From preserving local forests and water quality to supporting community safety nets, the Des Moines City Council addressed significant municipal initiatives during its Oct. 1, 2026 meeting.
The council gave direction on a proactive strategy to manage the city’s tree canopy via Surface Water Management, as well as the unanimous approval of $150,000 in Human Services grants for 2027 aimed at supporting 15 local and regional service organizations.
Tree Canopy Preservation Program
The city is planning to transfer management of 41 parcels with significant tree canopy into the care of Surface Water Management (SWM). SWM will then be responsible for 140 total acres of land in Des Moines. Through their management, the city will meet requirements related to tree canopy and stormwater maintenance.
After a recent assessment of trees on public property throughout Des Moines, it was found that the city has a robust and mature tree canopy, particularly made up of big leaf maples and red alders. However, invasive plants are a ubiquitous problem, particularly climbing ivy which threatens the health of the trees. Additionally, it was found that evergreen trees, needed for healthy streams, are quite scarce throughout the city. Much of the trees are hard to access for ivy removal, with thick vegetation, steep slopes, and no trails.
Preserving and improving the forest canopy and health is an expensive undertaking. In addition to the difficult job of removing hazard trees and ivy throughout the area, there is the cost of regularly cleaning up homeless encampments. In order to pay for this maintenance, SWM has offered three options.
Scenario A involves a 2% annual increase in their utility fee. This is the lowest tier, and simply covers reactive, baseline work: dealing with hazard trees and homeless camp cleanup, with no ivy management or tree planting. Deterioration of the forest due to encroaching ivy would continue.
Scenarios B and C would cost an additional 5% and 7.5%, respectively, and allow SWM to accomplish much more proactive management, increasing the health and sustainability of area forests. SWM also plans to expand their volunteer efforts, getting community involvement in things like ivy removal- though much of the ivy is in locations that are unsafe to access.
The council didn’t vote on this, but they did give direction to SWM to go with scenario C, expressing regret for raising fees at all. Deputy Mayor Gene Achziger said this option would only increase SWM fees for residents by around $30 per year, and it would be extremely beneficial to the city. Councilmember JC Harris said that this proactive work would save money in the long run. Councilmember Pierre Blosse did say he preferred the more moderate option B, but everyone else present felt this was a vital measure to protect the health of the forests.
Human Services Funding
The Human Services Committee (HSC) recommended 15 agencies to receive shares of $150,000 in 2027 Human Services grants. The committee tried to follow prior council direction and create a shorter list of recipients, which would then receive larger shares of the limited fund. However, the committee found it hard to narrow down the list without a comprehensive needs assessment. This assessment will be undertaken by the city, so that next year’s grant recommendations can be more refined.
Organizations that will be funded in 2027 include the Des Moines Area Food Bank, Global Perinatal, Lighthouse NW, St. Steven, YETI, RISE, Mary’s Place, Latino Civic Alliance, Genesis, Children & Youth Justice Center, Healthpoint Dental, Healthpoint Medical, and Consejo Counseling.
Very few of these agencies are actually located in Des Moines. Where possible, it was verified that Des Moines residents are being served by these organizations, but more information will be known before this decision is made next year, following the needs assessment. The HSC monitors and reviews each agency’s quarterly reports and will continue to do so.
Councilmember Robyn Desimone said she was disappointed that there were still so many recipients. She would have preferred a much shorter list, and to remove the organizations that already receive huge grants from the state. Councilmember Jeremy Nutting agreed, saying the money would have a much greater impact on a small local organization like Lighthouse. Councilmember JC Harris disagreed, however. He said that Healthpoint, which receives huge state grants, does incredible work. He called it the heart of Des Moines, and said that the city needs to help keep it going.
Despite some disappointment with the number of recipients, the Human Services funding allocation for 2027 passed unanimously.
Video
Below is full, raw video of this council meeting:
