The Bend City Council is holding a public hearing as they consider extending the system development charges (SDC) deferral program for builders in the City of Bend, a measure which offers builders and developers some economic incentive. The council will also hear a staff recommendation on a request from the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) to keep street improvement fees that are designed to help the city add capacity to meet the demands of population growth. The fees are unpopular with builders but a key source of revenue for cash-strapped cities like Bend, which recently convinced voters to approve a street construction tax to chip away at the backlog of projects. Council is expected to hold open the public comment period on the street fee until September.
Among the other issues to be covered during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting and work session is homelessness in Bend. The Council is to receive a presentation entitled, “10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.” The many homeless in Central Oregon have been gaining more of a voice recently thanks to such organizations as Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, who recently helped build a mobile shower truck for those in need.
Also on the Councilors’ plates is the official transfer of transit to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council — a local entity that strives, in part, to identify and serve the regional transportation needs of residents.
The Council is also expected to approve an agreement with Knife River Corporation for street restoration on such heavily trafficked roads as stretches of Newport Ave., Portland Ave., Reed Market and Wilson Ave. If the $315,884 contract is approved, the work will begin this year.
You can find the complete agenda for tonight's meeting right here.
