8-3-26 City Council

The City of Des Moines City Council held a meeting on August 3, 2026, which included several procurement and development-related discussions. Key procurement actions included the approval of a contract for Skywalk exterior improvements, awarding the contract to Mentor Inc. for $1,145,700, with debate over whether to include a specific bridge repair in the contract. The council ultimately approved the contract including the bridge repair. The meeting also covered zoning and rezoning requests for development projects, including a senior living apartment building with conditions such as a 55+ age restriction and increased buffer setbacks to address neighborhood concerns. Public comments focused on environmental remediation, traffic, parking, and neighborhood impact. Additionally, the council approved amendments to the urban renewal plan and municipal code changes related to traffic regulations. The appointment of a deputy city manager was also approved. No tax abatements or city funding were requested for the discussed development projects, and the council emphasized careful consideration of precedent in zoning decisions.