Corvallis e-News | February 2022

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Welcome to 2022! We're revamping the monthly Corvallis e-News email newsletter to make it integrate better into the city website. It's the same great roundup of news and announcements from the City of Corvallis ... it just looks a little different. Thanks for reading!

(View this newsletter in your web browser.)

Empowerment Grants Return for 2022

The popular Empowerment Grant program is returning this year in Corvallis, after taking 2021 off due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As in prior years, the program will make available $10,000 in small cash grants from the City of Corvallis to fund projects around the community. The grant program is inviting applications from the community in two broad categories:

  • Neighborhood Empowerment Grants are focused on improving geographic areas in Corvallis. Past projects have included landscape improvements, neighborhood events, public art installations, education programs, and training services.
  • Community Empowerment Grants are focused on assisting individuals and organizations doing enriching work throughout Corvallis. Example grants include cultural events, guest lectures, outreach campaigns, or the launch of a nonprofit organization. Often this work cuts across different geographic areas and may serve diverse community groups.

The City of Corvallis will host two virtual grant workshops on February 9 and February 23 to share more information about the grant program. City staff and board members will be on hand to answer questions about the program and the application process.

Read more on the Empowerment Grants program page. Applications are accepted through 5 p.m March 1, 2022.

New Strategic Operational Plan for 2022-2026

The Corvallis City Council adopted its annual Strategic Operational plan, covering the five-year period from 2022 to 2026. The SOP is a reflection of the policy priorities of the City Council, along with the action items and metrics that we are using to achieve those priorities. The SOP is updated each year to reflect available resources, staff capacity, guidance from the City Council, and input from the Corvallis community.

The SOP is built around the framework of Imagine Corvallis 2040. As such the Strategic Operational Plan addresses six focus areas, which mirror the six focus areas of the vision. The SOP is designed to be a resource for elected officials, city staff, and the general public. Although it's a detailed document, the SOP is intended to be readable and transparent for a broad audience. you've ever wondered "What's the City doing about [X]?" then the SOP is for you! The Corvallis community is encouraged to explore the SOP to learn more about the many and varied services provided by the City of Corvallis. Think of it as a single location to see not only what's coming in the next year, but also what's on the horizon for future years for all City departments.

Read more about the latest Strategic Operational Plan.

C3 GameCon at Corvallis Community Center

Join us for two days of gaming, cosplay, and vendors! C3 GameCon is a place to celebrate all things gaming, fanart, cosplay, and more! With live tabletop and board game sessions, a costume contest, and a vendors hall with local artists and businesses, there's something at C3 GameCon for everyone!

Interested in attending, vending, or running a game? Check out our C3 GameCon Page!

CTS Bus Service Reductions

Due to an ongoing shortage of drivers, Corvallis Transit System is forced to reduce service beginning on Monday, January 24, 2022 until further notice.  This reduction will affect Routes 5, 6, 50, and Route 1 Peak PM. We are working very hard to hire drivers and as soon as we do and they are fully trained, CTS will return to regular service.

Read more about specific service reductions on these routes.

In addition, all Corvallis Transit System and Philomath Connection passengers will be required to provide their own face covering. Face coverings should fit snugly against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, and have multiple layers of cloth. Wearing a face covering is mandatory to ride Corvallis Transit System and Philomath Connection.

How to Deal with Graffiti

Graffiti is a problem that impacts our neighborhoods in a variety of ways. It decreases property values in residential neighborhoods, negatively impacts industrial and commercial areas, and it is often the first sign of criminal street gang activity. If you spot graffiti, please report it!

Businesses and residences who are victimized by graffiti are responsible for its removal. Contact the Police Department at 541-766-6924 prior to removing graffiti, as they will match victims with businesses offering to sell paint at cost, provided there is a police report and/or business card from the responding police officer; the back of the card should include the case number and the words “Qualified for Victims of Graffiti Project.” The Downtown Corvallis Association (541-754-6624) also has graffiti clean up and painting materials available for its members.

Graffiti in Parks: Please call Parks and Recreation directly at 541-766-6918. Parks staff typically remove graffiti on sight (especially if it is offensive), or within 48 hours if special equipment is needed to remove it. The Police Department will be contacted by Parks staff if it is hate, gang, theft, or high-value related.

Graffiti on City signs, pump stations, buildings, reservoirs, traffic signal controller cabinets, bridges, etc: Please call Public Works at 541-766-6916. Public Works will also facilitate callers reporting graffiti on Benton County (signs), Oregon DOT (bridge abutments) and private utility (Qwest, Comcast cabinets) properties as the responsible party is often difficult for a citizen to know.

Drug Take-Back Locations in the Benton County

Do you have old, unused, unwanted, or expired medications? Don't flush them down the toilet. Dispose of them safely with NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

Community members can now safely and discretely discard unused, unwanted medicine at participating pharmacies in Benton County. To find nearby locations on a map, visit the Oregon Drug Take-Back Program at https://medtakebackoregon.org/

The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates that 40% of all prescribed medicine goes unused. Most prescription medication abuse occurs when drugs are obtained from family and friends. As a water, wastewater, and stormwater utility, the City of Corvallis Public Works Department also is interested in removing these products from our watersheds to protect our drinking water supply and the aquatic organisms that live in our streams and rivers.

What's Up at the Library This Month?

There's a lot going on at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Check out any of the events below to learn more!

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