|
In this Bend Current enewsletter you will learn about the City’s ongoing work building neighborhood greenways, plans to help Bend properties transition to sewer, Council’s goals for 2019-21 and the latest on the Biennial Budget process currently underway. You will also find updates from the recent City Council meeting, including a proposed update to City codes regarding Murals, an increase to franchise fees, affordable housing and community development funding, and more!
|
|
MAY 2019
|
|
|
| - |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS
|
|
The City is building neighborhood greenways—safer and more comfortable alternatives to busier nearby streets—for people who walk and bike.
|
|
SEPTIC TO SEWER
|
|
The City has a plan to help thousands of Bend properties transition from septic systems to sewer lines.
Watch the video about the plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
| - |
COUNCIL GOALS 2019-21
|
|
Economic Vitality
- More housing types
- Managed growth
- Developable employment lands
- Natural resource stewardship
- Public/Private partnership opportunities
|
|
Transportation & Infrastructure
- Congestion relief
- Funding plan
- Mobility options
- Neighborhood safety
- Streets, sewer and water investments
|
|
Public Safety & Health
- Good response times
- Traffic safety
- Downtown crime prevention
- Wildfire resiliency plan
- Homelessness and mental health partnerships
|
|
Effective & Efficient City Operations
- Data and technology investments
- Community participation
- Public facility plans
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs
|
| - |
BUDGET UPDATE
|
|
The City provides dozens of services and programs to the Community, funded by taxes, fees and charges. Council Goals help shape the City’s budget. Earlier this month, the City’s Budget Committee approved the proposed 2019-2021 Biennial Budget. The Council formally adopts the budget on June 19 and it’s effective on July 1.
This two-year, $873M budget addresses the community’s top priorities: investing in transportation, increasing housing supply and sustaining public safety. It also tackles emerging issues such as homelessness, mental health, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The two-year budget reflects a 5 percent increase in revenues the first year and a 4 percent increase the second. The additional revenues are anticipated from: citywide tax assessed property value increases of 6 percent and 5.5 percent respectively; proposed utility rate increases (6 percent for sewer, 1-2 percent for water and 3 percent for stormwater each year), increases in franchise fees and increased transportation system development charges.
The budget’s biggest expenses are investments in transportation, followed by investments in water and sewer systems. Capital Improvement Program spending in the biennium is an increase of 78 percent over the previous budget. To accomplish all of the work associated with 2019-2021 Council Goals, there is a proposed 6 percent increase in staffing.
|
| - |
HOW YOUR TAX DOLLAR IS SPENT
|
|
|
Here's a two-minute budget overview video to explain where the City's funds come from and how we spend them.
|
|
|
MURALS
|
|
The Council preliminarily approved revising City codes to allow murals to be painted all over town, instead of only in the Maker’s District in the core part of the City. Murals would be allowed on commercial, mixed-use, public facilities, or industrial lands. Murals would also be allowed in residential areas if it abuts an arterial or collector street. Murals would need to remain in place for at least 12 months. Read more in this issue summary. Permits are required for murals. Get sign code info here.
|
|
FRANCHISE FEES
|
|
Councilors voted to increase the franchise fee that solid waste collection companies pay from 5 percent to 7 percent, effective July 1, 2020. Solid waste franchise fee revenues are used to improve, repair and maintain the street system. The City is seeking solid funding sources for various programs and projects, including its street system. The heavy trucks used to provide solid waste collection throughout the City have a substantial impact on streets. Read more in the franchise fee issue summary.
|
|
|
|
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
|
|
Council awarded about $550,000 for affordable housing and community development programs in May. The programs were funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) and outlined in the City of Bend 2019 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan which was approved in May. Individual awards range from $2,500 to $250,000. Funded programs and services include homeownership assistance programs, case management for people experiencing homelessness, and fair housing education and outreach, among others. In total, $368,887 will support programs and $161,677 will support public services. For more about the funded programs and services read the issue summary here. Each year, the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee allocates funding to various affordable housing and community development programs.
For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/affordablehousing.
|
MIRROR POND
|
|
Councilors discussed a proposed resolution about how much support the City will contribute toward the preservation of Mirror Pond. Councilors agreed to be a supporting partner by providing $3 million or 50 percent of the project costs, whichever is less, under certain conditions, including payment of the $3 million in equal installments over a ten year period. Conditions also include developing an agreement in which Bend Park and Recreation District manage and oversee the project. Here is the Mirror Pond draft resolution. The City will continue to work with the Park District before the resolution comes back to Council for a formal vote.
|
UTILITY LICENSE FEES
|
|
Councilors voted to increase the utility license fee, which is for utilities operating without a franchise. This includes water and sewer utilities, natural gas utilities, landline phone utilities and more. The rate increase provides additional funding for street improvements, repair and maintenance, and could free up other funding currently used on streets to be used for other purposes. Read more in the utility license fee issue summary.
|
RESIDENTIAL PARKING
|
|
Responding to community input, the Council has directed staff to shorten the amount of time that cars are allowed to be considered “abandoned” before they are impounded. This procedural update is in progress. Also, the proposed 2019-21 budget includes funds and staff to create a parking services program to design and manage a residential parking permit program.
|
|
|
|
The Empire Corridor Improvements project is a priority project that greatly improves safety, active transportation options, access and connectivity for the neighborhood and the traveling public.
|
|
|
|
The first phase of work includes reconstruction of existing Empire Avenue from NE 18th Street to NE Purcell Boulevard, and a new roundabout at Empire Avenue and NE Purcell Boulevard. Phase 1 construction is expected to be completed this August!
Design is underway for additional corridor improvements. Empire will be extended from Purcell to the intersection of NE 27th Street and NE Butler Market Road, including a new multilane roundabout. The Empire extension and the 27th and Butler Market roundabout are planned to be completed by late 2020.
All improvements are planned to be complete by the end of 2021. Purcell will be rebuilt between Empire and Butler Market Road.
Come talk to the project team and learn more from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3, at our Neighborhood Open House, Pine Nursery Park Pavilion, 3750 NE Purcell Boulevard.
For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/empire.
|
|
|
|
If you live, work or play near Murphy Drive and 15th Street, you’ll want to attend our Murphy Corridor Improvements Project open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday June 13 at Jewell Elementary Library, 20550 Murphy Road. The open house will include an overview of the project, design concepts, alternatives, timelines, and an opportunity to speak to the project team. There will be a presentation at 6 p.m.
|
|
|
|
For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/murphyproject.
|
|
|
|
The Core Area Project, an effort to create a common vision and plan for the heart of Bend, includes extensive outreach to involve the community. We are holding pop-up outreach events in the area throughout May. Come learn more about the project, share your vision for the area, and enter to win a City of Bend mug and reusable bag. There are still more opportunities to go to a pop-up event this month:
- Thursday, May 16, from 8 – 10 a.m., at Backporch Coffee, 706 NE Greenwood Avenue, #140
- Monday, May 20, from 4 – 6 p.m., at Webskis/Webcyclery (Old Stone Church), 157 NW Franklin Avenue
- Thursday, May 23, from 4 – 6 p.m., at Humm Kombucha, 1125 NE 2nd Street (There will also be live music at this event.)
For more information on the Core Area project or to sign up for email updates on the project, visit bendoregon.gov/corearea. The Core Area City Edition video also has more information.
|
|
|
|
The Bend community generally supports energy-efficiency investments that yield long-term benefits, such as investments in public transportation, energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy facilities and community planning, according to a summary of results of the Climate Action Steering Committee community survey. Other suggestions included creating incentives or personal cost savings for fossil fuel reduction. The full report can be found here.
The City used an online survey in January and February to collect community feedback on proposed actions to reduce fossil fuel use in Bend. Over 1,500 surveys were submitted. The goal of the survey was to engage the community and learn which proposed actions had the most support. The committee will consider the results when prioritizing the final actions for the Community Climate Action Plan.
|
|
Annual backflow testing is the only way to insure the safety and quality of the drinking water after it has left the City’s water main and enters your property water lines. Although the water that reaches your home is of the highest quality and is safe, contamination can occur within your own piping system. Potential public health contaminations such as fertilizer, pesticides, pet debris, bacteria and live organic matter can enter your homes water lines from direct openings to your landscape irrigation water lines.
Here are two easy things you can do to keep your drinking water safe:
- Always allow an air gap on hoses, especially those submerged in pools or hot tubs or a pet watering bin and remove hose when done filling.
- Install a backflow assembly on your landscape sprinkler system and test it annually.
For more information, contact the Utility Department at (541) 317-3000 Ext. 2, or visit bendoregon.gov/crossconnection.
|
|
Land managers and public health officials have come together to develop two new tools to provide Central Oregonians with fire resources:
- Central Oregon Fire (centraloregonfire.org) offers up-to-date information on prescribed fire and wildfire locations, smoke impacts, and health resources.
- You can now sign up for text alerts about prescribed fire by texting COFIRE to 888777.
Living in a fire-adapted ecosystem means Central Oregonians have a season for wildfire and another for prescribed fire. Residents will start seeing prescribed burns around Central Oregon in preparation for fire season and to create a healthier forest.
Visit the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project website for more information on text alerts.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|