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
- None this week
- Moderate Signal – Items likely to affect you
- Economic Development Strategic Plan Update – City staff is asking the Council for direction on the process to rewrite the city’s Economic Development Strategy, including what priorities to highlight
- Clay Street Parking Request – Salem Health is requesting a reduction in on-street parking near West Valley Hospital
- Waste Management and Transfer Site IGA – An agreement with Polk County on cooperative post-collection waste management and use of a future transfer site
- Low Signal – Topics to keep an eye on
- Fire Marshal Services IGA – Renewal of the city’s agreement with Polk Fire District #1 with an hourly rate increase added
- Godsey Road Waterline Project – City staff are seeking the Councils input on a $650,000 change order to replace an aging water line while Godsey Road is already under construction
- Pickleball Courts Update – The updated 7 pickleball court plan and phasing will be explained to the Council
- Resolution No. 3579 – Technology fee for Planning and Public Works fees – A vote to add a 4% technology fee to planning and public works permits
- No Signal – For your information only
- None this week
Full Signal
Things that need your attention
Nothing at Full Signal this week.
Moderate Signal
Items likely to affect you
Economic Development Strategic Plan Update
Why Moderate Signal: The Council is being asked for early feedback and priorities before the process to rewrite a plan begins.
The city’s current 2022-2026 Economic Development Strategy is preparing to be updated for the future. The City Council is being asked for their feedback on the process for the update and to identify any priorities for the new strategic plan.
- 3 priorities of the current Economic Development Strategy
- Address the commercial lands deficit in Dallas
- Prepare the Dallas Mill Site for development
- Continue urban renewal and downtown revitalization efforts
A chart in the agenda shows what progress the city has made towards the 3 current priorities. The projects include the Mill Site property, the La Creole Node, and a yet to be explored new Commercial Neighborhood zone in the southwest part of the city.
Learn more: See the chart showing current progress for each of the 3 priorities (pg 11-13)
Rewriting the plan is expected to include 2 new surveys (residents and businesses). City staff have already identified an outside facilitator to lead the process to develop a new strategic plan.
- Staff is asking the Council to answer 3 questions
- Does the council support the process as designed, or are there any additional changes the council would like to see to this process?
- Are there specific priorities the council would like to see highlighted in the new Strategic Plan?
- How would the council like to receive updates on the plan once it is implemented?
If everything goes to schedule, the new Economic Development Strategy Plan would be looking at adoption in the first half of 2027.
Since this is a work session item, no official action or votes will be held. City staff is just looking for guidance from the Council.
YOUR SIGNAL: Watch out for the resident survey likely to come on this topic. You can also share your thoughts during the Public Comment time in the Council meeting or by emailing a Councilor.
Clay Street Parking Request
Why Moderate Signal: The Council could vote on a proposal that would reduce on-street parking on SE Clay Street.
West Valley Hospital is preparing for a major expansion and renovation. Included in the project is a plan to change on-street parking on SE Clay Street between SE Lewis Street and SE Uglow Avenue.
The Council will consider the request to remove on-street parking on the south side of Clay Street and add 15 angled parking spaces on the north side. 6 parking spots would be reserved for emergency room patients only.
City staff estimate this would result in 4 fewer total on-street spaces on the block than exist today.
If the Council approves the proposal, the item would come back as a resolution in a future meeting for a vote (possibly October 5th).
YOUR SIGNAL: You can speak about this topic during the Public Comment time towards the beginning of the Council meeting. Each person has up to 3 minutes to speak.
Waste Management and Transfer Site IGA
Why Moderate Signal: This agreement sets up a 10 year cooperative framework with Polk County.
Polk County has been working with cities, including Dallas, on an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for cooperative post-collection waste management.
- 3 things the city would agree to with this IGA
- The county manages the flow of solid waste throughout the county
- The city would prioritize cooperating with the county on post-collection management
- The city would proactively evaluate updating its solid waste franchise agreement to match the IGA goals, in the next 12 months
Future use of a future transfer site as part of the collection system is included in the agreement. However, the IGA would not permit or authorize construction of a transfer facility. Any building or permits would be handled by Polk County separately.
The IGA would last for 10 years. There would be a recurring automatic 5 year extension renewal, unless either party ended the agreement.
Republic Services had not submitted feedback on the IGA yet, according to the staff report.
If approved by the City Council, the City Manager would be allowed to sign the IGA on behalf of the city.
YOUR SIGNAL: You can speak on this item during the Public Comment section near the beginning of the meeting. Time is limited to 3 minutes per person.
Low Signal
Topics to keep an eye on
Fire Marshal Services IGA
Why Low Signal: This is a renewal of an existing agreement, with the only change being the hourly rate.
The City of Dallas’ fire marshal services has been provided by the Polk Fire District #1 for the past few years. The City Council will consider renewing the currently expired Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
The only change from the previous IGA is to the hourly rate which would increase from $90.60 to $102.38. Depending on permit activity, the city expects that to cost around $6,000 – $12,000 in a fiscal year.
If approved, the City Manager would sign the IGA on behalf of the city.
Godsey Road Waterline Project
Why Low Signal: The Council will discuss spending additional money to replace a water line on Godsey Road which is currently under construction.
Godsey Road, south of the bridge, is currently under construction. An opportunity was identified to replace 2,200 lineal feet of the 60+ year old water line while the road is already open. The replacement would increase the current 10 inches up to a 12 inch pipe.
This change order would allow up to $650,000 to be spent. City staff noted the water fund contingency has enough money to cover this added project with $3.7 million budgeted this fiscal year.
If the Council agrees, this item would come back to the Council in the future as a budget resolution for approval.
Pickleball Courts Update
Why Low Signal: This is an information-only update following residents voicing concern in the last meeting.
The Council will learn about the updated pickleball court plan for the south side of Brandvold Drive at Dallas City Park.
After a closer look, staff determined the site would require extra fill on the west side to hold all 8 courts. That extra fill would add money to the project and increase the environmental impact. So the plan was changed to 7 courts.
The northern 4 courts are now under construction.
Next year, the remaining 3 courts will be added. The delay is because 1,300 square feet of asphalt needs to be added to the southern end of the site for the 3 courts.
- Follow the money
- $240,000 – 7 pickleball courts
- Paid with Parks System Development Charges
- $240,000 – 7 pickleball courts
Pickleball striping on the tennis courts at Roger Jordan Park will stay in place until all 7 new courts are built.
Resolution No. 3579 – Technology Fee for Planning and Public Works Fees
Why Low Signal: This would add a technology fee to planning and public permits to cover a new e-permitting software.
The city is changing how it processes planning and public works permits by using software. The new e-permitting software is already used by the city for building permits.
If the City Council approves this resolution, it would add a 4% technology fee to all Planning and Public Works fees (except Fleet Services rates). The fee is to help cover the software cost and credit card charges the city currently covers.
If approved the 4% permit fee would be effective immediately.
No Signal
For your information only
Nothing here this week.
Make your voice heard
- Attend in person:
- Monday, September 21, 2026 – City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon
- Work Session starts at 6:00 pm
- City Council starts at 7:00 pm
- Monday, September 21, 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 meeting streams on the city’s YouTube page live and is then archived afterward
- Work session agenda
- City Council agenda
Congratulations!
You’re all caught up on 75 pages of agenda for this week’s meeting. Now, are you ready to get involved?
Learn more about the candidates running for Mayor and City Council in November 2026 with the November 2026 Voter Guide.
