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Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: None
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
Public Works Employee Introductions
A new employee, Brandon, of the Public Works Special Services Department was introduced to the Council.
Public Comment
- Dallas Resident
- Brought a full accessible swing seat in as a visual
- Wanted to follow up on previous comments made
- Counted 8 parks in Dallas
- 7 of those have a swing of some type
- Asked for an all abilities swing at John C. Barnard Park
- Believed the park was originally intended to have a swing
- Noted play equipment doesn’t meet all abilities standards even if they meet accessible standards
- Not happy that the swing is going to a different park, instead of Bernard Park
- Concerned with the lack of accessible equipment coming to Bernard Park
At the end of the meeting the Council had additional discussion related to this public comment:
Councilor Jantz asked if the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) swing project is moving forward and if there are regulations for swings. City Manager Latta confirmed the ADA swing at Dallas City Park is moving forward after the Council voted in favor of it in the last meeting. Latta also noted there are regulations and safety procedures with swings, including space needed around the swing. Additionally, there are regulations for the swing to be considered ADA compliant.
Council President Briggs noted he is also hearing disappointment in the lack of an accessible swing at John C. Barnard Park (opening on Nov. 8, 2025). The City Manager stated it is too late for a swing to go into Barnard Park. The park is under contract and can’t be changed. The City Manager also explained the park was never intended to be an all abilities only park, but that it would include accessible equipment.
Public comment and community meetings were held to ask residents what they wanted in the park. A swing was among the amenities listed from those meetings, but was not included in the final design for the park. With the park plans finalized and construction almost done, there is no additional room to add a swing now.
When new comments asking for an ADA swing at the City Park were received, it was agreed to expand the number of parks that had accessible equipment in the city.
The City Manager also shared that accessible equipment will be considered and planned for in the future for more parks.
Councilor Shein commented that when Barnard Park gets larger (with the Fir Villa property purchase), a swing should be considered in that park’s future development.
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 October 6, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes (pg 4-5)
- September 2025 Financial Report (pg 7-36)
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Council President Briggs reminded Councilors to watch for upcoming emails regarding performance reviews for the City Manager.
City Manager report
Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center and the Blue Dragons Swim Team
Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center (FDAC) and the Blue Dragons Swim Team (Blue Dragons) shared information on community benefits when teams use the Aquatic Center.
Ann Hurd, President of FDAC announced the group has raised $39,840 in the last year. That money has gone towards the pool and lighting. The next big project is to remove the plastic lining from the leisure pool and replace it with plaster. The group is also looking to replace the fountain in the kids area with a kids slide.
Also, Hurd shared that the score board was recently updated to add events and heats. This will help spectators keep track of whats going on during the meets.
Paul Hegney is the Blue Dragons coach. To clarify confusion with the team name, Hegney shared the group used to be called Blue Dolphins but changed the name after a merger with another group. The Dragon name brings them closer to the school mascot in Dallas.
What are some of the community benefits from groups using the Aquatic Center? Meets in Dallas draw participants and spectators from up to 40-50 miles away. Those people stay in hotels locally, and often eat meals and fill gas locally too.
After thanking Hurd and Hegney, Council President Briggs asked about the feedback received from people staying overnight in Dallas. Hegney reported lodging in Dallas was easy and a close drive to the Aquatic Center. It was shared that on a recent trip to Eugene some families couldn’t go due to the expense of hotels there. That is not a problem in Dallas since the local hotels are more affordable.
Councilor Shein asked about the size of the group and where people live. The Blue Dragons have a team of about 35 people and growing. About 1/3 of the team live in Dallas, 1/3 in Monmouth/Independence, and 1/3 in West Salem and beyond.
In addition to a local swim team, Central and Dallas High Schools use the Aquatic Center for practices and meets.
What happened? No official action took place. This was to share information with the Council.
Republic Services
Republic Services (Republic) has provided the city with proposed rate increases for 2026. However, the Council will not discuss anything until Republic provides information behind the data used to justify rate increases. City Manager Brian Latta gave the Council background on the history of requests made for this information.
In Dec. 2024, the Council narrowly voted to approve the garbage rate increase for 2025. At the time, several Councilors asked to get more information from Republic on data behind factors that go into rate increases.
In March of this year, city staff communicated with Republic and asked for that additional information. City staff followed up 2 times in May with no response from Republic. No response was given again when city staff reached out in Sep.
However, at the start of Oct., Republic provided the city their annual rate increase request. Republic noted they did not provide the other information that was requested in March. That additional information is still missing from Republic.
Republic is requesting to increase rates 3% for 2026. According to Republic, the increase is based off the Consumer Price Index, fuel costs, and disposal costs.
- Proposed 2026 monthly increases
- $0.79 – 20 Gallon cart
- $0.84 – 32 Gallon cart
- $1.07 – 64 Gallon cart
- $1.30 – 90 Gallon cart
Councilor Schilling preferred to table the discussion until Republic provides the information requested. Council President Briggs and Councilor Shein agreed.
Councilor Shein asked if Republic is short staffed. The City Manager stated they are not short staffed.
Councilor Holsapple asked if the city had a contact person at Republic. The City Manager confirmed they do.
Councilor Schilling added, the Council acted in good faith last year with the intent and expectation they would have the requested information well in advance to discuss this year.
What happened? With no additional information from Republic, the Council agreed to table the entire discussion. Once information requested in March of this year is provided by Republic, then the Council will discuss the proposed rate increase.
Pickleball courts alternate plan
This was a new item added to the City Council agenda.
Previously, the Council approved a 2nd try for a grant that would help fund the construction of 10 new pickleball courts in Dallas City Park. Jennifer Ward, Public Works Director presented an alternative pickleball court plan to the Council.
While reviewing the budget to resurface the basketball courts in City Park, a new idea was created for the pickleball courts.
The original plan had all 10 new pickleball courts located north of SW Branvold Dr. where the old swimming pool was located and is still buried underground.
The new alternate plan would resurface the basketball court which is south of Branvold to become the 10 new pickleball courts. A new basketball court would then be built north of Branvold Dr. The smaller size of the basketball court on the north side of the street allows the old pool to remain untouched underground.
Councilor Fitzgerald asked if the grant would still be applied for under the alternate plan. Ward stated the new plan will not include grant funding like the original plan did. That is because the alternate plan costs significantly less than the original plan.
- Follow the money:
- $1,768,476 – total estimate for the original pickleball court plan
- $501,400 – total estimate for the alternate pickleball court plan
- $1,267,076 – savings potential between the 2 projects
Councilor Barrientos asked why the large drop in costs for this alternate plan? Ward shared 2 of the biggest reasons for the cost reduction. 1st, the alternate plan avoids having to dig up and properly refill the old swimming pool. 2nd, the new parking lot on the north of Branvold Dr. is smaller than the original plan, which reduces the cost.
Councilor Holsapple asked about facilities (like a bathroom) in this area of the park. Ward shared there are no current plans for facilities in this area. Councilor Schilling explained currently a 1 bathroom stall costs about $150,000 to build, so adding facilities will increase the budget a lot.
City Manager Latta also shared that facilities are closed in the winter and at night. Porta potties can be used for temporary needs. Future development of facilities is possible on the new basketball area on the north side of Branvold.
Council President Briggs asked if there is money in the Park System Development Charge (SDC) funds for this alternate project after the city’s purchase of the property at Fir Villa. City Manager Latta confirmed there are enough SDC funds to cover this alternate project.
What is an SDC? “SDCs are one-time fees charged on new development” – Dallas City website. These funds can only be used for expansion and new development. The funds can’t be used to maintain or fix things.
Councilor Holsapple asked about the phasing of this construction project. Ward shared that the cement work can be done in the winter months. The acrylic surface layer will need to wait for better weather.
Council President Briggs inquired about the shelters listed on the alternate plan. Ward explained that there are 5 benches and the shelters will act as cover for those seats.
Ward also shared plans to remove the pickleball court double striping on the tennis courts at Roger Jordan Park. The lines will be restored to just tennis markings. Feedback from users and interested groups showed the double markings were too confusing.
What happened? The Council gave a general approval to move forward with the alternate plan and seek feedback from the public.
Boost your Signal: Give public comment on the alternate pickleball plan to the Parks Advisory Board on Wed Oct. 22 at their 5:30 pm meeting. Full agenda and packet available here.
Ordinances
Ordinance No. 1917 – Adding to the Municipal Code establishing the responsibilities of the Historic Preservation Commission
The 1st reading of an ordinance regarding the formation of the Historic Preservation Commission and its duties passed the Council. The ordinance will put the commissions duties in the city’s municipal code instead of the development code.
Why add it to the municipal vs development code? All other city committees, commissions, and boards follow this pattern. This will keep things consistent.
The Council previously voted to approve overhauling the city code regarding Historic Preservation Regulations to bring it in line with State Historic Preservation Office standards.
Important link: Read the full ordinance in the agenda packet, pg. 44-47.
Council President Briggs asked how many of the commissioners needed to live in Dallas city limits. The City Manager confirmed 3 of the commissioners must live in Dallas.
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance. The ordinance comes back to the Council one more time for a 2nd reading on Nov. 3, 2025 and a vote for adoption. If adopted it will become effective on Dec. 3, 2025.
Ordinance No. 1916 – increase the number of members to maintain a quorum for the Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission now requires more people at a meeting to form a quorum and get work done. The increased requirement comes after the Council added 1 more seat to the commission to include a Polk County government representative.
- What is the change?
- Previously
- 4 out of 7 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Proposed
- 5 out of 8 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Previously
Important link: Read the full proposal in the agenda packet, pg. 49-51
What happened? The Council passed the 2nd reading and voted to adopt the ordinance 9-0. The change becomes effective on Nov. 19, 2025.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
-More Information-
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
