Council Passes Amended Anti Cruising Ordinance in Redondo Beach

The Des Moines City Council convened on July 24, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of vouchers, minutes, and significant legislative measures. The meeting began with the city manager's report, followed by the consent agenda, which included five items.

The council unanimously approved items one, two, four, and five of the consent agenda, which encompassed the approval of vouchers, minutes, and a telecommunications franchise agreement with Hyper Fiber, as well as a local solid waste financial agreement with the Department of Ecology. Council Member Oskar requested to pull item three, which pertained to the anti-cruising ordinance for further discussion.

Council Member Ochsicker introduced an amendment to the anti-cruising ordinance, proposing to allow vehicles participating in city-sanctioned cruising events and to limit the chief of police's authority regarding no-cruising orders to a 30-day period unless extended by the council. This amendment aimed to provide a legal framework for community groups that organize cruising events, ensuring they could do so without violating the ordinance.

The council members engaged in a supportive discussion regarding the amendment, highlighting the importance of allowing sanctioned events and the necessity of checks on the chief of police's powers. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz and Council Member Grace Matsui expressed their support, emphasizing that the amendments would enhance the ordinance and provide clarity.

After deliberation, the council voted on the proposed amendments, which passed with a 6-1 vote, with Council Member Harris opposing. Following this, the council moved to vote on the amended anti-cruising ordinance itself, which also passed with a 6-1 vote.

In conclusion, the meeting successfully addressed the consent agenda and made significant progress on the anti-cruising ordinance, reflecting the council's commitment to balancing community interests with regulatory measures. The next steps will involve monitoring the implementation of the ordinance and assessing its impact on local cruising events.