City of Windsor Heights buildings will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Also due to the holiday, there will not be a City Council meeting this week. The next City Council meeting will be Monday, July 18.

Life Saving Awards Presentation 

During the June 6 City Council meeting, Public Safety Director Chad McCluskey presented Life Saving awards on behalf of the Windsor Heights Police and Fire Departments after a successful resuscitation of a heart attack patient on January 1.

“There are few things as rewarding as knowing you had a hand in extending someone’s life. Give them more time with their family. Well done.” McCluskey stated before presenting first responders with the Life Saving awards.

Watch the presentation through the meeting recording on YouTube. The presentation begins at the 1:17 mark. 

DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS PROHIBITED IN WINDSOR HEIGHTS

Our Public Safety Team would like to remind residents of Windsor Heights the discharge of fireworks is prohibited in the City. We understand this can put a damper on some celebrations, however City Code 40.02.12 states, "It is unlawful for any person to use or explode consumer Fireworks within the City limits. Any person who violates this provision shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of six hundred twenty-five dollars ($625.00)."

We frequently are asked why vendors can sell fireworks in the City when Code makes it illegal to discharge them. An Iowa law passed in 2017, at the State level, forces the City to allow sales of fireworks and restricts our abilty to control the location of sales. For more information, you can read an article on the topic here.

The Windsor Heights Police Department is hard at work planning for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2, and invite you to save the date. More details will be announced as the date gets closer.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

6/20/22 City Council Meeting Recap

• Approved the installation of DART Art Shelters
• Approved the 68th Street Project Design Services Contract
• Approved Ordinance No. 22-04 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 105.02 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Solid Waste Control and Recycling Definitions
• Approved Ordinance No. 22-05 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 105.05 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Open Burning
• Approved Ordinance No. 22-06 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 307.2.2 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Businesses that Sell Fire Pits, Chimineas, Sky Lanterns, and other Outdoor Recreational Devices
• Approved Letter to the Iowa Public Information Board
• Approved Inclusive Restroom Signage

6/6/22 City Council Meeting Recap

• Public Safety Director Chad McCluskey Presented Life Saving Awards
• First Reading of Ordinance No. 22-04 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 105.02 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Solid Waste Control and Recycling Definitions 
• First Reading of Ordinance No. 22-05 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 105.05 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Open Burning
• First Reading of Ordinance No. 22-06 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 307.2.2 of the Code of Ordinances Related to Businesses that Sell Fire Pits, Chimineas, Sky Lanterns, and other Outdoor Recreational Devices
• Approved Resolution No. 2022 - 31 - A Resolution Approving Fiscal Year 2022 Year End Balance Transfers For the City of Windsor Heights, IA
• Approved Resolution No. 2022 - 31 - A Resolution Approving Fiscal Year 2022 Balance Transfers for the City of Windsor Heights, IA

Through the month of June, the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa curated a Resettlement 101 Fact Walk in Colby Park. The exhibit consisted of 34 fact signs on the history of modern refugee resettlement in Iowa.

The walk is in honor of World Refugee Day on June 20. The internationally recognized date where the world celebrates refugees, their journeys, and the innumerable ways they make the communities they resettle into a better place.

The City of Windsor Heights may help you pay for part your yard project if it helps improve surface water quality or reduce surface runoff.

What type of projects are covered?

·        Soil quality restoration

·        Rain barrels

·        Native planting

·        Rain gardens

·        Tillage

·        Aeration

·        Compost

·        Bio-retention cells

·        Other - please contact the City to see if your project qualifies

Why is the City doing this?

The City of Windsor Heights is dedicated to smart stormwater management. The City aims to increase both water quality and water quantity through the implementation of stormwater best management practices (BMP’s). Stormwater is water from rain, snowmelt, and surface drainage that runs off impervious surfaces such as paved surfaces, roofs, and compacted lawns. Stormwater can collect sediment, litter, contaminants, and other pollutants. As part of the metro-wide #RainCampaign, the City Council approved reimbursements for soil quality restoration projects to be covered under this program.

How do I apply?

Learn how you can get reimbursed for stormwater best management projects by clicking the button below.

When you are out mowing your lawn, please don't blow grass clippings into the street. This and other debris can clog the storm sewers.

As a reminder, it is a violation of City Code for grass/weeds to be over 6 inches.

Smart Summer Irrigation

Summer is officially here - and so are high temps!

Des Moines Water Works reminds all customers, residential and commercial, to use water wisely and practice responsible outdoor water use that includes following a lawn watering schedule.

To reduce the peak load on water utilities during summer months, customers are asked to voluntarily set their lawn watering systems (all spray irrigation) for businesses and homes:

• Do not water on Mondays
• Do not water between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Even-numbered addresses: Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Walnut Creek YMCA is offering 50% off for Windsor Heights residents to register for their Youth Sports Clinics at Colby Park. Sign up for soccer, flag football or golf clinics between 9:30-11:30am in July (Ages: 6-12). Use the code "WHSPORTS". 

Upcoming Events

July 8 - Family Storytime at the Park (Colby Park 10:15 a.m.)

July 18 - City Council Meeting (Council Chambers 6 p.m.)

July 29 - Family Storytime at the Park (Colby Park 10:15 a.m.)