Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

6 days ago

Bend MPO TAC recommends 2027–2030 MTIP for policy board approval The Bend MPO technical advisory committee voted to recommend that the policy board adopt the draft 2027–2030 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program after a briefing on the document’s scope and a public comment raising audit concerns about ODOT-funded items. The policy board is expected to consider adoption later this month.

The Bend MPO's technical advisory committee just recommended a crucial transportation plan that could reshape infrastructure funding for the next four years!

Get the details

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendMPO #CommunityPlanning #PublicAccountability

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

1 month ago

Councilor Mendez outlines council movement on climate fee and one‑time Juniper Ridge allocations Councilor Ariel Mendez told COBAC the council has agreed on a climate fee framework using a social cost of carbon sensitivity and previewed one‑time Juniper Ridge revenue allocations to shelters, a safe‑stay extension, an infrastructure loan fund and transportation safety projects.

Councilor Mendez reveals groundbreaking plans for a climate fee and significant funding for shelters and transportation safety in Bend—what’s next for our community?

Learn more here!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #ClimateFee #BendClimate

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

1 month ago

Bend committee invited to transit work session; MPO outlines crash‑data TSAP update and 3D intersection models planned City staff invited COBAC to a March 11 transit work session to help reimagine local and regional transit; the Bend MPO previewed a Transportation Safety Action Plan update and consultants outlined a project to 3D‑print intersection models as tactile tools for people who are blind or low vision.

Bend is reimagining its transit system with exciting new initiatives, including 3D-printed intersection models designed for those who are blind or have low vision.

Learn more here!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #PublicEngagement #BendAccessibility #InclusiveDesign

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 months ago

Bend advisory group probes graywater use but flags limits on small lots City building and water staff briefed the Bend Water Advisory Group in February on graywater definitions, Oregon DEQ rules, permitting and conservation potential; members agreed multifamily and large-site reuse offer the clearest water savings while single-family outdoor offsets are modest and constrained by lot size, seasonality and maintenance.

Bend's Water Advisory Group reveals the surprising potential of graywater reuse for larger projects, but warns that single-family homes face limitations due to lot size and seasonal constraints.

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #WaterConservation #PublicHealth #GraywaterReuse #BendWater

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 months ago

Deschutes County gives notice to terminate rolling franchise contracts, plans regional reprocurement County staff told the joint meeting the county gave notice to wind down evergreen solid-waste collection franchises and will work regionally toward a new, termed franchise with an RFP expected in late 2028–early 2029.

Deschutes County is shaking up its decades-old waste collection system, moving towards a modern, competitive approach that promises to reshape recycling and organics management for the entire region.

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendSolidWaste #WasteManagement

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 months ago

County stabilization center faces $3.5M FY27 deficit; Bend offers $200,000/year opioid‑settlement pledge County behavioral-health staff presented an FY27 stabilization‑center budget with a projected $3.5 million shortfall; the City of Bend offered a $200,000 annual opioid‑settlement contribution and commissioners discussed additional commitments.

Deschutes County's crisis stabilization center is facing a staggering $3.5 million deficit next fiscal year, putting vital 24/7 services at risk.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #OpioidSettlement #FiscalResponsibility #CrisisServices

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 months ago

Bend and Deschutes County back six‑month TSSA extension, set June 1 closure for sections 1 and 2 City and county staff won majority support for a staff-recommended plan to shrink the Temporary Safe Stay Area (TSSA), close sections 1 and 2 by June 1, and extend services for six months while pursuing housing alternatives and funding options.

Bend officials are taking decisive action to shrink the Temporary Safe Stay Area while exploring better housing solutions for those in need.

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendHomelessness #HousingAlternatives #PublicSafety

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 months ago

Core Area Advisory Board re-elects chair and reviews TIF plan, $8.9M near-term deployment Bend’s Core Area Advisory Board re-elected its chair and vice chair and received a detailed briefing on tax increment financing and an urban-renewal investment strategy that targets 1,000 multifamily units and 500 jobs across three districts.

Bend's Core Area Advisory Board is gearing up for an ambitious urban renewal strategy, aiming to create 1,000 multifamily units and 500 jobs with a significant $8.9 million investment!

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanRenewal #TaxIncrementFinancing

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Northeast Bend residents protest use of Petrosa commercial land for nearby affordable housing Multiple Petrosa neighbors told council they were surprised and upset that commercial land promised in the Petrosa master plan is being used for several affordable-housing projects, urging the city to protect master-plan commercial land and reallocate funding to preserve neighborhood amenities.

Petrosa residents are sounding the alarm over affordable housing projects that threaten their beloved commercial spaces and community plans.

Read the full story

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendCommunity #CommunityEngagement #UrbanPlanning

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

City staff outline 6‑month work plan and planning commission role ahead of growth‑plan effort City staff and operations leadership briefed the Planning Commission on upcoming council goals and a roughly six‑month sequence of planning items—including the growth plan kickoff, transportation standards, wildfire resilience choices, and several master‑plan applications—urging commissioners to engage as advisory bodies and use training resources.

City staff are gearing up for an ambitious six-month plan that will shape Bend's future, tackling everything from housing to wildfire resilience—are you ready to engage?

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #ClimateResilience #BendPlanning #HousingDevelopment #PublicEngagement

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Water advisory group reviews five-year data and modeling for conservation measures Utility staff presented 2021–25 implementation results and updated modeling for Bend’s water-conservation programs, highlighted right-of-way landscape code changes adopted Nov. 1, 2024, and outlined next steps to refine program design before submitting the WMCP to the state.

Bend's water utility just revealed groundbreaking updates that could reshape conservation efforts and improve irrigation practices like never before!

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #SustainabilityPractices #WaterManagement #SmartIrrigation #BendWaterConservation

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Consultant presents equity infrastructure analysis; commissioners press for clearer roles and tangible follow-up Kearns & West consultant Ben Duncan told Bend’s Human Rights and Equity Commission the city has assets but needs clearer leadership positioning, consistent practice across departments and stronger systems to turn equity commitments into action. Commissioners and public pressed for specific staff supports, role definitions and a transparent implementation timeline.

Bend's Human Rights and Equity Commission is pushing for clearer leadership and tangible actions to transform equity commitments into real change after a comprehensive analysis revealed both strengths and weaknesses in the city's approach.

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Council liaison updates: immigration policy, ALPR cameras turned off, and electrification work Mayor Pro Tem provided updates: the Latino Community Association urged action on regional deportations and city staff are drafting an administrative policy to limit use of city property for immigration enforcement; the city has turned off Flock ALPR cameras and will not renew that contract while reviewing privacy/data‑sharing; council wants HREC involved in electrification planning.

Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins announces critical updates on immigration policy, privacy protections for surveillance, and a push for equitable electrification in Bend—what's next for the city?

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #EquityInitiatives #PrivacyProtection #ImmigrationPolicy

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

City staff propose workshop series and resource hub for electrification outreach Staff presented an electrification outreach and education plan centered on a workshop series, office hours and an online resource hub (a reworked navigator' concept) to help residents access incentives and technical assistance; committee members suggested broader branding and clear separation from formal policy engagement.

Bend city staff are launching an innovative workshop series and resource hub to empower residents with electrification education and support!

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CommunityOutreach #BendElectrification #SustainableEducation #EnergyEfficiency

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Council delays forming joint electrification committee, asks staff for clearer scope and legal briefing City staff told the Energy and Climate Committee that the City Council deferred establishing a joint public-engagement committee on electrification after adding scope items; council asked staff to return Feb. 11 with fee-level options and a legal briefing on risks and statutory constraints.

City Council hits pause on forming a joint electrification committee, citing the need for clearer scope and legal risks before moving forward.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #ClimateAction #EquityInitiatives #BendEnergy #PublicEngagement

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend council pauses Flock Safety ALPR use, declines to renew fixed-camera contract amid privacy concerns After hearing both community privacy concerns and police examples of investigative benefits, the City of Bend announced it will not renew its fixed Flock Safety ALPR subscription and directed staff to stop using the cameras for the remainder of the contract while legislative changes are tracked.

Bend's council has suspended the use of Flock Safety's ALPR cameras amid rising privacy concerns, prioritizing community safety over surveillance.

Learn more here!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #PrivacyRisks #PublicSafety #CommunityControl #BendLatinoCommunity

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Council delays finalizing electrification committee; presses for more data, equity input and possible pilot Council reviewed a proposed temporary committee on electrification policy (TCEP) to recommend incentives and a potential fee on gas appliances, asked for more local data and equity input, and agreed to continue discussion at a Feb. 11 work session rather than appoint the committee tonight.

Bend's council is diving deep into electrification incentives, but they want more local data and equity insights before moving forward!

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #ClimateAction #EquityAnalysis #EnergyInnovation #BendElectrification

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend equity commission backs council letter urging PacificSource to keep local interpreter vendor HREC voted to have its support included in a City Council letter urging PacificSource to continue contracting with English to Spanish, a local interpreter/translator vendor, after staff said PacificSource plans to shift to an out‑of‑region company in 2026.

Bend's Human Rights and Equity Commission is rallying to protect vital local language-access services as PacificSource plans to shift to an out-of-region vendor!

Read the full story

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #LanguageAccess #HealthcareEquity #BendHumanRights

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

HREC hears accounts of dangerous rental conditions and presses city for resources and transparency Commissioners described habitability and retaliation problems in rental housing and asked the city for more renter resources; the commission also demanded access to an internal report on an employee's allegations, and the city attorney said the report is a public record available on request at no cost.

Urgent concerns about dangerous rental conditions and retaliation against tenants have sparked a push for better resources in Bend—will the city respond?

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CivicTransparency #BendTenants #HousingHabitability #TenantRights

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Council directs quicker action on electrification fee; staff to use social cost of carbon and start joint committee on incentives Staff told the ECC the city council asked for a shorter timeline on an electrification fee using the social cost of carbon (per gas appliance); council asked staff to return in February to set the fee level while a joint committee will consider nonfinancial incentives and exemptions.

Bend's city council is pushing for a swift decision on a new electrification fee that could revolutionize local energy use, leveraging the social cost of carbon in its calculations!

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CivicAccountability #ClimateAction #BendEnvironment

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend council liaison outlines plan to pursue electrification fee for new single‑family homes Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins told the Human Rights and Equity Commission that Bend council has directed staff to develop a fee on new single‑family homes that opt to use gas, with equity concerns and possible exemptions to be discussed in January and February.

Bend's City Council is considering a fee for new single-family homes that choose gas appliances, igniting a heated debate about climate goals versus housing affordability.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #EquityAnalysis #BendHousing #ClimateGoals

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend accessibility advisory committee workshops 2026 work plan; members push biennial plan, letters and outreach, and raise parking and sidewalk concerns Members of the City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee debated annual versus biennial work plans, proposed restoring subgroups and quarterly meetings, and suggested advocacy actions including standardized letter-writing, walk-and-roll events, and awareness/enforcement around abusive accessible parking and sidewalk maintenance. Chair Halen moved to table the roundtable item and the committee approved the motion.

The Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee is shaking things up for 2026, pushing for a biennial work plan and tackling urgent issues like accessible parking and sidewalk maintenance.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CommunityEngagement #AdvocacyActions #BendAccessibility

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend MPO launches update to Transportation Safety Action Plan, forms broad advisory committee The board approved creation of a TSAP project advisory committee to guide a Safe Systems–based update, adding representatives from the Human Rights & Equity Commission and the Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure outreach to people with disabilities and limited-English communities.

Bend MPO is taking bold steps to enhance community safety by forming a project advisory committee that prioritizes inclusivity and engagement for all, especially marginalized groups.

Learn more here!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CommunityEngagement #EquityInclusion #BendAccessibility

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Bend councilor says city is weighing a climate fee on natural gas for new development; transportation safety plan set for Jan. 28 Councilor Ariel Mendez told the City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee the council is "considering a climate fee on natural gas" applied only to new development as one tool to meet greenhouse gas targets, and flagged a Transportation Safety Action Plan update and street standards discussion on Jan. 28 with goals of zero transportation fatalities and a 10% reduction in crashes.

Bend's City Council is considering a climate fee on natural gas for new developments, aiming to hit ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets while enhancing transportation safety.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #ClimateAction #BendClimate #GreenhouseGasReduction

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

3 months ago

Committee hears HUD/PRWORA litigation risks and directs staff to an infrastructure-only CDBG round Facing uncertainty from HUD notices and litigation over PRWORA grant conditions, the committee directed staff to limit the upcoming CDBG application to infrastructure-only (option 3) with applications closing in January and to offer other funds (CICT, affordable housing) later.

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee is taking decisive action to limit CDBG funding to infrastructure-only projects amid rising legal uncertainties from HUD and PRWORA litigation.

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #FederalFunding #InfrastructureDevelopment #LegalUncertainty

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

4 months ago

Bend expands use of site‑specific tax increment to unlock housing; committee recommends TIF, credit enhancement and infrastructure loans Urban renewal staff described Bend’s site‑specific tiff program that offers annual rebates (about a 10‑year exemption equivalent) for projects that commit to community benefits; the committee voted to recommend three near‑term tools — expanded TIF use, a credit‑enhancement program and an infrastructure loan fund — to City Council.

Bend is taking bold steps to tackle housing challenges by expanding its site-specific tax increment financing, paving the way for over 1,300 new units!

Learn more here

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #UrbanRenewal #BendHousing

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

4 months ago

State’s MERLE loan fund explained to Bend committee; staff flag city liability and administrative costs Representatives from Oregon Housing and Community Services outlined MERLE, a $75 million revolving loan program for moderate‑income housing; committee members raised concerns about program timing, city liability, administration and which project types best fit the fund.

Oregon has launched the MERLE program, a $75 million initiative aimed at bridging the financial gap for moderate-income housing, but concerns about city liabilities and administrative costs loom large.

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #CommunityDevelopment #LocalFinancing

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

4 months ago

Bend staff review state tax‑exemption options as tool to spur affordable and middle‑income housing City staff explained how local‑option property‑tax exemptions work, including Bend’s existing deed‑restricted rental and nonprofit exemptions and the state’s revised middle‑income exemption; members pressed for measures that would give developers earlier certainty and reduce interagency delays.

Bend's affordable housing strategy is evolving with new property-tax exemptions aimed at making housing more accessible—could this be the key to unlocking affordable living in our community?

Click to read more!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #HousingInnovation #CommunityDevelopment #TaxExemptions

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

5 months ago

Bend staff presents electrification cost study; council asks for a lower-fee focus and more validation City staff presented a rapid cost-to-electrify analysis showing an estimated $12,000–$14,000 upfront premium for an all-efficient electric home versus a gas baseline; councilors asked for a lower, revenue-focused fee design, and committee members urged more builder outreach to validate numbers.

Bend's electrification analysis reveals a shocking $12,000–$14,000 premium for all-efficient electric homes compared to gas, sparking intense debate over policy design and cost validation!

Get the details

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendElectrification #GreenhouseGas #SustainableBuilding

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

5 months ago

Bend committee hears federal pullbacks are constraining local electrification and resilience programs Staff told the committee that recent federal rollbacks and program terminations are shrinking expected funding streams and complicating local climate planning; members recommended coalition advocacy and targeted local strategies to adapt.

Federal rollbacks are threatening local electrification efforts, leaving communities scrambling for solutions to adapt to a tighter funding landscape.

Get the details!

#BendDeschutesCounty #OR #BendClimate #LocalPolicyAdvocacy #CleanEnergy #ElectrificationInitiatives