By Mellow DeTray

The Normandy Park City Council kicked off 2026 with a sense of continuity and a healthy debate during its Jan. 13, 2026 meeting.

While the evening began with a familiar tableau – the swearing-in of re-elected councilmembers and the unanimous reappointment of Mayor Eric Zimmerman and Deputy Mayor Sue-Ann Hohimer – the proceedings quickly moved into more contentious territory.

From a split decision regarding the fate of mature trees at Marvista Park to a complex proposal to adjust city boundaries with Des Moines, the council grappled with the delicate balance of preserving the city’s natural charm versus managing infrastructure and logistical efficiency.

New Term, Same Council

To begin the meeting, recently re-elected Councilmembers Mike Bishoff, Susan West, and Eric Zimmerman were sworn in. Following this, the council voted to select who would be mayor and deputy mayor. They unanimously chose Mayor Eric Zimmerman and Deputy Mayor Hohimer for another term in their previous positions.

Marvista Parking Lot: Split Decision

One public commenter, a Parks Commissioner, told the council that the Commission unanimously agreed that they want to leave the Marvista parking lot as is, rather than removing mature trees and making room for more vehicle parking. She said all the greenery helps to provide a safety buffer from the street, and the trees provide much needed summer shade for parked cars.

City staff recommended a different decision, however, arguing that the mature trees are already damaging the parking lot. They said these are the wrong type of tree to have next to a parking lot, and more appropriate greenery should replace them. In addition, the staff-recommended plan would add seven new parking spots at the popular park.

Councilmember Jack Lamanna felt it was important that staff had found the trees were already damaging the parking lot. He said it was a hard choice, but that providing access to the park was crucial, and in his experience the parking lot does get full even on random weekdays so the additional spots would be a boon. Councilmember Shawn McEvoy concurred, adding that the planned $1.4 million dollar upgrade to the park is going to make it even more attractive to crowds. Deputy Mayor Hohimer felt that more parking is critical in this lot. These three councilmembers were in the minority when it came to the vote.

Councilmember West argued for following the Parks Commission recommendation. She said the park has charm with its mature trees, and that no one has complained to her about a lack of parking at Marvista. She said the benefit of adding a few parking spots doesn’t outweigh losing the ambience and benefit of mature trees. Councilmember Bishoff agreed, expressing dismay that the council could go against the recommendation of the Parks Commission. Mayor Eric Zimmerman said he was torn, but voted with the majority in the end to leave the mature trees as they stand.

New Public Works Pickup Truck

After a Public Works vehicle experienced a recent “catastrophic failure”, the department got approval to replace the truck a few years ahead of schedule. Public Works Director Ken Courter said the failure was likely a “freak accident” due to a manufacturer’s defect, rather than user error or a maintenance issue. The truck was past its warranty period, and will be sold at auction.

City Boundary Adjustment Considered

The council told staff that they need more information to proceed with a request to adjust the city boundary, giving the responsibility for the upkeep of some parcels to the city of Des Moines. The parcels are currently owned by the city of Des Moines, but reside just inside the boundary of Normandy Park. They require maintenance and slope repair, which is complicated for Normandy Park to access. Des Moines has expressed the ability and willingness to maintain these slopes.

Staff explained that Normandy Park gets no tax revenue from these parcels, but it does cost the city to maintain them. Therefore it would be a benefit to adjust the city boundary and not have the responsibility of caring for them.

Mayor Eric Zimmerman said the decision to change the boundary of the city feels extraordinary, and he doesn’t like any move which makes an already small city even a little smaller. Councilmember Shawn McEvoy said this felt like a one-sided deal, with Des Moines getting free land but Normandy Park not getting anything.

There is an HOA involved, which expressed approval of the adjustment at a recent Town Hall meeting, but no HOA representation was present at this council meeting. Deputy Mayor Hohimer said she felt comfortable with this decision because she was at that Town Hall meeting where the HOA expressed frustration at having to deal with two cities. They had said it would be simpler for them after the boundary adjustment. Hohimer said Des Moines is taking on the work and responsibility here, which benefits Normandy park. Councilmember Sheri Healey, who was also at that meeting, agreed.

Councilmember West said she would not feel comfortable making a decision on this without the HOA involved being present and showing on record that they support the boundary adjustment. City Manager Amy Arrington said there is no rush to take action on this, but that a delayed decision is holding up repairs to the trail.

In the end, the council decided to take no action now. Staff will come back with more information, and possibly the president of the HOA in question, at a future meeting.