External Articles

Articles from around the area, including re-prints from various newspapers (provided under Fair-Use provision.) These are information only, which means that many, Many, MANY of these do not represent my point of view. (Seriously, they don’t.) I just want you to know what’s out there being discussed by electeds that concern Des Moines.

Priced out of Seattle rental market, more opt for backyard cottages

December 24, 2024December 24, 2024

By Jessica Fu Seattle Times business reporter Affordability crisis This story is part of a Seattle Times focus on the affordability crisis in the Northwest. We explore the high cost of living and wealth disparities that shape our region; examine policies that impact prices for everything from housing to health care; and offer tips for

5 predictions for the Seattle-area real estate market in 2025

December 22, 2024December 24, 2024

Condos and apartments fill the view around Rainier Avenue South, just north of Interstate 90. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times) By Heidi Groover Seattle Times business reporter For many in the Seattle-area real estate market, 2024 was a year of staying put. Elevated mortgage rates and high home prices kept would-be home shoppers

City Manager’s Report 12/06/2024

December 6, 2024

City Manager Weekly Report December 6, 2024 Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Public Meeting On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the City hosted a public meeting during which City consultants delivered a PowerPoint presentation on how the public can provide comments to the Port of Seattle regarding the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Assessment. The

More paving, fewer trees. So much for a green ‘One Seattle’

December 5, 2024December 17, 2024

The city of Seattle’s proposed 20-year blueprint for growth contains major changes for residential neighborhoods, paving the way for developers to build across lots with little room for shade-providing trees, writes the editorial board. Pictured is the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times) The city of Seattle’s proposed 20-year blueprint

New Normandy Park restaurant feels like it’s been open for decades

November 13, 2024November 24, 2024

By Jackie Varriano Seattle Times food writer Visiting a restaurant on its second night open can be risky business. I’ve worked in these restaurants. Ones where people try for weeks to get a peek behind paper-covered windows, anticipation (and expectations) running high. Restaurants where the first week is a blur that feels like one of Dante’s

City Manager Report 11/08/2024

November 8, 2024

City Manager Weekly Report November 8, 2024 CITY MANAGER MESSAGE Dear Des Moines Community, I am excited to introduce myself as your new City Manager! It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with such a beautiful and unique community. I genuinely look forward to getting to know all of you and learning

City Manager Weekly Report November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City Manager Weekly Report November 1, 2024 Welcome New City Manager Katherine Caffrey On Monday, November 4th our new City Manager Katherine Caffrey will be sworn in to lead the City into the years ahead. Ms. Caffrey was unanimously selected by the City Council after an extensive recruitment and interview process that involved the entire community. Please reach

City Manager Report November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024November 3, 2024

Massive WA salmon recovery plan scrutinized with latest $100M project

October 27, 2024November 1, 2024

The state Department of Transportation may demolish the Olympic Inn & Suites in Port Angeles to replace a culvert, in its program to save salmon. But White Creek has 10 other barriers upstream. “It’s the classic poster child of what we shouldn’t do,” said Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Port Townsend. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)

City Manager Weekly Report October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024

Wooton Park Accessibility Improvements Completed The City’s Engineering Services Department announced this week that they have successfully completed an accessibility upgrade to the Wooton Park entrance. After receiving a request to improve accessibility, our City team quickly designed a plan and worked with our existing contractor to expedite the process. The design and construction were

Ongoing Stuff

Get vaccinated! Yeah I know you’d like to forget about it, but there are new variants and the infection rate is climbing. Fortunately, there is an effective booster, which is recommended for people 65 and older and those who are immuno-compromised. It is available now, effective, free and you can get your appointment today here and here , including walk-Ins at SAFEWAY, Walgreen’s, Rite-Aid, SeaMar and Healthpoint.

Sign up for the King County Code Red Alert program. When you sign up for Code Red you’ll be notified immediately when there is a possible health threat. After the recent ‘Boil Water Notice’ I received just a few grouses that ‘it did not work’. I’m 99% certain that the problem is that you have to actually sign up for an account. Do It! There is this ‘guest’ option which is stupid and should not even be an option. Everyone who had an account in their system was notified. If you’re like me and signed up ten years ago (after the last notification), go to the site immediately and verify your account. Ten years is a long time for any computer system.
Check out the 223rd Green Street Project web site and take the 223rd Green Street Survey before December 11th!
Check out the Des Moines Marina Steps web site and take the Marina Steps Survey.
If you’re interested in any of our Kids or Senior activities, you can sign up here.
Learn more about our Comprehensive Plan and take the Housing Action Plan Survey.
Take the City Communication and Engagement Survey
Give blood! Schedule an appointment today. There is a CODE RED emergency shortage.
Masonic Home! There is a petition for those who are interested in historic preservation of the property. If you have questions, don’t contact me. Contact Barbara McMichael and Lloyd Lytle Jr
Community Service Officer Tonya Seaberry wants to hear from neighborhood groups interested in establishing block watch programs: Tseaberry@desmoineswa.gov or 206-878-3301.
City Of Des Moines Minor Home Repair Program: Low to moderate income households can get grants to do all sorts of necessary repairs. Email Tina Hickey (206) 870-6535.
Every home should have a Carbon Monoxide Detector–especially during the colder months! Full stop. If you need one but money is tight, South King County Fire And Rescue will get you one. Just call their Community Affairs Office at 253-946-7347.
And last, but not least: If your home has Port Package (sound insulation system) that is having issues, please go to SeatacNoise.Info

How to attend meetings and provide Public Comment

City Council Meetings are scheduled for Thursdays at 6:00PM at City Hall 21630 11th Avenue S., Suite #C Des Moines WA 98198. They can also be viewed live on Comcast Channel 21/321 or on the City’s YouTube channel. Committee Meetings are either at 4:00PM or 5:00PM, also on Thursdays.

You do not have to sign in to attend a meeting!
The sign-in sheet is only for people wishing to make a Public Comment.

There are three ways to provide Public Comment:

In person: Show up a few minutes before the meeting and sign the sheet. Public Comment is usually conducted at the beginning of the meeting.
By e-mail: All e-mails sent to citycouncil@desmoineswa.gov are considered public comment. They are instantly available to all members of the City Council and the City Clerk who includes them into the record of public comments at the next meeting.
By US Mail: Attn: City Clerk Office, 21630 11th Avenue S., Des Moines WA 98198 no later than 4:00 p.m. day of the meeting. Please provide us with your first and last name and the city in which you live.

All letters or e-mails requesting a specific action are referred by the City Clerk to the appropriate City department.

If you would like a follow up from me, personally please indicate that or call me (206) 878-0578.

The Clerk does not read e-mails to the Council in full; only the subject line. However, we do see them as soon as you send them. Your comments are added to the Agenda Packet available on the City web site following each meeting.

How to view public comments, correspondence and meeting materials

The City publishes a meeting agenda on the Friday (six days) before city council meetings. On the day after the meeting (Friday) the City updates that same file with all the slide presentations, the correspondence, and a list of the people who signed up to give public comment at the meeting. Currently, there is no button on the web site that says Show me the meeting comments for xx/xx/xxxx. You just have to know that this is the procedure. Below is a recipe to get you there.

Go to www.desmoineswa.gov
Once there, hover over Your Government and then click Council Meeting Center. (Or, you can skip Step #1 and just click on Council Meeting Center.)
Select the meeting date you’re interested in from the Schedule Of Meetings calendar.
Click on Regular Meeting for the meeting date you want. In this case, December 1, 2022.
Click the Agenda Packet link under “Print Verson”.
You can also select a meeting using the list near the top. You can also use the left and right arrows to select older meetings.
Once the agenda packet loads, there are two links we’re interested in:
- Correspondence to view all e-mails received by the City Council since the last meeting.
- Comments From The Public to view a list of the people who spoke in-person at the meeting.