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Council confirms new Citizens Advisory Board appointments after divided votes
Summary
The council confirmed slate of appointments to a reorganized Citizens Advisory Board, approving the mayor’s nominations with votes of 6–1 and 4–3 on separate motions. Councilors who opposed said they had structural concerns about the new board’s format; supporters said the appointees were experienced volunteers.
The Des Moines City Council confirmed a series of mayoral appointments to a reorganized Citizens Advisory Board but a portion of the council voted against one or more nominees, reflecting concern about the board’s structure and select appointments.
Deputy Mayor Steinmetz presented the mayoral slate and said the new board consolidates prior advisory panels (the former Citizens Advisory Committee, Senior Services Advisory Board and Arts Commission) into a single Citizens Advisory Board. The packet listed a full slate of applicants; two seats remain open and staff will continue recruitment for specific neighborhood and marina‑tenant representatives.
Council voted 6–1 to confirm the mayor’s general slate (one councilor opposed). Deputy Mayor Steinmetz then moved separately to confirm Lisa Franz as the Redondo neighborhood representative; the motion passed 6–1. A third motion to confirm Susan White as an at‑large member passed 4–3.
Council Member Harris spoke during debate and explained a broader objection to the board’s structure, saying he would not support the appointments because he believed the new structure reduced direct accountability and demographic representativeness. "I will not be supporting these appointments," he said on the record. Council Member Mahoney and Council Member Nutting also opposed the Susan White appointment; Mahoney said he had concerns about communication and factual accuracy in a past role.
Supporters urged that the new board folded in volunteers from prior panels and would provide a single point of public input. The motions passed as recorded; staff said they will begin advertising immediately for remaining vacancies such as a Marina Tenant seat and a North Central representative and will stagger initial terms so not all members’ seats expire simultaneously.
The council did not adopt policy changes at the meeting; appointments were confirmed by majority vote as motions on the consent/new‑business agenda.
