CITY MANAGER REPORT

December 19, 2025

Holiday Closures

City Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 in Observance of Christmas and Thursday, January 1 in Observance of New Year’s Day.

Emergency services will remain open.

The next City Manager report will be published on Friday, January 2, following the holiday week!

Happy Holidays!

Burning Boat - New Year's Eve!

The Des Moines/Normandy Park Rotary Club and the City of Des Moines are bringing back the Burning Boat Festival on December 31 from 6–9 p.m. at the Des Moines Marina. This community event raises funds for Community Enrichment Scholarships (Park & Recreation), helping ensure all kids have access to play, learn, and grow. The evening will feature fire pits, s’mores, hot cocoa, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer and wine, a DJ, and the signature Burning Boat ceremony where participants can place wishes or intentions inside. Tickets are limited—$25 for adults and $10 for youth. Scholarship donations are being matched up to $5,000 by the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

Purchase Your Tickets Here!

South Sound Sailing Series - Duwamish Head Race 2026

The South Sound Series brings competitive sailing to our local waters through a four-race series hosted by yacht clubs across the region. On January 3, 2026, the Three Tree Point Yacht Club will host the Duwamish Head Race, the second event in the series (first event was December 6). The race starts at the Des Moines Marina, sending boats north toward Elliott Bay to round the Duwamish Head marker, then west to Blakely Rock before returning south to finish in Des Moines. With sailboats visible from shore and marina viewpoints, the race offers an exciting opportunity for residents and visitors to watch high-level sailing action or participate in a celebrated regional event.

Race Dates:

Duwamish Head, Three Tree Point YC – January 3, 2026
Toliva Shoal, South Sound Sailing Society/Olympia YC – February 14, 2026
Islands Race, Corinthian Yacht Club Tacoma – March 14, 2026

For race times and more information, please visit the Three Tree Point Yacht Club website.

Visit our Website

Des Moines Marina and Redondo Parking Passes Available

Frequent User Parking Passes for the Des Moines Marina and Redondo Beach are available for renewal. Community members are encouraged to call or visit the Marina Office to renew their passes and be ready for a great year of waterfront access and activity in 2026.

Join the Conversation!

SCUBA Divers and the City of Des Moines Staff

The MaST Center Aquarium is inviting local SCUBA divers to join City of Des Moines staff for a community conversation on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6–7 p.m. in the Aquarium Classroom. This meeting will focus on how the City can best support the dive community during the redevelopment of the Redondo fishing pier. Divers are encouraged to share their experiences, ideas, and concerns to help shape plans for improved access, safety, and the future of this beloved dive site. Bring your voice—and your dive buddies—and help chart the future of diving at Redondo. MaST Center, 28203 Redondo Beach Drive S, Des Moines.

Upcoming Classes and Programs Offered through our Community Enrichment Services Department

Day Trips:

Bellevue Garden d’Lights – December 30

Socializing and Game Play:

American Mahjong – Experienced - Wednesdays
Scrabble, Chess and Cribbage - Thursdays
Mexican Train Dominoes - Fridays
Rummikub – Wednesdays
Hand and Foot Card Game – Mondays
Adult Coloring and Painting Club – Tuesdays

What’s Happening

“Noon” Year’s Eve Special – December 31

Youth, Teen & Family Events

Family Bingo Night – Holiday Edition – December 19-TONIGHT!!
Teen Tabletop Game Day – December 30
Wrap It Up – Gift Wrapping Event – December 22

For program detail and a complete listing of classes and programs please visit our Community Enrichment Services Department at the link below.

Visit our Website

The Des Moines Historical Society, founded in 1978, works to preserve and share the rich history of our community. The Society is housed in the historic Odd Fellows Hall—a building that has served as City Hall, a school, a jail, and a fire station—and maintains photographs, documents, and oral histories that capture everyday life along Puget Sound. Operated largely by volunteers, the museum is open from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, every Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, or by appointment. Admission is FREE!

Marina Dock Replacement Project

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 the new ones being floated in. Stay connected and see this exciting transformation of our waterfront as it happens!

Live Stream Marina Dock Replacement Project

Watch Our Time Lapse Footage

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.

Click Here to Share Your Staff Kudos!

Staff Kudos

Last week, Community Enrichment Services (CES) participated in South King Fire’s annual Santa Parade and canned food drive, visiting the neighborhoods of North Hill, Zenith, and Upper and Lower Woodmont Beach on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Over the two-day event, CES helped bring holiday cheer to thousands of residents while collecting an impressive 1,600 pounds of food, which has been delivered to the Greater Des Moines Area Food Bank. We are grateful to South King Fire for the opportunity to participate and for partnering with us to support community members in need during the holiday season.

Apply Here Today!

Job Opportunities

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

Community Engagement Officer
Police Officer
Senior Mechanic
Youth Basketball Referee
Youth Basketball Scorekeeper

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!

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City Council Meeting Recap

The next City Council meeting will be January 8, 2026 and here is what is scheduled to be on the Agenda:

Ceremonial Swearing-In of Newly Elected Councilmembers
Selection of Mayor
Selection of Deputy Mayor
North Hill Elementary Walkway Improvements Project - Right of Way Acquisition
SCATB'd Interlocal Agreement Advisory Committee
Religious Housing Ordinance, First Reading
Unit Lot Subdivision, Lot Splitting, and Substandard or Nonconforming Lot Regulations Update, First Reading
2026 City Council Calendar
Planning Commission Appointment Process
Business License Model Ordinance Update, First Reading