Des Moines City Manager’s Weekly Report for week ending Aug. 30, 2024

Des Moines City Manager’s Weekly Report for week ending Aug. 30, 2024

City Manager Recruitment

This past Tuesday, August 27, the City hosted a full-day meet and greet event for the final four candidates vying for the position of City Manager. The candidates fielded questions, engaged in lively discussions, and listened carefully to the concerns and aspirations of the people they hope to serve. The event also featured informal networking opportunities, allowing for more personal interactions and deeper dives into the candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications.

We had an amazing turnout for both the staff meet and greets, as well as the evening community gathering at the Beach Park Auditorium. Overall, the day was a testament to our community’s commitment to finding the best leadership for Des Moines. It was a day marked by connection, collaboration, and a shared vision for progress. You can read more about the entire process here.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: You can also view video of the entire event here.)

I would also like to add a sincere thank you and acknowledgment to our Human Resources department and other staff members who helped facilitate this process. It is not an easy task to take on, and when the stakes are this high in a public process, there are always many voices with different ideas on how things should be done. They have handled the recruitment professionally and done an excellent job maneuvering through various issues and feedback. I am very proud of the work that they have put in to get us where we are now.

Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market

We’re holding on to the summer weather! Don’t forget to come on down to the Marina on Saturdays, 10am-2pm for our fantastic farmer’s market. The market runs through September, and some upcoming Saturdays to note are:

• Saturday, Sept 7: Kids’ Day – come support local young future business owners, selling their goods!
• Saturday, Sept 21: International Coastal Clean-Up Day
• Saturday, Sept 28: Harvest Festival

Heroic Acts in Action Recognition

Chief Boe recognized three Des Moines Police Department Officers for their Heroic Acts in Action during a ceremony this week. On August 2, Corporal LaMarsh, Officer Hamilton, and Officer Trevorrow displayed outstanding bravery and professionalism in safely apprehending a dangerous armed suspect. Their quick thinking and decisive actions brought a violent criminal to justice, protecting our community from harm. We are proud to recognize their dedication to serving and safeguarding the citizens of Des Moines. Thank you and the rest of the DMPD team for your incredible service!

Looking for Fun Things to Do This Weekend? Or Any Weekend?

One of the great things about living in this area is that we are located in a tourist hub, where people from all over the world come to visit to see what the Northwest has to offer. So just because you don’t need to get on an airplane, doesn’t mean you can’t play tourist for the day and enjoy some of these features yourself! The Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority serves the City of Des Moines and they love to showcase what we as well as our surrounding cities have to offer. Want to check out the Bubble Tea Trail? Or see what attractions the tourists are interested in here? Or finally, check out the Event Calendar to see what special events are happening this weekend.

Des Moines Oktoberfest 2024, Sept 21 & 22

Mark your calendars for a weekend of fun, food, and festivities on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 4pm at the Quarterdeck for the Des Moines Oktoberfest 2024 celebration!

Connect with friends, family, and Des Moines residents in a vibrant, festive atmosphere. There will be live music & entertainment, and delectable bites & brews from local vendors. Think pretzels, bratwurst, craft beers, and more. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate Oktoberfest with the community! Whether you’re a resident or visiting from out of town, there’s something for everyone at the Des Moines Oktoberfest.

City Council Meeting Summary

There was no Council meeting this Thursday as the Council does not generally meet on the fifth Thursday of the month. Next week the City Council will be holding a Study Session on Thursday night to discuss the upcoming 2025-26 biennial budget as well as the City Manager Recruitment process. The agenda and materials can be found here.

The Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee will also meet on Thursday at 5pm. The agenda and materials are in the link.

Sports Update

College football kicked off in earnest this week with about 40 games on Thursday night, more tonight and even more all day Saturday. I’ve been watching games with colleges I’ve never heard of, located in states I didn’t know existed, and loving every minute of it. Football is back and the timing couldn’t be better. Our beloved Washington Huskies officially begin their Coach Fisch Era by hosting Weber State on Saturday night in Montlake. Best of luck to Jedd and the boys for the upcoming season! Go Dawgs! The NFL season starts back up on Thursday night with Taylor Swift’s Superbowl Champion boyfriend’s team taking on the Baltimore Ravens in primetime must-watch-TV. The Storm take on the Liberty tonight, the Sounders play the Timbers on Saturday and the Mariners are doing something with the Angels all weekend in Anaheim.

Have a great weekend!

– Tim George

Interim City Manager