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COMMUNITY CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
BACK ISSUES--OCTOBER 1997
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Improvements
The City of Sumner's Wastewater Treatment Plant has been a
fixture in Sumner for more than 40 years and with necessary improvements, it will continue
serving the community for another 40 years and beyond.
The City has hired a consultant engineering firm to study
the treatment plant and recommend improvements needed to meet both increased demand and
higher government standards for wastewater discharge. The consultant's report and
recommendations will be presented to the City staff, Mayor and City Council within the
next six months.
Since 1972, the plant has provided secondary treatment of
wastewater, removing 95 percent of chemicals and solids exceeding the minimum standard of
85 percent removal. Treated wastewater is discharged into the Stuck River about 150 feet
upstream from where it meets the Puyallup River. Water quality is monitored seven days a
week by the City. The treatment plant is a busy place, handling more than 1.6 million
gallons of wastewater a day, which serves a population of about 20,000 in Sumner, Bonney
Lake and some portions of unincorporated Pierce County. The plant employs five full-time operators who work
various shifts seven days a week.
Tucked away next to the Stuck River near SR 410, the
treatment plant is easy to miss, but it can make its presence known through the type of
odors that occasionally come from a sewage treatment facility. The City has begun taking a
more aggressive approach to reducing and controlling odors from the sewer treatment plant.
Over the next few months, the City will be increasing the frequency of chlorination,
closely monitoring the sources of odor generation, and actively investigating odor
complaints.
Residents can help by calling the City's "Odor Control
Hotline" at 891-3294 with information or complaints on detected
sewer treatment plant odor. This citizen input will assist the City in being able to more
effectively identify the odor problems and implement improvements.
Once the gateway to the City, when Main Street extended
across the Stuck (White) River, the area called "West Sumner" now faces a number
of challenges. These include the redesign of Traffic Avenue, the proposed Commuter Rail Station, traffic from businesses and the sewer treatment
plant, and many streets in need of repair.
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West Sumner Neighborhood Plan
October marks the start of the West Sumner Neighborhood Plan. The plan will
address issues which residents perceive in their neighborhood and propose ways to solve
problems and enhance this historic entrance to the City. An advisory committee has been
appointed to assist the Planning Commission, Mayor, and City Council in development of the
plan which is scheduled for adoption in March by the City Council.
If you are interested in serving on the committee, call Albert Torrico of the Community Development
Department at 891-3320, or check out the City's web page (www.ci.sumner.wa.us) for current information on the West Sumner
Neighborhood Plan. A walking tour for people interested in the West Sumner Plan will be
held on Saturday, October 11. Participants should meet at City Hall at 10 a.m.
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1998 City Budget Process Underway
Developing the City budget is one of the most important
responsibilities for the Mayor, City staff and City Council since it sets forth the type
of programs and objectives to be accomplished and the level of services to be provided
during the upcoming year. The City's goal is to maintain and enhance a level of services
that ensures a safe, healthy, attractive and livable community.
The City Council encourages public input in the budget
process in order to develop a sound policy document and financial plan that best reflects
the needs and interests of the citizens. Public hearings on the budget are scheduled for
Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 during the City Council meetings, which begin at 7 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall.
The budget process began in August when the City
Administrator, Mayor and Council discussed the process and set a time table. After
receiving appropriation requests from department directors, the City Administrator submits
a preliminary budget to the Mayor, who on Oct. 17 will present a balanced budget to the
City Council. Budget work sessions are then held prior to the first reading of the
preliminary budget and public hearing on Nov. 3. The Council is scheduled to adopt the
final budget following the second public hearing on Nov. 17.
Copies of the Mayor's budget submittal to the City Council
will be available in the Finance Department after Oct. 17.
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Mayor's Message
A tragic pedestrian/car death occurred on September 11 on
East Main Street between Parker Road and 160th Avenue. This death focused citizen
attention on a pedestrian walkway problem. Those citizens have asked the City to find the
proper solution to fix this problem. I immediately called for meetings with your Police
Chief, Fire Chief and Community Development Director for their assessment and input of
solutions.
Our first action is to understand what to fix. Then we will
recommend solutions that are compatible with pedestrian and vehicle traffic on this
particular section of East Main Street. Our first step toward the solution is a traffic
count and study. Second step: discussion of staff recommendations on four-way stops,
traffic lights, speed limits and enforcement of all those items. After all options are
considered, I will call for a neighborhood meeting. Together we can make the right
decision.
Please continue your phone calls, written petitions and
messages to me. This problem can be overcome through this public and thoughtful procedure.
Robert Moltke, Mayor
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Operating Sewer Plant is
Vital Business
Please don't tell the crew at the Sumner Wastewater
Treatment Plant that their job stinks . . . they've heard that one before, plus all the
other jokes.
If you really want to get them talking, just ask about the
interesting items they've found floating in the ponds. One operator recently netted a $10
bill. One will tell you about the bag of cocaine and bundle of cash that floated his way
when he was working at a treatment plant in California. In Sumner, it's all the usual
items: false teeth, kids' toys, marbles, dollar bills, and checkbooks.
Sumner's wastewater treatment plant operators do not mind
joking about their jobs, but the plant operators realize what they do is vital business
for the City. Wastewater has to be treated properly to maintain the health and vitality of
the area's rivers, fish runs, and the quality of life for the residents.
The State of
Washington considers it serious business too, requiring that each person working in a
treatment plant is licensed. The operators typically go through a two-year college program
in wastewater treatment, and they must continue to take classes for years in order to
maintain their licenses.
Greg Kongslie is the foreman at the Sumner Wastewater
Treatment Plant. Plant operators are Tom Wilkie, Gary Woldt, Anthony Vendetti, Forest
Smith and Mike Moe. Kathlene Dever is a student volunteer, and Mark Gatto is an intern.
The treatment plant does not get many visitors, aside from
Sumner High School students who tour the facility with their science classes. The
treatment plant crew likes to take part in City activities and this year hosted what they
hope will be an annual golf tournament at Sumner
Meadows for employees from the City of Sumner and neighboring cities.
The event was considered a great success, even though the
treatment plant team finished in last place at their own tournament. Just wait until next
year, they say.
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RTA designing Sumner Rail Station
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is moving ahead with the design of Sumner's Commuter Rail Station. The RTA recently chose the name
"Sounder" for the new commuter rail service which will connect Tacoma with Seattle in late 1999. Using the
existing heavy rail lines, Sounder will provide an efficient way for commuters to travel
to Tacoma and Seattle and points in between.
Although the final selection of the track alignment has not
been made, it appears the Sumner station will be located on Narrow Street across from the
Fire Station. The station will include bus and drop-off facilities, and parking for about
250 cars. It is being designed to fit into Sumner's character and heritage. Public art and
other features will make the station an interesting place to visit and an attractive
addition to the downtown.
An Advisory Committee of residents and business people was
recently appointed to assist with detailed design of the station. Sumner is ahead of many
communities having completed a train station concept plan in 1994and appointed an advisory
committee. For information about the station and the status of the project, contact Pierre Rowen at 891-3301 or check the City's web
page.
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Staff Appointments
The following people have joined the City or accepted
new positions from other departments.
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David Ellingson, Maintenance/Greenskeeper, Golf Course
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Azita Fakoorbayat,
Assistant City Engineer, Public Works
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Robert Murray, Maintenance/Greenskeeper, Golf Course
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Mark Mears, Police Officer, Police Department
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Darren Uphaus, Operator I, Public Works
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Street Projects
142nd Street - Crews have begun road construction
work on the 142nd Street project in the North Sumner industrial area. This project
includes widening and improving the arterial from 24th Street East to the Stuck River
where the City will build a new bridge. Work will begin on the bridge approaches this
fall.
Work on 142nd Street and the bridge will continue through
the fall and winter with completion scheduled for the end of 1998. The State of Washington
will build a new freeway (SR 167) interchange near 24th Street East and improve that
east-west arterial to link with 142nd Street. The interchange and road improvements should
be completed in the spring of 2000.
Valley Avenue - The Valley
Avenue transportation improvement project is progressing well and is still scheduled for
completion later this fall, weather permitting. The main section of Valley Avenue between
Main and Gary Streets is being widened with new curbs, gutters and sidewalks, as well as a
new storm drainage system and a new water main.
Valley Avenue will remain closed to through traffic until
final paving is completed later this fall. The City will attempt to maintain the crossing
at Meade-McCumber for as long as possible. The City apologizes for the inconvenience to
local motorists and sincerely thanks the community's patience and cooperation.
Graham Avenue, Washington Street - Work is underway
on the new 1,200-foot section of Graham Avenue from Main Street to Washington Street. When
completed, the new road will provide access from Main Street to the Daffodil Valley Sports Complex. Work also is being
conducted on a new two-block section of Washington Street between Valley Avenue and Graham
Avenue, linking Valley and Parker Road. Both projects are scheduled for completion this
fall.
62nd Street East - The new access road to the Sumner
Senior Center is under construction and should be completed in October. This is a
two-block section of 62nd Street East between Parker Road and 154th Avenue East. The new
road will allow motorists to access the Senior Center and adjacent properties from Parker
Road.
Sinkhole Repaired - The collapse of an old 42-inch
corrugated steel storm drainage line on Fryar Avenue near the Stuck River outfall resulted
in a 25 foot deep sinkhole. The storm drainage line was replaced over the summer and the
sinkhole was filled.
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Fall Yard Waste Cleanup
Mark your calendars, and get your rakes ready. The City's
annual Fall Yard Waste Cleanup is coming Nov. 10 - 14.
The cleanup is limited to existing City of Sumner Yard
Waste Customers only.
This is an opportunity for Sumner residents to
dispose of their yard waste at NO CHARGE! Please have your
blue yard waste bin and extra bags
out by 7 a.m. on your regular scheduled garbage day.
Please place all yard waste in bins and/or in bags; loose
piles of yard waste won't be picked up.
Up to four extra plastic bags of yard waste will be
accepted.
Acceptable Items: Leaves, grass, weeds, shrubs, and other
compostable organic materials from pruning. Brush, branches, and roots cannot be bigger
than 4 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length.
Non-acceptable Items: Stumps, demolition wood, rocks,
glass, plastics, flower pots, metal, concrete, sheet rock, asphalt, or other non-organic
debris. Bones, food, manure or large amounts of dirt will also not be accepted.
The annual City of Sumner refuse cleanup for City
residential refuse customers will be held again in the spring.
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New Features Added to City Web Site
The City has added a page titled "What's New On This Site" so visitors can quickly access new
information on Sumner's web site. The Police
Department has added a section titled "Business
Alerts" with current information that area businesses will find helpful. The Community Development Department developed a
program with Maple Lawn Elementary's second grade classes to study "community".
The article is titled, "Who Makes the
Community?" and is now available on the web! Minutes from City Council meetings are also
available on-line now. If there are other features you would like to see on the City's web
site, please feel free to contact us at info@ci.sumner.wa.us.
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Police Dept. Putting Donated Ambulance
To Good Use
The Sumner Police
Department recently got a deal it could not refuse - a 1987 ambulance with only
150,000 miles for free.
Police departments do not normally have a need for
ambulances but Sumner Police Chief Ben Reisz
jumped on the offer from AMR Ambulance, which had placed the vehicle out of service. The
spacious ambulance-van now is assisting the police department in a variety of ways.
At crime and accident scenes, the vehicle provides space
where police can interview people, take notes and write up reports on laptop computers and
where victims and officers can get out of the rain and stay warm.
Outfitted with radios, computers, outdoor lighting, a
generator and other police equipment, the vehicle can also serve as a mobile police
headquarters or a command control center during storms or other natural disasters. The
department has already used the vehicle to display police equipment and operations during
community events and to school groups.
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911 - The Number That Can Save Your Life
WHAT IS 9-1-1?
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9-1-1 is the telephone number to dial when help is needed in an emergency.
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9-1-1 will give you direct access to FIRE, POLICE, AND MEDICAL AID.
WHAT IS ENHANCED 9-1-1?
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When a caller dials
9-1-1, the address and phone number of
the telephone from which the call is made is displayed on a screen at the
9-1-1 center.
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This information is always verified.
9-1-1 MAY BE USED BY
ANYONE!
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Children can be taught to dial
9-1-1 in an emergency.
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The sight-impaired can learn the digits on the telephone, or
use a programmed button.
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The hearing-impaired can use a TTY machine.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
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You will be asked questions. Answer all questions as best as
you can (name, address, phone number, and what's happening, i.e., accident, chest pain,
fight, fire, etc.)
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Talk to the call-taker, slowly and clearly.
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The call-taker may give you first aid/CPR instructions until
help arrives.
WHEN TO DIAL 9-1-1
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When life and/or property are in immediate danger.
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When you see smoke or fire.
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When you see a crime being committed.
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When rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed.
WHEN NOT TO DIAL 9-1-1
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Never dial
9-1-1 as a joke!
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Do not dial
9-1-1 for information,
such as road or weather conditions, area power outages, or directions.
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Do not pre-program your alarm system to
dial 9-1-1.
HELPFUL HINTS
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Instruct your children, and their babysitters, how to send
9-1-1 properly.
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Make sure your house number is visible at night from the
street.
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Dial the police and fire department's business numbers for
general information.
Firefighters will be on
Sumner street corners in October for" Give-Burns-The-Boot" for the NW Burn
Foundation.
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'Business Alerts' on City's Web
Site
The Sumner Police
Department has begun placing Business
Alerts on the City of Sumner's web site as a service to local businesses. The alerts
warn business owners of crime waves and provide tips on preventing break-ins and
increasing security.
For instance, a business alert recently appeared which gave
information about a series of break-ins at businesses along Main Street in downtown
Sumner. The alert provided details about the method of entry used by the intruders and how
the locks could be changed to prevent similar occurrences.
Another "alert" posted on Sept. 9 warned
businesses of counterfeit $20 bills that were being passed in the Valley area, notably at
the Puyallup Fair and nearby businesses. Information was provided on how to detect
counterfeit bills.
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Forestry Commission is 'Greening' Sumner
The Forestry
Commission is working on a number of exciting tree planting projects for this winter
which is the best time to plant most trees. Working with adjacent property owners and
several City street projects, everyone will see spring blossom on a number of streets.
Street trees are included in the following City street
projects and developments: portions of Valley Avenue and 142nd Avenue; 62nd Street
adjacent to the Senior Center; Graham Avenue; Washington Street; and the Marabou
subdivision.
Other related projects for this winter include:
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Replacing trees that have been damaged in the Katie Lane
subdivision and on Ambar Street.
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Community tree planting on 63rd St. Ct. East, Meeker Avenue,
Wood Avenue, and Sumner Avenue. (The City arranges for the selection, purchase, and
delivery of street trees. Property owners plant and care for the trees.)
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Planting trees on the Thompson Street entrance to the City.
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Selection and planting of trees in the Daffodil Valley Sports Complex.
The Sumner Forestry Commission was created in 1993 to
promote the responsible planting of trees in the City. The commission members include:
Diane Niemann, Garrett Bach, Michael Roosendall, Dennis Tompkins, Ben DeGoede, Nolan
Burslie, and Sharon Boekelman. If you are interested in the work of the Commission, please
contact the Community Development Department at 863-8300.
This is the City's third year of having met the
requirements of the National Arbor Day
Foundation to be a Tree City. See the Tree City flag in Heritage Park and the Arbor Day site on our web page.
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Work to Begin on Sumner's 'Sk8 Park'
The City will be building a recreation facility at the Daffodil Valley Sports Complex for use by
skateboarders and in-line skaters. Funded with City money and private donations, the park
will offer amenities for the rookie and experienced skater.
The park is being designed so that new features can be
added as more money is raised. Ultimately, the Sk8 Park will include a variety of jumps,
rails, stairs, and walls to allow skaters to practice their skills. The design is being
done by a firm with expertise in skateboard park development. Construction will begin this
fall.
Several other Puget Sound communities have built skate
facilities. They are popular places for the novice skater and for the more experienced
skater to show off. Recent changes in state law reducing the liability associated with
operating such a facility have made them more attractive to cities. At a recent workshop
to discuss the Sk8 Park, Debra Perry won a $25 gift certificate donated by Alternative
Sports in Puyallup.
The Sk8 Park will be an important part of the overall
Sports Complex. The Rotary Club has led the way in building the $1.8 million Daffodil
Valley Sports Complex through the project coordination of Bill Heath. The construction of
Washington and Graham Streets will provide direct access from Main Street and Valley
Avenue to the baseball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and basketball facilities.
The Sk8 Park has been the Sumner Youth Commission's main project for the
past year. The Commission, comprised of youth within the Sumner School District, provided
input on a variety of issues. They worked with the City staff to look at other skate
facilities, made recommendations on locations, and provided guidance on the facility
design.
The 1997 Commission members were Sarah Bench, Billie
Lee-Ford, Brandon Hixenbaugh, Kelly Lynch, Erin Tyrrell, Angela Ostle, Rachael Boyd,
Meredith Johnson, Casey Combs, Joe Korbuszewski, Katie Rowe, Bridget Scholz, Don Storslee
and Allison Woods. Community Advisors are Edna Bench and Marsha Strand.
Join the Youth Commission! Young people in the 7th to 12th
grades are encouraged to apply for the Commission. Help shape the future of Sumner. You do
not have to be a resident of Sumner to be on the Commission. For an application, stop by
City Hall, Sumner High School or Junior High office, or call Janel at 891-3303.
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Teen Late Night Program Continues
The Teen Late Night program continues this fall for Sumner
area youths ages 12 - 18. The program will run the first Saturday of each month, from
7:30- 11:30 p.m. at Sumner Junior High School. The Teen Late Night program is intended to
provide teenagers with a place to go on Saturday nights to meet friends, listen to music,
and play games. Since the program is being reduced to one Saturday a month instead of two,
more funds will be available for special activities, such as a dance with a DJ, or
possibly a live band.
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City, School District Fund
Family Center
The Sumner Family Center is another example of the City of
Sumner collaborating with the Sumner School District to benefit the community.
Located in downtown Sumner at 918 Alder St., the Sumner
Family Center is a family support center where people can drop in to receive family
service assistance or provide support to others. The Center is staffed by a coordinator
who helps link individuals or groups with various support services, ranging from parent
support groups to classes in anger management.
The City and School District help provide funding for the
coordinator and other administrative services. Funding assistance is also provided by the
City of Bonney Lake. The Center is open to all residents within the Sumner School District
on weekdays, noon - 4 p.m. and staffed by coordinator LuAnn Ugas. Call 891-9235 for
information.
The goal of the Family Center is to work with the community
and assist residents while supporting and strengthening the family unit under the
philosophy that stronger families make stronger communities.
The services provided by the Family Center include:
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Public Health Nurse - Provides support to families
through home visits, education and support groups.
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Healthy Family Program - Support services to families with
children from birth to four years of age.
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Readiness to Learn - Child and Family Services Case
Management to families in the Sumner School District (grades K-6).
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Domestic Violence Advocate - Supports victims of domestic
violence, exploring options, resources and safety planning.
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Support Groups and Individual Counseling - Offers counseling
and support with family problems.
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Outreach Worker/Citizenship Coordinator - Provides referral,
emergency services and interpretation for the Spanish speaking community.
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