September meeting to be held outdoors

Update for the September 21, 2021 WHO meeting:  Forecast is for the most pleasant weather.  The September 21, 2021 meeting will occur as planned outdoors near the shelter at Chamberlain Park at 7pm.  

High Street Traffic Calming Concept Plan Released

Jeff Wiggins, of the City of DM, met with the High Street Traffic Calming Interest Group Wed. Sept. 15, 2021 to review the proposed High Street Traffic Calming Concept Plan (as part of the city's regular traffic calming program).  

Between 2019 and 2020, the city collected traffic study data, which can be viewed online here.  

On May 15, 2021 the High Street Traffic Calming Interest Group met virtually to share observations and concerns about High Street traffic that the Concept Planning would take into account.  

Read the Concept Plan online here.  The concept is designed to calm traffic on High Street in the blocks between 28th Street and 24th Street (study area).  The five elements of the plan include: (1.) posting 25 mph speed limit signs on High Street @ 28th & MLK; (2.) placing a speed hump on High Street approx. 450 feet east of 28th Street (approx. the crest of the hill); (3.) placing a speed hump approx. 275 feet east of the first speed hump; (4.) placing a choker on High Street approx. 300 feet west of 24th Street (approx. the bottom of the hill (adjacent to vacant lot)); and (5.) alternating from North to South, then back to North on which side of the street parking is allowed.  

Next steps include:  (1.) Discussion of the concept plan and vote of approval at the WHO September monthly meeting on Tue. Sept. 21, 2021; (2.) City to send cards for feedback to High Street property owners (notification); (3.) Review by the city's Transportation Safety Committee; and (4.) Project to be programmed into the next construction cycle (hopefully Summer 2022).  

Phil recorded video of the virtual meeting Sept. 15.  Please contact Phil to view that video.  

  

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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

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.  

Officer Moody’s Introduction to the WHO

 The July monthly meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization was held Tue. 7/20 and was the 2nd meeting of 2021 held outdoors at Chamberlain Park.  

Neighbors are invited to come back to the park Tuesday, August 3rd (first Tues. in Aug.) for National Night Out.  This free event will be open to all, and is a family-friendly neighborhood gathering.  Look for snacks and social under and near the shelter starting at 5:30 pm.  

Kent Newman, member of the Des Moines Citizen
Task Force on Sustainability with the WHO July 20, 2021

The meeting’s featured guest was Kent Newman, of the Des Moines Citizen Task Force on Sustainability.  Newman shared history of sustainability efforts in the city going back to 2007 through the present day, highlighting emissions goals, programs, the creation of the task force, benchmarking ordinance, and more.  Learn more about the Task Force online here.  

Officer Mike Moody reviews notes while speaking
with Woodland Heights neighbors July 20, 2021

After Sgt. Scarlett’s reassignment to the South Side of Des Moines, Officer Mike Moody has transitioned into the role of NBSD Officer, working with 9 neighborhoods covering some of the West Central and Near West part of the city.  Officer Moody took time to share about himself, his career with the DMPD, and his perspective of the NBSD role.  Moody emphasized multiple times how valuable neighborhood organizations and meeting opportunities are to get to know each other, learn about issues going on, and working to build a safer, more close-knit community.  Moody also spoke highly of cameras, noting he has multiple cameras at his home and recommends others consider cameras for their own homes.  

One item of business raised during the meeting was starting the planning process to partner with the City of DM Forestry Dept. for a service/volunteer event to prune and do some maintenance on city-owned, street trees, especially near the park and cemetery.  Look for more information on this in the future.  

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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

July meeting to be held outdoors

Update for the July 20, 2021 WHO meeting:  Forecast is for hot but fair weather.  The July 20, 2021 meeting will occur as planned outdoors near the shelter at Chamberlain Park at 7pm.