Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - December 11, 2025

The Des Moines City Council held a regular meeting on December 11, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 9:00 PM. The meeting included public comments on FLOCK cameras and expressions of gratitude, recognition of outgoing Councilmember Matt Mahoney and Mayor Traci Buxton, approval of a consent agenda with nine items, public hearings on the biennial budget amendments and the Wesley Homes Master Plan Amendment, and action on a Port of Seattle grant and an economic development consulting agreement. Councilmember Reports featured farewell remarks from Mahoney and Buxton.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Vouchers: Approved vouchers through November 26, 2025, totaling $757,474.21.
• Approval of Minutes: Approved minutes of the November 4, 2025 study session.
• Creating Public Safety Sales Tax Fund (2nd Reading): Enacted Ordinance 25-105, repurposing the Public Safety Levy Fund.
• 2026 Vehicle Purchase: Approved purchase of vehicles for an estimated total of $744,000.
• 2026-2027 On-Call Consultant Agreements for Civil Engineering Services: Approved contracts with 11 firms, each up to $1,250,000.
• Planning Commission Ordinance (2nd Reading): Adopted Ordinance 25-108 creating the Planning Commission.
• Marina Steps Stormwater Bioretention Testing Task Assignment: Approved task assignment with Psomas, Inc. for up to $214,607.
• Animal Control Contract: Approved contract with Burien CARES at $80,000 per year for 2026-2027.
• 16th Ave Pipe Project Task Assignment: Approved task assignment supplement with Perteet for $234,938. All items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris DeLaRosa (FLOCK): Expressed concern about the security settings of 13 FLOCK cameras operating in Des Moines, urging the city to follow the precedent set by Olympia and Redmond in disabling such cameras due to privacy risks.
• Dave Kaplan (former councilmember and mayor): Thanked all council members for their service, specifically recognizing Councilmember Mahoney and Mayor Buxton for their leadership on economic development and the Marina Steps project.
• Bettina Carey (Marina District resident): Celebrated Mayor Buxton's leadership, noting her four decades in Des Moines, her service since 2017, and her election as president of Sound Cities Association.
• Chuck Coleman (Redondo Community Association): Expressed appreciation for Mahoney and Buxton's years of service, highlighting their efforts on safety, the six-gill shark recognition, the Mast Center partnership, and the fishing pier rebuild.
• Judy Grande (FLOCK): Raised concerns about FLOCK cameras using automatic license plate recognition technology for mass surveillance, citing abuse risks and the ability for anyone to request data via public records requests.
• Tina Orwall (33rd Legislative District Representative and Des Moines resident): Thanked Mahoney and Buxton for their partnership on the airport and support for domestic violence survivors, noting Buxton's critical testimony on a failed package bill.

Regional Committee Reports

• Councilmember Harris (Emergency Management Advisory Committee): Reported that the December 10 meeting was cancelled due to flood activation of the Emergency Operations Center. Highlighted improvements to the CodeRED notification system and urged residents to sign up.
• Councilmember Mahoney (Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board): Reported that the regional transportation plan will be released next week for public comment through the end of January; noted efforts to advocate for ferry service.

City Manager Report and Presentations

• Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) Overview: Victoria Andrews reported on CAB's activities, including distributing nearly 1,000 strategic plan surveys, restructuring with subcommittees for arts, human services, and senior services. Noted the city's budget for human services grants is limited and partners with a South King County consortium. CAB members also assisted at the Holiday Farmers Market, food bank, libraries, senior communities, and the tree lighting.
• Recognition of Outgoing Councilmember Service: City Manager Caffrey recognized Councilmember Matt Mahoney for his service since 2018, highlighting his leadership on the Memorial Triangle, Marina Steps, passenger ferry, aftermarket muffler ban, and veterans events. She then recognized Mayor Traci Buxton for her service since 2018, emphasizing her community engagement, public park speed safety program, support for the steps and ferry, and regional leadership as president of Sound Cities Association. Council members also shared personal reflections. The council took an 11-minute break for photos.

Discussion Items

2025/2026 Biennial Budget Amendments

• Staff Presentation: Finance Director Jeff Friend presented the mid-biennium review, explaining that budgeting two years at a time (biennial) saves time and improves long-term planning. He detailed revenue adjustments: increasing 2025 revenue by ~$95,000 but decreasing 2026 revenue by ~$317,000 due to lower sales tax expectations, one-time tax revenues, and the new square footage tax collecting less than budgeted. Expenditure adjustments total $718,000 increase in 2025 and $340,000 decrease in 2026, with cost drivers including inflation, collective bargaining, health insurance premium increases (e.g., 11.6% for Kaiser, 8.7% for Regents), and increased costs from SCORE jail. A $50,000 contingency was introduced. The forecast projects cash reserves improving from $2.9M to $3.3M by end of 2025 and $3.6M by end of 2026, still below the recommended 16.67% of expenditures.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Harris asked about forecast development; Friend explained trend analysis and external economic data. Harris noted the challenge of forecasting and emphasized humility. Councilmember Mahoney commended staff for addressing tough issues. Councilmember Matsui stressed that biennial budgets still require regular updates. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz praised the staff's work. Councilmember Harris moved to require a supermajority for contingency use; motion died for lack of a second.
• Vote: Main motion to enact Ordinance 25-092 passed 7-0.

Wesley Homes Master Plan Amendment

• Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Jason Woycke explained the purpose of the master plan for the Wesley Homes campus. The fifth phase proposes a 106-unit independent living building (Creekside) with parking, a maintenance building, pickleball court, bocce court, dog run, walking paths, and enhanced landscaping (99 new trees, 22 removed, exceeding replacement standards). The 65-foot-tall building adds to existing 497 independent living, 50 assisted living, 26 memory care, and 72 skilled nursing units. Decision criteria were reviewed and met.
• Applicant Presentation: Wayne Carlson (AHBL) and Steve Nornes (Senior Housing Partners) addressed council questions from the prior study session. Noted that all skilled nursing beds are private. The project cost is $93 million, with $60 million construction. Peak construction will employ at least 60 workers, and 70% of new residents are expected to come from a 10–15 mile radius, freeing up homes for resale. A waitlist of 390 people exists.
• Council Questions: Councilmember Mahoney asked about archaeological survey requirements—staff confirmed a standard comment from the Snoqualmie Tribe will be honored with an inadvertent discovery plan. Councilmember Harris asked about arsenic comments from Ecology; staff said it's common and a known process. Councilmember Mahoney disclosed his mother is on the waitlist, but no conflict was found.
• Vote: Motion to approve Resolution 25-120 passed 7-0.

Grant Acceptance and Economic Development Partnership Agreement with Port of Seattle

• Presentation: City Manager Caffrey explained the $68,800 Port of Seattle Phase 3 grant (requiring 25% city match, partly in-kind). The grant funds economic development implementation (not a study) and will support hiring a consultant. The agreement with Eernissee Consulting would use the grant plus additional city funds for a total contract not to exceed $96,000.
• Council Discussion: Deputy Mayor Steinmetz asked about restrictions; Caffrey noted no studies allowed for this cycle. Councilmember Harris asked Dan Eernissee about his concurrent role with the City of Everett and whether this was a one-time contract; Caffrey stated it's a one-year contract with potential for future direction. Harris expressed concerns about the timing (before the strategic plan) and echoed budget concerns, eventually voting no. Mahoney and Mayor Buxton supported the contract, citing Dan's local roots and skill set.
• Vote on Grant Acceptance: Motion to accept the $68,800 grant and authorize the City Manager to sign the partnership agreement passed 6-1 (Harris opposed).

Economic Development Support Services – Professional Services Agreement with Eernissee Consulting

• Discussion: Same as above. Councilmember Harris voted no, stating the approach is “backwards” and reminiscent of past cycles. Councilmember Mahoney spoke in favor, noting the need for professional economic development support. Mayor Buxton praised the scope and the consultant's willingness to not take cuts on revenue.
• Vote: Motion to approve the agreement for up to $96,000 passed 6-1 (Harris opposed).

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember Grace Matsui: Reported on a town hall for the strategic plan, noting strong community participation and difficult trade-offs in the survey exercises.
• Councilmember Nutting: No report.
• Councilmember Harris: Reflected on the Citizens Advisory Board meeting, noting thoughtful comments about the airport's absence from surveys and the need for broader outreach (e.g., Spanish-speaking communities). Emphasized that economic development must include representative input.
• Councilmember Gene Achziger: Highlighted the light rail inauguration (2.5 billion dollar asset) with people already using it to reach the airport. Encouraged accelerating last-mile considerations. Also noted the successful tree lighting at the marina and the upcoming Redondo bonfire (Saturday, December 13 at 5 PM). Thanked Mahoney and Buxton for their service.
• Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz: Attended light rail celebration, Des Moines Historical Society open house, tree lighting (bigger turnout than Big Catch Plaza), CAB meeting, town hall, and Sound Cities Association meeting. Thanked Mahoney and Buxton.
• Councilmember Matt Mahoney: Delivered a detailed farewell speech, reviewing his eight-year service. He cited accomplishments such as passing the bond, supporting businesses during COVID, changing city manager leadership, and advancing the Marina Steps and downtown development. He advised future council members to vote not for re-election but for what is best for Des Moines, to be prepared for tough decisions, to counter misinformation, and to spend time learning from staff. He quoted the 1962 comprehensive plan to illustrate long-standing challenges and urged the community to move from “potential island” to action.
• Mayor Traci Buxton: Delivered a closing prayer, thanking staff and council, and expressed her deep love for the community.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items approved 7-0.
• 2025/2026 Biennial Budget Amendments (Ordinance 25-092) adopted 7-0. Councilmember Harris’s amendment to require a supermajority for contingency use failed for lack of a second.
• Wesley Homes Master Plan Amendment (Resolution 25-120) approved 7-0.
• Port of Seattle Grant Acceptance and Partnership Agreement approved 6-1 (Harris opposed).
• Eernissee Consulting Economic Development Services Agreement (up to $96,000) approved 6-1 (Harris opposed).
• Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.