BEND, OR -- Nearly two weeks after hosting a listening session to get input from residents, Bend City Councilors appear ready to contribute to a future dredging project at Mirror Pond. City Manager Eric King says two councilors are drafting a resolution that would eventually be considered for adoption by the full Council. He tells KBND News, "Basically it was some financial contribution; upwards of – the number that was talked about was $1.6 to $1.9 million – but, there is still some discussion to be had around the amount. But, the message was the city did not want to lead in doing that project. We would contribute, but wanted to see Parks and Rec take the lead in managing the project."

That money would not come out of one budget cycle, "The intent has always been, it would be over a period of time. It would not be upfront cash; it might be over a period of 10 years, for example," says King. "And that would be funds from the city’s general fund. This is a project that is – if it’s a community priority, that’s the discretion Council has as to how to dedicate those general fund dollars." 

He says they would also like to see the project expand beyond just dredging, "There’s also some other concerns around, is there an opportunity for a net environmental benefit for the project? Meaning: yes, there’s a dredge but, could there be other aspects of it that would improve the health of the river, that could be explored? So, kind of directing Parks to move in that route, or maybe there’s a third party that could help us."

A draft resolution would be considered at a future work session prior to a full Council vote.