BEND POLICE DUII ENFORCEMENT

The Bend Police Department is putting an emphasis on traffic safety and DUII enforcement. In a 2021 survey, 60% of community members supported additional enforcement efforts around DUII.

In response, the department has shifted resources to be able to create two, dedicated DUII/Aggressive Driving enforcement positions in the Traffic Unit.

Officer Kyle Chaquico, the first dedicated DUII/Aggressive Driving officer, has made four DUII arrests in his first three shifts. The second officer is slated to start later this year. Bend PD has already made 43 DUII arrest in 2021.

COUNCIL UPDATES

Council Goals

Housing supply, transportation improvements and effective City government remain top priorities in the City Council’s new two-year goal plan. Additional goals this biennium include strategies related to equity, justice, environmental stewardship and homelessness. Councilors adopted their goals this week. Read the story about Council Goals.

 Housing and Homelessness

City Council goals include a strong emphasis on addressing homelessness and increasing housing options, and the City is exploring code changes that will help to provide shelter to those without permanent homes.

The City’s Housing Response: Supporting Homelessness Solutions, includes efforts towards keeping people in their homes through funding and assistance; Temporary transitional housing such as managed camps, shelters, safe parking, construction tax funding; and our affordable housing program that has 950 units in the pipeline!

At their meeting this week, Councilors approved a “safe parking” program which will allow vehicles or huts to park or locate on properties owned or leased by religious, nonprofit, business, or public entities. Here is more safe parking program information.

The City has also established a new webpage dedicated to information related to homelessness initiatives, which can be found at bendoregon.gov/homelessness.

How the Budget Works

Council goals help direct discretionary spending in the two-year budget. The City is embarking on the budget process next, with the assistance of the budget committee. 

Learn more about how the budget works in this short, animated video.

The City of Bend works along side the Bend Park and Recreation District, Bend-La Pine Schools, Deschutes County who take the lead on things like parks and schools. About 21% of your property tax dollars go to the City of Bend. Our budget is spent on things that make Bend work. From improving roads to keeping you safe to bringing new jobs and building affordable housing, everything we do is focused on helping Bend work as smoothly as possible while providing Bendites with the most value for their tax dollars.

TRANSPORTATION

Downtown Parking Garage

With a new gate access control system in place at the Centennial Parking Garage in Downtown, Bend Parking Service Division Manager Tobias Marx explains the options to easily access and park in the garage.

Read more about the changes.

You can learn more about parking throughout the City at bendoregon.gov/parking

Downtown Parking Zones

*Not part of the code amendment

The Bend City Council wants to make what were temporary parking restrictions near McKay Park permanent, as a parking district. Parking districts let the City manage parking for residents, customers, & guests where demand for parking is high. For details on the parking districts you can read the City Council issue summary.

Navigating Multilane Roundabouts

With more roundabouts going in across the City, making sure you understand how to navigate them is increasingly important. This instructional video gives great insight into how to properly navigate a multilane roundabout.

Neighborhood Street Safety Program
Summer 2021 Projects

Summer is just around the corner and the City is preparing for construction on three more Neighborhood Street Safety Program (NSSP) projects!  

Projects in the lineup for 2021 are:  

• Sidewalk infill on NW Sisemore St in the Old Bend Neighborhood Association.
• A crosswalk across SW Brookswood Blvd at Hollygrape St in the Southwest Bend Neighborhood Association.

• Crosswalks across SE Parrell Rd at Reed Ln and SE Reed Market Rd at SE Admiral Way in the Old Farm District Neighborhood Association.

As available, project plans will be posted on the NSSP website. 

The NSSP is a program for small-scale, residential street projects to address pedestrian and bicycle safety, safe routes to school, speeding, intersection control and crossings, and other residential street traffic safety related issues. When the program launched in 2019, the City received over 360 project requests from members of the community. The Bend Neighborhood Associations and the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance then prioritized the top 25 projects, which will be constructed as funding comes available.  

For more information on the NSSP and upcoming projects, visit bendoregon.gov/streetsafety.

An Inside Look at the Bend Municipal Airport

Did you know that the Bend Municipal Airport is the third busiest airport in the state?

This video gives a look at the role the airport plays in the local economy and aids in public safety for Central Oregon. Airport Manager Tracy Williams provides and inside look at the operations of the airport and explains why the newly opened restaurant is a big part of its success.

Weekly Road Report

Construction season is upon us and the City is relaunching the Weekly Road and Traffic Report. The report, which comes out each Friday during peak construction season, aims to help members of our community plan the quickest, safest and most reliable routes to their destinations.

To sign up to receive the report each week and head to bendoregon.gov/enews. There you can also sign up to receive information on news and projects going on in the City.

BEND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS

Have you ever wondered what’s happening with a new development down the road, been concerned about the safety of the streets in your neighborhood, or just wanted to get to know your neighbors a little more?

In Bend, there are 13 Neighborhood Associations, recognized by City Council, that focus on resident interests like these, and more! We often hear confusion about what a Neighborhood Association is, and why they matter. Neighborhood Associations provide Bendites with opportunities to help shape the future of their neighborhoods and the City, by working closely with City leaders to highlight the issues facing Bend neighborhoods.

Getting connected with your Neighborhood Association allows you to:

• Connect and interact with your surrounding neighborhood community.
• Provide your input on residential safety and livability issues that impact residents in your neighborhood and citywide.
• Stay informed about planned land development projects and learn how to be involved.
• Participate in community building and good neighbor projects.
• & more!

Neighborhood Associations are completely volunteer-driven, and while unique in their individual makeups, all help to elevate neighborhood voices, maintain and improve the quality of life in the city and increase community participation in local decision-making.

Do you know what Neighborhood Association you live in? Find yours at bendoregon.gov/neighborhoodassociations and get connected!

THE FIX A LEAK WEEK CHALLENGE!

Hey Bend, don’t let leaks go undetected in your home!  Unknown leaks waste water, increase your water bill and have the potential to cause damage to your home. Household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually, nationwide.

In 2020, the Utility Department sent 13,962 leak alerts to customers notifying them of constant consumption at their property. Of those leaks, toilets were reported as one of the top causes. 

Other common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.  

Log onto bendoregon.gov/fix-a-leak and take the 10-minute challenge for national Fix a Leak Week! These short, do-it-yourself actions can help you make sure your home is leak-free. 

To help with DIY repairs, you can request a free copy of the Practical Plumbing Handbook for homeowners and a free indoor conservation kit from the WaterWise team at conservation@bendoregon.gov. Always remember to consult a licensed professional if you are not confident you can make the repair yourself.

Don’t see a leak but think you might have one?  Log into your account at bendoregon.gov/watersmart to see if you have any unusual water usage.