West Des Moines Council approves several ordinances, resolutions and first readings at March 3 meeting

The West Des Moines City Council voted on a series of resolutions, ordinances and public‑hearing items during its March 3 meeting. Most motions passed unanimously; one plat reapproval passed 4–0 with one abstention.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Resolution ordering construction for Mill Civic Parkway reconstruction (South) — approved (5–0). Council discussion noted a neighborhood resident is seeking a driveway connection and staff will work with the resident on access.

- Ordinance amendment: Iowa 5 at Veterans Parkway zoning (second reading, waiver of third reading and adoption) — approved (5–0). The council amended the official zoning map to establish a light‑industrial zoning district for the listed property; the item had no outstanding issues from the first reading.

- Ordinance amendment: Title 7, Public Ways and Properties, Chapter 1 (clarify “abutting property” definition) — approved (5–0). The city attorney confirmed the language mirrors state code and meets due‑process requirements; a city resident (Mr. Bell) met with staff but the ordinance was not changed further.

- Reapproval of plat of survey (W & G McKinney Farms, LC) to consolidate parcels into a 23.5‑acre parcel — approved (4 yes, 1 abstention due to potential conflict of interest). The council approved two standard conditions: the plat is for transfer of ownership only, and no above‑ground improvements are allowed until a formal replattng through the subdivision process is completed.

- 2025 PCC patching program, Phase 1 — approved (5–0). The council closed the public hearing (notice published 02/14/2025) and approved the related resolutions and motion; no written comments were received.

- Traffic signals at 60th & Eighth Street and Beechtree Drive, and a pedestrian hybrid beacon at 50th Street & Dakota Drive — approved (5–0). Staff described the process and councilmembers said the pedestrian beacon project met federal MUTCD warrants and responded to resident requests.

- E. Petruie Parkway tree clearing (Grand Prairie Parkway to Wendover Lane) — approved (5–0). The council closed the public hearing (notice published 02/14/2025) and approved related resolutions and motion.

- Proclamation designating March 2025 as Women’s History Month — approved (5–0). Mayor Russ Trimble read the proclamation into the record.

- Ordinance amendment, Title 2 Boards and Commissions, Chapter 5 (Human Services Advisory Board) — first reading approved (5–0). The council approved the first reading; no outstanding issues were recorded.

- Ordinance amendment, Title 5 Police Regulations, Chapter 3 Animal Control, Section 23 (Penalties) — first reading approved (5–0). The item had been unanimously recommended by the Community Compliance subcommittee on Feb. 3 and returned to council for first reading.

Votes and procedural notes: Most votes were recorded as unanimous (5–0) on the motions and resolutions taken during the meeting; the plat reapproval recorded a 4–0 vote with one abstention (conflict of interest). Several agenda items were continued or scheduled for later dates where noted (one public hearing continued to March 24). Notices for public hearings were published in the Des Moines Register on Feb. 14, 2025 for multiple items.

Councilmembers asked staff to follow up on implementation and outreach steps on multiple items: work with a resident on driveway access related to Mill Civic Parkway reconstruction; confirm timing and message boards for an upcoming street reconstruction on Giles from Valley West Drive East to 32nd Street; and continue standard public‑notification procedures for construction and traffic projects.

The council adjourned the meeting and moved into a workshop on expansion of the city’s digital enterprise conduit network.