HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2025.05.22 - 42114
AGENDA ITEM: Sponsorship Clawson’s 4th of July Parade
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, May 22, 2025 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2025-5273
Motion to approve the one-time allotment of $10,000 from the Fiscal Year 2025 Board of
Commissioners General Fund Sponsorship line-item budget for the purpose of sponsoring the City
of Clawson’s 4th of July Parade; further, approve and authorize the Board Chair to execute any
required agreements on behalf of Oakland County. Additionally, require that the recipient of the
funds promote the County and provide an impact report to the Board detailing the sponsorship
outcomes, including the number of residents served.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Special Project Penny Luebs
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1. First and Last Name (Person Submitting the Form): Penny Luebs
2. Organization (Person Submitting the Form): Clawson 4th of July Committee
3. Email Address (Person Submitting the Form): Clawson4thParade@gmail.com
4. Phone Number (Person Submitting the Form): n/a
5. Last Name of Sponsoring Commissioner: Luebs
6. Project Overview: The proposed Special Project seeks to sponsor floats for the City of Clawson’s
4th of July Parade—an annual, signature community celebration that has taken place since 1933,
with the exception of two years during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. The floats are
professionally rented from the Detroit Parade Company to enhance the festive and inclusive
atmosphere of the event. The 4th of July celebration includes a Pancake Breakfast, a Firecracker
Mile run, the parade itself, and a full day of family-friendly activities such as a carnival, arts and
crafts fair, and fireworks. It is a cornerstone event for the Clawson community and attracts
thousands of residents and visitors from the surrounding area.
7. Project Type: Sponsorship of an Event
8. Provide a proposed budget breakdown for the project, including but not limited to the estimated
cost of the overall project, and specifically how much you are asking the Board of Commissioners
(BOC) to contribute: The total request from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is $10,000
to support the rental of professional parade floats through the Detroit Parade Company as part of
the City of Clawson’s 4th of July Parade. While this contribution would specifically support a single
component of the day’s events, it represents a highly visible and meaningful investment in one of
the community’s most cherished traditions. It is important to note that the 4th of July Parade is just
one part of a much larger, multi-day celebration that includes a community-wide run, a kiddie
parade, a two-day carnival, arts and crafts fair, live music performances, and a major fireworks
display. The City of Clawson, with support from volunteers, sponsors, and community donors, takes
on the responsibility of coordinating and covering the substantial costs associated with all of these
activities. The County’s support would help elevate the experience for parade attendees and
complement the broader event, which reaches thousands of residents and contributes to the
vibrancy, spirit, and identity of the Clawson community.
9. Provide a detailed timeline for implementation of the project: Planning for the event is already
underway and will continue through the spring and early summer. The parade and associated
programming are scheduled to occur on July 4, 2025. Float rentals would be secured in advance of
the event, with final preparations occurring in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
10. Provide detail on any possible funding partners or matching funds: While the specific float rental
costs are not currently matched by other partners, the City of Clawson provides valuable in-kind
support through municipal services such as traffic control and safety oversight. Additionally, the 4th
of July Committee—composed entirely of volunteers—organizes fundraising campaigns and
accepts community donations to support other elements of the broader celebration, including
fireworks and public amenities.
11. Describe the anticipated impact of the project and how its success will be evaluated: The
Clawson 4th of July Parade is expected to attract approximately 10,000 attendees, including
residents, families, civic groups, and visitors. The event fosters community pride, honors the
nation’s history, and provides a safe and engaging space for people of all ages to gather and
celebrate. The inclusion of professionally designed floats elevates the overall experience and
contributes to the tradition and spectacle of the event. Success will be evaluated based on
attendance, community feedback, and the ability to maintain the quality and continuity of this
beloved annual tradition.
12. Include any additional information or supporting documents relevant to the project:
Commissioner Penny Luebs serves as a member of the Clawson 4th of July Committee and is
actively involved in planning and implementation. The project does not require support from any
Oakland County departments or outside agencies. The request falls squarely within the scope of the
Board of Commissioners’ authority to provide funding for public events that serve a clear benefit to
Oakland County residents and promote civic engagement.
FISCAL IMPACT: No Budget Amendment Needed
Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.821.3065 or winterb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional
information.
CONTACT
Penny Luebs, Commissioner
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 5/23/2025
AGENDA DEADLINE: 05/08/2025 4:30 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Special Projects Master List-3
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2025-05-01 Full Board - Refer to Finance
2025-05-14 Finance - Recommend to Board
2025-05-22 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by: Commissioner Angela Powell
Seconded by: Commissioner Christine Long
Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Brendan
Johnson, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela
Powell, Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward
(16)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Michael Gingell, Robert Smiley (2)
Passed
Project Title Item ID Location Type Date Total Cost BOC Request BOC % of Total Commissioner(s)Attendance Duration
Blues in the Streets #Pontiac Event Saturday, August 23, 2025 $26,500.00 $7,500.00 28%Powell 300 1 day
Clawson 4th of July Parade #Clawson Event Friday, July 4, 2025 $40,000.00 $10,000.00 25%Luebs 10000 1 day
Commerce Township Bicentennial Celebration #Commerce Event Saturday, June 14, 2025 $50,000.00 $5,000.00 10%Long 2000 1 day
Concert in the Park #Commerce Event July 4 - August 1, 2025 $25,000.00 $5,000.00 20%Long 1000 5 weeks
Lathrup Village Music Festival #Lathrup Vlg Event Saturday, September 13, 2025 $30,000.00 $5,000.00 17%Smith-Charles 600 1 day
Lyon Township International Kite Festival #Lyon Event Spring - Summer 2025 $12,000.00 $5,000.00 42%Weipert 1000 1 day
Lyon Twp DDA Volunteer Appreciation Event #Lyon Event Wednesday, August 6, 2025 $6,381.00 $2,500.00 39%Weipert 500 2 hours
Milford Memories Summer Festival #Milford Event August 8 - 10, 2025 $30,000.00 $5,000.00 17%Weipert 300000 3 days
Pontiac Community Foundation Impact Summit #Pontiac Event Wednesday, June 4, 2025 $45,000.00 $10,000.00 22%Powell 150 1.5 hours
Holly Dickens Festival #Holly Event November - December 2024 $75,000.00 $20,000.00 27%Hoffman 1000 3 weekends
Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration #Madison Hts Event Saturday, June 14, 2025 $40,000.00 $5,000.00 13%Erickson Gault 100000 1 day
CommUnity Cup Challenge #Southfield Event June 12 - August 28, 2025 $15,000.00 $10,000.00 67%Smith-Charles 100 11 weeks
Pontiac Growing to Live #Pontiac Event April 1 - November 30, 2025 $50,000.00 $10,000.00 20%Powell 100 8 months
Hospitality House Food Pantry & Weekend Food Program #Commerce Program Wednesday, March 12, 2025 $1,525,890.00 $10,000.00 1%Raman 5300 year long
HIRE! Pontiac Program #Pontiac Program June - July, 2025 $100,000.00 $20,000.00 20%Powell 100 6-week
Special Project 24-25 Program Sponsorship Remaining Budget
24-25 Budget $175,000.00 $175,000.00
Approved Projects $30,000.00 $45,000.00 $275,000.00
Pending Requests $0.00 $55,000.00 $220,000.00