Corvallis e-News | February 2026

In this issue: Growing hay in city natural areas, new school zone signs at Lincoln Elementary, and more!

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Four Ballot Measures Referred to May 2026 Ballot

Decorative graphic of a green oak treeThe Corvallis City Council in January voted to refer a batch of four ballot measures to the May 19, 2026 election. The ballot measures propose some updates to the City Charter. If approved, the measures would change the Corvallis City Charter to align more closely with the League of Oregon Cities’ Model Charter, which is offered as a model for municipal governance in Oregon.

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

Know Your City Program Returns in February

Since 2017, the League of Women Voters of Corvallis has offered annual public forums on Corvallis city services and programs. For 2025 the League is offering a special program focused on downtown Corvallis.

Decorative graphic featuring the words Know Your City on a green background with the City of Corvallis logoCorvallis Downtown: Past, Present, and Future will take place at 6:30 p.m. February 26 at the Corvallis Benton County Public Library Main Meeting Room, 645 NW Monroe.

The goal of the event is to encourage Corvallis community members to think about what they want for the future of downtown, and to get involved in making it happen. The event coincides with a renewed focus on downtown Corvallis. Since early 2025, the City's Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force has been working on a new strategy for downtown Corvallis. Representatives from the task force, as well as from the City's Economic Development Office, will be among the speakers at the event.

Sessions will focus on business development, affordability, transportation & urban planning, and future goals for downtown Corvallis.

Know Your City programs are sponsored by the League of Women Voters Corvallis, Corvallis Benton County Public Library and the City of Corvallis.

Still Time to Respond to Downtown Public Input Survey

Photo by Verena DohmenThe Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force has launched a survey to gather input about a list of potential actions to improve and invest in downtown Corvallis. The list of actions was drafted by the Task Force members over a period of several months and is now ready for public review and input. 

➡️ Take the Survey (closes February 23): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/priorityactions

The goal of the survey is to help create a blueprint for the future of downtown Corvallis. The Task Force is seeking input from downtown business owners, residents, shoppers, diners, nonprofits, and public agency partners to build a new strategy.

The survey invites community members to review a list of potential actions — such as improving sidewalk maintenance, adding wayfinding signage, or offering tax incentives to businesses. Respondents can select the most compelling actions, then rank them in priority order. Task Force members will review the results and generate a final list of strategies to present to the City Council in 2026.

The survey is part of a broader outreach effort being led by the Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force. Read more about the Task Force's work on the City website.

New Signs for School Zone at Lincoln Elementary

The City's Public Works Department recently installed new school zone signs on Highway 99W near Lincoln Elementary. The two solar-powered school zone feedback signs were obtained through a Safe Routes to School grant that city staff received. 

These radar-based signs activate when school is most active, which provides drivers with feedback about their speed to allow them to adjust their speed in relationship to the school zone's posted speed limit. This signage helps to enhance police efforts to enforce the school zone speed along with managing speeds to provide a safer environment for walking and bicycling to school. Data shows that speed is directly correlated to injury severity in the event of crashes.

Before and after photo showing new school zone speed limit signs on the street with blue sky and a lush green tree looming overhead. The signs read 20 mph.

The signs also feature new wording that describes how the 20 mph speed limit is in effect when the signs are flashing. At all other times, drivers should follow the posted speed limit. Research shows that adjusting the time which lights flash (all day vs targeted times when kids are visibly outside of school) helps for driver compliance. The flashers activate before and after the release of school over a period of roughly 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon.

This successful sign installation project involved staff in the Transportation and Engineering Divisions. Great job, team!

What The Hay? Agricultural Leases Available in Natural Areas

About 25 round yellow hay bales on a green grass field with a blue sky overheadThe City of Corvallis is offering hay cultivation opportunities to local farmers interested in partnering with the City to maintain agricultural fields in various natural areas around the community.

A total of 216 acres of land is available in four designated natural areas: Bald Hill Natural Area, Owens Natural Area, Berg Natural Area, and Orleans Natural Area. Lease terms are for five years, with the option to renew for an additional five years.

Leases are for dry-land hay cultivation only. Interested farmers must provide all equipment, labor, and materials.

More information about these lease opportunities, including an informational packet and application form, can be found on the City website. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 2, 2026.

By partnering with the City, local farmers can support public land management, reduce wildfire risk, and keep natural spaces thriving through low-impact agriculture. Hay farming provides revenue opportunities for local farmers while ensuring the land remains available for potential restoration in the future.

For more information on this project, contact Jude Geist in the City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department at 541-766-6918 or email Jude.Geist@CorvallisOregon.Gov.

Local Emergency Planning Committee Public Meeting on February 18

The Mid-Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) invites community members to attend its annual public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. February 18 at the Corvallis Fire Department’s Station #1, 400 NW Harrison Blvd. This event provides community members with an opportunity to learn more about local emergency preparedness efforts and the agencies working to keep the community safe.

During the meeting, emergency managers and responders from across Linn and Benton counties will be available to share information, answer questions, and discuss current emergency preparedness initiatives. Attendees will also have the chance to tour a hazmat response rig, offering a close-up look at specialized equipment used in hazardous materials incidents.

As part of the evening’s activities, door prizes will be offered.

The LEPC encourages all residents, business owners, and community partners to attend, ask questions, and engage in discussions about local emergency readiness.

For more information, please contact Sierra Anderson, Mid-Valley LEPC Chair, at Sierra.Anderson@corvallisoregon.gov or 541-766-6527.

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. 

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date Meeting
February 2, 2026 Regular Meeting
February 4, 2026 Work Session
February 17, 2026 (holiday reschedule) Regular Meeting
February 19, 2026 Work Session

Government Comment Corner at the Library

Decorative graphic of a dark green Camas plant.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):

Upcoming Government Comment Corner Dates
Date Name
February 7, 2026 Carolyn Mayers, Ward 8 Councilor
February 21, 2026 Mark Shepard, Corvallis City Manager
February 28, 2026

Corvallis School Board Member Sami Al-Abdrabbuh

FYI: Council Three-Month Calendar

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

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

What's New at the Library this Month?

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