Dog Days of Summer
Welcome to the back end of summer everyone. We usually recap the monthly events around the City to start, but this month we have a different message. Due to the increased community transmission of COVID-19 in Polk County, Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders implemented a face covering requirement in City buildings. The requirement applies to both staff and the visiting public, including attendance of public meetings of City Council, boards and commissions.

"In addition to our new mask requirement in City buildings, I want to strongly urge our employees, residents and Des Moines visitors to get their COVID vaccinations," Sanders said. "Do it for yourself, your family, your friends and your coworkers."


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Des Moines Wastewater Joins National Study
To Track COVID-19
The Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (DMMWRA) is now participating in a national study of wastewater that is tracking the presence and concentration of COVID-19 and its variants by testing wastewater samples from across the country.

The program will be ongoing for the next 7-8 weeks as the DMMWRA takes multiple samples a week and sends them to a national lab. The program is a partnership between the US Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and Biobot Analytics.

"A major part of our mission at the WRA is to protect public health," DMMWRA Director Scott Hutchens said. "Any way we can provide vital information to help fight COVID-19 is a step that we're excited to take for our residents."

This program will generate information that will allow for more effective responses in the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as testing numbers decline, and will enable public health officials to accurately track the virus as vaccination coverage increases, communities reopen and variants emerge.

View the bi-weekly results on the WRA's website.
SmartCards Are Going Away: Here is What You Need To Know
If you have been a frequent visitor of downtown Des Moines, you are likely familiar with the SmartCard system. Starting this year, the City of Des Moines will be upgrading our parking meter technology and retiring SmartCards. If you are one of the many residents that have a SmartCard, don't worry, you will still have time to use your available funds.

SmartCards will be phased out as parking meters are replaced with pay stations. These pay stations will have the option to pay with coin, card, or through a mobile app, much like other cities around the Midwest. Below is a list of important dates for the retirement of the SmartCard system:

  • August 16, 2021 - Discontinue sales of new SmartCards
  • September 3, 2021 - Amount added to SmartCards will be capped at $25
  • December 3, 2021 - Replenishment of card balances will end
  • April 1, 2022 - Individuals should have a $0 balance on their SmartCards
  • July 2022 - All SmartCard use will end
Mini Pitch Courts: A New Way To Get Outdoors
You might have seen mini-pitch courts popping up in parks around the City, but what exactly are they?

"Mini-pitches are ideal for urban areas and other communities where finding a safe place to play can be difficult. These small, customized, hard-court surfaces are perfectly suited for organized soccer programs and pick-up games." - US Soccer Foundation

In partnership with Pro Iowa, Musco Lighting, Kick It Forward and U.S. Soccer Foundation, there have been three mini-pitch courts installed in our parks, with more to come.

You can find a mini-pitch court at:

If you are out and about in the City parks and come across a mini-pitch court, grab your kids, a ball, and enjoy the new amenity this fall.
Another Bridge Complete: E 30th Bridge Opens
Last week residents' wait for the East 30th bridge reopening came to an end. The bridge has been closed to traffic for major repairs since August 2020. In recent years there have been multiple bridges closed for repairs around the City. While this isn't convenient, it's important.

Recent studies have come out stating that 19.1% of Iowa's bridges are structurally deficient. The City of Des Moines is trending in the opposite direction. The Engineering Department has repaired or has scheduled repairs, on every bridge in the City. Bridges are a critical part of the infrastructure to keep economies moving and residents safe while driving, that is why the City has put an emphasis on making sure our bridges are sufficient and stable.

Traffic on the East 30th bridge will now consist of two lanes going northbound and one lane going southbound. The bridge still has some ancillary work that has yet to be completed, but it should not be necessary to completely shut down the bridge again. There will be scheduled lane closures to finish installation of the new exterior fencing, handrails, additional site restoration and roadway patching near Dean Avenue.
More News
Stormwater Resident Program
"Stormwater" is a form of water that we all deal with regularly in Iowa. As soon as it hits the ground, it either gets absorbed or flows directly into our local rivers, lakes and streams. Too much stormwater can cause problems, such as flooding, erosion, and pollutant transport.

While the City is investing millions of dollars into our stormwater systems, the best place to manage stormwater is the spot on which it lands.

The Stormwater Best Management Practices Rebate Program provides an incentive for private property owners to install stormwater best management practices on their property. The City will reimburse property owners 50% of the total cost of their project up to $2,000.
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