At their Feb. 27, 2025 meeting, the Des Moines City Council faced a diverse agenda, navigating challenges and opportunities across multiple fronts.
From a stalled local memorial project hampered by unexpected bidding issues, to the legislative setbacks and subsequent hopes for airport-related environmental justice, the council engaged with pressing matters.
The meeting also explored the potential resurgence of the historic Mosquito Fleet, signaling a renewed focus on alternative transportation solutions, and celebrated the tangible progress made in expanding affordable housing within the South King County region.
No Bids Yet For Memorial Park Flag Triangle
Council heard an update on the Memorial Flag Triangle project. It went out for bidding recently, and in ten days received zero bids. When staff looked into why this was the case, they found three contractors were interested, but one had submitted their bid too late, and the other two were deterred by highway 509 restrictions.
The Washington Department of Transportation has agreed to loosen those restrictions so that work can proceed, and the project will go out for bids again immediately. The total cost of design, equipment, and construction is expected to be around $376,000.
It was mentioned that the Des Moines Historical Society has been active in the planning of this project. The hope is to get the entire project finished in time for Memorial Day.
Environmental & Health Bill Fails
Mayor Traci Buxton reported on a recent “airport bill” sponsored by Senator Tina Orwall. The bill aimed to improve environmental and health conditions in communities around the airport. Both Mayor Buxton and Councilmember JC Harris testified in Olympia on behalf of Senate Bill 5652. Unfortunately, the bill died in committee.
However, Mayor Buxton said that a new bill, House Bill 1303, is coming forward. This bill focuses on environmental justice and will do many of the same things that the failed airport bill would have done.
State Interest In Restoring Mosquito Fleet
Mayor Buxton also reported that there is a strong interest at the state level in restoring the collection of smaller ferries serving Puget Sound cities, historically known as the “Mosquito Fleet.” This form of transportation was popular in the area until personal automobiles became the norm in the early 1930s.
These small boats, which can be electric, are much easier to implement, repair, and replace than the larger car ferries currently dominating puget sound travel. In addition, they are a quick way to get between waterfront cities.
SKHHP Update
Councilmember Gene Achziger attended a recent South King Housing & Homelessness Partners meeting. He shared that this partnership of regional cities pool their funds to build and preserve affordable housing. Last year they were able to increase the total affordable housing in South King County by 406 units. Councilmember Achziger said that 20 of those rehabilitated affordable housing units were in Des Moines. The financial contribution from Des Moines to the pooled funds was only $34,000.
Video
Watch full video of the council meeting below:
