Bend City Council holds emergency meeting, authorizes joining lawsuits to challenge federal funding cuts

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend city councilors held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon, mostly in closed-door executive session, then voted 6-0 to have staff "take all steps necessary," including joining in legal action, to challenge cuts in crucial federal grants.

The city council called the executive session under the condition outlined by Oregon Revised Statute 192.660 (2)(h), "to consult with legal counsel concerning current litigation or litigation likely to be filed."

After that session, which lasted about 25 minutes, the council reconvened in public and approved without further discussion the following motion, made by Mayor Melanie Kebler, on a 6-0 vote (Councilor Ariel Mendez was absent):

"The City has been awarded federal funding for critical City projects. As the public is aware, there is uncertainty in the federal government around grants for public agencies. Things are moving quickly. The City now wishes to take steps to protect its interests. 

"Therefore, I move to authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney to take all steps they deem necessary, including joining litigation to protect the city’s interests in federal grant funding and to update Council in future executive sessions as necessary."