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Residents raise canyon motorcycle safety, districting and downtown promotion during Redmond public comment
Summary
During public comment, residents urged action on motorcycle activity damaging canyon trails, asked the city to appoint an observer to the county districting advisory committee (DMACC), and downtown business leaders described event and marketing efforts to boost visits and sales.
Several residents and business leaders used the council’s public‑comment period to raise neighborhood safety, representation and economic development issues.
Eve Ponder, a Redmond resident, urged the city to continue working with police to curb motorcycle use in the canyon and thanked officers and volunteers for signs and boulder placements to limit access to vulnerable trail sections. She asked that parks rehabilitate damaged natural areas at Obsidian and First Street stairs and American Legion Park once activity is controlled.
Shannon Hawkins, director of Enjoy Downtown Redmond, briefed the council on three downtown initiatives—events, marketing and advocacy. Hawkins said recent urban renewal funding and coordinated events helped drive more people downtown this summer, noted web traffic gains and described plans for a branding toolkit, additional web pages and continued event programming through the holidays.
Jim McAllister asked the council to appoint a non‑voting Redmond observer to Deschutes County’s Districting and Mapping Advisory Committee (DMACC) so the city can monitor proposals that could affect representation and local services. He said an observer could receive materials, attend meetings and brief council and the public on potential impacts.
Councilors acknowledged the comments and several members provided updates: staff and police identified six individuals active in canyon damage; an upcoming Firewise presentation will share wildfire resilience lessons; and Destination Redmond reported a 7% increase in transient room tax receipts for June–August 2025 compared with the prior year.
What happens next: Councilors encouraged public engagement with DMACC meetings and staff said they would consider methods for improved observation and briefings.
