CITY MANAGER REPORT

September 25, 2026

Exploring a Tree Canopy Preservation Program

Staff will introduce a proposed Tree Canopy Preservation Program, aimed at helping the City better protect and care for trees that play an important role in stormwater management and water quality, at next week’s City Council meeting.

Over the past several years, the City has worked to identify and assess tree canopy on public property that provides stormwater benefits. That work has identified approximately 108 acres of tree canopy that could ultimately be included in the program. While the City currently responds to needs such as hazardous trees, cleanup and other maintenance, there is not a dedicated funding source for proactive, long-term management of these areas.

The proposed program would allow the City to take a more proactive approach, including removing invasive vegetation, planting replacement evergreen trees, and establishing access for ongoing maintenance and care.

Because these trees provide stormwater and water quality benefits, the proposed program would be managed and funded through the City’s Surface Water Management Utility. Establishing dedicated funding for the program would require an adjustment to Surface Water Management utility rates.

Staff is presenting several funding options for City Council to consider, ranging from funding basic maintenance needs to providing additional resources for proactive tree canopy management. No funding level has been selected. Council will review the options, consider the potential impacts of each, and provide direction before any program or rate adjustment is brought forward for formal approval.

The goal is to establish a sustainable approach that helps the City protect and maintain its tree canopy—and the stormwater and water quality benefits it provides—for years to come.

New Air Quality Monitoring Site Celebrated in Des Moines

The City of Des Moines joined community and project partners yesterday for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of a new air quality monitoring site in our community.

The site will provide ongoing measurements of ultrafine particles and other air pollutants, giving researchers and community partners valuable local data to better understand air quality and the potential impacts of nearby transportation sources.

Funding for the project was provided through Washington’s Climate Commitment Act as part of a 33^rd Legislative District local community project. The City is pleased to partner in bringing this monitoring resource to Des Moines and supporting efforts to provide our community with better information about the air we breathe.

With the site now in place, the data collected will help build a clearer picture of local air quality conditions and contribute to future conversations and research about air quality in Des Moines.

New Ballot Drop Box Installed at City Hall

There’s something new in the City Hall courtyard!

A King County Elections ballot drop box has been installed at Des Moines City Hall, giving local voters a convenient new place to return their ballots.

Just in time for the November General Election, the new drop box is located right in the heart of downtown Des Moines, making it easier than ever to cast your ballot close to home.

Fall is a Great Time to Explore Des Moines

Cooler days, changing leaves and crisp fall air make this a great time to get outside and enjoy Des Moines!

Whether you're taking a walk along the waterfront, exploring one of our local trails, visiting a neighborhood park or simply finding a quiet spot to enjoy the season, there are plenty of ways to experience the outdoors close to home.

As you head out this fall, a few simple reminders can help keep our parks and trails enjoyable for everyone: stay on designated trails, keep pets leashed where required, dispose of trash properly, and be mindful that wet leaves and changing weather can make pathways slippery.

Fall is also a great time to explore somewhere new. If you tend to visit the same favorite park or trail, consider discovering another corner of Des Moines this season.

Grab a jacket, bring the dog, invite a friend and enjoy a little fall in Des Moines!

Highline College Foundation Launches New Command Performance Series

The Highline College Foundation is launching a new community event series this fall—the Command Performance Series, honoring Dr. Ed Command, Highline College president from 1990–2000, and his vision of connecting the college with the surrounding community.

The quarterly series will feature a wide variety of topics and experiences, from science and the local marine environment to music, culture and community conversations.

The inaugural event will be a True Crime Listening Event featuring the creative team behind The Shadow Girls podcast. Carolyn Ossorio and Branden Morgan will share stories from their work, including the story of the only woman known to have survived the Green River Killer and whose tip later contributed to the investigation. The program will also feature criminal attorney Anne Bremner, former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert and King County Detective Tom Jensen for a discussion about investigations, survivors and the lasting impacts on victims, families and communities.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour from 5:30–6:30 p.m., featuring a no-host bar and complimentary appetizers, followed by the program from 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Learn more about the Command Performance Series and purchase tickets through the link below.

Proceeds go to benefit scholarships and emergency funds for students at Highline College.

Command Performance Series Tickets

Discover Local History at the Des Moines Historical Society

Looking for a fun way to connect with Des Moines history—or get a little creative on the weekend? Stop by the Des Moines Historical Society!

The Historical Society is now open year-round on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from noon to 4:00 p.m., as well as by appointment. Visitors can explore local history, discover stories from Des Moines’ past, and learn more about the people and places that have shaped our community.

Saturdays also mean Saturday Studio! During regular Saturday hours, arts and crafts programs and supplies are available, offering visitors another fun reason to stop by.

Want to get more involved? The Historical Society welcomes community members interested in volunteering, becoming a member, or serving on the Board of Directors.

For more information, email today!

Email Us Today!

A Bit of History...

Can you imagine driving through downtown Des Moines and only being able to travel north on Marine View Drive?

For a brief period that was exactly how downtown traffic worked.

As Des Moines grew and traffic congestion became an increasing concern, the City experimented with a one-way couplet through downtown. Marine View Drive carried traffic northbound, while nearby 7th Avenue South carried traffic southbound.

The idea was intended to improve the flow of traffic through downtown, but not everyone was convinced. The proposal generated considerable community discussion and debate over whether the one-way streets should remain.

The experiment didn't last long. After a few months the City was preparing to return Marine View Drive and 7th Avenue South to the familiar two-way streets we know today.

Interestingly, the one-way system wasn't necessarily unsuccessful from a traffic standpoint. A study of the four-month trial found improvements in traffic efficiency and safety, while a community survey showed residents were much more divided over whether one-way streets were the right solution.

More than 50 years later, Marine View Drive and 7th Avenue remain important parallel routes through downtown—a reminder that conversations about traffic, access and the future of downtown Des Moines have been happening for generations!

“To the maintenance folks keeping the Marina clean and with fresh garbage cans! The waterfront is all the better for your steadfast help.”

Peter Bomann

"A big shout out to the workers at the waterfront and Beach Park. Thank you for all your hard work & keeping the waterfront and park clean. These guys work so hard and are always polite and saying good morning to anyone walking by....we got the good guys."

Beatrice Kalk

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.

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Front Desk Office Attendant I - Extra Hire
Payroll Specialist II
Police Officer-Hiring Incentives Available!
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 meeting:

City Council Regular Meeting:

Centennial of the Seashore Club Proclamation
Economic Development Update – Business Climate Survey and Roundtables
2026 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Spending Recommendations
City Hall Suite A Restroom and Kitchen Remodel
Judge Pro Tem Compensation, 2^nd Reading
Marina Tenant Restroom Replacement
Midway Park ORLP Grant Authorization
24^th Avenue S Improvements Project (Segment 1) – TIB Grant Award and Consultant Services Contract
Development Agreement, 2^nd Reading
Consideration of the City’s 2026 Legislative Agenda
Discussion of Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
Additional Sales Tax for Children and Family Services, 1^st Reading

The following items are scheduled for the October 1, 2026 meeting:

City Council Regular Meeting:

Additional Sales Tax for Children and Family Services, 2nd Reading
Canopy Preservation Program Update
2027 and 2028 Human Services Funding Recommendations

September 24, 2026 Meeting Information

October 1, 2026 Meeting Information

Click here for a listing of all future Council meeting items

Out to Lunch: Stonehouse Cafe

September 30

Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

September 30

City Council Regular Meeting

City Hall

October 1

Day Trip: Maeve Chocolate Factory Tour & Tasting

October 2

Shredding Event

Activity Center

October 6

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall

October 6

Day Trip: Pierce College Science Dome (Planetarium) & Homestead Restaurant

October 7

Day Trip: Swans Trail Farms Harvest Festival & Cabbage Patch Restaurant - Snohomish

October 9

Halloween Costume Swap

Field House

October 10

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

October 12

Out to Lunch: Crab Pot - Bellevue

October 13

Day Trip: Fun at Top Golf - Renton

October 15

Halloween Spooktacular Family Night

Activity Center

October 16

Day Trip: Thrifting Around the South Sound

October 21

Out to Lunch: Waters Table -Renton

October 23

Fall Recycling Collection Event

Marina – South Lot

October 24

Basket Weaving Class

Activity Center

October 24

Day Trip: Snoqualmie Casino

October 27

Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

City Hall

October 28

Day Trip: Thrifted Fashion Runway Show @ Activity Center

October 28

Dessert Social

Activity Center

October 29

City Council Meeting

City Hall

October 29

Karaoke Parties

Activity Center

October 29

Halloween Dessert Social & Bingo Costume Contest with Prizes

Activity Center

October 29

Day Trip: UW Volleyball Game vs. Maryland

November 1

Out to Lunch: TavernHall - Bellevue Square

November 4

City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session - Joint meeting with Planning Commission

City Hall

November 5

Day Trip: Chihuly Garden & Glass - Seattle Center

November 5

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

November 9

Out to Lunch: West of Chicago Pizza - West Seattle

November 10

City Offices Closed in Observance of Veterans Day

November 11

City Council Meeting

City Hall

November 12

Day Trip: Lynnwood Holiday Boutique & Craft Show

November 13

Day Trip: Gilman Village - Issaquah

November 17

Dessert Social

Activity Center

November 19

Out to Lunch: McMenamins Pub at Elks Temple - Tacoma

November 19

Out to Lunch: Loco Chon - Newcastle

November 24

City Offices Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving

November 26 & November 27

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall

December 1

City Council Committee of the Whole & Study Session

City Hall

December 3

Tree Lighting

Des Moines Marina

December 4

City Council Meeting

City Hall

December 10

Airport Committee Meeting

City Hall

December 14

Argosy Christmas Ships

Des Moines Marina

December 16

City Offices Closed in Observance of Christmas

December 24 & December 25

Noon Year's Eve Dessert Social & Bingo

Activity Center

December 31

Have An Upcoming Event You Want To Share?

Share Your Events With Us Here!

Back-to-School Book Party: The Day the Crayons Quit

Des Moines Library

September 26

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

September 26

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

September 26

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

September 26

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Des Moines Marina

September 26

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

September 26

South King Country Transportation Forum

Kent City Hall

September 26

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

September 28

Fall Plant Swap

Des Moines Library

September 28

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

September 29

Refine Motion Grand Opening-Movement with Intention

22760 Marine View Drive S, Suite A

September 30

Teen Hangout

Des Moines Library

September 30

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

September 30

Fall Plant Swap

Des Moines Library

October 1

Family Story Time

Des Moines Library

October 1

Tutors at Des Moines Library (Study Zone)

Des Moines Library

October 1

Fall Plant Swap

Des Moines Library

October 2

Preschool Play & Learn

Des Moines Library

October 2

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

October 2

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

October 3

Uncle Ernie

Arturos Mexican Restaurant

October 3

Fall Plant Swap

Des Moines Library

October 3

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 3

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

October 3

Finger Knit a Fall Garland

Woodmont Library

October 4

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

October 5

Tinker Tuesday - Snap Circuits

Woodmont Library

October 6

LEGO Club

Des Moines Library

October 6

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

October 6

Teen Hangout

Des Moines Library

October 7

Reading Buddies

Des Moines Library

October 7

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 7

Knit Lit Book Club

Woodmont Library

October 7

Family Story Time

Des Moines Library

October 8

Woodmont Friends of the Library General Meeting

Woodmont Library

October 8

Tutors at Des Moines Library (Study Zone)

Des Moines Library

October 8

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

October 9

Baby & Toddler Dance Party

Des Moines Library

October 9

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 10

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

October 10

Mini Ofrenda Pop-Up Card

Des Moines Library

October 10

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

October 10

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

October 10

Garden Club

Woodmont Library

October 11

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

October 12

Craft & Chat

Des Moines Library

October 13

Artsy Kids Club

Des Moines Library

October 13

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

October 13

Teen Hangout

Des Moines Library

October 14

Reading Buddies

Des Moines Library

October 14

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 14

Perler Bead Party! A Kids Craft Night

Woodmont Library

October 14

Messy Babies! (Morning Session)

Woodmont Library

October 15

Family Story Time

Des Moines Library

October 15

Messy Babies! (Afternoon Session)

Woodmont Library

October 15

Tutors at Des Moines Library (Study Zone)

Des Moines Library

October 15

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

October 16

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

October 17

Celebrate Event

Highline College

October 17

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

October 17

Cardboard Engineers: Create a Critter

Des Moines Library

October 17

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 17

Community of Creators

Woodmont Library

October 17

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

October 17

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

October 19

Tween Zone

Woodmont Library

October 20

Pokemon Club

Des Moines Library

October 20

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

October 20

Teen Hangout

Des Moines Library

October 21

Reading Buddies

Des Moines Library

October 21

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 21

Des Moines Evening Book Group

Des Moines Library

October 21

Family Story Time

Des Moines Library

October 22

Tutors at Des Moines Library (Study Zone)

Des Moines Library

October 22

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

October 23

After School Hangout

Woodmont Library

October 23

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

October 24

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

October 24

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 24

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

October 24

Watch Party for Minecraft Author Event: Danica Davidson

Woodmont Library

October 25

STEAM Family Story Time

Woodmont Library

October 26

Builder Babies

Woodmont Library

October 27

Des Moines Writing Group

Des Moines Library

October 27

Talk Time: English Conversation Practice

Des Moines Library

October 27

Teen Hangout

Des Moines Library

October 28

Reading Buddies

Des Moines Library

October 28

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 28

Clay Creations! A Kids Craft Night

Woodmont Library

October 28

Family Story Time

Des Moines Library

October 29

Tutors at Des Moines Library (Study Zone)

Des Moines Library

October 29

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

October 30

Trick or Treat Path

Downtown Des Moines

October 30

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

October 31

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

October 31

The Welcoming Center

Woodmont Library

October 31

How the World Celebrates Autumn

Woodmont Library

October 31

English Language Learners (ELL) Classes

Des Moines Library

October 31

Bayside Brunch

Anthony’s Home Port

November 1

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

November 6

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

November 7

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

November 7

Veterans Day Event

Steven J Underwood Memorial Park

November 11

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

November 13

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

November 14

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

November 14

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

November 20

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

November 21

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

November 21

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

November 27

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

November 28

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

November 28

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

December 4

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

December 5

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

December 5

Uncle Ernie’s

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant

December 5

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

December 11

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

December 12

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

December 12

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

December 18

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

December 19

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

December 19

Marina Mamas Walking Group

Des Moines Marina

December 25

Des Moines Creek Park Run

Beach Park

December 26

Coffee and Chess

Second Love Coffee Roasters

December 26

Burning Boat

Des Moines Marina

December 31