City Council Wrap Up – April 21, 2025

– Topics –

City Council

– City Council –

Attendance

Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.

Absent: none.

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Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations

Building Safety Month Proclamation

The Mayor read a proclamation for Building Safety Month which is May. Read the full proclamation on pg. 4 of the council agenda.

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Historic Preservation Month Proclamation

For National Historic Preservation Month which is in May, the Mayor read a 2nd proclamation. Read the full proclamation on pg. 5 of the council agenda.

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Introduction of new Code Services Specialist

Matthew Tholen was introduced to the Council as a new city code services specialist.

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Public Comment

Dallas Resident
- Complained about various city charges and topics
- Complained about the performance of Council and city staff

President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Shared the Aquatic Center hosted swim meets and parties last week, which made it very busy
- They also hosted an Easter egg hunt
  - Hiding plastic eggs around the pool and even in the water
    - Reported no soggy candy in the water eggs
    - If someone found 5 eggs of the same color they were entered into a raffle to win goggles

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March 2025 Financial Report
Approve the April 7, 2025 Work Session Meeting Minutes
Approve the April 7, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

What happened? Councilor Schilling asked to remove the Council minutes from the consent agenda. Council President Briggs remarked that all the departments were at or below the budget on this report.

The consent agenda without the minutes, passed unanimously.

Councilor Schilling proposed a correction to the minutes. In the council agenda pg. 31, line 23, it should read Mayor Slack, instead of Mayor Woods. The minutes were then approved unanimously, with the correction.

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Mayor and Council Reports

There were no reports given.

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City Manager report

Dallas Downtown Association Annual Report

The Council heard from Jason Saunders, President of the Dallas Downtown Association (DDA). Saunders has been with the DDA for 4 years, and this is the second time serving as president.

DDA Calendar of events, pg. 44 of the council agenda.

Saunders reported the DDA has come a long way in 4 years, and specifically over the last 6 months. They have been able to fill all committee and employee positions, and are in their new space, next to Tater’s Cafe (184 SE Oak St, Dallas, OR 97338).

What happened? There was no action, just sharing information as part of the DDA’s contract with the city.

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Council Vacancy Supplemental Questions

Candidates interested in the vacant council seat will need to write answers to 17 questions as part of their application. Those questions were chosen by the Councilors.

Why is there a vacancy on the Council? Debbie Virden resigned the seat on April 3, 2025. Previously, Virden was appointed to the council in 2022 to fill a vacant seat, and won election in Nov. 2024 to another term.

*City website showing the vacant councilor position.*

Councilor Fitzgerald asked if the 16 questions presented were all used before. City Manager Latta confirmed they were.

Council President Briggs asked the Councilors if the 16 questions were enough to decide last time. There was general agreement the questions were enough.

Councilor Spivey, who was appointed under a similar process in Jan 2025, gave perspective as a candidate. Spivey believed it was good that it took time and effort to prepare answers to so many questions.

Noting no mention of teamwork in the questions, Councilor Spivey recommended adding it. Council President Briggs suggested adding teamwork to question P, since it was related. City Manager Latta also suggested it could be added to question N. It was agreed to add teamwork to question P.

Councilor Spivey also suggested a question being added that asks candidates to share a time when new information changed a strongly held opinion of theirs.

*Will you apply for the council vacancy?*

What happened? The Councilors agreed to add teamwork to 1 question and create a new question around changing a belief from new information.

Below are the 17 questions and a summary of the changes made:

A – What inspired you to want to be a Dallas City Council member?
B – What do you think the role of the local government is in economic development?
C- What do you feel is the greatest strength of our community?
D – Tell us about your volunteer efforts and community involvement.
E – What is your philosophy of local government and its role?
F – Tell us about a conversation you’ve had or ideas you have about improving the livability for the citizens of Dallas?
G – One of Dallas’s values in our Strategic plan reads,
- “We are an organization that protects individual rights and honors diversity. Civil communication, respect for others, compassion, and a sense of humor are essential tools in our organization. We value what makes each person unique and strive to respect and treat each other with dignity.”
- Please share your thoughts about this value statement?
H – What do you think are the three most important concerns facing Dallas?
I – What are your thoughts related to the City of Dallas’s relationship with surrounding jurisdictions?
J – What do you hope to do during the first six months on the council?
K – What do you hope to learn in the first six months on the council? What do you expect to teach us?
L – Knowing Dallas has a limited tax base and budget, are there specific areas where you would reduce or increase funding?
M – When faced with a complex problem with multiple solutions, what process would you use to select the best solution to the problem?
N – Please describe your understanding of the relationship between the City Council and Staff.
O – If there were three things in Dallas you were permitted to do, whether it be to add, eliminate or change anything, what would those be?
P – There are nine City Council positions. What do you believe are the advantages and disadvantages of collective decision-making and shared leadership?
- Adding a reference to Teamwork to this question
Q – Question related to changing your position. Something like:
- “When was the last time you had a firmly held position or belief that you changed based on new information you received”

Do you want to be a City Councilor?

Link to begin your application for City Council

Complete the form and answer the questions. Then submit it in person to the City Manager’s Office at City Hall or email it to [email protected]

Requirements to be a City Councilor
- Live in Dallas City limits for at least 1 year prior to appointment
- Registered voter in the City of Dallas

Timeline to fill the vacancy
- April 22 – May 12, 2025
  - Applications are open
    - Including written answers to questions.
  - All applications must be received by 5:00 pm on May 12, 2025
- May 19, 2025
  - City Council will hear from all qualified candidates in person
    - Candidates will give a 5-minute statement about themselves and why they want to serve on the City Council
  - Council will vote to fill the vacancy
  - The appointed candidate will be sworn in and take their seat with the Council

For more information, contact Kim Herring, City Recorder, at 503.831.3502 or [email protected]

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Ordinances

No. 1905 – La Creole Node Master Plan Update

The 1st reading passed for the ordinance to finalize The La Creole Node Master Plan (The La Creole Plan).

*The La Creole Plan, pg. 127 of the council agenda.*

You can learn more about The La Creole Plan at the project website.

What’s inside The La Creole Plan?
- 90 acres for commercial development
- 39.4 acres for medium-density residential
- 32.9 acres for high-density residential
- 29.94 acres for public right-of-way
- green spaces
- amenities
- infrastructure improvements

What happened? The 1st reading of the ordinance passed. The 2nd reading and vote for adoption is scheduled for May 5, 2025. If adopted, it will be effective starting June 4, 2025.

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No. 1907 – Exception to city water to a property outside the city limits

The property owner of 2255 Elliott Rd now has an official exception to the city code to access city water.

Why was an exception needed?
- Properties outside city limits require an agreement to have access to city water
  - This property is outside of Dallas city limits, has access to city water but no agreement
- The city was able to find a meter start date of June 1920, but no official agreement
- The property owner was asking for a formal agreement now

Council President Briggs asked where the document for this ordinance will be stored. City Manager Latta explained ordinances are stored in City Hall for 1 year & are also maintained in the state archive system forever.

What happened? The 2nd reading passed and the Council voted to adopt the ordinance 8-0. It becomes effective on May 21, 2025.

VOTE BREAKDOWN

For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey

Against: None

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RESOLUTIONS

No. 3547 – Adopting the Dallas Tree Management Plan

The Council approved the resolution to adopt the Dallas Tree Management Plan.

City staff and the Dallas Parks Advisory Board (which also functions as the City’s Tree Advisory Board) worked on the plan throughout 2024.

This Tree Management Plan is intended to guide Dallas as it confronts these challenges in its efforts to maintain a healthy tree canopy. The successful implementation of the Tree Management Plan will ensure Dallas’s urban forest will be maintained for years to come.

– Conclusion of the Tree Management Plan

View the Tree Management Plan on pg. 135-139 of the council agenda.

What happened? The Council voted 8-0 to adopt the Tree Management Plan.