Bend City Council Business Meeting – March 4, 2026

The Bend City Council held a business meeting on March 4, 2026, addressing proclamations, council reports, public comments, tree preservation code amendments, bond issuances, and urban renewal agency business. The meeting included a public hearing, consent calendar, and second readings of ordinances. The urban renewal agency (BURA) also met to authorize debt and discuss development assistance programs.

Proclamations

• MS Awareness Week – Mayor read a proclamation recognizing the week and highlighting the impact of multiple sclerosis on nearly 1 million Americans. Councilor Keebler shared a personal connection (her mother has MS).
• Absolutely Incredible Kid Day – Proclaimed March 19, 2026, as Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Keisha Kaboda, Executive Director of Campfire Central Oregon, announced a free ice skating event on March 15, 2026, from 12:30–3:30 PM at the Pavilion.

Council Reports

• Councilor Franzosa: Recognized community members and the legacy of Dave Marchie, who helped revitalize the Commons.
• Councilor Platt: Attended the Planning Commission meeting, the Advisory Body Summit, and an event on homelessness; expressed concern about U.S. military involvement in Iran.
• Councilor Norris: Attended the Advisory Body Summit; noted a neighborhood association meeting missed due to a sick child.
• Councilor Perkins: Attended Black History Month events, the Spring Festival, and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board meeting; previewed a public assembly venue feasibility study from Visit Bend.
• Councilor Riley: Attended a rally in support of Ukraine, COCC’s Black History Month celebration, and a talk by Ijeoma Oluo; echoed concerns about the situation in Iran.
• Councilor Mendez (serving as MPO chair): Reported that the MPO Policy Board selected chair/vice chair and that the Transportation Improvement Plan will be adopted next month.
• Mayor Keebler: Reported on legislative progress (SB8 fix, TLT flexibility bill, recreational liability bill), a visit to Pacific Crest Middle School, and joint meetings with parks and county leadership.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Rivers and Kacia Rivers (Southwest Bend residents): Expressed support for stricter enforcement of off-leash dog laws; suggested increasing fines from $250 to $500 or more and requiring community service.
• Kristen Reidelberger (Central Oregon Landwatch): Urged the council to maintain junipers in the tree code as both regulated and priority trees, citing climate resilience, wildlife habitat, and equity concerns.
• Chris Madison (ISA board certified master arborist): Opposed weakening tree code protections, noting that every $1 invested in urban trees yields $2.25 in benefits; argued that junipers are iconic to Bend.
• Donna Britt (small business owner): Described frustration with a city portal glitch that prevented her from renewing her business license before the deadline, resulting in a $20 late fee; the city manager promised to follow up.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the short consent agenda unanimously (motion by Councilor Perkins, second by Councilor Riley).

Discussion Items

• Tree Preservation Code Amendments (Item 5) – Public hearing and first reading of an ordinance amending BDC 3.2.200. Staff presented narrow amendments: new exemptions for residential land divisions on parcels ≤1 acre, land divisions where resulting lots are ≥1 acre, and sites with no trees; a discretionary root protection zone path; and alignment of replacement trees with parking lot canopy requirements. Councilor Mendez declared a conflict (employed by Hayden Homes) and left the dais. The motion for first reading passed unanimously. A work session on junipers is scheduled for March 11, 2026.
• Bond Authorization (Items 6 & 7) – Staff requested two resolutions: (1) issuing up to $9.5 million in full faith and credit bonds for the public works campus closeout, air traffic control tower match, streets equipment, and urban renewal projects; (2) refunding 2016 water revenue bonds to save $300,000–$400,000 per year ($3–$4 million over 10 years). Councilor Mendez clarified that general fund property taxes would not repay the bonds. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
• Second Readings (Items 8, 9, 10) – Three ordinances were adopted by roll call: (8) amending the comprehensive plan map for the Southeast UGB expansion area; (9) annexing 66.46 acres in the same area; (10) creating Chapter 3.120 of the Bend Municipal Code to prohibit firearms in city buildings. All passed unanimously.
• City Manager Report – Updates on equity work (job descriptions, immigrant community resolution), upcoming roundtable (March 12) and joint meeting with Bend Parks and Recreation (March 17).
• Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) Meeting – The council reconvened as BURA. Approved minutes from prior meetings. Authorized $5.1 million in debt (to be loaned by the city) for core area projects, pledging tax increment revenues. Staff then presented an educational overview of development assistance tools (grants, loans, rebates, land acquisition). Council directed staff to explore policy changes to the site-specific housing program, including: lower AMI to 80%, further limit rent increases, simplify to a 20-year rebate, consider requiring first-floor commercial in mixed-use zones, and exploring homeownership models. Staff will return in May with proposals and stakeholder feedback.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations for MS Awareness Week and Absolutely Incredible Kid Day adopted.
• Consent agenda approved.
• First reading of tree preservation code amendments approved; second reading scheduled for March 18, 2026.
• Bond resolutions for $9.5 million (full faith and credit) and water revenue bond refunding approved.
• Second readings of three ordinances approved by roll call.
• BURA: Minutes approved; $5.1 million bond authorization approved; staff directed to research and bring back recommendations for site-specific program changes by May 2026.