Feb 23, 2026

Regular meeting, 5:00 PM · 70 roll calls · Present: Boesen, Simonson, Voss, Barron, Westergaard, Mandelbaum and Gatto (roll call 26-0214)

All votes

Every roll call in the official minutes, in agenda order. Routine items on this meeting (10): attendance, adjournment, agenda, licenses and permits, payments. 7–0 means every member present voted yes. Full minutes for the whole Feb 23, 2026 meeting (saved copy)

• Item (A) · Roll call 26-0209Item title not in the recordAttendance · Minutes, p. 1
• Item (B) · Roll call 26-0210Recess, and reconvene in closed session pursuant to Section 21.5, subsection 1, paragraph C, of the Iowa Code, to discuss as necessary strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent, where its disclosure would be likely to prejud…Not in the record · Minutes, p. 1
• Item (C) · Roll call 26-0211Closed SessionNot in the record · Minutes, p. 1
• Item (D) · Roll call 26-0212Terminate closed session and reconvene in open sessionPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 1
• Item (E) · Roll call 26-0213AdjournPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 1
• Item 1 · Roll call 26-0214Item title not in the recordAttendance · Minutes, p. 2
• Item 2 · Roll call 26-0215APPROVING AGENDA, AS PRESENTED AND/OR, AS AMENDEDPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 2
• Item 3 · Roll call 26-0216APPROVING CONSENT AGENDA * – items 3 through 41Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 2
• Item 4 · Roll call 26-0217Approving Alcoholic Beverage License Applications for the followingPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 2
• Item 4 · Roll call 26-02184-I Consideration of 5-day Class C Liquor License for Great Caterers of Iowa at 1810 Army Post Road for Whitetails Unlimited on March 7, 2026. Sponsor: Mayor BoesenPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 5 · Roll call 26-0219City Clerk to issue Coin Operated Machine LicensesPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 6(A) · Roll call 26-02202026 Sanitary Sewer Replacement Program: Receiving of bids, (3-10-26) and Setting date of hearing, (4-6-26), Engineer’s estimate, $525,000Passed 7–0 · $525,000 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 6(B) · Roll call 26-0221Birdland Park Phase 1B Improvements: Receiving of bids, (3-24-26) and Setting date of hearing, (4-20-26), Engineer’s estimate, $7,400,000Passed 7–0 · $7,400,000 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 7 · Roll call 26-0222Approving and authorizing execution of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) City Highway Bridge Program (HBP) agreement for the SW 9th Street Bridge over Raccoon River Rehabilitation projectPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 8 · Roll call 26-0223Approving and authorizing execution of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Iowa’s Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) agreement for the SE 14th Street (US 69) Corridor Adaptive Signal Control projectPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 3
• Item 9 · Roll call 26-0224Approving and authorizing execution of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Cooperative Agreement and Urban-State Traffic Engineering Program (U-STEP) agreement for the Traffic Signal Replacement at Merle Hay Road and Meredith Drive and I-80/I-35 projectPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 10 · Roll call 26-0225Approving Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery, Inc. for additional professional services for East Court Avenue Improvement Project (Des Moines River to E. 14th Street), not to exceed $96,000Passed 7–0 · $96,000 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 11 · Roll call 26-0226Accepting completed construction and approving final payment for 2025 HMA Resurfacing Program Contract 1, OMG Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Des Moines Asphalt & PavingPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 12 · Roll call 26-0227Levying Assessments for costs of Nuisance Abatement-NAC Emergency Orders (Neighborhood Services), Schedule No. 2026-02Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 13(A) · Roll call 26-02281175 21st StreetPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 13(B) · Roll call 26-02294115 SE 8th StreetPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 14 · Roll call 26-0230Partially releasing subdivision bond for Stanton Ridge, located in the vicinity of 2300 Stanton AvenuePassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 15 · Roll call 26-0231Approving authorization to negotiate purchase agreements for the voluntary acquisition of property located at 206, 208 and 210 Euclid Avenue, not to exceed $600,000Passed 7–0 · $600,000 · Minutes, p. 4
• Item 16(A) · Roll call 26-0232Joshua Baker to the Urban Design Review Board, Seat 4, with a term expiring June 30, 2026Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 2026(B) · Roll call 26-0233Laura Rodriguez to the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission, Seat 4, with a term expiring April 6, 2026Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 17 · Roll call 26-0234Communication from York Taenzer advising of his resignation from the Historic Preservation Commission, Seat 3, effective immediatelyPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 18 · Roll call 26-0235Recommendation from Mayor Boesen to appoint York Taenzer to the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals, Seat 15, with a term expiring April 1, 2027Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 19 · Roll call 26-0236On request from Sherman Lodge #576 Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Officer) to amend the PlanDSM Creating Our Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan to revise the future land use classification of the property from Low Density Residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use, and to rezone the prope…Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 20 · Roll call 26-0237On vacation of the east/west alley right-of-way adjoining 1541 8th Street and conveyance to the Des Moines Independent Community School District, (3-9-26)Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 21 · Roll call 26-0238On approval of the 2025 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, (3-23-26)Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 22 · Roll call 26-0239Receive oral or written testimony from any resident or property owner of Des Moines on the proposed property tax amount for fiscal year 2027, (3-23-26 at 7:30 AM)Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 5
• Item 23 · Roll call 26-0240Approving payment to Action Auto Body and Enterprise Rent-A-Car on behalf of Hen Ku for a property claimPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 24 · Roll call 26-0241Approving payment to claimants for a property claimPassed 6–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 25 · Roll call 26-0242Approving payment to claimants for a property claimPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 26 · Roll call 26-0243Request to Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for additional Community Development Block Grant funds to prepare for, prevent, and respond to Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) for shelter operationsPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 27 · Roll call 26-0244Urban Renewal Development Agreement with JDS Real Estate Investments, LLC for the historic rehabilitation and redevelopment of the existing 3-story office building at 108 3rd StreetPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 28(A) · Roll call 26-0245Approving termination of Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) contract under the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) Program for OpenLoop Health, IncPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 28(B) · Roll call 26-0246Approving 1st Amendment to the Development Agreement with OpenLoop Health, IncPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 29 · Roll call 26-0247Authorizing satisfaction of judgment liens impacting 1196 9th Street, 1331 13th Street, 1245 21st Street and 37 E. Gray StreetPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 30 · Roll call 26-0248First amendment to the 28E Agreement between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality, Polk County, City of Des Moines and Des Moines Water Works for the Central Iowa Cover Crop Seeder ProjectPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 6
• Item 31 · Roll call 26-0249Release of private redevelopment agreement with Riverview DSM LLC (f/k/a Court Avenue Partners) for the property at 218 E. 2nd StreetPassed 6–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 32 · Roll call 26-0250Submittal of application for funding to the 2027 Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) Law Enforcement Highway Safety Grant ProgramPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 33 · Roll call 26-0251Waiver and consent to conflict of interest in representation by Ahlers & Cooney, PC of the Des Moines Independent Community School District in negotiating bus transportation agreement for Parks and Recreation summer campPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 34 · Roll call 26-0252Initial consideration of request for honorary naming of 34th Street between University Avenue and Forest Avenue as “Agha Street” and refer to the Plan and Zoning Commission for review and recommendationNot in the record · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 35 · Roll call 26-0253Accepting proposal and authorizing contract with Crow’s Auto Service, Inc. for vehicle towing, storage and auctioneering servicesPassed 5–2 · No: Barron, Mandelbaum · Minutes, p. 7 · Full page →
• Item 36 · Roll call 26-0254Application to Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Program for enhanced specialized communication for regional water, technical rescue and hazmat operationsPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 37 · Roll call 26-0255Communication from the Greater Des Moines Partnership on behalf of the Iowa State Fair requesting approval of placement for up to 30 banners to be displayed on banner poles in downtown Des Moines beginning the first week of July 2026Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 38(A) · Roll call 26-02563236 N. Union StreetPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 38(B) · Roll call 26-02573014 Scott AvenuePassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 7
• Item 39(A) · Roll call 26-0258135 and 137 E. Leach AvenuePassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 39(B) · Roll call 26-02592400 Watrous AvenuePassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 40 · Roll call 26-0260One (1) time FY26 contract increase to GL Dodge City LLC (Stew Hansen Dodge City) to accommodate projected auto body repair services for the remainder of the fiscal year (FY), allowing Fleet Services to coordinate future vehicle repairs for various City departmentsPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 41 · Roll call 26-0261Authorizing Finance Director to draw checks on registers for the weeks of February 23 and March 2, 2026; to draw checks for the bills of the Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency for the weeks of February 23 and March 2, 2026; to draw checks for biweekly payroll due March 6, 2026Passed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 42 · Roll call 26-0262On vacation of air rights within portions of E. 16th Street and E. Grand Avenue right-of-way adjoining 1600 E. Grand Avenue and conveyance of a Permanent Easement for Air Space above City-owned Property to a property owner and a property owner, $100Passed 7–0 · $100 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 42(A) · Roll call 26-0263First consideration of ordinance abovePassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 42(B) · Roll call 26-0264Final consideration of ordinance above (waiver requested by the applicant), requires six votesPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 8
• Item 43 · Roll call 26-0265On East Locust Streetscape Repair from Des Moines River to East 7th Street: Resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineer’s estimate, receive and file bids, and designating the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as InRoads, LLC (CEO), $1,590,…Passed 7–0 · $1,590,789 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 43(A) · Roll call 26-0266Approval of contract and bondPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 44 · Roll call 26-0267On Glendale Abbey Exterior Improvements: Resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineer’s estimate, and receive and file bids, and designating lowest responsive, responsible bidder as Bi-State Masonry, Inc. (President), $705,825Passed 7–0 · $705,825 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 44(A) · Roll call 26-0268Approving contract and bondPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 45 · Roll call 26-0269On Guthrie Avenue Trail from Glenbrook Drive to Moss Drive: Resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineer’s estimate, receive and file bids, and designating the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as Caliber Concrete, LLC (Owner), $259,272.27Passed 7–0 · $259,272.27 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 45(A) · Roll call 26-0270Approval of contract and bondPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 46 · Roll call 26-0271On SE Industrial Water Main – East Army Post Road and Southeast 45th Street: Resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineer’s estimate, receive and file bids, and designating the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as Thorpe Contracting LLC (Ow…Passed 7–0 · $2,226,515.16 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 46(A) · Roll call 26-0272Approval of contract and bondPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 9
• Item 47 · Roll call 26-0273On Skywalk 2CA, 2C-2D and 2C-3C Exterior Improvements: Resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineer’s estimate, receive and file bids, and designating the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as Bergstrom Construction, Inc. (President), $391,5…Passed 7–0 · $391,500 · Minutes, p. 10
• Item 47(A) · Roll call 26-0274Approval of contract and bondPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 10
• Item 48 · Roll call 26-0275Amending Chapter 114 of the Municipal Code regarding Traffic Regulation Changes as followsPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 10
• Item 48(F) · Roll call 26-0276Final consideration of ordinance above, requires six votesPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 10
• Item 49 · Roll call 26-0277Requests to speak as follows: speakers are listed in the official minutesPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 10
• Item 49 · Roll call 26-0278ADJOURNPassed 7–0 · Minutes, p. 10