Some bits of business…
Future Agendas is the closest thing the City currently has to a calendar of upcoming City Council topics. It’s not dynamic, ie. you have to click it every time you want to see a new version. And it’s not always accurate. But until we develop a genuine calendar, this can be very useful if there is a particular issue you don’t want to miss.
About the cover
After looking at so many property buyout deals with the Port of Seattle, I’ve become a sucker for land transactions. 😀 In particular, I like seeing how a parcel has evolved since King County started keeping records.
In this case, the Council will vote to purchase two parcels as right-of-way in order to finish the North Hill Elementary Walkway Improvements project. (Item #4 on consent–see below.)
City Manager Stuff
The City Manager Reports are back! January 15, 2026
Planning Commission
Speaking of land use, one highlight is that applications are being taken for the Planning Commission.
But, I continue to maintain faith in public participation. In other words, I’d rather give the notion of public participation a shot because we left it to the City for over a decade and those results did not kill me, either. 🙂
This Week
Monday
As usual, we’ll be attending the Northwest African American Museum annual celebration honoring King’s legacy. The theme for 2026 is “Forward Together, with Courage as Our Compass” NAAM
Wednesday
Goin’ to Olympia to support a couple of bills.
Thursday
City Council Meeting January 22, 2026 Agenda
Some highlights:
- Police Promotions: The Council will recognize the promotion of two officers within the Des Moines Police Department, with Sergeants Eric Morric and Shay LaMarsh.
- Community Recognition: The Council will recognize the Rotary Club of Des Moines and Normandy Park for their work on the Burning Boat event..
- Unfinished Business: The Council will consider re-establishing an Ad Hoc Franchise Committee to assist with negotiations for utility franchise agreements that are set to expire in June 2026. The City Attorney will present background and rationale for the committee.
- New Business – Airport Advisory Committee Workplan: The Council will review and consider approval of the Airport Advisory Committee’s 2026 workplan. Community Development Director Rebecca Deming will present the proposed workplan and outline its priorities for the coming year.
- New Business – Public Defender Contract: The Council will consider approval of a new contract for indigent public defense services covering February 2026 through January 2028. The Finance Director will present the contract terms and service scope.
- Executive Session: The Council will meet in executive session to discuss pending litigation, as authorized under state law, with no action expected in open session.
Last Week
Monday
Flock Demo: Along with Mayor Grace-Matsui, I received a demo of the Flock software from Chief Boe. As I previously wrote, I also attended a Q&A with the Flock CEO a few weeks ago and asked for, and receoved some further info on how they work. Flock will be discussed by the full Council in February. And there will be legislation proposed at the State to address one of the main concerns–data retention–how long can any agency hold onto information about anyone. Flock has a standard. The State will have a standard. But my hope is that we have a standard on how long our City can hold onto downloaded images (yes, they can be downloaded independent of the system.) Just have one number.
I’ve been told by the Chief that it can be a low number (30-60 days) and not lose any law enforcement efficacy. That being the case, this should be simple.
Tuesday
Korean American Day. I was again honoured to be invited to this event. The Korean community is one of the best run cultural organisations I’ve ever seen.
Wednesday
I had my first regional transit committee meeting of the year. The thing about Metro is that it’s odd in several ways. In the bad ol’ days, the Metro budget was divvied out essentially by geography, with each area obtaining a baseline of funding. Around 2010, when the Rapid Ride A-Line was built on Pacific Highway, that system changed to the current system, which considers funding according to metrics like crowding, with adding new service implicitly at the bottom. This was supposed to take ‘the politics’ out of those decisions. The awkward discussion is that, using those metrics, cities like Des Moines never rise to the top. In addition to the A-Line, one of the best east-west connections is the 635 Shuttle. If routes were allocated today as they back in the less ‘fair’ days–before 2010, I doubt either would be funded.
Friday
I attended a concert at Wesley–a string quartet consisting of members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.
Can you continue your comment about Metro?
Hi JC, I have a concern surrounding the Flock cameras in that the Flock records are considered public records and anyone can file a public records request for those records. The washington state courts have already ruled on this. It’s all very big brotherish but also think of this info in the hands of a sticker or think of someone trying to relocate because of being stocked.
I would hope our police department keeps these records the shortest time possible, 30 days would be great.