City Manager Report - May 15, 2026

CITY MANAGER REPORT

May 15, 2026

Charting Our Course: Economic Vitality

Last week, we introduced Charting Our Course — the City’s new strategic plan shaped by community input gathered through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and a town hall meeting. If you missed it, we encourage you to read last week’s story to learn more about the overall plan and community feedback that helped shape it.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll highlight each of the City’s six strategic focus areas. The first is Economic Vitality.

Community members consistently shared a desire for a stronger local economy, a more vibrant downtown and marina, and long-term financial sustainability for City services.

As part of this focus area, the City will work to:

Support revitalization of downtown and the Pacific Highway corridor
Encourage business investment and redevelopment
Increase activity at the marina and waterfront
Strengthen Des Moines’ reputation as a great place to live, work, and invest

A strong local economy helps support the services and quality of life our community values — from public safety and parks to street maintenance and community amenities.

This work is about building on what makes Des Moines special while creating a more sustainable future for the community.

Redondo Fishing Pier Grand Opening Set for June 13

The new Redondo Fishing Pier is almost ready to welcome you back.

Join us for the official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Redondo Fishing Pier as we celebrate the reopening of this beloved waterfront destination.

Major construction on the new pier is now complete. Over the next several weeks, crews will finish lighting installation in the Redondo Plaza area, complete final site amenities, and wrap up cleanup and finishing work ahead of opening day.

The replacement pier restores an important community gathering space for fishing, walking, and enjoying the waterfront. The City is excited to reopen the pier and welcome residents and visitors back to Redondo.

Thank you for your patience and support throughout construction of this important project.

Questions? Contact City Project Manager Khai Le at 206-870-6537.

Marina Steps Construction Update

Construction continues to move forward on the Marina Steps project.

Crews are currently working on the southern portion of the site, where construction of the south Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall is underway. To prepare the area for final construction, crews are placing and compacting structural fill to bring the site to the required design elevation.

What Nearby Residents Can Expect

Increased heavy equipment activity in the southern portion of the project area
Temporary increases in construction noise through the end of June
Ongoing construction activity as work progresses toward the next phase of the project

The City appreciates the community’s continued patience and cooperation as work continues on this important waterfront improvement project.

Questions? Contact City Project Manager Allyssa Beaver at 206-870-6725.

Traffic Calming Program

Installation of speed bumps is about to begin in select neighborhoods as part of the City’s traffic-calming efforts to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.

Construction Schedule: Monday, May 18th, through Friday, May 29th

Five pilot locations were selected based on traffic data and community need:

8th Ave S: S 207th St to S 208th St
S 229th St: 21st Ave S to 23rd Pl S
30th Ave S: Kent-Des Moines Rd to S 224th St
21st Ave S: S 240th St to S 243rd St
14th Pl S: S 257th Pl to 16th Ave S

What to expect:

Temporary road closures
Traffic control measures and flaggers
Minor traffic delays during construction

We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these improvements to help create safer neighborhood streets for everyone.

A Little Bit of History...

Have you ever noticed the unusual boundary lines along portions of Pacific Highway South near Des Moines? There’s actually a reason the City limits don’t follow perfectly straight lines in some areas (as frustrating as it is…).

Many of those oddly shaped boundaries are the result of multiple annexations that occurred over several decades as Des Moines gradually expanded. Different neighborhoods petitioned to join the City at different times, and annexation lines often followed property boundaries, utility districts, roads, or even individual parcels of land rather than neat geographic lines.

In some cases, areas along Pacific Highway South developed commercially before surrounding residential neighborhoods joined the City, creating the patchwork-style borders people still notice today. Over time, additional annexations helped connect many of those irregular sections together—but a few unique boundary quirks remain.

It’s one of those little details most people drive by every day without realizing there’s a bit of local history behind it!

Click Here to Share Your Staff Kudos!

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.

Apply Here Today!

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

Browse current Job Openings
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Job Opportunities

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

City Mechanic
Facilities Maintenance Specialist
Maintenance Worker I-II (Multiple Openings)
Limited Term – Code Enforcement Officer
Police Officer-Hiring Incentives Available!
Seasonal Harbor Aide
Summer Day Camp Staff – Counselors, Lead Counselors and Directors
Volunteer Opportunities with Des Moines Community Enrichment Services

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City Council Meeting Recap

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

City Council Regular Meeting:

National Police Week Proclamation
Surplus Property - Vehicles
Collective Bargaining Agreement Teamsters Local No. 763
Vision Zero Resolution
Photo Enforcement Program Update
2027-2046 Transportation Improvement Plan

The next meeting will be a Regular City Council Meeting on May 21, 2026, starting at 6:00PM. The meeting agenda can be found here.

Link to May 14, 2026 City Council Packet

Click here for a listing of all future Council meeting items

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

NEW! Pop-Up Karaoke Fridays

Activity Center

May 29

Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

May 29

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

May 29

Pop-Up Karaoke

Activity Center

May 29

Storm Fest

June 2-4

Day Trip: Museum of Flight-Tukwila

June 4

City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

June 4

Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 5

Day Trip: Thriftapalooza at the Puyallup Fairgrounds

June 6

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

June 8

Out to Lunch: Beach Cafe-Kirkland Waterfront

June 9

Day Trip: Northwest Trek Zoo

June 10

Marina Tenant Meeting

Marina Pavilion

June 10

City Council Meeting

City Hall

June 11

Huntington Park Rummage Sale & Bake Sale

Huntington Park

June 12

Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 12

Huntington Park Rummage Sale & Bake Sale

Huntington Park

June 13

Out to Lunch: Buttered Biscuit-Sumner

June 16

Dessert Social

Activity Center

June 18

Day Trip: Mariners Baseball Game - T-Mobile Park

June 18

City Offices Closed in Observance of Juneteenth

June 19

FREE! World Cup Soccer Clinic

Field House

June 19

Camp KHAOS Starts

Field House

June 22

Day Trip: Muckleshoot Casino

June 24

Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

June 24

Day Trip: Gig Harbor Gondola Boat Ride

June 25

City Council Meeting

City Hall

June 25

Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 26

Pop-Up Karaoke

Activity Center

June 26

Out to Lunch: Palisades-Seattle

June 30

Have An Upcoming Event You Want To Share?

Share Your Events With Us Here!

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

May 16

Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 16

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

May 16

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

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

Sound It Out Sunday!

Woodmont Library

May 17

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

May 18

Daytime Playtime

Des Moines Library

May 19

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

May 19

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

May 19

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

May 20

Study Zone Tutors

Des Moines Library

May 20

Des Moines Evening Book Group

Des Moines Library

May 20

Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 21

Young Toddler Story Time

Des Moines Library

May 21

Preschool Story Time

Des Moines Library

May 21

Reading Buddies Tutors

Des Moines Library

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 Coffee Roasters

May 23

Discovery Day

MaST Center

May 23

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

May 23

Crafting: Pop-Up Cards

Des Moines Library

May 23

Chamber Business Community Happy Hour Connect

Porto Vino

May 26

Des Moines Writing Group

Des Moines Library

May 26

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

May 26

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

May 27

Study Zone Tutors

Des Moines Library

May 27

Young Toddler Story Time

Des Moines Library

May 28

Preschool Story Time

Des Moines Library

May 28

Reading Buddies Tutors

Des Moines Library

May 28

Blues Jam

Creole Soul

May 28

Builder Babies

Woodmont Library

May 28

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

May 29

Woodmont Library Teen Advisory Board

Woodmont Library

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 Coffee Roasters

May 30

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

May 30

Community of Creators

Woodmont Library

May 30

One Book, One Coast: George Takei Watch Party

Woodmont Library

May 31

Des Moines Garden Club Monthly Meeting

Covenant Life Center, Kent

June 1

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

June 3

Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 6

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

June 6

Seattle Children's Spring Bazaar

Grace Lutheran Church

June 6

Bayside Diamond Ball

Des Moines Yacht Club

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

Redondo Boardwalk Beats

Redondo

June 6

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

June 10

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 Coffee Roasters

June 13

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

June 13

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

June 16

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

June 17

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

June 19

World Cup Viewing Party

Des Moines Theater

June 19

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 20

Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

June 20

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

June 20

Waterland Pridefest

Des Moines Theater

June 20

MIBBB Fest 2026

Quarterdeck

June 20-21

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

June 24

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 Coffee Roasters

June 27

North Hill BBQ

North Hill Community Center

June 28