Sharply dressed, members of the Bend City Council could have conducted business set to Justin Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie” Wednesday night. (Listen while you read, really, it might spice it up)

However, discussions weren’t quite as sharp, as the topics went from moderately interesting to humdrum.

Trees were a point of discussion during the work session in regards to the city’s tree removal process. A panel composed of city staff explained to councilors just how it breaks down, such as when complaints are made, or when trees pose a threat.

Bend’s Public Works Director Paul Rheault said everyone enjoys trees, but that they become a problem with sewer lines.

“Trees are always seeking water,” he pointed out. “They wedge their way into pipes and ultimately cause destruction.”

An issue with a tree at Franklin Avenue and Ninth Street recently sparked talks on whether the city should form a tree board.

Mayor Jim Clinton voiced his support, but some on council felt if a board hasn’t been necessary in the past, why is it now.

From there, basic housekeeping items were discussed, and residents spoke during public comment, one of whom suggested Councilor Doug Knight is placed on the Mirror Pond Committee.

Things got a little heated when councilors Mark Capell and Victor Chudowsky, who both already sit on the pond committee, defended themselves about continuing to serve in the roles.

“We made a certain commitment to bring this thing to fruition,” Chudowsky said.

Councilor Scott Ramsay joked he couldn’t believe four councilors wanted to serve on a committee involving a topic that’s divided the community.

The Bend City Council put months of discussion to rest Wednesday night by passing the Transient Room Tax Resolution, 5-2. Voters will decide in November if the tax-rate on rooms should jump from 9 to 10.4 percent.
The decision didn’t come easily, though. After hearing support from several business figures in the community, council members expressed their own concerns with the tax.

Councilor Mark Capell, although in support of the measure, brought up the notion of an advisory committee being formed to again thoroughly discuss the tax and receive feedback from those the tax would affect directly. Council members agreed a committee to open up dialogue would be in the best interest of a number of entities.

“Ultimately, we want to be as sharp and as effective as we can with those dollars — that’s the bottom line,” Councilor Sally Russell said.

Funding, as discussed in previous meetings, would mostly flow into tourism, the arts and emergency services.
Mayor Jim Clinton also voiced support of the resolution and listed its upsides.
“If voters pass this, it makes a strong statement about our commitment in Bend to moving our arts and culture to another level,” he said.

Council Members Jodie Barram, Doug Knight, Mark Capell and Sally Russell, as well as Mayor Clinton voted ‘yes’ for the resolution, while Council Members Victor Chudowsky and Scott Ramsay voted ‘no.’

The council meeting tonight is so packed with stuff that people care about, you might actually want to make an appearance. If not, at least check the Source’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

We’re going to live tweet the meeting!

The most interesting things they’ll talk about tonight:

• Holding off on approving extra-strength charges for wastewater. Brewers in the area had felt targeted by the charges, which could mean new fees costing thousands of dollars a month for some breweries. On the other hand, the city’s current wastewater charge system targets some breweries, like Deschutes, and not others. The new plan fee structure would level the playing field, at least among breweries.

• Whether the city should let some new businesses defer paying start-up fees to the city, giving them a chance to get established first. The change might entice more small businesses to Bend boosting the economy and in the long run, tax revenue.

• Approval of a $19 million contract with the company that will manage construction of the new Bridge Creek pipeline. This may be quite exciting as the council contends with people who are hopping mad about the project. The city has not yet obtained a number of permits for the project. The city can put a clause in the contract explaining that if permits are denied the contract is null, but opponents to the project said it looks like the city is trying to paint itself into a fiscal corner—forcing the project to go forward at all costs.

• Approval of a big city water management plan that will include another rubber stamp of the $70 million Bridge Creek water project. This also promises to be exciting because of the reasons mentioned above. City officials say approving the plan is less a referendum on the project and more just a matter of procedure.

I know it all sounds wonky, but really it’s a good time. Work session starts at 5 p.m., meeting is at 7 p.m. Both are downtown at City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.