[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",6070773,"mediaKeyId","3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12","parentId",3049753,"title","Chamber highlights workforce programs, MidAmerican funds trees program, city receives ETC award","audioSeconds",913,"startMs",191000,"endMs",1104000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12&start=191&end=1104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12/thumbnail_191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070773/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Chamber-highlights-workforce-programs-MidAmerican-funds-trees-program-city-receives-ETC-award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070773-e56fbe4f63e9d3d3c0d82be560e3d726/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206492&Signature=iKx36tH-u~jjgw~88urj6JNnpQMeQ5-IknA0rs-U-m9S9rTaDMSrVHeu8Xqzj5PnfKnQEwQpHHVACXsFQ6LYQW~S13OoWt-xYRynp4zYvd3DYpx3JjHTDGwXdiDiTXuRKsRog-uN6bjk1LGcDvwVe1Uzam~z2RJbdLk3ScNcSZEliWZ5suAyeIaqod66iwjsQSwc6YKMiMpnCo5j4-Zfo44UbadXM~ghyUmAUe6mPWJnrP-LLfb95YOlGZvmNaMgaE4-mHaUDphuv9PKmn4B8vQNtZNnbTGj4Fjsb65ne45GWJikWRmbgJaJLI24HH~mzALdDrvX7RbAebFNZF-DSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Des Moines, Iowa ","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","Three non-legislative items drew attention at the West Des Moines City Council meeting on April 7, 2025: a utility donation to the city tree program, a presentation from the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and an award recognizing the city’s resident-service ratings.

MidAmerican Energy Company presentation

Tim Brubinsky of MidAmerican Energy Company told the council the company contributes about $5,000 a year to the Trees Please program and that MidAmerican supports roughly 59 communities through that and similar efforts. Brubinsky said MidAmerican provided about $134,000 this year to help communities plant appropriate trees and fund sustainability projects; he said the company was pleased to provide $5,000 to West Des Moines this year.

Chamber of Commerce update

Paul Scott, outgoing board chair, and Catherine Harrington, president and CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, presented the chamber’s recent work. Harrington described three pillars guiding the chamber — workforce development, business advocacy and placemaking — and highlighted a new high-school leadership academy launching the next day. She said the chamber has returned more than $500,000 to the community since 2011 and recently launched the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a legacy nonprofit to support future programming.

Leading the Way award to city

Deputy City Manager Jamie Lehring presented the city with the ETC Institute’s Leading the Way Award, recognizing West Des Moines as among the top 10% of U.S. local governments that participated in a citizen survey. Lehring said the city exceeded the national average by more than 25 percent in 22 service areas, including parks, recreation and overall value for city tax dollars and fees. City leaders acknowledged the award and said staff will continue efforts to address lower-scoring areas.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Des Moines, Iowa Council Meeting - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 7 meeting, MidAmerican Energy announced a $5,000 Trees Please contribution to West Des Moines, the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 accomplishments and new foundation, and the city received ETC Institute’s Leading the Way Award for high citizen-satisfaction survey results.","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},6070775,"West Des Moines council approves ordinances, capital measures and proclamations; hotel-motel grants split council",1565,1746000,3311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12&start=1746&end=3311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12/thumbnail_1746000.jpg","/articles/6070775/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/West-Des-Moines-council-approves-ordinances-capital-measures-and-proclamations-hotel-motel-grants-split-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070775-9ee0c814770a606c597c775b03f94089/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206492&Signature=LjCrpJ~5nCvpymU4PEXuWdIqm6Y1khpH-lnOYagL9d0PGh50SEgsdWcmo1BE2~szauyhq8ydRPUlmMIJ0m6bZo0dU7cNZWl4YUPgdt9RoBuOCjU~rqy3QJHMRIY5D-O~2~KV7rp97gN1XuldrVp-MuVjuSS3cy9kso6aAhoMhOYuOtvTxgIBzFBrW5rxgvab3SmFhgUURcAAHWRim6wJaJbE-ht42bYdUy5imSxGnIBAy0fQgdCp6XotQeT~DuTRa27WVWYWn6zSjUTpu-kOG1mJdQp5tQtKhEQiMYY6Xv0TkZROM6fpywfD1DnyhN0zCmCcsX8pwsXCtw9P5-R4Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council approved a package of routine and substantive items on April 7, 2025, including ordinance readings, proclamations, infrastructure project resolutions and a resolution to pursue up to $11 million in general obligation capital loan notes.

Key votes at the April 7 meeting (summary):

- Ordinance amendments (second readings and adoption/waivers): The council approved second readings, waived third readings and adopted final form for multiple city-code updates, including an amendment to the West Grand Business Park planned unit development (PUD) for Parcel 5 (approved unanimously), changes to temporary consumer fireworks sales in Title 3 (approved unanimously), and a modification to Title 4 (Solid Waste Control) pertaining to collection charges (approved unanimously). The council recorded the relevant ordinance and code citations during readings.

- Proclamations: The council approved proclamations recognizing National Library Week (April 6–12, 2025), National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19, 2025), Minority-Owned Business Day (April 17, 2025), and Arbor Day (April 25, 2025). Each proclamation passed unanimously.

- Capital and infrastructure measures: Council advanced a resolution to institute proceedings for not-to-exceed $11,000,000 in general-obligation capital loan notes after a public hearing that included no written or spoken public comment. The council also approved resolutions related to the Mill Civic Parkway reconstruction (S. 90th Street to S. Grand Prairie Parkway) and the Rackham River Park trail reconstruction; the parks item was noted as the top-ranked Parks & Rec Advisory Board priority and had prior Finance & Administration subcommittee approval.

- Land use and surveys: Council approved a plat-of-survey to split parcels on Raccoon River Drive (JCG Equity LLC) with a condition that future owners accept responsibility for required public improvements.

- FY 2026 hotel-motel tax allocations: The council approved the FY 2026 hotel-motel tax allocation slate after presentations by applicants and committee review. The motion passed 3-yes, 1-abstention (abstention noted as due to potential conflict of interest).

Votes on routine items were generally unanimous; the hotel-motel allocations drew one abstention. Council members thanked staff and volunteer committees for the work vetting allocations and noted that discretionary hotel-motel funding has declined and applicants should plan accordingly.

What happens next: Several ordinance changes were adopted in final form at second-reading waiver, and some items (including the proposed ordinance change on animal control) will return for further council action. Staff will proceed with project contracts and next steps on capital projects and debt issuance as authorized by council resolutions.

","On April 7 the West Des Moines City Council approved multiple ordinance readings, proclamations, infrastructure resolutions and a slate of hotel-motel tax awards, and advanced a general-obligation borrowing resolution. One allocation vote included an abstention.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070776,"West Des Moines council approves first reading of animal-control change after heated public comment",0,3346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12&start=3346&end=3346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049753-b0b42290f482998f47b1c776e1057a12/thumbnail_3346000.jpg","/articles/6070776/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/West-Des-Moines-council-approves-first-reading-of-animal-control-change-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070776-563822d79cb8a32cc72e7d777673aeea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206492&Signature=eU~Uk6NYglZY2EnjgVV5IiAzPyB23N323epV-Cwjq0uPH7vEFPBd-LedTOUaQIDqfGAfAg~TttgE1Ky5Pm2Xjzdy-sJI0SBcGnBgO2ChmDSsKBzUd0ZSc8f-bTuA7wjSWyiPzJk6IAGhhzKsJT6NeoQrSCHHNjr9kUl5G~L-CvUjNbeUs7CuJPqH8AApqeYsKrohVj1BeKPb5i8Eqvew07pLGqLLHvK5-~j5LRmUFBdNFWIXM25EAlTODf8LNKfPwnpoutGRW-pXV6J76ITdQp0o460glMzXtef8qnIfF-t8zL3wbi3aA4Nu6X~oEV3QEjeHHWRHV4FUtlwYGL7blQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council approved the first reading of an amendment to Title 5, Police Regulations, Chapter 3 (Animal Control) on April 7, 2025, after a lengthy public comment period that focused on how the city will treat feral and owned cats.

The amendment clarifies the city’s TNR (trap-neuter-return) process and changes the stray-hold timeline for cats the city deems “tame” or potentially owned. Under the policy described at the meeting, cats identified as unowned and feral would continue to be held for four days; cats showing signs of ownership would be held seven days; tamed or adoptable cats could be held up to 14 days, after which the city would alter (spay/neuter) animals and return community (feral) cats to the location where they were found if no owner reclaimed them.

The change matters, animal-welfare advocates said, because it alters the practical outcomes for socialized, adoptable cats as well as feral cats. “TNR is a humane and evidence based practice for managing feral cat populations,” said Britt Gonya, speaking at the podium and identifying work with local animal-welfare efforts, who criticized portions of the draft ordinance and warned it could allow adoptable pets to be returned to the streets. Gonya called the city’s prior shelter partnerships and funding decisions into question and urged stronger veterinary care and sheltering commitments.

Public Services Director Gary Rankin said the revised language is intended to reduce reproduction among community (feral) cats while allowing additional time to attempt adoption for tamed cats. “If it’s deemed that there’s no owner…we will hold the cat for 4 days,” Rankin said. He described the change for tamed cats as an additional seven days — for a total of 14 — to allow for adoption efforts, and said cats would be spayed or neutered before being returned to the environment from which they were picked up if no owner was located: “We will make sure that cat is non reproducible. We’ll enter it back into the environment where it came from.”

Council members repeatedly sought clarification on the timeline and legal constraints for taking permanent actions (such as spay/neuter) on animals while they remain in the city’s custody. Members also noted the city’s recent changes in shelter partnerships and asked staff whether the ordinance would increase or reduce sheltering costs and capacity. Council discussion included questions about microchipping, collars and license requirements, and who will make the administrative decision to hold animals beyond the seven-day period; Rankin said he or his designee would make that determination.

The public debate was robust. Gonya argued the proposed ordinance could allow socialized, adoptable cats to be returned to the streets or be subject to elective procedures before owners have a realistic chance to reclaim them. Supporters of the change described it as a way to reduce reproduction among feral cats and to make more humane, uniform decisions for animals that cannot be housed long-term by the city.

The amendment passed its first reading on a 4-0 vote. The council noted the ordinance requires up to three readings; Mayor Russ Trimble and the council indicated they would continue to consider revisions during the next readings and invited further review in response to public concerns.

What happens next: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for subsequent readings before final adoption. Council members and staff said they expect additional scrutiny and potential edits in response to public input and logistical questions about shelter capacity, veterinary services, and how the city will implement spay/neuter and return procedures.

","The West Des Moines City Council approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s animal-control ordinance that clarifies trap-neuter-return (TNR) procedures and lengthens holding times for certain cats. The change drew sustained public comment from Furry Friends and a multi-question exchange with Public Services Director Gary Rankin.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chamber highlights workforce programs, MidAmerican funds trees program, city receives ETC award

West Des Moines council approves ordinances, capital measures and proclamations; hotel-motel grants split council

West Des Moines council approves first reading of animal-control change after heated public comment