Corvallis e-News | January 2024

In this issue: Learn how we're living with beavers, send in your feedback about the Strategic Plan, and more!

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Your Input on the Corvallis Strategic Plan

We're beginning the annual update process for our five-year Strategic Operational Plan (SOP). This document is the starting point for lots of great ideas like electric city buses, more affordable housing, training for first responders, and important infrastructure projects.

It's a good idea to read through the SOP so you can get familiar with the goals and objectives that are already part of the City's five-year work plan. It's not a very long document, and it's really quite readable! The whole thing is posted on the City website.

You can share your thoughts on the SOP and help shape this important resource. Check out the public input form at the link: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cm/webform/strategic-plan-public-input-form

Living With Beavers in Corvallis

Beavers are extraordinary creatures with a profound influence on our local ecosystem.  In Corvallis, we've harnessed the power of beavers to mitigate flooding and enhance the environment using innovative ecological techniques. One new feature is a beaver dam leveler that was installed last summer at Starker Park in southwest Corvallis. Learn more about how it works in this short video.

Our partnership with beavers is a testament to our commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future. Learn more about how we're coexisting with beavers by visiting the Living With Beavers page on the City website.

Work on the Monroe Avenue Corridor Study Progresses

The City of Corvallis and Oregon State University continue to make progress on the Monroe Avenue Corridor Study which will look for opportunities to better accommodate travelers by all modes while enhancing connections between the community, University, and adjacent land uses.  In December, community members were able to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas on this important corridor between 14^th and 26^th Streets through an on-line mapping tool and survey.  Many thanks to all of you who participated.

Other opportunities to participate in this important study will be coming in the near future. In early February, OSU and City staff, along with their consultant team from Kittelson and Associates, will hold an open house. The team will share information gathered from the online mapping exercise and survey, as well as an initial set of corridor improvement concepts.

More information will follow on our project web page, so check in sometime late January at www.corvallisoregon.gov/monroeave for the date, time, and place for the open house. If you would like to be notified once the open house is scheduled, and you haven’t already provided your email address to the project team, please email us at monroeave@corvallisoregon.gov and we will send a reminder.

City Service Fee Adjustments for 2024

City service fees are monthly charges that appear on the City of Corvallis City Services bill. Fees represent a small charge shared among all Corvallis billing customers to pay for specific services. Rates are adjusted annually by the City Council.

Each fee is used to pay for a specific service, and funds collected for one service cannot be used to pay for other services. For example, the City does not use money collected through the Sidewalk Maintenance Fee to pay for Police Department expenses.

Rate increases for 2024 are displayed in the chart, showing the previous rate and the new rate that takes effect in 2024.

The current fees are:

• Water – Fee collected based on usage to pay for City water service and related infrastructure
• Wastewater – Fee collected to support the City’s wastewater (sewer) infrastructure and operation
• Stormwater – Fee collected to support the City’s stormwater system, including urban streams and pollution mitigation
• Street Maintenance (TMF) – Fee goes to support regular maintenance on the City’s most-used streets
• Sidewalk Maintenance – Fee used for sidewalk maintenance and repair
• Transit Operation Fee – Fee supports fareless service on Corvallis Transit System
• Urban Forestry – Fee supports maintenance of the City’s urban tree canopy
• Police Services – Fee maintains current service levels at the Police Department
• Fire Services – Fee maintains current service levels at the Fire Department
• Low-Income Assistance Fee – This fee goes into a fund for income-eligible customers who need assistance paying their monthly City Services bill

Fees are reviewed annually by staff and the City Council as part of a public process to ensure that they are operating as intended to generate adequate revenue for municipal services that the community relies on.

Water Conservation Starts with Laundry!

Wash fewer, but fuller, loads of laundry to save water and energy. Try washing with cold water, too. It will save you both energy and water, and washing on cold helps your clothes retain color. (Plus, it can help prevent your favorite sweater from shrinking!).

Only running the washer and dishwater when full can save you up to 1,000 gallons a month. Even better - upgrade your washing machine with an Energy Star or Water Factor model. Learn more about water conservation in the kitchen and laundry room or check out other indoor water conservation tips on the Public Works website.

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 city 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:   1^st Wednesdays, 10am-noon, 2^nd 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.

• Random Review:  January 10 , 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room .   Scott Heppell  reviews An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong

• Puzzle Swap:  January 13,  12:00-1:30, Main Meeting Room.  Bring your puzzles to swap!  All ages and levels 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.

• 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!