-Topics-
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Councilor Barrientos
Council goals quarterly review
The Council heard reports from each city department on their status of the 2025-2027 Council goals. These updates are given 2 times each year.
Check out the wrap up from the 1st goal status report in July 2025.
These goals were originally set in Feb 2025 in a work session led by SSW Consulting. The goals were officially adopted in April 2025.
5 GOALS AND THEIR OBJECTIVES:
- Community Safety
- Secure funding, complete design, and build new police station
- Conduct community education and outreach on police station bond measure
- Plan for the future needs of fire response with projected community growth (e.g., Increased height of buildings and access; updates to training and fire code, etc.)
- Improve public outreach with community organizations to support community disaster preparedness
- Increase lighting in parks
- Increase community-led crime prevention efforts (e.g. neighborhood outreach, community partners)
- Balanced Economy
- Adopt the La Creole Master Plan
- Solicit and secure development partner for 791 Main Street Building
- Attract businesses to Dallas
- Complete rezoning for La Creole Node within City limits
- Continue business-friendly environment to support development of local economy
- Develop and adopt the Mill Site development plan
- Community Growth
- Obtain water storage rights permit
- Complete design for Mercer Dam
- Identify and secure funding for Mercer Dam
- Update Transportation System Plan
- Complete phase 2 of sewer access for La Creole Node
- Update Water Master Plan
- Update Sewer Master Plan
- Complete construction of the new Public Works building
- Design and build James Howe Road Water Storage
- Update Storm Water Master Plan
- Complete filter upgrade at the water treatment plant
- Update Parks Master Plan
- Conduct space planning analysis to inform renovation recommendations to increase efficiency at City Hall
- Welcoming Community
- Attract businesses to support recreation tourism
- Develop 2050 Community Vision
- Partner with local and regional organizations to promote tourism in Dallas
- Recreation
- Connect the trail system
- Increase promotion of recreation opportunities (activity guide, social media, etc.)
- Support more community events through community partnerships
- Update Parks Master Plan
- Increase breadth of recreation opportunities for all ages
- Explore development code revision to prioritize larger park space with new developments
Public Works – Director Jennifer Ward
Public Works Director Jennifer Ward reported that out of all their goals: 2 goals are completed and 9 are still in progress but expected to be completed at the end of 2026. 3 goals will be moving to 2027 for completion.
One ongoing project is the Rickreall Creek Trail. Council President Briggs asked for a status update on the trail. Ward reported on the remaining missing trail connections. The trail section connecting West Applegate Trail Dr (off Oregon Trail Rd) to Kingsborough Park will soon be designed.
Councilor Spivey noted that is a technically hard spot. Ward confirmed, and explained most of the remaining sections of the trail are technically difficult, require a lot of engineering, and will cost more money.
Sgt. Ian M. Tawney Park needs to be connected to the Aquatic Center. A portion of this trail section design is already complete. The new Public Works building and a new neighborhood called Crystal Estates have their path sections already designed for this area.
The trail at the end of Barberry Ave. will eventually connect to John C. Barnard Park. Lastly the trail will follow Fir Villa Rd from Barnard Park to the Dallas Golf Club.
Council President Briggs asked if there will be any construction on the trail this year. Ward answered that the Fir Villa to Golf Club section will possibly be a capital project in Spring 2027.
Another ongoing Public Works project is the new dam. Ward explained that sources of funding have been identified but not secured for all of the dam projects.
City Manager Latta reported meeting with Rep. Anna Scharf about getting clear guidelines from agencies involved in the water rights for the dam. A future meeting with Latta, Scharf, and agencies involved is being planned. The hope is to get firm answers that don’t change in the future. For example, the city wants to make sure the current studies required will still be relevant and acceptable when construction starts in 5-10 years.
Councilor Shein suggested asking (in the future meeting with agencies) what surprises we should expect throughout the process. City Manager Latta pointed out no new dams have been built in Oregon for many years, so there is a lack of protocol. What was asked for last year has already changed this year. The city will be looking for consistency from the agencies.
Economic and Community Development – Director Charlie Mitchell
Half of the Economic and Community Development department goals are already complete. Director Charlie Mitchell reported on several of the main projects still in progress.
791 Main St. is currently under an exclusive negotiating agreement with Tokola Properties. This will allow Tokola and the city to research a potential project and its practicality.
The La Creole Node’s next step is to work on zoning. This step will need to wait for the Transportation System Plan to be complete.
The Dallas Mill Site’s next main project is to relocate Ash Creek. This is a complex and expensive project.
Council President Briggs asked if the Mill Site development a was project that could be done in phases. Mitchell said it is possible, but noted this is a private property so the owners really need to make the next moves. The city is helping to facilitate the plans for this large area.
Due to Ash Creek’s current location underground, it cuts the size of the property in half which limits potential development. The underground creek is also a constant flood issue.
A proposed East-West road connection through the south of the Mill Site can’t be designed until the creek’s location is known. Streets are usually paid for when development occurs on them. So the order of projects on the Mill Site are important.
Learn more: check out the Wrap Up from when the Mill Site was approved in June 2025.
City Manager Latta also discussed the funding options for the Mill Site and the creek. The current safety fee on the city bill could help fund this project since the creek relocation would help prevent flooding from Ash Creek. The city still needs to look at financial projections and plans. The creek is the first step, and the city is in an evaluation stage.
Mitchell added that the Mill Site is in the South Dallas Urban Renewal District, which is still new but will have its own dedicated funding source.
Councilor Schilling also stated the property owners biggest issue is the creek. The creek is the key to the property. Any development is only an ‘if’ while the creek is in its current location.
Councilor Holsapple asked if there were any other issues aside from funding with the creek. There will be permits and some regulations associated with the creek relocation, but City Manager Latta expects the daylighting of Ash Creek to have support from agencies and regulators.
Councilor Schilling added that the process for daylighting the creek will be mostly dry earth work. The new creek construction site won’t disrupt the current creek. This separation of work sites for the majority of the construction will reduce concerns from agencies. When the new creek bed is finished only the beginning and ending connection points will interact with the current creek.
On a different subject, Mitchell noted the city is almost done handing over all community events to local organizations. The continuing success of community events after transitioning was acknowledged and praised.
Councilor Shein gave a special thanks to the Library and all of their successful community events. Shein asked if there were any plans for the recently closed West Valley Taphouse in downtown. Mitchell noted there is discussion of Two Wolves Taproom moving into the site. Unsure of what would happen with the old Two Wolves space however.
Councilor Spivey asked when the new liquor store is opening. Mitchell did not know an opening date but confirmed there is no hold up from the city.
Police – Chief Jerry Mott
The Council have all agreed that a goal of theirs is to have a Police station. Chief of Police Jerry Mott noted that is an ongoing goal and it will be discussed more in-depth in the next meeting.
Mott reported engaging with Home Owner Associations (HOA) and other groups to further help community engagement. The Fire & EMS Chief will be joining Mott in attending neighborhood meetings this coming year.
Councilor Holsapple asked how many HOAs there are in the city. Mott counted 4 formal HOAs and 3 neighborhood clubs.
Councilor Shein, noting a number of new developments in the Bridelwood neighborhood, asked how active their HOA is. Mott said he met with them last year and has another meeting planned this year but said it is less active than in the past. There is a working relationship with the HOA President.
City Manager’s Office – City Manager Brian Latta
Plans are almost complete for how to better utilize the 2nd floor of City Hall for city purposes. The funding for this came from the American Rescue Plan Act (2021) funds. City Manager Latta said final designs should be completed soon.
The city will soon be working on what comes after the 2030 vision, which will be the 2050 vision. Process work for this update is expected to start later this month with the Council.
Fire & EMS – Chief April Wallace
The last strategic plan for the department was in 2016. Fire & EMS Chief April Wallace explained work for this goal is beginning by gathering ideas from other cities. However there is no money in the budget this year to hire a consultant to formally begin work on a strategic plan.
Council President Briggs asked what the consultant would do for the strategic plan. Wallace noted a consultant would be able to asses current training, department response, community programs, call volumes, and current resources. The consultant would also use dispatch data, and hold community open houses to gather information. The consultant then makes recommendations for improvement and plans how to best utilize resources available.
Wallace said the 2016 strategic report is still available, but a lot of things have changed in the department since then. Councilor Shein added today is a different landscape than 2016.
Council President Briggs thanked all of the department leaders for their work over the last year.
What happened? The Council received their 2nd status report of Council goals for 2025-2027. 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 Comment
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Only goal is to raise money to fix or replace things that go wrong
- Spa pump went out at the end of Nov.
- Asked for (tax deducible) donations at the Aquatic Center for the spa
- Needed $6,000
- Raised $9,590.50 (to date)
- 1 person gave $3,000
- 3 people gave $1,000 each
- 1 person from Alaska gave $10
- Maybe visited Dallas?
- People donated from
- Dallas
- Rickreall
- Independence
- Corvallis
- Monmouth
- Willamina
- Asked for (tax deducible) donations at the Aquatic Center for the spa
- Gave the city two $5,000 checks for the pool fund
- Received applause from the audience and Council
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 December 15, 2025 Work Session meeting minutes (pg. 3)
- Approve the December 15, 2025 City Council meeting minutes (pg. 4)
- Council standing committee assignments (pg. 5-6)
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling gave a update from the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT).
Perrydale Road to Kings Valley Highway at Hwy 22 will start construction on a roundabout in summer 2026, and be completed in 2027.
Work on the Center Street Bridge going into Salem will be delayed until Aug or Sep 2026. 2 lanes will now remain open at all times, except for 2 nights when all 4 lanes will close.
Funding has been identified for a left turn overpass for traffic going to Independence from Hwy 22.
Councilor Barrientos spoke about the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3203. This is a local post that doesn’t have a place to call home. Noted the veterans are currently meeting monthly at a local restaurant (Westside Pacific Family Restaurant & Saloon). Suggested helping this VFW post find a location by discussing it in a Council sub-committee.
The topic was referred to the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
City Manager report
City Committee, Commission & Board Appointments
The Mayor recommend 3 people to fill vacancies on the Parks Advisory Board and the Planning Commission. The Council approved those appointments.
The Council also approved and appointed 3 members to the Budget Committee. There is still 1 more vacancy left on the Budget Committee.
Read more: You can read the applications for each person in the agenda pg. 9-20.
Boost your Signal: Want to apply for the Budget Committee? Fill out the application here, and email it to the City Recorder: [email protected].
What happened? The Council voted unanimously to approve all of the appointments.
Police Station
The Council faced the decision of how to move forward with their goal of a Police building. A new 5th option joined the list of ideas to consider after city staff felt the value engineering process didn’t reduce overall costs enough.
“While each of those options reduces the cost of the project, the question remains is it enough? This question led city staff to pivot into another direction…”
Staff report pg.23
The new idea is to remodel the IO building for city staff use. City Hall would then become the dedicated Police building. The city asked Dalke Construction to give an estimate to remodel the IO building for city offices. With some added items, the total IO remodel would cost just under $2 million.
While this new options reduces the initial cost, there would be future funding needs for the old City Hall building. The 1st large project would be to seismically retrofit the old City Hall. There is a potential $2.5 million grant from the State of Oregon the city can apply for to help with the retrofit. Additional remodels and projects will need to be determined and planned for.
- POLICE BUILDING OPTIONS
- Option 1
- Original 2 story L shape building
- 13,000 sq. ft.
- $18.4 million
- higher now due to inflation
- Original 2 story L shape building
- Option 2
- 3 story block building
- 13,781 sq. ft.
- $17.1 million
- 3 story block building
- Option 3
- 3 story block building (3rd floor unfinished)
- 9,792 sq. ft.
- 3,989 sq. ft. unfinished
- $16.1 million
- 9,792 sq. ft.
- 3 story block building (3rd floor unfinished)
- Option 4
- 2 story block building
- 9,792 sq. ft.
- $14.3 million
- 2 story block building
- Option 5
- City Hall/IO remodel
- 22,120 sq. ft
- $2.5 million
- Only pays for IO remodel and design fees for a future City Hall remodel
- City Hall/IO remodel
- Option 1
The cost of this City Hall/IO remodel would be funded through a 10 year interfund loan. Repayment of the loan would come in the form of an $8 per month fee on residents city (sewer) bill. It could also be a tiered fee to have a lower upfront number that increases each year up to $8 max.
This new fee would be a long term fee however. After paying off the IO remodel, it would pay for future projects to the Police Building (old City Hall). The fee could also be used to pay for other public safety expenses like public safety facility maintenance, or new police vehicles, ambulances, & fire trucks.
The other building options would be funded through a 20 year bond with a monthly fee on resident’s city (sewer) bill of $13-15.
- FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE POLICE BUILDING
- Options 1-4
- 20 year revenue bond
- $13-15 fee per month on city (sewer) bill
- 20 year revenue bond
- Option 5
- 10 year interloan fund
- $8 fee per month on city (sewer) bill
- Tiered fee variation: year 1 = $5, goes up $1 each year until it caps at $8
- $8 fee per month on city (sewer) bill
- 10 year interloan fund
- Options 1-4
City Manager Latta explained that even after all the work done on option 1 (the original L shaped building) this option shouldn’t be considered. Since the voters rejected the $17.1 million ask in May 2025, Latta didn’t see any reason to ask them for $18.4 million for the same building.
Councilor Shein stated option 5 looks like a “no-brainer”. Asked if the $5 starting tier fee could be any lower. The City Manager explained it is possible. Option 5 was done on conservative numbers for the remodel, and if the actual budget is less then the fee could be lowered. Shein also pointed out that if city staff were in a remodeled IO building there would be no stairs or elevators for the public to use, making the staff more accessible.
Councilor Holsapple disagrees that going with option 5 is the right course. The goal of the Council was to build a Police building, not remodel a building. Believes option 5 is what happens when the Council doesn’t accomplish their goal. Option 5 is a fall back. Holsapple supports option 3 and believes it is what the city is asking for.
Council President Briggs asked what the monthly fee would be for option 3. City Manager Latta said it would fall around $14 per month.
Councilor Holsapple recalled it is $14 per month for option 3, and $8 per month for option 5. Latta reminded the Council that the $8 fee would have no end date, whereas the other option fees would have a fixed end date.
Councilor Spivey asked for clarification why the $8 fee would have no end date. Latta explained option 5’s remodel of the IO building would be paid off in 10 years, but the fee would continue to pay for the future seismic retrofit and other remodeling needs for the Police building (old City Hall). Spivey asked if there were any city fees due to end soon. Latta said there were none.
Council President Briggs worried that the $8 fee with no end date isn’t a good look. Asked if the fee could have an end date. Latta said actual budgets would need to be set to understand that possibility.
Councilor Jantz asked to confirm that option 3 would save about $10 million in debt service over option 1. This was confirmed by the City Manager. Because there are more payers in the 20 year revenue bond than the original 30 year property tax bond, the debt is paid 10 years faster equaling about $10 million in savings.
Councilor Spivey asked about the court/council room and civic center on the main floor and their use if it became a Police building. These spaces would still be available for shared use with the public.
Councilor Barrientos asked for clarification on the number estimated for a seismic retrofit on the building. City Manager Latta explained the cost for a retrofit is still unknown, but there is a $2.1 million state grant to help offset retrofits for public safety buildings.
Council President Briggs is not sure the public will stomach another ask for a Police building. Also noted a concern if they go back to ask the public and are turned down. How would it look if the Council then went with option 5 after a 2nd “no”?
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if option 5 could be put on the ballot. Latta said yes it could. None of the options require asking the public but due to the large ask of options 1-4 it makes sense to ask. Option 5 is much smaller and there are a lot of unknowns for the future needs of City Hall. That makes option 5 more of a “squishy ask”.
Councilor Shein asked what the timeline would be to have a plan for the retrofit of the City Hall building. Latta expected at a minimum 6 months for a plan. However the $8 fee would need to be active to be able to pay for the plan itself.
Shein added that experience says if Dallas voters say “no” at $17 million, they will say “no” at $16 million. The feedback from the voters was this was too much money. Option 5 is a realistic ask based on that feedback.
Councilor Holsapple countered that the previous ballot only lost by 500 votes. Also, the voters would be looking at a new design and new funding option. Holsapple believes this is enough for a new ask to the public and doesn’t see a downside in asking.
Councilor Shein stated there is a political downside. In the past, reaction from the public after being asked something twice is, “didn’t you hear us the 1st time?”
Councilor Schilling reminded everyone they are having the discussion because there is a need. With no Police building, they are spread across 3 buildings in disconnected spaces. Victims are interviewed in the entry way of City Hall, and that is not ok. Schilling also heard from the public they don’t want anything over $10 million. The public also asked why the IO building wasn’t being used.
Councilor Schilling stated support for option 5 and believes the public doesn’t want a new building. Recommended that the tier fee option be used with Council required to approve any increase to the fee. This $8 fee would also help pay for future critical and expensive ambulance and fire truck needs. Without this fee, the city will have to come ask the public again separately for those funds.
Councilor Barrientos recalled being a Police officer in Dallas in 2003. Interviewing victims in the entry was not and is not a standard practice, but it has happened. Even 1 time of this happening is bad and stated victims should be able to be interviewed in private. Barrientos believes option 5 is a back up option, but in the short term it makes sense. Would prefer a short term solution ready to go, than a delay in asking for more. Therefore Barrientos supports option 5.
Councilor Shein agrees with Schilling’s idea to make the $8 fee tiered with any increase needing approval from the Council. The City Manager explained that the annual increase was calculated to pay off the loan, so any adjustment could jeopardize that debt repayment. However, final budgets and analysis are still needed on option 5 and its funding if it is selected.
Council President Briggs noted sympathy to those who want a new Police building. However citizens have a different look on it. In an effort to listen to the voters, Briggs supports option 5.
What happened? The Council voted 8-1 in support of option 5. More research will take place on this option and the topic will come back to the Council in the future for more discussion.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For Option 5: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: Councilor Holsapple
Council Policies
Updates and modifications to Council policies were approved unanimously. The Public Administration Committee (a sub-committee of the Council) reviewed and approved these changes in their Nov. 2025 meeting.
One of the changes removed language related to who is responsible to understand city policy related to fraud.
Another policy change clarified what funds are under the city enterprise category.
Read More: You can review all of the Council policies and changes in the agenda, pg. 38-65.
What happened? The Council voted unanimously to approve and adopt all of the changes.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Water Master Plan
Projects to improve and update the city water system have been ongoing under a 2009 Water Master Plan (WMP). While some of the projects in the WMP have been completed there are projects that still remain. However, given inflation and other factors, the original budgets made in 2009 are no longer relevant.
The Council was asked to approve an update to the WMP and specifically its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), The update, done through a technical memorandum, will bring the project estimates to current pricing.
According to the staff report, the update technical memorandum will also “perform some preliminary engineering to help define and provide cost estimates for some additional projects.”
Councilor Holsapple asked if 2025 numbers were used in the CIP. Ward confirmed 2025 numbers were used.
Councilor Schilling asked about some on the projects related to fish ponds. Ward noted those projects were not in the scope of this update.
Council President Briggs inquired about the Clay Street reservoir and if it was due for replacement. Ward confirmed the 100 year old reservoir does need to be replaced. Due to the large price tag of replacing the Clay St. reservoir, they are currently looking if the water can be captured at the James Howe Road site instead. If the James Howe site can accommodate the additional water then the Clay St. reservoir would go offline.
Councilor Schilling asked if that change would affect water pressure in the area. Assistant Public Works Director Jake Dyer confirmed both Clay St and James Howe Rd are on the same pressure system so there would be no change in water pressure.
Read more: You can review the entire Update Technical Memorandum on pg. 68-112
What happened? The Council approved the update to the Water Master Plan, which updated project estimates to current pricing.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Falls City Municipal Court IGA
Falls City asked for help to offer municipal court services and the Council approved an agreement to let Dallas fill that need. Staff at Dallas’ Municipal Court have expressed a willingness to take on the additional Falls City workload, according to the staff report.
In return for court services, Dallas will, “receive 35% of the net revenues from fines collected by the court for Falls City cases”. (pg.113 council agenda). The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was already accepted by Falls City.
Council President Briggs, Councilors Holsapple, and Spivey asked some clarifying questions about the agreement. Spivey also recommended a 6 month review of the agreement.
Councilor Barrientos asked if local police agencies were aware of this change. The City Manager confirmed once the agreement is in place agencies would be notified.
Councilor Shein made several grammatical changes and small edits to the document. 1 change included 1 sentence that stopped mid-thought with no conclusion.
Read more: Review the entire IGA document, pg. 114-118 of the council agenda.
What happened? The Council approved the IGA (and edits) with Falls City to offer municipal court services in a 9-0 vote.
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
