Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Des Moines City Council met on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a police week proclamation, public comments on detention centers and Flock cameras, adoption of a Vision Zero resolution, an update on the photo enforcement program, and approval of the 2027-2046 Transportation Improvement Plan. All votes were unanimous 7-0.
All consent items passed 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.
At this time, I would like to call the May 14th, 2026, Des Moines City Council meeting to order. Councilmember Jeremy Nutting will lead us in the pledge. Please stand if you are able. I move to approve the proclamation recognizing May 10th through May 16th, 2026 as National Police Week. Moved and seconded by Councilmember Desmondy. All in favor, please raise your right hand and say aye. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties and responsibilities of their police department, and that members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, defending them against violence or disorder, and guarding the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression. And whereas our police department has grown to be a modern and well-respected law enforcement agency which unceasingly provides a vital public service. And whereas U.S. flags should be flown at half staff from May 15th for Police Officers Memorial Day in honor of all fallen officers and their families. Now, therefore, the Des Moines City Council hereby proclaims May 10 through the 16th, 2026 as National Police Week signed this day. Yoshiko Grace Matsui Mayor. And I understand that Assistant Chief Benny is here to accept us today. We appreciate the time for the recognition as an agency that has lost an officer in the line of duty. I can tell you that the men and women of the police department are very appreciative of the time for the council to take the time to recognize this police week. So, on behalf of the police department and all of law enforcement in Washington, thank you for them for the proclamation. Thank you. Is there any correspondence not previously received by the council? No, Mayor. Thank you. And now it's time for comments from the public. We ask that you keep your comments respectful. When I call your name, please come up to the podium and you'll have three minutes to speak. Please state your name in your city of residence. Today I have Judy Grandy. Hello, everyone. My name is Judy Grandy, and I'm a resident of Des Moines. I will first talk about flock safety and then about a moratorium on warehouse detention facilities. I have asked numerous people if they know what a flock camera is. Most don't do not know what an automated license plate reader camera is. Some think it is the traffic infraction camera, it is not. It's a separate camera that records license plates, make model color, bumper stickers, and dents that can be searched quickly thanks to AI. Last time I was here, I asked if the city council members had had a chance to find the 15 cameras in Des Moines. I hope by now that you've had a chance for you to see for yourself to see whether or not we're in compliance with SB 6002. The Des Moines Police Department has a contract with Flock Safety. Flock safety, not the Des Moines Police Department, has complete control of the data from the 15 cameras. How can the city confirm that Flock Safety is in compliance with SB 6002 when the city does not see the inner workings of Flock Safety? Flock safety can tell us whatever they want, but you have no way to verify that that is what they are doing. If someone from another state asks Flock Safely directly for Washington information, we have no way of verifying that Flock Safety did not share that information. ALPR cameras are a form of mass surveillance. I urge the city council to vote to deactivate the flock cameras. Now I will shift to talking about requesting that Des Moines adopt a six-month or a one-year moratorium on warehouse detention facilities. Thank you, Chris De La Rosa, for sending the City Council and City staff and recent email entitled Public Testimony, Defending Des Moines Land Use Against Federal Detention Conversions. Chris references why a moratorium is needed so that businesses and federal agencies cannot go around the current Des Moines city zoning laws.