Des Moines council approves Marina Steps bid package after divided debate, 4-3

The Des Moines City Council voted 4-3 on Sept. 4 to authorize public works to publicly bid the Marina Steps project, including deductive alternates for playground and splash-park elements, and to move forward with a funding plan that blends bond proceeds, one-time revenues and state grants.

The vote came after more than an hour of public comment and staff presentations that laid out the project's background, recent value-engineering reductions and remaining financing gaps. Mayor Buxton and Council members Mahoney, Nutting and Deputy Mayor Steinmetz voted in favor; Council members Ochsiger, Harris and Grace Matsui opposed.

The council majority said the steps are a central piece of long-standing waterfront plans that aim to better connect the marina and downtown and to spur economic activity. Opponents said the city should delay the project until a broader strategic plan and more outside funding are in place.

City staff said the project is ready to be bid in a consolidated format that will include deductive alternates — pricing that will let the city remove specific elements if bids come in above budget. Public Works Director Mike Slevin provided the construction estimates and schedule, and Finance Director Jeff (last name not specified in the meeting record) reviewed the financing options.

“The bond funds are available now,” public commenter Bettina Carey told the council, urging the city not to repeat missed federal funding opportunities she described from another city’s history. “The Marina steps will...spark economic growth, draw visitors, connect our marina to the city center, and will leave a lasting legacy.”

Several speakers urged delay or a different approach. Lee Tomlin, a Redondo resident, called the steps “speculative” and said the city should prioritize revenue-producing repairs such as docks and seawalls. “I would rather see that we look at more revenue producing projects,” Tomlin said.

Project cost and funding details presented to the council: - The project’s earlier bid in 2024 returned a construction bid of about $11.7 million. Staff said value engineering reduced scope and removed roughly $1.5 million in items such as undergrounding electrical and specialty finishes, producing a current construction estimate roughly around $10 million (staff estimate shown in the presentation). - Identified grant and other funding sources include: about $1.0 million from the Washington State Department of Commerce, approximately $500,000 from the Washington State Department of Ecology, and other bond funds authorized in a 2023 bond package (the staff presentation referred to “23 bond funds” totaling about $25.1 million across multiple projects). - Staff proposed covering the remaining shortfall with one-time revenues: $500,000 of one-time sales tax and $500,000 of real estate excise tax (REET) revenues alongside the bond and state grant amounts.

Slevin described the recommended bidding approach: publish a single bid package for the full project with deductive alternates for items such as the splash pad and playground so the city can choose which bid alternatives to accept if total cost exceeds the budget. The tentative schedule in the staff packet projected a bid opening in mid-October and a potential contract recommendation back to council later in October if bids are within the city’s available funding.

Council debate focused on fiscal timing and priorities. Council member Ochsiger urged caution and said the city should prioritize restoring existing facilities such as docks and seawalls. Council member Harris and Council member Grace Matsui said the city should seek more grant funding and a broader strategic plan before committing to construction; Matsui noted the city could reapply for grants and that delaying the project would not necessarily forfeit the opportunity to build steps later.

Council member Mahoney, who moved the motion to bid, said the steps are the centerpiece of a long-term waterfront vision and could catalyze downtown investment. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz, who seconded the motion, said the project advances family-friendly amenities and is supported by a large portion of the community the council has heard from in public outreach.

Outcome and next steps - Motion: authorize Public Works to publicly bid the Marina Steps project with deductive alternates and approve the funding shown in the staff presentation. (Motion moved by Council member Mahoney; seconded by Deputy Mayor Steinmetz.) - Vote: passed 4-3 (Yes: Mayor Buxton; Council members Mahoney, Nutting, Deputy Mayor Steinmetz. No: Council members Ochsiger, Harris, Grace Matsui.) - Staff will issue the bid package and return to council if bids require changes to scope or funding.

The decision completes the council’s authorization to seek competitive contractor bids; it does not finalize construction contracts or obligate any funds beyond the city’s usual contract-award process. Staff signaled they will return with bid results and any recommended scope adjustments or alternate funding if bids exceed the plan.

Meeting context and public reaction Public comments reflected a city divided over whether to move now. Supporters described economic opportunity and enhanced waterfront connectivity; opponents described fiscal risk, the need for other capital repairs and the wisdom of waiting for additional grant funding. Council members explicitly weighed the financial trade-offs and the policy question of whether to commit city bond proceeds now or wait to secure more external funding.

Sources: Des Moines City Council study session, Sept. 4, 2025. Evidence: public comments by Bettina Carey (09:00 mark in the meeting transcript); staff presentation and motion to bid by Public Works Director Mike Slevin (presentation blocks beginning at 10153.12).