In a rather succinct City Council meeting that lasted 29 minutes, Florence McMullin was appointed to the Des Moines Art Commission and the first reading and public hearing was held on institutional campus zoning reclassification.

McMullin is a long-time activist in the community.

“I want to extend my thanks to my fellow colleagues on the council who extended the appointment deadline so we had time to identify quality individuals like Florence McMullin,” said Councilmember Bob Sheckler.

On Feb. 7, the council rejected Mayor Dave Kaplan’s appointment of Susan White to the city’s arts commission. Sheckler commented White has a tendency to take charge of a project in a bullying manner and then take much of the credit for its success. White was a former ally of Sheckler when she was a councilmember and Sheckler served as mayor.

The commission appointment is effective immediately and is a three year term. It will expire on Dec. 31, 2015.

The institutional campus zoning reclassification would only effect the properties of Wesley Homes, Judson Park Retirement Home and Highline Community College.

The zone established by the council last summer does not change the property uses. Rather it set forth a better process for future development of those facilities, said Acting Director of Community Development Denise Lathrop.

Formerly all these properties have been zoned as Restricted Service and Residential Single Family. The new zoning is intended to facilitate development or redevelopment plans of these properties.