The Bend City Council convened on October 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for a business meeting that included proclamations, public comments, a consent agenda, a quasi-judicial public hearing on the Emblem Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan, a second reading of a stormwater code amendment, and a City Manager's report. The meeting then adjourned to the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA), which considered a fee resolution, the establishment of a new Core Area Revitalization Effort grant program, and two development assistance agreements.
It is six o'clock, so I'm gonna call to order the Bend City Council business meeting. Uh the mayor is currently in Portland and is online. There she is. So I will be running the meeting. Um we'll start with introductions, and Councillor Platt will start with you today. Steve Platt, he's him. Megan Norris, she her. Megan Perkins, she her. Mike Riley, Ian. Aurel Mendes, he him. Gina Francesa, she her. First uh on the agenda today for good of the order is the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation, which I have the honor of reading. Whereas domestic violence affects every person in the city of Bend and within our communities, whereas whether as a victim or survivor, or as a family member, friend, partner, neighbor, educator, employee, employer, or co-worker, and whereas systemic oppression and inequity create a culture in which some communities are especially targeted for violence and experience greater barriers to access services. And whereas intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people in the United States every year, with nearly three in ten women and one in ten men in the U.S. having experienced rape, physical violence and or stalking by an intimate partner. Access to a gun makes it five times more likely that an abusive partner will kill his female victim, and every month in the United States, an average of 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner. And whereas now, more than ever, we are being reminded that we are capable of change, and each person makes choices every day that either support or challenge a culture of violence. And whereas every individual in our community and within our city has a role to play in moving change forward and promoting health and safety for all people by not tolerating violence, by promoting accountability, and by participating in the efforts to end violence. And whereas new efforts build on foundations laid by dedicated advocates, preventionists, activists, and other partners who have been doing this work for decades. And whereas by taking action where you work, play, learn, worship, or live, change is possible and domestic violence is preventable when we are all working together to end systemic oppression, the root cause of domestic violence. Now, therefore, we, the Bend City Council, hereby proclaim October 2025 to be domestic violence awareness month in the city of Bend and encourage all residents to join in this observance. Second. I'm sorry, should I make a motion? Please move. I move to accept the proclamation. Second. All right, uh, Councilor Francosa and we'll say Counselor Norris for the for the second. Um we have with us um uh Abby, oh sorry, all in favor of accepting this proclamation. Sorry, I got ahead of myself. All right, we have with us Abby Rowan from Saving Grace. Do you want to come up here and say a few words? Right. Well, thank you, Mayor Keebler. Um, she's been a lovely partner for us, and thank you, counselors, for recognizing domestic violence awareness month at Saving Grace. Every day we walk alongside survivors and their children. Um, and we appreciate you helping to bring light, something that often stays quite hidden. Um, domestic violence affects every neighborhood and income level here in Bend. A lot of folks think that it does not exist prominently here. It absolutely does, and we see that every day. Um proclamations like this help shine a light, and the light saves those lives. We do invite the community to learn warning signs and respond with I believe you. How can I help you? We also encourage the community to share Saving Grace's 24-7 helpline and local resources and check in on friends, co-workers, neighbors, and small questions often open doors that lead to safety. Thank you to our partners, Bend Police, County Agencies, Healthcare, and schools and businesses, and on behalf of survivors, staff, and volunteers, we gratefully accept this proclamation. We recommit to a bend where home is safe for everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. Next up we have another proclamation for White Cane Safety Day, and Counselor Francosa is going to read that one. Thank you.