October 14, 2004 Minutes
General Membership Meeting - October 14, 2004
• Jeanne Newton convened the meeting at 7 p.m. at Mountain View High School. Thirty residents were in attendance.
• Jeanne explained that Neighborhood Associations (NA) were first adopted by the City of Bend in 2001 and the Mountain View Neighborhood Association (MVNA) was approved in 2003. There are currently 8 active NAs in Bend. Using a map of the MVNA geography, Jeanne illustrated the borders of the Association.
• She asked attendees to introduce themselves, identify their subdivision and to complete membership forms.
I. Introduction of NA Program – Julie Price
• Jeanne introduced Julie Price, liaison from the City of Bend to the NAs. Julie’s role is to work with the NAs to assist in identifying who on the City staff can resolve NA issues. The City’s Planning Department uses the NAs as a communication vehicle to make residents aware of projects planned for their neighborhoods. The Land Use planning process requires developers to notify NAs of certain types of development and the NA is expected to notify the City when developers do not fulfill that responsibility. NAs have the opportunity to share their input during pre-application meetings hosted by developers.
• The MVNA is one of the largest in the City with 3538 tax lots. Julie stressed to the attendees that there is strength in numbers and a NA has much more clout with City Hall than individuals.
• Julie provided her contact information to the group; jprice@ci.bend.or.us. Her phone is 383-4887. Julie indicated that she works a limited work schedule of 20 hours per week for the City and has other duties beyond the NAs but is very interested in providing support and guidance.
II. Introduction of Deborah Hogan – City of Bend
• Jeanne introduced Deborah Hogan, the Traffic Safety Coordinator for the Engineering Division, Public Works Department, City of Bend.
• Deborah explained that she has responsibility for traffic on major arterials in the City. She is working on the Newport Bridge replacement project and the Reed Market Corridor project.
• Deborah listened to a wide range of concerns from the attendees: o speeding on residential streets; i.e. Yellow Ribbon, Eagle, Full Moon, Daggett, Jackson and others o lack of City follow up on developers who do not fulfill agreed upon requirements for sidewalks, etc. o potential for increased truck traffic on 27th with connector from Empire and Juniper Ridge industrial park project o shortened school safety zone on 27th for Mountain View High School and St. Francis School o failure of developer to connect Providence to Hwy 20 o lack of signage designating through truck by-pass from Madras to Burns via Millican Road to Prineville.
• Deborah acknowledged that speeding is a serious concern on residential streets; however the City has placed a moratorium on installation of speed humps. She indicated that $25,000 is the total amount in the City budget for street repairs for all neighborhoods and it is funding a single project this year.
• Deborah explained that private developers who put in subdivisions are required to do traffic studies before they build streets, however at times these developers are not required to install sidewalks if they include a park in the plan. There is a current project underway to require developers to install street lights in new developments.
• Deborah also informed the audience that the City is in the process of a comprehensive revision of development codes and encouraged the attendees to become informed when the new code is released.
• Deborah stated that NAs and residents who are involved in the pre-application process with developers can register their concerns as part of the City’s planning process and she encourages them to do so.
• The connector from Empire to 27th street is not yet funded. The City establishes a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which prioritizes and funds major projects.
• The widening of 27th street from Forum to Neff will begin Summer, 2005 with 4 traffic lanes and a center median. Signals will be installed at Mary Rose, Medical Center Drive and Conners.
• In addressing the through truck Millican bypass route issue, Deborah suggested contacting the ODOT coordinator for highway signs; Joel McCarroll at 388-6189.
• Deborah informed the group of the formation of the Metro Planning Organization (MPO) which has just named a project manager. Based on its population size, Bend has become eligible for significant federal funding and must create a needs list. Public hearings are set for the Spring and NAs are encouraged to provide input.
• Deborah provided contact information: street maintenance concerns for neighborhood streets should be directed to Brandon Raz at 317-3015.
• Deborah can be reached at dhogan@ci.bend.or.us or at 330-4029.
III. Medical Overlay Zone – Todd Sprague, SCMC – Bend
• Jeanne introduced Todd Sprague, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at St. Charles Medical Center – Bend. He explained the concept of the Medical Overlay Zone which is intended to accommodate the many medical offices and facilities in the area of the hospital.
• He indicated that a traffic light will be installed at Medical Center and Neff paid for by the hospital. The hospital is also planning access to their North campus from the intersection of Connors and 27th .
• Todd indicated that the trail system on hospital property will return.
• Jeanne added that the Medical Overlay Zone specifies strict design requirements to ensure that medical buildings are an attractive addition to the neighborhood.
IV. Discussion of Topics for MVNA Focus
• Jeanne asked the group to identify focus areas for the NA: o signage for through truck bypass route from Madras to Prineville using Millican Road o increased lighting for 27th street o more parks and pedestrian routes in the NA boundaries o speed signs and children at play signs are needed in residential areas o the NA needs to influence new construction projects in its boundaries o a pedestrian overpass is needed on 27th at Mt. View High School o a traffic light is needed at Wells Acres and 27th o improvements needed on Eagle Road o Butler Market Road – needs standardized planning
V. Discussion of Officer Terms – Nominations for Board
• Jeanne reviewed the Board positions for MVNA and asked for nominations from the group. Chair – Jeanne Newton, Vice Chair – Jim Mazziotti, Sec/Treasurer – tbd, Land Use Coordinator – Lloyd Gust
• A suggestion was made to create multiple back-ups for the Chair, however that would require a change to the by-laws and approval by a quorum. Julie indicated that the 7 other NAs operate successfully with a single Chair and Vice Chair.
• Marilyn Spiegel offered to assist with communications in MVNA. Jennifer Sprague offered to update the website page for MVNA.
• Attendees were asked to check the NA website for minutes and other information at www.bendneighborhoods.org. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm. Minutes taken by Sonya Simonsen and June Cosgrove. Snacks courtesy of Wild Oats Markets and Sonya Simonsen.
