The Dalles City Council heard two significant proposals on July 14 that could reshape local environmental policy and small business operations, as it considered sweeping new federal floodplain development rules and a possible exception to the city’s strict parking rules for a longtime short-term rental.

Council voted to award a $619,212 professional services contract to Portland-based landscape architecture and urban design firm Walker Macy, LLC for planning and design of the long-anticipated Federal Street Plaza project.

The law requires producers of packaging, printing and writing paper, and food serviceware to share responsibility for the cost and management of recycling their products after use.

City passes budget for coming year, accepts Google wells valued near $20 million, contracts with The Dalles Area of Chamber of Commerce and raises sewer rates.

Here what people were talking about during public comments at The Dalles City Council Meeting on June 9.

Council pushes ahead airport development with legal agreements, gives The Dalles Area Chamber a contract nod after a competitive process, and supports major library improvement.

The approvals mark major steps forward in the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown core while also putting an eye toward safety by partnering with the Northern Wasco County School District and Oregon Dept. of Transportation to create safe routes to schools in West The Dalles.

Stantec Consulting is being recommended to Council for a $455,899 contract to work on former commercial and industrial sites in The Dalles containing underground fuel tanks, and contaminants such as asbestos, and other hazardous substances.

The significance of the decisions will have long-lasting effects on the direction of development in The Dalles while also providing intense capital to ensure safe drinking water for the next 75 years. 

Local room tax is currently relied on to pay for basic maintenance at local parks. Its loss could lead to having to cut services. The suggested change, which would require annual money requests from city council is coming at a time when local surveys show that residents put parks at a high priority, wanting more, not less.

Incumbents Dan Richardson and Rod Runyon are running unopposed - so far - in their bid to be elected to another term on The Dalles City Council. And no one has yet to file for Long’s open seat.  Those wanting to run for city office have until Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. to file their candidacy.

“I implore you to keep your current laws which give you the right to shut down the use of fireworks,” said TNT Fireworks Area Manager Jason Simpson, of Eugene, who said sales should not be banned. “Safe and sane fireworks are glorified sparklers… they give law-abiding citizens a good option.”

“Some identified options include: • restricting the personal use of fireworks within City limits; • prohibiting the commercial use of fireworks within City limits; and • prohibiting the sale of fireworks within City limits.” 

A recommendation from traffic safety officials in The Dalles asks for a dedicated officer to enforce rules around, speeding, failure to stop, using phones while driving, failing to signal, and failure to yield to pedestrians. “Until drivers start getting tickets and are hurting in the pocketbook, it is not going to make any difference,” The Dalles Traffic Safety Commission Chair Mike Kilkenny told The Dalles City Council.

In a significant move towards addressing local housing needs and community concerns, The Dalles City Council approved General Ordinance 23-1404 during their December 11, 2023, meeting. The ordinance amends the city’s comprehensive plan related to housing and adopts a housing and residential lands needs assessment along with a buildable lands inventory update.

The decision was made after the council heard multiple complaints during the public comments section of the meeting from residents and business operators surrounding the nonprofit meal center for the houseless at 315 W. Third Street.

The meeting held at City Hall drew about 25 audience members, 19 in person, and brought comments from seven different neighbors. Some were concerned The Dalles was going the way of Hood River who logged numerous complaints about short-term rentals until changes were made in their codes. 

At first sight, it seems a no-brainer. It could be a great annex to the park and a possible future location for tourism-related functions while providing an historic billboard to Interstate 84. TD City Council is set to ponder the future of the Gitchell building, which sits next to Lewis & Clark Park off First Street. The meeting is scheduled for tonight, Oct. 10, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Impending infrastructure failures push Council to make expenditures to repair water and sewer systems now rather than later.

The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays and Council honored Zora Richardson at The Dalles City Council meeting on Monday, July 25 for her contributions to the local community as well as for representing Wasco County and the City through the Distinguished Young Woman Scholarship program.