Heritage advisory board approves second call for grant applications, seeks attorney guidance on eligibility

The Clallam County Heritage Advisory Board voted April 7 to issue a second call for heritage grant applications, with a May 16 deadline for submissions and a timeline that would allow board review in July and final Board of Commissioners approval in late July.

Board members said they also will compile specific questions for the prosecuting attorney's office to clarify how eligibility is being determined, particularly in cases where the same organization applies for similar projects year after year.

"I will get our item in line at the attorney's office, for them to review," said Lonnie, staff support for the board, after members discussed past inconsistent reviews and the value of a prosecutor briefing. Several board members said they wanted specific, written questions so the attorney could prepare.

The board reviewed budget figures during the discussion. Rebecca Turner, deputy chief financial officer, joined the meeting and explained how heritage revenues are recorded and how unspent historical balances can be used. "I believe it's whenever there is money received That's what we hear," Turner said, describing how receipts are reflected in the heritage account. Board members and staff discussed a $15,000 annual placeholder for grant awards in 2025, several awards already authorized earlier in the year, and an available historical reserve that could be accessed through a budget-change process.

Board members said the legal review is intended to help applicants write proposals that meet eligibility rules. Members cited past grant denials for projects that involved structural work over historic items and noted confusion among some applicants about what restoration activities qualify.

The board approved a motion to issue the public notice calling for applications (motion moved and seconded; motion passed). The clerk said the notice would be posted to the county website and distributed to media and the heritage advisory mailing list the following day.

The board set an internal schedule: applications due May 16, staff and the prosecuting attorney's review through mid-June, board consideration in July (staff offered to prepare a resolution for a July 9 submittal and a July 22 Board of Commissioners approval date if recommended), and contract work on awards following Commission approval.

Public comment at the start of the meeting included thanks from a resident who praised board members for their work on local heritage projects.

Board members asked staff to collect and forward specific questions to the prosecuting attorney's office by April 18 (Paula to collect questions; Lonnie to submit), so the attorney could respond on a schedule that would allow the board to invite counsel to a future meeting if needed.

Votes at a glance: the board approved issuing the second call for applications; the clerk confirmed the notice would be posted the following day.