Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves zoning, budget amendments, permits and proclamation; amends street maintenance code on first reading
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the West Des Moines City Council approved multiple agenda items including zoning and plan amendments, project contracts and renewals, and a proclamation declaring Feb. 28 West Des Moines Day of Kindness; the council passed an amendment to Title 7 (street/sidewalk maintenance) on first reading 4–1 after public comment.
The West Des Moines City Council took action on multiple ordinances, resolutions and permit renewals at its Feb. 17 meeting. Key outcomes included zoning and plan changes, approvals of city projects and construction contracts, renewals of retail alcohol licenses, unanimous support for a chamber‑led proclamation and a 4–1 first reading approval of a change to the city code clarifying maintenance responsibility for right‑of‑way adjacent to properties.
Votes at a glance
- Alcohol license renewals (Consent): Come and Go LC d/b/a Come and Go (66), 5308 University Ave. — approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). (Consent item 4C9.)
- Alcohol license renewals (Consent): West Grand Golf Inc. d/b/a West Grand Golf, 6450 Red River Dr. — approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). (Consent item 4C14.)
- Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau agreement (Consent item 4M2): approved; vote: 5 yes. The resolution authorizes the city’s continued participation in the regional CVB arrangement.
- Proclamation — West Des Moines Day of Kindness (item 4T): approved; vote: 5 yes. Mayor Russ Trimble read the proclamation designating Feb. 28 as a Day of Kindness and urged residents to take part.
- West Grand Business Park planned unit development ordinance amendment (item 5A, second reading): approved; vote: 4 yes, 1 abstention (potential conflict). The ordinance amends PUD regulations for parcels 3, 4 and 5 of the West Grand Business Park and updates the official zoning code and ordinance references.
- Comprehensive Plan land‑use map amendment (item 5B): approved; vote: 5 yes. The resolution updates the comprehensive plan land‑use map for developed areas and was previously deferred from the Feb. 3 meeting.
- Zoning amendment for 1566 SE Moffett Lake Court (Iowa 5 and Veterans Parkway) (public hearing/item 6A, first reading): approved; vote: 5 yes. Plan & Zoning recommended approval 6–0 with one absent; the council amended the official zoning map to establish light industrial zoning for the site.
- Historic West Des Moines Urban Renewal Area amendment (item 6B): approved; vote: 5 yes. The council adopted amendment No. 7 to the Urban Renewal Area; no written public comments were received.
- Project contracts and capital program items (items 6D–6H and related): multiple resolutions and motions to award/approve contracts for FY budget amendment, the 2025 HMA resurfacing program (phase 1), the 2025 street reconstruction program, City Hall flat roof replacement, and Walnut Creek storm‑sewer pump‑station control replacement were approved; votes recorded were unanimous where tallied (5 yes).
- Continued item (item 6C): Council voted to continue the March 3, 2025 meeting item to allow additional time to finalize a development agreement; vote: 5 yes.
- Amendment to City Code, Title 7, Section 6 (maintenance of parking terraces and sidewalks) (item 7A, first reading): motion to consider first reading passed 4 yes, 1 no. The item drew extended public comment from a resident who said the draft language produced ambiguous lot‑line measurements and cited a disputed maintenance agreement; the council approved the ordinance amendment on first reading and staff was directed to refine language to ensure the perpendicular measurement starts at the lot corner and to work with the resident on outstanding contract questions before the second reading.
What the votes mean
The council’s actions included routine renewals and project approvals that enable scheduled maintenance and capital work across the city (streets, roofs, storm systems). Two items drew more public attention: a PUD amendment for the West Grand Business Park (the second reading passed with one abstention) and a public comment dispute tied to a proposed code clarification on property‑line maintenance (first reading passed 4–1). Staff will return amended ordinance language and additional clarifications in subsequent meetings where required.
Formal action details
See the actions array for recorded motions, vote tallies and short notes tied to each agenda item.
