The Front

The Front Line

Line
ForFor
andand
About the City
About of Des
the City Moines
of Des Employees
Moines Employees

Volume 4 No. 7 July 2001 Amelia Hamilton-Morris, Editor

City of Des Moines Mission Statement

To provide and maintain essential services that meet the collective
basic needs of the citizens of Des Moines and to identify and
seize opportunities for a higher quality of life.

Warehouse Building Implosion

By: John McKee
“Making Room for Progress”

On Sunday, June 10, 2001,

the City of Des Moines subcon-
tracted the implosion of the
Younkers Warehouse Building
to Controlled Demolition Incor-
THIS ISSUE porated (CDI) from Des Moines
and Metro Wrecking and Exca-
vating, Inc. from Phoenix, Mary-
land. CDI drilled over 500 holes
Public in the supporting columns in the
Library Kicks Off building and placed approxi-
Campaign mately 250 pounds of explo-
Photographs by Carla Brown-Marble sives. The explosives were deto-
nated with a delay pattern that
Army Post started in the southeast corner of
Road Project the building and proceeded to-
ward the northwest corner in a
Fire Fighter matter of seconds. This delay
Disaster Exercise sequence allowed the explosive
charges to detonate fractions of
seconds apart; reducing the noise
Scrub Days and vibrations to approximately
25 percent of the allowable lev-
City Hires New els before damage would occur
Finance Director to surrounding buildings. This
delay allowed CDI to control the
direction that the building would
(Continued on page 2)
(Continued from page 1)
fall and resulted in the illusion that the building
melted. CDI planned the implosion to pull the
building to the southeast and away from the inter-
section of SW 9th and Mulberry Streets.
The implosion was very successful as evidenced
by the temporary traffic signal on the sidewalk at
9th and Mulberry which was approximately five
feet from the seven story building. This signal
should have been removed by the contractor; ho w-
ever, it was not, and after the building fell it was
still operational with all six bulbs still working!
Streets were quickly cleaned and opened shortly af-
ter the implosion. The only damage to surrounding
property were several cracked windows in Fire Sta-
tion number one which is located directly across the
street.

City Hires New nance, Human Resources, Risk grown children. For more on
Management and Information Sys- Stanley see the following stories
Finance Director tems Departments. on the web.
Prior to joining the City of Bat- http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/
Merrill R. news/stories/20010710/
Stanley has ac- tle Creek he worked in the ac-
localnews/758978.html
cepted an offer to counting area for Genesee County
become the Fi- in Flint, Michigan. http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/
Mr. Stanley holds a Bachelor of news/stories/20010710/
nance Director localnews/758976.html
for the City of Science degree in Business Ad-
Des Moines, be- ministration, with a minor in Eco- http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/
ginning Septem- nomics from Olivet Nazarene Col- news/stories/20010710/
lege in Kankakee, Illinois. localnews/758975.html
Merrill Stanley ber 10, 2001. He and wife, Delores have three
Finance Director Merrill most
recently served
as the City Manager in Battle
Creek, Michigan. He was ap- Civic Meetings
pointed to this position in 1998
following more than 20 years ex- Classic Arts
perience as finance director and
deputy finance director. Business Profiles
Before he was named City
Manager in Battle Creek, Stanley C-Span 2
was Director of Administrative
Services. In that position, he over- Community News
saw day-to-day operations for Fi-

2
 ARMY POST ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT
The City of Des Moines’ Public
Works Department, and Des
Moines Asphalt and Paving Com-
pany made a collaborative effort
on the Army Post Road paving
project the week of June 4 to 11.
A section of Army Post Road,
from East 14th Street to Fleur
Drive, received reconstruction that
involved more manpower and
equipment than ever before on a
local paving construction project.
The 48-60 foot wide street was
cold milled and overlaid in two
sections; the first 4,300 feet (3,100
tons) and the second 6,000 feet
(4,600 tons) in length. The mill-
ing and cleanup, base, and curb
repairs were accomplished the first
four days of each week, with the
actual paving on the fifth day us-
ing a unique and innovative
municipal Hot Mix Asphalt
(HMA) pavement.
The City was responsible for
base and curb repairs, intake and
By Pat Kozitza and Bruce Braun
The paving rate in tons per
hour was the fastest ever for a
municipal project in Iowa.
manhole adjustments, milling
cleanup, and traffic control. The
contractor performed cold milling
and recovery and placed the
HMA.
The project demonstrated sev-
eral unique advantages of HMA,
including seamless, smooth con-
struction at a speed that allowed
the same day opening to traffic
and abutting businesses. The mix
design consisted of 75 percent
crushed Type-4 aggregate and PG
64-22 asphalt cement for the main
runs converting to PG 70-22 modi-
fied AC at intersections to mini-
mize potential rutting from cha n-
neled high speed traffic and stop-
ping.
The Army Post Road project
was funded by the Iowa DOT
(estimated at $440,000) under an
agreement of reconstruction when
the previously designated state
3
highway extension was given back
to the City.
The contractor’s equipment in-
cluded two 565 Cat milling ma-
chines, two 551 Cedar Rapids and
one R-230 Road Tec paver, two
DD110 Ingersolls, one DD130
Ingersoll, one CB634 Cat rollers,
and 20 CH Mack trucks with
CB4000 and CB5000 Flow Boys
trailers, all fed by two M410 Ce-
dar Rapids 400 ton/hr plants with
four 200 ton silos. The aggregate
was furnished by Martin Marietta
and Hallett Materials, the asphalt
by Bituminous Material and Sup-
ply, and the pre-formed polymer
striping by the Dennis Parking Lot
Maintenance Company.
The project goal was to utilize a
state-of-the-art method of rehabili-
tation and reconstruction that was
economical and low maintenance
while producing quality pavement
in the shortest amount of time pos-
sible.
 Foundation Kicks Off Campaign “Creating New Destinations”
A cold and $100,000; Weitz Cor-
rainy night did not poration, $100,000;
dampen the spirits Marvin and Rose Lee
of hundreds of Pomerantz, $100,000;
PLDM supporters, ING Equitable Life,
staff members, $110,000; J.C.
and city leaders “Buzz” and Sue
who gathered for Brenton, $125,000;
a capital cam- Fred and Steve
paign kickoff party last month. Hosted by the PLDM Weitz, $200,000; Windsor Foundation, $300,000; Lois
Foundation, the celebration event was held in a huge Bright Foundation, $500,000; Pioneer Hi-Bred Interna-
tent located on the planned site for the new Central Li- tional, $500,000; Meredith Corporation and Meredith
brary between 10th and 12th streets and Locust and Family Foundation, $1 million; Prairie Meadows Race-
Grand. track and Casino, $1 million; Principal Financial
The ten-year, $40 million project represents a unique Group, $1.5 million; David and Elizabeth Kruidenier
public/private partnership to raise capital for enhancing and Cowles Foundation, $5 million; miscellaneous and
the entire library system. To provide the accessible anonymous donors, $375,000. Visitors and downtown
community resources that modern library customers workers may have noticed a new PLDM sign featuring
demand; the branch libraries will also undergo renova- the library’s new web address:
tion and two regional libraries will be established. www.desmoineslibrary.com
A New Five-Star Central Library PLDM
“The new Central Library will be one of the most Staff enjoyed their own mini-road trips to celebrate
important buildings in the city’s history. This develop- the summer reading kickoff week . A “Destination
ment will serve as a statement of our commitment to Days” contest offered employees a chance to dress for
learning and education their favorite destinations. Pictured are members of the
for generations to come, Central Library staff dressed for Hawaii Day. Special
and will enhance the thanks to the fol-
downtown environment lowing local bus i-
and the area’s quality of nesses for provid-
life,” said David Kruid- ing gift certif i-
enier, library board cates as prizes:
member and donor. Quik Trip, Fa-
Donors mous Dave’s,
The following Lead- Buzzard Billy's,
ership Commitments for El Patio, Water-
the “Creating New Destinations” campaign were an- front Seafood,
nounced: Partners in the Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors and The Disney
and Roberts law firm, $250,000; Judy McCoy Davis, Store.
Be sure to check out the
Employment Opportunities City of Des Moines Web Site at:
The City of Des Moines is now accepting job applications for a Sea- http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us
sonal Construction Inspector & others.
Hourly wages $5.83 to $14.40.
Visit us at:
Human Resources
City Hall, Room 103
400 E. 1st Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Bring Documentation to Establish Identity and Citizenship.
AA/EOE Employer

4
 Des Moines Nursing Facility Participates in Disaster Exercise
Des Moines firefighters provide medical
services to several of the “victims” in a
training exercise.
April 3rd was a typi-
cal mid-spring day in
Central Iowa. The day
was overcast, warm
and humid. Severe
weather had been fore-
cast for much of the Midwest for mid-
afternoon. At 4:30 p.m., the National
Severe Storms Forecast Center in Nor-
man, Oklahoma, issued a tornado
watch for much of Central, South Cen-
tral and Southwestern Iowa.
Throughout the afternoon and early
evening hours, the weather continued to
deteriorate. At 5:40 p.m., a tornado
warning was issued for Dallas and
Madison counties. The National
Weather Service reported the storm was
moving to the northeast at about 40
miles-per-hour.
At 6:15 p.m., the weather service
issued a tornado warning for Polk
County based on reports of funnel
clouds over the Des Moines Airport. At
6:35 p.m., a funnel cloud descended
and touched down in the area of Hub-
bell Avenue and Easton Boulevard. Re-
ports soon began pouring into emer-
gency dispatch of debris in the streets,
fallen trees, downed power lines … and
a structural collapse at a nursing facility
in the immediate area. Callers reported
numerous unknown injuries as a result
of the collapse.
What began as a pleasant day in Des
Moines quickly turned into a full- scale
medical emergency for the staff at Val-
ley View Village. Within minutes of
the disaster, units from the Des Moines
police and fire departments responded
to the emergency - one of the largest
advanced level exercises ever con-
ducted in the Polk County area.
Valley View Village, a 79-bed nurs-
ing facility, was at the heart of the exer-
cise designed to demonstrate and evalu-
ate facility and community plans and
procedures to be implemented in the
event of a major multi-casualty incident
at a Des Moines-area nursing facility.
The exercise provided an excellent op-
portunity for facility personnel, com-
munity fire and emergency medical ser-
vices, hospitals and emergency volun-
teers organizations to participate in
multi- casualty response training. Dur-
ing the evening-long exercise, the fol-
lowing activities were implemented and
tested:
• Emergency alert notification
procedures
• Incident command and command
post activities
• Extrication and search/rescue
operations
• Casualty triage, stabilization and
staging procedures
• Transportation/vehicle staging
procedures
• Patient routing/transport and
tracking to participating hospitals
• Family assistance center operations
• Media/public information
procedures
During a debriefing held after the
exercise, Des Moines emergency medi-
cal service crews indicated they were
not completely prepared for the scene at
Valley View Village upon their arrival.
Forestry and light construction debris
had been scattered around the campus
area and two cars blocked portions of
the entrance drive. Inside each vehicle
were mannequin occupants awaiting
5
extraction and medical services. The
facility's courtyard was also littered with
dozens of victims whose injuries
ranged from minor sprains and bruises
to massive, life-threatening wounds.
"We knew it was a drill," one Des
Moines firefighter said during the de-
briefing, "but, we just weren't emotion-
ally prepared for the scale and realism
of the exercise."
By the time the evening was over,
emergency response crews from Al-
toona, Ankeny, Johnston and Polk City
joined Des Moines firefighters. The
city's six hospitals also agreed to partici-
pate in the exercise and responded
when called to accept simulated victims
for treatment and hospitalization. The
American Red Cross and Salvation
Army set up emergency canteens, and
ham radio operators from the Polk
County Amateur Radio club helped
maintain communications.
Volunteers Play Tornado Victims
Adding to the realism of the exercise
were the numerous "victims" strategi-
cally placed in the "collapsed" dining
room and throughout the courtyard.
The volunteers had reported earlier in
the evening for moulage and injury in-
structions. Several residents from Val-
ley View's independent living units,
also participated in the event, offering a
greater sense of realism when dealing
with older victims.
The Valley View disaster was the
brainchild of Tony Vignaroli and his
safety committee. During the previous
months, the Polk County Emergency
Management Agency and area nursing
facilities had met to address emergency
preparedness, response, recovery and
mitigation efforts in the event of a natu-
ral disaster. A simulated tornado strik-
ing Valley View Village seemed to of-
fer the perfect test. "This full-scale exer-
cise allowed us to test the plans and
(Continued on page 7)
 New Guidelines for SCRUB Days Simon Estes
Amphitheater
The City of Des Moines Community Development Department
continues it efforts to make Des Moines a clean and beautiful city. In
cooperation with neighborhood associations, the city schedules
SCRUB events from April – October. These events are for city resi-
dents only. Commercial haulers are not allowed to utilize the Satur-
day SCRUB program. The neighborhood associations organize, pub-
licize, and volunteer at the SCRUB events.
The City pays the cost of 40-yard roll off containers, pays tip-
ping fees at the landfill, and provides some security at the SCRUB
site. About 1,010 tons of trash and debris are removed each year
through this special effort of neighborhoods and the City.
Because of changes in landfill requirements, washers, dryers,
dishwashers, microwaves, stoves, and hot water heaters can no longer
be taken to a SCRUB (neighborhood cleanup) event in the City of Des
Moines. An additional reminder that any appliances with freon such
as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, etc are also not accepted at
SCRUB events..
You can call 283-4595, City of Des Moines Public Works De-
partment, to schedule these appliances to be picked up at your curb.
The City will remove bulk items, but you must call in adva nce.
Hazardous materials - oil, paints, batteries, pesticides, fertiliz-
ers, antifreeze, etc are not permitted at a SCRUB event. Residents can
dispose of these and other hazardous materials at the Regional Colle c-
tion Center, 225 Prairie Drive, Bondurant, Iowa 50035. For informa-
tion call 515-967-5512. Summer hours for the Regional Collection Two new bronze plaques
Center are every Saturday 8 – 2 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor have been installed at the Simon
Day. The Center is also open weekdays Tuesday – Friday 1:00 – 5:00 Estes Amphitheater in down-
p.m. If you have any questions about what can be taken, give them a town Des Moines. They are lo-
call. cated on the north and south en-
try points. Theses plaques help
For Scrub Day Schedule Call 283-4180 identify this beautiful City facil-
ity and the honoree for whom it
was named. It reads as follows:

“Simon Estes, an internationally

Career Moves acclaimed bass-baritone, has
performed at the world’s major
Please welcome these new employees to the City of Des Moines. opera houses and before presi-
Angela Kennebeck. Police Information dents and international leaders.
Debbie Musselman Zoo Discovery Center He is an Iowa native who has
Kathy Cross Blank Zoo
Doug Nelsen Park & Recreation provided strong support for this
Mia L. Williams Community Services community and young people
Eric Skinner Engineering Construction worldwide”
Judith Schoeberein Housing Services
Berlene N. Loudon Park & Recreation

6
 North Side Library Receives Community History Award
North Side Library was honored
for its extensive collection of artifacts
related to the Highland Park area
with the Loren Horton Community
History Award. The announcement
was made during a presentation spon-
sored by the State Historical Society
of Iowa and the Iowa Historic Preser-
vation Alliance on May 18 in the
Cowles-Kruidenier Auditorium of the
State Historical Building.
The Loren Horton Community
History Award recognizes projects
that increase awareness and participa-
tion in Iowa history on a local level.
The awards are given to individuals,
organizations, and communities that
have made outstanding contributions
to the study and practice of Iowa his-
tory.
The North Side Library project
was a result of considerable work by
staff members and local volunteers.
Steve Goers, branch manager at the
North Side Library, described the
project as “a most rewarding ex-
perience for the neighborhood and
for the entire staff. It was a thrill to
be recognized by the State Histori-
cal Board.” He added that the li-
brary continues to receive many do-
nations to the collection.
Many of the materials included
in the extensive display were do-
nated by Highland Park neighbors
and former residents. Objects range
from Highland Park milk bottles
and Des Moines University and
Highland Park College memorabilia
to Riverview Park items, and much
more. The display is housed in the
meeting room and is open to the
general public during regular li-
brary hours.

(Continued from page 5)

procedures at Valley View," Vignaroli said, "as well as exercise
the integration of on-campus response with the off-campus re-
sponding agencies active during a disaster."
Valley View Village administrator Dennis Howe, who ob-
served his staffs' reactions to the simulated disaster, was initially
concerned that the exercise might upset some of the nursing fa-
cility's residents. To alleviate fears and concerns, two meetings
were held with residents and their families prior to the exercise.
Volunteers play “victims” at the Valley View Village emergency exercise held April 3rd in Des "The two sessions offered exercise planners an opportunity to
Moines. In all, more than 50 individuals were “injured” when a tornado hit the facility.
explain what will be going on that afternoon and evening as well
as answer any questions the residents had," Howe explained. "This was done to lessen the anxiety that some residents may
experience given the high level of activity, noise, flashing lights, and moulage simulated victims." The administrator later
noted that several of the residents took up watchful vigils throughout the evening and appeared to enjoy the entire exercise.
"We even had one 'disaster night' party going on in the Manor," Howe added.
While not active participants in the disaster exercise, representatives from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Ap-
peals (DIA) were on-site to observe the facility's performance, as well as evaluate the activation and use of a new health
care facility mutual aid agreement between long-term care facilities operating in Polk County. In a letter to Howe follow-
ing the drill, DIA Director Kevin W. Techau congratulated the facility for staging the highly successful training exercise.
"DIA representatives who were on-site during the drill have told me that your staff performed in a highly professional man-
ner during the exercise, especially your nursing staff, which handled much of the initial triage at the dis-
aster site," Techau wrote.
"We are fortunate in Iowa that no nursing facility has been traumatized by a natural disaster, such as
was portrayed at Valley View Village. However, I am confident that should such an event ever occur at
your facility, the staff will rise to the occasion and the health, safety and well being of your residents will
be protected and preserved," the director added.

7

May 15, 2001
Congratulations!
The Des Moines Fire Depart-
ment was selected by the
ICHIEFS Professionals Develop-
ment Committee to receive a free
satellite dish and a one year sub-
scription to the Fire & Emergency
Television Network’s (FETN) ac-
credited training program.
Over 125 applications were re-
ceived and Fire Station #1 was
one of 16 selected based on need
and area potential for impact.
FETN’s satellite programming al-
lows firefighters to observe and
gain survival skills, and learn life-
saving lessons from viewing
events. FETN is continually up-
grading its curriculum to include
everything from the drama of
swift water rescues and aerial op-
erations to teaching professionals
the very basics of fire suppression.
Its satellite and tape programs en-
courage professional development
through delivery of continuing
education programs.
Congratulations!
Chief Ronny J. Coleman
President
Fire and Emergency Television
Network
Second Annual Pelican Festival
Sunday, September 16
Join us on Sunday, September 16, to
celebrate the second annual Pelican Festi-
val by observing the incredible gathering
of the American white pelicans at Jester
Park. View the pelicans through high-
powered spotting scopes and listen to a
variety of educational programs through-
out the day. Bring your younger family
members to the "kids" tent for games and
other fun projects. Nume rous free opportunities will await people of
all ages. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The event will
take place from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Camp Area #4 in Jester Park.
Saylorville Lake has become the site of a natural wonder rarely
seen anywhere else. It is the amazing gathering of American white
pelicans en route to their southern wintering grounds. That’s right,
pelicans in Iowa! As many as 10,000 pelicans can be found on the
lake from mid-August through September. Jester Park’s Camp Area
#4 is one of the best viewing areas to see these magnificent birds.
Begin making plans now for a trip to northwest Polk County on
Sunday, September 16. Jester Park in Granger, IA, can be easily ac-
cessed from HWY 141, approximately six miles north of Grimes.
Turn north off HWY 141 onto NW 121 St. until you reach the T-
intersection. Turn east at the T- intersection and keep left until you ar-
rive at the park entrance. Park maps and more information can be re-
quested by calling (515) 323-5363 or by visiting the Polk County
Conservation Board website at www.conservationboard.org.
The festival is being sponsored by Polk County Conservation
Board, Iowa Audubon, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Say-
lorville Lake. Fall is an exciting time on the lake. Be part of the ex-
citement and bring your binoculars!
Published Monthly by the Karen Herzberg, City Clerk
Public Information Office
Jeb E. Brewer, Engineering
Jan Kaiser, Library
Jerry Grabau, Information Tech.
Deb Atkins, Community Dev.
Linda Frangenberg, Fire Dept.
Editor: Amelia Hamilton-Morris Michael Audino, Aviation
Pat Kozitza, Public Works
Copy Editor: Lorna Davros
Lt. Kelly Willis, Police Dept.
Layout: Carla Brown-Marble Marcy Cable, Housing Services
Michele Bischof, HR
Staff Writers
Amy McClintock, Parks & Rec.
Susan Low, Legal
Linda Rule, Wellness Committee