Clawson council approves 2026 CDBG application for park accessibility, senior services and domestic-violence support

The Clawson City Council on Nov. 18 approved the city'9s 2026 Community Development Block Grant application and directed staff to submit it to the Oakland County Community and Home Improvement Division by the county'9s Dec. 5 deadline.

City staff presented three proposed projects funded through HUD'9s CDBG program as administered by the county: $3,500 for Haven (domestic-violence services), $15,000 to continue a lawn-maintenance and snow-removal service for income-eligible seniors, and $43,000 for Grant Park facility accessibility upgrades, including a 6-foot-wide concrete ADA pathway to connect restrooms, parking and bleachers. "For this program year, we are submitting the following 3 projects," staff said in the presentation.

During the public hearing and Q&A, resident Diane Glace asked whether the Grant Park project would pave the entire park; staff clarified it funds only the connector path intended to improve ADA access and wayfinding, not full-park paving. Councilmembers asked whether the sidewalks shown in the parks master plan are fully covered by the $43,000; staff confirmed only the ADA-path portion is included and said parks-and-rec staff prepared the grant application internally.

Staff also described the senior-services program'9s current funding: the service was previously supported by Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (COVID-related funds) and currently serves roughly "somewhere in the 40s" of qualifying residents. Staff said the city submitted a larger funding request to support that service year-round: about $117,000 total, with roughly $100,000 allocated to service delivery and $17,000 for administration. New applicants can apply while funds are available; current program rules administered by the grant require participants to be homeowners under an income cap.

Council approved the motion to submit the application by unanimous roll call.