Bend City Council Approves HVAC Replacement for Emergency Services Buildings

The Bend City Council convened on September 3, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of a significant HVAC contract and the Human Rights and Equity Commission (HREC) work plan.

The meeting commenced with a motion to authorize a contract with Temprite Mechanical LLC for the replacement of HVAC equipment in nine Bend Fire and Rescue buildings and the Police Department building. The total cost for this project is not to exceed $799,356. Council members discussed the necessity of the upgrades, noting that the costs had increased significantly over the past two years due to fluctuating prices for equipment and materials, primarily sourced from overseas. The motion was unanimously approved.

Following this, the council turned its attention to the HREC work plan, presented by Equity Inclusion Director Andres Portela, along with HREC Chair Agatha Ventura and Commissioner Jen Kovitz. Portela emphasized the importance of the commission's work in addressing community needs and ensuring that city policies reflect the lived experiences of all residents. He highlighted recent challenges faced by the commission, including incidents of targeted hate and violence, which underscored the need for continued advocacy and support for marginalized communities.

The presentation outlined HREC's accomplishments over the past year and a half, focusing on four core areas: advisory, engagement, education and awareness, and policy advocacy. The commissioners stressed the importance of embedding equity into city governance from the outset of policy development, rather than as an afterthought. They sought council input on how to deepen HREC's role in various city initiatives, including transportation, housing, and public safety.

Council members expressed their appreciation for HREC's contributions and discussed the potential for collaboration on upcoming projects, particularly in areas such as wildfire resilience and housing policy. They acknowledged the complexity of integrating equity considerations into city planning and decision-making processes and emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue and partnership between HREC and the council.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on how HREC can effectively support the council's goals and ensure that equity remains a central focus in all city initiatives. The council plans to revisit these discussions in future meetings, with an emphasis on actionable outcomes and measurable impacts.