Des Moines residents got a taste of summer fun mixed with serious business at the June 13, 2024 City Council meeting.
Intermingled with the buzz of the upcoming Waterland Parade and Waterland Pride Festival, residents voiced their opinions on housing regulations and accessibility concerns.
The meeting also offered updates on the city manager search and the hiring of a new police chief, along with a grant that sparked debate.
Here are the key takeaways from this lively council session.
Public Comments
One speaker asked Council to consider making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties. This would allow homeowners to increase the supply of housing, helping to ameliorate the housing shortage. She said the Washington Department of Commerce guidelines recommend that ADUs be allowed to hook into the utilities of the main house on the property. She said they also recommend cities streamline the permitting process and even allow ADUs “by right”, so people don’t have to go through a long process to build.
In an update from the Woodmont & Des Moines Libraries, it was shared that KCLS is about to begin its summer reading program. This program is for readers of all ages, and participants can track their reading with either an app or a paper reading log. There will be a kickoff party at the Woodmont Library on June 26, and a finale celebration at the Des Moines Library on August 22.
Another commenter spoke movingly about how much the Pride flag means to him and his husband. He said it was the first thing they noticed when they were moving to Des Moines, and when they saw it they knew Des Moines would make a great home. This speaker also shared the upcoming Waterland Pride festival, the weekend of June 22 & 23. The celebration includes a Waterland Pride Parkrun and Pride activities at Farmers Market on Saturday, and church services followed by a Pride Festival at the United Methodist Church on Sunday,
City Manager’s Report
Interim City Manager Tim George shared the big news that the city is hiring a new Chief of Police. Chief Ted Boe was Burien’s police chief until his resignation last week. City Manager George said there has been a positive response from the community about this new hire, and he encourages those who haven’t met Chief Boe yet to do so. His anticipated start date is August 15th, and there will be opportunities coming for the public and city council to meet him.
City Manager Recruitment Update
Deputy City Manager AJ Johnson-Newton shared the latest on the hiring process for the new city manager. She said since the job posting went live on May 30, six applicants have completed the application, with another four inquiries. Of the six applicants, three are local to Washington and three are out of state. The posting will close on June 30. Johnson-Newton said there was a slight delay in readying the brochure for the position, so the hiring timeline will be adjusted a bit. She thought the delay was worth it, however, since it got a good response so far.
Port Of Seattle Economic Development Grant
Council approved receiving a $33,600 grant from the Port of Seattle to support economic development. However, Councilmember JC Harris spoke against it, saying the money is paltry compared to the damage the airport does to surrounding cities. He said their overall impact is profoundly negative, and the council shouldn’t sign on to their cause.
Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz said by voting for this they are simply accepting the grant money, not supporting the Port’s Century Agenda. Mayor Traci Buxton added that the city can use specific language from the Port’s stated agenda to “hold their feet to the fire”. For example, she explained the Century Agenda states goals to “reduce air pollutants & carbon emissions; partner & engage with external stakeholders to build healthy and safe communities; and responsibly invest in the economic growth of the region.” Buxton said these points can be used for local advocacy with the Port.
Transportation Improvement Plan
The city’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) is a prioritized list of 91 planned transportation projects. This list helps guide decisions, as well as creates access for grants and loans. TIPs are submitted annually to the state by July 31. Council approved the plan unanimously.
Projects from the TIP that are going to start soon or are already underway include pavement preservation overlay, starting in July; traffic safety improvements on 4th Ave; and ADA compliance. The ADA compliance includes removal of tripping hazards in front of City Hall by sanding the sidewalk.
In a public comment regarding the TIP, one speaker said there was a recent incident at the entrance to Wooton Park in Redondo. A young woman in a wheelchair fell out of it while trying to navigate between the parking lot and the park. He said there was no accessible path between the two. He added there are also drainage issues in the area that could be addressed at the same time.
On 24th Ave South, significant improvements have been underway but were paused for a utilities issue. Councilmember Harris asked what steps the city has taken over the delays with this major project. City Manager George said the city will be moving to file a claim for the costs associated with the project delay, and it could cost the utility companies “hundreds of thousands” of dollars.
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Since it is Men’s Health Month, Councilmember Jeremy Nutting shared the importance of recognizing mental health issues men may be facing and taking action to help them. He said that 80% of suicides are carried out by men, and that their mental health challenges often go unnoticed and unaddressed. He encouraged everyone to ask men how they are doing, and to know the signs of mental health concerns. He said people in crisis can call 988 for help, or text “MHA” or “Help” to 741741 to have a text conversation with someone trained to assist in this area.
Waterland Parade Needs Volunteers & Boats!
Councilmember Matt Mahoney said anyone interested in volunteering at the Waterland Parade should sign up right away. The parade, which is a cherished tradition in Des Moines, will be on Saturday, July 20 from 4–8 p.m. More information, as well as a link for volunteer signup, is available here. Councilmember Mahoney also said they are still accepting parade entries, if you have a group or business that wants to be in the parade. In addition, he is looking for boats if you have one sitting in the garage that can be used during the parade.
