Corvallis e-News | March 2026

In this issue: Community grants available now, Corvallis Forest open house, ballot measures in May, and more!

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Two Popular Community Grant Programs Return in March

Volunteers painting a mural on the street outside on a sunny day. A large tree provides shade in the background.Applications are OPEN for two popular community grant programs, offering two separate funding opportunities for community projects in Corvallis.

  • The Empowerment Grant Program provides small cash grants to fund projects and initiatives that improve neighborhoods and forge partnerships to address community issues. Examples of past projects include landscape improvements, neighborhood social events, public art installations, education programs, and training services. 
  • The Green Grant Program offers funding for community-centered projects that move the dial on climate change and promote the actions of the Corvallis Climate Action Plan (CAP).

APPLY TODAY - Use this handy online form to start an application for either of these two programs. 

Applications for both programs will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 31, 2026. Both programs are competitive opportunities with distinct grant objectives and evaluation criteria. Community members are encouraged to review the objectives and criteria before applying.

Info Session on March 17

The City will host an informational session to answer questions about both grant programs at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. The session will take place over Zoom and will be recorded for anyone who can't attend. 

Corvallis Charter Amendments - Frequently Asked Questions

Decorative green oak tree graphicIn May 2026, voters in Corvallis will have the opportunity to consider four ballot measures that propose changes to the City of Corvallis Charter.

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

Q: What is the City Charter?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: How did these measures get on the ballot?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C3 Game Con Returns April 11

C3 Game Con returns to Corvallis on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. The local game convention offers two days of cosplay, tabletop gaming, fan art and more! With cosplay contests, live game sessions, and local vendors, this event is for the community to celebrate all things gaming!

Event Information

General Admission: All ages welcome.

Ages 13 and under: Must be accompanied by an adult.

Advance Tickets: $15 for a 1-day pass (April 11 or April 12) / $21 for a 2-day pass

Door Tickets: $21 for a 1-day pass / $30 for a 2-day pass

Dates & Times: Saturday, April 11, 10–11pm & Sunday, April 12, 10am–8pm

Location: Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330

Check back for more details about game sessions and the list of vendors. Additional activities are expected to include a cosplay contest, miniature painting workshop, guest panelists, Playtest Corvallis demos and playtesting, and open game rooms.  More details to be announced.

Interested in volunteering for Game Con 2026? 

Email PRvolunteer@corvallisoregon.gov.

Learn About the Corvallis Forest and the Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan - Open House April 6 

Did you know the City of Corvallis owns and manages a forest in the Rock Creek Watershed? 

A group of kids wading in a creek in the middle of a lush green forest.The City of Corvallis invites you to learn more about the draft 2026 Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan at an open house on Monday, April 6, from 5–7 p.m. at the Corvallis Public Library. This will be a drop-in style open house, with no formal presentation.  

The Corvallis Forest plays a key role in supplying the community’s drinking water. This update to the 2013 plan outlines how the City proposes to manage the forest over the next decade, with a focus on protecting water quality, maintaining forest health and habitat, reducing wildfire risk and planning for changing climate conditions. 

At the open house, community members can: 

  • Review key elements of the draft plan 
  • Learn about the forest management approach and planning process 
  • View maps and graphics that explain how decisions are made 
  • Ask questions of City staff and project team members 
  • Provide comments on the plan before it goes to City Council this summer 

The draft plan reflects nearly four years of meetings, technical review, and Task Force discussions. Whether you’re deeply familiar with the Corvallis Forest or simply curious to learn more, this is an opportunity to better understand how the City manages this community resource. 

An online platform featuring the same materials will launch on April 6 on the project web page, along with a 30-day public comment period. Community members are encouraged to review the information and submit comments either in person at the open house or online. 

Learn more about the Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan at www.corvallisoregon.gov/cfsp.

Marys River Water Pipeline Project Continues in March

The last phase of the water pipeline replacement project under the Marys River got underway in early March, according to Corvallis Public Works engineers.

The project will replace an existing 20-inch water pipeline underneath 3rd Street just south of Marys River. The existing pipe has reached the end of its service life and will be replaced with a larger 36-inch diameter pipe, which will tie into the new pipeline that was installed underneath the Marys River last summer.

Due to the complex network of underground utility infrastructure in this area, project managers have planned out a careful operation involving open trenching across SW 3rd Street to lay the new pipe.

Beginning around March 9, the project will shift to overnight work to minimize the impact to daytime traffic and local businesses. Night work is expected to wrap up in April, at which point the project will shift back to a daytime schedule with fewer traffic impacts.

The street will remain open throughout construction, but travelers using SW 3rd Street should expect lane shifts and lane closures, as well as periodic flagging. Sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours will be in place at times.

This water pipeline project scheduled to wrap up before Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) kicks off an anticipated resurfacing project along SW 3rd Street later this summer.

For more information on this water pipeline project, contact Josh Bjornstedt at 541-766-6916 or josh.bjornstedt@corvallisoregon.gov.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

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

Upcoming Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Date
Meeting
March 2, 2026 Regular Meeting
March 5, 2026 Work Session
March 16, 2026 Regular Meeting
March 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
March 7, 2026 Alison Bowden, Ward 6 Councilor
March 21, 2026 Jim Moorefield, Ward 3 Councilor

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.

Enrich, Excite, Explore at the Corvallis-Benton County Library

What's New at the Library this Month?

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