-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Councilor Blosser
Transportation System Plan update
The Council met with the Planning Commission for an update on the Transportation System Plan (TSP) for Dallas.
What is a Transportation System Plan? A TSP is “a long-range plan that implements the transportation element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. It considers all modes of travel and provides guidance on how to invest in the transportation system through a combination of projects, policies and programs to meet travel needs as the city grows.” (city website)
The last Dallas TSP was created in 2008. This TSP update is being supported by the consultant team Kittleson & Associates, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. A Project Advisory Board, made up of members of the City Council, local business owners, residents, and others, have also contributed to the TSP throughout the project.
Matt Bell, a Transportation Planner from Kittleson presented the TSP to the Council. Bell stated a lot of new information was gathered from the most recent public open house. Information from that will be presented in the final TSP plan.
Bell started by sharing information about population growth projections for the City of Dallas in 2045. According to the Portland State University Population Research Center data, certain parts of Dallas will see more growth than others. The information also projects where job growth is expected in the city’s future.
The information about population and job growth was then used to predict future traffic volume and intersection capacity. The TSP has identified some intersections will not meet standards by 2045. Bell noted it is normal for an intersection to reach full capacity before any kind of mitigation takes place.
Councilor Spivey asked if the new traffic signal at Levens St. and E. Ellendale Ave. was taken into account in this study. Bell stated it was not. It was also pointed out that the Fir Villa Rd. and E. Ellendale Ave intersection was included in the study as it is today.
Councilor Schilling asked if the future round about at Hwy 223 and 22 was included. Wells confirmed it was not. Future traffic improvements are not figured into this study. The study only takes into account traffic systems as they are today.
Councilor Schilling added that many residents believe E. Ellendale Ave. is the main entrance to the City. However, Schilling noted that according to ODOT classifications, Hwy 223 is the main roadway in.
Bell pointed out that the TSP will only identify what is inside the city limits even though those outside intersections affect city traffic. However, Bell recommended access points along Hwy 223 should be protected by the city. This will help avoid it becoming like E. Ellendale Ave.
Impact on transportation doesn’t stop with vehicles. The TSP also includes analysis on pedestrians and bikes. Maps showed various levels of safety and access for people and bikes on city roads and trails.
Learn more: TSP Open House link with all the information. This link is still active even though the open house is closed.
Councilor Shein asked if the Mill Site was accounted for in the new street connections analysis. Bell acknowledged the new street connections do take some of the Mill site into consideration.
Councilor Holsapple asked about the Rickreall Creek Trail and if there was any planned expansion into the West side of town. Bell noted a teammate is working on that topic and would need to get back to Holsapple with an answer. Holsapple stated the West side shouldn’t be left out.
Councilor Schilling pointed out that parts of the east side of the trail in the TSP map are incorrect. Suggested the team take another look at a trail map to get it updated.
Councilor Barrientos pointed to a concern for park and ride locations attracting transient people and abandoned motor homes. Councilor Shein asked if there was a specific location of concern for Barrientos. There was no specific location, just a general concern.
Councilor Schilling noted these are not current park and rides points, only options to look at in the future. Councilor Barrientos recommended cement boulders or other hostile architecture to deter unwanted people. Councilor Shein agreed that this suggestion should be considered in the future.
Council President Briggs asked if there were specific numbers on transit ridership in Dallas. Bell noted there is no specific information and only aggregate data was used.
Bell noted that using current funding, like the state highway appropriations and other sources like System Development Charges, the 2045 transportation funding forecast shows Dallas with a revenue surplus of $17.92 million. While this is a “rosy” forecast, Bell said historically the data used has been reliable.
Bell also reminded the Council that private development will pay for a large part of the transportation project costs. Streets usually get built because of development.
The Mayor asked if a new bridge at the end of Mill St. connecting to the end of River Drive was still in the TSP. Bell said that bridge is still in the plan and actually rates high in the models as a future traffic route for the city’s west side residents.
Councilor Barrientos asked what the difference is between a major and minor collector road. Bell shared 2 examples, a major collector will have higher speeds and would be designed with a dedicated center turning lane. Minor collectors (previously called neighborhood routes) will have slower speeds, with no dedicated center turn lane.
Councilor Shein added that with the expected housing development at the top of Bridlewood, there might need to be more than 1 neighborhood entrance. Councilor Schilling pointed out there are new streets planned to connect Bridlewood Dr. to Oakdale Rd, and another new street, north of the Dallas Cemetery.
Councilor Schilling shared a concern that E. Ellendale Ave. is categorized as a Major Arterial in the TSP. Suggested it becomes a Minor Arterial instead. Schilling asked for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) representative Mark, to speak about this idea.
Mark agreed with Councilor Schilling. The Team at ODOT doesn’t want to see E. Ellendale Ave. turn into a Major Arterial. Ellendale is already a challenged environment. Increasing the capacity with so many driveway access points is a big problem.
Councilor Schilling believed using Hwy 223 as the main entrance is better for future city development. If E. Ellendale Ave. were upgraded to a 5 lane road, Schilling worried it would become like Lancaster Drive in Salem.
Mark reminded the Council that there is a 100 ft right of way on Hwy 223 for any future development.
Councilor Shein agreed, turning E. Ellendale Ave. into a Major Arterial would not be a good idea.
Councilor Barrientos also added with the history of deaths on Ellendale, 5 lanes is not a good idea.
Council President Briggs asked if there was any plans to connect Fir Villa Rd. to Monmouth Cutoff. There is a planned connection at the edge of the Urban Growth Boundary.
Councilor Holsapple asked about contacting the County to use Jame Howe Rd as an evacuation route, given that area’s growth. Bell said the County will rely on the city to prioritize evacuation routes. Councilor Shein noted the County’s last TSP is from 2009.
Bell also shared with the Council some comments from the public open house about a local transit option in Dallas. An Idea similar to the MI Trolley in Monmouth and Independence, Oregon was mentioned. That now active trolley service started as an idea and then moved to a 1 year trial. The TSP will look at data on a “rubber tire” route option to consider in Dallas.
Councilor Schilling suggested the 45 mph speed limit coming into town on E. Ellendale Ave. should be place earlier on the road. Suggested the speed limit be moved eastward and placed at the top of, or before, the hill by Bowersville Rd. Councilor Shein agreed.
Councilor Schilling reminded all Councilors the TSP is a planning document, and it is important to the city. Recommended everyone take time to review it and submit comments to the project.
What happened? The Council and Planning Commission learned about the Transportation System Plan and offered suggestions and guidance.
The Council and Planning Commission will have 1 more combined work session on the TSP in late Spring 2026. A final vote for TSP adoption is expected by the Council in Summer 2026.
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Councilor Blosser
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Jake Dyer, Assistant Public Works Director, introduced Jared, a new Public Works employee. Jared is in the Water treatment division and has a level 4 water treatment certification which is the highest in Oregon.
Nathan was also introduced to the Council, but has been with the city for a couple years already. Nathan was recently promoted internally as the new Water Distribution Supervisor.
PUBLIC HEARING
Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Whenever the budget is changed by greater than 10%, a Public Hearing is required. The Council held a Public Hearing on a proposed supplemental budget that has just over $2 million worth of changes.
One change in the supplemental budget accounts for a new $1 million grant received on The La Creole sewer project. The other changes relate to the new Public Works building. Those changes allow for, “reallocation of finance proceeds and expenses” and address “unplanned and other expenses for the Public Works Building project” (staff report pg. 4).
- What are the budget changes:
- GRANTS
- $1,000,000 – Grant Fund Revenue increase
- STORMWATER
- $70,000 – Stormwater Fund Revenue increase
- STREET FUND
- $99,000 – Street Fund Revenue increase
- SEWER FUND
- $198,000 – Sewer Fund Revenue increase
- WATER FUND
- $198,000 – Water Fund Revenue increase
- FLEET FUND
- $465,000 – Fleet Fund Revenue decrease
- GRANTS
Learn more: Review the full budget hearing notice on page 6 of the council agenda.
Staff report
City Manager Latta explained the $1 million grant simply needs to be recorded as being received and spent.
Funding for the Public Works building was originally going to be shared by all city departments. However, there was enough money in the Fleet Department to cover the entire project. The changes in the supplemental budget moves the money from the Fleet fund and sends it to the various department funds for this project.
Regarding the unplanned expenses for the building, Latta said more information on the “why” will be covered later in the meeting during the resolution for this item.
Public comment
None was offered.
Council discussion
There was no discussion.
What happened? A Public Hearing was held by the Council on the proposed supplemental budget. A vote on Resolution No. 3561 (which would adopt this supplemental budget) took place later in the meeting.
Public Comment
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- The group’s mission is to support the pool
- Raises money to use for repairs and replacements
- $25,000 raised since Dec 2025
- Soon will be $27,000
- Just $345 short now
- New business banner money coming in this week will close the gap
- Just $345 short now
- $15,000 – re-plaster leisure pool
- Plaster cures under water
- Pool closed so chemicals can be added to help the curing
- Fountain removed
- Kids whale slide going in
- Plaster cures under water
- $12,000 in donations received for spa motor and pump
- Replacement is now complete and the spa opened last week
- Waited 6 weeks due to lead time for those parts
- Soon will be $27,000
- The group’s mission is to support the pool
- Resident
- Started with thanks
- Thankful for the opportunity to attend and speak in the last meeting
- Better understands on-goings of the city
- Thanked The Dallas Signal – (You’re very welcome 👍)
- Thanked the Council for delaying Republic Services’ (Republic) fee increase
- Thankful for the opportunity to attend and speak in the last meeting
- Hoped the Council will fact check Republic
- Believes Republic doesn’t ask it’s customers what they want
- Customers also don’t inquire
- Has never been asked by Republic about waste management needs
- Believes Republic doesn’t ask it’s customers what they want
- Asked if there are studies done on competitors to Republic
- City should look at competition
- Asked to remove the non-compete clause in the city contract
- Wants to see 2 waste collection options in town
- Mentioned Brandts & Valley Disposal
- Unhappy with Republic’s website
- Couldn’t find prices and had to call Republic
- Got someone in Nevada, who didn’t know local pricing
- Couldn’t find prices and had to call Republic
- About 44% of people on their street use a 20 gallon bin
- Don’t need pick ups as frequently
- Can save money
- Can reduce garbage truck wear and tear
- Don’t need pick ups as frequently
- Hoped for more due diligence by Dallas
- Started with thanks
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the February 2, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 7
- Approve the February 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 8-9
- January 2026 Financial Report – pg. 10-41
- Appoint new member to Budget Committee – pg. 42-43
What happened? This was approved unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling who is on the the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT), gave the Council an update.
The state budget for the highway system is being cut. Schilling reported $60 billion already cut from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) budget and said another $40 billion cut is expected.
However, the roundabout at Hwy 223 and 22 is scheduled to start in 2026 and finish in 2027.
Councilor Shein thanked the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center for what they do. Their efforts help to avoid using tax dollars for the pool.
City Manager report
Dallas Downtown Association Annual Report
The Dallas Downtown Association (DDA) is working to advance downtown Dallas, and make it “your hometown living room”. DDA President Jason Saunders presented a report to the Council, which included the DDA’s financial report (found on pg 57).
The DDA helps coordinate and support many events throughout the community. Have you heard of Hearts on Main St., or The Scarecrow contest? Those and many more are supported by the DDA.
The Sounds of Summer concerts saw an average of 738 people attend each concert in 2025. This year, the number of concert nights will grow from 6 to 11. Plus, there are plans for the Dallas Farmers Market to join the Sounds of Summer for a new Dallas Nights Event.
Saunders also shared that the DDA recently qualified to move up tiers under the Main Street America program. Dallas advanced from being an Affiliated Main Street, to being a Designated Main Street.
Did you know? The DDA is under a contract with the city. They work to help boost Dallas’ downtown.
- City funds that support the DDA:
- $12,000 – City matches funds, if raised by the DDA’s own efforts
- $20,000 – Transient Lodging Tax funds
- Helps promote the downtown to tourists
- Supports events like Sounds of Summer concerts and the Christmas Town tree lighting
- $13,000 – General fund & Urban Renewal Agency funds
- Efforts to keep Downtown looking nice
- Local promotions
- Helps fulfill the Urban Renewal Plan’s goals
Councilor Schilling thanked the DDA for being an important part of Dallas. Schilling said since being on the Council, this is the best work of the DDA.
Council President Briggs also noted the success of the Christmas Town parade and all their activities. Briggs also reminded the DDA to keep the Council on ribbon cutting invitation e-mails.
Councilor Holsapple expressed the belief that the DDA is a true community partner.
Councilor Sein recalled that some will remember when the DDA, other non-government organizations, and the city were not so effective. Now, Shein feels like everyone is pulling in the same direction with the same end in mind. Believes that working together is helping things go as well as they are. City staff is also included in that shared goal.
What happened? The Council got an annual report from the Dallas Downtown Association. No official action took place.
Fire & EMS Fleet Purchases
The Council agreed to approve the City Manager to purchase a new ambulance, and put an existing ambulance body on a new chassis. Fire & EMS Chief April Wallace explained the need to the Council.
Due to an increase in call volumes in 2025, Dallas saw a total of 5,616 Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Of that, 1,506 were for interfacility transfers and 2,275 were hospital transports.
With the influx of calls, the city has had to rely on the assistance of SW Polk Fire Department (SW Polk FD). This mutual aid partner helped Dallas by responding to 442 EMS calls in the Dallas Ambulance Service Area in 2025.
Wallace said the new vehicles will help the city manage calls without relying on assistance from area partners.
- Current EMS fleet
- 2025 – active
- 16,821 miles
- 2023 – active
- 99,321 miles
- 2019 – rotates active/reserve
- 242,448 miles
- 2016 – rotates active/reserve
- 303,181 miles
- 2003 – “Big Red”
- not used as a response vehicle
- to be retired/go to surplus
- mileage not listed
- 2025 – active
The new vehicles will increase the fleet to 5 ambulances. 4 will be in active service and the 5th ambulance will be on reserve status. This will help to reduce the use of mutual aid from SW Polk FD.
- Proposed EMS fleet
- 2026 – active
- New chassis w/ 2016 body – active
- 2025 – active
- 2023 – active
- 2019 – reserve
The money will come from an interfund loan from the city’s general fund. The specifics and the terms of the loan aren’t set yet and the Council will determine those at a future meeting.
- Follow the money:
- $730,000 – total purchases
- $455,000 – New ambulance
- plus require supplies and equipment
- $250,000-$275,000 – Remount the 2016 ambulance body on a new chassis
- $455,000 – New ambulance
- $730,000 – total purchases
Councilor Schilling stated this is a high priority for the city and it will help to maintain the rate of service provided. Thanked Chief Wallace for finding savings with the idea to remount a chassis. Wallace said they also plan to use equipment from the existing vehicle to help save money. A few items can even be used from the soon to be retired 2003 vehicle, Big Red.
Council President Briggs asked how many new staff will be needed for this vehicle. Wallace stated 3 new Fire & EMS employees would be needed. Briggs asked if that money is in the budget. It is not. City Manager Latta added those positions would be budgeted for in the upcoming 2026-2027 budget.
Latta wants to have the city reduce the use of mutual aid partners. This would also let the city capture the revenue from those missed service calls. Latta explained this decision would approve the purchase order for the new vehicle and the remount. The terms of the interfund loan would be determined in the future.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked what type of service calls are increasing the most. Wallace noted all types are increasing: general, falls, sickness, etc. The City Manager added there has been an increase in hospital transports since the West Valley Hospital was expanded.
Council President Briggs inquired if the Hospital has enough staff to reduce the need for interfacility transfers. There was a previous contracted position to help cover this issue, but it was not a popular job. Wallace said a meeting with the Hospital was scheduled for the next day on Feb. 18, 2026.
Briggs noted the city is working to help, but hoped to see the Hospital step up too. Suggested an increase of doctors and nurses would help. Wallace pointed out that the hospital transfers to Salem are because a patient needs higher levels of care than is possible at West Valley Hospital, and limited bed space.
Councilor Barrientos asked how much of the 442 mutual aid calls taken will be reduced with the new vehicles. Wallace said the city will still use mutual aid partners occasionally. The City Manager added the reduction in mutual aid use is a hard number to quantify.
Councilor Holsapple wanted to confirm that 3 new employees would be needed for the new vehicle. Yes and Wallace said they would also allow for coverage on the fire ambulance vehicle if needed.
Councilor Barrientos wondered if there are additional supplies or trainings needed for the new vehicle. Wallace shared new supplies for the 2026 vehicle would be needed and are included in the costs. No new training would be needed as it would be set up similar to the other ambulances in fleet.
Councilor Shein asked if Dallas provides mutual aid to others. City Manager Latta confirmed and said that mutual aid service is a give and take. Shein asked how much the city has to reimburse others for mutual aid service used. Latta stated nothing. Ambulances bill customers directly, so the city only loses out on that missed revenue.
Councilor Fitzgerald wanted to confirm the costs included the new chassis. Wallace confirmed.
Councilor Shein suggested the remount provides additional savings. The City Manager pointed out the fleet will have 4 vehicles year 2023 or newer. The ability to remount other boxes a couple times will bring future savings.
What happened? The Council voted 8-0 to approve the City Manager to purchase 1 new ambulance and remount an existing ambulance body on a new chassis.
The 2016 body remount is scheduled be completed on June 30, 2026. The new 2026 ambulance should arrived and be ready for service on July 1, 2026,
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
ORDINANCES
No. 1919 – Adding Commercial Indoor Recreation as a land use
The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance to update the city Development Code. The update will add a new land use category of Indoor Recreation to Industrial and Commercial zones.
This change would allow businesses like gymnasiums, athletic or health clubs, dance or martial arts studios, game halls, and arcades to operate in commercial and industrial zones.
Learn more: Get more details from the Wrap Up on the Public Hearing for this code change on Feb. 2, 2026.
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance. A 2nd reading and vote to adopt will take place on March 3, 2026. If it passes, the ordinance would become effective on April 1, 2026.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3560 – Transfer of budgetary funds
The Council voted to approve several budget transfers. The changes are to the Aquatic Center and Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) budgets.
The Aquatic Center budget changes are for repairs and maintenance issues. The WWTF change will replace equipment, specifically the aerator drivers. Cecilia Ward, Finance Director for the City, explained this update is to move money from one fund to another for appropriate use.
The City Manager asked Ward for clarification on the $20,000 increase for the pool. Were the funds all for 1 project or multiple projects. Ward could not recall. Later in the meeting, Assistant City Manager Emily Gagner confirmed the pool funds were for multiple projects.
What happened? The Council approved this resolution, 8-0.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
No. 3561 – Adopting Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Earlier in the meeting a Public Hearing was held on this topic. The Council considered and then voted to approve this supplemental budget.
One budget change included a new grant for the La Creole sewer project. Finance Director Cecilia Ward said adding and spending this grant would be the easy part.
The rest of changes are for, “reallocation of finance proceeds and expenses” (staff report pg. 96) for the new Public Works building, plus some unplanned expenses.
City Manager Latta explained during the public hearing, that funding for the Public Works building was originally going to be shared by all city departments. However, there was enough money in the Fleet Department to cover the entire project. The changes in the supplemental budget moves the money from the Fleet fund and sends it to the various department funds to cover the project.
Review the details: See a breakdown of all budget changes on pages 96-99 in the council agenda.
Council President Briggs asked for confirmation that the La Creole sewer project is already complete. The City Manager confirmed the sewer work is complete, but the final invoices are still coming in.
Michael Pierce, Support Services Director for Public Works, explained to the Council the various reasons for unplanned expenses on the Public Works building project. Things like the engineering plans and utility relocation costs were not originally included in the project budget. Some of the modular buildings currently being used to house temporary offices need to be upgraded to meet ADA standards. Adding a fiber connection to the new building will allow access to the server located in City Hall.
An HVAC system bought from government surplus for the new building was actually outdated. So a brand new HVAC system needed to be purchased.
Lastly, Pierce also explained that some construction supplies were not properly protected in outdoor storage and got damaged. Those items needing to be replaced include insulation, roofing materials, caulking, nuts, and bolts.
The City Manager asked, from the unplanned expenses, how much did the damaged materials cost. Pierce stated those materials account for about 1/4 of the unplanned costs.
Councilor Schilling thanked Pierce for getting true numbers put together and said the original budget was before Pierce’s time. Noted this is an inherited problem for Pierce and Public Works Director Jennifer Ward.
Councilor Shein agreed that this is an inherited problem. Asked if the outdated HVAC system was resold. Pierce confirmed it was resold and at a profit.
City Manager Latta explained to the Council this project is already funded under an interfund loan. The unplanned expenses can be drawn from contingency budgets, which is what they for. This will not be a new loan. Latta felt it was important for this item to be discussed in a public meeting for transparency.
Council President Briggs stated it would be wrong not to take a bite on this issue. There was a lot of construction projects last year, and a lot was accomplished. Briggs said this appears to be a project management problem and it’s costing a lot of money. Supplies stored outside with nobody doing anything seems negligent. It is everyone’s responsibility to learn a lesson from this and not let it happen again.
Councilor Schilling shared having egg on your face isn’t fun, but taking responsibility for it is important. The Council can also work harder to dig into numbers and not just take a source’s word for them.
Councilor Shein closed by saying, “At the end of the day, we get a really nice building out of it which is going to pay long-term dividends”.
What happened? The Council approved the supplemental budget with an 8-0 vote. It became effectively immediately.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
-More Information-
- Work Session full agenda
- Work Session YouTube video archive
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
