[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344788,"mediaKeyId","2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d","parentId",2250213,"title","Des Moines council votes to reinstate planning commission; staff to return with draft charter","audioSeconds",1401,"startMs",9099000,"endMs",10500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d&start=9099&end=10500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d/thumbnail_9099000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344788/Des-Moines-City/King-County/Washington/Des-Moines-council-votes-to-reinstate-planning-commission-staff-to-return-with-draft-charter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344788-e3f1831e3ca0a7fcfacc56ff65d5b12e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187834&Signature=i9xvNjV7xRmpz1ku5mf9fOCh77lSQ8i6m6Fjmg4q6A3mr3wyDppiv5Lk3zCyQbH2~vsMi8GKXsL7ffykju96Q8biMSZJFKY-rOKieOh5Xkmugq9m8AScdaomjZPcszDj91FIM3nrD2dUaq7VpTEinNkReiRWfs12XohqSgd4Iv0KW1-nKf7mZOj5U3J1q5IRGBmBpu1g3fz7apn9bbPCPgashzU8P1XPbVmLYTAaaGs4i3x8vPc6lZG9RaaL3y2Epqo3p~vmGn9YIb1HTIW6o3utqrYPHizBACGo1w2zZYn8tt-~4Y7UAlj6A8fhMTmEZMFC9EKhyAjL7X3aHqPrzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Des Moines City, WA","date","2025-02-07T17:28:06Z","article","City planning staff and members of the public urged the Des Moines City Council Feb. 6 to reinstate a planning commission and to return decision‑making to a regular advisory forum. The council voted 6–1 to direct staff to bring back a draft planning commission charter and implementation plan.

Planning Manager Rebecca Denning reviewed the legal role and typical functions of a planning commission under Washington law: she said the commission is an advisory body appointed by the governing body that provides citizen review and recommendations for long‑range growth, the comprehensive plan, and land‑use regulations. “The commission acts in an advisory role and provides recommendations to the council,” Denning said during her presentation.

Denning summarized staff research showing the city had previously operated a seven‑member commission (dissolved by council action in 2013) and that in the past two years only a handful of matters would have required planning commission review: a housing action plan, a business‑park text amendment, a business park master plan and a zoning map amendment. She told council the planning commission can improve public engagement on code and plan updates but also adds another public forum and requires staff time and recruitment of volunteers.

Council discussion asked staff to return with specifics on membership size, term lengths, meeting cadence, member qualifications and outreach strategies. Council members also asked staff to ensure alignment between commission work and other public engagement tools and to provide recommendations on minimizing added administrative workload. The council gave staff direction by consensus and asked for the item to return as a formal agenda item with a draft charter.

Ending: Staff will draft a proposed planning commission charter, membership and implementation plan and return to council for a formal decision. The council indicated it expects the commission to be an advisory body and asked that staff plan for evening meeting times and outreach to secure qualified members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Meeting 02/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","After public comment and a staff presentation, the council voted 6–1 to reconstitute a planning commission and asked staff to return with proposed membership, meeting frequency and scope, citing the advisory role of a commission to improve public review of land‑use matters.","taxTitle","Des Moines City, King County, Washington","taxId",51807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344795,"Community groups press Des Moines to seek mitigation as council approves airport advisory committee",10524,496000,11020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d&start=496&end=11020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d/thumbnail_496000.jpg","/articles/6344795/Des-Moines-City/King-County/Washington/Community-groups-press-Des-Moines-to-seek-mitigation-as-council-approves-airport-advisory-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344795-7712b7ea9b5c2eaeb2b59e3880bdb618/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187834&Signature=WWedk4OzkZKoW-My0jKdFwflbvy9sLVZ1N~wAOgP4Q8SSg27kyXJg-uDlj-WLMFsK7MhB6HSnNS~mtGUjItSFrnwaZidq9ye-52BGAYUDKgAMbqAElBMJ4A-qAcoVxyzvh3j2bgtC3T6rJusJJfMV5NsJ0RLj8THSN3~ZY5-Nri0YSfYvTr8o0E71~LNh5F8jA~LLxr3-ckE9m8~kja1mdFrvsmN3kCiq~amVmtROdYQ1qq3xazM3qorJ64b0vnRK~ZqmauWSKJu7V4kGb3DqYZXT0iE3V2nFBhGUm1NApRPcLFPc0mVqOQsOV2rRzgfe1pmsEOmNjZDxgBxE6cUBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community groups and residents urged the Des Moines City Council Feb. 6 to prioritize public‑health mitigation and coordinated regional action as the council moved to create an airport advisory committee to advise on SeaTac‑related issues.

Representatives from neighborhood organizations described local, health and environmental impacts they said result from SeaTac operations. Maria Batiola, chair of the SeaTac Airport Community Coalition for Justice (STAC for GA), told the council that aviation‑impacted communities are disproportionately people of color and immigrants and said the issue is a matter of justice: “Our sound bite is really simple. It's healthy aviation communities and healthy workers.”

Steve Edmiston, representing Quiet Skies Puget Sound, submitted slides and a recorded presentation urging the council to prepare for an adverse FAA record of decision on the Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental assessment. Edmiston recommended that the city \"prepare the city for a legal response to an adverse FAA record of decision on the SAMP, EA\" and seek training, technical and legal support and partner‑city cost‑sharing.

The council asked staff to refine the committee’s scope and bring back a draft charter and membership plan. Councilmember Ochsiger moved and the council approved formation of the airport advisory committee as outlined in the agenda, subject to later refinement; the motion passed 6–1. The committee will be advisory; staff emphasized the council retains final policy authority. The council also noted the city’s ongoing coordination with a four‑city regional group and consultant work related to the SAMP/EA and expected NEPA/SEPA documents.

Public comment included locally focused testimony. Karen Viloria described Burien’s airport committee and its evolving membership model; Lloyd Little recommended reinstating a public planning commission to increase transparency during land‑use decisions that intersect with airport impacts. Several speakers urged the council to prioritize legal and advocacy preparedness in the event of an adverse FAA record.

Ending: The council’s action creates an advisory body and directs staff to return with a detailed charter and membership plan; staff continues weekly coordination with nearby cities and consultants on technical review of airport environmental documents.","Community presenters and residents urged Des Moines to seek public‑health mitigation for communities under SeaTac flight paths; council voted to form an airport advisory committee and asked staff to return with a refined charter and membership.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344799,"Des Moines Council funds Redondo pier, approves $100,000 for Marina Steps value engineering",7527,1824000,9351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d&start=1824&end=9351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250213-6e1c313bf7ffd147e12419997f235f4d/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","/articles/6344799/Des-Moines-City/King-County/Washington/Des-Moines-Council-funds-Redondo-pier-approves-100000-for-Marina-Steps-value-engineering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344799-3d11bce7c7d471630e04d726f6b2e392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187834&Signature=a6WT72CEa-CpIU53ldWJitYYo4x~Oze~d3BTHXTV1JxXiWIUT096JbghM-YIsZAhbdeo~tydlODx4395W3dJc1yd1kEmRMnDSEHTgdEchwzP89P0gUhvoT4zTBhviTHKv-bShISRAMOWR403SSasTkXNH0Ju0Ekl-Y8oQ-C9AxCY3rmRQ62CekIUeseCCnLDrIOD-7QiKiwXzgQQHc2WWWF3~r~imkgGCx-~E4MTzu1Uxtm2WauVp-q27bPiy~xypaXPskgqKUqJ1B-2Yxu-RaaJsw6Y1y3Df3y86B5SOqLgprwRF066mrXCEK~w2PX7UUNlIRQirheuntpKnwkbtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Des Moines City Council voted Feb. 6 to fully fund the Redondo Fishing Pier using previously authorized bond proceeds and to hire KPFF for $100,000 to perform value‑engineering on the Marina Steps design.

The council’s action follows bids received in 2024 that exceeded original construction estimates: staff said the Redondo Pier previously came in substantially over the city’s construction assumption and the Marina Steps bid returned at about $11.7 million against an $8.1 million construction budget. City Manager Catherine Caffrey told the council, \"the decision we're looking for tonight ... is really whether or not you want to move forward with a contract with KPFF engineers for $100,000 for the value engineering.\" Public Works Director Mike Sullivan described value engineering as a step to reduce specialty materials and optional amenities so the steps can be rebid with additive alternates.

The council approved the combined action in a 4–3 roll call. Yes votes recorded in the meeting were Deputy Mayor Steinmetz, Council Member Mahoney, Mayor Buxton and Council Member Nunning; Council Members Ochsiger, Grace Matsui and Harris voted no. Earlier in the meeting a motion to fund the Redondo Pier only failed for lack of a second.

Staff presented a financial picture that staff called conservative: the city sold a $25.1 million bond package in 2023 that covered several marina and waterfront projects. Project-level detail provided at the meeting included two grants totalling $1.5 million that are restricted to the Marina Steps and about $857,000 in real estate excise tax (REET) earmarked for the pier; staff said recent dock work came in under budget by about $1.6 million and that, across the approved project list, roughly $13 million of bond proceeds remained available to reallocate. After factoring earmarked grant and REET dollars, staff estimated a funding gap of roughly $3.7 million to fully deliver both the steps and the pier at current conservative cost estimates.

Mike Sullivan reviewed specific cost drivers. For the Redondo Pier the single largest cost driver was pile sizing and environmental permitting constraints: the earlier design used 12‑inch piles that required deep drives and concrete fill; the redesign approved last week moves to 18‑inch hollow steel piles and steel caps to reduce depth, concrete fill and heavy precast elements and thereby lower cost and crane requirements. Sullivan said the redesign could bring the pier’s construction cost to an estimated $5.5–$6.0 million and the project’s total package to about $7 million once contingency and construction management are included; however, he emphasized permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies remain the critical path and could delay construction into next year if they are not resolved by early May.

On the steps, Sullivan said staff’s initial value‑engineering cuts could reduce the construction estimate from about $11.07 million toward a baseline somewhere near $10.1 million, with overall project cost (including contingency) near $12 million. He described options such as removing cantilevered outlooks, deleting the spray park or playground as separate additive alternates and delaying undergrounding of power on Cliff Avenue as ways to reduce up‑front cost while preserving future add‑backs.

Residents who spoke during an extended public comment period urged priority for repairing the existing pier and waterfront amenities. Kay Van (Redondo Beach) said, “The last 5 years, it's been an eyesore, and it no 1 can use it for the last, what, 4 years?” Multiple speakers said a repaired pier would restore access for fishers, improve waterfront appearance and encourage private investment.

Council discussion repeatedly returned to two constraints: (1) the permits and the seasonal in‑water construction “fish window” that limits when pier work may be done, and (2) construction inflation that increases the cost of delayed projects. Staff told the council that delaying both projects together risks losing the pier’s 2025 in‑water window and that rebidding under a value‑engineered steps design would provide council with clearer, priced choices before committing to final construction awards.

Ending: The council’s vote funds the pier and directs the city manager to proceed with the KPFF value‑engineering task order. Staff will return with amended design documents, permit updates and bid documents; if permits are not in hand by early May, staff warned, the pier likely cannot be constructed this season and costs may change. The council left further reallocation decisions and any ordinance amendments to later agenda items.","At a Feb. 6 study session the Des Moines City Council voted to fully fund the Redondo fishing pier with bond proceeds and approved a $100,000 task order to value‑engineer the Marina Steps design; council members cited permit timing and cost gaps tied to bids and contingency as drivers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Des Moines council votes to reinstate planning commission; staff to return with draft charter

Community groups press Des Moines to seek mitigation as council approves airport advisory committee

Des Moines Council funds Redondo pier, approves $100,000 for Marina Steps value engineering