Pendleton City Council to hold 2 special meetings

By Terry Murry on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council has two special meetings planned over the next week. The first meeting will be held tomorrow(Tuesday) at 7 p.m. in council chambers of Pendleton City Hall.

The agenda is for consideration of two appeals filed against the license granted by the city for a marijuana dispensary on Highway 11.

The council will also vote on approving a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Complete details of the appeals as well as the budget can be found on the agenda for the June 23 meeting at City of Pendleton – Meeting Schedule.

The Tuesday meeting was also going to include a public hearing on a proposed settlement agreement in the lawsuit filed against the city’s resting ordinance. City Manager Robb Corbett decided the hearing needed to be held separately in a location that would allow a large number of citizens to participate. It will be on Monday, June 29 at the Pendleton Convention Center. The following is Corbett’s announcement regarding that meeting:

The Pendleton City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026 at the Pendleton Convention Center to conduct a public hearing on a proposed settlement agreement in the lawsuit filed against the City’s resting ordinance by the Oregon Law Center on behalf of individuals experiencing homelessness. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the City’s existing resting ordinance violates Oregon law.

The proposed settlement agreement has 4 primary components:

The City will repeal and replace the current resting ordinance to bring it in line with state laws that were adopted after the City’s current ordinance was enacted.
The City will ensure that outstanding fines from previous violations against the plaintiffs are waived.
Outstanding fines levied against people violating the existing resting ordinance will also be waived.
The City will make $120,000 available for enhanced sheltering or day center services in the community, minus the total amount of waived above.

The new proposed ordinance would increase the resting period from 8 hours to 24 hours. Current practice allows a citation after 8 hours, then state law requires a 72-hour notification period before the illegal shelter can be removed. Oregon case law indicates that a 24-hour initial resting period is determined to be reasonable, after which the state required 72-hour notification period is initiated, allowing the citation only if the shelter is not removed after the 72-hour period. If officers observe illegal activity, the shelter can be removed immediately.

Points of Consideration

It is believed that the funds needed to meet the obligation of the agreement will come from partner organizations.
No payments are being made for opposing legal fees or to plaintiffs
City admits no wrongdoing.
City insurance would not cover the cost of litigation.
Due to changes in state law, the City likely needs to amend its current ordinance.

All documents will be made available to the public at least 3 days before the public hearing on the City of Pendleton website.