-Topics-
- City Council
-City Council-
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
The Wall that Heals presentation
No known information upfront, but likely a recap of the memorial that was in Independence.
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, issue, or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the September 15, 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
Sidewalk Repair Program Policy
A program that help Dallas residents cover some costs of replacing bad public sidewalks on their property comes to the Council for some changes. This change will make the program an official policy. The amount of reimbursement is also proposed to increase from $500 to $2,500, reflecting increased costs.
The Public Administration Committee (a sub-committee of the Council) reviewed this policy and approved it to come before the full Council.
- What would the policy do?
- Reimbursement up to $2,500 for an eligible sidewalk repair
- Only 1 reimbursement for 1 property per applicant in a fiscal year
- 3 competitive quotes for repair work are required
- Approval required before any repair work is completed
Important link: Read the full policy in the agenda packet, pg. 6-7
What will happen? The Council can discuss and can vote on this policy. If the update is approved it would become effective immediately.
Tour of the Public Works Building Construction Site
The Council will tour the Public Works building which is currently under construction.
What will happen? No official action will take place. This tour is to gather information.
Accessible Play Equipment
New ADA accessible play equipment is proposed for Dallas City Park to give all kids a reason to play. The Council will hear about the proposal from Jennifer Ward, Public Works Director for the City of Dallas.
This proposal originated with public testimony from Dallas Residents. They asked for some equipment in city parks that all children, especially those with disabilities, can use.
City staff and the Parks Advisory Board approved a plan to install a 2-bay swing set in Dallas City Park. Dallas Rotary and Dallas Community Foundation are donating money to the project and the remaining funds will come from the Parks System Development Charge (SDC) fund.
What is an SDC? “SDCs are one-time fees charged on new development” – Dallas City website. These funds can only be used for expansion and new development. The funds can’t be used to maintain or fix things.
- Follow the money:
- Expense
- $39,800 – Total estimated project cost
- $5,500 – 2-bay ADA swing
- $25,300 – poured-in-place play surface
- $9,000 – site preparation
- $39,800 – Total estimated project cost
- Funding source
- $5,000 – Dallas Rotary donation
- plus help with site preparation
- $5,000 – Dallas Community Foundation donation
- $29,800 – Parks SDC fund
- Parks SDC funds were available because building the Mill Section of the Rickreall Creek Trail System is not happening this year
- $5,000 – Dallas Rotary donation
- Expense
John C. Barnard Park (opening on Nov. 8, 2025) will offer the very 1st set of accessible play equipment in the city. This proposal for Dallas City Park will be the 1st ADA swing in the city. This also increases the number of parks that are accessible to all kids.
What will happen? The Council can discuss and vote to approve adding this project to the Capital Improvement Plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Ordinances
Ordinance No. 1916 – increase the number of members to maintain a quorum for the Economic Development Commission
In August of this year, the Council voted to increase the number of members on the Economic Development Commission. The membership was increased to include a member from the Polk County government. Due to that increase, the Council needs to raise the number of members needed to make a quorum.
- What is the proposed change?
- Number of members on the commission to make a quorum
- Previously
- 4 out of 7 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Proposed
- 5 out of 8 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Previously
- Number of members on the commission to make a quorum
Important link: Read the full proposal in the agenda packet, pg. 19-21
What will happen? The Council will have the 1st reading of the ordinance. If the reading passes, it will come before the Council for a 2nd reading on Oct. 20, 2025 and a vote for adoption. If adopted it will become effective on Nov. 19, 2025.
Ordinance No. 1915 – Amending Development Code regarding historic preservation regulations
The Council will have a 2nd reading and vote on this ordinance to amend the city code regarding Historic Preservation Regulations in DDC.2.10.
What will the code change do? These changes will bring the code up to standards published by the State Historic Preservation Office.
Important link: Read the full proposal in the agenda packet, pg. 23-58
What will happen? The Council will have the 2nd reading of the ordinance. Then the Council can vote for adoption. If adopted, the change will become effective on Nov. 05, 2025.
-More Information-
Learn more: View the entire city council agenda for a lot more information.
Attend the meeting: Come attend City Council meeting in person. On Monday, Oct. 6th, 2025. 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 58 pages. What time are you going to the Dallas Farmers Market today?
