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In this issue of Bend Current, you’ll learn how to report a pothole following the recent record-breaking snow storms, hear about the City Council’s two-year goals, see a video about our transportation plan update, hear about a good project for school-age kids and find out how homes are transitioning from septic to sewer. You will also get Council updates on greenways and affordable housing and more!
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MARCH 2019
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POTHOLE SEASON
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If you see a pothole, let us know.
Pothole numbers are trending down as street preservation and maintenance has become more of a budgetary priority and our pavement conditions have improved these last couple of years. However, big winters create more potholes.
Potholes are a natural result of freeze-thaw cycles on asphalt and concrete. Following our recent record-breaking snow storms, the Streets and Operations Department is anticipating the appearance of potholes.
If a pothole is reported via our online citizen service requests system or by calling (541) 317-3000 ext. 3, our policy is to patch the hole in 48 hours.
Please note that there is a difference between a delamination and a pothole.
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Fig. 1 - Pothole.
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Fig. 2 - Delamination.
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Delaminations are when the top layer of asphalt doesn’t bond, creating 1- to 2-inch deep holes. Those are noted but not prioritized for repair in our 48-hour response policy the same as potholes, which are several inches deep.
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COUNCIL GOALS 2019-21
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Bend City Councilors have approved an aggressive package of two-year goals. The 2019-21 goals stay focused on core services provided by the City while addressing emerging issues such as mental health needs and wildfire resiliency. And, reflecting the community’s feedback from a recent statistically-valid survey, the goals place a heavy value on transportation and affordable housing.
The Council Goals 2019-21 fall into four general categories:
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Economic Vitality: Housing, Jobs, Managing Growth
Strategies in this goal seek to increase opportunities for additional housing and housing types, affordable housing and employment lands through public-private partnerships.
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Transportation & Infrastructure
Strategies aim to maximize access and mobility for all users through a community-accepted funding plan. This requires an investment in transportation projects, including: Neff Road/Purcell Boulevard intersection, Reed Market Road/Bond Street roundabout, Highway 20/Greenwood Avenue sidewalks, Newport Avenue from College Way to 9th Street, Simpson Avenue/Columbia Street intersection, Butler Market Road/Wells Acres Road roundabout and other possible improvements.
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Public Health & Safety
Strategies aim to preserve current service levels and response times, address crime, add more support for mental health issues and homelessness and build wildfire resilience.
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Effective & Efficient City Operations
Strategies run the gamut from facility planning to managing data systems better to updating the City’s charter. Work will also include developing an equity, diversity and inclusion program.
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City Council Goals influence how discretional funds are used in the upcoming budget planning process. The City anticipates requiring up to $5.6 million in additional revenue to implement this biennial work plan. The Council anticipates raising additional money primarily by raising franchise fees and increasing transportation system development charges.
BEND CITY COUNCIL VALUE STATEMENT
We, the City Council, believe that Bend is a unique community that people are drawn to because it is an outstanding place to live. We desire to demonstrate consistent stewardship of resources and quality of life. We will be guided in decision-making by following these values as the foundation for public trust and confidence:
INCLUSIVITY ∙ SUSTAINABILITY ∙ PARTNERSHIPS ∙ STEWARDSHIP ∙ RESPONSIVENESS
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PLEASE PARDON OUR DUST
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The massive snowstorm that started in late February is history and it’s time to sweep off all that sanding rock now. Our crews will be blowing and sweeping rock all over town for the next couple of weeks. We’re using trucks on the roads and backpack blowers on walkways and roundabout aprons. Sometimes this work will take place early in the morning or after hours to accommodate traffic. We apologize for any dust or noise. Cleaning up the sanding rock helps make moving around safer for everyone. Thank you for your patience during this work.
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TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
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Bend’s Transportation Plan was completed in 2001, but a lot has changed since then. We’re in the middle of updating the plan, and we’re including the community. With considerable help from the Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee, the City has completed the first phase of the Transportation Plan update, including more than 2,400 comments from more than 1,000 participants who want to help shape our transportation future. The second phase, which identifies neighborhood transportation needs, is now underway. Learn more at bendoregon.gov/tsp.
Watch this video here:
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NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS
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The Council took two actions on March 20 to proceed with the development of neighborhood greenways. “Neighborhood greenway” is a term used to describe a local street that serves as a more comfortable and safe route for walking and biking than nearby busier streets. Components include signs, pavement markings and traffic calming (such as speed humps) to slow and discourage cut-through traffic.
The Council designated 20 MPH speeds on NE 6th & NW 15th Streets and also approved a $256,300 contract to construct the neighborhood greenway improvements on these streets.
Issue summary for speed zones here.
Issue summary for contract here.
Construction is expected April to May.
For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/
neighborhoodgreenways.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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On March 6 Council awarded almost $1 million for affordable housing work, funded from the City’s Affordable Housing Fee. Awards, ranging from $10,000 to $408,761, will support property tax reimbursement, infrastructure financing, constructing an emergency shelter, and buying land to build more affordable housing. For a full list read the issue summary online.
The City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reviewed applications and made recommendations to Council. This year’s awards were based on fees collected from March through December 31, in 2018. Bend’s Affordable Housing Fund is collected from building permits (one-third of one percent of total permit valuation). Since the fund began in 2006, it has contributed to obtaining or creating over 770 affordable housing units in Bend. For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/
affordablehousing.
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Got kids? Looking for something fun to do for the weekend, a school project or spring break? Check out the Utility Department’s Clean Water Works Kid’s page for information about this year’s Clean Water Works Kids video contest.
This year’s contest theme is “Wipes Out!” and challenges students to create a 30-second commercial about how wipes flushed down the toilet impact our sewer and stormwater systems.
The grand prize winner gets a chance to create a professional commercial with Zolo Media professionals and have it screened at the BendFilm Festival in October. Deadline for entries is April 30, 2019. Learn more at bendoregon.gov/cleanwaterworkskids.
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Like many communities, properties in older parts of the city still use septic systems. About 2,800 properties in Bend are on septic systems. The City plans to help transition properties through a citywide septic to sewer conversion program, funded by ratepayers.
As we completed a major sewer line through southeast Bend almost two years ago, we launched a public process, involved a citizen advisory committee and focused on developing a plan for a 600-home area in southeast Bend.
That plan drew considerable public feedback. Ultimately, the Council came up with a cost-effective, citywide approach to designing and paying for transitioning properties from septic to sewer systems. The approach, approved by Council, was to let neighborhoods apply for $2.5 million funding from the City each year and have the City build sewer lines needed to bring sewer service into qualifying neighborhoods.
This first year we received six applications. Criteria considered included costs of the sewer extension project, the number of homes that would be connected to public sewer based on the extension, whether there are other projects planned for that street that could be coordinated, the age of the septic systems and more.
This initial award could potentially serve about 140-150 homes. The first construction projects include King Hezekiah Way between Desert Woods and the Southeast Interceptor, King Solomon Court, and Greenmont Drive. Also, sewer for Via Sandia/Cabin Court is anticipated to be designed in 2019. Those in the affected neighborhoods will receive additional information in the future.
Learn more about the conversion program here.
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The south Mirror Pond parking lot will undergo construction starting this month to improve deteriorating parking lot conditions and increase safety in the area. Construction of this is scheduled to be completed June 5, 2019. More information about this project here.
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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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