– Topics –
- City Council
– City Council –
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Councilor Jantz.
Council appointment and oath of office
4 candidates applied for the vacant seat on the Dallas City Council left after Councilor Virden resigned. Each applicant was able to speak to the Council and explain why they should be chosen.
Candidates for City Council
Kirsten Collins
Michael Holsapple
Tyler Lonsford
Holly Willamson
Learn more about each candidate, and read their applications and answers to 17 questions in the council agenda pg. 5-32.
Candidate Presentations
Each candidate had up to 5 minutes to speak to the Council and explain why they should fill the vacancy. Below is a summary of their comments.
Kirsten Collins
Believes community is important and that local government should reflect and respond to the community. Reminded the Council that just 24 weeks ago, thousands of voters wanted her to continue as City Councilor. Concerned about the families, businesses, and people who give quiet acts of service but don’t see themselves reflected at the tables of power and decision making.
Collins quoted Walter Lippmann, “When all think alike, no one is actually thinking.” Reminded the Council about the need to hear from people whose realities are not reflected in the room. Pointed out that when leaders only listen to what’s familar or easy to hear, they are not building a government that truly serves everyone.
Encouraged the Council to explain the “why” behind their vote. Believes community members deserve to understand how and why decisions are made, not just tonight, but all decisions.
Michael Holsapple
Spent 8 years in the military, serving with the US Army at locations domestic and abroad. Served in the National Guard for 4 years mostly in Southern Oregon. Mentioned studying at Western Oregon College, now called Western Oregon University and studying criminal justice, computer science, and business.
Moved to Dallas in 1996 with spouse because they liked what the community had to offer a young family. Spent time in Polk County Sheriff’s department and found his focus in investigations. Believes it’s important for the city departments to have the resources they need to serve the city.
Tyler Lonsford
Proud to be a product of the community, growing up in local schools and now working in the area. Having previously worked as a director at a nursing home and then in a hospital, allowed interaction with people from all walks of life. Reported seeing the challenges families are up against, especially those who are trying hard but still struggling to get by. Spoke about the current need for local services, and shared current volunteer work on a food drive for the Dallas food bank.
Stated personally holding few opinions that live in the black and white, as life experience has shown that most challenges live in the grey. Believes leadership takes humility to evolve with new information. Wants to be a passionate voice for Dallas and help guide the city as it grows.
Holly Willamson
Recalled the years working on the city Budget Committee. Has attended Leadership Dallas for 3 years, learning something new each year in the program.
Shared time serving on the School Board, as well as running the New to Dallas Group. Noted the mutual benefit of connecting of new residents to local businesses through the group. Proudly stated her love of serving the city and community.
Selection process
Councilor Shein thanked all candidates for applying. Stated it was a good challenge to have to pick from all qualified candidates.
Council President Briggs agreed, and encouraged those who don’t win to stay involved with the city and even run again in the future.
What happened? Following the presentations, the City Council voted & with a total of 5 votes appointed Michael Holsapple.
Holsapple was then sworn in. The Council is now full with 9 seats, after the addition of Councilor Holsapple.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For Holsapple – Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, and Schilling
For Williamson – Councilors Shein, and Spivey
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
City Manager Latta, noting it was Elected Officials Day, thanked the elected and appointed City Council members and the work they do. Also thanked those who serve on boards and committees with the city.
Public Comment
- Dallas resident
- Thinks the Council missed an opportunity to have other voices heard
- Doesn’t personally feel heard in the community
- Believes only 1 or 2 voices are represented on the Council
- Doesn’t think that is enough for Dallas
- Non-resident of Dallas
- Owns a business in Dallas
- Thanked the Council for their work
- Noted it’s a hard job without appreciation
- Public doesn’t fully understand the commitment
- Pays attention to the politics of Dallas and thinks the city is in good hands
- President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Held the 7th annual meeting
- No public showed up to the meeting
- Still maintains contact with pool users
- Noted re-election as President of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- New Treasurer
- New Board Member
- Explained a new upcoming fundraiser
- Selling tickets to local Moon Fall Theater for a Sep. show
- All repairs will be completed by June 30th this year
- Held the 7th annual meeting
Consent Agenda
- April 2025 Financial Report, pg.33-55
- Approve the May 5, 2025 City Council Work Session Minutes, pg. 56
- Approve the May 5, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes, pg. 57-58
- Recommend approval of the OLCC Limited On-Premises liquor license for Gather Food Park, pg. 59-62
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling thanked the candidates who applied and asked them to stay involved.
Councilor Spivey also thanked the candidates. Encouraged the community to check out a community theater called Walk the Path.
Councilor Barrientos echoed the previous comments thanking the candidates and encouraging their continued service to the city.
Noted the importance of voting in the May 20th election. Recalled working for Dallas Police in 2003 and having to interview a woman who was escaping a partner who was stalking her. The only place Barrientos could interview was in the public hallway. Believes that was an injustice. Asked the community to give a serious consideration to voting yes on the Dallas Police building.
Councilor Shein agreed with Barrientos. Since hearing people say we don’t need a “new” police building, Shein wanted to remind everyone that we need “a” building, as there is no current police building.
City Manager report
Presentation from the Youth Advisory Council
Sophia, a member of the Dallas Youth Advisory Council (YAC), presented a letter of support to the Council for several projects related to Safe Routes to School.
Did you know? The YAC’s membership is made up of students from Dallas High School’s Leadership Classes.
After spending the year focusing on Safe Routes to School, the YAC wrote a letter supporting specific projects to improve dimly lit streets, and unsafe sidewalks. The letter was addressed to both the City Council and Dallas School Board.
“We are writing this letter to express our concerns about sidewalk safety and our support of the Safe Routes to School Program. As students, our main priority is the safety of our peers and community.”
-The Leadership Classes and Youth Advisory Council at Dallas High School
Vacation of SW 11th Street at Cherry Street
City Planner, Chase Ballew presented to the Council a proposal to vacate a section of city property on SW 11th St. between Cherry St. and Oakdale Rd. Ballew noted the land was dedicated to the city as part of the subdivision plate in 1909.
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.
In 2019, the Council approved the original vacation request for this property. It was later identified the 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 and approved annexing a bulk of remaining 20ft into the city when the property next to it was annexed. Now the city can vacate additional portions of the property.
Councilor Shein questioned if there would need to be changes to the zoning map or comprehensive plan as a result of this vacation. The City Manager confirmed the zoning already matched, so there would be no further changes needed on this property.
Shein then asked about the small portion of property still outside city limits, and why it was not annexed at the same time as the portion in 2024. The City Planner admitted it was a missed opportunity.
What happen? The Council voted to approve city staff to start a legislative street vacation for the property. This will come back to the Council in the form of an ordinance and public hearing.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey
Against: none
– More Information –
Don’t forget to vote today in your local election!
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
