Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2026

The Des Moines City Council held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered updates on the 4th of July event, approval of several ordinances and grants, a first reading of a code update for appointive committees and the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), a presentation of a benchmarking analysis and development impact model by FCS Group, and an update on lodging tax funding. The council also held an executive session on property acquisition.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Vouchers: Vouchers totaling $3,427,055.93 were approved as part of the consent agenda (items 1 and 2) by a 7-0 vote.
• $10 Car Tab Fee Increase (2nd Reading): Enacted as part of the consent agenda (Item 2) by a 7-0 vote. (Draft Ordinance No. 25-080)
• Salary Commission Ordinance (2nd Reading): Councilmember JC Harris pulled this item for a separate vote. The motion to enact Draft Ordinance No. 26-001, creating a salary commission, passed 6-1, with Councilmember Harris voting against.
• King County 2026-2027 Waste Reduction & Recycling Grant: Pulled by Councilmember Harris, who expressed support but requested an update on rising Recology costs. The motion to accept the grant and authorize the City Manager to sign passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

City Manager Report / Presentations

• 4th of July Event Update: Assistant City Manager AJ Johnson-Newton presented plans for a daytime family-friendly event at the marina and beach park from 10 AM to 3 PM, with significantly lower costs than the 2025 event (which cost $117,000 in lodging tax). Activities include live music, food vendors, a dunk tank, and a pie eating contest. Final details will be released in April.
• Spring Recycling Collection Event: The city will hold its spring recycling collection event this weekend at the marina south parking lot.
• "No Kings" Rally Notification: City Manager noted a planned rally on Saturday, March 28, from 12-2 PM, expected to be large. Police have been notified; the organizing group has managed safely in the past.

Unfinished Business: Draft Ordinance 26-009 (Appointive Committee Code & CAB Code Update)

City Prosecutor Tara Vaughn presented the first reading, incorporating revisions from a prior study session. Changes include lowering the minimum membership age to 18, adding "geographic" to appointment diversity language, requiring Robert's Rules, and notifying council of three or more absences for potential removal. A separate issue arose: whether CAB subcommittees are subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). Council discussed the preference of CAB members (expressed at a previous CAB meeting) to call them "Committees of the CAB" rather than "subcommittees" and to exempt them from OPMA requirements.

• Motion 1 (Nutting/Steinmetz): To exclude CAB subcommittees from OPMA requirements and rename them "Committees of the CAB." Passed 6-1 (Harris opposed).
• Amendment to Meeting Frequency (Harris/Desimone): To amend Section 14 to limit CAB full meetings to a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 per year. After discussion, the amendment failed 2-4-1 (For: Desimone, Harris; Against: Matsui, Achziger, Steinmetz, Nutting; Abstain: Blosse).
• Main Motion (Nutting/Steinmetz): To pass Draft Ordinance 26-009 to a second reading on April 9, 2026. Passed 6-1 (Harris opposed).

New Business: Benchmarking Analysis and Development Impact Model (FCS Group)

FCS Project Manager Tim Wood presented a benchmarking analysis comparing Des Moines to ten peer cities (Burien, Edmonds, Kenmore, Maple Valley, Mukilteo, Poulsbo, SeaTac, University Place, Washougal, West Linn). Key findings:

• Des Moines has a young and growing population (median age 37.5, and is the only peer city that has become younger since 2010).
• Employment is primarily service-based (led by healthcare); retail employment is low (6% of jobs), correlating with low sales tax revenue ($131 per resident vs. peer average $269).
• The city has affordable home values ($597,000 median vs. peer average $747,000) and a low city property tax mill rate ($0.85 per $1,000 assessed value).
• The second part of the presentation showed a development impact model for eight catalyst sites. Using the Seascape property as an example, the model estimated net fiscal impacts over 10 years: mixed-use (49 apartments + 7,600 sq ft commercial) nearly break-even (+$17,000 net), surface-parked multifamily negative (-$58,000), highway commercial positive (+$129,000), and single-family detached slightly negative (-$17,000). One-time revenues (construction sales tax, impact fees) were significant for mixed-use ($500,000). The model is a tool for policy decisions, not a recommendation.

New Business: Lodging Tax Overview, Process, and Funding Approach Update

Assistant City Manager AJ Johnson-Newton reviewed lodging tax requirements (0.8% rate starting April 2026, restricted to tourism promotion and community events). The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) recommends funding; council approves. Currently, funding decisions are case-by-case, predominantly going to city-led events. Proposed future approach: allocate a portion (e.g., 60%) for city activities and a portion (40%) for other eligible entities, subject to LTAC recommendation. Two vacancies exist on LTAC for lodging business representatives. Next steps: LTAC will develop a proposed allocation model and bring it back to council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 1 & 2): Approved 7-0.
• Draft Ordinance 26-001 (Salary Commission): Approved 6-1 (Harris opposed).
• King County Waste Reduction & Recycling Grant: Approved 7-0.
• Draft Ordinance 26-009 (CAB Code Update): First reading passed 6-1 to advance to second reading on April 9, 2026. An amendment to limit CAB full meetings to 3-6 per year failed 2-4-1.
• Council Reports: Various updates including Chamber of Commerce board, Port of Seattle audit, e-bike rebate program, HEPA filters, LEAD program, No Kings rally, Highline Forum, FIFA World Cup preparations, and new "Chat with the Mayor" events.
• Executive Session: Held for 20 minutes regarding property acquisition (RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)). No formal action taken.
• Next Meeting: April 2, 2026, City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session at 5:00 PM.