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NOVEMBER 2022
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Winter Driving Tips
Winter weather has arrived! And we wanted to pass along some helpful winter driving tips to get you safely to your destination:
- Allow extra time to get to your destination. Give yourself more time to stop and try to avoid slamming on the breaks. It’s also important to remember to accelerate slowly as to not slide when you start moving again.
- Be considerate of other drivers; some of them are nervous
- Have good tires on your car
- Carry a cell phone or supplies you might need if you get stuck in traffic for a while, maybe a blanket and some water and snacks.
- Let someone know where you’re going.
Want more great winter tips? Head to bendoregon.gov/winter!
City Council Update
Elections Update
In the November election, Ariel Mendez and Mike Riley won two seats on the Bend City Council, along with incumbent Barb Campbell and Melanie Kebler as Bend’s next mayor. They will join Anthony Broadman and Megan Perkins on the Council starting in January. Kebler’s win in the Mayor’s seat created a vacancy for her Council seat, which will be filled by the Council in an appointment process.
Every two years, following an election the new Council embarks on a goal setting process. They take input from a variety of sources, and spend weeks developing new, two-year goals that drive the City’s work and influence how the General Fund in the budget is spent. This process will begin after the new Councilors are sworn in in January, 2023.
Camping Code
With a four to three vote, the City Council gave preliminary approval to a new Camping Code, which will regulate camping on City-owned property and City rights-of-way like public streets, sidewalks and landscape strips in Bend. Here is a quick reference that overviews what the regulations include.
The intent of the Camping Code is to manage the right-of-way for the public, to maintain rights-of-way for their intended use, and to support people in crisis on Bend’s streets. The new regulations address when, where and how camping is allowed, and how the City will approach compliance.
Visit: bendoregon.gov/camping-code
Here is Megan Perkins’ Bend City Council Houselessness Update from November 2 which touches on the process that went into developing the camping code.
Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities
The City Council directed staff to draft code language that would remove minimum parking requirements for new development throughout the City. Currently, the Bend Development Code requires developers to build or provide a certain minimum number of parking spaces depending on the use. The City is being directed to consider removing parking requirements by a state mandate called Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities, a set of rules from the State that regulate how development and transportation infrastructure get built into the future. The rules intend to change how cities are built to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as one way to address climate change.
Gateway North
On November 2, Councilors held a public hearing on the Gateway North Masterplan, 52 acres on Bend’s north edge, bordered by Highway 20, Cooley Road and Robal Lane. The proposal includes a 188,000 square-foot Costco and gas station, up to 422 housing units and several future commercial uses. At the hearing, Councilors initially appeared opposed to grant the applicant’s requests for exceptions to vehicle and bike parking regulations. After the close of the hearing, the applicant offered to revise the request. Councilors reopened the record and are scheduled to review the proposed changes and vote on the Gateway North Master Plan proposal December 7.
Stay up to date on City Council
Interested in what is going on with the Bend City Council? Head to bendoregon.gov/councilagenda for upcoming council meeting agendas.
How the Budget Works
It’s property tax season! Many of you have likely already received your property tax bills for the year and are wondering where your taxes go.
The City uses property taxes and fees responsibly to provide core services – streets, water, sewer, public safety and more.
Watch this video to learn more about how the budget works!
Watch the Spanish version of the video here!
Inside Bend: Core Area project
Are you interested in learning more about the City’s Core Area?
You are not going to want to miss the latest episode of the Inside Bend podcast!
Core Area Project Manager Allison Platt joins us to discuss what is taking place in the Core Area and why the City is investing in development in this area of town.
You can listen at bendoregon.gov/inside-bend or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast or Spotify.
Holiday Cooking
Stay safe while cooking Thanksgiving dinner!
We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and a delicious holiday dinner. With cooking being the number one cause of home fires, Bend Fire & Rescue recommends that everyone follow these fire safety steps:
- Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, it’s time to replace them! Replace all batteries at least once a year if your smoke alarm requires it (many alarms have 10-year batteries that don’t require replacement).
- Have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home if you have a source of CO such as a fireplace, woodstove, or gas/propane appliances. Alarms should also be installed within 15 feet of sleeping areas. Remember, CO is odorless and colorless – an alarm is your only way of knowing if there is CO present!
- Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
- If you are sleepy, take medications that make you drowsy, or are impaired by alcohol, avoid any cooking activities.
- If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave it unattended – stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you’re simmering, baking, roasting or broiling food, check it regularly.
- Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
- Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area. A minimum three-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the stove, barbecue, or fryer is ideal.
- Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stove, oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
- Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
Know how to extinguish a grease fire – place a tight-fitting lid on the pan, and turn off the heat. Keep the lid on until the pan is cool. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire!
Keep your pipes flowing!
And while you are cooking that delicious dinner its important to consider what you are putting down your drain!
Keep your pipes flowing this holiday season by putting cooled cooking fat and food scraps into the garbage instead of down the drain.
- Scrape food from dishes into the garbage.
- Limit the use of garbage disposals.
- Wipe cooled grease and fats from pots and pans with paper towels before they go into the sink.
If your pipes get blocked, it can cause costly back-ups into your home or business. Yuck!
Have a clog-free year!
Learn more at bendoregon.gov/fog.
Bend Santa Express
Santa and the Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express are back spreading holiday cheer! They will be driving through several neighborhoods again this year collecting food, clothing and toys to support the Salvation Army. Please join the Fire Department in supporting our community!
In 2021, The Salvation Army and Santa Express collected thousands of pounds of food plus toys and much-needed clothing to help those in need. Anything and everything helps, even if it’s one can of food or a small toy. A donation will go a long way toward providing a good dinner, a nice gift and a smile on a child’s face Christmas morning. The Salvation Army has expressed a need for gifts to be given to teenage age kids as well.
- Monday November 28th – NWX, Shevlin Ridge and Shevlin Meadows neighborhoods
- Tuesday November 29th- Pineridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods
- Wednesday November 30th – Foxborough, Larkspur, Sun Meadow neighborhoods
You can also drop off non-perishable foods, new toys or clothing through Dec. 16, 2022 at a number of locations listed at bendoregon.gov/santaexpress.
Thanks ahead of time from Bend Firefighters Association, Bend Fire & Rescue, Cascade Disposal and The Salvation Army for helping families in need this holiday season. If you need help for this holiday season with food or presents, please call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.
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You can sign up to stay informed on City Council, get updates on City projects, and learn about events. Subscribe to receive news delivered right to your inbox at bendoregon.gov/enews.
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