CommunityConneCtionThe 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…

ISSue 71 CItY Of SuMner newSletter SuMMer 2012

Summer Fun guide enclosed

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

Community gardens and incubator farms

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

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

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.

What’s Next?

Acres of parks and open public space

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

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

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

Accepted wood/Gary/Gault storm improvement projectApproved Ordinance 2389 increasing the Historic Preservation board membershipAuthorized the Mayor to execute a contract with t. Bailey, Inc. to construct the Sumner Springs reservoir Seismic Retrofit ProjectAccepted feMA Golf Course riverbank repairAuthorized the Mayor to execute a purchase and sale agreement for property located on west Main StreetAdopted 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 AgreementApproved Ordinance 2390 amending the 2012 Compensation ScheduleAdopted 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 codeAccepted feMA storm outfall projectAdopted Ordinance 2391 amending the 2010 Comprehensive Plan and MapAdopted resolution 1349 setting the Six-Year transportation Improvement ProgramAuthorized Mayor to accept an employee separation agreement

CiTY COuNCil ACTiON MArCh-MAY 2012

MAYOr COluMN

SuMner COMMunItY COnneCtIOn2 SuMMer 2012

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.

COuNCil COluMN

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 “monday-morning quarterbacking.”

the message gets heard by everyone because even a

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

Councilmember ed Hannus ehannus@ci.sumner.wa.us

MAYOrDave enslow 299-5790

CItY COunCIl

Steve Allsop 299-5793Curt Brown 299-5796nancy Dumas 299-5794Cindi Hochstatter 299-5795randy Hynek 299-5792ed Hannus 299-5791Mike leMaster 299-5797

CItY OffICeS

Administration 299-5500Cemetery 299-5510finance/utilities 863-8300Golf course 863-8198Inspection line 299-5530recreation 891-6500Permit Center 299-5530Police (non-emergency) 863-6384Senior Center 863-2910

MunICIPAl COurt

timothy A. Jenkins 863-7635Judge, Court Offices Cathy Pashon, 299-5621Court Administrator

City of Sumner1104 Maple Street,

Sumner, wA 98390253-863-8300

253-863-2850 fAX

CItY StAff John Galle 299-5501Acting City Administrator terri Berry 299-5500City Clerk Brad Moericke 299-5641 Acting Police Chief Carmen Palmer 299-5503Communications Director Bill Pugh 299-5701Public works Director Paul rogerson 299-5521Community Development Dir. Brett Vinson 299-5610City Attorney Beth Anne wroe 299-5541financial Operations Director Steve Zamberlin 299-5591Human resources Manager

eASt PIerCe fIre & reSCue

Main number 863-1800Jerry thorson, fire Chief

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”!

i am coming out of a new adventure in my life...total knee replacement. those of you who have had to completely depend on others know what i mean. everyone has been very patient. i appreciate the handicapped ramps on the 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 offered to help, all

of you known and unknown for your kindnesses. Sumner is full of wonderful people, and i thank you for your understanding and assistance.

ed Hannus (far left) appreciates the kind-ness of neighbors in Sumner, shown here with leroy Goff and Cindi Hochstatter.

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

He set up the furniture in City Hall for meetings, watered hanging baskets, pruned trees, fixed leaky fau-cets 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.

Sumner’s “Green Thumb” retires

warren Peloli with Chamber director Shelly Schlumpf in the Sumner Visitor Center

SuMner COMMunItY COnneCtIOn 3SuMMer 2012

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

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, hor-ticulture and farming. the end goal is to break the cycle of hopelessness among troubled teens.

Friends and Servants provides teens work expe-rience 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 renova-

tions for se-nior citizens. they learn horticultural skills while assisting in planting, raising, and selling nearly 20,000 annual and peren-nial flowers. And, they use the land in the Puyal-lup valley to plant, nurture, and harvest produce from a berry patch, vegetable 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 commu-nity 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 commu-nity 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 under-way 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 dan-ger of getting into more trouble is perhaps the best “crop”

possible.

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

YMCA ProgramGrows Strong Youth

teens could use the valley soil at Orton Junction not only to grow vegetables but also a brighter future for themselves.

Greenhouses and farms help teens raise flowers and vegetables.

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 or-

ton Junction, they included a Seven Principles Agreement that was shep-

herded 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 flour-ish.” 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 farm-land 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.

Growing Kids, Plants and

Partnerships with Orton Junction

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 Sun-days 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.

Join rhubarb’s Pet ParadeBring 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.metroani-malservices.org or at or Sumner Veterinary Hospital.

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

Steve Allsop Curt Brown Cindi Hochstatter Mike leMastered Hannus randy Hyneknancy Dumas

iNSiDE:

the Vision of Orton Junction

Sumner’s “Green thumb” retires

YMCA Program Grows Strong Youth

forterra Brings the “And” to Sumner

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City of Sumner1104 Maple StreetSumner, wA 98390

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SuMner COMMunItY COnneCtIOn4 SuMMer 2012

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

CiTY hAll CAlENDAr

June18 City Council Meeting, 7 pm19 Public works Committee, 5 pm20 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm21 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm25 Council Study Session, 6 pm26 finance Committee, 5 pm28 Arts Commission, 6 pm

JulY2 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 4 City offices closed 9 City Council Study Session, 6 pm10 Parks Commission, 4 pm12 forestry Commission, 4 pm12 Design Commission, 6:30 pm12 Planning Commission, 7 pm16 City Council Meeting, 7 pm17 Public works Committee, 5 pm18 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm 19 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm23 City Council Study Session, 6 pm24 finance Committee, 5 pm

AuGuSt2 Planning Commission, 7 pm6 City Council Meeting, 7 pm9 forestry Commission, 4 pm9 Design Commission, 6:30 pm13 Council Study Session, 6 pm14 Parks Commission, 4 pm15 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm16 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm20 City Council Meeting, 7 pm21 Public works Committee, 5 pm23 Arts Commission, 6 pm27 Council Study Session, 6 pm28 finance Committee, 5 pm

SePteMBer3 City offices closed 4 City Council Meeting, 7 pm6 Planning Commission, 7 pm 10 Council Study Session, 6 pm11 Parks Commission, 4 pm13 forestry Commission, 4 pm13 Design Commission, 6:30 pm17 City Council Meeting, 7 pm18 Public works Committee, 5 pm19 CD/Parks Committee, 4:30 pm20 Public Safety Committee, 4:30 pm24 Council Study Session, 6 pm25 finance Committee, 5 pm27Arts 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 im-portant 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.

~John larson, PBS

Sumner’s Facility Flexes its Greenthrough orton Junction,

Sumner is going to set a new standard of “green” with compact development around existing freeway access; LEED certified buildings; unprecedented farmland preservation and more. Before all that hap-pens, the Sumner-Bonney Lake Wastewater treatment Facility (WWTF) is already quietly setting some great environmental standards.

the WWTF is a leader in en-ergy efficien-cy. Johnson Controls, inc. conducted an independent audit and

found that Sumner’s facil-ity exceeds best practice standards. in fact, Johnson could not find any energy saving opportunities that Sumner is not already us-ing.

The WWTF is also being awarded the 2011 Wastewa-ter treatment Plant out-standing Performance from Washington State Dept. of ecology. ecology wrote,

“your excel-lent record

proves that dedicated operators run the City of Sumner Waste-water

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 garden-ers completely eliminated the City’s need to haul it away to eastern Washington to be burned. that means that this one program reduc-es gardeners’ use of chemical fertilizers, greatly reduces the City’s fuel consumption and improves regional air quality. not bad for a little soil amendment.

Any Bag Will Do!the doggie bags in parks are expensive and pro-duced just for that one use. Help reduce Sum-ner’s plastic bag use by

reusing bags you already have. Options include plastic grocery bags, newspaper bags, fruit

bags or even used sand-wich bags. really, when it comes to scooping up after fido, a pristine bag is not necessary when

any bag will do!

Gardeners use the popular soil amendment instead of feritlizer.