– Topics –
- Work Session
- City Council
- More information
– Work Session –
Transfer Facility
Polk County staff will share information about a proposed transfer facility in Polk County. This relates to the proposed ReHub Center at the old Rickreall Dairy site. Previously, the council met with ReHub representatives, and Lane County representatives to gather information.
Dallas has Republic Services (Republic) collecting waste and recycling within the city. Four companies in total collect in Polk County. Republic collects approximately 52% of all waste within Polk County. Republic sends their waste to the Coffin Butte Landfill in Benton County, which they own.
So what does Coffin Butte have to do with the ReHub Center? Without volume, the proposed ReHub facility doesn’t pencil out financially. Republic has said they will not use ReHub to dispose of waste collected in their area.
According to Republic’s own June 21, 2024 report, the Coffin Butte Landfill has about 12.9 years of remaining life. As Coffin Butte continues to fill up, Republic will increase the cost per ton taken there.
What’s happening tonight? Tonight Polk County staff will share information with the council. The council will make a decision of conceptually supporting ReHub at a future meeting.
– City Council –
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
No known items upfront.
PUBLIC HEARING
Development Code Updates
City staff will propose updates to the City Development Code. These changes will bring the code into compliance with Senate Bill 1537 (passed in 2024).
The changes relate to how certain land use applications are treated, which will decrease the need for public hearings.
What’s happening tonight? Tonight is the public hearing. Citizens and interested groups can offer testimony on the proposed changes.
The council scheduled 1st and 2nd readings for Dec 9th and will also vote for adoption. You can see changes on pg 6-20 in the council agenda. Per the Senate Bill, the ordinance must take effect, January 1, 2025. The proposed schedule allows for that.
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 November 4, 2024 Work Session Minutes
- Approve the November 4, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
Whoa, slow down! If any councilor has a question, issue, or wants to discuss something, they can “pull” the item from the consent agenda. This would give everyone time to talk specifically about that item.
Mayor and council Reports
This is a time for councilors and the mayor to speak about any item they would like.
City Manager report
Republic Services
Republic Services (Republic) collects waste and recycling in Dallas. Each year they review rates and propose changes. Those changes must be approved by the city council through a resolution.
2025 proposed rate increase: A 4.1% rate increase for all rates (residential, commercial, and other).
What is happening tonight? A Republic representative will share information and take questions from the council. The council can ask for a resolution to approve the rate increase. That resolution would be voted on at a future council meeting.
Public Works Building Project Update
The council will get information on the new Public Works building. The city received 10 bids for construction of this building! Construction is expected to start in January 2025 and complete in September 2025.
How much will this cost? The city has a $3.3 to $3.9 million budget planned. Some funds will come from the Streets, Sewer, Stormwater, Water and Fleet Funds. Additional money will come from unspent appropriations in the current budget. That leaves $2,757,546 needed to finish the building.
Staff plans to ask the council to finance a portion of the remaining amount through an inter-fund loan. This will allow the needed funds to keep the project moving without delay. Then, staff plan to ask in 2025 to approve a comprehensive infrastructure loan. That new loan would finish the construction (and pay off the inter-fund loan).
The larger infrastructure loan will also include funds to rebuild Godsey Road (from Olive Street to Monmouth Cutoff Road). Those projects will also be partially funded through an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) funding agreement.
What is happening tonight? The council will learn about the building project and can ask questions. No other action is planned tonight.
Creation of Technical Advisory Committee
The city and ODOT will be updating the city’s Transportation System Plan. This committee helps review and give feedback to the city and ODOT.
The committee is filled with local business owners, transportation specialists, economic development professionals, and public safety professionals.
The council needs to approve the formation of the committee and the people serving on the committee. There are 2 people who need an exception to be on the committee. That is because they are already on 2 committees (which is the city limit). These exceptions are being asked for due to, “their involvement… directly related to their roles on the other committees on which they serve.”
What’s happening tonight? The council can vote to approve the formation of the committee and the recommended members.
FEMA Pre-implementation Compliance Measures
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a coming mandate that affects Dallas. The council got information about the 3 pre-implementation options at their last meeting.
The city thinks the permit-by-permit is a likely solution. However, city staff suggest the city not choose an option. This will get FEMA to help the city better understand the options.
What’s happening tonight? City staff will recommend the council take no action, and therefore get more information and assistance from FEMA.
Veteran’s Day Celebration
Dallas has hosted a fireworks celebration for the last 4 years on Veteran’s Day. The city gets both positive and negative feedback after the event. Generally, the negative comments are about how the fireworks can trigger post-traumatic stress for Veterans. Staff will suggest one of the council committees begin talking about how to best celebrate Veteran’s Day.
What’s happening tonight? The council can vote to move this topic to the Buildings and Grounds Committee (a sub-committee of the council).
Ordinance reading
No. 1901 – Annexation 1080 West Ellendale Avenue
This is the 1st reading of an ordinance to rezone and annex a property into Dallas, Oregon. The property is at 1080 West Ellendale Avenue.
The council had a public hearing for this zone and annexation previously.
What’s happening tonight? This is the 1st reading of the ordinance to approve the zone change and annexation.
What’s next? The 2nd reading and final vote for the ordinance is scheduled for Dec 9, 2024.
No. 1902 – Annexation SW Cherry at 11th Avenue
This is the 1st reading of an ordinance to rezone and annex a property into Dallas, Oregon. The property is at SW Cherry at 11th Avenue.
The council had a public hearing and 2 ordinance readings for this zone and annexation previously.
What’s happening tonight? This is the 1st reading of the ordinance to approve the zone change and annexation.
What’s next? The 2nd reading and final vote for the ordinance is scheduled for Dec 9, 2024.
Resolution
Resolution No. 3538 – Renaming Birch Park to Mark O. Hatfield Park
The Mayor asked for a recommendation of a facility to be named in honor of Mark O. Hatfield. Hatfield severed as Oregon Governor for 8 years and a US Senator for 30 years.
Did you know? Hatfield was born in Dallas, Oregon!
Birch Park was built in the 1970’s and is near the childhood home of Mark Hatfield, in the older part of town.
What’s happening tonight? The council can vote to officially rename Birch Park to Mark O. Hatfield Park.
There would be new signage installed at the park, to be installed in December 2024. Staff also suggests the city hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the park’s new name, after the signage is installed.
– 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, November 18th, 2024. Work session starts at 6:00 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.
Speak to your city council: Everyone is invited to speak to your city council, for 3 minutes towards the beginning of the meeting! You can congratulate a local group, ask questions, or address concerns you have. The time is yours to address your city and be heard!
Congratulations! You just summarized 77 pages. How can you help your neighbor with all that the time you saved?
