CITY MANAGER REPORT

May 29, 2026

Charting Our Course: Financial Stability

As part of Charting Our Course, the City’s new strategic plan, the community identified public safety as one of its highest priorities for the future of Des Moines.

This week’s focus area is Public Safety.

Residents consistently shared the importance of feeling safe in their neighborhoods, parks, downtown, and public spaces. Community members also emphasized the need for responsive emergency services and strong partnerships between the City and the community.

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

Recruit and retain public safety personnel to maintain adequate staffing
Improve traffic safety through infrastructure improvements, education and enforcement
Strengthen emergency preparedness efforts by the City and community
Ensure animal control services meet community needs

Public safety is foundational to quality of life and remains one of the City’s core responsibilities and priorities.

Running for a Great Cause

Today, members of the Des Moines Police Department joined communities from across the region in participating in the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Washington. The annual event brings together law enforcement professionals, community leaders, and supporters to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics athletes throughout the state.

Representing Des Moines in today’s run were Police Chief Ted Boe, members of the Des Moines Police Department, officers from Normandy Park Police Department and SCORE Jail, City Attorney Tim George (with daughter Emmy), and Kelsey Cole from the Community Enrichment Services team — all supporting an incredible cause. Their participation reflects the strong community spirit and commitment to inclusion that makes Des Moines such a special place.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run has become one of the largest grassroots fundraising efforts for Special Olympics worldwide, helping provide year-round sports training, competitions, and opportunities for athletes of all abilities.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, cheered on the runners, and helped support Special Olympics Washington. We are proud of our team for representing Des Moines so well!

More Information or Donate Here!

Senior Discount Programs Available

Did you know that qualifying seniors may be eligible for discounted services through both Recology and Comcast?

Recology offers reduced solid waste rates for eligible senior residents, helping make garbage and recycling services more affordable. Comcast also provides discounted internet options for qualifying households through its Internet Essentials program.

Residents interested in learning more about eligibility requirements and how to apply are encouraged to visit the City’s website or contact Cortney Wilt at the Activity Center.

Visit our Website

Email Cortney Wilt

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Update

The City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program continues to move forward, with speed bump installations now completed at two project locations. Work remains underway at several additional sites, and the construction schedule has been extended through Friday, June 5, to allow crews to complete the remaining improvements.

Completed Locations:

8th Ave S (S 207th St to S 208th St)
21st Ave S (S 240th St to S 243rd St)

Active Construction Areas:

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

Residents can expect intermittent traffic impacts in work zones, including temporary lane restrictions, flagging operations, and short delays during construction activities. Access to local properties will be maintained whenever possible.

Are You Eligible for FREE Japanese Beetle Yard Treatment?

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is offering FREE yard treatments to help protect local gardens, plants, and green spaces from invasive Japanese beetles.

If your property hasn’t been treated yet, it’s not too late. Every untreated yard can become a place where beetles spread and establish permanently in our community.

Learn more about eligible treatment areas and sign up at the link below.

You can also email a completed consent form using the link below or call 1-800-443-6684 to request a form.

Let’s work together to protect our neighborhoods, gardens, and local plants

Email Us Today!

Business Park West Rising on South 216th Street

If you’ve driven along South 216th Street lately, you may have noticed a major transformation taking shape. Construction is moving quickly on the Business Park West project, a new 401,422-square-foot tilt-up concrete building that is becoming one of the most visible development projects in the area.

Crews began lifting and setting the massive concrete wall panels on Tuesday, May 26, and expect to complete panel installation by approximately June 5. Once the walls are fully in place and braced, construction will shift to installation of the large web trusses that will support the roof structure.

Tilt-up construction is always an impressive process to watch, and much of the activity can be viewed safely from the sidewalk along South 216th Street. Over the next several weeks, residents will continue to see rapid progress as the building begins to take its final shape.

Waterfront Farmers Market Opens Saturday, June 6

The wait is almost over — the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market returns for its 21st season on Saturday, June 6!

The market brings together local farmers, fresh produce, handmade goods, delicious food, live entertainment, and a vibrant community atmosphere right along the marina. Whether you’re shopping for fresh ingredients, meeting friends for lunch, or simply enjoying a stroll by the water, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Due to ongoing construction in the Marina, the market will operate in a slightly adjusted location this season utilizing portions of the north parking lot. Visitors are encouraged to follow posted signage and traffic directions while visiting the area.

The Waterfront Farmers Market runs every Saturday throughout the summer and continues to be a wonderful way to support local vendors and connect with the community.

We look forward to another fantastic season on the waterfront!

A Little Bit of History...

Did you know the Des Moines Library was once located in the building next to Grace Lutheran Church on 24th Avenue South?

From 1965 to 1988, the building served as the community’s public library and was a familiar place for generations of Des Moines residents. Long before digital catalogs and online resources, residents visited the small neighborhood library to browse bookshelves, research school projects, read newspapers, and attend community programs.

The library reflected the close-knit feel of Des Moines during that era, serving as both a learning space and a community gathering place. As the City continued to grow, the need for expanded library services eventually led to the construction of the current Des Moines Library located next to City Hall.

Today, the former library building has a new life as a daycare facility, but many longtime residents still remember it as the place where they checked out their very first library books.

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
Click on a job title to learn more
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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
Limited Term – Code Enforcement Officer
Maintenance Worker I-II (Multiple Openings)
Police Officer-Hiring Incentives Available!
Seasonal Harbor Aide
Summer Camp KHAOS Staff (Counselors, Lead Counselors and Directors)
Volunteer Opportunities with Des Moines Community Enrichment Services

Current and Past Issues of the City Manager Report

Missed an issue or want to take another look? You can find this report and all past City Manager Reports anytime on the City’s website—your go-to spot for staying informed.

Be in the know! Sign up today!

Click Here for Past and Current Issues of the City Manager Report

Get The Latest Updates From Mount Rainier Pool Management

Stay up-to-date with pool activities, events and closures!

City Council Meeting Recap

There was no meeting last night. The following is scheduled to be on the June 4, 2026 agenda.

City Council Committee of the Whole

Sustainable Airport Master Plan Update
First Quarter 2026 Police Operation Update

City Council Study Session

Infrastructure Project & Funding Discussion

Link to June 4, 2026 City Council Packet

Click here for a listing of all future Council meeting items

Storm Fest

June 2-4

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall

June 2

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

Craft Cafe

Des Moines Activity Center

June 12

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

Day Trip: Ferry to Bainbridge Island – Japanese American Exclusion Memorial & Winslow Street Shopping

July 1

City Offices Closed in Observance of Independence Day

July 3

4th of July Events

Marina

July 4

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall

July 7

Out to Lunch: Roanoke Tavern-Mercer Island

July 8

Day Trip: Enchanted Farms Tour with Animal Encounters – Duvall

July 9

City Council Meeting

City Hall

July 9

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

July 13

Day Trip: Snoqualmie Falls with Brunch at Salish Lodge

July 15

Summer Concert:

Spike and the Impalers

Beach Park

July 15

Out to Lunch: Lady of the Lake Public House Dinner Trip with Schmidt House Tour

July 17

Dessert Social

Activity Center

July 21

Senior Bingo

Activity Center

July 21

Out to Lunch: Seventeen51-Lacey

July 22

Summer Concert:

Kitty Mae

Beach Park

July 22

Day Trip: Seattle Underground Tour with Lunch at O’Donnells

July 24

Out to Lunch: Jack’s BBQ-SODO

July 28

Summer Concert:

Nite Wave

Beach Park

July 29

Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

July 29

Day Trip: Deception Pass Cruise – Sails from La Conner

July 30

Council Workshop

City Hall

July 30

Day Trip: Mini Golf-Kent

August 4

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall

August 4

Day Trip: Thrifting Around Bremerton 2.0

August 5

Summer Concert:

Abbagraphs

Beach Park

August 5

City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

August 6

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

August 10

Day Trip: Red Wind Casino – Olympia

August 12

Summer Concert:

Stevie and the Blue Flames

Beach Park

August 12

Dessert Social

Activity Center

August 13

City Council Meeting

City Hall

August 13

Out to Lunch: Browns Point Diner

August 14

Family Bingo Night: Back to School Bingo

Activity Center

August 14

Day Trip: Whidbey Island -Shopping and Scenery

August 18

Summer Concert:

Huey Lewis Tribute Band

Beach Park

August 19

Pop-Up Karaoke

Activity Center

August 21

Day Trip: Archie McPhee’s with Lunch at Salmon House-Wallingford

August 25

Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

August 26

Out to Lunch: Clove Indian Restaurant-Renton

August 27

City Council Meeting

City Hall

August 27

Have An Upcoming Event You Want To Share?

Share Your Events With Us Here!

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

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

May 30

Community of Creators

Woodmont Library

May 30

One Book, One Coast: George Takei Watch Party

Woodmont Library

May 31

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

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

Huntington Park Rummage Sale & Bake Sale

Huntington Park

June 12

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

June 13

Waterland Yoga

Soundview Park

June 13

Huntington Park Rummage Sale & Bake Sale

Huntington Park

June 13

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State 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

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

June 14

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

June 15

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

June 16

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

June 16

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

June 17

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

June 18

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

Waterland Yoga

Soundview 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

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

July 1

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

July 3

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

July 4

Redondo Boardwalk Beats

Redondo

July 4

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

July 4

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

July 4

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

July 8

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

July 10

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

July 11

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

July 11

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

July 11

Waterland Yoga

Soundview Park

July 11

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

July 11

Shark in the Park

Wooton Park

July 12

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

July 12

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

July 14

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

July 15

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

July 15

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program

Des Moines Beach Park

July 15

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

July 16

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

July 17

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

July 18

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

July 18

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

July 18

Waterland Parade & Block Party

Des Moines

July 18

Argosy Cruise

Des Moines Marina

July 19

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

July 22

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

July 24

Waterland Yoga

Soundview Park

July 25

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

July 25

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

July 25

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

July 25

Chess Basics for Beginners

Des Moines Theater

July 29

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

July 31

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

August 1

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

August 1

Redondo Boardwalk Beats

Redondo

August 1

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

August 1

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

August 7

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

August 8

Waterland Yoga

Soundview Park

August 8

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

August 8

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

August 8

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

August 10

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

August 11

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

August 12

Friends of Saltwater State Park Naturalists Low Tide Beach Exploration

Saltwater State Park

August 13

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

August 14

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

August 15

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

August 15

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

August 15

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

August 21

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

August 22

Waterland Yoga

Soundview Park

August 22

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

August 22

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

August 22

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

August 28

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

August 29

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

August 29

Uncle Ernie’s

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant

August 29

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

August 29