9-14-26 City Council Work Session

The City of Des Moines held a City Council Work Session on September 14, 2026, focusing on two main topics: housing programs and the downtown skywalk system. The housing discussion highlighted the organization's lending activities, including $3.8 million in home renovations serving 103 households last fiscal year, and the importance of consistent funding from the city, county, and local financial institutions. New lending areas were proposed for council approval, and challenges related to subsidy needs for renovation projects were discussed. The session also covered the administration of down payment assistance programs and energy efficiency loans. The second major topic was the skywalk system's maintenance and improvement plans, including a $11.2 million investment since 2013 and upcoming capital projects such as HVAC replacements and exterior repairs. A significant procurement-related initiative is the $350,000 to $400,000 wayfinding signage update, designed to improve navigation and safety with color-coded routes, QR codes for digital wayfinding, and accessible signage. The city is coordinating with partners like RDG and Catch De Mo to manage the signage system and mobile wayfinding platform, aiming for construction and implementation in 2027. The session included discussions on funding, vendor coordination, and ongoing maintenance responsibilities for the skywalk infrastructure.