[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",5972927,"mediaKeyId","5841110-f30eb0fb014b3d8b7de0eb5458736dc4","parentId",5841110,"title","Des Moines fleet services outlines hybrid vehicle push, quarterly fuel contracting and mechanic recruitment plan","audioSeconds",1340,"startMs",4676000,"endMs",6016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841110-f30eb0fb014b3d8b7de0eb5458736dc4&start=4676&end=6016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841110-f30eb0fb014b3d8b7de0eb5458736dc4/thumbnail_4676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5972927/Des-Moines/Polk-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-fleet-services-outlines-hybrid-vehicle-push-quarterly-fuel-contracting-and-mechanic-recruitment-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972927-87c40896ed07bb6c700eee61533f0079/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687932&Signature=PzGeOGz5-dO-h~u9kRHvqAR64G5OCCad4n880ND2aWUFYEL39Yla4EvFhZkFp~UJHJV2V697MVsNv4NOXRsI1ZR9Y2278AW83lpkwsGfe4rQgHPO8JQQ2cKM9oq6VSfUZpDXCBEZviPV55rl31VYlzPUslh7XSCJ5IaI7aHOUeFXTEYx8b9S2C0gmAHos1JAFeoUMJKRJas~DxfozI~qOS0wFaw-Q0U2pvg8qe0vx32c1qWLKlhBhmz4YfbkPEvbbNYbk6IXP38kiXaQrmrdwQi7jb30vZAIczZRWuqEpYzdXZ1oDSWz9C3K4UtMfCdeSeYaT-u9~AE0msO-WRxEiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Des Moines, IA","date","2025-09-28T23:35:21Z","article","Chad Stone, fleet services administrator, told the City Council at the Sept. 29 work session that Fleet Services is responsible for “over 1,300 pieces of equipment” and that the city currently staffs 26 mechanics to maintain that fleet.

Stone said 83 percent of the fleet relies on unleaded or diesel fuel, 4 percent is hybrid and 2 percent electric, and that the city plans to increase hybrid vehicle purchases next year. “We will be adding an additional 26 hybrid vehicles this next year,” Stone said, projecting a total of 76 hybrid vehicles by the end of fiscal year 2026.

Stone framed the city’s vehicle‑fuel transition around three constraints: cost, vehicle characteristics and availability through the Department of Administrative Services cooperative contracts. He said hybrid vehicles often carry a lower total cost of ownership than pure electric vehicles in the city’s analysis and that some high‑use police applications led the department to prioritize hybrid interceptors. “If we can make a customer like that happy, then that speaks volumes to the quality of the hybrid vehicles,” he said, referring to the Des Moines Police Department’s early adoption of hybrids.

The fleet presentation included short‑term steps staff have taken and near‑term issues to address: quarterly contracting for fuel to exploit lower prices; a biodiesel supply line at one fueling site that freezes in winter and limits biodiesel use; and a lifecycle replacement process that weighs department needs, budget availability and alternative‑fuel options. Stone said recent procurement changes yielded estimated cost avoidance of more than $100,000 this fiscal year by moving to quarterly fuel contracting.

Recruiting and workforce retention was a major focus. Stone presented projected attrition that will remove decades of institutional vehicle‑maintenance experience in the next five to ten years and described outreach to DMACC and local technical programs to attract new technicians. He said the fleet shop recently hosted classes and career fairs and that the city used temporary hires from DMACC while two mechanics were on limited duty.

Stone reported progress on emissions and fuel diversification: hybrids increased from 40 in 2019 to 50 at the end of FY25 and electric vehicles grew from 1 to 29 in the same period; biodiesel comprised 14 percent of diesel consumption in the presented calendar‑year data. He quantified avoided emissions from fuel diversification and hybrid adoption at almost 1,300 metric tons of CO2e — equivalent, Stone said, to removing 289 gasoline vehicles operating for one year.

Council members asked for the fleet’s cost‑of‑ownership spreadsheets and for annualized fuel‑savings metrics; Stone agreed to provide the ownership and fuel‑savings analyses. No formal votes or procurement decisions were made at the session; staff described ongoing evaluation criteria for vehicle replacement and said future purchases will be based on departmental use cases, DAS availability and total lifecycle cost.

Stone closed by listing priorities for FY26: expand hybrid purchases where appropriate, continue biodiesel and alternative‑fuel testing while fixing fueling infrastructure constraints, implement quarterly fuel contracting, and amplify local recruitment and apprenticeship efforts to address a projected technician shortage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-29-25 City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Fleet Services reported that the city’s fleet totals more than 1,300 pieces of equipment, that 83 percent of vehicles use gasoline or diesel, and that the department will add hybrid vehicles and pursue quarterly fuel contracts while launching local recruiting for mechanics.","taxTitle","Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa","taxId",4694,"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},5972933,"Des Moines parks officials report record use, volunteer surge and $18.4 million budget in work‑session briefing",4387,285000,4672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841110-f30eb0fb014b3d8b7de0eb5458736dc4&start=285&end=4672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841110-f30eb0fb014b3d8b7de0eb5458736dc4/thumbnail_285000.jpg","/articles/5972933/Des-Moines/Polk-County/Iowa/Des-Moines-parks-officials-report-record-use-volunteer-surge-and-184-million-budget-in-worksession-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972933-abc8a7543d34b34b71651815caf41cec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687932&Signature=ihoB~nZUYESRbsRjhJk2-WBEbTTcVYc7tBG9dCXfYxr5PFVh7ICfXhCrWXBDKtMzkTRavSOTOahz3oOd~55hegbWKqHETJmx1ja-iiS6ZUM5XMs3Ega-LOqivnYO1hExz3U3fasSQFqoQaLpboEX4zRuixPtSbvsrtjaiv6q-Db5TApHTRsmO0GeIKk2n5VfJJZ12etzHXOgEAna6rkFfpHia1TTNYaCVoZWRvNaT~CNIZ5EEAodNr0olN4vucSG7rwl9c~NovuB7olbwS53C5dyc7Gux76Qv7b0Y0wrJa9gkqUjV-Xudtmo77iAgXMINCf0oImkd8k5GVUjYVk1hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Page, Des Moines parks and recreation director, told the City Council at its Sept. 29 work session that the department’s mission is “helping Des Moines live well, play hard, and protect the Earth.” He said the department manages 92 parks, 70-plus miles of trails, 20 aquatic facilities and seven service lines on an $18,400,000 operating budget that returns about $4,500,000 in revenue.

The update stressed heavy public use and volunteer support. “In 2024 alone, 5,317 volunteers donated 33,699 hours of service, valued at over $1,100,000,” Jenny Richmond, assistant director, said. Richmond and Page described a 15‑year volunteer tally of roughly 52,000 unduplicated volunteers and said Friends of Des Moines Parks and the Parks and Recreation Board are major funders and advocates.

The department reported user counts and program data that exceed pre‑pandemic levels. Page cited golf participation at about 130,000 rounds a year and said pools received enough visits last year that “we would have filled up the Iowa football and Iowa State football stadiums both.” Mike Ault, parks manager, said trail counters recorded 3,300,000 trips in 2024 with daily peaks above 9,000 users.

The recreation division described programs aimed at equitable access. “Camp remains free due to many generous partnerships,” Janice Steele, recreation manager, said, summarizing free summer camps that provide breakfast, lunch, swim lessons and enrichment at five sites chosen for economic need. Steele also noted that the city will open its first indoor pool at the Rygaard Community Recreation Center in 2026.

Daniel Calvert, development and planning administrator, framed the planning division as the department’s project delivery arm: “Our team is often referred to as the Swiss Army knife,” he said, and highlighted $17.5 million in grants and $7.6 million in private donations the division secured in recent years. Calvert said planning staff have applied for more than 75 grants and that volunteer construction work saved the city nearly $300,000 in contracted construction costs over the last five years.

Officials described program details and recent changes: the department reported 71 full‑time staff, 39 year‑round part‑time staff and more than 300 seasonal positions; operations now count 92 parks after a recent inventory and classification review; the department manages six pools, four splash pools, 18 spraygrounds and three community golf courses run by a contractor; and greenhouse production yields roughly 320,000 annual plants per year.

Page and staff outlined engagement tools and new analytics. The department is onboarding a City Data AI parks module to measure park and cemetery visits and amenity‑level use from anonymized mobile data; Page said the tool will help match maintenance and permitting to actual use. Richmond cited resident survey results showing 77 percent satisfaction with park location and 72 percent with overall quality.

Council members applauded staff and volunteers and asked about communication channels and the parks recount. Page said the department uses social media, a “before you go” text alert system, the department call center and on‑site outreach. He said the updated count of 92 parks added smaller dedicated parcels and previously recorded but undeveloped gifts of land.

The presentation listed funding partners and scholarship donors, including Friends of Des Moines Parks, Variety — the Children’s Charity, and an American Red Cross Centennial program that provided training and $11,500 for scholarships. Officials emphasized that many projects use a mix of CIP funds, grants, private donations and volunteer labor.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the briefing; council discussion was limited to questions and commendations. Staff said they will return with more detailed data products and a planned workshop on the City Data AI tool.

For council reference, staff distributed an activities guide, trail maps and an annual report and offered to provide follow‑up reports on text‑alert subscription numbers and the detailed park inventory.

Less urgent items included scheduled facility renovations and volunteer recognition details; the presentation closed without formal council direction other than requests for the City Data AI briefing and the text‑alert usage report.","Parks and Recreation leaders told the City Council that use of parks, trails and pools remains above pre‑pandemic levels, volunteers donated more than $1.1 million in 2024, and the department operates on an $18.4 million budget while returning roughly $4.5 million in earned revenue.","actionData","errors"]

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Des Moines fleet services outlines hybrid vehicle push, quarterly fuel contracting and mechanic recruitment plan

Des Moines parks officials report record use, volunteer surge and $18.4 million budget in work‑session briefing