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Bend Chamber
Weekly
April 3, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator
This Week's
Highlights
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Increase in rates likely for City of Bend water and
sewer
During a work session Wednesday evening, city
officials recommended a water and sewer rate increase
to help pay for much needed repairs and maintenance
costs.
Water and sewer rates have gone up every year for
the past few years. City staff stated they wanted to
continue with the same increase residents saw last
year with an 8.25 percent increase for water and a
14.5 percent increase for sewer. According to
Finance Director Sonia Andrews, the average
household will see an increase of about $7 to $9 per
month.
Some of the critical needs for the water system
include the replacement of an 80 year old
transmission line, surface water treatment mandates,
retrofitting meters, replacements of fire hydrants,
replacements of valves, etc. On the wastewater side,
some of the critical needs include expansion at the
wastewater treatment plant, repairs and maintenance
for interceptors, and pump stations.
Public Works Director Paul Rheault told councilors
both divisions are working hard to keep up with
maintenance on the aging infrastructure, while also
dealing with new mandates and compliance issues.
Andrews explained the increase in fees will help
both departments continue to have full cost
recovery without having to dip into the general
fund. If the council decided to lower the rates from
staff suggestions, many maintenance projects would
not be able to move forward.
The increases follow a rate study that was
completed last year for the city. The consulting
firm recommended a steady increase of 8.25 percent
for water and 14.5 percent for sewer for the next
five years. However, there is concern the fee
increases would barely cover the needs of both
departments. Andrews pointed out to councilors when
the study was completed last year, it was expected
more SDC money would be coming in. The general plan
was to have between $2 million and $3 million in SDC
revenue. “We will smile if we come in at a half
million this year,” said Andrews.
City staff also told councilors they are seeking
federal stimulus money and grants to help with
funding other capital needs and improvements.
Councilor Jeff Eager told staff they need to run the
two departments like a business and look for ways to
save money. He also felt the city needs to make the
investment in its infrastructure now for future
economic development.
Several councilors agreed the process needs to move
forward, but left staff with the guidance to do what
is least volatile for the community when raising
rates.
“I have the benefit of having spent a lot of time
studying this last year,” said Councilor Mark
Capell. “(The council) spent many nights going
through water and sewer rates. Last year when we
looked at this, I was not pleased with it and I’m
still not pleased, but I don’t see an alternative.”
The rate increases will be included in the budget
process. The council will have to vote for adoption
of the increased fees in June when it finalizes the
biennial budget.
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City Council Highlights
Council delays decision on expansion plans: It was
standing room only Wednesday night as the Bend City
Council took testimony on Westside Church’s plans to
build a 7,000 square foot child care facility on a
piece of land many neighbors say is a designated
park. Westside Church is requesting a change to the
Bend Development Code for a 2.4 acre section of land
at the southwest edge of its property. Though it was
not included in the city’s master plan as a church
park, several overlays do show the 2.4 acre section
of land being labeled as a church park. The church
says it purchased the land in 2005 with no known
restrictions, and the park designation was
added to the property after the land was purchased.
Many residents of the Newport Hills neighborhood
stated they purchased their homes with the idea
there would one day be a park located on the site.
Many owners stated they did their due diligence and
even went to the planning department to ask about
the area. Another concern of homeowners was the
additional traffic that would be created with the
child care facility. After two hours of testimony
and questions, the council decided to delay its vote
and look at the issue again at its April 15 meeting.
Council approves skateboarding penalty for Downtown
Bend: The Bend City Council voted 6-1 to adopt an
ordinance that would establish a penalty for
violations related to skateboarding in Downtown
Bend. The council did question the intent and some
of the language contained within the ordinance.
Rather than delaying the ordinance, the council
pushed forward with the penalty amendment to help
with code enforcement. Councilor Jim Clinton voted
against the ordinance stating “I’m not in favor of
going ahead with something that is so wrong headed.
I think we should fix it before we add an
exaggerated fine to the violations …”
McKenzie Shoes and Apparel to lease space in
Downtown Bend: During a Bend Urban Renewal Agency
meeting, it was announced McKenzie Shoes and Apparel
will lease space at 740 NW Wall St. (Former site of
King of Sole shoes). Details still have to be
finalized, but the company will sign a 64-month
lease. McKenzie Shoes and Apparel has 5 other stores
including locations in Eugene and Seattle.
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U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
to hold Town Hall Meeting
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will be in Bend on Monday,
April 6 and plans to hold a Town Hall Meeting at the
Bend Elks Club located at 63120 Boyd Acres Road.
Residents of Deschutes County are invited to attend
the open forum to ask questions and voice their
concerns. The event will take place from 12:30 to
2:00 p.m.
For more information about this event, please call
330-9142. Senator Wyden has been holding town halls
in each Oregon county every year since 1996.
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 Chamber’s
Spring Showcase at the COBA 17th Annual Spring Home &
Garden Show
This is the premier home and garden show in Central
Oregon and features hundreds of professionals in one
location. It’s a one-stop shop for any construction
or landscape project in addition to general business
products and services. New exhibits will provide
attendees with numerous ideas and resources.
This year the Bend Chamber partnered with
the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) to
offer our Chamber members an opportunity to
“showcase” their business. Be a part of this fun
3-day event, May 1-3, 2009, at the Deschutes County
Fair and Expo Center. Our Chamber Member businesses
will be featured in 10x10 booth spaces along the
upper level concourse inside the Expo Center’s Arena
facility. The cost is just $395 for your space –
there are no additional costs (unless you desire a
wireless
Internet connection).
Can you really afford not to
“showcase” your business in one of the BIGGEST Expo
shows in Central Oregon? We all need to take advantage of any and all
opportunities to market our businesses. This event
is fun to attend and we want you to partner with the
Bend Chamber in featuring your business, services
and products.
To receive a contract and registration packet,
please contact Lindi DeWolf,
lindi@bendchamber.org.
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In the News:
Governor launches stimulus project in Redmond:
Governor Ted Kulongoski was in Redmond earlier this
week to launch another federal transportation
stimulus project. The project involves a one mile
reconstruction of 5th Street in Downtown Redmond
which had deteriorated with many years of heavy
highway use. “We’re here to highlight one of the
transportation projects around the state funded
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act –
a project that will put Oregonians right here in
Redmond to work while also making critical
improvements to help revitalize Redmond’s classic
downtown,” the Governor said. “This $4 million
project is just one of hundreds of examples you’ll
see across the state that shows how investing in
transportation delivers jobs, preserves our
infrastructure and enhances our quality of life.”
Commissioners Ask Residents to Comment Online For
Jail Expansion Support: Deschutes County
Commissioners are requesting Federal appropriations
support to expand the Deschutes County Jail and are
asking for help. The Commissioners are asking County
residents to make comments of support for jail
expansion on Senator Ron Wyden’s Web site. According
to a recent media release, the Senator will consider
public support to help him make appropriations
funding decisions for the year 2010. The Deschutes
County Jail has reached capacity. The County does
not have the money to pay for the jail expansion,
but it does have the money to fund the operation of
the jail once it is expanded. “Appropriation dollars
would significantly help with jail expansion
construction costs, improving public safety for
residents and adding new job opportunities that have
already been approved by the voters,” said Sheriff
Larry Blanton in a recent release.
Oregon House bill takes on risky home loans: On
April 1, the Oregon House passed HB 2188, which
would apply federal guidelines to negative
amortization loans. A House Majority Office press
release stated the bill will “ensure sound
underwriting” for these loans. “This bill goes to
the crux of the current economic crisis,” said House
Majority Leader Mary Nolan (D-Portland) in a
release. “Had the mortgage lending industry not
blocked sensible reforms like this at the federal
and state level, we might not have the tragic number
of foreclosures we face now.” The bill would require
lenders to evaluate the borrower’s ability to pay
for the loan and would limit penalties for negative
amortization loans. “If these safeguards had been in
place prior to the mortgage crisis, the number of
negative amortization loans sold would have been
greatly reduced,” said Representative Judy Stiegler
(D-Bend) in a release. “Much of this crisis, brought
on by the questionable actions of some lenders,
could have been averted.” The bill will now move on
to the senate.
Local residents get chance to help families with
cancer: Residents of Central Oregon will have the
opportunity to help local families fight cancer.
This week, a purple donation envelope will be mailed
to residents along with their garbage billing
statement. CAN Cancer is a new and local appeal that
provides community assistance to cover non-medical
living expenses for families fighting all forms of
cancer. CAN Cancer is relying on the Central Oregon
community and the Central Oregon Haulers’ customers
to pitch in and give families a fighting chance. All
the money donated will be used to help Central
Oregon families pay for expenses such as fuel,
travel, and food costs not covered by insurance or
other programs. To donate or learn more about the
program, visit www.cancancer.org.
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Upcoming Events
April 14 – Professional Development Series Morning
Session - Regional Sustainability for Communities
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Speakers: Chuck Arnold, Downtown Bend Business
Assoc.; Katy Bryce, C.O. Environmental Center; Bob Eberhard, Eberhard’s Dairy Products; Matt Shinderman,
OSU Cascades. Does it really matter if you buy
regionally? What does it mean?
It empowers citizens to be better
consumers and according to Matt Shinderman, OSU
Cascades, and ultimately sustains our community,
economy, ecology, and even society. In this month’s
Professional Development Series Morning
Presentation, our panel of experts will explore answers to the questions above and much more. To
join in this interactive presentation, RSVP by noon
on Monday, April 13 at
www.bendchamber.org. If you
have trouble signing up, please call 382-3221.
April 15 – Young Professionals Network – Feingold
Home – Feingold Home brings to Central Oregon a
different kind of retail environment, centered on
design for the sophisticated, fashion conscious
customer. These premium lines have not been
available in our area until now. No longer will you
have to leave Central Oregon to find the style that
you love. Join fellow young professionals for a
great evening of networking, fun, and community
service. At this month’s Young Professionals event,
we will be joined by representatives of the Heart of
Oregon Corps (HOC). This program operates a youth
and young adult education, job skills training and
job placement program that provides an avenue to
reduce poverty, stimulate the economy, and maintain
the natural environment. Please RSVP for this event
by April 14 at www.bendchamber.org If you have
trouble signing up, please call 382-3221.
April 16 – Central Oregon Business Expo – This is
the region's premier business-to-business expo,
offering professionals the opportunity to network
and promote their goods and services to the Central
Oregon business community. This year's event is
shaping up to be one of the biggest ever and space
is limited. Lee Weinstein will be the keynote
speaker. Weinstein is 25-year public relations and
public affairs veteran, having directed
communications at Nike, worked for an Oregon
congressman and governor, and served on numerous
community service projects. For more information on
the Expo or to reserve a booth go to
www.visitredmondoregon.com.
April 17 – Town Hall Breakfast
– Consolidation: Are there ways to make government
agencies more efficient? There is no
doubt that many companies and businesses are looking
at efficiencies and what they can do to consolidate
services. Shouldn’t that apply to government
services as well? Are there opportunities for
various agencies to work together? In this month’s
Town Hall, elected
representatives from Deschutes County, the City of
Bend, Bend La Pine School District, and the Parks
and Recreation District will look at these issues
and discuss ways tax dollars can be saved. Join
fellow Chamber members for this interactive forum
and get your questions answers or give local
representatives your ideas. If you would like to
attend this event, please RSVP by noon on Thursday,
April 16 at www.bendchamber.org. If you have trouble
signing up, call 382-3221.
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