The land use chairs from Bend’s 13 neighborhood associations have teamed up to coordinate a forum for this year’s candidates for City Council. This will be the only forum focused on land use issues, such as development, traffic, parking, and wildfire planning, as well as the effects of growth on livability and the character of Bend’s neighborhoods.

The forum will be held using a virtual platform on Sunday, October 4, 2020. Each of two one-hour panels will feature the candidates for two positions on the November 3rd ballot:

• The first panel, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. will be composed of Position 1 candidates, Justin Livingston and Melanie Kebler, and Position 2 candidates, Anthony Broadman and August Paul Johnson.
• The second panel, from 4:10 to 5:10 p.m. will have Position 3 candidates, Chris Piper and Megan Perkins, and Position 4 candidates, Rita Schenkelberg and Michael R. Hughes

The forum will be moderated by Matt McDonald, News Director of Central Oregon Daily. Matt and the candidates will interact via a video conference, while the public will watch a live stream of the event on YouTube. A recording will also be available afterwards.

Members of the public are asked to register for this free event by going to:  https://tinyurl.com/BendNAforum. Details on how to link to the live-stream will be provided there, along with a link to the candidates’ answers to a written questionnaire.

The production of this virtual event is being handled by Connect Central Oregon and OSU-Cascades.

The Oregon Health Authority sent out the following:

This week, Oregon is facing an unprecedented threat from wildfires in all areas of the state. The number one priority right now is saving lives as we fight more than 35 fires, burning 300,000+ acres across the state. Winds continue to fuel them.

Places not burning now still face the worst fire condition risks in 30 years: Dry air, dry brush and hot winds. Everyone must be on high alert.

Pay attention to directions from firefighters, local officials and emergency responders. If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Your choices could save lives.

Stay informed, stay safe, and follow evacuation orders. To learn more, click here.

Community committees are a great way to get involved with City government. The City has a number of boards, committees, commissions and advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff. There are several openings right now. To apply for any of these positions, click here.

The City of Bend’s Accessibility Advisory Committee’s (COBAAC) purpose is to assist and advise the City on the most efficient and responsible means by which to make its programs, services, activities and facilities accessible to all of Bend’s residents and visitors. There are two openings. Applications will be accepted until October 23. See the Committee website here.
 
The Landmarks Commission conducts hearings on planning applications affecting historic resources and acts as an advisory board to the City Council on decisions that could affect historic resources. There is one opening. Applications will be accepted until October 1. See the Commission website here.
 
The Bend Economic Development Advisory Board (BEDAB) is a board tasked with providing input and policy advice to Council and staff on issues relating to business development and economic growth. There are two openings. Applications will be accepted until September 15. See the Committee website here.

This month, the Bend City Council agreed to create a Human Rights and Equity Commission. Watch for more information about openings soon.

 More about all City committees: www.bendoregon.gov/committees

The neighborhood association has two items to give away on a first-come/first-served basis:

• Signs that read, "Slow Down in Bend Neighborhoods"
• Tote bags for grocery shopping or farmers' markets and other uses

Both items will be on a table at the corner of Polarstar and Marken Place (not Marken St.) in Valhalla (the subdivision across from COCC at the northwest corner of Mt. Washington & Shevlin Park Rd.) for a few days beginning Tuesday, Aug. 11th.

This hearing before the Council will be held via a virtual meeting platform. To provide testimony during the hearing, look for the WebEx information (phone number and meeting code) near the top of the agenda for the August 19th City Council meeting. To access the agenda, click here, then scroll down to "Upcoming Events" and click on the "Agenda" for the Aug. 19th meeting. (Agendas are often not posted until the preceding Friday.)

Note that the Public Comment Line will open at 6:45 p.m. to allow callers to sign up for comment. You may provide general comments for the Visitor’s Section or comment on any of the items listed with a public hearing. Please be advised that times in the agenda are estimates only; meetings can run longer or be delayed for multiple reasons. The waiting time to provide your comment could be substantial.

To watch the meeting, click on "Video", or tune in to COTV Channel 11 on cable beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For information on how to provide written comments prior to the hearing (Project PZ-20-0424) and links to the proposed Transportation System Plan, please scroll down to the post dated 7/2/20.

Volunteers are needed to help with this vital annual event sponsored by the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

River cleanup activities will take place along the Deschutes River at five sites: Meadow Camp, Riverbend Park, McKay Park, First Street Rapids Park, and Sawyer Park. Volunteers will help pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks.

For more information and to register to volunteer, click here.

VisitNWX is the business association for NorthWest Crossing. Its growing roster of members includes owners of NWX businesses and properties working to promote the neighborhood's businesses.

The association also hopes to play a role in fostering communication about events and other news in NWX, now that the community's developer has finished its work in the area. To learn more and sign up for the VisitNWX newsletter, click here.

NorthWest Crossing is home to most of the businesses located in the Summit West Neighborhood Association, which makes it the closest thing we have to a downtown.

(Note: business owners and property owners who are not residents of Summit West are eligible to become members of the neighborhood association, and your participation is welcome. To sign up, click here.)

After more than two years of work, the City has a draft Plan ready for review by the public and decision-makers.  The Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee and the Transportation Steering Committee have completed their work, along with the technical Project Team, and directed staff to take the Transportation Plan to the public hearing phase.  Comments on the Plan will be provided to the Planning Commission and City Council. 

Public Hearing dates:

• July 13: Joint Planning Commission / City Council Work Session, 5:30pm - Meeting Details
• July 27 - 28: Planning Commission Hearing, 5:30pm - Meeting Details
• August 19: City Council Hearing, 7:00pm - Meeting Details

For more information on the public hearings, see:  Transportation Plan Website
 
For a 15-minute recorded overview of the Transportation Plan, please go here:  Bend's New Transportation Plan Presentation (Video)
 
For a PowerPoint overview of the Transportation Plan, please click here:  Overview of Bend’s New Transportation Plan (Summary Presentation)
 
To review the draft Transportation Plan, please go here:  Draft Transportation Plan

Written comments can be sent to:  kswirsky@bendoregon.gov.

Everyone's help is needed to keep our neighborhood safe when celebrating this July 4th. Illegal fireworks cause serious injuries and devastating fires every year. Illegal fireworks include any device that:

• flies off the ground more than 12 inches
• moves across the ground more than 6 feet
• explodes

You can help by:

1. Spreading the word that illegal fireworks are dangerous and subject to a $750 fine.
2. Reporting illegal fireworks activity to 541-693-6911.
3. Setting a good example by using legal fireworks, which are sold at locally-permitted fireworks stands, or find fun alternatives to fireworks.
4. Leaving the big show up to the pros.

Also, remember that dogs are easily traumatized by illegal fireworks.
Click here for more.

Even when fireworks are legal, we all need to be careful. Last year Bend Fire & Rescue responded to two structure fires that destroyed both homes due to the improper disposal of LEGAL fireworks. To use legal fireworks safely:

1. Light fireworks on a paved surface at least 25 feet from buildings, cars and combustible vegetation.
2. Have a garden hose nearby to douse any misfired fireworks.
3. Make sure children and pets are at a safe distance away.
4. Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.
5. NEVER try to relight a “dud” firework -- wait 15 to 20 minutes before picking it up.
6. Soak used fireworks overnight!