City of Waukee

Holiday Happenings 2020 : Kellyn Pappas

November 24, 2020 by Darby Brincks

It’s hard to believe, but the 2020 holiday season is fast approaching, in what has been a year of social distancing, masking and more uncertainty than most of us have likely ever experienced. Like everything else this year, the holiday season—and many of the traditional holiday events that come with it—will look a little different, and unfortunately, some events won’t be held this year at all. Just because we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, however, doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty to do in the metro over the holidays. Check out the list below and start planning your family holiday outings!

WinterFest on Wheels
Date: Friday, Dec. 4
Time: 6 – 8 pm
Location: Waukee Public Works Building, 805 University Ave., Waukee

The City of Waukee’s free, annual WinterFest celebration, normally held in Waukee’s historic Downtown Triangle, will go mobile in 2020. “We’re including many of the activities that families love during WinterFest, but they’ll look a little different this year,” said Danae Edwards, Waukee Parks & Recreation Supervisor. Families will drive through the Parks & Recreation bay at the Waukee Public Works building and receive treats and goodies from Santa Claus and his helpers. Participants won’t even need to leave their cars!

Attendees will also have the chance to watch the holiday tree lighting via Facebook Live and watch the ice sculptor hard at work on his beautiful masterpieces at the Public Works building. Charter Bank and Waukee Parks & Recreation will sponsor the giveaway of more than 700 books to children up through ten years old at the event.

WinterFest participants can also participate in a community-wide holiday light competition! Waukee homeowners will be able to enter their decorated residences into the competition, and participants will have the chance to drive around town and view houses on their own personal holiday light tour before voting.

Despite the alternative format, there will still be an opportunity to give back to the community during WinterFest, as always. Bring non-perishable food items or new, unwrapped toys to donate when you drive through. These items will be distributed to those in need throughout the community.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) Curbside
Date: Virtual Market open Nov. 9 – 22; Curbside pickup Dec. 3 – 6
Time: Dec. 3: 5 pm – 8 pm
Dec. 4: 11 am – 8 pm
Dec. 5: 9 am – 6 pm
Dec. 6: 12 pm – 5 pm
Location: Principal Park, Des Moines (curbside pickup)

Due to the pandemic, the Des Moines European Heritage Association made the decision over the summer to take the popular Christkindlmarket, a German-inspired Christmas market, virtual this year. In a typical year, the open-air market features regional vendors selling handcrafted wares and European foods and beverages from traditional wooden stalls. This year’s event will feature an online marketplace instead, which will open Nov. 9 and can be accessed through a link on the CDM website. Customers can purchase their favorite handcrafted items—such as hand-blown glass ornaments, nutcrackers and steins—through 29 vendor stores in the marketplace. After making their purchases, customers can choose from four drive-thru pickup times Dec. 3 – 6, when they can stop by Principal Park and pick up their purchases.

While it’s difficult to replace the festive, in-person atmosphere of the traditional Christkindlmarket, Director Suzanne Hull notes that this year’s virtual market will feature 30 percent new vendors and says the ultimate goal of the event remains the same. “[Our] goal is to provide holiday cheer to central Iowans and support our long-standing vendors,” she explained.

Festival of Trees and Lights
Date / Time: To be determined

This popular annual event—the largest annual fundraiser for Blank Children’s Hospital and an event that has become the traditional kickoff to the holiday season—typically attracts more than 20,000 visitors during its five-day run. This year’s Festival will take place virtually, according to Dr. Steve Stephenson, president and COO of Blank Children’s Hospital. “Festival may look different, but we are working hard to ensure it will continue to be a family-friendly, full of fun way for our community to support Blank Children’s Hospital and kick off the holiday season,” said Stephenson in a statement on UnityPoint Health’s website.

According to the statement, organizers are currently exploring a Festival app, which could be downloaded for a small fee that would support the hospital. The app would include a variety of fun family activities, and of course, lots of the Festival’s signature beautifully decorated trees. More information will be provided as plans develop and the date gets closer.

Jingle in the Junction
Dates: Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Dec. 10, Dec. 17
Time: 5 – 9 pm each evening
Location: 5^th Street, West Des Moines

Visit Historic Valley Junction beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, for Jingle in the Junction! Take a free, horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Valley Junction, which will twinkle with over 150,000 lights. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, take in balloon art by Professor Von Air, and check out the ice carvings by Bill Gordish! Visitors should socially distance and wear masks as appropriate.

Jolly Holiday Lights
Date: Nov. 27 – Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Time: 5:30 – 10 pm each day
Location: Adventureland Park, Altoona

Entering its 25th year as Make-A-Wish Iowa’s largest fundraising event, Jolly Holiday Lights will once again delight families at Adventureland Park in 2020. Beginning Nov. 27, families can drive through Iowa’s largest lighting display, with more than 100 light displays over 2.5 miles. Tickets are $20 per car, or $40 if you’re planning to bring a limo or minibus, and customers can save $5 by purchasing their tickets by Nov. 25. Weekends are generally much busier than weekdays, so plan accordingly!

Living History Farms Family Christmas
Date: Dec. 5
Time: 12 – 4 pm
Location: Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Rd., Urbandale

Visit Living History Farms for a day of festive holiday traditions! Families can participate in the holiday traditions of a Victorian Midwestern family in the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill. Enjoy music, dancing and cookie decorating, and do a little shopping in the MarketPlace Museum Store while you’re at it! Visitors will be required to wear masks, socially distance and follow the prescribed one-way paths for foot traffic on-site.

Living History Farms will also be collecting new, unused winter weather gear, such as hats, mittens and coats, to support Youth Emergency Services & Shelter. Visitors can drop off their donations at the Visitor Center during the event.

Salisbury House Virtual Holiday Tea at the Castle
Date: Dec. 12
Time: 10 am – 1 pm (pickup of tea kits); 1 – 3 pm (virtual holiday tea)
Location: Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Dr., Des Moines (for pickup of tea kits); The tea itself will be virtual

Des Moines’ Salisbury House offers visitors the chance to enjoy a proper English afternoon tea from the comfort of their own homes! Customers can visit Salisbury House’s website to purchase a ticket for $40 ($36 if you’re a member), which will entitle them to receive a tea kit with all the trimmings, including two types of tea, finger sandwiches, tea cookies and more! Ticket holders will be emailed a private website link ahead of the event. On Dec. 12, between 10 am – 1 pm, ticket holders can pick up their tea kits at the north door of Salisbury House. They can then use the website link to log on from 1 – 3pm to view the tea at the castle programming while enjoying their tea and goodies at home! Ticket sales close Nov. 27, so make sure to snag yours before they’re gone!

Women in Law Enforcement

November 23, 2020 by Darby Brincks

More Female Police Officers Join and Lead at the Waukee PD Than Ever Before

When Sgt. Mackenzie Sposeto joined the Waukee Police Department in 2007, she was the only woman on the force, which at the time comprised 10 officers. Fast-forward to 2020, and she is now the Community Outreach Sergeant and Public Information Officer, and the Waukee PD is now home to 26 police officers, six of whom are women. In addition to Sposeto, they include: Sgt. Kelli Cichoski, Detective Susan Williams, SRO Corby Robbins, Officer Kathryn Guess and Officer McKenna Olberding.

“I think female officers are so essential in law enforcement because we offer different ways of dealing with conflict,” said Sposeto. “We may not all have the physical strength of men, but we have bravery, creativity and verbal skills, which all make women a great fit for the law enforcement profession.”

Sposeto was the department’s first woman to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2015. Just recently, Sgt. Cichoski became the second. Police Chief John Quinn said those promotions were well deserved, regardless of gender.

“Diversity in the workforce certainly is a priority at the Waukee PD,” said Quinn. “However, hiring quality individuals who have a passion for service and a dedication to the department’s mission of community-oriented policing is imperative. All of our female officers were the top candidates when they were hired and have proven themselves as true leaders.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 12 percent of all local U.S. police officers in 2013 were female. That number was up from only 8 percent 25 years prior in 1987.

A University of Northern Iowa and Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) graduate, Officer Corby Robbins joined the Waukee PD in 2018 after more than a decade in other law enforcement agencies. This fall, she is taking the reins as a School Resource Officer for both Timberline and South Middle Schools. She said she’s been lucky in her career to be accepted by most of her male counterparts.

“I believe women make great officers because we are inherently patient and willing to listen,” said Robbins. “Maybe that is the mom in me coming out. I would tell any woman looking to come into law enforcement that now is a perfect time. A lot of the old stigmas have been broken and women are doing great things in this profession.”

Waukee Detective Susan Williams joined the Waukee PD in 2014. She earned a degree in criminal justice from Buena Vista University and graduated from ILEA. She was also a collegiate athlete and said that experience helped prepare her for the discipline and team-focused environment at the Waukee PD. Williams is proud to be a part of diversifying the police force.

“Women tend to do the job differently than men; not better or worse, just differently,” said Williams. “Gender doesn’t matter; what matters is that the officer is compassionate, understanding and fair. Diversity is essential because it helps people relate to police.”

In 2019, the Waukee Police Department responded to 13,639 calls for service. So what inspires these disciplined women to put on the badge every day?

“On Sept. 11, 2001, I was sitting in a criminal law class at ILEA shortly after graduating from Iowa State, when an instructor informed us that the Twin Towers in New York City had just been hit by airplanes,” said Sposeto. “We all sat in silence and watched as the destruction unfolded. I knew right at that moment that I had made the right career choice—one where I would be keeping people safe.”

“I chose law enforcement because I look up to my brother very highly and saw how much he enjoyed the law enforcement profession,” explained Williams. Through shadowing him and going on ride-alongs, I saw the satisfaction that comes from helping people and I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

Regardless of the reasons, these women and the rest of the Waukee Police Department team members work hard around the clock to help keep Waukee’s crime rate low (1.52 per 1,000 for violent crimes and 11.69 per 1,000 for property crimes), provide outreach opportunities to members of the public, keep schools safe and conduct quality investigations.

Reggie Bell Named Waukee’s 2019 Citizen of the Year

November 23, 2020 by Darby Brincks

Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke named community advocate and military veteran Reggie Bell as Waukee’s 2019 Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year honor is given each year to an exemplary resident who represents the true spirit of community service.

Bell was selected as the 2019 Citizen of the Year in March; however, the acknowledgement process was delayed due to social distancing guidelines. He will be honored at the December WinterFest celebration and at the January 2021 Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner. He will also be presented with a City of Waukee proclamation and plaque and will receive a local business prize package from the Chamber.

“When the selection committee and I reviewed award submissions, we were so impressed with the level of community service Reggie has provided to Waukee,” said Mayor Clarke. “Not only has he sacrificed in serving our country, but he initiates continual outreach to underserved groups in and around Waukee. We thank him greatly for showing us what can be achieved with selfless giving of one’s time and talents.”

Bell spent many of his formative years in Kansas City public housing. He then served in the U.S. Army for 22 years. He, his wife Sherry and their two daughters moved to Waukee in 2007. Since then, he has been busy inspiring other community members, such as Ellen Pieper, who nominated him for this award.

“Although Reggie is now 63, diabetic and has multiple artificial joints, he’s still constantly looking for and initiating activities to raise awareness of other people’s needs,” said Pieper. “Better yet, he follows through on these activities by providing necessary approvals, print materials, collection bins, eye-catching decorations, transportation and more.”

Many people know Bell from his volunteer and fundraising work with the Waukee American Legion, as a greeter at the Waukee Family YMCA or as a member of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. He also assists with Cornerstone Church’s Hot Dog Ministry in Des Moines, which delivers hot dogs and snacks to homeless shelters and encampments. He supports the Single Parent Provision, leads socks and snacks drives for deployed members of the U.S. military, collects food and necessities for the homeless and low-income, opens his Thanksgiving table each year for those who are alone, and serves with local non-profits Garden Gate Ranch and Leading With Power.

“I’m truly humbled by my recognition as Waukee’s Citizen of the Year,” said Bell. “I have a heart for helping others. I grew up with a mother who always reached out to help the less fortunate, even when her own circumstances were not good. A quote that comes to me in these trying times was written by Charles Dickens: ‘No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.’”

Bell said he and his family found a safe, affordable community in moving to Waukee and that he loves all of the friendly people in town. “My family continues to thrive here, as do many people,” he said. “As Waukee becomes more diverse, we must embrace one another, love one another and respect one another.”

A fan of famous quotes, he added Coretta Scott King’s words of wisdom: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

The City of Waukee and the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce collectively thank Reggie Bell for sharing his commitment to service, his smile and his compassion throughout Waukee and beyond.

The Waukee Citizen of the Year program is a joint effort between the City of Waukee and the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize Waukee residents for dedicated volunteer efforts that lead to making Waukee a great place in which to live, work, play and learn. The selection committee consists of Waukee’s mayor and representatives from the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, Waukee Area Christian Services and the Waukee Family YMCA.

Waukee Leadership Institute Profile : Kellyn Pappas

November 23, 2020 by Darby Brincks

Over the past few years, miniature food pantries have sprung up all around the Des Moines metro. These small boxes, stocked with nonperishable food, are available any time of day for anyone in need—a small-scale way to help combat food insecurity in the community. Waukee residents will soon see these Little Free Food Pantries in their neighborhood as well, thanks to the recently-graduated Waukee Leadership Institute Class of 2020.

The Waukee Leadership Institute began in 2006 as the brainchild of Waukee’s former mayor Bill Peard and co-founder Larry Lyon. Both men were serving on the Waukee City Council at the time, and according to Peard, both thought the city of Waukee was in need of a way to “keep the leadership pipeline full”—not just for elected officials, but for community leaders, as well. The two created the program as a way to develop leaders through education, networking, mentoring and roundtable discussions.

A significant amount of time and effort went into developing the Institute, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. “It was a labor of love for a lot of people,” said Peard. “It’s truly a volunteer effort.” The founders took some cues from other leadership institutes in the area, but ultimately, Peard explained, “We kind of just jumped in the deep end of the pool and figured it out from there.” The Institute’s first class graduated in 2007.

Class members apply online each year over the summer and meet on a monthly basis from September to April. Each year’s class is capped at 20-25 people. “We feel that is a good size,” said Institute Board Director Terry Snyder, an Institute Class of 2012 graduate herself. “It’s not too big, not too small.”

Class of 2020 graduate Gretchen Stanger, who works as the Youth and Family Program Director at the Waukee YMCA, became interested after hearing about a coworker’s experience in the program the year before. “[She] shared her experience with me and it piqued my interest,” she said. Larry Hingst, also a 2020 graduate, had just accepted a new role as a sales manager at Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company in Waukee when he enrolled. “I was asked to enroll…about one week before it was going to start,” he said.

Fellow classmate April Samp, who worked as the News Director and creator of the We Are Iowa brand at WOI-TV Channel 5 and currently owns her own producing and consulting company, first heard about the Institute on the golf course. “I first heard about WLI from current President Rick Kyser in a fortuitous meeting on the Sugar Creek Golf Course,” she explained. “I was paired with Rick and his wife for a round of golf, and he talked to me about the program.”

Despite varying levels of familiarity with the Institute and with the curriculum, class members quickly realized they had made a good decision. “I quickly felt it would be a good fit, both personally and professionally,” said Stanger.

Hingst agrees. “Going in, I really did not know a lot about the program,” he said. “I realized this was going to be more fun and interesting than I had anticipated!”

Although class content has been refined somewhat over the years, the core components of the curriculum remain the same. According to Snyder, each class “learns how the Waukee city government works, how our economic development department attracts new business to Waukee, and how the school district handles the population growth of the city.”

Waukee’s mayor and city administrator are regular annual presenters, as is Waukee’s police chief, John Quinn, whose Introduction to Leadership class has become a staple on the schedule. Snyder commented that the curriculum has been enhanced over time, as well. “Former Governor Tom Vilsack presented for the class of 2020, and he is scheduled to present again [for] the class of 2021,” she explained.

A session on state government, presented by Iowa Senator Charles Schneider and Representative Kenan Judge, is also on the schedule for next year. The Institute has also added a class where representatives from a small, medium and large business in Waukee present to class members on their leadership style and how the size of their business impacts the way they lead.

Graduates have high praise for the class content and presenters. “I appreciated how carefully the topics and presenters were planned. It truly made for an immersive experience,” said Stanger.

Hingst said he learned a lot about the operations of the city government and was impressed by what he heard from presenters. “One of the things that really stood out [was that] the leaders that we have in our community really put the city first in their decisions,” he said. “That was refreshing to see.”

The capstone each year is a final project, the aim of which is to enhance the Waukee community. “We encourage the class to think outside the box and look around town and see what they think is needed,” said Snyder. Class members pitch ideas to one another and talk through the logistics of each one. Eventually, the class as a whole makes the final decision on which project they would like to pursue.

Past class projects have included the construction of the amphitheater in Centennial Park (Class of 2013) and the installation of bike ramps on Waukee’s bike trails (Class of 2016). After talking through numerous pitches, the class of 2020 decided to tackle food insecurity in Waukee by working with Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS).

A nonprofit outreach ministry supported by Waukee-area churches, WACS operates a food pantry, a free medical clinic, a community garden and additional seasonal and children’s programs that serve all of Dallas county and into the surrounding area, as well.

The project aimed to raise awareness in the community about food insecurity and elevate the impact of WACS. For starters, the group created a marketing toolkit for WACS to use to create marketing materials to reach out to volunteers, donors and clients. According to Samp, the group also engineered “a self-functioning…food donation network.”

This network is built around local businesses that agree to host month-long donation drives and then challenge another business to do the same in another month. “We also created a database of potential and current donors for [them] to use,” said Samp. Another major part of the marketing campaign was a short video the group produced for WACS to increase awareness of the services they provide. According to Samp, the video explains “not only what they provide, but also how people can help.”

The class also solicited materials and labor from local businesses to construct roughly half a dozen Little Free Food Pantries, which will be placed throughout Waukee in the coming months. The pantries provide “a way for people to get the basics without having to go into WACS,” said Samp. The group also aimed to raise funds for WACS, and although some of the group’s progress fundraising was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they still managed to raise over $4,700 by the time their efforts were slowed in March. “I am pleased our class remains committed to completing the project we began in September and I’m elated to witness our efforts take shape in the community,” said Stanger.

The impact of the Waukee Leadership Institute has certainly been felt throughout the city of Waukee over the years. “I think the class projects have made a great impact on the community,” said Snyder. She also points out the great leadership the Institute has produced, such as Class of 2007 graduate Chad Airhart, who is currently the Dallas County Recorder, as well as current City Council member Anna Bergman, a Class of 2017 graduate who recently ran for Iowa State Representative.

Peard agrees. The Institute has become a “definite part of the community,” he said.

That impact is felt by the Institute’s graduates, as well. Snyder enjoyed working with the Class of 2020. “They were all very professional,” she said, adding that she appreciated “their enthusiasm for the class and the project.”

Stanger explained, “The classmates were a delightfully diverse group of welcoming, goal-driven, inspirational, and community-focused leaders.”

Samp agrees. “I enjoyed collaborating with so many smart and caring people,” she said. “I appreciated the kind hearts and strong work ethic of the group.”

Hingst was inspired by presenters’ knowledge and dedication. “Waukee has some tremendous leaders, in our government and in the private sector,” he said. “They take great pride in our community, and this is awesome to see. It inspires me to get more involved.”

That impact was felt by Samp, as well. “My son and I are planning on volunteering more regularly at WACS,” she explained. “It has enriched our family life, as well.”

The Little Free Food Pantries represent the culmination of an experience that enriched the Class of 2020 not only professionally, but personally—an experience that has carried through to their lives after graduation. Stanger perhaps best sums up the impact: “I have developed invaluable relationships with my classmates and local business leaders, gained insight about myself, become more involved with the Waukee community, strengthened my leadership style and reinforced the ambition to be the most authentic version of myself.”

City of Waukee Celebrates National Public Works Week

November 23, 2020 by Darby Brincks

This May 17-23 marks the 60th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association. The week celebrates public works professionals who focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities. The City of Waukee is one of thousands of cities to celebrate public works accomplishments during this week.

“Public works staff across the country are always doing their part to make communities safe and enjoyable places to live,” said Waukee Public Works Director Rudy Koester. “Recognizing our hard-working, dedicated and humble community service men and women is really important. It means a lot to everyone in the department to hear that their attention to detail and passion in serving Waukee residents is valued.”

The Gas Department works to install gas service to a new home.

The Waukee Public Works Department has 35 full-time employees who serve the community’s gas, sewer, streets and water systems, and more. The 2020 Public Works Week theme is “The Rhythm of Public Works” which aims to challenge citizens to think about their communities as a symphony of essential services, working in concert to create a great place to live.

“The Public Works employees are really sort of the unseen symphony of the City, if you will,” said Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke. “The department features all of these very specific divisions and skill sets that most people don’t think about too often. Your toilet flushes. Your furnace kicks on. Streets are maintained. Public Works teams work in harmony to deliver these essential functions in high-quality ways.”

With the Waukee community growing by roughly 2,000 people annually, keeping up with the demands on infrastructure and services is a big job. But, Waukee Public Works is rising to the occasion.

In 2019, department staff:

Installed 600 new water meters.
Flushed 600 fire hydrants and 150 dead-end water mains to ensure reliability.
Replaced 2,700 water and gas meters.
Installed 270 individual gas services.
Installed 38,065 feet (7.2 miles) of gas main.
Received and responded to 155 gas leak calls.
Responded to 9,370 Iowa One Call locate tickets.
Completed 52 full-depth concrete patches.
Cleaned and televised 92,000 feet of sanitary sewer main, checking for problems.
Maintained and mowed 75 acres of roadway right-of-way.
Issued 37 COSESCO stormwater permits for sites/subdivisions and 190 for individual lots.
Provided construction oversight and inspection services on both public and private improvement projects.

Looking at the 2019 numbers, Assistant Public Works Director of Operations Tim Royer said things look quite different since he started with the department nearly 30 years ago.

“Things have changed dramatically,” said Royer. “The population in 1990 was around 2,700, and we had only four full-time staff members. We each did a little of everything—you might have installed a water meter in the morning and then graded gravel roads in the afternoon. Now, employees have their areas of expertise and really only cross over for tasks such as snow removal.”

While a lot of things have changed in the Waukee Public Works Department, Koester said that delivering top customer service is a constant that remains. And, for the spring and summer months, the department typically beefs up staffing to get even more done while warm weather persists.

Engineering Technician Scott Campbell inspects a project.

“We hire about 20 seasonal workers each year,” said Koester. “We are hoping to still be able to go through with that for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing a bit of a delay. Hopefully we can soon bring the additional staff on board to assist with right-of-way mowing, concrete patching, flushing hydrants, jetting sewers, GIS data collection and gas service installations.”

As the nation pays tribute to public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees, Koester said the Waukee team continues to maintain existing infrastructure while making data-driven decisions to prepare for further population growth and development. Thank a Public Works employee today!

The Ins & Outs Of Waukee Urban Chickens

January 29, 2020 by admin

Chickens can come home to roost in Waukee, but not roosters, after approval of an urban chicken ordinance in November.

The Waukee City Council passed the measure, 4-0, allowing chickens on one- and two-family lots. (Councilmember Shelly Hughes was absent.)

It’s a single-gender proposition—six hens maximum, no noisy roosters. According to the Waukee Backyard Chicken page on Facebook, chickens are relatively quiet. Human conversation has a 60-decibel level; chickens peak at 70; barking dogs, 90; crying babies, 110; and squawking parrots, 135.

After filing an application, the ordinance requires completion of an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach online course.

The 21-minute, audio-slide presentation is designed to separate dedicated chicken enthusiasts from wannabes. It includes advice on breeds, their care and feeding, as well as the color of eggs desired. It also details costs—coop, feed, bedding, heat lamps and more.

A short survey follows for certification.

A petition drive previously sought a backyard chicken ordinance in Waukee in 2013, but “kind of died on the vine,” said Brad Deets, Waukee Development Services Director.

A letter to the council then seeking support stated, “Owners of hens prize them as any other pet. Some for their personality, others for their heritage and others for their colors and patterns. Hens, unlike roosters, are friendly, entertaining and quiet… Hens are also part of some citizens’ wish to live a ‘greener’ lifestyle. They readily eat table scraps (keeping them from ending up in landfills), are a natural insect control of lawns, and also provide eggs for the family they live with.”

The latest request began 18 months ago, according to then-councilmember Courtney Clarke. She received 16 emails supporting “urban poultry,” but was “completely against it” at first.

“The more I listened to the people who spoke with us, I realized that a kneejerk reaction was not what was needed,” she said. “We found that a lot more people already had chickens here than we knew, although it was technically not allowed.”

The council asked city staff to devise an ordinance emphasizing responsible ownership—what Clarke called “neighborship.”

A complaint last summer created an enforcement issue, moving matters along. The city generally issues a warning, but an ordinance violation carries a potential fine of up to $750 per day, depending on the discretion of a district court judge.

Meanwhile, Des Moines allows up to 30 birds (on less than an acre), Cedar Rapids, six, and Sioux City, 50. Some nearby cities simply decree “chickens may not run at large.”

Deets said Waukee’s ordinance relied on model ordinances, but its “unique aspect” is the ISU extension course narrated by Christa Hartsook, its small farms coordinator.

“Sometimes people want to get into it and don’t realize all the upkeep it takes,” said Deets..

Hartsook provides plenty to think about.

Chickens can be good pets for children while providing lessons in recycling. Leaves, weeds, food scraps and manure in a bin with bedding can become compost in a small garden.

Factors in choosing a breed include disposition, maximizing egg production and egg color. “Hybridized brown-egg-layers,” Hartsook said, are “docile, quiet, adaptable and incredibly productive.”

Some people buy day-old chicks and others purchase pullets—chicks becoming hens at one year—which should come from reputable hatcheries and have vaccinations for common illnesses.

Then there’s egg color—white, brown, dark chocolate or Easter eggs (pale blue, pink or yellow).

Costs include the coop, heat lamps (preferably with a red bulb), thermometer, waterers and an incubator for chicks raised from scratch.

Waterers need to be easily accessible, but keep young birds from drowning. Heat lamps shouldn’t become fire hazards. The birds will determine the lamp’s height—if clustered together, they’re cold; if scattered, it’s too hot.

Food costs $12 to $15 for 50 lbs., based on type. Chickens will eat about 8 ounces per day, depending on the breed. Pine beddings for litter run around $5 per cubic-foot bale.

Hartsook equates constructing a coop to “Fort Knox in 700 easy steps”—“an impenetrable fortress”—while some prefabricated coops cost $1,500.

Predators must be thwarted. “Almost any animal with a backbone or pointy feet is interested in eating a chicken,” she said.

According to an ISU poll, 92 percent of chicken enthusiasts raise them for eggs; 72 percent for pets; 42 percent for bug control; 38 percent for manure; and 27 percent for meat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned about possibly contracting salmonella. In 2016, 250 chicken and duck hobbyists were hospitalized and one died.

A “large contributing factor,” CDC veterinarian Megin Nichols stated, was people treating birds like pets, kissing or snuggling them and letting them walk around the house.

Poultry can carry salmonella bacteria in their intestines and shed it in their feces. The bacteria attach to feathers and dust and brush off on shoes or clothing.

Prevention is basic: Wash hands thoroughly after handling birds, eggs or nesting materials. Leave shoes worn in a coop outside.

In Waukee, once a backyard chicken application is made, Deets said, a compliance officer will check if things are in place, and annual inspections will take place thereafter.

How to Stick to Healthier Habits, with Erin Good

January 29, 2020 by admin

January 1, 2020 marks the beginning of not only a new year, but a new decade. And of course, New Year’s brings with it the traditional resolutions—for many of us, they include eating better and exercising more. However, it’s also notoriously difficult to stick to these resolutions.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the failure rate for New Year’s resolutions is around 80 percent, and most people have abandoned theirs by the middle of February—not exactly encouraging odds. Even worse, the demoralized feelings this can cause can lead to a lack of motivation and confidence that can permeate other areas of our lives.

So, if we want to use the start of a new decade to make permanent, positive changes in our eating and exercise habits, how can we best set ourselves up for success?

Luckily, Waukee Hy-Vee Dietitian Erin Good, RD, LD, has some great ideas.

Good, of course, is very familiar with the struggle to stay committed to healthier habits from her work in nutrition. One thing she recommends to help you stay committed is adding the word “no” to your vocabulary, pointing out that “saying ‘yes’ to your New Year’s resolution may mean saying ‘no’ to something else.”

“Say ‘no’ to a TV show to choose exercise, say ‘no’ to lunch out at work to choose bringing leftovers from home, [and] say ‘no’ to overcommitting yourself and instead keeping time for yourself and your needs, health and happiness,” she advised.

Two other strategies Good recommends for people working to implement new habits are to start small and consider convenience. In terms of healthier eating, “Are you more likely to eat more vegetables if they’re already cut and cleaned for you?” she asks. “Would you roast more veggies if all you had to do was toss them in oil and season to taste?”

Considering the simplest ways to make things more convenient can go a long way. Frozen veggies—many of which are available in steamable packages that are ready to eat after five minutes in the microwave—are another easy way to work in more servings per day.

According to Good, considering convenience can also be crucial when considering workout options. She recommends finding a gym with a convenient location and drive time.

She also said that it pays to consider which forms of exercise are most motivational for you, and to determine whether you would benefit more from attending group classes or having a workout buddy for extra accountability.

In terms of healthy habits, the ones Good recommends to just about everybody are some of the most familiar. Upping your water intake is one of them. She says you should aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. “Carry your water bottle with you everywhere, like you do your wallet,” she said.

And we could all stand to keep a close eye on our added sugar intake. Many people are surprised to learn that the dietary recommendation for daily added sugar is no more than 25 grams per day. (For reference, a 12-oz. can of Coke contains 39 grams. Yikes!)

To make things worse, added sugar can be found in items like salad dressings and pasta sauces, in addition to the usual suspects, like soda and candy. Good recommends being thoughtful about how you spend your daily added sugar allowance, deciding whether you would prefer to enjoy it on things like candy, cookies or your favorite condiments. Less added sugar means fewer empty calories, making it easier to keep off unwanted pounds.

Other habits Good universally recommends to clients include—yay!—sleeping more. “Find two to three days per week that you can go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier, and/or wake up later,” she advises. “Extra sleep equals extra control of your hunger hormones.” Think of this as permission to relax (and maybe sleep in) a bit more often.

Good also points out that being connected with others can help boost a healthy mindset. “Surround yourself with friends, family and coworkers that have similar health goals as you,” she said. It can be easier to stick to healthier habits when those around you are trying to do the same.

And of course, don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Committing to making healthy changes is difficult in the best of circumstances, and we could all benefit from added guidance now and then. If you’re not sure where to start, or need more inspiration, motivation or clarification on which foods are best for you, Good recommends scheduling a free, personalized nutrition tour with your local Hy-Vee dietitian.

“Dare to do this new decade differently, starting with the foods you place in your shopping cart,” she said. “Walk with a nutrition expert by your side aisle-by-aisle at Hy-Vee and find the best foods to keep you fit, focused and full of energy in 2020.”

With some smart planning, support from the people in our lives and extra shut-eye, this can be the year our New Year’s resolutions finally stick. Armed with these tips, you’ll be ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle as we head into a new decade!

Waukee Public Library – 90 Years and Counting

November 19, 2019 by admin

Library celebrates its 90th anniversary of serving the community

Waukee’s existing public library was formally established in 1929. That year, the Waukee Public Library opened its doors with 500 books, provided by the Traveling Library of the State of Iowa. In 1941, those books, as well as the library’s 190 permanent volumes, were lost in a fire. The library quickly reopened with just 150 books in the back room of City Hall (then located at 410 6th Street). This resiliency and ability to adapt to change is still alive today at the library.

As the Waukee Public Library celebrates its 90th anniversary, its collection sits at more than 40,000 print items. E-books and a vast array of online resources are also available to cardholders. Library Director Kristine Larson, who has been at the helm since 2014, says the library’s impact goes beyond checking
out materials.

“The library is much more than books; it’s a community space,” said Larson. “We have computers for public use, downloadable audiobooks, subscriptions to genealogy and research sites, and so much more. We serve Waukee residents daily by offering meeting room space, study rooms and workspaces. We’ve transformed our children’s area to offer hands-on learning centers and technology activities. Programs and events for all ages continue to fill up. It’s a much more interactive place than it was 90 years ago.”

That interaction is a big draw for residents. Library Board of Trustees President Jared Starkweather is not only an advisor for the library, he’s also a frequent visitor.

“We use the library on a weekly basis, said Starkweather. “
“The Waukee Public Library means a lot to my family and me.
We use the library on a weekly basis. We check out books to
work toward our 3-year-old’s ‘1,000 Books Before Kindergarten’
goal, we participate in the Summer Reading Program, and we check out movies for family movie nights. We also attend numerous events. The library is really an entertainment destination.”

Starkweather is not alone. More than 120,000 visitors flocked to the Waukee Public Library in 2018, and 2019 is on pace to surpass that number. Larson noted that staff members serve about 600 patrons a day during the summer months, and nearly 28,000 people annually participate in the library’s free programs, such as:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Kids’ storytimes
Lego Club
STEAM
Teen programs and advisory board
Summer and Winter Reading Programs
Book Clubs
Local History Series
Sensory Spaces
Conversational English
Lunch & Learns
Movie Matinees

In 1990, the library moved into the former Waukee Christian Church building. The current Waukee Public Library building opened in March 2003 thanks to a $2 million City bond approved by voters. The Hal Manders’ Museum and the Coal Mine Museum were constructed as building additions in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

With so much growth in Waukee and in library participation, building renovations were necessary to keep up. A new HVAC system was installed earlier this year, and interior improvements were made to the walls, floors, and furniture over the past two years. Larson said the need for future expansion is on the horizon.

“In order to keep up with the Waukee community’s demand for books, computers, meeting spaces and program spaces, the library will need a much larger building to continue to offer a high level of services and resources,” she said. “People may think libraries are fading, but in fact, many libraries are experiencing a significant increase in popularity, ours included.”

Starkweather said even during just four years as a board member, he has seen the high demand for services firsthand. He is incredibly proud of how library staff has risen to the challenge.

“Our circulation is growing, and our Summer Reading Program just had a record 3,000 people participate,” he said. “The library added wireless internet hotspots for check-out, increased children’s programs and STEM activities, opened an art gallery featuring local artist exhibits, began offering the Adventure Pass for free access to local attractions and so much more! It amazes me how much staff of 18 people can do to enrich the lives of so many people.”

With 90 chapters finished in this ongoing story, library board members and staff members encourage citizens to be a part of the next volume.

The Waukee Public Library is located at 950 Warrior Lane.

Information and an event listing can be found at waukeepubliclibrary.org.

Read a book, learn a language, attend a storytime or meet new friends. at the library!

Let’s Talk About Solar Energy

June 14, 2019 by Kellyn Pappas

In recent years, energy conservation and efficiency has become more and more of an emphasis for property owners—not just for business owners, but for eco-conscious residents looking to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Until recently, however, greener energy options weren’t always accessible or economical for the average homeowner. An upcoming Waukee program is aiming to change that.

The Solarize Waukee Initiative, which began in April, is a collaborative effort by the City of Waukee, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, the Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX) and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Solarize Waukee is a group purchase program that will allow residential and commercial property owners to invest in rooftop solar installations for their homes and businesses, with potential savings on installation costs. The program will be available to individuals and businesses located within the boundaries of the Waukee School District, meaning that residents of Clive, Urbandale, and West Des Moines are eligible to participate as well. The program is administered by MREA at no cost to the community.

How It Began

Solarize Waukee is the latest in a growing number of group purchasing programs for residential and commercial solar. Towns and jurisdictions such as Milwaukee and the Champaign-Urbana metro area in Illinois have seen success with the group buy model. According to Patrick Snell, External Affairs Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy, the first such program in Iowa took place in Cedar Rapids and Linn County in the fall of 2017. A “huge success,” according to Snell, that program saw 105 participants install 611 kilowatts (kW)—$1.5 million worth—of solar power.

The key to the success of a group purchasing program, of course, is the competitive pricing available through such an initiative. Like a buyers’ club or a co-op, the more participants in the group, the lower the costs for everyone involved. In addition, the price has the potential to come down even more if or when certain benchmarks are met. Once the program participants collectively reach 50 kW of power purchased, everyone receives an additional reduction on the price of their own. According to Snell, an average residential solar installation comes in at roughly 5.1 kW; therefore, it would take roughly ten homes to reach 50 kW. An additional price reduction occurs at 100 kW, 200 kW, and 300 kW.

One important difference between previous programs and the Solarize Waukee Initiative is that previous programs were able to focus on expanding the market for solar power in communities where such a market already existed. Solarize Waukee, by contrast, is seeking to create and build the market for solar power, according to Snell. There are relatively few buildings in Waukee that currently have solar installed. The Nature Conservancy approached the City of Waukee regarding the initiative, hoping that recent solar installations by prominent businesses, such as Peoples Bank and the recently-opened Palm Theatres & IMAX, would spur interest from other businesses and residents, as well.

Businesses Are Reaping the Benefits of Solar

Peoples Bank, in fact, has solar power at not just one, but eight of their bank locations: Adel, Clive, Grand Junction, Guthrie Center, Jefferson, Ogden, Rippey and Waukee. They have also installed solar car chargers at their Clive, Waukee, and Adel locations for those with electric cars.

“We converted our power source from traditional electricity to solar power out of a sense for our environment and good stewardship of our resources,” said John Rigler III, President and Chief Operating Officer at Peoples Bank. He added that the business has substantially reduced its energy bills since converting to solar power.

The brand-new Fridley Theatres location in Waukee has reaped similar benefits from installing solar power. According to Fridley Theatres’ Vice President, Russell Vannorsdel, the company had been “looking into solar options for a number of years.” The falling costs of equipment, as well as federal and state incentives, finally enabled the installation of solar power at the new Waukee location.

Most of the theater’s 66,000-square-foot roof is covered with solar panels. An additional solar structure was built to the south of the theater “for more production, but also for visibility,” said Vannorsdel. “We wanted the community to see our investment in renewable resources.”

The theater, like Peoples Bank, is already seeing good returns on their energy expenditure. In fact, says Vannorsdel, “on a sunny day, there are hours of over-production.”

How to Learn More

Interested in finding out whether you’d be a good candidate for solar power? Start by attending a Solar Power Hour, a dozen of which are scheduled between the beginning of April and the end of June. These free educational sessions are open to the public and designed to provide attendees with information on the basics of solar power, ways to tell if their site is suitable for solar and the potential financial ramifications for their properties.

Representatives from MREA will be on hand at each session to answer questions, and students who are participating in APEX will have the opportunity to help with promotion and deliver some of the presentations.

Residents and business owners will then be able to sign up to receive a free, no-obligation site assessment from 1 Source Solar, a solar energy contractor based in Ankeny that was selected as the installer for the initiative through a competitive request for proposals earlier this year. 1 Source Solar was also the installer for Peoples Bank, and “did a magnificent job,” according to Rigler.

Snell says that as “an education program that’s bringing people together,” the Solarize Waukee Initiative aims to demystify the financial and logistical challenges of installing solar power for homeowners and businesses and give them the information they need to “make an informed decision” about what’s right for their properties. Interested area residents and business owners can visit solarizewaukee.com to fill out a sign-up form and elect to receive their free estimate, program updates and Solar Power Hour announcements.

The deadline to sign up to participate in Solarize Waukee is July 31, 2019.

If you’ve been interested in greener alternatives to electricity, but figured that solar wasn’t practical or realistic, swing by a Power Hour—you may be surprised!

Solar Power Hour Schedule

Saturday, 6/15/2019, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Waukee Library
Wednesday, 6/19/2019, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Waukee Innovation and Learning Center
Wednesday, 6/26/2019, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Waukee City Hall

Waukee Centennial Park Ice Rink

March 13, 2019 by admin

The variety of parks and trails in the city of Waukee makes it easy for residents to get out and about during the warmer weather months. It’s not so easy to continue one’s outdoor activities in the winter, when cold and snow can make it much less appealing to be outside. But for the second year in a row, area residents can take advantage of a great opportunity for outdoor winter activity at Centennial Park Ice Rink in Waukee.

According to Matt Jermier, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Waukee, the city was approached a couple of years ago by the Iowa Wild and Wells Fargo to partner on an ice rink in the community. This partnership announced its first community rink in Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines in 2016. With the addition of the rink in Waukee, as well as another in Ankeny, the Wild and Wells Fargo have now donated three facilities throughout the metro.

The rinks provide a nice recreational option to encourage outdoor activity during the winter and to help grow the game of hockey in Iowa. Centennial Park, with its level ground and abundance of parking space, was selected as a good central location for the rink, according to Jermier. “We felt like the close proximity to all of the schools would spur additional interest in using the facility,” he added.

The 80×40-foot rink is constructed each year by the Waukee Parks Department, with help from the Waukee Fire Department. This year, however, the construction process hit an unexpected snag in December. “It appears that someone tried to skate on the ice prior to the ice being thick enough for skating,” said Jermier. This caused major problems for the base of the rink. “The liner was cut, which caused us to lose the water that had not frozen. City staff had to order a new liner,” Jermier added. The entire base of the rink had to be redone once the new liner arrived, delaying the opening of the rink.

Although it was a less-than-ideal experience, the incident provided valuable insight for Parks staff for future years. “What we learned is that we really need to wait to fill the rink with water until the long-term forecast calls for multiple days of freezing weather,” said Jermier. He added that staff posted additional signage at the rink and reminders on social media cautioning residents to stay off the ice until all of the water had frozen and the ice was ready for skating.

Despite the setback in December, the base was repaired and the rest of the rink construction proceeded as scheduled. Centennial Park’s ice rink officially opened on Jan. 21 of this year, and according to Jermier, it has seen quite a bit of use, even during the polar vortex that descended on the state in late January. “The response has been great,” he said.

When weather permits, the ice is open for hockey from dawn to noon daily, and open skating commences at noon and goes until dusk. Per the City website, a green sign is posted at the gate to indicate that the rink is open; a red sign will be posted when the rink is closed. The rink is not supervised, so patrons should keep in mind that they are skating at their own risk.