The Des Moines City Council on Jan. 13 approved multiple rezoning requests, construction contracts, municipal code changes and a community development grant application during a meeting that ran through a full agenda and an extended public-comment period.

The council front-loaded routine business, unanimously appointing Mike Simonson as mayor pro tem and approving the meeting agenda and consent agenda (items 3–32). After public hearings and staff presentations, the council approved a series of zoning and land-use items, awarded construction contracts, and adopted several municipal code amendments by roll-call votes.

The decisions included first- and final-reading rezoning approvals for downtown and neighborhood properties (items 34, 35 and 36), a land-exchange for the Southeast Connector project (item 37), application for a Community Development Block Grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (item 30), and multiple street and infrastructure contracts. The council also approved amendments to Chapter 114 of the municipal code (traffic regulations), updated definitions in Section 114-1, set parking rates for the 1200 Mulberry parking garage and amended zoning rules related to electronic displays (items 44–48). The zoning-board review at 3614 6th Avenue (item 43) drew a split vote: the council declined to remand the Zoning Board of Adjustment decision, with a recorded vote of 6 yes and 1 abstention.

Quotes

“Please vote. 7 yes. Motion carries,” the mayor announced repeatedly as the council closed several items by unanimous roll-call votes.

“Seeing no one, I will move item 35, 35A, and 35B,” a council member said when public comment was not offered on a rezoning matter; the item passed on the roll call.

Context and next steps

Most items were routine approvals of plans, contracts and code clarifications intended to move capital projects and zoning changes forward. Several of the construction contracts include multi-month timelines and staged work intended to maintain business access during reconstruction; city engineering staff told the council bulk work on East Forest Street will occur in 2025 with final completion in spring 2026.

Votes at a glance (selected agenda items)

- Appointment of Mike Simonson as mayor pro tem — approved (motion carried).
- Approve meeting agenda — approved (7 yes).
- Approve consent agenda (items 3–32) — approved (7 yes).
- Item 34: Rezoning at 617 Scott Avenue (DXR to limited MX3; vehicle maintenance minor use) — approved (7 yes). Waiver for final consideration required 6 votes and passed.
- Item 35: Rezoning for property near 4211 E. 38th Street (amend plan DSM, zoning change to allow assembly/place of worship) — approved (motion carries).
- Item 36: Rezoning in vicinity of 955 24th Street (N5 to limited N52 for two-household duplex) — approved (7 yes).
- Item 37: Land exchange agreement for project on Southeast 30th Street to US-65 — approved (7 yes).
- Item 30: Application to Iowa Economic Development Authority for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG CV) funds — approved (7 yes).
- Item 39: 2025 Citywide Traffic Calming Improvements; contract to Caliber Concrete LLC, $113,354.35 — approved (7 yes).
- Item 40: East 4th Street improvements; contract designated to Corel Contractor Incorporated (amount as read in staff report) — approved (7 yes).
- Item 41: Euclid Avenue improvements; contract to OMG Midwest Inc. (Des Moines Asphalt and Paving), $3,883,806.45 — approved (7 yes).
- Item 42: Southwest First Street Bridge Park improvement plans — approved (7 yes).
- Item 33: Vacation of north–south alley west of 2116 Searle Street (waive third reading per Rule 42A) — approved (7 yes).
- Item 43: Review of Zoning Board of Adjustment decision for 3614 6th Avenue — council declined to remand; decision becomes final (6 yes, 1 abstain).
- Items 44–48: Traffic regulation and municipal code amendments (multiple specific locations and sections) — approved (each item passed by recorded vote, typically 7 yes).
- Item 49 (receive and file public comments 49a–t) — motion to receive and file carried by roll call.

Ending

Most approvals were unanimous and intended to advance construction, zoning and administrative updates across the city. Several projects approved on Jan. 13 will proceed in staged construction to preserve business access; staff and contractors will follow up on scheduling and coordination as each project moves into design or construction phases.