Bend City Council Biennial Meeting and Swearing-In – January 8, 2025
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Bend City Council Biennial Meeting and Swearing-In – January 8, 2025
The Bend City Council convened on January 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers for a biennial meeting that included the swearing-in of four councilors (two new and two returning), remarks from councilors, and the selection of the Mayor Pro Tem. The meeting then adjourned to the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) for election of its Chair and Vice Chair. The meeting concluded with refreshments and was the shortest council meeting anticipated.
Ceremonial Items
- Presentation of Colors by the Bend Honor Guard.
- Land Acknowledgement read by Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins, recognizing the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and other indigenous peoples.
- Opening Song by Jaymi Dickinson, a senior at Caldera High School, who performed “Coming Home” by Matt Carey.
- Administration of Oaths of Office by Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem Erin Zemper to incoming Councilors Megan Norris (Position 1), Gina Franzosa (Position 2), Megan Perkins (Position 3), and Steve Platt (Position 4).
Councilor Comments
- Councilor Gina Franzosa expressed gratitude for the supportive atmosphere and acknowledged the difficult work ahead.
- Councilor Megan Perkins (returning for a second term) reflected on challenges faced during her first term (COVID‑19 pandemic, racial justice movement, homelessness increase) and thanked city staff and family for their support. She also extended safety wishes to Central Oregon firefighters heading to California.
- Councilor Megan Norris thanked her family and city staff, emphasizing informed decision-making and stewardship.
- Councilor Steve Platt thanked voters, his family, and expressed his belief in individual actions building movements; he committed to delivering measurable improvements in people’s lives.
- Councilor Mike Riley spoke on the metaphor of council as a band or rowing crew, welcoming new and returning members.
- Mayor Melanie Kebler highlighted the council’s focus on housing, homelessness, transportation, and climate, and expressed excitement to “get stuff done.”
Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
- Motion by Councilor Broadman to nominate Megan Perkins for a second term as Mayor Pro Tem; seconded. No other nominations. Vote: All in favor (unanimous). Perkins accepted.
Key Outcomes
- Mayor Pro Tem selected: Megan Perkins (unanimous).
- Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) Chair selected: Councilor Mike Riley (unanimous).
- BURA Vice Chair selected: Councilor Gina Franzosa (unanimous).
- Adjournment: Council meeting adjourned; BURA meeting also adjourned after elections.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. All right. Welcome everybody to this meeting of the Bend City Council. Um, we have our five sitting counselors up here. Um, present, Councillor Campbell and Councillor Robin said goodbye to our last meeting. They are not present tonight. And we are going to start with a couple of um items and then get into the swearing in. And first, we're gonna have presentation of the colors by the bend honor guard. So if folks would stand and we'll have the honor guard come in and present the colors. And they're coming up here. So I don't really want to move to the side. Thank you very much to our bend honored round of round of applause, please for our country. All right, next we will have our land acknowledgement from Mayor Pur Temperkins. The Bend City Council would like to thank the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for offering this land acknowledgement for us to read during our meetings. We encourage everyone watching to learn about the indigenous people whose homelands we occupy. We would like to acknowledge that the beautiful land known as Bend, Oregon, north to the Columbia River, is the original homelands of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Confederated Tribes ceded this land in the Treaty of 1855 while retaining regular and customary hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. The Wanalama, Warm Springs, Wascu, Wasco, and Northern Paiute people inhabited this area in certain seasonal times that clearly established their presence. It is also important to note that the Klamath Trail ran north through this region to the great Saliva Falls trading grounds. This trade route expanded the impact of commerce between tribal nations. We acknowledge and thank the original stewards of this land. It is our hope that guests continue to honor and care for this land. Thank you. And then we have a special guest here this evening, Jamie Dickinson, who's gonna join us. Thanks for being here, Jamie. Jamie's a senior at Caldera High and a born and raised Bendite, and her mom is um city staff member Tracy Dickinson in the IT department. And um, Jamie, I don't there's so many people behind you sing to those folks, please. Um wherever you want, wherever you're most comfortable. Um we're really glad to have you here with us tonight. Yeah, whatever you want. Yeah, well, thank you all for having me. This is coming home by Matt Carey. I was chasing out a dream. Hug you always talking for the ever rains in cafe. So money of you have first love your spreads for this way with sun, I let my heart west. Thank you, thank you. Oh my gosh. Thank you. One more time. Well, what a great way to get started this evening as we celebrate welcoming two members back to the council and two members, new members to the council after our election. We're gonna go ahead and do our administration of Oaths for our four new folks that need to take Oaths. And we have our municipal court pro tem judge Aaron Zemper here to help us with that. So Steve and Gina, if you want to come up and Megan and Megan, come on down. All right. And I'm Aaron Deffer, and it is my privilege and honor to be here tonight with Mr. Oz. If you would all do raise your right hand and repeat after me. I'm can you state your full name? Do you solemnly swear or affirm? Solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully perform the duties of the Office of City Councillor.
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