R-39-26 Clydesdale Event Fee Waiver

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and numbers may be misheard.

What: Resolution R-39-26 waives city fees (roughly 7,000 dollars, per members) for a community meet and greet with Budweiser Clydesdale horses, organized by the Inner West Street Association in Ward 1.
Where it stands: Favorable recommendation from the Finance Committee on 2026-10-21 by 2-1 voice vote; Alderwoman O'Neill voted no. Council vote expected at the next council meeting.
Next: The chair will find out whether the event happens if the waiver fails, before the council vote; the committee asked the staff member who manages these requests to attend its next meeting (see City Fee Waiver Criteria).

Staff said it was not folded into the annual fee-waiver resolution because the event and the Military Bowl parade, once combined, came as separate requests this year. The chair suggested repeat events go in the annual waiver in future.
Alderwoman O'Neill said constituents asked her to oppose and asked why fees exist if they are always waived. Alderman Thorp had never seen a waiver denied and questioned whether the event would not occur without it; Alderman Huntley said it is unlikely to happen if the organizers must pay and he would seek an answer before the council vote. Alderman Thorp said that without criteria he could not give a reason to vote no, and voted yes.

About 5 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-21 - Finance Committee	5

2026-10-21 - Finance Committee - Presentation and committee questions (44:54-47:33, 1:03:01-1:05:27). Favorable recommendation 2-1; Alderwoman O'Neill opposed.