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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2026

City Council — Thursday, July 9, 2026

BodyDes Moines, Washington

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, July 9, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:57:09

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:27

At this time I would like to call the July 9th, 2026 Des Moines City Council meeting to order.

0:32

Councilmember Desmones has uh le will be leading us in the pledge.

0:37

Please stand if you are able.

Speaker 2

0:46

And for which it

Speaker 3

0:49

stands one

Speaker 2

0:50

nation

Speaker 3

0:51

under God, indivisible

Speaker 2

0:53

with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 1

0:59

Thank you.

1:00

With that, let the record show that all council members are present.

1:04

We're going to start with some proclamations.

1:11

Is there a motion?

1:14

Yes, go ahead, Councilmember Netting.

Speaker 4

1:17

Uh I move to approve the proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month.

1:23

Is it

Speaker 1

1:24

thank you?

1:24

Uh all those in favor, please raise your right hand, say aye.

1:28

Aye.

1:29

Aye, thank you very much.

1:31

Um I'm gonna go ahead and read it now, and then we have a second proclamation that I have for you

Unassigned speaker

1:37

all.

Speaker 1

1:38

Is AJ and some staff here?

1:41

Oh, oh, thank goodness, Grace.

1:42

I'm glad to hear it.

1:43

Thank

Unassigned speaker

1:44

you.

Speaker 1

1:44

Uh whereas parks and recreation programs, trails, beaches, open spaces, and public facilities enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by providing places to play, connect, learn, and enjoy the outdoors.

1:59

And whereas the city of Des Moines is committed to providing welcoming parks, recreation opportunities, public space, and community events that promote health, well-being, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging.

2:12

Whereas parks and recreation bring people together by creating opportunities for families, friends, neighbors, and visitors to gather, build relationships, and enjoy shared experiences.

2:23

And whereas the dedicated employees who care for our parks, beaches, trails, and public facilities, and those who plan and deliver recreation programs, community events, and enrichment opportunities, together with volunteers, instructors, coaches, sponsors, and community partners, help create self safe and welcoming and meaningful experiences for people of all ages throughout the

Unassigned speaker

2:46

year.

Speaker 1

2:47

Whereas uh the 2026 Parks and Recreation Theme Month, the power of recognizes the power of parks and recreation to connect people, inspire play, foster belonging, improve well-being, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

3:04

And whereas the month of July provides an opportunity to celebrate the many ways parks and recreation enrich the lives of those who live, work, and visit the City of Des Moines.

3:15

Now, therefore, I, Yoshiko Grace Matsui, mayor of the City of Des Moines, on behalf of the City Council, hereby proclaim July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month

Unassigned speaker

3:25

in

Speaker 1

3:25

the City of Des Moines and encourage all those residents to celebrate the power of parks and recreation.

3:32

Please explore our parks, participate in some recreation programs, attend some community events, and volunteer recognizing the individuals and organizations whose dedication make Des Moines a vibrant and welcoming community.

3:45

Signed this day, uh the 9th of July, 2026, Kyle and folks, do you want to come up and grab this?

Speaker 3

4:03

Kyle has a couple comments to make, right?

4:06

Fantastic.

Speaker 2

4:08

No,

Speaker 3

4:08

he has them ahead of time.

4:10

I'm not just springing that out of

Unassigned speaker

4:12

you.

Unassigned speaker

4:21

Thank you.

Speaker 5

4:25

Yeah, just a couple things to say.

4:27

Um evening, thank you for having us here tonight.

4:29

We're thrilled to be here this evening to witness the signing of this wonderful proclamation for July being Parks and Recreation Month.

4:38

Uh also joining here tonight.

4:40

We have Tyrone, uh, Adam O'Donnell from our public works team representing the parks division, who take care of all of our facilities, our ballparks, make our programs happen.

Unassigned speaker

4:51

We

Speaker 5

4:52

have Savannah Matson here, program coordinator.

4:55

Kelsey Cole, program coordinator for youth enrichment.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

Wanted to acknowledge all the staff that aren't here this evening and all the hard work that they also do and put forth to make everything possible.

Speaker 5

5:07

Without them, we would not be able to do anything.

5:10

The power of parks and recreation this month is celebrated by many themes.

5:17

And connection, play, community, nature, belonging, well-being.

5:24

These are all present in what we offer here in the city of Des Moines and what we strive to achieve each and every day when we come to work, whether it's through a program or a class,

Unassigned speaker

5:33

uh

Speaker 5

5:33

any sports league that we offer, any new program or uh playground that we put in, it's all in and with the goal to be able to achieve happiness for all the community residents.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████21%

Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%

Public Safety██████████████14%

Parks and Recreation███████████11%

Public Engagement███████████11%

Airport Development██████████10%

Technology and Innovation██████6%

Airport Management██████6%

Community Engagement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Des Moines City Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Des Moines City Council held a regular meeting on July 9, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 8:57 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, presentations from the South King Fire Chief and Finance Director, approval of a consent agenda with two items pulled for separate discussion, establishment of an Ad Hoc Budget Engagement Committee, and an update on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). An executive session on property acquisition was held for 80 minutes from 7:22 PM to 8:42 PM.

Proclamations

The Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month.
The Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing July 18, 2026 as Des Moines Waterland Festival, Parade, and Block Party Day.

Public Comments & Testimony

Judy Grande, a Des Moines resident, spoke in opposition to the city's use of Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs), citing privacy concerns, the potential for surveillance expansion (noise cameras, speed cameras), and the impact on ICE kidnappings. She urged the council to install physical hoods on cameras and terminate the Flock contract.

Presentations & Briefings

South King Fire Department Update: Fire Chief Ryan Woodey presented on the department's structure, operations, and planned enhancements. He noted the department responded to over 27,000 emergencies in 2025, and described plans to add a second battalion chief in January 2027, an EMS response vehicle in Q3 2027, and to hire 18 new firefighters currently in academy, plus 8 additional positions in January 2027. Daily minimum staffing is 32 firefighters across 7 stations, including two in Des Moines. Councilmembers asked about the difference between ALS and BLS, and about the marine unit.
2027/2028 Budget Calendar Overview: Finance Director Jeff Friend presented the budget process timeline, highlighting improvements in technology (new accounting system using Tyler Technologies) and streamlined processes. Key dates include: capital improvements plan discussions in August, a budget town hall on August 18 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, council study session August 6, budget workshop September 12, budget book to council by October 1, and adoption in November. The presentation emphasized moving from manual spreadsheets to automated systems.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved as a block (7-0) except items #3 and #5 which were pulled for separate discussion:

Approval of vouchers totaling $3,943,851.18.
Approval of minutes from June 4, June 11, and June 25, 2026 meetings.
Speed Camera Ordinance (second reading) – pulled by Councilmember Harris; later passed 7-0 after a motion to remove a school zone provision failed for lack of a second.
Citizens Advisory Board appointment of Dan Wahlstrom (Woodmont representative, term until June 30, 2029).
2026 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Spending Recommendations – pulled by Councilmember Steinmetz (recused due to spouse's involvement in a recipient organization); passed 6-0.
NFC Northwest Telecommunications Franchise Agreement (second reading).
24th Ave Suspension PSE Settlement Agreements.

Discussion Items

Establishment of Ad Hoc City Council Budget Engagement Committee: After debate, the Council voted 6-1 (Councilmember Harris opposed) to establish an Ad Hoc Budget Engagement Committee to advise on public engagement during the biennial budget process. A second motion to appoint Mayor Matsui, Councilmember Desimone, and Councilmember Blosse to the committee also passed 6-1 (Harris opposed). The committee will dissolve upon adoption of the 2027/2028 budget. Councilmember Harris argued the committee was premature while new budget systems were being developed.
Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Update: Airport Advisory Committee Chair Joe Dusenberry requested Council authorization to submit committee comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to the Port of Seattle. The comment period ends July 21, 2026. Councilmember Harris raised concerns about factual errors in the committee's 340-page document, including misuse of FAA terminology (e.g., "Seattle area metroplex") and inflated passenger numbers. Despite this, the Council voted 6-1 (Harris opposed) to allow submission. The city is also preparing its own technical comments with hired consultants (Perteet, Leland, attorneys) and will host a public comment assistance event on July 14.

Key Outcomes

Proclamations approved unanimously (7-0).
Consent agenda items 1,2,4,6,7 approved 7-0; Speed Camera Ordinance (Ordinance No. 26-049) approved 7-0; Lodging Tax Committee recommendations approved 6-0 (Steinmetz recused).
Ad Hoc Budget Engagement Committee established and members appointed (both motions 6-1).
Airport Committee comments authorized for submission (6-1).
Next meeting: July 30, 2026 City Council Workshop.

Meeting Transcript

At this time I would like to call the July 9th, 2026 Des Moines City Council meeting to order. Councilmember Desmones has uh le will be leading us in the pledge. Please stand if you are able. And for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. With that, let the record show that all council members are present. We're going to start with some proclamations. Is there a motion? Yes, go ahead, Councilmember Netting. Uh I move to approve the proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month. Is it thank you? Uh all those in favor, please raise your right hand, say aye. Aye. Aye, thank you very much. Um I'm gonna go ahead and read it now, and then we have a second proclamation that I have for you all. Is AJ and some staff here? Oh, oh, thank goodness, Grace. I'm glad to hear it. Thank you. Uh whereas parks and recreation programs, trails, beaches, open spaces, and public facilities enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by providing places to play, connect, learn, and enjoy the outdoors. And whereas the city of Des Moines is committed to providing welcoming parks, recreation opportunities, public space, and community events that promote health, well-being, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging. Whereas parks and recreation bring people together by creating opportunities for families, friends, neighbors, and visitors to gather, build relationships, and enjoy shared experiences. And whereas the dedicated employees who care for our parks, beaches, trails, and public facilities, and those who plan and deliver recreation programs, community events, and enrichment opportunities, together with volunteers, instructors, coaches, sponsors, and community partners, help create self safe and welcoming and meaningful experiences for people of all ages throughout the year. Whereas uh the 2026 Parks and Recreation Theme Month, the power of recognizes the power of parks and recreation to connect people, inspire play, foster belonging, improve well-being, and build stronger, more resilient communities. And whereas the month of July provides an opportunity to celebrate the many ways parks and recreation enrich the lives of those who live, work, and visit the City of Des Moines. Now, therefore, I, Yoshiko Grace Matsui, mayor of the City of Des Moines, on behalf of the City Council, hereby proclaim July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Des Moines and encourage all those residents to celebrate the power of parks and recreation. Please explore our parks, participate in some recreation programs, attend some community events, and volunteer recognizing the individuals and organizations whose dedication make Des Moines a vibrant and welcoming community. Signed this day, uh the 9th of July, 2026, Kyle and folks, do you want to come up and grab this? Kyle has a couple comments to make, right? Fantastic. No, he has them ahead of time. I'm not just springing that out of you. Thank you. Yeah, just a couple things to say. Um evening, thank you for having us here tonight. We're thrilled to be here this evening to witness the signing of this wonderful proclamation for July being Parks and Recreation Month. Uh also joining here tonight. We have Tyrone, uh, Adam O'Donnell from our public works team representing the parks division, who take care of all of our facilities, our ballparks, make our programs happen.

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