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Bend Chamber Weekly
September 18, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator
This Week's Highlights
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12th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament Recap ~ Brought to you by: 
It was a cool, crystal clear morning as golfers gathered at Brasada Canyons Golf Course. Though there was a slight chill in the air, the day soon heated up with fierce competition at the Bend Chamber's 12th Annual Memberl Invitational Golf Tournament on September 14. While taking in the breathtaking views and clear blue skies, golfers tested their skills against the course and each other.
The Bend Chamber would like to congratulate everyone who participated in the tournament. Listed below are the tournament winners.
Gross
Low Gross - 1st Place
Covenant Technology Solutions with a score of 49 (Won in Playoff). Team members include: Tim Choquette, Lane Lehrke, Dave Swisher, and Todd Williams.
Low Gross - 2nd Place
SELCO with a score of 49 (Lost in Playoff). Team members include: Tim Corzine, John Elias, Mike Garoutte, Todd Wilson.
Low Gross - 3rd Place
US Bank with a score of 50. Team members include: Corey Brenner, Steve Davidson, Tim Olson, and Andy Stirling.
Net
Low Net - 1st Place
NW Community Credit Union with a score of 48 (Won in playoff). Team members include: Gib Stephens, Curtis Tucker, Scott Cravens, and Stephen Wymer.
Low Net - 2nd Place
Integra with a score of 48 (Lost in playoff). Team members include: Mike Busiman, Trent Anderson, Ron Davis, and Kit Nidever.
Low Net - 3rd Place
NW Mortgage Group, Inc with a score of 50. Team members include: Tim Booher, Casey Jones, Shaun Little, and Brett Morelock.
Closest to the Hole
Women -Deanna Wise
Men - Casey Jones
Longest Drive
Women - Becky Johnson
Men - Dan Heater
Best Sponsor
Sterling Savings |
Show off your business at Business Showcase
Do you own a small business? Would you like to have your business "showcased" at a Business After Hours? Then you should sign up for the Business Showcase! Once a year, the Bend Chamber offers this opportunity for small and/or home-based businesses to co-host a Business After Hours.
These extremely successful events "showcase" businesses that would often otherwise be unable to "host" a networking event due to the size of their facilities. This event provides great visibility as well as an opportunity to highlight your products and services while networking one-on-one with potential new clients.
The next Business Showcase is coming up on Tuesday, October 27 at Bend Golf & Country Club, and we have openings for hosts. The cost for members to host a space is $150.
We have a limited number of booths available, so if you are interested in the details of participating, please contact Chris Boyle at chris@bendchamber.org or call 382-3221. |
Surface Water project continues to move forward
With approval from the Bend City Council Wednesday evening, designs and planning for the Bridge Creek surface water project will continue to move forward.
During the meeting, councilors were asked to approve three separate motions regarding the permitting and design of piping from Bridge Creek and the purchase of pipeline materials, continued research and planning for a hydropower facility, and the design of the treatment facility.
Though each motion was unanimously approved by the council, several councilors stressed they didn't want to rush through decisions on the project, and preferred a step-by-step look.
Council did give the go ahead to purchase about 3,000 tons of raw steel that will be used to replace the existing 9 miles of piping from Bridge Creek. Councilors Jeff Eager and Tom Greene were very concerned about spending $3 million to purchase the steel, without having an exit strategy.
"If we give the go-ahead to buy steel now, I'm a little concerned about finding a partner for investing ... I don't want this to turn into another Bulletin land purchase or bus purchase type of thing," said Greene.
One of the consultants on the project told councilors the city would never enter into an agreement without having an exit strategy in place. This could involve having language with the possible resale, etc., included in the RFP process.
City staff told councilors now is the time to look at purchasing the steel for the piping because steel prices have bottomed out, and could go up in the future.
The pipeline is expected to be about 36 inches in diameter with varying wall thicknesses due to water pressure, etc.
Though council did give approval to purchase steel, City Manager Eric King pointed out council would still have to give final approval on issuing debt.
One lynch pin in the entire surface water project is the hydropower facility. Though the option is feasible at the moment, more study and analysis needs to be done by staff.
City Water Manager Tom Hickmann explained to councilors moving forward with the permitting and financial research for the hydro power facility would also allow staff to solidify costs.
Councilor Mark Capell stated with the initial assumptions made by staff, the city would look like fools if it didn't move forward with hydro."(We need) to take the next step to confirm the assumptions, it's what we have all been waiting for," he said.
Councilors Oran Teater and Greene agreed with Capell, and stated they both believe the community expects the city to do something, but they will keep a close eye on the financials.
The final decision on the surface water project revolved around the treatment facility and the option the city should move forward with. In the meeting agenda, the original wording called for the approval for the design of the "membrane treatment facility" and to have staff return to council when the design is at 95% for further consideration.
This wording troubled councilors as some still wanted to research what would be best for the city. For the design to come back at 95%, the city consultant told councilors it would cost about $1.5 to $1.75 million in design fees.
"This is different from the other two (decisions)," said Councilor Jim Clinton. "(This) involves a commitment or takes us down a path that involves a lot of money. There is a lot of uncertainty with the hydro ...I would support going ahead and planning for the building that would house the treatment facility and the site plan, but not go forward on the membrane treatment facility within that building."
Staff again addressed its position on the membrane system and if the city proceeds with a membrane design at this point, 10 to 12 months down the road, once financial numbers have been laid out, the council could decide to put the design on the shelf.
Several councilors discussed the possibility of fire in the watershed and how there is a high probability there will be a fire in the future. They see the membrane system as an added protection for the water source.
Clinton fired back saying he didn't want end users to have to pay for something that "might happen."
Hickmann addressed the UV option and told councilors in conversations with manufacturers they have agreed their product might not be the best for Bend due to water turbidity and the possibility of not getting good light penetration on the cryptosporidium. "Even when we could get good penetration, the cryptosporidium could live on the backside of a particle and it could go by the light," he said.
Clinton stated he's not claiming there is not a risk of fire in the watershed, and he agrees it would be bad if there was a fire. "The question for me is, is the probability of a fire sufficient to pay this amount of money for having a potential for some restriction in water supply for a certain period of time with this one source of water offline," he said. "It's kind of a cost-effectiveness, risk analysis question. Do you buy the insurance or not?"
The council amended the original motion made by staff to only look at the design of the treatment facility itself while councilors continue to look at options. |
City Council Highlights
Council approves adjustment to street maintenance budget: The Bend City Council unanimously approved adjustments to the 2009-11 biennial budget for street maintenance. The original budget approved in June included $2.8 million in revenue from a transportation utility fee (TUF) that would have been placed on utility bills. The TUF fee would have been used for road maintenance. A majority of council members didn't approve the fee citing they couldn't ask residents for more money when other fees were increasing. The city will receive $1.5 million in revenues from the state gas tax and vehicle fees to make up for the gap in funding. However, some street maintenance services will be cut back.
Council receives update on Emergency Preparedness: The Bend City Council received an update on the city's Emergency Preparedness efforts and looked at preparations for the H1N1 virus. Last year, the council had adopted policies about how to approach preparedness and response to different types of events. The city is continually working with local, state, and federal partners on plans and procedures. Staff directed councilors, residents, and businesses to visit the city's Web site at www.ci.bend.or.us to get more information on how to be prepared for emergency situations. The city has worked with staff to prepare them for the H1N1 virus including providing flu prevention information, etc. The city plans to monitor the situation and work with other partners to share resources. |
Oregon unemployment sees increase in August
Oregon's unemployment rate continued to rise with an increase of half a percent in August. The rate now stands at 12.2 percent.
In a recent press release, Governor Ted Kulongoski stated any signs of economic recovery will be "accompanied by some employment rate instability, requiring all levels of government to continue to act with prudence and caution."
July's revised figure is 11.8 percent, which was the fourth highest in the nation. In August 2008, Oregon's unemployment rate was 6.5 percent. Over the past six months, Oregon's rate has been hovering around 12 percent.
The national unemployment rate for August did increase to 9.7 percent, one of its highest levels in 26 years.
"As Governo,r my focus remains on helping those families seeking employment make ends meet during these difficult times while also working to create new employment opportunities across the state," stated Kulongoski. "This economic period remains uncertain for our families and our businesses, but what is certain is that we must continue to work together across public and private lines to help those in need manage this difficult time so that Oregon is well positioned for a strong recovery when it does occur." |
H1N1 Preparedness Guide available for Small Businesses
Earlier this week Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano joined Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen Mills and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Division Deputy Director Daniel Jernigan to announce a preparedness guide to assist small businesses in planning for the H1N1 flu.
"Small businesses play an essential role in our national effort to prepare for all disasters and emergencies-including the H1N1 flu," said Secretary Napolitano. "This guide will help America's small businesses maintain continuity of operations and resiliency as the fall flu season approaches."
The preparedness guide offers small business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak-which may lead to increased absenteeism, and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions.
Employers are encouraged to put strategies in place now to protect their employees and their businesses in advance of the fall flu season. Included in the preparedness guide are tips on how to write a continuity of operations plan, steps for keeping employees healthy, frequently asked questions about the 2009 H1N1 flu, and a list of additional resources that employers can access online.
For more information and to view the preparedness guide, visit www.flu.gov. |
In the News
Galveston Avenue Roadwork continues: Galveston Ave will continue to be closed from 15th St. west to 16th St for road improvements until Friday, September 25. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and reopened on nights and weekends during the project. Traffic will be detoured around the closure.
Talk of the Town with Deschutes County Commissioners: On September 23, Talk of the Town will host Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Dennis Luke, Tammy Baney, and Alan Unger. A question and answer session is planned. Some of the topics that will be covered include the Cooley-97 interchange, health and mental health services, transportation, an update on the county Comprehensive Plan, destination resort mapping, timber payment reductions, and much more. Talk of the Town is open to the public. The forum will take place at Cascades Theatrical Company located at 148 NW Greenwood in Bend. RSVP's are required due to limited seating. Contact Jamie Christman at talk@bendbroadband.com or 388-5814. For more details go to www.talkofthetownco.com.
Friday is "PARK(ing) Day" in Downtown Bend: Around the world citizens will temporarily transform parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces as part of an annual event called "PARK(ing) Day." In Bend, volunteers from the Bend Beautification Program and the American Landscape Contractors Association (ASLA) will create two parks along Franklin Ave. between Wall & Bond Street, turning standard city parking spaces into green spaces. The event is intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play.
Applications being accepted for 2011 Gala Beneficiary: The Gala at The Riverhouse, the annual visitor industry fundraiser administered by The Riverhouse and COVA, announces that beginning today, it is soliciting applications for the 2011 Gala beneficiary. To be selected as the 2011 beneficiary, an established, not-for-profit entity serving Central Oregon must meet certain qualifications and must assist in certain aspects of the event, including volunteer hours and promotion. Priority consideration will be given to applicants that can most effectively leverage Gala resources and are willing to be actively involved. Completed applications must be received with all accompanying documentation by September 28, 2009. The application and full details of the responsibilities of the 2011 beneficiary can be found at: www.riverhouse.com/web/images/Gala_Application.pdf. Specific questions should be directed to Lara Wettig at marketing@riverhouse.com |
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