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

 

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
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

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