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.

The Dalles City Council gave the green light on the purchase of equipment and lease of computers costing in total some $440,000 at their regular meeting on Monday, July 11.

One local resident received a second chance at life after The Dalles Police Sergeant Doug Kramer sprang into action when recognizing the signs that the male was experiencing an overdose of fentanyl earlier this month. Kramer’s ability to save the man under dire circumstances was recognized on Monday, June 27, at The Dalles City Council meeting.

The Dalles City Council approved a contract to replace the Dog River Pipeline, saw insurance costs jump and decided to bring an attorney on City Staff.

The stabilization work has been ongoing since 2015 in an effort to prevent the embankment to the north of Scenic Drive road from falling. Stabilization Improvements to an approximate 1/4 mile segment of between Jefferson Street/Terrace Drive and Esther Way are mostly complete. Project Engineer Mike Bosse said the latest phase will be completed by the end of October in four areas in the ¼ mile stretch with four different sections measuring, 110, 45, 40, and 70 feet.

PowderPures’ Will Parkki told Councilors that COVID and labor shortages had led the plant to operate at 28 percent capacity. The Company has turned over 34 employees in the last year. He also pointed out that the company currently offers $26.44 an hour and offers 401k matching, dental and health benefits.

Council will hear about or consider items that total more than $1.9 million tonight, April 11th, at their regular meeting. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce’s budget, a new contract for future City Manager Mathew Klebes, and money requests from Parks and Rec. as well as Mid-Columbia Community Action Council are in the mix.

The Dalles City Council will hear an update on the City’s buildable lands inventory at its regular meeting this evening, Monday, March 28, starting at 5:30 p.m. The buildable lands inventory is used in guiding decisions and requests affecting local employment and the economy.

The Dalles City Council officially hired Matthew Klebes as the new City Manager of The Dalles this evening, March 23.
Klebes, who is the current Wasco County Administrative Services Director, will start with the City on May 16.