The Des Moines City Council convened on Thursday, July 24, 2025, addressing community issues ranging from public safety to urban development and civic participation.
Key topics included a citizen’s commendation for the Des Moines Police Department’s stance on immigration enforcement, the potential pursuit of mitigation funds from the Port of Seattle following a substantial revenue boost, and upcoming King County Metro transit changes aimed at improving connectivity and service.
Additionally, the council voted on an amended anti-cruising ordinance and a new structure for the Citizen Advisory Board.
Public Comment
One commenter shared her appreciation for Des Moines Police Chief Ted Boe, who recently wrote a letter stating that Des Moines PD will not actively assist ICE in their activities. She asked Boe to please keep it that way, as immigrants deserve to be treated with respect and decency.
Airport Mitigation
Mayor Traci Buxton shared that the Port of Seattle is going to be bringing in a massive $33 billion in revenue this year thanks to FIFA Club World Cup events. She thought that with all this bonus revenue in the Port’s pockets, now would be a good time to go about getting some mitigation funds for the city.
Feedback Sought On Transit Changes
King County Metro presented plans for restructuring the bus network serving Des Moines. Changes center around buses to new light rail stations, with improvements to east-west connections, increased hours of service in the early morning and late evening, and more reliable weekend service.
KC Metro is currently seeking feedback before finalizing these service changes. You can see their presentation in the link above, and find more info and their survey at this link. The survey, which is available in 15 languages, will close on Aug. 31.
Anti-Cruising Ordinance Passes With Updates
For its second reading, Councilmember Gene Achziger pulled the Anti-Cruising Ordinance from the consent agenda to make some changes. He proposed an amendment to allow cruising under city-sanctioned circumstances. He also wanted to limit the police chief’s ability to create new no-cruise zones at will to just 30 days without council approval. This amendment passed, as did the final ordinance, in a 6-1 vote.
Councilmember JC Harris said he is against the anti-cruising ordinance because it is unenforceable until it can be funded. He predicts the citizenry will complain when they know a law is on the books but they still see people out cruising with no repercussions. Without more resources for the police to put into enforcing the law, Mayor Buxton asked for patience from the public. This will be just one tool in the toolbox the police have to keep the streets safe.
Citizen Advisory Board Updates
The council approved, in a 6-1 vote, a new structure of the Citizen’s Advisory Board. There will be a limit of serving two consecutive 4-year terms on the CAB. After a two year break, each person can run again for two more consecutive terms.
Mayor Buxton proposed that the Deputy Mayor officially preside over the CAB, and this amendment also passed in a 6-1 vote. Councilmember JC Harris was again the lone no vote. He said that the CAB as structured is political and goes against his plan for a broader range of participation throughout the city. This will have a second reading at the next council meeting.
