Indira Sheumaker has missed 13 Des Moines City Council meetings or work sessions since taking office in January 2022 — more than the other five council members and the mayor combined, according to an Axios review of city attendance records.

Why it matters: The meetings — generally two regular council meetings and two morning workshop sessions each month — are where most decisions are made.

• Sheumaker has missed nearly 20% of them since taking office.

State of play: Sheumaker represents more than 50,000 people in her ward, which includes Beaverdale, Merle Hay and the Drake neighborhoods.

• She did not respond to Axios' requests for comment.

Flashback: Axios was the first to report on Sheumaker's absences last July after she'd missed more than a month of meetings without explanation to the mayor or city manager.

• Sheumaker then released a statement within hours of the story's publication saying she was suffering from COVID-19 and depression.
• She wrote that she intended to seek personal and professional accommodations.

The intrigue: Sheumaker was elected on a platform of defunding the police, defeating incumbent Bill Gray in the November 2021 election 47% to 35%.

Driving the news: Since Sheumaker's July 2022 statement, she has missed seven more meetings.

• The most recent regular council meeting she attended was on March 6.
• The city last year offered to make accommodations to help assist in her attendance but she has not responded or inquired about them, city manager Scott Sanders tells Axios.

The latest: She missed a public hearing and vote on the city's 2023-2024 budget last week, which is arguably the council's most important action of the year.

• DMPD's annual operating budget will increase by more than $1.1 million, to almost $78.2 million, starting in July.

What they're saying: Sheumaker has been unwilling or unable to speak with residents or groups about projects that require city involvement, Kimberley Strope-Boggus, a member of the Beaverdale Park Improvements Committee, tells Axios.

• As an alternative, she says her group has resorted to consulting with at-large council members.

Read more: Council members say they don't plan to impeach Sheumaker

🌷 Linh here. I am 0% Dutch but 100% intrigued by Pella.

Driving the news: The city's Tulip Time festival from May 4-6 can attract more than 150,000 people.

• I stopped for a day trip this week to see the blooms before the crowds.

State of play: Pella was founded by Dutch immigrants fleeing religious persecution in the 1800s. Today, it's known for maintaining its Dutch heritage and aesthetic.

• The Walmart is painted green.
• There are at least 27 churches for 10,000 people.
• And it has probably the only old-timey Anytime Fitness and H&R Block in the world.

Yes, but: It's also known for more modern amenities, especially as the home of major employers like Vermeer and Pella Corp.

My goal: I wanted to see the rare "nightmare" black tulip, which is so special that even the employee at the visitor center didn't know where it was planted to help thwart thieves.

• While "nightmare" wasn't blooming yet, I was still happy with how many tulips were already in full color.

What I ate: Even on a Wednesday, I waited for about 15 minutes to get baked goods from Jaarsma Bakery. (The bakery says the wait during Tulip Time after 10am is an hour.)

• I got a dutch letter, cream puff, cookie and a dozen almond sticks for under $10.

For lunch, I stopped by Liberty Street Kitchen, operated by the same people who own Centro and Django in Des Moines.

• I ate a stellar cheesesteak sandwich and fries made in beef fat ($15).

The best part of the trip: Every excursion was walkable and relaxed.

• If you're busy during Tulip Time but want to see the flowers, consider making a trip this weekend or next.

Share this story: Visiting Pella before Tulip Time

Friday

🎭 Local theater: It's opening weekend for the musical "How I Became a Pirate" at The Playhouse in DSM. Tickets: $15-$19.

😆 Laugh out loud: Second City is performing improv and skit comedy this weekend at Temple Theatre. Tickets start at $35.

🥗 Free eats: Sign up to volunteer for the metro’s Earth Day Trash Bash and get lunch. Cowles Commons in downtown DSM, noon-1pm.

Saturday

🪴 Some greenery: Visit the Botanical Center for free and check out the Iowa Bonsai Association's Spring Show and Sale from 10am-2pm.

🌎 It's not Easter: Hunt for eggs on Earth Day to celebrate the birds of Waterworks Park. Exchange the plastic eggs you find for glass ones from 8am-12:30pm.

Sunday

👏 A give-back brunch: Oakridge Neighborhood's annual Breakfast at Tiffany's fundraiser at Willow on Grand in DSM is from 11am-1pm. Tickets: $100.

The Guthrie Avenue Viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad is getting a $6.5 million makeover next year.

Why it matters: It connects businesses and neighborhoods on the city's northeast side, but has been listed as being in "fair/poor" condition by city inspectors since 2019.

What's happening: The City Council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation last month for the larger makeover, with a federal grant paying $2 million of the bill.

What's next: Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2025.

• The repairs will extend the functional life of the bridge up to 25 years.

Read more

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Business Development Executive at RXO.
2. Director, Customer Success at Planview.
3. Director of Housing Development at Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Central Campus is holding its plant sale starting today through May 20.

The intrigue: Students in the school’s horticulture classes learned about plants and helped fill up a 10,000-square-foot greenhouse

Where to find it: 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday, plus 9am-5pm Saturday, at 205 County Line Road.