Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - March 12, 2026

The Des Moines City Council held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including an update on FIFA World Cup 2026 events, affordable housing funding through SKHHP, a Marina Steps project update, approval of consent agenda items, appointments to the Planning Commission, a commemorative street name for Sixgill Shark Way, first readings of ordinances for a Salary Commission and a $10 car tab fee increase, and discussions on derelict properties. The meeting concluded with an executive session and adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Vouchers: Approved payments totaling $5,407,551.43, including EFT vendor payments, wires, accounts payable checks, payroll checks, and payroll advice through February 26, 2026, and payroll transfers through March 5, 2026.
• Approval of Minutes: Approved minutes from the City Council Study Session on February 5, 2026, and the Regular Meeting on February 12, 2026.
• SKHHP Allocation of Funds: Resolution No. 26-016 allocating $31,264 from the City's contribution to the SKHHP Housing Capital Fund to finance affordable housing in South King County. (Initially pulled by Councilmember Harris, later passed 6-1 with Harris opposed.)
• Density Bonus for Religious Properties Ordinance: Adopted Ordinance No. 25-125 (2nd Reading).
• Tree Preservation Program Grant Award: Approved a Washington State Department of Commerce Salmon Recovery Grant and a task assignment with Parametrix Inc. for $80,000 for urban forest operations and maintenance.
• Redondo Manhole Replacement Project: Approved a contract with AA Asphalting for $81,560.
• 2026 Field House Maintenance: Approved contracts with Long Painting Company ($57,006.14) and MacDonald-Miller ($54,321.22) plus a $13,500 contingency, total $124,827.36.

The Consent Agenda (excluding Item 3) passed unanimously 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Wahlstrom, Des Moines Yacht Club Commodore, provided an update on the club's 2026 activities, including community donations of about $5,000 in the past year, a $50,000 scholarship program since 2008, and scheduled events such as the marine swap meet, Daffodil parade, and lighted boat parade. He expressed strong support for the marina redevelopment and partnership with the city.
• Rus Higley, Director of Highline College Marine Center and Aquarium, voiced full support for the commemorative naming of Sixgill Shark Way, calling it a logical and exciting step that reinforces Des Moines' brand as a global biological rarity and supports community events like Shark in the Park.
• Chris DeLaRosa, Des Moines resident, urged the city to decommission Flock Safety cameras, citing privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, and referenced Lynnwood's termination of their contract after discovering out-of-state and federal agencies accessed data thousands of times. He called for immediate action rather than waiting for state mandates.
• Judy Grande, Des Moines resident, spoke against Flock Safety cameras, describing them as mass surveillance that records all license plates 24/7. She noted that many residents are unaware of the cameras and urged the council to end the contract, citing potential misuse and lack of local control over data.
• Bill Linscott, Des Moines resident, expressed excitement about the Beach Park grant (third grant) but recommended earlier public input in the design process, as community engagement is currently scheduled at the end of the study. He suggested considering a performance stage and input from stakeholders like Saturday runners and Friday morning walkers.

Discussion Items

• Update from Explore Seattle Southside & FIFA 2026: City Manager Katherine Caffrey and Explore Seattle Southside CEO Mark Everton presented. Key points: FIFA World Cup runs June 11–July 19, 2026, with 48 teams and six matches in Seattle (first match Belgium vs. Egypt on June 15, USA vs. Australia on June 19). Ticket sales remain available for most matches except USA vs. Australia (sold out). Seattle's large watch party was canceled due to sponsorship shortfalls; smaller fan zones planned. The city proposed a viewing party at the Des Moines Theatre for the June 19 match (Juneteenth), free and all-ages, with potential soccer clinic. Council expressed support for exploring this partnership.
• SKHHP Housing Capital Fund: Program Coordinator Dorsel Plants presented the 2025 funding recommendation. Three projects: African Diaspora Cultural Anchor Village in SeaTac (129 units, $1.2M), St. Stephen Housing Association Steely House in Renton (6 townhomes, $1,820,850), and Mental Health Housing Foundation Steel Lake in Federal Way (20 units for severe mental illness, $922,000). Des Moines' contribution for Steel Lake is $31,264. Councilmember Harris voted against, stating the contribution never leads to housing in Des Moines. Motion passed 6-1.
• Marina Steps Project Update: Public Works Director Mike Slevin updated on construction (demolition and utilities started, concrete work July–September, completion by December). He presented options for a holiday tree (artificial, 50 ft, $101,000–$152,000, ~10–15 year lifespan) and public art installations. Council debated fiscal sustainability vs. long-term savings. A motion by Councilmember Nutting to direct staff to install footings for a future tree and explore procuring a tree if contingency funds available passed 4-3 (For: Desimone, Matsui, Nutting, Steinmetz; Against: Achziger, Blosse, Harris).
• Planning Commission Appointments: Seven applicants introduced themselves: Danielle Anderson, Traci Buxton, Charles Coleman, Michelle Curry, Barton DeLacy, Colleen Gants, and Nicole Gunkle. Appointments approved unanimously (7-0). Term assignments: Anderson, Buxton, Curry, DeLacy to four-year terms; Coleman, Gants, Gunkle to two-year terms (by volunteer). Motion passed 7-0.
• Sixgill Shark Commemorative Street Name: City Engineer Tommy Owen presented a resolution to name a section of Redondo Way South (between Redondo Beach Drive South and Federal Way boundary) as Sixgill Shark Way. Cost: approximately $500 for two signs. Councilmember Nutting moved to enact Resolution No. 26-015; passed unanimously 7-0.
• Salary Commission Ordinance – 1st Reading: Assistant City Manager AJ Johnson-Newton presented an ordinance to establish a five-member salary commission to set elected official compensation (last set in 1999). The commission would meet every two years, members serve four-year terms (max two). Motion to pass to second reading passed 6-1 (Harris opposed).
• $10 Car Tab Fee Increase – 1st Reading: Assistant City Attorney Matt Hutchins presented an ordinance to increase the Transportation Benefit District car tab fee from $40 to $50 per year, projected to raise $240,000 annually for road projects. Must be published by April 1, 2026, to take effect this year. Council discussion noted the fee is one of few revenue options and Des Moines would not be an outlier (four cities already at $50). Motion to pass to second reading passed 7-0.
• New Business: Councilmember Desimone proposed discussing derelict properties and code enforcement. Three councilmembers concurred, so it will be added to a future agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Marina Steps Footings: Motion passed 4-3 to install footings for a future holiday tree and explore tree procurement if contingency funds are available. The project contingency is $1.375 million.
• SKHHP Allocation: Resolution 26-016 passed 6-1, authorizing $31,264 from Des Moines' contribution to the SKHHP Housing Capital Fund.
• Planning Commission Appointments: Seven members appointed unanimously; terms set (four members for four years, three members for two years).
• Sixgill Shark Way: Resolution 26-015 passed unanimously; signs to be installed at a cost of approximately $500.
• Salary Commission Ordinance: First reading passed 6-1; second reading scheduled for the next regular meeting (March 26, 2026).
• Car Tab Fee Increase Ordinance: First reading passed 7-0; second reading scheduled for the next regular meeting (March 26, 2026). If passed by April 1, it will take effect in 2026.
• Future Agenda Item: Discussion on derelict properties and code enforcement to be scheduled.
• Executive Session: Held for 25 minutes on labor negotiations and sale/lease of public property; no formal action taken.
• Next Meeting: March 26, 2026, Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM.