CITY MANAGER REPORT

October 24, 2025


Best of Seattle Southside Awards


Show some love for your favorite local spots! Explore Seattle Southside has launched the first-ever Best of Seattle Southside Awards, and voting is now open. Take a minute to vote for your favorite restaurants, bars, and cafes (no need to fill out every category). Voting runs through December 31, 2025, and winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in February 2026.  
Vote Here
Chamber Business Award Information Page

Redondo Fishing Pier:

Construction is beginning!


We are excited to announce that construction of the Redondo Fishing Pier will soon begin! Construction is scheduled to start in the first week of November and finish in spring 2026. This project will replace the old, deteriorated Redondo Fishing Pier. The new pier will be built on steel pilings with a reamed deck featuring light-permeable grating—supporting safety and environmental goals. To improve public access and recreation, new stairs will connect the pier directly to the sandy beach.


Please join us for the groundbreaking (should I say Pierbreaking?) on November 3!

Marina Dock Replacement Project


N Dock has been installed, and we are currently awaiting completion of associated electrical work. Meanwhile, the old M Dock has been removed, and the new M Dock has been successfully floated into place. You can 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! 
Watch Our Time Lapse Footage
Live Stream Marina Dock Replacement Project

The Fall Recycling Collection Event will take place on Saturday, October 25, at the Des Moines Marina. This popular event gives residents a convenient opportunity to recycle items not accepted in regular curbside collection, such as electronics, batteries, appliances and scrap metal. Partnering with King County, the event helps promote environmental stewardship and supports our community’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

Upcoming Special Events



There’s always something happening in Des Moines! Mark your calendar and join us for our upcoming special events filled with fun activities for all ages, great local entertainment, and plenty of community spirit.


This year’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at the Des Moines Marina—a new location for this festive tradition, previously held at Big Catch Plaza. Don’t miss the magical arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by boat, kicking off an evening of holiday cheer and celebration!


When Des Moines incorporated in 1959, the city’s entire “office” consisted of just a desk and two chairs. City Hall was a single room in the basement of King County Fire District No.  26’s fire station at 22231 Marine View Drive S (next door to the Lighthouse Lounge, formerly Quality Auto Electric). The fire station’s pool table served as a workspace for spreading out maps and other large documents.



Evan E. Peterson was the city’s first paid employee, followed by Police Chief Riley W. Denton, Jr., a former Puyallup police sergeant. Chief Denton was the city’s only officer and initially used his own car for patrols until a city vehicle could be purchased. Any arrests required transporting prisoners to the King County Jail in Seattle! 

City’s Fall Festival & Community Resource Fair a Huge Success!



We were thrilled to have more than 20 community partners participate in the event, engaging an estimated 150–200 attendees throughout the day. It was wonderful to see families and individuals from Des Moines, Kent, Federal Way, and other South King County communities come together to connect and learn about the valuable resources available to them. Participants shared positive feedback about the event’s friendly atmosphere and the diverse range of organizations represented. We hope that all attending organizations found the event beneficial and were able to establish meaningful community connections. Special thanks to our Community Services Officer, Tonya Seaberry for her efforts in coordinating such a successful event! 

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


“I want to say that it’s been great working with Lanxin and I really appreciate all her extra effort to process payroll on top of her normal workload.


Thanks!”


Jeff Schneider

Senior Human Resources Analyst


Police Chief Boe received a letter from an elderly individual on her interaction with Officer Rios after her vehicle broke down on her way home from a funeral.



"Frank, your simple act of kindness made an elderly community member feel safe when they were vulnerable. This is the kind of empathy in policing that sometimes goes completely unnoticed yet has the greatest impact on the hearts and minds of those we serve. A great example of an act that can easily cause a "butterfly effect" making the world around us a little kinder and brighter.  


Great job Frank!”  



Chief Ted Boe
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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:


  • Court Clerk
  • Police Officer
  • Senior Mechanic
  • Youth Soccer Referee - Fall Season
  • 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 following items were discussed at last night’s meeting:



  • Discussion of City of Burien Letter to Port of Seattle
  • Warehouse Tax Collections Update
  • Approval of Vouchers
  • Approval of Minutes
  • 2026 Business License Fee Schedule
  • Telecommunications Franchise Agreement with Forged Fiber 37, LLC, 2nd Reading
  • 2026 Vehicle Purchase
  • 2026 Property Tax Levy, 1st Reading
  • Marina Steps Project: Public Works Construction Contract Award and Consultant Services Agreements for Construction Administration, Inspection and Engineer of Record Services
  • Water/Sewer Franchise Agreements
  • B&O Model Ordinance Update, 1st Reading
  • Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between City of Des Moines and King County Metro Transit Department
  • Consultant Services Contract with Nelson-Nygaard
10.23.2025 Packet Information
Click here for a listing of all future Council meeting items

Citizens Advisory Board

October 29

Des Moines City Hall


Monthly Dessert Social

October 30

Activity Center


Redondo Pier Groundbreaking Ceremony

November 3

Redondo Beach


Elections

November 4


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

November 6

City Hall


Veterans Day Event

November 11

Steven J Underwood Memorial Park


City Offices Closed in Observance of Veterans Day

November 11


Airport Committee Meeting

November 10

City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

November 13

City Hall


Monthly Dessert Social 
November 20

Activity Center


City Offices Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving

November 27 & 28


City Council Committee of the Whole and Study Session

December 4

City Hall


Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

December 6

Des Moines Marina


Airport Committee Meeting

December 8

City Hall


Live Music & Dancing with Randy Litch

December 10

Activity Center


Citizens Advisory Board

December 10

Des Moines City Hall


City Council Regular Meeting

December 11

City Hall


Breakfast with Santa

December 13

Activity Center


City Offices Closed in Observance of Christmas

December 25



Burning Boat Event

December 31

Des Moines Marina


City Offices Closed in Observance of New Year's Day

January 1


Have An Upcoming Event You Want To Share?
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Discovery Day

October 25         

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

October 25         

Des Moines Beach Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

October 30

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

October 31

Quarterdeck


Trick or Treat Path

October 31

Marine View Drive


Write-A-Thon

November 1

Woodmont Library


Discovery Day

November 1      

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

November 1      

Des Moines Beach Park


Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

November 1    


Forest Restoration

November 1

Saltwater State Park


Dance for Happiness

November 4

Woodmont Library


Weekly Wine Tastings

November 6

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

November 7

Quarterdeck

 

Farmer's Market Holiday Bazaar

November 8

Beach Park Event Center


Discovery Day

November 8      

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

November 8      

Des Moines Beach Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

November 13

Marina Mercantile

 

Marina Mamas Walking Group

November 14

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

November 15    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

November 15    

Des Moines Beach Park


Creek Restoration

November 16

Saltwater State Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

November 20

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

November 21

Quarterdeck

 

Discovery Day

November 22    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

November 22    

Des Moines Beach Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

November 27

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

November 28

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

November 29    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

November 29    

 

Weekly Wine Tastings

December 4

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

December 5

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

December 6       

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

December 6       

Des Moines Beach Park


Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

December 6       

 

Holiday Boat Lights

December 6       

Des Moines Marina


Forest Restoration

December 6

Saltwater State Park


Weekly Wine Tastings

December 11

Marina Mercantile



Marina Mamas Walking Group

December 12

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

December 13    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

December 13    

Des Moines Beach Park 


Weekly Wine Tastings

December 18

Marina Mercantile


Marina Mamas Walking Group

December 19

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

December 20    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

December 20    

Des Moines Beach Park



Marina Mamas Walking Group

December 26

Quarterdeck


Discovery Day

December 27    

MaST Center


Des Moines Creek Park Run

December 27    

Des Moines Beach Park


Polar Bear Express Movie

December 13    

Beach Park Event Center


Polar Bear Plunge

January 1            

Beach Park Event Center



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

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