From sidewalk closures to rare shark recognition and budget debates, the Des Moines City Council’s meeting on March 13, 2025, covered a wide range of topics.

The city committed to climate action by joining a regional collaborative. In a unique move, Des Moines aims to become the “Sixgill Shark Capital,” recognizing the local presence of these creatures.

However, the council also grappled with contentious spending, approving a significant budget increase for the Memorial Flag Triangle upgrades amidst dissenting votes, and addressing costly delays on 24th Avenue South.

Redondo Boardwalk Sidewalk Weekend Closure

This weekend the Redondo boardwalk will be getting new pavement. This work will require closure of the sidewalk from Friday morning through the end of the weekend.

City Joins Climate Collaborative

The council voted unanimously to join the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), an interlocal agreement with the aim of bold and equitable climate action. It is a voluntary but formal collaboration working to reduce greenhouse gases and preparing for climate impacts. For a city the size of Des Moines, membership costs $1,200 per year. According to the presentation, 21 of the 39 King County cities are members.

Des Moines: Sixgill Shark Capital

Several members of the public spoke in support of recognizing the Redondo Pier as one of the only places in the world where divers can spot sixgill sharks. These sharks normally swim in very deep water, but it is thought that Puget Sound is their nursery grounds. The non-aggressive sharks do not attack humans, though they do occasionally consume sea mammals. Presenters said there is no concern for humans in proximity to the sharks, even for children. Their size ranges from 10 to 20 feet long, and divers spoke about how incredible it is to swim with them. 

Council approved a request to make Des Moines the “Sixgill Shark Capital,” and to request the creation of a National Sixgill Shark Day on July 6. They also will ask staff to explore giving Sixth Avenue the honorary name “Sixgill Shark Avenue”, as well as possibly erecting some educational signage about the rare sharks. Parade-goers could also see a sixgill shark float in the 4th of July parade. 

Council asked staff to look into grant opportunities to support this course of action. It was mentioned that for a very minimal financial outlay, the city could receive huge global and national recognition among divers, and even bring divers to the city, eager to experience a sixgill sighting.

Memorial Flag Triangle Upgrades

Council approved an additional $268,000 to be spent on upgrades to the Memorial Flag Triangle. This brings the total for the Flag Triangle to nearly half a million dollars. This project includes replacing many systems and features that are near the end of their usable life, such as the lighting and electric, and the flagpole itself, the base of which is precariously cracked. The current flagpole requires a bucket truck to make any adjustments to the flag, and the new design will be much more efficient and easy to adjust. There will also be a new sign.

Mayor Traci Buxton said she initially balked at the sum, but since several items require replacing anyway, it is needed work. In addition, the triangle will function as a grand entrance to the city for those coming from the north. Councilmember Gene Achziger did not like that park funds are being spent on a site that is not technically a park and will get very little use as it is basically inaccessible to the public. The funding for this project passed 4–3, with Councilmembers Gene Achziger, Yoshiko Grace Matsui, and JC Harris opposed.

24th Avenue South Contingencies

The 24th Ave S improvement project has been stalled mid-construction for over a year. It was explained that these delays, which have increased the cost considerably, are due to a significant conflict with Puget Sound Energy (PSE). This conflict and the ensuing delay amounted to an additional cost of $1.2 million for the project. 

Staff requested additional contingency funds in that amount, in order to finish the project in a timely fashion. They hope to have construction resumed by March 24th, and substantially complete work by the end of October. This money will come from next year’s road overlay project funds, so the overlay work might be delayed. 

Meanwhile, a reimbursement request has gone out to PSE, to rectify costs. The city is making a formal claim and in discussions with the city attorney. When costs are recouped, as is expected, they overlay money will be returned to that fund. This passed by unanimous council vote.

Mellow DeTray is a Seattle native who has spent the last 16 years raising her family in Burien. She has volunteered at many local establishments over the years, including the Burien Library, Burien Actors Theatre, and Hot Feet Fitness. After working for 10 years at Burien Community Center, she moved on to teaching fitness classes and to work the front desk of a Burien yoga studio. For many years Mellow kept a moderately popular cooking & lifestyle blog, and she had a brief stint in political journalism during a local election. Clear and informative writing has always been a side hobby of Mellow’s and she looks forward to bringing you unbiased coverage of City Council meetings.