Civic Improvement Trust grants: small pool from hotel‑motel tax funds local tourism and events

City staff briefed the planning commission on the Oregon City Civic Improvement Trust and how the city uses hotel‑motel tax receipts and donations to fund tourism and visibility projects.

Brian Gosgrove, identified as an assistant city manager during the meeting, explained the trust’s structure and typical uses. The Civic Improvement Trust is set up as a nonprofit; it receives hotel‑motel tax revenue and may accept private donations. Staff said the fund typically brings in roughly $70,000–$80,000 a year and is governed by a nine‑member panel composed of the five city commissioners and four citizens at large. The committee meets quarterly when funds are available and awards grants to projects that increase Oregon City’s visibility and support tourism.

Recent uses include small grants for local events and operational assistance — for example, funding trolley operations during the tourist season, summer concerts, and one‑time support for an Oregon City High School girls’ basketball tournament that staff said raised the city’s profile. Staff said grant applications are typically a one‑page form submitted to Mary Palmer, the staff contact, and that the committee’s schedule is driven by cash availability.

Staff said the fund balance was low at the time of the briefing (no immediate grant funds available), and that larger projects would require additional hotel‑motel capacity — for instance, the addition of a full‑service hotel would materially increase annual receipts. Staff noted a possible private hotel proposal on the Stimson property but cautioned that such development would depend on market factors and owner interest.

Commissioners asked about criteria, deadlines and application procedures; staff offered to provide application forms and the committee’s ordinance and noted that the committee has broad discretion within the statutory tourism‑related purposes.