Corvallis e-News | May 2026

In this issue: Bike month, solar panels, volunteer opportunities, and lots more!

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Apply now for a City advisory group appointment

It's that time of year - we're recruiting for volunteers to serve on the City's network of advisory groups.

These volunteer positions are great opportunities to get involved and help shape City policies and programs. There are more than a dozen different boards, commissions, committees, and task forces recruiting right now.

This round of recruitment includes opportunities on many long-running groups such as the Planning Commission, Library Board, and the Budget Commission, as well as other groups focused on diversity and inclusion, forest resources, and economic development.

Take a look at all the vacancies and apply online on the City website.

New rooftop solar array installed at Corvallis Community Center

Earlier this year, an unexpected act of generosity gave a boost to the City's sustainability efforts.

Thanks to a generous donation, a new 46.8 kilowatt rooftop solar array was installed at C3 - Corvallis Community Center. Project materials and labor were provided by a coalition of  local contractors from the community's tight-knit solar industry. They gladly donated their time and expertise to honor the memory of James Reismiller, a founder of Corvallis-based Abundant Solar and a tireless champion of solar energy in Oregon. Reismiller died unexpectedly in 2022.

The project was coordinated by Cassandra Robertson, Reismiller's wife and co-founder of Abundant Solar. At the April 6, 2026 City Council meeting, Cassandra explained how the project's organizers looked throughout Corvallis for a building that could host their donated solar array.

"I knew James would really want this to be something that was community-oriented and also very visible," Cassandra said.

At home at C3

They found a likely candidate at C3 - Corvallis Community Center. The recreation center is centrally located just north of Oregon State University's campus, right in the heart of Corvallis. 

Scott Dybvad, the City's sustainability coordinator, worked closely with Cassandra and the project's organizers to figure out how to let the sun shine in at C3. In March 2026, less than a year after first exploring the concept, the new array began operations at C3. It now provides about 41% of the center's annual electricity and is expected to last for at least 25 years.

"This is a gift that will continue to help us work towards our Climate Action Plan and our Sustainable Facilities goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy used in City operations," Dybvad said.

Support from the industry

Solar industry supporters included Elemental Energy, Abundant Solar, Unirac, the Oregon Solar + Storage Industries Association, Energy Trust of Oregon, Eaton, Platt Electric, Greentech Renewables, Enphase, and Energy Wise Services. The project was also supported by the City of Corvallis through various departments, including Parks & Recreation and Public Works. 

The City now has seven (7) solar arrays in operation. Since the first installation at Fire Station 4 in 2011, City solar arrays have generated more than 3.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity. That equates to more than 7 million miles driven by a gasoline-powered passenger car, not to mention the savings on our electricity bills.

May is Bike Month - Let's Ride!

Nationally celebrated since 1956, and embraced in Corvallis for decades, the month of May is the unofficial beginning of peak biking season.

Each year during May, we are encouraging people to get out and ride for fun and exercise, as well as for errands and trips.

Check out the 2026 Corvallis Community Calendar of Events. See you out there!

Take the Library strategic plan survey

If you're a fan of your local library, this one's for you.

The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is developing their next five-year strategic plan. They'd like to hear from you about your experiences, ideas, and hopes for the Library over the next five years.  

Please take a few minutes to share your input through our community survey.

➡️ Take our survey here: http://cbcpl.net/survey

Your feedback will help guide the Library's priorities, improve our services, and shape the future of our library. The survey will be open until May 10, 2026.

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. The answers you provide will help us refine our water conservation outreach here at the City. 

➡️ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/waterknowledge2026

The questionnaire is open through the end of May. Thanks for taking a look!

Corvallis Police Department achieves 30 consecutive years of accreditation

For the tenth time since becoming accredited in March of 1995, the Corvallis Police Department has once again been awarded CALEA reaccreditation, marking an incredible milestone of 30 consecutive years of accredited status. Founded in 1979, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) process focuses on standards that provide best practices related to life, health, and safety procedures, and is considered the gold standard in police accreditation.

“While this milestone is worth celebrating, it also reinforces our responsibility to continue striving for excellence in everything we do,” says Police Chief Jason Harvey. “I am honored to serve alongside such a dedicated group of professionals.”

The reaccreditation cycle, which takes place over a four-year period, includes yearly status reports, annual web-based assessments, statistical reporting, a site-based assessment, and a commission review. The site-based assessment was completed in December of 2025, and agency leaders presented to the Board of CALEA Commissioners last week. There are over 450 best practice standards that must be met to achieve reaccreditation.

The Corvallis Police Department is proud to be one of just three agencies with CALEA Accreditation in the state of Oregon. The Meritorious Accreditation was awarded during the CALEA Spring Conference.

Social service providers invited to apply for city grants

The City of Corvallis has opened the application cycle for its annual social service grants program. Service providers are invited to review the grant parameters and apply for funding to support the City Council’s social services goals. A total of $480,000 is available in two broad categories. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.

The 2026 grant cycle includes a new process for proposals intended to directly address houselessness in Corvallis.

Category 1 – Unsheltered Community Support Fund

This category reflects new policy priorities established by the Council in 2025. To qualify for Category 1 funding, a proposal must directly reduce the number of individuals who are unsheltered and increase the number of individuals who are in shelter or housing.

Category 1 represents a concerted effort by the Council to direct social services funding toward efforts that expand the community’s houseless response.

Applications for Category 1 funding will be received and evaluated by the Benton County Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO), a joint agency composed of staff from the City of Corvallis and Benton County. About half of the 2026 grant awards are expected to be distributed to Category 1 proposals.

Category 2 - General Social Service Fund

Category 2 funding will continue to fund the broad range of social service needs that have been traditionally supported by the City’s social services funding. These include existing homeless shelter operations, health

screenings and medical care for unhoused individuals, harm reduction outreach, food security assistance, child support services, and other important social services.

Applications for Category 2 funding will be received and evaluated by the United Way of Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties through a contract with the City of Corvallis.

City Council Approval

For both categories, grant recommendations will be presented to the City Council in June for consideration and final approval.

Social services grants have been distributed by the City of Corvallis annually since 1987. The $480,000 social services grant program, including administrative costs, is funded through the City's voter-approved local operating levy. The levy was renewed by voters in 2023. For more information on social services support in Corvallis, visit https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/social-service-funding.

Corvallis Charter amendments - frequently asked questions

In May 2026, voters in Corvallis will have the opportunity to consider four ballot measures that propose changes to the City of Corvallis Charter.

Here are answers to some common questions relating to the proposed measures.

Q: What is the City Charter?

A: The City Charter serves as the Constitution for the City of Corvallis. It is a governing framework that defines the organization, powers, functions and essential procedures of City government. It is adopted by voters and can only be amended or revised by voters. The current version of the Charter was originally adopted in 1948 and was amended by voters most recently in 2021.

Q: What are the measures that will be on the May 19, 2026 ballot?

A: These are the measures that will appear on the May 19, 2026 ballot for voters in the City of Corvallis.

• Measure 2-143 would amend the Corvallis City Charter to align with the Model Charter if passed.
• Measure 2-144 would remove Corvallis City Charter provisions to align with the Model Charter if passed.
• Measure 2-145 would amend Corvallis City Charter provisions relating to the exercise of powers if passed.
• Measure 2-146 would amend the Corvallis City Charter relating to vacancies, quorum, qualifications for office if passed.

Q: What would these four measures do, if passed?

A: If all are passed, these four measures would amend 31 sections within the City Charter.

The measures would change the Corvallis City Charter to align more closely with the League of Oregon Cities’ Model Charter, which is offered as a model for municipal governance in Oregon. The amendments also include proposed language that is specific to Corvallis.

If the four measures are not passed, the 2021 version of the Corvallis City Charter would remain in place.

Q: What would happen if three of the proposed Charter amendments were passed by voters and one was not passed?

A: Each measure is independent of the others. If a measure is passed by a majority of the voters only those specific charter amendments would take effect. Measures that do not pass by a majority of the voters would not be implemented. Whether a particular measure passes or does not pass does not affect any other measure.

Q: How did these measures get on the ballot?

A: The City Council established a Charter Review Task Force in 2025, which held a series of public meetings to review the existing City Charter and look for areas that could be revised. The Task Force was composed of three City Councilors, three community members, and the Mayor. The Task Force carried out its work over an 8-month time period and issued its final report to the City Council on January 20, 2026.

The final report recommended referring a series of ballot measures to Corvallis voters to consider. The ballot measures are intended to address structural changes to bring the document into alignment with the League of Oregon Cities Model Charter and address issues of governance.

Q: Why did the Charter Review Task Force recommend aligning some provisions with the League of Oregon Cities Model Charter?

The League of Oregon Cities Model Charter provides legally vetted language that has been reviewed for compliance with Oregon state law and the Oregon Constitution. Aligning portions of the Corvallis City Charter with the model charter reduces legal risk and helps ensure ongoing compliance as state laws change. At the same time, the City maintains unique provisions where needed to address Corvallis's special circumstances and community needs.

Q: Where can I read the specific text changes that are proposed for these proposed Charter amendments?

A: The specific text changes for each proposed Charter amendment are available at https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cm/page/may-2026-election-ballot-measures.

For questions about voter registration, ballot return, or other election procedures, contact the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756 or elections@bentoncountyor.gov.

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.

Free Employment Help:     ,First Wednesday,  red study room , 10am-noon, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

Nurturing Parenting Education Class:  Tuesdays, 2:-3:30pm, 2nd floor Classroom.  Presented bt Family Tree Relief Nursery for Families in Substance Abuse Treatment & Recovery.  Registration required 541-967-6580 or 541-905-7613

War With Iran- A panel presentation and discussion:  May 4, Main Meeting Rom, 5:30-7:00 PM  Everyone is welcome a this free panel presentation and discussion that analyzes the US and Israeli war with Iran.

The Life of a Star: A Cosmic Adventure!:  May 8, 3-4pm, Main Meeting Room.  Join Solar System Ambassador Erika Cook  and  dive into the lifecycle of a star! For K-5th Grade. 

Family Portraits: A Generative Poetry Workshop (A Stone Award Event):  May 7, 5:30-6:30, Main Meeting Room  Join us for this generative poetry workshop, inspired by the work of former US Poet Laureate and Stone Award recipient Natasha Trethewey

Random Review:   May 13 ,12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online   Katie Moriarty reviews    Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb

Are We Created Equal? (A Beyond 250 Conversation): May 14, 6:00-7:30 PM, Main Meeting Room.  Join Oregon Humanities for a reflective conversation exploring equality.

 Klamath Dam Removal and Restoration:  May 11, 5:30-7, Main Meeting Room.  Learn about the world's largest dam removal and restoration project is now underway in the Klamath basin.    Presented by Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Lessons from the Land: Cultivating Abundance through Land-Based Education (2026 Frenkel Series) May 13, 7:00-8:30pm, virtual.  Please register here for this free event: cbcpl.net/Frenkel1

Reduce Spam, Scams, and Junk Mail:  May 21, 2-3pm, Classroom. Take practical steps to reduce unwanted email, phone calls and mail.

How to Use AI Effectively:  May 23, 11-12:15, Classroom.  Learn how AI works and how to use it most effectively in this free, librarian-led workshop

Craft Night for Adults: May 19 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room. For ages 16+. This month’s craft: watercolor and Zentangle bookmarks.

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!

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