Corvallis e-News | March 2022

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In this issue: Meet the new Fire Chief, sign up for Corvallis Police 101, and browse active land use cases at the City.

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Ben Janes Appointed as Corvallis Fire Chief

Ben Janes has been appointed to the position of Fire Chief of the Corvallis Fire Department. City Manager Mark Shepard made the announcement after a three-month transition period in which Janes served as Interim Fire Chief.

“Chief Janes brings a wealth of knowledge and a thorough understanding of the Fire Department’s operations and strategic vision,” Shepard said. “In addition, he is a respected leader who will work hard to develop the next generation of firefighters and professional staff at the Department.”

Janes, a 20-year veteran of CFD, was born and raised in Corvallis and came up through the Corvallis school system, eventually graduating from Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University. Janes started in 2001 as a volunteer firefighter with CFD, and he worked his way through the ranks over the next two decades, serving as a fire prevention assistant, firefighter, lieutenant, and battalion chief. In 2020, Janes was named Deputy Fire Chief, responsible for day-to-day operations at the Department’s five stations.

Read more about Chief Janes, and be sure to give him a wave if you see him around town!

Support for Our Sister City in Ukraine

Corvallis has had a 30-year relationship with our sister city in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Because Uzhhorod is located in the most western region of Ukraine, thousands of refugees are fleeing each day to escape the war in the eastern portion of the country. To help alleviate the needs of these individuals, the Corvallis Sister Cities Association is raising funds to send to our physician colleagues in Uzhhorod. Checks and cash can be dropped off at or mailed to:

Citizens Bank - Circle Branch
978 NW Circle Blvd.
Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Checks need to be made out to: Uzhhorod Refugee Fund. Due to the emergency nature of this need, the donations are not tax-deductible.This fundraising effort is sponsored by the Corvallis Sister Cities Association. Donations will be wired to a contact in Hungary to deliver to our physician colleagues in Uzhhorod (because banks in Ukraine are closed at this time). They will use them to help the refugees with bedding, medications, food, or other needs.

Register Today for Corvallis Police 101

The Corvallis Police Department is enrolling now for Corvallis Police 101, a FREE ten-week virtual program that provides 20 hours of instruction, discussion, participation, and fun. Classes meet online Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 starting on March 30, 2022. CPD 101 is like an extended open house, and our door is open for you. It is the best way to get to know your police officers, and to learn about all facets of your police department, the services it provides, and how it delivers those services.

The 2022 session will be hosted in a virtual webinar format. The schedule and sessions have been slightly altered to accommodate the virtual format. To participate in this session, you will need access to a computer with internet access. If you have any questions about the virtual format, please send us an email at CPDEvents@corvallisoregon.gov.

Class members historically represent a cross section of our community: teens to seniors, Corvallis newcomers to lifelong residents, people just curious about what their police do to people considering careers in law enforcement, and proponents of police to people with oppositional views. In short, participants come from the full range of demographics that make up our community. We welcome and encourage you to attend.

Read more about CPD 101 — the deadline to apply for the next course is coming up on March 9.

Active Land Use Cases at the City

Here's a nifty resource to bookmark and keep handy: a page on the City website listing all active land use cases currently before the City.

The page includes a link to the application filed with the City, as well as contact information for the staff person who is managing the case. It also displays recent decisions and closed cases. Check it out and be sure to share with your friends and neighbors who like to be kept informed about these topics.

New Development Services Lobby Hours

Effective March 7, 2022, the Development Services lobby at City Hall will be open to customers from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment. The lobby will be closed to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The changes to our lobby hours are due to a current staffing shortage and high volume of work.

Customers can use the online permit system (www.corvallispermits.com) to apply for a permit or to check the status of a permit.  You can also contact our office at (541) 766-6929 if you have any questions.

Annual Water Quality Report Released

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department’s annual water quality report is now available to download at www.corvallisoregon.gov/waterreport.

The report offers a snapshot of municipal water system in Corvallis, including an overview of how water is produced, treated, stored, distributed, and tested regularly to ensure a safe, secure, and affordable water supply for City customers.

The City of Corvallis produces water from two sources – the Taylor Plant in south Corvallis, which draws water from the Willamette River, and the Rock Creek Plant on the lower slopes of Marys Peak, which draws water from a 6,000 acre forested watershed.

The report details a number of water quality metrics required by state and federal law, including levels of various minerals and potential contaminants. As in years past, water produced by the City of Corvallis is well within regulations from both state and federal agencies.

As Corvallis looks ahead to the spring and summer, Public Works officials are advising residents to save water by watering wisely. Weekly irrigation guidelines are available online at www.corvallisoregon.gov/irrigation or by phone at 541-766-6733.

For more information on the municipal water system in Corvallis, as well as tips on reducing water use, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/water.

What's New at the Library in March?

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

 

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