Harry Steinmetz: Today’s meeting of the Des Moines Citizens Advisory Board is hereby called to order. Can we do the roll call? We’ll just go around the room.
Lisa Franz, Redondo. Aileen Evans, at large. Bettina Carey, Marina District. Victoria Andrews, at large. Mary Ellen Laird, at large. Corrine Anderson Ketchmark, at large and human services committee. Jim Lamparello, at large. Randy Richards, at large. Bill Linscott, Marina Tenants. Jeff Crompe, at large, arts commission. Eddie Duggar, Central and arts commission. Gene Achziger, deputy mayor. Robin Desimone, council member. Harry Steinmetz, council member. And Tara Vaughan, city staff liaison.
I did not receive any information on anybody asking to be excused, but I did not check my email today.
Charlene is busy moving her business this week, so I’m sure that’s why she’s not here. Do I hear a motion to excuse Diana and Charlene for excused absence?
[Member]: So moved.
Harry Steinmetz: We know about two, and the motion is for two people. It’s been moved and seconded. All in favor say aye.
[Members]: Aye.
Harry Steinmetz: Any opposed? Hearing none — they are excused.
Agenda items. Approval of the minutes of the March 25th, 2026 Citizens Advisory Board meeting. Has everybody had a chance to look at the minutes? Seeing a lot of head nods. Do we have a motion?
[Member]: Motion to approve the minutes.
[Member]: Second.
Harry Steinmetz: Motion by Jeff Crompe, seconded by Mary Ellen Laird. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye.
[Members]: Aye.
Harry Steinmetz: Any opposed? Motion passes.
And then we have ethics training today with our own Tara Vaughan. It’s a fairly dry topic. Some people would talk about the irony of a lawyer teaching ethics — there’s a joke there to be made, for sure. I can make it because we’re both lawyers.
Tara Vaughan: Ethics and conflicts of interest. Why are we doing this today? First, because board and committee members hold a public trust and are expected to adhere to a standard of behavior that doesn’t violate — or even appear to violate — that trust. Building on that, the council has now mandated a yearly ethics training for all appointed committees under the new ordinance.
We’ve printed copies of our ethics code for you to peruse at your leisure. We’ll start with use of city property. City property may not be used for personal use, convenience, or profit. Board and committee members must take care to properly use, maintain, and avoid damage to city property. I know you don’t have access to a lot of city property, but — let’s just say don’t do to the chairs you’re sitting in what you’re about to see Ron Swanson do.
(video plays)
That’s just an example of what not to do. Any Parks and Rec fans? Okay.
Next: personal gain or profit. Don’t use any information you acquire in confidence from a city customer, supplier, ally, or contractor for anything other than city purposes. Don’t use your position for personal or familial gain or profit. And I just had to put this one in —
(video clip: “Show me the money”)
— we don’t want you being shown the money.
Conflicts of interest. This is a big part of our ethics code. Board and committee members must not do any act that is in conflict with the performance of your duties — including even the appearance of a conflict. I don’t have a fun video for conflicts of interest, I’m sorry.
So what are conflicts of interest? The list in the ethics code is non-exclusive. What’s listed there: using any person, property, or city money for private benefit or gain; using or attempting to use your board or committee position to secure privileges; accepting anything with financial value with the understanding that it will influence your decision on a matter; influencing the selection of or conduct of business between the city and any entity in which you have a personal financial interest; soliciting gifts or anything of value; intentionally using or disclosing information not available to the public and acquired through your position, which might financially benefit you, a family member, or friends; accepting employment or engaging in business activity that could conflict with the performance of your duties —
[Member]: Can we ask questions as you go? I’ve got a question about the first one.
Tara Vaughan: Go ahead.
[Member]: What if we’re soliciting gifts on behalf of a committee — for an event we’ve all decided to do — and we go to businesses to solicit money or gifts? Are we not allowed to do that?
Tara Vaughan: If you’re doing that as a collective unit, and you’re not personally benefiting from that gift — that’s the distinction. The conflict would be if you were using your position for personal gain. “I’m on the Citizens Advisory Board, and I’d like you to give me these earrings at cost” — that personal gain is the conflict. Or if a 501(c)(3) said, “I’ll buy you some new shoes if you recommend giving money to us.”
Continuing: no accepting personal or cash gifts, and no taking part in any action concerning a matter in which you have a financial interest.
To use human services as an example — let’s say Mary Ellen’s sibling runs a nonprofit here in Des Moines and she wants to recommend the city fund it. She would need to disclose that relationship and then recuse herself from voting on whether that organization should receive city money. When you submit a written report to the CAB, you just include that information so the whole CAB knows she recused herself.
What do you do if you think you have a conflict or the appearance of one? Disclose. You can shoot me an email, or if you’re meeting in committee, just disclose there — and describe the extent of your interest. And if you’re not sure, ask. It can be just a conversation between you and Tara. It doesn’t have to go out to everybody unless she determines it is a conflict requiring disclosure.
When in doubt, just ask. It’s not a big deal. And if it helps — lawyers are often confused by conflicts of interest too. I was just at a conference last week and we had an entire panel on it. People were still confused. So it’s okay if you are, because sometimes we are too.
Once a conflict is disclosed, that member will be excluded from voting on that matter.
Political activities. As citizens, even as board members, you still have the right to vote and express your opinions on political subjects, hold political office, or participate in campaigns. There are some restrictions: you can’t use city facilities in that process — no printing campaign flyers on the city printer. You must make clear when speaking on your own position or on a candidate that you do not represent the city and that the city doesn’t endorse any particular candidate or position. And you may not attempt to obtain political contributions from city employees by threat of disciplinary action or preferential treatment.
Records disclosure. You don’t have access to a lot of city records, but it’s in the code so we’ll cover it. You can’t disclose to any unauthorized person any confidential city information, or use any information gained through your position for direct or indirect personal gain. And I don’t know if there are any Jurassic Park fans —
(video clip: “You didn’t say the magic word.”)
— that’s all to say: if you get permission from the city, you can disclose things. But you’ve got to say the magic word.
Violations. If there’s a violation of any part of our ethics code, the following could result: disciplinary action, counseling, a verbal or written reprimand, censure, suspension, removal from the board, or any other action deemed appropriate.
I didn’t have a fun clip for that one either. And that’s all I’ve got. I breezed over some of it, but there’s a lot there.
[Member]: Will they have to give separate classes? Do members have to document that they attended?
Tara Vaughan: That is a good question. I’m going to write that down and find out.
[Member]: What I’ve learned is how to define a dual relationship — letting people know what my role is professionally and what my role is in the community, and how the two can go together without conflicting. It’s a little tricky at times, but a lot of what was just covered speaks to that. When people have multiple relationships, there are times when you might share too much information that you really need to hold within this committee. That’s what I wanted to say.
[Member]: I’d just like to suggest that an email be sent out to members who aren’t here, letting them know they should watch this — you can pull it up and watch it — and that it was part of this meeting’s training.
Gene Achziger: Can you speak to the issue of how far it goes as far as relatives and business partners?
Tara Vaughan: When we talk about family, we use the RCW definition: adult persons related by blood or marriage; adult persons who are presently residing together or have resided together in the past; and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and grandchildren.
There can also be what’s called a “remote interest.” That would be, for example, if you wouldn’t receive direct personal financial gain, but you sit on the board of a nonprofit and you’re involved in a decision to give them money — you would need to disclose that you also sit on that board.
On business partnerships: if you have a business partner who has an additional organization, and you make a decision that might financially benefit them — and therefore your business partner — that should also be disclosed.
Gene Achziger: I can share an example: my wife is running the parade this year. I would probably abstain from any direct funding vote for the parade. I don’t get a direct benefit, so it’s not a huge conflict, but there’s certainly the appearance of a conflict or undue influence.
[Member — Susan]: This is a good point, because we have formed the Roondo Community Association — we’re a nonprofit doing activities like Shark in the Park, brick sales for community residents, and raising money that goes back into the park. We’re working through Katherine and the legal department. Is there any conflict for me on this CAB?
Tara Vaughan: No — unless this group was going to make a recommendation about that park to city council, and you felt your work with Roondo might conflict. But if you’re working through it with Katherine, I think you’re fine.
Gene Achziger: If the association was coming to the city or council asking for permits or financial backing, I would have to recuse myself. But as I understand it, if it goes through city administration, I’m clear — unless I went and said something to them to push it through. You just have to be careful about what the relationship is.
Bettina Carey: I’m glad we’re bringing up actual examples, because many of us have careers and businesses outside this role and we shouldn’t have to give those up to function. Specifically — what guidance can the city provide to help us avoid even the appearance of a conflict while continuing to work in our community?
One example I found myself in: when I founded Friends of the Marina Steps to advance the conversation about the steps. What I do is declare on every post that I’m not speaking on behalf of the city, I have no authority, it’s just me personally. That’s worked so far. But there are others who speak without declaring that, who are part of not just the CAB but the council — they speak without necessarily declaring they’re doing so on their own accord rather than as a city official. Since we’re all following essentially the same rules, how can that be addressed equitably? Tracy, when she was mayor, started doing that proactively on her postings as an example.
Tara Vaughan: The code of ethics does apply to everyone — employees, council members, appointed committee members. If anybody is speaking on something where someone might perceive it as coming from the city, they should be disclosing, just like you’re already doing. You’re doing the right thing.
Bettina Carey: It might advance the whole ethics cause if the city declared what that boilerplate language should be — so everybody follows the same rules and uses the same language.
Tara Vaughan: I’m sure we can come up with some boilerplate language for you.
Harry Steinmetz: Any other questions? Moving right along. We have committee reports — it’s not a specific agenda item, but that would normally be next. Anything from arts?
Jeff Crompe: We’re working on our video contest for the fall. Serge is coming to our meeting next week and we’ll lay down the groundwork. We’re working on bands for next year, and Cortney’s working on food trucks. That’s about all from arts right now.
Harry Steinmetz: Anything from human services? Gene, can you comment on the map and the Saturday event?
Jeff Crompe: Sure. I think a lot of you saw the art and sculpture map that we helped produce. I drove around the city and saw people out checking out the sculptures, and then I went to Inkfish Gallery for about an hour and a half. I ran into Pierre and Gene, and our two local artists, Fred and George C. Scott. We’re looking forward to them completing the carrot — does everybody know about the carrot? Down at Inkfish there’s this big old metal bell, rusted out, and it’s going to be painted orange with a carrot top made of green glass put on by Fred and George. It’ll be installed at the marina eventually. It’s probably 12 to 15 feet tall, so boats going by would be able to see it. So we’ll have the carrot and the stairs — two great draws for visitors.
The arts walk went pretty well. Wesley and Judson both had buses. It’s a nice thing. I’ve got a copy of the map here, and there’s a QR code — I can send it to everybody. It shows photos and the locations of everything. Basically Eddie and Char did most of that work, so we can thank them.
Bettina Carey: Just want to thank Print Place for printing and graphically designing the map — that was a significant step. They had to redo what previous people had done.
Gene Achziger: Print Place is a great partner of the city. They’ve helped us with concert posters and sculpture maps. And for any of you who need things printed for the committee — including large banners — they do them for about $100. Todd and Michelle told me that directly. An 8-by-3-foot vinyl banner, impervious to rain, for $100. No conflict there — just sharing the knowledge.
The other thing I thought was really neat at Inkfish was the children’s area the Legacy foundation set up — kids could do arts and crafts and then walk through the studio with a parent. There were also adults creating stained glass pieces that had to be fired in a kiln. That was cool.
Mary Ellen Laird: Human services. On April 9th we did a presentation to city council, answered a lot of good questions, and got clarification about where we’re at and what the council would like us to do. We’re waiting for our next assignment — the grant applications. As soon as they come to us, we’ll start meeting and deciding how to allocate the money. We’re in a bit of a lull right now.
Harry Steinmetz: Senior services — is there anybody?
Randy Richards: It’s Susan and me — and I think Allison.
Harry Steinmetz: If you’re not here at a meeting, you usually get elected. I’ll probably take Eileen’s place and head it up. But thank you for all you’ve done, Eileen. It’s a great jumping-off point. I’m sorry I’m not prepared to do a presentation tonight — it’s just an update at this point.
Gene Achziger: We also have a number of vacancies on this committee, so if you want to reach out and encourage people to join, please do. It would allow us to have a more diverse group serving. There are some neighborhood requirements, and I believe some general at-large positions too.
McKenzie has joined the Lodging Tax Board, so she’s no longer here. The Pac neighborhood is still unrepresented — if anybody knows someone from up there, it would be great to get some engagement. Barton — that’s Woodmont — is also open. We can email out the full list of open spots.
Harry Steinmetz: The other thing I wanted to mention: encouraging people to sign up for the city website to receive email updates. We’re up to about 8,000 people signed up, and there are a lot more than 8,000 people in this city. It gives people a place to get accurate information — straight from the source rather than from social media.
[Member]: You go to the city website and sign up.
Harry Steinmetz: Get it from the horse’s mouth rather than the other end.
Can we have an announcement? And then I think we have another.
Tara Vaughan: Now that we’re not doing subcommittee reports every meeting and you’ll submit written reports when you want to make a full report to the CAB, we’re asking that you submit those by the prior Tuesday — essentially eight days ahead of the meeting — because we have to post the agenda seven days ahead. We’d like to include your report on the agenda so you’re scheduled in. End of business that Tuesday is fine; earlier is better.
The other thing: we’re going to add about a 10-minute block at the end of every agenda for announcements — upcoming events you want everyone to know about. Really, it’s not for telling us what committees have been doing. We’re not hearing from committees until you have a recommendation to make. But if you have event announcements related to your particular topic area, that’s what that block is for. And if you’d like to add a section for updates — like what just happened with the art walk — we can probably do something like that too. An announcements-and-updates section.
[Member]: I like that idea.
Gene Achziger: I’d be kind of interested in hearing whether the city is planning an event for the completion of the dock replacement project — recognizing the marina and staff who did a great job. I haven’t heard anything more on that.
Bill Linscott: The other thing I’d like to see is an opportunity to bring something to the agenda. The next really big project for this city is what they’re going to do at the beach park. We’ve had three grants — two performed, and the third is underway. In the first two grants it was about developing the estuary and preparing the land so it’s not a flood zone, and each time there was an outbriefing. I kept mentioning that when they do this, it would be nice to also talk about other features that will eventually be there — because it sounds like it’s only for the fish.
In this third grant they’ve mentioned pedestrian features, and there’s a Task 8 to prepare a community engagement plan. They expect to get to 60% design and begin permitting writeups. That’s a long way into the project, and yet the community engagement plan doesn’t get delivered until the end. So there’s no early input from residents about what amenities they’d like to see.
Some are obvious — we’ve been after playground equipment at the marina for a long time, and it’s kind of time now. We’ve got different stakeholders using that park. Runners on Saturday mornings might want athletic features like up at Underwood Park. You might want a permanent stage instead of a truck that pulls in for concerts — Kingston and Port Orchard both have nice little stage areas at their marinas. And I ran into someone trying to start a chess club, and we got to talking about outdoor chess tables along the creek. Now seems like the time.
What I’m suggesting is: could we have someone come and talk to us about that project, and then see what we might do to help them visualize the full picture? We know where the stakeholders are. We could reach out, do a survey, collect notes, and bring them back. Otherwise it feels like you’re doing the landscaping before you know where the house and patio are going.
The request is for an agenda item — an update on the estuary and beach park.
Harry Steinmetz: Noted. Is there consensus that we’d like that update?
[Members]: Yes.
Harry Steinmetz: Our public works director, Mike Sven, is already on our agenda for next month for a capital improvement projects update. I’ll mention this to him — I think he’d be the right person to speak to it.
Bettina Carey: This is regarding a request for an agenda item I submitted on January 6th: does the city have an equity-based process for selecting artists, performers, and vendors for city-supported events? At one point, years ago, there was an actual process where bands would submit their information and a list would be generated from that. Now the question is — if a corporation based in Seattle has a location here in Des Moines and wants to participate in an event, how do we decide between them and the small local business that might need the work more? We’ve never discussed this, and when I asked in January there was nothing on the books. I believe there should be.
Tara Vaughan: That’s a good point. I’ll bring it up to Katherine. I don’t think we have anything right now, but if we don’t, we’ll look at creating something.
Victoria Andrews: I know we’re not having a meeting in July. Can you update me on the strategic plan rollout? I thought we were going to get a crack at it and bring it to the community — help them understand what it is and how they can be a part of it. Do you know the timing?
Tara Vaughan: I believe it’s on the council agenda for May. I’ll follow up and see what we can do.
Jeff Crompe: A couple of things. First, the shredding event last week — about our 12th or 13th one. Since I’m no longer with the senior center, I told Bonnie I’m still happy to run it because I know all the players and the city doesn’t have to do much. We had about 140 cars come through and did about 5,000 pounds of shredding. It was steadier than it almost ever is — people were there at 9:15 waiting for the 10:00 start, and the last car showed up at 1:59. People are already looking forward to the next one.
The company we use — Confidential Data Destruction — is kind of the one major firm left in Seattle doing this. They do two or three events every weekend. If you’re looking for shredding, Kent, Burien Windermere, SeaTac, and Federal Way all do them.
The next event will be mid-October on a Wednesday. I’ll look at the calendar in the next couple months and get it booked.
Bill Linscott: One other event: the South Sound Opening Day of Boating, down at the Des Moines Yacht Club. There’s a public ceremony starting at 3:00 on Saturday the 9th. It’s been going on for years — bagpipes, speeches, blessing of the fleet, people in their Commodore outfits. It’s a nice day outside, weather permitting.
Gene Achziger: Since we’re making announcements — I believe June 13th will be the dedication of the new Roondo fishing pier, with state and local dignitaries. Then July 13th, a Sunday, is Shark in the Park down at Roondo — celebrating that we are the sixgill shark capital of the world.
And June 6th will be the Legacy Foundation’s Diamond Ball, raising money for youth, seniors, and the arts. Information about ticket availability is online now.
Robin Desimone: I put a FIFA flyer at everyone’s place. The city has teamed up with the Des Moines Theater to show one of the FIFA matches. In the interest of disclosure — I do work with the theater, and my flower shop is there. But Des Moines got the FIFA licensing and needed a place to show it, and the theater volunteered for the city. It’s a free event, all ages. Many sports bars will be showing matches, but you have to be 21 and over. The theater will have a city table with arts and crafts for kids, and the public will be able to see inside the theater. Get your free ticket via the QR code — we need to know how many people are coming. There’s no fan zone in South King County currently, so the theater — which holds about 350 — is the largest venue around. Get tickets ahead of time.
This is Juneteenth, so many city and state employees have that day off.
Jeff Crompe: One more. The same day as that historical cruise — July 19th — is also the intended return date for the car show at the marina, the day after the Waterland Parade on the 18th.
Gene Achziger: And that’s two days after the Waterland Children’s Festival put on by the Legacy Foundation — a totally free event at the Fieldhouse for all area kids.
Bill Linscott: And that whole Waterland Weekend, they call it Wheels and Keels. We’ve been bringing the wooden boat show in for that weekend as well. The boats arrive Friday night and the show is open Saturday 10 to 4, then Sunday morning to about 2. These are classic yachts from the 1920s through 1940s. We have 12 spots so far, six confirmed. It makes for a great weekend at the marina.
Bettina Carey: I have a couple to add. I’m registered for the Cruise of the South Sound aboard the Lady Mary, put on by the Des Moines Historical Society — it’s an Argosy cruise. You can register at the Historical Society page. About half the boat is still available. That’s July 19th, Sunday afternoon.
And the Des Moines Chamber is hosting a community celebration and ribbon cutting for Bluefish Sushi on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:30 p.m. at 21816 Marine View Drive. There’ll be complimentary tastings, activities, and entertainment for kids. Tracy’s doing a phenomenal job at the chamber — keep your eyes on them.
Harry Steinmetz: Anything else? That covers our agenda. Do I have a motion to adjourn?
[Member]: So moved.
[Member]: Second.
Harry Steinmetz: Motion and second. All in favor say aye.
[Members]: Aye.
Harry Steinmetz: Any opposed? Hearing none — we’re adjourned.
1This is a machine-generated transcript generated on the fly by Google/Youtube/AI. Accuracy totally not guaranteed. Provided only as a convenience and to help people with disabilities. Caveat lector!