For this year, it appears unlikely that Corvallis’ outdoor dining program will go year-round – but City councilors appear favorable toward making it so starting next spring.
Discussion reignited at Monday’s city council meeting after Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis moved to make the current program year-round instead of allowing it to sunset the end of October. While the motion went down on a 6-3 vote, most of the councilors straightforwardly stated they favor the program going year-round. Generally, the council’s discussion focused on having time to put details into place, like fee structures, and allowable maximums for the program per block.
While the parking spaces consumed by the program, and upcoming parking studies arose as issues, Ellis pointed out that only 19 spaces, or less than 2% of the City’s downtown parking, is consumed by the current program. Given the council’s discussion, parking impacts don’t seem like a hot-button issue for the moment.
The current state of discussion points to a possible implementation for year-round outdoor dining starting next May.
The Crest Subdivision: Also on the City Council’s Monday menu, a 17 acre, 35 home development slated for the Timberhill area atop of 29th Street. After considerable discussion, the councilors tabled the matter until their October 2 meeting as they are seeking further information.
The City’s planning division had approved the development, an action they believe they were legally obligated to take, given the zoning for the site. However, the appellants believe the City’s Comprehensive Plan Map should be controlling, which would call for more open space and higher density than what the zoning does. Legally, the council will need to make a decision by Oct. 26.
Benton County Ag Grants Anyone: If you have livestock or crops to protect from area wildlife, and you’re willing to look at non-lethal ways to deal with predators, the County has grant dollars.
For the 2023-2025 biennial budget they have $47,475 for the Agriculture and Wildlife Protection Program , or AWPP.
Agricultural operations of all sizes can apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds for the purchase of deterrents, which may include standard and electric fencing, audio or visual scare devices, fladry or flagging, protective animal housing, and livestock guardian animals. Property owners who are experiencing conflicts with beavers can apply year-round to purchase deterrents to protect trees and crops or prevent flooding issues. The AWPP does not fund deterrents for deer or elk.
The AWPP also provides information and resources to farmers regarding non-lethal wildlife deterrence and can help guide folks that are interested in creating successful deterrent plans.
The AWPP 2023-2025 budget includes $5,000 for educational outreach and expert consultation services, $35,000 for the regular grant program, and $7,475 for emergency grants for farmers experiencing pressing issues related to predation or beaver-related impacts which arise outside of the annual grant application window.
Grant applications can be downloaded from the AWPP webpage and submitted October 1 through November 30, 2023. Grant awards will be announced in early January and successful applicants will have until April 30 to install their projects and request reimbursement after a farm visit by Benton County staff.
Since 2017, the AWPP has provided 32 awards totaling $84,680 to Benton County farmers for the purchase of wildlife-friendly animal damage deterrents. Awards are made based upon the applicant’s philosophy of animal damage control, quality of application and the likely effectiveness of the proposed non-lethal deterrents project plan. Successful applicants must provide a 10% funding match via labor or materials purchases.
Click here to learn more about the AWPP.
Another Official Pandemic Ending: With little fanfare or media coverage, Oregon OSHA announced last month that it has permanently repealed all of its COVID-19 rules, which had been temporarily suspended.
The decision to repeal the rules follows a July 25 public hearing during which the agency received no testimony and a public comment period during which the agency received no input. The comment period ended Aug. 4.
Well, Okay, There’s Still Some Rules: Assuming that some employees might want to continue to wear masks, the agency preserved that option by amending rules related to work clothing. However, employers are required to provide masks for employees only if they require their use. In such cases, masks must be supplied at no cost to employees.
Though the rules preserve the ability of employees to wear masks voluntarily, employers are not required to allow employees to use respirators should they request to use one instead of a mask.
To read the rules and related documentation, go here.
Is that Employee Social Media Policy Defensible: The National Labor Relations Board has overturned a 2017 decision affording flexibility for employee policies. Under the new standard, experts say, employers will have to think carefully about how to defend certain types of corporate policies, including those involving social media and appropriate workplace conduct.
The standard involves employees’ Section 7 rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This section gives employees the right to form, join or assist labor unions, to bargain collectively and engage in similar activities. The NLRB also broadly interprets these rights as relating to employees’ rights to express themselves about a wide variety of issues and to communicate with their coworkers. The current NLRB general counsel has seemed to indicate that any sort of expression of political or social views may fall under section 7 rights. As a result of the NLRB’s Aug. 2 ruling, a workplace rule will be presumed unlawful under the NLRA if an employee could reasonably interpret it to chill their exercise of their Section 7 rights.
The NLRB’s decision involves Stericycle, a waste management company that had adopted several employee policies. Among other things, these policies limited the use of personal electronic devices to breaks; banned employees from taking pictures and other recordings at worksites without a supervisor’s permission; and prohibited activity that would reflect badly upon the company or its management.
After an administrative law judge had found some of these rules lawful and others unlawful under the pre-existing standard, the NLRB returned the case for reconsideration under a new standard. Under that standard, the possibility that an employee might reasonably interpret a rule to have a coercive meaning would produce a presumptive finding that it violated the NLRA. To counter such a finding, an employer would have to prove that the rule advanced a legitimate and substantial business interest and that the employer could not advance that interest with a more narrowly tailored rule, say experts. The employer’s intent in adopting rules is not relevant.
Examples of policies that should be reviewed in light of this decision, according to experts, include those that promote civility, prohibit insubordination, restrict social media use and prohibit the disparagement of a company’s management or products.
To learn more, read the NLRB’s press release here; analyses by the Society for Human Resources Management here and here; and a response by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here.
And Now, You Business Events Calendar….
Corvallis Young Pros Paint Night. 5 to 7 pm, Tue, Sept. 26, at Carazon, 208 SW 2nd Street
Admission for one to this fun paint night is a $40 donation to Maxtivity and includes supplies and guidance from one of Maxtivity’s artist instructors to create a beautiful sunflower painting. Also included is a mini wine tasting with appetizers sponsored by FactoryWiz. Space is limited! Purchase your tickets today – after clicking on the link for tickets, click on the green “Fund Access to Art” button to reserve your spot. Here’s the link to register.
Real Estate Broker Pre-License. 11 sessions, $695. Starts Wed., Sept. 27, 6 to 9 pm.
Have you been thinking about a career as a real estate agent? This class is the first step. An accelerated pre-license HYBRID weekly class, self-study, and a 9-5 pre-test cram session on Saturday, December 2 will get you ready for the Oregon Real Estate Broker’s License Exam. You must attend all class sessions through Zoom or in person and have online access to complete the self-study portion of this course. Held at Coldwell Banker Valley Broker’s North Albany Branch. Offered by Linn-Benton Community College, SBDC. Click here for registration and info.
OSU MBA Prep Session. Thur., Sept. 28 at 12 to 1 pm, virtual event.
This session reviews the Oregon State University application process, offering tips and suggestions so you can make sure you are submitting the best possible application to MBA, MSB, or Graduate Certificate Programs at Oregon State University. They recommend (but do not require) that you attend an Information Session before attending an Application Workshop. Zoom information provided after registration. Oregon State University offers graduate business programs in Portland, Corvallis, and online. Click here to register.
Living on the Land Informational Series. Five Session course, Mondays from 6 – 8 pm, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. $20, scholarships available.
Join the OSU Small Farms Program for this informational series for rural landowners new to managing small-acreage farms or properties. Participants must attend all 5 courses. In collaboration with the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District. Topics include: Land management planning, local ecosystems, soils, regenerative/climate smart practices, managing weeds, woodlands and watersheds, rural water, pasture and grazing management. Click here for more information and registration.
Property Manager Pre-License Class. Starts Tue., Oct 3, 6 to 8 pm, by Zoom. From LBCC Small Business Development Center, $600.
If you love problem solving, working with people and multitasking, then this in-demand property management class is for you. This course prepares you for the State of Oregon Property Manager License Exam and covers the role of property managers, tenant relations, fair housing, lease agreements, and more. You must attend all class sessions through Zoom and have online access to complete the self-study portion of this course. Click here to learn more and register.
Start Your Business in Six Weeks! Starts Tue, Oct 3 6:30 to 7:50 pm, by Zoom. From LBCC Small Business Development Center, $349, scholarships available.
This 6 part class takes you though all the essentials of starting your business from identifying your ideal customer and target market, to pricing your product and understanding startup finances, to developing your sales and marketing plan. Though classes and individual coaching you will create a solid foundation on which to launch your business to the next level. Click here to learn more and register.
Going Into Business. 6:30 PM to 7:20 pm, Tue., Oct. 10, by Zoom. From LBCC Small Business Development Center. Free.
In just one session, you’ll get all the basic information you will need to begin planning your successful business! Rules, regulations, financing, customers, markets, and feasibility will all be discussed in this FREE seminar! Click here to learn more and register.
– By Advocate staff, with coverage of the new Covid-19 rules and new social media rights decisions from Oregon Business & Industry staff
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