Commissioners make final site selection decision for proposed Justice System Improvement Program facilities |
|
On January 21, the Benton County Board of Commissioners met to discuss and make a decision between two proposed sites for Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) facilities. The meeting was well attended by the public, who were invited to comment in advance of a decision.
The two sites under consideration for JSIP facilities included a site in west Corvallis on Reservoir Road, and a site in north Corvallis next to the Hewlett-Packard campus. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the north site and directed staff to continue pursuing the property.
The Board had previously delayed a final site selection decision twice to provide additional time for public engagement, and provide County staff further opportunity to explore site options, and conduct their due diligence. Preliminary discussions to review site selection options occurred on January 18 as part of the commissioners’ regular Board meeting, and at a virtual public meeting on January 20 in addition to the numerous community outreach events that began last summer and extended into fall and winter.
“We appreciate all the time and effort that has gone into this project by our elected officials, staff, and consultants, and we want to thank each of our community members for their contributions to this important process that helped shape our final decision”, said Board Chair Nancy Wyse. “The Board unanimously agrees that the best site for the new justice system campus is one that has the least negative impact on our community. Based on all of the information we have reviewed to date we believe the north site is the best option.”
|
|
Three County departments relocate in January
Last month, the Assessor’s Office, Records & Elections Department, and the Benton County Board of Commissioners’ Office relocated to the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis.
On January 13, the Assessor’s Office moved from the Sunset Building at 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis and reopened for in-person services on January 18. On January 20, the Records & Elections Department moved from the historic Courthouse at 120 NW 4th Street, Corvallis and reopened for in-person services on January 25. The Assessor's Office and the Records & Elections Department are both located on the second floor.
On January 27, the Benton County Board of Commissioners’ Office moved from 205 NW 5th Street, Corvallis and reopened to in-person services on January 31. The Benton County Board of Commissioners’ Office is located on the first floor in the main lobby. Public parking is available in front of the Kalapuya Building.
With the exception of the new physical address, contact information for the Assessor, Records & Elections, and the Benton County Board of Commissioners’ staff, including phone numbers email addresses, remain unchanged.
The relocation of County departments begins to address initial reasons for the County’s purchase that included addressing critical space needs and the centralizing of customer services in a convenient and accessible location. The Kalapuya Building also provides improved community member access and service to the public; it is located within a quarter mile of the County’s Sunset Building, and the physical size of the facility advances the County’s vision of a one-stop-shop customer service center. Additionally, the moves provide co-location of customer-facing departments, ample parking for the public, operational efficiencies and stewardship of tax dollars.
|
|
Vaccination clinics at the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds, Jan. 31 - Feb. 11
Benton County is collaborating with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to host a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds daily from January 31 through February 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available as supplies last.
Individuals 5 years and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at these events. First, second, third, booster and pediatric doses will be available. Individuals 12 years and older can now get a Pfizer booster at least five (5) months after their second dose.
The vaccination event schedule and details are as follows:
- Every day: January 31 - February 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis
No appointment is necessary and individuals may arrive to be vaccinated any of the dates and times listed. No identification is needed and individuals do not have to live permanently in Oregon to receive the vaccine. For more information or to request additional accommodations call 541-766-6120.
Benton County is also collaborating with OHA, Samaritan Health Services, and school districts in the County to offer youth-focused COVID-19 vaccination events in Philomath, Alsea, Corvallis, and Monroe the week of January 30 through February 4. For more details visit: https://bit.ly/BentonCoGov-VaccinationEvents.
|
|
Benton County receives community development block grant award for childcare
Benton County is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant from Business Oregon. The grant will provide 100% scholarships for low-to-moderate income children to attend childcare, after school, and summer programs in response to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The proposed project will serve students and children in Benton County from November 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022.
The County selected nine organizations through a public application process to receive funds. Those organizations include the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, Philomath Youth Activities Club, Kristin Tangney Family Childcare, SouthSide Youth Outreach, Corvallis Environmental Center, Mari’s Place, City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation, Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, and Little Beavers Preschool. Eligible applicants were nonprofit organizations and private businesses. More than $400,000 in grant requests were received, and the County is seeking additional funding from Business Oregon in hopes to fulfill more scholarships.
|
|
Annual roadside spraying program
The Benton County Public Works Department will begin its annual roadside shoulder-spraying program to control vegetation along County roads in late March, weather permitting. Spraying of noxious weeds and roadside vegetation is completed throughout the year.
Residents who do not want roadside spraying to control weeds along their property must fill out a Vegetation Control Permit and a Vegetation Control Liability Release form with the County each year. There is a $5 annual fee to participate in the program. Agreements and payment must be received by March 1. Once the agreement is signed, residents will be given No-Spray signs that must be posted correctly on their property by March 15. Only the areas posted with County provided signs and completed agreements will be left out of the roadside spray program. Community members can also notify the Public Works Department by phone if they no longer wish to participate in the program.
In addition, if residents are interested in a modified spray program, for example, spraying for noxious weeds but not roadside grasses, please contact the Public Works Department at 541-766-6821.
|
|
Benton County invites bids for strategic marketing and political consulting services
Benton County invites bids for strategic marketing and political consulting services for the Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP).
The Program includes three phases:
- Phase I resulted in a comprehensive assessment of the criminal justice system and treatment service needs for corrections-involved individuals.
- Phase II, the program’s current phase, includes predesign work including site selection, facility conceptual designs, and feasibility assessments and business plans for new services up to and including passage of a county-wide bond measure for financing.
- Phase III includes architectural services, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the new facilities as well as an evaluation of efficacy.
Strategic marketing and political consulting will include working with County Board of Commissioners, JSIP Program Manager, County administration and staff, and community stakeholders to provide strategic consulting and planning, advising on public engagement and communications, and providing statistically valid research and polling services to inform decisions.
|
|
First Responder Radio Infrastructure Assessment and Improvement Plan
Benton County is requesting proposals for a radio infrastructure assessment and detailed improvement plan for responder agencies in our area. This will allow all agencies with a plan that identifies gaps, solutions, and specific recommendations to improve the redundancy and long-term interoperability of our communication systems.
The plan will also allow us to plan appropriately for future resource allocations. The final product will be a phased plan that includes a basic assessment, gap analysis, and specific recommendations for improvement and resource investment. This plan will also include a future maintenance, testing, and evaluation component to support ongoing evaluation of this plan.
|
|
Questions?
Benton County Public Information Office
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
