CITY MANAGER REPORT

August 22, 2025

Community Meeting 

Last night, the City hosted a public meeting regarding the Zenith LLC/Landmark property. More than thirty community members attended, sharing input, asking questions, and providing comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and the conditional approval of the demolition permit.


We are grateful to the Waterland Blog for recording the meeting, and we will make that recording available early next week for those who were unable to attend.


I know this issue is both important and difficult for our community. When I first came to Des Moines a year ago, many residents told me they wanted a City that communicated more openly, was more transparent, and could be trusted. Those values have guided me from the beginning, and last night’s meeting was part of that commitment—to provide clear information, to answer questions where we can, and to create space to listen. Transparency means sharing not only positive developments, but also difficult or unwelcome news. I recognize that some of these outcomes may be disappointing, but I want to emphasize that the perspectives shared by the community are valued and will continue to inform our work as this process moves forward.

New Survey: Share Your Ideas

on City Programs!

We want to hear from you! The City’s Community Enrichment Services Department (formerly Parks & Recreation) has launched a short Community Input Survey to gather your thoughts on programs, events, facilities, and priorities for the future.


Your feedback will help us:


  • Understand how you and your family use our programs, events, and facilities.
  • Learn which activities and services you value most—and where improvements are needed.
  • Gather ideas for new or expanded offerings that could benefit the whole community.


This is your chance to help shape the future of City programs, services, and events. What we hear from you will guide decisions for the next several years—so your input really matters!


Survey closes September 15th!
Take the Survey Here!

Project Updates

S 240th Street Barnes Creek Trail Improvements Project

Major upgrades are coming to Barnes Creek Trail and South 240th Street to improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The project includes completing the southern segment of Barnes Creek Trail and upgrading the S 240th Street corridor, between 16th Ave S and 20th Ave S, with new sidewalks, street lighting, underground utilities, and more. The project construction cost estimate is $5.75 to $6.75 million and is funded by partnerships with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Local Programs, Sound Transit, King County Metro, and Highline Water District. The bid was officially awarded to Ceccanti, Inc. for $5,883,017.80 with an authorized construction contingency in the amount of $590,000.00. Work is scheduled to begin soon!


Redondo Fishing Pier Replacement Project Moving Forward

At the July 10, 2025 City Council meeting, the bid for the Redondo Fishing Pier Replacement Project was officially awarded to Redside Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,773,986.34, with an authorized construction contingency of $566,000.00. Construction is expected to begin soon in order to meet the designated fish window, which runs from August through February—a critical timeframe for in-water work to protect local fish habitats. Stay tuned for updates as work gets underway to restore and enhance this well-loved community amenity.



Marina Dock Replacement Project Update

The Marina N Dock replacement is well underway! You can watch the progress unfold in real time through our live video feed or catch up anytime with our time-lapse footage showing the docks being removed and rebuilt. Stay connected and see this exciting transformation of our waterfront as it happens!
Live Stream Marina Dock Replacement Project
Marina Dock Replacement Time-Lapse Footage
Take the Survey Here!

 Help Shape the Future of 
Des Moines Creek 
and Beach Park

The City of Des Moines is restoring the Des Moines Creek Estuary to improve fish and wildlife habitat, reduce flood risk, and replace aging infrastructure. This restoration effort will enhance the natural estuary at the mouth of the creek, support salmon recovery, and preserve the park and meadow as valued community spaces. 


Your Voice Matters

We want to hear how you use the park and what improvements matter most to you. Take our short survey, it only takes 5 minutes, and help shape the future of the Des Moines Creek Estuary.

City Council Meetings to Go Live on Zoom

Starting September 11, 2025, City Council meetings will be available live on Zoom! This new option makes it easier than ever to stay connected, whether you’d like to watch from home or actively participate during public comment. Recordings will continue to be available afterward for those who can’t join live and can be accessed on the City’s website.



Step by step instructions on how to join a meeting, via Zoom, coming soon! 
South Link Connections Survey

South Link Connections

As Link light rail expands farther south with three new stations in Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way, the South Link Connections project aims to improve transportation options for communities in South King County. Metro is working with Sound Transit and other partners to create a new transit network based on community feedback.


Hurry! Survey ends August 31st!



Nighttime SR 99 lane closures planned

Aug. 23-26 near SR 516 in

Des Moines for lane striping

Both directions of SR 516 also will close nightly at SR 99 intersection


Overnight lane reductions are planned on both directions of State Route 99 Saturday night, Aug. 23, through Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, near the SR 516 intersection.


Both directions of SR 516 also will close all three nights at the intersection, while contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation pave and stripe lanes within the intersection.


Signed detours will guide SR 516 traffic around the closures each night. This work requires dry weather and could be rescheduled due to rain.


Closure details

11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, until 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24:

  • Two right lanes of northbound SR 99 close through the SR 516 intersection.
  • Both directions of SR 516 close at SR 99 intersection.

10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25:

  • Two left lanes on northbound and southbound SR 99 close through the SR 516 intersection.
  • Both directions of SR 516 close at SR 99 intersection.

10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26:

  • Two right lanes on southbound SR 99 close through the SR 516 intersection.
  • Both directions of SR 516 close at SR 99 intersection.



This project is almost complete! Thank you for your patience—once finished, the improvements will make travel smoother, safer, and better for everyone.

Licensing Your Pet is Now Easier Than Ever!

Des Moines has partnered with DocuPet to provide residents with a simple online solution for pet registration. Through DocuPet, residents can access the complimentary HomeSafe® 24/7 Lost Pet Service, secure online profiles that make licensing a breeze, and hundreds of designer tag styles that double as a pet's official license.


All cats and dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Licenses are now valid for a full 365 days after purchase.


Reminder: Every dollar from pet license fees goes directly toward rebuilding our animal control services. Your pet’s license helps restore critical funding and support for these programs.


To celebrate this partnership, DocuPet is offering pet owners $5 off a designer license tag of their choice when you use promo code WELCOME5 at checkout.
License Your Pet Today!

Blues and Brews - August 23

Don’t miss out on Blues and Brews, hosted by the Des Moines Normandy Park Rotary Club! Enjoy great music, local brews, and a fun community atmosphere on Saturday, August 23 in the Des Moines Beach Park. It’s the perfect way to wrap up summer with friends and neighbors. See you there! 

Des Moines once had its very own ferry service! Before the construction of modern highways and bridges, ferries were a vital mode of transportation along Puget Sound. In the 1910s and 1920s, you could hop on a steamer at the Des Moines dock and travel to Seattle or Tacoma. These early water routes played a big role in connecting Des Moines to the rest of the region—long before I-5 came along!

Thank you, as always, to our wonderful and hardworking staff. This Staff Kudos section will serve as a way to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our City of Des Moines employees, volunteers, Councilmembers, and more.

Staff Kudos
"I would like to express my office’s sincere appreciation for the swift action taken by your team in response to a recent safety concern near the FAA’s Northwest Mountain Regional Office, located at 2200 S 216th Street.


On the afternoon of July 28, 2025, our Facility Manager, Deborah Meskell, contacted your office regarding overgrown bushes near our parking lot exit onto 24th Avenue. These bushes were obstructing visibility for employees attempting to safely navigate onto the roadway. Within 24 hours of our report, the vegetation was trimmed back, greatly improving the line of sight and enhancing overall safety for both our staff and the community.


This prompt and attentive response reflects the City of Des Moines’ commitment to public safety and partnership, and we are genuinely grateful for your support.”

Sincerely,

FAA
If you want to share a staff KUDOS with me, email me today! 
Apply Here Today! 
Contact Us! 

Job Opportunities


Looking for a fulfilling career with competitive pay and excellent benefits? The City of Des Moines is hiring for several positions, including:


  • Police Officer
  • Youth Soccer Referee - Fall Season


Applying for a job with the City of Des Moines is simple!

  • Browse current Job Openings
  • Click on a job title to learn more
  • Apply


Need help? Call Human Resources at 206-878-4595 or email HR@DesMoinesWA.Gov

City Council Meeting Recap


The next meeting is September 4th and here is what is scheduled to be on the agenda.


Committee of the Whole

  • Short Term Amenity Update


Study Session

  • Marina Steps Project
  • Highline School District – Pacific Middle School Update
  • Interlocal Agreement with Highline School District (Pacific Middle School)
  • Short Term Rental & Amenity Update
  • Committee of the Whole Check-In  
  • Planning Commission Discussion
Click here to review packet
Click here for a listing of all future Committee and Council meeting items

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Camp KHAOS

June 23-August 29

Field House


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

September 4

City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

September 11

City Hall


Citizens Advisory Board

September 24

Des Moines City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

September 25

City Hall


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

October 2

City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

October 9

City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

October 23

City Hall


Citizens Advisory Board

October 29

Des Moines City Hall


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

November 6

City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

November 13

City Hall


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

December 4

City Hall


Holiday Boat Lights

December 6

Des Moines Marina


Citizens Advisory Board

December 10

Des Moines City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

December 11

City Hall
Have an upcoming event you want to share? Email us today!



Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 23

Des Moines Beach


Brews & Blues

August 23

Beach Park


Yoga

August 23

Soundview Park


Des Moines Farmer's Market

August 23

Des Moines Marina


Discovery Day

August 23

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 23

Beach Park


Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4  

August 23     


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

August 23

Redondo Beach


Movie Night for Tweens and Teens

August 26

Woodmont Library     


Weekly Wine Tasting

August 28

Marine Mercantile


Marina Mama's Walking Group

August 29

Quarterdeck


Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 29

Redondo Beach


Des Moines Farmer’s Market

August 30

Des Moines Marina


Discovery Day

August 30

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 30

Beach Park


Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4  

August 30   


Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 31

Redondo Beach   


Weekly Wine Tastings

September 4

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mama's Walking Group

September 5

Quarterdeck

 

Boardwalk Beats: Live Music

September 5     

Redondo Boardwalk


Marina Mammal Steward Program with SR3

September 5

Redondo Beach

 

Yoga

September 6

Soundview Park


Des Moines Farmer’s Market

September 6

Des Moines Marina


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 6

Redondo Beach


Discovery Day

September 6

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

September 6

Des Moines Beach Park


Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

September 6     


Live and Local Sounds on the Sound

September 6     

Quarterdeck


Weekly Wine Tastings

September 11

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mama's Walking Group

September 12

Quarterdeck


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 13

Redondo Beach


Yoga

September 13   

Soundview Park


Des Moines Farmer’s Market

September 13   

Des Moines Marina


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 14

MaST Center


Discovery Day

September 13   

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

September 13   

Des Moines Beach Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

September 18

Marina Mercantile

 

Marina Mama's Walking Group

September 19

Quarterdeck


Uncle Ernie

September 20   

Arturos


Des Moines Farmer’s Market

September 20   

Des Moines Marina


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 20

MaST Center


Discovery Day

September 20   

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

September 20   

Des Moines Beach Park


Oktoberfest 2025

September 20

Quarterdeck


Oktoberfest 2025

September 21

Quarterdeck


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 21

Redondo Beach


What’s Up Des Moines

September 23

Quarterdeck


Weekly Wine Tastings

September 25

Marina Mercantile

 

Marina Mama's Walking Group

September 26

Quarterdeck

 

Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 27

Redondo Beach


Des Moines Farmer’s Market

September 27   

Des Moines Marina


Discovery Day

September 27   

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

September 27   

Des Moines Beach Park


Marine Mammal Stewards Program with SR3

September 28

Redondo Beach

City of Des Moines | 21630 11th Avenue S, Suite A | Des Moines, WA 98198 US

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