Des Moines City Manager’s Report for week ending Aug. 23, 2024

Des Moines City Manager’s Report for week ending Aug. 23, 2024

Welcome Police Chief Ted Boe!

This past Monday, August 19, we officially welcomed Ted Boe as the new Chief of Police for our community! Chief Boe was sworn in by the Honorable Judge Leone marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Des Moines Police Department. With a distinguished career and a deep commitment to public safety, we are confident that Chief Boe will lead the department with integrity, vision, and dedication. We look forward to working together to serve and protect the communities of Des Moines. Join us in welcoming Chief Boe!

City Manager Meet and Greet

Don’t forget to join us to meet the Final Four Candidates for City Manager, this coming Tuesday, August 27th at 6:30pm. Come down to the Beach Park Auditorium for this opportunity to learn about each candidate’s vision for the City. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with them, ask questions and get a feel for each individual. Parking will be validated for this event. More information and bios on each candidate can be found here.

2024 Overlay Project Completion

The 2024 Overlay Project has successfully been completed! This project focused on resurfacing and maintaining key roadways to enhance driving conditions and road safety. Construction activities took place on 16th Ave (253rd Pl to 260th St), 272nd Street/Marine View Drive (16th Ave to 10th Ave), and 281st Street/Redondo Beach Drive (10th Ave to Redondo Way).

At this stage, we are now waiting for the striping to occur along 16th Avenue, which is scheduled to take place within the next couple of weeks. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the duration of this project.

Congratulations to Shannon Kirchberg

Shannon Kirchberg, our Director of Emergency Management and Workplace Safety, has successfully completed all coursework to become a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM). This certification, recognized both nationally and internationally, is a prestigious achievement in the field of emergency management. The CEM program, an independent study initiative by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), reflects Shannon’s dedication, grit, and commitment to rigorous standards, setting her apart as an exceptional Emergency Manager.

Those who know Shannon recognize that her work ethic and dedication drive her to excellence. She provides a clear vision, collaborates respectfully with others, and consistently follows through on her commitments. Shannon is passionate about educating the entire community on preparation and resilience in the face of emergencies. A lifelong learner and enthusiastic leader, she proactively seeks out needs to fill. Congratulations to Shannon on this remarkable achievement

City Currents Magazine Now Available Online

For those of you who can’t wait for the mailperson to deliver your Fall City Currents magazine, you can find the online version right here. Get the latest City news and check out all of the fun and exciting programs the City offers as well as opportunities for other ways to get involved with your community.

Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Festival

Tomorrow at the Des Moines Beach Park, the City is pleased to host the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Festival. This annual event is held courtesy of the Des Moines and Normandy Park Rotary Club and features live music as well as plenty of drink choices and food options. Tickets are still available and the proceeds go to a great cause. More info can be found here.

Upcoming Meetings

In addition to day to day administrative duties, this week I met with the City’s environmental consultant team to discuss permit review and process. I met with Representative Orwall to talk about solutions to a constituent concern. I met with City planning staff to review materials for an upcoming land use appeal. I spent time with our new Chief of Police Boe to talk about City issues and welcome him to our team. I attended a meeting with Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority to hear about their marketing plans for the City and opportunities to partner. I attended a training held by our insurance carrier on recent court decisions related to homelessness and camping on public property. I met with representatives from Recology to discuss service levels provided to the City as well as their upcoming City Council presentation. I hosted a roundtable discussion with the City’s Department Directors to discuss ongoing and upcoming issues. Finally, I attended an all staff Wellness Event at the Beach Park.

City Council Meeting Summary

There was no City Council meeting this week. The Council will not hold a regular meeting next week but will be interviewing City Manager candidates in Executive Session. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for September 5th for a Study Session to discuss the 2025-26 City budget.

Sports Update

After an exciting summer of baseball, the Mariners have decided to officially hang it up and get ready for next season. This decision is a bit unconventional as they still have another 35 games or so left but they are the professionals. We will see you boys in Peoria in spring. Our young men from South Hill in Puyallup were eliminated from the Little League World Series this week but congratulations to them on a dynamic and memorable run! The Series is down to four with the US and International Championship games being held on Saturday. The World Champ will be crowned next week. The Seahawks close out preseason tomorrow night in Seattle before Week 1 kicks off on September 8. The Sounders take on Minnesota on Saturday and Megan Rapinoe’s jersey will be lifted to the rafters in Sunday night’s Reign game at Lumen Field.

Have a great weekend!

Tim George

Interim City Manager