City of Des Moines, WA

Mayor's Minute

As Easter approaches, I am challenged with the kind of sacrifice that saves.

Top Stories
Finish Strong
That is my commitment to our City as I make a difficult decision to retire from City Council this year. This has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding investments I have ever made (besides parenting four teenagers at once! 😉), and I will miss the unique privilege of supporting and cheering for our citizens and businesses from this platform.

I have learned, grown, and struggled, while I have met the most magnificent people and made life-long friends. It is a great privilege to serve this city I love. Thank you for this incredible opportunity, and I hope and pray for strong, courageous, and competent folks from our community to step up into the ring.

Until December 31, 2025, I will continue to invest my heart and mind in serving, listening to, and responding to our citizens. It’s right. It’s worth it.

In Olympia
The Legislature is still in session! For Des Moines, that means a few bills of importance including HB 2049; which would allow a property tax increase capped at 3% for public schools and public safety, and HB 2015 which would allow sales tax dollars back into our community for public safety.

You can contact your representatives during the session at the following:
Senator Orwall (33rd District) here
Representative Mia Gregerson (33rd District) here
Representative Edwin Obras (33rd District) here
Senator Claire Wilson (30th District) here
Representative Kristine Reeves (30th District) here
Representative Jamila Taylor (30th District) here

Q & A
How can we get notified of City events and issues? You now have the ability to subscribe to city news! Straight into your inbox, you can receive notifications about events and any number of subjects – your choice. Check it out here.

What does our City do about the homeless? While folks are not allowed to camp on public property in Des Moines, we work as compassionately as possible with our Getting People Services (GPS) team to shelter and offer help to the unsheltered. Sometimes that can be a challenge if there is a couple or a family involved. If you see someone who needs help, please call PD at 206-878-3301 and thank you for your patience as we work to provide safety for everyone.

Meetings & Events
In the last few weeks, I have enjoyed the privilege of attending State-of-the-City addresses in several of our sister cities. I have been inspired to explore revenue options, public safety issues, and economic projects, and have worked to build good relationships with those who share our borders.

The Executive Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council met, and we were briefed on the regional safety transportation plan, which will work to bring forward policies to create safer streets including. Most notably the body sent a strong message to Olympia asking our legislators to create sustainable local revenue options for cities while they work to maintain safer streets.

On March 29, I had the delightful privilege of hosting a ribbon-cutting honoring community icon, Jack Kelsey where we presented him with a bench on the corner of 7th and 223rd. The bench also memorializes his dear mother, Norma Kelsey. I hope you get a chance to rest with Jack there sometime and hear his amazing stories.

Deputy Mayor Steimetz, Legislative Advocate Anthony Hemstad and I had the opportunity to chat with Patty Murray’s Staff with regard to federal impacts on our local projects. Bottom line; everything is in flux, environmental/green projects in particular are taking hits.

It was a privilege to advocate in Olympia this week for more resources for public safety. HB 2049 is still alive – we’ll see what happens!

Monthly, I gather with the South County Mayors to discuss items of importance to all of us, as we share our borders. Public Safety continues to take the top spot.

New Businesses
Please welcome a couple of our new, brick and mortar businesses in town!
Madina Halal Market Food Trailer – at 21630 Pacific Hwy S
And
The Marina Market – at the old 7-11 location right across from Taco Time.

Coming Up
You wont want to miss the Eggstravaganza at the Activity Center this Saturday!

Items in my calendar that may be of interest to you:
For more detailed information on the events listed, as well as additional events, please visit the City's calendar on the website by clicking here.

APRIL
April 19 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
April 19 Eggstravaganza @ the Des Moines Activity Center
April 19 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
April 22 Trivia Night @ Quarterdeck
April 23 Community Shredding Event @ the Des Moines Activity Center
April 24 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
April 26 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
April 26 Annual Salmon Release @ Des Moines Creek
April 26 SR3 Community Open House
April 26 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
April 26 International Sculpture Day @ George C Scott Studios
April 27 Top Golf Swing For A Cause @ Top Golf in Renton
April 29 Redondo Refresh Hub Ribbon Cutting
May 1 City Council Study Session @ Des Moines City Hall
May 3 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 3 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 3 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
May 8 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
May 10 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 10 Sip and Shop
May 10 Mrs. Roper Romp
May 10 South Sound Opening Day Boating Celebration
May 10 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 11 Live Music @ the Quarterdeck
May 13 Trivia Nights @ Quarterdeck
May 17 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 17 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park – Sponsored by Lighthouse Northwest
May 20 Bingo Night @ Quarterdeck
May 22 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
May 24 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 24 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 27 Trivia Nights @ Quarterdeck
May 31 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
May 31 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
May 31 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 5 City Council Study Session @ Des Moines City Hall
June 7 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 7 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 7 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 10-12 Stormefest
June 10 Trivia Night @ Quarterdeck
June 12 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
June 14 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 14 2025 Sneaker Ball @ Des Moines Yacht Club
June 14 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 14 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 17 Bingo Night @ Quarterdeck
June 21 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 21 MIBBB Fest 2025 @ Quarterdeck
June 21 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4
June 21 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 21 Waterland Pride Celebration @ Backstage Alley
June 22 Men in Black Birthday Bash @ Quarterdeck
June 24 Trivia Night @ Quarterdeck
June 26 City Council Meeting @ Des Moines City Hall
June 28 Discovery Day @ MaST Center
June 28 Des Moines Creek Park Run @ Des Moines Beach Park
June 28 Des Moines Historical Society Open 1-4

Thank you!!
Thank you for taking time to read! As always, please feel free to reach out to me via phone or email – I would be happy to visit with you! [email protected] – 206-251-2719

In closing, I am inspired by another quote from my dear, young friend Austin (who has already experienced a resurrection): “Eat lunch with the new kid.” ❤️

If you prefer to read the Mayor's Minutes in a PDF format, see below!