Last summer, Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler convened the Des Moines Leadership Summit to chart a course for the city’s future.

Last week, city council members heard back from summit task force participants who spent the intervening months answering two questions posed by the mayor:

What is my organization doing now that makes Des Moines a better place to live?

And what would I like to see happen in the future to make Des Moines a better place to live?

The second question drew the most response from summit participants, who made it apparent that community residents are most concerned about the safety of their community.

“It’s an issue that is a cornerstone in attracting events to this city,” said Leesa Kofmehl, a member of the Leadership Summit.

The public safety committee concluded that safety in the Des Moines area would increase with passage of the proposed property tax levy lid lift, which will appear on the May 16 special election ballot, and the addition of a Redondo police substation, which the council unanimously approved on March 2.

The final report included other recommendations for consideration by the council to make Des Moines a destination and a better place to live.

Streamlining the permitting process was a hot priority at the meeting.

Summit participants recommend that the city revamp its process by reducing the time for permits and improving service accountability.

Making the city a destination includes improving the physical connection between Interstate 5, Highway 99, and Highway 516 and drawing people off these major roadways and into downtown Des Moines and its Marina.

Street signs, creating a walking tour and maps were recommended.

The business community should be an example to others and support the growth among businesses, said Kofmehl. It is the businesses responsibility to make Des Moines a great place.

“I’m just speechless,” Sheckler said in response to the Leadership Summit report.

“I had no idea it would blossom into something like this. I can’t thank the community enough for what they have done.

“It’s marvelous to know this whole program has been put together by volunteers who are taking an interest in their community,” said Earline Byers, a member of the Leadership Summit.

“There isn’t a thing you mentioned that I don’t agree with,” said Councilmember Ed Pina.

Referring to the levy lid lift, Pina said, “If that doesn’t pass, many of the things we want to do are going to be hard to do.”

“It’s not a matter of saving a few pennies on taxes, but giving back to the community,” said Councilmember Carmen Scott.

The council unanimously gave formal approval at the March 9 meeting to place the property tax levy lid lift on the May 16 ballot.

If passed by voters, it would restore police department staffing to 1999 levels.

Since then, when staffing was cut due to the loss of revenue in the wake of statewide passage of Initiative 695, police officials say crime level has steadily risen.

“More members of our community are victims of crime,” said Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker.

The department no longer has adequate staffing to provide proactive security to rising crime rates, Baker said.

The increases to the property tax would be $1.60 for every $1,000 assessed value of the property. Annual increases in the levy would be 4 percent for each of the five years.

Lawmakers agreed earlier that the levy lid lift would last six years to give the police department a positive cash flow.

The lid lift would fund additional staffing, including a sergeant, four officers, another sergeant assigned to administrative functions, three community service officers, and one records specialist.

“I’m going to support it regardless of what it becomes,” said Councilman Scott Thomasson.

However, he is worried that the proposal won’t pass.

When the lid is up after six years, the worry is that the city is going to lose ground again, Thomasson said.

A pass for six years may be too much; he would have preferred a lift of three years.

“I believe the police department needs is what should be presented to the public,” said Councilmember Dan Sherman.

He said they shouldn’t ask voters for less than what the department needs just to win approval.

“We’re going to put it on the ballot and it’s up to the public if they want these increased services.

“If you don’t vote on this, we’ll have to take something away,” Sherman said, referring to cutting other city programs to fund the police department.