CITY MANAGER REPORT

March 27, 2026

For the Data Lovers: How Des Moines Compares to Other Cities


At last night’s City Council meeting, Councilmembers received a benchmarking study comparing Des Moines to similar cities across the region and beyond. If you’re someone who secretly enjoys a good data deep dive (no judgment—I see you), this is the kind of information that helps us understand how we’re doing and where we can improve. 



Key takeaways: 

  • How we compare to peer cities: The study looks at cities similar in size and characteristics to Des Moines, giving context to things like staffing levels, service delivery, and spending.  
  • Identifying strengths and gaps: It highlights where the City is performing well and where there may be opportunities to adjust resources or service levels.  
  • Informing future decisions: This data gives the City Council and staff a more objective foundation for policy, budgeting, and long-term planning.  
  • Supporting transparency: It helps answer the common question: “How do we compare to other cities?” with real data—not just anecdotes.  


In short, this study is less about numbers for numbers’ sake and more about making thoughtful, informed decisions to ensure the City is delivering services effectively and sustainably over time. 


Want to nerd out on the full presentation? Check out the presentation at the link below.
Presentation

Chat with the Mayor – Join the Conversation 


Have a question, idea, or just want to connect? Join Mayor Matsui for an informal “Chat with the Mayor” session next Monday at Alina's Cafe, 9:00am-11:00am.


These casual meetups are a great opportunity to stop by, say hello, and share what’s on your mind in a relaxed setting—no agenda, just conversation. Whether you have feedback, questions, or simply want to learn more about what’s happening in the City, all are welcome. 



Additional dates and locations will be announced soon, so stay tuned! 

Animal Control Service Update: Effective April 1- Services Return! 


Starting April 1, 2026, the City of Des Moines will have expanded animal control services again through our new partnership with CARES. 


What’s back: 

  • 24/7 emergency response  
  • Animal cruelty and criminal investigations  
  • Proactive animal control services from a dedicated officer  


CARES will work closely with the City’s Code Enforcement team, Police Department, and legal staff to ensure animal-related issues are addressed effectively. 


What's different from before-- shelter services: 

  • Limited shelter space will be available for dangerous animals and investigations  
  • Stray animal drop-offs will still be limited  


Need to report something? 

If you find a stray animal or suspect animal abuse, please call the non-emergency line: 206-878-3301 

Planning a Trip? Passport Services Coming to Des Moines April 1st!


Beginning April 1, the City of Des Moines will begin offering passport acceptance services at City Hall. This new service will provide residents and community members with a convenient local option to apply for a U.S. passport. Staff in the City Clerk’s Office have completed the required training and certification to serve as Passport Acceptance Agents and will assist applicants with submitting passport applications and required documentation to the U.S. Department of State. Additional details about hours of service, required documents, and fees are available on the City’s website. 
Visit our Website

Puget Sound Argosy Cruise Returns to Des Moines 


The Des Moines Historical Society is offering a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of the south Puget Sound aboard an Argosy Cruises vessel, the Lady Mary. This special 3-hour cruise will depart from the Des Moines Marina on Sunday, July 19. 


Boarding begins at 12:30 p.m., with departure at 1:00 p.m. and a return to the marina around 4:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary fountain sodas, coffee, and tea, with alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, and snacks available for purchase (cashless payments only). 


Adding to the experience, a guest speaker from SeaLife Response Rehabilitation and Research (SR3) will provide narration during portions of the cruise. 


This is a unique opportunity—similar cruises haven’t been offered since 1989—and space is limited to just 150 guests. Tickets are now available, so interested participants are encouraged to secure their spot early. 
Des Moines Historical Society

Spring Recycling Event -Tomorrow


Mark your calendars! The City’s Spring Recycling Collection Event is happening tomorrow Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Des Moines Marina South Parking Lot (enter off of 227th Street). This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of items that can’t go in your regular curbside bins. 


Residents can bring a variety of materials, including electronic and computer equipment, TVs, tires, batteries, and propane tanks, and more (some fees may apply/cash only). The event will also feature a Rain Barrel and Compost/Worm Bin sale—perfect for getting ready for the spring season! 


Please note that cardboard, household goods, clothing, and Styrofoam blocks will not be accepted at this event. 



We hope to see you there as we work together to keep our community clean and sustainable! 
Click Here For More Information!

Easier Access to Council Agendas and Minutes 


As a reminder, the City launched a new online portal in January that serves as the primary location for City Council and Committee meeting agendas and minutes. This system makes it easier to search for specific topics, locate past meetings, and stay informed about City business. 


Residents are encouraged to use the portal by visiting the link below to access the most current meeting materials. 


In addition, the City continues to make progress on its website redesign, which is anticipated to launch mid-year. Staff are currently working through final details and carefully reviewing content to ensure all information is accurate and ready for the new site. 


During this transition, Council-related materials from 2026 forward are available in the new portal, while agendas, minutes, and other records from 2025 and earlier remain accessible on the City’s current website under the City Council tab. 



Once the new website launches, all Council information will be consolidated into one easy-to-access location. 
New 2026 City Council Agenda and Minutes
Old 2025 and Prior Council Meeting Center

In the early days of Des Moines, there were no streetlights—so on especially dark nights, residents would carry lanterns just to walk between homes or down to the shoreline. On foggy evenings (which we still know well!), the glow of lanterns along the waterfront gave the area an almost magical, floating-in-the-dark feel. 

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


“Hi Cortney, 

 

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know our celebration of life event on Sunday was perfect. Will was fantastic, he made sure everything we needed was provided. He really went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and that everything went off without a hitch. All of the guests were very impressed with the venue and the location. 

 

Thank you to both for providing a great service!” 

 

Karen Fall 
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:



  • Facilities Maintenance Specialist
  • Facility Attendant
  • Police Officer-Hiring Incentives Available!
  • Volunteer Opportunities with Des Moines Community Enrichment Services
  • Youth Soccer Referee – Spring Season


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



  1. Browse current Job Openings
  2. Click on a job title to learn more
  3. Apply!

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City Council Meeting Recap


The following items were discussed at last night’s meeting:  

 

City Council Regular Meeting:  

 

  • 4th of July Event Update 
  • $10 Car Tab Fee Increase, 2nd Reading 
  • Salary Commission Ordinance, 2nd Reading 
  • King County 2026-2027 Waste Reduction & Recycling Grant Award 
  • Appointive Committee Code & Citizens Advisory Board Code Update, 1st Reading 
  • Presentation of Benchmarking Analysis and Development Impact Model by FCS Group 
  • Lodging Tax Overview, Process, and Funding Framework Discussion  

 

Here is what is scheduled to be on the April 2, 2026 City Council Meeting: 


Committee of the Whole: 

  • Des Moines Marina 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan 


City Council Study Session: 

  • Permitting Software Presentation 
  • Amenity Rental Discussion 
  • Future Capital Improvement Projects Update 
Link to March 26, 2026 City Council Agenda Packet
Link to April 2, 2026 City Council Agenda Packet
Click here for a listing of all future Council meeting items

Spring Recycling Event

Des Moines Marina – South Parking Lot

March 28


Chat with the Mayor

Alina's Cafe

March 30


Day Trip: Flower World/Maltby Cafe

March 31


Evening Elementary Art Classes Start

Field House

March 31


Preschool Art Classes Start

Field House

April 1


Country Line Dancing Session Starts

Des Moines Activity Center

April 1


City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

April 2


Out to Lunch Trips: The Pumphouse Bar & Grill - Bellevue

April 3


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

April 3


Eggstravaganza

Beach Park

April 4


KHAOS Break Camp

Field House

April 6-10


UK Soccer Camp

Field House

April 6-10


Out to Lunch Trips: Chambers Bay Grill - Chambers Bay Golf Course

April 7


City Council Meeting

City Hall

April 9


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

April 10


Day Trip: Point Ruston Public Market - Tacoma

April 9


Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

April 13


Day Trip: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival - LaConner

April 15


Out to Lunch Day Trips: Bourbon Street Creole Cafe - Puyallup

April 17


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

April 17


Shredding Event

Activity Center

April 22


Out to Lunch Trips: Lobster Shop - Tacoma

April 22


Monthly Dessert Social

Activity Center

April 23


City Council Meeting

City Hall

April 23


Day Trip: Olympia Farmers Market

April 24


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

April 24


International Sculpture Day

April 25


Evening Elementary Art Classes Start

Field House

April 28


Day Trip: Enumclaw Downtown Shopping

April 28


Skyhawks Tennis Lessons Start

Field House

April 29


Preschool Art Classes Start

Field House

April 29


Country Line Dancing Session Starts

Des Moines Activity Center

April 29


Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

April 29


Day Trip: UW Botanical Gardens - Arboretum Tram Tour - Seattle

April 30


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

May 1


Out to Lunch Trips: Pink Chandelier: High Tea- Puyallup

May 5


Spring Planter Painting & Potting Workshop

Activity Center

May 5


Day Trip: Downtown Poulsbo

May 7


City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

May 7


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

May 8


Family Night Bingo - Mother's Day

Activity Center

May 8


Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

May 11


City Council Meeting

City Hall

May 14


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

May 15


Out to Lunch Trips: Jak's Grill - West Seattle

May 15


Day Trip: Amazon Spheres - Seattle

May 16


Day Trip: Issaquah Troll & Gilman Village

May 19


Day Trip: Village Theater - GREASE - Everett

May 21


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center
May 22


City Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

May 25


Skyhawks Tennis Lessons Start

Field House

May 26


KHAOS Break Camp

Field House

May 26


Day Trip: Cougar Mountain Zoo - Issaquah

May 27


Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

May 27


Monthly Dessert Social

Activity Center

May 28


Senior Bingo

Activity Center

May 28


City Council Meeting

City Hall

May 28


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

May 29


Out to Lunch Trips: Bogey's Public House - Auburn Golf Course

May 29


Storm Fest

June 2-4


City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

June 4


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 5


Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

June 8


City Council Meeting

City Hall

June 11


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 12


City Offices Closed in Observance of Juneteenth

June 19


FIFA Viewing Party

Des Moines Theater

June 19


Camp KHAOS Starts

Field House

June 22


Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

June 24


City Council Meeting

City Hall

June 25


Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 26



Have An Upcoming Event You Want To Share?
Share Your Events With Us Here!


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

March 28


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

March 28


Hardy Fuchsia Care with Sky

Zenith Holland Gardens

March 28


Pruning 101 with Sky

Zenith Holland Gardens

March 28


Discovery Day

MaST Center

March 28


Live Music - Michael Powers Jam

Creole Soul

March 28


Lego Brick Building

Des Moines Library

March 28


Waterland Yoga

Des Moines Theater

March 29


STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

March 30


Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

March 31


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

April 2


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

April 3


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

April 4


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

April 4


Saltwater State Park Habitat Restoration Project: Forest Restoration

Saltwater State Park

April 4


Discovery Day

MaST Center

April 4


Des Moines Garden Club Monthly Meeting

Covenant Life Center, Kent

April 6


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

April 9


SR3 Open House

Des Moines Marina

April 10


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

April 10


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

April 11


Discovery Day

MaST Center

April 11


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

April 11


Roper Romp

152nd Street in Burien
April 12


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

April 16


Project Promise

Highline Schools Foundation

April 16-18


Live Music - Sam Chambliss

Creole Soul

April 17


Friends of Saltwater Earth Day

Saltwater State Park

April 18


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

April 18


Inkfish International Sculpture Day

Inkfish Studios

April 25


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

April 27


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

April 18


Discovery Day

MaST Center

April 18


Live Music - Sam Chambliss

Creole Soul

April 18


Saltwater State Park Habitat Restoration Project: Creek Restoration

Saltwater State Park

April 19


Earth Day-Discovery Pass Not Required

Saltwater State Park

April 22


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

April 23


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

April 24


Live Music - ASTA NICE

Creole Soul

April 24


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

April 25


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

April 25


Discovery Day

MaST Center

April 25


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

April 30


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

May 1


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 2


SR3 Open House

Des Moines Marina

May 2


Saltwater State Park Habitat Restoration Project: Forest Restoration

Saltwater State Park

May 2


Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 2


Redondo Boardwalk Beats

Redondo

May 2


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

May 2


SR3 Community Open House

Des Moines Marina

May 2


Des Moines Garden Club Monthly Meeting

Covenant Life Center, Kent

May 4


Mosquito Fleet

Des Moines Historical Society

May 6


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 7


Marina Mamas Walking Group

May 8

Des Moines Marina


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 9


Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 9


Letter Carrier Food Drive

May 9


South Sound Opening Day Boating Ceremony

Des Moines Yacht Club

May 9


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

May 9


Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Award Ceremony

Des Moines Yacht Club

May 13


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 14


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

May 15


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 16


Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 16


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

May 16


Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

May 17


Saltwater State Park Habitat Restoration Project: Creek Restoration

Saltwater State Park

May 17


Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

May 19


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 21


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

May 22


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 23


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

May 23


Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 23


Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 28


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

May 29


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 30


Des Moines Creek Park Run After Party

Beach Park

May 30


Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 30


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

May 30


Des Moines Garden Club Monthly Meeting

Covenant Life Center, Kent

June 1


Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 6


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

June 6


Seattle Children's Spring Bazaar

Grace Lutheran Church

June 6

 

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

June 5


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 6


Farmer's Market Opening Day

Des Moines Marina

June 6


North Hill BBQ

North Hill Community Center

June 6


Redondo Boardwalk Beats

Redondo

June 6


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

June 12


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 13


Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 13


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

June 13


Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

June 13


Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

June 16


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

June 19


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 20


Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 20


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

June 20


Waterland Pridefest

Des Moines Theater

June 20


MIBBBFest 2026

Quarterdeck

June 20-21


Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

June 26


Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 27


Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 27


Coffee and Chess

Second Love

June 27

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

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