Corvallis e-News | October 2025

In this issue: Connect with Corvallis, meet the new MLK Park art curator, and more!

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New Online Service Portal Launches in Corvallis

The City of Corvallis has launched Corvallis Connect, an online service portal that helps community members report problems, find resources, and engage with city services. The new portal is available online at www.corvallisoregon.gov/corvallisconnect.

The new service portal is the next step for the popular Report a Problem service, which has been a fixture on the City website for nearly a decade as a convenient way for community members to report potholes, clogged storm drains, and many other common municipal service requests. Corvallis Connect offers the same reporting features, combined with informational resources and a dashboard that lets community members view the status of their requests.

Over the years, the online service portal has proven to be one of the most popular digital tools on the City website. Since 2017, the portal has received nearly 10,000 requests. Nearly a decade after it was developed, the City is upgrading the service to better meet the community’s needs.

With the upgrade to Corvallis Connect, community members will be able to submit requests easily and create a free account to view the status on their reports.

The portal invites users to select from a menu of common issues, then enter a location, followed by contact information that staff can use to request more information if needed.

On the backend, City staff can assign the report to specific work groups and send out automated status updates as they work to resolve the issue. Managers can track reports over time to examine trends and help to direct City services more proactively. 

Corvallis Connect is available on the City website at www.corvallisoregon.gov/corvallisconnect.

The Community Survey is in Your Neighborhood!

Mailings began last week inviting 3,000 randomly selected households to participate in the biennial Corvallis Community Survey. The City conducts the Corvallis Community Survey every two years to gather statistically valid public input about community satisfaction in several broad categories in Corvallis.

Selected households will receive a postcard invitation with a personalized web link to take the survey online. A few days after the postcard, a printed survey will be sent to the same address, so that households have the option of completing either the web survey or the print survey. New for 2025, a selected number of individuals will receive a text message invitation to complete the survey on behalf of their household.

The Corvallis Community Survey is limited to 3,000 households, so don't fret if you're not selected this time around. If you are selected, please complete the survey either online (preferred) or by completing the printed survey and returning it using the postage paid envelope.

The survey is administered by Polco, a public opinion data consultant that specializes in community polling. Later this year, Polco will compile the response data and produce a final survey report, which will be delivered to the City Council. The report will be posted on the City website at www.corvallisoregon.gov/surveys when it is available.

For more information on the survey, please contact Patrick W. Rollens at 541-766-6368 or patrick.rollens@corvallisoregon.gov.

Fall Leaf Collection Begins October 20

The City's fall leaf collection program for 2025 begins on Monday, October 20 and run through the week of December 22.

During this time, Republic Services picks up leaf piles placed in the street once a week. In addition, the free community drop sites that were added last year will once again be available this season. Please see below for more details and guidelines on drop-off and collection options.

Free Community Leaf Drop Sites

The City and Republic Services have partnered to offer additional leaf disposal 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 (click to view on map).

• 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

These 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

The fall leaf collection period is the only time leaves may be deposited in the street (see In-street collection guidelines below).  Leaf piles placed in the street outside of the annual collection period will not be picked up and may be considered a violation of the Corvallis Municipal Code.

Click here to find out when leaves on your street will be picked up (leaf collection schedule/map)

The ability of Republic Services to get to your neighborhood once a week relies, in part, on your help.  Here are some guidelines to make sure that leaf collection can be completed in a safe and efficient manner, and does not impair the ability of the street to drain rainwater:

• Place leaves into long, narrow piles in parking areas.  Do not rake or blow leaves into the street in undefined piles.
• Only place leaves in the street. Grass, branches, limbs, or other debris will not be picked up by Republic Services.
• Place leaves in the street the evening before your scheduled leaf pick-up day. 
• Place leaf piles one foot from the curb to allow space for rain water to runoff along the curb line. 
• Make sure leaves do not block 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 no parking, this means using one of the new leaf drop-off sites, or your yard debris container for leaf disposal, and perhaps renting an additional container(s) to handle the volume of leaves from your property.

If your street was missed for leaf pick-up, or for additional information regarding leaf pick-up, contact Republic Services at 541-754-0444 or log in to your account online to submit a request.

City Releases Downtown Facilities Funding Feasibility Report

The City of Corvallis has  released a funding feasibility study that evaluates a number of long-term options for improving two key public facilities located downtown: the Police Station and the Civic Campus. The report was produced by Clearwater Financial, an Idaho-based firm that specializes in municipal project planning, following a six-month process that included community outreach and analysis of possible funding options.

➡️ Read the report (PDF)

The report describes various funding options and their capacity to support the City’s continued investment in safe, accessible, and community-serving infrastructure. Options were evaluated in a number of key categories, including operational capacity and fiscal transparency.

The funding feasibility report is the next step in the long-running citywide facilities project. In late 2024, the City Council directed staff to bring in a third party financial consultant to study funding options for the Civic Campus and Police Station projects. 

“This report offers a high-level analysis of the financial options that the City Council has in its toolbox,” said Corvallis Finance Director James Inglis. "Over the last few months, we've worked hard to develop this resource to help our decision makers as they consider how to move forward on much-needed infrastructure improvements that support our growing community.”

The report features community engagement alongside financial analysis. Project managers conducted stakeholder interviews, open houses, and a community questionnaire about possible funding options. Conclusions from those outreach efforts is included in the report as well. 

For more information, visit www.corvallisoregon.gov or contact the Finance Department at finance@corvallisoregon.gov. 

Meet the New Art Curator for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Join us for a special reception to celebrate this meaningful project and honor those who have helped make it possible! The reception will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 28 at C3 - Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Blvd.

You'll have an opportunity to meet the new Art Curator for the Park, hear about the themes shaping the art and interpretive elements, learn about the upcoming Call for Artists, and discover how art can bring Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community” to life in Corvallis.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Learn more about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. park project at www.mlkparkcorvallis.org.

Safer Streets Ahead: Join Us for the Transportation Safety Open House on November 4

The City of Corvallis and Benton County are working together to make our streets safer for everyone who walks, bikes, takes transit, or drives in our community. Through the federally funded Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program, both the City and the County are creating Transportation Safety Action Plans (TSAP) that use crash data and community feedback to guide safety improvements.

Join Us at the Open House

The next open house is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, from 5–7 p.m. at the Corvallis Community Center (C3) Ballroom. You’ll see draft recommendations for high-priority safety projects and strategies in both Corvallis and Benton County, learn how crash data and community input has helped shape them, and share your thoughts on these safety improvements.

The open house will also feature findings from the Walnut Boulevard feasibility study, which looked at possible changes to the corridor.

Light refreshments and family-friendly activities will be provided, and bilingual staff will be available to support Spanish-speaking attendees.

Share Your Feedback Online

If you can’t attend in person, you will still be able to participate through the online open house, available on the project website from November 4 through November 25 at corvallisoregon.gov/SS4A. The online open house will provide an overview of the draft recommendations and an opportunity for you to share your feedback.

Planning Today for a Safer Tomorrow

This is the first step in a long-term process to make Corvallis' and Benton County’s streets safer for all users. These plans identify community needs and prioritize key projects and operational strategies that can be funded and implemented over time. By aligning with the SS4A program and regional and statewide safety goals, both jurisdictions will be eligible for future funding to support these critical improvements. These TSAPs are more than just a plan, however—they represent a shared commitment between the City and the County to creating a safer, more inclusive transportation system for everyone.

Learn more: corvallisoregon.gov/SS4A

School District Completes Comprehensive Facility Assessment of Osborn Aquatic Center

The Corvallis School District has published the comprehensive facility condition assessment for the Osborn Aquatic Center. An executive summary and the full report have been published on the District's website and are available for public review.

This project was initiated to thoroughly evaluate all building systems and gain clearer insight into the necessary repairs, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance needs. The assessment covers the entire facility, including the natatorium, the outdoor pool building, all pools, and the surrounding grounds. It provides a detailed evaluation of the facility's current condition and outlines both short-term and long-term renovation goals. The recommendations in the report address a wide range of needs, from code-required fixes to improvements that will enhance the facility's overall usability and operations.

The report was discussed at a community meeting in September. You are encouraged to review the materials from the meeting and share your input with the project team.

• Watch the Presentation: A recording of the material covered at the community meeting is available here: https://bit.ly/CSD-Osborn-Session
• Provide Feedback: Community members are encouraged to submit questions, priorities, and feedback based on the report and presentation using this dedicated link: https://bit.ly/CSD-Osborn-Session-Questions

A detailed report on these findings was provided to the City Council as part of their meeting materials for the February 3, 2025, regular meeting, and is available on the City of Corvallis website.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Catch up with your elected officials at their regularly scheduled meetings and work sessions. Upcoming meetings are listed below, along with links to calendar entries with more information. You don't have to attend to share feedback on any topic that's important to you. Feel free to use the Public Input Form to get in touch with the Council anytime, anywhere. 

Government Comment Corner at the Library

Meet your local government officials and chat about whatever's on your mind at Government Comment Corner. Each two-hour session takes place at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon most Saturdays. A rotating cast of elected leaders from Corvallis and Benton County will be available for open, honest, one-on-one conversations with anyone who wants to stop by. Bring your questions about public services, and learn more about how to volunteer and get involved!

Here's the schedule (subject to change):

FYI: Council Three-Month Calendar

The City Council's three-month calendar is a good way to track topics and learn about upcoming business items. The three-month calendar is available on the City website.

The schedule is subject to change, so be sure to contact your City Councilor to learn more about any particular topic you see on the calendar.

What's New at the Library this Month?

• Storytime:  10:30am Tuesday-Friday, Main Meeting Room. Tuesdays: Infant, Wednesdays: Toddler,  Thursdays: Preschool, Fridays, Family.  Drop in.

• Tech Help Lab: First and Third 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.

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

• Free Employment Help: October 1 second floor classroom , 10am-noon, drop-in.  Job-seekers can drop in to meet with an Employment Specialist from Worksource Oregon.

• Puzzle Swap:  October 4 ,  12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room.  Bring your puzzles to swap!  All ages and levels welcome

• Yuiko Shimomura: My 2.5 Years behind Barbed Wire in the US During WWII:  October 4, 2-4:30pm, Main Meeting Room.  Hear a former Corvallis resident speak about his family’s experience being incarcerated during WWII.

• Random Review:   October 8 ,12-1pm, Main Meeting room and streamed online   Steve Matthes reviews  I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin

• Identifying Misinformation:  October 11, 12-1:1pm and streamed online.   Learn strategies for identifying misinformation in this free, librarian-led workshop.

• The Life of a Library Girl: Taylor Swift Party: October 18, 2-4pm, Main Meeting Room.  Calling all Swifties! Join us at the library for a listening party to celebrate Taylor Swift's brand new album!  All ages welcome!

• Craft Night for Adults:   October 21, 5:30-7pm, Main Meeting Room  For ages 16+. This month’s craft: zombie dolls!

• People and Pianos Day:  October 25, 11:00am:  Family concert in Main Meeting Room. 2:00pm:  Piano in the Lobby!  Presented by Corvallis OSU Piano International.

• OSU MFA Reading Series:  October 31, 5-6pm, Main Meeting Room In partnership with Oregon State University, the MFA Reading Series brings a monthly rotation of 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!