On Monday, Corvallis’ City Councilors voted to approve a five percent merit raise for our fair burgh’s top staffer, City Manager Mark Shepard. Currently paid nearly $243,000 a year, the raise will amount to almost $12,000 annually.
Shepard had already received a four percent cost of living adjustment earlier this year. Cost of living adjustments come yearly, merit increases are rarer. The motion to give Shepard a raise now came from Ward 8 Councilor Carolyn Mayers and was seconded by Ward 2 Councilor Briae Lewis.
Ward 3 City Councilor Jim Moorefield supported the raise saying Shepard had only received three merit increases in the last ten years. Five percent in 2016, three percent in 2017 and two percent in 2023. Mayor Charles Maughan noted in some years, Shepard declined to be even be considered for an increase.
As Council debated the raise, Moorfield, arguing the City needs to recruit top talent, said “I think we should be giving the message that we support high performance in our organization. We support high performance leadership. And when that is delivered to us, we recognize that value by giving fair increases.”
Ward 6 Councilor Alison Bowden said they would support a merit increase given Shepard’s “high-level of service.” But they also said they would be more inclined to vote for a two to three percent raise, given the City’s current budget challenges.
Earlier this year, the League of Oregon Cities recognized Shepard with what’s called a Herman Kehrli Award. It’s prestigious. It only goes to one city employee statewide each year. The award recognizes public servants that have made exceptional contributions to local government and produced lasting benefits for their community.
Among city government nerds, and yes, there are such people, the award is viewed as a VERY big deal.
Ultimately, the Council voted 7-2 to approve the five percent raise. Only Bowden and Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis voted against.
Land Buy for New Corvallis Bike Park Approved
Councilors also approved, unanimously in this instance, the purchase of almost 4.81 acres of land for a new bike park. The property is at the end of NW Lester Ave., just east of the entrance to Chip Ross Park.
“The site provides regional trail connectivity, opportunity for parking lot and trailhead improvements at Chip Ross Park & Natural Area, and natural topography well-suited for skill development trails and amenities for people of all ages and abilities,” said Parks and Rec Director Meredith Petit in a memo to Council.
She also said that over the past 18 months, staff have worked with landscape architect firm Walker Macy and bike park designer C2 Recreation to perform due diligence measures on the site, develop a conceptual design, and seek land use approvals.
“While the site contains some natural features and utility constraints, it has been determined that the property is an ideal location for the new bike park,” said Petit. She also said the design process was heavily informed by a Bike Park Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from various stakeholder groups, three public outreach events, an online survey with over 300 responses, and various public meeting presentations.
Petit says the purchase price for the land is $595,000. The total budget, including the land purchase, is $2.1 million. Expect to see this new park open between late 2026 and 2027.
The project will be paid for with Parks System Development Charges and had already been budgeted for. Still, the land purchase required Council approval.
Art Purchases Okayed for New Parks & Rec Maintenance Facility
Because Corvallis, buying art for a new Parks Maintenance Operations Center has a budget, and a process. In this instance, the budget is $150,000, and it will be The Corvallis Arts Center that is contracted to take that budget and choose the pieces to be purchased.
$127,000 for artwork, $23,000 is reserved for various administrative fees and costs.
The planning and design process to relocate and construct the new Parks facility is approaching its final phases, and construction is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2026, according to a memo to Council from Parks and Recreation Assistant Director James Mellein.
“A component for new construction of a municipal building, described in Corvallis Municipal Code Section 1.04.070, is the required acquisition and installation of works of art under the 1% For Art provisions, wrote Mellein. “In accordance with Council Policy G1.03 Public Art, City Council may choose to consider purchasing a work of art at the Council level or convene a task force to manage the art selection process on its behalf. If Council chooses to convene a task force, the task force will utilize the Art Selection Criteria in the policy and make a recommendation to City Council.”
“Staff has received a proposal from the Corvallis Arts Center, Inc. (aka The Arts Center) that includes a detailed approach to facilitating the art selecting process, including convening a selection panel, preparing a Call for Artists, reviewing finalist proposals, and selecting the finalist. The Arts Center staff has extensive experience in the implementation of public art and the Parks & Recreation Department has collaborated with them on past projects, including the Corvallis Community Center,” wrote Mellein.
The Councilors have approved the Parks & Rec request. Arts Center Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan tells us that folks can expect a Call to Artists sometime in March.
By Hallie Greenberg with reporting contributions from Mike Suarez and Steven J. Schultz
Update: This story has been updated to include the correct pronouns for one of the City’s councilors.
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