-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein.
Planning Commission: President Swanson, Vice President Groh, Kowash, Newell, Schulte, and Whyte.
Absent: Councilors Fitzgerald, Spivey, and Commissioner Banford
Transportation System Plan Update
The Council met with the Planning Commission to review the current status of the new Transportation System Plan (TSP) for the City of Dallas. Matt Bell, an Associate Planner from Kittelson & Associates, presented the TSP to the Council.
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 TSP update is being supported by Kittelson (the consultant team) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). A Project Advisory Committee (PAC), made up of members of the City Council, local business owners, residents, and others, have also contributed to the TSP throughout the project. The last TSP was created in 2008.
Remember when? The Council and Planning Commission met in Feb 2026 for the 1st TSP update. Check out the Wrap Up from that meeting.
While the TSP is not complete yet, the Council and Planning Commission had this work session to effect the final “proposed policy updates and preferred improvement projects.” (staff report, work session pg. 2)
Councilor Shein thanked Bell for the previous TSP meetings and the level of information provided, including responding to suggestions from the PAC.
Streets and Intersections
Bell pointed out that the Rickreall Creek Trail and Safe Routes to School were not included on the projects list. Those plans will be added in full to the TSP. The other project lists are being discussed now because they involve trade offs to review.
A lot of the intersections in the city have constraints, so the TSP is focusing more on connectivity around the area of intersections to lift some of the pressure. The current project list is not reflective of recent changes proposed in the PAC meeting, but those changes will be presented in the final TSP.
Council President Briggs asked about the intersection of Washington Street and Jefferson Street. Bell noted the intersection is not hitting the level needed for a full traffic signal, but said the extra safety concerns are noted. That intersection will stay in the new TSP under a medium priority.
Planning Commission President Swanson asked about how Hawthorne Avenue will connect into Ellendale Avenue once Hawthorne is linked on the south (next to Academy Street). Bell said once that connection is made the Ellendale intersection would be considered, but it hasn’t been mentioned yet in previous meetings.
It was added that there will be some ODOT considerations of a future Hawthorne connecting to Ellendale. ODOT has standard spacing requirements between intersections on state roads that will cause issues on Ellendale.
Councilor Shein added ODOT usually has a 1 size fits all solution to any issue. Bell noted there will be multiple ODOT rules to consider with that potential intersection.
Council President Briggs said a full intersection at Ellendale and Hawthorne would definitely change dynamics.
Councilor Schilling asked if that area is in city limits yet, and if not when the city would annex it. City Manager Latta answered there are city owned properties and rights-of-way that could be annexed at any time. Latta said it might be a good time to consider annexation when Hankel Street is connected through Hawthorne Ave.
Councilor Schilling wanted to confirm that in 2009 ODOT would not allow an intersection at Hawthorne and Ellendale if Hawthorne was connected to its southern end. City Manager Latta noted, in the long term, that might not be an open intersection.
Schilling added residents commented that they enjoyed having other neighborhood access from Golden Chain Avenue when Hawthorne and Ellendale was closed (last year during sewer construction). Latta said that feedback would be considered.
Councilor Schilling also asked about the naming process for Hayter Street when it changes direction towards the west and connects into Bridlewood Drive. City Manager Latta agreed there would be a name change somewhere on that road connection. Monmouth Cutoff would also likely see a name change. Those naming decisions would be made at time of construction.
Sidewalks and Crosswalks
Bell said there are a lot of sidewalk and crosswalk projects, but this is all for future planning. There is no need to tear out functioning sidewalks or crosswalks to implement now. There are some projects needing replacement, but none are marked as high priority.
There was a lot of PAC and public feedback on crosswalks. A high priority is Main Street and the Rickreall Creek Trail crossing. Another high priority is Washington Street and Ellis Street.
There is a lot of opportunity in the city for bike lanes. However Bell cautioned there needs to be consideration of bike lane trade offs with on-street parking. For example, La Creole Drive has high volumes of traffic and will see even more volume in the future. Adding bike lanes to the road with on-street parking is not recommended for child or adult safety.
Councilor Shein asked if the new construction on the south end of Godsey Road would get bikes lanes. City Manager Latta confirmed there would be standard bike lanes.
Councilor Holsapple took issue with the projects on Ellendale west of Levens Street. With Lyle School’s lack of parking, bus lanes, and parent pick up queues, adding bike lanes is not possible. There would also be issues for the softball field activities if on-street parking was gone. Holsapple doesn’t think the TSP is taking into account local community needs and current uses.
Bell answered that is good feedback. Often there is not individual project analysis at this level. The TSP is looking to set a standard for the city, with built in flexibility. This 20,000 foot level plan needs the local view applied.
Councilor Shein added the TSP looks at numbers and data. Local concerns and knowledge don’t show up in those numbers.
The City Manager pointed out that the recent action on Ellendale and Jasper followed the process Bell spoke about. The TSP set a standard and the city proposed that standard to the Council. However, the Council made adjustments to account for the local community needs and wants.
While that immediate neighbor impact analysis is needed, the city also needs to consider surrounding uses and how it will affect future designs.
Councilor Holsapple wants to confirm that established local uses are added into the TSP.
Planning Commission Vice President Groh asked why Denton Avenue showed a new road extension but was not listed on the sidewalk project list. Bell answered because when Denton is built it is expected to be built to full standards.
Bell also shared that east Ellendale can’t handle all modes of transportation. Some roads to the north will need to be built up to standards to hold some of that volume.
Councilor Schilling requested a review of street classifications before the final TSP is released. Mobility projects are built by developers but maintenance is left to the city. Budgets need to be considered for mobility projects. Schilling asked where the money is coming from for these projects.
Councilor Shein shared an saying from the army, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” TSP projects would likely be modified at time of construction.
Planning Commissioner Whyte asked what type of bike lane buffers are referenced in the TSP. Bell answered buffers are planned to be painted lanes. The City of Dallas has a different standard for bike lane buffers than most other places in Oregon.
Public Transportation
Bell explained public transportation is largely determined and driven by Cherriots. Additional stops or increased frequency decisions are deferred to Cherriots for consideration.
The city can look for ways to plan for public transit in the future. Land use planning decisions should consider future transit use and needs.
Safety Projects
Bell mentioned a safety project being considered is to add turning lanes along Ellendale west of Jasper Street.
Council President Briggs asked what traffic calming treatments are listed for Ellendale. Bell explained calming treatments help slow down traffic. Adding bike lanes, and curb extensions at crosswalks are some treatment examples. Bell noted Ellendale will be a little harder to add treatments to.
Councilor Shein asked what the difference between a speed bump and a speed cushion is. Bell explained a cushion is a different type of speed bump that has a flat top.
Councilor Schilling asked why a roundabout was a consideration for Fir Villa Road and Ellendale. Could a roundabout even be built with current development at that location? Bell said roundabouts offer more options than an intersection does. The TSP footnotes mention consideration of the intersections. Rights-of-way and utilities impacts are included in the trade off of a signal vs. roundabout treatment. The best options for Fir Villa intersection are still unclear.
Mark, a representative from ODOT, added that analysis for Fir Villa is not complete. There is still more material to review for that decision. Bell added roundabouts are safer.
Additionally, all the intersections along Ellendale will likely be affected by the one before it. So they might end up all following the same treatment. Meaning Ellendale intersections would likely be either all roundabouts or all signals.
Policy Updates
Bell shared with the Council that Polk County provided some TSP feedback. They gave comments and recommendations on the process of jurisdictional transfers of streets during annexation.
Councilor Schilling commented on the cost of all the projects, and expressed concern they are not small community focused policies. Bell said they tried to keep the small community in mind. For example, initially east Ellendale was envisioned to become a 5-lane road. After reviewing the community, it was decided best to stay as a 3-lane road. There will need to be some neighborhood connectivity trade offs with on-street parking though.
Planning Commissioner Newell asked if county roads are being considered where they meet city roads. Bell said they look at functional classifications and try to align the county and city roads to match.
An online public open house is being planned for late summer 2026 to get additional feedback from residents on the TSP. Another City Council and Planning Commission work session is scheduled for fall 2026 which will wrap up the TSP work. The final TSP is estimated to come before the Council for approval in winter 2026.
What happened? The Council and Planning Commission met to review the progress on the new Transportation System Plan for the City of Dallas. No official action took place, but guidance and direction was given on the TSP.
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein.
Absent: Councilors Fitzgerald, and Spivey
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
Public Comment
- Dallas Resident
- Lives on Hawthorne Ave.
- Wanted to see enforcement of E-bike and E-scooter use
- There are homes with kids who play in the dead end street
- E-bikes go over the speed limit and go too fast
- Not wearing helmets or carrying insurance
- Wants to see action from the Council
- Asked a police officer if there was any current laws on E-bikes
- Was told there are not
- Dallas Resident
- Concerned with Auto License Plate Readers (ALPR) cameras
- There is no regulation for these cameras
- Asked why the city has them
- Did the Council decide where they go?
- Cities across the state and country are removing these cameras
- Asked if the Council will ask the public before adding more cameras
- Believed the cost is unnecessary
- Concerned with Auto License Plate Readers (ALPR) cameras
- Non-Resident of Dallas
- Lives near Dallas and drives in the city everyday
- Concerned with the license plate reader
- Privacy concerns
- Appreciates the Police and the job they do
- But privacy is important
- Believed privacy risk outweighed potential benefits of surveillance
- COVID saw questionable executive orders with little enforcement
- As this technology expands, the enforcement becomes active
- ICE using the cameras and data to apprehend immigrants is a concern
- Doesn’t want Dallas to expand cameras in the city
- Non-Resident of Dallas
- Business owner in Dallas
- Explained someone can be against camera readers and still support law enforcement
- Believed the cameras are an infringement of privacy
- Lack of warrants
- Data and its use is an issue
- Practice of Geofencing requires warrants
- Car searches require a warrant
- If a child goes missing, each home is not entered and searched
- These cameras lead to data collection and data farming
- Police might not even know what the data is being used for
- Wants to know when their face is being logged and tracked
- Non-Resident of Dallas
- Shops and uses services in Dallas
- Opposed to the license plate cameras
- Data collected from the camera is not safe
- Police will get some data but not all that was collected
- Residents don’t have access at all
- Police are there to keep us safe
- But this camera infringes on privacy
- Data collected from the camera is not safe
- Non-Resident of Dallas
- Travels to and spends time in the city daily
- Quoted Benjamin Franklin:
- “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”
- Cameras are not worth the loss of privacy for people who aren’t criminals
- Believed there were federal and state mandates given in the past that were not in line with the constitution
- These cameras can help impose restrictions on the people
- Not worth the benefits of losing privacy
- Warrants and due process are needed
- Should not punish all people to root out a few bad
- The constitution is not an old idea
- They are still foundational ideas
- Police swear an oath to the constitution
- This should be a concern for all
- It is unacceptable to have the government track you just because you drive by a camera
- Believed this is a breach of the 4th Amendment
There was a response to these public comments made under Council Reports.
Consent Agenda
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the July 6, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 4
- Approve the July 6, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 5-6
- June 2026 Financial Report – pg. 7
Council President Briggs pulled the fiscal report from the consent agenda
What happened? The other 2 items passed unanimously.
Council President Briggs wanted to state that each department came in under budget for the fiscal year. Tough decisions were made but thanked the staff for their work.
What happened? The budget then passed unanimously.
Mayor and Council Reports
Council President Briggs, based on public comments made earlier in the meeting, would like to review the city policy on cameras. Wants to know who has access to the cameras and what the policy on data use is. City Manager Latta noted this will come back to the Council for a work session.
Learn more: Follow PolkCo Scanner as they request public records and investigate ALPR camera use in the City of Dallas.
City Manager report
Water Conservation Incentive Program
The Aaron Mercer Reservoir supplies the City of Dallas with water for resident use. While the city continues to work on an expansion to the water storage capacity, they are also looking at ways to encourage water conservation for residents.
City Manager Latta shared the reservoir collects water from fall to spring and holds 450 million gallons of water. July through September is when the water starts to draw down. However, Latta shared that the city has never used more than half of the stored water.
As the city grows, it wants to be mindful of water use. This new Water Conservation Incentive Program will be a volunteer program. The program will focus on single-family home water usage in the months of June, July, August, and September.
A single family home could earn a $100 per year credit to their city bill by decreasing their water use 20% in the summer months. The Public Works Committee (a standing committee of the Council) approved the 20% recommendation in their June 2026 meeting.
Follow the money: The number of homes that would qualify for the credit each year will vary. If an estimated 500 customers earned the $100 credit that would be $50,000 each year.
The staff report noted, “The other fiscal impacts are the foregone revenues from the conservation, as well as the savings associated with the production of less consumed water.” (council agenda, pg. 41)
Learn more: Read the full program in the council agenda, pg. 46-47.
Water usage in 2026 will set the baseline used to measure water savings for each of the next 3 years. City Manager Latta explained a home will have to reduce water usage 20% from that 2026 baseline number. In 3 years, a new water baseline will be set, to be used for the following 3 years.
The 20% reduction in water use is not counted by individual months, but the water used on average over all the summer months.
Councilor Shein commented the reservoir was built in 1960. While the city works to increase storage it is smart to also work on conservation.
Council President Briggs asked how the sign up and tracking would work.
The city believes the Water Conservation Incentive Program would “be fairly easy to implement, and staff have the capacity to implement and run the program.” (staff report, council agenda pg. 43)
City Manager Latta also said the sign up will be done online. The city expects to advertise in many ways from fall to next spring. Interested residents will have to sign up before the program starts next summer. Watch for more information from the city on this topic.
What happened? The Council voted to approve the Water Conservation Incentive Program. This volunteer program is designed to encourage residents to conserve water usage in the summer months. Sign ups will start in 2027.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein
Against:
ORDINANCES
No. 1925 – Regulating electric assisted bicycles in public parks
E-bikes (motorized bicycles) are a step closer to seeing new regulations inside city parks. The City Council passed their 1st reading and added an amendment to the ordinance that would set a speed limit for E-bikes.
The Public Works Committee (a standing committee of the Council) discussed this topic in their April and June 2026 meetings and approved the original proposed ordinance.
E-bikes are split into 3 classes. Each class is determined by how the motorized part of the E-bike works.
- E-bike Classifications
- Class 1
- Assists only when the rider is pedaling
- Stops assisting at 20 miles per hour
- Class 2
- Assists without the rider pedaling
- Stops assisting at 20 miles per hour
- Class 3
- Assists only when the rider is pedaling
- Stops assisting at 28 miles per hour
- Has a speedometer
- Class 1
Council President Briggs asked why there was a ban on class 2 and 3 E-bikes on unpaved trails in the proposed ordinance.
Councilor Holsapple said unpaved trails in the city are narrower. City Manager Latta added grass areas would be considered unpaved as well.
Council President Briggs has a class 3 E-bike. Since the 10 mph speed limit is the same for all classes, Briggs wants to change the ordinance to allow all E-bike classes approved on paved and unpaved trails.
Councilor Shein liked making all 3 E-bike classes set to 10 mph on paved and unpaved trails.
Councilor Jantz asked if class 1 and 2 E-bikes have speedometers. Latta answered they are not required to.
- What would the original ordinance do?
- Separate E-bikes from the specific ban on self-propelled motor vehicles in the Dallas city code
- Set Speed Limits
- Paved trails
- 10 miles per hour for all E-bike classes
- Unpaved trails
- 10 miles per hour for Class 1 E-bikes
- Class 2 and 3 E-bikes are banned
- 10 miles per hour for Class 1 E-bikes
- Paved trails
The Council then voted to amend the ordinance to remove the ban on class 2 and 3 E-bikes on unpaved trails. Now, all E-bikes would be approved for use with a speed of 10 mph.
- What will the amended ordinance do?
- Separate E-bikes from the specific ban on self-propelled motor vehicles in the Dallas city code
- Set Speed Limits
- Paved and unpaved trails
- 10 miles per hour for all E-bike classes
- Paved and unpaved trails
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein
Against:
Speed signs will be posted at park entrances and along the trail to help remind riders of the law. The city would set up responsive enforcement of speed limits along the trails based on complaint volumes.
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading of a new ordinance that will regulate E-bike speeds in city parks and trails. They amended the ordinance to allow all E-bike classes to use paved and unpaved trails with a 10 mph speed limit.
No. 1924 – La Creole Mixed-Use Zoning District
The 2nd reading and vote on an ordinance to create a zone planned for the new La Creole Node was passed by the City Council. The new mixed-use zone category will be added to the city Development Code.
In a May 2026 public hearing, the Council made 3 changes to the mixed-use zone that was originally approved by the Planning Commission. Those changes removed building sizes limits in the commercial zone, restricted the height of mixed-use buildings from 8 stories to 3, and removed conditional uses that would allow less commercial space in mixed-use zoned multi-family buildings.
Learn more: Review the entire proposed mixed-use code, with changes, in the council agenda, pg. 53-67.
What happened? After a 2nd reading, the Council approved the ordinance to create a new mixed-use zone to be used in the La Creole Node. This new code will take effective on Aug. 19, 2026.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein
Against:
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3574 – Authorizing the refunding of an interim loan with Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority
4 covers at the Clay Street Water Reservoir were replaced in April 2025 and a leak was repaired. An interim loan back in 2022 from Business Oregon was used to fund that project. The City Council has now voted to authorize the pay-back of that interim loan.
Follow the money: The interim loan was approved in Feb. 2022 for a maximum of $2.2 million under Resolution No. 2477. The money for the interim loan came from Business Oregon’s Special Public Works Fund with the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority.
The payments will be planned for in the next year’s 2027-2028 budget. The 1st re-payment of the interim loan is due in Dec. 2027.
The interest rate will be known after Business Oregon issues bonds in Sep. 2026 for long-term funding of the project. The proceeds from the sale of those bonds will be applied towards loan balance.
What happened? The Council passed the resolution to pay back an interim loan that paid to repair a leak at the Clay Street Water Reservoir.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, and Shein
Against:
-More Information-
- Work session full agenda
- Work session YouTube video archive
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
Do you want to be Mayor or a City Councilor?
“Candidates running for Dallas Mayor and City Councilor can now pick up Candidate Information Packets at Dallas City Hall. This packet has all the information you need to run for Mayor or one of four City Councilor positions in the November 2026 General Election.
Councilors serve four-year terms and the Mayor serves a two-year term. Candidates must be a registered voter of the State of Oregon and have been a legal resident of Dallas continuously during the twelve months immediately preceding the election.
The first day candidates can file paperwork to run for office is Wednesday, June 3, 2026, with all completed paperwork due no later than Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
For more information, contact Kim Herring, City Recorder, at 503.831.3502 or [email protected]”
June 3, 2026 News release from the City of Dallas Oregon
