Bend City Council Meeting – June 5, 2024

The Bend City Council and Budget Committee convened on June 5, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m. for the Budget Committee portion, followed by an executive session, and then the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. The meeting covered budget updates, land use hearings, proclamations (Pride Month and Gun Violence Awareness Day), a public hearing on state shared revenue, and multiple first readings of ordinances. Key decisions included approval of the Visit Bend business plan, adoption of neighborhood association code amendments, and a compensation increase for the city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from six prior meetings (October 2022 through May 2024)
• Accepted the OLCC report
• Approved the monthly financials for April 2024
• Authorized purchase of security cameras from LTT Partners, LLC for up to $150,000
• Authorized a three-year contract with PFM Financial Advisors LLC for municipal advisory services up to $400,000
• Accepted a $150,000 Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Program grant from DLCD and authorized a sub‑agreement with DKS Associates for the Climate Friendly Area Mobility & Low-Car District Feasibility Study
• Authorized agreement with Diversified Construction and Consulting, LLC for residential meter box upgrades up to $376,347
• Authorized amendment to fuel purchase agreement with Ed Staub and Sons up to $980,000
• Adopted resolution authorizing amendment to Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for the Silver Sage Sewer Project up to $350,000

Public Comments & Testimony

• Emily Hart Header (Bend resident) urged better signage and repainting of sharrows at the Franklin underpass for cyclist safety.
• Sweepy Cole (Bend resident) described dangerous conditions crossing Third Street near Wilson and Franklin, requesting pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements.
• Justin (speaker) discussed his work with the Oregon Bottle Bill and homeless community, noting 1920 individuals signed a letter and that he processed 200,000 units and paid out $5,300 over 12 months; asked for assistance bringing bottle drop, trash company, and social services together.
• Logan Coberts (Bend resident) raised concerns about the health of the Deschutes River, fish ladder functionality, and water quality; also commented on gun safety and trash.
• One online commenter (Doreen) was unable to speak due to technical issues; was invited to submit written comments.

Discussion Items

• Budget and Revenue Update (Budget Committee)
  • Presented by Dan Quick, Budget and Financial Plan Manager, and Samantha Nelson, Finance Director.
  • General fund revenues are on track, with year-end close to budget.
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds: $14.08 million allocated; $5.95 million spent; $7.79 million obligated; $340,000 still to be allocated. Deferring allocation until September pending state clarity on houseless shelter funding.
  • Proposed fee increases: 15% for building, 20% for planning, 12% for private development engineering (reduced from prior 20% building increase due to higher revenues).
  • Water services: 4.15% water, 2% reclamation, 6.5% stormwater (cumulative average bill increase ~3.5%, or ~$5/month).
  • Solid waste hauler fees: 5.5% increase; senior citizen program replaced by low-income assistance program aligning with utility bill assistance.
  • Staffing requests: 8 additional positions (arborist, fire facilities technician, fire inspector, right-of-way manager, engineering inspector, sustainability analyst, community service officer, water conservation utility compliance tech). Most positions funded via existing savings; arborist unfunded but aligned with tree code update.
  • Budget adjustments categorized: CIP increases, grant/debt proceeds, and housekeeping items.
• State Shared Revenue Public Hearing (Budget Committee)
  • Anticipated $12.6 million in state shared revenues for FY2024-25; uses include street maintenance, transportation planning, and transit contract with COIC.
  • Approved by unanimous vote.
• City Property Tax Levies (Budget Committee) – No action needed; lower levy due to interest rate savings on GO bond; council will adopt resolution on June 20.
• Election of Budget Committee Chair – Kat Mr. Angelo elected as new chair, succeeding Peter Skurbeck.
• Executive Session (Council) – 1-hour closed session under ORS 192.660(2)(i) to review city manager performance.
• Land Acknowledgement – Read by Councilor Méndez.
• Proclamations
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month – Proclamation read by Mayor Kebler; accepted by Sarah Wiener (28-year resident, helped start first Pride celebration) and Sam Brown (small business owner, spoke about community support).
  • National Gun Violence Awareness Day – Proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tem Perkins; Brandy Steelehammer (Central Oregon Gun Safety Advocates) noted Deschutes County youth suicide rates 2x state and 3x national rates, with 65% of youth suicides (ages 10-17) involving firearms. Tom O’Connor (Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership) emphasized safe storage and free gun locks at police station and clinics.
• Item 6: Petrosa/Easton Master Plan Amendments – Quasi-judicial hearing to allow alternative “village” housing product, flag lot modifications, and revised transportation improvement triggers. Planning Commission recommended approval with bonding for Yeoman Road improvements. Applicant (Polish Homes) agreed to bond for $12 million estimated. Council voted unanimously for first reading.
• Item 7: Annexation of 5 Acres in SE Area (Lagore) – Quasi-judicial hearing. Annexation of five acres (16 lots, single-unit detached with three ADUs to meet density). No public comments. Council voted unanimously for first reading.
• Item 8: Neighborhood Commercial Sites Adjacent to Bend Central District – Legislative hearing to allow neighborhood commercial uses on residentially zoned land adjacent to the Bend Central District. Staff noted the amendment corrects a technicality and applies to a four-block area. Planning Commission voted unanimously for approval. Council voted unanimously for first reading.
• Item 9: Right-of-Way Vacation – NE Penn Avenue – Hearing to vacate 15 feet of unimproved right-of-way (522 sq. ft.) to enable mixed-use development. Applicant (Greg Blackmore) committed to six affordable housing units and water main looping. Appraised value $33,000; conditions include payment and effectiveness tied to building permits. Council voted unanimously for first reading.
• Item 10: Visit Bend FY24-25 Business Plan and Budget – Presentation by Nate Wyeth and Todd Montgomery. Budget of $4,981,200, funded by 35.4% of transient room tax (10.4% tax). Highlights: Tourism economic impacts – direct travel employment up 10.5%, wages up 16% year-over-year. Room tax collections softened ~3% in FY24. Grant programs (Bend Sustainability Fund 15%, Bend Cultural Tourism Fund 7.5%) maintained. BDAB recommended approval with a mid-year check-in. Council approved unanimously.
• Item 11: Second Reading – Neighborhood Associations Code Amendment – Adopted by roll call vote (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Budget Committee Actions:
  • Approved use of state shared revenues for FY2024-25.
  • Elected Kat Mr. Angelo as budget committee chair.
• Council Actions:
  • Approved all consent agenda items.
  • Approved first reading of ordinances for Items 6, 7, 8, and 9 (all unanimous).
  • Approved Visit Bend FY24-25 Business Plan and Budget ($4,981,200) unanimously.
  • Adopted neighborhood association code amendments (unanimous roll call).
  • Appointed members to advisory committees (Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, Human Rights & Equity Commission, Landmarks Commission, County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee).
  • City manager compensation: approved a 6% total increase (3% merit, 3% market adjustment) and authorized cash-out of up to half of his current leave balance.
  • Issued a council op-ed column on Pride Month.

Proclamations

• June 2024 proclaimed as 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Bend.
• First Friday in June (June 7, 2024) proclaimed as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Council Reports & Subcommittee Updates

• Stewardship Subcommittee: Discussed ARPA funds, tax incentives for housing (policy recommendation expected in August), and Citizen Assembly MOU.
• Community Building Subcommittee: Discussed climate-friendly communities, Midtown Crossings Greenwood Avenue project (construction soon), and street standards/speed limits.
• Councilors reported on various meetings: MPO board, transportation bond oversight, prescribed burn tour, League of Cities transportation policy, BDAB, environmental center home energy program, and a visit from State Representative Pam Marsh on housing.