City Council - Regular Meeting

I think we're going to get started. Our first is a proclamation for human t rafficking. Whoever here for that if you like to come up and say a little bit about your group. Then I'll read the proclamation. We have two g roups. We have two different -- they're not different. You each get a proclamation. If you want to introduce yourself and the groups that you represent. I'm John, I'm the board Chair of the Iowa network against human trafficking. We're the states only volunteer organization that focuses on human trafficking.

I'm with the group. It's a group a collection of rotary chapters and we have been working on the issue of a nti-trafficking for about three years now. We focus on advocacy, awareness and prevention. Any other groups? Anybody else want to say something?

We're team Jesus of Iowa. We rescue teens off the street and have been since 2007. Thank you.

I'm Professor a Mercy College health sciences. One of the things we've trying to teach our students how to care for t rauma-informed type of p atients. I been doing this for about 16 years. Just pleased to be here. Thank you so much for taking a stand as a city council on this. Thank you.

I will read the proclamation. Whereas, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor services against their will. Exploitation of a minor for special sex is human t rafficking. Regardless any form of force or coerce was u sed. The United States was founded upon all people were created to freedom and added 13th amendment of the constitution making slavery illegal. Slavery within the United States today is most often found in the form of force labor and sex trafficking, which weakens our social fabric, increases violence and organized crime and debased our humanity and found within our own community. Whereas human trafficking is a hidden and unreported crime with victims especially children experiencing fear, trauma and manipulation and despite growing awareness on a small number of cases are identified and prosecuted. As shown in 2022 when more than 661 victims received services through Iowa's direct service programs, while only three individuals were convicted in federal court and four in state Appel aash -- appellate court for human trafficking. Family and individual can make a difference by choosing products that are not made by forced labor. By working to protect our young people from sexual exploitation by addressing the problem of Internet sex trafficking and pornographic material becoming more aware of the problem and solutions. Therefore, I Connie Boesen on behalf of the city council and

the citizens of Des Moines, do proclaim January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness month. Encourage all citizens to become more informed on this growing problem to be vigilant and report suspicious activity and to work towards solutions to end t rafficking in all its forms in our community. If you see something that doesn't look like right, take action and call the national human trafficking h otline at (888)373-7888. Thank you for coming to address this issues. If you see something say something. Help all the young people that we can. Thank you for being here. We have t wo. Each group, if you want to come forward we can have p icture.

[Applause] Now we got a big group coming i. Thank you. We're here to recognize the good work of Grand View University. All the guys can be around. Yeah, right her. Come on up with your trophy. Since you got to hold it. Is it heavy? [Laughter] come on in. I think we have the whole team. We have the whole team here? Just about. I think that's one thing we're so fortunate City of Des Moines, we have two university. Grand View set the bar. Hi. Keep on c oming in. Come on up. [Laughter] Did you guys bring a bus down?

We carpooled. [Laughter]

We have some Grand View alum in our mist. Emily Harris who works in the city you can see is supporting. I attended Grand View and Rob Barron who's behind all those guys, he worked at Grand View. We have a lot of Grand View affiliation. Thank you, Garland. We wanted to give a special recognition for the great season you had. 14-0. Certificate of special recognition presented to the 2025NIAA champions Grand View university football team. This is a special recognition of Grand View University Football team. They secured national champion status. Defeating opponents 22-16 and securing the third national time in the program history. For the second year, the Vikings football team secured the national title after a perfect 14-0 season. We don't need Indiana university. We got you guys. Through unwavering commitment, perseverance and outstanding athletic excellence, Grand View University has achieved highest honor. The City of Des Moines recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the players and staff and the impact their championship win has had on Grand View University and the community. We extend our congratulations for a fantastic season and the yearly await to see the team's continuous success. Presented this 26th day of January 2026. Thank you. [Applause] You have a lot to be proud of, guys. How many are from Des

Moines? There's a lot of you. We welcome all of you to stay in Des Moines and make your careers in Des Moines after you get out of football and Grand View. Thank you for coming down. This is for you. [Applause] Grand View has another winning team. I think they're -- I don't think there's quite as many of them for the soccer t eam. It's a really unique because Grand View also shares their field with East High. It's great to be part so we can

work with them. I see a lot of school people and the universit. You might want to circle around. We'll go ahead and get started. This is a certificate of special recognition presented to the 2025NAIA champion, Grand View university men's soccer team. The City of Des Moines issues this certificate of special recognition to the Grand View university soccer team. On December 8, 2025 the Grand View university men's soccer team defeating their opponent 2-1. They secured the program's first national title after a successful season including nine at home wins. Through e xceptional dedication, skill and teamwork, demonstrated throughout the season, Grand View University's men's soccer team has achieved the highest honor. The City of Des Moines recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the players and staff. The impact their championship win has had on Grand View University and our community. We extend our congratulations for a fantastic season and await to see the t eam's continued success. Presented this 26th day of January 2026. I will give this to the coach. You want to say a few words? [Applause]

Just thank you for everybody for supporting us and really was a magical year. We ended up going in the tournament u nranked. We won five games in a row against ranked opponents. Pretty magical story. Credit to the guys and all the hard work they put in. They are a really special group. Thank you. [Applause]

Board meeting to order for January 26, 2026. The first item is roll call. [ roll call] We have a quorum. The next item is item 2. Approving the agenda as p resented. Move,

Second. Moved and seconded. Please . 6 yes. Motion carries. The next item is item 3. It's approving the conveyance property at 1373 Idaho street pursuit to section 32 homeownership program. Move approval. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 6 yes. Motion carries. Next item is to adjourn. Move. Second.

All in favor. Aye. We are adjourned from the housing. We will now reconvene with our regular meeting for January 26, 2026. The first item is roll call. [ roll call] We have a quorum.

Next item is approving the agenda as presented and as a mended. The regular 33B has been added. Final consideration of ordinance above. Waiver requested about the applicant require six votes. 39 was added and that's our speaker's list. Move approval. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. Number 3 on the list is a approving the consent agenda. These are items 3-29. These are routine items. It will be acted by one roll call vote without separate discussions unless pursuant to council rules. Council r equested an item to be removed. Tonight, 22 mask mandate 22 -- 22 Mandelbaum wants to speak and 24 Simonson wants to speak. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries.

Next will be our first hearing item item 30. [agenda item read] First, we'll hear from parties in interest. Applicant for rezoning and those within 250 feet of the property to be rezoned. It will be given up to five minutes to speak. Second will be germane comments from the general public. Two minutes per person to speak. Anyone wishing to speak to this?

Seeing none. I'll move item 30, 30A and 30B. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. 31. [agenda item read] First parties of interest will be the first to come speak and those within 250 feet. Anyone wishing to speak?

Seeing no one. I will move approval of item 31A and B. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. Next item is 32. [agenda item read] First will be the party of interest within 250 feet. Anyone wishing to speak?

I have some questions. I went back -- when this went before planning and zoning, it was for a tire repair shop. That was it. Tire repair shop. When I asked a question and I just got the answer a little bit ago, it talks about it being you know, an auto repair shop. That's not what was presented to plan and zoning. That's not what I thought it was until ten minutes ago. I'm a little concerned that what we're calling the tire repair shop now they'll get to expand it and do additional things. I just want clarification about what exactly they are zoned for and make it clear that it's not a full auto body shop. It's a tire repair shop. I'm also -- when I went back in and listened to the plan and zoning, a consent was brought up by sidewalks. There are sidewalks there but the sidewalk is right exactly next to the street. Other b usinesses, you got a right, you got the strike right-of-way and the sidewalk. The sidewalk is on east 14th which doesn't feel real safe to me. Can we require that those -- that sidewalks be moved? How is that handled? How did the city look at that?

I'm Cody Christianson. A couple of items I will address the zoning classification first. What was brought forward was a proposal for a tire repair shop which is by zoning definition falls in the category of vehicle maintenance and repair minor. That will be a things like a tire repair shop, oil change facility, things put it into a vehicle maintenance and repair major would be like a body shop. That's why what's before you tonight is the vehicle repair minor. Which was proposed falls in that category.

It doesn't say that on the paper that I received, though. If there's a desire to add more limitations, then the one option will be to continue the hearing to allow staff to work with the applicant on c onditions. That can be brought back to city council for further consideration. How many cars can they allow on here now with this zoning and if we continued it? Is it going to change? How many cars are allowed to be on this lot.

I couldn't tell you that off the top of my head. There's a list of supplemental criteria specific to vehicle maintenance and repair. I don't have in front of me. That's fine. Is the owner present tonight? Could you answer -- Can I finish the question about the sidewalks? Are we okay with having sidewalks right up next to a highway?

The sidewalks -- one of the requirement with conditions is that a site plan work to the process. A sidewalk was brought in with code requirements. I couldn't tell you how far they need to be away from back up curb. Through this process, the applicant would need to develop a site plan to provide compliant sidewalks.

There was some question about whether a site plan was going to be required or not. I'm just left uneasy until I know exactly what they have planned. Are they going to do a site plan? Will the city make them if a site plan is required, would they have to move that sidewalk? I don't know in the sidewalk will have to be moved.

If anyone wants to -- if you like to speak to some of the questions? Come up to the podium and state your name and address or ward.

Regarding the site plan, part of the deal was with zoning that yes, we would be doing the site plan. It brought up the sidewalk. He's willing to comply to whatever the site plan is going to show at that point. If anything, he's coming through the property. It's been vacant. We were notified would need a site plan. He has approached this a site plan needed. We had a neighborhood meeting. So far, we had good feedback. There has been a lot of activity regarding homeless. Now he has taken over the building. He has done maintenance through the b uilding. He's proving the neighborhood, 14 Street. If you guys have any questions I can answer them.

Is the plan for tire repair shop? That is correct. That limitation be put on that it's for a tire repair s hop?

Correct. The tire shop fall under minor repair shop. R eading the definition of it there is a limitation of what can be done. We can go based on that. Certainly, he's primarily looking to be a tire shop. He doesn't have any plans working on cars, doing mechanic or auto body shop. Primarily only a tire shop. Whatever comes with the tire shop. If as a business owner, he can expand to oil changes. That's a plus. Ultimately, the plan will be a tire shop, period.

When I read it, they were allowed so many vehicles on s ite. If they do a site plan and apparently the city can't tell me if they would require to have that sidewalk brought in away from the highway. That's going to really impede on the cars that you can have in there.

It is a double lot. Not only you have the building but you also have an additional property over to the north with an additional entrance. It is a double lot. I understand how the sidewalk potentially can be moved if required. You do have additional parking on the lot next door. There's two different addresses. He is willing to -- It's like a duplex. There's one building with two doors. Basically, -- There's an additional lot to the north. You own that lot? He owns the lot.

Sounds like a site plan is going to be done. Both lots have rezoned. We trying to rezone to MX3. Okay. Let me just be clear. The lot, the extra lot you have does that have building on it? It does not. There's only parking. There's a truck there. I didn't see a taco truck there. They probably off for the d ay. It's cold. [Laughter] It's a double lot. Okay. It's site plan. You will do a site plan. Be in conformance with that and just the tire repair shop and whatever falls under that.

Within the definition of it. That's correct. We did sign a document prior to this, I believe. With the contingency of a site plan. Okay. That wasn't clear to me when I watched the PNC. Mayor, I want to make sure we got clarity here so it will stay a minor auto repair. Yes, that's fine. Thank you. With that, I will move item 32A and B. Second. Moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. Next item is item 33. [agenda item read] Anyone here party's of interest, applicant for rezoning and lives within 250 feet that would like to speak can come up now.

I see none. I'll move 33A and B. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes. Motion carries. Item 34. [agenda item read]. Move. Anyone wish to speak to this? If not. It's been moved. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. Item 35. [agenda item read] Anyone wishing to speak. You can only speak on the documents that are presented. If not -- I'll move item 35, 35A.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. The next item is item 36. [agenda item read] Anyone wishing to speak to this? Seeing none. I'll move item 36 and 36A.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes. Motion carries. Next item. Touch 22. Counterman Mandelbaum want to speak. [agenda item read]

Thank you, mayor. I wanted to call this out and thank staff for their work on this and thank the Avenues for their approach. They have taken a very proactive approach to a addressing parking in the district. There is a significant amount of parking. One of things they found out we have a healthy number of on street parking spaces and much larger number of off street parking. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to use those resources as efficiently and effectively as possible. This pilot will help use those on street resources a little more effectively, at least that's the hope that parking will be a little more efficient if we can help delineate. Another piece of the comprehensive approach that the Avenues are taking is they're working to make sure people know about all of the off street options that are available. Because there are a lot of off street options as well. This wouldn't be happen without the Avenues taking a proactive approach. I see Lauren out in the audience. She's really led those efforts and appreciates staff being willing to work with them to make this happen. I'll move item 22. Appreciate the work.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes. Motion carries The next item is 24. [agenda item read]

Thank you, mayor. I like to acknowledge further reference of beautification of our city. They can be very large and dollar quantity. One of the requirements for receiving state funding is participation from both city and the county. Hence this is before us. Did you move it? I'll move it. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries.

Item 37. [agenda item read] There's no one speaking on t hese. Unless anybody has a q?

I would like to move 37B to approve the request to demolish. Just couple of quick things. This is bounced around a little bit in the community. I don't take lightly not referring it to historic preservation However, this building it's our have old building. I walked this building as a school board member. Most recently I've been volunteering there every week for the last four years reading with a student. I'm in that building every week. I will fight to preserve a lot of things but this is an opportunity to build something new, something that fits what the district is trying to do in this area. Which will be a building focused on the arts and I think we have a pretty good idea that this is something that the community wants. This was a major part of the rematch in education plan which Mayor Boesen knows just as well as anybody else one resounding approval by folks all over the city. I'm excited for what's going to happen. It's going to take us a couple of years. Fall 2028. As soon as we get going the better.

I think it's exciting for that neighborhood to have a $40 million brand new school of the arts which will be K-8, pre-k 8. It's a great addition. You got thumbs up from Matt. [Laughter] It's sad that it's old b uilding. It's had a good life. Anyway. Appreciate it. I think everybody voted. 7 yes.

Motion carries. On to a new school. Thank you for being here. 38. [agenda item read]

Your honor. Thank you. Steve, thank you very much for getting that southeast 25th. I know that was a quick turn around. I'll move 38A, 12 and 3 and pursuant to rule 42A I will waive the second and third r eading. Second. It's been seconded. Please vote. 7 yes.

Motion carries. Next item is our request to speak. We provide speaker the opportunity to address the council for up to three minutes for up to 20 speakers for total of one hour. Speakers will be called forward individually. We ask everyone to please state their name, address or ward. Please keep comments germane and avoid references to personalities or character attacks. As a r eminder to the council and the public, this public speaking time is to hear your comments. If there is a need to follow-up, we will get to the appropriate staff or council member to follow up at a time after the meeting. Thank you for your being here and the first person is Crystal Janes.

Can I go last? [indiscernible] Go ahead. We can have you go last. My name is Eddie McCulley. Thank for passing 37B. That's all. Eddie is the principal. Bekah Harris.

Bekah Harris. I want to say thank you for your continued support. We are excited to work with you to expand reimagining. Are you overseeing the reimagine program? I am. Okay, Crystal. Do you want to speak? [indiscernible] if you have something you like to share? That's fine. You can sign up for the next one if you want to come to the next m eeting. I'm not really speaking for myself. I've been trying to convince -- Come on up.

I'm not from here. I came to Des Moines about a month ago. I'm in shelter now. Maybe we can meet with you afterwards and talk with you on some needs. Would that be better?

It's things that I've been seeing. It's not just in this town. At the point of life that we're in right now. Everything is kind of scary and up in the air. I talked to quite a few people and to coming here, especially younger people some older people. Just anybody. Like this girl, this younger girl, teenagers -- I'm like why don't you guys come down and see what's going on. They're like, a girl who I never seen before, a couple of them I've been trying to every time I see them, look. Why not. You guys are young. I'm sure that you have concerns and they should. Life is a lot different from when I was younger. They're getting energid in a lot of -- JIPed. They said nobody cares about us. I'm like that's not true. Not only that, if they don't know what is going on with you or how you feel your younger g eneration, how are they s upposed to know. It's just a lot that's going on. I'm sorry, I'm blabbing.

There's a lot going on.

It's important. I feel like, I don't understand politics. It's not that I don't care. I feel like at this point, instead of rules that on written on paper, our hearts should be the guide right now. It's kind of like the movies where the scientists trying to -- [indiscernible] it's kind of what humanity need to do now before -- not necessarily natural disaster but come together and try to save our butts before an Apocalypse does happen. It already is kind of in ways. We need to not let the bad guys win I guess.

Okay. Thank you very much. We can have more conversation. I will move 39A, B and C to receive and file. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Before we adjourn 7 yes.

Motion carries. Before we adjourn, this will be our last city council meeting in this building. We will be moving over to 1200 Locust. The move is going so well. I think everybody is out of here at the end of this week. Next week. Our next meeting will be held there. There is a lot more chairs. It's on the first f loor. It will be a new adventure for all of us. We look forward to seeing you t here. February 9th is our next meeting. With that, I will say is there a --

Motion to adjourn. All in favor, aye.