Neighborhood Impact is sponsoring a free series of sessions for those looking for rental housing in this competitive market. If you or someone you know wants to be better prepared, pre-register using the link below.

The 4-session series will cover fair housing rights, budgeting for rent, understanding leases, and applying for housing.

Dates/Times: Four Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM starting March 18th.

To register: click here.

The City of Bend will begin a limited reopening of some of its public facilities for in-person services beginning Monday, March 1. Public meetings continue to be held virtually. Please see the “City Meetings and Events” calendar at the bottom of www.bendoregon.gov for updates about public meetings.

Modifications will be in place, including a requirements for face masks and physical distancing. To help limit the number of people accessing City facilities, the City asks community members to continue conducting City business online or over the phone whenever possible.

Below is information on which City facilities will be open. For phone numbers, web links, and other information, click here.

• City Hall, 710 NW Wall Street, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Permit Center at City Hall, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Utility Billing, 639 NW Franklin Avenue, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Bend Police Department, 555 NE 15th Street, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Municipal Court lobby and service windows, 555 NE 15th Street, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Some major road improvements will be undertaken this spring and summer that are outside the SWNA boundaries, but are likely to affect everyone living on the westside.

Columbia Roundabouts
The City will be improving the intersections of Columbia Street/Colorado Avenue and Columbia Street/Simpson Avenue with roundabouts to improve safety and reliability. Travelers should expect road closures and detours for about 10 weeks at each location:

• Columbia Street / Colorado Avenue: early March through mid-May
• Columbia Street / Simpson Avenue: mid-May through July

All construction is expected to be finished in August 2021.

Newport Corridor Improvements
Virtual Open House:  the City has an online “virtual open house” on the project website for those seeking more information.

A major infrastructure project along Newport Avenue will kick off in March. The project will:

• Rebuild the road from College Way to 9th Street
• Rebuild aging and failing stormwater infrastructure
• Replace the existing sewer trunk line and water distribution pipes
• Install new sidewalks, curb ramps, lighting, landscaping and signage

Construction begins with replacement of an aging water line at the intersection of 10th Street and Newport Avenue. The project will result in temporary closures and detours.

The new Chief of Police, Mike Krantz, sent reports to each of the neighborhood associations summarizing crime statistics and other police-related data for the past year.  

Note that leaving vehicles unlocked leads to the main type of crime in Bend -- unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

See the attached report for details on the Summit West neighborhood.

The City is installing an "access control system" in the Centennial Parking Garage in downtown Bend to improve safety and simplify payment options for parking customers. Installation is expected to be completed on Feb. 8.

Under the new system, there will be gates at the Lava Street entrance, and customers will take a ticket and pay onsite or using a mobile app. The first 3 hours will no longer be free, but a new merchant validation program will be implemented. Additionally, the entrance off of the alley will be closed to the public and valet parking for the Oxford will be relocated to the lower level from the rooftop.

The new system will include a digital display informing drivers about available parking spaces as they enter.

Customers can register on the Pango mobile app to have a contactless experience, if desired. The access system will recognize the license plate number or a QR code of registered customers and permit holders and automatically raise the control arm at entry and exit.
 
Customers who prefer not to use the mobile app will take a ticket at entry and pay at the pay station in the garage or with the Pango mobile app before exiting the garage. Instructions to pay for parking via the mobile app or a paper ticket will be posted in the garage.

The City is conducting an online community survey as one of several means of informing the Council's goal-setting process to guide planning for the next two years.

The survey seeks community feedback to help set priorities and direction. The City recently concluded a phone survey asking participants about the City and its services. Community groups have also been asked to submit input, which the Summit West NA board is doing.

To access the online survey, click here.  The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and will be online through December 27th.

The community survey intends to get a sense of how Bend residents perceive City services and to assess what City services the community prioritizes. Community participation will help the City set priorities and will be presented to the City Council as it embarks on its next round of biennial goal setting.  

The Summit West Neighborhood Association (SWNA) is looking for motivated individuals to join the Board of Directors. The goal of the SWNA is to work together to make our neighborhoods vibrant, safe, and livable. The Board works as a liaison to voice our neighborhood's interests to local government.  

We are seeking individuals with experience utilizing social media, this web site, and an email newsletter to share information with our members. We also need a treasurer and  someone interested in being the SWNA representative on the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA). The NLA is a City Council advisory committee and requires attending  one meeting a month. For more information about the NLA, click here.

The SWNA Board meets at least four times a year and hosts a General Membership meeting annually. Board members are required to live within the SWNA boundary and should be willing to educate themselves on local issues and help enhance our community.

Those interested in learning more about the SWNA Board should contact Board chair Erik Moberly here.

The Planning Commission is the City's official citizen involvement committee. Commissioners are volunteers, appointed by City Council, and can serve two 4-year terms, or up to 10 years if appointed mid-term. The Planning Commission conducts quasi-judicial and legislative public hearings on Type III and IV planning applications, and makes recommendations to City Council. Type III and IV applications include Deschutes River design review, master plans, and Bend Development Code amendments. This committee has two positions to fill.

Planning Commission webpage
Apply here. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.

The Budget Committee is comprised of the seven City Councilors and an equal number of citizen members. The committee receives the City Manager's proposed biennial budget and budget message, which explains the proposed budget and significant changes in the City's financial position. The Budget Committee may make additions or changes to the proposed budget, at which time the committee will approve the document and forward it to the City Council for adoption. The Budget Committee also approves a rate of total ad valorem property taxes to be certified for collection. Citizen members serve a term of four years and are subject to the City of Bend policy on term limitations (maximum two terms or six years, whichever is greater). This committee has three positions to fill.

Budget Committee webpage
Apply here. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.

As the holiday season approaches, plans are underway for a festive season, though there will be changes this year:

• In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, VisitNWX will not be hosting its 9th Annual NWX Tree Lighting Ceremony, as the City is not issuing event permits.
• However, the NWX tree will be decorated and lit for everyone to enjoy during the month of December.
• From December 1-20, the NWX Business Association will host a Tour of Lights. Businesses and residents are invited to participate by decorating their home or business with their favorite holiday lights.

For more information and details on how to participate in the Tour of Lights, click here.

The Bend Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the annual update on the State of the City at noon on Oct. 29th.

Mayor Sally Russell and City Manager Eric King will address challenges related to COVID-19, and the impact of growth on transportation, housing and other services.

To register for this free event and obtain a link to it, click here.