Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - October 23, 2025

The Des Moines City Council held its regular meeting on October 23, 2025, in the City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a deeply divided 4-3 vote on the Marina Steps Project alongside unanimous approvals for a property tax levy reading, water taxi feasibility studies, and a tax code update. Council heard public testimony praising city transparency, an update on warehouse tax compliance reaching 91%, and a discussion on regional transportation funding shortfalls.

Consent Calendar

• Approved payment vouchers totaling over $3.1 million (through Oct 9, 2025) and meeting minutes from September 11 and 25.
• Adopted Draft Resolution No. 25-109 updating the 2026 Business License Fee Schedule.
• Passed Draft Ordinance No. 25-085 approving a telecommunications franchise agreement with Forged Fiber 37, LLC (2nd Reading).
• Approved a 2026 vehicle purchase for the police department for $55,000. Vote passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bettina Carey (Marina District resident) expressed full support for the city's recent transparency efforts, stating the city has improved communication through meetings, slide decks, and staff reports, and argued that accountability requires active citizen participation.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report: Burien Letter & Warehouse Tax – City Manager Katherine Caffrey discussed joining Burien in sending a letter to the Port of Seattle demanding repair of noise insulation packages. Councilmember Matt Mahoney expressed skepticism, stating that letters historically "do no good" without a dedicated funding source. The council voted 6-1 to move forward with a letter. Caffrey also reported warehouse tax compliance had improved from 43% in Q1 to 91% currently, with 2025 projected revenues of $515,000. Councilmember Yoshiko Grace Matsui questioned the exemption of vacant warehouses.
• Regional Committee Reports – Councilmember JC Harris reported on the King County Regional Transit Committee meeting (Oct 15). Councilmember Matt Mahoney reported on the South County Area Transportation Board meeting (Oct 21), noting a transportation funding shortfall of $412 million for 2025-2027. Mayor Traci Buxton reported on the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board meeting (Oct 23), focusing on the clean air agency plan and aviation impacts.
• 2026 Property Tax Levy (1st Reading) – Finance Director Jeff Friend presented the proposed levy of $5.9 million. The city receives 8.36% of a resident's total property tax bill. The proposed rate is $0.8618 per $1,000 assessed value (a 1.2% increase over 2025). The public hearing had no testimony. Council forwarded the ordinance to a second reading (7-0).
• Marina Steps Project – Public Works Director Mike Slevin introduced the low bid from Bayshore Construction ($8.5M base bid; total project cost ~$12.9M). Councilmember Gene Achziger moved to postpone to January 15, 2026, to allow the new council to decide. Councilmember JC Harris expressed frustration over a lack of compromise on the project. Mayor Buxton argued the project is a "calling card" for economic development and placemaking. The postponement failed 3-4. All seven subsequent motions awarding the contract, accepting grants, and approving consultant agreements passed exactly 4-3 along the same lines (Buxton, Steinmetz, Nutting, Mahoney in favor; Matsui, Harris, Achziger opposed).
• Water/Sewer Franchise Agreements – Surface Water Engineer Tyler Beekley and City Attorney Tim George presented an opportunity to renegotiate three expiring franchise agreements to potentially increase franchise payments. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz acknowledged such a tax is regressive. Councilmember Matsui opposed the motion, stating it would be passed directly to ratepayers. The council voted 6-1 to authorize notification of the utility providers.
• B&O Tax Model Ordinance (1st Reading) – Assistant City Attorney Matt Hutchins presented a state-mandated technical update to the code to maintain the city's ability to levy the tax. The council unanimously passed it to a second reading (7-0).
• MOU with King County Metro & Water Taxi Study – City Manager Caffrey presented an MOU allowing the city to work with King County Metro on data sharing for a potential water taxi service. Council unanimously authorized the MOU (7-0) and approved a $100,000 contract with Nelson-Nygaard to perform an economic and transportation feasibility analysis. Councilmember Gene Achziger stated, "Hallelujah. We're doing this right."
• New Agenda Items – Mayor Buxton proposed future agenda items for a cost-of-living adjustment for City Council stipends and an increase to the City Manager's signing threshold; both received council support.

Key Outcomes

• Burien/Port Letter: Council authorized a letter (6-1) in concert with Burien demanding the Port of Seattle address noise insulation repairs.
• Warehouse Tax: Staff reported reaching 91% compliance with a budgeted projection of $515,000 in revenue for 2025.
• Property Tax Levy: Forwarded to a second reading unanimously (7-0).
• Marina Steps Project: Postponement motion failed (3-4). Public works contract ($8.5M) awarded to Bayshore Construction. Consultant agreements with Psomas ($924k) and KPFF ($426k) approved. State grants ($970k and $999k) and a stormwater grant ($560k) accepted. All motions carried 4-3.
• Franchise Agreements: Council directed staff to notify eligible utility providers of intent to renegotiate (6-1).
• B&O Tax Ordinance: Passed first reading (7-0).
• Water Taxi Studies: MOU with King County Metro and contract with Nelson-Nygaard approved (7-0 each).

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember Matsui encouraged pet licensing and highlighted upcoming events (Drag Bingo, Halloween).
• Councilmember Harris discussed ongoing airport and environmental health advocacy, including a transfer of North SeaTac Park land.
• Councilmember Achziger promoted the Trick or Treat Path and noted speed bump installations on 10th Avenue and Redondo Beach Drive.
• Councilmember Mahoney thanked staff for the marina camera and flower pots, promoted the Veterans Day event, and discussed Halloween.
• Deputy Mayor Steinmetz encouraged attendance at community events and pet licensing.
• Mayor Buxton highlighted various community galas, Young Life, the Resource Fair, and Girls on the Run.