[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6612832,"mediaKeyId","2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8","parentId",2880515,"title","Subcommittee urges caution on mandatory transit pass rollout and asks CET/COIC to consider youth discounts","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5433000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8&start=5433&end=5433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8/thumbnail_5433000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612832/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Subcommittee-urges-caution-on-mandatory-transit-pass-rollout-and-asks-CETCOIC-to-consider-youth-discounts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612832-dcb787656a54b64d026d5371b9bee683/orig.mp4?Expires=1776416805&Signature=ckDc~Qah7Rh3NZO9zZ89VsSO4nkufDj73W2kBdmJmuh1k2RchPk29Z79IYhe2IR~K8ZixzCqmpGzXpPVrXxUKaRqJ5Vi4ANKXYo1-t2DxpxE9wS2q~3fo3ixCOELpf8~0orBXyzpRoolg0wZlJBwiM8blnjnS-jSGBLWPNJ3ZLSScbeq4eENe5YINkuA~tv~8sKfIkoJkpavXDaA-QxUhPCNJeK6v0Yi52FfLvNJtWqZ36ag02XPMhZyiaibADWRyzYnD4g2vTLNKaiS~vsipY00ziYJhHHePmHQ6uBWKJbB~BQ-jS39K5WW1hggSkaztGA~Nd~tej18l3vxS8Mnyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bend, OR","date","2025-04-05T05:30:26.407Z","article","Councillors and subcommittee members raised equity and practical concerns about a proposed mandatory transit pass and the absence of a youth fare discount during a discussion of the regional transit authority’s planned changes.

A councillor who serves on the regional board summarized the proposal for council members: after a transition period, riders would need a transit pass to board, and the pass would be the required fare medium. The subcommittee discussed possible effects on immigrant and low‑trust populations if the pass application requires identity documents and on the potential of exclusion if drivers or systems deny boarding to riders without a valid pass.

One councillor asked pointedly: “Are people gonna even feel comfortable if they have to turn over documents right in time to government? Are they gonna not and… a group of people aren’t gonna ride?” The concern, as discussed in the meeting, was that requiring identification or a formal pass could create a barrier for migrants, undocumented residents and others who may avoid contact with government when documents are requested.

Members also noted that the proposed fare schedule includes discounts for seniors, people with disabilities and low‑income riders but does not propose a youth discount. Subcommittee members asked staff to consider student and youth fare options and noted other systems (for example, Rogue Valley, as cited in the meeting) do offer youth discounts. Councilors suggested the city could ask the regional authority to delay mandatory pass implementation while equity impacts are further reviewed and requested staff help draft a letter for the COIC/CET board outlining those concerns and urging consideration of youth discounts and privacy protections.

One councillor offered to present the subcommittee’s concerns at the regional board level and staff said they would prepare draft bullet points or a letter for the full council to consider on April 16. No formal council action was recorded at the subcommittee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stewardship Subcommittee Meeting 04/04/2025 3:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Councillors raised equity and access concerns about a proposed mandatory transit pass and asked staff to prepare comments for the regional transit authority. Members also recommended exploring discounts or pass programs for youth and students to encourage ridership.","taxTitle","Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon","taxId",2850,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6612835,"Subcommittee reviews draft response to civic assembly; members ask for more actionable work‑plan detail before sending to assembly",608,4772000,5380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8&start=4772&end=5380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8/thumbnail_4772000.jpg","/articles/6612835/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Subcommittee-reviews-draft-response-to-civic-assembly-members-ask-for-more-actionable-workplan-detail-before-sending-to-assembly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612835-385665f38b11d39695784e3a11cc84b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776416805&Signature=L5BYuD2xP4e4uNQiuj2xC9PubporwJ2e~lza3FUZNXLpH0JiO~PDhKQwHiKFuYPPO9Paqw5~0MZ2dDuA7-KR7382pbVsU7k9MepMYuv8LiDB8NJYl0S~~q0nIk-ggFSmSr8NaaN6s1g3lGqjr6OfUIBofLYYd5V6uhaKecwFJRsbsCnKldYW3sa9lrilLFLV8PQGSZByr3eSVk6HLrWRjNR4WvLXMN7-CobZ3UawPEdN276tr8CfMfugeqRV3ZSn3Ij6WDVAekrUViAXRyHN78SnBv9wN1MCbU8xHeEDVXgS2qFCxJpiFpye8WbUJY84jxkCUpJ5RXXf7H6xD2yJNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft letter for the subcommittee to forward to the full council in response to recommendations from the civic assembly. The draft formalizes a crosswalk between the assembly’s recommendations and existing council goals and procedures.

The city manager said the MOU with the civic assembly anticipated a staff response and that the draft letter is intended to receive the assembly’s recommendations and show alignment with council rules. Staff asked the subcommittee for a nod to move the letter to full council.

Several subcommittee members asked for more actionable detail in the letter. One councillor suggested waiting until the April 16 presentation and the draft work plan (to be shared in May) could be incorporated so the letter would list concrete actions the city plans to take rather than only goal statements. Staff noted that some assembly recommendations do not fall squarely within city services and may rely on partnerships.

A subcommittee member suggested adding language that recognizes the assembly’s engagement model as an innovative public‑engagement approach and notes the city will incorporate that model into future outreach. Staff agreed to make minor edits and circulate the letter; members also discussed whether to reach out to the civic assembly lead (Josh) about timeline preferences.

No formal vote was recorded at the subcommittee meeting on the draft letter; staff requested direction on whether to forward the draft and to what degree additional work‑plan detail should be added before the full‑council meeting.","The stewardship subcommittee reviewed a draft letter formalizing a crosswalk between civic assembly recommendations and council rules. Members asked staff to include more specific work‑plan actions or to delay sending the letter until the April 16 staff presentation provides additional detail.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6612841,"City staff and ECC present seven priority actions for Bend’s 2025–27 Community Climate Action Plan",1744,3127000,4871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8&start=3127&end=4871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8/thumbnail_3127000.jpg","/articles/6612841/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/City-staff-and-ECC-present-seven-priority-actions-for-Bends-202527-Community-Climate-Action-Plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612841-ca606a9b19d6d88555adcb058a5d4944/orig.mp4?Expires=1776416805&Signature=agTAfz5JcMSLVGSXL5s46vPgO99n64zk6l5QvFcGDEMLGvOm3gOLNjcU-iUjJKRM8lfJbpRN09YBtlOH~5yC881lIbaPRipQjzEVJzridNTRAPd5fE1eFeB9S1Y-pbTgyjwC8laVJEWakQRmKHg4MN4yFdTyjebXXBTtI6sR58KAQaB3n~jJiekMlGF4hoV1lCt6kEKeL9prGrMboMZKAHV3rqwSTko77RtmuLOB6KG4yrN6C4OE~i7rCcnLm4HaRhs2K1-Zvb43VPekGJtuVsqljmXXjUKdybschpB-wq~FTA0IlVpE3SocrSlLr~KoWEGsj6yw6VgnenyoHL8rOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cassie Lacy, senior management analyst in the city manager’s office and the staff liaison to the Environment and Climate Committee (ECC), presented the ECC’s seven priority projects for the 2025–27 biennium as part of the Community Climate Action Plan update.

Lacy said the list was developed with the ECC and will be presented with the full CCAP update to the council on April 16. “Today, I’m sharing with you the priority projects for the ’twenty five–’twenty seven biennium from the upcoming CCAP update,” Lacy said.

The seven priorities the ECC recommended and staff described:
- Outreach, engagement and education: build a communications platform (website revamp launched recently, an environment‑and‑climate newsletter planned for April, and in‑person outreach for events such as the Earth Day Fair) to promote efficiency, renewables and electrification resources.
- Energy navigator program: scope a navigator to help residents and businesses identify technical and financial supports; staff said simpler models that connect people to existing providers (Energy Trust, NeighborImpact, Central Electric Co‑op, and the Environmental Center’s Home Energy Assessment Program) are being prioritized for an initial launch in summer or early fall.
- Electrification policy: staff proposed pursuing incentive-based approaches (the city indicated it would use a public stakeholder process) rather than immediately pursuing right‑of‑way restrictions or a NOx restriction. Lacy said the recommendation is to focus on incentives and revisit other regulatory approaches later.
- Expand public EV charging: staff said the city will seek to deploy chargers (mobility hubs and city‑owned lots such as Mirror Pond were discussed) and coordinate with the transportation and mobility department on operations and maintenance. Staff noted federal grant programs exist but are in transition and cannot be relied on as certain funding sources.
- Waste reduction and reuse initiatives: the ECC expressed interest in pilots such as reusable food service ware for food‑truck lots and takeout.
- Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT): priority projects include the bike‑and‑pedestrian master plan, transportation design standards, continuing Bend bikeways work and supporting transit and land‑use efforts that reduce reliance on single‑occupancy vehicles.
- Demonstrate city leadership on clean energy: planned municipal projects include completing the Juniper Ridge campus as an all‑electric building, pursuing battery storage grants, exploring renewable generation at the water‑reclamation facility, and accelerating light‑ and medium‑duty fleet electrification. Staff said a resolution to formalize a fleet‑electrification commitment is planned.

Committee members and councilors asked clarifying questions on program scope and sequencing. Lacy said the city does not plan to pursue right‑of‑way regulation or NOx restrictions in this biennium, explaining staff believes incentives will be more practicable given legal and implementation uncertainties and that regulatory approaches could be revisited later.

On EV chargers, staff said the state NEVI program focused on highway charging and other federal programs have had rounds of funding but are not guaranteed; the city said it will continue to seek creative solutions and may contract for charger operations.

Councilors and ECC members asked about implementation resources, possible partnerships for a navigator role, and the potential for shared navigator capacity across water, housing and energy programs. Staff said initial navigator options will emphasize connecting residents to existing providers but noted a higher‑service, person‑based navigator would require additional resources or contracting.

The subcommittee heard that the Juniper Ridge campus is planned as an electric facility with significant charger capacity and that the fleet manager will present more on fleet electrification during upcoming budget deliberations. Staff said administrative policies to increase use of renewable diesel blends for legacy diesel vehicles would also be advanced administratively.

Staff said they will bring the full CCAP update to the council on April 16 and plan to introduce a Climate Action Partner Grant Program resolution in May or June.","Cassie Lacy and members of the Environment and Climate Committee presented seven prioritized projects for the CCAP biennium, including an outreach program, an energy navigator, electrification incentives, expanded public EV charging, waste‑reduction pilots, VMT reduction and municipal clean‑energy leadership.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6612845,"Visit Bend, consultant present data-driven sustainable tourism findings; visitors support amenities but residents account for most regular use",2291,815000,3106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8&start=815&end=3106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880515-2d601b548a7d3a4f2ef1715af370c7e8/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6612845/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Visit-Bend-consultant-present-data-driven-sustainable-tourism-findings-visitors-support-amenities-but-residents-account-for-most-regular-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612845-7bd5c0614a1532b0d7fd052668d1163a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776416805&Signature=bpU9ULgerMlvYGD0YrMTO1BOTZdJz44W9idSQkcb4doN94gecuwDsLM53XUBpKuVpB83rYGjr-wmjmtPrO28cadE6Vi-MQ2cpS9h4gh3-BmF7fw2KkwlfLwBxaIUWSlh-0XMrk8OSgXS4c38A280uosCCdZ6YO15C77cTx3MqyDCXXL0avCqm1QJ9h0Iv5G5ZGrevrNyztch1ZOKfV3UHNKAZWzazPXQuZNiCtB2aaGJa0N6XUGRMyP2CGkEcJHmMAPGXd-8ybAmer3eHXCjVq8iRnn6AkdxZHhUSeFSFYCz57L3OibVkHGebIxnaxnI8UTsUPM5yLysl~T5~0hLdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Bend and consulting firm Echo Northwest presented a data-driven review of tourism patterns in Bend during the Stewardship Subcommittee meeting, saying visitor spending supports amenities and jobs even as most regular use of parks and trails comes from residents.

The presentation, led by Jeff Knapp, chief executive officer of Visit Bend, and Mark Buckley, a partner at Echo Northwest, focused on visitation trends, the relationship between visitors and new residents, and strategies to manage congestion and resource impacts.

Knapp said Visit Bend has shifted its organization from “strictly [a] destination marketing organization to destination stewardship,” a change he described as putting “dollars back into the community… and showing up with human capacity and data.” He said the organization invested in the study to check its work and inform more sustainable outreach and grant programming.

Buckley, who described the analysis as an “honest assessment” using census data, park counts and cell-phone location data, explained economic measures used in the study. “This is net benefit. This is the value that you receive from something above and beyond what you pay for,” Buckley said when describing consumer surplus and how the study values recreation benefits.

Key findings, as presented to the subcommittee:
- Visitor spending supports local jobs and businesses: presenters said visitor spending in 2023 translated to roughly 629 full-time-equivalent jobs in Deschutes County and about 230 FTEs attributable to Whitewater Park alone. The presentation distinguished labor income from total economic output, noting the latter is larger because it includes downstream industry effects.
- Residents account for most routine use of amenities: Buckley showed layered analyses (annual, monthly, daily) indicating that, except for specific peak events or weekends, residents make up the majority of visits to places such as Mount Bachelor, downtown and Whitewater Park. Presenters said peaks (for example, Memorial Day weekend) are when visitors can be a larger share and when congestion is most evident.
- Visitation volumes and origin overlap with new residents: the consultants said cell-phone data shows alignment between where visitors come from and where new residents originate; presenters noted Deschutes County recorded tens of thousands of new households in recent years while visitor volume has declined by about 6% over a recent three-year span (as reported by the presenters).
- Second homes and seasonal homes matter: presenters said Bend’s share of second homes is materially higher than national averages and noted that vacation rentals represent less than 2% of housing units, while second-home ownership is comparatively large.

On management and next steps, Visit Bend said it will shift some marketing and recruitment toward group business (conferences and organized travel) that is less weather- and smoke-sensitive than leisure travel, and will use targeted messaging and transportation coordination during peak events. Knapp said Visit Bend had largely refrained from promoting summer visitation in recent years and is now reassessing that approach to align with community capacity and air-quality risks.

Council members asked for data currency and sources; presenters acknowledged some datasets currently cited in the report predate the most recent population estimates and said they will check with data partners for the latest updates. Buckley said the more granular mobile-location and park-count datasets used in the study allow planning that is more targeted than older five-year monitoring methods.

Visit Bend and Echo Northwest recommended a mix of strategies: strengthen data collection and sharing with the city, pursue targeted messaging and group-recruitment strategies, harden or concentrate use in high‑demand natural‑resource sites, and consider carrying‑capacity thresholds (presenters noted a commonly observed threshold of around 70–75% lodging occupancy when negative sentiment increases).

The subcommittee did not take formal action on the presentation. Presenters said they are available to follow up with staff and the full council as the city’s economic development planning and climate efforts proceed.","Visit Bend and Echo Northwest presented a year-long study showing visitor spending supports local amenities and jobs, while residents account for the majority of routine use. Presenters recommended targeted messaging, group business recruitment and management measures for peak congestion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee urges caution on mandatory transit pass rollout and asks CET/COIC to consider youth discounts

Subcommittee reviews draft response to civic assembly; members ask for more actionable work‑plan detail before sending to assembly

City staff and ECC present seven priority actions for Bend’s 2025–27 Community Climate Action Plan

Visit Bend, consultant present data-driven sustainable tourism findings; visitors support amenities but residents account for most regular use