e-News

New Ordinance Expands Food Trucks to New Areas of Corvallis

March 31, 2025 - Food trucks are expanding in Corvallis, thanks to a newly adopted ordinance that updates the City of Corvallis Mobile Food Unit (MFU) regulations.

The City Council took action on January 21, 2025, to adopt a package of updates to the City’s existing food truck laws, following an extensive update process led by the Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office in partnership with the Corvallis Fire Department, City of Corvallis Community Development Department, Benton County Health Department, staff and small business operators.

The new regulations expand the area where food trucks can operate. Formerly, these businesses were confined to the downtown area. Now, food trucks will be eligible to operate in several different commercial mixed-use zones, as well as on the campus of Oregon State University. The new regulations also pave the way for food truck pods (defined as 5 or more food trucks operating in close proximity and sharing some infrastructure resources) to be located in different areas of Corvallis.

The complete application form is available on the City website: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/ds/page/mfu-mobile-food-unit

For more information about the Mobile Food Unit program, contact Christopher Jacobs at 541-766-6339 or economic.development@corvallisoregon.gov.

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Corvallis e-News | April 2025

In this issue: Take the water knowledge questionnaire, join us at the Safe Streets open house, and learn more about the budget process!

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Test Your Knowledge with the Water Conservation Quiz

How well do you know water conservation in Corvallis? This month we're running a short questionnaire about this important topic, and you can receive a FREE prize pack full of household water conservation items and cool Corvallis merch, just for responding.

➡️ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/waterknowledge2025

(There's a box on the survey to enter your email for the prize pack.)

The questionnaire is open through the end of April, so be sure to share your feedback so we can get you a prize pack!

Building Safer Streets Together: Join Us for the Transportation Safety Open House on April 3

The City of Corvallis and Benton County are working together to improve transportation safety in our community. Through the federally funded Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program, both the City and the County are creating Transportation Safety Action Plans (TSAP), using data to identify where crashes happen, understand their causes, and develop community-driven safety solutions. We are interested in your input to help create an effective and inclusive plan.

Join Us at the Open House
We invite you to attend our upcoming joint open house on Thursday, April 3, from 5-7 p.m. at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. This is your chance to learn more about the projects, explore crash data, and share your thoughts on how we can make our streets safer for everyone. The event will feature interactive stations where you can pinpoint safety concerns, suggest improvements, and discuss the challenges you face as a road user. Whether you use transit, walk, bike, drive, or roll, your voice matters in shaping the future of transportation safety in Corvallis and Benton County. Light refreshments and family-friendly activities will be provided, and bilingual staff will be available to support Spanish-speaking attendees.

Share Your Safety Concerns Online
Can’t make it to the open house? You can still contribute to the project by sharing your transportation safety concerns through our safety comment map at https://publicproject.net/map/benton-county-corvallis-tsap. This interactive tool allows you to flag locations around Corvallis and Benton County where you feel unsafe or suggest improvements. Your feedback will be combined with collision data to pinpoint potential problem areas, inform safety improvements, and help shape our plans.

Planning Today for a Safer Tomorrow
This is the first step in a long-term process to make Corvallis' and Benton County’s roads safer for everyone. These plans will identify community needs and prioritize key projects operational strategies that can be funded and implemented over time. By aligning with the SS4A program and regional and statewide safety goals, both jurisdictions will be eligible for future funding to support these critical improvements. These TSAPs are more than just a plan, however—they represent a shared commitment between the City and the County to creating a safer, more inclusive transportation system for everyone.

Learn more: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/safe-streets-all-ss4a-project

Water Pipeline Infrastructure Project Underway in SW Corvallis

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department has launched a project to replace a 20-inch underground water pipeline located along SW 35th Street and SW Western Boulevard.

The existing water pipeline in this area was constructed in the early 1950s and has reached the end of its useful life. This is the sort of “hidden infrastructure” that must be replaced to ensure consistent service and to avoid bigger problems in the future.

Following the water pipeline replacement, Western and 35th will be repaved, including improvements to pedestrian crossings at intersections as well as adding buffered bike lanes along portions of each street.

Construction on the water pipeline began in March, with street repaving anticipated to wrap up by September. This will be a complex project that will require the entirety of our short spring and summer construction season in Corvallis. Weather conditions will impact the overall timeline.

This project will likely create some traffic disruptions at various points along the construction schedule. Street closures and detours will be needed periodically during construction to facilitate safe work zones for workers and the public. Households served by the new water pipeline will experience short service interruptions of up to several hours while they are connected to the new line – information about these interruptions will be communicated directly to affected households once construction gets underway.

Sign Up for Weekly Construction Updates

To sign up for weekly construction updates from the project engineers, visit our E-Notifications sign-up page. Under the "News" header, check the box for "Transportation Project - Western Blvd, 35th St, 11th St" and we'll add you to the list. You can unsubscribe at any time.

For more information about this water infrastructure project in southwest Corvallis, please contact Josh Bjornstedt at 541-766-6731 or josh.bjornstedt@corvallisoregon.gov.

VIDEO: How the City of Corvallis Funds Public Services

It's budget season at the City of Corvallis! Last month, we welcomed our Budget Commissioners to an orientation session to get ready for the public process that is coming later this spring. Every two years, the City of Corvallis builds a budget so we can fund public services for our community. Everything from community policing and fire protection, to livability services from the library and parks & recreation, to public utilities and street maintenance – we plan for it all through our biennial budget.

This video offers a closer look at how that process unfolds and how you can get involved.

Household Recycling Event Coming Up April 5

On April 5, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Republic Services invites anyone in Corvallis to bring their household recycling to 110 NE Walnut Blvd. for the annual recycling event. There is no charge for residential customers bringing household quantities of recycling. Items that can be brought to the event include:

Yard waste
Clean wood – no plywood, pressure-treated, stained, or painted wood
Scrap metal
Large appliances, including those that contain freon
Electronics such as mobile devices, TVs, and computers

Materials that will not be accepted at the event include household garbage and household hazardous waste such as:

Batteries
Chemicals
Explosives and ammunition
Paint
Tires

Anyone who needs to dispose of household hazardous waste are invited to bring those items to the upcoming household hazardous waste event on May 10.

Outdoor Dining Program Returns for 2025

The 2025 Business Use of the Right of Way (BROW) program is accepting applications for the upcoming season. Applications are available on April 1. The program begins on May 1 and runs through October 31.

The BROW program allows restaurants to apply for permits to use a portion of the on-street parking adjacent to their business as an outdoor dining area. Up to three parking spaces may be requested per application. Permits must be renewed each year. Read more about the BROW program and start an application online by visiting the City website: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/ds/page/outdoor-dining-programs

For more information about the BROW program, contact Christopher Jacobs at 541-766-6339 or Christopher.Jacobs@corvallisoregon.gov.

Go Gold This Summer By Taking the Pledge

Take the pledge to go gold this summer by reducing your lawn irrigation this summer. Our new Golden Landscapes pilot project is intended to help homeowners and neighborhoods save water by letting lawns go dormant (golden!) during the hottest summer months. Take the pledge to reduce lawn watering, and you’ll get a free yard sign to show how you're supporting water conservation. Participants will also have the opportunity to be entered to win a $25 water bill rebate!

We know that lawns can thrive on less water, so consider going gold this summer. Read more and sign up today by visiting the Golden Landscapes website: A Golden Landscape | Corvallis Oregon.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Catch up with your elected officials at their regularly scheduled meetings and work sessions. Upcoming meetings are listed below, along with links to calendar entries with more information. You don't have to attend to share feedback on any topic that's important to you. Feel free to use the Public Input Form to get in touch with the Council anytime, anywhere.

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
April 7, 2025	Regular Meeting
April 10, 2025	Work Session
April 21, 2025	Regular Meeting
April 24, 2025	Work Session

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 most Saturdays. 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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
April 5, 2025	Jim Moorefield, Ward 3 Councilor
April 19, 2025	Jan Napack, Ward 1 Councilor and Pat Malone, Benton County Commissioner

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.
Tech Help Lab: April 2, 2nd floor Board Room April 16, 2^nd 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
Free Employment Help: April 2 , Conference Room C, second floor , 10am-noon, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Puzzle Swap: April 5 , 12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room. Bring your puzzles to swap! All ages and levels welcome
Take Apart Workshop: April 8 4:00-5:30, Main Meeting room. Take small appliances and electronics apart in this hands-on workshop. Ages 10+
Random Review: April 9, 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Dr. Katherine Scollan reviews The Other Family Doctor by Karen Fine,
Craft Night for Adults: April 15 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+. This month’s craft: magnet, button, and sticker making with a Poetry Month theme
Game Night at the Library: April 17, 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games and video games for all ages!
Family Craft Night: April 22, 5:00-6:30, Main Meeting Room: Make some crafts with the Library and The Arts Center. All ages welcome! Supplies provided.
2025 Liz & Bob Frenkel Hiking & Environment Series: The Marys River Parks April 23. 7-8:3-0 PM , Virtual. Register here: cbcpl.net/Frenkel2
Woodworking Exhibition: April 24-27 , Main Meeting Room. Mid-Willamette Woodworkers Guild presents their annual exhibition of Fine Woodworking.
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!

More Information

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Corvallis e-News | March 2025

In this issue: The Aquatic Center re-opens, community grants return, and more!

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Two Popular Community Grant Programs Open on March 1

Applications are now being accepted for two popular community grant programs, offering two separate funding opportunities for community projects in Corvallis.

The Empowerment Grant Program provides small cash grants to fund projects and initiatives that improve neighborhoods and forge partnerships to address community issues. Examples of past projects include landscape improvements, neighborhood social events, public art installations, education programs, and training services. Read more about the Empowerment Grant program here.
The Green Grant Program offers funding for community-centered projects that move the dial on climate change and promote the actions of the Corvallis Climate Action Plan (CAP). Read more about the Green Grant program here.

APPLY TODAY - Use this handy online form to start an application for either of these two programs.

Applications for both programs will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 31, 2025. Both programs are competitive opportunities with distinct grant objectives and evaluation criteria. Community members are encouraged to review the objectives and criteria before applying.

Info Session on March 12

The City will host an informational session to answer questions about both grant programs at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. The session will take place over Zoom and will be recorded for anyone who can't attend.

Osborn Aquatic Center Re-Opening Outdoor Pool on March 3

Great news — Osborn Aquatic Center will be re-opening the outdoor pool for limited programming on March 3, 2025. City staff have been working diligently over the past few weeks to prepare for a phased reopening.

Starting March 3, lap swimming and swim team practice will be available. The current plan is to evaluate these outdoor-only acitivities and then gradually expand hours and programs as we are able in the coming months, keeping the community informed through emails and website updates.

These modified hours and outdoor operations are temporary. We expect that the facility will need to close again when major repairs are scheduled. However, we anticipate continuing modified operations through the summer.

Showers & Locker Rooms

Indoor locker rooms and lockers will not be available for use. The lobby restrooms, four private changing rooms (with showers) and outdoor restrooms/private changing room (with a shower) will be available. Lockers are located by the private changing rooms and will be day use only. There will be bleachers and tents available outside for use.

Business Resiliency Workshop Scheduled for March 11

Business owners in Corvallis and Benton County are invited to a FREE half-day resiliency workshop hosted by the Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office. The event will be led by Sierra Anderson, the Emergency Planning Manager in the Corvallis Fire Department, as well as several guest speakers.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave.

This is a great opportunity for local business owners to get some practical advice about how to build more resiliency into their operations, from day-to-day preparedness to long-term issues.

Lunch will be provided. Please register online to attend.

If you have any other questions, please contact Lily Bender at lily.bender@corvallisoregon.gov.

Share Your Input on the Van Buren Bridge Interpretive Display

Our friends at Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are seeking public input on how and where to build an interpretive station for the Van Buren Bridge. The turning mechanism and pony truss, saved from the old bridge, are waiting patiently in ODOT's maintenance yard for their new home.

To get started, take a look at the photos and graphics below, then visit this online comment form to share your ideas about what the display could look like. Planners would like to hear your thoughts on:

The location for the interpretive exhibit.
How to showcase the bridge's turning mechanism.
How to present the timeline and pieces of the pony truss.

ODOT is interested in your feedback into the display in a way that is safe and can be enjoyed by the Corvallis community for years to come.

Building Safer Streets Together: Join Us for the Transportation Safety Open House on April 3

Learn more: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/safe-streets-all-ss4a-project

Community Quilt at the Corvallis Museum

Be sure to visit the Corvallis Museum and take a look at the community quilt that was produced in January at our outreach event on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A big thank you to our friends at The Sandpiper Project for doing the legwork to produce this lovely quilt created from individually decorated squares. We're grateful to everyone who came out to the Corvallis Museum to take part in the event and create some artwork with us. This community quilt will be on display in the lobby at the Corvallis Museum.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
March 3, 2025	Regular Meeting
March 6, 2025	Work Session
March 17, 2025	Regular Meeting
March 20, 2025	City Council and Budget Commission Joint Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
March 1, 2025	Carolyn Mayers, Ward 8 Councilor
March 15, 2025	Alison Bowden, Ward 6 Councilor
April 5, 2025	Jim Moorefield, Ward 3 Councilor

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.
Tech Help Lab: March 5 and 19, 2nd floor Board Room, 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
Free Employment Help: March 5, Conference Room C, second floor , 10am-noon, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Random Review: March 12, 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online. Selina Heppell reviews As the Condor Soars: Conserving and Restoring Oregon’s Birds by Susan M. Haig
Dementia 101: March 13 5:30 and March 14: noon, Main Meeting Room. Join Dr. Helen Kao from Lumina Hospice and Palliative care for a free community lecture about dementia.
Choro na Cozinha: Brazilian Music Concert: March 15, 3-4pm, Main Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome at this free concert presented by Choro na Cozinha with Bill Pfender, Kimberly Cullen and John Bliss.
Craft Night for Adults: March 18 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+. March's craft: millefiori with clay
Game Night at the Library: March 20, 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games and video games for all ages!
Identifying Misinformation: March 22, 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room. Learn strategies for identifying misinformation in this free, librarian-led workshop.
Puppet Show: Stellaluna: March 26, 1:00-1:45. Presented by Pegasus Puppets!
2025 Liz & Bob Frenkel Hiking & Environment Series: The South Corvallis Willamette River Parks: March 26, Virtual. Register here: cbcpl.net/Frenkel1
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | February 2025

In this issue: The Mayor hosts a Town Hall, C3 GameCon returns, and more!

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Mayor's Town Hall and State of the City Scheduled for February 25

The Corvallis community is invited to join Mayor Charles Maughan and City staff for an interactive discussion about recent progress and milestones at the City of Corvallis, and a look ahead to what we’re working on for 2025 and beyond.

The event will take place from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. February 25 at C3's Chandler Ballroom, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will begin with a State of the City presentation from Mayor Maughan, followed by a Q&A with attendees and an opportunity to interact with staff and elected officials and learn more about various programs, services, and initiatives from the City of Corvallis.

A remote 0ption is available via Zoom. Register to watch the broadcast here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_db7JfZnPSY-75tupJdxuog

C3 GameCon Returns February 15 & 16!

Get your tickets for two days of cosplay, RPGs, fan art, tabletop gaming, and more. C3 GameCon returns February 15 and 16 at C3 - Corvallis Community Center. The popular event will feature cosplay contests, live tabletop gaming, and local vendors, panel discussion, and lots more.

General Admission: All ages welcome.

Ages 13 and under: Must be accompanied by an adult.

Advance Tickets: $12 for a 1-day pass / $18 for a 2-day pass

Date & Time: Saturday, February 15, 2025, 1–11pm & Sunday, February 16, 2025, 10am–8pm

Location: Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330

Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event on February 8

On Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Republic Services invites all residents of Benton County to bring their household hazardous wastes to 110 NE Walnut Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330 for safe disposal and recycling. There is no charge for residential customers with household quantities of waste. The quarterly event is a chance for residents to safely and environmentally responsibly dispose of items that can’t be tossed in the weekly trash cart. This includes household quantities (5 gallons max) of:

Paint, motor oil, and other car fluids
Batteries, fluorescent tubes, and electronics
Pesticides and herbicides

Whether it is paint, electronics, pesticides, herbicides or other household chemicals, Republic Services will take these items to be safely processed, and where possible, recycled so they can be used for future products.

There are some items however, that will not be accepted at this event such as:

Business or industrial waste,
Ammunition, explosives, and fireworks,
Biological or medical waste and sharps.

Business and residents wishing to dispose of industrial waste or larger-than-household quantities of waste should call 360-772-2838 to schedule a drop-off time for Friday, February 7.

For more information, and to see a calendar of future events please visit www.republicservices.com/corvallis.

Know Your City Event Series Returns in February

Since 2017, the League of Women Voters of Corvallis has offered annual public forums on Corvallis city services and programs. For 2025 the League is offering two programs on facilities managed by Corvallis Parks and Recreation and the city’s infrastructure managed by Public Works. The two events will be held in the Corvallis Benton County Public Library Main Meeting Room, 645 NW Monroe, Corvallis on February 6 and February 19, 2025. Both programs will start at 7:00 pm.

The first event (Parks and Recreation: What Do We Have and How Do We Pay for It?) will take place at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025. Have you found yourself looking for something special to do, wondering what opportunities the city offers? Or do you already know that Corvallis owns and manages an amazing variety of natural areas, parks, and recreational opportunities and sometimes wonder how the city pays for acquiring and maintaining them? Get answers to your questions from Meredith Petit, Director of Corvallis Parks and Recreation. Register online on the LWV website.

The second event (Pipes and Roads and Sewers, OH MY! Aging City Infrastructure) will take place at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19. Do you ever think about the gift we have with clean water, storm drainage and street and trail networks and wonder about their health and maintenance? Do you drive, bike, or walk over a pothole or crack in a road or sidewalk and ask why is this not fixed? Join Jeff Blaine, Corvallis Director of Public Works to get your questions answered. Register online on the LWV website.

Know Your City programs are sponsored by the League of Women Voters Corvallis, Corvallis Benton County Public Library and the City of Corvallis.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
February 3, 2025	Regular Meeting
February 6, 2025	Work Session
February 18, 2025	Regular Meeting
January 20, 2025	Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
February 1, 2025	Tony Cadena, Ward 9 Councilor
February 8, 2025	Mark Shepard, City Manager
February 15, 2025	Charlyn Ellis, Ward 5 Councilor

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.
Tech Help Lab: February 5 and 19, 2nd floor Board Room, 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.
Free Employment Help: February 5, Conference Room C, second floor , 10am-noon, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Digital Life Classes: Various Thursdays and Saturdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
People and Pianos Day: Feb 1, 10:30-3pm : Main Meeting Room and Lobby. A day filled with piano music provided by Corvallis-OSU Piano International.
Nerf Night for Adults 18+: Feb 7, 6:15-8:15, Main Meeting Room. Snacks, crafts, and Nerf games after hours in the library!
Intro to Paper Quilling: Feb 8, 2-3:30pm Come and find out what paper quilling is all about. Quilling tools and strips provided for the first 30 people.
Random Review: February 12, 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online. Jennifer Richter reviews Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World by Pádraig Ó Tuama.
Cucunandy Celtic Band: Feb 15, 3-4:30pm: 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.
Craft Night for Adults: February 18 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+.
Game Night at the Library: February 20, 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games and video games for all ages!
True Crime Author Rebecca Morris: Feb 22 10-11 am, Main Meeting Room Join Rebecca Morris, a true crime author raised in Corvallis, for a presentation about the cold case of Kyron Harmon who went missing 15 years ago from Portland Oregon.
Ten Tiny Dances®: Feb 22, 2-3pm, Main Meeting Room: Everyone is welcome to this free preview performance. Ten Tiny Dances® will visit the library and perform their magical dances, expressing the theme “Books – Tell Me a Story.”
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | January 2025

In this issue: New Council takes office, the FYI about PFAS and Phthalates, new city service fee rates, and more!

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New Council Takes Office on January 6

The new 2025-2026 Corvallis City Council will be sworn into office at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the year on January 6, 2025. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Municipal Judge Larry Blake will administer the oath of office for new and returning elected officials:

Ward 1 Councilor Jan Napack
Ward 2 Councilor Briae Lewis
Ward 3 Councilor Jim Moorefield
Ward 4 Councilor Ava Olson
Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis
Ward 6 Councilor Alison Bowden
Ward 7 Councilor Paul Shaffer
Ward 8 Councilor Carolyn Mayers
Ward 9 Councilor Tony Cadena

City Councilors will serve a two-year term from 2025 to 2026. The Mayor took office in 2023 and is currently serving a four-year term.

To sign up for email notifications about upcoming City Council meetings, please visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/notify and select "City Council" under the "Calendar" header.

First All-Inclusive Playground Opens at Avery Park

People of all ability levels are invited to explore the new, all-inclusive playground that opened last month at Avery Park in Corvallis. The $1 million playground project was the result of a year-long community engagement process to assess community needs and desires, followed by a six-month construction process. The playground — complete with accessible swings, sensory play equipment, and special surfacing for people using mobility devices — is the first dedicated play area in Corvallis to be designed from the ground up to serve people of all ability levels.

The City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department led the makeover effort that upgraded the decades-old main playground area in Avery Park. Funding came from a combination of sources, including $300,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and a $532,000 grant from the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department.

The new playground layout leans into the concept of inclusive play, says Parks & Recreation Director Meredith Petit.

“Inclusive Play is all about integrated play spaces so that kids, adults, and caregivers can play together,” Petit said. “It’s not about just meeting the bare minimum by providing a few accessible elements in one section of the playground.”

Visitors to the playground will notice colorful, nature-inspired design elements that complement the site’s location in Avery Park (the oldest park in Corvallis, located along the Marys River). Ramp access and a specially designed surface grants easier access for kids or caretakers who use mobility devices. A sensory-focused play space encourages visitors of all ages to engage in rambunctious play, while also providing quiet areas to spend time alone or socialize in small groups.

The project also features site improvements that will serve the broader park patron community. A new restroom building with two individual, all-gender toilet rooms, drinking fountain and water bottle filler has been installed adjacent to the inclusive play area. Also included is a new picnic shelter with four wheelchair-compatible picnic tables and ample circulation area.

Perimeter fencing adjacent to the parking lot and driveway adds additional safety measures to minimize any potential conflict between the playground and moving vehicles. The popular kid-focused musical equipment, which was installed several years ago, has been reused in the new playground. Integrated shade umbrellas provide shelter over the play structure.

City Service Fees 2025 Rate Adjustment

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. Rate adjustments are considered annually by the City Council.

Each fee is used to pay for a specific service, and funds collected for one service cannot be used to pay for other services. For example, the City does not use money collected through the Sidewalk Maintenance Fee to pay for Police Department expenses.

The current fees are:

Water – Fee collected based on usage to pay for City water service and related infrastructure.
Wastewater – Fee collected to support the City’s wastewater (sewer) infrastructure and operation.
Stormwater – Fee collected to support the City’s stormwater system, including urban streams and pollution mitigation.
Street Maintenance (TMF) – Fee goes to support regular maintenance on the City’s most-used streets.
Sidewalk Maintenance – Fee used for sidewalk maintenance and repair.
Transit Operation Fee – Fee supports fareless service on Corvallis Transit System. This fee is adjusted once a year based on the price of a gallon of gasoline.
Urban Forestry – Fee supports maintenance of the City’s urban tree canopy.
Police Services – Fee maintains current service levels at the Police Department.
Fire Services – Fee maintains current service levels, including enhanced coverage by adding personnel to staff a new ambulance unit.
Low-Income Assistance Fee – This fee goes into a fund for income-eligible customers who need assistance paying their monthly City Services bill.

Fees are reviewed annually by staff and the City Council as part of a public process to ensure that they are operating as intended to generate adequate revenue for municipal services that the community relies on.

Rate increases for 2025 are displayed in the chart on this page, showing the previous rate and the new rate that takes effect on February 1, 2025.

Low-Income Assistance Program Enters Fifth Year Serving Corvallis Community Members

The City of Corvallis Low-Income Assistance Program, launched in January 2021, is entering its fifth year of operations. Over the last four years, the program has provided financial assistance to 849 income-eligible households — an average of 212 households per month.

Financial assistance initially provided a credit of $25 per month to qualifying community members on their monthly City Services bills. Over the last four years, that amount has been increased by the City to meet community needs. The current assistance credit provides $53.55 per month and is reviewed annually by the City Council.

How to Apply

To apply, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/billassistance. Applications are processed throughout the year, and eligible community members typically begin receiving credit on their City Services bills about one month after their application is processed by the City.

Eligibility is determined based on household income, and applicants will need to show proof of eligibility through enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), or direct certification through Corvallis School District 509J. This is an annual program and must be renewed each year by submitting a new application.

The program is funded through a 96-cent surcharge that appears on the monthly City Services bill.

The FYI About PFAS and Phthalates

Here at the City of Corvallis, we’re always looking ahead to upcoming environmental regulations and rules that could impact services in our community. One topic that’s been the subject of recent discussion at the state level involves PFAS and Phthalates — aka "forever chemicals" that you might have read about in the news. These chemicals are byproducts of some common manufacturing processes for clothing, cookware, and food packaging. They don’t break down easily in the environment, so they often end up being detected in the air, soil, and water.

We’re excited to launch a comprehensive online resource on the City website to help the community understand what PFAS and Phthalates are, why you should care, and how they have not been detected in Corvallis drinking water.

The web page includes links to the latest information from state and federal sources. And, a detailed Frequently Asked Questions page will help keep you in the know. We'll be sharing more material in the weeks and months to come.

Development Services Division Quarterly Newsletter

What's new in the building department? We don't have a "building department" per se, but development and permit activity is handled by the capable team in our Development Services Division. They recently released their quarterly newsletter full of information for the development & contractor community.

It's a great way to stay up-to-date about changes to building codes, services, and fees. Check out the newsletter on the City website. If it's helpful to you, the Development Services team would appreciate any feedback you have. You can reach them anytime at development.services@corvallisoregon.gov.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
January 6, 2025	Regular Meeting
January 9, 2025	Work Session
January 21, 2025	Regular Meeting
January 23, 2025	Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
January 4, 2025	Paul Shaffer
January 18, 2025	Charles Maughan
February 1, 2025	Tony Cadena

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?

Winter Reading Bingo: Through January 15. For all ages. Complete a bingo card and receive a small prize!
Storytime: 10:30am Tuesday-Friday, Main Meeting Room . Tuesdays: Infant, Wednesdays: Toddler, Thursdays: Preschool, Fridays, Family. Drop in.
Tech Help Lab: January 15, 3-4 pm 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
Free Employment Help: January 15 , 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Digital Life Classes: various Thursdays and Saturdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
Pride Storytime with Haus of Dharma: January 4, 10:30-11:30 AM. Join us for an all ages Pride storytime with performers from Haus of Dharma!
Random Review: January 8 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Cleavon Smith reviews Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mott
Puzzle Swap: Jan 11-, 12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room. Bring your puzzles to swap! All ages and levels welcome.
Game Night at the Library: January 16 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games and video games for all ages!
Craft Night for Adults: January 21 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+. This month’s craft is mixed-media bookmarks.
Discussion of I Lived to Tell the World by Elizabeth Mehren: Jan 18 and 25, 2-3pm, Main Meeting Room. The OSU Center for the Humanities presents moderated book club conversations. Books available at 2^nd floor reference desk.
Puppet Show: Snow Soup: Jan 30, 1:00pm, Main Meeting Room. Join Pegasus Puppets for a wintry rendition of Stone Soup!
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | December 2024

In this issue: Fall leaf collection, pool roof assessment, holiday closures, and more!

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Fall Leaf Collection Underway Through December 23

The City of Corvallis Fall Leaf Collection Program is underway and is scheduled to wrap up on December 23, 2024. During this period, Republic Services will pick up leaf piles in the street once a week, generally on the same day as normal garbage collection.

New for 2024: Free community leaf drop sites

For the Fall 2024 leaf collection season, the City and Republic Services are partnering to offer additional leaf collection options. We have designated four sites across the community where Corvallis residents may drop off their leaves, free of charge. The following locations will be available for leaf drop off:

Dr. MLK, Jr. Park – gravel parking lot at 4905 NW Walnut Blvd
Pioneer Park – gravel parking lot at 1300 Philomath Blvd (US20/OR34)
2392 NW Garyanna St – asphalt parking area across from NW Havengreen Place
Crystal Lake Sports Park – gravel lot at 100 SE Fischer Ln

Community members are asked to help by following these simple guidelines to ensure a successful leaf collection program:

Leaf drop sites:

Leaf drop sites are open to Corvallis-based Republic Services residential customers only; they are not for commercial use.
Please observe all signs including open hours (typically 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Closures may occur periodically for site cleaning and special events.
Please drop un-bagged leaves only, no sticks, branches, bags, or trash.

In-street collection:

Use your yard debris cart as the first choice for disposing of leaves.
Only rake leaves into the street if you run out of room in your yard debris cart. Consider piling excess leaves and placing them in your cart the following week.
If you need to rake leaves into the street, place them there in piles the evening before your scheduled leaf pick up day.
Place leaf piles one foot from the curb to allow space for rainwater to run off along the street curb line.
Ensure that leaves do not block or cover catch basins or storm drains.
Avoid parking vehicles near leaf piles, as Republic Services cannot collect leaves blocked by vehicles.
Out of consideration for the bicycling public, please do not place leaves in bike lanes. For those of you who live adjacent to streets with bike lanes and no parking, this means using one of the new leaf drop-off sites, or your yard debris carts for leaf disposal. Contact Republic Services for additional options to handle the volume of leaves on your property.

The Fall Leaf Collection Program is the only time leaves may be deposited in piles in the street. Using blowers to scatter leaves into the street is not allowed at any time. Other debris, such as grass, branches, limbs, are strictly prohibited from being placed in the street at any time and will not be picked up by Republic Services.

In conjunction with the Fall Leaf Collection Program, Public Works will expand its street sweeping to include both day and night shifts. Neighborhoods are scheduled to be swept once every two weeks.

More information can be found here: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/leaf-collection

Most City Offices and Facilities Are Closed on December 25 and January 1

As a reminder, most City of Corvallis offices and facilities are closed on December 25 and January 1 for Christmas and New Year's Day. You can use the online payment options available through the City website to make a payment even when offices are closed.

Public safety services provided by Corvallis Police and Corvallis Fire will continue to operate through the upcoming holidays. As always, please call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.

Report a Problem Online

Need to report a problem to the City? Bookmark this page and keep it handy for all sorts of issues that might pop up, including potholes, streetlights, plugged storm drains, and plenty more.

Osborn Aquatic Center Roof Assessment

We're posting regular updates on the City website about progress on the inspection and assessment of the roof corrosion at Osborn Aquatic Center.

In November, we shared some photos of the floor-to-ceiling shoring supports that were installed to brace the roof and prepare the facility for a thorough inspection.

With the shoring supports in place, structural engineers were able to access the ceiling and begin exploring the extent of the corrosion in the roof supports. Engineers intend to open up more than 30 identified locations on the ceiling to examine them for possible corrosion. Preliminary information is expected by the middle of December.

Read all about the assessment process, as well as a list of frequently asked questions, on the City website: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/osborn/page/osborn-aquatic-center-roof-a...

Stormwater Pollution Community Resources

Did you know pollution can reach our city’s creeks and rivers in unexpected ways, from oil leaks to illegal dumping? Public Works staff work hard to protect our local waterways using a variety of tools. From schools to public events, we’re out in the community sharing ways to prevent pollution from entering our streams and rivers.

You've probably heard out mantra before: "Only rain should go down the drain!" Many storm drains lead directly to our creeks — that water is not filtered or treated at our treatment plant.

If you see pollution in or near a waterway, please call our 24-hour Pollution Hotline at 541-766-6565.

Want to learn more? Interested in a presentation for your service organization or student group? Email us at environmentalservices@corvallisoregon.gov.

More information about how we try to prevent pollution in Corvallis is available on the City website.

Federal Grant Funding Available for Affordable Housing or Capital Projects

The City of Corvallis is seeking proposals for grant funding through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships program, both of which provide funding to accomplish the City's housing goals. The application packets for both grant opportunities are available on the City website. The deadline to submit a project checklist (the first step in the application process) is 12 p.m. Friday, December 20. Additional information and proposal requirements are described in the request for proposal packets.

Funding totals for both programs are dependent on amounts approved next year by the federal government, so exact amounts may change. Funding will be available after July 1, 2025.

For more information on these two grant opportunities, please contact Nyssa Paul, Housing Grant Coordinator, at 541-766-6550 or housing@corvallisoregon.gov.

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

Revolving Loan Fund Program Available for Businesses in South Corvallis

A new Revolving Loan Fund Program has launched to support new and existing businesses and encourage commercial investment in the South Corvallis Urban Renewal District. The first funding cycle application closes Friday, December 27 at 5 p.m. Applications will be accepted in person at City Hall or by emailing economic.development@corvallisoregon.gov.

Eligible projects include building and façade renovations, new construction, and renewable energy improvements at commercial properties within the South Corvallis Urban Renewal District. Low interest financing up to $100,000 per business or property is available. $250,000 is available to serve requests this funding cycle. Projects will be competitively evaluated based on their ability to meet some or all of the following criteria:

Proposed business will improve food access in South Corvallis
Project is ready to submit for permits or begin construction within 3 months of grant award and be completed within one year of loan issuance.
Building has been vacant for 1 year or more but will become occupied as a result of the project.
Project significantly improves energy efficiency of the building or improves renewable energy production.
The applicant has not received previous public grant or loan awards at this location within the last 3 year and certifies the project would not be financially feasible without support.
Project helps bring building or site up to current code compliance.
Applicant’s entity is COBID (Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity) Certified or otherwise self-identifies as eligible.
Project adds green spaces, improves public amenities and/or reduces impervious surface area.
Business education course completion with partner org within last 12 months.
Proposed business will have its first location at project site.

Projects do not need to meet all goals to be eligible. Projects will be ranked and the top scoring proposals meeting at least a 60/100 score threshold will be awarded as funding allows. Those who meet this threshold yet do not receive funding will be recommended and included in an upcoming cycle. Revolving Loan Fund Program awards will be announced in January 2025.

This new loan program was made possible by the South Corvallis Urban Renewal District, which was approved by Corvallis voters in 2019 and is intended to catalyze economic growth in this area of the community for years to come. For more information on the South Corvallis Urban Renewal District visit https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/business/page/urban-renewal-south-corvallis.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Note: December's schedule looks a little different, with back-to-back meetings scheduled for Monday, December 16. The changes are due to holiday scheduling adjustments. Details on how to participate in those meetings can be found at the links below.

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
December 2, 2024	Regular Meeting
December 5, 2024	Work Session
December 16, 2024	Work Session
December 16, 2024	Regular Meeting

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
12/7/2024	Briae Lewis
12/21/2024	Jan Napack

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.
Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 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
Free Employment Help: 1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Digital Life Classes: 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
2024 Champinefu Series: December 4 7-8:30 pm, virtual. Lower Columbia River Art and Placekeeping with University of California Santa Barbara Ethnic Studies Professor Natchee Barnd
Random Review: December 11 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Sarah Henderson reviews What’s Cooking in the Kremlin: From Rasputin to Putin, How Russia Built an Empire with a Knife and Fork by Witold Szablowski
Craft Night for Adults: December 17 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+.
Game Night at the Library: December 19 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games 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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | November 2024

In this issue: Election results, the new city logo, the Library's new carpet, and more!

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Election Results Release Plan

It's Election Day in Corvallis! Just a reminder — Benton County elections staff will release the unofficial election night results for all races after 8 p.m. on Election Day, with an update on unofficial election results on Wednesday, November 13. For ranked choice voting contests (Ward 6 and Ward 7 City Council seats), the first-choice rankings will be reported in these unofficial results.

If no candidate for Ward 6 or Ward 7 receives more than 50% of the vote, the Benton County Elections Office will proceed with tallying second-choice votes for each of those contests. The official and complete ranked choice voting results will be released with the final election results, expected by Wednesday, November 27.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about ranked choice voting, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

New City Logo Is Here!

It's official — the new look for the City of Corvallis has arrived! A brand new city logo, along with a comprehensive brand system, officially launched on November 1. You'll start seeing the new logo appear on documents, forms, signs, and other high-visibility areas of city operations. (The old logo will remain in use for a while during this transition process.)

You might be wondering ... why a new logo? Well, in the almost 40 years since the existing logo made its debut, the communications and community engagement needs of local governments (like Corvallis) have changed quite a bit. A logo that used to primarily be featured atop printed documents, letter, and bills has given way to a municipal identity that is used across a wide variety of platforms like websites, digital apps, and social media. Community members are just as likely to encounter the brand on their mobile device screen as on a printed piece of paper.

Last year, we engaged Madison Avenue Collective (MAC), a local design firm with extensive experience creating new brand identities for government agencies, to assist with a long-overdue brand refresh. The goal of the project was to create a modern, consistent brand system that included a recognizable primary logo, together with plenty of creative icons, graphics, and colors to help enhance City communications and outreach.

The new design and visually rich supporting elements lend themselves well to branding and placemaking. The City logo will look right at home alongside logos from partner agencies, educational institutions, events venues, and other community organizations.

Look for our new logo and brand to start popping up around town later this year and early next year. We're excited to bring a fresh new look to the City of Corvallis!

Library Closure in November (New Carpet!)

The Corvallis Public Library will be closed from November 3 through November 18 for a carpet replacement project. This will allow for the carpet on the first floor of the library to be entirely replaced, something that has not occurred for over 30 years in some areas of the library.

During this time, many areas of the first floor will also be rearranged, allowing us to create a play area for younger children, as well as a thoughtfully designed space for teens.

No items will be due during the closure, and all due dates will be extended automatically. Any holds will remain on the hold shelves until after we reopen. You can also have your holds sent to another location for pick up, or request delivery service. Anyone who lives within the library district service area can sign up for deliveries! https://cbcpubliclibrary.net/library-delivery/

You can continue to place holds as usual, but please note that access to some collections may be temporarily limited as we recarpet and rearrange, which may delay delivery. Staff will be available to respond to phone calls and emails as much as we are able to during the closure.

All branch libraries will still be open! This is also a great opportunity to check out our branch libraries in Alsea, Monroe, and Philomath. All branch locations will be open for their regular hours and offer many of the same services and programs, like weekly storytimes, computer access, and convenient holds pickup.

We greatly appreciate your patience during this upgrade of our building and we look forward to welcoming the community back into our new-and-improved space on November 19.

Annual Sustainability Report Now Available

This is our annual look at how the City of Corvallis has performed in five key categories related to sustainability. Each year, we build a work plan to help guide our staff as they carry out the work of delivering City services throughout our community. The annual Sustainability Report checks in on this work plan to see how we're making progress in meeting the City’s sustainability goals for municipal operations.

Over the years, we've found that the Sustainability Report offers a great opportunity to pause and celebrate successes, large and small, that contribute to our climate action goals. Sometimes we get too focused on wrapping up projects and moving on to the next item on our punch list. The Sustainability Report provides a chance to revisit our work and reflect on what we've accomplished.

In the pages of this year's report, you'll find data on goals and metrics, as well as short narratives and stories that provide some context for our work over the past year. It's a breezy read that comes in at just 23 pages. Not to mention — the new report was one of the first documents produced using the City's new branding and style, and we think it looks fantastic!

Check out the 2024 Sustainability Report on the City website.

Osborn Aquatic Center Closed for Structural Evaluation

City maintenance staff drained the main indoor pool at Osborn Aquatic Center on November 1 to allow a contractor to install temporary support structures to shore up the roof of the indoor pool before additional structural testing can be performed. That testing is anticipated to start later this month.

The City's pool facility has been closed since October 2 after a preliminary inspection that revealed corrosion in the roof. A follow-up examination by a structural engineer has shown that additional repairs will be needed. Shoring up the natatorium roof will enable engineers to safely explore and assess the roof system and formulate a plan for repairs.

At this time, the Aquatic Center remains closed until further notice. Additional information on repairs will be shared with the community as it becomes available. We look forward to resuming operations at the pool as soon as possible.

Fall Leaf Collection Now Underway

The City of Corvallis Fall Leaf Collection Program is now underway. During this period, Republic Services will pick up leaf piles in the street once a week, generally on the same day as normal garbage collection.

The final leaf pickup for a property will be on its scheduled service day the week of December 23, 2024.

New for 2024: Free community leaf drop sites

Dr. MLK, Jr. Park – gravel parking lot at 4905 NW Walnut Blvd
Pioneer Park – gravel parking lot at 1300 Philomath Blvd (US20/OR34)
2392 NW Garyanna St – asphalt parking area across from NW Havengreen Place
Crystal Lake Sports Park – gravel lot at 100 SE Fischer Ln

Community members are asked to help by following these simple guidelines to ensure a successful leaf collection program:

Leaf drop sites:

Leaf drop sites are open to Corvallis-based Republic Services residential customers only; they are not for commercial use.
Please observe all signs including open hours (typically 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Closures may occur periodically for site cleaning and special events.
Please drop un-bagged leaves only, no sticks, branches, bags, or trash.

In-street collection:

Use your yard debris cart as the first choice for disposing of leaves.
Only rake leaves into the street if you run out of room in your yard debris cart. Consider piling excess leaves and placing them in your cart the following week.
If you need to rake leaves into the street, place them there in piles the evening before your scheduled leaf pick up day.
Place leaf piles one foot from the curb to allow space for rainwater to run off along the street curb line.
Ensure that leaves do not block or cover catch basins or storm drains.
Avoid parking vehicles near leaf piles, as Republic Services cannot collect leaves blocked by vehicles.
Out of consideration for the bicycling public, please do not place leaves in bike lanes. For those of you who live adjacent to streets with bike lanes and no parking, this means using one of the new leaf drop-off sites, or your yard debris carts for leaf disposal. Contact Republic Services for additional options to handle the volume of leaves on your property.

In conjunction with the Fall Leaf Collection Program, Public Works will expand its street sweeping to include both day and night shifts. Neighborhoods are scheduled to be swept once every two weeks.

More information can be found here: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/leaf-collection

City Honored as Finalist in Voice of the People Awards

The City of Corvallis has been named a finalist for the 2024 Voice of the People (VOP) Award for Excellence in Mobility. The award recognizes the City's data-driven approach to transportation that led to a $664,000 grant from the federal government for street safety.

The VOP Awards are the only nationally recognized honors given to local governments based on resident input, government performance, and community data in decision-making. This is the 16th year of the awards, presented by Polco and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Corvallis was nominated for the Excellence in Mobility award after receiving consistently high marks year over year on The National Community Survey (NCS). The NCS is a nationwide community livability assessment with the largest database of its kind and nearly a thousand participating municipalities over the last thirty years. The database represents the perspectives of more than 50 million Americans, and well over 100 jurisdictions conduct the survey each year.

The nomination packet from Corvallis described how the City's Public Works Department took action to address transportation safety by seeking a $664,000 grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding was awarded for specific planning projects that reflect community priorities identified through various transportation system plans. These projects will address key focus areas on the City's biennial community survey related to transportation safety and infrastructure.

"We're so pleased to receive this honor from Polco and ICMA in recognition of the grant funding we were able to bring into the Corvallis community," said Patrick W. Rollens, the City's Public Information Officer. "Mobility is an important category of public services, and this grant will help us engage in data-driven decision-making to improve our overall transportation system."

Revolving Loan Fund Program Available for Businesses in South Corvallis

Proposed business will improve food access in South Corvallis
Project is ready to submit for permits or begin construction within 3 months of grant award and be completed within one year of loan issuance.
Building has been vacant for 1 year or more but will become occupied as a result of the project.
Project significantly improves energy efficiency of the building or improves renewable energy production.
The applicant has not received previous public grant or loan awards at this location within the last 3 year and certifies the project would not be financially feasible without support.
Project helps bring building or site up to current code compliance.
Applicant’s entity is COBID (Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity) Certified or otherwise self-identifies as eligible.
Project adds green spaces, improves public amenities and/or reduces impervious surface area.
Business education course completion with partner org within last 12 months.
Proposed business will have its first location at project site.

Civic Campus Task Force Issues Final Report

The Civic Campus Community Engagement Task Force has issued its final report to the Corvallis City Council with recommendations about improvements to the collection of buildings that house city services in downtown Corvallis. The report is available on the City website.

The Task Force was created by the Council earlier this year and was asked to seek community input about two possible options for improving the Civic Campus, which includes four buildings (including the current City Hall building) that house services such as urban planning, building permits, financial billing, municipal court, information technology, and city administration. These buildings lack welcoming, accessible customer service areas and modern staff work spaces. Improvements to the Civic Campus represent opportunities to address efficiency, collaboration, and urgent space needs, and also to create a long-term investment in downtown Corvallis.

The Civic Campus Community Engagement Task Force is made up of community volunteers representing a wide variety of stakeholder groups. The Task Force developed an engagement plan that gathered feedback from many different groups and individuals over the spring and summer of 2024. The Task Force members weighed this feedback and developed their final recommendations at a series of public meetings earlier this year. Data and findings from this outreach are included in the final report.

Recommendations from the Task Force report will be considered by the Council alongside other aspects of technical feasibility, financial viability, and environmental compatibility as they approach a decision on the Civic Campus proposal and other projects in the citywide facilities project. For more information, visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/facilities.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
November 7, 2024	Work Session
November 18, 2024	Regular Meeting
November 21, 2024	Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
11/2/2024	Paul Shaffer
11/23/2024	Charlyn Ellis
12/7/2024	Briae Lewis

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.
Tech Help Lab: November 20, 2-3pm , 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
Digital Life Classes: 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
November Novel Writing Challenge Sessions: Drop in and write!
2024 Champinefu Series: November 6, 7-8:30 pm, virtual. OSU Anthropology Professor Molly Carney presents how and why camas is a cultural and ecological keystone plant for Kalapuya.
Craft Night for Adults: November 19 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+. This month’s craft: watercolor/oil pastel (mixed media) painting
Random Review: November 20 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Evan Gottlieb reviews The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin: November 20, 6-7pm, Main Meeting Room. Experience a multimedia journey along the Columbia River from source to sea with conservation photographer and author David Moskowitz.
Game Night at the Library: November 21, 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Board games, card games and video games for all ages!
OSU MFA Reading Series: November 1 , 5-6pm, Main Meeting Room. In partnership with Oregon State University, the MFA Reading Series brings a monthly rotation of free literary readings to the library!
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | October 2024

In this issue: New city logo, Fire Department open house, and more!

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New City Logo and Branding Coming Soon

The City of Corvallis is rolling out a new municipal logo next month. The new logo will be part of a comprehensive brand system that will replace our existing logo that was first introduced in 1985. Look for the new brand to start appearing on documents, forms, signs, and other high-visibility areas of city operations. (The old logo will remain in use for a while during this transition process.)

With all of this in mind, we engaged Madison Avenue Collective (MAC), a local design firm with extensive experience creating new brand identities for government agencies (including some familiar names here in Corvallis). MAC embarked on a six-month creative process to gather input, develop iterative conceptual designs, and finally zero in on a solid concept that could be built out into a fully realized, modern brand system. The goal of the project was to create a modern, consistent brand system that included a recognizable primary logo, together with plenty of creative icons, graphics, and colors to help enhance City communications and outreach.

In many cases, we will have the opportunity to roll out the new City logo on certain items as part of their normal replacement schedule. This is the most cost effective solution and ensures that we aren’t disposing of useful items ahead of schedule. Other changes and updates will likely take place on a longer timeline.

For a period of probably 12 to 18 months, community members will likely encounter both the new City logo as well as the older “legacy” logo in use throughout the community as the replacement process gets underway. This is a normal, if slightly confusing, aspect of our brand rollout.

We're excited to bring a new, creative look to the City of Corvallis!

Ranked Choice Voting Returns for November General Election

The City of Corvallis will be using ranked choice voting for the November 5, 2024 municipal general election.

Ranked choice voting is a system that gives voters the ability to rank candidates in order of preference – 1st choice, 2nd choice, and 3rd choice. Corvallis used ranked choice voting for the first time in 2022.

In the 2024 election, ranked choice voting will apply in two local City Council races that feature three or more candidates: Ward 6 City Councilor and Ward 7 City Councilor. Voters in those two wards will see ranked choice options for the City Council ballot. For all other Corvallis City races, voters will select one candidate.

Using ranked choice voting, the candidate with a majority of first-choice votes wins. If no candidate receives more than fifty percent of the first choice votes, then the candidate who receives the fewest first choice votes is eliminated from the race. Votes for the eliminated candidate are instantly recast to the voters’ next-choice candidate. This process repeats itself until one candidate receives more than fifty percent of the votes or there are only two candidates left.

Check out this short video for an overview of how the system works.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about ranked choice voting, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

Featured Jobs: Talent Acquisition Specialist & Senior Accountant

This month we're putting the spotlight on a pair of career opportunities at the City of Corvallis: the Talent Acquisition Specialist (in the Human Resources Department) and the Senior Accountant (in the Finance Department).

Check out both jobs, along with our other current openings, on the City website.

Fire Department Trains with Max Fire Box

We don’t always think about the Corvallis Fire Department being at the forefront of sustainability decisions at the City. But they’re looking for opportunities to refine their operations and implement new techniques whenever possible. In this case, CFD had an opportunity to roll out a new training tool: the Max Fire Box. It’s a small, self-contained demonstration device used to simulate live fires.

If you didn’t already know – Fire Departments train A LOT. And we want them to do so! But training with live fire requires a lot of space and a lot of money. And the result (a large, smoky fire) isn’t great for the environment, or the firefighters who are suited up and taking part in the training exercise. The Max Fire Box provides a small, safe, environmentally friendly venue to examine critical fire activity such as flashovers, backdrafts, and smoke explosions. There’s a reduced impact on air quality, and the firefighters themselves are exposed to lower levels of toxic gases – an important factor as the City strives to operate a sustainable workplace that prioritizes employee health and safety.

In this photo, CFD firefighters are using thermal imaging tools to evaluate the small, contained fire in the Max Fire Box. This gives them the up-close training opportunity that leads to safe decisions in rapidly changing environments in our community. Great work, CFD!

Tyler Avenue Bikeway Design Nearing Completion

We're very close to finalizing the updated design of the Tyler Avenue Neighborhood Bikeway project. After an open house in June, the project team has incorporated community input and refined the plans. You can take a peek at the updated design right here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0b0ad9acec104c26a137884bd57417ce

To subscribe to quarterly project updates from the Active Transportation team, visit our newsletter signup page.

Fire Department Open House Scheduled for October 12

Mark your calendars for the Corvallis Fire Department's annual open house and safety fair. This fun, family-friendly event returns on Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Event details can be found on the City's website calendar.

Do I Need a Building Permit?

Oregon law requires you to obtain permits for a range of installations, alterations, and construction performed on your home. Permits ensure that the work meets minimum codes and standards, which protect you and your family from safety risks like fire hazards and structural failures. They also help eliminate costly repairs and save money in the long run.

Some of the most common home projects that require a permit are listed below.

Build or demolish a detached accessory structure that exceeds 200 square feet.
Add an attached patio cover over 200 square feet.
Construct a fence over 7 feet in height.
Build a deck more than 30 inches above grade.
Finish an existing attic, garage, or basement to create living or conditioned space.

Additional information, including permit exemptions and requirements for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, can be found in our Do I Need a Permit – Guide. If you still aren’t sure whether your project requires a permit, or to get more information about the permitting process, go to Development Services Permits & Plan Review. You can also contact Development Services at 541-766-6929 or development.services@corvallisoregon.gov if you have additional questions or want to discuss your potential project in further detail.

City Council Meetings in October

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
October 7, 2024	Regular Meeting
October 10, 2024	Work Session
October 21, 2024	Regular Meeting
October 24, 2024	Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
10/5/2024	Charles Maughan
11/2/2024	Paul Shaffer

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: 1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd 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.
Digital Life Classes: 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
Random Review: October 9 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Joel Zapata reviews Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora
Craft Night for Adults: October 15, 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room For ages 16+.
OSU MFA Reading Series: October 18, 5-6pm, Main Meeting Room. In partnership with Oregon State University, the MFA Reading Series brings a monthly rotation of free literary readings to the library!
Cooks and Books: Syrian Cuisine with Khalo Naser: October 24, 5-6:30 pm, Corvallis Community Center. A free in-person cooking demonstration and showcase of cookbooks at C3.
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | September 2024

In this issue: Food hub grants, news about sustainability, and more!

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South Corvallis Food Hub Grant Recipients Announced

The Corvallis Benton County Economic Development Office has announced the recipients of the first round of funding for the South Corvallis Food Hub grant program. Financing in the amount of $495,000 was available from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to kickstart access to food in South Corvallis.

Ten applications were received totaling more than $1.7 million in funding requests. A diverse evaluation committee reviewed the applications against the goals of the South Corvallis Food Hub project, which sought to improve food access in South Corvallis, incubate food businesses, and create new connections within the local food system. The Corvallis Benton EDO partnered with the Linn-Benton Small Business Development Center to help applicants develop proposals free of charge and facilitate meetings with Spanish-speaking community members. The Benton County Health Department provided time, equipment and guidance to potential applicants.

Grant awards and descriptions of each project are included below:

Benton County Food Forum - $5,000 to fund delivery of produce and meals from the Southtown Stand and Farmers’ Market using a combination of e-bikes, cargo bikes, and conventional bikes.
Flicker & Fir, LLC - $37,000 for improvements at the Southtown Stand & Farmers’ Market for sun and rain mitigation, food vendor support and storage, bike racks, and a pilot program aimed at expanding vendor sales through pre-orders.
Ten Rivers Food Web - $153,000 to fund operations of a South Corvallis aggregation facility to receive, store, and distribute local food products to institutional purchasers and business owners through local delivery.
Grow, Thrive and Prosper People's Collective - $50,000 to provide services including: access to shared kitchen space, storage, training and workshops, marketing support, pop-up market access, events, training, low barrier micro-grants, and business incubation support.
Las Doñas del Sur - $250,000 to fund the purchase and operations of food trucks for 9 co-located entrepreneurs at a destination in South Corvallis.

The funding will be distributed to the recipients before December 31, 2024. Per the grant agreements, applicants will develop and launch their projects in 2025 with assistance from the Economic Development Office and other local resources.

For more information on the South Corvallis Food Hub project, visit https://yescorvallis.org/grow.

Sign Up to Receive News About Sustainability from the City of Corvallis

There's a new home for news, announcements, and updates related to sustainability from the City of Corvallis. Visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/notify to sign up for the new "Sustainability, Conservation, & Climate Action" email notification category.

We'll be using this new communications channel to share news and information from all City departments about how we're achieving our organizational goals and how the community can learn more, get involved, and do their part to help advance sustainability and climate action throughout Corvallis.

Subscribers can expect a few newsy announcements each month as we get rolling with this new outreach channel. We'd love to hear from you about what you'd like to see. Drop us an email at pio@corvallisoregon.gov anytime.

Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN!

CARE Event Returns on September 17

The City of Corvallis, Benton County Health Department, Samaritan Health Services, Oregon Department of Human Services and Community Outreach Inc are partnering to offer the fourth annual Corvallis Area Resource Event (CARE) on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking garage of the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Avenue.

Local service providers of all varieties will be present to offer a “one-stop shop” for people in need to get engaged with important resources. Free sandwiches will be provided to the first 100 attendees.

Public transportation to the event is available through the Corvallis Transit System, Benton Area Transit, Coast to Valley Express and the 99 Express with stops in Adair Village, Philomath and Blodgett.

More information is available at www.corvallisoregon.gov/CARE.

Update on Buchanan Avenue Road Discussion at Corvallis High School

The City has paused the proposed restriping project on Buchanan Avenue outside Corvallis High School. The School District wants to implement operational changes to the front entrance of Corvallis High School along Buchanan Avenue with the start of this coming school year. The School District intends to provide additional communication to parents and students that drop-off and pickup of students should not take place on Buchanan Avenue or within the front loop. The School will provide staff in the morning and afternoon to monitor Buchanan Avenue and ask parents to drive to appropriate locations for drop-off and pickup. Optionally, the School may place signs, cones, or barricades to remind parents of the appropriate drop-off and pickup locations.

The City will continue to work with the School District to evaluate the changes that they implemented. If changes to City signs, parking, or striping are still warranted after the School District’s operational changes, we will work with the School District and community to scope a project that fits within our available budget and communicate this to the community.

For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit the project website here.

Questions or feedback can be directed to Ted Reese, the City's Transportation Engineering Supervisor, at Ted.Reese@corvallisoregon.gov or 541-766-6916.

Development Services is Going Paperless

To provide a more sustainable plan review process, The City's Development Services Division will begin to transition to paperless permitting on October 1, 2024. Development Services processes building permits and schedules inspections for most residential and commercial construction projects in the City.

Incoming applications, plans, and other documents can be uploaded through our online portal at www.corvallispermits.com. The system is free and allows community members to apply for permits, schedule inspections, pay fees, as well as upload and/or download plans and other permit documents at their convenience.

Electronic permitting streamlines the plan review process, reduces the need for paper plans, and allows convenient access to important information 24 hours a day. Help us go paperless by submitting your permit application online today!

City Council Meetings in September

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
September 3, 2024	Regular Meeting
September 5, 2024	Work Session
September 16, 2024	Regular Meeting
September 19, 2024	Work Session

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
9/7/2024	Briae Lewis
9/21/2024	Paul Shaffer
10/5/2024	Charles Maughan

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: 1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd 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.
SEA WITHOUT A SHORE Book Launch & Signing!: September 7, 10:30am, Main Meeting Room. A party for Katherine Roy’s new children’s book!
Unleash your Inner Child: Playfulness Exercises in Nature: September 7, 1-3pm, Main Meeting Room. Learn what happens to our inner child as we age and practice some fun exercises in nature!
Digital Life Classes: 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am: Learn about various technology topics with library staff. Free, drop in.
Random Review: September 11, 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online Barb Lachenbruch reviews Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny
Sculpting Theatrical Masks with The Majestic Theatre: September 14, 11-12:30, Main Meeting Room. Learn how to create a theatrical mask! For ages 16+ Registration required.
Bringing Greater Ease to Difficult Conversations: September 14, 2-3:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Join Anna Cassilly to explore the skills necessary to effectively communicate in a conflict.
Craft Night for Adults: September 17, 5:30-7pm. For ages 16+. September’s craft is macrame.
Nerf Night for Adults 18+: September 20, 6:15-8:15, Main Meeting Room. Snacks, crafts, and Nerf games after hours in the library!
Daily Mindfulness Routines in Nature for Everyday Health: September 21, 1-3pm, Main Meeting Room. Learn about the health benefits of simple mindfulness exercises involving nature that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.
Library at Tardeada Hispana with Casa Latinos Unidos: September 21, 3-6pm, C3: Join Casa Latinos Unidos for la gran Tardeada Hispana. For the whole family!
Take Apart Workshop: September 24, 4:00-5:30, Main Meeting room. Take small appliances and electronics apart in this hands-on workshop. Ages 10+
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!

More Information

View full details on our website

Corvallis e-News | July 2024

In this issue: Learn about utility rates, volunteer for Open Streets, run for elected office in Corvallis, and more!

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Capital Targets & City Service Bill Rate Impact Open House Events in July

Here’s an opportunity to catch up on the latest material that the City Council has covered during their recent discussions focusing on streets and utility infrastructure in Corvallis and the monthly City Services bill adjustments necessary to fund those needed improvements. All the information is accessible from the City’s website: www.corvallisoregon.gov/capitaltargets.

We have four open houses scheduled in July for community members to interact with City Council and staff about utility system needs and funding. We aren't planning to go over any new information at these open house events, and you don’t need to attend to share your thoughts with the Council.

Presentation materials, a list of questions and answers, and more information about the open houses and how to contact City Council is provided on the website at www.corvallisoregon.gov/capitaltargets.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend any of these open house dates in July. Councilors will be on hand to talk about their efforts to improve local infrastructure. This is also a great opportunity to meet and interact with City staff responsible for streets, underground infrastructure like sewer pipes, drinking water, wastewater treatment, capital project engineering, and more.

Park Improvement Spotlight: Avery Park Inclusive Playground

Corvallis Parks & Recreation takes immense pride in our community's parks and natural spaces, understanding their importance for resident and visitor well-being. We're dedicated stewards, constantly improving through new amenities, maintenance, and conservation to keep them vibrant, accessible, and sustainable for generations.

Here's a closer look at our latest project - the new inclusive playground under construction at Avery Park!

After a year of planning and gathering stakeholder input, Parks & Recreation broke ground earlier this summer on the Avery Park Inclusive Playground! This is the community’s first all-inclusive playground and will include: adaptive playground equipment, artificial turf surfacing with antistatic technology, a new picnic shelter, and new restrooms. We can’t wait to share this exciting new playground with you – anticipated completion Fall 2024

Check out Corvallis Parks & Recreation's completed projects and new initiatives in progress on the City website.

Filing Period Now Open for Upcoming November Election

Prospective Corvallis City Council candidates can begin filing paperwork for the upcoming general election scheduled for November 5, 2024. All nine City Council seats will be up for election. Nomination packets outlining the process for becoming a candidate are available on the City website and in-person at City Hall, Corvallis Public Library, C3 Community Center, and Osborn Aquatic Center.

This year’s election cycle features an extended filing period to allow more time for candidates to review paperwork, collect signatures, and submit their nomination petitions. These changes were made by the City Council earlier this year to reduce barriers and encourage more people to run for office. Corvallis elected officials can also take advantage of monetary stipends that were implemented in 2022 to help defray costs associated with serving in local elected office.

Councilors are elected to two-year terms to represent the ward in which they reside. A ward map is available on the City website to help prospective candidates identify their ward. To run for office, candidates must be a registered Corvallis voter, must have lived in Corvallis for at least one year prior to the election, and must reside in the ward they’re seeking to represent.

More information about the upcoming November 5, 2024 general election is available online at www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

City Council Meetings in July

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date	Meeting
July 15, 2024	Regular Meeting
July 18, 2024	Work Session

Civic Campus Task Force Launches Public Input Survey

The Civic Campus Community Engagement Task Force has launched a survey designed to gather input and public opinion about a proposed city facility project in downtown Corvallis. The survey will be open through the summer, with results being compiled and delivered to the City Council in the fall.

Survey (English): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/corvalliscampus

Survey (Español): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/campuscivico

The short questionnaire seeks input about the community's goals, values, and outcomes that could be addressed through improvements to the Civic Campus in downtown Corvallis. The Civic Campus includes public buildings which house many core functions such as City Hall, Municipal Court, Community Development, and the Finance Department. The buildings are located along the historic Madison Avenue corridor in downtown Corvallis.

Improvements to the Civic Campus are intended to address safety, resiliency, accessibility, and energy efficiency for these downtown buildings. Improvements to the Civic Campus are just one part of the larger citywide facilities planning project.

The community is invited to take the short survey and help inform the Civic Campus improvement process. Feedback from the survey will be evaluated by the Council alongside other technical information gathered over the last two years through needs assessments to determine the best way to address improvements to the Civic Campus in downtown Corvallis.

Open Streets Corvallis: Volunteers Needed this July

Join us on Sunday, July 21, 11 am – 3 pm, for a free street festival that re-imagines our most shared public spaces – streets and parks.

A mile of city streets between Cloverland Park and Garfield Park will be closed to vehicles and open for people to walk, bike, and roll. Local organizations and businesses will host activities in each park and mid-route, including giant-sized games, local food and drink, dance, live music and more. Join the parade leaving from Cloverland Park at 11:30 am.

Volunteers are needed! We have many 2-hour shifts to fill, including intersection superheroes, hydrators, beer garden monitors, as well as set-up and teardown teams. Volunteers get a free t-shirt, snacks, and a darn good time. Visit the volunteer page for a complete list of shifts and to sign up.

For more information, visit: www.openstreetscorvallis.org or email Lindsey.Almarode@corvallisoregon.gov.

SW 35th Street/Campus Way Project Underway This Summer

A project to improve the pedestrian crossing at SW 35th Street and SW Campus Way is underway now and will continue through most of the summer. Traffic controls and intermittent lane closures will be in place starting next week. A full closure of the intersection is currently scheduled for a two-week period in late July into early August. This date may change based on the construction schedule as work gets underway, but we're definitely on track for a two-week closure at some point in the summer.

During construction, all crosswalks at this intersection will be closed and sidewalk access will be limited depending on which side of the intersection pedestrians are approaching from. Check out the detour map to get a better sense of where the closures and detours will be placed. For more information on this project, feel free to contact Grant Livingston in the Public Works Department at 541-766-6729 ext. 5265 or Grant.Livingston@corvallisoregon.gov.

New Development Services Monthly Newsletter

The Development Services Division has received feedback from customers indicating the desire to have more information about changes to land development and permitting. We have created a new quarterly newsletter to help bolster our outreach efforts. The majority of information that will be shared in these newsletters will be focused on changes to codes, services, and/or fees. We will also include information from other departments when changes from those departments may affect the permitting process.

While this information is primarily directed at the development community (builders, contractors, etc.), the general public is welcome to take a look and stay informed about new and upcoming changes. Here's a link to the first newsletter that went out in July: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/ds/page/development-services-newsletter-...

Irrigation Rebate Program Now Available

Dive into savings with our new irrigation rebate program!

This new program, which opened in July, rewards you for making smart choices that benefit both your wallet and the environment. Irrigation is the single largest use of our drinking water, and many people overwater. New irrigation technology makes it easier than ever to save water and effort when irrigating. Upgrade your irrigation system with a weather-based irrigation controller, soil moisture sensor, or rain sensor, and apply for up to a $75 rebate to offset the cost.

Learn more on the City's water conservation website and start saving water today. Funds are limited for this pilot program, so if you're interested, take the plunge!

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 public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date	Name
July 20, 2024	Mark Shepard
August 3, 2024	Charlyn Ellis
August 17, 2024	Xan Augerot

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?

Summer @ Your Library 2024

June 1-August 31

Find out more and get started: cbcpl.net/summeratyourlibrary

See our summer events: corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com

Outdoor Storytime, 10:30am Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August. Storytime is moving to Central Park for the summer! Rain location: Main Meeting Room
Infant Storytime: For babies 0-1. Wednesdays at 10:30 in the Main Meeting Room.
Free Employment Help: 1st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in. Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd 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.
Super Family Get Down With Mo Phillips: July 10, 10:30 am, Main Meeting Room An interactive dance party full of laughing and generally silliness.
Craft Night for Adults: Beaded Windchimes: July 16, 5:30pm, Main Meeting Room. For ages 16+
Teddy Bear Picnic with Red Yarn: July 18, 10:30am, Central Park Join Red Yarn for a high-energy, playful children’s concert featuring folk songs and puppetry.
Author Event: Sidney Morrison: Frederick Douglass A Novel: July 18, 5:30pm, Main Meeting Room Everyone is welcome to join Author Sidney Morrison as he presents Frederick Douglass: A Novel
Fiesta con Nathalia: A bilingual family concert: July 21, 1:30pm, Main Meeting Room. Children’s songwriter Nathalia engages families in an interactive bilingual musical performance.
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.
Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!

More Information

View full details on our website