-Topics-
- City Council
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Absent: Council President Briggs
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
The Wall that Heals presentation
City Manager Latta recognized the traveling memorial that came through the city in Sep. Latta reported a good showing from Dallas residents to welcome the truck as it passed through downtown. The city was given a commemorative coin for the event.
Public Comment
- Dallas Resident
- Brought 6 year old son who has cognitive and physical disables
- Recounted history of being told accessible play equipment would come to the city
- Noted that all abilities play equipment is different than accessible play equipment
- Son doesn’t have use of hands or feet
- Swings bring joy to son and other children with similar disabilities
- Concerned about location of proposed play equipment in the City Park and not having accessible wheelchair paths
- Prefers more accessible play equipment in John C. Barnard Park instead of Dallas City Park
- Has to travel to other cities for son to be able to play
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question, issue, or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and council Reports
Councilor Schilling gave a report from the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT) on upcoming traffic projects.
The Center St. Bride project in Salem is being funded this month. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026, with traffic impacts likely starting in July or Aug. 2026. Impacts will be focused in nighttime hours.
Councilor Shein asked if that is a 3 year project. Schilling stated 2 years, but it’s only the 1st phase to stabilize the bridge on-ramps. A later stage for the full bridge span is 3-5 years in the future and will likely cost a quarter of a billion dollars ($750,000,000).
Next, was the intersection of Kings Valley Hwy and Hwy 22, where a roundabout will be constructed. Perrydale Rd and Hwy 22 intersection will be re-aligned to increase safety.
Most visible of the projects is the intersection of Hwy 22 and Hwy 51. The overall project has been broken down to 8 separate projects. 1st project is to build an overpass at the intersection. Traffic turning left towards Independence would instead exit a ramp on the right and loop up to cross Hwy 22 on the new overpass. Similar design as the intersection on Hwy 22 and 99W at Rickreall. This phase will likely take 5 years to complete.
Councilor Schilling also mentioned some future work for east bound traffic on Hwy 22 turning left onto Doaks Ferry Rd. Turning left onto Doaks Ferry will become an elevated ramp over Hwy 22 with no intersection. Also noted a future roundabout at the funeral home on Oak Grove Rd and Hwy 22.
Important link: Statesman Journal article, Interchange between Salem and Oregon Coast eyed for major changes.
Councilor Blosser passed along a thank you and praise from member of the Dallas High School Safety Board. The Chair of the Safety Board said it was a pleasure to work with Mr. Peirce (a city project manager). It was a great time collaborating and the Chair is looking forward to future projects together.
Councilor Barrientos announced filing paperwork to run for Polk County Commissioner position #3. Noting the enjoyment of Council work, Barrientos committed to not being distracted while running for the county position.
Councilor Schilling reported on a follow up tour of Ascentec Engineering’s building and noted their growth and commitment to the city. Reported the business is expecting to hire 20 people this month. Only 30% of the building is being used so far. Plans to fully utilize the space is 5 years out, but they hope to do it in 2 years. The company wants to keep the properties around them for industrial use.
City Manager report
Sidewalk Repair Program Policy
An official program to help Dallas residents cover some costs of replacing bad public sidewalks on their property was approved by the Council.
One change made to the program is to increase the total reimbursement from $500 up to $2,500. City Manager Latta explained this increase is due to rising construction costs over time.
Councilor Holsapple asked for clarification on what natural wear and tear means on sidewalks. For example, would a driveway with an extend apron that crossed the sidewalk be covered? The City Manager pointed out that sidewalk sections are reinforced to be stronger. The driveway apron and the sidewalk (crossing the driveway) would be eligible.
Councilor Schilling expressed concern with the 3 bid requirement, noting it can be difficult to get 3 bids these days. Preferred 1 or 2 bids.
Councilor Shein agreed with lowering the burden for number of bids.
Councilor Jantz also acknowledged that since the resident still has to cover at least 50% of a project, they have an incentive to keep bids low.
- What would the policy do?
- Reimbursement up to $2,500 (or 50%, whichever is lower) for an eligible sidewalk repair
- Only 1 reimbursement for 1 property per applicant in a fiscal year
- 1 quote is required, with more preferred
- Approval required before any work is completed
Important link: Read the full policy in the agenda packet, pg. 6-7
What happened? The Council voted to approve this policy 8-0, with the change from 3 bids to 1 bid required. The update becomes effective immediately.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Tour of the Public Works Building Construction Site
City Manager Latta asked if the Council wanted to tour of the Public Works building which is under construction. With agreement, the Council will tour this building in their future meeting.
What happened? No official action. A tour date will be scheduled for the next meeting.
Accessible Play Equipment
New ADA accessible play equipment is coming to Dallas City Park. Jennifer Ward, Public Works Director for the City of Dallas presented the proposal to the Council for a 2 bay ADA swing.
Ward pointed out that the new accessible equipment at John C. Barnard Park (opening on Nov. 8, 2025) does not include a swing. This proposal for Dallas City Park will be the 1st ADA swing in the city.
The idea originated with public testimony from Dallas Residents. They asked for a swing in a city park that all children can use, especially kids with disabilities like their grandchild.
The Parks Advisory Board has approved this plan. Dallas Rotary and Dallas Community Foundation are donating money to the project and the remaining funds will come from the Parks System Development Charge (SDC) fund.
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.
- Follow the money:
- Expense
- $39,800 – Total estimated project cost
- $5,500 – 2-bay ADA swing
- $25,300 – poured-in-place play surface
- $9,000 – site preparation
- $39,800 – Total estimated project cost
- Funding source
- $5,000 – Dallas Rotary donation
- plus help with site preparation
- $5,000 – Dallas Community Foundation donation
- $29,800 – Parks SDC fund
- Parks SDC funds are available because building the Mill Section of the Rickreall Creek Trail System is not happening this year
- $5,000 – Dallas Rotary donation
- Expense
Councilor Fitzgerald recalled the public comment made earlier in the meeting and asked why a swing wasn’t included at John C. Barnard Park. Ward explained the original promotional images used were just an artist rendering of possibilities not actual plans. There is also limited space at Barnard Park due to swings requiring buffer area around it for safety.
Councilor Jantz asked what at Barnard Park will be accessible. Ward explained there will be 4 different areas at the park with a different focuses and abilities.
- Barnard Park areas
- Hobbit Hole
- Ground play
- Can be climbed through and over
- Play structure tower
- traditional play structure
- wood chip surface
- Nature play area
- Non-traditional play equipment
- Wooden, earthy textures
- Tire swing
- Non-traditional play equipment
- Accessible play structure
- Rubberized solid play surface
- 2 deck play structure
- 2nd deck will have access ramp from sidewalk
- Low transfer slides
- Additional amenities
- Textile music play area
- Seating for adults and children
- Climbing structures
- Easy
- Moderate
- Hobbit Hole
Councilor Barrientos asked why there was an increase to the pour-in-place quote after just 4 days. Ward and the City Manager explained the increase was due to known square footage and having a better project idea after the 1st quote. Barrientos asked how many swings were reviewed for this project. Ward recalled several, including suggestions and research from the couple who originally testified on this idea.
Councilor Spivey asked for specific information on the location of the ADA swing and timing for completion. Ward described the swing to be located next to the large play structure already in Dallas City Park. The City Manager also confirmed that wheelchair accessible paths would lead to the swing.
Timing for completion is expected by spring 2026. Rain and weather scheduling is tricky to predict. Once a contractor is chosen, a timeline will be set.
Councilor Barrientos asked who the Parks Director is now. Ward explained there is no Parks Director anymore. As the Public Works Director, the Parks Department falls under Ward’s responsibilities.
Councilor Shein asked to clarify what park this ADA swing would go into. It was confirmed this is for the Dallas City Park.
City Manager Latta pointed citizens to the city’s construction project page for updates on projects throughout the city.
Councilor Shein asked how completion dates are set for city projects in general. The City Manager explained that projects usually originate in Master Plans, which are 20 year plans for the future. They usually have a rough estimated cost at that stage. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a 5 year rolling schedule. When projects get put on the CIP they start to form an estimated budget and timeline. Finally in the year of the actual project, a firm budget and timeline are established with needed contractors.
Shein asked how firm the completion dates are when set in contracts for projects. The City Manager stated that necessary caution is given for potential delays when setting completion dates but contract dates are firm. Generally, the city likes to have projects completed at a good pace.
Councilor Schilling thanked Ward for the work and process involved in this proposal. Councilor Shein agreed and also thanked Ward.
Later in the meeting, Councilor Jantz asked about play equipment that was replaced at Roger Jordan Community Park. Ward confirmed some electronic play equipment was removed due to no longer working.
What happened? The Council voted 8-0 to approve adding this ADA swing project to the CIP for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Completion of this project is expected by Spring 2026.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
Ordinances
Ordinance No. 1916 – increase the number of members to maintain a quorum for the Economic Development Commission
In August of this year, the Council voted to increase the number of members on the Economic Development Commission. Due to that increase, the Council needs to also raise the number of members needed to make a quorum.
- What is the proposed change?
- Number of members on the commission to make a quorum
- Previously
- 4 out of 7 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Proposed
- 5 out of 8 commissioners needed for a quorum
- Previously
- Number of members on the commission to make a quorum
Important link: Read the full proposal in the agenda packet, pg. 19-21
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading of the ordinance. It will come back to the Council for a 2nd reading and a vote for adoption on Oct. 20, 2025. If adopted it will become effective on Nov. 19, 2025.
Ordinance No. 1915 – Amending Development Code regarding historic preservation regulations
The Council passed the 2nd reading of this ordinance and voted to approve amending the city code regarding Historic Preservation Regulations in DDC.2.10.
What will the code change do? The changes will bring the code up to standards published by the State Historic Preservation Office.
Important link: Read the full proposal in the agenda packet, pg. 23-58
Councilor Fitzgerald asked for clarification on the difference between the Historic Resource Inventory vs. the Resource List. The City Manager explained that the Resource Inventory is a list of all contributing things like buildings, structures, objects, dates, original architect names, and districts. The Resource List however is the government adopted list of things from the Resource Inventory, which gives them protections but with rules and regulations.
- Resource Inventory = less formal, list of all possible historical contributions
- Resource List = formal, government declared list of properties subject to regulation
Being on the Resource Inventory won’t affect property owners. Owners can object to being on the Resource List.
What happened? The Council passed the 2nd reading of the ordinance and voted to adopted with a 8-0 vote. The change will become effective on Nov. 05, 2025.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
For: Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Jantz, Schilling, Shein, and Spivey.
Against:
-More Information-
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
