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.

• Flooding & High Water Preparedness Brochure

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.

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):

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: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 2nd 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: 1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Digital Life Classes: 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am:  Learn about various technology topics with library staff.  Free, drop in.

• 2024 Champinefu Series: December 4  7-8:30 pm, virtual.  Lower Columbia River Art and Placekeeping with University of California Santa Barbara Ethnic Studies Professor Natchee Barnd

• Random Review:  December 11  12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online   Sarah Henderson reviews What’s Cooking in the Kremlin: From Rasputin to Putin, How Russia Built an Empire with a Knife and Fork by Witold Szablowski

• Craft Night for Adults: December 17  , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room  For ages 16+.   

• Game Night at the Library: December 19  5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Board games, card games and video games for all ages! 

• 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!

In this issue: Election results, the new city logo, the Library's new carpet, and more!

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Election Results Release Plan

It's Election Day in Corvallis! Just a reminder — Benton County elections staff will release the unofficial election night results for all races after 8 p.m. on Election Day, with an update on unofficial election results on Wednesday, November 13. For ranked choice voting contests (Ward 6 and Ward 7 City Council seats), the first-choice rankings will be reported in these unofficial results.

If no candidate for Ward 6 or Ward 7 receives more than 50% of the vote, the Benton County Elections Office will proceed with tallying second-choice votes for each of those contests. The official and complete ranked choice voting results will be released with the final election results, expected by Wednesday, November 27.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about ranked choice voting, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

New City Logo Is Here!

It's official — the new look for the City of Corvallis has arrived! A brand new city logo, along with a comprehensive brand system, officially launched on November 1. You'll start seeing the new logo appear on documents, forms, signs, and other high-visibility areas of city operations. (The old logo will remain in use for a while during this transition process.)

You might be wondering ... why a new logo? Well, in the almost 40 years since the existing logo made its debut, the communications and community engagement needs of local governments (like Corvallis) have changed quite a bit. A logo that used to primarily be featured atop printed documents, letter, and bills has given way to a municipal identity that is used across a wide variety of platforms like websites, digital apps, and social media. Community members are just as likely to encounter the brand on their mobile device screen as on a printed piece of paper.

Last year, we engaged Madison Avenue Collective (MAC), a local design firm with extensive experience creating new brand identities for government agencies, to assist with a long-overdue brand refresh. The goal of the project was to create a modern, consistent brand system that included a recognizable primary logo, together with plenty of creative icons, graphics, and colors to help enhance City communications and outreach. 

The new design and visually rich supporting elements lend themselves well to branding and placemaking. The City logo will look right at home alongside logos from partner agencies, educational institutions, events venues, and other community organizations.

Look for our new logo and brand to start popping up around town later this year and early next year. We're excited to bring a fresh new look to the City of Corvallis!

Library Closure in November (New Carpet!)

The Corvallis Public Library will be closed from November 3 through November 18 for a carpet replacement project. This will allow for the carpet on the first floor of the library to be entirely replaced, something that has not occurred for over 30 years in some areas of the library.

During this time, many areas of the first floor will also be rearranged, allowing us to create a play area for younger children, as well as a thoughtfully designed space for teens.

No items will be due during the closure, and all due dates will be extended automatically. Any holds will remain on the hold shelves until after we reopen. You can also have your holds sent to another location for pick up, or request delivery service. Anyone who lives within the library district service area can sign up for deliveries! https://cbcpubliclibrary.net/library-delivery/

You can continue to place holds as usual, but please note that access to some collections may be temporarily limited as we recarpet and rearrange, which may delay delivery. Staff will be available to respond to phone calls and emails as much as we are able to during the closure.

All branch libraries will still be open! This is also a great opportunity to check out our branch libraries in Alsea, Monroe, and Philomath. All branch locations will be open for their regular hours and offer many of the same services and programs, like weekly storytimes, computer access, and convenient holds pickup.

We greatly appreciate your patience during this upgrade of our building and we look forward to welcoming the community back into our new-and-improved space on November 19.

Annual Sustainability Report Now Available

This is our annual look at how the City of Corvallis has performed in five key categories related to sustainability. Each year, we build a work plan to help guide our staff as they carry out the work of delivering City services throughout our community. The annual Sustainability Report checks in on this work plan to see how we're making progress in meeting the City’s sustainability goals for municipal operations.

Over the years, we've found that the Sustainability Report offers a great opportunity to pause and celebrate successes, large and small, that contribute to our climate action goals. Sometimes we get too focused on wrapping up projects and moving on to the next item on our punch list. The Sustainability Report provides a chance to revisit our work and reflect on what we've accomplished.

In the pages of this year's report, you'll find data on goals and metrics, as well as short narratives and stories that provide some context for our work over the past year. It's a breezy read that comes in at just 23 pages. Not to mention — the new report was one of the first documents produced using the City's new branding and style, and we think it looks fantastic! 

Check out the 2024 Sustainability Report on the City website.

Osborn Aquatic Center Closed for Structural Evaluation

City maintenance staff drained the main indoor pool at Osborn Aquatic Center on November 1 to allow a contractor to install temporary support structures to shore up the roof of the indoor pool before additional structural testing can be performed. That testing is anticipated to start later this month.

The City's pool facility has been closed since October 2 after a preliminary inspection that revealed corrosion in the roof. A follow-up examination by a structural engineer has shown that additional repairs will be needed. Shoring up the natatorium roof will enable engineers to safely explore and assess the roof system and formulate a plan for repairs.

At this time, the Aquatic Center remains closed until further notice. Additional information on repairs will be shared with the community as it becomes available. We look forward to resuming operations at the pool as soon as possible.

Fall Leaf Collection Now Underway

The City of Corvallis Fall Leaf Collection Program is now underway. 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.

The final leaf pickup for a property will be on its scheduled service day the week of December 23, 2024.

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

City Honored as Finalist in Voice of the People Awards

The City of Corvallis has been named a finalist for the 2024 Voice of the People (VOP) Award for Excellence in Mobility. The award recognizes the City's data-driven approach to transportation that led to a $664,000 grant from the federal government for street safety.

The VOP Awards are the only nationally recognized honors given to local governments based on resident input, government performance, and community data in decision-making. This is the 16th year of the awards, presented by Polco and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Corvallis was nominated for the Excellence in Mobility award after receiving consistently high marks year over year on The National Community Survey (NCS). The NCS is a nationwide community livability assessment with the largest database of its kind and nearly a thousand participating municipalities over the last thirty years. The database represents the perspectives of more than 50 million Americans, and well over 100 jurisdictions conduct the survey each year.

The nomination packet from Corvallis described how the City's Public Works Department took action to address transportation safety by seeking a $664,000 grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding was awarded for specific planning projects that reflect community priorities identified through various transportation system plans. These projects will address key focus areas on the City's biennial community survey related to transportation safety and infrastructure.

"We're so pleased to receive this honor from Polco and ICMA in recognition of the grant funding we were able to bring into the Corvallis community," said Patrick W. Rollens, the City's Public Information Officer. "Mobility is an important category of public services, and this grant will help us engage in data-driven decision-making to improve our overall transportation system."

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.

Civic Campus Task Force Issues Final Report

The Civic Campus Community Engagement Task Force has issued its final report to the Corvallis City Council with recommendations about improvements to the collection of buildings that house city services in downtown Corvallis. The report is available on the City website.

The Task Force was created by the Council earlier this year and was asked to seek community input about two possible options for improving the Civic Campus, which includes four buildings (including the current City Hall building) that house services such as urban planning, building permits, financial billing, municipal court, information technology, and city administration. These buildings lack welcoming, accessible customer service areas and modern staff work spaces. Improvements to the Civic Campus represent opportunities to address efficiency, collaboration, and urgent space needs, and also to create a long-term investment in downtown Corvallis.

The Civic Campus Community Engagement Task Force is made up of community volunteers representing a wide variety of stakeholder groups. The Task Force developed an engagement plan that gathered feedback from many different groups and individuals over the spring and summer of 2024. The Task Force members weighed this feedback and developed their final recommendations at a series of public meetings earlier this year. Data and findings from this outreach are included in the final report.

Recommendations from the Task Force report will be considered by the Council alongside other aspects of technical feasibility, financial viability, and environmental compatibility as they approach a decision on the Civic Campus proposal and other projects in the citywide facilities project. For more information, visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/facilities.

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 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):

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:    November 20, 2-3pm , 2nd 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
   
• Digital Life Classes:  1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am:  Learn about various technology topics with library staff.  Free, drop in.
   
• November Novel Writing Challenge Sessions:  Drop in and write!
   
• 2024 Champinefu Series:  November 6, 7-8:30 pm, virtual.  OSU Anthropology Professor Molly Carney presents how and why camas is a cultural and ecological keystone plant for Kalapuya. 
   
• Craft Night for Adults:  November 19 , 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room  For ages 16+.   This month’s craft: watercolor/oil pastel (mixed media) painting
   
• Random Review:  November 20  12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online  Evan Gottlieb reviews The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
   
• Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin:  November 20, 6-7pm, Main Meeting Room.   Experience a multimedia journey along the Columbia River from source to sea with conservation photographer and author David Moskowitz. 
   
• Game Night at the Library: November 21, 5-6:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Board games, card games and video games for all ages! 
   
• OSU MFA Reading Series: November 1 , 5-6pm, Main Meeting Room. In partnership with Oregon State University, the MFA Reading Series brings a monthly rotation of free literary readings to the library! 
   
• 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!

In this issue: New city logo, Fire Department open house, and more!

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New City Logo and Branding Coming Soon

The City of Corvallis is rolling out a new municipal logo next month. The new logo will be part of a comprehensive brand system that will replace our existing logo that was first introduced in 1985. Look for the new brand to start appearing on documents, forms, signs, and other high-visibility areas of city operations. (The old logo will remain in use for a while during this transition process.)

You might be wondering ... why a new logo? Well, in the almost 40 years since the existing logo made its debut, the communications and community engagement needs of local governments (like Corvallis) have changed quite a bit. A logo that used to primarily be featured atop printed documents, letter, and bills has given way to a municipal identity that is used across a wide variety of platforms like websites, digital apps, and social media. Community members are just as likely to encounter the brand on their mobile device screen as on a printed piece of paper.

With all of this in mind, we engaged Madison Avenue Collective (MAC), a local design firm with extensive experience creating new brand identities for government agencies (including some familiar names here in Corvallis). MAC embarked on a six-month creative process to gather input, develop iterative conceptual designs, and finally zero in on a solid concept that could be built out into a fully realized, modern brand system. The goal of the project was to create a modern, consistent brand system that included a recognizable primary logo, together with plenty of creative icons, graphics, and colors to help enhance City communications and outreach. 

In many cases, we will have the opportunity to roll out the new City logo on certain items as part of their normal replacement schedule. This is the most cost effective solution and ensures that we aren’t disposing of useful items ahead of schedule. Other changes and updates will likely take place on a longer timeline.

The new design and visually rich supporting elements lend themselves well to branding and placemaking. The City logo will look right at home alongside logos from partner agencies, educational institutions, events venues, and other community organizations.

For a period of probably 12 to 18 months, community members will likely encounter both the new City logo as well as the older “legacy” logo in use throughout the community as the replacement process gets underway. This is a normal, if slightly confusing, aspect of our brand rollout.

We're excited to bring a new, creative look to the City of Corvallis!

Ranked Choice Voting Returns for November General Election

The City of Corvallis will be using ranked choice voting for the November 5, 2024 municipal general election.

Ranked choice voting is a system that gives voters the ability to rank candidates in order of preference – 1st choice, 2nd choice, and 3rd choice. Corvallis used ranked choice voting for the first time in 2022. 

In the 2024 election, ranked choice voting will apply in two local City Council races that feature three or more candidates: Ward 6 City Councilor and Ward 7 City Councilor. Voters in those two wards will see ranked choice options for the City Council ballot. For all other Corvallis City races, voters will select one candidate.

Using ranked choice voting, the candidate with a majority of first-choice votes wins. If no candidate receives more than fifty percent of the first choice votes, then the candidate who receives the fewest first choice votes is eliminated from the race. Votes for the eliminated candidate are instantly recast to the voters’ next-choice candidate. This process repeats itself until one candidate receives more than fifty percent of the votes or there are only two candidates left.

Check out this short video for an overview of how the system works.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about ranked choice voting, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

Featured Jobs: Talent Acquisition Specialist & Senior Accountant

This month we're putting the spotlight on a pair of career opportunities at the City of Corvallis: the Talent Acquisition Specialist (in the Human Resources Department) and the Senior Accountant (in the Finance Department).

Check out both jobs, along with our other current openings, on the City website.

Fire Department Trains with Max Fire Box

We don’t always think about the Corvallis Fire Department being at the forefront of sustainability decisions at the City. But they’re looking for opportunities to refine their operations and implement new techniques whenever possible. In this case, CFD had an opportunity to roll out a new training tool: the Max Fire Box. It’s a small, self-contained demonstration device used to simulate live fires.

If you didn’t already know – Fire Departments train A LOT. And we want them to do so! But training with live fire requires a lot of space and a lot of money. And the result (a large, smoky fire) isn’t great for the environment, or the firefighters who are suited up and taking part in the training exercise. The Max Fire Box provides a small, safe, environmentally friendly venue to examine critical fire activity such as flashovers, backdrafts, and smoke explosions. There’s a reduced impact on air quality, and the firefighters themselves are exposed to lower levels of toxic gases – an important factor as the City strives to operate a sustainable workplace that prioritizes employee health and safety.

In this photo, CFD firefighters are using thermal imaging tools to evaluate the small, contained fire in the Max Fire Box. This gives them the up-close training opportunity that leads to safe decisions in rapidly changing environments in our community. Great work, CFD!

Tyler Avenue Bikeway Design Nearing Completion

We're very close to finalizing the updated design of the Tyler Avenue Neighborhood Bikeway project. After an open house in June, the project team has incorporated community input and refined the plans. You can take a peek at the updated design right here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0b0ad9acec104c26a137884bd57417ce

To subscribe to quarterly project updates from the Active Transportation team, visit our newsletter signup page. 

Fire Department Open House Scheduled for October 12

Mark your calendars for the Corvallis Fire Department's annual open house and safety fair. This fun, family-friendly event returns on Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Event details can be found on the City's website calendar.

Do I Need a Building Permit?

Oregon law requires you to obtain permits for a range of installations, alterations, and construction performed on your home. Permits ensure that the work meets minimum codes and standards, which protect you and your family from safety risks like fire hazards and structural failures. They also help eliminate costly repairs and save money in the long run.

Some of the most common home projects that require a permit are listed below.

• Build or demolish a detached accessory structure that exceeds 200 square feet.
• Add an attached patio cover over 200 square feet.
• Construct a fence over 7 feet in height.
• Build a deck more than 30 inches above grade.
• Finish an existing attic, garage, or basement to create living or conditioned space.

Additional information, including permit exemptions and requirements for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, can be found in our Do I Need a Permit – Guide. If you still aren’t sure whether your project requires a permit, or to get more information about the permitting process, go to Development Services Permits & Plan Review. You can also contact Development Services at 541-766-6929 or development.services@corvallisoregon.gov if you have additional questions or want to discuss your potential project in further detail.

City Council Meetings in October

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 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):

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:   1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Tech Help Lab:   1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd 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.

• Digital Life Classes:  1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am:  Learn about various technology topics with library staff.  Free, drop in.

• Random Review:  October 9 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online  Joel Zapata reviews Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora

• Craft Night for Adults:  October 15, 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room  For ages 16+. 

• OSU MFA Reading Series: October 18, 5-6pm, Main Meeting Room. In partnership with Oregon State University, the MFA Reading Series brings a monthly rotation of free literary readings to the library! 

• Cooks and Books: Syrian Cuisine with Khalo Naser:  October 24, 5-6:30 pm, Corvallis Community Center.  A free in-person cooking demonstration and showcase of cookbooks at C3. 

• 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!

In this issue: Food hub grants, news about sustainability, and more!

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South Corvallis Food Hub Grant Recipients Announced

The Corvallis Benton County Economic Development Office has announced the recipients of the first round of funding for the South Corvallis Food Hub grant program. Financing in the amount of $495,000 was available from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to kickstart access to food in South Corvallis.

Ten applications were received totaling more than $1.7 million in funding requests. A diverse evaluation committee reviewed the applications against the goals of the South Corvallis Food Hub project, which sought to improve food access in South Corvallis, incubate food businesses, and create new connections within the local food system. The Corvallis Benton EDO partnered with the Linn-Benton Small Business Development Center to help applicants develop proposals free of charge and facilitate meetings with Spanish-speaking community members. The Benton County Health Department provided time, equipment and guidance to potential applicants.

Grant awards and descriptions of each project are included below:

1. Benton County Food Forum - $5,000 to fund delivery of produce and meals from the Southtown Stand and Farmers’ Market using a combination of e-bikes, cargo bikes, and conventional bikes.
2. Flicker & Fir, LLC - $37,000 for improvements at the Southtown Stand & Farmers’ Market for sun and rain mitigation, food vendor support and storage, bike racks, and a pilot program aimed at expanding vendor sales through pre-orders.
3. Ten Rivers Food Web - $153,000 to fund operations of a South Corvallis aggregation facility to receive, store, and distribute local food products to institutional purchasers and business owners through local delivery.
4. Grow, Thrive and Prosper People's Collective - $50,000 to provide services including: access to shared kitchen space, storage, training and workshops, marketing support, pop-up market access, events, training, low barrier micro-grants, and business incubation support.
5. Las Doñas del Sur - $250,000 to fund the purchase and operations of food trucks for 9 co-located entrepreneurs at a destination in South Corvallis.

The funding will be distributed to the recipients before December 31, 2024. Per the grant agreements, applicants will develop and launch their projects in 2025 with assistance from the Economic Development Office and other local resources.

For more information on the South Corvallis Food Hub project, visit https://yescorvallis.org/grow.

Sign Up to Receive News About Sustainability from the City of Corvallis

There's a new home for news, announcements, and updates related to sustainability from the City of Corvallis. Visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/notify to sign up for the new "Sustainability, Conservation, & Climate Action" email notification category.

We'll be using this  new communications channel to share news and information from all City departments about how we're achieving our organizational goals and how the community can learn more, get involved, and do their part to help advance sustainability and climate action throughout Corvallis.

Subscribers can expect a few newsy announcements each month as we get rolling with this new outreach channel. We'd love to hear from you about what you'd like to see. Drop us an email at pio@corvallisoregon.gov anytime.

Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN!

Register today for the Corvallis Turkey Trot. Registration is OPEN for the November 28 race event. 

CARE Event Returns on September 17

The City of Corvallis, Benton County Health Department, Samaritan Health Services, Oregon Department of Human Services and Community Outreach Inc are partnering to offer the fourth annual Corvallis Area Resource Event (CARE) on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking garage of the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Avenue.

Local service providers of all varieties will be present to offer a “one-stop shop” for people in need to get engaged with important resources. Free sandwiches will be provided to the first 100 attendees.

Public transportation to the event is available through the Corvallis Transit System, Benton Area Transit, Coast to Valley Express and the 99 Express with stops in Adair Village, Philomath and Blodgett.

More information is available at www.corvallisoregon.gov/CARE.

Update on Buchanan Avenue Road Discussion at Corvallis High School

The City has paused the proposed restriping project on Buchanan Avenue outside Corvallis High School. The School District wants to implement operational changes to the front entrance of Corvallis High School along Buchanan Avenue with the start of this coming school year. The School District intends to provide additional communication to parents and students that drop-off and pickup of students should not take place on Buchanan Avenue or within the front loop. The School will provide staff in the morning and afternoon to monitor Buchanan Avenue and ask parents to drive to appropriate locations for drop-off and pickup. Optionally, the School may place signs, cones, or barricades to remind parents of the appropriate drop-off and pickup locations.

The City will continue to work with the School District to evaluate the changes that they implemented. If changes to City signs, parking, or striping are still warranted after the School District’s operational changes, we will work with the School District and community to scope a project that fits within our available budget and communicate this to the community.

For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit the project website here. 

Questions or feedback can be directed to Ted Reese, the City's Transportation Engineering Supervisor, at Ted.Reese@corvallisoregon.gov or 541-766-6916.

Development Services is Going Paperless

To provide a more sustainable plan review process, The City's Development Services Division will begin to transition to paperless permitting on October 1, 2024. Development Services processes building permits and schedules inspections for most residential and commercial construction projects in the City.

Incoming applications, plans, and other documents can be uploaded through our online portal at www.corvallispermits.com. The system is free and allows community members to apply for permits, schedule inspections, pay fees, as well as upload and/or download plans and other permit documents at their convenience.

Electronic permitting streamlines the plan review process, reduces the need for paper plans, and allows convenient access to important information 24 hours a day. Help us go paperless by submitting your permit application online today!

City Council Meetings in September

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 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):

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:   1st Wednesday, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
   
• Tech Help Lab:   1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd 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.
   
• SEA WITHOUT A SHORE Book Launch & Signing!:  September 7, 10:30am, Main Meeting Room.  A party for Katherine Roy’s new children’s book!
   
• Unleash your Inner Child: Playfulness Exercises in Nature:  September 7, 1-3pm, Main Meeting Room.   Learn what happens to our inner child as we age and practice some fun exercises in nature!
   
• Digital Life Classes:  1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays, 11:00am:  Learn about various technology topics with library staff.  Free, drop in.
   
• Random Review:  September 11, 12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online  Barb Lachenbruch reviews Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny
   
• Sculpting Theatrical Masks with The Majestic Theatre:  September 14, 11-12:30, Main Meeting Room.  Learn how to create a theatrical mask!  For ages 16+ Registration required. 
   
• Bringing Greater Ease to Difficult Conversations:  September 14, 2-3:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Join Anna Cassilly to explore the skills necessary to effectively communicate in a conflict. 
   
• Craft Night for Adults:  September 17, 5:30-7pm. For ages 16+.  September’s craft is macrame.
   
• Nerf Night for Adults 18+:  September 20, 6:15-8:15, Main Meeting Room.   Snacks, crafts, and Nerf games after hours in the library! 
   
• Daily Mindfulness Routines in Nature for Everyday Health:  September 21, 1-3pm, Main Meeting Room.  Learn about the health benefits of simple mindfulness exercises involving nature that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.
   
• Library at Tardeada Hispana with Casa Latinos Unidos:  September 21, 3-6pm, C3: Join Casa Latinos Unidos for la gran Tardeada Hispana.  For the whole family!   
   
• Take Apart Workshop: September 24, 4:00-5:30, Main Meeting room.  Take small appliances and electronics apart in this hands-on workshop.  Ages 10+
   
• 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!

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. 

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):

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

• Outdoor Storytime, 10:30am Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August. Storytime is moving to Central Park for the summer!    Rain location:  Main Meeting Room
   
• Infant Storytime:  For babies 0-1.  Wednesdays at 10:30 in the Main Meeting Room. 
   
• Free Employment Help: 1st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
   
• Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd 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.
   
• Super Family Get Down With Mo Phillips:  July 10, 10:30 am, Main Meeting Room An interactive dance party full of laughing and generally silliness.
   
• Craft Night for Adults: Beaded Windchimes:  July 16, 5:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  For ages 16+
   
• Teddy Bear Picnic with Red Yarn:  July 18, 10:30am, Central Park Join Red Yarn for a high-energy, playful children’s concert  featuring folk songs and puppetry.
   
• Author Event: Sidney Morrison: Frederick Douglass A Novel:  July 18, 5:30pm, Main Meeting Room Everyone is welcome to join Author Sidney Morrison as he presents Frederick Douglass: A Novel
   
• Fiesta con Nathalia: A bilingual family concert:  July 21, 1:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Children’s songwriter Nathalia engages families in an interactive bilingual musical performance. 
   
• 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.
   
• Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!

Please click on the link below for more information. 

Notice of finding of no significant impact and notice of intent to request release of funds.

In this issue: Run for elected office in Corvallis, take the Civic Campus survey, and more!

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Filing Period Opens June 5 for Upcoming November Election

Prospective Corvallis City Council candidates can begin filing paperwork starting June 5 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.

Election Info Session on June 24

An election information session is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, June 24 to share additional information about the election process, including forms, deadlines, and other key milestones. The session will be held in the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave. Corvallis, broadcast online via Zoom, and recorded.

More information about the upcoming November 5, 2024 general election is available online at www.corvallisoregon.gov/elections.

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.

Tyler Avenue Bikeway Open House

Join the City of Corvallis Active Transportation and Toole Design staff for an open discussion on the design of the Tyler Avenue Neighborhood Bikeway on Tuesday, June 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Downtown Fire Station (400 NW Harrison Blvd). 

Neighborhood Bikeways aim to prioritize people and provide low-stress routes for people traveling by foot or wheel, while still accommodating motor vehicle traffic and on-street parking. Learn more about Neighborhood Bikeways on the City website.

There will be no set presentation for the event — come and go as you please. We hope to see you there!

Can’t make it to the in-person event? Participate in the online Open House, starting June 12, at: www.corvallisoregon.gov/nb

Funds Available Through Downtown Corvallis Revolving Loan Program

The Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office is now accepting complete applications on a first come, first served basis for the Corvallis Downtown Revolving Loan Fund Program. The total program funds available are $38,500 until more funding becomes available in the future. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until all funds are expended.

Loan funds can be used for a variety of business investments, including rehabilitation, painting, window repair, interior design, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and sustainability improvements. The program rules and application are available on the Economic Development Office website. 

New Fire Risk Signs Installed in Corvallis

Have you seen the new signs around town? Last month, the Corvallis Fire Department put the finishing touches on THREE brand new fire risk signs located at key points throughout our community. These are the same signs you see elsewhere in Oregon to keep the community apprised of fire risk, particularly during the hot and dry summer months.

The first sign is really something special – local teen Keaton Davis designed the sign through his high school shop program as part of his Eagle Scout project. The sign is mounted on wheels so CFD staff can move it around to different high-visibility corners near Station 1 to capture peak traffic at different times of the day. Keaton is the son of retired Corvallis Firefighter Kevin Davis, and we truly appreciate the work that went into this cool, functional sign.

The second sign was placed outside Lincoln Elementary along OR 99W / SW 3rd Street. This was a combined effort by Corvallis School District, Oregon Department of Forestry, and CFD. Corvallis CERT Program Manager Trent England designed and built the sturdy wood frames. This sign was intentionally placed in South Corvallis to promote community education about fire risk broadly in Corvallis. ODF Firefighters Rick Harris, Thomas Williams, and Ryan Schmidtgall helped CERT volunteers build the sign frames.

And the third sign was placed with the cooperation of Comcast on the corner of OR 99W and Lewisburg Avenue. Comcast staff Reid Wyse (Facilities Specialist) and Kevin Bannister (Tech Ops Supervisor) were instrumental in determining the location and working with Comcast for approval of the installation. Members of the Corvallis Rural Fire Protection District Board Bob Conder, Heidi Hagler, and Tony O’Donahue were very grateful for a new sign location to help get the fire risk word out to community members in the northern portion of our service area.

We’re excited to have these three brand-new signs deployed around Corvallis and the surrounding community. These signs were purchased using funds provided by the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal. Big thanks to the many, many different partnerships that made this project come together!

New Bike Maps Now Available

They’re Here! Freshly Updated Corvallis Bike Maps are OUT!

Bike Month took place in May, and we celebrated by introducing our newly updated Corvallis Bicycle Map. Last updated in 2018, the new map reflects recent changes to infrastructure and revised information about cycling in Corvallis.

Download the Corvallis Bike Map by visiting our website

Physical maps are here! You can pick yours up at any of the following locations:

• Corvallis Bicycle Collective
• Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
• Corvallis Cyclery
• First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op North and South Stores
• Osborn Aquatic Center

Whether you are riding for fun, fitness, with family, taking essential trips to work or shopping, you are part of the movement for safer streets, connected communities, a healthier planet and of course, happier people.

South Corvallis Food Hub Grant Application Now Open

Applications are being accepted for the new South Corvallis Food Hub Grant Program. This program will solicit proposals to distribute nearly $500,000 to support the local food system in South Corvallis. 

This program is designed to be accessible, and we have many partners who are willing to help folks that are interested in applying. The City appreciates our partners who helped develop this project, especially those at the City, County and LBCC Small Business Development Center who have been generous with their time and energy. Staff at the Economic Development Office are available to answer questions and assist with collaboration to ensure these limited financial resources are impactful.

Community Members Play Key Role in Benton County Wildfire Evacuation Drill

The spring may have been wet, but the long, dry summer wildfire season is right around the corner. As part of an ongoing effort for enhance emergency preparedness, Benton County and the City of Corvallis teamed up May 18 to conduct a wildfire evacuation drill. The drill served as a valuable opportunity for emergency responders and residents to practice wildfire evacuation procedures and test communication systems.

Hundreds of community members, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), participated, ensuring a successful drill.

The County's Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) was the Kalapuya Building on SW Research Way, Corvallis and the City’s TEP was at the Northwest Hills Community Church on Walnut in Corvallis. The drills involved Community Emergency Response Team volunteers to ensure a coordinated and effective response and service as a valuable opportunity for residents and emergency responders to practice wildfire evacuation procedures and test communication systems. It is part of ongoing efforts to enhance emergency preparedness in Benton County. 

"We are excited to partner with the City of Corvallis on this important drill," said Benton County Emergency Manager Bryan Lee, prior to the drill. "By working together, we can better prepare our community for emergencies and ensure that everyone is safe and informed." 

Erin McMahon, the director of Oregon Emergency Management, was on hand from Salem for the drill. She was impressed with the high level of volunteerism displayed by the citizens and CERT.

“It has been impressive to see the whole community come together and display all the hard work that went into this response training,” said McMahon. She also pointed out that the Benton County and Corvallis emergency disaster response effort has been an organized effort from the ground up – not forced down from the state.

Dave Busby, Corvallis Fire Emergency Planning Manager, was very pleased with the results of the evacuation drill.

“It further improved the collaborative effort between the residents, the CERT volunteers, and city and county emergency personnel,” he said.

According to Busby, the drill reminded residents and emergency personnel how quickly a normal day can turn dangerous.

“You always need to be prepared to quickly evacuate, especially during wildfire season,” he said.

Busby pointed out there were three main aspects of the evacuation drill. The first was to provide community members the opportunity to walk through the process of an evacuation. The second was having the CERT volunteers work a temporary evacuation plan, and the third part was testing the Linn-Benton Emergency Alert System.

Preparation is the key to the success of handling an emergency, stated Samaritan Health Services Emergency Manager Howard Ferguson.

“The planning helps agencies to better know where and what their resources are it further improves the coordination amongst participating organizations.”

A key part of the drill was putting the recently completed Oak Creek Evacuation Route to the test. The limited-use service road (through the OSU Sheep Farm) connects NW Oak Creek Drive with NW Ponderosa Avenue, providing an alternative exit path for numerous northwest Corvallis residents in the event of a mass evacuation. The route passed with flying colors as many motorists navigated the corridor during the evacuation drill.

If you haven’t already, residents can sign up for emergency evacuation route notifications with the Linn-Benton ALERT system at https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/. After signing up for the alerts you will receive all emergency-related notifications related to your location.

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):

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

Summer reading starts June 1 for kids, teens, and adults!

Find out more and get started: cbcpl.net/summeratyourlibrary

See our summer events: corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com

• Outdoor Storytime, 10:30am Tuesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August. Storytime is moving to Central Park for the summer! Rain location: Main Meeting Room
   
• Infant Storytime:  For babies 0-1.  Wednesdays at 10:30 in the Main Meeting Room. 
   
• Free Employment Help: 1st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.
   
• Tech Help Lab: 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday, 2nd 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.
   
• Model Train Show: June 1 and 2, Main Meeting Room  The Oregon Electric O Gaugers bring a model train show for the whole family.
   
• Children's Concert: Jessa Campbell:  June 5, 10:30, Main Meeting Room Join Jessa Campbell  for a free children's concert that bridges the worlds of music and ecology.
   
• Nerf night for Adults:  June 7, 6:15-8:15.  Rainbow Nerf night for adults with snacks and crafts.
   
• Random Review: June 12, 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room. Susan Rodgers reviews Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
   
• Pride Storytime with Haus of Dharma:  June 12, 6:00pm, Main Meeting Room.  a special evening storytime celebrating Pride with drag performers from Haus of Dharma! This event is for families of all ages.
   
• Loose Flagstone Celtic Quartet:  June 15, 2-3pm, Main Meeting Room.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a free afternoon of lively Celtic music!
   
• Craft Night for Adults: Pride Crafts!:  June 18, 5:30-7:00, Main Meeting Room.   June craft for Adults 18+:  Rainbow crafts for Pride month!
   
• Journey Under the Sea:  June 26, 1:30-2:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Children and their families are invited to join the Museum of  Natural and Cultural History for hands-on science fun.
   
• PRIDE Family Craft Night (for all ages!):  June 25, 5:30-7:00, Main Meeting Room.  June craft for Families:  Rainbow crafts for Pride Month!
   
• In My Library Era: Taylor Swift Party:  June 29, 2-4pm, Main Meeting Room.  Calling all Swifties!  Grab your cardigans and join us at the Library for an Eras Party that is sure to be timeless!  Teens, Tweens and all ages welcome!
   
• 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.
   
• Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!

In this issue: Green grants, Adopt a Path, Volunteer Opportunities, and 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. There are more than a dozen different boards, commissions, and committees recruiting right now, including our brand new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Advisory Board! We've also got vacancies on many long-running boards such as the Climate Action Advisory Board, Library Board, and the Community Police Review Board.

We're also seeking volunteers to serve on the city's Planning Commission and Historic Resources Commission. These two opportunities are a little different than the rest of our advisory group positions, so be sure to visit the Planning Commission or Historic Resources Commission pages and read all about the vacancies.

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

Join us for the Monroe Avenue Corridor Study Open House

The City of Corvallis and Oregon State University (OSU) are collaborating on a project which will develop a conceptual improvement plan for Monroe Avenue between 14th and 26th Streets. Both the City and OSU recognize the importance of this corridor as a connection between the community, the university, and businesses and organizations that share its frontage. The plan will focus on enhancing the safety and comfort for people walking, biking, driving, and accessing transit as they travel along Monroe.

Join us for a community open house to learn more about the plan and how it will benefit the Monroe Avenue corridor.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024
6:00—8:00 PM
Corvallis Community Center (C3)
Chandler Ball Room
2601 NW Tyler Avenue

OSU and City staff, along with the consultant team from Kittelson and Associates, will be sharing information gathered from the interactive mapping exercise and survey, as well as some initial corridor improvement concepts. The event is free and open to the public.

If you would like to be included on our interested parties email list for future meeting notices, just send an email to monroeave@corvallisoregon.gov, and we will make sure to keep you informed of future events.

Applications Open for Green Grants from the City!

The City is accepting applications for the 2024 Green Grants program through May 13, 2024. This year, the program has $5,000 available for small dollar grants to make sustainable improvements related to recycling, green space, energy efficiency, active transportation, water conservation, community gardens, and other topics from the Corvallis Climate Action Plan. 

The funds may be used by applicants for programs and projects that address the community actions in the Corvallis Climate Action Plan. 

Read more about the Green Grants program here: corvallisoregon.gov/green-grants

City Receives 40,000 Gallon Portable Water Treatment System

The City of Corvallis has bolstered its emergency preparedness efforts with the recent receipt of a grant-funded portable water treatment system capable of producing up to 40,000 gallons of potable water per day.

The trailer-mounted purification system was custom built for the City using a grant from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) grant program. Grant funding in 2019 initially provided just over $100,000 for a portable water treatment system that was intended to provide mobile fresh water for localized areas that might lose their connection to the citywide water system during a disaster.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the impact to global supply chains heavily affected the timeline to purchase and construct the water treatment trailer. During 2021 and 2022, the manufacturer was forced to pause work as essential components proved difficult to obtain. The total cost eventually rose to about $160,000 for the completed trailer system.

The last piece of equipment was installed in February 2024, and staff in the City’s Public Works Department received training to operate the complex treatment system. As currently configured, the portable treatment trailer would be able to pull water from a river or creek and produce up to 40,000 gallons of treated drinking water per day. Distribution of the treated water would be coordinated by community volunteers, such as Corvallis CERT.

“We’re grateful to the Oregon Legislature for funding this grant program that eventually helped Corvallis acquire this critical piece of infrastructure,” said Emergency Planning Manager Dave Busby. “In spite of the pandemic delays and cost overruns, the wait was worth it. This water treatment system will give us an important new tool in our toolbox in the event of a disaster.”

The Corvallis water treatment system was one of 10 other portable water trailers delivered to tribal, county, and city agencies through the $5 million SPIRE grant program.

Contractors' Summit Coming Up May 17

The City of Corvallis Development Services Division will be hosting a Contractors’ Summit on Friday, May 17 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. Development Services staff will be presenting a variety of information, including building code updates, tips for applying for permits, erosion/grading best practices, and changes to the City’s stormwater requirements. The event will be held at the Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Avenue.

Development Services staff will also be available after the presentation to answer questions. To RSVP, send an email to Development.Services@corvallisoregon.gov. See you on May 17!

May Is Historic Preservation Month in Corvallis!

Corvallis is full of events for Historic Preservation Month! This year's theme is Trails Through Time. Some events require registration, all are free. 

Events are posted online at https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/historic-preservation-month

This events schedule is a collaboration between the Benton County and Corvallis Historic Resources Commissions, the Albany Heritage Commission, and PreservationWORKS. All events are operated by volunteers – please thank them for their service. Benton County and Corvallis will be celebrating our volunteers at an annual ceremony, which takes place on May 30 at the LaSells Stewart Center on OSU campus this year.

Celebrating Sister Cities Month

During May, the Corvallis Sister Cities Association is celebrating Sister Cities Month and the importance of developing friendship, awareness and understanding between Corvallis and our Sister Cities of Uzhhorod, Ukraine and Gondar, Ethiopia.

During May we invite you to:

• Visit us at the Farmers Market on Saturday May 4 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Join the Corvallis – Gondar Walk for Water, Saturday May 18, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds. For more information or to register, go to https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/gondar-walk-for-water/
• Take a walk in Central Park (across from the Benton County Library) to see our sister city flags.
• Become a member of our Sister Cities Association. You can join through our website at https://sistercities.corvallis.or.us/membership/
• Consider volunteering for the Corvallis Sister Cities Association board of directors or for the Uzhhorod or Gondar councils. For information email the Sister Cities Association at CorvallisSCA@gmail.com

Save the Date for Open Streets in July!

Open Streets returns on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us for our 6th annual, free street festival that re-imagines our shared public spaces – streets and parks – as places where people want to walk, bike, and play.

This year’s car-free route travels between Garfield Park and Cloverland Park with a mid-route activity hub along the northern edge of Porter Park.

Click here for more information about Open Streets!

Adopt a Path in Corvallis!

The City of Corvallis Adopt-A-Path program has new path segments available for adoption!

Help keep our shared use paths clean and free of vegetation, with select segments open NOW for immediate adoption.

How it works is simple:

• Adopt-a-path on behalf of yourself, your family or an organization.
• Agree to two years of service and complete three clean-ups per year.
• We provide all necessary tools and materials for path maintenance. You provide the coordination, the volunteers, and the cleanup.

Your participation toward making our paths more enjoyable, encourages active travel and earns you an acknowledgment sign that recognizes you or your group.

Interested in learning more? Visit https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/adopt-path-program

OR 99W South Corvallis Facility Plan Online Open House

The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting an online open house for members of the community to learn more about plans to improve safety and mobility along OR 99W in South Corvallis.

​The City of Corvallis enjoys a reputation for livability, which includes community characteristics supporting a high rate of walking and biking. However some areas of the City, like OR 99W south of U.S. 20,  have transportation facilities that could better support active modes of travel. The ​purpo​​se of this project is to determine how best to improve safety and mobility in this corridor.​​

A combination of factors make meeting the various travel demands in this corridor and improving safety and user comfort challenging, particularly for walking and biking. The challenges include:​

• Five lane wide highway in an urban and suburban setting.
• Limited north-south local street connections that provide alternative routes.
• Few crossings of the Marys River and railroad.
• Automobile-oriented development that favors driving.

This planning effort will inform how investments can be made to improve the transportation system in south Corvallis. It will address the safety, comfort, and attractiveness of walking and biking in south Corvallis as well as vehicular safety, mobility, and access on OR 99W.

Click here to explore the online open house (available through May 15, 2024).

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):

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: 1st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd 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.

• Digital Life: Saturdays, 11am-12:15pm, 2nd Floor Classroom.  Learn about a different technology topic each week.

• Author Event: The Sea Hides a Seahorse by Sara T. Behrman:  May 4, 10:30am, Main Meeting Room.  Join a debut author for a reading, crafts and songs! Perfect for ages 4-8.

• Pride Storytime with Haus of Dharma:  May 8, 6:00pm, Main Meeting Room.  a special evening storytime celebrating Pride with drag performers from Haus of Dharma! This event is for families of all ages.

• Random Review: May 8 , 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room Kourtni Rader reviews  Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner

• Puzzle Swap: May 18 ,  12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room.  Bring your puzzles to swap!  All ages and levels welcome.

• Craft Night for Adults: May 21, 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room.  For ages 16 +.  This month’s craft is paper flowers.

• Robotics Day: May 25 2-5pm, Main Meeting Room.  Experience robotics and fun STEM-related activities with the robotics teams from local schools in our community. 

• 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 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!

The City of Corvallis and Oregon State University (OSU) are collaborating on a project which will develop a conceptual improvement plan for Monroe Avenue between 14th and 26th Streets. Both the City and OSU recognize the importance of this corridor as a connection between the community, University, and businesses and organizations that share its frontage. The plan will focus on enhancing the safety and comfort for people walking, biking, driving, and accessing transit as they travel along Monroe.

COMMUNITY SURVEY AND MAPPING EXERCISE

During the month of December, 2023, the community was asked to share their thoughts on the Monroe Avenue corridor through an on-line survey and mapping exercise.  Below is a summary of the information collected through this exercise.

Technical Memo

Appendix A – Online Map Comments

Appendix B – Survey Summary and Responses

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE #1

A community open house was held at the Corvallis Community Center (C3) on May 8, 2024.  The following visual materials were available for public comment and input.

Goals and Improvement Concepts:  This series of posters identify the goals of the corridor study, the existing conditions on Monroe, and some initial improvement strategies that were considered by the project team before being refined into two corridor concepts for public comment.

Concept #1: Buffered westbound bike lane with an eastbound shared vehicle/bike lane.  Bikes would share the travel lane with vehicles when traveling downhill (eastbound) but would be provided with a buffered bike lane when traveling uphill (westbound).  The additional space provided by not striping the westbound bike lane, as well as parking removal, provide additional flexibility and width available to the pedestrian zone.

Concept #2:  A two-way cycle track is provided for bicycles on the south side of Monroe Avenue. This provides a protected path for bicyclists.  Parking removal would be used to expand the pedestrian zone.

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE #2

Over the past year, the City and OSU have developed, discussed, and evaluated a number of possible corridor improvement concepts. Several of the more promising concepts have been shared with stakeholders and members of the general public through engagement efforts that included an online mapping tool, a corridor walk, a project survey, a stakeholder briefing meeting, and a community open house.  The outcome of this process has been the development of a preferred concept that was shared at this open house event on September 25, 2024, held at the Corvallis Community Center (C3).

The following links will connect you with some information that was presented at the open house:

Opening Presentation:  Phill Worth of Kittelson & Associates provided a PowerPoint presentation providing background information on the process that has led to the development of a preferred concept.

Poster Materials:  Display boards provided additional information on the preferred concept being presented.

Preferred Concept:  This map provides a graphic illustration of proposed improvements to the entire Monroe corridor between 14^th and 26^th Streets.  Use your PDF viewer’s zoom feature to magnify the map, and scroll to the left and right to travel along the length of the corridor.

NEXT STEPS

With information gathered from our stakeholder meetings and open houses, a final report will be developed detailing the proposed conceptual design.  Ultimately, the proposed plan will be adopted into the City’s Transportation System Plan by the City Council.  At this time, the schedule for Council consideration of the proposed plan is yet to be identified.  Once it has been developed, it will be shared with our interested parties email list.

If you are not already on our email list, and would like to be kept informed of the process, or if you have additional questions, you can contact the project team at monroeave@corvallisoregon.gov.

In this issue: Apply for an Empowerment Grant, test your water conservation knowledge, and more!

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Empowerment Grant Program Accepting Applications April 1 - April 30

The popular Empowerment Grant program will begin accepting applications on April 1. This year, a total of $15,000 is available for small cash grants from the City of Corvallis to fund projects around the community. The grant program is inviting applications from the community in two broad categories:

• Neighborhood Empowerment Grants are focused on improving geographic areas in Corvallis. Past projects have included landscape improvements, neighborhood events, public art installations, education programs, and training services.
• Community Empowerment Grants are focused on assisting individuals and organizations doing enriching work throughout Corvallis. Example grants include cultural events, guest lectures, and outreach campaigns. Often this work cuts across different geographic areas and may serve diverse community groups.

Empowerment grants are typically in the range of $250 to $600 each, though larger sums are available for applicants who can partner with a nonprofit organization to receive the funds on their behalf. Anyone can apply for an Empowerment Grant, though some restrictions and guidelines may apply. Visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/empowerment to learn more.

Applications will be accepted from April 1 to April 30, with grant funding expected to be distributed in June.

This is a competitive grant program. Applications will be reviewed by City staff with input from the City's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Board. Selected grants will be awarded by the City Council. Successful applications will demonstrate clear support from the Corvallis community through volunteers, matching funds, and donations.

Anytime on or after April 1, potential applicants are encouraged to visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/empowerment to apply online or download an application packet. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 30, 2024 for this grant cycle.

For more information on empowerment grants, contact Michael Olkin at michael.olkin@corvallisoregon.gov.

Railroad Crossing Improvements Coming Soon

The Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) is planning a railroad maintenance project to help protect against derailments. This work includes replacing the at-grade street crossings of the rail line at several locations in Corvallis. In order to complete the work, each crossing will require a complete closure of the street in the immediate area for the duration of the work, which is expected to take three to four days at a time. Signed detours to nearby alternative routes will be provided during closures. These short-term traffic impacts are inconvenient, but will provide long term benefits to the community with a smoother ride at these locations once the work is complete.

The railroad operator is planning to complete work at the following rail and street crossings in Corvallis:

• NE Conifer Blvd crossing by Cheldelin Middle School
• Circle Blvd crossing between NE Jack London St and NE Conser St
• NW Buchanan Ave crossing
• NW 6th St & NW Tyler Ave crossing
• NW 6th St & NW Harrison Blvd
• NW 6th St & NW Van Buren Ave
• NW 6th St & NW Jackson Ave
• NW/SW 6th St & NW/SW Monroe Ave
• SW 6th St & SW Madison Ave
• SW 6th St & SW Jefferson Ave

The work is planned over several months, likely lasting through at least June. Work is being planned as one crossing at a time, typically occurring over weekends and with one to two weekdays also needed to complete the work depending on the size and complexity of the crossing. The work duration and scheduling is weather and resource dependent and subject to change. Digital street signs will alert the public of the upcoming work in each area.

ARCHIE Soars High for Building Inspections!

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ... ARCHIE? The Development Services Division at City Hall is pleased to implement a brand new drone inspection program. Over the past year, Development Services have been working on developing procedures and training staff to use their new drone, affectionately nicknamed ARCHIE (Aerial Remote Control Home Inspection Expert).

Don’t let the name fool you – ARCHIE will be inspecting more than just homes. ARCHIE will allow Development Services’ inspectors to perform building inspections safely and efficiently, especially on large or tall buildings. When an inspector would normally be required to climb up tall buildings, use ladders or scaffolding, or navigate uneven surfaces, staff will instead be able to deploy ARCHIE to visually inspect the building or elements required under code. This will result in more efficient use of City staff time, as well as reduced safety risks. Some examples of these types of inspections include rooftop mechanical work, solar installations, framing, roofing, and shear wall inspections.

ARCHIE will only be buzzing around to assist with construction inspections associated with active permits, and only after permission has been obtained from the property owner/applicant. The drone will not fly over adjacent properties, people, or the public right-of-way. The drone inspection program follows the Federal Aviation Administration, Part 107 requirements. For more information, go to Drone Inspection Program | Corvallis Oregon.

Test Your Knowledge with the Water Conservation Quiz

We've shared some info about water conservation over the last few weeks. Now it's your turn to tell us what you know! Complete this short questionnaire and you can receive a FREE prize pack full of household water conservation items.

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

(There's a box on the survey to enter your email for the prize pack.)

Prize packs will only be available March 15 through May 15, so grab yours quick!

Let’s Keep Our Sidewalks Clear!

Did you know that the area between your curb and the property line (including sidewalks, planting strip areas, and vegetation extending from your property) is your responsibility to maintain? Regular maintenance helps keep sidewalks and streets safe for bicycles, pedestrians, and people using mobility devices. 

Take a few minutes to walk the sidewalk around your residence to check for overhanging branches, encroaching vegetation, and debris of any kind on the sidewalk surface.

To ensure safe passage for everyone, make sure that vegetation and tree limbs are trimmed to:

• 8 feet above sidewalks
• 12 feet above streets, bike lanes and alleys
• The back edge of the sidewalk or curb

Let’s keep our sidewalks and streets clear of obstructions for those traveling by foot or wheels!

Learn more at: www.corvallisoregon.gov/vegetation

Speed Radar Signs at Bessie Coleman Elementary

Permanent speed radar signs are going in near the beginning of the school zone at Bessie Coleman Elementary School on NW Walnut Boulevard.

This installation is a partnership with the Corvallis School District, which is providing funding for their purchase, while the City is performing the installation. Similar installations have been done on Circle Boulevard at Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School. We're also planning to put in speed radar signs South 3rd Street (OR 99W) at Lincoln Elementary School, utilizing State-provided competitive grant funding from the federal Safe Routes to School Program.

We're excited to get these speed radar signs installed so they can start providing immediate feedback to motorists driving through the area!

Irrigation: Tune up your system

Changing seasons mean…it's time to tune up your irrigation system!

Irrigation systems need adjusted regularly to avoid over or under watering. With spring approaching, now is a good time to upgrade or reset your irrigation system after it was turned off all winter. When deciding how much to water, think about your plants and their water needs. If you're planning any yard renovations this year, consider grouping plants with similar watering needs together. If you have a timer, smart controller, rain sensor, or other weather sensing device attached to your irrigation system, make sure it is working properly. These devices will save you time and money if set up correctly.

Smart controllers such as weather-based irrigation controllers and soil moisture sensors automatically adjust how much to water based on weather information. There are also cheaper alternatives, such as rain sensors or other add-on sensors, that you can pair with timers to irrigate efficiently without spending a ton of money. At the very least, consider investing in a timer! It will conserve water and save you money in the long run.

To adjust the amount you water throughout the spring and summer, you need to know how much water your sprinklers use. Instructions for measuring sprinkler output can be found here. Green grass only needs about an inch of water per week, and it is best to water in the early morning or the evening. Make sure your system is putting out the right amount of water, at the right time, and that there aren't any leaks. For example, if it rains a lot or the soil is wet, water less that week.

More instructions on measuring sprinkler output, information about smart irrigation, a water efficient plant guide for the Willamette Valley and more resources are located on the City's Water Conservation webpage under Outdoor Water Conservation. (Outdoor Water Conservation | Corvallis Oregon).

And if you've read this far ... please take our short water conservation survey to win a prize pack full of indoor and outdoor water conservation items!

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):

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: 1st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2nd Floor Classroom, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Tech Help Lab: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd 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

• Google Docs: April 6 and 13, 11:00-12:15, 2nd Floor Classroom.  Learn how to use Google Drive and Google Docs. 

• Random Review:  April 10 , 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room Dr. Helen Kao reviews  The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke

• Día del Niño/Día del Libro (Children's Day/Book Day):  April 13, 1-3pm, Main Meeting Room.  Festivities will include piñata making, book giveaway, resource fair, and music for the whole family.

• Writing Goals:  April 6 and 13, 1-2:30pm, 2^nd floor Board Room.  Learn about how to get started writing your story with a certified book coach.  This is a 2-part workshop.

• Games Day: April 20  1-4pm,  Main Meeting Room.  Drop in and play board, card and video games for all ages.

• Family Craft Night (for all ages!):  April 23, 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room.  Crafts for all ages!

• 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!

• Library Newsletter: Want to get monthly updates, upcoming events, and other library news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletter!