Rachel M. Brown

The meeting addressed several items, primarily focusing on the consent agenda which included requests for rezoning and plan amendments for properties near Vandalia Avenue (for a vehicle storage facility), East 9th Street (for renovation of a church into a school and residential use), and East Army Post Road (for an auto body repair shop). Item number five, concerning a site plan amendment for Jake's Fireworks to allow outdoor storage of concrete blocks in front and street side yards, was pulled from the consent agenda for a public hearing due to neighborhood opposition. Staff recommended approval for the fireworks storage amendment, subject to conditions that storage be limited strictly to the concrete blocks, maintained in an organized manner, and that proposed additional screening be subject to staff review. The commission discussed the context of the area being industrial and noted that the concrete blocks are sometimes acceptable screening material for other industrial sites.

The work session agenda featured two primary updates: one on DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) and another on the CV3 violence interruption program. The DMACC update included details on enrollment figures, campus expansion projects such as a new STEM center at the Urban Campus, articulation agreements with other universities, the implementation of a new strategic plan focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Guided Pathways, significant successes in securing grants for workforce development (including cybersecurity, culinary arts, auto tech, and energy trades), and recognition as a top employer in Iowa by Forbes. Additionally, the session covered the TSA homeland security certificate program expansion, partnerships with organizations like Goldman Sachs and Amazon, and collaboration with Broadlawns on the Teach and Tech program for healthcare certification.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and taking of the roll. A new Assistant City Manager, Malcolm Hankins, was introduced. Agenda item two involved approving the agenda with several amendments, including withdrawals and corrections to item numbers and dollar amounts, as well as adding a renaming item (42a) and correcting an ordinance effective date (49). An extra item regarding a tax levy direction was also noted. Council discussed and approved the agenda. Item four concerned the approval of alcohol beverage licenses, specifically delaying action on a license renewal (4J) due to reported noise ordinance violations. Item seven, approving an Iowa Department of Transportation agreement for resurfacing on Second Avenue, generated extensive discussion regarding long-term north-south traffic corridor planning, including MPO long-range transportation plan implications and the impact on local roads like ML King Jr. Drive and 2nd Avenue. The council passed a motion to approve item seven and referred the broader north-south corridor discussion to a future workshop agenda. Item 42 involved approving a donation construction agreement with Kick It Forward for installing a futsal system at Birdland Sports Park, which included renaming the complex from the Mike McPherson Tennis Courts to the Birdland Sports Park Tennis Courts. Discussions emphasized the excitement for new recreational facilities and the ongoing commitment to existing infrastructure improvements like road and storm sewer projects.

The meeting involved introductions for new members, Todd Garner and Chris Draper, who provided background on their professional experiences as an architect and professional engineer, respectively. The commission reviewed meeting rules and procedures, noting their advisory role to the City Council and outlining time limits for public speaking. A significant portion of the session involved processing consent agenda items (Items 1-5, 7-12), which generally included site plan reviews, design alternatives, and rezoning requests for various properties. Key consent items covered requests for landmark designation (Snooki's neon sign), construction of a house building with a shed (Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity), garage construction setback variances, a Hy-Vee canopy addition, and a rezoning request related to the Plan DSM Creating Our Tomorrow comprehensive plan. Item 6, involving street vacation and rezoning for KG Store 543 for a potential microbrewery reuse, was pulled from the consent agenda for public hearing discussion. Items 11 and 12 were subsequently moved into the consent agenda before the final roll call vote.

The Douglas Avenue corridor plan is a comprehensive strategy for the City of Des Moines to revitalize the Douglas Avenue corridor. The plan aims to improve safety and accessibility for all users through a proposed four-lane to three-lane traffic conversion pilot project. It also seeks to enhance the corridor's visual identity with landscaping, streetscaping, and branded elements, while stimulating private investment and redevelopment opportunities. The overall vision is to transform Douglas Avenue into a safer, more aesthetically pleasing, and economically vibrant commercial corridor, supported by strong community partnerships.