Polk County officials are no longer recommending Crow Tow as the area's sole towing provider based on "overwhelming negative comments," according to the county's procurement office.

The intrigue: Polk County's towing contract is set to expire Wednesday, and the procurement office initially recommended Crow Tow to the county's Board of Supervisors based on their low bid.

• But the company has faced backlash from the public, including officials themselves, as we reported last week.

Driving the news: The Board of Supervisors now plans to vote on awarding a three-year contract to G & S Towing Service during their meeting today.

What they're saying: The procurement and sheriff's offices rescinded their recommendation last Friday after determining Crow Tow was a "non-responsible" bidder, said Ryan Ward, procurement office supervisor.

• The number of complaints, the BBB score of "F" and an online petition were part of the public information used to deem Crow Tow "non-responsible," Ward said.

The other side: Owner Randy Crow said county officials told him his company has historically provided "great service" and cited no past problems. That's reflected in the fact they initially recommended Crow Tow as the sole contractor, Crow said.

• Crow said complaints revealed by Axios' open records request and the online petition were the reasons officials backed away from the award. But Crow said they admitted to not reading either item, which he believes is an oversight.
• Ward said he never mentioned and is unaware of documents from a records request.

At least one person was arrested and multiple people were removed from DSM's City Council meeting last night, following multiple warnings about disruptions, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Why it matters: While citizens aren't guaranteed an absolute right to speak at public meetings, it's considered to be an effective way for the public to communicate with elected officials.

• City leaders say uncivil or out-of-control meetings make it difficult for the government to function and for the voices of everyone to be heard.

Catch up fast: Tensions have escalated for months, and the return of in-person City Council meetings in June gave many another outlet to express frustration over what they believe is a lack of progress on issues involving police reform.

• Speakers attending the public meetings have at times directed profanity at council members, and struggles in maintaining decorum have resulted in meetings going as long as 14 hours or delays due to crowd disruptions.
• Of note: Multiple public speaking rule revisions sometimes left speakers with less than 30 seconds to make their report.

What they're saying: Speakers have constitutional rights that could be violated if DSM allows some to talk but restricts specific viewpoints, the ACLU of Iowa warned in comments to Axios yesterday.

• It is generally permissible for a city to silence speakers who become disruptive but the rules must be applied equally, the ACLU said.

The bottom line: The council took multiple actions Monday linked to the ongoing discord at meetings.

• A nearly $150K contract for police de-escalation training was awarded to a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. DMPD has been under fire for months for appointing officers to teach de-escalation who themselves have histories of excessive force or have been accused of racial profiling.
• A resolution unanimously approved by the council voiced support for the police chief and city manager amid calls for their terminations. It describes the protesters who want them fired as "a vocal but small group."

👋🏼 Jason here: So last week, I sort of poked DSM for its continued use of coin-only parking meters.

• I mean, come on. That's so 1920s, right?

State of play: There are still 2,078 coin-only meters in downtown DSM. Who would agree it’s time to update them or remove them as relics of the past?

What's happening: DSM is finally ready to act more than two years after the City Council gave its blessing for city staff to pursue replacing parking meters with pay stations that include credit card and pay-by-phone options.

• A nearly $3.3 million contract for a new parking meter system is going before the council in coming weeks.
• Installation would begin later this year and be completed by fall 2022.

👖 Jason's thought bubble: Oh DSM, you're finally stepping into your big kid pants.

The city is starting construction on a portion of the Meredith Trail near Gray's Lake today.

• That means we'll be without two popular trail spots around downtown for a bit.

What's happening: Construction workers are repairing the landslide and bank erosion between SW 9th and SW 2nd Street bridges.

• Because the Raccoon River water levels are low — the time to work on them is now, according to Parks and Recreation officials.

The detour: City staff recommend using the Kruidenier Trail and MLK Jr. Trail instead.

Of note: The project is expected to finish Sept. 24.

🍻 Jason again: One thing I missed during the pandemic is an occasional drink with friends.

• Lua Brewing opened in my neighborhood just before the pandemic, and for a long while I could only get carryout. Total bummer.

But now, the good times are back.

• My recent try is "Call it Dreaming," a German hefeweizen with coconut.

Between the lines: Big Grove Brewery will open next year less than a block away, in the former Crescent Chevrolet building at 555 17th St.

• It could be fun if the two businesses synergize to create a new brew district.
• Lua is already marketing itself as "historic Sherman Hill's oldest craft brewery."

Go visit: 1525 High St. in DSM.

⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 3-10pm; Friday and Saturday: 11am-11pm; Sunday: 11am-8pm.