2026-10-05 - City Council

00:05

00:05recognition to Escaramuza

00:05Zacatecanas and all female

00:15equestrian drill team.

00:24The group is represented by Des

00:28Moines community at competitions

00:29and events throughout the

00:32r egion.

00:32In 2026, they proudly

00:34r epresented Iowa at the

00:36national competition in

00:42Platville, Colorado.

00:43Where they earned the

00:44opportunity to advance to

00:48represent Iowa.

01:02Escaramuza Zacatecanas

01:02demonstrates how preserving

01:04cultural traditions can empower

01:06future generations, build

01:08community and create

01:08o pportunities for young women

01:11to become confident leaders or

01:12remain rooted in their heritage.

01:14Presented this fifth day O ctob.

01:21Connie Boesen mayor of Des

01:24Moines.

01:24You want to come up to tell us

01:27how your event got started.

01:29You all can come up.

01:39>> Hello, I'm Jennifer Marcus.

01:43These are my teammates, Cynthia

01:49Pena.

01:49It all started off watching our

01:57family.

01:57Everyone rode except for us.

01:59We rode we didn't compete.

02:01One day four of us, cousins,

02:07Cynthia, Jennifer, Alejandra

02:09started this team.

02:11That started 15 years ago.

02:13Here we are the team has grown a

02:15lot.

02:15There is now four teams here in

02:17Iowa.

02:18We are proudly one of them.

02:21I think the one that has been

02:22around the longest.

02:25It is an equestrian team.

02:28It's like synchronized swimming

02:33but on a horse.

02:34We are side saddle.

02:36We have both legs on one side.

02:39It takes a lot of practice to

02:42work not only with eight girls,

02:46because girls are hard.

02:48Anyone that has a wife or

02:52children would know that.

02:56It's eight women and eight

03:00different horses.

03:02All different personalities to

03:03get down one routine.

03:04You get points.

03:06Here they take everything away.

03:08They are just looking to see

03:12what we don't do accurately.

03:14How it is drawn on our sheet of

03:18our 12 steps.

03:19We all do it riding side

03:22saddles on a horse, full speed

03:26including 360 turns.

03:30I don't know, it takes a lot of

03:32practice.

03:32We've been doing this for 15

03:34years.

03:35Living in Iowa has been super

03:37hard because we get really heavy

03:39winters.

03:39We try to get the horses out at

03:41least four times a month,

03:45especially in the winter.

03:47We go out to El Cart use an

03:53arena out there.

03:55All summer we take advantage of

03:57the weather.

03:58Work with the horses.

03:59That's what got us to Colorado.

04:01We wanted to chase more dreams.

04:03Not just here in Iowa but in the

04:07United States and now we get to

04:11represent Iowa for the fourth

04:13time in Mexico.

04:19>> You wear your dresses and you

04:23riding?

04:23All of your gear.

04:25It's quite an accomplishment.

04:27>> We have to match head to toe.

04:29The girls, sombreros have to be

04:33the same.

04:34The judges check for that.

04:36Our horses also have to match

04:37from head to toe.

04:40>> What type of horses do you

04:42use?

04:42We'll get a quick picture here.

04:45Thank you for coming down.

04:50Good luck.

04:51>> Thank you guys for inviting

04:54us.

05:24>> Yeah, thank you for coming

05:24down.

05:25We appreciate it.

05:28Okay, next up, we have a

05:30proclamation fire prevention

05:32week.

05:32I assume we have some firemen

05:37here?

05:38I think there's always a theme.

05:40I'll read through this.

05:45Do you have your banner you like

05:47to put up for the picture?

05:49Whereas the City of Des Moines

05:51is committed to ensuring the

05:52safety and security of all those

05:53living and visiting our city.

05:57Whereas fire remains the serious

05:59public safety concern both

06:01locally and nationally and the

06:03presence of lithium ion

06:05b atteries in many household

06:07devices are introduces fire

06:09r isks.

06:09Whereas most of the rechargal,

06:11electronics used in homes daily

06:13including Smartphones, tablets,

06:17laptops, power tools, eBikes,

06:23E-Scooters and toys are powered

06:32by lithium ion.

06:33Safe charging is using the cord.

06:37Charge on a hard flat surface,

06:40watching for warning signs like

06:42devices that are hot or start to

06:44swell, unplugging when fully

06:48charged.

06:50Charging E-Bikes like outside.

06:52The 2026 fire prevention week

06:56theme charge into fire safety,

06:58safe charging is a super power

07:02it can help reduce the risk of

07:04fire in homes and communities.

07:06Therefore, I Connie Boesen on

07:10behalf of the city council and

07:10residents of Des Moines,

07:14proclaim October 4-10th, 2026

07:18to be fire prevention week.

07:22Thank you.

07:22You want to say a few words?

07:28>> One I want to take a moment

07:29to recognize some of the members

07:30of our fire prevention bureau

07:32who fire prevention week is just

07:34one out of 52 weeks for them.

07:36They are dock this year round.

07:38This is obviously incredible

07:40important.

07:41We know it can prevent a lot of

07:43tragedies through prevention.

07:46I'll let interim fire marshal to

07:48talk about the activities that

07:50we have planned this woke and

07:51the whole month, actually.

08:03>> I'm interim fire marshal for

08:04Des Moines.

08:05We're doing story time at each

08:07libraries.

08:09We're meeting with as many kids

08:11as we can telling them about our

08:13theme this year.

08:13This year's theme is charging,

08:17lithium ion batteries safely.

08:19It is similar to last year but

08:21slightly different.

08:21Last year just about battery

08:23safety in general.

08:23This year is how to charge them

08:25safely.

08:27The take home messages are

08:27making sure we're using a safe

08:29charger that's approvedder that

08:31battery.

08:33Manufacture recommendation are

08:33the ones that comes with it.

08:35Charging those big batteries in

08:37places that are relevant.

08:46If that battery is damaged, make

08:48sure we're disposing of it

08:50properly.

08:51There are six battery recycling

08:53facilities around Des Moines.

08:55If you go on waste management's

08:59website.

08:59You can see those.

09:02We also have our fire sprinkler

09:03that was donated to us.

09:06That was given to us back in the

09:10spring.

09:10We had that our story station --

09:14fire station one open house.

09:16That's the reminder of the

09:22effectiveness of sprinkler

09:26systems.

09:26Thank you.

10:30

10:46>> call to order the municipal

10:49housing agency governing board

10:51for Monday October 5th, 2026.

10:54take the roll.

10:56[ roll call]

11:08We have a quorum.

11:10>> Next item is approving the

11:11agenda as presented and as

11:14a mended.

11:14>> With one change.

11:16I believe item number five needs

11:18to be changed from $300,000 to

11:22$400,000.

11:22With that change, I will move

11:26item two.

11:28>> It's been moved and seconded.

11:30Please vote.

11:57Seven yes.

11:59>> Motion carries.

12:01Next item is item four.

12:05That's approving municipal

12:07agency payment standard for

12:09section eight.

12:09An emergency housing voucher

12:11programs after review of the HUD

12:17publish small area fair market

12:19rent as required by the U.S.

12:23Department of housing urban

12:24development.

12:25>> Move item three.

12:29>> Second.

12:29>> It's been moved and seconded.

12:31Please vote.

12:35>> Seven yes.

12:39>> Motion carries.

12:43Next item four.

12:45Approving the municipal housing

12:49agency sufficiency program, to

12:51the U.S. Department of Housing

12:53and Urban Development.

12:54>> Move item four.

12:57>> Second.

12:57>> Moved and seconded.

13:02Please vote.

13:06>> Seven yes.

13:07>> Motion carries.

13:08The next item is to authorize up

13:10to $400,000 of administrative

13:12fee reserves to be utilized to

13:14fund a projected housing

13:16assistance payments for

13:20D ecember 2026 if necessary.

13:22>> Move item five.

13:24>> Second.

13:24>> It's been moved and seconded.

13:28Please vote.

13:30>> Seven yes.

13:32>> Motion carries.

13:32I'll take a motion.

13:34>> Motion to adjourn.

13:36>> Second.

13:36>> It's been moved and seconded.

13:40>> Aye.

13:40>> This portion is adjourned for

13:42the municipal housing.

13:51

13:52I like to call to order the

13:55October 5, 2026 Des Moines city

13:58council meeting.

13:58Please take the roll.

14:01[ roll call]

14:13We have a quorum.

14:13>> The next item is approving

14:15the agenda as presented and or

14:19as amended.

14:19We have 20 is corrected.

14:21The 2025 annual report number 32

14:23is updated.

14:25>> Move approval.

14:27>> Second.

14:27>> It's been moved and seconded.

14:31Please vote.

14:35>> Seven yes.

14:37>> Motion carries.

14:37The next item.

14:39Approving the consent agenda.

14:41Those are items 3-50.

14:43These are routine items.

14:45It will be enacted by one roll

14:49call vote without separate

14:53discussion unless request item

14:53to be removed to be considered

14:55separately.

14:56Tonight, 5 and 6, Voss is a no,

15:0216, Simonson abstains.

15:05>> Move approval.

15:05>> did we have a member of the

15:06public who requested to pull

15:08consent items?

15:10I thought we got an e-mail.

15:13>> He sent an e-mail.

15:16He did not go to the link to

15:18fill out online.

15:20I'm not sure if he showed up

15:22tonight.

15:24Anybody here for 34?

15:26>> Okay.

15:28I wanted to make sure if that

15:28person intended to pull it.

15:32They had the opportunity.

15:36>> I moved it.

15:40>> Second.

15:40>> Moved and seconded.

15:42Please vote.

15:48[ roll call vote ]

15:48Seven yes.

15:50>> Motion carries.

15:52Next item.

15:54Item 51.

15:56[agenda item read]

16:11Anyone wishing to speak to this?

16:17>> Seeing none.

16:19I will move item 51.

16:20>> It's been moved and seconded.

16:23Please vote.

16:25[ roll call vote ]

16:29>> Seven yes.

16:29>> Motion carries.

16:31The next item is 52.

16:37[agenda item read]

16:57Anyone wishing to speak?

17:01>> seeing none.

17:03I'll move item 52, 52A and

17:06pursuant to rule 42A, I waive

17:08the second and third reading.

17:11>> It's been moved and seconded.

17:12Please vote.

17:14[ roll call vote ]

17:20Seven yes.

17:22>> Motion carries.

17:23The next item is 52. 52 -- item

17:3253.

17:32[agenda item read]

18:19Is there anyone wishing to

18:23s peak?

18:23Second will be germane comments

18:27from the general public.

18:29>> I see none.

18:31I'll move 53, 53A and 53B.

18:35>> Second.

18:37>> It's been moved and seconded.

18:39Please vote.

18:47>> Seven yes.

18:49>> Motion carries.

18:55Next item is 54.

18:59[agenda item read]

19:38Seeing no one.

19:40>> One second.

19:42I have a quick question about

19:44the property and what this does

19:48for it.

19:48It maybe staff can help.

19:52Does the parking lot out front

19:54need to be clear of everything?

19:58There can't be any -- they can

20:00have their trucks out there,

20:00they can't have any equipment or

20:02anything like that out front?

20:04How does this work when we

20:08rezone it?

20:08These folks have been notorious

20:11of some of the things that we've

20:12had out in front of there.

20:14This has been in front of us

20:17before.

20:18This property.

20:18I'm not sure if it's did the

20:21improvements it supposed to do

20:22or they are just now doing it.

20:24What's going on?

20:25>> Mayor, members of council.

20:29The question about what's

20:33a llowed to take place in front

20:35yard of the property.

20:36It is part of the rezoning.

20:37In order to have the new uses,

20:39new proposed uses at the

20:41property, we have to comply with

20:43all the site plan and building

20:45code requirements.

20:47That could include not having

20:49outdoor storage.

20:49Outdoor storage is not allowed.

20:51Which would not be case here.

20:53It would need some clean up.

20:55>> It's not outdoor storage is

20:57not allowed in the front parking

20:59lot like they are doing right

21:01now?

21:02I guess my question is.

21:03>> Yes, it's an issue.

21:07>> Is that's why it's in front

21:09of us?

21:09>> To get it cleaned up for the

21:11proposes use.

21:13>> Sound good.

21:15Thank you.

21:17As long as they get it cleaned

21:19up.

21:19>> In which case I will move 54,

21:2254A and 54B.

21:24>> Second.

21:25>> It's been moved and seconded.

21:30Did somebody want -- if you want

21:31to come up and state your name

21:33and address or ward.

21:42>> My name is bar Nelson.

21:46-- Barry Nelson.

21:48This is my property.

21:48This has been in front of the

21:50council before.

21:52I have struggled with tenants

21:54I'm zoned for lawn care.

21:58The lawn care parks trailers out

22:00there.

22:00Typically they are gone

22:00e veryday, back.

22:02He puts them somewhere else

22:04during the winter.

22:06It's been a constant battle for

22:07me with that tenant.

22:12This specific CX use is not just

22:14for this cleanup.

22:18I have Brown law firm that like

22:20to rent 3000 square feet to

22:22score documents.

22:23MX3 is not zoned for that.

22:25CX is.

22:27It was recommended by your staff

22:28that I apply for CX versus MX3.

22:31It was approved.

22:33Went to the commissioners.

22:35It was approved.

22:36I think it went in front of this

22:37council, it was approved again.

22:41With this CX, it is still not

22:43back to where the property was

22:45zoned when I bought the

22:47b uilding.

22:47It was C2.

22:51The city did a blanket rezoning.

22:53It went back to residential

22:55use.

22:55I had to claw back to get

22:57commercial uses back.

22:59This is a 15,000 square foot

23:03building that got zoned

23:03residential just through a

23:05blanket rezoning.

23:07Shortly after I bought the

23:09b uilding.

23:11I clawed back to get commercial

23:13uses.

23:13Some were still restricted.

23:16My Realtor had over 30 different

23:18tenants that want to rent that

23:19were allowed before the rezone

23:22by the city.

23:23I'm clawing back for another use

23:26to store documents.

23:29I understand the concerns with

23:30the trailers.

23:32I've expressed this before.

23:34They are licensed just like a

23:36truck.

23:37The tenants don't want to put

23:39the truck out.

23:40For me, and my tenant, it's like

23:44backwards.

23:44He would like to leave the

23:46trailers out and put the trucks

23:48in.

23:48The city would like for him to

23:50put the trucks out and the

23:52trailers in.

23:54>> I understand where you coming

23:55from.

23:55The catalytic converters being

23:58vandalized.

23:58Of the same issue at my

24:02b usiness.

24:02I finally took all the

24:06catalytic veteranners out my

24:08vehicles.

24:10Unfortunately, when they change

24:10the state law again, now people

24:12are looking for catalytic

24:14converters again.

24:16There's been other things than

24:16just the trailers out there from

24:18your tenants.

24:20I'm glad that it's getting

24:20c leaned up.

24:21I'm happy to help.

24:22I'm very supportive of you

24:24getting what you need.

24:25I understand about the blanket

24:29when that was done.

24:30There's multiple properties that

24:33they did that to.

24:35I understand your frustration

24:36there.

24:37I truly do.

24:37>> I haven't been able to really

24:41rent it.

24:43With property taxes quadruple,

24:45I'm paying $2000 a month.

24:47I can't get a tenants.

24:57that's why I'm here.

24:57I will keep working on it.

24:59I hate the site plan is not

25:03g one.

25:03Going through another building

25:05permit.

25:07I applied for sprinkler system

25:07throughout the building because

25:09a tenant wanted to turn into an

25:11event center.

25:13That tenant walked away due to

25:15restrictions and costs.

25:17Now I'm going for a firewall.

25:19I'm still working on that.

25:21I've been battling it.

25:23It's limited my funds because I

25:25can't -- I put half million

25:27dollars in the busying already.

25:29Probably need to put another 150

25:31with a parking lot to spruce it

25:33up.

25:34Here trying to do my best.

25:36

25:36>> Okay, thank you.

25:38Moved and seconded.

25:39>> It was moved and seconded.

25:48>> Seven yes.

25:50>> Motion carries.

25:52Next item is 55.

25:56[agenda item read]

26:25Seeing no one.

26:27Any germane comments?

26:33>> It's been moved and seconded.

26:35Please vote.

26:39>> Seven yes.

26:41>> Motion carries.

26:43Next item is 56.

26:45[agenda item read]

27:01>> I move --

27:01[ indiscernible ]

27:03>> Second.

27:03>> It's been moved and seconded

27:05to continue.

27:09Please vote.

27:11>> Seven yes.

27:13>> Motion carries.

27:15Next item is 57.

27:19[agenda item read]

27:23Anyone wishing to speak to this?

27:27>> Seeing none.

27:29I will move approval of item 57.

27:32>> It's been moved and seconded.

27:34Please vote.

27:38>> Seven yes.

27:42>> Motion carries.

27:43Next item 58.

27:46[agenda item read]

28:02General comments from the

28:04p ublic.

28:04Anyone wishing to speak?

28:06>> I see none.

28:08I will move 58.

28:10>> Second.

28:10>> It's been moved and seconded.

28:14Please vote.

28:18>> seven yes.

28:20>> Motion carries.

28:20Next item is 59.

28:24[agenda item read]

28:39Anyone wishing to speak?

28:44>> I move item 59.

28:45>> Second.

28:47>> It's been moved and seconded.

28:49Please vote.

28:53>> Seven yes.

28:55>> Motion carries.

29:03item 60 [agenda item read]

29:27Anyone wishing to speak to this?

29:34Seeing none.

29:35>> I move 60 60 and 60A.

29:41>> Second.

29:41>> It's been moved and seconded.

29:44Please vote.

29:45>> Seven yes.

29:48>> Motion carries.

29:49Next item is 61.

29:52[agenda item read]

29:58>> Is this still the hearing or

30:00no?

30:00>> No, it's personal.

30:02>> Oh, sorry. done with

30:06hearings.

30:08>> I move 61.

30:08I waive the second and third

30:10reading.

30:12>> Second.

30:12>> It's been moved and seconded.

30:14Please vote.

30:14>> If I could make one comment

30:16it's my understanding as we

30:20discuss that there are how many

30:22members?

30:24>> For the City of Des Moines.

30:26>> Then additional city council

30:28members from surrounding

30:30communities will be on top of

30:30that if they were interested.

30:31I hope they are.

30:32>> The cities that belong each

30:34will have a representative and a

30:36city council appointed to

30:37represent their city.

30:41>> Great.

30:45>> You good.

30:49>> Seven yes.

30:50>> motion carries.

30:51>> Sister city is a group we

30:52organize for the community of

30:55different cities that belong to

30:59it.

30:59The next item is request to

31:05speak.

31:05We provide speakers the

31:07opportunity to address the

31:09council for up to three minutes

31:11up to 20 speakers.

31:13For total of one hour on the

31:15agenda.

31:15Speakers will be called forward

31:17individually.

31:17We ask everyone to state their

31:19name and address or ward prior

31:21to providing comments.

31:21Please keep comments germane and

31:23avoid references to

31:25p ersonalities or character

31:27attacks as those type of

31:29c omments do not contribute to

31:31the.

31:31purpose for which this public

31:33forum exist.

31:33Reminder to the council and

31:35public.

31:35This public speaking time is to

31:37hear your comments.

31:37If there's a need to follow-up.

31:39We will get to the appropriate

31:41staff or councilmember to

31:42follow-up at a time after the

31:44meeting.

31:45Thank you for support of Des

31:46Moines.

31:47We have two people, George McCl.

31:54Spencer Burton.

32:04>> Good afternoon city council.

32:06My name is Spencer Burton.

32:08I live 1405 southeast first

32:10street.

32:10I live just across the river

32:14from the cubs stadium.

32:14I like to ride my bike in the

32:18summertime.

32:18I like to see the fireworks.

32:22I came here to speak on behalf

32:24and support of building a soccer

32:26stadium here.

32:26I know the city council and the

32:30City of Des Moines is short on

32:32funds because of some of the

32:34decisions that the state

32:38legislature made.

32:40I heard Kyle speak about the

32:42soccer stadium six years ago.

32:45I've been out of the state for

32:46couple of years.

32:47I just got back.

32:48I was surprised that nothing has

32:51been done.

32:52Disappointed.

32:53I think it could be great for

32:54the City of Des Moines.

32:55I think it will be great for all

32:56the families here-in Des

32:59Moinesers all the young people

33:01living in all the apartment

33:03complex on both sides of the

33:05river.

33:05I think it will be a great site.

33:07It's unused.

33:13I think it will be perfect for

33:15that.

33:15I know we're having budget

33:17constraints.

33:19I like to see where we're at

33:19with that.

33:21Suspect it possible S there any

33:23negotiations going on?

33:25Is there anything we can do to

33:25get this off the ground?

33:27I know they've been in

33:29negotiations for six, seven

33:29years now.

33:33My understanding, you just call

33:35off negotiations because of

33:35budget constraints.

33:37I would like to hear from you

33:41and other city councilmen.

33:43Where we at on this?

33:45Any plans for the future?

33:47It will be such great thing for

33:49the city.

33:49I would love to see it come.

33:51>> Okay, thank you.

33:52We can get back to you after the

33:54meeting.

33:55>> Okay.

33:56Lovely.

33:57Thank you.

34:00>> I move 62A and B to receive

34:02and file.

34:04>> Second.

34:05>> It's been moved and seconded.

34:08Please vote.

34:14>> Seven yes.

34:14>> Motion carries.

34:16Is there a motion to adjourn?

34:18>> Move approval.

34:19>> Second.

34:19>> Moved and seconded.

34:20All in favor.

34:22>> Aye.

34:24>> This meeting is adjourned.

34:30

34:34