-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Council Goals Quarterly Review
The Council will receive their 3rd status report of the 2025-2027 Council goals. Each department will present an update on the goals and objectives they are responsible for.
5 GOALS AND THEIR OBJECTIVES:
- Community Safety
- Secure funding, complete design, and build new police station
- Conduct community education and outreach on police station bond measure
- Plan for the future needs of fire response with projected community growth (e.g., Increased height of buildings and access; updates to training and fire code, etc.)
- Improve public outreach with community organizations to support community disaster preparedness
- Increase lighting in parks
- Increase community-led crime prevention efforts (e.g. neighborhood outreach, community partners)
- Balanced Economy
- Adopt the La Creole Master Plan
- Solicit and secure development partner for 791 Main Street Building
- Attract businesses to Dallas
- Complete rezoning for La Creole Node within City limits
- Continue business-friendly environment to support development of local economy
- Develop and adopt the Mill Site development plan
- Community Growth
- Obtain water storage rights permit
- Complete design for Mercer Dam
- Identify and secure funding for Mercer Dam
- Update Transportation System Plan
- Complete phase 2 of sewer access for La Creole Node
- Update Water Master Plan
- Update Sewer Master Plan
- Complete construction of the new Public Works building
- Design and build James Howe Road Water Storage
- Update Storm Water Master Plan
- Complete filter upgrade at the water treatment plant
- Update Parks Master Plan
- Conduct space planning analysis to inform renovation recommendations to increase efficiency at City Hall
- Welcoming Community
- Attract businesses to support recreation tourism
- Develop 2045 Community Vision
- Partner with local and regional organizations to promote tourism in Dallas
- Recreation
- Connect the trail system
- Increase promotion of recreation opportunities (activity guide, social media, etc.)
- Support more community events through community partnerships
- Update Parks Master Plan
- Increase breadth of recreation opportunities for all ages
- Explore development code revision to prioritize larger park space with new developments
View the entire City Council Goals and Objectives chart in the work session agenda, pg. 4-5.
These goals were originally set in February 2025 at a weekend work session led by SSW Consulting. The goals were officially adopted by the Council in April 2025. The Council reviewed their goals previously back in January 2026.
- UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS
- Completed
- Park lighting upgrades in City Park
- Water Master Plan update
- Water treatment plant filter upgrade
- Still in progress
- Mercer Dam water storage rights permit
- Transportation System Plan update
- Phase 2 of the La Creole Node sewer project
- New Public Works building
- Ongoing
- Connect Rickreall Creek Trail system
- Increase recreation opportunities
- Delayed
- Design work on Mercer Dam
- Removed
- Stormwater Master Plan update
- Completed
What will happen? Every department head will give the Council a status update on their portion of the city’s 2025-2027 goals. This is just to share information and no official action will take place.
-City Council-
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Fleet Services Employee Introduction
An employee from the city’s Fleet Services department will be introduced to the City Council.
PUBLIC HEARING
CDBG Grant Application for Dallas Food Bank
The City Council will hold a public hearing on whether the city should apply for a 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Oregon Business Development Department. If approved, the grant would help fund a permanent home for the Dallas Food Bank.
Currently, the Dallas Food Bank is located at 322 Main Street #180. In a previous meeting, the Council learned about the conditions of the current Food Bank building. There is no lobby so families have to wait outside in the cold, rain, or heat. There are no ADA bathrooms. The HVAC system is not efficient and is also increasing utility costs. Additionally, back in June 2025, the property was also expected to be for sale soon.
The new home for the Food Bank would be 565 SE La Creole Drive. In the June 2025 City Council meeting, it was shared that the new building would be 3,000 sq. ft, up from the current 1,800 sq. ft. building.
This increased space would allow the Food Bank to efficiently serve more families in a proper environment. With the cost of food continuing to rise each year, the Food Bank expects to serve around 10,000 people.
- Follow the money:
- $1.5 million – total possible award
- Polk Community Development Corporation (Polk CDC) will administer the grant and prepare the application
- The city will not spend any money on the project
- Except for some staff time to process the grant
- After the building is complete the city will deed the property to the Dallas Food Bank
- No on-going expense for the city
- $1.5 million – total possible award
What will happen? The Council will hold a public hearing to receive resident feedback. Then, the Council will vote on whether to approve the City Manager to apply for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant to help fund a permanent home for the Dallas Food Bank.
Public Comment
This is your time to speak to your City Council, and Mayor. Each person has up to 3 minutes to speak.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the July 20, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 7
- Approve the July 20, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 8
Mayor and Council Reports
This is a time for Councilors and the Mayor to give any reports.
City Manager report
Economic Development Commission Appointment
There is 1 vacant position on the Economic Development Commission but 2 applications were received. The Council will discuss and vote on who will fill the open commission seat.
- David “Cole” Bestes
- Occupation – Property Manager, Best Property Company
- Previous volunteer experience – Project advisory group for Monmouth Downtown plan 2022-2042
- Eric Wilson
- Occupation – Software Developer, Self Employed
- Previous volunteer experience – Dallas High School – game development/digital art/STEM classes, 2025
Read both applications in the council agenda, pg. 11-14.
Mayor Slack has made the recommendation to approve Bestes.
The person chosen by the Council will also automatically join the South Dallas Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee, since its members are the same as the Economic Development Commission. This position’s term ends on December 31, 2026.
What will happen? The Council will vote to appoint 1 person to the open seat on the Economic Development Commission.
Coin Design Approval
The City of Dallas might soon have a challenge coin to reward people doing good in the community. The Council will vote on approving the program and the final design of the coin before it’s minted.
The Public Administration Committee (a standing committee of the Council) chose the design of Vice President George Dallas, the city’s namesake, in their July 2026 meeting.
Follow the money: If approved, the city expects the cost to stay under $4,500.
According to the program, the Mayor and each Councilor would have 10 challenge coins each year to award at their own discretion.
The challenge coin is designed to spotlight and award neighborly acts of kindness, exceptional volunteerism, and efforts to better Dallas’ safety, beauty, or spirit. Recipients would also be invited to a Council meeting to be officially recognized.
What will happen? The Council will vote on whether to approve the city’s new “Community Excellence” Challenge Coin Program. They will also be voting to approve the final coin design.
Priorities for 2027 Legislative Session
For the upcoming State of Oregon legislative session, the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) put together a list of potential priorities they can focus on. Cities across Oregon, including the City of Dallas, will vote on which priorities they want the LOC to focus on at the capital.
For the 2027-2028 legislative session there are 27 possible priorities. Topics covering everything from broadband and cybersecurity, housing, land use, transportation, and water infrastructure.
- 2027-2028 legislative session options
- Broadband, Cybersecurity, AI, and Telecommunications
- Promote the Equitable Development of Sustainable Telecom Infrastructure
- Maintain Local Control of a Safe, Modern Right of Way
- Support Equitable Access to Technology
- Support Responsible Municipal Use of Technology
- Support Municipal Cybersecurity Proficiency
- General Government
- Administrative Procedures Act Reform
- Public Meetings Law Clarity
- Housing, Land Use, and Community Development
- Funding and Coordination for Shelter and Homeless Response
- Full Funding And Streamlining For Housing Production
- Land Availability And Land Use Streamlining
- Energy and Environment
- Invest In Community Energy Resilience/Disaster Planning
- Support Expedited Local Renewable Energy Generation
- Support Increased Energy Transmission Capacity
- Maintain Affordable Energy While Supporting Grid Hardening and Modernization
- Resource Programs For Energy Efficiency Planning and Project Development
- Support Administrative Capacity
- Finance, Taxation, and Economic Development
- Targeted Prevailing Wage Changes
- Alcohol Revenue Modernization
- Emergency Communication System Resources
- Strengthening Economic and Workforce Development
- Transportation
- 2027 Transportation Package
- Cautious Adoption of Autonomous Vehicles
- City Supported Street Sign Traditions
- Water and Wastewater
- Infrastructure Funding
- Water Reuse
- Ratepayer Assistance
- Water Workforce Development
- Broadband, Cybersecurity, AI, and Telecommunications
Read all the proposals and their descriptions in the council agenda, pg 20-39
At this meeting, the Council will only discuss the different priorities, ask questions, and request more information from city staff. The top 5 legislative priorities for the City of Dallas will be voted on at a future City Council meeting.
What will happen? No official action will take place, but the Council will discuss legislative priorities for the League of Oregon Cities to pursue at a state level.
City Attorney Contract Extension
The City Attorney’s contract with the city is expired. The Council will consider approving a 2 year extension with Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie and Hoyt as the City Attorney.
Learn more: Review the entire agreement in the council agenda, pg. 41-43.
The City Attorney is responsible for city legal representation. Currently, Justin Thorp and Greg Goebel remain the primary attorneys. Their work includes reviewing new laws and administrative rules, offering legal advice on municipal matters to the Mayor, the entire City Council, as well as Planning Commission and City Council members individually.
Follow the money: If approved the city will maintain the retainer fee of $4,900 per month.
What will happen? The Council will vote on whether to extend the contract with the current City Attorney for 2 more years.
ORDINANCES
No. 1925 – E-Bike Speed Limits in Parks and on Trails
A 2nd reading and final vote on setting a speed limit for E-bikes will come before the Council. This ordinance would set a 10 mph speed limit for E-bikes on paved and unpaved park trails.
Learn more about different E-bike classes and the origins of this proposed law from the prep post of the 1st reading of this ordinance.
The city will install speed limit signs at park entrances and along the trail. Funding for the signs will come from the Street Fund. Enforcement of the new speed limit would be complaint driven.
What will happen? The Council will have a 2nd reading and vote on adopting the ordinance to set a speed limit for E-bikes in city parks. If adopted, the ordinance would take effect on September 4, 2026.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3575 – Nuisance Assessments Against Real Property
In this resolution, the Council will consider placing 6 liens on properties that did not pay their bill for removing obnoxious vegetation between January 2026 and June 2026.
City code requires all grass and weeds to be kept under 10″ in height. City staff can notify property owners of obnoxious vegetation and ask them to remove it, according to city Municipal Code procedure.
If the owner doesn’t resolve the issue, the city can hire a company to remove the vegetation and charge the property owner. If the property owner doesn’t pay the bill, then the Council can consider placing a lien on the property until the bill is paid off.
Remember when? The Council approved 17 liens back in November 2025. Then, the Council reviewed the entire city lien docket in their December 2025 meeting.
According to the staff report, as of August 3, 2026, the City of Dallas has 23 active liens balancing $12,195.60. These 6 new liens total $2,384.64, with a 9% interest rate. This would bring the city’s active lien total to roughly $14,580 with 29 liens.
What will happen? The Council will vote on whether to add 6 new property liens to the city docket for unpaid bills to remove obnoxious vegetation.
No. 3576 – Floodplain Development Permit Fee
Development fees inside a floodplain currently are a flat $567.10. How that fee is charged would change if the City Council approves this resolution.
Currently the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments reviews and approves the permits at $150 per hour. City staff recommend charging a $200 deposit plus actual expenses. The deposit would be applied toward the overall cost.
This permit requires a minimum of 1.5 hours of work. So a permit total would start at $225, which is more than the deposit.
What will happen? The Council will vote on changing how much the city charges for a floodplain development permit. If approved it would be effective on September 1, 2026.
-More Information-
Learn more: View the entire work session agenda and city council agenda for a lot more information.
Attend the meeting: Come attend City Council meeting in person on Monday, August 3, 2026. Work Session starts at 6:00 pm and City Council starts at 7:00 pm at City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon. You are free to come and leave whenever during the meeting.
Livestream: You can watch the livestream on the City’s Youtube page.
Speak to your city council: Everyone is welcome to speak for 3 minutes towards the beginning of the meeting during Public Comment.
Congratulations! You just summarized 78 pages. What was your favorite event from the Dallas Days weekend? If you missed the parade, don’t worry. PolkCo Scanner has you covered and recorded the entire parade!
