Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - January 22, 2026

The Des Moines City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers, 21630 11th Avenue S, Suite C, Des Moines, Washington. Mayor Yoshiko Grace Matsui presided, and all seven councilmembers were present: Deputy Mayor Gene Achziger and Councilmembers Pierre Blosse, Robyn Desimone, JC Harris, Jeremy Nutting, and Harry Steinmetz. The council recognized police promotions and a community donation, approved a 10-item consent agenda, re-established the Ad Hoc Franchise Committee, approved the Airport Advisory Committee 2026 Workplan, approved a new public defender contract, and held an executive session on pending litigation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved payment vouchers through January 08, 2026, and payroll transfers through January 09, 2026, totaling $1,936,507.14.
• Approved the minutes from the January 08, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting.
• Enacted Draft Ordinance No. 25-124, updating the City of Des Moines Business License Code.
• Approved North Hill Walkway right-of-way acquisitions: $109,500 for Katherine Orizotti (2,438 SF fee simple and 1,218 SF temporary construction easement) and $59,420 for Daniel Keto (1,289 SF fee simple and 1,687 SF temporary construction easement).
• Accepted the State of Washington Department of Ecology 2025-2027 Water Quality Stormwater Capacity Grant Award.
• Approved the 2026-2027 recycling program professional services contract with Olympic Environmental Resources in an amount not to exceed $100,222.
• Approved Amendment #2 and Amendment #3 to the Conservation Futures Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Des Moines and King County.
• Adopted Draft Ordinance 25-117, updating Unit Lot Subdivision, Lot Splitting, and Substandard or Nonconforming Lot regulations.
• Approved the 6th and 287th Storm Project task assignment amendment with Parametrix for design and permitting services in the amount of $86,000.
• Accepted King County Flood Control District grants for the Des Moines Creek Estuary Project: $210,000 for Cooperative Watershed Management and $150,000 for Flood Reduction, and approved Parametrix Task Assignment 2026-01 for $360,000.
• The consent agenda was approved 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Nutting, seconded by Councilmember Blosse.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rus Higley, Sixgill Shark Way, asked the council to place a future agenda item to consider commemoratively naming Redondo Way S or 6th Avenue as Sixgill Shark Way. He noted two bills in the Washington State Legislature to name the sixgill shark the state shark and called Redondo the best place in the world to see them.
• Victoria Andrews, a Des Moines resident, expressed full support for retaining the Flock license plate reader cameras. She described the system's two-factor authentication, audited searches, 30-day data retention, random camera placement, and public safety benefits, and encouraged residents to review the presentation Chief Bo planned for February 12.
• Chris DeLaRosa, a Des Moines resident, opposed the Flock cameras, arguing the authentication was insufficient and that the cameras were being used to track and harm neighbors. He referenced 11 people kidnapped on Pacific Highway, said 11 families were affected, and urged the council to decommission the cameras.
• Judy Grand, a Des Moines resident, opposed the Flock cameras and automated license plate readers on privacy and community safety grounds. She cited ongoing University of Washington research and requested that the council vote to decommission the cameras.
• Chuck Coleman, representing the Redondo Beach community, said nearly 300 community members fully support Rus Higley's request to name Redondo Way for Sixgill Shark Way, and noted the community's participation in the Shark in the Park event.
• Traci Buxton, representing the new Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, announced the chamber's formation and mission to support local businesses. She asked the council to support the chamber, consider city participation on its board, and subscribe to its free newsletter.

Regional Committee Report

• Councilmember JC Harris reported on the Regional Transportation Committee (RTC) meeting held January 16, 2026. He explained that transit funding is now metric-based and a zero-sum budget, noting that the A-Line and the 635 shuttle might not be funded under current metrics. He said improving east-west service would require special partnerships similar to those used for the 635 shuttle.

City Manager Report / Presentations

• Police Chief Ted Boe promoted Sergeant Eric Morris and Sergeant Shay LaMarsh. Chief Bo described the sergeant selection process: 35% based on current performance and 65% based on assessments by outside leaders. Shay LaMarsh was recognized for his Washington State Patrol background, SWAT service, explosive breacher certification, and firearms instruction. Eric Morris was recognized for his Jackson Police Department background, narcotics work, peer support team service, and field training officer role. Their wives pinned their badges during the ceremony.
• Jeff Gross, representing the Rotary Club of Des Moines and Normandy Park, reported that the Burning Boat event returned successfully, with 500 attendees including 114 children. The Rotary Club presented a $15,000 check to the City of Des Moines for youth scholarships, including a $5,000 sponsorship from the Legacy Foundation. Gross noted this brought the Rotary's total donations to the city to $18,100.

Discussion Items

• Ad Hoc Franchise Committee: City Attorney Tim George presented a proposal to re-establish the Ad Hoc Franchise Committee to assist with negotiations of utility franchise agreements expiring in June 2026. He noted that in October 2025 the council decided not to automatically renew three existing franchises, and negotiations were beginning with Southwest Suburban Sewer District, Highland Water District, and Midway Sewer District. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember JC Harris voting no. Harris later explained he generally opposes franchise agreements and prefers a single standard utility agreement.
• Airport Advisory Committee 2026 Workplan: Committee Chair Joe Dusenbury presented the recommended workplan. The committee has met six times and proposed: advocating for expanded air quality monitoring and permanent funding; adding a nationally recognized toxicologist to the response team; recommending noise mitigation measures under the Part 150 study; advocating for a more comprehensive traffic analysis including the completed Highway 509 project; and developing a community survey in mid-2026. Dusenbury said decisions over the next 12 to 14 months could lock in airport impacts until 2037. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember JC Harris voting no. Harris later said the workplan undervalues the airport issue and that Des Moines has a structural revenue deficit tied to the airport.
• Public Defender Contract Update: Finance Director Jeff Friend presented the contract with Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc. P.S. for indigent public defense services from February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2028. The city averages about 38 public defender appointments per month, or about 456 cases per year. The existing provider gave six-month notice because its rate was below market. After an RFP process that received only one proposal, the new rate would be $750 per case for the first 12 months and $1,000 per case for the next 12 months, up from $550 per case. Friend stated this is $180,000 over the 2026 budget and an additional $115,000 in 2027. Alternatives such as hiring in-house public defenders were reviewed and would not produce cost savings. Funding options include public safety sales tax funds, which could delay hiring an additional police officer, the contingency fund, or staff reductions. Councilmember Steinmetz, a public defender, supported the contract as consistent with market rates and constitutionally required. The motion passed 7-0.
• New Agenda Items: Councilmember Harry Steinmetz proposed a future agenda item regarding the commemorative renaming of either Redondo Way S or 6th Avenue to Sixgill. The council supported adding this item for future consideration.

Councilmember Reports & Presiding Officer Report

• Councilmember Steinmetz attended the Good Eggs Breakfast with King County Executive and suggested inviting the new county executive to a council session.
• Councilmember JC Harris attended Korean American Day and the Martin Luther King celebration, and explained his no votes on the franchise committee and airport workplan items.
• Councilmember Desimone met with Association of Washington Cities lobbyists to discuss House Bill 2015 and concerns about the public safety tax.
• Councilmember Blosse reminded the public that Planning Commission applications are due in one week.
• Deputy Mayor Achziger attended Association of Washington Cities Action Days and reported on legislative concerns including public safety sales tax withholding, indigent defense costs, transportation funding, housing, and shared revenues.
• Mayor Matsui congratulated the new sergeants, thanked Legacy and the Rotary Club of Des Moines and Normandy Park, and mentioned upcoming strategic planning and spring events.

Executive Session

• The council entered an executive session for pending litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) at approximately 7:22 PM. The session was expected to last 15 minutes, and no formal action was taken. The special meeting for the executive session adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Ad Hoc Franchise Committee re-established 6-1.
• Airport Advisory Committee 2026 Workplan approved 6-1.
• Public defender contract with Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc. P.S. approved 7-0.
• Council supported adding a future agenda item for the Sixgill Shark Way commemorative street naming discussion.
• The regular meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM. The next City Council Study Session was scheduled for February 5, 2026.