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.

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

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. 

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?

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