Your Monthly Urbandale Update

Friday, December 18, 2020

Council Recap

The Mayor called the meeting to order and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Urbandale City Council meetings continue to be held electronically. At the start of the meeting staff and board representatives from DART gave an update and overview of its transportation plans and funding needs for mass transit service in the Des Moines metro.

The City Council approved a $143,243.38 quote to configure and migrate the City to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), a subscription service offered by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Office product line. The City Council also approved a design services agreement in the amount of $34,780 for the design of the Barrett Park natural playscape and to conduct an online community input survey.

Urbandale City Councilmember Matt Blake will be placed on federal active duty orders with the Iowa Army National Guard for approximately nine months beginning on January 21, 2021 and the military service of Councilmember Blake will create a temporary vacancy on the City Council. The Council established the appointment process for the temporary vacancy of Councilmember Matt Blake. Applicants will be interviewed on Monday, December 21. The Council will meet again in a special session on Tuesday December 22 and an appointee will be considered at the meeting of December 29, 2020. All of the meetings are open to the public. Read More.

The Urbandale Police Department is Hiring!

Thinking about a career in law enforcement? After completing the academy, a new Patrol Officer’s starting salary is $61,251 – you can even top out your salary at more than $80,000 per year! www.urbandale.org/jobs.

Renewal Notice for Additional Solid Waste Containers

Additional Solid Waste Container renewal notices have been sent out for the 2021 calendar year. These would have been sent by email or regular mail. 2021 stickers will be mailed out starting the week of December 21 as soon as payment is received. Payments can be dropped off at City Hall drop box or mailed to 3600 86th Street, Urbandale, IA, 50322. If you do not have a 2021 sticker on any additional containers, the garbage will not be emptied from these containers. If you have any questions please give us a call at 515-278-3950.

Watch Out For Scam Letters

The Urbandale Police Department has been alerted by residents receiving imitation letters claiming the Department is soliciting donations for a fundraiser for an emergency equipment shortage. The Urbandale Police Department does participate in multiple local charities in and around our community throughout the year; however, we will never ask for money for Police Department equipment or donations to help the Department.

Snow and Ice Control

Each winter we can expect about 34 inches of snowfall in Urbandale. The City takes a serious approach and utilizes maximum resources to efficiently and safely remove snow and ice from approximately 495 lane miles of streets and 315 cul-de-sacs. When plowing operations are underway, an emergency parking ban will go into effect. This applies to all Urbandale streets. Vehicles must be removed from the street until the snow is cleared from curb to curb. If a vehicle is not removed from the street it may be ticketed. The following guidelines will help us serve you better! Learn more.

24/7 Cardboard Recycling

Metro Waste Authority has made its cardboard recycling receptacle at the Grimes Transfer Station available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a great option if your boxes and cardboard are overflowing at home and can't fit into your bin.

DART Proposing Changes to Service in Northwest Urbandale

As part of its Transit Optimization Study, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is proposing replacing Local Route 74, which loops to several businesses and destinations in northwest Urbandale and north West Des Moines, with a Mobility on Demand service zone. With Mobility on Demand, riders would request a trip with a taxi company or other ride hailing service within the transportation zone to connect with businesses, popular destinations and transfer points for other DART routes any time during scheduled hours. The new zone would be similar to DART’s Flex Connect service it is currently operating in northeast Urbandale and north Des Moines. DART is collecting feedback on these proposed changes on its website. Complete the survey, view maps of the proposed service zone, and learn more at www.ridedart.com/Urbandale.

Yard Waste Collection

The regular yard waste collection season has ended. Any other yard waste can be put it out the weeks of December 28 and January 4 during the holiday tree collection. If you would like further information, please call the Department of Engineering and Public Works at 515-278-3950.

Urbandale in the Media

Urbandale Mayor Robert Andeweg named as 2020 Citizen of the Year. Read the Des Moines Register story here.