– Topics –
- Work Session
- City Council
- More information
– Work Session –
Attendance:
Present: Mayor Woods, Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Library Annual Update
On Monday, Andrea McCallister from the library updated the council on the library’s past year. Library events saw 6,300 people attend in 2024.
How many employees does the Library have? 10 employees: 5 full time and 5 part time, plus volunteers.
The Library has movies, including new releases and old titles. There are also musical instruments, ThinkPads, cultural passes, and wifi hot spots for check out.
Is there a Dallas Library Comicon? Yes! In March 2025, the Library will host their 1st Comicon.
Councilor Barrientos asked what is the best way to hear about Library events. Signing up for the Library events email list is the best, followed by the Library’s FB page and Instagram.
Councilor Virden thanked the Library for being the library of the Morrison Campus. Councilors Shein and Briggs also gave thanks to the Library and it’s staff and volunteers.
Police Station Update
The city has been working on getting a new police building for 2 years. Now the city is preparing to ask the public to support a new building. On Monday, the council got an update on the design and cost of the proposed building.
The council heard from Jeff Humphries, Principal in Charge, and architect Adam Goldberg, both from Mackenzie. The city has been working with Mackenzie Inc. on this project.
Why does Dallas need a police building? The Police don’t have their own space, and are spread across 3 different facilities in and around City Hall. Also, the facilities don’t meet ADA standards, Essential Facility standards, and energy codes. The Police also lack an evidence processing space.
What is the expected budget? $15,436,345 – $17,193,648. The city is also applying for a $500,000 grant for a green space and trees. Grant dollars awarded would reduce the expected budget. The budget has built in future interest increases.
If the levy passes in May 2025, ground breaking for construction could begin in Spring 2026.
There are 2 ways the Levy can be set up:
- 1 – Level Debt
- Less common for cities
- Sets a fixed amount to be paid back each year towards the debt.
- This would be more expensive to households upfront, and less towards the end of the levy.
- Towards the end of the levy, the city has more population than it did in the beginning. This means more people are paying towards that fixed amount
- A household’s amount goes down over time due to more people paying in.
- Towards the end of the levy, the city has more population than it did in the beginning. This means more people are paying towards that fixed amount
- This would be more expensive to households upfront, and less towards the end of the levy.
- 2 – Level Levy
- More common for cities
- Sets a fixed amount a household pays each year towards the debt.
- This would be pay less debt upfront and more towards the end of the levy.
- As the population increases more households are paying the same fixed amount, so more debt can be paid off.
- A household will have a steady amount they pay.
- As the population increases more households are paying the same fixed amount, so more debt can be paid off.
- This would be pay less debt upfront and more towards the end of the levy.
Now, lets break down your cost: Remember this is based on cents per $1,000 of assessed value on your home.
- 1 – Level Debt
- 15 million dollar budget = .67 cents (year 1), .64 (year 2), .62 (year 3), .61 (year 4), .59 (year 5), … then .28 cents (year 30)
- on average
- 2 – Level Levy
- 15 million dollar budget = .47 cents (each year)
- 17 million dollar budget = .52 cents (each year)
- on average
Break it down a little more: The 2024 average assessed value for a single family home in Dallas, Oregon is just under $250,000. So the average cost per household in Dallas would be just over $125 per year.
Example: .51 (cents) x 250 (250,000 assessed value home) = $127.50 per year
Do your math: .52 (cents) x Your home assessed value (per thousand) = Your expected cost
Councilor Shein asked why 100% of the parking area was not covered. The representative from Mackenzie stated that only 50% of parking is usually covered. This design has over 50% covered. And it’s a cost saving measure to not have 100% covered parking.
Councilor Barrientos asked if there are opportunities for grants or state and federal funding toward this project. City Manager Latta said the city has applied for the Community Green Infrastructure grant. Latta will talk with our local legislators and ask for their support and work to legislate money for the project.
Councilor Briggs wanted to know how the city will be educating the public on this project. The 2nd open house is coming up on Dec 17th at 6pm at City Hall. The city is offering tours of the current facilities. Ciizens who tour the facilities will be entered into a monthly drawing for a prize! The city is also working on an online and video tour to reach more people.
The City Manager noted, once the ballot measure is certified, city staff cannot advertise for or against the project anymore. Once certified, it will be up to the elected officials to educate the public.
Councilor Collins asked if the city will use their myth busters site to correct wrong information that might pop up. Yes, and the city plans to run those by the Oregon Secretary of State after certification. This would be to make sure the city is within the law to not advertise for or against.
What’s next? At the next city council on Jan. 21, 2025, the council will hear survey and poll results on this project.
– City Council –
Attendance:
Present: Mayor Woods, Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
Development Code Updates
City staff proposed 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.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked what the purpose of these changes in the law was. It was to reduce time delays for housing development. In Dallas, this means a developer saving about 2-6 weeks of time.
There was no public testimony given.
What happened? The Development Code updates passed unanimously.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Against: None
What’s next? The 1st ordinance reading (with emergency clause) happens later in this meeting. The emergency clause allows for things to move at a quicker speed than normal (2 meetings in 1).
You can see the proposed code changes on pg 6-20 in the council agenda.
Public Comment
- President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- The group formed in 2018 to raise awareness and help offset unexpected costs for the center.
- Gave a $5,000 check to the city to put into the trust account!
- Sand filters will have to wait longer because the ADA door stopped working
- The group is going to fixed that next
- Gave shout outs to several local businesses and people who have generously donated.
- The group formed in 2018 to raise awareness and help offset unexpected costs for the center.
- Dallas resident – various complaints
Consent Agenda
This is a quick action to pass routine procedural items.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- October 2024 Financial Report
- Approve the November 18, 2024 Work Session Meeting Minutes
- Approve the November 18, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
- Cancellation of the December 16, 2024 City Council Meeting
- Canvass of November 5, 2024 General Election Results
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council report and comments
Councilor Collins – Recognized the hard work this council has done in rebuilding trust lost from previous councils. Stated that the incoming council lacks the diversity that is in the city. Recommended a standing committee that would reflect the city’s diversity, and look into diversity needs in the city. Collins also recommend removing the requirement for citizens giving public comment to give their home address. Argued that this is outdated and is holding people back from giving public comment to due fears of retaliation.
Councilor Adams – Thanked the council for their service to the city. Highlighted work of the council like the new dam project, and expanding housing and retail opportunities with the La Creole node. Looking forward to the see how things move into the new year.
Councilor Virden – Thanked everyone who helped with and participated in the activities downtown this holiday season. The older kids got to enjoy things in the city for free and loved it.
Councilor Barrientos – Let the council know he is applying for an up-paid position on the Board of Directors for the Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. This group is anti-poverty professionals and a non-profit social services provider in Marion and Polk County. The goal is to create positive social changes and address the community’s needs.
Mayor Woods – Thanked everyone. Woods has been in service of the city for the past 42 years! 40 years on city council, and 2 years as Mayor.
It’s been a lot of fun. A lot of heartaches, but mostly fun. Made a lot of friends. Made some enemies but that’s just the way it goes. But thank you.
– Mayor Kenneth L Woods, Jr.
Councilor Shein – Stated volunteers make this city run. Thanked the Mayor for 42 years of volunteering.
City Manager report
None.
Ordinance reading
No. 1903 – Development Code Updates
The public hearing happened earlier in the meeting. Now the emergency 1st reading of the ordinance. The emergency clause allows for things to move at a quicker speed than normal (2 meetings in 1).
What happen? The 1st reading passed with noted changes to be documented in the 2nd reading.
The 2nd reading and vote to adopt is scheduled for Jan 6th, 2025. Per the Senate Bill, the ordinance must take effect January 1, 2025. The expedited schedule allows for that a few days past the deadline.
You can see the proposed code changes on pg 6-20 in the council agenda.
No. 1901 – Annexation 1080 West Ellendale Avenue
This was the 2nd reading of an ordinance to rezone and annex a property into Dallas, Oregon. The property is at 1080 West Ellendale Avenue.
What happening? The 2nd reading passed and the council voted to adopt the ordinance.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Against: None
No. 1902 – Annexation SW Cherry at 11th Avenue
This was the 2nd reading of an ordinance to rezone and annex a property into Dallas, Oregon. The property is at SW Cherry at 11th Avenue.
What happening? The 2nd reading passed and the council voted to adopt the ordinance.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Against: None
RESOLUTION
No. 3539 – Rate change for waste and recycling
Tonight, a narrow majority of the council voted to adopt the resolution for a rate increase to waste and recycling rates in 2025. The increase is 4.1%, an average increase of $1.11.
Councilor Briggs asked the council to rethink this increase. The issue of concern is the CPI index’s use if it were to go negative. If the CPI index is less than zero Republic Services (Republic) said proposed rates would not decrease. Briggs wants to resolve that issue or postpone this rate vote until June of 2025.
Council President Schilling agreed with wanting to negotiate the negative CPI issue, but to do it for next year’s number. Noted that there was no negative CPI numbers this year, but there is potential for next year. This would effect next years rate change, not this year.
Councilor Jantz – asked if voting for this rate increase now will put us in a worse negotiating position for next year.
City Manager Latta stated the rate now is based on historical data. The discussion about a negative rate holds no bearing now. Thinks negotiations can begin regardless of tonight’s vote, based on the city’s relationship with Republic. Latta stated there are 3 scheduled meetings in 2025 with Republic before new numbers come out for next year.
Councilor Shein stated wanting to negotiate the negative CPI issue, next year.
Discussion continued about the timing of this vote and negotiating before next years 2026 rate discussion.
Councilor Collins reminded everyone that space for trash is running out and that means things will only get more expensive. Reference the Disney movie Wall-E.
What happened? The resolution passed 5-4. The avg. $1.11 increase will begin Feb. 2025.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Collins, and Shein
Against: Councilors Briggs, Fitzgerald, Jantz, and Virden
Resolution No. 3540 – Council Rules Change
A change to the council rules was proposed by Councilor Briggs. The change is related to the length of public comment.
Briggs proposed limiting the time to 3 minutes, unless the mayor announced a different length. Mayor-Elect Slack was asked for his opinion. He preferred limiting the time to 3 minutes without any condition.
The Public Administration Committee (a sub-committee of the council) discussed this topic. They agreed with limiting time to 3 minutes with no condition. They agreed because the council can change the time limit with a majority vote, if they want.
Councilor Virden recalled giving comment to the council as a citizen in the past. Stated 3 minutes isn’t a lot of time. Asked how the council will know when to expand time limits? City Manager Latta said that would be determined at the time of city council meeting. A councilor can propose extending the time limit for that meeting and the council would then vote.
Council President Schilling stated the council follows the Roberts Role of Order, and this is allowed for in those rules.
Mayor Woods stated all the cities he knows have public comment limited to 3 min per speaker.
What happened? The council passed this unanimously.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Schilling, Councilors Adams, Barrientos, Briggs, Collins, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Virden, and Shein
Against: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
This part of the meeting was closed to the public. The topic discussed related to employment performance.
– More Information –
- Councilor Collins Facebook video recap
- Work session full agenda
- Work session YouTube video archive
- City council full agenda
- Council Meeting YouTube video archive
