City Manager Weekly Report
April 25, 2025
City Council Meeting Recap
The following Council/Committee Meetings were held on April 24, 2025:
City Council Regular Meeting:
• State of the Court Address
• Public Works Operations Update
• Approval of Vouchers
• South Sound Opening Day of Boating Proclamation
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
• LiUNA Proclamation
For more information, or to review packet information, click here.
For a listing of all future Committee and Council meeting items, click here.
Your City – Your News, Sign Up Today!
Be in the know! Get the latest updates straight from the City Manager, Mayor, and more—stay informed about what's happening in your community! Sign up to get news delivered to your inbox here.
City Finances and Animal Control
I have seen the continued concern and frustration from the community regarding animal control services, so I want to take this opportunity to explain the steps we are taking to restore these important functions.
During the preparation of the 2025-2026 budget, the City faced a significant shortfall, requiring us to identify over $4 million in cost savings and new revenue. To prioritize critical city services, we had to make difficult decisions affecting several departments, including Administration, Parks & Recreation, Police, and Animal Control. Specifically, animal control services have been reduced to addressing only dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs and investigating dog bites, through a contracted partnership with Burien CARES. While our Police Department continues to offer microchip scanning to help reunite stray animals with their owners, we unfortunately no longer have staff available to respond directly to reports of lost or found pets or other animal-related issues. Additionally, our Police Department continues to operate with a number of frozen positions due to budget constraints; therefore, we are utilizing our limited number of officers to focus solely on crime and traffic-related issues.
We recognize that these reductions significantly impact our community members (including those on four legs), and we are committed to improving this situation. Importantly, the operating funds that support services like animal control and staffing come from a different source than funds designated for capital projects such as infrastructure improvements and public facilities. This distinction means that while you may see capital projects such as the Memorial Triangle moving forward, these do not influence the availability of operating funds for staff and daily city services.
To enhance future funding for animal control, the City is exploring new revenue opportunities. Currently, pet licensing fees directly fund animal control services; however, pet licensing has historically been under-promoted and inconsistently enforced. We are actively pursuing a partnership with a professional firm to manage and improve pet licensing processes. All revenue generated from increased pet licensing compliance will be dedicated exclusively to expanding and restoring animal control services for our community.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these challenges. Your support and cooperation, especially regarding pet licensing, will be vital in helping us rebuild these essential services. Stay tuned for when we unroll the revamped pet licensing program.
You’re Invited!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 29th at 1 PM where we will officially recognize the completion and open the new Redondo Rest and Refresh Hub! What is a “rest and refresh hub”? A nicer way of saying new restrooms, showers and concessionaire. Come check out the new facility and have a cookie, or two, on us! See you there!
Upcoming Roadwork and Paving Schedule
Paving is scheduled to take place next week from Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30. Additional intermittent work will continue throughout the month, leading up to final striping, which is expected to occur towards the end of May.
Please note that striping will require temporary lane closures on DMMD. However, we are working closely with Metro and are optimistic that we will be able to complete both sides of the roadway in a single day, minimizing disruptions for commuters.
We appreciate your patience as we complete these important improvements.
Staff Kudos
“Mayor Buxton,
I’m writing on behalf of the Seashore Club. We want to thank the City of Des Moines for the landscape job your City’s Crew did on the medium on 7th Avenue between the upper and lower roads. It’s beautiful and enhance the appearance of our street greatly. Please convey our gratitude to the people who made it happen.”
Sincerely,
Thomas F. McDowell
Seashore Club Resident
“Katy Bevegni has done a tremendous job coordinating all of the marina tenants ahead of the dock replacement project. She’s done an outstanding job!”
Bill Linscott
Des Moines Resident and Marina Tenant
Submit 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, Council Members, and more.
Would you like to share staff kudos with me? Please email me at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
For more detailed information on the events listed, as well as additional events, please visit the City's calendar on the website by clicking here.
APRIL
April 26 R&B Night @ Jamars Sports Bar
April 26 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
April 26 Annual Salmon Release @ Des Moines Creek
April 26 SR3 Community Open House
April 26 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
April 26 International Sculpture Day @ George C Scott Studios
April 27 Top Golf Swing For A Cause @ Top Golf in Renton
April 29 Redondo Restroom Ribbon Cutting
MAY
May 1 City Council Study Session @ Des Moines City Hall
May 3 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 3 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 3 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
May 4 Vin to Yin with Live Sound Bath
May 8 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
May 9 Level Up Your Yoga Practice
May 9 LiUNA Ribbon Cutting
May 10 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 10 Sip and Shop
May 10 Mrs. Roper Romp
May 10 South Sound Opening Day Boating Celebration
May 10 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 11 Live Music @ the Quarterdeck
May 12 Porto Vino Ribbon Cutting
May 13 Trivia Nights @ Quarterdeck
May 17 Spring Pop Up Yoga @ the Des Moines Theater
May 17 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 17 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park – Sponsored by Lighthouse Northwest
May 20 Bingo Night @ Quarterdeck
May 21 Paintnite @ Tuscany
May 22 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
May 23 Sound Healing, Guided Meditation, Restorative Yoga
May 24 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 24 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 26 Memorial Triangle Ribbon Cutting
May 27 Trivia Nights @ Quarterdeck
May 31 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 31 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 31 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
JUNE
June 5 City Council Study Session @ Des Moines City Hall
June 7 Des Moines Farmer’s Market @ Des Moines Marina
June 7 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 7 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 7 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 10-12 Stormefest
June 10 Trivia Night @ Quarterdeck
June 12 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
June 14 Des Moines Farmer’s Market @ Des Moines Marina
June 14 Music in the Market @ Des Moines Marina
June 14 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 14 2025 Sneaker Ball @ Des Moines Yacht Club
June 14 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 14 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 15 Live Music @ the Quarterdeck
June 17 Bingo Night @ Quarterdeck
Have an upcoming event you want to share? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get it on our calendar!
Click here for the City Manager Report in PDF Format