-Topics-
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Also present: Dallas School District 2 Superintendent Steve Spencer, School Board Members Tyler Ferrari, Deena Loughary, Rob Ogilvie, Zach Steele, and Matt Woolsey.
Absent: Councilor Jantz
Collaborative project with Dallas School District
The City Council held a joint work session with the Dallas School District 2 Board of Directors (The Board) to address a part of Dallas’ future.
The goal of the meeting was to start working on plans to be able to “gather sufficient data to inform future decisions, explore mutual projects to mitigate enrollment declines and increase the population of young families in Dallas.” (work session agenda, pg 2)
School Board Member Ferrari also works for the city as the Economic Development Specialist. Due to both positions, Ferrari withdrew from adding comments to the discussion but was available to answer questions.
Dallas School District 2 Superintendent Steve Spencer said declining student enrollment isn’t just a school issue or just a city issue. It affects the district and city both.
Did you know? Oregon funding for K-12 schooling is based on enrollment. When student numbers go down, the school gets less funding.
While shrinking enrollment numbers present a concern for the district, the decline can also negatively affect the city and surrounding community. Spencer pointed out data available only goes back 10 years, but believed the downward trend in numbers has been present for the last 15 to 20 years. The next 10 years is also projected to have declining enrollment.
The staff report notes that Dallas’ population is increasing, but the growth is mainly by people over the age of 65 (work session agenda, pg 3). City Manager Latta noted Dallas having an older population is no surprise to anyone.
Council President Briggs asked if the city has population data going back 20 years. Latta estimated the Dallas population in 2000 to be around 13,000 and according to the 2020 census the population is now 18,000. Briggs followed up by asking if the city has gotten older in the last 20 years. Latta confirmed the majority of growth is coming from people 65+ years.
The City Manager added that the number of children in Dallas has stayed the same as previous numbers. So the number of older people has increased while the number of younger people has stayed the same.
Councilor Barrientos asked if teachers are prepared for the mental and behavioral health issues they face in the classroom. Spencer said yes but no one can be completely prepared for it. There is a need for mental health therapists in schools.
Councilor Spivey asked who sets the standards for expectations of behaviors in the school. Spencer said the schools are the ones who have to overcome behavior, anxiety, and mental health issues, so the school has to make the investment.
Councilor Barrientos followed up by asking if behavior issues are causing parents to send their kids elsewhere for school. Spencer said while they give exit surveys to parents they don’t get 100% completion. Plus surveys alone don’t provide a clear answer. Anecdotal stories don’t provide evidence to base action from. City Manager Latta said the need for data is one reason the school and city want to study the issue.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if the school district could get numbers from the local charter schools to help find trends. Spencer answered the district only gets some numbers from other schools. Fitzgerald asked if that data was public. City Manager Latta added it might be public but charter schools hold there own information. There isn’t one source to get those numbers from.
City Manager Latta explained some reasons why a city wants to attract a younger population. When a population lacks families and young people it can face a loss of future businesses. The aging population may struggle to pass school bonds due to low interest. More pressure can also be put on Emergency Medical Services with an older population.
Superintendent Spencer also stated that if current enrollment declines continue “all of our buildings will be below capacity within the coming decade, if not in the coming years.”
To help offset costs, the school is working with the Willamette Education Service District to lease space to a behavioral program that would be accessible to the entire region. The leased space will generate about $200,000 – $250,000 a year in new revenue. Spencer noted the revenue from this leased space will go towards elementary behavior programs.
Council President Briggs asked if the school would have to give staff time or other resources to that behavioral program. Spencer confirmed no school resources or staff time would go to the program. They will provide all their own staff and are only paying for the space. In the future, other programs will be considered to help drive additional revenue for the district.
Spencer also said area schools might not be able to provide all services to all of their students. Schools might need to specialize in one area, while another school focuses on something else.
Spencer doesn’t want to preside over closing a school building.
Councilor Spivey asked what would trigger a school closure. Spencer said they don’t have a trigger point for closing a school yet, but those signs are being studied now.
Councilor Shein wondered if Spencer had a sense of how close the district might be to closing a school. Spencer said a building would need to close now if it were not for the behavioral program leasing space from the school.
Councilor Holsapple’s daughter lost a teaching job in Eugene, and pointed to teaching cuts in Portland and Salem. Holsapple asked if this decline was a state problem instead of a city problem. Spencer acknowledged it is a state wide issue.
Holsapple then asked if the issue was caused by the state or by local policies. Spencer said the answer was more complex than that. For example the district doesn’t get complete funding for people with Individualized Educational Programs (IEP). Instead, that funding has an 11% cap. Realizing the full cost of IEPs would help put the district in a better financial position.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if there was any money coming from the federal government. Spencer said there is some title money, but it doesn’t close the gap.
Councilor Barrientos asked if there is any help from the state, or if they are just rubber stamping statewide numbers without considering local demographics. City Manager Latta noted that Dallas is a city inside the state of Oregon and subject to those laws. Even with that, there is still room for local decisions. The city can move the needle. Barrientos asked if the state could do more to help. Latta agreed, yes.
Council President Briggs wondered since the population area numbers are stable, maybe only the public school numbers are going down while charter schools are going up.
Councilor Holsapple remembered one resident who said the variety of educational options in Dallas was a draw to move here.
Spencer pointed out that there was a shift inside charter schools to online schooling post-COVID. The district sees some students leave to an online charter school but then after not being successful, come back further behind in their grade level. The district is then left with the data of not having students on grade level or not graduating on time. Online schools don’t offer the same programs and resources.
Councilor Barrientos asked if the school could offer other curriculum to attract people. Spencer noted they offer AP classes and programs with local colleges. Advertising of those offerings are not as publicized as they could be.
Councilor Shein asked Spencer for any school-side solutions. How can they attract people to live in Dallas and send kids to the public schools. Spencer said the goal for this meeting was to start the discussion to look for answers.
City Manager Latta added that while thoughts can be offered on what is happening it is important to get data and information to make decisions. The combined program to study the issue would allow for that information to be gathered.
Latta asked the Council if they would be willing to implement policies needed after the data was gathered. Councilor Schilling pointed out this rolls along nicely with the Dallas Community Vision being worked on.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if parents have been given surveys on their opinions of the schools. Board Member Steele said there have been about 3 surveys in the past. Spencer was unsure about access to the surveys. Steele also pointed out participation was under 20% and therefore didn’t think it would be credible data.
Councilor Spivey stated Oregon was ranked the 51st worst place to retire in the US and asked if this would affect the city in the future. City Manager said effects of that ranking would be anyone’s guess, but that information could play into people’s decisions on where to retire.
Councilor Barrientos asked about the severity of differences in kindergarten enrollment from 2020 to today. Spencer stated they used to have 100 kindergartners in a building, now they hope for 75.
City Manager Latta pointed to a need to create an environment attractive to young people. Latta also acknowledged the significant number of local businesses in Dallas founded by young people.
Chart showing some of the businesses in Dallas founded by young people (work session agenda, pg 12)
Council President Briggs asked to clarify what is considered young. City Manager Latta said people in their 20s and 30s.
Councilor Blosser asked if charter schools dealt with the same behavior issues as the public schools. Spencer doesn’t have the numbers to answer that. Some charter schools are online and therefore don’t see the same type of behavior issues as in-person schooling.
Councilor Shein also pointed out charter schools can be selective on who their students are, which might change student dynamics.
Councilor Holsapple asked if the school had autonomy from the state to offer different types of programs like online school. Spencer can’t say no to a family who wants to move to an online program like Oregon Connections Academy. Spencer said the law is written so that the district has to be able to offer a brick-and-mortar option and 2 online options for schooling to be able to say no to the family who wants to move to an online charter school.
Councilor Shein wondered if the school asks parents why they choose public school over charter schools. Spencer said they have not and also cautioned that anecdotal stories don’t make data. They need data to make decisions. Spencer also added there are not loads of people leaving public school to go to the charter schools. There was a net change of plus 1 student from the start of this year to the end. The problem isn’t students leaving to charter schools, it’s in the declining enrollment trend over time.
Spencer explained the decline by sharing they had a graduation class of 200 while the incoming kindergarten class is only 130. That is the enrollment decline problem.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked what kind of solutions are being asked for. Do they want to know how to encourage people to have more babies or how to build more houses? City Manager Latta said they want information to better understand the problem and why it’s happening here. The next step would be to gather data.
One project proposed was to work with the University of Oregon Sustainable Cities Institute’s Sustainable City Year Program as a “cost-effective ‘consultant’” (work session agenda, pg 3).
Councilor Fitzgerald asked what would happen if the study came back with no local solutions but only state-wide options. City Manager Latta answered then the city would be armed with actual data that could be used to push for changes on the state level.
Councilor Holsapple asked if there are other cities doing the same studies that Dallas could partner with. Latta wasn’t sure of specific cities or school districts but said Dallas isn’t the only one looking into this issue.
Councilor Barrientos proposed getting students from Western Oregon University to study housing development, birth rates, kindergarten enrollment projections, in and out migration, and employment trends in Dallas. Barrientos suggested they could do their student thesis’ on those subjects and provide the city with information, maybe even for free.
Councilor Spivey wanted to act with urgency on this topic. Asked Spencer if the school district could make it 10 years without another bond. Spencer confirmed the district cannot make it 10 years without a new bond, if the declining numbers continued. Spivey pointed out that housing takes time but they need to move quickly on this issue.
City Manager Latta acknowledged government does move slow. Reporting to elected officials, like the Council can slow down the process. Latta noted the small amount of funds to be used for a consultant would allow the data to be gathered without checking in repeatedly with the Council. That could hopefully speed up the data gathering stage.
Follow the money: A consultant could cost $25,000. This would be split evenly between the city and district.
Councilor Schilling stated the Council has trust in the City Manager to go ahead and start. Noted this kind of work is why a City Manager is hired.
What happened? The Council met with the Dallas School District 2 Board of Directors. They discussed reasons to gather data on declining enrollment numbers. While no official action took place, the City Council gave their support to start gathering data on this subject.
-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
- Dallas Resident
- Jokingly confirmed their comment would not be about the pickleball courts
- Wanted to address an increase of motorized bikes and scooters on trails and in parks
- Last week at Dallas City Park, walked across the bridge with granddaughter
- Someone on a e-bike at high speed nearly missed colliding with the granddaughter
- Hit a girl on a skateboard
- That girl was taken to a hospital by ambulance
- Asked the Council to take action
- Revise the park policy on use of motorized scooters and bikes
- Add signage to trails and parks with motorized policies
- Contact the local paper to promote safety
- Work with local schools to help educate students
- Offered to be involved in this action
The Council discussed this topic at the end of their meeting.
Council President Briggs asked if the Council had already taken action on this issue. City Manager Latta confirmed there is a 2nd reading for an ordinance on this topic scheduled for July 20, 2026. Latta needed to check if e-scooters were included in the ordinance on e-bikes.
Councilor Schilling called out a need for rules to be posted, and wondered if people under the age of 16 are banned from using motorized vehicles already. Chief of Police Jerry Mott clarified it depended on the power rating of the motorized vehicle.
Councilor Shein asked if the city was allowed to ban motorized scooters and bikes or if state law overruled local law. Latta needed to look it up.
Councilor Schilling reminded them the Rickreall Creek Trail took state money as a multi-use path, so they cannot be banned on the trail.
Councilor Fitzgerald pointed out they could be banned in city parks.
City Manager Latta said the discussion can continue in the Public Administration Standing Committee.
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center (FDAC)
- Sent out a summer newsletter
- To 3,000-4,000 subscribers
- Listed fixes completed by FDAC
- ~$307,000 total raised in 8 years by the public
- $3,909 in savings, grants and scholarships
- $10,449 in checking
- $292,922.31 raised from donations and banner ads
- Including $82,500 received from the Scatterday Family will
- Future projects
- New chair and tables for the party rooms
- Locker room upgrades
- HVAC system upgrades
- Recently made HVAC repairs for about $10,000
- Will help remove more hot air from the building
- Recently made HVAC repairs for about $10,000
- To 3,000-4,000 subscribers
- Sent out a summer newsletter
Consent Agenda
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the June 15, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 3
- Approve the June 15, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 4-5
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and Council Reports
None.
City Manager report
Improvements to Jasper and Ellendale Intersection
The City Council approved some improvements to the intersection at NW Jasper Street and W Ellendale Avenue.
The need for improvements at this intersection comes as a result of a Traffic Impact Analysis study. The study was completed because of the nearby Tokola Properties development on James Howe Road.
Originally, the city recommended Option 1 which called for the removal of on-street parking along the south side of W Ellendale Ave., between Levens St. and Jasper St. This option matched the city’s Transportation System Plan (TSP).
The Council decided to pause on action in their March 2026 meeting in order to hear from residents who might lose parking on the south side of Ellendale. It was decided to have the Council’s Public Works Standing Committee review the topic more.
After receiving some public comment, the Public Works Committee approved Option 2 in their June meeting for recommendation to the Council.
Option 2 would include “rapid flashing beacons at the intersection of Jasper Street and Ellendale Avenue, marked vehicle turn lanes on Ellendale at the same intersection, and retaining the bicycle lanes and other street markings as existing on Ellendale west of the intersection.” (council agenda, pg 6)
- Follow the money:
- $123,703 – Estimated project cost paid by ADA Ramp Program and Streets SDCs
- $6,500 – Restriping paid for by the developer
The intersection project will be paid for by the ADA Ramp Program and Streets System Development Charges (SDC). Due to the approval and conditions of the James Howe development, $6,500 of road striping will be paid for by Tokola.
City Manager Latta said if approved, work would start this summer into the fall.
Councilor Schilling noted being absent in the last meeting, and asked if public testimony was received and specifically from one resident whose house was third on the street. City Manager Latta confirmed residents were notified and some gave testimony. All residents have parking spaces aside from just parking on-street. The specific resident referred to has parking. Being disabled, they were concerned about access to the mail box from the street. Latta noted those concerns were discussed.
Councilor Schilling stated the city should not start work and then plan to come back in the future to finish it. Schilling said they should go with Option 1, which would match the TSP, or nothing. Also pointed out there was an unrelated accident in this area recently.
Councilor Holsapple added the committee agreed to re-visit the intersection in 2028. The new TSP will be completed by then and the Council can address changes at that time. Believed the TSP should reconsider the planning west of Lyle school. Holsapple said Option 2 would address safety issues without taking away lifestyles.
Councilor Shein noted this area is a high priority in the TSP. Noted disappointment with not getting the center turning lane west of the intersection on Ellendale (found in Option 1). Shein said Option 2 serves pedestrians, but doesn’t improve traffic like Option 1 would. Preferred to address all the solutions at once with Option 1.
City Manager Latta said Option 1 would address all the problems identified at the intersection. The Public Works Standing Committee agreed to recommend Option 2, but the Council can still decide.
Councilor Schilling asked why Option 2 over Option 3 then?
Councilor Holsapple answered Option 3 took away safety with using shared bike lanes. Option 3 would have gone backwards in safety from what is there currently.
What happened? The Council voted to approve intersection Option 2 for Jasper St. and W Ellendale Ave. According to the City Manager, work will begin this summer into the fall.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey
Against:
City Charter Ad Hoc Committee Appointments
The City Council approved 4 residents and 3 Councilors to a new City Charter Committee. This committee will review the Dallas City Charter and consider recommending changes.
Did you know? The City Charter details how the city is governed. Think of it like Dallas’ Constitution.
This City Charter Committee will review the current charter, discuss possible changes, and engage with city residents for feedback. They will submit any recommendations to the Council for approval. Lastly, any changes to the Charter have to be approved by voters on a ballot.
- City Charter changes already suggested to discuss:
- Increasing the Mayor term from 2 to 4 years
- Restrict who can be elected to office to only US citizens
- Youth engagement:
- Lowering the age requirement to be an elected official
- Lowering age for citywide elections to under 18
- Review the vacancy in office clause
- Council quorum minimums
- City manager residency requirement
- Change number of City Councilors
- Restrict elected officials from working for the city
- Mayor to appoint committee chairs
- Removing bonding requirement for City Manager
- Supervision for council-hired positions
- Remote meeting participation
Potential topics of discussion (June 1, 2026 council agenda, pg. 8)
There are 4 resident positions on the committee and 4 residents applied. Each provided educational backgrounds, prior service experience, and voter registration status (among other details).
Learn more: You can review all 4 applications in the council agenda, pg. 13-20.
- Residents who applied for the City Charter Committee
- Tyler Lonsford
- Rotary Board of Directors
- Sofia Lozano Venegas
- Dallas Downtown Association Board Member
- Eric Vaughan
- Eden Gleann HOA Board President
- Ken Woods
- Former Dallas Mayor and City Councilor
- Tyler Lonsford
The Council agreed to approve all 4 residents who applied to the Charter Review Committee: Lonsford, Lozano Venegas, Vaughan, and Woods.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey
Against:
To choose which Councilors would be on the committee, volunteers were called for. Council President Briggs, Councilors Blosser, Schilling, and Shein raised their hands.
Councilor Schilling dropped out to leave 3 councilors to fill 3 spots. The Council then voted to approve Briggs, Blosser, and Shein to the Charter Review Committee.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey
Against:
What happened? The Council voted to appointed 4 residents to the City Charter Committee. They then voted to appoint 3 Councilors to the same committee. Proposed changes to the City Charter will come back to the Council for approval in the future before going on an election ballot.
-More Information-
- Work session full agenda
- Work session YouTube video archive
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
Have you ever thought about being the Mayor, or on City Council? If so, now is the time to get your paperwork going.
Do you want to run for City Council?
“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
