Bend City Council Business Meeting, February 4, 2026

The Bend City Council held a business meeting on February 4, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM UTC. The meeting opened with a statement recognizing Black History Month, followed by council reports, extensive public testimony on a proposed natural gas fee and other issues, and action on several agenda items including an economic development strategic plan, a collective bargaining agreement, and a notice of termination to solid waste franchise holders.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items A, B, and D of the consent agenda (details not specified).
• Approved a contract with Neighbor Impact for utility assistance third-party services, authorizing an amount not to exceed $52,342 for the first year and up to $261,710 over five years, with annual renewals allowed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Odendahl (CEO, Bend Chamber): Expressed support for the city's Economic Development Strategic Plan, emphasizing the need for a strong, well-resourced program focusing on business retention, growth, and inclusivity. Also urged consideration of a pilot program to collect data on all-electric homes before implementing a fee on natural gas appliances.
• Michael Baker (CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend): Provided updates on extended teen hours and new Saturday operations; invited council to the annual meeting on February 24.
• John Stark (CEO, Economic Development for Central Oregon): Supported the Economic Development Strategic Plan, noting his organization's role in business retention, expansion, and recruitment, and highlighted tools like tax increment financing and opportunity zone redesignation.
• Justin Gottlieb (Independent Canners of Central Oregon): Expressed anger at local governance regarding improper disposal of containers, citing 600,000 improperly disposed containers. Criticized what he called discriminatory ideology and misunderstanding of addiction, urging better solutions.
• Robin Church (Wildfire Risk Assessor, Project Wildfire): Urged adoption of R-327 wildfire building code before the spring construction season, citing Bend's high wildfire risk and potential economic benefits.
• Craig Renkert (Resident, Project Wildfire): Supported R-327, noting personal experience building a home with its provisions and the need for community-wide adoption.
• Lon Lenev (Project Wildfire Neighborhood Coalition): Representing the coalition, asked the city to adopt R-327, emphasizing that code adoption is necessary to accelerate regional wildfire safety. Noted that Deschutes County adopted it last week and Sisters already has.
• Todd Torzin (Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association): Thanked council for advancing roundabout and bridge projects, but expressed concern that a two-lane roundabout is not proposed for Bond Reed Market despite doubling residential units; requested collaboration on transportation solutions.
• William Dahlquist (Resident, Summit West neighborhood): Described unsafe traffic conditions on Skyline Ranch Road, citing construction, school, and tourism traffic, and asked for traffic calming measures.
• Greg McAvoy (Resident): Requested lowering the speed limit on SE Murphy Road from 35 mph due to increased traffic and observed speeds over 45 mph.
• Mark Gentle (Chair, Aubrey Butte Neighborhood District): Raised concern that neighborhood districts do not have liability insurance through the city after previously having deductions for insurance; asked council to help find a solution.
• Carol Carson (Resident, West Hills neighborhood): Opposed restrictions on natural gas, arguing it is reliable, affordable, and that electrification would increase environmental impact and costs.
• Alice Weston (Sierra Club Oregon, Progressive Workers Union): Supported a strong climate impact fee to facilitate electrification and a just transition fund, citing 2024 as the hottest year on record and the benefits of heat pumps.
• James Kinney (Resident): Opposed regulation of natural gas, calling it affordable and efficient, and noted that replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump costs $23,000 versus $12,000 for a gas unit.
• Brian Adams (Resident, President of Coenergy Propane, Energy Advisory Work Group): Urged council to pause consideration of a gas appliance fee, citing a projected 9-gigawatt electricity shortfall in the Pacific Northwest by 2030 and risks to reliability and affordability.
• Ken Wilkins (Resident): Supported a climate pollution fee on new homes with gas appliances, but expressed concern that funds might be redirected to new builds instead of helping low-income residents electrify. Criticized lack of follow-through on the Petrosa master plan.
• Amelia DuBose (Resident): Urged council to adopt a strong climate pollution fee, arguing that fossil fuel lock-in harms long-term affordability and health, and that the average Oregonian could lose $12,000 per year in personal income due to climate change.
• Rachel Cannon (Apprentice Wireman, IBEW Local 280): Opposed forced electrification and a natural gas tax, citing grid reliability issues and arguing that local rules should wait for state energy policy outcomes.
• Sean Nolan (Resident): Supported the electrification fee, arguing that renewable natural gas does not address health risks of natural gas in homes and that grid capacity concerns are managed by utilities.
• Lori Bauman (Laborers Local 737): Opposed electrification, arguing it increases construction costs and that renewable natural gas can reduce emissions without sacrificing reliability or affordability. Warned of brownouts and blackouts.
• Mary Pantenburg (Resident): Supported a strong climate impact fee, stating that delaying electrification increases long-term costs and that 95% of homes use natural gas, but 13% of childhood asthma cases are linked to it.
• John Hanner (Laborers Local 737): Opposed quick electrification, suggesting a slow approach with a pilot project to study data before any fees.
• Michaela May (Student, Caldera High School): Supported a strong climate impact fee, noting 66°F temperatures and Hoodoo Ski Area suspension of operations due to lack of snow, highlighting impacts on local livelihoods.
• Chad Finnison (Union member, natural gas pipeliner): Opposed disincentives for natural gas, stating it is part of the energy matrix and that technology is improving.
• Joe Craig (Resident): Supported a climate impact fee, citing Oregon's rank of 47th in renewable energy growth and his own net-zero home built in 2016.
• Brad Archuletta (Business agent, UA Local 290): Opposed forced electrification, arguing Pacific Power's grid still relies on coal and natural gas, and that rates could rise up to 140% per year by 2030 if the utility meets clean energy deadlines.
• Dan Cartwell (Mechanical Engineer, Electrify Oregon): Supported a strong climate impact fee, stating that natural gas is a major contributor to climate change and that electric options are available and efficient.
• Dave Berger (Business agent, UA Local 290): Urged council to slow down on the gas tax, citing lack of community outreach compared to other policy areas, and noting that 67% of Bend voters oppose taxes on natural gas appliances.
• Mike Reed (Resident): Supported the climate impact fee, arguing the natural gas grid is old and reliant on Canadian supply (66% from Canada), while the power grid is being upgraded with the Power Act protecting residential customers.
• Jeff McGilvery (UA Local 290): Opposed the climate action fee, saying it would increase housing costs and reduce construction jobs.
• Mike Aldred (Iron Workers Local 29): Opposed the gas tax, citing a DHM poll showing 52% of Oregonians think economic growth is slower than national average, and 67% of Bend voters oppose taxes on natural gas appliances.
• Jeff Grant (Laborers Local 737): Opposed forced electrification, urging council to keep natural gas as an affordable choice and noting 67% of Bend voters oppose such taxes.
• Clara Patt (Resident, Family Kitchen volunteer): Supported a strong climate impact fee, stating natural gas causes 13% of childhood asthma cases and that the fossil fuel industry does not have the community's best interests.

Discussion Items

• Black History Month Proclamation: Mayor read a statement recognizing Black History Month, highlighting Oregon's history of intolerance and recent tragedies, and committing to an inclusive community.
• Council Reports: Councilors reported on various meetings and events, including:
  • Attendance at planning commission, Bend Fire banquet.
  • Meetings with Mosaic regarding community health care and the Mobile Street Medicine Program.
  • Testimony on recreation liability before the Oregon legislature.
  • BDAB meeting discussing economic development strategy; tourism down only 4% this winter.
  • Tour of a new co-working space at the Old Mill.
  • Regional housing council and coordinated homeless response office joint meeting.
  • Meeting with Petrosa residents about commercial amenities.
  • Transportation Bond Oversight Committee discussion on expanding to a citywide transportation advisory committee.
  • Prioritizing infrastructure projects with ODOT.
  • Conversations about construction impacts on neighbors.
  • Town hall with state representatives.
  • Meeting with Redmond officials on shared issues.
  • U.S. Conference of Mayors in DC, where frustration with federal immigration enforcement was a major theme.
• Utility Assistance Program Update: Staff presented on the program's success since 2022, including a 75% increase in households served in the first year, a 9.3% increase in the second year, and a projected 10.5% increase in 2026. Water shutoffs declined by 75% in the first year due to improved processes.
• 15th and Ferguson Roundabout Eminent Domain: Staff requested authorization to use eminent domain if necessary for right-of-way acquisition. The project was reprioritized due to public input. Only a few corners of five parcels are needed; staff noted they rarely actually use eminent domain.
• Economic Development Strategic Plan: Staff presented the plan, developed over about a year with extensive stakeholder outreach (50+ focus group members, 80+ interviews, 170+ survey responses). The plan includes five goals: business retention and growth, targeted recruitment, building resiliency, enabling inclusive prosperity, and planning for growth. Key data: 75% of city tax revenue comes from residential property; 53% of workers commute into Bend; Bend is the fastest-growing city in Oregon at 2.5% growth. Next steps include a business retention plan, small business grant pilot, and urban renewal area investment strategies.
• Solid Waste Franchise Termination: Staff recommended issuing a notice of termination to both solid waste haulers (Cascade Disposal and Republic Services), starting a six-year window period to negotiate new franchise agreements. Current franchises are evergreen with terms from 1980, and the city has been working regionally with Deschutes County and Redmond to develop modern agreements. The county and Redmond have already issued termination notices.

Key Outcomes

• Approved appointment of Garrett Mosher to the home committee (unanimous).
• Authorized agreement with Neighbor Impact for utility assistance third-party services (motion by Councilor Perkins, second by Councilor Norris, unanimous).
• Adopted resolution authorizing eminent domain for the 15th and Ferguson Roundabout Project (motion by Councilor Perkins, second by Councilor Platt, unanimous).
• Approved collective bargaining agreement between city and Bend Fire Association Support Services Group (motion by Councilor, second by Councilor Franzosa, unanimous).
• Approved the city of Bend's Economic Development Strategic Plan (motion by Councilor Perkins, second by Councilor Platt, unanimous).
• Authorized city manager to issue notice of termination to solid waste franchise holders Cascade Disposal and Republic Services, initiating a six-year window period (motion by Councilor Perkins, second by Councilor Mendez, unanimous).
• Council will hold a work session on February 11, 2026, to discuss climate policies, including a potential natural gas fee.

City Manager's Report

• Bend-Redmond MSA ranked 4th nationally in the Milken Institute's 2025 Best Performing Cities report, up from 6th.
• State revenue forecast increased by $252 million, but job growth is not keeping pace with GDP growth, suggesting caution.
• The Reed Market roundabout project will open on February 11, 2026, with remaining paving in spring.