City Manager Report - July 18, 2025

CITY MANAGER REPORT

July 18, 2025

Waterland Weekend is Here!

Get ready for one of Des Moines’ most beloved traditions—Waterland Weekend is happening this Saturday and Sunday! Destination Des Moines organizes and plans the parade festivities. The Waterland Parade is on Saturday, a community favorite since 1960. The route starts at the south end of the Marina (227th) and travels north on Marine View Drive to 216th, ending on 7th Avenue, starting with the Junior Parade at 5:45. Keep an eye out for our Police Chief behind the wheel and the Marina’s very own Harbor I boat making its parade debut! Saturday also features the always-popular Des Moines Farmers Market, and don’t miss the Classic Wooden Boat Show at the Marina, running all weekend long. It's a great time to celebrate summer by the sea!

Classic Wooden Boat Show hours are:

Saturday, July 19 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, July 20 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Parking Passes Available During the Farmers Market

Heading to the Farmers Market this Saturday? Stop by the Marina Office between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to pick up your 2025 parking passes for both the Des Moines Marina and Redondo. Staff will be available to assist you and answer any questions while you shop and enjoy the market!

Daily Parking Rates:

$2.50 First 2 Hours

$1.50 Per Hour After 2 Hours

$10.00 6+ Hours

$10.00 Lost Ticket Fee

$12.00 Truck/Trailer*

Annual Parking Pass Rates:

$40 Des Moines Resident

$100 Non Des Moines Resident

$100 Dive/Pier Pass**

$160 Truck/Trailer Pass

Already have a parking pass? For just $10 more, you can upgrade your current pass to include both Redondo and Marina parking lots—convenient access to both locations with one pass!

*Truck/Trailer - pay on entry - ticket will be good all day

**Dive/Pier Pass - Fishing license/dive permit required

S. 24oth 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 16^th Ave S and 20^th 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 project is currently out to bid with a bid opening scheduled for July 29, 2025.

Link Light Rail is Coming to South King County - Metro wants to hear from YOU!

New Link light rail stations will open in Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Transit Center as soon as 2026. Metro is seeking feedback from communities in Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, and Tukwila on several proposed changes to our transit services in South King County. Attend an upcoming virtual open house and share your thoughts in a survey by August 31^st. For more information, visit Metro South Link Connections web site.

Metro South Link Connections Web Site - Click Here

Update on 24th Avenue S Improvements Project

Construction on the City’s 24^th Ave S Improvements Project has been progressing swiftly now that delays from the impacted utilities have been resolved. City staff have been working closely with the contractor to prioritize completing all paving activities before the 2025 – 2026 school year begins, with the ultimate goal of finishing the entire project by the end of October, 2025. On Monday, July 21^st, the contractor will begin paving activities on the northbound lane through the length of the project. Work will start in the morning and continue throughout the day. Drivers should expect delays while traveling on 24th Ave S during this time. Please plan accordingly and utilize alternative routes to minimize disruption. We are excited to reach this milestone on the project!

Thank you to our community for your continued patience and support as we continue the construction activities on 24th Avenue South.

Construction Update

Marina L, M & N Dock Replacement Project

Sorry, sailors! Our guest moorage is taking a seasonal siesta from August 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026. Please make sure to make other arrangements during that time! Only a few weeks left to come enjoy the Guest Moorage area!!! The fuel dock will remain open for fueling and pump out needs.

Founded in 1957 by Charles E. “Mac” McCurdy and his wife Toni as the Vagabond Outboard Boating Club, the Des Moines Yacht Club (DMYC) has grown from eight charter members to over 300 today. Their 3,600 sq. ft. clubhouse is a hub for social gatherings, including balls, parties, and weddings. The DMYC fosters a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere where beginning and seasoned boaters connect, share experiences, and explore the Puget Sound together. With monthly cruises, seasonal events, a private launch, dry storage for 100 boats, and sweeping views from their upstairs lounge and deck, the benefits of membership are many. The DMYC is truly a gem in our waterfront community!

Job Opportunities

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

Mobile Recreation Attendant
Seasonal Maintenance Workers

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

Apply today here!

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, Council Members, and more.

Staff Kudos

“Good morning Katherine,

I just wanted to extend my thanks to your team from either parks or public works for putting up signs reminding people that fireworks are illegal.

We know that people are going to do what they want especially when it comes to fireworks but at least it makes it a little more difficult to claim that "they didn't know".

I really appreciate your team being proactive and putting those signs up throughout the city. I truly hope they made even just a slight difference in reducing fireworks injuries and fires.

Thank you again!”

Sean Nichols, Fire Marshal, South King Fire

“Hi Bonnie and Katherine,

Saw the amazing Des Moines crew working on Wooton Park today and wanted to give them a huge gold (sea)star! Thank you to all the amazing city staff who have supported us with the Shark in the Park.”

Rus Higley, MaST Center on sprucing up Wooton Park for the Shark in the Park Event that was held on July 6, 2025.

If you want to share a staff kudos with me, email me today!

City Council Meeting Recap

There was no meeting last night. The next meeting will be July 24^th and here is what is on the agenda!

Phase 3 of the South Link Connection Project – Presentation
Anti-Cruising Ordinance, Second Reading
Telecommunications Franchise Agreement with HyperFiber, Second Reading
2025 Department Of Ecology Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Agreement
Citizens Advisory Board Ordinance

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

Summer Concert Series - Laborer and Universal Roots

July 23

Beach Park

City Council Regular Meeting

July 24

City Hall

Summer Concert Series - Joey Jewell and Chris Anderson

July 30

Beach Park

Citizens Advisory Board

July 30

Des Moines City Hall

National Night Out

August 5

TBD

Summer Concert Series - Queen Mother

August 6

Beach Park

City Council Regular Meeting

August 7

City Hall

Summer Concert Series - Nite Wave

August 13

Beach Park

City Staff Neighborhood Pop Up

August 18

Midway Park

Summer Concert Series - Pilot Seat

August 20

Beach Park

Senior BBQ

August 21

Beach Park

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

Polar Bear Express Movie

December 13

Beach Park

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

Classic Wooden Boat Show

July 19

Des Moines Marina Guest Moorage

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

July 19

MaST Center

Classic Wooden Boat Show

July 20

Des Moines Marina Guest Moorage

Des Moines Farmer's Market

July 19

Des Moines Marina

Discovery Day

July 19

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

July 19

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

July 19

Waterland Parade

July 19

Pancake Canvas

July 19

LiUNA Local 242

Live Music

July 20

Quarterdeck

Autoharp at the Roadhouse

July 21

Angle Lake Light Rail Station

Tea & Silent Reading

July 23

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

July 24

Marina Mercantile

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

July 25

Des Moines Beach

Live Music

July 25

Quarterdeck

Unlock the Power of AI

July 26

Normandy Park City Hall

Ugly Shoe Party

July 26

Waterland Arcade

Yoga

July 26

Soundview Park

Des Moines Farmer's Market

July 26

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

July 26

MaST Center

Discovery Day

July 26

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

July 26

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

July 26

Live and Local Sounds on the Sound

July 26

Quarterdeck

Live Music

July 27

Quarterdeck

Live Music

July 28

Quarterdeck

Live Music

July 29

Quarterdeck

Tea & Silent Reading

July 30

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

July 31

Marina Mercantile

Wastemobile August 1

Midway Elementary School

Camp Craft Away: A Day Camp for Craft Loving Adults

August 1

Beach Park Event Center

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 1

Des Moines Beach

Boardwalk Beats: Live Music

August 1

Redondo Boardwalk

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

August 2

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 2

MaST Center

Discovery Day

August 2

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 2

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

August 2

Tea & Silent Reading

August 6

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

August 7

Marina Mercantile

Live and Local Sounds on the Sound

August 8

Quarterdeck

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 8

Des Moines Beach

Yoga

August 9

Soundview Park

Des Moines Farmer's Market

August 9

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 9

MaST Center

Discovery Day

August 9

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 9

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

August 9

Cambodian Culture Event

August 9

Saltwater State Park

Tea & Silent Reading

August 13

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

August 14

Marina Mercantile

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 15

Des Moines Beach

Des Moines Farmer's Market

August 16

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 16" MaST Center

Discovery Day

August 16

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 16

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

August 16

Tea & Silent Reading

August 20

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

August 21

Marina Mercantile

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 22

Des Moines Beach

Brews & Blues

August 23

Beach Park

Yoga

August 23

Soundview Park

Des Moines Farmer's Market

August 23

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 23

MaST Center

Discovery Day

August 23

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 23

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

August 23

Tea & Silent Reading

August 27

Marina Mercantile

Weekly Wine Tasting

August 28

Marine Mercantile

Marine Mammal Steward Program with SR3

August 29

Des Moines Beach

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

August 30

Des Moines Marina

Marine Mammal Stewards Program

August 30

MaST Center

Discovery Day

August 30

MaST Center

Des Moines Creek Park Run

August 30

Beach Park

Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

August 30