Corvallis e-News | October 2023

In this issue: Would you like to take a survey? The biennial Corvallis Community Survey is back!

Corvallis Community Survey is OPEN Through October 16

The community is invited to share their feedback on all aspects of life in Corvallis through the biennial Corvallis Community Survey. The survey is available online through October 16, 2023, after which point the results will be compiled and shared with the City Council and public.

The Corvallis Community Survey is administered by NRC Polco, a contracted public opinion polling firm, with the aim of creating a statistically valid body of data about community satisfaction in Corvallis. A small number of households received a postcard last month with a survey link - if you received a postcard, please complete that survey instead of the one linked in this newsletter. That helps ensure that we have a statistically valid sample size for our survey.

This is a big survey that informs many aspects of City services, and we only do it once every two years or so. Make sure your voice is heard by taking the survey today!

Planning Commission Volunteer Opportunity

We're seeking volunteers to fill a vacancy on the City's Planning Commission. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in land use in Corvallis. You don't have to be an expert - we'll provide plenty of training and knowledge to get you up to speed. Planning Commissioners review land use proposals (large & small) and help advance overall land use policy in our community. The typical time commitment is 2 meetings per month, with some materials review in between. Read more about the volunteer opportunity in this informational packet.

When you're ready, you can apply online (just select Planning Commission from the "Commissions" dropdown menu).

Library to Host Banned Books Talk on October 11

Ashlee Chavez, director of Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, will discuss "The Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022" as part of the library’s Random Review series. The program will take place at noon on October 11 at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., in the main meeting room. It is the first time this program has been held in person since February 2020.

Chavez will tackle a prickly topic that has been making headlines around the nation: banned books. The American Library Association compiles an annual list of the most challenged books in the country. This year's list is available on the ALA website at https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10. The most common reason for challenge on the 2022 list is LGBTQIA+ content, as well as claims of being sexually explicit, and depictions of abuse and drug use.

Chavez will talk about some of the specific titles being challenged, and will focus on the type of content being challenged that these books represent, and why these books belong in libraries.

Measure 2-141: Proposed Ballot Measure for the Library and Parks & Recreation

In November 2023, Corvallis voters will have an opportunity to consider a proposed ballot measure which would continue the existing five-year operating levy that funds services in Parks & Recreation and at the Library, as well as the City’s annual social services grants. These two pages include answers to some common questions about services that would be funded if the levy passes.

English: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/community/page/proposed-ballot-measure-l...

Español: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/community/page/medida-electoral-propuest...

Corvallis Bicycle Friendly Community Survey

Did you know that the City of Corvallis has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community? And we've had the honor of calling ourselves a Gold Level community since the program began in 2003!

To keep Corvallis Gold, we have submitted our renewal application and now ask for your help to give the League input so they may gain a better understanding of local bicyclists' experiences within our community.

Public Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFC_Fall23

The survey should take 10-15 minutes and is open to anyone familiar with bicycling in Corvallis. It’s meant to provide both context for the League review team's decision-making process and valuable feedback for the City of Corvallis Active Transportation Group.

The survey will remain open through Friday, October 20 and the Bicycle Friendly Community award results are expected to be announced in December.

Join the Get There Challenge and Win Prizes in October

Are you ready to win great prizes, get active, reduce your carbon footprint, and save gas money?

The Get There Challenge is happening across Oregon on October 1 - 15!

Join or create a team and log your trips taken by bike, foot, carpool, transit or remote work days.

Each member of the Corvallis-based team with the highest score (average trips per member) will win their choice of a $20 gift card to:

Coffee Culture
Kinetic Bagel Institute
Sugar J’s Ice Cream Workshop

Top teams statewide can win:

$50 Ruffwear gift card
$25 Cafe Yumm gift card and Get There swag
$25 VISA gift card
$100 River City Bicycles gift card
$100 Clever Cycles gift card and a water bottle
GRAND PRIZE of $1,000 and top honors will go to the team with the highest score (average trips per team member) at the end of the Challenge.

View full prize details here.

HOW TO JOIN:

Create an account for free in Get There Connect or log in here.
Join a team or create one (and become a team captain!)
Log your trips* and/or remote work in Get There Connect to win prizes!

*You can get a head start and win early bird prizes through Sept. 30 at GetThereOregon.org/Achievements.

Learn more at GetThereOregon.org/Challenge

10th Street Bike & Ped Construction Detours

During the month of October, the City will be replacing water pipelines on NW 10th Street between Buchanan and Taylor Avenues. This construction will impact both cyclists and pedestrians who pass through and live on this corridor:

During work hours (Monday - Friday, 7 am - 4 pm), 10th Street will be closed to through traffic and detour signs will direct drivers, and cyclists, to use 11th Street.
Overnight and on weekends, the northbound bike lane on 10th Street will be open, but southbound bike traffic will be sharing the roadway with vehicles.
The sidewalk on the west side of 10th Street is currently closed between Buchanan and Fillmore Avenues. The east sidewalk will remain open for use.

Please be cautious of construction activities and equipment while traveling through this area. Thanks for your patience as we work to maintain the City's vital underground infrastructure!

New Historic Preservation Requirements Take Effect

From the City's Planning Division: Historic Preservation Provisions were amended and became effective on September 12, 2023. In 2017, the Corvallis Historic Preservation Plan was created, following a multi-year public process, in partnership with the Historic Resources Commission, Historic Preservation Plan Oversight Committee, the Corvallis Community Development Department and funded in part by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The recommendations contained in the Plan incorporate the invaluable contributions of the City Council, local stakeholders, interested community members, and City staff over five years. Ordinance 2023-24 was adopted by City Council on August 21, 2023 and approved the initial phase of code amendments including the following changes:

Chapter 2.9 re-organization
Minor amendments for code clean-up and compliance with state law and the SHPO model code
Compliance with 2017 state rule change regarding properties listed only in the National Register
Addition of new exemption criteria for rooftop screening in the OSU Historic District
Addition of new Director-level review criteria for rooftop wireless antennas

The newly updated LDC Chapter 2.9: Historic Preservation Provisions can be found on the City website here: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cd/page/land-development-code

Municipal Court Closure in October

The Corvallis Municipal Court office will be closed on a few dates in Oct0ber:

October 16
October 23
October 26
October 29

Court staff will contact anyone with a previously scheduled date to give them an opportunity to reschedule. Please call 541-766-6948 for more information.

What's New at the Library this Month?

Please note: The Corvallis Public Library will be closed for routine building maintenance on October 18. In addition, all Library locations will be closed for staff in-service training on October 19.

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
Lego Club: Wednesday, October 4, 4-5pm, Main Meeting Room. Children are invited to build with fellow LEGO fans and Oregon State University student-athletes!
Password Management: October 7,11:00am, 2nd floor Classroom, Learn how to make strong passwords and some simple ways keep them safe.
Hispanic Heritage Month - Craft Afternoon: Hojalata (Tin) Art: October 13, 3:30-5:00, Main Meeting room. Learn about the history of hojalata art, then create your own Mexican Folk Art to take home.
Grieving and Healing in the Outdoors of Oregon: October 14, 2-3pm. Presentation by by outdoor and travel writer, photographer, and author Adam Sawyer.
Random Review: October 11 , 12-1pm, Main Meeting Room . Ashlee Chavez reviews the Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022. In person only, no registration required.
Fiber Arts Meetup: October 17, 5:30-7, Main Meeting room. Adults are invited to bring your own fiber arts project to work on or learn coral reef-type hyperbolic crochet, using our supplies or yours.
Intro to Google Drive/ Docs: October 21, 11:00am, 2nd floor Classroom, Learn how to store, save, and create files using Google Drive and Google Docs.
Weave Me a Crooked Basket Book Launch Event with Charles Goodrich” October 26, 5:30-7, Main Meeting Room. Celebrate the new novel of beloved local writer Charles Goodrich.
Nerf night for Adults: October 27, 6:15-8:15pm snacks, video games, crafts, and Nerf games after hours in the library for adults 18 and older!
Real Work: Poetry Reading with Janna Knittel: October 28, 2-3pm, Main Meeting Room. Join Corvallis-born Janna Knittel for a poetry reading including Q&A.
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!