Sumner City Council awards $1.29 million sidewalk repair contract amid concern over tree removals

The Sumner City Council voted June 1 to award a $1,292,943 construction contract to Sound Pacific Construction LLC for the 2026 sidewalk repair program, a project staff described as replacing roughly 4,000 linear feet of sidewalk and installing or repairing about 1,688 curb ramps across the city.

Public Works Director Michael Kosa told the council the city packaged several related subprojects into one contract and opened bids May 19. He said the low responsible bid came in higher than the city’s engineers estimate ($1,181,890) but that the city has programmed funding and does not require a budget amendment to proceed.

The project includes multiple elements: a 50–50 "helping homeowners" cost-share option at eight locations, a street-tree sidewalk replacement program funded from the general fund for sidewalks damaged by city-owned street trees, and ADA curb-ramp additions in spots identified under the ADA transition plan (including intersections near Academy Street and Maple Lawn Elementary). Kosa also said some east-side sidewalks will be converted to pervious pavement to reduce runoff in drainage district 11, allowing a portion of the project to be paid from the storm utility.

Public comment raised concerns about transparency and about tree removals. Randall Adams asked for the contract exhibit and for clearer information on how later project phases will be funded. Audience member Nick Beerman asked whether the city has a plan to replace trees removed for construction; Kosa replied the city arborist reviewed sites and several trees will need to be removed because they would not survive the work. He said parks typically handled replacements after construction in prior years but staff will prepare a budget request for FY 2027–28 to cover tree replacement costs and provide an estimate to council; he offered a rough per-tree installation range of about $500–$1,500.

Council debate centered on balancing liability and accessibility with neighborhood character. Several council members praised Sumner’s tree-lined streets and asked for alternatives to outright removal, such as root barriers and coordination to bundle tree-planting with the construction contract. Staff said they will recheck arborist markings, return with a budgetary cost for replacements, and consider incorporating replacements into future bidding if council directs.

Council Member Malcolm recused himself from the sidewalk award because he applied to participate in the helping-homeowners portion of the program; the vote passed with six yes votes and one recusal.

The contract award authorizes the city to move forward with construction; staff said actual planting of replacement trees would likely occur in the spring or fall following construction, and that the city will return with a budget ask for planting if council wishes to include replacements in project scope.