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In this Bend Current enewsletter you will learn about the City’s ongoing work to improve transportation in Bend, including the opening of the Empire/Purcell Roundabout, street preservation work, the City’s new Neighborhood Street Safety Program, an introduction to our new Fire Chief and Chief Innovation Officer. You will also find City Council updates on the Murphy Corridor Improvement Project, Septic to Sewer, the new Council subcommittee structure, and much more!
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AUGUST 2019
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TRANSPORTATION CELEBRATION
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In August we celebrated good transportation news, including the completion of the roundabout at Empire Avenue and Purcell Boulevard and a $60.4 million federal grant to the Oregon Department of Transportation that will improve Highway 97 on Bend’s north end.
The roundabout opening marked the completion of the first phase of the Empire Corridor Improvement Project that will improve connectivity, safety and transportation options in Bend.
The City’s $25.4 million investment in the Empire Corridor Improvement Project, (largely derived from recently-increased transportation system development charges), along with funding commitments from the State of Oregon and Deschutes County, helped leverage the $60.4 million federal grant, one of the biggest awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $855,950,000 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grants.
The $60.4 million grant helps reach the $171 million in funding needed to design and construct the US 97 Bend North Corridor project, the last segment of the US 97 Bend Parkway. Read more about this here.
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So far this summer, the City’s street preservation work has improved approximately 85 miles of roads in Bend. This picture is of recent slurry seal work, a newer, cost-effective tool we use to seal cracks and restore pavement flexibility on roads that are in low to moderate distress. See how it looks in action! The City also chip sealed some roads this summer, and we’re still finishing some repaving. Regular maintenance extends the life of a street and saves money. Every $1 spent on preservation saves $5 for rehabilitation or $12 for reconstruction. We're keeping good roads good and working to use your tax dollars effectively and efficiently. Thank you for your patience when your travels are affected by maintenance work.
Find out more:
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MURPHY CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS
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As part of the Murphy Corridor Improvements Project, southbound 15th Street will be closed at Ferguson though October 31. Councilors approved a $3.8 million Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment to construct Murphy Corridor Improvements along 15th Street, including a new roundabout at 15th and Murphy Road. Read the summary here. Future design and construction phases will include the extension of Murphy Road to Brosterhous and the modernization of Murphy from Brosterhous to Parrell.
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SEPTIC TO SEWER
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Councilors approved a $1.3 million contract for construction management and inspection services for the Desert Woods and Neighborhood Extension Project, helping 145 homes decommission septic tanks and connect to City sewer, and decommissioning two City-operated pump stations. This is the first phase of the Septic to Sewer Conversion Program, which allows residents to apply to the City to complete a sewer project. This program, the result of public advisory group recommendations, allows residents where properties are currently served by private onsite septic systems to apply to the City to complete a sewer project. Read more in the summary here.
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SUBCOMMITTEES
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As part of a new Council subcommittee structure, the Council kicked off its first subcommittee meeting this month. The Stewardship Subcommittee met and took an initial look at climate action strategies. Another three-councilor subcommittee, the Community Building Subcommittee, will consider the Development Code and other community development related work. That meeting will happen in Council Chambers on August 26 at 3 p.m.
All subcommittee meetings are open to the public.
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PLASTIC BAG BAN
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Council chose to repeal a City ordinance limiting the use of carryout plastic bags because the State legislature recently passed a similar bill banning single-use plastic check out bags statewide that takes effect January 1, 2020. The decision to repeal the City ordinance was made in order to comply with the State law and to eliminate confusion between the City ordinance and State law.
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SIDEWALK EXEMPTION
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The council unanimously voted to require a payment in lieu of constructing sidewalks as part of certain land use applications in the Wood River Village neighborhood. The payment in lieu will help fund sidewalks in the Woodriver Village Subdivision on the shared roadways, including all of Woodriver Drive and roads identified by the blue lines on the map included in this issue summary. Councilors then voted 4/3 to have staff develop limited criteria for other similar neighborhoods, to consider a citywide payment in lieu fee for sidewalks and alternative design standards to traditional sidewalks for pedestrian and accessibility alternatives to piecemeal frontage improvements in areas of existing neighborhoods.
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JUNIPER RIDGE
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On August 11 a fire burned an RV on the City-owned property called Juniper Ridge. Prompted by concerns from neighbors and public safety officials about additional human caused fire on the property, Councilors directed City staff to develop a policy regarding efforts to remove established campsites where homeless populations reside on public land. See photos of recent fire here.
Separately, the Council approved an urban renewal plan amendment, which is intended to further support goals around the development of high-quality employment uses, the preservation and enhancement of the area’s natural assets, the improvement of traffic and transportation, and to provide public utilities to the Juniper Ridge area. Read the issue summary here.
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NEFF - PURCELL INTERSECTION
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Based on information about construction costs and detours and future traffic delay comparisons, Councilors prefer to improve the Neff Road and Purcell Boulevard with a signal instead of a roundabout. Construction is expected in 2021. View the presentation here.
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NEW FIRE CHIEF
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We are proud to announce Bend Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Todd Riley as Bend’s next Fire Chief! He will replace Chief Larry Langston who retires in October.
Riley has more than 20 years in the fire service with 16 years in Bend. He became a fulltime firefighter here in 2002, after serving in Sacramento. He quickly rose up the ranks—to captain and battalion chief—due to his commitment to the fire service, the community and his natural leadership abilities. He has also completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
“Battalion Chief Riley has the skills, heart and tenacity that will provide strong leadership,” said City Manager Eric King. “Most importantly, he has a fierce commitment to the people we're sworn to serve.”
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CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER
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Meet Stephanie Betteridge, the City’s new Chief Innovation Officer! The position replaces what was previously cast as an Assistant City Manager. The Chief Innovation Officer is the face for a bigger movement that involves staff across all departments that are working to address challenges and opportunities facing our evolving community. Betteridge also oversees information technology, performance management, and the replacement of core business systems that can touch all the City’s programs and projects.
This new direction will enable the City to improve decision making and processes based on data and be more responsive to community needs and expectations.
“Innovation is about leveraging a combination of data, technology, people and process,” Betteridge said. “As an organization, we’ll have a new focus on how we are currently using data, and how we could use it better to improve our services.”
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The Oregon Department of Transportation has kicked off a "Keep Oregon Connected" campaign to help people all across the state better understand transportation funding and the need to find new, sustainable ways to pay for our roads and bridges.
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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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