This month, in partnership with the NLA, the City launched a new land use education webpage to house the many resources that have been developed by the NLA to help the community better understand land use planning in Oregon and in Bend.

To access the webpage, click here.

The emergency order includes an immediate ban on the use of all fireworks – legal or illegal – within the City of Bend. It also allows the City to mobilize resources to provide support services to unhoused community members.

Professional fireworks displays at Vince Genna Stadium (July 3) and Pilot Butte State Park (July 4) will continue as scheduled.

Under the emergency order, use of any fireworks is a class A civil infraction and carries a penalty of a fine up to $750.

The City is asking for the community’s support in keeping Bend safe by complying with the ban on fireworks. Community members are encouraged to report the use of fireworks via email at fireworks@bendoregon.gov. Use of fireworks posing an immediate risk to persons or property are emergencies and should be reported by calling 911.

Please do your part to ensure the safety of our community –- opt out of using fireworks this year! Start a new tradition with your loved ones this independence day, and stay cool! To read more about the emergency declaration, click here. 

The declaration of a local state of emergency is effective immediately and remains in effect through July 9, 2021.

The Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA) has adopted their 2021-2023 Strategic Plan & Work Plan. These are now available on the NLA’s webpage at:  www.bendoregon.gov/nla.

The NLA consists of one member representing each recognized Neighborhood Association in Bend. This standing advisory committee of the City Council is a liaison the  City of Bend through a dedicated staff member, the Community Relations Manager.
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The NLA reports regularly to the City Council, providing updates on projects accomplished or in process and testifying on specific items in front of the Council. The NLA meets with the City Council on at least a bi-annual basis to inform them of accomplishments and projects.

The non-partisan League of Women Voters is sponsoring a ballot initiative to change the county commissioner seats from partisan to non-partisan. They are requesting your support by signing a petition to get the initiative on the ballot.

Why do voters need the opportunity to vote non-partisan for County Commissioners?

• Candidates for County Commissioner are the ONLY elected officials in the county that are still selected by political parties.
• A third of Deschutes County voters are registered as non-affiliated and are not able to vote in party primaries for a commission candidate.
• Of the 36 Oregon counties, only 10 still have partisan races and Deschutes is one of them.
• Local government has no need for partisan decisions at the county level. Commissioners are full-time employees with an administrative role in addition to their policy-setting role.
• Partisan races tend to favor more extreme-leaning candidates.
• The public is easily aware of the political party affiliation of candidates without them being chosen by the party.
• Moderates and third-party candidates would enter each election on an even playing field with major party candidates.

To sign the petition, please contact Mimi Alkire at: mimi.alkire@gmail.com. She will let you know when and where volunteers will be collecting signatures or she can have a volunteer come to you.
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Petition Circulators are needed in your neighborhood. Let Mimi know if you’d like to volunteer.

Bend Bikes, a local non-profit advocating for the safety of people on bikes, wants to include voices from neighborhoods throughout Bend about what bike infrastructure is working and what needs improvement.

The mission of Bend Bikes is to improve bicycling conditions in Bend to include equitable access, protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, and a complete bike network. Bend Bikes works in partnership with citizens, businesses, community groups, government agencies, and elected officials to create a community where all people can meet their daily transportation needs by bicycle. 
 
The group has created a Neighborhood Association Outreach Workgroup that is brimming with ideas and wants to include voices from neighborhoods throughout Bend about what bike infrastructure is working and what needs improvement. They want to hear directly from residents in all of the Bend neighborhood associations.

To email your ideas to Bend Bikes click here.

Based on a high number of residents reaching out to the City with concerns about multiple westside construction projects, the City is setting up a virtual meeting to review concerns and facilitate conversations. This meeting is intended only to open discussion between residents with concerns and representatives from the construction teams.

The main areas of concern that have been noted are in regards to construction traffic disrupting residential streets and construction activities damaging nearby homes. Contractors are expected to join the meeting to provide updated contacts and schedules to address some of these concerns. The meeting invite has been sent to the following construction teams (not all have confirmed availability yet):

• Pahlisch Homes
• Jack Robinson and Sons
• Sage Ridge
• Empire Construction and Development

If residents are unable to attend, feel free to send questions or concerns ahead of time so they can be resolved before hand or answered during the call.

City of Bend contact:  
Dustin Elmore <delmore@bendoregon.gov>.

Microsoft Teams meeting link:
Join on your computer or mobile app:
Click here to join the meeting

​Or call in (audio only):
+1 503-946-5336,,757777413#   United States, Portland
Phone Conference ID: 757 777 413#

This event is sponsored by our neighbors in Century West Neighborhood Association. To register for the FREE virtual event, click here.

Now is the time to clean up your yard, create defensible space around your home, and drop off the debris at FireFree collection sites FOR FREE. The westside collection site will be open 3 weekends in May, while Knott Landfill will be open everyday.

Westside Collection Site in Bend: Saturday & Sunday, May 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Skyliners Road west, past Miller Elementary, then north onto the construction road before the Tree Farm subdivision. Watch for signs.
Knott Landfill: Sat, May 1 to Sun, May 16
Hours: 7 Days/week, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

What can I drop off?

• Grass clippings, brush, pine needles, pinecones, weeds, trimmings and branches, stumps or trees (no larger than 12” in diameter).
• NOT Accepted: sod, dirt, rocks, lumber, metal, trash or plastics of any kind, including plastic bags.

As previously announced, the city will be rebuilding the roundabout at Skyliners Rd. and Mt. Washington Dr. over a four week period beginning Monday, March 29th.

Drivers are asked to use the official detour routes, which are on collectors and arterials. Please do not cut through neighborhoods on local streets.

The map below shows the major detours leading out of the westside. Follow the same routes back home.