Votes at a glance: Des Moines City Council adopts 2024 codes, approves contracts, rezones properties and advances redevelopment talks
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Summary
On Dec. 8 the Des Moines City Council approved multiple ordinances and contracts, including adoption of 2024 building and fire codes, award of bids for Second Avenue and McKinley Avenue projects, several rezonings, amendments to municipal code on liquor/tobacco and ADUs, and authorized negotiations for redevelopment at 602 Robert DeRay Drive. Most motions passed unanimously (7-0).
The Des Moines City Council on Dec. 8 handled a broad consent and regular agenda that included code adoptions, rezoning requests, contract awards and procedural votes. Highlights and formal outcomes are below.
Key votes and outcomes
- Agenda approval (Item 2): Motion carried, recorded vote 7-0. (Amendments included alcohol license items and added Item 24.)
- Consent agenda (Items 3–43): Approved by roll call, vote 7-0; several items were requested to be pulled for separate consideration.
- Item 44 — Lease agreement with Bergman Academy (Greenwood Building): Approved, vote 7-0 (no public comments recorded).
- Item 45 — Vacation of surface rights and conveyance of permanent easement to see any rentals LLC for $450: Approved, vote 7-0 (waiver/final reading required six votes; council proceeded and passed).
- Item 46 — PlanDSM amendment and rezoning (HRC Woodmont LLC, area near 4425 E Douglas Ave): Approved (first and final consideration as presented), vote 7-0.
- Item 47 — PlanDSM amendment and rezoning for Jeff and Tanya Nicholson (917 E 27th Court) to allow large equipment rental business: Approved, vote 7-0.
- Item 48 — Municipal code amendments relating to liquor and tobacco stores and accessory dwelling units (Ch. 134 and 135): Motion to proceed and waive readings carried; staff answered questions about measurement of 500-foot separations.
- Item 49 — Adoption of 2024 International Building Code, International Residential Code, and International Existing Building Code (Council Communication 25-441): Approved after motion and waiver; vote recorded as carried.
- Item 50 — Adoption of 2024 International Fire Code (Council Communication 25-441): Approved; waiver requested by Fire Chief John Tiquette; vote 7-0.
- Item 51 — Second Avenue improvements: Designated TK Concrete Inc. (low bidder) for contract award (engineer estimate and low bid noted); public comment from a Downtown resident requested pedestrian-safety features; motion carried, vote 7-0.
- Item 52 — McKinley Avenue reconstruction: Designated All Star Concrete LLC as low bidder ($4,326,483.30); public comment urged attention to ADA and sidewalk access; motion carried, vote 7-0.
- Item 53 — Disposition/rehabilitation options for 602 Robert DeRay Drive: Council moved to advance White Lotus Group for negotiations (Item 53a) with fallback to reissue RFP if negotiations fail; motion carried 7-0.
- WRA agreements — Authorization for the third amended and restated agreement and amended operating contract for Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority: Approved; council praised staff for regional work.
- Item 54 — Traffic regulation modifications at multiple intersections: Approved under Rule 42(a), vote 7-0.
- Item 55 — Amendments to chapter 2 (city council ethics code): Council debated family-member definitions and voting/abstention mechanics, waived additional readings and approved the amendments (vote 7-0).
Procedural notes: Many items were approved under waiver of second and third readings pursuant to council rules (Rule 42(a)). Where public comment was germane, the mayor limited comments to plans/specifications, engineer estimates, or the matters listed on the agenda. Vote tallies listed above reflect recorded roll-call statements in the transcript (most recorded as "7 yes").
Next steps: Items that authorize staff to negotiate (notably Item 53) will return to council for final approval of any development agreements or transfers.
