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Bend commission discusses Juneteenth funding complaint and city sponsorship process
Summary
At its Aug. 27 virtual meeting the Human Rights and Equity Commission reviewed how the city handled complaints about event sponsorships, including a Juneteenth event and a holiday parade that briefly lost then regained city funding after staff-led compliance discussions.
The Human Rights and Equity Commission on Aug. 27 reviewed the city’s sponsorship process after complaints tied to a Juneteenth celebration and a holiday parade prompted staff review and outreach to event organizers.
The conversation centered on how the city’s sponsorship program is administered and the commission’s role in advising council and staff. “The key things that we’re looking for is, are they free and open to all? Do they illustrate a clear public purpose? They cannot discriminate against protected basis,” said Andres, a commission member leading the discussion, describing the program’s criteria.
Why it matters: Commission members said timing and communication matter when the city responds to complaints about community events. Commissioners argued clearer channels between council, staff and the commission would allow HREC to supply context about social identity and community impacts before issues escalate.
City staff described the timeline and outcome for both events. According to Andres, the sponsorship intake for the Juneteenth event followed the typical timeline of about one to one-and-a-half weeks; “So no no funding was withheld or rescinded, and the event went on with that with a with a a large success,” he said. Ian Lighthizer of the City Attorney’s Office gave more detail about the holiday parade: the city rescinded funding after the organizer initially declined to comply with the city’s policy, then restored funding after the organizer agreed to make participation open and comply with requirements. “Once they committed to doing that and actually did that, the city funding was restored,” Lighthizer said.
Commissioners raised how the city could prevent similar disputes. Several suggested earlier consultation with HREC when events touch on social-identity issues, and offered to help city communications craft sensitive messaging. Commissioner Jen Kovitz suggested HREC could help the city’s communications team reach communities that don’t rely on mainstream media. “If there is a way for HREC to help communications shape how they're communicating about issues coming up … that HREC could be used as a partner in building communication strategies with the city of Bend,” Kovitz said.
Commission leadership described next steps: continuing conversations with city staff and the council liaison, refining the sponsorship program’s outreach so underserved organizers can access it, and identifying policy recommendations for council that would increase inclusion. Chair Agatha Ventura urged more timely two-way communication so the commission can offer context within its charter.
Commissioners also noted the need to clarify the commission’s scope so staff and community members understand when HREC should be consulted versus when items are city operational decisions. The commission plans further discussion at upcoming meetings and an invitation to Assistant City Manager Stephanie Betteridge to present on the sponsorship program’s procedures.
No formal motions or council actions were recorded during the commission’s discussion on Aug. 27.
