-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent:
Economic & Community Development Annual Report
The Council got part 2 of the Economic & Community Development Department annual report from Department Director, Charlie Mitchell.
Part 1 of the Department’s report was given in the last work session and it focused on the Planning, Code Services, and Historic Preservation Divisions.
Mitchell recalled staff changes in the Building Division. After a retirement in 2024 there were some in-office promotions that followed. Dallas’ Permit Technician also won the Permit Technician of the Year award from the Oregon Permit Technicians Association in 2025.
Regarding the future of Dallas, Mitchell expects to see a lot more development in the coming years.
“We’re starting to turn a bit of a corner, I think in Dallas, where we are going to be going up more than we’re going out. We’re going to start to see a lot denser housing projects, multi-family, multi-story, apartment kinds of complexes.”
Carlie Mitchell – Director of Economic & Community Development Department
Developments and construction slowed a bit in 2023 due to material shortages, cost increases, and rate inflation. Mitchell is now beginning to see the signs of coming development.
Important link: Interactive map showing all current construction and planning projects
Councilor Barrientos asked if there is an ability to put a cap on how many housing units can be built per year. Mitchell said there is not, and caps on housing are only determined by demand in the market.
Councilor Fitzgerald wondered why there are more apartments being built instead of single family homes if building went down in 2023 because of rising costs?
Councilor Schilling gave some background information. Starter homes used to be under $100,000 to purchase, but now cost around $425,000. Interest rates and down payments alone are not affordable for starter homes. Apartments require much smaller deposits. Apartments are what people can afford today.
Fitzgerald asked why the city would want apartments over single family homes. Schilling explained unless the city can give the developers large discounts or incentives, single family homes don’t pencil out in finances right now.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if government subsidized housing is the same as affordable housing. Schilling and Mitchell confirmed they are not the same. Projects by Polk Community Development Corporation have government subsidies. But projects like Tokola Properties are private developers who will be looking to make a profit.
Councilor Schilling also explained larger developments with more units are what people can afford these days. Councilor Shein added, “this is the world we live in now.”
Councilor Fitzgerald asked to clarify why materials are cheaper on large apartment projects, versus a single family home. Schilling explained material costs don’t change but the affordability does. It is harder for 1 home owner to afford the materials to build 1 house, than it is for many people to afford a larger building split between all of them. Per living unit, apartments are cheaper to build.
With all of this discussion, Mitchell again told the Council to expect a rise in multi-family housing buildings in the future.
The City Manager added that the city doesn’t set a preference on what is built. Projects are determined by developers and what they can afford to build. There is land available for both single family and multi-family projects.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked again why developers would build multi-family housing. The City Manager shared it is because that is what the developers can afford.
Councilor Barrientos asked if there was a different price on System Development Charges (SDC) for single family vs. multi-family developments. If so, is the city losing out on SDCs when a multi-family project is built? City Manager Latta explained there are different charges for the 2 categories but the city doesn’t lose out fees, as each SDC is already scheduled.
Councilor Schilling pointed out that in multi-family buildings (like an apartment complex) there are multiple accounts paying city rates rather than in 1 account for a single family home. This will help revenue as the city grows.
Schilling asked to confirm if the state had mandates on required amounts of available land for housing types. City Manager Latta confirmed there are state mandates. The city could offer incentives for 1 type of housing over the other but the city cannot create roadblocks or moratoriums on housing types.
Councilor Schilling added if the city wanted more single family homes, it would need to offer incentives for developers to build them.
Councilor Shein added that SDCs are based on what the city thinks the street or sewer line will cost to build. If SDCs are waived as incentives for developers, the city still has to build the street or sewer line, but now without the SDC funds. Offering incentives can be a short term stimulus, but there are consequences that follow.
Moving on to the next division, the Economic Development Division proactively goes out to visit businesses in Dallas. In 2025, there were 19 business visits made. Mitchell shared it is better to keep the businesses you have than going out to find new ones.
In 2019, 47 businesses opened up in Dallas. In 2025, 95% of those business are still operating in Dallas.
In 2025, the City of Dallas out performed Oregon state in the increased rate of businesses. Dallas saw a 1% increase in businesses, while the state overall saw a -0.4% decrease.
The new Ace Hardware store (replacing the old Rite Aid location) is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026.
Mitchell also shared that Economic Development Specialist Tyler Ferrari is certified with the State of Oregon, and Mitchell is certified internationally.
The Polk County Community Card is a growing county wide program offering gift cards to use at local businesses.
Councilor Shein asked for some more information on this program. Tyler Ferrari presented the Council with more information. The card can be used at local businesses in Dallas and across Polk County.
They stopped producing physical cards to save money. Digital cards are now purchased online through the Yiftee app. Starting this year, people can download the Yiftee gift card into their Android and Apple digital wallets for easier use.
Get the Polk Community Gift Card
Shein asked how the card is promoted. Local non-profits (like Dallas Downtown Association) help to advertise, and stickers are available for shop windows. There are also promotions to buy $25, and get an additional $10, or to buy $100 and get an extra $50.
Ferrari shared this program started in 2021 with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Original funds are still leftover, so Ferrari expects more promotions are likely.
Lastly, the Urban Renewal Division is working on projects like 791 Main Street. Tokola Properties is under an exclusive agreement with the city to gather data and see if they can afford a project on this property. If they cannot pencil out a project, the city could consider offering an incentive to try and close any funding gap.
Mitchell also shared that West Valley Hospital is investing to grow in Dallas. Stated it seems like every few months the division sees applications from the Hospital for expansions or new projects.
The Downtown Urban Renewal District is seeing solid return on the investments made through available renewal grants, according to Mitchell.
Mitchell said there is work going on behind the scenes on The Mill Site. Relationships are being formed and discussions about money for the Ash Creek relocation project are beginning. Most of this work is done between the property owner and the State of Oregon. More information about this project will come this year, including what role the city will have versus the property owner.
Councilor Jantz asked to confirm that the city is not planning to spend $40 million on the Mill Site. Mitchell confirmed the city doesn’t even have $40 million to spend on this project. The city is actually still deciding what role they want to have on this project going forward.
City Manager Latta added information about the Ash Creek relocation project. The city has 2 roadways affected by the creek (Main Street and Uglow Street). Even if the creek is not relocated, the culverts under those streets would have to be widened for flooding issues. Latta said those 2 projects alone would be very expensive at around $10 million each. Those, however, are future projects.
The City Manager said the relocation of the creek mostly benefits the property owner. No city or Urban Renewal money will be spent on this project at all. The only money that has been spent on the Mill Site has been received through grants and was used to complete the Mill Site Plan.
Learn more about the Mill Site Plan from when the Council approved it.
Council President Briggs asked if our federal representatives have been contacted about the creek and project. City Manager Latta confirmed Representative Salinas and Senator Merkley have been contacted, their teams have seen the project, and are aware.
Councilor Shein asked if there were any businesses interested in new opportunities in the South Dallas Urban Renewal District. Mitchell said there are no plans yet. The city has been trying to contact property owners in the South Urban Renewal District. So far not much information is being shared with the city. Shein noted it’s still the early days of the District.
What happened? The Council received part 2 of the annual report for this department. No official action took place.
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent:
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
Amendment to the Development Code – Indoor Recreation
A public hearing was held to change the city Development Code to add a new land use category of Indoor Recreation in an industrial zone. Jess Ballew, City Planner for Dallas, presented the staff report to the Council.
Staff Report
This change would allow businesses like gymnasiums, athletic or health clubs, dance or martial arts studios, game halls, and arcades to operate in commercial, residential, and industrial zones.
The Mayor asked to confirm if a gym in the industrial zone needs a conditional use for outdoor recreation, but indoor recreation is a permitted use. Ballew confirmed that the Planning Commission added the conditional use on outdoor recreation.
Council President Briggs asked what a conditional use does. Ballew explained conditional uses require more review because they can create impacts on surrounding community. For example, it would require projects to have a public hearing at the Planning Commission. It gives the city an extra layer to review those projects.
- Conditional use – something requires more review, including a public hearing and vote of approval at the Planning Commission
- Permitted use – something is already allowed by the code
Councilor Fitzgerald asked why this land use is allowed in a residential zone. Ballew said residential zones would require a conditional use so there would be an extra layer of review. Fitzgerald asked if apartment gyms are considered under this land use proposal. Apartment gyms are not considered because they are available only to people who live in those apartments. Gyms under this land use would be for-profit companies.
Councilor Fitzgerald stated opposition to seeing this land use at all in a residential zone.
Councilor Holsapple sought clarification about apartment gyms not being affected. Apartment gyms are different because they are an accessory use to the apartment, not a stand alone business.
Councilor Shein expressed confusion why the Planning Commission would add a conditional use inside the industrial zone. Conditional uses help to consider affects of things like noise to the surrounding community. In an industrial zone, those concerns are not likely to come up at all. Ballew noted there was also some Planning Commission concern about losing industrial land in the city.
Public Comment
- Dallas Resident – In Support
- Confirmed no gym business owner wants to go into a residential zone
- A gym being in an industrial zone is not new in Oregon
- Salem has several large buildings like this now
- All with heavy industrial neighbors
- Possibility of 2 large gyms in downtown Dallas relocating if approved
- They can move to an industrial site still in Dallas
- 20,000 sq ft each could become available for commercial use in downtown
- Previous private clubs can turn into open commercial space
- Believes this is a good thing for the city
- Industrial land doesn’t need to be preserved
- Its been vacant for a long time
- Prefers a permitted use over a conditional use in industrial zone
- Permitted use works in other cities
- Dallas Resident – In Support
- This land use will help support the long term health and economic viability of the community
- Businesses will stay in Dallas instead of going to another town
- This will increase the city tax revenue
- Resident is an industrial property owner
- Wants to create stable and well managed spaces
- Had to decline tenants previously
- They went to another community
- Wants to keep businesses in Dallas
- Asked the Council to approve
- Dallas Resident – In Support
- Local business owner – Strive Athletics
- This will affect them a lot
- A larger space to safely practice is already needed
- Peak business hours are after most industrial use has stopped
- The timing works well
- Was offered space in Monmouth and Independence but they turned it down
- Wants to stay in Dallas
- Wants to help the community
- Dallas Resident – In Support
- Agreed with other speakers
- Spoke of the opportunity for available commercial space in downtown
- Residents want to enjoy shopping downtown
- Commercial space available if World Gym and Harvest CrossFit could relocate to an industrial site in Dallas
- New open space in downtown
- If they can’t move, they will have to stay downtown for a long time
- Wants a permitted use for the industrial zone
- Business owners are treading water and don’t want more procedures to go through
- That would make it harder to dream up future plans
- Hoped the Council agreed
Council Discussion
Councilor Shein believed this is all a positive with no down side. Not sure why the conditional use was added for the industrial zone. It should be a permitted use.
The City Manager read the purpose of a conditional use from the development code. Doesn’t believe a conditional use for this purpose is relevant in an industrial zone.
Councilor Schilling agreed with Shein on the permitted use. Also agreed with Fitzgerald on striking the land use from residential zones completely. Several Councilors voiced support for these items as well.
Voting
What happened? After the Public Hearing, the Council voted to approve this item with 2 changes: 1 – No outdoor or indoor recreation land use will be allowed in residential zones, and 2 – A permitted use is approved for this in the industrial zone.
This item will come back to the Council in their Feb 17, 2026 meeting as an ordinance for the 1st of 2 readings.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Public Comment
- Dallas resident
- Asked the Council to consider how much waste collection they really need
- Resident only fills a 20 gallon bin 1 time a month
- Trucks don’t always need to stop at the house
- But prices have still increased
- 20 year client of Republic Service
- Bill has tripled
- Choices for service remain unchanged
- Disappointed with franchise offerings
- No competition for service allowed
- Out-of-state customer service call centers
- They don’t know where we are
- They don’t know Oregon’s standard operating procedure
- Asked if Republic offers veteran or senior discounts
- Asked if they offer monthly or twice monthly pick up
- Wants a local call service with people who know where we live
- Gave thanks to the truck drivers and billing people
- Resident admitted to calling them a lot
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- By the time of the next meeting (Feb 17) the pool will be closed
- Resurfacing the leisure pool
- $115,000 project
- Removing the fountain and installing a kid slide
- $15,000 project
- Spa Pump
- $ 12,000 project
- 50 donors gave to this project
- It’s now ordered
- $ 12,000 project
- Resurfacing the leisure pool
- Planning to bring in checks for the pool fund soon
- By the time of the next meeting (Feb 17) the pool will be closed
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?
- OLCC License for Dallas Liquor – pg. 13
- Approve the January 20, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 16
- Approve the January 20, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 17
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling expressed appreciation for those who gave testimony and public comment.
City Manager report
Solid Waste Rates Discussion
Republic Services (Republic) is the company responsible for picking up garbage, yard debris, and recycling in the City of Dallas. The Council must approve any changes to the garbage rate. Republic has requested a 3% increase to their rates for 2026. Julie Jackson, a representative from Republic, was present to answer questions.
- How much is a 3% rate increase?
- per month increase for residential customers
- $0.79 – 20 gallon cart
- $0.84 – 32 gallon cart
- $1.07 – 64 gallon cart
- $1.30 – 90 gallon cart
- per month increase for residential customers
Jackson shared some information to the Council showing Dallas residents are taking proactive steps to reduce their garbage waste. After weekly recycling and yard debris pick-up was introduced, many people reduced the size of their garbage bins, saving them money.
Councilor Shein inquired about charging less for smaller carts. The trucks still drive the same routes and it takes the same amount of time to pick up cans regardless of its size. Asked if the difference in cost is because there is less waste to get rid of in the smaller bin. Jackson confirmed, that is the reason for the smaller cost.
During public comment, a resident noted using only a 20 gallon garbage bin size, Jackson said not many people can go that small. Jackson also answered the public comment about on-call pick up service. It is available for garbage, but yard and recycling on-call would require an additional charge.
Included in the information Republic provided to the Council was a Schedule of Direct Expenses (pg. 45) and a Statement of Income (pg. 46). Expenses showed a 2023 to 2024 increase of 11% in operation costs and 26% increase in Sales, General, and Administrative expenses. The Income Statement showed a 22.2% increase in Net Income from 2023 to 2024.
Jackson noted that after combining all expenses and revenue, Republic has about a 9% increase in revenue year-over-year. Pointing to Oregon State Ordinance ORS459, franchise operators can make a reasonable rate of return. Jackson noted Republic’s 9% year-over-year increase falls in that allowed rate.
“So you’re right, there’s about a 9% increase in revenue year-over-year. I don’t really make any apologies for that.”
- Julie Jackson – Republic Services Representative
Jackson also noted, small rate increases each year prevent large rate increases every few years. Republic tries to make the increases small but predictable instead of large and infrequent.
Council President Briggs stated it is hard to justify a 3% increase when Republic’s income went up. While Briggs doesn’t fault Republic for making a profit, it just makes it hard to justify increases to the citizens. Briggs also suggested that gas prices and other expenses might come down in 2026. Doesn’t believe front loading the rate for a buffer in later years is the right approach now.
The City Manager addressed state ordinance ORS459 and asked what the allowed margin is. Jackson noted Republic uses the industry standard of 8-13% revenue, and admitted they are on the high end of what is allowed for last year.
Later in the discussion, the City Manager pointed out that a decrease of 3% in margin (if the rate increase was not passed) would still keep Republic in the 8-13% profit margin for this year, allowed by ORS459.
Councilor Barrientos asked, if the Council did not approve any increase this year, what would be the potential rate increase next year, and could it be as high as 10-11%? Jackson said it’s hard to say this early, but the increase would likely not get as high as 10-11%. Barrientos stated agreement with no increase this year.
Jackson pointed out that most operating costs goes towards paying their employees. Republic pays their employees a living wage and will likely raise pay regardless of the Council’s decision.
Councilor Fitzgerald confirmed Republic saw a 13% increase last year in revenue (not just year-over-year) even with rising costs. Jackson confirmed. Fitzgerald asked, if gas prices go down and Republic expenses go down, would they give a rate decrease? Jackson stated rates never go down because communities are always growing.
Councilor Shein recalled time in the airline industry and stated the fluctuation of gas pricing is real.
Councilor Barrientos suggested the Council could also consider any number between 3 and 0% for an increase.
Councilor Holsapple said that given the economy and budgets, it is the Council’s responsibility to not add an extra burden to the citizens if it’s not needed.
Council President Briggs suggested a mid-year review might be an option with no rate increase.
Councilor Shein stated the increase will likely not pass. Personally, Shein is unsure. Smaller frequent increases are a way to avoid large unforeseen issues in the future. Noted the small and frequent increase is the method the Council uses with city rates.
Councilor Holsapple stated agreement with the 6 month review suggested by Briggs.
What happened? The Council voted 9-0 to hold the garbage rate as-is for 2026 and to revisit the topic in 6 months.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
ORDINANCES
No. 1918 – allow for the reservation of the shelter at Barnard Park
The Council passed the 2nd reading of this ordinance and voted to adopt it. It will add the new picnic shelter at John C. Barnard Park to the city’s reservation system.
- Available for 2026 reservations
- Seibert-Frederickson Memorial Shelter – Dallas City Park
- The Gazebo – Dallas City Park
- Brandvold Kitchen – Dallas City Park
- Rotary Performing Arts Stage – Rotary Park
- New Shelter – John C. Barnard Park
What happened? The Council passed the reading and then voted to adopt the ordinance in a 9-0 vote. The ordinance will be effective on March 4, 2026.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3559 – Repealing Resolution No. 3424
In 2019, Resolution No. 3424 set a 15 minute parking time limit on Washington Street’s north side next to the old dry-cleaners. Since then, a new business owner set up at the address and asked to have the parking time limit changed back to 2 hours.
The City Manager explained this is on Washington Street’s north side, between Jefferson Street and Church Street.
What happened? The Council voted in favor of changing this parking time limit from 15 minutes to 2 hours. It took effect immediately.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, 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
