Guest Speakers
Fire Chief Larry Langston, Deputy Chief of Operations Bill Boos, and Communications Director Jodie Baram presented the rationale for extending a property levy to support Bend Fire Dept. services. The measure will be on the May ballot and will extend the original levy approved in 2014.
Chief Langston said that as Bend grew the money from property taxes was not sufficient to keep up with the demands of a growing community. Response times for the Fire Dept. were not satisfactory and the number of staff fell below national standards. Since the levy has brought in $2.2 million each year he has been able to increase the number of ambulance units and staff and the Department has greatly improved it response times.
A number of partnerships with the Bend Police and St. Charles Hospital have also improved service to those suffering cardiac arrest.
The Department offers free classes in CPR at its North Station on Jamison Rd. the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. Anyone interested may call 541-323-6200.
Measure 9115 on the spring ballot if passed will take effect in 2019 extending the levy for four years.
School Board member Julie Craig and REALM Middle School Principal Roger White shared details about the proposed two new high school programs to be located in a leased building on Brinson Blvd. The career training programs will feature two different approaches to learning, REALM, like the Middle School will be team based and experiential.
“Students at Realms High School pursue an academically rigorous and standards aligned curriculum that comes to life through active teaching methods, frequent fieldwork, and inter-disciplinary projects where students address and solve real world problems in our community, including ones related to issues of social justice and environmental stewardship,†according to the school brochure.
Skyline High School, while sharing some of the same values, will offer “personalized learning plans†and a flexible schedule.
White said both programs are meant to offer a choice to students and continue the district’s use of theme based high schools. The programs will be offered to all students on a lottery basis. The goal is for 100 each freshmen and sophomores this autumn, with attendance growing to 400-500 eventually. Students will have a Home School for languages, sports and music and have bus transportation to the career schools.
Land Use
Jim Beauchemin reported he provided comments to the City regarding traffic issues the new schools will pose. The traffic study estimated 477 vehicle trips per day the first year.
Jim also comments on the proposed zoning changes to the City code which would result in a blanket rezone of 2,600 acres there by eliminating opportunity for public comment by those adjacent to a development in the rezoned area.
In addition he responded to Kiewit Construction’s request for issues regarding the Empire and 27th ST Interconnect project currently out for bid. Some concerns include construction noise, detours, infringement on Pine Nursery Park and increased truck traffic for the project which will include a roundabouts at Purcell and Empire, 27th ST. and Empire and 27th ST. and Butler Market. There will be pedestrian improvements on Purcell and improvements at Butler Market.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s office is seeking permit to build a 5,000 sq. ft. Crisis Stabilization Center on it campus at Poe Shoals Rd. It would provide health services for inmates in distress.
Status Reports
Don Leonard said two changes to the City Charter will be on the May ballot – Removing Council compensation from the charter and election of a mayor by the voters. Don has been appointed to a Compensation committee to develop new compensation guidelines for City Council members. At present they are paid $200 per month. The change will allow a committee to determine fair compensation and propose any increase.
The Neighborhood Roundtable members have presented concepts for a charter to be a City committee and are working with the City Manager and Legal staff to develop specific language. The new body would be called the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA). Such a committee would be advisory to the Mayor and City Council, providing citizen input on policy.
Joette Storm reported the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Emergency Management is proceeding with formation of a Community Organizations Active in Disasters COAD network. Joette will be facilitating a meeting of the Steering Committee for that group. The network would inventory community assets that could be deployed in a disaster.
The City is recruiting for members of a Climate Action Committee to implement the Climate Action Plan. Applications are on the City website and are due March 2.
A motion was passed without objection to seek street lighting on 18th Street between Empire and Cooley roads. Although 18th is an arterial that serves homes, schools and businesses, there is no lighting. Joette Storm will prepare the application for the City.
Time Change - in response to suggestions from members, BANA will change the time of general membership meetings to 6 p.m. beginning with the March 12 meeting. Representatives of Fred Meyer are scheduled to update us on their proposed shopping center at Cooley and Rt. 20.