Signal Burst
A quick burst of information on this week’s agenda
Ranked by how much your voice can still shape the outcome
Full Signal – Things that need your attention
Transportation System Plan Update – The Planning Commission will meet with the Council to review the full draft of the city’s long-range transportation plan before public hearings begin
Moderate Signal – Items likely to affect you
La Creole Sewer Resolution – A resolution allowing eminent domain as a backup for sewer easements in the La Creole Node is up for a vote
Low Signal – Topics to keep an eye on
Councilor Leave of Absence – Councilor Jantz has asked the Council for a continued leave through the end of the year for health reasons
No Signal – For your information only
Nuisance Lien – The Council votes to place a lien on one property for unpaid cleanup costs
Full Signal
Things that need your attention
Transportation System Plan Update
Why Full Signal: This plan will guide street, sidewalk, and bike projects across the city through 2045. Public hearings are still ahead.
A Transportation System Plan (TSP) is the city’s long-range guide for how people get around town. The City of Dallas is updating its 2008 plan with funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
This is a joint work session with the City Council and Planning Commission. The last joint session in July reviewed the proposed projects and policies. This time, the groups will review the full draft plan before the adoption process starts. No vote is scheduled.
- What’s in the draft?
- New street connections and upgrades at busy intersections
- Many along E Ellendale Avenue
- Filling gaps in sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes
- Working with Cherriots on future local transit service
- Updated street design standards and traffic policies
- A ranked project list and options to pay for it
- New street connections and upgrades at busy intersections
The updated draft reflects a concern raised in July by Councilor Holsapple. Bike lanes on W Ellendale Avenue are now a low priority, and on-street parking would be kept on at least one side next to Lyle Sports Complex.
- Follow the money
- $155.2 million – Full TSP project list
- $17.4 million – High-priority projects
- $39.8 million – Medium-priority projects
- $98 million – Low-priority projects
- $17.9 million – Forecasted revenue for new projects through 2045
- $155.2 million – Full TSP project list
The expected revenue of $17.9 million would cover all of the high-priority projects. Everything else would need new funding. To raise the funds for the additional projects, the draft lists options the city could consider, including a transportation utility fee on homes and businesses, a local fuel tax, or a bond measure. A fuel tax or bond would need voter approval.
Learn more: See the presentation and full draft plan (work session agenda, pg. 3-111). Cost and funding details are on pg. 108-110.
- What’s next?
- October 19-30 – Online open house (website link not published yet)
- November 12 – Planning Commission public hearing
- December 7 – City Council public hearing
YOUR SIGNAL: Share your input at the online open house from October 19-30, or testify at the November 12 or December 7 public hearings. You can also email a Councilor at any time.
Moderate Signal
Items likely to affect you
La Creole Sewer Resolution
Why Moderate Signal: A small number of property owners are directly affected by the vote.
On October 5, the Council previewed a resolution for Phase B of the La Creole Node sewer line. The line would run through private property, so the city needs easements from the current owners.
Under the resolution, the City Manager would make a fair market offer for each easement. If an owner turns down an offer, the city could use condemnation (eminent domain) as a last resort. City staff say they don’t expect to need it.
Why vote now? According to city staff, if the resolution isn’t in place before offers go out and an owner later refuses, the city would have to start over. That would add time and cost.
- A general overview of how the easement process works
- An outside company appraises each property (up to 6 weeks)
- A second, independent review of the appraisal (about 3 weeks)
- The owner is given the official value and offer for the easement (at least 40 days to respond)
- The owner can accept the offer, counteroffer, or reject
- If rejected, the city can make another offer or begin condemnation
- Explained by the city’s consultant on October 5
The total cost of the easements hasn’t been determined yet.
Learn more: Read the full resolution (council agenda, pg. 40-41)
YOUR SIGNAL: You can speak on this topic during Public Comment, which comes before the vote. Each person has up to 3 minutes.
Low Signal
Topics to keep an eye on
Councilor Leave of Absence
Why Low Signal: The vote is mostly procedural, but it decides whether a Council seat is declared vacant before the end of the year.
Councilor Jantz asked for a leave of absence in August to have heart surgery, according to an email included in the agenda packet. Jantz has been excused from every Council meeting since August 17.
Under the City Charter, a seat becomes vacant if the member misses meetings for 60 days without the Council’s consent. That 60-day mark passed on October 16. The motion would approve a continued leave through December 31, 2026.
If the leave is approved, Councilor Jantz would keep the seat but would likely not return before the term ends this year. Jantz is not running for re-election.
Learn more: See the email request from Councilor Jantz (council agenda, pg. 37)
The Dallas Signal wishes Councilor Jantz a speedy and full recovery!
No Signal
For your information only
Nuisance Lien
In August, the city hired a contractor to clean up a nuisance on one property. The owner didn’t pay the $4,500 bill or object to it. Now, the Council will decide whether to add it to the city’s lien list. The lien would carry a 9% interest rate. The city has 28 active liens totaling about $13,240.
Learn more: In December 2025, the Council reviewed the full city lien docket and asked questions.
Make your voice heard
- Attend in person:
- Monday, October 19, 2026 – City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon
- Work Session starts at 5:30 pm
- City Council starts at 7:00 pm
- Monday, October 19, 2026 – City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon
- Speak at the meeting: Public comment happens near the start of the City Council meeting. Everyone gets up to 3 minutes
- Submit public comment by phone: Dial +1 (253) 215-8782, enter Meeting ID 213 855 0622, then press #. Log in before 7:00 pm to make sure your comment is received
- E-mail the Mayor or a Councilor: Contact your representatives to share information
- Watch live or later: The meetings stream on the city’s YouTube page live and are archived afterward
- Work Session agenda
- City Council agenda
Congratulations!
You’re all caught up on 155 pages of agenda for this week’s meetings. Now, are you ready to get involved?
November 2026 Election
Ballots were mailed starting October 14 for the November 3 election. Learn more about the candidates running for Mayor and City Council with The Dallas Signal’s November 2026 Voter Guide. If you missed the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on October 13, you can watch the video here.
Return Your Ballot Early
Oregon’s Secretary of State is urging voters to mail ballots by Tuesday, October 27. A test this summer found slow mail service in parts of the state, and a ballot may be postmarked days after it goes in the mail (OPB).
- Best option: Drop it off at the Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main Street.
- The 24-hour drop box is on the east side of the building
- Mailing it? Send it by October 27, or ask for a postmark at the post office counter
- Election Day: Drop sites close at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3
- Track your ballot: Sign up for alerts at OregonVotes.gov/track
