Erin Foote Morgan, Bend 2030, shared plans to engage the entire community in transportation planning so that all the needs and concerns can be considered by city, state and county planners.
Attendees: Don Leonard. Chair, Joette Storm, Vice Chair, Jim Beauchemin, Jeff Silverman, Cindy King, Matt Bryant, board members. Mary Craig, Hard Hanson, Barbara and Steve Baker, Joan Miller, Kathy Carpenter, Kathleen Roche, Greta Turillo
Guest Speaker: Erin Foote Morgan, Executive Director Bend 2030 Ms. Morgan told the group that Bend 2030 was established by the City Council of Bend in 2005 to develop a vision of the future for the city. Its purpose was to engage residents in identifying what the city wanted to achieve in Bend by the year 2030. In 2007 the organization became an independent nonprofit and in 2015, she was hired to lead the effort. With a budget of $250,000 plus project specific grants, Bend 2030 continues to address issues such as affordable housing and transportation through collaboration of individuals and organizations. The housing collaborative has presented 12 recommendations to the City Council for meeting the need of 10,000 more housing units by 2028. Eleven of the recommendations are being considered by the council including changing the formula for System Development Fees and reducing parking requirements. Move Bend is the transportation collaboration that will kick off Wednesday, September 27th at 5 p.m. at 10 Barrel Brewery on 18th Street. Our neighborhood association and all Bend residents are invited to participate in the effort to identify transportation needs and ideas to meet those needs. There will be a series of workshops this Fall for that purpose. The results will be presented to city, county and state transportation agencies, all of which are embarking on multiyear plans. One example Morgan cited is that Deschutes County will have $4 million more to spend on transportation probably via Cascades East Transit. “This effort will change the lead on the transportation conversation,†Morgan said. The timing is perfect to ask questions about BANA’s share of these dollars and to let agencies know you want light rail and safe school routes.
She urged the members to attend the kickoff party and to host a local workshop to gather ideas and needs. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/move-bend-launch-party-registration-37826427864
Status Reports Budget: A budget of $4,523 was presented (see attachment) to cover insurance, mailing, printing venue rental and events. The City’s allocation to BANA is $4,769. based upon the number of tax lots in the neighborhood. A motion was made by Jeff Silverman and seconded by Jim Beauchemin to adopt the budget. Civic Equity Project: Joette Storm said the Board has developed an organizational plan with the guidance of Partners in Participation, the consultants hired by Bend 2030, which is conducting the Civic Equity Project. We have begun implementing the plan. Items include developing a demographic profile of the neighborhood based upon county and business data. The current version of the profile lists the population at 5,568; 41% in the 20-54 age group. 25% are 55 or older. There are 1,671 students in the five area schools. A business outreach effort has been initiated with a letter from the city business liaison to 364 businesses. Jeff Silverman is developing a letter to follow inviting businesses to participate in our activities.
Questions were raised about BANA’s authority to raise funds from local businesses. Since the organization does not have nonprofit status with the IRS, the board is exploring ways to partner with other organizations.