-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Leadership Dallas Graduation
For the past 3 years, the city has hosted a program called Leadership Dallas that is aimed at educating citizens and building leadership opportunities. The 3rd group of graduates from this program will have an opportunity to speak to the Council and share their experiences.
Graduates in the program met one Thursday afternoon a month and focused on different topics around the Dallas community. This year’s Leadership Dallas program was also planned, organized and implemented by the previous year’s graduates.
Some of the monthly topics:
HEALTH CARE – Explore the many facets of healthcare provided right here in Dallas! Learn about the diverse services and care provided to our residents and visitors, through providers such as West Valley Hospital, Dallas Retirement Village, Polk County Public Health and Dallas Emergency Medical Services
NONPROFITS / SOCIAL SERVICES – During this enriching afternoon, you’ll uncover a world of compassion and service provided by our neighbors and friends. We’ll tour and learn from those who provide the basic necessities of life to those most in need in our community. Looking for your next opportunity to give back? You’ll find it today!
PUBLIC SAFETY / EMERGENCY SERVICES – Get a behind the scenes experience of public safety and emergency services in your community. You’ll tour our public safety facilities, including the Polk County Jail and the West Valley Dispatch Center.
What will happen? Graduates will share their experiences and thoughts on the program with the Council.
2025 Proposed City Fee Schedule
The City of Dallas fee schedule is due to be updated on July 1, 2025. Before any changes go into affect, the Council will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes and direct staff to make any adjustments wanted.
According to the staff report, most fee’s will increase by at least 2.8%. Some fees that have not been adjusted for years will see a higher increase. There are some fees that do not increase at all and there are a couple fees that will go down.
Examples of some proposed fee changes:
General Daily Admission
- Youth <18
- Currently $5.75
- Proposed $6.00
- Senior >60
- Currently $6.25
- Proposed $6.50
- Family of four
- Currently $22.00
- Proposed $22.50
- Police Records Search Fee <30 minutes
- Currently $16.50
- Proposed $17.00
- Recreational Vehicle Parking Permit
- Currently $62.00
- Proposed $63.75
- Special Events
- Currently $25.00
- Proposed $27.50
- Garage Sale Permit
- Currently $20 ($10 refundable deposit)
- Proposed $15 ($10 refundable deposit)
- Residential Structure Permit Valuation Fees
- $1 – $4,000
- Currently $76.51
- Proposed $78.65
- $1 – $4,000
See the full proposed fee schedule changes in the work session agenda, pg. 5-14
What will happen? The Council can discuss the proposal and guide the city staff to make changes. The proposed fee schedule is due to come back to the Council on June 16, 2025 for a final vote.
-City Council-
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Ride to Work Proclamation
The Mayor will read a proclamation encouraging citizens to ride to work on a scooter, or motorcycle on “ride to work day”, June 10th, 2025.
New employee introduction
A new city employee will be introduced to the Council.
Recognition of Graduates Entering the Military
Dallas High School’s Senior Class of 2025 graduates this week. The Council is inviting 2 graduates for special recognition since they are planning to serve in the Military. Garrett Basham will enter the Marine Corps and Quinn Peffley will join the Navy.
PUBLIC HEARING
Application for Community Development Block Grant for the Dallas Food Bank
The Dallas Food Bank, in partnership with Polk Community Development Corporation (Polk CDC), is working towards building a proper food bank in the city. The Council will need to decide if they want the City Manager to work with Polk CDC to apply for a grant needed for the project.
The Council has previously agreed to reserve one of its community development block grants (CDBG) for the Dallas Food Bank. However, a public hearing is needed before the city can complete the grant application.
Did you know? “In 2024, the Dallas Food Bank served 1,507 unique households comprised of 4,882 unique individuals…” – Polk CDC letter, council agenda, pg. 7-10.
Polk CDC will present the Council will a letter detailing the conditions of the current building and details of the proposed new building project.
The current building for example, does not have ADA accessible bathrooms. There is no lobby at the Dallas Food Bank, so families have to wait outside in the cold, rain, or heat. The HVAC system is not efficient and is increasing utility costs. Additionally, the property the food bank is currently on is expected to be for sale soon.
Since 2019, Polk CDC has noted a 22% increase in the number of families seeking assistance. As the federal government cuts programs for Americans, it’s expected the need for food assistance to increase substantially.
“The Food Bank serves the most vulnerable in our community with 32% of those served being children, 10% aged 65 and older, and 16% of clients disabled. Of those served 88% of the families live in Polk County and 64% are from Dallas. Income data shows that 34% of clients work full-time or part-time, 31% live on a pension, SSA, SSDI or SSI, and 24% have no source of income. ”
– Polk CDC
There is a .7-acre site already selected for the new building, and the Food Bank will use their own funds to purchase the property. Aside from some city staff time to process payments for the grant, there should be no additional cost for the city.
What will happen? If the Council approves, they can vote to have the City Manager work with Polk CDC to apply for the grant.
Public Hearing on proposed development code updates
The City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the city code relating to residential accessory structure set backs and flag regulations. These changes already had a public hearing and vote by the Planning Commission, and was approved for recommendation to the Council.
What are the proposed code changes?
- Setbacks for Residential Accessory Structures (DDC.2.2)
- The purpose of this amendment is to be more permissive in allowing uninhabited accessory structures to be constructed up to the property line. The amendment sets the setback to zero, except for accessory dwellings, which remains at three feet.
- Sign Code regulations for Flags (DDC.3.6)
- The purpose of this amendment is to be more permissive in the regulation of flags, which currently only allows flags endorsed by a government body. The amendment creates a definition of flags, and creates an allowance for flags up to 15 square feet in residential zones, and up to 45 square feet in commercial zones.
From the staff report, council agenda, pg. 11.
What will happen? After the public hearing, the Council can vote to approve the amendments. If approved, this would come back to the Council in the future as an ordinance to be voted for adopted.
Public Comment
This is your time to speak to your City Council, Mayor, and city staff.
Consent Agenda
This is a quick action, meant to pass routine procedural items.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the May 19, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor and council Reports
This is a time for Councilors and the Mayor to give any reports they have.
City Manager report
Cybersecurity Grant Agreement
The Council will decide whether to accept a $50,000 grant for upgrading the computer firewall at the Water Treatment Plant. This will help align the system with state security standards, among other things.
The award money comes from a State and Local Cybersecurity Grant from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
What will happen? If the Council votes to approve, the City Manager will sign the grant. The project dates are schedule to be June 1, 2025 to May 30, 2027.
City Manager’s Cost of Living Adjustment
Since 2023, the City Council decides whether to increase the City Manager’s salary to keep up with the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). However, this year the City Manager has requested no increase to salary, even though the proposed city budget has 1.4% COLA budgeted.
Did you know? Based on indexes and negotiations, AFSCME, IAFF, and part-time staff will receive a 2.8% COLA, both police unions will receive a 4% COLA, flexible schedule employees will receive a 2.4% COLA, and exempt employees are receiving a 1.4% COLA.
What will happen? No action will be taken, unless the Council wants to give the COLA increase to the City Manager.
Police Station Next Steps
The voters of Dallas appear to have rejected the May 2025 Police building bond by about 500 votes. Now, the City Council will discuss their next steps, if any, towards getting the Police a proper building.
The city staff want to get ideas from the Council for what comes next. Initial ideas include putting the measure to the ballot again with additional public education, developing plans for a different project altogether, exploring alternative ways to fund the project, or doing nothing for the time being.
What will happen? No official action is planned. Instead, there will likely be a discussion on next steps.
-More Information-
Learn more: View the entire work session and council meeting packet for a lot more information.
Attend the meeting: Come attend the City Council meeting in person. On Monday, June 2nd, 2025. Work session starts at 5:30 pm and 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 your city council, for 3 minutes towards the beginning of the meeting.
Congratulations! You just summarized 63 pages. What ideas do you have for getting the Police a building in Dallas?
