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In this Bend Current enewsletter you can get City Council updates on a climate action plan, a decision about Temporary Change of Occupancy permits for events on private property, and an upcoming ballot measure. You can also learn about a big sewer project wrap-up, 14th Street changes that are coming soon, curb ramp construction accomplishments, a street preservation season preview, a fun film contest for kids who care about water quality, Bethlehem Inn’s expansion, outdoor burning information and Tree City USA news.
SEWER PROJECT COMPLETION
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Sewer is one of the core services the City provides its customers. This protects water sources, public health and the environment.
The City has completed the Southeast Interceptor, also known as the 27th Street Sewer Line, a major sewer line project that will relieve sewer capacity issues around town. This gravity-fed pipe system also saves energy by allowing the City to decommission many pumps. And, it makes sewer service available in some areas that currently use septic systems.
Watch the video to see footage of this monumental project that has been years in the making.
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NW 14TH STREET CHANGES COMING
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Utility companies are working along NW 14th Street in preparation for a City transportation project. The City will rebuild sections of 14th Street to improve safety and mobility for all users. Construction is expected to start in April. Work will address aging infrastructure and update the corridor to urban standards with continuous bike lanes and sidewalks.
Funding is in place to build SW Century Drive, from Simpson to Albany (including the roundabout), and NW 14th Street from Newport to Galveston (excluding roundabouts).
See the project website or:
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STREETS WORK THIS WINTER
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Over the last year, the City’s Streets Department has built 288 curb ramps! Crews were able to build 27 ramps over the last three months due to this light winter we have been experiencing. In the absence of very much plowing and sanding, the Streets Department kept busy working on other programs, including curb ramps, street sweeping and pothole repair.
The Streets Department has also been trimming vegetation in the right-of-way in anticipation of paving, slurry seal and chip seal projects. Learn more about the upcoming street preservation season here:
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COUNCIL UPDATES
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CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE: STEERING COMMITTEE OPENING
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The City Council recently approved the formation of a Climate Action Steering Committee to develop a community-supported Climate Action Plan.
The City is now seeking applications from individuals wishing to fill positions on the Climate Action Steering Committee. Applications are due March 2.
Here is an issue summary about the committee and this is where you can learn more about the application process.
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TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY PERMITS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
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This week, Councilors gave the City Building Official direction to limit "Temporary Change of Occupancy" permits to 1 to 3 permits per location per year. These permits allow businesses to occasionally exceed building code requirements for events. The permits are accompanied by additional Fire and Building department inspections in the interest of community safety.
The issue arose in response to neighborhood concerns.
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MAY BALLOT: DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR?
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Following a Charter Review Committee recommendation, the Council has formalized its decision to put Measure 9-118 on the May 2018 ballot to ask voters if they want to amend the Bend Charter and have a directly elected mayor for a four year term, beginning in November of 2018. Here is the issue summary and resolution for additional detail.
The Council also agreed to put another measure on the ballot, Measure 9-119, that will ask voters if they want to remove council member compensation from the charter and instead have compensation set by ordinance.
Compensation will be based on the recommendation of an independent advisory committee. The advisory committee is expected to have a recommendation ready in March.
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As part of the City’s Clean Water Works water quality program, the City is inviting all K-12th grade students to submit short videos or poems celebrating clean water. The Utility Department is looking for 30-second spots themed “Clean Water Works.” The videos should provoke people to consider the effects of pollutants and how to reduce them in our storm drains and waters. Similarly, the City is hosting a poetry contest for kids K-12th grade with the same theme.
Cash prizes await! And, for the budding videographer: the grand prize winner will have the opportunity to work with Zolo Media in their studios to turn their winning entry into a professional public service announcement. This film will get recognized at the BendFilm festival.
This public-private-non-profit partnership is a terrific opportunity for students interested in film or television. Contest details and a downloadable kid’s activity guide are available by clicking on the kid’s page of the City’s Clean Water Works bendoregon.gov/cleanwaterworks. Entries due April 30.
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The City of Bend’s Affordable Housing Fund contributed $450,000 toward Bethlehem Inn’s expansion and the City exempted System Development Charges to support construction of a new 18,200 square-foot family residential facility and service hub.
This new facility will provide shelter for ten families. It’s an ADA-accessible building that includes a large commercial kitchen, a dining room and classrooms so residents can access on-site educational space, helping to promote self-sufficiency and upward mobility.
Watch the time lapse video of construction here.
The City Council is committed to increasing affordable housing options through incentives, removing regulatory barriers and increasing land supply and funding options. But Bend's affordable housing need is still bigger than its affordable housing supply. Even with the commitment from Council, finding affordable housing can be a challenge for some members of our community. With one missed paycheck, they could find themselves homeless.
That’s when community organizations like Bethlehem Inn step in to provide shelter, help and hope.
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We are happy to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation approved the City of Bend's Tree City USA application, making Bend one of 63 Tree Cities in Oregon.
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We want to apologize for sending occasional duplicate copies of Bend Current enewsletter to your inbox. This is a technical glitch in our content management system and we’re working to prevent it from happening again.
The Bend Current enewsletter is a new project that replaced a paper newsletter insert that used to be included in customers' utility bills. Going digital saves money, reduces paper use and allows us to provide more current news. Here is where you can find all the newsletters.
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Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, etc., please contact Anne Aurand at: communications@bendoregon.gov; Relay Users Dial 7-1-1.
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