HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2018.08.09 - 23741MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #18295 August 9, 2018
BY: Commissioner Christine Long, Chairperson, General Government Committee
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DESIGNATION OF THE BICENTENNIAL YEAR AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY BICENTENNIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND
ADVISORY BOARD
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS a proclamation of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass organized Oakland County and designated
Pontiac as the county seat on March 28, 1820; and
WHEREAS the year 2020 will mark the 200Ih anniversary of the creation of Oakland County; and
WHEREAS the bicentennial year marks an important milestone in the history of Oakland County, providing
an opportunity to educate, reflect and celebrate during the commemorative year; and
WHEREAS recognizing the need to begin the planning process for the upcoming Bicentennial, the Board
of Commissioners appointed a Bicentennial Study Group in July 2017; and
WHEREAS the Study Group was charged with "gathering information, researching, advising and preparing
an initial plan in preparation for a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Oakland County's organization";
and
WHEREAS the Study Group consisted of members representing a broad cross-section of professional,
regional and cultural background; and
WHEREAS among their many activities, the Study Group held an open forum with local historical society
leaders and librarians to gather input and build support for an "Oakland 200" celebration; and
WHEREAS the Study Group presented an extensive report to the Board of Commissioners in February,
providing recommendations for the celebration of the Bicentennial in numerous subject areas including:
Organizations & Partnerships, Writing & Research/Education, Marketing & Events and Legacy; and
WHEREAS the recommendations within the Oakland 200 Report represent a solid foundation for the next
steps in planning and execution of Oakland County's Bicentennial celebration; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Supervisors recognized the significance of recognizing the
County's sesquicentennial milestone by appropriating $50,000 in 1969 in anticipation of celebrations in
1970; and
WHEREAS the Board of Commissioners recognizes the need to create a body to take a leadership role in
coordinating, executing and organizing the Oakland County Bicentennial celebration in 2020; and
WHEREAS the Board of Commissioners recognizes the need to create a committee structure that will allow
for a maximum public participation from a diversity of interest and backgrounds, without sacrificing the
ability of the organization to move forward with critical decision making and planning.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners hereby establishes the year 2020
as Oakland County's Bicentennial year and requests that Oakland County cities, villages, townships,
schools, religious, cultural and community institutions join in the celebration of this milestone of our County's
history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners hereby establishes an Oakland County
Bicentennial Executive Committee to be charged with coordinating, planning and executing events and
celebrations surrounding Oakland County's Bicentennial.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Bicentennial Executive Committee be compromised of the Oakland
County Executive (or their designee), the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (or their designee), and
the Minority Caucus Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners (or their designee), The Executive
Committee may further supplement their membership without approval upon their unanimous agreement
and communication to the Board of Commissioners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners hereby establishes an Oakland County
Bicentennial Advisory Board to be charged with supporting the efforts of the Executive Committee to
enhance the events, activities and educational experiences during the Bicentennial.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Bicentennial Advisory Board shall be appointed by
the Board of Commissioners and shall serve without compensation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED it is the goal of the Board of Commissioners that the Bicentennial Advisory
Board shall represent the rich diversity of Oakland County's population and be inclusive of individuals of
many political, religious, professional and cultural backgrounds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED in recognition of their outstanding contributions as members of the
Bicentennial Study Group, the Board of Commissioners hereby appoints the following individuals to the
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson absent.
Bicentennial Advisory Board: Judge Michael Warren, Irene Spanos, Dr. Richard Stamps, Carol Egbo, Bill
Bullard, Erica Donerson, V-Gail Simpson and Judy Davids.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners respectfully requests the support of all
county elected officials for the Bicentennial celebrations and that, to the extent practical, the resources of
all county departments be made available in support of Bicentennial activities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners authorizes up to $10,000 from Board
Special Projects in support of the activities of the Oakland County Bicentennial celebration.
Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing
resolution.
Commissioner Christine Long, DistrAi
Chairperson, General Government V, mmittee
Resolution #18295 August 9, 2018
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee, There were no objections.