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Council receives update on Makataua Area Community Enhancement program; members flag grant language on religious programs
Summary
City Manager Keith Van Beek briefed council on the Makataua Area Coordinating Council’s Community Enhancement program and provided materials on grants and bylaws; council received the update for information.
City Manager Keith Van Beek and staff briefed the Holland City Council on Feb. 19 about the Makataua Area Coordinating Council’s (MAC) Community Enhancement program, an interjurisdictional grant process the city participates in and to which the city has contributed since 2019. Council received the update for information.
Why it matters: The program provides a regional application and review process for projects and organizations seeking modest funding across the Makataua area. Council members said the program can help coordinate projects that cross municipal boundaries and avoid duplicate requests to multiple local governments.
Concerns raised: Councilmember Freeman and others raised concerns about a line in the MAC grant application that reads, "religious programs that advocate specific religious doctrines are not eligible." Freeman said the sentence could be interpreted to exclude religious organizations from applying and asked staff to communicate that concern to MAC for clarification. Councilmember Raymond suggested alternative clarifying language such as stating that funded programs must not require religious participation in order to receive the services supported by the grant.
Staff response: Van Beek and staff said that language reflects standard restrictions on using public funds for programs that are explicitly religious in doctrine, and that the typical test for eligibility is the program’s purpose and whether public funds would support religious instruction or worship. Van Beek said he would pass council’s request for clearer language to MAC staff and that he had already checked with MAC staff informally.
Outcome: Council voted to receive and file the update. Council asked staff to communicate concerns and suggested clarifying wording to the MAC grant committee so religious organizations are not unintentionally discouraged from applying for community programs that provide secular services.
Ending: The report was accepted for information. Council requested that MAC consider revising its application wording to clarify that the program does not bar religious organizations from applying for secular community services and to ensure non‑discrimination in eligibility.
