-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
- Attendance
- Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
- Public hearing
- Public comment
- Consent agenda
- Mayor and Council reports
- City Manager report
- Ordinance reading
- Resolutions
- No. 3548 – Authorizing the transfer of budgetary funds
- No. 3549 – Adopting and appropriating a Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
- No. 3550 – Adopting the budget of the City of Dallas, Oregon for 2025-2026
- No. 3551 – Declaring the City of Dallas’ election to receive State Revenues
- No. 3552 – Authorizing the issuance and negotiated sale of a full faith and credit financing agreement
- No. 3553 – Adopting the 2025 City of Dallas Fee Schedule; and repealing prior resolutions
- More information
– Work Session –
Attendance
Due to no video archive of this meeting on YouTube, I do not have the ability to report on this item.
Transportation System Plan – Project Status Update
The Council got their 1st look at the Transportation System Plan (TSP) for Dallas. ODOT and a consultant team (Kittelson & Associates, 3J Consulting, & Cogito, LLC) have been working with a local advisory committee made up of Councilors, Planning Commissioners, local business owners, residents, & representatives from transportation and emergency service providers.
What is a TSP? A TSP describes the existing transportation system and the projects, programs, and policies that will allow a community to meet its transportation needs and aspirations now and 20 years into the future. – Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Learn more about this TSP project.
What happened? Due to no video archive of this meeting on YouTube, I do not have the ability to report on this item.
The full TSP is expected to come back to the Council for final adoption in early 2026.
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent:
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
The current public works Director, Gary Marks is set to retire. Marks joined the city in 2020 as an interim Public Works Director. He was thanked for his service to the city and was gifted with a plaque.
The Chief of Police in Dallas is also set to retire. Chief Tom Simpson came from Florida, working in the Air Force and county law enforcement. He has been with Dallas Police for 38 years, starting as a police officer and working for 2 Police Chiefs before becoming Chief of Police. He was thanked for this service and gifted a plaque.
PUBLIC HEARING
11th Avenue Right of Way Vacation
A public hearing was held regarding the vacation of SW 11th Ave. between Cherry St. and Oakdale Rd.
What is a vacation of property? Vacation formally removes the public’s interest in the control of the right-of-way and returns control of the land to the underlying owners. (League of Oregon Cities). In other words, the city gives up its claim on the land back to a private owner.
Background: In 2019, the Council approved the original vacation request for this property. It was later identified that of the total 60ft vacated only 40ft was in the city limits and 20ft was in the county limits. That meant 20ft could not be vacated by the city.
However, in 2024 the Council held a public hearing & approved annexing a bulk of the remaining 20ft into the city when the property next to it was annexed. Then, in May 2025, the Council approved to move forward with vacating a large portion of that remaining property. Now with a public hear, the city can finish vacating the additional property.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if the property owner next to this site will get the piece of property being vacated. City Planner Chase Ballew, confirmed they would.
Council President Briggs inquired if the property owner actually wants this property back. Ballew confirmed they do, and already have plans for the property they are working on. The City Manager added that the emergency clause in the ordinance (presented later in the meeting) will allow for this vacation to move quickly for the property owner’s benefit.
There was 1 public testimony given on this item:
A Dallas resident asked about the future of the vacated property. Since the city is vacating, there would be no road going through this land, and the property will be returned to private owners.
What happened? After the public hearing, the Council voted to approve the vacation. The ordinance will be presented later in the meeting for its 1st reading.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
Proposed Supplemental budget Fiscal Year 2024-2025
A supplemental budget is required by law when a change greater than 10% is made to the budget. The Council held a public hearing on the proposed supplemental budget, which increase 2 city funds.
- What are the changes to the budget?
- Risk Management Fund Revenue Increase by $115,000
- Risk Management Fund Expenditures Increase by $115,000
- Trust Fund Revenue Increase by $128,500
- Trust Fund Expenditures Increase by $128,500
Cecilia Ward, the Finance Director for the City of Dallas reported the increase in the Risk Management fund is due to property insurance and workers comp increasing more than was budgeted for last year. The trust fund is donation based so it is hard to plan ahead of time. More donations were received this past year, and that is the reason for the increase.
Councilor Shein, asked if the donations were spread across several funds or if 1 or 2 dominated in raising funds. Ward confirmed the increases were between 5 different trusts accounts.
No public testimony was given.
What happened? With no objection this passed. The Council will see the supplemental budget in an ordinance later in the meeting for its 1st reading.
City Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The City of Dallas runs on a fiscal year budget that starts at the beginning of July 2025 and finishes at the end of June 2026. The Council reviewed and approved the 2025-2026 Budget after a public hearing was held.
The Budget Committee previously held a public hearing in May 2025 and voted to approve this budget.
Some last minute changes to the budget were explained by the City Manager. An Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Grant was updated after receive the award amount, increasing it from $5,000 to a $50,000 award to the city.
Additionally, with the Police building not being approved by voters, the Police building capital fund and general obligation fund were removed from the proposed budget.
Cecilia Ward also noted there was a decrease to the facilities maintenance expenditures which removed the EV connect. This change lowered the budget from $90,000 to $35,000.
There was no public testimony offered on this topic.
What happened? After the public hearing, the Council voted to approve. Next, the 2025-2026 Budget will be presented later in the meeting as a resolution with a vote for adoption.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
Public Comment
- President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Reports things are going well
- Last Saturday, the staff were given a refresher course on rescue and CPR training
- 3 more swim instructors are being trained due to increase demand
- Tuesday, June 18th will be the 1st teen night at the Aquatic center
Consent Agenda
- Approve the June 2, 2025 Work Session Meeting Minutes
- Approve the June 2, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
- May 2025 Financial Report
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling reported on the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT) latest meeting. New signage will be installed by the end of June on the Hwy 22 & 51 intersection. Clow Corner Rd should open up the end of June as well.
The Kings Valley & Hwy 22 roundabout project is now funded and will go to bid in Jan 2026. Construction is expected to begin in Summer of 2026. The budget for this project was decreased, which removed the re-alignment of Perrydale Rd. That project is expected to now be done through County permits, which will be an overall lower cost than originally planned through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
A signal light at Fir Villa is on ODOT’s radar. They are looking to purchase land on the North of Fir Villa to widen the intersection. That is expected to take a few years.
The Salem Center Street retrofitting bridge project will affect traffic coming from Polk County into Salem. This will be a multi-year project, with phase 1 starting in 2026. The bridge is expected to be closed for a majority of the 2 years during phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 is funded, but phase 2 is not funded yet.
Councilor Shein asked how traffic will be handled with 1 bridge closed. Schilling noted the closure will not be fun and is warning the public about it now. There should be 1 lane open on Center St. during the daytime, but it will be closed at night.
Center St bridge is able to be retrofitted to withstand a future big earthquake in the area. The Marion St. bridge is not able to be updated at all for earthquake safety.
Appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission
The Council appointed a new member to the vacant position on the Historic Preservation Commission. This position has been open since April 2025, and 1 application was received.
Councilor Barrientos noted the application was not complete and some questions were not answered.
What happened? The Council voted 8-1 to appoint the applicant to the Historic Preservation Commission.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: Councilor Barrientos
City Manager report
Dallas Area Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan adoption
The Dallas Area Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan is focused on “facilitating redevelopment and effective reuse of the former Dallas Mill Site” (staff report, pg. 41 council agenda).
After years of work by David Evans & Associates (DEA), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and an advisory board of citizens, the Council will see the final plan for the former mill site.
Want to learn more? Get a quick recap from the Prep post. Learn all about the Dallas Area Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan on the project website, or read the full plan, pg. 44-783 of the council agenda.
Charlie Mitchell, who is the city’s Economic & Community Development Director noted that adopting this plan does not change zoning or amend the comprehensive plan at this time. This only adopts the, “master plan concept that sets the stage for future development”.
Jim Hencke, a representative for DEA presented the overall plan to the Council and was available to answer questions. Hencke noted the advisory committee emphasized economic development and tax generating properties were important in the Mill site. However, the public emphasized parks and recreational spaces for the Mill site, and converting the rail line to a bike and walking path.
Councilor Shein asked for an example of how this plan could be implemented differently than what is currently being presented. Hencke noted that the zoning (though currently showing lots of industrial zones) is flexible to meet any changing future market needs. Large blocks are currently planned for, but if an industrial business doesn’t pan out, then smaller blocks are a potential change to the plan. The plan was build with flexibility on purpose.
The relocation of Ash Creek is a big part of the plan, because it opens up so much land for development in the Mill site, and will stop re-occurring flooding in the area.
Councilor Fitzgerald sought clarification on how much the investment will be for the Ash Creek re-location. Hencke noted the current property owner is studying the re-location and it’s expected to be about $48 million.
Ash Creek is proposed to move South along the edge of the hillside. This will reduce the constant flooding of this area, and will open more space for development. There is also a new East West Street proposed that would follow along the creek.
In coordination with the ongoing Transportation System Plan (TSP), even with the additional commercial zoning planned in the site, there was not a meaningful increase in potential traffic volume.
It is expected that the city and private owner of the Mill site will apply for grants to help pay for the different parts of the plan. There will be a need for private and public partnerships for the Mill site plan.
Council President Briggs stated he thinks the consultants did a fantastic job on this plan. However, there is concern over the $48 millions for the Ash Creek re-location. The City Manager added that grants might not cover all of the cost. So the city will need to get creative, like using the storm water fee (which helps with flood control and storm water), other SDC funds, or urban renewal funds from the South Dallas Urban Renewal District. Therefore City Manager Latta thinks the Ash Creek re-location is a doable project.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked how those funds for the creek would compete with the funds for the dam project. Latta noted the storm water funds are different from the water fund and the 2 would not be in competition.
Councilor Shein wondered if revenue bonds could be used for the project. Latta said that could be an option.
Councilor Schilling noted the power substation in the bottom right corner of the map (south of the proposed creek, and west of Uglow St. and outside of the creek’s new location). Schilling stated that re-locating the creek is a fundamental part of the plan, as it increases the potential space for development which will increase revenue generated for the city through taxes.
Councilor Shein added that with the large number of people benefiting from the creek re-location, that should also increase different opportunities for funding sources.
Councilor Schilling commented that the creek re-location should also have positive effects in reducing other flooding down stream. City Manager Latta stated the city has studied the full Ash Creek corridor running through Dallas. Increased capacity to hold the water with the re-located path will have benefits to offsite properties as well. The study showed 1 key takeaway is an area east of the Mill site is currently in a flood hazard zone. The re-location of the creek would remove these homes from the flood hazard zone, which will remove the need for them to buy flood insurance.
Councilor Schilling recommended adding some homes along Main St. (in the proposed new Central Business District zone) to the historic registry.
What happened? The Council approved 9-0 the Dallas Area Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
Police Station
To pursue a new Police building in Dallas, the Council asked city staff to look into several things. The Council got a progress update from staff on those requests from the City Manager.
The architect of the originally proposed building did give the city a detailed cost breakdown for the project. The city’s financial advisor is also putting together some options for levies and other ways to fund the project.
A second estimate for the Police building is being sought from a construction company whose estimator lives in Dallas. Contractors will also be asked to estimate remodeling the current Polk IO building.
In the Council’s July meeting, the City Manager hopes to come back with more detailed information and cost estimates.
Councilor Jantz asked about cost estimates for a different site for the building. The City Manager said it will be looked at.
- Current list of Dallas Police building ideas:
- Keep the existing project but get a second opinion on the costs
- Get a better breakdown of costs on the current project from the Design Team
- Look at IO building remodel possibilities
- Move some general fund services to a Levy, and use that money for the project
- City Council to go look at new public safety facilities locally
- Value engineer the current plan to find ways to save money
- Look at different locations to build
- Increase the public safety fee for funds
What happen? No official action, just information sharing and discussion.
Ordinances
No. 1906 – Amending City Code regarding accessory dwelling setbacks and flags
The Council approved changes to the city development code. Now those changes come back to the Council, in the form of an ordinance. See the details of all the changes in the council agenda, pg. 786-816.
Summary of the code changes:
- Setbacks for Residential Accessory Structures (DDC.2.2)
- The purpose of this amendment is to be more permissive in allowing uninhabited accessory structures to be constructed up to the property line. The amendment sets the setback to zero, except for accessory dwellings, which remains at three feet.
- Sign Code regulations for Flags (DDC.3.6)
- The purpose of this amendment is to be more permissive in the regulation of flags, which currently only allows flags endorsed by a government body. The amendment creates a definition of flags, and creates an allowance for flags up to 15 square feet in residential zones, and up to 45 square feet in commercial zones.
Councilor Fitzgerald wondered if it was a good idea for accessory structures to be right up to property lines. The City Manager noted that structures on property lines do have code requirements for fire protection and other safety issues. This proposed change will align the zoning code more with the building code.
Councilor Schilling noted there is still discrepancy between the codes related to eve and overhang set backs.
What happened? The Council passed their 1st reading of the ordinance. This will come back to Council for a 2nd reading and vote to adopt in the future.
No. 1908 – Amending City Code regarding Itinerant Merchants
The Council approved updating the city code to set the length of itinerant merchants licensees to 12 months. It also added mobile vendors to the category of itinerant merchants who can stop work for 14 days without losing their license.
What is an itinerant merchant? “A person who sells or offers for sale to the public at large, goods, wares, or merchandise, other than from door-to-door or from place-to-place, from a motor vehicle, trailer, cart, wagon, or stand, on a non-permanent or non-continuous basis.” Dallas City Code Section 7.850 – 7.860
The Public Administration Committee (a sub-committee of the Council) recommended this code change in their May 2025 meeting. You can review all the changes in the council agenda, pg. 818-820.
What happen? The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance. This will come back to the Council for a 2nd reading and vote to adopt in the future.
No. 1909 – Vacating portion of SW 11th Avenue and declaring an emergency
After the approval in the public hearing earlier in the meeting, the Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance for this property vacation. This ordinance had an emergency clause, which allows it to move faster through the process.
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance. It will come again in the future for a 2nd reading and vote for adoption.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3548 – authorizing the transfer of budgetary funds
When transfers are made in the budget between appropriation categories, a resolution is needed. The Council reviewed and approved the following transfers in the 2024-2025 Budget.
Budget transfers:
- Follow the money:
- Decrease Operating Contingencies from $315,000 to $170,000
- Increase Non-Department – Transfer to Risk Management from $418,000 to $533,000 (difference of $115,000)
- Increase Aquatic Center – Personnel Services (Salaries and Fringe Benefits) from $745,000 to $763,000 (difference of $18,000)
- Increase Facilities – Senior Center Utilities/Maintenance from $10,000 to $22,000 (difference of $12,000)
- Decrease Operating Contingencies from $315,000 to $170,000
Council President Briggs asked what the anticipated maintenance needs for the senior center are. The City Manager noted there were some costs, like replacing doors and a refrigerator, which were higher than originally thought. Briggs noted, for the record, that the Council does support the senior center through these costs.
What happen? The Council voted to adopt the resolution for the budget transfers by a 9-0 vote.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
No. 3549 – adopting and appropriating a Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
The Council approved several additional changes to the 2024-2025 Budget. Some budget items changed less than 10% and only needed a resolution, but for those with over a 10% change, a public hearing was held earlier in the meeting.
Follow the money:
The below supplemental budgets are changing <10%.
The below supplemental budgets are changing >10% and were included in the public hearing earlier in the meeting:
What happened? The Council voted unamiously to adopt the resolution for the budget changes.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
No. 3550 – adopting the budget of the City of Dallas, Oregon for 2025-2026
The City of Dallas runs on a fiscal year budget that starts at the beginning of July 2025 and finishes at the end of June 2026. A public hearing was held earlier in the meeting, and was approved. Now, the Council voted to adopt the resolution to complete this process.
This resolution also officially levies the taxes for the 2025-2026 period.
See the summary of the 2025-2026 budget below:
What happen? The Council voted to adopt the 2025-2026 Budget for the city in a 9-0 vote.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
No. 3551 – declaring the City of Dallas’ election to receive State Revenues
In order for the city to receive Oregon State revenue sharing money, the Council must pass a resolution each year stating they want the money. This resolution is for the 2025-2026 request of funds.
What happen? The Council unanimously approved the adoption of this resolution.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
No. 3552 – Authorizing the issuance and negotiated sale of a full faith and credit financing agreement
The Public Works building, which is now under construction, is ready to transition into debt service funding for the remainder of the project. Funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and the city’s fleet, sewer, storm water, street, and water funds.
This resolution gives the City Manager the authority to negotiate terms with a financial institution (Foster Garvey PC will act as special council). 22 requests for proposals have already been sent out to financial companies across the country. The total amount for the debt service is $3,200,000.
What happened? The Council voted to adopt the resolution.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
No. 3553 – Adopting the 2025 City of Dallas Fee Schedule; and repealing prior resolutions
In the final resolution of the night, the Council adopted the new city fee schedule. In the last meeting, the Council reviewed the proposed fees, and had no suggested changes.
You can review all the proposed changes in the council agenda, pg. 847-856.
Councilor Schilling asked for a follow up report in 6 months on EV chargers and costs.
What happened? The Council voted to adopt the new city fee schedule in a 9-0 vote.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against: none
-More Information-
- Work Session full agenda
- Work Session YouTube video archive is not available
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
