Last year, a delegation from the City of Bend headed to Washington DC to seek federal funding that would leverage the existing $50 million earmarked by the state for addressing the intersections on 97 at Bend’s north end.
That effort was ultimately unsuccessful in securing the needed $60-$70 million although the group made headway in generating interest in the project with federal policymakers and staff.
Council will discuss taking another shot at the INFRA Grant at their meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 20. The motion would include two components, a formal statement of support for the project along with the approval of match contribution up to $5 million by the City in 2022 if the project is successful.
At the Feb. 13 meeting the Board voted to nominate Jim Beauchemin, land us chair, to be the Boyd Acres member of the advisory board. The J.R. board will have 2 years to review the master plan and previously created agreements with the Department of Transportation and other entities.
City Manager Eric King shared the results of the Community Survey in a recent memo to City Council. The results of the survey indicate residents are satisfied with City services, especially water quality. Transportation and housing are still priorities.
The City of Bend is seeking applicants for two positions on the Planning Commission. The City Council appoints members to four-year terms. The Planning Commission reviews and makes recommendations regarding land-use matters, subject to State law and City code. Consideration will be given to include representatives of the various geographical parts of the City of Bend, as well as familiarity with land-use and development within Bend.
The current openings are for four-year terms beginning in January 2019, concluding at the end of December 2022.
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Transportation, Emergency Preparedness and Affordable Housing remain issues of concern for Boyd Acre residents and businesses. The Board listed transportation needs for transit services, complete streets and sidewalks as two areas we wish to see improved.
Secondly, we listed the need to update the community's Emergency Response Plan and conduct an exercise so that every resident is prepared to evacuate if necessary in the event of wildland fire or other disaster.
The City of Bend is serious about adapting to climate change. With the help of the Climate Action Steering committee, the city now has goals for cutting carbon emissions of government, business and residents over the next 10 to 30 years.
Sustainability Coordinator Cassie Lacy and Committee member Russ Donnelly shared the goals for reducing energy use and waste in order to lessen our impact on the environment.
Goals: community wide 40% reduction of fossil fuels by 2030 50% reduction by 2050
The City of Bend is reducing speed limits on area streets. Boyd Acres Road from Butler Market to Morningstar will be reduced to 35 mph. OB Riley will also have speed reduced from 45 to 40 mph on the section between Hardy and Cooley.
In the south end of town, American Lane will be posted at 35 mph.
The City and the Climate Action Steering Committee are inviting Bend residents to take 15 minutes to participate in an online community survey. Community participation will help the City set priorities for the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The survey will be available at: go.participate.online/
The survey results will be shared with the Climate Action Steering Committee and will help shape their recommendations for the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP).
The Community Climate Action Plan will be created by the committee and include a set of strategies, policies and programs that encourage voluntary fossil fuel use reduction throughout the community. The plan will define a roadmap to meet the City’s community wide fossil fuel use reduction goals established in Council Resolution 3044.
City Sustainability Manager Cassie Lacy will present Climate Actions plans for the Bend in the coming year.
Other agenda items include plans to nominate a member to the City's Juniper Ridge Management Advisory Committee.
The Committee's task will include reviewing the Juniper Ridge Strategic Plan developed in 2005 and recommending updates. This 2-year task is intended to prepare the area for development as a Light Industrial, Mixed Use district.