Home improvement and beautification topics of August meeting

The Woodland Heights Org., held its August 2021 meeting outdoors at Chamberlain Park on 8/17.  The featured guests were members of the city staff and included Chris Heilskov, Neighborhood Inspections Supervisor; Scott Clauson, Neighborhood Inspector (Blitz on Blight); and Erik Lundy, Zoning Enforcement Officer.  

Erik Lundy and Chris Heilskov, both of the City
of Des Moines, speak with the WHO 8/17/2021

The city’s Neighborhood Services Dept. and Neighborhood Inspections has been working hard to catch up on inspections that were delayed due to the pandemic and implement a new cloud-computing technology system to schedule, execute, and monitor inspections, violations, permitting, and more.  The department has been staffing up and soon will be hiring 2 additional inspectors.  

Neighbors attend the WHO meeting 8/17/2021
at Chamberlain Park

In addition to inspections staff monitoring neighborhoods for junk & debris, junk cars, nuisance properties, and zoning violations (such as illegal use and signs) to keep things looking nice, Invest-DSM is administering a city-wide Block Challenge Grant Program, where neighbors across the city can group together and apply for matching grants to fund home improvements boosting curb appeal.  Neighbors on High Street in Woodland Heights plan to make an application (due Sept. 30) and shared their story at the meeting.  Examples of projects allowable for the Block Grant Challenge Program include: landscaping (front yard), mulch, fencing, windows, and siding.  

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This post typed by Phil.

The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.

for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines

National Night Out event held in Woodland Heights

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus public health disaster emergency, neighborhoods throughout the country held their first National Night Out events since 2019.  Typically an annual event, National Night Out celebrates the collaboration and community building that neighbors and neighborhoods can do to prevent crime and fight crime alongside public safety officials.  

Public safety vehicles to explore at Woodland
Heights NNO event Tue. Aug. 3, 2021

Woodland Heights residents invited city police, fire, and other officials and staff for a social in Chamberlain Park on Tuesday, Aug. 3 for the 2021 event.  The gathering proved to be a great opportunity to meet with and hear from members of the public safety community as well as socialize with neighbors from all corners of Woodland Heights after limited contact due to the pandemic.  

Neighbors and community members gather at
Chamberlain Park Aug. 3, 20201 for NNO

Thank you to all the attendees, planners (especially the WHO Welcome Wagon committee), and volunteers who made the event a success.  

Mayor, Frank Cownie; NBSD Officer, Mike Moody;
and Lt. Larry Davey share a laugh at NNO 8/3/2021

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This post typed by Phil.

The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.

for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines

August meeting to be held outdoors

Update for the August 17, 2021 WHO meeting:  Forecast is for hot but fair weather.  The August 17, 2021 meeting will occur as planned outdoors near the shelter at Chamberlain Park at 7pm.