The Des Moines City Council held their regular meeting on Thursday night, Sept. 26, 2024.
They heard a presentation by Lighthouse Northwest, a local non-profit that provides resources to victims of domestic violence.
The council also voted to sell a parcel of land near the Des Moines Creek Trail as part of a long-planned development agreement.
Additionally, they approved the creation of a special fund for money from the proposed public safety levy.
Lighthouse Northwest Presentation
A proclamation was read recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a representative of Lighthouse Northwest gave an update to Council on the work of her organization, which is supported in part by city funds.
Lighthouse NW is a faith-based non-profit that provides resources and housing to victims of domestic violence. They offer a community living home for up to two years, during which time residents are provided with services and education to help them transition to a new, thriving, and independent life. Lighthouse also provides a community support group that is open to women of all ages who have experienced domestic abuse. In October, they will be starting a group for men who have been victims of domestic violence.
According to the presentation, one in three women will be the victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime, regardless of race or income level. Domestic abuse is the third leading cause of homelessness. 10 million children witness domestic violence each year, and are then more likely to become perpetrators or victims of domestic violence as adults. Breaking the cycle of violence is possible with intervention.
Lighthouse Northwest will be partnering with Des Moines Creek Parkrun at 9 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 19 for the Lighthouse 5k, with an afterparty at the Quarterdeck. That same evening at 6pm is their Celebrate The Journey Fundraiser at the Des Moines Beach Park Auditorium.
Sale Of Tract C Approved
Several members of the public shared concerns about the potential loss of wild space near the Des Moines Creek Trail. However, it was pointed out multiple times that this development was agreed upon many years ago, and the only decision in question at this meeting was whether to sell the parcel and have the access road be privately owned and maintained by the Port, or to not sell it, in which case it would be made into a publicly funded road. If that happened the city would have to pay for its upkeep as well as losing out on the sale price of $690,000 for the nearly 20,000 square foot parcel.
Commenters said that the lot has 500 mature trees on it, but this was immediately corrected by the mayor. It was pointed out that this parcel, which was owned by Seattle until 2016 when it was given to Des Moines at no cost, has no mature trees on it. Also, it was stressed that the development in question is going to proceed whether the parcel is sold or not.
As part of the development agreement, a new section of public trail will be built, connecting the Barnes Creek Trail with the Des Moines Creek Trail, at zero cost to the city.
One public commenter said that it was unethical to go forward with this when there is a citizens’ appeal pending. It was also said that any kind of development so close to the stream will have an impact on erosion and other environmental factors. The development does have an ecological hearing pending, and the whole project is contingent on that going through.
Councilmember JC Harris moved to set aside 10% of the sale proceeds for environmental mitigation. This amendment passed in a 5:2 vote, with Councilmembers Nutting and Mahoney voting no. The sale of Tract C passed unanimously.
Public Safety Levy Fund Created
Council voted 4:3 to create a special fund just for money from the new public safety levy, should voters approve it in November. On the August ballot, 56% of voters rejected the levy lid lift. Several members of the council as well as city staff hope that with more time to educate voters on the importance of the levy, they will approve the measure the next time around. Councilmembers Harris, Grace-Matsui, and Achziger voted against establishing this fund, saying that voters have already demonstrated that they do not support it.
Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz pointed out that if the levy passes, for most homeowners there won’t be any change in the amount of property tax they pay, since the fire benefits charge passed in August which reduces how much most property owners will pay by the same amount Des Moines is asking to increase taxes. He also said that this money will be in a special fund, and only used for public safety. Councilmember JC Harris pointed out that any council at any time can change that, reallocating money from one fund to another at their whim. If that were done, however, it would be done publicly and on record.
Finance Director Jeff Friend presented on the types of service changes residents could expect if the levy lid lift does not pass. Expiring ARPA money has been used to bolster police services since COVID, and that money is running out quite soon. Friend said if the levy does not pass, there will be extensive budget cuts for the police, courts, and a variety of other city services. The Redondo police substation will close, and there will be no crime analyst, animal control, and limited traffic enforcement or night patrols.
If the levy passes, public safety services will be maintained and enhanced. There will still be many cuts in other city departments due to “shrinkflation”, with the city coming up short with limited funds and rising costs. The current police fund is around $14 million, and the levy is expected to provide an additional $3.5 million for public safety.
