Corvallis e-News | January 2023

In this issue: New Mayor & City Council take office, and The Arts Center celebrates 60 years!)

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New Mayor & City Council Take Office

The new Mayor and City Council took office on Tuesday, January 3 at a swearing-in ceremony at the start of the first Council meeting of the year. Municipal Judge Larry Blake administered the oath of office for new and returning elected officials:

  • Mayor Charles Maughan
  • Ward 1 Councilor Jan Napack
  • Ward 2 Councilor Briae Lewis
  • Ward 3 Councilor Hyatt Lytle
  • Ward 4 Councilor Gabe Shepherd
  • Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis
  • Ward 6 Councilor Laurie Chaplen
  • Ward 7 Councilor Paul Shaffer
  • Ward 8 Councilor Tracey Yee
  • Ward 9 Councilor Tony Cadena

City Councilors will serve a two-year term from 2023 to 2024, and the Mayor will serve a four-year term from 2023 to 2026. To email the Mayor and City Council, email MayorAndCouncil@corvallisoregon.gov.

Low Income Assistance Program Accepting New Sign-Ups

The City's Low Income Assistance Program is accepting new sign-ups. Qualifying customers can receive a credit of up to $25 off their monthly City Services bill. Customers can sign up throughout the year, but annual renewals are required each year in January. Customers who participate in the programs will complete an application, show proof of their participation, and be approved before a credit will be applied.

To get started, visit the online sign-up form to read more about the program and the application process.

"Know Your City" Speaker Series Returns in January

The League of Women Voters of Corvallis, in partnership with the City of Corvallis, is sponsoring a two-part virtual speaker series in January 2023 focusing on how to find information and resources on the City website, as well as how to understand your City Services utility bill. The sessions will take place on Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both sessions will take place at C3 - Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave.

The goal of the series is to illuminate the City of Corvallis organization so that community members are more informed and more engaged on critical local issues.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these informational sessions.

Civic Campus Project Open House on January 31

The community is invited to an open house to learn more about the Civic Campus & Administrative Building, the next phase of the citywide facilities project.

Architects will be on hand to share information about key features of the planned Civic Campus project, including public meeting spaces and resources for the City Council.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 31 at the Library Main Meeting Room, 645 NW Monroe Ave.

Rental & Utility Assistance Available from DevNW

DevNW, our local nonprofit affordable housing provider, has rental assistance available to qualifying applicants. Residents in Corvallis and Benton County are encouraged to look into this program. The program provides temporary, emergency financial assistance for rent and utility payments for low-income Benton County residents who fell behind due to reduced income and/or increased expenses related to the COVID pandemic and subsequent public health measures.

Some conditions apply. Benton County residents can start a pre-application online at the DevNW website.

City Service Fees 2023 Rate Adjustment

City service fees are reviewed annually by staff and the City Council to ensure that they are operating as intended to generate adequate revenue to support municipal services that the community relies on. This year, the annual update will include some rate increases intended to offset increased costs related to inflation. 

City service fees are monthly charges that appear on the City of Corvallis City Services bill. Fees represent a small charge shared among all Corvallis billing customers to pay for specific services. The fees pay for popular and necessary services for the Corvallis community. The cost of supporting these services is spread among all Corvallis rate-payers, which brings the price down for everyone. By making regular adjustments to keep up with inflation and other costs, these services will be more financially sustainable in the future.

We've put together a list of frequently asked questions (in English & Spanish) to share information about the fees, the services that they support, and the 2023 rate adjustments.

Mark Your Calendars for C3 GameCon in February

C3 GameCon, the home-grown gaming convention at the Corvallis Community Center, is returning in February! Mark your calendars for February 17 and 18 for two fun-filled days of gaming, cosplay, vendors, and more at this family-friendly event. 

Visit the C3 GameCon page on the Parks & Recreation Department website for more info on registration and attendance. One and two day passes are available; register advance for a discount! See you there!

Are You Prepared for a Flood?

The City of Corvallis annually updates this informational 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.

The Arts Center Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The Arts Center invites everyone to celebrate our 60 years serving Corvallis, on Saturday, January 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. This milestone year is themed “Expressions of Community” to highlight the perseverance of dedicated individuals and communities that have been supporting our creative culture. We are grateful to offer a mid-winter reason to get out and connect with each other.

"We have been a catalyst for artists and creators for six decades," said Executive Director, Cynthia Spencer, "and we are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with all who can join us. Throughout our history, we have connected thousands of art learners and viewers through relevant art exhibits, quality programming, and no-charge creative-play activities for all ages, contributing to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our region. Our 60th Birthday Celebration is a testament to the power of the arts to bring people together."

Our January 21 birthday bash has a jam-packed lineup of activities looking back at our 60-year history, and looking forward to what the next 60 years may include. Be sure to drop off your birthday wish and check out other ways to get involved.

For the complete schedule of events see our website, www.theartscenter.net.

Stormwater Maintenance Program Underway

The City's annual stormwater maintenance program is underway, with contractors performing work in urban streams and detention ponds throughout Corvallis through February 2023. The work will focus on Dixon Creek, Dunawi Creek, Oak Creek, Mill Race, Ryan Creek, Lamprey Creek, and Stewart Slough, as well as detention ponds in west and southwest Corvallis.

Click here to view a map of upcoming work locations.

The annual stormwater maintenance program is managed by the Public Works Department. Regular maintenance of urban streams and detention ponds is essential to preserving the health of these waterways. By trimming and extracting dead trees and removing various invasive vegetation, we can improve stream flow and reduce urban flooding during heavy rain events. Work will also focus on creating snags near waterways, which provide important habitats for birds, insects, and other animals.

A new effort for 2022 will focus on proactive work to monitor ash trees in the urban stream system for signs of emerald ash borer. The City has cataloged approximately 10,000 ash trees in and around the urban stream system in Corvallis, and all of these trees are at risk from emerald ash borer infection. Emerald ash borer was identified in Oregon in July 2022, and its arrival in Corvallis is inevitable.

The annual stormwater maintenance program is expected to wrap up in February 2023. For more information, contact Ted Hart at ted.hart@corvallisoregon.gov or 541-766-6454.

What's New 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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