Monday, May 20, 2024
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
Welcome statement and introductions PPNA Meeting 05/20/2024
Tim Fricke - Des Moines Police Department
Patrol Services Bureau
Cell: 515-205-3165
Crime report
Increased events at the apartments at 3000 Douglas are increasing (doors kicked in, etc.)
Increased vehicle break-ins - keep doors locked
Signs posted on medians have curbed panhandling on MLK and Douglas ($95 ticket)
Encouraged all residents to call the police if we see illegal activity
Monitoring activities at Prospect Park
Reminded neighbors to follow codes including parking. See details per the city code enforcement
Discussed Mobile Health Crisis Response Team:
Care team can respond to issues that don’t need DMPD attention.
Allows appropriate response to non-violent needs of citizens.
Rob Johnson – running for office House District 34 (replacing Akao who is retiring). https://robjohnsonforiowa.com
o “We Believe in Us!”
o Asking for help for ALL people with dignity “give us bread, but give us roses, too”
o Mental health needs for Iowans
o Reproductive Freedom
o “we can’t continue on the path we are on now”.
o We have to fund mental health
o Support our teachers with ALL resources, including mental health
o Coordinated free gas event with other city leaders and Des Moines Police. Provided gas, food/pizza, library book and other resources that can help citizens who are beginning to return as volunteers at this year’s event!
o Turkey Giveaway – partnered with Kue’d Smokehouse to provide smoked turkeys to unhoused and needy
Absentee ballots needed to be post marked BY 05/20/2024 at 5 p.m.! If you did NOT make that deadline, you need to vote in person. Early voting is open now and the election date is June 04, 2024!
Chris Coleman – City Council Ward 1
Priority: Safe Neighborhoods! Good neighbors. Work together to make and keep the neighborhood nice.
Working with DMPD to address issues EARLY - be pro-active and not re-active to stay ahead of issues.
Open communication – encouraged to contact him or appropriate officials for help / advice
Homeless issue in Prospect Park and beyond
Finding better ways to address homeless population in the area
Be assertive to find solutions – become more proactive
Working with United Way, etc. to help those who will take the support and address those who are resistant to the tools offered.
Working with the Mayor, City Counsel and Polk County Human Services to make sure the resources are available and used to address issues.
Questions / issues discussed:
homeless problem areas
Fence behind HyVee and/or along Urbandale ave. along the private residences to curb foot traffic through the woods/undeveloped area on both sides
Vineyard Church Summer Events:
Vineyard Church Community Night
Food, games, etc.
learn more at: https://dsmvc.org/events
Monday, March 18, 2024
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
Welcome statement and introductions PPNA Meeting 03/18/2024
Tim Fricke - Des Moines Police Department
Patrol Services Bureau
Cell: 515-205-3165
Crime report
Broadlawns
Discussed “Care Team” process Mental Health Crisis Services
Discuss having someone come speak to us at future meetings
Homeless issues in / around Prospect Park
o Have moved folks from along river and in the park
o No current issues known – encouraged reporting
o Discussed mental health issues / needs in the neighborhood and city
§ Encourage them to find housing w/ support from county
· Prospect Park Pantry =
o Narcotics issues – monitoring and being present
o Discouraging “loitering” in parking lot
o Discussed w/ owner
· Pan-handling on corners/intersections
o Not allowed to be on “narrow” medians
· Monitor dumping / pollution along the river
o Mark suggested getting someone from DSM to speak on the topic
Encouraged all neighbors to contact him with issues any time.
Vote on March 19, 2024:
Samy El-Baroudi
Running for Iowa House – District 34
Campaign launch on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at Chuck’s Restaurant
Teacher at DSM Public Schools
Encouraged stronger education support
Teacher pay
Ben Clarke – running for at-large City Council member
Wants to bring back business to DSM
Concerned about teachers
Services leaving the area
Layoffs, etc
More counselors in schools
More passenger train routes
More Bus routes (to include Ames) with more access and availability
Veteran’s Hospital (in Marshalltown) torn down
Trade School / Tech School
Claudia Addy – running for at-large City Council member
Special election -
Storage Spaces along MLK
Wants to meet needs of homeowners
Recycling program changes
Cars not being maintained, becoming eye-sores, abandoned.
Asked for ideas to happen in Prospect Park
Discussed Prospect Park Farmer’s Market
concerts, jazz in July
Chris Coleman – City Council member
discussed city council meeting from tonight -
new sidewalk on 30th street from Veteran’s Hospital to Urbandale Ave.
further review of sidewalks / walkability in the neighborhood
part of the Douglas Avenue Corridor project and surrounding area
Tiny Tree program beginning - can be picked up at Polk County offices
Monday, January 29, 2024
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
Welcome statement and introductions PPNA Meeting 01/29/2024
Tim Fricke - Des Moines Police Department
Monthly crime report
mostly Broadlawns events/transports
Discussed snow ordinance and street parking process / occurances
Prospect Park Market - loitering; DMPD is monitoring
Sr. Manager, Family & School Contact
Free Programs
Pick-up from schools (service)
they are at capacity - wait list
Children’s Center - K-12 activities
Employment training - up to age 25 (young adult Training)
Religious affiliation -
Monday, September 18, 2023
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
welcome statement and introductions PPNA Meeting
01/29/2024
Connie Boesen:
Candidate for Mayor:
Started as PTA and continued in public service; now on city council
Running for mayor to create a safer des moines
Advocate to increase crisis advocate team
Taken 100s of calls off of DMPD calls
Mental health calls routed to safety or crisis team
Sobering center – get help folks need – treatment instead of incarceration
Accelerate growth – get properties to the value it should be
Invest DSM pilot program board member
Improving our Neighborhoods – ION (apps open in October)
Determin what you qualify for
20k for improvements
Monday, November , 2023
Monday, September 18, 2023
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
welcome statement and introductionsPPNA Meeting
9/18/2023
Connie Boesen:
Candidate for Mayor:
Started as PTA and continued in public service; now on city council
Running for mayor to create a safer des moines
Advocate to increase crisis advocate team
Taken 100s of calls off of DMPD calls
Mental health calls routed to safety or crisis team
Sobering center – get help folks need – treatment instead of incarceration
Accelerate growth – get properties to the value it should be
Invest DSM pilot program board member
Improving our Neighborhoods – ION (apps open in October)
Determin what you qualify for
20k for improvements
Small business help = permits/complications
School board background – critical assistance to folks who need help!
Work together to make change better
Josh Mandelbaum –
Candidate for Mayor
City council member – Ward 3 (southside)
Background: Policy background – worked for Vilsack
Environmental atty
From Beaverdale area (family business)
Vision: Future better for everyone! Great, great Grandfather opened small business, provide for generations of his family. To provide opportunity for better life for all families for generations
Taking care of:
· Public safety- mental health focus
· Slow metro growth; DSM needs to grow for our region to grow; including workforce
· Build / invest in people, not just places
· Corridor improvement; not just 6th Ave or Douglas Ave and Ingersol Ave.
· Tackle critical issues- affordable housing priority at ALL price levels
o Beaverdale resident forced to move to Johnston to have housing after death of spouse
· Accessible community; walkable, easily driveable
o Douglas / MLK Corridor improvements
· Better future for our children; somewhere they want to STAY and raise families.
o Where people have equal rights and equal opportunities
affordable housing issue
Josh Mandelbaum – creating projects that include services folks needneed to require affordability to projects that the city helps fund/provides incentiives
don’t isolate affordable housing to ONE area/district
multi family housing
update under-utilized properties;
Star Gas Station on ingersol; create better use of property to add housing and mixed use retail
Need to provide housing for workforce, etc.
Connie – reinvest; support local business
Rod Barron:
Running for City council – Ward 1
Candidate for 6 days
Running;
Des moines; E. Sheridan
Lives in beaverdale
Has two children; a boy and a girl
Representation and experience;
o Voted for representation; Indira was to
o Most diverse city in Des Moines
o Would be first latino on counsil
o 8 years on DSM School board / knows government and governance
§ Being instrumental for ending the waitlist for pre-school
Raised money to fund preschool – bake sale
Now we have capacity for all preschool – 40 kids with extra schooling under their belts.
Need diversity of perspectives; representation means a lot!
Chris Coleman:
Grew up in Prospect Park; delivered newspapers in the neighborhood
Affordable housing; look at assets we already have
Invest locally
Create more units of affordable housing
On city council as at-large member
Chair of 4 different local regional boards
Use Policy and budget experience to
Prospect Park has real good opportunities for development
Lives on 48th street in Beaverdale
Kids are involved in city development
Inter-urban bike trail
Patrick Dix
At large for DSM School Board
First time candidate
Father of 2 boys
Grew up in Chicago – came to DSM 24 years ago
Wife runs Bravo! Greater Des Moines
Wanted to get involved to offer new ideas / better opportunities for DSM school district kids
DSM Students should have
Accountability
School boards – focus: Student Outcome; how we use our limited resources;
Communication and Collaboratio
Creative solutions; how we mentor kids, create future for kids here in DSM
More volunteers in DSM Public schools; make it easier
Harness corporate volunteer
Environment
Infrastructure;
Help build neighborhoods by making the schools attractive
Standard: consistent message from leadership at schools; treat eachother well www.Patrickdixforschoolboard.com
Check the BOX when voting!
Announcements:
Call for board members on PPNA!
Use the space at Vineyard Church - fill the auditorium!
Monday, July 17, 2023
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
welcome statement and introductions
Officer Schwartz
Crime report
Parks & Rec clean-up august
River run garbage grab 8/11 time ? tbd
Kids programing – upd age limit;
Long term plans for the park; bike path approved / 2 years project
Caution travel during ragbrai
Didn’t approve liquor license at pantry –
o Still have “fishing” games
o Illegal to pay out in cash
Homeless:
Cleaning up “camps” along bike path(s)
Call police for “care team” for assistance any time
Behind Freedom for Youth
use: MY DSM MOBILE APP
Reguarding theft, vandalism occurances:
ALL CRIMES / OCCURANCES MUST BE REPORTED!
Be specific!
Detailed description
Clothes, shoes, hair, hat, etc.
Include all details of event – trying car doors, etc.
515-283-4811
REPORT NON-EMERGENCY by calling: 515-283-4811
Neighborhood Items:
Cars in front yards – no parking code
All issues will be addressed
Indira – still no response
1) Action to be removed
2) Petitions
3) City can remove her by iowa state code 66 / paragraph 29?
i. Does illness cover?
ii. File a lawsuit; different scenarios to do so
iii. Must put up bond
2) Call city councilman to vote her out
3) State atty / county atty to take action
Monday, May 15, 2023
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
welcome statement and introductions
Guest speaker: Horizon Science Academy Des Moines communications officer Christopher Murphy
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines is a new charter public school.
Connie Boesen and Karl Voss, city council members shared two neighborhood programs:
Improving our Neighborhoods (ION) to assist homeowners that qualify to do necessary improvements to make their homes both more livable and more attractive. The goal of this program is two-fold – to repair deteriorating properties that diminish the value of neighboring homes and to reduce the number of houses degrading into nuisance properties requiring demolition by the City.
Block Challenge Grant program to improve the exterior physical condition of properties located within the City of Des Moines, and bring neighbors together to build a sense of community pride, and create momentum for larger, more impactful property improvements.
Officer Swartz from the Des Moines Police Department presented crime report for the area and continues to be a great liaison for us
Prospect Park Farmer’s Market:
Asking for volunteers to help gain interest and promote the idea
May - September
Apply for city grant to pay fees / insurance for the season
Make sure to include diverse offerings
work with Chautauqua Park, River Bend and other neighborhoods for fuller engagement.
Monday, March 20, 2023
Welcome: Mark Gordon, president, Prospect Park Neighborhood Association
welcome statement and introductions
Guest speaker: Horizon Science Academy Des Moines communications officer Christopher Murphy
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines is a new charter public school.
Connie Boesen and Karl Voss, city council members shared two neighborhood programs:
Improving our Neighborhoods (ION) to assist homeowners that qualify to do necessary improvements to make their homes both more livable and more attractive. The goal of this program is two-fold – to repair deteriorating properties that diminish the value of neighboring homes and to reduce the number of houses degrading into nuisance properties requiring demolition by the City.
Block Challenge Grant program to improve the exterior physical condition of properties located within the City of Des Moines, and bring neighbors together to build a sense of community pride, and create momentum for larger, more impactful property improvements.
Officer Swartz from the Des Moines Police Department presented crime report for the area and continues to be a great liaison for us
Prospect Park Farmer’s Market:
Asking for volunteers to help gain interest and promote the idea
May - September
Apply for city grant to pay fees / insurance for the season
Make sure to include diverse offerings
work with Chautauqua Park, River Bend and other neighborhoods for fuller engagement.
Monday, November 28, 2022
Open Discussion
Neighborhood Watch Program:
Discussed creating a neighborhood watch program in Prospect Park similar to the Beaverdale and Lower Beaver neighborhoods
Facebook presence, etc.
Monday, October 24, 2022
Officer Swartz: Crime Report
Online reporting is not available; Stabbing at QuikTrip.
Checking on sales at Prospect Park Market - Majority should be groceries, not liquor or gaming.
Continued monitoring of Prospect Park. Parks planning continues and we will have more updates at future meetings.
Guest Speakers:
Speaker: Joe Stevens, CEO & Cofounder of Joppa
Toured Joppa services and retail store
Learned about services offered; tools and resources available to anyone who needs help.
Monday, September 19, 2022
Officer Swartz: Crime Report
Online reporting is not available but overall crime has been low.
Will continue to monitor homeless along river banks and bike trails. Will follow-up.
Continued monitoring of Prospect Park.
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Anthony Coleman, President and CEO, Broadlawns Hospital
Dr. Coleman shared the updates and improvements at the hospital and
Monday, July 25, 2022
Becky Waugaman, Lead Pastor, Vineyard Church: Welcome!
Pastor Becky welcomed us to their space for our neighborhood association meetings! Their generosity will allow us to accommodate more people in a safe, well-lit space with plenty of seating and beautiful accommodations.
THANK YOU for allowing us to use the space and further our mission to create a better neighborhood!
Officer Swartz: Crime Report
Online reporting is not available but overall crime has been low.
Will continue to monitor homeless along river banks and bike trails. Will follow-up.
Continued monitoring of Prospect Park. Continue to updates us on changes that will enhance family experience and slow traffic, etc. We will contact P&R for future meetings.
This space includes:
internet to accommodate Skype/virtual meeting possibility,
safe, ample parking
accessibility; handicap, etc.
kitchen area to accommodate food and drinks
Guest Speakers:
Dan Grauerholz: Des Moines Property Improvement Supervisor
Ashley Schaum: Des Moines Property Improvement Liaison
Dan and Ashley explained the newly formed department called “Improving Our Neighborhoods” a.k.a. ION. They are still building the team and will have more information online as the develop the department. They are the conduit for us to go to to look for help, wether that’s home improvement, landscaping, nuisance issues, etc. They can put you in contact with the appropriate office or service that will be most helpful and effective. Feel free to contact them at: dmgrauerholz@dmgov.org
Connie Boesen, Des Moines City Council at-large
Connie shared her willingness to help us with any issues we have while we wait to hear from Ward 1 council member Indira Sheumaker. She updated us on her work around the city and her intention to support us however we need.
Neighbors spoke of homeless in the area.
Discussed possible alternate meeting spaces within the neighborhood boundaries. Will keep website up to date with information.
discussed communicating meetings better including Facebook, NextDoor, flyers and signs around neighborhood boundaries. Officer Swartz offered location for recycled sign holders.
meeting space needs
internet to accommodate Skype/virtual meeting possibility
safe parking
accessibility; handicap, etc.
Monday, May 23, 2022
Officer Swartz: Crime Report
Online reporting is not available but overall crime has been low.
Will continue to monitor homeless along wooded areas and contact necessary owners for follow-up.
Continued monitoring of Prospect Park. Future changes will enhance family experience and slow traffic, etc. Suggested we communicate with Parks and Rec to get more information.
We will contact P&R for future meetings.
Neighbors spoke of homeless in the area.
Discussed possible alternate meeting spaces within the neighborhood boundaries. Will keep website up to date with information.
discussed communicating meetings better including Facebook, NextDoor, flyers and signs around neighborhood boundaries. Officer Swartz offered location for recycled sign holders.
meeting space needs
internet to accommodate Skype/virtual meeting possibility
safe parking
accessibility; handicap, etc.
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Officer Swartz: Crime Report for neighborhood
2 - Burglary
2 - Aggravated Assault
2 - Larceny - All Other
Mary Wells; Running for Polk County Treasurer – November Election
https://marywellspolkcountytreasurer.com
Tax Credit for homeowners over 65; Completion date: September 30, 2022
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/county-treasurer/property-tax/property-tax-relief/
Discussion:
Kids in the street
dog issue
Safe Summer Kickoff!
The Street Collective, in partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation and the Police Activities League, are hosting a Safe Summer Kickoff Event on Friday, May 13th at Birdland Pool's west parking lot from 5-8 PM. A rain out date is set for May 14th, same place and time.
This event is intended for youth and families in Des Moines to learn about available wellness, health and educational programs in a fun setting. We will have a bike and helmet giveaway, free food, local live performances and bike safety course!
Next Meeting (Tentative):
May 23, 2022
7:00 p.m.
51st & Hickman