City of Corvallis

National Historic Preservation Month is underway, with events taking place this weekend!

Weekend events in celebration of :

5/11 - Albany Tweed Ride, historic Albany streetcar tour & 132nd Cumberland Church birthday
5/12 - OSU walking tour

Get the full schedule: https://ow.ly/BkmS50RpNU4

Visit Corvallis, Albany Visitors Association, City of Corvallis, City of Albany, Oregon, Preservation WORKS

Here's a great outdoor volunteer opportunity coming up on May 18!

Let's Pull Together on Saturday, May 18th for Community W**d Pull Day! Join Benton County Cooperative W**d Management Area and local environmental organizations to remove harmful invasive species in our natural areas. Choose from 4 different sites: NW Corvallis, Philomath, North Albany or Mary's Peak. 9am-12pm (time may vary by site).

For more information and to register, go to https://www.bentonswcd.org/calendar

Beautiful photos of some slick new rigs that will serve our community for many years to come!

🌻 GREEN GRANTS are available from the City of Corvallis! Apply by May 13 and grab some funding for your cool project that focuses on sustainability and climate action. Read more about this grant program and download an application at the link: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/community/page/community-invitation-apply-city-corvallis-green-grants

The May edition of Corvallis e-News, our monthly email newsletter, is PACKED with volunteer opportunities, outreach events, grant programs, and a whole lot more. Check out the newsletter at the link below!

Corvallis e-News | May 2024 In this issue: Green grants, Adopt a Path, Volunteer Opportunities, and more!

🌱 Check out this amazing resource on picking water-efficient and native plants for your property. Corvallis Public Works teamed up with other agencies and institutions to create this resource, which you can download for free on the water conservation website.

A couple good tips to keep in mind: group plants with similar watering needs together and learn more about irrigation (it's never as much water as your think!) on our website: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/water-efficient-plant-guide

REMINDER---Tomorrow is 👇

💊 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 💊

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This event allows the public to safely dispose of expired or unused medications.

This is a one-day, drive-thru event at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis. Those interested in dropping off at this location are asked to enter the parking lot off Research Way and follow the signs and directions of the volunteers.

Some items are not allowed at the event. For safety reasons, these include thermometers, intra-venous solutions, needles, EpiPens®, or medical waste of any kind. Illegal drugs are also not accepted. Medications can only be accepted from individual households, not from businesses such as nursing homes, doctor’s offices, or veterinary clinics. A complete list of restricted items is posted on the Sheriff’s Office website at https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/events/2024-drug-take-back-event/.

This event is offered as a public safety service to help keep prescription drugs out of the hands of kids or others who might abuse them. Misuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem, especially with teens and young adults.

Additionally, improperly disposing of medications, by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can lead to contamination of our drinking water. While most drugs can be treated at wastewater treatment plants, some cannot.

Community partners Covanta and Oregon State University are helping support this event, sanctioned by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as part of its National Take-Back Initiative. The Sheriff’s Office is able to offer this service due to the volunteer support of their Reserve Deputies, Auxiliary Team, CERT, and Search and Rescue volunteers. For more information, visit https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/events/2024-drug-take-back-event/.

Build with the Beavs is seriously one of the most fun events! Young LEGO fans get to build and put their skills to the test along side Oregon State University student-athletes. All LEGO bricks provided. Drop in any time between 4-5 PM on May 1! https://i.mtr.cool/ccmcdnquyf

Good info to bookmark as we look ahead to the summer - check out a FREE life jacket to borrow from Osborn Aquatic Center!

Spend this summer as a Lifeguard here at Osborn! ☀🏊‍♂️ Apply by April 30 to get paid to become certified at our training May 11-12! https://i.mtr.cool/fjcnhrjwwu

Good info about what to expect and how to assist when you call 9-1-1.

🆘 So you've called 9-1-1, now what?

Here are some general guidelines to follow when calling for emergency services, and what you can expect when you call 9-1-1:

⏩ Know your location! 📍 The first thing you'll be asked by dispatchers is "what is the location of your emergency?" Establishing location first means we can still get someone to you in the event you are unable to complete your call.
⏩ Answer the dispatchers questions! ⁉ You may think dispatchers are asking too many questions, but they have been trained to ask the right questions to get relevant information as quickly and succinctly as possible. Your answers will tell them what emergency services to send, how quickly to send a response, and provide critical responder safety information.
⏩ Stay calm. This one is hard, because emergency situations often involve elevated stress, but try to remain calm when answering your dispatcher's questions.
⏩ Don't hang up! Even if you have called accidentally, don't hang up until you are instructed to do so by the dispatcher. Dispatchers will stay on the line until help has arrived and can provide critical information for your safety, such as first aid instructions or CPR instructions. If you've called by accident, please stay on the line and explain that to the dispatcher so they can move on to the next call without tying up resources trying to verify your call.

Our dispatchers are ready to answer your call 24/7, 365 days a year.

JOBS at the City of Corvallis! Here are the latest postings:
• Urban Stream Maintenance
• Deputy Fire Marshal at Corvallis Fire
• Theatre Attendant at The Majestic Theatre
• Code Compliance Specialist
And MORE!

Browse all the current opportunities right here: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/hr/page/job-opportunities

✅ Come see us at the Farmers Market!
Join the Public Works environmental services team at the Corvallis Farmers Market this upcoming Saturday, April 27!
We will have booth full of FREE water conservation goodies, as well as information about stormwater, wastewater pre-treatment, and water conservation in and out of your home. This weekend closely coincides with Earth Day, so make it a point to stop by and learn about your where your water comes from (and where it goes), in the spirit of this important day.

There was bear-ly anything going on in Corvallis earlier this morning. Thanks to City of Corvallis Police Department for keeping tabs on our ursine visitor as it passed through our community today.

Reminder: The Green Grants application is open through May 13 - still plenty of time to submit an application!

Green Grants Applications for the 2024 Green Grants program are now being accepted! The deadline to apply is end of day May 13, 2024. About the Green Grants Program

The Corvallis Farmers' Market opens for the season this Saturday, April 20! They'll be open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at First Street and Jackson Avenue in downtown Corvallis, through November 27, 2024.

April 25 at 5 PM, join us for Cooks and Books—a free, in-person cooking demonstration and showcase of cookbooks at C3! This month, we'll learn about traditional fermentation with Hailey Kimchi, make a giant batch of kimchi together, and jar some for everyone to take home. Kimchi and kombucha samples will be served!

This event series is co-sponsored by C3, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, and Corvallis Sustainability Coalition. More information: https://ow.ly/PcIu50RfF8U

It's that time of year - we're recruiting for volunteers to serve on the City's network of advisory groups. There are more than a dozen different boards, commissions, and committees with vacancies at the moment, covering a wide range of topics and issues.

We're also seeking volunteers to serve on the city's Planning Commission and Historic Resources Commission. These two opportunities are a little different than the rest of our advisory group positions, so be sure to read the guidelines when you open up the online application.

Take a look at all the vacancies and apply online on the City website:

Advisory Groups Recruitment is underway for volunteers to serve on the City's network of advisory groups.

Public Works crews will be performing utility work at the intersection of 35th & Western on Saturday, April 20. The work will shut down the traffic signal and restrict traffic flow through the intersection for most of the day. The work is planned to start around 7:30 a.m. and wrap up by 3 p.m. Flaggers will be posted at the intersection to control traffic flow. Thanks for your patience as we “dig in” and take care of the underground utility pipes that keep Corvallis moving forward.

🌤 The Farmers Market returns THIS SATURDAY! 🌱

The 2024 market season will be here soon!

Corvallis Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays & Saturdays, April 20 - November 27
9 am - 1 pm
1st & Jackson

🫐Wednesday Kids Day* dates will be the 3rd Weds of June through September
*kids program with fun activities and samples sponsored by Stahlbush Island Farms

👉🏼CFM continues to match SNAP up to $20 each week!

Let's hear it for the unsung hero of green infrastructure in Corvallis ... native plants! Native plants have deep root systems that hold down soil and reduce erosion. They are adapted for local climates and efficiently manage stormwater, making them essential allies in the City's quest to improve stormwater quality and build resilient communities. Keep an eye out and you'll start noticing them around detention ponds, stream channels, and other stormwater facilities in Corvallis.

We're looking for a Utilities Division Manager to head up the division that provides outstanding water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the Corvallis community. Please share this wonderful opportunity!

📢The City of Corvallis, OR - is looking for a new Utilities Division Manager!

To view the recruitment brochure and to apply, please visit: https://prothman.com/open-recruitments/?jobId=3172

This is exciting - the Green Grants program is back for another year! The program has $5,000 available for small dollar grants to make sustainable improvements related to related to recycling, green space, energy efficiency, active transportation, water conservation, community gardens, and many other topics from the Corvallis Climate Action Plan.

Read all about the program and download a grant application here:

Green Grants Applications for the 2024 Green Grants program are now being accepted! The deadline to apply is end of day May 13, 2024. About the Green Grants Program

🛤 The City of Corvallis Adopt-A-Path program has new path segments available for adoption!

Help keep our shared use paths clean and free of vegetation with select segments open NOW for immediate adoption.

How it works is simple:
• Adopt-a-path on behalf of yourself, your family or an organization.
• Agree to two years of service and complete three clean-ups per year.
• We provide all necessary tools and materials for path maintenance. You provide the coordination and clean up.

Your participation toward making our paths more enjoyable, encourages active travel and earns you an acknowledgment sign that recognizes you or your group.

Interested in learning more? Visit: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/adopt-path-program

Our post last month about the newly renovated rain gardens on Beca Avenue prompted some great conversation about water efficient plants that you can try out in your own yard.

Check out this cool resource all about picking water efficient and native plants for your property. Corvallis Public Works teamed up with other agencies and institutions to create this resource, which you can download for free on the water conservation website (link below).

Good tips to keep in mind - group plants with similar watering needs together and learn more about irrigation (it's never as much water as your think!) on our website.

Water Efficient Plant Guide Thinking about changes you might make to your landscape? Maybe you want to add native plants to your landscape. Maybe you just want to add some color or texture to an existing landscape with some new plants. Maybe you are planning an entirely new landscape. New plants require additional irrigation u...