[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5982898,"mediaKeyId","5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a","parentId",5796663,"title","Council approves FY 2024–25 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report","audioSeconds",23,"startMs",4247000,"endMs",4270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a&start=4247&end=4270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a/thumbnail_4247000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982898/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-FY-202425-CDBG-Consolidated-Annual-Performance-and-Evaluation-Report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982898-74055b1389fc9359f8383ae50f1d65a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157999&Signature=kBtFWxIpu6i2ImwrdAq8eCwsRnfMYRKKDLYv9406kiPWYymoFw7E-vz7dx4t2bCLAntdazPEAQFqAl10DGHEqyoQj2aCEEfVxuJawntKL~bLwl4I4D5ciIlHD6gXNUNEoT-eB7kpoX3cYbSDZZNKj88CPItJTfFvoqE0Tc3ORJbZmQMruTdOgVyQiTSdHcXLhPIDZ5Qw9b~q8dCxtxOaAgbnZTsYPv0TdEfCTmNkMUGdUDIWwWAfb0YJ~xIbhsxlE0bld0VKSJn7nfXuWVjdNhOxjWw2kioXEiP03BGFIb-tTcGeaNgZQoRuRudc5rtcAe7vIBohfKmFoL~IuU6ccw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Des Moines, IA","date","2025-09-16T12:29:44Z","article","The West Des Moines City Council approved the FY 2024–25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Community Development Block Grant program on Monday, describing how federal CDBG funds were used in the prior program year.
City staff said the funds supported programs including a homeless prevention program, nearly 100 transit passes distributed to enable rides on DART, and a radon mitigation program that funded remediation work (staff cited a $194,000 allocation and noted uptake increased after residents learned of the program).
Why this matters: CAPER approval is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to document how CDBG funds were spent and who benefited; the report informs federal oversight and local planning for next-year allocations.
What the council heard: staff thanked Christine Gordon and other administrators and highlighted the radon-mitigation outreach where residents accessed reductions in home radon readings after mitigation systems were installed. Council approved the resolution by unanimous vote and encouraged continued use of CDBG funding for housing stability and health interventions.
Next steps: the CAPER will be submitted to HUD and the city will continue to administer the CDBG-funded programs and report outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved the city’s FY 2024–25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CAPER, which reports on spending for programs including homeless prevention, transit passes and a radon mitigation program.","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},5982904,"Merchants Bonding expansion approved; city defers 26 parking spaces pending demand",284,4380000,4664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a&start=4380&end=4664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a/thumbnail_4380000.jpg","/articles/5982904/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Merchants-Bonding-expansion-approved-city-defers-26-parking-spaces-pending-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982904-0ba1e89716114d8fc3c71b69dad7d8b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157999&Signature=dvV0aR5ouOlMUm-oU3ZrnXCpri4FhfbxwBrenGOvkZT6O0jj0bAGoTKNr6aeepOIwKJirsIPCPuwd42tfAGm-DR4KZhhr5WuXw9oHT4gR-Bgv1N1W1fqnTZjLHUjNUgsn-aqClN4qi~Th63Ms7Aq5qrw5mrBYouj6r43aGiTPOJbmU9BlF-~lxHterRuvLQ6Vf0DIZTlYRLKW-tFjbLqSHNPRqh5pCYrRR0DXu3A5ScE4ycc1C4Wxt2135mSEhSPlSO8zp~158N8dSRkHNLZr2C2jJ4GETXL8diKQ-tb1GhOm9w8QkxDZACj2eypyE-UIYTv90WhdDXUDL8js8L98g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council approved a major site-plan modification Monday allowing Merchants Bonding to build a three-story addition at 6700 Westown Parkway and defer installation of 26 parking spaces until those stalls are deemed necessary by the city.
City staff recommended approval with a condition: the developer may defer 26 parking spaces but must install them within one construction season if the city later determines the additional stalls are required. Development-services staff said enforcement would be complaint-driven and triggered by staff observations or neighboring property-owner complaints.
Why this matters: the decision balances a developer’s preference to stage capital spending against concerns from adjacent property owners about overflow parking. Council members praised the company’s local investment and said phased parking deferral is a reasonable approach when demand is uncertain.
What was said: Development staff said the deferral would be monitored and that neighbors can file complaints if vehicles begin using nearby properties. Council members described the expansion as a positive economic investment that will create jobs. The council approved the resolution by a unanimous vote.
Next steps: staff will monitor parking use and notify the applicant if additional stalls are required; the applicant would then have one construction season to add the parking as a minor site-plan modification.","The council approved a three‑story addition for Merchants Bonding and allowed the developer to defer installation of 26 parking spaces until the city determines they are necessary, with one construction season to install them if required.",{"_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},5982911,"Human Services Advisory Board says demand rising; launches Tech Lab and workforce partnerships",218,542000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a&start=542&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/5982911/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Human-Services-Advisory-Board-says-demand-rising-launches-Tech-Lab-and-workforce-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982911-8be25706a001bfe6fe0cb27acf0b2276/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157999&Signature=IP5iW~kil67gmn-DMkpA~MKIYV0BHKpgt6gTBHYbBaEDsaJSzceQlBIDF8Vb8cGkKhdgTLzwmBjKCa2mkr~CCCqwdO~znuPzCpBlc1KldR~-VvtcipcEL4E0DXey25J5h2ZOJTPvVpfaRYe7C-2JXPFsrbnWLklNxx8Wma5Mhq1~qK46Guoh2VDf7UY8hWOR0Lb8u2wRUeyhFtHEraNJxeo2~R5DChS-BzbPs4jg3lwlhNiaxdQ2fW~YyhicPnBgEVyrldtlEiab1aclpDXgwxBBEuONzARY79FFMJUW6zdL2tV9qyTG9XGQnKcYwA0teFfmqNK4ij1Edv0pnjNvvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines Human Services Advisory Board told the council on Monday that demand for emergency assistance, food, clothing and transit assistance continues to rise and that the board is shifting some efforts from short-term relief toward workforce training and long-term stability programs.
Karen Cortez, chair of the Human Services Advisory Board, said the board raised more than $70,000 through a “Community of Care” campaign and has streamlined operations with new technology and volunteer support. Cortez invited the council and public to a Tech Lab launch with Microsoft on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.
Audrey Kennes, the city’s director of human services, said the department has launched a pilot partnership with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and a local corporate partner for a data center academy; the first cohort of 15 students completed the initial class. Kennes characterized the project as a pilot the department hopes to replicate if the early results remain “promising practices.”
Why it matters: the board and department emphasized both immediate assistance (food pantry, emergency financial help, transit passes and radon mitigation outreach funded through CDBG) and a growing emphasis on partnerships to connect residents to training and higher-paying jobs.
Details and next steps: Cortez listed volunteer and staff improvements, and said the department is exploring on-site financial classes and expanding public-private partnerships with employers and schools. Kennes said the DMACC partnership is in pilot stage and that the department will evaluate results for possible replication. The board’s fall fundraiser is scheduled for Oct. 16; Cortez also thanked the Friends Foundation and corporate partners for support.
Context: the board noted increased requests for transit passes, clothing and personal-care items in addition to food, and urged continued city support for both short-term assistance and workforce initiatives aimed at reducing long-term need.","The city’s Human Services Advisory Board reported rising service demand, more than $70,000 raised through a community campaign, and new workforce partnerships including a Tech Lab launch with Microsoft and a data center academy with DMACC.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982916,"Council denies liquor license for Valley Junction event hall over past misrepresentations and tax issues",922,5391000,6313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a&start=5391&end=6313","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a/thumbnail_5391000.jpg","/articles/5982916/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-denies-liquor-license-for-Valley-Junction-event-hall-over-past-misrepresentations-and-tax-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982916-b4c1160eb2057049001eebbcfcba032c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157999&Signature=eB3cnER-8xZfKU5A9oQ~3VFdwcFuvT9plWYo1U-PBdPxzvxgnSW7ZWlmeifd~w-lirKg2RQy15Xiyy-zFg8~Y6nJw3mLj5Vlv8koV5WBrATDL~32NCfx7ZRgMcILVas4K51EcriXL6ngizoZk6E5JQ3hbqSs8ll5x-I1nVqNrdZ2moctzzWbz8tQU6W-ZgN9zlVzE41~1-LO9ek1rZkcQVhpQIFgT2LF73gaN-HYCbYYM96eglM~3Mq~1GyMaDEFWJv8ax7uDxdFmWSjDEO34AH9YC-vqSDDfIoJ0uizA0mfLSb5jXyZdDNQ6pHV7DNaWqkVYMt17k48DAc7GTtNJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council denied a liquor license application for the Hall, a Valley Junction event facility, by a 4-1 vote after legal and police reviews identified past misrepresentations and tax problems associated with the applicant.
Deputy City Attorney Jessica Grove told the council the city’s review and an independent Alcoholic Beverages Division investigation found that Maria Mendoza had misrepresented material facts about ownership and financial management when she previously applied and that she had earlier been charged in connection with failing to remit sales tax; the charge was later reduced to an aggravated misdemeanor and the tax liability paid. Grove said those findings bear on whether Mendoza meets the statutory standard of good moral character for a licensee and on whether the applicant can be expected to comply promptly with tax and reporting obligations.
Why this matters: municipal liquor licenses are privileges regulated under state law; the council must determine whether applicants meet statutory standards that include financial standing and reputation. Police records introduced by staff showed elevated calls for service at the applicant’s prior location, including reports involving assault and other disturbances.
What the council heard: Grove summarized the legal basis for denial: prior misrepresentations about who would manage and finance the operation and earlier tax nonpayment. Police noted that between September 2019 and October 2022 the prior location generated about 49 calls for service and approximately 15 written reports, including aggravated incidents the department had handled. An adjoining property owner, Peter Smith, told the council that customers of the Hall had parked regularly on his property, causing property damage and access problems; he supported denial. The applicant, Maria Mendoza, said she had learned from past mistakes and described plans to operate the Hall as a restaurant-focused venue emphasizing food and family-friendly music; she said she had arranged financial advice and been working to address prior issues.
Decision and vote: the council voted 4-1 to deny issuance of a new license. Council members citing the legal review and the police record joined the majority; one member asked the council to consider whether individuals should have the opportunity to rehabilitate and said they hoped for future reconsideration if circumstances change.
Context and caveats: staff noted the Hall previously operated under a different operator and that some parts of the facility’s business (use of the kitchen for a nonprofit) remain in place under separate arrangements. Denial of a municipal license does not bar the applicant from other business activity but prevents issuance of the city liquor license at this time.","The council voted 4-1 to deny a liquor license application by Maria Mendoza for the Hall in Valley Junction after staff and police cited prior misrepresentations about ownership, past tax nonpayment and police service calls at a prior location.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982921,"West Des Moines delays annexation vote after residents raise concerns about scope, services and binding signatures",2005,2130000,4135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a&start=2130&end=4135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796663-00976d5d3b06b4da659228b0c8c3575a/thumbnail_2130000.jpg","/articles/5982921/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/West-Des-Moines-delays-annexation-vote-after-residents-raise-concerns-about-scope-services-and-binding-signatures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982921-1148abc60de741cc8169f6255b0bd4f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157999&Signature=oQH0bigJxRQo-wCrN5H~fRefwAiGPd4KTFKIWpnOCfvX6eRW2Jvx~murWBYbg-rkM09DA9yaMMeLQwT3DwsmJgbhJaJOX6ZyLZ5Av4b3txb7Vs7W7mKSAb7JhyMgZlmV3GFt2HJvW-0z5sDdas3OQv4IBorwf~r6r1tozPNLukq8uKEukKJoacZ~~g3k65urzNMiYYZRUTlVNaEWOYrKeRpiabri0nRCjWXc0pt7MWIjhqMwAuItJ-~ECa7xp0nNckU-6~SNr8~4TkdbG3FSvNw3dAHgqxB-yMOH5LnoBV-T9KKRFh0HlSPA0bI8facHWbfGXGt4TqLLGZjZHqfOlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council on Monday continued a public hearing and action on a proposed voluntary annexation covering parcels around Mill Civic Parkway and Rockwood Lane to its Oct. 20 meeting after residents raised questions about whether property-owner signatures were still binding and about what services would follow annexation.
The continuation came after several residents said they had signed earlier applications under different terms and that some property owners now oppose annexation. Ryan Moffat, the city’s community and economic development director, told the council, “we wouldn't bring this forward if we didn't think that we had 80% support to proceed with that annexation.” The council voted 5-0 to continue the hearing to Oct. 20 to allow staff to verify current support and follow up with property owners.
Why this matters: annexation would change which government provides water, police, street maintenance and other municipal services and would phase in city property taxes under a 10-year sliding-scale tax-abatement the city says is the maximum allowed under state law. Several speakers told the council they had earlier expected additional benefits — including extension of the city’s conduit broadband network and coordinated water service — and that those elements were not part of the version before the council.
What was said and decided: multiple residents from Rockwood Lane and nearby parcels told the council they do not want to be annexed now. One resident, Meece Price, said she had signed an earlier application believing it was nonbinding and that the terms had changed; another resident, Michael Manley, cited Iowa Code language about giving “due consideration to the wishes of the residents of territory to be annexed.” Moffat confirmed there was one application with a withdrawal option but said staff believed they had met the 80% land-area threshold required under Iowa law to proceed with the selective annexation; he said he would re-check the filings and follow up with owners.
The council and staff also discussed the timetable for infrastructure extension. Moffat said the city increased the city-levy tax abatement to “the maximum that we could offer,” and described the conduit network and water connections as items that the city intends to extend but that would require phased construction. Council members said some property owners already receive or seek West Des Moines Water Works service and that isolated, property-specific annexations may proceed later if required to provide water service.
Next steps: the council continued the matter to the Oct. 20 meeting and directed staff to contact property owners and verify current responses on the annexation applications and the single application that included a withdrawal option. The council asked staff to provide updated calculations about whether the 80% land-area threshold remains met and to clarify, parcel by parcel, what services (water, sewer, conduit broadband) would be available and on what timeline.
Context and caveats: the public record and staff materials show the city earlier pursued a larger annexation that included Fox Creek and other areas and offered additional engineering and utility commitments; some residents said their earlier signatures reflected that larger package. Residents said that the current proposal — with the 10-year sliding-scale abatement but without the earlier broader commitments — is materially different from what they had been told previously. The council did not vote to approve annexation at the meeting; it voted only to continue the hearing to Oct. 20 so staff could confirm support and return with updated information.","City council continued a proposed selective annexation of Mill Civic Parkway, Rockwood Lane and nearby properties to Oct. 20 after residents questioned whether previously signed applications were still binding and whether promised services would be delivered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves FY 2024–25 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

Merchants Bonding expansion approved; city defers 26 parking spaces pending demand

Human Services Advisory Board says demand rising; launches Tech Lab and workforce partnerships

Council denies liquor license for Valley Junction event hall over past misrepresentations and tax issues

West Des Moines delays annexation vote after residents raise concerns about scope, services and binding signatures