Forest Grove Solid Waste Community Enhancement Program Advisory Committee

                                                                           BYLAWS

ARTICLE I – NAME

 Forest Grove Solid Waste Community Enhancement Program Advisory Committee. Working title shall be Community Enhancement Program Committee (CEPC). 

ARTICLE II – AUTHORIZATION

Established by resolution by the Forest Grove City Council, Resolution No. 2015-27 on April 13, 2015, and by Intergovernmental Agreement with Metro, Contract No. 933295. 

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE 

1. Administer the Community Enhancement Program funded by the Metro fee at the Forest Grove Transfer Station.

ARTICLE IV – RESPONSIBILITIES/OBJECTIVES

1. Establishment of the enhancement area boundary.

2. Creation of committee bylaws

3. Development of a process for soliciting and selecting community enhancement projects. 

4. Compliance with the eligibility criteria set forth in Metro’s Solid Waste Community Enhancement Program Section 5.06.070 and the goals set forth in Section 5.06.080 and creation of additional criteria and goals where needed.

5. Annually review enhancement program revenue estimates provided by Metro staff and propose how these funds will be allocated for the upcoming fiscal year or funding cycle.

6. Presentation of an annual report to the Metro and City Council on all projects approved for funding.

7. Maintenance of complete and accurate records related to the administration of the program, submitted to Metro annually.

ARTICLE V – ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

Section 1. Membership

1. Membership of the Forest Grove CEPC shall consist of the seven City Councilors and the Metro Councilor whose district includes the City if the Metro Councilor chooses to be a committee member. If the Metro Councilor decided not to be a member of the CEPC, the City Council will be the committee.

Section 2. Officers

1. The Mayor and the Metro Councilor will be co-chairs of the CEPC if the Metro Councilor chooses to serve as co-chair.

2. The duties and powers of the officers of the Forest Grove Community Enhancement Program Committee shall be as follows:

Chair or Co-Chairs

• Preside at all meetings of the Committee
  • Development of a written agenda in sufficient time to allow for distribution to Committee prior to any regular meeting.
  • Call special meetings of the Committee in accordance with the bylaws;
    • See that all actions of the Committee are properly taken;

• Keep summary minutes of all meetings;
  • Give or serve all notices required by law or required in the CEPC Bylaws;
    • Prepare the agenda of all meetings of the CEPC;
    • Be custodian of CEPC records;

ARTICLE VI - MEETING PROCEDURES AND QUORUM

1. The CEPC shall hold meetings as needed to administer the program as determined by the Chair or Co-Chairs. Members will be reminded by in writing or electronic means such as email at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled meetings. The notice will include the date, time, location and agenda for the meeting. Summary minutes shall be taken for all meetings and shall be available for viewing by anyone, on request. Minutes are to be distributed to all members and others expressing an interest in receiving them.

2. CEPC Meetings shall be publicized in accordance with the Oregon public meetings law.

3. A majority of current membership entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

4. Robert’s Rules of Order shall guide the CEPC in all cases not otherwise provided for in these rules. All final determination of procedure shall be the responsibility of the Chair or Co-Chairs.
5. All members of the CEPC shall be voting members of the committee. In the case of a tie vote, the motion fails.
6. A report of the CEPC activities shall be made to City Council and Metro annually.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDING BYLAWS

Amendments to these bylaws may be recommended at a meeting of the CEPC called for that purpose, provided that written or electronic notice such as email has been sent to each member at least fourteen (14) days before the meeting. The notice shall state the amendments that are proposed to be made in the bylaws. Only a change that has been specified in the notice shall become effective upon the affirmative vote of a majority of CEPC board members and is subject to the approval by City Council.

ARTICLE VIII - APPROVALS

The above bylaws for the Forest Grove Community Enhancement Program Committee have been duly considered and reviewed, and are hereby recommended for adoption by the Forest Grove City Council this 16^th day of April, 2015.

Signed:                                                                          Peter Truax, Co-Chair

Signed:                                                                          Kathryn Harrington, Co-Chair

At the October 13 Community Enhancement Program (CEP) meeting, held at the Community Auditorium, the committee originally awarded four $20,000 grants to local organizations making a lasting impact in our community.  Sixteen applicants participated in the presentations, and the committee deliberated and selected four finalists.  

This year’s recipients include:

• Forest Grove Elks Lodge #2440 Backpack Program – supporting local students by providing weekend meals and weekly snacks.
• American Legion Washington Post 2 Veterans Tribute Part – helping create a dedicated space to honor and remember our community veterans.
• Family Peace Center of Washington County – expanding services and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
• Pacific University Longhouse project – providing a new, welcoming gathering and recreational space.

Following the initial award meeting, the CEP Committee identified a voting tabulation error affecting the final scoring.  The Committee reconvened on November 25th to determine the recourse of the error, confirm updated scores, and take corrective action.  

The Committee discussed several options, and as a result of the review, the Committee unanimously voted to award an additional $20,000 grant to:

• St. Vincent de Paul – providing utility bill assistance to families in low-income households.

Congratulations to all the recipients.  A total of $100,000 in CEP funds will be distributed to these projects, reflecting the committee’s and city’s ongoing commitment to supporting community well-being, local service programs, and meaningful civic improvements that make a difference.  

During the CEP Committee meeting on May 28, 2024, four Forest Grove organizations were selected to receive CEP and CIG grants. These grants aim to support local community projects and enhance the quality of life in Forest Grove. The recipients and their awarded grants are as follows:

• Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce: Awarded the Community Impact Grant for a Centro De Desarollo Empresarial (Business Development Center) - $40,000 annually for three years.
• Forest Grove Recovery Club: Received a CEP grant of $20,000 for the Revitalization Project, funding for one year.
• Forest Grove Elks Lodge 2240: Awarded a CEP grant of $20,000 for the Weekend Program for FGSD Underserved Students, funding for one year.
• Forest Grove High School: Received a CEP grant of $10,000 for the Theatre Revitalization project.

Metro, a regional government organization, funded the CEP and CIG grant programs through an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Forest Grove. The funding is generated by a $1 per ton surcharge collected at the B Street Transfer Station. These grants reflect the collaborative effort to invest in the community's development and well-being.

Please visit the City of Forest Grove agenda portal to read all the project proposal applications.

To learn more about the Community Enhancement Program, visit the Oregon Metro website.

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Stephanie Fleischer, Communications and Programs Manager, 503-992-3298 Date: May 22, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Enhancement Program Committee Awards Metro Grants

On Thursday, May 18, 2023 the Community Enhancement Program Committee convened to hear proposals from local area non-profits to award grant monies funded by Metro Community Enhancement Grant program.

The committee heard proposals from nine local area non-profits. Three applicants applied for the Community Impact Grant (CIG) and seven applicants for the Community Enhancement Grant (CEG). The CIG award is one three-year grant of $30,000 per year and the CEG award is three one-year grant of $10,000.

The Committee heard CIG application highlights from the Mead Foundation, The City Club of Forest Grove, and Hope Community Network. The CEG applicants, which included Hope Community Network, The City Club of Forest Grove, Friends of Historic Forest Grove, Foodways by Nana Cardoon, Forest Grove Elks #2440, and FGC Chamber of Commerce. A representative from Rebuilding Together Washington County Inc. was not present but submitted an application.

After deliberations, the committee selected Hope Community Network to receive the Community Impact Grant. The Committee opted to amend the grant and award $30,000 for one year instead of

$30,000 per year for three years. The unawarded funds remain in a Community Enhancement Program fund for potential use next year. The Community Enhancement Grant recipients are Foodways by Nana Cardoon, Forest Grove Elks #2440, and Rebuilding Together Washington County. Congratulations to all the recipients!

To review the agenda packet, including the grant applications visit our website. A recording of the meeting is also available.

For more information about the Metro Community Enhancement Grant program visit Metro’s website.

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City of Forest Grove     |     1924 Council St.     |     503-992-3200      |     forestgrove-or.gov