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!

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. 

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):

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!