Agenda Items & Discussion

• The board approved minutes from the cancelled June 1, 2026 meeting and the special called meeting of July 8, 2026.
• Public comment: Philip Bernie (Iron Workers Local training director) and Kenny Smith (IBEW electrical apprenticeship training director) urged the board to prioritize established local registered apprenticeship programs on city projects, citing examples of local apprentices unable to reach out-of-town-subcontracted jobs like Erlanger Park and Embassy Suites.
• Staff gave a quarterly update on the E2I2 wastewater project, reporting it remains on schedule and budget under a federal consent decree.
• Staff presented a Class A Power project update tied to two resolutions (see decisions below), covering additional geotechnical work and early equipment procurement.
• Other business included an FYI on a lawsuit by Miles Electric Company related to a Volkswagen-area vendor, and the board's annual debt report on bonds and TIFs filed with the state.
• Sharita Allen (city economic and workforce development) presented the annual PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) report, reviewing PILOTs that expired in 2025 (Eminem Industries, OP Mobility, Unum parking garage) and active PILOTs (Coca-Cola, Gestamp, Steam Logistics, Volkswagen, Yorozu, Novonix/Big Blue), and discussed new cumulative wage/tax-impact reporting.
• Andrew Hudson (city workforce development strategy director) presented a proposed apprenticeship incentive for employers — up to $50,000 per employer for hiring and graduating four registered apprentices, open to both union and merit-based programs. No vote was taken; it returns for a future vote.
• The board resumed a tabled discussion on the Bend TIFF project regarding a possible change of control at developer Urban Story Ventures, per a July 7, 2026 letter from James K. White III. The board's attorney raised concerns about a Hillco Global deed of trust on the property. Attorney Bill Horton, representing the developer, disputed that a change of control occurred and asked the board to consent to the equity ownership change instead. City council member Katie Campassie spoke in public comment commending the board's scrutiny of the related Sunset Amphitheater/data center project.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Approved minutes of the cancelled June 1, 2026 meeting record — passed by voice vote.
• Approved minutes of the special called meeting of July 8, 2026 — passed by voice vote.
• Approved a resolution for Change Order No. 2 with Archer Western Construction LLC (contract W20710, MBEC Class A Power Project), increasing the contract by $616,257.91 for additional geotechnical work and a $250,000 design contingency, for a revised total of $15,184,580.29 — passed unanimously.
• Approved a resolution for a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $20,695,815 with Archer Western Construction LLC (contract W20271-01) for pre-purchase of blower and FAS equipment for the Class A Power Project — passed unanimously.
• Approved a motion instructing the board's attorneys to issue a notice of default under Section 21 of the Bend TIFF development agreement over the alleged change of control — passed 6-1, triggering a 60-day cure period.
• Approved a motion to open the floor for public comment on the Bend TIFF matter — passed by voice vote.
• Approved a motion to adjourn — passed by voice vote.