Plus Daffodil Parade, Distracted Driving Emphasis and a Rhubarb Recipe
April 6, 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 14
Mayor's Update: Great News! Funding for Traffic Avenue

The past few months, you've read a lot here about the need to improve the overpass and lights that make up the SR 410 interchange with our Traffic Avenue and Puyallup's East Main.  Great news: we have some funding!!  The Governor signed the Transportation Budget that included State $300,000 of funding for design of the needed improvements.  I really want to thank all six legislators for the 31st and 25th Districts who were supportive, but especially Rep. Drew Stokesbary, Rep. Melanie Stambaugh and Senator Pam Roach.  In addition to this funding, the Port of Tacoma awarded us a Community Economic Development Investment Fund grant as well.

These two new funding partners could not have come at a better time.  Our staff have already submitted one grant request and they're working on another request for the Puget Sound Regional Council.  Grant funders like to see projects that have many partners and lots of support.  Thanks to the Port, businesses, our legislators and all of you, we're able to demonstrate a lot of support for this project.  Our goal remains to get money this year to design the solution so that we can ask for construction money and have the project "shovel-ready" in the 2018 grant cycle. 

As you may have heard, this project is also an essential part of the process to build the much-needed Sound Transit garage.  Sound Transit is finishing their study to identify environmental
impacts that building the garage needs to address, and they want to know if they got everything.  Stop by one of the two open houses this week to get an update.  It's quite a long "to do" list already, topped by this very same interchange project. 
 
As we continue to apply for grants, keep your fingers crossed and keep telling us about how important this project is to you through #SumTraffic. 

Mayor Dave Enslow    
Daffodil Parade Expands in Sumner

Saturday, April 9
Food Trucks start at noon
Daffodil 5K Challenge at 1 pm
Parade begins in Sumner at 2:30 pm
What makes a favorite parade celebrated for over 80 years even better?  Food!  The Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade returns to Sumner with the new additions of a 5K run/walk through town before the Parade starts plus Food Trucks to provide even more culinary delights to enjoy before, during and after the parade.  Plus, there's all the stores and restaurants throughout Downtown Sumner and down Main Street.  Click here for the full list of food options.

The parade itself goes from Heritage Park to the High School.  If you are driving that day, please remember that there will be multiple street closures and congestion around the Sounder Station/Heritage Park and around Main just west of Valley Avenue.  Click here for a PDF of the map.  
Looking Back


The Daffodil Festival is an integral part of Sumner's 125-year history.  After all, it was "born" at a party at the Orton Farm, just south of Sumner.  This year's theme is Fun in the Sun, and the weather report looks like it's cooperating.  Break out the sunblock and enjoy another year of memories created with the Daffodil Festival in Sumner.
Police Crack Down on Distracted Driving

Did you know: five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded (VTTI)

Not only is using a cell/smart phone and/or texting while driving dangerous, you take the risk of receiving a ticket. The Sumner Police Department asks that you make the commitment to leave your cell/smart phone alone while driving, as April is Distracted Driving Awareness month. Sumner Officers are joining the national campaign aimed at discontinuing phone use while driving. Extra Patrols with Sumner Officers will run through April 14th.

Rhubarb Craziness!

Is everyone's rhubarb growing like crazy?  Check out the recipe for Frosted Rhubarb Bars from Iris Holten plus other recipes online at www.rhubarpiecapital.com. 
Upcoming Meetings & Calendar


Community Calendar:
  • Blithe Spirit at ACT 1 Theatre, April 8-10
  • Ryan House Open - April 9-10
  • Daffodil Festival April 9 - food trucks at noon, parade at 2:30 pm
  • Ride Sounder from Sumner to the Mariners game on Sunday, April 10
  • Birthday Celebration at the Sumner Senior Center, Thursday, April 14

City Meeting Calendar:  

  • City Council Study Session, Monday, April 11, at 6 pm
  • Public Works Committee, Wednesday, April 13 at 5 pm
  • Design Commission, Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 pm
  • Forestry Commission, Thursday, April 14 at 4:30 pm

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at City Hall.  For a full calendar including links to agendas, click here.   

 
City Council Action
  • Proclaimed April 10 through 16, 2016, as Animal Care & Control Officers' Week
  • Accepted Sewer Line Repair, Slipline
  • Authorized the Mayor to execute a contract with Rodarte Construction Inc., in the amount of $1,748,606.40, to construct the Cherry Avenue Pump Station No. 7 and Forcemain Upgrade Project (CIP 09-01)
  • Amended contract with KPG for Construction Management for 136th/Valentine
  • Accepted Resolution 1449, interlocal agreement with City of Puyallup for data backup
  • Accepted Resolution 1450, declaring real property 620 Station Lane as surplus
  • Authorized the Mayor to execute a contract with BCRA for the Red Apple Abatement & Demolition