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HREC letter on shelter funding credited by mayor; commission moves letter forward and discusses China Hat belongings issue
Summary
Commissioners noted that Mayor Pro Tem used a Human Rights and Equity Commission letter as the basis for a city letter to the legislature protecting shelter funding. The commission voted unanimously to advance their own letter and discussed unresolved property and access issues at the China Hat encampment.
Commissioners of the City of Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission discussed recent legislative shelter funding developments and unanimously approved a motion to forward the commission's letter for broader distribution and coordination with regional partners.
Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins told the commission that she had used an HREC letter about shelter funding as the basis for a city letter to the Oregon Legislature. "She used that letter as the basis of a letter that she wrote then to the legislature from the city of Bend," Perkins said, noting that shelter funding bills were close to staff and commission expectations and appeared likely to protect shelters for the near term.
Following that update, Commissioner Vernadico moved to "move the letter forward" and Commissioner Beth Hannon seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioners also discussed ongoing concerns at the China Hat site (a regional encampment on federal land) where residents reported restrictions on retrieving belongings. Commissioner Bernadico described conversations with people who had vehicles towed and families who could not retrieve possessions because officials required documentation such as proof of insurance or registration. Bernadico urged sharing the letter with the coordinated houseless response office and regional partners because China Hat falls outside Bend city limits and is addressed through regional response.
Commissioner Eli Lowenstern said he would be available to present the commission's concerns to regional bodies, and Portela suggested the coordinated houseless response office and other regional partners could be invited to hear HREC's recommendations.
No monetary appropriation or ordinance resulted from the motion; commissioners asked staff and the council liaison to share the letter with council, regional partners, and the coordinated houseless response office as appropriate.
Quotes and actions are limited to statements on the record. The commission did not attach further formal conditions to the letter during this meeting.
