Community invited to “Talk Trash” at upcoming open house
Benton County is inviting the public to an open house on April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis hosted by the Benton County Talks Trash Solid Waste Process Workgroup.
Community members have already volunteered thousands of hours working with County staff and key stakeholders to provide recommendations about the future of sustainable materials management, solid waste, and disposal in Benton County. The workgroup is scheduled to deliver a final report to the Benton County Board of Commissioners on Apr. 4 that will provide recommendations for the Board about specific solid waste topics. Benton County will be seeking feedback following the submittal of the final report to the Board of Commissioners. Because this is a “bridge” process to subsequent County actions, the report does not address whether the landfill should be expanded or closed. Learn more about the process and review the project website.
The open house will provide a chance for the public to learn more from the workgroup as well as workgroup subcommittees that have been focused on:
“Transparency and openness with our community are a top priority and we have strived to be as open and transparent as we can by engaging with community members who have diverse perspectives, key stakeholders, landfill operators, adjacent counties, Oregon DEQ, and more,” said Benton County Community Development Director Darren Nichols. “The open house on April 4th is another opportunity for us to engage with the community and we hope it will be well attended.”
Benton County “Talks Trash” Solid Waste Process Workgroup Community Open House:
- Date: April 4, 2023
- Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 Research Way, Corvallis, OR, 97339
To learn more and RSVP to the community open house email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
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Join us for an open house pARTy at the Kalapuya Building
Benton County is coordinating with the Corvallis School district to host an open house to celebrate our new Kalapuya building and feature art from the Corvallis School district on April 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join us for rain forest-themed pARTy with refreshments, games, prizes, giveaways, and music outside the Kalapuya Building where Benton County subject matter experts and leaders will be sharing information about their departments.
To learn more or RSVP pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
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Drop-in center located in Benton County provides safe space for people who are unhoused & housing-insecure
The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center is doing a lot with a little to give a hand up to some of the most vulnerable populations in Benton County. The community-based resource hub provides information, referrals, job placement, and direct services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Benton County and beyond.
In alignment with policy recommendations from Benton County’s Home, Opportunity, Planning, and Equity (HOPE) Advisory Board, the navigation center will support systems-level outcomes to improve data coordination, care coordination, augment sheltering, identify and address gaps in services, and provide a one-stop resource center for people most in need.
Watch this video and hear what volunteers, staff, and community members have to say about their local resource center for unhoused and housing-insecure members of the Benton County community.
Learn more
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The Partnership for Community Health: Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties seeks community input into regional Community Health Improvement Plan
In 2022, the Benton County Health Department, in collaboration with the Partnership for Community Health: Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, began a regional community health assessment and improvement planning process. The regional health assessment (CHA) phase of the process is now complete, and the Partnership for Community Health is ready to share the results with the community and gather input on key health issues to include in the regional community health improvement plan (CHIP). The CHIP guides how the region focuses resources that are working to improve the health of all people who live, work, learn and play in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.
Attend a virtual community conversation to review the key health themes from the data and seek community input on priorities for the regional CHIP:
Other ways to get involved:
Attendance at a community conversation is encouraged, but not required to contribute to the planning process. Community members can also access a copy of the presentation and vote on their priorities by accessing the following links:
For inquiries or additional information: BentonHealthyCommunties@bentoncountyor.gov.
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Board of Commissioners response to Community petition regarding Coffin Butte landfill
The Benton County Board of Commissioners is aware that advocates are circulating a petition asking the Board to delay its consideration of any land use action at Coffin Butte landfill until after the County has completed a sustainable materials management plan.
The following message was delivered by Benton County Board Chair Pat Malone at the Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting on March, 21, 2023:
"Over the past year, dozens of community members have invested substantial time and energy into that constructive effort and we continue to ask all interested community members to direct comments to the solid waste process work group at bentoncountytalkstrash@bentoncountyor.gov,” said Malone.
Read the full statement here
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Masks no longer required in healthcare settings
The Oregon Health Authority has announced that on April 3 masking will no longer be a universal requirement in healthcare settings. Benton County will be aligning with the statewide masking update, while recommending that providers, patients, and visitors continue to wear a mask in healthcare settings to better protect themselves and those most vulnerable around them.
Although masking is no longer required, it is important to recognize that COVID-19 is still present in our community and remains a serious risk to many. Masking remains an effective way to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses. People should wear masks in health care settings when sick. Additionally, each provider may choose to continue to require masks, or institute other public health measures.
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COVID-19 vaccines work!
For those at higher risk from COVID-19, such as anyone 65 years or older and people with an immunocompromising condition, taking precautions can be especially important. Masking is especially effective as part of layered protection that includes vaccination against COVID-19. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control, when compared to adults who have received a bivalent booster:
- Adults who have not received a bivalent booster dose are nearly 3 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19.
- Adults who haven’t any COVID-19 vaccine are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19.
In Benton County over 30% of all residents have already received a bivalent booster. For people over 65 years old, that number is nearly 84%! While this is higher than both the state and national average, there are still a lot of people who can be better protected. If you are 5 years or older and haven’t received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, and for some children under 5, you are eligible for one. COVID-19 vaccines are still available most places where vaccines are administered and are still available at no cost to everyone for the time being. Check with your regular medical provider or local pharmacy to make an appointment.
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Pictured left to right: Andrew Millison, Senior Instructor, Dept. of Horticulture; Benton County Community Development Department listen to a presentation during the “In the Know about H20” session at the Willamette Valley Planners Network Meeting; Dr. Mary Santelmann, Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences | |
Leaders/Experts team to get "In the Know about H20"
Benton County teamed with Oregon State University researchers, state and federal agency partners, County Commissioners, industry leaders, non-profit advocates, and other key stakeholders for an “In the Know about H20” discussion at the Willamette Valley Planners Network Meeting, Thursday, March 23 from at the Benton County Kalapuya Building in Corvallis.
The session provided colleagues working on a wide range of water issues the opportunity to discuss the future of water in the Willamette Valley and the importance of individual and collective water resource management.
“These researchers, legislators, and change-makers who have common understandings and different perspectives about water security are coming together for an important discussion,” said Shannon Bush. “Researchers will highlight how their latest work may directly inform and/or impact water scarcity, access, or quality issues in local communities.”
OSU research presentations were followed by a panel discussion focused on identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and partnerships, resource sharing, and envisioning the future of water security in the Willamette Valley.
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Board of Commissioners' meeting summaries
Tuesday Board of Commissioner meeting summaries list each agenda item and provide a brief description of the nature of the item.
Visit the Board of Commissioners meeting page to find links to meetings, meeting summaries, meeting materials, and other details.
Meeting summaries will generally be posted on the Board of Commissioners meeting page by the close of business, on the day of the meeting. Extenuating circumstances, such as longer than typical meetings or executive sessions, may delay posting until the next business day. *It is important to note that the meeting summary is not the formal meeting record and does not replace Board meeting minutes.
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National Crime Victims' Rights Week
This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 23 - 29.
Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. During NCVRW, we celebrate the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come.
Every April, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW. This years’ theme is Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change. The Benton County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program takes this opportunity to create a display at the Courthouse to educate the public on victimization in Benton County with colored flags representing different crime categories. This serves to help raise awareness about victims’ rights and services available to them. In 2022, Benton County Victim Assistance Program assisted 2,306 crime victims, providing 40,911 services.
Additionally, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit to ensuring that accessible, appropriate and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of crime. The District Attorney’s Office is hereby dedicated to strengthening victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime by amplifying their voices and committing to create an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed and supported; bringing hope and healing to all victims and survivors and building resilience in our communities and our victim service providers.
This year, a ceremony will be held on Monday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. in the historic Courthouse in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a reception to follow. Benton County employees, community partners and the public are invited to attend.
Learn more about National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
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Silt Fences and Erosion and Sediment Control
Water Quality Series: by Benton County Public Works
What on Earth is a silt fence?
Well, you might guess just by the name that a silt fence is a temporary fencing structure put into place to keep exposed soils contained within a site, and prevent them from entering nearby waterways and polluting them. They are one of the first lines of defense when it comes to construction sites, and you have probably seen these black plastic barriers up and around many locations.
One of the main environmental issues around construction and development is the clearing of the top layer of vegetation and soil known as a ‘ground disturbing activity’. Plants and their roots keep soil in place, allow for natural filtration of stormwater into the ground, and naturally prevent pollution from running down storm drains and into waterways.
Properly installing a silt fence
Like most tools, silt fences only work if they are used properly. Rather than primarily being an ‘above ground’ barrier, silt fences do almost all of their work at the soil level and below. A silt fence installed just to sit on the ground doesn’t work very well, because after a storm, water and mud can flow underneath. So it’s important that these barriers be buried and secured to retain pollution.
A bigger picture – erosion and sediment control
Did you know that the methods used to prevent erosion and water pollution at development sites is closely regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)? The DEQ issues permits to other governments (like Benton County) who must follow DEQ rules and ensure that those in their county also follow these rules. So wherever you go, these erosion and sediment control practices look very similar from place to place.
Next time you pass a construction site, be sure to look for a silt fence and try to see if you can point out other items that might be there to prevent erosion or sediment pollution.
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Figure 1 As you might guess, this silt fence was poorly installed and isn't doing a very good job of preventing pollution. Photo by: kitsapgov.com
Learn more:
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Figure 2 This silt fence is installed properly and is clearly keeping potential water pollution from exiting the site. Photo by: Land and Water Magazine
Program Contacts:
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Benton County is hiring!
Our featured position this month is: Administrative Program Manager
This position manages Benton County Natural Areas, Parks & Events (NAPE) facility rentals, Benton Oaks RV Park, Salmonberry Campground, and assists in organizing the annual Benton County Fair & Rodeo. Plans, directs, coordinates and supervises office staff in the administrative operations of NAPE. Serves as Project Manager on relevant projects. Oversees Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable. Collaborates with Department Director and Deputy Director to establish and review department policies. Establishes short-and long-term plans/projects for management of the Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds and provides recommendations to Department Director.
View additional vacancies
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices.
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This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. | | | | |
