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Community groups press Des Moines to seek mitigation as council approves airport advisory committee
Summary
Community presenters and residents urged Des Moines to seek public‑health mitigation for communities under SeaTac flight paths; council voted to form an airport advisory committee and asked staff to return with a refined charter and membership.
Community groups and residents urged the Des Moines City Council Feb. 6 to prioritize public‑health mitigation and coordinated regional action as the council moved to create an airport advisory committee to advise on SeaTac‑related issues.
Representatives from neighborhood organizations described local, health and environmental impacts they said result from SeaTac operations. Maria Batiola, chair of the SeaTac Airport Community Coalition for Justice (STAC for GA), told the council that aviation‑impacted communities are disproportionately people of color and immigrants and said the issue is a matter of justice: “Our sound bite is really simple. It's healthy aviation communities and healthy workers.”
Steve Edmiston, representing Quiet Skies Puget Sound, submitted slides and a recorded presentation urging the council to prepare for an adverse FAA record of decision on the Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental assessment. Edmiston recommended that the city "prepare the city for a legal response to an adverse FAA record of decision on the SAMP, EA" and seek training, technical and legal support and partner‑city cost‑sharing.
The council asked staff to refine the committee’s scope and bring back a draft charter and membership plan. Councilmember Ochsiger moved and the council approved formation of the airport advisory committee as outlined in the agenda, subject to later refinement; the motion passed 6–1. The committee will be advisory; staff emphasized the council retains final policy authority. The council also noted the city’s ongoing coordination with a four‑city regional group and consultant work related to the SAMP/EA and expected NEPA/SEPA documents.
Public comment included locally focused testimony. Karen Viloria described Burien’s airport committee and its evolving membership model; Lloyd Little recommended reinstating a public planning commission to increase transparency during land‑use decisions that intersect with airport impacts. Several speakers urged the council to prioritize legal and advocacy preparedness in the event of an adverse FAA record.
Ending: The council’s action creates an advisory body and directs staff to return with a detailed charter and membership plan; staff continues weekly coordination with nearby cities and consultants on technical review of airport environmental documents.
