Recently the Council has received several messages (and I have personally received more than several messages) concerning the need for improved communication with the City. As you know, I have always been completely on board with this notion. Since the various Marina Hotel proposals we’ve seen an increasing number of requests for better public engagement...
Engagement
Wesley Candidate Forum: Four Pinocchios on Marina Hotel
4 Comments on Wesley Candidate Forum: Four Pinocchios on Marina Hotel
If you watch the Wesley Candidate Forum, you will hear a lot of back and forth on various issues. I'm asking you to watch a five minute discussion on the Marina Hotel proposal because I think it explains the City, the Council, and the work I'm doing on your behalf....
Neighbourhoods and the Community Survey
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The City is running a Community Survey which you should definitely fill out. And a few words about neighbourhoods. Seven? Nine? Twenty three? Or... Print out the form and create your own adventure! :D...
Evil and irresponsible actions
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An essay describing one example of the off-dais bullying, misinformation and why that makes it harder for residents to get what they want. "We are also aware of your efforts to... create division in the... community. I demand you stop such evil and irresponsible actions."...
2013 Budget: All options on the table
1 Comment on 2013 Budget: All options on the tableFor me 2013 is the most useful and fascinating year in recent DM history. And if I could, I would insist that every current member of the Council and all future candidates listen to this stuff (especially the April 6, ‘all options on the table’ meeting) and take notes. Introduction As you’ve perhaps heard many times,
... continue reading.*Improving the ferry pilot program
My post on the Ferry Pilot Program (with the subtle title This Is Insane) has been one of the best moments in my short career as your low-rent elected. I’ve had the absolute (and rare) pleasure of having at least *ten people tell me last week, At first I was all for it. Then I
... continue reading.New rule: Follow the rules we already have
1 Comment on New rule: Follow the rules we already haveAt our last meeting, Deputy Mayor Buxton asked to schedule an update to our Rules of Procedure. And presto, it is on the 7 July Agenda. There have been a couple of dozen updates to our Council’s Rules of Procedure. The last was in November 2019 the meeting immediately after my election. Was I happy
... continue reading.PSEM Committee Meeting June 2, 2022
I struggled to not publish this. I ran for office in 2019 to improve transparency and reduce the rubber stamping. But after almost two and a half years, I gotta say, things may actually be getting worse. But this has become truly alarming. Perhaps my colleagues are simply unaware of how business is supposed to be conducted.
... continue reading.And the Spirit Of Des Moines Award goes to…
1 Comment on And the Spirit Of Des Moines Award goes to…The City of Des Moines has a Spirit Of Des Moines Award for people who have made big contributions to our community. (It’s described in Appendix A of our Rules of Procedure.) There’s a “person of the year” version and a “lifetime achievement” version. It’s supposed to be given out every year? Or two years?
... continue reading.Sound insulation should be standard equipment
3 Comments on Sound insulation should be standard equipmentAt Thursday’s meeting, I introduced an item of New Business. Basically an ‘undo key’ on Ordinance 1539 from 2012. Or to put it another way, to re-instate Ordinance 1407 from 2007. To be less confusing: We used to have a section in our building code (Ordinance 1407 from 2007) which required sound insulation in all
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