Councilor Mendez outlines council movement on climate fee and one‑time Juniper Ridge allocations
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Summary
Councilor Ariel Mendez told COBAC the council has agreed on a climate fee framework using a social cost of carbon sensitivity and previewed one‑time Juniper Ridge revenue allocations to shelters, a safe‑stay extension, an infrastructure loan fund and transportation safety projects.
Councilor Ariel Mendez updated the committee Feb. 26 on recent City Council actions and items coming to council.
Mendez said the council is considering a climate fee that uses the social cost of carbon framework and noted the council has agreed to move forward at a 20% sensitivity level; he explained the fee is sensitive to the share of electricity generated from fossil fuels. The council has also discussed one‑time Juniper Ridge revenue allocations to address shortfalls and support services: about $1.7 million to fund shelters (January–June 2027), $750,000 for an extension of a temporary safe‑stay area through June 2027, $1 million to an infrastructure revolving loan fund to help small infill developments with infrastructure, and $1.2 million for transportation safety projects.
Mendez said council expects a transit update on March 11 and noted vacancies on regional transportation oversight bodies (Deschutes County Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Committee and the Regional Public Transit Advisory Committee) with application deadlines in March and decisions around April 15. He encouraged COBAC members and community contacts to apply.
Mendez also acknowledged the committee’s off‑leash enforcement concerns and summarized operational constraints, including that the parks district tends to use education‑first approaches and that authorizing parks staff to issue citations raises governance and liability questions.
He closed by encouraging members to raise questions by email if they want more details.
