Bend City Council & Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Joint Meeting – October 10, 2023

The Bend City Council and Deschutes County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting on October 10, 2023, to discuss coordination of houseless strategies, siting of managed camps, updates on the Juniper Ridge/Dirt World remediation, the city camping code, shelter capacity and funding, a county feasibility study for additional campgrounds, the siting process for a new landfill, and legislative priorities. The meeting featured presentations from staff from both the city and county, the CHRO (Coordinated Houseless Response Office), and the county solid waste department.

Discussion Items

Coordination of Houseless Strategies and Siting of Managed Camps

• Shelter Capacity and Funding Update (Amy Fraley, City of Bend):
  • The 2023 point-in-time count showed a 28% increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023, with approximately 1,600 unhoused individuals in Deschutes County, 73% unsheltered, and 1,012 within Bend city limits. 44% of those counted have been in the community for 20 years or more; 59% have experienced homelessness for three years or more.
  • In 2023, the city opened 56 beds at the Stepping Stone renovation (former Bend Value Inn), a 100-bed low-barrier Navigation Center (consistently over capacity), and Central Oregon Villages (20 beds, with 40 more expected soon). Safe parking sites at four churches provide 16 spots. The Rainbow Motel, a joint effort, added 60 beds.
  • Shelter results: 58,000 nights of shelter provided, 105,000 meals served, and 315 transitions to permanent housing (fiscal year June 2022 to June 2023).
  • Funding is precarious: The Navigation Center could close as early as March 2024 without state action to release allocated funds from the legislature. Operational funding is being stretched with one-time ARPA dollars and other sources.
• CHRO Update (Chris Ogren, Houseless Response Analyst; Janice, Deschutes County Health Services Director):
  • The Coordinated Houseless Response Office (CHRO) was established per HB 4123, convening Deschutes County, and cities of Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and La Pine. A subcommittee of public land agencies has been meeting bi-weekly for three months to identify properties for managed camps.
  • A technical subcommittee will tour potential sites in October 2023 and provide recommendations.
  • The group developed core values and criteria: comprehensive community engagement (including unhoused residents and neighbors), safety and quality of life for all, respect for partnerships, multiple scaled options, and maintaining public trust.
• Juniper Ridge/Dirt World Remediation Plan (Eric Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Christy Bollinger, Property Management):
  • The county received a code enforcement complaint on its property at Juniper Ridge (zoned EFU). The original 10-week remediation plan was paused due to concerns about displacing people without a place to go.
  • Basic supports have been installed: three stations with port-a-potties, hand-washing stations, drinking water, and dumpsters. BioSolutions has cleaned up 225,000 pounds of waste (133 cubic yards). Approximately 17 occupied camps remain, with estimated 200–250 people across county and city properties in the area. The number of camps has increased slightly since summer.
  • The county decided not to sweep the area, but the situation remains a code enforcement case. There is no case management or wraparound services; the sites are not a managed camp.
  • Councilor Campbell thanked the county for not sweeping, noting that without alternative spaces, displacement is counterproductive.
• City Camping Code Update (Eric, City of Bend):
  • The city’s camping code (time, place, manner restrictions) has been in effect since March 1, 2023. A check-in with council is scheduled for November 15, 2023, to evaluate enforcement and consider adjustments. Early feedback indicates fewer large encampments, though RV camping remains a challenge.
• County Feasibility Study for Additional Campgrounds (Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager, via video):
  • The county contracted with Eco Northwest to study the feasibility of recreational campgrounds at three sites: Fort Thompson Road (540 acres, 310 potential campsites, near Bend), Crooked River Ranch (1,190 potential sites, with river access), and Drafter Road in La Pine (63 potential RV sites). The final report is expected by end of October or early November 2023.
  • Commissioner DeBone noted that the Fort Thompson site could also serve as a short-term transitional housing option (30 out of 60 consecutive days allowed) and could reduce pressure on dispersed camping on federal lands. He also mentioned a separate private project for 330 manufactured homes on adjacent land.

Update on Siting Process for a New Deschutes County Landfill and Solid Waste Management Coordination (Tim Brownell, Solid Waste Director)

• The county is 18 months into the siting process. From an initial list of 203 sites, two finalist sites remain: the Moon Pit site (near Badlands Wilderness) and the Roth East site (south of Highway 20, near Pine Mountain). A third BLM site is on hold.
• Phase two involves on-the-ground exploration, consultation with environmental groups and tribes, and is expected to take six more months. A final recommendation from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to the Board of Commissioners is anticipated by April or May 2024.
• The current landfill is expected to reach capacity by end of 2029 or early 2030. Permitting and development of a new site will take 3–5 years after site selection.
• The county is also updating its franchise agreement with haulers to improve service standards, transparency, and compliance with the Recycling Modernization Act (2021). The new agreement will be shared with interested cities.
• Councilor Mendez asked about waste reduction policies; Brownell highlighted consumer education and the issue of lithium batteries causing fires at facilities.

Legislative Priorities

• The city’s top priorities: sustainable shelter operations funding (to keep existing beds open), housing supply (infrastructure and land supply), and e-bike regulations. The water rulemaking process is also a concern.
• Commissioner DeBone mentioned drug courts (Measure 110) and groundwater allocation rulemaking as key issues. Commissioner Chang proposed a policy paper on adult drug treatment court (which is at risk of closing) to inform state-level discussions.
• Councilor Perkins noted that the adult drug treatment court graduation was held the day before; Judge Crutchley indicated the court is one of the best in the state but faces multiple resource shortfalls.
• Councilor Broadman suggested the Local Public Safety Coordinating Commission (LPSCC) could develop a plan to support the court.
• Commissioner Chang expressed concern about groundwater decline affecting domestic wells, urging cities to acknowledge the impact. The decline in the Bend area is measured in feet over 20 years, not inches. The state’s draft rule uses a 35-foot decline threshold.
• Councilor Perkins raised a concern about ODOT funding cuts affecting snow removal on mountain passes, which could create safety issues.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational and collaborative.
• The city and county will continue to work on a framework agreement with the governor’s office regarding managed camps; a draft is expected in the coming weeks.
• The CHRO will finalize its bylaws and roles by November 2023, with a goal of finalizing the framework agreement by the end of the year.
• The city will hold a work session on November 15, 2023, to review the camping code.
• The county will bring the final campground feasibility study to the Board of Commissioners by early November 2023.
• The landfill siting process will continue, with a finalist site recommendation expected in April/May 2024.
• The city and county will coordinate on legislative advocacy, including shelter funding, water rulemaking, drug court support, and ODOT funding for snow removal.