-Topics-
- City Council
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Councilor Holsapple
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
Public Comment
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- The purpose of the group is to raise money for the pool
- Have raised $30,000 since Sep 2025
- $2,500 – Lift for the lap pool
- $15,000 – Re-plaster the leisure pool and whale slide install
- Will present more of their projects in the next city council meeting
- Spa pump and motor is now replaced
- Raised $12,000 from pool users
- Joked the pump and motor might be working too well now
- All but 1 business banner have been paid for
- Business support is wonderful
- Have raised $30,000 since Sep 2025
- Friends annual meeting will be April 14th at 9:30am
- The purpose of the group is to raise money for the pool
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 February 17, 2026 Work Session Minutes – pg. 3
- Approve the February 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 4
What happened? This was approved unanimously, 8-0.
Mayor and council Reports
None.
City Manager report
Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center Annual Report
The Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center (CC&VC) gave their annual report to the City Council. The report was given by Sarrah McMaster, Board President of the Chamber of Commerce.
McMaster pointed out that Bigfoot is a member of the Visitors Center Board, but didn’t attend City Council due to not liking enclosed spaces.
In Oct 2025, the CC&VC cut a ribbon on their new building, located at 184 SE Oak St. The CC&VC share this space with the Dallas Downtown Association.
Throughout the last year, the CC&VC have worked to create and expand networking opportunities in Dallas. They do this through radio show interviews, hosting networking events, and business promotions. They also work on educational programs like Leadership Dallas, and partnering with Chemeketa Community College.
One event highlighted by McMaster was the Bigfoot BBQ & Brews. With a good 1st year turnout and positive feedback from attendees, the 2nd year is planning to be even bigger.
- Bigfoot BBQ & Brews 1st year numbers
- 1,200 – attendees
- 35 – vendors
- 30+ – activities
- 23 – partnerships
- 17 – sponsors
- $5000+ – profit
The CC&VC operate under a contract with the city that provides city staff support and $60,000 annually from Transient Lodging Tax funds. As part of the CC&VC’s contract with the city, a yearly financial report was shared. That report can be found in the council agenda, pg. 18.
Regarding the financial statement, McMaster pointed to a negative showing on the 2026 income. McMaster explained this was for a pre-planning purpose and the negative has already been covered. So there will be a revised income statement.
Councilor Shein clarified, the number they are seeing is already obsolete. McMaster confirmed.
The CC&VC will continue to look for ways to save on their budget. For example, instead of using their budget for printing, they will now have sponsorships pay for the printing of pamphlets.
Council President Briggs thanked McMaster. With the expected tight budget coming up this year, Briggs asked what 1 thing would the CC&VC use additional money for? McMaster answered, pay roll. It would be good to cover health care for employees and those costs are always rising.
What happened? The Council heard the annual report from the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. No official action took place.
SE Miller Ave and SE La Creole Dr Intersection Improvements
The intersection at SE Miller Avenue and SE La Creole Drive was approved for safety improvements by the Council. The work will include sidewalk enhancements, ADA curb ramps, and crosswalk striping at the busy intersection near Dallas High School.
Michael Pierce, Support Services Manager for Public Works, presented information to the Council. Back in 2023, the Dallas School District got a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation – Safe Routes to School program (SRTS). Through a SRTS study, the Miller and La Creole intersection was identified as a barrier to the safe routes plan.
“The current configuration of the intersection does not allow pedestrians to cross SE Miller Ave due to guard railing. During the field observation pedestrians were witnessed either walking around the guard rails or crossing at an unsafe location.”
Staff report, council agenda – pg. 20
Pierce noted the stop sign on Miller would need to be pushed back from its current location as part of the new design. Sight lines and visuals were tested and will not be obstructed at the new location.
The work would be added to the Phase 5 Street Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements Project, which only has 1 corner left to complete. According to the staff report, extra work can be added to a contract under Section 00140 – Scope of Work (00140.60 Extra Work) in the Oregon Standards and Specifications for Construction.
Councilor Shein wanted to confirm this intersection is in the middle of a School Zone. Pierce confirmed.
Councilor Fitzgerald wondered what the increased pedestrian crossings at the intersection will do to traffic. Also asked why the guardrails were put in originally.
Councilor Schilling answered that when the La Creole and Miller intersection was only a 2 way stop, crossings didn’t make sense there. Pedestrian crossings were moved down to Fenton St. and Miller Ave., where a flashing crosswalk leads to the Rickreall Creek Trail entrance. This was done for safety reasons. Now that the La Creole and Miller intersection is a 4 way stop, Schilling believes it makes sense to add the crosswalks.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if the flashing crosswalk at Fenton St will come out. Pierce answered no, that crossing will stay.
Councilor Shein stated pedestrian traffic won’t increase, it will just move to a different location. Pierce also pointed out that the intersection is already seeing jaywalking, so adding crosswalks will improve current safety issues. A controlled intersection is always safer.
Councilor Schilling said the lighting in that area is not great. Recommended looking at getting more street lighting. Pierce said Pacific Power will need to be involved to add another light.
Council President Briggs noted traffic at that intersection after football games can be a lot. Also agreed with Schilling that the lighting is poor at the intersection. Briggs then asked if this was the only intersection identified by the SRTS study that has obstacles. Pierce said there were other intersections, but they were more expensive. This intersection was also the most important safety-wise for the School District.
Briggs asked if a grant is paying for this. Pierce said the ADA Ramp Program and System Development Charges (SDC) will pay for the work. Briggs asked if the Council should prioritize other intersections next year? Pierce agreed and said that is staff’s plan too.
- Follow the money:
- $108,000 – total added project cost
- Funded by
- ADA Ramp Program
- Street SDCs
- Funded by
- $108,000 – total added project cost
Councilor Spivey asked what the share of funding is between the Ramp Program and SDCs. Pierce said it’s about 50%. Spivey broke down the costs to about $25,000 per corner, and asked if other bids were sought. Pierce said other bids were not asked for. The City Manager explained staff can get more bids but it would take extra time. With the original contract almost complete, the single bid from the current company was used to help expedite the process.
Councilor Shein cautioned that delaying time to get additional bids could increase costs due to inflation. The City Manager added, in reverse it could create more competition and drive down the cost. Pierce agreed with the concern that extra time could increase the cost.
Councilor Spivey noted trust in Pierce’s decision and asked if this is a good bid. Pierce said yes. ADA ramps cost more to build and Pierce was happy with the estimated total.
Councilor Jantz agree with adding more lighting at the intersection. Asked if the crosswalk at Eubanks St. and Miller Ave. would be removed. That crosswalk is between the flashing crosswalk at Fenton and new crosswalks at La Creole. Pierce noted removing that crosswalk is not in the plan. To pull a crosswalk, justifiable reasons need to be given because by state law because all intersections are crosswalks.
Councilor Spivey asked if the construction work could be done by city staff. Pierce explained that certain requirements need to be met for ADA ramps. No staff have the required specialty to complete that work.
Council President Briggs asked how to get the added street light into the project. City Manager Latta shared that conversations with Pacific Power will need to start. While adding a light is possible, it will need additional time to be completed. Latta recommended moving forward with the intersection work now, while the process for additional lighting is started.
Councilor Shein asked to confirm lighting would be a separate project. Latta confirmed.
Council President Briggs stated the consensus of the Council was for additional lighting. City Manager Latta agreed to start working on additional lighting for this intersection.
Councilor Barrientos wondered if a cross guard or crossing monitor was considered for this intersection. Latta shared a cross guard would need to be provided by the school. While the High School students may not need a cross guard, the Elementary School students might. Latta would share the idea with the school.
What happened? The Council approved the intersection improvements at Miller Avenue and La Creole Drive. Work should be completed by June 30, 2026. A plan to look into additional lighting for the intersection will also begin.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Dallas/Independence/Monmouth Enterprise Zone
The Council learned about a future resolution regarding an Enterprise Zone tax abatement. Alex Paraskevas, from the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) presented information to the Council.
City Manager Latta explained later in the meeting, that when this program first started in 1982 the state limited the number of possible Enterprise Zones to 30. That caused a lot of small communities to join together to form Enterprise Zones. This is why an Enterprise Zone was formed in 2021 that included Dallas, Independence, and the Monmouth area.
After changes over the years, there are now 73 Enterprise Zones: 55 in rural areas and 18 in urban areas (Council agenda, pg. 28).
In the Enterprise Zone, specific types of businesses can apply to abate taxes for a certain number of years. Ideally, this would draw specific types businesses to relocate into the area.
A future resolution is coming to the Council regarding a business moving to Independence. The business wants to use the tax abatement option for years 4 and 5 of the zone.
One requirement of the 4th and 5th year of tax abatement is for the business to pay a School Support Fee to the local school district. All sponsoring agencies of the Enterprise Zone must vote to approve setting that fee. So even though the business isn’t going to be in Dallas, as a sponsoring agency, the City Council still needs to vote on the School Support Fee.
The 2 school districts in the Enterprise Zone (Dallas and Central) already agreed and passed resolutions for a 15% School Support Fee. Dallas School Board approved their resolution on Feb 9, 2026. Now each city also needs to vote to approve the 15% School Support Fee.
Did you know? Additional requirements for a business to qualify for tax abatement include adding a $50,000 investment to the property (like a building). Another is to increase full time employment during the years of tax abatement. Those new employees must also be paid 150% of the average wage in Polk County, which would be at least $78,000 per year.
There was additional discussion to understand the fee. All Enterprise Zone agencies will vote to set the School Support Fee for the entire Zone. Once it is set, all future businesses who want to use the 4th and 5th year of tax abatement would have to pay the 15% fee.
If a business moved to Dallas and wanted to use the 4th and 5th year of abatement, then the Council could add additional requirements on top of the 15% School Support Fee for that business.
Councilor Spivey asked how many businesses in the history of the Enterprise Zone have used the 4th and 5th year abatement. Paraskevas said none. This would be the first and that is why the Council is learning about this process now.
What happened? The Council learned about the Enterprise Zone from a SEDCOR representative and asked questions. No official action took place in this meeting. A resolution will come to the Council for a vote on the 15% School Support Fee in the future.
Joint Work Session with the Dallas School Board
City Manager Latta explained the Dallas School Board expressed a desire to have a joint work session with the Council. This meeting would be to discuss topics of mutual interest, demographic trends, and sharing resources. If the Council agreed, a joint meeting would be held on July 6, 2026.
Councilor Schilling asked about the council meetings for that day. Latta shared there would be no city council meeting that day, only the joint work session.
Councilor Shein said it was a good idea.
Council President Briggs noted seeing lots of kids running around downtown, but they are not District kids. With the District numbers dropping, Briggs would like to see how the Council can help.
Councilor Shein asked how many School Board Members there are. Latta answered 5.
What happened? The Council agreed to a 2 hour joint work session meeting with the Dallas School Board on July 6, 2026. No city council meeting would be held on that day.
ORDINANCES
No. 1919 – Adding Commercial Indoor Recreation as a land use
The Council had a 2nd reading and then voted to adopt the ordinance which updates the city Development Code. This will add a new land use category of Indoor Recreation to Industrial and Commercial zones.
This change will allow businesses like gymnasiums, athletic or health clubs, dance or martial arts studios, game halls, and arcades to operate in commercial and industrial zones.
During a public hearing on this topic, several business owners spoke about gyms leaving the downtown center if this passed and the opportunity for new open commercial space in downtown.
Learn more: Get more details from the Wrap Up on the Public Hearing for this code change.
What happened? The Council voted to adopt the ordinance after the 2nd reading by an 8-0 vote. It will become effective on April 1, 2026.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
-More Information-
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
