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Bend Chamber Weekly
January 23, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator

This Week's Highlights

• Council divides over vacant seat, decision delayed

• City Council Highlights

• Local advertising firm receives international publication award

• COBA Winners Announced

• In the news

• Correction

Council divides over vacant seat, decision delayed

     After two votes and much discussion Wednesday evening, the Bend City Council remained at a standstill over who should fill the council seat vacated by Chris Telfer.
     After interviewing William “Cliff” Walkey, Don Leonard, and Glen “Tom” Pickell, the council decided not to hold any discussions about the interviews and instead went straight to voting. The council was spilt on its first vote with Mayor Kathie Eckman and councilors Jeff Eager and Tom Greene voting for Leonard and councilors Mark Capell, Jim Clinton, and Jodie Barram voting for Walkey.
     Eager said he voted for Leonard because of the broad range of experience he could bring to the council. He stated he was worried about Walkey because of a possible conflict of interest with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and he thought Barram already brought experience to the council on the Urban Growth Boundary.
     Capell, Barram, and Clinton agreed Walkey would be the best candidate not only because of his knowledge of the UGB, but also because of his ability to work on complex issues and his ability to lead.
     Clinton felt having Walkey on the council would be of great benefit when the city looks at annexation policies, etc., for the UGB. “That will determine what our city looks like in the future,” he said.
     After the second vote, the council was again locked in a 3-3 stalemate. Councilors again voiced their opinions on their choices stating who would be better for the position. The discussion took an interesting turn when Eager stated this was “an unfortunate set of events” and he would be willing to change his vote to Tom Pickell if there was a council majority. Eckman and Greene stated they would support Pickell because of his experience. “I could do that so as not to have to go a to special election,” stated Greene.
     According to the city’s charter, if the vacant seat is not filled within 30 days, a special election must be held; which could mean an expense to the city.
     Eager also said he wanted to get someone into the position that night so the council could hit the ground running at its financial retreat. “We need to show the community we can make a decision,” he said.
     However, Capell, Barram, and Clinton remained steadfast on their votes for Walkey.
     Capell said he supports Walkey because he is a centrist and would break up the divide on the council. “I think Cliff balances out the council in terms of viewpoints on issues,” he said.
     A heated debate began between Capell and Eckman, over the voting record of the three new councilors. Eckman stated she didn’t feel there should be a division of the council and the council is nonpartisan. “It doesn’t make a difference what your political party is, but rather what is in the best interest of the city,” she said.
    The council unanimously agreed to hold off on a decision until its first meeting in February. “I think it’s reasonable to wait, consider, and go from there,” said Barram.
     If the council does not fill the vacancy at its next meeting in February, the decision will automatically go to the voters in a special election. According to city officials, a special election would cost $12,000 to $13,000.
 

City Council Highlights

Council approves sale of land to PacifiCorp and Suterra: In a unanimous decision, the Bend City Council approved the sale of land located within Juniper Ridge to PacifiCorp and Suterra, LLC. Councilors were apprised of some of the key points within the Purchase and Sales agreements. PacifiCorp plans to start work immediately on the temporary and permanent substation at Juniper Ridge. Suterra also plans to start working on its site soon. PacifiCorp will purchase a 10.65 acre parcel of land for $3,151,674 and a 3.32 acre parcel of land for $321,462. Suterra will purchase a 7.99 acre parcel of land for $2,436,310.

Council doesn’t vote on proposed ordinance: City staff asked the council to consider approving additional extensions of planning approvals beyond the one year extension already provided within the Development Code. This extension would allow developers to keep their projects active, even if they are not ready to build yet. The council was asked to Declare an Emergency and have the ordinance go into effect on February 4. However, to do so would require a unanimous vote from the council, and Councilor Jim Clinton said he would not support the declaration. Clinton agrees there should be some flexibility due to the current economic climate; however, he was concerned about opening the door too wide for developers. City staff assured councilors there would be no abuse of the process by developers; this would just be seen as a gracious offer. The city expects at least 40 developers to ask for second extensions this year. “This is an emergency measure for viable projects that are nearing the end of their extensions,” said Community Development Department Director Mel Oberst. The council did not declare an emergency and will vote on the issue in February. If approved in February, the ordinance wouldn’t go into effect until early March.

Council approves appointments to Budget Committee and the Historic Landmarks Commission: The Bend City Council approved the appointments of Diedra Cherzan, Jade Mayer, Victor Chudowski, Dennis Huserik, and Bill Wagner to the Budget Committee. Janet Chapman was appointed to the Historic Landmarks Commission.
 

In the news

     Lava Court Project renamed: Co-developers Housing Works and KemperCo, LCC announced last week the mixed-use affordable housing community formerly known as Lava Court will now be called Putnam Pointe after George P. Putnam. Putnam was a former mayor of Bend and publisher/editor of the Bulletin in 1912 and 1913. “George Putnam literally shaped Bend and shaped Oregon,” said Laura Cooper, Chair of the Housing Works’ Board. “He brought attention to this region with vision that was amazing for its time. The project has similar ambitions for attracting positive attention to and shaping the future of the community in bold and innovative ways.” Construction on the project began in February 2008 and is expected to be completed in April of 2009.

     Construction begins on Deschutes Market over-crossing: Construction has already started on the Deschutes Market over-crossing project between Bend and Redmond. Starting on Monday, January 26 traffic will be moved to a temporary bypass road for the duration of the project. Drivers are urged to use caution and obey the speed limit of 30 mph. Drivers can expect 20 minute delays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes whenever possible. The construction of the project will last until October 30. For more information, call George Kolb, Deschutes County Road Department at 322-7113.

     County reminder on landfill blasting: The Deschutes County Solid Waste Department wants to remind residents that blasting operations at Knott Landfill are ongoing. Rock from the project is being moved across Rickard Road from Knott Landfill to the Rose Pit mine as part of a cooperative reclamation project. Drivers and cyclists alike are reminded to drive with care and expect delays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The project is expected to take six months to complete.

     Deschutes County opens search for Audit Committee member: Deschutes County is now accepting applications from citizens who would like to serve on the Deschutes County Audit Committee. The committee is an advisory committee to the Board of County Commissioners with responsibilities of monitoring County financial reporting, internal controls; and compliance with laws, regulations, and ethics. Applications are being accepted now until Monday, February 2. Applications can be found at www.deschutes.org or you may pick up a packet from the Deschutes County Personnel Department. For more information about the Deschutes County Audit Committee application process, please contact David Givans, County Internal Auditor at 330-4674 or send email to davidg@deschutes.org . The County will interview selected applicants in early February.
 

Correction

     In last week’s Chamber Weekly, it was reported Bend was recently highlighted in Forbes. However, this was a story that was reported several years ago. The Chamber apologizes for any confusion.