[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6177913,"mediaKeyId","5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6","parentId",5330806,"title","Sumner council adopts updated employee recognition program, adds awards and cash prizes","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",1443000,"endMs",1720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6&start=1443&end=1720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6/thumbnail_1443000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177913/Sumner-City/Pierce-County/Washington/Sumner-council-adopts-updated-employee-recognition-program-adds-awards-and-cash-prizes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177913-d0154de70ab529a4ad415076d1d1d9ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375252&Signature=TyEZKU95Jll-lZKTwQqFmFYVjqXSofW1OFKhPLWUk6FdvF~bhDMKRE6vcqo3wi1F2t6qtIrKhjjbXmWmXO16OgltR~IbKi7BPEC0xpzpyDVYXBFsq-30iw41rNHuCbontNMTMkBLpTIXZdQAZsPvOsaXvvHtgt16yr5zIadiWvEoWEzsDN6K2btD2nbSTIJ4DvVJLA2~uCm6vIvCa~BdC0dbc6KRTFiK~YP4iP3rB1cN5rkmTP002glB-GdZS0gFERbcOlH0UITmiZuSau8ytEzgPbweEgxOOdQxU7rS0a5gqlH7T~Nc4cUFpqyyZjhC1w-4jw8qpxeOQc6bWGXvVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sumner, WA","date","2025-07-08T18:18:23Z","article","Council member Reinke moved and Council member Kenna seconded adoption of Ordinance No. 2928, which updates Sumner Municipal Code chapter 2.116 to refresh the city’s employee recognition program. Deputy City Administrator Jeff Stephens described the changes: a new Employee of the Year award (certificate, $500 gross and one paid day off) for non-managerial employees; an annual Manager of the Year award for managerial staff; a Vision Award (certificate, $500 and one paid day off) determined by the mayor and city administrator and open to non-executive team members; and eight quarterly Values Awards ($100 and one paid day off each) tied to the city’s stated values.

Stephens said the employee-of-the-year and manager-of-the-year winners would be nominated and voted on by all employees; the values awards would be selected by department directors. Stephens said the recognition program was last updated in 2017 and that a committee of employees and the DEIB committee reviewed recommendations before bringing them to the mayor.

Council members asked procedural questions about past winners and eligibility; Stephens clarified that council members and the mayor are not eligible to win and that the program is intended to broaden recognition. The ordinance passed unanimously on roll call with yes votes from Elfers, Reinke, Bowman, Clargett, Poteto and Kenna.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/7/2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Sumner City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2928 to update the municipal employee recognition program, creating new awards including Employee of the Year and Manager of the Year and specifying cash and paid-time-off prizes.","taxTitle","Sumner City, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",71857,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177918,"Sumner council unanimously adopts ordinance clarifying employee travel reimbursements",136,1278000,1414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6&start=1278&end=1414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6177918/Sumner-City/Pierce-County/Washington/Sumner-council-unanimously-adopts-ordinance-clarifying-employee-travel-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177918-970850507be7a9ce96e607204a7a97fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375252&Signature=P89EqfFOtCdWSYcZOUgK~5NtOkQMV7KbmDMUa9JvHmI5VkUBuZXVlLWJIwXk1RFzLE6REJAPz932bUOAtChoCuyBSudLrmsIffTwW4JR8dO-keCue3xDiNZGjV5tVu2J2erD0aZiCl3I4LF6bGIHrf8YslBJTUSe8xHK-Z2KTKfMQ41ORorkXitOvfMPX83I8q~1TfzoZijCYpAhZJJCdqZsu-hBqYFsSYG7PMf9GXlGA1j4JUrWlm0iZmkkUJX8qcZZwcteXV85bc-DvbkLdnXMZOFw93Xh45Jv3V~zHfMW-VIYi2BHPAsFRoAzVdlf9BR2UBTFjSuye68g7LuUDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Beteto moved and Council member Elfers seconded adoption of Ordinance No. 2927, amending Sumner Municipal Code chapter 2.1 on personnel policies to address employee reimbursements for work-related travel. Deputy City Administrator Jeff Stephens said state law requires each municipality to adopt an ordinance or resolution outlining travel-reimbursement rules and that the ordinance will allow the mayor to develop and administer a travel-reimbursement policy.

Jeff Stephens said these reimbursements typically stem from overnight training travel and that the ordinance will codify the city’s authority to adopt detailed reimbursement procedures. Resident Randall Adams spoke in favor during public comment and suggested council committees’ travel also be considered for reimbursement.

The clerk called the roll; the ordinance passed unanimously with yes votes recorded from Elfers, Reinke, Bowman, Clargett, Poteto and Kenna. Council member Cole was absent and had been excused earlier in the meeting.","The Sumner City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2927 to update the municipal code on employee travel reimbursements and to continue delegating policy details to the mayor and city administration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177922,"Resident alleges physical contact by city administrator at Ryan House open house; administrator denies",1294,1056000,2350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6&start=1056&end=2350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6/thumbnail_1056000.jpg","/articles/6177922/Sumner-City/Pierce-County/Washington/Resident-alleges-physical-contact-by-city-administrator-at-Ryan-House-open-house-administrator-denies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177922-f9ca87e070facab285b5780493213c90/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375252&Signature=BKTRVPyyj0hm3VtEFVXqMuadAnMfovlsDE8kNEWswaySSPrqnIGbMVQqfs3HBp4M7aCSyo8RFSPi13EPACFHoMs1zZ2cKuHruaqf3x3pEczQYFUcxzaJoLXBBBXdu4sKC6d-faHU0Sd0vSX5PTfVTLN8Ulq1g6hPSFi~2~74NW9D6rQG7gDbPsvhHfDRoaMfp~wGcCtgkQBI6smQojwWjCMFDF9-pWe6LJa-JmOhfnjn0XOlQE8mrfHAqX7w52vGlkRKKCkQfvff98bqY0-Glmc1JPbnfNfPvjMC6uT2EHQnu191ehPkw-05uT0hnNC5juKmdt809ZzKM9ZQpw4q3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resident Randall Adams told the council he and other citizens were upset by the city’s handling of the Ryan House and alleged a physical confrontation between a city administrator and a citizen at an open house in 2023. Adams said staff rushed a demolition vote and that, at an open house, “CA Wilson got very frustrated, leaned forward, and forcefully jabbed his index figure into the chest of Kim Foster,” causing Foster to step backward.

Adams said the open house prompted intense citizen questions and alleged staff repeatedly directed attendees to Sumner Connect materials that did not answer those questions. He said five reports “magically appeared after the city was sued” and that citizens felt the city had moved too quickly without current information. Adams also said citizens prioritized using proceeds from the golf-course sale first for roads, then sidewalks, then police and fourth for remodeling the Ryan House.

City Administrator Jason Wilson addressed the allegation during his report and called the accusation “patently false.” Wilson said, “During the open house, I instructed mister Foster to quit putting his finger in my face and to step back. Mister Foster complied, and our conversation ended shortly thereafter.” Wilson said he would answer council questions if asked.

No formal council action or investigation was announced during the meeting. The matter was raised in public comment and responded to by the city administrator in his report; the council did not vote or direct staff to take a specific investigatory step during the meeting.","A Sumner resident alleged the city rushed demolition decisions around the Ryan House and that City Administrator Jason Wilson made physical contact with a citizen at an open house; Wilson denied the allegation in the meeting and said he told the citizen to step back.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177928,"Sumner holds public hearing on forming transportation benefit district to fund road maintenance",807,293000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6&start=293&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330806-164e0cc4fd9704bb972b5b142ed08aa6/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6177928/Sumner-City/Pierce-County/Washington/Sumner-holds-public-hearing-on-forming-transportation-benefit-district-to-fund-road-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177928-317240d688f910ea5f71dd3d221cfa42/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375252&Signature=SGwwiGUe4kLVsgzAcoBNodAz83SRIFaRYQHLdXdnitcgsd5-dn3HLh-PyxEvTC~tkLeQx~Ngb8KBtw-axBUIXfAPcvm34Q8Lw8qT1mNVFPuxbhSryPXL~mx9YTUxjc1gW5DRT7nfpXd9b7mYSCGR~KRDlhNIg9Y2r5aaO-B3htpx8mNffyof8Hp~WTwj0Fj7pxAh-rKUQLnb8duzLw~8GtJmUZdjtIIhvecg7L9d2pADC7lMfOeRg5yOnySUwtMkyDW5yygL6ZuGR-Pgcx1THvnN~0JB7FKLW3TfUkgSPczJf1P-LogKCkUXLHXMcv1WoeoyaFuPsNg44e-mzs5eEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Communications Director Carmen Palmer told the Sumner City Council during a public hearing that the city is considering forming a Transportation Benefit District that would match the city limits of Sumner and could, if funded with a 0.1% sales tax, generate about $800,000 to $850,000 per year for transportation construction and maintenance.

Palmer said, “Although this is not about funding, the end goal is to use the point 1% sales tax option, available to generate about 800,000 to 850,000 per year for transportation, construction, and maintenance.” She outlined a three-step state-mandated process: form the district, consider assuming leadership rather than creating a separate board, and then adopt an ordinance to set funding; the sales-tax decision would come at the final step.

The presentation stressed maintenance needs: Palmer said about 10% of the city’s roads were in “fair or poor” condition and that routine preservation extends pavement life. She provided planning figures presented to the council: chip-sealing the worst 10% would cost roughly $9,000,000; a full overlay of the same segments about $16,000,000; a crack-seal plus chip-seal program to meet a 15-year preservation cycle about $13,000,000. By comparison, the current annual budget for road maintenance is $400,000; a 15-year revenue projection for a TBD at 0.1% was given as about $12,700,000.

Two residents who signed up to speak voiced different priorities. Randall Adams of Sumner urged the council to devote TBD revenue first to chip-seal and preservation and not to use the funds primarily for reconstruction. Adams said, “Every dollar of this revenue should go into your chip seal and ceilings to long term reduce the cost of maintaining roads.” He recommended using current city reserves (including proceeds from past golf-course sales, he said) for reconstruction projects rather than drawing down the maintenance fund.

Mike Herbert, also of Sumner, argued against creating a new local tax now. He said the city should “live within their budget just like every household and individual” and recommended waiting to see how recently expanded state sales-tax rules on services and an expected new car dealership will affect local revenue before adding a city TBD tax.

No council vote on forming the TBD occurred at the hearing. City staff notified the council that the topic will return to the agenda: City Administrator Jason Wilson listed at the end of the meeting that the ordinance for forming the Transportation Benefit District will be on the July 21 regular council meeting agenda, and the council will later consider the ordinance to fund any district.

The council opened the public hearing at 6:04 p.m. and closed it at 6:16 p.m.","Sumner City held a public hearing on forming a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) that could use a 0.1% sales tax to raise an estimated $800,000–$850,000 a year to fund road maintenance, with residents urging the city to prioritize chip-seal preservation and others opposing a new tax.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sumner council adopts updated employee recognition program, adds awards and cash prizes

Sumner council unanimously adopts ordinance clarifying employee travel reimbursements

Resident alleges physical contact by city administrator at Ryan House open house; administrator denies

Sumner holds public hearing on forming transportation benefit district to fund road maintenance