Here are highlights from the fourth quarter meeting of the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association, held the evening of November 11, 2025, at the Northwest Community Center.

BNA board president Dave Busiek started the meeting recognizing and thanking board members who volunteer their time and talents to help make Beaverdale a better place to live.

Busiek also showed attendees the new website at www.beaverdale.org. He thanked volunteer Kevin Moser, a Beaverdale resident who donated his time and talents to build the website. It’s more modern and functional than the prior website. For example, BNA members could not renew their annual membership until after it expired. The old system sent an email notice at that point, but it members missed the email, their membership lapsed. The new website allows members to opt in for automatic renewal, which should be easier for members and help drive membership retention.

BNA treasurer Jesse Coleman gave a financial report. He said the organization is in sound financial shape with health assets on hand and no liabilities. Having said that, the current fiscal year is in a deficit situation due to revenue not coming in as budgeted, and expense investments in the new website and a new strategic plan, which will be described later in the meeting.

Beautification committee chair Nancy Dunbar told the crowd about a memorial tree planting recently held for a Beaverdale resident who passed away. The tree was planted in the Urbandale Avenue median.

Don Piper from the special events committee highlighted the upcoming Holiday Happenings, scheduled for Saturday, December 6 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Details are at the BNA website.

Des Moines city council person-elect Rob Barron thanked everyone for the election one week ago that won him a four-year term on the council representing Ward 1, covering the northwest part of the city. Barron will be sworn in in early January. He’s currently meeting with the mayor, other council members and city managers to get up to speed. His priorities will be affordable housing, working on budget issues and DART.

Mayor Connie Boesen thanked attendees for the overwhelming support shown the school bond issue last week. She said, “Strong schools make strong communities,” and that the wide margin of support demonstrated to DMPS students and staff that “we care.”

At-large city council member Carl Voss said the state of Iowa has dealt the city “a lousy hand” by curtailing property taxes and pinching city revenues.

Outgoing first ward council member Chris Coleman said it’s been an honor to represent the northwest side of the city. He congratulated his successor Rob Barron, and offered to help in any way.

The meeting then turned to the BNA’s new strategic plan. Busiek explained that the plan was undertaken this year not because there was anything wrong. The BNA is a strong, active organization, but there is always room for improving processes and communication.

The board contracted with Lorin Ditzler, who presented highlights of the plan, walking through the goals and strategies the board intends to follow. To create the plan, Ditzler used a resident survey from 2024, work sessions with the board, and interviews with other Beaverdale residents who volunteer in BNA activities.

Click here to view an overview of the strategic plan that was handed out to attendees.

The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Northwest Community Center.