Corvallis e-News | May 2022

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In this issue: In-person Council meetings are back, check out the Corvallis Walking Map, and celebrate Sister Cities Month.)

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Introducing the Corvallis Walking Map

Last year, the Public Works Department asked the Corvallis community to help us find, and develop, the Active Travel Corridor (ATC) network. Together we identified over 100 ATCs, providing all of Corvallis with “people only” paths helping to shorten trips for those traveling by active modes.

May 1 signifies National Bike Month and this year, we celebrate it again by honoring all of those who walk, ride and roll in and around our city.

With our ATC network identified, we have produced Corvallis’ first Walking Map to highlight the path network along with other foot-friendly locations. Useful markers such as where Corvallis Transit System (CTS) bus shelters are located, providing an outline of where the routes run and to alert you where to duck under should the weather turn wet. We also call out the Corvallis Parks and Recreation trail and natural areas network. These paths invite you to wander the beauty of the City’s nearly 2,000 acres of places to play, explore and roam.

Download the Digital Version by visiting the Corvallis Walking Map website

Physical maps are coming soon!
Email josh.capps@corvallisoregon.gov and we'll let you know when physical maps are available to pick up around town.

City Council Resumes In-Person Meetings

More than two years after implementing virtual meetings, the Corvallis City Council resumed in-person meetings in May. Regular Council meetings and twice-monthly work sessions will once again take place at Council Chambers, located on the second level of the Downtown Fire Station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd.

The City will continue its popular livestream of Council meetings and work sessions using remote webinar software, for community members who wish to attend the meetings virtually. Community members can register for the webinar and then log in using a link provided, or they can dial in from a phone to follow the audio feed. Limited public seating will be available in Council Chambers. Masks are welcome, but not required.

Read more about the return to in-person hybrid meetings.

Community Evacuation Exercise Scheduled for May 14

Emergency management officials in Corvallis and Benton County will host an evacuation exercise for 10 neighborhoods in the area on Saturday, May 14. Participating neighborhoods and households have already been identified and have received training from emergency planners to safely take part in this event.

The exercise will include three test messages sent via the Linn-Benton Alert mass notification system on the morning of May 14, using language corresponding to the three evacuation levels.

  • 8:00 a.m. – Be Ready! Prepare to evacuate; have your plan and go kit ready.
  • 8:30 a.m. – Be Set! Be set to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
  • 9:00 a.m. – Go! Leave immediately without delay.

Everyone in Benton County should expect to receive these alerts if they are signed up for the Linn-Benton Alert. The messages will be clearly marked as test/exercise messages to avoid confusion. Please do not call 9-1-1 if you receive a message on the morning of May 14.

The exercise will be led by the Corvallis Fire Department, in partnership with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Corvallis Police Department. Trained volunteers from the Corvallis Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will also be involved.

Read more about the upcoming May 14 evacuation exercise.

May is Sister Cities Month in Corvallis

submitted by Patty Harris, CSCA-Gondar Council Chair

During the month of May we are celebrating Sister Cities month and the importance and outcomes of developing friendship, awareness and understanding between Corvallis and its Sister Cities of Uzhhorod, Ukraine and Gondar, Ethiopia.

This month, the Corvallis Sister Cities Association invites you to:

  • Visit our display at the Corvallis Library and pick up a Sister Cities Activity Kit for children. Thank you to the Corvallis Library for all their support!
  • Visit us at the Farmers Market on May 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. We will be offering Ethiopian coffee and Ukrainian chocolate, as well as information about Corvallis Sister Cities Association.
  • Take a walk in Central Park (across from the Benton County Library) to see our sister city flags.
  • Join our Sister Cities Association by becoming a member! https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/membership/
  • Consider volunteering for Corvallis Sister Cities Association board of directors and/or for the Uzhhorod or Gondar council. For information email us at CorvallisSCA@gmail.com

Here's some more information about our two Sister Cities.

Gondar, Ethiopia:  

Corvallis has shared a sister cities relationship with Gondar for over 17 years. Members of the CSCA-Gondar Council have visited Gondar over the years and educators and officials from Gondar have visited Corvallis as well. Providing access to clean water and improving quality of education is at the heart of our work, as well as assisting our friends in times of need.

During this past year we have been focusing on education, clean water resources and food security. We have funded teacher and librarian training and purchased books and early bilingual readers for schools in Gondar and its rural areas. We are currently assessing the wells we have built for maintenance to ensure continuity. The sustainability projects we are supporting through our partnership with Bridge of Hope offer solutions to the difficult issue of food scarcity in Gondar.

In Corvallis, we are working with elementary schools to facilitate a Shared Learning Activity, encouraging relationships between elementary schools in Corvallis and Gondar and bringing unique opportunities for global citizenship to our city.

To learn more about our most recent educational projects, accessing clean water, watershed rehabilitation efforts, school partnerships, and our newsletter, visit our website: https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/gondar/

Uzhhorod, Ukraine

Oregon has a 30-year sister city relationship with Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Trusted friendships and partnerships have developed over those three decades. There have been many exchanges between the two cities, including government, education, health care, transparency, culture, students, music/culture, tourism, agriculture, business, and artists.

Uzhhorod is the western-most city in Ukraine, protected somewhat by Slovakia to the west and Transcarpathian mountains to the east. The airport in Uzhhorod is directly next to the Slovakian border. This has protected it somewhat during the current war, and yet we know missile strikes are able to reach most everywhere.

When this larger invasion began, we knew we had to do something because thousands of refugees began to flee to various locations including Uzhhorod. We have estimates that there are over 70,000 displaced people in this region and even more who have traveled through on their way to Slovakia or Hungary. There are 3 border closings very close to our sister city.

Every one of us in the sister city organization know individuals in Uzhhorod who are hosting refugees. In fact, we don’t know anyone who is not. One person has 30 in their home; another has 11 in their flat. They are welcoming fellow Ukrainians with open arms. In addition, there are at least 15 refugee centers in the city.

The Corvallis Sister Cities Association- Uzhhorod Council- established an emergency fund to support the Refugee effort. It has been open at a local bank and $250,000 has been donated. We are in awe of the generosity and response! In addition, a GoFundMe has been set up by our council. These funds will be used to alleviate the needs of the refugees. We expect there will be a long term need and that the needs will change with time.

Currently, the refugees are not arriving in Uzhhorod with battle wounds, but they have anxiety, health care issues such as unmonitored diabetes and hypertension. They come with only a suitcase or backpack and many need bedding, pillows, mattresses, medical supplies, food, water, phone cards, etc.

We have already sent more than $50,000 of the funds raised to the sister city team in Uzhhorod to use for refugee needs. This includes meeting the basic needs of refugees and setting up an emergency health care clinic in our sister city.

In addition, volunteers flew over and drove to the border caring suitcases of socks, medical supplies, and notes and drawings of encouragement from children in Corvallis. They then went into Slovakia and purchased microwaves, refrigerators, mattresses, hot pots as well as other supplies requested by the different shelters. A second couple will be flying over with suitcases full of supplies and then purchasing items needed by the shelters.

Corvallis Sister Cities Association members are in daily contact with our colleagues in Ukraine. Our team members in Uzhhorod are busy, tired, and appreciative of our support.

Visit our website for more information: https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/uzhhorod/

Thank you Corvallis for all your support!

Budget Commission Meetings in May and June

The City of Corvallis Budget Commission will begin meeting in May to review and discuss the proposed city budget for Fiscal Year 2023.

Currently, Budget Commission meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

  • Tuesday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. (Public Hearing)
  • Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. (if needed)

The City of Corvallis Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (PDF) is now available to review.

New Schedule at Osborn Aquatic Center

Due to staffing shortages, Osborn Aquatic Center is updating its schedule to continue to provide safe usage with reduced staffing levels.

  • Starting in May, the following modifications will be made until further notice:
  • Monday-Thursday: The facility will be closed from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Fridays: The facility will close at 1 p.m. for the duration of the day.
  • Long Course will be held on Saturdays instead of Fridays.
  • Outdoor Lap Pool will open on June 19 (staffing dependent).

We will continue to update the community as our situation changes.

Police Department Earns CALEA Accreditation with Excellence

The Corvallis Police Department hit a major milestone this month with the re-accreditation of the department through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA), an internationally renowned accreditation agency. CPD was first accredited in 1995.

The Corvallis Police Department received the organization’s highest award – Accreditation with Excellence – at the CALEA annual conference in Orlando, Fla. This is CPD’s ninth award of national accreditation, and this is the first time the department has earned the Accreditation with Excellence award, which was only awarded to 6 of 115 agencies being accredited at the CALEA spring conference.

Corvallis City Manager Mark Shepard, Chief of Police Nick Hurley and Accreditation Manager Laurie Jackson accepted the award in person from the CALEA commission.

“This prestigious recognition could not have been accomplished without the efforts and professionalism of the department’s staff, elected officials, and the support of the Corvallis community,” Chief Hurley said.

Read more about the CALEA accreditation process and the significance of this achievement on the city website.

What's New at the Library this Month?

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

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