Bend City Council Business Meeting – March 4, 2026
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.
Meeting Transcript
Good to go. All right, welcome everyone to our Ben City Council business meeting for the evening. Um let's start with roll call um on your end, Councilor Mendez. Ariel Mendez, he Mike Riley, he, him. Melanie Keebler, she, her. Megan Perkins, she, her. Megan Norris, she her. Steve Platt, he him. Gina Franzosa, she, her. All right, we are all here. Um, okay, so we are gonna get right into our good of the order. And our first is the proclamation for MS Awareness Week, which I'm going to read. Okay, so the proclamation for MS Awareness Week. Multiple sclerosis or MS is a chronic and often unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects nearly one million people in the United States, including many individuals and families in Bend. People living with MS may experience a wide range of symptoms such as mobility challenges, fatigue, vision changes, cognitive impacts, and chronic pain. These symptoms vary widely from person to person, making MS a complex condition that requires ongoing research, community awareness, and strong support systems. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society leads the movement to improve the lives of people affected by MS. Through research funding, advocacy, education, and direct support, the society works to ensure that individuals receive comprehensive care and have access to resources that promote independence and quality of life. Locally, the Oregon and Southwest Washington chapter provides information, programs, referrals, and community connections for the residents of Bend who are living with MS. People with MS contribute significantly to the cultural, social, and economic strength of Bend. They are artists, educators, workers, caregivers, students, and neighbors who enrich the region every day. Recognizing MS Awareness Week highlights their resilience and acknowledges the ongoing work needed to support community members facing chronic neurological conditions. Yeah, come on up. And for the proclamation and for uh the motion today. Are there any upcoming events anyone should be able to do that? Yes, there is. And uh it's a it's a great event to raise more awareness. Great, thank you. And this one I have a personal connection with my mom has MS. She was diagnosed when I was in high school and a longtime member of the community, so thank you for bringing this forward. All right, thanks so much. Can you um send us the information about the event on April 25th, just a council all at Bendorgan.gov then. And we took our picture ahead of time. We're doing something new tonight. So you're welcome to take a seat and we'll move to our next proclamation. So we don't have to stand up and do all the being with us. All right, our second proclamation I am also going to read, and that is for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Whereas on March 19th, 2026, the National Youth Development Organization Campfire, joined by Campfire Central Oregon, will celebrate the 29th annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. And Campfire provides a nurturing, encouraging, and fun environment for young people to explore and discover their skills, passions, and unique attributes. As part of the celebration of children on this day, adults are encouraged to write and post letters of love and appreciation to young people in their lives. And the Campfire Mission pledges a firm commitment to provide the experience youth need to discover who they are. And whereas grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, teachers, mentors, and adults alike are urged to participate in absolutely incredible kid day and make a difference in the life of a child. Now, therefore, the City Council of Bend, Oregon does hereby proclaim March 19th, 2026 to be absolutely incredible Kid Day in the city of Bend and encourages all residents to join this meaningful event. I move to approve the proclamation. Second. Oh, okay. Councilor Norris and Councilor Mendoz on the second. All those in favor? Aye. And then we have Keisha from Campfire here who come on up.
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