Corvallis e-News | December 2023

In this issue: Dig into the annual Sustainability Report, celebrate the levy renewal, and more!

(View this newsletter in your browser.)

Levy Renewal Wins Voter Approval

Voters in Corvallis last month approved a renewal of the five-year local operating levy that funds livability services from the Parks and Recreation Department and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, along with annual social services grants.

Measure 2-141 received a strong endorsement from voters after ballots were tabulated on November 7, 2023. Preliminary reports indicate the levy renewal passed by a margin of more than 66% approval. The levy is a renewal of an existing five-year levy that had funded similar services and was set to expire on June 30, 2024. The new levy starts on July 1, 2024 and will generate between $6.5 million and $7.3 million annually for five years.

The outcome of the ballot measure preserves important services, including current operating hours and program offerings at the Corvallis Library, and provides funding for beloved institutions such as the Osborn Aquatic Center, Corvallis Community Center (C3), and the Majestic Theatre. The new levy also provides $480,000 in annual social services grants to support local providers in Corvallis that provide shelter and support services, food security, intervention services, childcare, mental and physical health services, and family support.

“The Corvallis community spoke with a clear voice when they voted to renew the levy this week,” said City Manager Mark Shepard. “City staff in all departments have worked hard over the years to earn the trust of the community through efficient and effective service delivery, and I look forward to building on that shared trust in the coming years.”

Check Out the Annual Sustainability Report

The City of Corvallis has been building sustainability and climate action into how we operate for decades, starting in 1999 with a vintage-sounding "Energy Conservation Policy" and continuing through the adoption of our first-ever Climate Action Plan in 2016 (and beyond).

Along the way, we've produced an annual Sustainability Report each year, celebrating milestones and marking progress as we move the City organization forward along this path.

The brand-new 2023 Sustainability Report was just published last month, and it's available to read on the City website. Take a peek! It's breezy and readable ... perfect for sharing with your neighbors as you learn more about the City's sustainability efforts.

• 2023 Corvallis Sustainability Report

Winter Registration Opens in December

Come take a class with the Parks & Recreation Department!

Winter program registration opens on Saturday, December 2. You can register online, or in person at multiple locations. Scholarship recipients can use their scholarships to register online.

Read more about winter registration on the Parks & Recreation website.

Bikes are welcome on Corvallis Transit System buses! Bringing a bike on your next trip is a simple process. Check out this video for some tips to safely load and unload a bike from a city bus.

For more information about CTS, go to https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cts or call 541-766-6998.

Are You Prepared for a Flood?

The City of Corvallis annually updates this brochure as a reminder of the dangers related to heavy rainfall and the damage that can be caused when a flood occurs. Please review this information to ensure you are prepared in the event of flooding in Corvallis.

• Flooding & High Water Preparedness Brochure

Crews Move Back into Fire Station 3

After a year-long renovation, crews officially moved back into Fire Station 3 on Circle Boulevard. The project (the first in a series of planned facilities investments at the City of Corvallis) focused on creating efficient, equitable, and safe indoor work areas, as well as adding an additional apparatus bay. The new apparatus bay allow CFD’s brush truck, which is currently stored outdoors in an unprotected parking lot, to be moved indoors and to remain at the station year round, rather than being stored off site during the winter months.

Revamping the interior accommodations of Fire Station 3 addresssed longstanding issues of equity among staff. Most of the interior layout was created decades ago, when most firefighters were men, and women rarely entered the field. Dormitories, showers, and other indoor facilities will be upgraded to provide equitable workplace access.

As crews were moving back into Station 3, a similar project was ramping up at Fire Station 2, located on the west side of the Oregon State University campus. Future projects aim to address civic and administrative facility needs, including public meeting spaces, staff offices, and court facilities.

Government Comment Corner at the Library!

Meet your local government officials and chat about whatever's on your mind at Government Comment Corner. Each two-hour session takes place at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon each Saturday. A rotating cast of elected leaders from Corvallis and Benton County will be available for open, honest, one-on-one conversations with anyone who wants to stop by. Bring your questions about city services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

FYI: Council Three-Month Calendar

The City Council's three-month calendar is a good way to track topics and learn about upcoming business items. The three-month calendar is available on the City website.

The schedule is subject to change, so be sure to contact your City Councilor to learn more about any particular topic you see on the calendar.

What's New at the Library this Month?

• Storytime:  10:30am Tuesday-Friday, Main Meeting Room .  Tuesdays: Infant, Wednesdays: Toddler,  Thursdays: Preschool, Fridays, Family.  Drop in.

• Free Employment Help:   1^st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2^nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Tech Help Lab:   1^st and 3^rd Wednesday, 2nd floor Classroom, Drop in for free, basic, one-on-one tech help from a library staff member. Bring your computer or device or use one of ours

• Cucunandy Celtic Band:  December 9, 3-4:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  With fiddle, Irish flute and penny whistle, cello, Irish drum and guitar, Cucunandy will lead you on a musical journey through the 7 Celtic nations.

• Random Review:  November 8 , 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room .  Dr. Liddy Detar  reviews Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus.  In person only, no registration required.

• Family Craft Night (for all ages!):  December 19 5:30-7:pm.   Main Meeting Room .  All ages are invited to make some crafts!

• Family Games Day:  December 27 2-4pm, Main Meeting Room.  Board and video games for all ages.

• Get a Library Card: Sign up for a library card and get access to all services and materials including placing holds on materials,  downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, streaming movies and more!

• Home Delivery Service:  Get your holds delivered to you!  Delivery is available to patrons with current library cards who live within the library service district.

• Books & More from Home:  Read ebooks, download audiobooks and magazines, or watch streaming video all from the comfort of your home with your library card!

• Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!