Inspections, neighborhood projects, and muni candidates at September WHO meeting

The September monthly meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization featured many guests and several exciting announcements and updates.

Woodland Heights Neighborhood monument sign on MLK
near Cottage grove after completion in June 2019

Wednesday, October 9 at 12:15 pm will be the ribbon cutting event, celebrating the completion of the neighborhood monument sign. The sign is located near the intersection of MLK and Cottage Grove. Event parking available in the St. Ambrose Cemetery (enter Woodland Cemetery at entrance and drive North) and on Olive Street.

The monthly WHO meeting, held September 17 at Scottish Rite Park started with the regular welcome and updates from the Welcome Wagon Committee. Then Doug shared info about the monument sign ribbon cutting, Chamberlain Park project, and working with the city on reconstructing the flower garden at 24th and Center St.

City of Des Moines, Neighborhood Inspections Supervisor, Chris Heilskov
speaks to the WHO members September 17, 2019

City of Des Moines Neighborhood Inspections Supervisor, Chris Heilskov brought data to update the WHO on inspections cases open, ongoing, and closed within the neighborhood. There has been some notable progress and we should see some more soon (including removal of gravel and parking in right-of-way area). More hires will be made soon within the inspections department as the budget has increased with new LOSST dollars.

2019 is an election year. Municipal elections in Iowa take place on Tuesday, November 5. Eleven candidates have filed to run for either DM Mayor or an At-Large seat on the DM City Council. Candidates have been invited to introduce themselves to the WHO. Four candidates did that on September 17: candidate for Mayor, Joe Grandanette, and 3 candidates for the At-Large seat: Carl Voss, Shelia Knoploh-Odole, and Ethan Standard. Expect to meet additional candidates at the October monthly WHO meeting 10/15.

Also in attendance in September was sitting DM City Council member, Connie Boesen. To close the meeting should shared updates about the Zoning Code changes and took a couple questions from meeting attendees.

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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

Schooled at August 2019 WHO meeting

Attendees to the August 20, 2019 Woodland Heights Organization monthly meeting were taken to class.

Callanan Middle School Associate Principal, Ryan Daugherty
speaks to the Woodland Heights Organization August 20, 2019

The meeting's featured guest was one of the Associate Principals from Callanan Middle School, a prominent structure in the Woodland Heights Neighborhood.  Associate Principal, Ryan Daugherty is starting his 6th year as an administrator at Callanan.  He's seen growth in the student population every school year.  Mr. Daugherty shared some of the practices they've implemented at the school, their focus on teaching for jobs that have yet to be envisioned, and things like conative learning (thinking about the 'why' and being purposeful).  Mr. Daugherty also shared some logistical things like dealing with after-school traffic congestion between 3:25 and 3:40 pm.
For more information on Callanan you can visit their website.
All volunteer information is centrally located at the Volunteer page of the DMPS website. 

WHO Board Member William Strong shares
Safety & Inspections Committee update August 20, 2019

Other business conducted during the August meeting included a recap of National Night Out, including feedback for how to improve the event in future years.  A reimbursement request was passed for some of the supplies purchased for the event.

Welcome Wagon Committee's Kirsten
shares welcome and updates August 20, 2019

There were a couple new things that occurred during the August WHO monthly meeting, including using a different side of the meeting room than typical, and starting the meeting with a welcome and update from the Welcome Wagon.

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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

2019 NNO event a great success

The Woodland Heights Organization hosted one of many National Night Out events throughout the city of Des Moines, the metro, and the nation on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.  These nation-wide events are held on the first Tuesday in August and is a "... community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.  National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.  Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances." (source: https://natw.org/about/)

Woodland Heights National Night Out @ Chamberlain Park
Tue. August 6, 2019

Thank you to the generous business sponsored who donated much of the food and drink for the evening picnic:
Price Chopper – 3425 Ingersoll Ave.
Gateway Market – 2002 Woodland Ave.
Hy-Vee – 4605 Fleur Dr.
Subway – 3030 Ingersoll Ave.
Bauder’s Ice Cream – 3802 Ingersoll Ave.
Palmer’s Deli & Market – 2843 Ingersoll Ave.
Scottish Rite Park – 2909 Woodland Ave.
Easy Go Conoco – 2723 Grand Ave.
Doug McBride PhotoCinema – 716 26th St.
Teddy Maroon’s – 2301 Ingersoll Ave.

And thank you to the numerous neighborhood volunteers who made the event happen.

More photos can be found at the WHO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/whodesmoines/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2440471862668205

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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

2019 National Night Out, Tue. Aug. 6

The 2019 Woodland Heights National Night Out event will be Tuesday, August 6.

This annual tradition occurs the first Tuesday in August.
The WHO event this year will be:
Tue. Aug. 6
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Chamberlain Park (2150 Woodland Ave.)

Free parking available at Freedom Financial Bank (corner of Woodland & MLK)
The Woodland Heights Organization will be grilling hot dogs and be providing side dishes and dessert.  Come hungry.  Feel free to bring your own lawn chair and picnic blanket.  Bring the kids.  This family-friendly event will feature sidewalk chalk and several other activities for children to enjoy.  Adults can take part in a raffle drawing for a gift card to a local business.  DMPD Officers and Des Moines Fire Department Firefighters and equipment have been invited and plan to participate (as they are able).

NNO is a great opportunity for neighbors to interact with local police and fire fighters in a positive, community-building setting.

FB event link

Center Street & High Street focus of July WHO meeting

"The Center Street Story: An Urban Renewal Retrospective" was the first topic on the agenda of the July 16, 2019 Woodland Heights Organization monthly meeting.

Madison DeShay previews a documentary about Center Street
at the July 16, 2019 WHO meeting

The documentary project of Community Legacy Matters Inc. tells the story of a thriving African American business and residential district in Des Moines in the first half of the 20th century.  Interstate 235 and 1950s urban renewal forever changed that community.  Project Director, Madison DeShay spoke to Woodland Heights neighbors about the work being done to complete this documentary to preserve and share the story of Center Street. 

NBSD officer, Sgt. Scarlett shares the latest incident data as part
of the NBSD report at the July 16, 2019 WHO monthly meeting

After some new business and updates on the National Night Out event (coming up Tue. Aug. 6), the regular NBSD report, and the featured guest, the meeting's main event started: hearing from a developer about potential development on High Street and getting feedback from residents about the proposal.

Ryan Francios of Rally Cap Properties shares info about rezoning
as part of a potential development along High Street July 16, 2019.

The Rally Cap proposal included rezoning property from “R1-60” One-Family Low-Density Residential District to “NPC” Neighborhood Pedestrian Commercial District to allow for development of a 5-unit, 3-story, live-work, rowhouse dwelling.  Many neighbors expressed concerns about business encroachment into the neighborhood as well as traffic and parking issues.  Other neighbors commented about the step the development could provide between Ingersoll commerce and residences further North.
Ultimately the developer decided to pull this item from the July 18 P&Z agenda so no vote was taken at the WHO meeting.

Thanks everyone for the high interest, the vigorous discussion, and the patience given during the long meeting. 
See the calendar page of this weblog for all the upcoming events and meetings. 

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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

County Supervisor & Mayor address June meeting

The June monthly meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization was held June 18, 2019 at Scottish Rite Park.  2 main guests and 1 other presentation made up the bulk of the meeting.

Polk County Supervisor, District 5, Matt McCoy address
the Woodland Heights Organization June 18, 2019

Polk County Supervisor, Matt McCoy (representing District 5) was the featured guest on the agenda.  Supervisor McCoy reviewed his activities with the Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC) Board, the water trails, Woodland Cemetery, partnering with the City of Des Moines on home improvements, and more.  McCoy had lots of data from CZB and other sources including stats on poverty and housing (including that 40,000 properties are in substandard or poor condition).  McCoy expressed his passion for established neighborhoods, connecting strong cities to a strong County.

Des Moines Mayor, Frank Cownie speaks with
Woodland Heights neighbors June 18, 2019

Des Moines Mayor, Frank Cownie, stopped into the meeting with NBSD Lieutenant, Larry Davey.  Cownie's primary message was thanking residents for their support of the Local Option Sales and Service (LOSST) Tax vote earlier this year.  Cownie mentioned many of the ways that money is being put to use, including the 'blitz on blight'.  Davey addressed local narcotics concerns. 

Woodland Heights neighbors present June 18, 2019
on recent Civil & Human Rights Symposium

A presentation focused on social progress, economic progress, judicial progress, and more, under the umbrella of equity for all was made at the June WHO meeting.  More info can be found at the Des Moines Civil & Human Rights Commission website.  Other resources mentioned included:  Community of Racial Equity (CORE), and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ).

Other business conducted at the meeting included approving spending for National Night Out signage, and approving spending for Des Moines Neighbors annual membership renewal.  Reports were made on traffic and NBSD issues.

Mark you calendars and spread the word about National Night Out.  The Woodland Heights neighborhood will be hosting an event Tuesday, August 6 starting at 5:30 pm in Chamberlain Park.  Find more information on Facebook. 

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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

Inspections update at May meeting

The May 21, 2019 monthly meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) featured 1 main guest, before the regular NBSD report, some new business, and regular reports.

City of Des Moines Neighborhood Inspector Supervisor, Chris Heilskov
shares NID information at the May 21, 2019 WHO meeting

Chris Heilskov, a Neighborhood Inspector Supervisor at the City of Des Moines, updated Woodland Heights neighbors about the current status and operations of Community Development's NID and what neighbors can expect in the near future.
Heilskov has 2 peer Inspector Supervisors (total of 3 citywide) who oversee 17 inspectors (designated to different zones within the city (Chris presented a map of the different zones).
Heilskov addressed the budget changes that will be coming with the 1% Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) that will go into effect July 1. 
One of several interesting stats was that as of 5/21 there were 128 open inspections cases within the boundaries of Woodland Heights. 
Look for more info about inspection at the June 18 WHO meeting where our neighborhood inspector is planning on giving meeting attendees further updates on his work within Woodland Heights.

Other meeting highlights included the NBSD report, presented by Officer Scarlett (DMPD), some discussion of traffic issues during New Business, and reports on WHO committees, the monument sign (near MLK and Cottage Grove), and more.
Find the full minutes on the 'Calendar' section of this weblog.

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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