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2 weeks ago

Consultant tells council Des Moines is younger, less retail‑dependent; downtown mixed‑use yields modest net fiscal gains in model A consultant presentation showed Des Moines’ median age has fallen and its economy has a low retail share; a downtown land‑use fiscal model found mixed‑use and commercial development generally produce better fiscal results than surface‑parked multifamily in the city’s examples.

Des Moines is evolving, with a younger population and a unique opportunity to boost city finances through strategic downtown development—discover the insights from the latest council presentation!

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2 weeks ago

Council advances Appointive Committees overhaul after debate over CAB subgroups The Des Moines City Council advanced draft ordinance 26-009 to a second reading (April 9) after amending how Citizens Advisory Board subgroups are treated: council exempted CAB subgroups from Open Public Meetings Act requirements and will refer to them as 'committees of the CAB.' The measure moved 6–1.

Des Moines City Council has sparked a heated debate by advancing a draft ordinance that redefines Citizens Advisory Board subgroups, exempting them from public meeting laws!

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2 months ago

Council moves density-bonus ordinance for religious properties to second reading Council advanced an ordinance implementing House Bill 1377 to give a 50% density bonus for affordable housing on properties owned or controlled by religious organizations, with deed restrictions of at least 50 years and responsibility for fees; motion to second reading passed unanimously.

Des Moines City Council just took a significant step towards boosting affordable housing by advancing a new ordinance that offers a 50% density bonus for qualifying religious organizations!

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2 months ago

Des Moines police outline Flock plate-reader program, propose online transparency portal The police chief described the city’s Flock automated license-plate reader program, saying 15 cameras went live in June 2023, data are encrypted and retained 30 days, national searching was disabled, and staff recommended a public transparency portal showing camera locations and daily search logs.

Des Moines police are proposing a transparency portal for their new license-plate reader system, aiming to give the public insight into camera locations and data access.

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2 months ago

Des Moines airport advisory committee backs coordinating brief support for state noise bills, seeks complaint data The Des Moines City Airport Advisory Committee agreed to coordinate a short letter with the city supporting pending state legislation on aircraft noise while asking staff to obtain complaint-level records and a property inventory tied to proposed 65 DNL boundary changes.

Des Moines airport officials are uniting to tackle aircraft noise and push for vital state legislation, but they need your input to make a real impact!

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2 months ago

Des Moines forecast: general fund likely needs $1M–$2M a year; council asks staff to analyze revenue options Outside consultants told the council a 15-year forecast shows the general fund will likely need $1–2 million in additional recurring revenue to maintain reserves. Staff presented a menu of options (utility franchise adjustments, cameras, car-tab increase, parking and transfers) and council asked staff to pursue further analysis, including an impact-fee study and marina parking-rate review.

Des Moines City Council faces a $1-2 million annual revenue gap to sustain services over the next decade, prompting a deep dive into potential revenue sources.

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2 months ago

Des Moines council leans to shift lodging-tax dollars from single July 4 drone show to multiple signature events City staff proposed moving lodging-tax funding away from one large July 4 drone show toward two-to-three year-round signature events. Council members said the public wants more events and, citing an expected lodging-tax decrease, directed staff to explore alternatives and to not renew the current drone contract.

Des Moines City Council is considering a major shift from a single July 4 drone show to multiple year-round events, responding to community calls for more connection and fun!

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3 months ago

Advisory committee approves work plan, adds support for city response to SEPA draft EIS The Des Moines advisory committee approved its recommended work plan with staff edits and added a new bullet directing support for the city's response to the SAMP/SEPA draft EIS; members agreed to prepare graphics and a short presentation for the council and to prioritize testimony at committee hearings rather than a mass Olympia Day trip.

The Advisory Airport Committee has taken a bold step by approving a work plan that amplifies the city's voice on critical environmental issues!

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3 months ago

Advisory committee urges focus on health, noise and traffic as airport projects push operations higher Committee members said projected operations will increase noise and pollution, urged the committee to "pivot to health" when engaging legislators, and discussed outreach to a national 'roundtable of roundtables' and sharing local monitoring data for a larger health study.

Des Moines committee members are sounding the alarm on increased airport operations, urging a shift to prioritize public health over noise and pollution concerns.

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5 months ago

Council adopts $175 million 2026–2031 capital improvements plan The council adopted the 2026–2031 CIP listing 87 projects totaling $175.275 million, with about $123 million in secured funding and $46.5 million in unsecured grant requests; transportation, municipal capital and surface‑water projects were highlighted.

Des Moines City Council just greenlit a groundbreaking $175 million capital improvements plan, paving the way for 87 transformative projects over the next six years!

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5 months ago

Des Moines joins Burien and SeaTac in ILA to coordinate NEPA/SEPA review and hire legal counsel Council approved an interlocal agreement with Burien and SeaTac to coordinate review and potential legal challenges of the SeaTac Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP); initial estimated local share is about $96,000 and staff recommended filing a $1,000 petition to preserve appeal rights while the parties refine strategy.

Des Moines City Council has taken a significant step by approving an agreement to coordinate with Burien and SeaTac on legal strategies for the SeaTac Sustainable Airport Master Plan, potentially shaping the future of local flight operations.

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5 months ago

Des Moines committee hears legal strategy, science concerns over Port of Seattle SAMP expansion Community advocate Steve Edmiston told a Des Moines City aviation committee the legal landscape and scientific record around the Port of Seattle's SAMP are different now than during the third-runway fight, urged coordinated appeals (NEPA and SEPA) and regional collaboration, and warned the Port may rely on narrow compliance metrics while excluding

Community advocate Steve Edmiston warns that the Port of Seattle’s expansion plans may overlook critical health impacts while emphasizing the need for regional collaboration on legal strategies.

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5 months ago

Des Moines plans sidewalks, Barnes Creek Trail and neighborhood speed bumps with state and federal grants City engineers briefed the Committee of the Whole on transportation projects including a $3 million Safe Routes to School-funded walkway near North Hill Elementary, the Barnes Creek Trail contract (Sound Transit and state appropriations), and a bid package for 10 speed bumps across five locations that the council will consider next week.

Exciting changes are coming to Des Moines as $8.5 million in grants pave the way for safer walkways, a scenic trail, and essential speed bumps for our neighborhoods!

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5 months ago

Des Moines unveils $175.3 million draft capital improvement plan, eyes funded 2026 projects City staff presented a 2026–2031 draft Capital Improvement Plan of 87 projects totaling about $175.3 million; $123.0 million is secured, $46.5 million are unsecured grant commitments and $5.8 million remain without identified funding. Council was asked to focus on the 2026 projects — roughly $33.9 million — as it finalizes the budget next week.

Des Moines is set to invest $175.3 million in a bold Capital Improvement Plan, with 68 projects already fully funded for 2026!

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5 months ago

Des Moines advances pipe replacements and estuary design; $16.5 million construction placeholder expected to seek grants Surface water staff said design work for the estuary project will reach 30% in Q1 next year with $900,000 of $1,030,000 design funding secured; construction is currently estimated at $16.5 million and expected to be funded through multiple grants. Staff also described planned replacements of corrugated metal pipes and an updated 16th Avenue scope.

Des Moines is set to replace aging pipes with modern polyethylene in a multi-million dollar project aimed at enhancing infrastructure and flood safety.

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5 months ago

Des Moines frames 2026 legislative priorities amid state and federal budget uncertainty The city’s legislative advocate presented a draft 2026 agenda that emphasizes public safety funding, requests for state and federal project funding, protection of local revenue tools and airport‑area mitigation. Staff warned federal continuing resolutions could delay earmarks, affecting projects such as Midway Park.

Des Moines is bracing for potential budget cuts and project delays as federal funding uncertainties loom over the 2026 legislative agenda.

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5 months ago

Des Moines committee reviews $175.3 million CIP; committee excuses absent councilmember The Committee of the Whole reviewed the proposed 2026'1031 Capital Improvement Plan, an 87-project package with $123.0 million secured and $46.5 million in identified but unsecured grants; the committee voted 6-0 to excuse Councilmember Nutting.

The Des Moines City Council is gearing up for a massive $175.3 million Capital Improvement Plan aimed at transforming the city—are you ready to see what projects are on the horizon?

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5 months ago

Finance director briefs Des Moines Citizens Advisory Board on mid‑biennium budget review Finance Director Jeff Friend told the Citizens Advisory Board on Oct. 20 that the city is conducting a mid‑biennium review of the 2025–26 biennial budget. He reviewed fund types, legal limits on enterprise and special revenue funds, current budget totals and the city’s cash‑reserve concerns, and said the review will propose one‑time revenue uses, a

Des Moines is shaking things up with a mid-biennium budget review that aims to align finances and restore cash reserves—what does this mean for the city's future?

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5 months ago

Des Moines council signs onto Burien letter asking Port of Seattle to act on airport noise insulation packages The council voted 6-1 to sign a letter, joining Burien, urging the Port of Seattle to address outstanding noise insulation (port package) repairs for affected homes around the airport.

Des Moines City Council takes a stand, joining Burien in a united plea to the Port of Seattle for urgent action on airport noise insulation affecting thousands of homes!

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5 months ago

Des Moines approves Marina Steps project, awards $8.54M construction contract amid split council After years of planning, the Des Moines City Council approved contracts and grant acceptances enabling the Marina Steps project to move forward, awarding an $8.537 million construction contract to Bayshore Construction and approving related consultant and grant agreements. Votes on related motions split the council 4-3.

Des Moines City Council has officially greenlit the long-awaited Marina Steps project, approving an $8.54 million construction contract despite a heated 4-3 split vote!

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5 months ago

Des Moines to seek renegotiation of water/sewer franchise agreements; council authorizes notice to providers The council directed staff to notify three utility providers that the city wishes to renegotiate expiring franchise agreements, opening the possibility of revised franchise payments or, if necessary later, a utility tax; motion passed 6-1.

Des Moines is gearing up to renegotiate its water and sewer franchise agreements, potentially reshaping utility payments and tax options ahead of 2026!

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5 months ago

Des Moines partners with King County on water-taxi feasibility study; council approves consultant contract The council authorized a memorandum of understanding with King County Metro to study a potential Des Moines–Seattle water taxi and approved a $100,000 contract with Nelson ygaard to perform transportation and economic analysis under a Department of Commerce grant; motions were unanimous.

Des Moines is taking a bold step toward a potential water taxi service to Seattle, backed by a unanimous council vote and a $100,000 study to examine its feasibility!

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8 months ago

Council Amends Subcommittee Term Limit Proposal Amid Member Confusion Council members debate clarity on subcommittee term limits during draft ordinance discussion.

Des Moines' recent CAB meeting sparked a heated debate over term limits, revealing confusion that could reshape governance in the community.

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8 months ago

Council Discusses Recruitment for New Community Advisory Board Members Council seeks business owner, marina tenant, and neighborhood representatives for new advisory board.

Des Moines City Hall buzzed with excitement as the Citizen Advisory Board launched a crucial recruitment drive for new community representatives, aiming to enhance local governance and inclusivity.

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8 months ago

Council Votes to Amend CAB Leadership to Include Deputy Mayor Steinmetz City council approves amendment allowing deputy mayor to preside over citizens advisory board.

Des Moines City Council just voted to empower the deputy mayor as the head of the Citizens Advisory Board, sparking a debate on whether this change will enhance or politicize community engagement.

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9 months ago

Redondo Community Association celebrates successful Shark in the Park event and advocates for Pier reconstruction RCA expresses gratitude for Shark in the Park event and pushes for Pier construction approval.

Des Moines is set to transform its waterfront and community engagement with the approval of the Redondo Fishing Pier, promising a vibrant future for local residents.

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9 months ago

Redondo Beach Council approves $3.7M contract for fishing pier replacement Council unanimously approves Redside Construction contract for fishing pier replacement project

Des Moines is set to revitalize its beloved Redondo Fishing Pier with a $3.7 million upgrade, enhancing safety and community enjoyment for years to come.

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9 months ago

Des Moines council considers anti cruising ordinance for Redondo Beach Drive Karen Sharpman supports ordinance 25-065 to regulate cruising and improve community safety.

As Des Moines grapples with disruptive cruising, community advocate Karen Sharpman pushes for an ordinance that could transform local safety and quality of life.

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9 months ago

Des Moines Council discusses tree canopy strategy and grant partnerships with King County Council members emphasize detailed mapping for tree canopy and explore grant transfer to King County.

Des Moines City Council is taking bold steps to enhance urban forestry and explore ferry partnerships with King County, but the real game-changer lies in understanding the true impact of our tree canopy.

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9 months ago

Redondo Beach City Council considers strict anti cruising ordinance amid neighborhood concerns Council members debate enforcement challenges of the proposed anti cruising ordinance.

Des Moines City Council is tackling neighborhood concerns head-on with a controversial anti-cruising ordinance that could fine repeat drivers up to $513!

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