Tony Piasecki[/caption]
Des Moines City Manager Tony Piasecki says that in 2013 the city redesigned the city website, launched a new system for requesting city public records and added new equipment that permits the city to “live-stream” City Council meetings.
“Because of these upgrades, our citizens can easily find information that is of interest to them and can be more involved in their Community,” Piasecki wrote in his December report to citizens. “You can search for resolutions, ordinances, current and future council packets and minutes of prior meetings.
“You can apply for a building permit, request a public record or search our calendar and find out what special event is coming up.”
Most crime rates down
Burglaries were down from the 2012 (17 percent) as were vehicle accidents (down 13 percent). Also down were vehicle thefts (8 percent). Police say 51 percent fewer adults were arrested and service calls were down from 1,588 in 2012 compared with 1,481 for 2013.
Marina report
Piasecki said the Marina maintenance crew continued replacing the transformer and main distribution panel at the boatyard.
He said the marina staff “organized a ‘tree lighting’ and a decorated boat contest for the holiday season. The event was on Dec. 6, the same evening as the tree lighting at Big Catch Plaza. Six boats participated in the decorated boat contest and the boat Tropical Dreams won a $100 gift certificate donated by West Marine.”
Building Projects
The new seven-story Artemis Hotel, 22406 Pacific Highway, was issued its “Phase II” of the building permit on Dec. 4.
This phase of this part of the permit is for the foundation only portion of the building, which consists of the first two levels of the concrete structure, up to, and including the podium deck.
He said there might be an additional parking structure with some hotel amenities added to the south of the currently designed structure but hasn’t been submitted for review and approval.
Construction on the SeaMar medical office building and housing project (at 24215 Pacific Highway South) began in September. He said the in-ground water detention system, the in-ground plumbing, and the in-ground electrical work for the housing building is underway, with the perimeter footing and foundation system for the housing building being installed.
The building will be a 16,340 square foot steel and concrete building and the family housing building will be a 43,064 square foot wood framed structure.
The Mack Truck Service Center at 25619 Pacific Highway South has been granted a permit for a 9,700 square foot building expansion and is underway. The site and groundwork for this project is well underway and is nearing completion.
Piasecki’s full report is available on the city’s website.]]>
(According to the same report cited) Burglaries may have been down over the prior year (2012) but, violent crime (Assaults and Robberies) were UP (up Up UP) 26% and 32% respectively. Holy Moly! Calls for Police service were UP 7% over the prior year too, but of course, that wasn’t mentioned in Scott Schafer’s hard-hitting report LOL. You can’t blame him though, he has to appease all of the real estate agents who advertise on his blog. Real estate agents (like recently-retired Councilwoman Carmen Scott) don’t want people to know what the crime rate is in Des Moines. It affects their commissions you know…
But keeping things in perspective, over the past decade in Des Moines, Violent Crime is UP 18% and Property Crime is up 27% (FBI Statistics). Think of the human misery associated with those statistics.
Maybe THAT is the cause of our crime in Des Moines! The police are arresting fewer people at the behest of the City Manager! It is after all, much cheaper and easier to NOT arrest people who committed a crime (Police and Jails and Courts cost lots of money). Best to leave the bad guys for the citizens to deal with. Who cares if grandma gets beat up and robbed? Right? It’s cheaper for the City that way (in the short run) and let’s face it, time$ are tight.
Congratulations to City Manager Tony Piasecki and the City Council (esp. Boss Sheckler)! Saving the City some money on public safety, only to spend it on silly, feel-good projects in the Beach-park. A big thumbs-up to you. Pure wisdom.
For the record, this story was written by Jack Mayne and based on information from the city.
FYI Dan…in no way do we slant articles to appease/protect real estate agents or Advertisers. We have never done that and never will.
Also, for future conspiratorial rants, please spell my name correctly.
Thanks for reading the blog and commenting so frequently.
– Scott Schaefer
(According to the same report cited) Burglaries may have been down over the prior year (2012) but, violent crime (Assaults and Robberies) were UP (up Up UP) 26% and 32% respectively. Holy Moly! Calls for Police service were UP 7% over the prior year too, but of course, that wasn’t mentioned in Scott Schafer’s hard-hitting report LOL. You can’t blame him though, he has to appease all of the real estate agents who advertise on his blog. Real estate agents (like recently-retired Councilwoman Carmen Scott) don’t want people to know what the crime rate is in Des Moines. It affects their commissions you know…
But keeping things in perspective, over the past decade in Des Moines, Violent Crime is UP 18% and Property Crime is up 27% (FBI Statistics). Think of the human misery associated with those statistics.
Maybe THAT is the cause of our crime in Des Moines! The police are arresting fewer people at the behest of the City Manager! It is after all, much cheaper and easier to NOT arrest people who committed a crime (Police and Jails and Courts cost lots of money). Best to leave the bad guys for the citizens to deal with. Who cares if grandma gets beat up and robbed? Right? It’s cheaper for the City that way (in the short run) and let’s face it, time$ are tight.
Congratulations to City Manager Tony Piasecki and the City Council (esp. Boss Sheckler)! Saving the City some money on public safety, only to spend it on silly, feel-good projects in the Beach-park. A big thumbs-up to you. Pure wisdom.
For the record, this story was written by Jack Mayne and based on information from the city.
FYI Dan…in no way do we slant articles to appease/protect real estate agents or Advertisers. We have never done that and never will.
Also, for future conspiratorial rants, please spell my name correctly.
Thanks for reading the blog and commenting so frequently.
– Scott Schaefer