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Committee asks city attorney to review inclusivity language after flags about federal grant eligibility
Summary
Committee members raised concerns that new federal grant-application language on the city’s grant portal may limit permissible activities; they asked the city attorney to review the inclusivity proclamation and site language and to provide a memo or attend the April meeting to advise on any risks to federal funding.
A committee member told the Philomath Inclusivity Committee that the city attorney has flagged wording on a federal grant portal required during grant renewals that could affect eligibility if certain activities or language are present. The speaker said some checklist items on the site "very specifically say that we shall not engage in certain behavior," and recommended the attorney review the committee’s inclusivity proclamation and the committee’s broader communications to ensure they do not jeopardize federal grants.
Jessica Andrade and other members supported inviting the city attorney to the April meeting or asking her to provide a memorandum outlining concerns and suggested language changes. The speaker emphasized the request is meant to ensure committee members and staff have a shared level of comfort moving forward and to clarify whether some future advocacy or language choices could risk federal funding.
Committee members agreed it would be useful for the attorney to look at the draft proclamation and the city website language and to identify any specific phrasing the city should avoid. The committee did not state whether it will change its priorities in response; members said they still value the committee’s educational and awareness work and might choose to recommend the council continue certain activities even if the attorney flags risk, but the intent is to be informed before deciding.
