[{"_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",6299330,"mediaKeyId","2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c","parentId",2497448,"title","Council approves zoning, budget amendments, permits and proclamation; amends street maintenance code on first reading","audioSeconds",1385,"startMs",4969000,"endMs",6354000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c&start=4969&end=6354","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c/thumbnail_4969000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299330/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-zoning-budget-amendments-permits-and-proclamation-amends-street-maintenance-code-on-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299330-2f531458b3edbefa071b60e30e7243ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153083&Signature=k1N2nlvFVquB~lHCkUpokRB~rbiaxv8aTNVpsfOSdp5-sspjtdfiAOgM2mefme3JLpHIr0CtNH1h2bXEJAGBTT8aNnQrWwL~zDrUgG4pFs2PqjqySyQVF57AlVEc43nYMyHSGVDWPY1IxllMfUQxFWsDBnj1G71RFpMDOC7NCReTAcYAzdzO3xfPATNPVH1ZwCKIAbkdtffQmOkhR37IJBxOoy4Xo9Y0aLdgiymoFoppO6F1ZXc0yByRpmuwFTD17Cth50rV-tBaO8RbNWLcZyZVzhq9RhRoov0VH~t~ddEYAbsug4OEU7dTH1S-6MVaDq5PIQcW7IKplf53f57Dew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Des Moines, Iowa","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The West Des Moines City Council took action on multiple ordinances, resolutions and permit renewals at its Feb. 17 meeting. Key outcomes included zoning and plan changes, approvals of city projects and construction contracts, renewals of retail alcohol licenses, unanimous support for a chamber‑led proclamation and a 4–1 first reading approval of a change to the city code clarifying maintenance responsibility for right‑of‑way adjacent to properties.

Votes at a glance

- Alcohol license renewals (Consent): Come and Go LC d/b/a Come and Go (66), 5308 University Ave. — approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). (Consent item 4C9.)

- Alcohol license renewals (Consent): West Grand Golf Inc. d/b/a West Grand Golf, 6450 Red River Dr. — approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). (Consent item 4C14.)

- Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau agreement (Consent item 4M2): approved; vote: 5 yes. The resolution authorizes the city’s continued participation in the regional CVB arrangement.

- Proclamation — West Des Moines Day of Kindness (item 4T): approved; vote: 5 yes. Mayor Russ Trimble read the proclamation designating Feb. 28 as a Day of Kindness and urged residents to take part.

- West Grand Business Park planned unit development ordinance amendment (item 5A, second reading): approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). The ordinance amends PUD regulations for parcels 3, 4 and 5 of the West Grand Business Park and updates the official zoning code and ordinance references.

- Comprehensive Plan land‑use map amendment (item 5B): approved; vote: 5 yes. The resolution updates the comprehensive plan land‑use map for developed areas and was previously deferred from the Feb. 3 meeting.

- Zoning amendment for 1566 SE Moffett Lake Court (Iowa 5 and Veterans Parkway) (public hearing/item 6A, first reading): approved; vote: 5 yes. Plan & Zoning recommended approval 6–0 with one absent; the council amended the official zoning map to establish light industrial zoning for the site.

- Historic West Des Moines Urban Renewal Area amendment (item 6B): approved; vote: 5 yes. The council adopted amendment No. 7 to the Urban Renewal Area; no written public comments were received.

- Project contracts and capital program items (items 6D–6H and related): multiple resolutions and motions to award/approve contracts for FY budget amendment, the 2025 HMA resurfacing program (phase 1), the 2025 street reconstruction program, City Hall flat roof replacement, and Walnut Creek storm‑sewer pump‑station control replacement were approved; votes recorded were unanimous where tallied (5 yes).

- Continued item (item 6C): Council voted to continue the March 3, 2025 meeting item to allow additional time to finalize a development agreement; vote: 5 yes.

- Amendment to City Code, Title 7, Section 6 (maintenance of parking terraces and sidewalks) (item 7A, first reading): motion to consider first reading passed 4 yes, 1 no. The item drew extended public comment from a resident who said the draft language produced ambiguous lot‑line measurements and cited a disputed maintenance agreement; the council approved the ordinance amendment on first reading and staff was directed to refine language to ensure the perpendicular measurement starts at the lot corner and to work with the resident on outstanding contract questions before the second reading.

What the votes mean

The council’s actions included routine renewals and project approvals that enable scheduled maintenance and capital work across the city (streets, roofs, storm systems). Two items drew more public attention: a PUD amendment for the West Grand Business Park (the second reading passed with one abstention) and a public comment dispute tied to a proposed code clarification on property‑line maintenance (first reading passed 4–1). Staff will return amended ordinance language and additional clarifications in subsequent meetings where required.

Formal action details

See the actions array for recorded motions, vote tallies and short notes tied to each agenda item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Des Moines, Iowa Council Meeting February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 17 meeting the West Des Moines City Council approved multiple agenda items including zoning and plan amendments, project contracts and renewals, and a proclamation declaring Feb. 28 West Des Moines Day of Kindness; the council passed an amendment to Title 7 (street/sidewalk maintenance) on first reading 4–1 after public comment.","taxTitle","West Des Moines City, Polk County, Iowa","taxId",4973,"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},6299334,"Consultant outlines West Des Moines communications work: brand guide, website and measurement",1058,1758000,2816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c&start=1758&end=2816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","/articles/6299334/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Consultant-outlines-West-Des-Moines-communications-work-brand-guide-website-and-measurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299334-9168c280fb544590010a6966c689330d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153083&Signature=jsVB2nJq9KgKsJMRoIIWU3lnIYsoD0-TzopsfArUsAul4Fnz16IX~odzh8nasuIfccw2~XW4cxSbtP3XT74SvgqJWhvm74olCfluEB5qEpngc6wBvfzeLtT9JBvW~WTilDWMN-KZ1G8hkudQkHo7r7pydB05OH4tvroPMt279bubcGfS5fOE88v0AG7xaYOt9rIt56C2Mz3b5StC9Hpu7XjLZgPrZc~O6xIrdWMpQOa3r3EncvJNA8IPt1M1N4Sw6bRxHk5IAJG-Z-UdM-tHbBCmbSRlFI9CXlxrNpfRkkFP1WI-0XGymtb7QvmwFzqnnObwsl5n6zv2CzAsTR8uAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marketing consultant Jana Reeker updated the West Des Moines City Council on Feb. 17 about ongoing communications work, including rollout of a brand guide, digital platform improvements and new measurement tools.

Reeker, who represents a firm identified in the meeting as Marketing Department 360, said the city’s communications program is decentralized and that the brand guide was developed to create consistency across departmental channels. She described four quarterly “affinity groups” — community enrichment, public safety, infrastructure and support services — intended to coordinate messages to common audiences.

On digital platforms, Reeker said the city website (Granicus platform) contains more than 20,000 pages and that the team is working with IT to archive or update outdated content and to use Google Analytics to measure performance. She reported a 53% increase in “engaged sessions” and a 51% increase in page views year over year on the GoWestDesMoines.com site and said event interactions were up 14%.

Reeker described targeted communications projects, including postcards sent in Valley Junction to reduce parking violations through education rather than enforcement, the Citizens Access Portal to track city projects online, and GoWestDesMoines.com as a tool for CED to showcase ongoing projects.

She listed contract commitments to “provide enhanced internal and external communication services,” and told the council her two‑year contract will come up for renewal in April. Council members thanked Reeker and city staff for progress on coordination and measurement; several noted continued work to make services accessible online and to further integrate communications with IT systems.

Council members asked for clarification on who performs day‑to‑day communications work; Reeker described her role as supplemental to the city’s internal communications staff and said her team focuses on planning, risk identification and specialized project implementation.

Reeker said the communications team also plans a “noticing manual,” a scoring rubric to prioritize communications and identify risks, and a toolkit for staff to use across channels.

Council members expressed support for continuing the coordination work and for evaluating the contract renewal in April.","Marketing Department 360 consultant Jana Reeker told the council the city has centralized brand guidance, improved cross‑department affinity groups and seen increased web and engagement metrics; she said her two‑year contract is up for renewal in April.",{"_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},6299339,"Youth Justice Initiative presents program results and asks city to sustain wraparound services",1530,199000,1729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c&start=199&end=1729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497448-28bd21e1b3da4a406df9f7db6bd8386c/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6299339/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Youth-Justice-Initiative-presents-program-results-and-asks-city-to-sustain-wraparound-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299339-3a16960cdc85efa2797b740c288799fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153083&Signature=TYBFCUsLvqiIoyiv~nmyzyDRfmdFQGe~-Hue28VfDVWWd5HuPXLYu0ORxfzgykVyaFgk7Bt1BEMeOejXkXyT9f~jwDIhDBXwDDkC-XrTJnJ45ImNuIWruQx8cqQkCxh2sPVWoCSc78gBJArg4X1nqROm1C2H~vdsUQUJaYD~hLntCpCxva1Un0kqiopu-6UX0H0mf7~E3DsxPrRStj0AQNYAl8wTdCIw5XdAmuNNTStqRD3CwxwMgIHnZz2AJfGpofbA6Ga7cRUR9ncKCH2uYSAiMuhFPtSm-s1wFhoNYLe0G5OFHRMou~3~6F5g6tNZBIF9CH4o~6Cs4UYXIcY0mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council heard a presentation from the Youth Justice Initiative on Feb. 17, with staff and program participants describing prevention, diversion and academic‑support work in the city and nearby neighborhoods.

The presentation, led by Ashley Swinton, identified services that include pre‑court diversion, restorative justice circles, a study‑table program, family classes and the TechConnect work‑readiness program. Swinton said the initiative is entering its seventh year at a Section 8 housing complex in West Des Moines and that the program’s operating budget works out to about $1,700 per young person served.

Swinton described recurring on‑site programming: three summer days per week, two evenings per week during summer, a weekly Monday program during the school year and a study‑table program that serves students in grades 5–12 with meals and academic help. Youth speakers showed a short video and delivered first‑person accounts of program impact.

Former YJI participant Graham Kenworthy said the program helped him raise his GPA from the low 1.0s to a 3.1, connected him with apprenticeship opportunities and aided his path to employment. Another participant, who identified themself as Banksy, described restorative justice circles and family classes that helped address root causes of youth misconduct.

Graham’s mother, Mara Kenworthy, told the council the program engaged the whole family, improved relationships and provided ongoing support for her son’s recovery and growth.

Swinton told the council the study‑table students attend roughly 50 of 60 sessions annually, receive a hot meal and two hours of supervised academic time. She said some young people remain in the program for six months or longer; others stay more than a year.

Mayor Russ Trimble and multiple council members publicly thanked YJI staff, volunteers and the young people who spoke. Trimble noted YJI director Jennifer Hahn will be recognized at the West Des Moines Chamber’s March 5 dinner.

The presentation concluded with council praise for the program’s outcomes and volunteers and a request that the community continue support and nominations for youth leadership programs.","Youth Justice Initiative staff and program graduates described services from pre‑court diversion to academic support and said the program spends about $1,700 per young person; council and mayor praised the program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves zoning, budget amendments, permits and proclamation; amends street maintenance code on first reading

Consultant outlines West Des Moines communications work: brand guide, website and measurement

Youth Justice Initiative presents program results and asks city to sustain wraparound services