|
|
|
OCTOBER 2022
|
Know Your City
Are you interested in learning more about the City of Bend and the services that each department provides for the community?
We’ve developed an entertaining seven-part video series that dives briefly into the various departments and shares what they do to keep the City running!
You can check out the videos at bendoregon.gov/know-your-city.
Winter is Coming!
While it may not seem like it right now, winter weather is right around the corner!
It’s time to start thinking about what you can do to prepare for winter. Bend is a 3,623-foot-elevation town known for great downhill and Nordic skiing. That means we get snow! Average snowfall is around 30 inches of snow in a winter. During the 2016-2017 season, we received nearly 60 inches!
Storms vary in severity from a couple of inches to more than a foot. The severity of snow and road conditions also can vary depending on which part of town you live in.
It takes some effort to maintain your lifestyle with that kind of weather, so it is very important to be prepared.
Get the resources and supplies you need on hand before you’re snowed in. It’s never too soon to make some phone lists, find your snow tires and buy snow shovels and roof rakes.
Learn more about preparing for winter by heading to bendoregon.gov/winter.
Tree Trimming Reminder
Another way to you can help prepare for winter is by making sure the right-of-way is clear of tree limbs, bushes and plants. This helps our street crews with snow plowing and street sweeping and other maintenance work. Property owners have a responsibility to prune trees and shrubs that have grown into the right-of-way (as shown) to accommodate street maintenance equipment.
It is the responsibility of Bend residents, per City Code, to:
- Maintain driveway approaches and adjacent to your property in good repair
- Keep sidewalks adjacent to your property clear of vegetation, such as low-hanging branches or overgrown shrubs
- Remove, cut and/or trim flammable vegetation adjacent to your property in the public right of way, and
- Maintain a clear vision area for intersections adjacent to your property.
City Council Updates
Central Oregon Villages
Councilors approved a three-year agreement with Central Oregon Villages to develop and run a Temporary Outdoor Shelter at Bear Creek and 27th Street. The $1.45 million funding comes from American Rescue Plan Act. Central Oregon Villages is proposing a 20 Pallet structure temporary outdoor shelter. Central Oregon Villages proposes: prioritizing women and children; including access to water, electricity, toilet, handwashing, shower truck & food services; abstention from drug/alcohol and more. Here is the issue summary.
Camping Code Update
Since June, Council has been working to develop a code to regulate how, where and when people can camp in the public right of way like streets and sidewalks.
During the October 5 work session, Councilors discussed themes that have arisen through various public input opportunities on the proposed camping code – informational open houses, emails, roundtables and more. (Here is Councilor Megan Perkins’ update to Council which focuses on themes gathered through public input: Bend City Council Houselessness Update 10/5/22)
The Council is considering feedback to help make changes to the draft code. The community will have additional opportunities to provide input during visitor sections of regular Council meetings, and Council plans to hold a public hearing in November on the proposed new camping code.
Watch bendoregon.gov/councilagenda for upcoming meeting agendas.
Visit bendoregon.gov/camping-code for more information about the camping code work.
Short Term Rental Changes
The Council approved code changes increasing the buffer zone between permitted short term rentals from 250 feet to 500 feet and allowing short term rentals permit holders to rent their properties as long-term rentals without losing their short term rental license.
Here is a news release with more information on the short term rental changes.
City Council Authorizes Purchase of Core Area Property
Councilors approved buying the 1.2-acre site at 705 NE 1st Street and 755 NE 1st Street for $3 million. The purchase of the property is an opportunistic public investment that could meet a variety of community needs, including but not limited to a possible future site for City Hall, affordable housing, a civic plaza or other public uses. Read more in this news release.
Apply for Community Advisory Committees
Want to get involved with City government?
Apply for City of Bend community advisory committees!
Community committees are a great way to get involved with City government. The City has a number of Council-appointed boards, committees, commissions and advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff.
Learn more about the current committee openings.
Get Involved: Neighborhood Associations
If you live within Bend City limits, you live in one of Bend’s 13 Neighborhood Associations!
Neighborhood Associations are often confused with homeowner’s associations, but Neighborhood Associations are for everyone – whether you rent or own a business or property within their boundaries.
Watch this video to learn more on what the Neighborhood Association program is all about! Then, find your Neighborhood Association and get connected at bendoregon.gov/neighborhoods.
Inside Bend: Neighborhood Street Safety Program
Are you interested in learning more about how the City is investing in infrastructure to better bicycle and pedestrian safety?
Look no further than this month’s episode of the Inside Bend podcast!
We dive into the Neighborhood Street Safety Program to learn more about how it works, and what it hopes to achieve by taking community feedback to make our streets better for everyone to use.
You can listen at bendoregon.gov/inside-bend or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast or on Spotify.
Safe Drinking Water
Fall sprinkler system blow-outs are right around the corner. Before you get your sprinklers blown out in preparation for winter, be sure to have your backflow assemblies tested by a certified backflow tester to ensure that our drinking water stays clean and safe to drink for years to come. Backflow assemblies cannot be tested without water.
Visit bendoregon.gov/crossconnection for more information and a link to State of Oregon certified backflow testers in our area.
|
