– Topics –
- Work Session
- City Council
– Work Session –
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Absent: Council President Briggs
Dallas Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan
A combined meeting with the Dallas Planning Commission and the City Council reviewed the upcoming Dallas Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan (Mill Site).
- The City hopes for the following outcomes:
- “Enhance the City’s tax base by providing opportunities for additional commercial and industrial development
- Create economic development opportunities (jobs and investment)
- Improve traffic flow through and around the area
- Fulfill missions of the South Dallas Urban Renewal District to eliminate area blight”
- Staff report, pg. 3 of the work session packet.
James Hencke from David Evans & Associates (the consultant team on the project) and Michael Duncan from Transportation and Growth Management Program presented an overview of the plan for the Mill Site and answered questions from the Council and Commission.
- Some highlights of the plan:
- Daylighting and relocating of Ash Creek
- for maximum site utilization
- to solve current creek flooding issues
- New east-west thru street
- on the south of the Mill Site
- north of the creek’s new location
- new connection into SE Monmouth Cutoff Rd
- South of Cascade Home Center
- Commercial zoning along the new east-west street
- Extension of the Central Business District south on Main St.
- Green space and Residential zoning on the hillside south of the Mill Site
- Daylighting and relocating of Ash Creek
Councilor Shein noted the large impact of the Ash Creek re-location on the whole project. Asked what parts of this plan could be done that are not connected to the creek.
Zone changes, applying for grants, and upgrades to Main St. & SE Uglow Ave. are all independent projects. Gateway features at key intersections and the hillside greenspace/park on the south of the property could also be projects not connected to the creek.
Commissioner Schulte asked who currently owns the Mill Site property. Dallas Mill Properties LLC.
City Manager Latta stated the property owner has been an active participate in this plan. The City is aware that it’s possible for 1 buyer to buy the whole Mill Site and develop it however they want before this re-development happens. Since that hasn’t happened yet and the site still sits vacant, the opportunity to re-develop presents the best option for all interested parties.
Commissioner Groh asked if there was any current tax revenue generating from the property. There are a few businesses on the property and the land itself generates tax revenue for the city.
Councilor Barrientos wanted some clarification on the demographics of the community involvement with plan. There are demographic breakdowns from the surveys but those were not immediately available. Duncan remembered the open houses appeared to have a mix of all ages in attendance, but did they lean to older populations. The project advisory group is also a mix of business owners and community members.
Councilor Jantz asked about feedback from the owner of the railroad. The owner has been talked to. The line is still officially considered active. If it were to be used again, it would require work and money to be fully operational. The other option is to buy the needed portions of the railroad and convert it to a trail.
Planning Commission President Swanson thanked the City Council for hosting the combined meeting. Swanson asked if there has been any interest in the Mill Site property previously. City Manager Latta recalled about 6-12 interested parties. None moved forward, all due to different reasons. So far nothing has changed the re-development plan from those previous inquiries.
The property owner’s preference to keep larger sized parcels (15-20 acres) is driven by their read on market conditions for industrial needs. However, this Mill Site will be driven by private owners buying and developing the land.
Commissioner Schulte thinks the city should purchase the land in order to see the full re-development plan through. Thinks a planned and controlled outcome is better for the community than a random owner and their development choices.
What happens next? The full plan will be completed in 1-2 months. It will go to the Planning Commission for approval. If approved, the plan will then go to the City Council for approval.
- Learn more:
– City Council –
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Absent: Council President Briggs
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Special Recognition
After about 18 years serving as City Attorney for Dallas, Lane Shetterly will retire at the end of March, 2025.
City Manager Latta shared Shetterly’s strong reputation across the state as an effective and dedicated City Attorney.
Shetterly’s history of public service at local, state, and national levels includes serving as a State Representative for Dallas, Speaker pro term of the Oregon House of Representatives, Head of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, and several other commissions, boards, and foundations.
In honor of the years of service to the city, Shetterly was presented with a running jersey with his name and “#1 City Attorney”.
Shetterly thanked everyone and shared his appreciation for Dallas, the city he grew up in. He stated gratitude for leaving his practice in good hands and plans to stay in the city.
Did you know? Shetterly’s father was the previous City Attorney for Dallas, since about 1960.
Dallas High School Wrestlers
Coach Austin Markee of Dallas High School, reported that Dallas’ wrestling is in good health.
Polly Olliff won her 3rd state champion. Coach Markee noted Polly is only 1 of 3 people to win 3 state championships in Dallas history.
Girls wrestling placed 3rd overall at state. Noting the strength of the girls program, Markee said half of the wrestling team in the middle school are girls.
Freshman Carson Langford won the 190lbs state championship. The boys wrestling placed 5th overall at state.
Public Comment
- President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Offered thanks to the City Attorney
- Noted Shetterly helped the group set up their non-profit
- Pointed out the recent feature article in the Polk County Itemizer-Observer
- A valve will be fixed on May 20th which will stop leaking water
- This will be paid for by the group
- A boiler and heat exchanger will be fixed soon
- paid by the city budget for the pool
- Offered thanks to the City Attorney
Consent Agenda
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the March 3, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
- February 2025 Financial Report
- Recommend approval of the OLCC Full On-Premises and Brewery Public House Liquor License for Forest Pass Brewing Company
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council reports
Councilor Schilling shared a Hwy 51 & 22 intersection update from the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT).
Left turns off of Hwy 51 and 55th Ave. NW onto Hwy 22 will be closed by the end of May 2025.
Big Picture – This is only a first step to address immediate safety issues at this intersection. Additionally, enforcement campaigns have increased in the area. Longer term solutions and a complete re-design are in process, but construction has not yet been funded.
City Manager report
ADA ramps on SE Ash St.
The Council approved the updated agreement with small changes from the School District. Ramps and ADA improvements to the roads around the High School will begin when school gets out for summer.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Against: None
City Attorney Agreement
Lane Shetterly, the current City Attorney is retiring. The City has a new agreement with Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP to have 2 primary City Attorneys: Justin Thorp & Greg Goebel.
What happened? The Council approved this with an 8-0 vote.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Against: None
RESOLUTIONS
No. 3543 – Adopting and appropriating a supplemental budget
The supplemental budget presented by Finance Director Cecilia Ward was approved by the Council. This type of budget is needed when there are unexpected changes to the budget that are under 10%.
Follow the money:
What happened? The Council adopted the supplemental budget, voting 8-0 in favor.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Against: None
No. 3544 – Authorizing the transfer of budgetary funds
The Council also approved the budget transfer. The transfer will go towards a new backhoe for the Parks Department.
- Follow the money:
- Decreasing Operating Contingencies
- $335,000 to $315,000
- Increasing Parks Department – Equipment
- $0 to $20,000
- Decreasing Operating Contingencies
What happened? The Council voted 8-0 to adopt the transfer of funds.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Against: None
No. 3545 – Grant for the construction of 10 new pickleball courts
The Council voted in favor of re-applying for a grant to construct 10 new pickleball courts at Dallas City Park. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant will cover 60% of the total project, with the remainder coming from Park SDC funds and a donation from the Dallas Pickleball Club.
- Follow the money
- $1,061,085.60 – grant request
- $697,390.40 – Park SDC funds
- $10,000 – Dallas Pickleball Club donation
- —————————————
- $1,768,476.00 – total estimate for the project
What is a SDC? “System Development Charges (SDCs) are one-time fees charged on new development” – Dallas City website. These Park SDC funds can only be used for park expansion and development. The funds can’t be used to maintain or fix things.
Due to recent online public interest on this topic, the City Manager addressed several common concerns:
- LOCATION
- The courts will be in Dallas City Park at Levens St. and Brandvold Ave., not the Dallas Mill Site.
- MONEY
- This project does not compete for general fund dollars
- It does not take money away from public safety projects
- It does not divert money out of city infrastructure needs
- These categories have separate and dedicated funds that can’t be used for other things
- Separate funds:
- Public safety / essential services
- Water
- Sewer
- Streets
- Separate funds:
- These categories have separate and dedicated funds that can’t be used for other things
- CITY PRIORITIES
- “This project is not being prioritized against other competing projects that the city has in the works” – City Manager Latta
- The Police Station, if approved would have its own restricted funds
- “This project is not being prioritized against other competing projects that the city has in the works” – City Manager Latta
The full construction quote from Locke Engineers Inc. is available in the council agenda, pg. 52-53.
Councilor Virden stated not being a fan of using Park SDC funds for the pickleball courts, citing their lacking a family and kid focus.
City Manager Latta clarified this project will only use a portion of the Park SDC funds. Other projects funded from Park SDC funds include John C. Barnard Park which just started construction (including all accessible playground equipment, a basketball court, and walking paths), a new new trail in Dallas City Park, and several small pocket parks across the city.
Councilor Fitzgerald did not oppose the pickleball courts, but was not a fan of their proposed location. Suggested finding a different location for the courts.
Councilor Shein asked for a general timeline of the project if approved. Jennifer Ward, Parks & Recreation Manager, said the grant requires the project be completed within 2 years. The City would hear by this summer if they got the grant. Bids would go out early 2026 and construction would be completed in the summer of 2026
What happened? The Council voted 8-0 to re-apply for the grant to build 10 new pickleball courts.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, Spivey, and Virden.
Against: None
– More Information –
- Work session full agenda
- Work session YouTube video archive
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
