City Manager Weekly Report
May 16, 2025
If you prefer to read the City Manager Report in the ADA Version, please click here.
City Council Meeting Recap
There was no Council meeting last week. The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2025.
City Council Regular Meeting:
- Proclamation for National Public Works Week
- LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Proclamation
- Approval of Vouchers
- Approval of Minutes
- Draft Ordinance 25-020 Alarm Systems and False Alarms
- Lakehaven Utility District Franchise Update and Extension
- Interlocal Agreement - Barnes Creek Trail/South 240th Street Improvement Project
- Public Defense Services Contract Extension
- Discussion of Appointive Committee Reorganization
- Protocol Manual Review
For more information, or to review packet information, clickhere.
For a listing of all future Committee and Council meeting items, click here.
Memorial Triangle Project Update: (…and bonus update on Pet Licensing and Animal Control)
If you’ve driven north on Marine View Drive, you’ve likely noticed the ongoing construction for the Des Moines Memorial Flag Triangle Project. This project is located at the intersection of Des Moines Memorial Drive, South 216th Street, and Marine View Drive South. It will feature a new gateway sign, a replaced flagpole, lighting, restoration of memorial plaques, landscaping, and educational signage in collaboration with the Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Society. We anticipate that the project will be completed by Memorial Day.
I’ve seen comments on social media asking why we cannot use funds for this construction project for other needs, such as Animal Control or police services. It’s important to note that the City’s operations budget (or general fund) is separate from the capital budget. By law, capital funds, including bond funds, cannot be allocated for day-to-day city operations.
Speaking of Animal Control, at next week’s City Council meeting, we will present our revamped pet licensing program. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to register your pets, which serves two important purposes. First, registering your pet is the best way to reunite with them if they get lost, as it allows us to easily connect you with your furry friend. Secondly, the funds generated from pet licenses will be earmarked to directly support animal control, including enhancements to our current contract with Burien CARES. While it may take some time to generate enough revenue to improve our service levels, we are hopeful that, with the community's participation in this program, we can generate funds that will be exclusively used for animal control services.
Update on the Zenith Property/ Former Masonic Home
We are aware of a rumor that the City Council is scheduled to meet behind closed doors (aka executive session) regarding the Zenith Property. This is not accurate.
The next Council discussion on the Zenith property will be in a regular meeting open to the public, where staff will brief the Council on the draft environmental impact study (EIS) report. We anticipate the report will be released this summer.
We know there is high interest in the demolition permit for this property, and we want the community to be well informed. We will announce when the EIS report will be on the Council meeting agenda and post the findings and FAQs on our website.
If you drove by the former Masonic Home this week, you may have seen heavy equipment operating on the site. We checked with the property owner and learned that they asked Puget Sound Energy to cap the gas lines as a safety measure.
Redondo Paid Parking is Coming!
Earlier this week, gates were installed at the City’s parking lot in Redondo. We are introducing paid parking at this lot, similar to what we have at the Marina. For the first few weeks, parking will be free, allowing everyone to become aware of the upcoming changes. More information about parking passes and rates will be provided soon.
The implementation of paid parking is not only a revenue source for the City; it has also been a continuous request from the Redondo community in response to safety concerns in the area. The lot will be open from 5 AM to 10 PM.
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Public Service Recognition…Meet Our Staff!
During the month of May, we will highlight a few of our hardworking City staff. Earlier this month, it was Public Service Recognition Week, and as part of that, I want to share a few of our staff with you. Public Service Recognition Week is an annual event held during the first full week of May to honor individuals who serve our nation as government employees. It's a time to recognize and thank these public servants for their dedication and contributions. Last week you met the friendliest Court Marshal ever, Tunde. This week we celebrate one of our longest-serving employees…Terryann. Terryann just celebrated 33 years with the City of Des Moines and is in our Information Technology department…without those folks, we can’t do our work!
Anchored In Excellence: Meet Our Staff
Staff Member: Terryann D.
Position: Business Systems Analyst
Department: Information Technology
Started with the City: May 11, 1992
What do you love most about your job in public service?: I was hired on May 11, 1992, as Records Specialist in the Police Department (back then, we were called Records Clerks). I was there for 27.5 years working different jobs. In October 2019, I transferred to the IT department where I have been ever since. I love working for the City because I love helping people and problem solving.
What is a moment on the job that made you feel especially proud and fulfilled?: In August 2020, I was asked to be the project manager for the transition from our financial system Eden to Munis. With the purchase of Munis, the city also purchased an HR module and a payroll module. I worked closely with members of Finance and HR to get the new system up and running. For the finance part, we were able to pull a lot of information from Eden, but because we never had an HR or payroll module before, we had to build that part from the ground up. Because of COVID, it was all done virtually with the Implementation Consultants from Tyler Technologies. We set a Go Live date of 01/01/2022 and I am so proud of the fact we went live on that date and never looked back. We had a great team and it was definitely a team effort.
If your job had a theme song, what would it be?: With everything I’m working on, I think of my job as having spinning dishes so if I could pick a theme song for my job, it would be circus music.
Staff Kudos
“A huge shout out to Jon Elfstrom who was manning the gas dock today. While we know he does so much for the Marina, his help today went above and beyond. Not only did he help with fueling, he took the time to walk us through pump out, providing numerous tips we’ve never been told. His thorough knowledge was only matched by his patience and graciousness. Thank you Jon - you’re great!”
Lisa & Duane Stangland
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].
Job Openings
Looking for a fulfilling career with competitive pay and excellent benefits? The City of Des Moines is hiring for several positions, including:
- Seasonal Maintenance Workers
- Summer Day Camp Staff - Counselors, Lead Counselors, and Camp Directors
- Facility Attendant
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 Need help? Call Human Resources at 206-878-4595 or email [email protected]
Your next opportunity starts here.
Katherine’s Fun Stuff
This is another favorite in our house…and definitely seems PNW appropriate!
Baked Crab Dip (serve it with fresh veggies and Ritz crackers!)
- Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
- 8ounces fresh lump or jumbo lump crab meat
- 4ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½cup grated Parmesan
- 3tablespoons mayonnaise (definitely don’t use Miracle Whip for this)
- ½teaspoon fresh lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1scallion, trimmed and minced, plus more for serving
- ¾teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, plus more for serving
- ½teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼cup crushed Ritz crackers (from about 7 crackers), plus more whole crackers for serving
Step 1 Heat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a shallow, 2-cup capacity baking dish or ovenproof skillet with cooking spray.
Step 2 In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, cream cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, scallion, Old Bay and salt; mix with a fork until thoroughly combined. Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
Step 3 In a small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan and the crushed Ritz crackers; sprinkle the mixture evenly over the dip.
Step 4 Bake for about 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown on top. Dust lightly with Old Bay, sprinkle with a few minced scallions, and serve hot with sliced cucumbers and crackers.
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.
MAY
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 6 - Boardwalk Beats @ Redondo Boardwalk
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 - Stormfest
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 15 - Live Music @ Quarterdeck
June 17 - Bingo Night @ Quarterdeck
June 18 - Paint Night @ Tuscany
June 21 - Yoga @ Soundview Park
June 21 - Des Moines Farmer’s Market @ Des Moines Marina
June 21 - Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 21 - MIBBB (Men In Black Birthday Bash) 2025 @ Quarterdeck
June 21 - Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 21 - Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 21 - Waterland Pride Celebration @ Backstage Alley
June 24 - Trivia Night @ Quarterdeck
June 26 - City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
Have an upcoming event you want to share? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get it on our calendar!