– Topics –
- City Council
– City Council –
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Building Safety Month Proclamation
The Mayor will read a proclamation for Building Safety Month which is May. The proclamation can be viewed on pg. 4 of the council agenda.
Historic Preservation Month Proclamation
May also happens to be National Historic Preservation Month, and so the Mayor will read a 2nd proclamation. The proclamation can be viewed on pg. 5 of the council agenda.
Introduction of new Code Services Specialist
A new city employee, Matthew Tholen will be introduced to the Council.
Public Comment
This is your time to speak for 3 minutes and be heard.
Consent Agenda
This is a quick action, meant to pass routine procedural items.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- March 2025 Financial Report
- Approve the April 7, 2025 Work Session Meeting Minutes
- Approve the April 7, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Did you know? The city publishes their monthly financial report for each department. View the full report, pg. 8-29 of the council agenda.
Mayor and Council Reports
This is a time for Councilors and the Mayor to speak about any item they would like.
City Manager report
Dallas Downtown Association Annual Report
Dallas Downtown Association (DDA), is a non-profit organization that works to “foster a vibrant historic downtown” (DDA mission statement). Representatives from the DDA will report on their work in 2024 and plans for the future.
The city supports the DDA through a contract agreement. The city gives $12,000 in matching funds to the DDA after they fundraise $12,000 of their own. In return the DDA presents their annual report (including the financial report) to the city.
Follow the money – DDA’s financial report is found on pg. 46-49 of the council agenda.
Council Vacancy Supplemental Questions
With the resignation of Debbie Virden on April 3, 2025, there is a vacancy on the City Council. Before the position can be filled, the Councilors must choose questions to ask the candidates.
Candidates applying for the vacant position will be required to give written answers to questions. The Council can ask any questions they want.
Below are 16 questions that have previously been used:
- What inspired you to want to be a Dallas City Council member?
- What do you think the role of the local government is in economic development?
- What do you feel is the greatest strength of our community?
- Tell us about your volunteer efforts and community involvement.
- What is your philosophy of local government and its role?
- Tell us about a conversation you’ve had or ideas you have about improving the livability for the citizens of Dallas?
- One of Dallas’s values in our Strategic plan reads,
- “We are an organization that protects individual rights and honors diversity. Civil communication, respect for others, compassion, and a sense of humor are essential tools in our organization. We value what makes each person unique and strive to respect and treat each other with dignity.”
- Please share your thoughts about this value statement?
- What do you think are the three most important concerns facing Dallas?
- What are your thoughts related to the City of Dallas’s relationship with surrounding jurisdictions?
- What do you hope to do during the first six months on the council?
- What do you hope to learn in the first six months on the council? What do you expect to teach us?
- Knowing Dallas has a limited tax base and budget, are there specific areas where you would reduce or increase funding?
- When faced with a complex problem with multiple solutions, what process would you use to select the best solution to the problem?
- Please describe your understanding of the relationship between the City Council and Staff.
- If there were three things in Dallas you were permitted to do, whether it be to add, eliminate or change anything, what would those be?
- There are nine City Council positions. What do you believe are the advantages and disadvantages of collective decision-making and shared leadership?
What will happen? The Councilors will discuss and select questions from the list above and/or create new questions.
- Timeline to fill the Council vacancy
- April 22 – May 11, 2025 – Time for candidates to submit applications and written answers to questions.
- May 19, 2025 – City Council will hear from the candidates in person and vote to fill the vacancy.
Ordinances
No. 1905 – La Creole Node Master Plan Update
In the last City Council meeting, the Council voted to approve The La Creole Node Master Plan (The La Creole Plan). Now the 1st reading of the ordinance to adopt The La Creole Plan is presented.
You can learn more about the node at the project website.
- What’s inside The La Creole Node Plan?
- 90 acres for commercial development
- 39.4 acres for medium-density residential
- 32.9 acres for high-density residential
- 29.94 acres for public right-of-way
- green spaces
- amenities
- infrastructure improvements
What will happen? This is the 1st reading of the ordinance. If passed, the 2nd reading and vote for adoption is scheduled for May 5, 2025. If adopted, it will be effective starting June 4, 2025.
No. 1907 – Exception to city water to a property outside the city limits
An exception to the city code regarding access to city water for the property owner of 2255 Elliott Rd is before the Council for a 2nd reading. The 1st reading passed on April 7, 2025.
- Quick recap
- Properties outside city limits require an agreement to have access to city water
- This property is outside of Dallas city limits, has access to city water but no agreement
- The city was able to find a meter start date of June 1920, but no official agreement
- The property owner is asking for a formal agreement now
- Properties outside city limits require an agreement to have access to city water
What will happen? After the 2nd reading the Council can vote to adopt. If adopted, it becomes effective May 21, 2025.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3547 – Adopting the Dallas Tree Management Plan
In their last meeting, the Council reviewed the Dallas Tree Management Plan. Now they are being asked to adopt the plan through a resolution.
City staff and the Dallas Parks Advisory Board (which also functions as the City’s Tree Advisory Board) worked on the plan throughout 2024.
What does the plan do? “This plan provides specific management objectives focused on addressing shortterm and long-term maintenance needs for City trees, including completing a tree inventory and preparing for future threats, such as wildfire and the Emerald Ash Borer. In addition, the plan outlines the benefits – economic, environmental, and social – of trees to the community.” – Staff report, pg. 132 of the council agenda.
View the Tree Management Plan on pg. 135-139 of the council agenda.
What will happen? The Council can discuss and vote to adopt the Tree Management Plan.
– More Information –
Learn more: View the entire council agenda packet for a lot more information!
Attend the meeting: Come attend the meeting in person. On Monday, April 21st, 2025. City Council starts at 7:00 pm, at the City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon. You are free to come and leave whenever during the meeting.
Livestream the meeting: You can watch the livestream on the City’s Youtube page.
Speak to your city council: Everyone is welcome to speak to the City Council, for 3 minutes towards the beginning of the meeting.
Congratulations! You just summarized 139 pages. How many eggs are you going to find this weekend?
