11-2-26 City Council

The Des Moines City Council meeting was held November 2, 2026. The council approved the consent agenda, which included development and tax increment financing agreements discussed by public commenters, including the Krause urban renewal development agreement and the 900 Vine TIF agreement. The council also approved amendments to municipal code provisions affecting zoning, building standards, liquor-license approvals, rental-property maintenance, and parking. These code changes may affect future development and business activity, but no separate procurement award was identified in those items.

The council voted 6–1 to approve conveying 401 Robert D. Ray Drive to Heart of America Group, rather than directing staff to negotiate with the Des Moines Metropolitan Center for the Arts; the listed conveyance price was $1 million. It also approved a Restore the Core ground-floor activation grant agreement with Lamei Bakery, Inc., selecting a maximum reimbursement of $200,000; the vote was 6 in favor and 1 abstention. Council members described the higher grant option as an exception tied to the project’s circumstances and expressed a hope that it would not weaken the city’s usual policy. The council also approved establishment of the Echo Valley TIF District No. 1.