More about City Blogs

If you are interested in local government blogs or city blogs, I think you will find the below link interesting. This is a "blog about blogging," and there is a category called "City Blogs" that features blogs from several cities across the nation. Take a look at how this trend is developing when you get a chance.



You can also take a look at to get listings of popular blogs, including this one.

Human Services Online Donations

The City of West Des Moines Human Services department has implemented an online donation system! If you visit the Human Services section of our City website, located here, choose the "Donate Now" button under the red heart to take a look at the online donation page and functionality. This is a very exciting way for all of our dedicated donors (new and old!) to donate quickly and conveniently. Another advantage of this site is the donor's ability to select which program to fund--whether it be the food pantry, energy assistance, or any number of programs in need! Eventually, we hope to utilize this service for other City departments as well. We are always looking for ways to make things easier for our residents, and those who contribute a little extra to our community through the City organization should benefit from this. Those who stand to benefit most, of course, are the West Des Moines residents who need our help, especially during the holiday season.

WDM a Thankful Grant Recipient

As a City, we work hard to obtain funding from outside entities to enhance our programs and services. Recently, we were awarded two grants that will really make a difference in our community.

The first is a Secure Our Schools Grant. Our Police Department, in conjunction with WDM Community Schools and Dowling Catholic High School, has been selected for a Secure Our Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Secure Our Schools grant was created to fund increased security measures in local schools. This grant will fund 50% of the total project to upgrade security at schools. The total grant project will cost over $930,000. The funds can be used for locks, lighting, security assessments, monitoring systems, training, and the coordination of security with local law enforcement. It is anticipated that the primary initiatives for the schools will include electronic exterior security systems, and video monitoring and screening systems. This is a measure that will enhance our ability to keep our schools secure and safe!

This grant opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) office. The Secure Our Schools grant is offered only to communities who have previously received funding through the Cops in Schools program. West Des Moines participated with a School Resource Officer in May of 2000. The two year grant period will begin upon formal acceptance and approval by the COPS Office and end on August 31, 2008.

Another important grant we received recently is the Blueprint for America Grant. WDM Community Development has received a $10,000 Blueprint for America grant from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to create guidelines and a pattern book for use in older residential neighborhoods throughout the City. The City’s proposal, entitled “Affordable Housing Initiative for the City of West Des Moines,” was submitted because existing older neighborhoods within our City have been identified as a source of affordable housing that should be maintained and protected. The City wants to encourage homeowners to retain the integrity and character of their homes and neighborhoods by providing suggestions on how to remodel in a way sympathetic to the existing architecture and neighborhood. AIA stated that the City’s pattern book project “represents a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of design to create more livable communities.”

The City has made significant investments in many of these neighborhoods by updating the schools, parks and infrastructure. We have also aggressively pursued a housing rehabilitation program to maintain the existing housing stock. This pattern book will be an excellent supplement to these efforts already in action. It is an exciting opportunity for us to start on one of the projects that was part of our Great Places presentation last month.

OctoberWest

For all of you who made it out to OctoberWest, our fall festival in West Des Moines, this year, THANKS! It was a terrific time again this year.

A great effort by our City departments, spearheaded by Parks and Recreation, paid off in terms of attendance and results. OctoberWest experienced great turnout and feedback in 2006. Attendance was up this fall from 1200 to approximately 2,000 people. The Rotary Club Pancake breakfast, a new addition, was a hit with more than 350 people attending. Our night entertainment for adults at the DMACC West campus was a nice new attraction as well. The scarecrow contest once again drew some great entries and examples of creativity, with City departments participating as well. Scarecrow “Chuckie” by Sam's Club claimed 1st prize; “The Diva” by the WDM Planning Department captured 2nd; and “Cat in the Hat” by WDM Library took 3rd. The festival was bigger and better than the first year, and plans are in the works to make it bigger again next year!!

Rides

Art Tent

Bounce Tent