Articles about: Policy - JC Harris For Des Moines, Washington

American Rescue Plan – Change My Mind

Like my colleagues, I’m sure, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to spend the $9M I discussed in my Christmas In July post. I’ve received dozens of messages about this. Many are very detailed proposals showing a concern for civic life that is seriously wonderful. And they spread the gamut. “More police!” to “no

Economic Development, Engagement

Christmas In July: The ARPA Stimulus Money Request

24 Comments

At last night’s City Council Meeting, the City Manager unveiled the City’s ARPA Stimulus money proposal. In short, the City is receiving $9,000,000 to be used for a limited number of purposes and it must be spent by 2024. I urge all of you to watch that fifteen minute segment of the meeting and read

Economic Development, Transparency

GRO Outreach TLDR

2 Comments

This is sort of a TLDR for the .01% of people who drill down. If you write what I do, angry people will always say you over-simplified or didn’t provide enough detail and so on. Which is often true. You cannot help but do those things in any short form article. So this is some

Campaigning, Policy

Primary 2021: The non-endorsement, endorsement

HB1220 Presentation to Economic Development Committee

July 8, 2021 Economic Development Committee Packet

Campaigning, Engagement, Neighborhoods, Public Safety

Constructive Criticism

I got the following message from a resident the morning after our last City Council Meeting : “It looks like you guys were getting along. What happened?” 😀 I can only speak for myself: I self-censored. I avoided several uncomfortable conversations that should be happening. Frankly, some nights? I just don’t feel like fighting. Administration

Neighborhoods

The Anthony’s Cam

1 Comment

For a long while, there were several web cams covering the Marina and a few other spots in Des Moines. The only one that remains seems to be this one at Anthony's restaurant on 227th. So, if you ever feel a sudden urge to monitor A-E docks. Any time. Day or night. 24/7/365? Here ya go. :)...

... [Continue Reading] ...

Marina, Transparency, Transportation

Local Journalism, Thunderword

This is a news year…

July 4, 2021March 6, 2024

1 Comment

A recent article in the Highline College Newspaper the Thunderword sparked a back and forth with the Deputy Mayor over several major issues....

... [Continue Reading] ...

Environment, Public Safety

Yes, but it’s a dry heat…

June 28, 2021August 13, 2023

1 Comment

I hope you’ve survived the heat. And if you haven’t? Well, you’re not reading this anyway, so… 😀 Is it just me, or does it feel like these low-rent ’emergencies’ are basically coming somewhat constantly now? I ask because I’ve had this *bee in my bonnet for a long time about the topic of Emergency

Public Service Announcements

Upcoming Events

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

Meetings take place at City Hall 21630 11th Avenue S., Suite #C Des Moines WA 98198. They can also be viewed live:

Via Zoom (click here)
On Comcast Channel 21/321
On the City’s YouTube channel.

Meetings generally occur on the first, third and fourth Thursday of every month at 6:00PM. There is also Committee Of The Whole on the first Thursday of the month beginning at 5:00pm. Check the City Calendar for special meetings and agenda

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 four 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.
Zoom: To sign up, call (206) 870-6552 or email cityclerk@desmoineswa.gov the City Clerk by noon Wednesday — the day before the meeting.
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.
US Mail: Attn: City Clerk Office, 21630 11th Avenue S., Des Moines WA 98198. Please provide us with your first and last name and the city in which you live.

All public comments are added to the Agenda Packet available on the City web site following each meeting.

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.

Policy

American Rescue Plan – Change My Mind

Christmas In July: The ARPA Stimulus Money Request

GRO Outreach TLDR

Primary 2021: The non-endorsement, endorsement

HB1220 Presentation to Economic Development Committee

July 8, 2021 Economic Development Committee Packet

Constructive Criticism

The Anthony’s Cam

This is a news year…

Yes, but it’s a dry heat…

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December