Public comments: Sandy Historical Society reports internship work; Chamber clarifies nonprofit status and event funding

Two public-comment items at the Aug. 18 meeting provided community updates and a clarification of prior remarks.

Nicole O’Neil of the Sandy Historical Society said the city-funded internship program supported two seasons of interns who worked on visitor services and local-history binders; the society will host an exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society and reported broad online interest in recent posts. O’Neil gave her name and address for the record: “Nicole O'Neil. 17724 Van Tassel, Sandy, Oregon,” and thanked the council for support of the internship program.

Chris Jones, representing the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce, read a letter responding to earlier statements about the chamber’s nonprofit status and event funding. Jones said the chamber is a 501(c)(6) organization, not a 501(c)(3), and clarified that the city has not provided funding or in-kind support for the local “Trick or Treat Trail” since 2017 (the chamber received city funding for the program from 2015 through February 2017). Jones said the event is “a free and inclusive event designed to foster community engagement” and that a 501(c)(6) has more flexibility than a 501(c)(3) to include a broad range of community participation so long as political activity is not the organization’s primary purpose.

Ending Both public-comment speakers asked for continued partnership and transparency; staff and council acknowledged the updates and said staff will continue to post FAQs and background information online for residents.