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The price to save Mirror Pond
Bend’s Mirror Pond is more than a pond. It is an arresting symbol of the city that should not be lost. As the years go by, the pond is becoming a mudflat. Sediment has settled behind the dam.
Geese may soon waddle rather than swim. Paddles may be used to push, not row. Bend’s butterfly is becoming a caterpillar.
The effort to fix the pond has become as muddied as the pond.
The consultant hired to evaluate alternatives has been let go. There is no money for an analysis weighing alternative solutions, costing maybe $500,000 — let alone a fix which might add another $5 million.
Spending some money on a study for alternatives seems inescapable. Without a rigorous analysis, the state or the federal government would likely refuse approval of a fix. Without an analysis, chances of getting the federal government to chip in any money would be lost.
Where will the money come from?
The city of Bend doesn’t have it. The Bend Park & Recreation District may be doing relatively better financially, but it would be hard to argue that pond upkeep is part of its mission.
So the city is looking at creating a taxing district, perhaps putting it before voters in November 2012.
We’d vote for a taxing district to pay to dredge Mirror Pond. But is that what the tax would pay for? Would the tax sunset? Would the taxing district create a permanent, new bureaucratic fiefdom?
Some have proposed that the natural, permanent fix would be to remove dams and let the Deschutes resume its course. The pond would become a river again. There likely would be less need to come back in another 25 years and dredge again, though Bend’s centerpiece would be gone.
A taxing district for Mirror Pond has a chance, but only if voters know what they are paying for.
Source: The Bulletin
OBNA General Meeting: November 11, 2011
Members were noticed approximately two weeks prior via general mailing.
Five guests from Riverwest also attended the meeting.
John Kelly discussed the issue of fencing along the river frontage. This is considered an issue of safety for children and pets as well as security for property owners. He has secured signatures from a number of residents along the river who support the allowance of fences. Currently the City requires a $3000 fee to review a request for fencing. This is the same amount which is required for a full design review.
John Kelly plans to approach the city requesting that fences be allowed subject to design and placement standards developed by the city planners and that the fee be reduced or eliminated. Tom Green, city councilman, agreed to present this to council. No objections from members were voiced.
There was a discussion of the proposed Galveston Street Project. More info on this can be found on the city website under public works projects
The issue of smoke drifting into residences from outdoor smoking at local businesses was discussed.
Councilman Green, who sits on the Mirror Pond Management Committee, discussed progress or lack of regarding solutions to solving the silting of the pond. . The Steering committee has not made a decision as to how to proceed. Funding is the main issue at this point.
Spencer Dahl has agreed to update the Neighborhood website. Spencer and several of the Board Members will attend a training session at Alpine Internet Solutions.
A Board Election was held: John Kelly, Mark Weers, Bob Almquist , Ken Cooper, Spencer Dahl were reelected. Jan Gifford, Brett Yost, and Julio Lindsay were elected.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm.
The Board will meet Wednesday, December 7 at 6:00 pm at McMenamins in the Smoke Room.
The Agenda will include: Communication, Duties of Board Members, By Law Revision, and future goals and objectives of the OBNA.