently have none. He says he will also work to ensurethat Sumner controls growth and continues to be a special community without thedensity and sprawl of neighboring cities.

Curt BrownCurt Brown was elected to Position 6, formerly held by StuartScheuerman.

Brown is a social studies teacher at Sumner Junior High and haslived in Sumner all of his life. He and his wife Lori graduated fromSumner High School in 1977. They have two sons, ages 18 and 16.

Brown became interested and involved in City affairs when hebegan as a citizen voicing his concerns at City Council meetings.Sidewalks are a big priority with Brown as well. Brown believesSumner is a walking community and he would like to see sidewalkson nearly every street.

Brown says Sumner is a great community but it is being threatened with increaseddensity. He wants to work to maintain Sumner’s uniqueness as a community as itgrows. He also believes the City should encourage owner-occupied residences overmulti-family complexes, particularly east of downtown.

Welcome to 2 New City Council members‘SUMNER READSTOGETHER 2004’

Come Join Us!

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Events include book discussions onJanuary 29 at 10 a.m., February 24at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 7 p.m. OnMarch 3 at 7 p.m., Geologist BobFilson will heat things up with"Steamy Science", an in-depth look atthe unique landscape that is thebackdrop for the human action of thenovel. While on April 6 at 7 p.m., theTahoma Range Rhymers will broad-en our appreciation of the cowboypoetry that plays a part in the tale.

Matt Richardson

Curt Brown

■ Mayor’s Message . . . . . . . . . .pg. 2

■ City Employee Awards . . . .pg. 3

■ “Low Impact” Street . . . . . .pg. 4

■ City Hall Calendar . . . . . . . pg. 5

■ Community Events . . . . . . . . pg. 5

■ 2004 City Budget . . . . . . . . .pg. 6

■ NOAA Radio Saves Lives . . .pg. 7

■ City Council Highlights . . .pg. 8

SEE INSIDE

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION2

CITY OF SUMNER

1104 Maple St. Sumner, WA 98390

253-863-8300253-863-2850 FAX

MAYORBarbara Skinner 891-3318

CITY COUNCILSteve Allsop 891-3331

Curt Brown 891-3334

Mike Connor 891-3332

Dave Enslow 891-3338

Mark Evers 891-3330

Leroy Goff 891-3335

Matt Richardson 891-3336

CITY STAFF

Andrew Neiditz City Administrator

Steve Zamberlin Asst. City Administrator/Human Resources

John Doan Asst. City Administrator/Community Development & Parks

Wendy Shook Court Administrator

Patricia Bosmans City Attorney

Susan Clary City Clerk

Mary Ann Norquist Finance/SystemsDirector

Steve Stringfellow Fire/Emergency Services Director

Colleen Wilson Police Chief

Bill Shoemaker Public Works Director

Bruce Johnson Senior Services Director

CITY OFFICES

Administration/Finance 863-8300FAX 863-2850

Cemetery 863-6345

Court 863-7635

Fire (non-emergency) 863-5451

Golf Course 863-8198

Parks & Recreation 891-6500

Permit Center 863-1230

Police (non-emergency) 863-6384

Senior Center 863-2910

Utilities & Billing 826-9400

Website: www.ci.sumner.wa.us

POLICE/FIRE EMERGENCYCALL 911

JANUARY 2003

Ibelieve a small town becomes a wonderful place through thepeople who care about it. Streets and sidewalks, police andfire departments- they aren’t the most important ingredi-

ents in a community. It’s the people who live and work here thatmake Sumner great. I’d like to tell you about the people whowork for the City of Sumner, some for nearly 30 years and somefor less than a year. Many of them go out of their way to volun-teer in our community. Here are a few examples:

Three years ago Susan Clary and Vicki Pfau began leading ourUnited Way campaign in City Hall. This year’s donationsincreased by 20 percent over 2002 and Susan and Vicki will bereceiving an award. Steve Zamberlin has coordinated Sumner Relay for Life forfour years and Robert Holler and Barbara Schmelzer led the City’s Relay Teamthis year, raising funds to fight cancer. Last year Sumner Relay for Life was inthe top 10 US cities for per capita funds raised!

Sally Abrams (pictured below) led the Administrative Assistants this year insupporting the Adopt-a-Family for Christmas program for Helping Hand House,a local agency that helps homeless families. Nicci Davis assisted and our staffwas very generous. Sally also helped with a food drive contest with DaffodilValley Elementary, which resulted in nearly 3,000 pounds of food for the foodbank. Nancy Forester and Nancy Shattuck have developed a program to assistin gathering toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies for Exodus House,another agency helping homeless families.

John Doan is the Director of the Sumner Education Foundation and AndrewNeiditz chaired the Rotary committee that houses foreign exchange studentattending Sumner High School for the past three years. Michelle Converse hasheld successful blood drives at City Hall for Cascade Regional Blood Services.

The Sumner Firefighters work, through their Pumpkin Carving, ChristmasPancake Feed, Christmas Stockings, and Easter Egg hunt, to help the SumnerFamily Center and our community. The Sumner Police Officers worked this yearto raise funds for the Special Olympics.

Bruce Johnson is working with community members to examine the possibilitiesfor developing a Clothing Bank Program, to compliment the various food banksin Sumner. Tim Hyland has helped for years with the Sumner Arts Festival,chairing it the last two years.

There is great danger in trying to recognize people’s actions – I know I’ve missedsome people! To anyone I missed, please excuse me. Suffice it to say that theemployees of the City of Sumner are wonderful people. We’re lucky to have them.

Barbara Skinner, Mayor

Barbara

Skinner

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Sally Abrams,CommunityDevelopmentDepartmentAdministrativeAssistant, led theAdopt-a-FamilyProgram forChristmas forHelping HandHouse. AssistingSally were policeofficers (from left)Jeff Engel, MarkMears, ChadKiblinger and MattKurle.

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION3 JANUARY 2004

The City celebrated itsspecial recognition of ouremployees on December18th. Two special awards,one for Customer Serviceand one for Te a m w o r k ,are intended to reflect theorganization’s emphasis ofthese core values in itsservice to Sumner.

The “honorees” are nomi-nated by fellow employ-ees instead of managers, and often anemployee will nominate someone from a dif-ferent department. This year, there were22 nominations. The awards, as authorizedby the City Council, include a day off and$150.

The honorable mention for CustomerService is Scott Holten, an EngineeringTechnician II in Public Works. The honor-able mention for Teamwork is Jeff Steffens,a Finance Specialist II in Finance.

The annual Customer Service Award is forSally Abrams, Administrative Assistant inCommunity Development. Sally worksinternally supporting all departments inaddition to her work with the A r t sCommission, the Sumner PromotionAssociation, the community newsletter, andthe Music in the Park series. Sally joinedthe Sumner staff in January 2002, and pre-viously worked for Farwest Freight inSumner. She previously had about 15 yearsexperience working with software compa-nies in the San Jose and Santa Cruz areasof California. She’s a real “people person”who represents Sumner well with a wholehost of community groups.

The annual Teamwork Award is forAnthony Vendetti, an Operator III at theWastewater Treatment Plant. Anthony hasbeen with the City since June 1987. Hepreviously worked for a property manage-ment firm in South Hill, and is originallyfrom Ohio. A real “team-player”, he isalways willing to handle weekend and on-call service for others; he is well-liked andhis quiet manner keeps the team workingt o g e t h e r. The supervisor at the PublicWorks Shops says that “throughout theyears, he has always helped out with elec-trical and pump problems at the Shops,whether it is in water, sewer, or streets.”

Sumner is fortunate to have Sally andAnthony working here. They exemplify thespirit of teamwork and customer service.

– Andrew Neiditz

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE

Andrew Neiditz

Community Connections is profiling the various departments in the City ofSumner. We start with the Public Works crew.

Meet the City of Sumner’s public works crew. The only time you’ll findthem at the City shops is at the beginning or end of their shifts, or duringlunch. The rest of day they’re scattered about town, working on that day’sspecial project or emergency, or on typical days maintaining a storm drainor fixing a broken down sign.

Variety is what keeps the job interesting for the members of the 15-personcrew. There is no typical day, says Superintendent Pat Clerget. “It justdepends on what fire needs to be put out.”

For instance, in the winter monthsthere are storm drains to clean sothey won’t become clogged and causeflooding after heavy rains. Or theremight be trees to remove from road-ways and off sidewalks after a windstorm. Of course, they’ll be out withtheir plows and sanders after snowstorms.

Summer months will find the crew hard at work laying asphalt on worn-down streets, or adding gravel to a road shoulder or filling in potholes.They also help build parks and install water systems for the City.

Regular year-round duties include maintaining traffic signals and signs,street sweeping, and clearing sewer and storm lines. They occasionallytake on some more unusual tasks. For instance, there was the 60-foot sin-glewide trailer someone abandoned on the side of a road that they had todisassemble and remove.

You’ll often find public works crew members at the scene of traffic acci-dents, helping clean up debris and directing traffic. They also show up atmajor fires to ensure the water supply is sufficient to fight the fire. Clergetsays the crew takes pride in the fact that every member can take care ofabout any public works-related situation in Sumner, and they respondquickly.

The rewards are few and far between for the crew, just a lot of hard work.But, as crewman Steve Canonica says, “Every once in a while we get com-plimented…that’s why we do it.”

The Public Works crew includes, from left, Shaun Piper, Steve Canonica,Darren Young, Pat Clerget, Casey Stumpf, Lester Reedy, Daron Uphaus,Simon Calis, Tony Utanis, Tim Hyland and Kevin Babic. Missing fromphoto are Gary Lucas, Rick Shively, Dave Ellingson and Twyla Proctor.

SEWER PROBLEMS? Sumner residents and businessowners should report sewer prob-lems to us first by calling (253)891-3322 during business hoursor calling the Sumner Police at(253) 863-6384 after hours.

Introducing Your Public Works Crew

DEPARTMENT PROFILE

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION4

Shoreline Master Program Changes Approved The City has approved changes to the draft Shoreline Master Program that wassent to the Department of Ecology in June. These changes are in response tocomments by property owners and State agencies received at a public hearingheld by the Department of Ecology. The final draft reduces the buffer width ona stretch of the White River between Stewart Road and 16th Street from 200 feetto 100 feet. The City is continuing to negotiate with Ecology and plans are forthe City Council to consider ordinances to formally adopt and implement theShoreline Master Program in February.

City Adopts Update to Critical Areas RegulationsThe Council adopted an update to the critical areas regulations on December 15as required by state law. The regulations are now based on “best available sci-ence” and give special consideration to salmon fisheries. These critical areas arefloodplains, steep slope areas, streams, groundwater recharge areas, volcanichazard and seismic hazard areas. Managing development in these areas protectslife, property and the environment. The City will be addressing the remainingcritical areas topic and wetlands later in 2004. The final ordinance can be foundon the City’s website.

For more information on these two projects contact: Ryan Windish, SeniorPlanner (253) 891-3301, ryanw@ci.sumner.wa.us.

A new street in Sumner has been completed that connects 62nd Street East toMain Street just east of the Fred Meyer site. The street is 153rd Avenue CourtEast, and is unlike any other street within Sumner.

This new street has been constructed as a “Low Impact” style street. It isdesigned so stormwater runoff is collected in bioretention swales and infiltratedback into the ground on site, rather than routed by conventional curb and gut-ters. The width of the street is also reduced, decreasing the amount of impervi-ous surface. These design elements reduce the sudden surge of stormwater to thesystem during a rainstorm, and the swales act as a filter to reduce the chancesof pollution from reaching rivers and streams. Underdrains located beneath theswales then carry the stormwater into the City system. Also included as a designelement is a chicane, or slight bend, that adds a traffic calming effect to reducespeeds through the neighborhood.

Nine homes are currently being constructed along the new street. Like thestormwater from the road surface, storm runoff from the homes will be infiltrat-ed on site as well. This promises to be a very unique little subdivision right inthe center of Sumner.

This street is a first of its kind for the City of Sumner, and will be monitored forstormwater runoff activity over the next few years to determine if more streetslike it may be feasible in the future.

Projects Completed in 2003

■■Traffic Avenue from Thompson toMain

■■Puyallup Street ■■East Valley Road Restoration ■■Annual Re-Striping.

Projects Currently UnderConstruction

■■24th Street Freeway Interchange –Scheduled completion this summer.

■■Wastewater Treatment PlantExpansion – The expanded plant willbe completed this summer.

■■Valley & Main Traffic Signal –Reconstruction of this intersectionincludes adding a left turn signal andthe emergency vehicle preemptioncontrol.

■■Fluoridation – As required by theTacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.,installation of fluoridation equipmentis underway. Project completion isexpected in early 2004.

Projects to Start in 2004

■■Train Station Access - This projectconsists of replacing sidewalks andinstalling pedestrian facilities.

■■Valley Avenue East - This projectconsists of new signals and streetimprovements on Valley Ave. E. by theOld Cannery.

■■C y r u s - Wood Neighborhood Side-walks – Construct about 4,200 feet of5ft wide concrete sidewalks and 5wheelchair ramps in the neighbor-hood around Seibenthaler Park.

■■Tacoma/Puyallup Intersection –Reconfiguration of the existing inter-section to ease truck travel.

■■Fryar Avenue Bridge Rehabili-tation – Reconstruct portions of thisbridge for safety and to allow trailuse.

■■Bridge Street Bridge Repainting -Repair of the bridge structure anddeck, replacing the walking surfaceand repainting.

■■North End Trails - This project con-sists of a segment of multi-use pedes-trian and bicycle trail near 24thStreet.

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

JANUARY 2004

Low Impact-Style Street ConnectsNeighborhood to Main Street

The new “low-impact” stylestreet, 153rd Avenue CourtEast, is the first of its kindin Sumner. It is narrowerthan typical streets to reducestormwater runoff, andstormwater is infiltratedback into the ground. Thestreet has a slight bend toslow traffic. The street servesa new subdivision near thenew Fred Meyer store.

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION5

CI T Y HAL L CA L E N D A R

JANUARY 5City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

JANUARY 8Design Commission,6 p.m., Council Chambers

JANUARY 12City Council and Planning Commission joint study session6 p.m., Council Chambers

JANUARY 19Martin Luther King Jr. DayCity Hall closed

JANUARY 20City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

JANUARY 22Arts Commission, 6 p.m., Upstairs Conference Rm.

JANUARY 26City Council Study Session,6 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 2City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 5Planning Commission,7 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 9City Council Study Session,6 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 12Design Commission,6 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 16President’s DayCity Hall closed

FEBRUARY 17City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 23City Council Study Session,6 p.m., Council Chambers

FEBRUARY 26Arts Commission, 6 p.m., Upstairs Conference Rm.

MARCH 1City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 4Planning Commission,7 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 8City Council Study Session,6 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 11Design Commission,6 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 15City Council Meeting,7 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 22City Council Study Session,6 p.m., Council Chambers

MARCH 25Arts Commission, 6 p.m., Upstairs Conference Rm.

FEBRUARYJANUARY

COMMUNITY EVENTS

JANUARY29 Sumner Reads Together 2004, book

discussion, 10 a.m., Sumner Library

FEBRUARY24 Sumner Reads Together 2004,

book discussion, 7 p.m., Sumner Library

MARCH3 Sumner Reads Together 2004, program “Steamy

Science”, 7 p.m., Sumner Library

14 Annual St. Patrick’s Parade, 1 p.m.

18 Community Summit, Sumner Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

19 Daffodil Coronation, Church of All Nations, Tacoma, 7 p.m.

24 Sumner Reads Together 2004, book discussion, 7 p.m., Sumner Library

APRIL3 Junior Daffodil Parade, 10 a.m., Tacoma

6 Sumner Reads Together 2004 program “Tahoma Range Rhymers,” 7 p.m., Sumner Library

10 Fire Dept. Easter Egg Hunt, 9 a.m.-noon at SHS Stadium

15-18 Puyallup Spring Fair

17 71st Annual Daffodil Parade,3 p.m. in Sumner

24 Parks Appreciation Day / Arbor Day; 10 a.m.; Daffodil Sports Complex

January 2004

MARCH

SURVEY DRAWING WINNER: Cori Hazard is the winner of theSumner Community Survey drawing. Thank you to Grand CentralSteakhouse for the gift certificate. Results of this survey will be pub-lished in the March Community Connections newsletter.

The City Council adopted a $49.8 millionbudget to guide the City during 2004.Roughly the same total budget amountas last year, the budget includes 44 sep-arate funds including streets, generalgovernment, cemetery and capital pro-jects.

A significant portion of the budget is the$15.5 million for the upgrade of thewastewater treatment plant. Generalgovernment is budgeted at $9.5 million.Over half of the general fund is publicsafety expenses (police, fire, and court).Other major funds are streets at $3.7million, water operations at $1.3 million,and sewer operations at $2.3 million.

The revenue for the general fund comesprimarily from taxes (property taxes31%, sales taxes 27%, and utility taxes9%). The remainder is fees (building,land use, etc.), fines (court), grants(parks, criminal justice, arts, and plan-ning) and service contracts (communica-tion center, fire).

Unlike other cities which have had to cutservice levels during the past yearsbecause of new property tax limits and aslow economy, the City has generallybeen able to maintain service levels. Theloss of motor vehicle excise taxes didresult in a reduced number of streetimprovements.

Because of capital project revenues,there are some projects that will occur in2004. They include starting the con-struction of the new Eastside Park, theDowntown Pedestrian Project, trail con-struction, painting the Bridge Streetbridge, and rebuilding Valley Av e n u eand the rail crossing near the OldCannery.

Other new programs include a down-town revitalization program, partner-ship for a domestic violence advocate,improvements to records management,improvements to firefighter equipment,funding for teen recreational programs,and increased funding for the SchoolResource Officer and DARE programs.

Copies of the adopted budget will beavailable in late January in City Halland the Library. For information, pleasecontact Finance and Systems DirectorMary Ann Norquist at (253) 826-9402 oremail at maryannn@ci.sumner.wa.us.

Ask Dr. Sumner How do I figure out my utility bill?

Both the water and sewer portions of your bill fluctuatewith increases and decreases of water consumption. Thewater consumption is entered on a bi-monthly basis andcomes from reading your meter. This consumption is thensplit in half and is billed on 2 monthly billings. InSumner the meters are read in January, March, May, July, September andNovember.

The water charge is composed of 2 parts, a base fee and a consumption por-tion. The base fee depends on the size of your water meter; most residentialbuildings have a 3/4” meter with an $8.81 monthly base charge. The con-sumption portion of the water charge has a tiered rate structure, the moreunits you use the more you pay per unit. Units 1-10 are $.79 per unit, units11-20 are $1.00 per unit and units 21 and over are $1.19 per unit.

Sewer in Sumner is billed on a winter average system. The City takes thewater consumption from the three winter readings of January, March andMay to get an average monthly water consumption. Once this average is cal-culated your sewer bill is set for one year and it will not go above or below thisaverage. The residential minimum charge is $33.47 which is for an average of5 or lower, each unit over 5 costs $4.92 per unit.

The storm fee of $11.23 is a standard residential charge and does not changemonth to month. These revenues are used to construct and maintain stormdrains throughout the entire city. Commercial and industrial charges are dif-ferent. Contact the City Utility Staff at (253) 863-8300 for information.

The rates listed above are the new rates for 2004. They include a cost of livingincrease of 1.8% and both city and state taxes. For further information, callJeff Steffens at (253) 863-8300, x299 or email at jeffs@ci.sumner.wa.us.

The City is demonstrating its commitment against domestic violence by part-nering with Puyallup to share a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate.

In October, Nancy Shattuck was hired to fill this position and is located in theCity Attorney’s office both in Sumner and Puyallup. Nancy comes to us withextensive legal advocate experience with the YMCA and she was also a PeaceCorps volunteer.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors, some causing physical injury, oth-ers not, some criminal, others not, but all damaging. Frequently, domestic vio-lence includes threats of violence or suicide, or threats to take children fromthe abused person. It may also include breaking objects, hurting pets, yelling,driving recklessly to endanger or scare the abused person, isolating familymembers from others, and controlling resources like money, vehicles, credit,and time.

The goal of an abusive person is to gain and maintain control over his or herpartner. Domestic violence is a learned pattern of behavior whose effects,without intervention, become more destructive and sometimes lethal overtime. Oftentimes, victims blame themselves for their situation and feelembarrassed and guilty about their situation.

Nancy hopes to help victims break this horrible cycle for themselves, theirfamily, and their community. You can contact Nancy at (253) 677-3050 oremail her at nancys@ci.sumner.wa.us.

JANUARY 2004

Council Adopts 2004 Budget

Victim Advocate Hopes to Help Break Cycles of Domestic Violence

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION5

SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION7

Early Warning ThroughNOAA Radio Can Save Lives!

In the event of a disaster, citizens need early warningand emergency information. The City of Sumner FireDepartment and Pierce County Department of

Emergency Management want to help you get immediateemergency information.

We encourage our citizens purchase a NOAA (NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio,also known as a “Disaster Radio”. Like a smoke detector,every home should have one of these early warningdevices.

Disaster radios are relatively inexpensive and with thisradio you can access the same emergency information andweather reports that emergency workers and meteorolo-gists use --- information that can save lives!

Local AM/FM radio and television stationsand on-line news services do alert you toemergencies and disasters. But what if aradio, television or computer isn’t avail-able? During an emergency, NationalWeather Service forecasters using the

NOAA system send out special alerting tones that activatethe disaster radios automatically within the affected lis-tening area. This is an important and vital part of thenational Emergency Alert System that provides immediateinformation and guidance to citizens on protective actionsto take. The Seattle National Weather Service office isamong the first in the nation to have what is being calledan all-hazards notification system.

The disaster radios have a warning and alerting alarm fea-ture that alerts the listener to fast-breaking warning mes-sages around the clock. The activation is followed by broad-cast warnings and information for all hazards whichinclude severe weather related events, earthquakes, laharwarning and volcanic activity, floods, technological emer-gencies (i.e., hazardous chemical release), terrorist eventsand even “Amber Alerts” (alerts for abducted children).Many disaster radios are portable so you can receivenotices of emergency conditions whether at home, at work,traveling or on vacation. The disaster radio feature caneven be incorporated into a convenient alarm clock radio.

Persons who may have hearing or visual impairments canalso receive these warnings by connecting a radio with thealarm tones to other kinds of alerting modes, such aslights, bed shakers, personal computers and text printers.

NOAA Weather radios are typically priced from $35 to $85depending upon features and can be purchased at localhardware and electronics stores.

Every home should have an emergency preparedness kitand a NOAA weather radio for the safety of your family.For more information, please contact the Pierce CountyDept. of Emergency Management at (253) 798-7470 oronline at www.co.pierce.wa.us or www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.You may also contact Steve Stringfellow, Sumner FireDepartment, at (253) 863-5451 or email at sstringfel-low@ci.sumner.wa.us.

Did you or someone in your family receive a new pet forChristmas? If so, consider getting a microchip for your pet assoon as possible, says the Sumner animal control officer. It’sa permanent identification that will be used if the tags arelost.

Any vet or animal hospital will install a microchip in yourpet’s skin. Animal shelters and animal control personnel allcarry scanners that will identify any pet that has amicrochip.

A special Microchip Clinic is planned for Feb. 14, 11 a.m. –4 p.m. at Sumner Grub, a feed store on Traffic Avenue acrossfrom the train station. There anyone can bring their pet andhave a microchip installed for just $20.

Persons looking for a new pet should be sure and visit theshelter at 1200 39th Ave. SE near Pierce College onPuyallup’s South Hill. The shelter is run by the animal con-trol service, a joint project with the City of Puyallup.

For the cost of $75, anyone can adopt a pet that has beenspayed or neutered, has all necessary shots and a one- yearlicense. The shelter typically has a variety of dogs, cats andoften times puppies and kittens available for adoption.

The shelter picks up stray or lost dogs in Sumner andPuyallup, and accepts animals only from those cities.Residents are reminded that if their pet is missing and mayhave been picked up by animal control, they should stop bythe shelter during regular hours of operation or call the hot-line at (253) 841-5592 for recorded messages on what ani-mals were picked up that day.

The shelter is open Tuesday – Thursday, 2 –6 p.m., Friday,noon – 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (253) 841-5595.

JANUARY 2004

It helps to be an animal lover to work at an animal shelter.Officer Ellis is shown with her five dogs she brings to work withher daily.

Microchips Provide PermanentIdentification for Your Pet

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CITY OF SUMNER

1104 Maple St. Sumner, WA 98390

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SUMNER COMMUNITY CONNECTION8

Items passed by the City CouncilOctober - December, 2003.

OCTOBER

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2062authorizing LID 75 Bonds in theamount of $1,629,416.

■■Awarded the Train StationAccess Project to SpecializedLandscaping, Inc.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1100approving the Eastside Parkdesign.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1101approving an interlocal agree-ment with the City of BonneyLake for provision of dispatchservices.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1102changing Council Rules to allowfor one reading of ordinancesunless state law or the SumnerMunicipal Code provide other-wise.

■■Approved a work plan for theupdate to the SumnerComprehensive Plan.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1098renaming 66th St. E. to JohnDeere Drive.

NOVEMBER

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2063:2004 Ad Valorem Property Taxes.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2064:2004 EMS Property Tax Levy.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2065implementing a GarbageDisposal Rate Increase from DMDisposal.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2066implementing a Recycling RateIncrease from DM Disposal.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2067implementing a Yard Waste RateIncrease from DM Disposal.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2068amending the parking require-ments in the Sumner MunicipalCode.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1106authorizing the Mayor to enterinto an Interlocal Agreementwith Pierce County and the citiesand towns in Pierce County toamend the County-WidePlanning Policies.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1107amending the proposed ShorelineMaster Program.

DECEMBER

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2069:2004 Budget.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1108updating the Urban ForestryStrategy.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1103authorizing the renewal of amutual aid agreement betweenthe City of Sumner and the DUITask Force.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1104authorizing the use of the City’seminent domain powers toacquire property held nearSalmon Creek for public purpos -es.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1105authorizing the use of the City’seminent domain powers toacquire property by the PuyallupRiver for public purposes.

■■Adopted Ordinance No. 2070amending the 2003 Budget.

■■Approved the sales agreementfor acquisition of the Petersen(Dieringer School) Well.

■■Appointed Vicki Connor to aterm on the Arts Commission

ending April 2006.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1110indicating support forForeverGreen.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1111authorizing the Mayor to enterinto an interlocal agreement withthe Pierce Conservation District.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1112authorizing the HearingExaminer to conduct a benefitassessment hearing.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1113authorizing a re-apportionmentof Assessment No. 26 in ULIDNo. 73.

■■Adopted Resolution No. 1114authorizing an amendment to theOfficial Statement for ULID’s 73and 74.

■■Approved a CollectiveBargaining Agreement withInternational Association ofFirefighters (IAFF) 2877.

■■Approved a CollectiveBargaining Agreement withOperating Engineers Local 286.

MikeConnor

MattRichardson

LeroyGoff

Curt Brown

MarkEvers

DaveEnslow

SteveAllsop

JANUARY 2004

The Sumner Planning andArts commissions are look-ing for individuals to fillseveral volunteer vacan-cies. If you have an interestin assisting with the plan-ning process or supportingthe arts in Sumner, pleasecontact Community Devel-opment at (253) 891-3303or email for an applicationat cd@ci.sumner.wa.us.