Inside Bend

On this episode, you'll hear about summer construction projects taking place across town. You'll hear from a City Councilor, a Transportation Bond Oversight Committee member and a City Engineer as they talk about what it takes to make our transportation system safer – and how we're using the projects as opportunities to replace outdated water and sewer infrastructure.

Recently, many of you received a letter that included information about the City's Flammable Vegetation Code and best practices to help protect your home from wildfire risk.​ In the latest episode of "Let's Talk Bend", we talk to a community member about their perspective and questions they have about the letter. ​ You'll also hear from our Director of Risk and Emergency Management Carrie Karl, Fire Inspector Melissa Steele and Code Enforcement Officer Julie Craig to explain the purpose of the letter and answer those common questions from the community.​

The City of Bend podcast is back with a brand-new name: Let's Talk Bend! Let's Talk Bend dives deep into local issues through conversations with City of Bend staff, stakeholders and community partners to understand the diverse perspectives that make up our vibrant community. In the first episode of Let's Talk Bend, we sit down with the 2025 Bend City Council to learn more about them, and what they are focusing on for the year ahead.

Our very first episode of the Inside Bend Podcast came out three years ago! To celebrate three years of Inside Bend, we wanted to take a trip back to one of our past podcasts which covers a topic that is still just as important today: wildfire. This episode originally aired back in May of 2022 when we spoke to Bend Fire and Rescue Chief Todd Riley about wildfire safety and what you can do to help protect your home and your community from the threat of wildfire.

This month on the Inside Bend Podcast we are diving into the world of development with Chief Operations Officer Russ Grayson to learn more about System Development Charges. These are the fees that are charged when development happens to help pay for the impacts of expanding, operating and maintaining vital core services such as sewer, water and roadways.

We chat with Senior Management Analyst Cassie Lacy who explains more about the Community Climate Action Plan. This is a set of strategies that were adopted by the City Council in 2019 to guide the City and the community to work together on reducing fossil fuel use. In this episode, you'll learn what the Community Climate Action Plan is, how the strategies are being deployed and how the success of the program is being tracked.

Water plays a big role in our lives, but exactly how does that safe and reliable drinking water make its way to your faucet? That's what we cover in this month's edition of the Inside Bend podcast. We spoke with Water Operations Manager Rod Mingus to learn more about our complex water system and understand why it's so important that we conserve this precious resource.

February is Heart Health Month, so we sat down with EMS Training Captain Petar Hossick to learn more about how Bend Fire and Rescue is working hard to respond to community members experiencing a cardiac event as quickly and efficiently as possible. He also offers some great tips on how you can help save a life!

This month on the Inside Bend Podcast, we want to discuss the Transportation Fee. Joining us is Sarah Hutson who is the project manager of the Transportation Fee. Our transportation system is a public investment that needs regular maintenance to ensure mobility, public safety, economic activity and quality of life. On this episode, you learn more about how the Transportation Fee came to be, what it will pay for and why it's important that we implement it to sustain and improve our level of service for Bend Streets.

Colder temperatures have arrived and it's feeling more and more like winter! Are you ready for the next time it snows? We have you covered with the latest episode of Inside Bend where we chat with Transportation and Mobility Director David Abbas to learn more about how streets crews are preparing for winter and what you can do to be prepared.

What does Accessibility mean to you? This month on the Inside Bend Podcast we dive into that question with our Accessibility and Equity Manager Cassandra Kehoe. She explains what her role is and how she's working to make sure everyone in the community has access to the resources and information they need.

September is National Preparedness Month, so that begs the question: Are you prepared for an emergency? This month's episode of the Inside Bend Podcast will focus on just that as we talk to our Director of Emergency Management Carrie Karl. She explains what her role is and how is helping to make sure the community is in the best position possible if a disaster were to happen. She also has some great tips on what you can do to be prepared in an emergency.

On today's episode, we're learning more about a topic that is becoming increasingly important: Cyber security. The City's Information Security Manager Adam Young joins us to explain what the City's doing to keep online data and information safe. He dives into the types of bad actors the City's trying to combat and explains how the City's being proactive in order to stop the hackers.

The Inside Bend podcast is turning two! Our very first ever podcast came out in July of 2021 and the topic we covered then is just as important today: Wildfire Safety. So, we're doing a revisit of that podcast. In it, you will hear from Bend Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly as she gives some great tips on what you can do to help protect your home and the rest of the community from wildfire.

For this episode of the ‘Inside Bend' podcast we wanted to honor the great work that the public works department does for the community! From designing and maintaining roadways to maintaining our water systems, the public works team is at the core of the services that are provided by the City and are the people that keep everything running. On this episode you'll hear from three staff members who each play a vital role in our community. Dan Denning from the Utility Department talks water conservation and even gives some great tips on how you might be able to save some money. Carrie Theus from the Engineering and Infrastructure Planning Department will explain more about the Olney Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Project which aims to give more people more options to get around town. And finally, Paul Neiswonger in the Transportation and Mobility Department dives into the Street Preservation Program and why it's so important for keeping our good roads good

Recently the Bend Police Department released the results of the 2023 Police Survey which gauges community feedback on trust and safety. We decided to take a closer look at what the survey found with Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller as she explains the results of the survey. We discuss what the department is doing well and what they are looking to improve upon.

It's that time of the year where the City sets its budget for the coming two years!   Finance Director Janette Townsend is the guest on the podcast this month as she is here to break down the City budget and explain exactly how and what City funds can be spent on.

We're joined by Mayor Melanie Kebler as she discusses what it was like growing up in Bend and what lead her to run for Mayor. She also explains her vision for the council moving forward and what goals she hopes to accomplish over the next two years.  She also touches on ways community input influences policy decisions. You are not going to want to miss this episode! 

Bend Fire & Rescue provides medical serves not only the City of Bend but 1,450 square miles of surrounding rural area. That's a big job! Making sure there are enough firefighters and paramedics to cover that area is imperative to keep our community safe. Deputy Fire Chief Drew Norris is our guest on the Inside Bend podcast this month as he explains how important it is to make sure there are enough resources to properly serve the community.

On this month's episode, we take a look ahead at what's to come for the City of Bend as we head into the new year. We're joined by City Manager Eric King as he explains the process for goal setting, the creation of the City budget and how you can get involved in that process to help shape the work City Council will tackle over the next two years.

This month. we're joined by Housing Director Lynne McConnell as we take a look at the work her department is doing.  We cover the need for more types of housing options, discuss affordable housing, and the role that this department plays in helping to create shelters.

Core Area Project Manager Allison Platt joins us to discuss what is taking place in the Core Area and why the City is investing in development in this area of town.

Interested in learning more about bicycle and pedestrian safety? Look no further than this month's episode of Inside Bend! We dive into the Neighborhood Street Safety Program to learn more about how it works, and what it hopes to achieve by taking community feedback to make our streets better for everyone to use.

On this month's episode of Inside Bend we are joined by two guests as we discuss the development of the camping code. Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins and Assistant City Attorney Ian Leitheiser discuss how the camping code is being developed, why it's being developed and how enforcement of the code will work.

Welcoming Week is right around the corner! This month's guest on Inside Bend is Community Relations Manager Zavi Borja, who is organizing Welcoming Week. Zavi builds relationships with community members that may not otherwise be heard to help create an inclusive City for everyone. He also explains what he loves about Welcoming Week and how you can get involved with the events.

On this episode we're joined by Long Range Planning Manager Brian Rankin, who is heading up the Stevens Road Tract Concept Plan. This is a plan that will add 261 acres of land to the Bend Urban Growth Boundary which was made possible by the passing of House Bill 3318 in 2021. The plan outlines the creation of a complete community that will include deed-restricted affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. There will also be parks, mixed uses buildings, and transportation options that support walking, biking and transit.

In this special episode of Inside Bend, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly explains how you can Own Your Zone. This episode breaks down defensible space and focuses on Zone Three, giving great tips on what you can do to protect your home and community.

In this special episode of Inside Bend, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki explains how you can Own Your Zone. This episode breaks down defensible space and focuses on Zone Two, giving great tips on what you can do to protect your home and community.

On this month's episode of Inside Bend, we are joined by Business Advocate Ben Hemson. He breaks down the transient room tax, the revenue it brings into the City and tourism's impact on the region.

In this special episode of Inside Bend, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly explains how you can Own Your Zone. This episode breaks down defensible space and focuses on Zone One, giving great tips on what you can do to protect your home and community.

With increased wildfire risk across the West, it's more important than ever that we do our part to lessen the impact of a potential wildfire. On this month's episode of Inside Bend, we chat with Chief Todd Riley from Bend Fire & Rescue. He explains what Bend Fire & Rescue and the City are doing to help mitigate the risk of wildfire and explains how everyone can do their part to help protect our community.

The first project of the voter-approved 2020 Transportation General Obligation Bond kicked off in March with a roundabout starting construction on the Wilson Corridor Improvements Project!  On this month's episode of Inside Bend, we speak to Principal Engineer Sinclair Burr about the projects that will be funded by the $190 million bond. The projects aim to improve traffic flow, create better east-west connections, improve neighborhood street safety, and increase pedestrian and bicycle access. He also explains the role of the Transportation Bond Oversight Committee in advising the City Council and City staff on scheduling and building the projects.

This month on Inside Bend we talk to City of Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz to learn more about the development of the Police Chief's Advisory Council. Chief Krantz explains what the council is, why it's important, and what he hopes he and the Bend Police Department will be able to gain from forming the council. Chief Krantz also explains how you can get involved with the council and be a voice for the community.

This month's episode of Inside Bend features a discussion with three City staff members as we learn more about a topic that is very important to the City and our community: Houselessness. There is so much that the City is working on and we wanted to give you an update on what is being done to create more shelter options for those who are experiencing homelessness. Affordable Housing Coordinator Amy Fraley dives into the creation of the City's First navigation center. Recovery Strategy and Impact Officer Carolyn Eagan explains what is being done to create outdoor shelters. And finally, Senior Management Analyst Shelly Smith describes the City's Safe Parking Program and some of its early successes.

Have you ever wondered why developments around town are located where they are?  With the City of Bend continuing to grow it's important to understand how development in the state of Oregon works. In this month's episode of Inside Bend, Community Relations Manager Makayla Oliver shares information on Land Use education materials and how your Neighborhood Association can help get you involved in the planning and development processes. 

Let's talk water conservation! You might be asking yourself, ‘Why are we talking water conservation during the winter months?'  Well, the answer is simple, if you conserve water during the winter months, you can save money on your utility bill by the time summer rolls around. Utility Program Manager for Water Conservation Dan Denning explains just what you can do to help save water and save money!

In this special episode of Inside Bend, we give some great tips on removing snow from your driveway, sidewalks, roof and even around the fire hydrant in your neighborhood.

In this special episode of Inside Bend, we give some great tips on preparing for the winter season. With cold weather and the potential for snow in the forecast, everyone has a responsibility to prepare for winter. That means getting resources and supplies lined up before the big storm hits.

In this special episode of Inside Bend, we give some great advice on how to prepare for winter driving, what to expect when you hit the road and how to get safely to your destination. We also touch on parking and how that is affected around town during a snow event.

Have you ever asked yourself why your street hasn't been plowed yet during a snowstorm?  With cooler temperatures and winter right around the corner, we spoke to Transportation and Mobility Department Director David Abbas for this month's episode of Inside Bend and asked him that exact question. He also explains what it takes to get crews ready for those snowy days! 

Have you ever wondered how the City Council sets its goals and the City's operating budget?   Well, this month's episode features a great discussion with City Manager Eric King, where he dives into how that process works. He also explains how those goals have an impact on the day-to-day lives of those in our community. Eric also touches on how the City is responding to the pandemic and the housing crisis. You are not going to want to miss this episode!

This episode features a great discussion with Recovery Strategy and Impact Officer Carolyn Eagan. She discusses Project Turnkey, a program that allowed the City to purchase an underused motel to turn it into transitional housing. She gives an update on how the project is going and just how it will help fill a need for community members who are experiencing homelessness.

We chat with Parking Services Division Manager Tobi Marx to learn how parking management works and talk about some of the new parking changes around downtown. We also take a look at the future of parking in the Bend.

We chat with Bend Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly about fire danger and what you can do to help keep your home and community safe from a devastating wildfire.