Bend City Council and Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Bend City Council and the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) met on September 16, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included proclamations, council reports, public testimony, first readings on System Development Charges (SDC) exemptions and sign code amendments, authorization for a property purchase and bond issuance, discussion of 2027 state legislative priorities, and second readings on the Caldera Ranch development and repeal of an Economic Improvement District. The BURA portion covered approval of loan and grant programs, initiation of a conceptual plan for the Bend Central District, an update on Tax Increment Assistance for Housing Affordability (TIAP), and a project update on the Joule development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the July 2026 Monthly Financial Report.
• Adopted a resolution extending the Houseless Services Grant Program through June 30, 2027, adding funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Monroe (Bend resident) asked council to remove a sentence from the 2027 legislative priorities supporting "responsible technologies," citing concerns about surveillance expansion, data privacy, and misuse of Flock camera data.
• Madison Bordeaux (Bend resident) echoed concerns about the same sentence, arguing it authorizes broad surveillance without specifics or public oversight, and requested a separate council vote before advocating for such technology in Salem.
• Dr. Ali Boudreau (Woodside Ranch) opposed the Caldera Ranch development, stating the application is incomplete, the traffic study is obsolete, and the site sits on two former cinder mines. He requested a full geotechnical review before approval.
• Jennifer Jones (Woodside Ranch) urged council to abandon the Caldera Ranch plan, citing incomplete application, outdated traffic analysis, fire evacuation risks, and a city error on housing minimums.
• Ricardo Waits (Bend resident) criticized the city's equity infrastructure, citing the resignation of the equity director, lack of response to a March letter from BIPOC community organizations, and called for a real meeting on equity.
• Jonathan Bim (apparent speaker, name from transcript) opposed expanding surveillance technologies, noted that Axon has not met state audit requirements, and argued that without technical safeguards, the city is building a surveillance network that could be misused.
• Garth Finley (North Coast States Carpenters Union) opposed staff direction to avoid triggering prevailing wage on publicly subsidized affordable housing, claiming it perpetuates worker exploitation and wage theft.
• Chris McGee (carpenter, North Coast States Carpenters) argued that avoiding prevailing wage undermines worker community and allows labor brokers, asking council to direct staff to prevent exploitation.
• Joe Weinmiller (Bend resident, carpenter) supported prevailing wage, stating it allows workers to afford to live where they build, and also opposed expanding surveillance without clear limits.

Discussion Items

• First Reading of SDC Exemption Ordinance (Item 5) – Staff proposed a five-year, core-area-wide exemption of all city SDCs for non-residential projects. Councilor Méndez moved to amend the duration to three years, arguing it would be easier to pull back if needed. The amendment failed (2 opposed: Councilors Mendez and Riley). The main motion passed (5-2). Council also prioritized three follow-up items: revisiting the SDC credit look-back, reviewing percentage of sales on industrial sites, and creating a shot clock for transportation/water/sewer reviews.
• First Reading of Sign Code Ordinance (Item 6) – Council debated whether to allow increased illuminated signs on the parkway. Councilor Méndez expressed concerns about expanding lighted signs, supporting a motion to adopt the package minus the illuminated sign changes (using Alternative Exhibit A). The motion passed (4-3).
• Authorize Purchase and Sale Agreement for Conners Property (Item 7) – Staff presented a $17.95 million purchase of two properties on the east side (2965 NE Conners Ave and 1979 NE Tucson Way) to consolidate city administrative offices, reduce costs vs. new construction, and free up downtown land for redevelopment. Council expressed strong support, noting fiscal savings and opportunity for BCD investment. Motion passed unanimously.
• Adopt $25M Full Faith and Credit Bond Resolution (Item 8) – To finance the purchase and related improvements. Motion passed unanimously.
• Discuss 2027 State Legislative Priorities (Item 9) – Staff presented top three priorities: shelter funding, Deschutes Basin groundwater mitigation, and statewide transportation funding. Council debated the technology bullet ("support expanding allowed uses of responsible technologies that strengthen public safety and service delivery"). After public comment and discussion, council agreed to remove or narrow the language, instead crafting a more specific statement focused on preemption and photo enforcement, with regular updates to council on technology-related bills. Council also asked to strengthen language on no cuts to shelter funding and to consider homeownership opportunities. The LOC ballot priorities were noted.
• Second Reading – Caldera Ranch Ordinance (Item 10) – Adopted by unanimous roll call vote, approving the binding conceptual plan and UGB expansion per SB 1537.
• Second Reading – Repeal of EID Ordinance (Item 11) – Unanimously adopted.
• BURA – Business Development Loan and Property Improvement Grant Programs – Two resolutions adopted unanimously.
• BURA – Initiation of Bend Central District Conceptual Plan Process – Approved; Core Area Advisory Board (CAB) to provide guidance. Timeline estimated at 12-18 months.
• BURA – TIAP Update – Staff reported on a 2026 BOLI determination that tax rebates trigger prevailing wage, reversing a 2021 determination. Staff recommended front-loading assistance, including parks SDCs, and maintaining the program pause. Council expressed general support for the staff approach, with discussion about appealing the determination and potential legislative action.
• BURA – Joule Project Update – Staff reported that the project had been redesigned from 125 to 79 units (100% at or below 80% AMI), with a reduced funding gap. Council directed staff to bring back a resolution for a minor amendment to the Core Area TIF boundary.

Key Outcomes

• SDC Exemption Ordinance: First reading approved (5-2). Staff to explore follow-up items.
• Sign Code Ordinance: First reading approved with Alternative Exhibit A (4-3).
• Conners Property Purchase: Authorized city manager to enter into Purchase and Sale Agreement (unanimous).
• $25M Bond Resolution: Adopted (unanimous).
• Caldera Ranch Ordinance: Adopted (unanimous roll call).
• EID Repeal Ordinance: Adopted (unanimous roll call).
• BURA Loan and Grant Programs: Resolutions adopted (unanimous).
• BURA BCD Conceptual Plan: Process initiated (unanimous).
• BURA TIAP Update: Direction given to proceed with staff recommendation; program remains paused.
• BURA Joule Project: Staff directed to bring back resolution for minor boundary amendment.