-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Transportation System Plan update
The Council will meet with the Planning Commission for an update on the Transportation System Plan (TSP) for Dallas. The last TSP was created in 2008.
The TSP update is being supported by Kittleson & Associates, the consultant team and the Oregon Department of Transportation. A Project Advisory Board, made up of members of the City Council, local business owners, residents, and others, have also contributed to the TSP throughout the project.
What is a Transportation System Plan? A TSP is “a long-range plan that implements the transportation element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. It considers all modes of travel and provides guidance on how to invest in the transportation system through a combination of projects, policies and programs to meet travel needs as the city grows.” (city website)
So far, the TSP has “identified gaps, deficiencies, and future needs; developed potential
alternatives; considered updates to policies and standards; and estimated future funding for transportation improvement” (staff report, pg. 2). However, no final decisions have been made and the TSP is not finalized.
Learn more: TSP Open House link with all the information.
In this meeting, the Council and Planning Commission will get a presentation on the TSP. They will also be asked for input regarding the proposed alternatives, and funding forecasts. The Council and Commission will also be able to give guidance on prioritizing the future projects identified in the TSP.
What will happen? The Council will learn about the Transportation System Plan, and along with the Planning Commission, offer suggestions and guidance on the TSP recommendations.
-City Council-
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
A new Public Works employee will be introduced to the Council.
PUBLIC HEARING
Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Whenever the budget is changed by greater than 10%, a Public Hearing is held. The Council will have a Public Hearing on a proposed supplemental budget that has just over $2 million worth of changes.
The purpose of a public hearing is to inform the citizens and give them information about the changes being proposed. Residents can also offer official testimony on the topic during the hearing.
One update accounts for a new grant received on The La Creole sewer project. The other changes relate to the new Public Works building. Those changes allow for, “reallocation of finance proceeds and expenses” and address “unplanned and other expenses for the Public Works Building project” (staff report pg. 4).
- What are the budget changes:
- GRANTS
- $1,000,000 – Grant Fund Revenue increase
- STORMWATER
- $70,000 – Stormwater Fund Revenue increase
- STREET FUND
- $99,000 – Street Fund Revenue increase
- SEWER FUND
- $198,000 – Sewer Fund Revenue increase
- WATER FUND
- $198,000 – Water Fund Revenue increase
- FLEET FUND
- $465,000 – Fleet Fund Revenue decrease
- GRANTS
Learn more: Review the full budget hearing notice on page 6 of the council agenda.
What will happen? A Public Hearing will be held on the proposed supplemental budget. The public will be able to offer testimony on the changes. A vote on Resolution No. 3561 (which will adopt this supplemental budget) will take place later in the meeting.
Public Comment
This is your time to speak to your City Council, & 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 to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the February 2, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 7
- Approve the February 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 8-9
- January 2026 Financial Report – pg. 10-41
- Appoint new member to Budget Committee – pg. 42-43
Mayor and council Reports
This is a time for Councilors and the Mayor to give any reports.
City Manager report
Dallas Downtown Association Annual Report
The Dallas Downtown Association (DDA), under a contract with the city, works to help boost Dallas’ downtown. Because of this contract, the DDA will present their annual report the Council which will also include a financial report.
The DDA helps coordinate and support many events throughout the community. One event, the Sounds of Summer concerts, saw an average of 738 people attend each concert in 2025.
The Council will also hear about the DDA’s plans for 2026. Future events include a community yard sale event, and other ideas to increase nighttime activity in downtown.
- City funds that support the DDA:
- $12,000 – City matches funds, if raised by the DDA’s own efforts
- $20,000 – Transient Lodging Tax funds
- Helps promote the downtown to tourists
- Supports events like Sounds of Summer concerts and the Christmas Town tree lighting
- $13,000 – General fund & Urban Renewal Agency funds
- Efforts to keep Downtown looking nice
- Local promotions
- Helps fulfill the Urban Renewal Plan’s goals
What will happen? The Council will get the annual report from the Dallas Downtown Association. The Council can ask questions, but no official action will be taken.
Fire & EMS Fleet Purchases
The Council will consider allowing the City Manager to purchase a new ambulance, and put an existing ambulance body on a new chassis. The need stems from an increase in call volumes to the department. The new vehicles will help the city manage calls without needing assistance from area partners.
In 2025, Dallas saw a total of 5,616 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls. Of that, 1,506 were for interfacility transfers and 2,275 were hospital transports.
Dallas’ Ambulance Service Area (ASA) is 240 square miles. Generally, EMS transport is to the local hospital facility. If a patient needs a higher level of care, then they are transported to Salem. That interfacility round trip is about 30 miles.
With the increase of calls, the city has had to rely on the assistance of SW Polk Fire Department (SW Polk FD). This mutual aid partner helped Dallas by responding to 442 EMS calls in the Dallas ASA in 2025.
“As we are seeing the demand for our services growing and sustaining, we need to address this by adding capacity to our response system. Adding a fourth out ambulance to our fleet, along with additional staffing, will allow our organization to manage these calls internally and reduce the burden on our mutual aid partners.”
- Current EMS fleet
- 2025 – active
- 16,821 miles
- 2023 – active
- 99,321 miles
- 2019 – rotates active/reserve
- 242,448 miles
- 2016 – rotates active/reserve
- 303,181 miles
- 2003 – to be retired/go to surplus
- mileage not listed
- “Big Red”
- 2025 – active
The proposal is to use an interfund loan from the City’s general fund. The specifics and the terms of the loan aren’t set yet and the Council would determine those at a future meeting.
- Follow the money:
- $730,000 – total purchases
- $455,000 – New ambulance
- plus require supplies and equipment
- $250,000-$275,000 – Remount the 2016 ambulance body on a new chassis
- $455,000 – New ambulance
- $730,000 – total purchases
The city hopes to have 5 total ambulances in the fleet. 4 will be in active service and the 5th ambulance will be on reserve status. This will help to reduce the use of mutual aid from SW Polk FD.
- Proposed EMS fleet
- 2026 – active
- New chassis w/ 2016 body – active
- 2025 – active
- 2023 – active
- 2019 – reserve
Did you know? Any purchase over $150,000 must be approved by the City Council. This is the spending maximum for the City Manager.
If approved, the 2016 body remount would be completed on June 30, 2026. The new 2026 ambulance would be delivered and ready for service on July 1, 2026,
What will happen? The Council will vote on whether to allow the City Manager to purchase 1 new ambulance and remount an existing ambulance body on a new chassis.
ORDINANCES
No. 1919 – Adding Commercial Indoor Recreation as a land use
The Council will have their 1st reading of the ordinance to update the city Development Code. The update will add a new land use category of Indoor Recreation to Industrial and Commercial zones.
This change would allow businesses like gymnasiums, athletic or health clubs, dance or martial arts studios, game halls, and arcades to operate in commercial and industrial zones.
Learn more: Get more details from the Wrap Up on the Public Hearing for this code change on Feb. 2, 2026.
What will happen? The Council will have their 1st reading of the ordinance. A 2nd reading and vote to adopt will take place on March 3, 2026. If it passes, the ordinance would become effective on April 1, 2026.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3560 – Transfer of budgetary funds
The Council will consider and vote on several budget transfers. The proposed changes are to the Aquatic Center and Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) budgets.
The Aquatic Center budget changes address repairs and maintenance issues. The WWTF change will replace equipment, specifically the aerator drivers.
What will happen? The Council will vote on the proposed budget transfers.
No. 3561 – Adopting Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
After previously holding the Public Hearing on this topic, the Council will consider and vote on the supplemental budget.
One budget change includes a new grant for the La Creole sewer project. The rest of changes are for, “reallocation of finance proceeds and expenses” (staff report pg. 96) for the new Public Works building, plus some unplanned expenses.
Review the details: See a breakdown of all budget changes on pages 96-99 in the council agenda.
What will happen? The Council will vote to adopt the supplemental budget. If approved, it would be effectively immediately.
-More Information-
Learn more: View the entire work session agenda & city council agenda for a lot more information.
Attend the meeting: Come attend City Council meeting in person. On Tuesday, Feb. 17th, 2026. Work Session starts at 5:30 pm & 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 138 pages. Do you have a heart with your name on it in downtown?
