Mayor Carla Bowman of Sumner urged residents to sign up for the city’s e-news and public-notice system and explained how the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) creates an opportunity to comment on proposed local projects.
"Sign up for our e-news and our public notices," Bowman said, telling listeners they can register through the City of Sumner website and via the public-notice sign-in form. She said signing up will "tell you what's going on" in town before physical work begins.
Bowman explained the role of SEPA in local decision-making, saying, "There’s basically an environmental checklist that has to be done in order for these things to actually occur in our town," and urged residents to use the public-notice and SEPA comment periods to submit concerns or support for projects.
The mayor emphasized that early participation can let residents weigh in before construction begins: "That way you can be on the front end, you can get your comments and concerns in or if you're really happy about something, but you're not having to wait until you start seeing bulldozers moving dirt to understand what's going on in town."
Bowman concluded by directing people to the City of Sumner website to submit questions and sign up for notices; she said city staff will follow up to help residents through the sign-up process.
The remarks were an informational announcement; no motions or formal votes were recorded during the statement.