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Record of Proceedings

Bend City Council Meeting Summary: December 3, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, December 3, 2025
BodyBend, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, December 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:17:39

Original source
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0:08

Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session.

0:17

No decision may be made in executive session at the end of executive session.

1:39:05

We are ready to get started with our business meeting.

1:39:07

Thanks, everyone, for being here.

1:39:09

We're going to start with our roll call and start on your end, Councillor Franzosa.

1:39:17

Mike Riley, Helene Keeber, she her.

1:39:20

Megan Perkins, she her.

1:39:21

Megan Norris, she her.

1:39:23

And Steve Platt is excused tonight.

1:39:26

Before we get started with Good of the Order, I just wanted to ask consent of the body to move up our public comment just because we have a lot of folks here today, and we started a little late, so I think we should do that first and then do our council action and reports after that.

1:39:42

Yes, I'm honored to read the Reeves Across America proclamation.

1:40:00

With the Ben chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

1:40:01

So we'll ask you to come up after I do the proclamation, and then you can say a few words.

1:40:05

So I'll go ahead and read it real quick.

1:40:07

Um whereas the National Reads Across America program honoring veterans began in 2007 as the expansion of the Worcester Reese program at Arlington National Cemetery.

1:40:18

And the National Reese Across America mission is to remember the fallen honor, those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom with laying of Christmas reads on veterans' graves on the second or third Saturday of December of each year.

1:40:33

And the Reese Across America program in Bend was initiated by Ben's Hero Surrendation and the High Desert Squadron Civil Air Patrol on December 15th, 2007 at Deschutes Memorial Garden and in Bend.

1:40:45

And the Reese Across America program in Bend includes Ben Chapter, daughters of the American Revolution, NIS Wonger, Reynolds Funeral Home, and VFW post number 1643, honoring veterans with Reece placed on their graves at the Chutes Memorial Gardens.

1:41:00

The National Reason Across America program in 2024 honored over three million veterans in over 4,909 locations in all 50 states at sea and abroad, with over four million volunteers placing Rees on veterans' graves and at state capitals across America.

1:41:15

The Reese Across America program in Bend is an outstounding example of how we honor our veterans, the city's use, and the public honoring of the city's veterans.

1:41:32

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bend City Council hereby proclaim Saturday, December 13th, 2025, as Reese Across America and the City of Bend.

1:41:42

Move to accept the proclamation.

1:41:45

Second.

1:41:46

All right.

1:41:46

Moved by Council Bruggins, second by Council Francisca.

1:41:49

All in favor?

1:41:50

Aye.

1:41:51

All right.

1:41:51

Rachel, if you want to come on up.

1:41:58

Oh, and if you come right here to the um table, actually.

1:42:01

Yeah.

1:42:05

Is there a microphone here?

1:42:07

This little one right there will pick you up.

1:42:09

All right.

1:42:10

Um, I just want to say thank you for the race across America proclamation.

1:42:15

Um, and invite you to our we have two ceremonies now.

1:42:23

Um December 13th at 9 o'clock a.m.

1:42:26

at DeShits Memorial Gardens, and then at noon at Mount Jefferson Memorial Cemetery and Madras.

1:42:33

And so we just want to invite invite you guys and mayor um my region asked me to ask you specifically to please come and join us at the ceremony.

1:42:43

Um, and join us in our mission to remember our fallen U.S.

1:42:47

veterans, honor those who serve, teach the future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.

1:42:55

And this is a free event for anyone who would like to attend.

1:43:00

Okay, thank you so much.

1:43:01

Thank you.

1:43:02

And again, we'll hand you the proclamation, the picture.

1:43:20

Thanks.

1:43:32

Okay.

1:43:34

All right.

1:43:35

Thank you so much.

1:43:38

All right.

1:43:39

So as I said, we're gonna go ahead and move right into our public comment period next.

1:43:43

This is the time for the council to hear public feedback.

1:43:46

Um we do have one item that a couple people um signed up for for bachelor view.

1:43:51

I'm gonna have you hold your comments and we'll call you up when that item is called.

1:43:54

Otherwise, um, we'll go ahead and have everybody else commenting right now.

1:43:58

You will have two minutes to give us your statement.

1:44:00

Um Tricia's putting up our timer right here for those who are in person.

1:44:04

Um, the yellow means you have about 30 seconds, red means wrap up.

1:44:07

I'm gonna hopefully everyone can wrap up quickly because we have a bunch of folks tonight, and I want everyone to get a turn um to speak.

1:44:13

Please address us as a body, please know language or actions that would disrupt the meeting.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████58%
Environmental Protection█████████11%
Energy Policy████5%
Community Engagement███4%
Public Engagement███4%
Infrastructure███4%
Personnel Matters██3%
Climate Change██2%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Bend City Council Meeting Summary: December 3, 2025

The Bend City Council convened on December 3, 2025, to address a range of municipal issues, including a Rees (Rose) Across America proclamation, a contentious public comment period regarding electrification and climate fees, personnel compensation, and land use approvals. The meeting featured significant debate between public members and industry representatives concerning the economic and environmental impacts of natural gas ban in new construction. The council concluded public business by adjusting the City Manager's compensation and advancing a development agreement for the Bachelor View subdivision.

Consent Calendar

  • Proclamation Adoption: The council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring Saturday, December 13, 2025, as "Reese Across America" in Bend, supporting the initiative to honor veterans.
  • Appointments: The council approved appointments to various advisory bodies upon motion by Councillor Perkins and second by Councillor Norris.
  • Consent Agenda: The regular consent agenda was approved, incorporating routine items.
  • Development Agreement: A motion was moved by Councillor Riley and seconded by Councillor Perkins to adopt an emergency ordinance for the first reading of a statutory development agreement for Bachelor View 2 and 3. This agreement resolves a legal dispute by removing a sentence requiring specific public dedication timing in Section 4.1.1b. The vote passed unanimously.
  • Land Annexation: The council adopted, by roll call vote, an ordinance annexing 10.66 acres in the northeast Butler Market Village Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion area. Councilor Riley abstained; the motion passed with Councilors Freund, Mendez, Bruggins, Norris, and Mayor Keebler voting in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Support for Climate & Electrification:

    • Peter Fargo (Ecumenical Ministries): Expressed full support for policies reflecting the right to a healthy environment, citing Stanford studies that identify natural gas appliances as sources of benzene, a carcinogen.
    • Julianne Marati Green (Retired Nurse Practitioner): Expressed strong opposition to natural gas, stating it is toxic and suppressed data regarding benzene risks; she highlighted the high annual economic cost of pollution.
    • Amelia DeBose: Expressed support for a strong climate impact fee, arguing that fossil fuels are a scarce resource and that siloing affordable housing from climate justice is counterproductive.
    • Christy Kimball: Expressed full support for a strong climate pollution fee, emphasizing that delaying the transition from fossil fuels will increase costs for residents and is an environmental justice issue.
    • Rowan Lucas (Energize Bend): Urged the council to pass a strong climate impact fee, framing it as an equitable first step toward a just transition and stating the council's job is to represent residents, not developer profits.
    • Mike Reed: Expressed support for making electric-only homes the standard for new construction and criticized the omission of in-home toxic gas costs in consultant reports; he called for Councilor Norris to recuse herself due to a potential conflict.
    • Austin Cutchman (Teacher): Expressed full support for electrifying new construction to protect local ecotourism and reduce carbon emissions, noting that electrified homes can reduce emissions by 84%.
    • Tristy Osbund (Environmental Biologist): Expressed that passing a climate impact fee is an obligation, not an opinion, to protect citizens and meet community climate action plan goals.
    • Sophia Borgeson: Urged the immediate passage of a strong climate impact fee as a tangible solution to the global climate crisis.
    • Quartz Calac: Expressed support for a strong climate impact fee to address health risks, specifically noting a 42% higher risk of asthma for children in homes with gas stoves.
    • Jade O'Hare Volachos (Student): Advocated for a "heavy cost" climate impact fee to persuade developers to use electric infrastructure, citing health risks from benzene in her foster home.
    • Kyla Guerrero: Urged the passage of a strong fee to meet emission reduction targets, linking climate inaction to disappearing snow seasons.
    • Michaela May (High School Student): Expressed support for a climate fee citing the danger of aging natural gas pipelines near her home and school.
    • Derek Reemers: Expressed support for a strong fee, arguing that the fossil fuel industry is malleable and that electrical options are becoming affordable.
    • Brennan Breen (Energize Bend Organizer): Expressed strong support for an impact fee, criticizing fossil fuel lobbyists and noting that Cascade Natural Gas proposed a 17% rate increase.

  • Opposition & Concerns Regarding Electrification:

    • Carl Shoemaker: Expressed concern for public safety regarding natural gas leaks and explosions, urging the city to consider electrification to protect children and pets in new construction. Note: While Carl Shoemaker's testimony mentioned "electrification as opposed to... natural gas," the context of his personal experience with a leak was to urge caution regarding gas inclusion, effectively supporting the switch to electric for safety, though the transcript is ambiguous on whether he opposes the fee specifically.
    • Morgan Greenwood (Cascades East Association of Realtors): Expressed opposition to the immediate evaluation of new development fees, requesting the council pause until a complete cost analysis, resiliency evaluation, and community education on electrification impacts are completed.
    • Sherry Helt: Expressed concern for working families regarding the affordability of electrification, noting that gas costs could rise significantly as a percentage of income for middle-income families; she urged the council to provide choices rather than mandates.
    • Garrett Mosher (COBA): Expressed opposition to an impact fee, cautioning that it would undermine housing goals; they requested a pilot program to gather localized data on costs and grid sustainability before proceeding.
    • David Berger (Local 290 Plumbers): Expressed opposition to the electrification policy, citing his industry experience that moving to electric is 4.5 times more expensive and may double carbon output due to current electrical service limitations; he requested a pilot program.

Discussion Items

  • City Manager Compensation: The council discussed the performance review of City Manager Eric King, noted as receiving a 4.5/5 rating. Despite existing competitiveness concerns, the council discussed and agreed to a 5% salary increase and an option to cash in up to three weeks of vacation to retain him. The council unanimously approved the motion to approve this adjustment.
  • Executive Session Report: Following an executive session regarding the City Manager evaluation, the council publicly read the positive statement of gratitude for Eric King's leadership.
  • Hawthorne Bridge: Councillor Mendez reported on the open house, highlighting community excitement and the project's potential for economic development in the core area. Other councillors expressed support for the project's potential to revitalize the district.
  • Cabinet Comments: Councillors Mendez and Riley discussed the former President's derogatory comments regarding Somalis, with Riley expressing strong objection to the language and affirming that immigrants are essential to the community.
  • Urban Renewal Agency (URA) Meeting: The URA met following the city council session. Discussions included the approval of a promissory note ($161,000) for a multi-use path in Juniper Ridge, noting the path remains incomplete due to county right-of-way permitting issues. A resolution was adopted to amend the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to fund the trail and road improvements.

Key Outcomes

  • Compensation Adjustments: Approved a 5% salary increase and a 3-week vacation buyback option for City Manager Eric King.
  • Development Agreement Adoption: Approved the first reading of an emergency ordinance to finalize the Bachelor View Development Agreement by removing the contested dedication timing clause.
  • Land Annexation: Adopted the ordinance to annex 10.66 acres of land for the Butler Market Village expansion.
  • URA Financial Approvals: Authorized a $161,000 promissory note for the Juniper Ridge multi-use path and amended the CIP to fund associated infrastructure improvements.
  • Public Comment Scheduling: Council announced a work session on December 10, 2023, regarding the electrification policy, with no public comment period scheduled for that meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session. No decision may be made in executive session at the end of executive session. We are ready to get started with our business meeting. Thanks, everyone, for being here. We're going to start with our roll call and start on your end, Councillor Franzosa. Mike Riley, Helene Keeber, she her. Megan Perkins, she her. Megan Norris, she her. And Steve Platt is excused tonight. Before we get started with Good of the Order, I just wanted to ask consent of the body to move up our public comment just because we have a lot of folks here today, and we started a little late, so I think we should do that first and then do our council action and reports after that. Yes, I'm honored to read the Reeves Across America proclamation. With the Ben chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. So we'll ask you to come up after I do the proclamation, and then you can say a few words. So I'll go ahead and read it real quick. Um whereas the National Reads Across America program honoring veterans began in 2007 as the expansion of the Worcester Reese program at Arlington National Cemetery. And the National Reese Across America mission is to remember the fallen honor, those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom with laying of Christmas reads on veterans' graves on the second or third Saturday of December of each year. And the Reese Across America program in Bend was initiated by Ben's Hero Surrendation and the High Desert Squadron Civil Air Patrol on December 15th, 2007 at Deschutes Memorial Garden and in Bend. And the Reese Across America program in Bend includes Ben Chapter, daughters of the American Revolution, NIS Wonger, Reynolds Funeral Home, and VFW post number 1643, honoring veterans with Reece placed on their graves at the Chutes Memorial Gardens. The National Reason Across America program in 2024 honored over three million veterans in over 4,909 locations in all 50 states at sea and abroad, with over four million volunteers placing Rees on veterans' graves and at state capitals across America. The Reese Across America program in Bend is an outstounding example of how we honor our veterans, the city's use, and the public honoring of the city's veterans. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bend City Council hereby proclaim Saturday, December 13th, 2025, as Reese Across America and the City of Bend. Move to accept the proclamation. Second. All right. Moved by Council Bruggins, second by Council Francisca. All in favor? Aye. All right. Rachel, if you want to come on up. Oh, and if you come right here to the um table, actually. Yeah. Is there a microphone here? This little one right there will pick you up. All right. Um, I just want to say thank you for the race across America proclamation. Um, and invite you to our we have two ceremonies now. Um December 13th at 9 o'clock a.m. at DeShits Memorial Gardens, and then at noon at Mount Jefferson Memorial Cemetery and Madras. And so we just want to invite invite you guys and mayor um my region asked me to ask you specifically to please come and join us at the ceremony. Um, and join us in our mission to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, teach the future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. And this is a free event for anyone who would like to attend. Okay, thank you so much. Thank you. And again, we'll hand you the proclamation, the picture. Thanks. Okay. All right. Thank you so much. All right.

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