I have no idea what's happening here.
None at all. No. You and me both.
It'll unmute you. There's still no sound.
It's still no the right,
uh, back.
It just keeps changing back right away.
I mean, I can't.
Hi, Jim. This is tech support.
The meeting hasn't began yet.
That's why you're not hearing audio.
So if you can please keep yourself muted
until it's your turn to speak.
Thank you.
Happens then. Okay. Is that good?
Now the line's gone. One, two.
Well, she said, if I have to speak, all we could do is
keep constantly hitting it.
Good morning. The meeting of the Committee on Economic
Capital and Technology developments.
Call to order. We'll now have a roll call.
Please note that your present response will be deemed a yes
vote and will be used, uh, as a reference.
Vote for later. Mr. Benegas, please call the roll
Chairman Viegas. Present Vice
Chair Moseley. Vice Chair Moseley.
Alderman LaSpada. Alderman LaSpada. Alderman Hall.
Alderman Hall. Alderman Mitchell. Alderman Chico.
Alderwoman Lee Alderwoman
Gutierrez Alderman Lopez.
Alderwoman Tabes.
Alderwoman Cruz Alderwoman Cruz Alderman Cardona.
Alderman Wapac Alderwoman
Mi Alderwoman Mitts.
Alderman Napolitano. Present.
Alderman Riley Alderwoman. Mana Howorth.
Here Chairman.
Thank you. Um, Alderman's Losa y mostly Napolitano
and Howorth have requested
to participate in today's meeting remotely under Rule 59.
May I get a motion to allow them to participate remotely?
Alderman Riley motions
to allow Alderman Lasa Gutierrez Moley Napolitano
and Hopping worth to participate remotely.
All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed, say nay.
And the opinion of the chair? The ayes have it.
The before mentioned alders are permitted to participate.
I'm sorry, the five mentioned alders are partic permitted
to participate remotely today?
They'll be marked as present on the quorum
call for today's meeting.
We have received no written comment.
At this time, we'll begin the public comment period.
Public comment is limited
to 30 minutes outta respect for everyone's time.
E speaker is limited to 30 minutes.
I've been informed that we have one person that signed up
for public comment, uh, within the applicable provisions
of the Sergeant at Arms Protocol.
Our first, uh, speaker is Jessica Jackson.
I was at the budget hearing for the law department, um,
Wednesday, and it became very clear to me
that the law department is the reason why Chicago is
as corrupt as it is.
Um, everybody is known about my situation.
It's been several. All the persons
that have seen my documentation, they know that the judges
and the public administrators are breaking the law.
They know that they have made, um, people squat on me.
They know that they're moving towards an illegal
eviction on me.
They know that they are, um,
inflicting an unjust property tax sale
auction on my property.
These are the things that this body has known
and the mere fact that nobody can stop it.
And you all are supposed to be the legislative branch
of the city, the lawmakers,
and you all have full knowledge
that the law is being broken like this.
And nobody can make this stop all the way
until ultimately, I guess you all are actually going to see
that property get taken from my family and me
and my daughter get put on the street.
So, okay. All right. Understand this.
Six o'clock today, I will be at a private reception
with the board Azar Tom Holman.
And I have the email that has already been sent
to the Trump administration asking them to come in
and do a, a Department of Justice
investigation on Cook County as soon as he takes office.
I wanted to be made clear.
If you all are going to sit here
and watch my family lose
what I know it's mine
and what I know you all know is mine,
then I have no qualms whatsoever
of watching everybody go to jail.
Everybody who has known about this
and have not stopped it,
you just like Tony pwi, just like Timothy Evans,
just like Mayor Johnson, all
of you all are obstructing justice
because you know that it's wrong.
So I'm gonna beat at
with the Board Azar at six o'clock today,
and I'm gonna see to it that he gives this information
to Donald Trump and let him come handle it.
'cause if me and my daughter see the street
and I lose this property,
why would I care if every last one of y'all went to jail?
Why would I care if you embarrassed in front of your family?
Watch, watch.
Thank you Mr. Jackson.
Seeing no other speakers.
That concludes the public comment portion of our meeting.
The first order of business is approval. Strike that.
Uh, let me acknowledge, uh,
alderman Woman Cruz is, is in attendance.
The first order of business is approval
of the October 24th, 2024 monthly report,
which all members should have received.
Please note that our committee held three meetings
during the month of, of October,
October 7th, 10th, and 29th.
Are there any questions or comments from the committee
members regarding the report?
Seeing none, may I have a motion to recommend approval?
The October, 2024 monthly report, but same roll call.
Um, alderman Cardona. So here, no objections.
So ordered Item one
and two on the agenda are appointments
to the Community Development Commission.
The appointees resumes were shared
with members via the OneDrive link.
The following individuals are being considered
before the committee Number one appointment.
Mr. Blakemore, please
Go ahead, Sir.
I didn't know that appointment of, um,
number one is the appointment
of Te Terrence Johnson as a member of the committee.
I'm sorry. Um, as a member
of the Community Development Commission.
Um, Mr. Johnson, please step forward, uh,
to present your nomination.
Good morning. Morning members
of the Committee on Economic, uh, on econ.
Um, my name is Terrace Johnson,
executive Director of Greenwood Arch Capital.
We do small business loans, uh, to, you know,
underserved communities,
primarily on the southwest side of the city.
Prior to that, I worked within DPD for,
for 10 years within the Financial Incentives Division.
Um, I'm honored to be nominated for the commission.
Um, look forward to continue the great work that DPD does
as it comes to TIFF and, and TIFF designations, uh,
and making sure, uh, along with the committee,
the commission of ensuring transparency
and equity, uh, as, as it relates to, to TIFF projects.
At this point in time, I'll, I'll take
any questions anyone has.
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Johnson,
are there any, any, are are there any questions from members
of the committee, uh, regarding, uh, Mr.
Johnson's appointment? Alderwoman Lee.
Good morning, Terrence. How are you?
Hi, I'm good. Good morning. Good
To see you back in City Hall in a different capacity.
Um, obviously I know you from your time at DPD, um,
and really excited about this, uh, appointment
to the Community Development Commission.
Can you just talk a little bit about, you know, what,
why you're interested in serving
and what, what you think you're gonna contribute?
Thank you for the question.
Um, why I'm interested in conserving in, in serving.
Um, I love the city, uh, the,
this commission, like I said, in terms of the,
the folks at DPDI, I think they do a great job.
Uh, the way, what I see in terms of this commission and,
and, and their goal is ensuring equity
and making sure that, you know,
TIF funds get into the neighborhoods, uh, just like some
of the other tools that are used
to fund community development within the city.
And, and I, I like to, to remain a part of that in terms
of assisting the city, making sure
that the neighborhoods primarily on the, on the so,
and west side of the city, uh, get the type
of development that they deserve.
That's great. Um, and, you know, you mentioned TIFF Funds
and, you know, we're having lots
of conversations all the time mm-hmm.
About tiff and, you know, last year
or earlier this year, we,
we passed a $1.25 billion bond deal with, with sort of the,
the idea that we're, we're gonna start moving away from TIFF
as a sort of a, a main driver.
Yeah. Not doing away Right.
Um, but really starting to diversify a little bit more.
Um, can you talk about, um,
other tools you think might be be useful, um,
to ensure investment in communities other than TIF funds?
Absolutely, and I, and I think the, the use of the,
the bond I think is, is great for the city
because in terms of equity and inclusion, that expands it.
Uh, and then the other tools that are there in terms of NOF
and the CRP, which is kind of a derivative
of the bond funding that they're, they're also using
also drive more investment into those communities.
So I, I do look at TIFF as just another tool in the toolbox.
Um, I think the dependence on tiff, I think is a good thing
that we're kind of diversifying that toolbox a bit.
Uh, when I first got here,
TIFF was the only tool that we had.
Uh, in the 10 years that I was here,
we saw that expand a bit.
And I think, oh, the city probably needs to keep coming up
with creative ideas to continue to expand that. Right.
So, one last question. What do you, what do you see are,
well, it's two questions.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing, um,
just expanded equitable community development in the city?
Uh,
I, I think it's, it's a matter of access.
I, I think DPD
and the city has done a great job of increasing access,
but we can always do better.
I think the, and I think the CDC
commission plays a part in that.
Um, but, and then also just transparency.
There's a lot of misinformation about what TIFF is
and how it can be used and what it shouldn't be used for.
I think the commission, I think that's another role
that they play, is making sure that there's another
avenue that's put on record
that folks can go take a look at it
and see exactly what TIFF is being used for.
Uh, so we can kind of dispel some
of the myth surrounding tiff. All
Right. That's all I've got. Chair.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
You. Thank you all Roman Lee.
Any
other questions for members of the committee?
All right. Seeing, seeing none, may I have a motion to recom
recommend approval of this appointment by the same roll call
that was applied to D term Quorum.
So moved by Cardona Alderman Cardona. So moves here.
No objection. So ordered the due pass recommendation
of the appointment will be reported
out the next city council meeting.
Mr. Johnson,
congratulations on your confirmation for the committee.
Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, item number two, uh,
is an appointment of Ronald Millsap, uh, as a member
of the Community Development Commission.
Mr. Millsap, please step forward to present your nomination.
First off, good morning committee.
Morning, uh, thank you for this opportunity.
Uh, my name is Ron Millsap,
and I'm interested in joining the Community Development
Commission because I'm deeply committed
to fostering equitable economic growth
and strengthening communities, particularly those
that have been historically underserved
as a native Chicagoan, born and raised on the south side,
and a proud Chicago public school parent,
I'm passionate about serving this great city and state.
I believe in the power of collaboration
to create lasting impact for all residents.
And I'm dedicated to ensuring
that every community has the opportunity to thrive.
With over 20 years of experience in banking
and a career focus on empowering small businesses,
nonprofits, and diverse communities, I have honed my ability
to align resources with community needs
to achieve impactful outcomes.
As a director of US Zero Barriers
to Business at BMOI lead strategies to,
to support underrepresented small business owners
and oversee programming that aligns
with the Community Reinvestment Act
and our community benefit plans.
My previous roles include, uh, CRA Officer
for Providence Bank and Trust, which have equipped me
with hands-on experience in developing financial literacy,
promoting community development,
and cultivating partnerships to drive sustainable change.
As a member of the Community Development Commission,
I have three primary goals, enhanced resources
for underserved communities, um, by advocating for policies
and programs that prioritize equitable distribution
of resources, and increase access to affordable housing,
small business funding and workforce
development initiatives.
Second is to strengthen collaboration
with community partners, build bridges
between city agencies, nonprofits,
and private sector stakeholders
to create innovative solutions that address the unique needs
of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods,
and thoroughly promote sustainable economic development,
focusing on long-term strategies that attract investment,
improve infrastructure
and support environmentally conscious projects
that benefit all residents while
preserving the character of our communities.
I'm also deeply engaged in community leadership,
serving on the boards of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce
and The Invisible Institute.
My passion for service, coupled
with my experience in financial services, strategy,
development, and community engagement,
makes me well positioned to contribute meaningfully
to the commission's mission of driving inclusive economic
development and improving the quality
of life for all Chicagoans.
Thank you, Mr. Milsap.
At this time, would any of the members of the committee, uh,
or council members, like to make
a statement or ask questions?
Wo leave.
I'll just keep going. Good morning. How are you?
I'm doing great. And yourself?
Uh, I'm doing well, thanks.
Um, thank you for that great, um, statement.
I, I really feel like I, I know a
lot more about your background.
I see why you would wanna serve on this, uh, commission
with, with your 20 years in banking
and really serving specific community needs,
what have you seen are the, the biggest gaps?
I mean, I know that's part of what's driving you
to wanna serve, but can you talk a little bit more in detail
about sort of, you know, just based on your experience,
what you've seen over the years, as you know, um, where,
where there's gaps that need to be filled, either
by government or by the private sector
to help small businesses, um, not just start,
but to sustain themselves.
You know, it's been really encouraging, um, coming out
of the, the pandemic and civil uprising,
seeing the commitments that were made, um,
by large financial institutions as well as our, uh, city
and state, uh, to support nonprofits and small businesses.
You've seen like just a whole cadre
of resources come on board
that weren't previously available.
Um, particularly as it relates to my work daily
and serving small businesses, um,
we have a three pillar strategy that's really focused on,
uh, access to capital education and creating network
and opportunities for those small businesses.
By far, education is the biggest gap when it comes
to educating stakeholders, making them available,
all the resources that actually exist.
I think the city has done a great job with NOF
and, uh, new market tax credit, uh, fundings and projects.
I think there's a lot of stuff there, uh, to unpack.
And so we had to continue to educate our communities
to be aware of what's available, um,
and not lose, uh, the momentum that we gained
through the PA pandemic just
because of a political shift, if you will.
So, I, I think it's important for us to stay the course.
Um, we've seen great investment over the past four years in
the south and west side of Chicago, um,
and workforce development
and other, uh, human resource areas.
And I think all those things are really
important to addressing the gap.
The gaps are wide, the divides are wide, um,
but the purpose should remain the same.
Um, understood.
Um, looking at some of the work that, um, the department
of Planning and developments done to really, I,
I think I identify where, um, where people's applications
for different grants are dropping off.
Right. Um, I think we saw some statistics, um,
in the last few months, um, which show, you know,
that the majority of people applying for these grants, they,
they don't complete the paperwork,
they don't complete the application.
So like, a lot of money's left on the table.
Um, and that's really disheartening to see,
but I think that, you know, the
commission has absolutely an opportunity to help, um,
continue to, to build and address, um, the education needs.
Right. So the, the awareness piece of it,
but then also, um, in, in filling in some
of those interim steps, right?
You know, with its, you know, access to capital
for design elements, uh, for, for maybe things that weren't,
uh, funded previously.
Um, a as you look sort of across that landscape, um,
what, what's one of the first things you wanna try
to tackle when you're on the commission?
I think pre-development funding continues
to be a huge opportunity.
Uh, I think, um, for those funds that are out there,
that are, that are, you know, having patient capital
that's available, patient equity, like capital
that's available to support, uh, sustained small businesses.
And I think the bridge between our large fis
and our community development fashion institutions, um, and,
and some of the work that, like folks like
Terrance are doing, mm-hmm.
Um, to even when the city provides grants, we know
that a lot of those same businesses may not have the equity
requirement that's under some of those grants.
And banks don't always have the, the flexibility
as it relates to startups or banks that may have a, um,
or, you know, small businesses that may have layer of risks
that don't fit our risk,
don't fit most institutions risk profiles profile.
Mm-hmm. So while the programs are great, the ecosystem
that surround them needs to be strengthened so
that those opportunities don't get missed.
Um, and, and that's partly also education too.
Uh, what are our, do our CDFIs have, um,
any pre-development funding?
Um, you know, CCLF is one in which they have been able
to support pre-development in a number of ways.
Some of our foundations do as well.
Um, how do we get them to continue to do that type of work?
Because it's all parties
and all systems working together,
the city can't solve these issues by themselves.
Um, but as we find those resources, we should put them
and lay them in a way that if I'm a small business owner
or I'm a nonprofit, um, that I know
where those resources are to make the viability
of my project more successful.
Okay. Great. Thank you for answering my questions.
Um, look forward to supporting your, uh, your appointment.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Chair.
Chair. Thank you. Alderman. Nicole Lee. Oh,
Hi chair. Hello.
Um, we're gonna, uh, hear from Alderman,
Lenny Mana Hoppen.
Thank you Chair. Uh, I didn't get a chance to, um,
say thank you to Terrance Johnson.
Um, but hello, Ron Millsap and Terrence Johnson.
Thank you for your calls this week.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to call you back.
I am a little bit under the weather,
but I just wanted to express my gratitude for you both
stepping into these roles.
Um, I know it's a, it's a, it's a commitment of a,
a several years, four years, is that right?
Um, and I was born on the, uh, southeast side of Chicago
and now representing Andersonville.
I appreciate all of der women Lee's questions and, uh,
and your answers centering equity.
And, um, I, I just wanted to say thank you
for your commitment to help all communities thrive,
especially on the south
and west sides of Chicago, but, but everywhere.
Um, and to say, again, thank you
for stepping into these roles, this is very important to me.
I'm also a small business owner, um, Asian American, um,
and want to see, um, resources for everyone to thrive
in, in all of our, our small business corridors.
So thank you again.
Thank you, Alderwoman, and hopefully you feel well soon.
Thank you. Um, thank you Alderwoman hopping worth.
Any other questions from members of the committee?
Alright, seeing none may have a motion to recommend approval
of this appointment by the same roll call vote
that was applied to establish Quorum Lee makes,
uh, makes the motion here.
No objection. Sole ordered.
The do pass recommendation of the appointment will be re uh,
reported out at the next city council meeting.
Ms. Millsap, congratulations. Thank you.
Uh, looking forward to working with you. Looking
Forward to working with you all as well.
Thank,
Um,
well, Mr.
Blakemore, I'm gonna make an exception.
You, you, we did already have the, um, sir, sir Mr.
Blakemore. We did already have the public comment period,
but we Wait, wait, wait.
Mr. Blakemore, let me finish and then you can
wait. Mr. Let's have a dialogue.
Sir. Sir, could you know Mr.
Blakemore a not not like these other people?
You know, that, and you, uh,
Mr. Blakemore, let me finish.
We can start the time. One
Second, wait minute. That's okay. About
time. I'm, I'm gonna have to go
and let, let, let me know. Let
Let the, um, please let the, uh, three minute, um,
public comments, period. Start for Mr. Blakemore.
Okay? Thank you very much. Maria. Pam, I say, Mr.
Blakemore, I want you to come to a project
to my little after party.
I, you are one of my favorite people.
I say, why, uh, did you say that Maria Pepper
said they're scared of me.
They're scared of me.
It's power in the spoken word.
See, I'm not like Jessica, these others, I, I, I know
that I'm entitled to speak on each one of these items.
And sir, you do a beautiful job for your Hispanic community.
The black ones are, ooh, I never seen nothing like it.
Never. I don't know what they give them.
Oh, sir, you all do. Beautiful for your people.
Ooh, never seen so many ignorant black people.
Me and win never.
Thank you, sir. Because you know that I had every right
to speak, you know, the law,
You know the procedure, and you was kind enough
and gracious enough to say, come on up,
let me listen to you, Mr.
Blakemore. Never. These blacks. These blacks.
Not you, not the, not the hq. Low
Black, you low like that. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, Ms. Blackmore. I never seen so many,
Sir. Thank you, sir.
Items three on the seven items.
Three through seven on the agenda are appointments
and reappointments to various special service areas.
Number three is a reappointment of Mohammed j Butt
as a member of the special service area.
Number 43, Devon Avenue Commission, reappointment
of Sarah j Blackstone Lukins as a member
of the special service area number 54, um,
Sheridan Road Commission, reappointment of Nicholas Koziak
as a member of the special service, uh,
area number 24 Clark Street Commission appointment
of Amanda Sadowski as a member of special service area
of 29 dash 2014 Westtown Commission.
And the appointment of James Janice as a member
of the special service area number
59 20 22 50 ninth Street Commission.
At this time, mark Roan, assistant commissioner
with the Department of Planning and Development is available
to answer any questions on the appointment.
And reappointments the ECTD committee, uh,
team has confirmed the support
or non objection from the following council members
with appointments and reappointments within their respective
wart, alderman Burnett Coleman Gutierrez had Hadden,
Silverstein, and Viega at this time.
Uh, if any of the members are here for the ssas,
if they'd like to make a statement, seeing none, um,
are there any questions or
comments from members of the committee?
Seeing none in person
and none online, um,
may have a motion to recommend approval of the app.
Gut moves reappointment by the same roll call
that was applied to term Termor Alderwoman Gutierrez.
So moves, hearing no objections.
So ordered to do pass recommendation of the Reappointments
and appointments will be reported out at
the next City Council meeting.
Now, um, we're going to recess at this time, uh,
and reconvene, um, at a later time today.
Yeah,
The Committee on Economic Capital
and Technology Development will come to order.
We will recess the Economic Capital
and Technology Development Committee until tomorrow,
Tuesday, December 10th at
9:30 AM in room 2 0 1 A.
Yes,
yes.
No, no. I mean, I get it.