Bend Current Newsletter March 2023 DRAFT

Winter Weather Preparation

It’s been beautiful fall weather lately but if you’ve lived here for a while you know winter can arrive any day. Everyone has a responsibility to prepare for winter. That means getting resources and supplies lined up before the big storm hits. Learn what to expect and get information about street plowing, sidewalk shoveling and protecting your home at bendoregon.gov/winter.

Are you an experienced snow driver? Be sure to peek at the Oregon Department of Transportation’s helpful winter driving guide.

Help the Transportation Bond Oversight Committee Prioritize Bond Projects

The Transportation Bond Oversight Committee has been hard at work prioritizing the next five years of transportation bond projects, and community members have an opportunity to provide input!

In November 2020, Bend voters passed Transportation Bond Measure 9-135. The Transportation Bond Oversight Committee was created to monitor, track and report to the community on the progress of the projects funded by the bond, as well as recommend metrics for prioritizing the projects, recommend project scheduling, and project sequencing.

The Transportation Bond Oversight Committee is now in the final stages of drafting project recommendations for the City Council. These recommendations will be discussed at the committee’s next meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 9. Community members wanting to provide input can view the current list of recommendations and submit prioritization requests to tboc@bendoregon.gov before Nov. 9. There will be additional comment opportunities as the project list moves on to City Council.

To view further detail about the transportation bond projects, visit the interactive project map at bendoregon.gov/safe-travel.

Proposed Code Changes to Support Development of Shelters

Houselessness is a big concern for our community. Shelters can provide a bridge for houseless community members until they can get into more stable or permanent housing. Shelters are part of the City Council’s comprehensive strategy to provide safe housing options for people.

Right now, the City is working on proposed code changes that will provide options for various types of shelters to be built in most City zoning districts. These types of code changes create opportunities for more types of shelters for people who need roofs over their heads.

A new interactive online tool explains the proposed homeless shelter types and asks for public feedback. Learn more about the proposed code changes and provide your input online.

Community members interested in learning more about shelter code changes should visit bendoregon.gov/shelter-code-changes or read our recent news release.

One type of shelter being recommended in the proposed code changes are outdoor shelters.

A handful of City Councilors recently joined partners from the Bend Heroes Foundation and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach for a tour of the Central Oregon Veterans Village, a new outdoor shelter community of transitional cabins designed to provide shelter and services for veterans experiencing homeless. This shelter site project was launched by Bend Heroes and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach and more rapidly approved by the City because of HB 2006, which let the City approve an application for an emergency shelter that includes sleeping and restroom facilities.

The project received funding and support from a public-private partnership with the City of Bend, Deschutes County, and the State of Oregon. Central Oregon Veterans Village is being modeled after a successful program in Clackamas County.

Follow all things related to the City’s work supporting houselessness solutions by subscribing to eNews updates at the bottom of bendoregon.gov/houselessness.

City Council Updates

Fireworks Ban

This month, the Bend City Council permanently prohibited the sale and use of fireworks in Bend. Here is a news release with more information. If anyone has fireworks they would like to surrender, contact Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 to make arrangements.

House Bill 2001 Update

Councilors approved code changes to implement House Bill (HB) 2001 which go into effect in November 5. Housing is a statewide issue and the Oregon State Legislature passed HB 2001 in 2019 which requires cities over 25,000 population to allow the development of “middle housing,” such as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage cluster developments and townhouses, in more Bend neighborhoods citywide. Read more in this press release.

Council Goals Dashboard

Our 2021-23 interactive dashboard that highlights some of the City Council Goals is up and live! There’s a lot of good information here and it’s a great way to stay up to date on the progress that is being made towards achieving Council Goals. This dashboard will be regularly updated: Council Goals 2021-2023 Dashboard

Biennial Report

The new 2021-23 Biennial Report overviews how the City Council develops goals and how the City’s budget works. You can find the 21-23 biennial report on the City Council webpage. It touches on work accomplished over the last biennium and a look ahead at what to expect this biennium. Email communications@bendoregon.gov if you want printed copies of the magazine-style report.