Des Moines City Council considers venue rental discounts, names Alley behind Des Moines Theater & more

The Des Moines City Council met on Thursday night, June 27, 2024 to discuss facility rental fees, alleyway naming, and the upcoming 4th of July celebration.

A local civic organization, the Rotary Club, requested a discount on venue rental for their Blues & Brews Festival, sparking discussion on the city’s discount tiers and how best to support community events.

The council also finalized the naming of the alleyway behind the Des Moines Theater, and announced details for the city’s alternative fireworks display featuring 200 drones.

Public Comments: Facility Rental Fees

Several members of the Rotary Club asked Council to reduce the facility rental fee for the Blues & Brews Festival this year. They said the “increased rates” were discouraging, and explained that the funds raised from their popular event go right back into the community.

Council Discusses Rental Discount Options

The Rotary Club put in a formal request for a rental rate reduction and free event parking for their Blues & Brews Fest. City Manager Tim George explained that since the Rotary Club also funds programs outside of Des Moines, they don’t qualify for the highest tier of discount that the city offers on facility rentals. He said their organization does qualify for a 20% discount, and could get a 40% discount if the event wasn’t during a summer weekend, but the 75% discount is currently limited to fundraising events that go 100% back to the community.

City Manager George shared that part of the current problem comes from the fact that last year the organization inadvertently received the 75% discount, due to a clerical error. Hence, they feel the price has increased this year, when in reality they are just being asked to pay at the discount level they should have gotten last year.

Councilmember JC Harris said the city’s policy should be updated so that it is consistent across organizations and events, and that it should be simple and equitable. Councilmember Yoshiko Grace Matsui concurred, saying the resolution defining facility rental discounts should be updated.

Councilmember Matt Mahoney said the Rotary Club’s event is bringing great value to the city, as well as new visitors to town. He said that the festival is providing much more to the community than a private rental would. He felt they should receive the largest discount based on the value of their event to the community, but he reminded everyone that the city will not be able to entertain this type of request in the future if the upcoming levy fails.

Councilmember Harris expressed concerns that giving a 75% discount a second year in a row would create a precedent where they’ll expect the same discount next year. Mayor Traci Buxton shared that the council is constantly being held to account for city revenue, and with very few revenue streams, facility rentals is one they can actually control. She thought a 40% discount would be appropriate, as did Councilmember Jeremy Nutting and Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz.

A sort of compromise was reached when Mayor Buxton proposed that the festival should visibly recognize the city as an official sponsor, in exchange for the 75% discount. Nutting and Steinmetz remained opposed to this reduction in city revenue. All councilmembers agreed to keep paid parking in place to collect parking fees from festival attendees.

Alleyway Naming

At the June 6th meeting three names were considered for the alley behind the Des Moines Theater: Waterland Way, Jack’s Alley, and Backstage Alley. Council put off the final decision until this meeting. Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz made strong arguments for Backstage Alley, which got Council support and will be the alley’s official name. He said this name clearly conveys its location, is timeless, and was supported by the public in every neighborhood they got feedback from.

Councilmember Matt Mahoney said he would only support that name if there could be a commemorative bench in honor of former and much-loved resident Alfred Jackson Jones Junior (“Jack”). City Manager Tim George explained that the city has a commemorative bench program where anyone can apply to have one built in someone’s honor, and that program could apply here. Mayor Buxton suggested Jack could be awarded the Spirit of Des Moines award. Mahoney also wanted Council to agree to informally naming the stretch of 223rd between Marine View Drive and Cliff Avenue “Waterland Way.” The council showed support for this idea and will be voting on it in the future.

4th Of July Celebration

200 drones will be on display during the city’s fireworks alternative in celebration of Independence Day. The display is expected to be “bigger and brighter” than last year as drone technology has improved and gotten less expensive. Music will be broadcast at both the marina and the beach park to accompany the drones. The drone show will start at 10:15pm, but the entertainment begins at 5 p.m. with three bands and a roving magician. There will also be vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden.

As a reminder, it was mentioned that fireworks are illegal in Des Moines, and this year violators will be met with stiffer penalties. Council hopes for a quieter 4th of July this year.