Des Moines council swears in three members, reappoints city officials and names Mayor Pro Tem

Three newly sworn council members took office and the Des Moines City Council moved quickly through organizational business at its Jan. 12 meeting.

Mike Simonson took the oath as at-large council member, Rob Baron was sworn in as Ward 1 council member and Josh Mandelbaum was sworn in as Ward 3 council member. Mayor Boesen then led routine roll call and the council confirmed a quorum.

The council reappointed several top administrative positions, including the city manager, city attorney and city clerk, in a single motion covering items I a–e; the motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Mayor Boesen nominated Council Member Joe Gatto as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026; the nomination was moved, seconded and approved by a 7–0 roll-call vote.

Council approved the meeting agenda with packet updates and passed the consent agenda (items 3–31) by roll call. The minutes record exceptions on a few consent items: one member recorded a no vote on item 5 and Council Member Mandelbaum recorded abstentions on items 26 and 27.

The council also approved a first-reading ordinance to vacate a portion of Des Moines Street west of Robert D. Ray Drive and waived the second and third readings as allowed under council rules. Later in the meeting the council moved to receive and file several additional items, and then adjourned.

The meeting included a mix of ceremonial items, procedural votes and the city’s customary organizational work; the council signaled priorities including housing strategy implementation and continued corridor investments during the mayor’s remarks at the end of the meeting.