Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council approved a new community grants program, with $5,000 available for nonprofit groups this fiscal year.
The council’s Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the program at its Oct. 18 meeting. The council approved the program during its regular meeting on Oct. 25.
“The city wants people to know that we have this grant program, that we’re helping them, so that it helps the city look better,” Gourley said. “It does bring more taxes back into the community. It helps bring more people into the community, which helps the city.”
The funds could be used to help pay for an Eagle Scout project in a park, for example, Gourley said, or it could fund a kiosk, a beautification project or something else that benefits the city.
The council previously offered the program for a couple of years in response to requests for funding by local groups during its budget process.
Likewise recently, the South Santiam All Lands Collaborative had requested $1,000 to help pay for the costs of applying for nonprofit status, and the Beautification Committee sought $10,000 toward its annual effort to maintain planters and roadside flower beds within the city.
During the Administration and Finance Committee meeting, Council Greg Mahler recalled that the program was beneficial.
Under the program, the city provides matching funds for a project.
“They were going to shut down the swimming pool,” Mahler said. “We took all the funds that particular year and pushed it toward the swimming pool.”
Among those that have benefited are the HOPE Center, the Farmer’s Market, the skate park and Food Pak program, he said.
Mahler asked whether the program could be used to help a business replace a canopy or project along those lines.
Gourley said that would have to be a separate program.
The program ensures that people think through their projects and that they’re vetted, Gourley said.
It adds accountability, Mahler said. Participants must document and prove the project has been completed.
The council chose to fund the SSALC and Beautification Committee requests outside of this program.
The Beatification Committee is an annual project and expense, said Councilor Jeff Goodwin.
The Beautification Committee received $3,000 from the city’s economic development funds in May. With a $15,000 annual budget and the end of its Arts and Crafts bazaar held during the Jamboree, it is short on funds.
Goodwin wondered whether the city should commit more in order to reach the committee’s budget.
That’s something the council can reevaluate in the future after conferring with the Parks Board and Tree Commission, he said.
“It lifts up the appearance of the entire town,” Goodwin said. “No question, it’s beautiful.”
Bob Dalton described what the committee provides, including the hundreds of volunteer hours to keep everything up throughout the year.
“You have been given a gift beyond imagination for any city,” said Alice Grovom, a Beautification Committee leader.
In other towns, the city government runs the beautification program, Dalton told the Administration and Finance Committee.
SSALC is partnering with the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort to move forward on several projects identified in the federal Livability Initiative and the city and Sweet Home Trails Alliance to help carry out trail work near the Senior Center.
Through an Oregon Department of Forestry grant, SSALC is working with the Forest Service on public outreach for its upcoming Trout Creek harvest planning area.
The council voted 7-0 to approve all three proposals. Present at the council meeting were James Goble, Ryan Underwood, Mahler, Gourley, Dave Trask, Diane Gerson and Goodwin.
Under the Community Grants Program, the city will provide up to $5,000 to local groups for projects.
The application period is Feb. 1 to Feb. 28. Grants will be awarded in March.
Next fiscal year, which begins on July 1, the cycle will change, with grants awarded in July and January.
Applicants must be a nonprofit entity. The group must document the benefit it will provide to Sweet Home residents.
Priorities for projects include the improvement of community spaces;, improving education, athletic and social activities; supporting or enhancing community-based events and programs; promoting tourism; supporting city goals; attracting positive covered in the media; reaching a broad segment of the community; and community improvement.
For more information or for an application, stop by City Hall, 1140 12th Ave. or call (541) 367-8969.