Chapter 1.70
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
Sections:
1.70.020 Existing Neighborhood Associations.
1.70.030 Recognition of New Neighborhood Associations.
1.70.040 Termination and Withdrawal from Recognized Associations.
1.70.050 Status of Recognized Neighborhood Association.
1.70.060 Grants and Other Assistance.
1.70.010 Definition.
Neighborhood association means an association comprised of residents 18 years or older, property owners, any legal entity that operates a place of business, professional office, government agency or nonprofit institution within an area of the City. Participation is voluntary and open to all persons who comprise the association. Neighborhood associations are formally recognized organizations which offer an opportunity for those comprising the association to participate in the decision-making for their neighborhood, particularly on land use matters. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]
1.70.020 Existing Neighborhood Associations.
All neighborhood associations recognized by the City as of January 1, 2011, shall continue to be recognized until termination of recognition under BC 1.70.040. Neighborhood associations recognized as of January 1, 2011, are:
A. Awbrey Butte.
B. Boyd Acres.
C. Century West.
D. Larkspur.
E. Mountain View.
F. Old Bend.
G. Old Farm District.
H. Orchard District.
I. River West.
J. Southeast Bend.
K. Southern Crossing.
L. Southwest Bend.
M. Summit West. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]
1.70.030 Recognition of New Neighborhood Associations.
The residents, property owners, legal entities that operate a place of business or professional office, government agency or nonprofit institution of any area in the City not within an existing neighborhood association may seek City recognition for a neighborhood association. City will not recognize any neighborhood association that includes territory of a recognized neighborhood association unless a majority of the members of the neighborhood association who live in the territory to be transferred have agreed in writing that the territory will be transferred to the other neighborhood association. Recognition of new neighborhood associations shall be by Council resolution. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]
1.70.040 Termination and Withdrawal from Recognized Associations.
A. Any recognized neighborhood association may voluntarily dissolve itself and shall inform the City of the dissolution. The City shall terminate the recognition of any association on the date of its dissolution.
B. The City may terminate the recognition of any neighborhood association if it has not held a general meeting in the previous 18 months.
C. The City shall terminate the recognition of a neighborhood association as to an area if the City receives a petition signed by a majority of the registered voters in the area requesting that the neighborhood association no longer be recognized for the area. The petition must include a map showing the area to be withdrawn.
D. The City may terminate the recognition of a neighborhood association that is not in compliance with this chapter. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]
1.70.050 Status of Recognized Neighborhood Association.
A. Neighborhood associations are independent entities and not part of the City government.
B. City recognition of a neighborhood association does not make the association part of the City or make it a governmental entity. ORS Chapter 197 gives recognized associations certain rights to notice of certain land use applications. The Bend Development Code also provides recognized associations the right to notice and comment on certain land use applications and the right to a waiver of appeal fees, consistent with the Bend General Plan provisions on citizen involvement. The role of neighborhood associations in the land use process does not make them decision-makers or advisory bodies to the decision-makers. Recognition of a neighborhood association gives the recognized association the rights granted by State law, the Bend Development Code, and this chapter to recognized neighborhood associations.
C. The City has no responsibility or liability for actions of neighborhood associations.
D. Recognized neighborhood associations must designate an authorized representative and provide the City with contact information for the designated representative to allow notice to be provided under applicable land use regulations. Recognized neighborhood associations must have bylaws or other binding rules that require publicly announced and open meetings, govern election of board members and/or officers and meeting procedures, and must maintain minutes of open meetings. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]
1.70.060 Grants and Other Assistance.
A. The City may provide grants to recognized neighborhood associations through the City’s budget process, may waive land use appeal fees for neighborhood associations by resolution, and may provide assistance, including coordination and administrative assistance, to neighborhood associations. City grant proceeds may not be used to advocate for or against a declared candidate or ballot measure. Neighborhood associations that receive grants shall provide a written report on the expenditure of grant funds on an annual basis as part of the application for grant funding.
B. The City may allow recognized neighborhood associations or meetings of representatives of neighborhood associations to use City facilities, consistent with applicable building use policies. [Ord. NS-2171, 2011]