Some bits of business…
Future Agendas
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.
City Manager Stuff
I’m publishing a replica of the report, which is the last from outgoing Interim City Manager Tim George.
city-manager-weekly-report-november-1-2024
The Tour
SR-509 Stage 2
The virtual open house for SR-509 Stage 2 is open. If yer short on time, here is a direct link to the info most Des Moines residents will want to see: SR 509/24th Avenue South to South 188th Street – I live in, work in, or travel through Des Moines, SeaTac, and southern Burien
If you have questions or concerns about construction at any time, you can contact their 24-hour hotline, 206-225-0674, or SR509Construction@wsdot.wa.gov.
The SAMP
I’m borrowing a flyer from our friends at Sea-Tac Noise.Info because it really sums it up. The Sustainable Area Master Plan (aka ‘the SAMP’) Public Comment period has opened. The SAMP is the environmental review for the airport’s next major expansion–which has already begun and will increase flight operations as much in the next ten years as they have in the last ten years.
Learn how this process works and how YOU can comment!
This Week
Tuesday: IT’S NATIONAL TSUNAMI DAY! Learn how to be prepared. Who says the universe doesn’t have a sense of humour. 😀
Wednesday: Assuming that the world has not ended, I have my first official meeting with new City Manager Katherine Caffrey. She has graciously consented to take the Sea-Tac Noise.Info Tree Tour.
What is the Sea-Tac Noise.Info Tree Tour, you say? STNI does a one hour driving history tour of the land surrounding the airport to show how the airport has changed the area over the decades–and what is coming in the next decade. We now have three different ones because there’s (literally) just too much ground to cover. Even if you know the area well, not a single person comes away without at least a few surprises, because again, the entire area has been so changed, both by the airport and Port developments outside the fence line.
If you’d like to take a Tree Tour. Just send STNI a message: trees@seatacnoise.info
Last Week
Monday: I had my first meeting with our new Community Development Director. Community Development is sort of the umbrella for all land use decisions, including building and permitting. I only mention these kinds of meetings because I think there’s this notion that the Council determines ‘policy’ and the staff are ‘technocrats’ simply carrying out those mandates. It’s a lovely story. But the truth is, as subject matter experts, City staff will always develop the lion’s share of policy. It is rare for any City Council to push back against recommendations–especially on complex issues such as land use. So, their point of view really, Really, REALLY matters. And this spot is especially important to me because this is our SEPA official on projects like the Masonic Home, Des Moines Creek West and that small detail called the SAMP.
- Since 2012, we have been the only city without a public planning commission. Shameful. Every big squabble we have in Des Moines is always about land use. People feel blind sided.
- In 2012, alone among airport communities, we abandoned any sound code for new building construction. Shameful. Especially when the FAA and Port of Seattle continue to reduce the options for sound insulation. If they refuse to act to protect the health of our residents, we can and must. Restoring the sound code we had, even if it’s not as good as it could be, is better than doing nothing.
- I also think that throwing new staff into issues like the SAMP almost guarantees less than ideal outcomes for the community. That is no reflection on any particular member of our staff. But these examples indicate where the City’s values have been for a very long time.
Wednesday: St. Philomena student tour of City Hall. Reason #327 why it’s good to be a member of the Des Moines City Council. In this piccie, Mayor Buxton welcomes St. Philomena second graders for a tour of City Hall. Here the mayor is answering the burning questions of the day for seven year olds Forget ‘government’–for some reason, the one thing the kids wanted to know was the age of basically every adult in the room–except moi. (whew) I have to admit, the mayor 1looks fantastic for 312. 😀 You can see a lot more piccies from their tour here.
My only contribution was a one word (and somewhat inaccurate) answer as to the age of City Hall. It always surprises me (and it shouldn’t) that everyone in the room considers the building ‘old’, even though it was built in the 70’s and upgraded in 1999. I mention that because the notion that buildings are somehow ‘old’ at fifty colours a lot of our discussions as to community planning.
Am I sick of the Tax Levy discussion, or what?
In the current moment, ‘Defund The Police’ is such a radioactive phrase, it is disappointing to see it used in any context in Des Moines. And this sign, especially so.
The Council vote for the ballot initiative was 4-3. Those of us on the Council who voted ‘No’, and the majority of Des Moines residents who rejected that ballot initiative the first time in August 6th, were not trying to ‘defund the police’. And I resent the implication that such might be the case.
Everyone in Des Moines, including the Police Guild, is well aware that the whole ‘defund the police’ movement never took hold in Des Moines. Quite the opposite, in fact.
People and organisations have their First Amendment rights, for sure. But this is the most polarised period in politics since I moved to America (Nixon was about to resign. Vietnam. So that’s saying something.)
As election day approaches, I think what can happen is that some will feel a need to ‘up the ante’. They make think it’s OK to take things to another level they would not otherwise because, for them, the stakes are so high. I get it.
I would only remind -everyone- that, regardless of who/what wins/loses, on Wednesday morning we’re all gonna have to continue to live and work together.
Public Safety has always been held as the highest value for residents of Des Moines. And the Guild is not ‘just’ a union. They hold a special place of trust in Des Moines. The entire department has (and has had) the full support and admiration of the public and every member of the Council I’ve known, both present and past. I struggle to find residents of -any- political views who feel otherwise.