Black
Officer Point Brad, not the, oh, he is run for,
oh, he count.
Not the mayor
ran.
He
Oh, no, but he a council member,
but they only have 1% of black,
they have very few percent of black faculty.
Okay. I didn't know if it was like a percent
we ran for that.
But
you understand Only prior
offense get on that.
Okay.
Is that like, I don't
chance?
Yeah. That these other two
for Oh, subpoena.
Yeah. Kids. So
yeah, do this
black, he's out there,
all
the braid.
You don't
those.
I see.
So the crowd
my big
in the army big
and those sometimes.
Did you read about
all of that?
Yeah, but I don't know if, I don't know how
vets help if the black community has all that knowledge
in the army, because they have a
big instruction.
Really white,
all knowledge, all these
black face and a debate.
I black, he, he taught
and he food.
Oh yeah. He taught that
he behind,
when I came down there.
Lot of times they
be driving real slow there down to,
because I guess they,
you understand what I'm saying?
And articulate West,
you don't need,
So
the one who direct Mark
13
presidential.
You know what? Presidential holidays? Oh my God.
It's just through, it's just through a spring.
You go in spring, there you go. Yeah.
That works Next year, four day,
you anything?
Just doing appointments today and that's it.
You
systems
is your phone call,
talking,
doing coffee,
shared in the office like slowly, you know?
Yeah. Um, but yeah, whoever I think
say, um, yeah,
like I said, possible setting
Yeah. Um,
we're trying to, right,
because we had a,
we had a veteran, uh, stay stick ordinance
that we're ready, accept information.
We asked for some information we just sent
him, but we would like to get it.
I was gonna say you sent number already. The Emily? No.
Okay. Yeah, that's for, was it
sticker?
Yeah. It basically allows them to renew interest right now.
Yeah. Check my check, check. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3.
Hello. Oh, hello.
For one more, uh, person, so we can start the committee,
but yes, you, we can see you that you're on, uh,
zoom. That is welcome.
I, I, I don't know.
Hello? Two days ago, maybe she came in to ask.
Hello? Is anyone there?
Yes, we're here. Uh, we're waiting, uh,
to start the meeting in just a little bit.
If you can be patient with us. Thank you. Okay.
I, I had no clue what was going on
for the last 20 minutes.
Okay. I unmuted
Seat and Brenda.
Good morning everyone.
My apologies for the committee starting a little late.
The meeting of committee on Economic Capital
technology developments call to order.
We will now have a roll call to establish quorum. Uh, Mr.
Bongas, please, uh, call the role
Alderman Riley. Chairman Viegas
Present.
Alderman Cordona. Present. Alderwoman Lee Alderman Chico.
Alderman Lopez. Alderman Mosley
Alderwoman Cruz Alderman Waga Pack.
Uh, chairman, we have a roll call.
Perfect. Thank you. Uh, I, I also forgot to mention
that your present response will be deemed a yes vote when
this quorum call used as a reference.
We do have a quorum. Um, alderman Alderwoman VARs,
alderman Ano Alderman, MIT,
and Mana Haworth have requested
to participate in today's meeting remotely under roll.
59. May I have a motion
to allow them to participate remotely?
Alderman Lopez motions to allow Alderman Var mitts,
mana Howorth, and Apollo to participate remotely.
All those in favor place? Aye. Any opposed? Say nay.
Any opinion? Chair? The ayes have it.
The other persons mentioned are permitted
to participate remotely today.
They will be marked as present on the quorum
call for today's meeting.
We did not receive written public comments.
At this time, we will begin the public comment period.
Public comments are limited
to 30 minutes outta respect for everyone's time.
Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
We have one speaker this morning. Mr. George Blakemore.
Please proceed.
We have one public speaker. Mr.
Blakemore, please proceed. Please begin.
I want to apologize for, for being so late.
I'm one of the Altman your apology is not accepted.
You, uh, uh, it's not that easy to do harm
and then say, I'm sorry.
I want to apologize. Why? What are you apologizing for?
For being late
and you're getting paid to do a job
and you should do your job.
And one of your job is to be on time.
And I, Mr. Bmo got up and started hollering and raging.
Why y'all not on time? Why?
And then this young man said, say he want to talk to you.
Why you wanna talk to me? Are you too loud, Mr.
Blakemore? Are you loud? Are you disturbing?
The peace? Is something wrong with you Mr. Blakemore?
Why are you hollering? Who are you Mr.
Blakemore? No, no, no, no. Don't focus on Mr. Blakemore.
Who are you
Upset?
Why would you Apol? What are you apologizing for, sir?
This happens all the time.
And then I can be the victim.
They, y'all can get together
and say, we got to get rid of Mr.
Blakemore. We gonna sign a complaint.
We going to, we don't wanna send him back to April.
That's illegal. You have to sign a complaint
of a disturbance
and then it would have to go to a court of law.
I'm not the problem. You
Get away from me. So you gonna flip the
script? I am
Disorderly, I'm Uhuh.
You are public servant.
You supposed to serve the public.
The public is not supposed to serve you.
Who do you think you are?
All of you to continue to do this?
My minutes will be up, but time out. None of you all have.
That's gone. Let me go.
Blake Moore. I've been informed
that there's no other signer, no other, uh, public, uh,
participants that have signed up
for the public comment within the applicable provisions
of the Sergeant at Arms protocol.
That concludes the public comment portion of our meeting.
Meeting. Uh, Mr. Venegas, please, um, add Alderman LaSpada
as well as Alderman Hall to the, to the Quorum.
Um, for today's meeting, the first order
of business is approval of the January 26th January 20, 26
monthly report, which all members
of the committee should have received via the shared drive.
Are there any questions or comments from committee members
regarding the report?
May I have a motion to recommend approval
of the January 20, 26 monthly report
by the same roll call vote that was applied
to term Corman Alderman Riley.
So moves here. No objection.
So ordered Item one on the agenda is the appointment
of Jason RA as a member
of the Community Development Commission.
At this time, I'd like to invite Jason to come up front
and take a seat so he can begin his pre presentation.
Uh, please do so when you are ready.
Ready? Good morning. Hey, everybody. Morning.
Uh, I'm Jason Esra,
and, um, I'm a proud resident of the 49th Ward.
And, um, I just want to say first
and foremost, thank you for the opportunity to be
with you here today.
And thank you for your consideration, um,
for the Community Development Commission opportunity.
Um, you know, this,
this appointment is especially meaningful to me
because I feel like I've spent my entire career dedicated
to community and economic development
and to ensuring that public tools like TIFF are used in a
way that produce real equitable outcomes,
um, for neighborhoods.
And to me, this represents my opportunity to give back
to the city and to the communities that I love
and care deeply for.
I want to be part of this commission
because my lived experience gets a seat at the table.
And because this is one of the places
where real power over neighborhood investments lives
and the community voices that I carry with me can be heard.
I also want to ensure that the voices being carried
by the elder people here are heard.
And at the center of what we accomplish together,
I bring more than 13 years of experience in the community
and economic development field.
Throughout my career, I've worked closely with residents,
small businesses, non-for-profit partners
and local governments on commercial corridor revitalization,
small business growth
and community led investment strategies.
In my current role as executive director
of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation in
Belmont, Craig predominantly serving the 31st ward,
but also serving, um, three other alters.
We have four. That's awesome. Uh, 26 30 and 36th.
Um, I've been able to lead these strategies
in tandem with the community.
What I hope to contribute to the commission is a,
both a practitioner's
and implementer's perspective, grounded in accountability,
equity, and execution.
Given the commission's responsibility to review
and recommend action on TIF redevelopment plans, budgets,
amendments, terminations.
I aim to provide insight in
how do those decisions play out on the ground
for communities and small businesses.
I also hope to ensure that redevelopment agreements
and TIFF investments are aligned
with neighborhood priorities
and deliver measurable community benefit.
Uh, again, thank you for your time
and, uh, I'm here to answer any questions
and happy to, if you have any for me.
Thank you. Um, thank you Jason.
Um, are there any questions
or comments from members of the committee?
Uh, alderman Waba, followed by Alderman Cardona.
Thank you Chairman. Yeah. Uh, Mr.
Asara, thank you for being here today.
Um, appreciate you coming in.
Um, you've worked with Tiff, it sounds like quite a bit.
How many TIFF districts do you touch in the four awards
that you operate in?
Uh, we have one
and, um, yeah, so one in, in Belmont, Reagan.
Okay. Um, what is your opinion on surplus in all
of the TIFF funds out of, uh, tiffs in the city
and, uh, continuing a billion plus dollar TIFF surplus, uh,
especially when it wipes out any increment in the tiffs
and it, uh, damages potential housing developments
or other developments in our wards.
I don't wanna do anything that affects developments, um,
especially if those developments are gonna serve our,
serve our constituents positively.
So, um, I hope that answers your question.
Yeah, I was just curious. Um, when you get, you know,
you kind of get up to this next level, um,
you will be dealing with projects
that have different portions
or different percentages of, uh, types of funding.
And TIFF will be a big one at certain points.
So, um, uh, you, you'll find
that when Tiff is completely reduced
or, um, significantly reduced in a tiff without, you know,
the transparency that we need, that without indicating
to alderman what you're gonna do ahead of time,
you're gonna find that, uh,
projects will be completely delayed.
Mm-hmm. Or if not, um, shuttered completely.
So I just want to, you know, I think you've kind
of expressed your opinion, but that's just a big heads up
that if that's the direction we're going,
it will severely impact, um, a lot
of our projects and wards.
So, thank you though. Thank you for the answer. Thank you.
Thank you. August spec Alderman Carda.
Thank you, chairman. How are you doing Mr. Esther?
I'm well. How you, I gotta, my question to you is
what do you foresee if you do get this position,
how are you gonna be, um,
what are you bringing to the table?
Yeah, so bringing to the table years of experience, right.
But I also think just community voices, um, being able
to ensure that, um, you know, we're getting information out.
We're getting all constituents perspectives
and opportunities that are out there, right?
I think being able to have someone that looks like you, um,
comes from your background, um,
and an opportunity like this, advocating and,
and speaking up for resources, I think is really important
and impactful for folks
who oftentimes don't see themselves at those tables.
Um, so between my experience between being able
to rally up community, community voice, um,
I think those would be the two biggest, um, strengths
that I bring to the table here.
Okay. Well, I just wanna let my colleagues know,
I've worked with Mr.
Um, RA for almost four years, almost three, four years.
Is that correct? Yeah. Um,
he has done wonderful work in the northwest side,
CDC, uh, Northwest housing.
Um, he is capable of doing this job.
He is capable and understanding about the dynamics of this,
and hopefully I could get all,
all my colleague support to support him. Thank you.
Thank you Alderman. Cardo. Any other questions?
All wo Cruz?
Thank you, chairman. I just wanna say for those
who are first time meeting Jason, I wanna speak of
how much I appreciate, um,
Jason's partnership in the 30th ward as well.
You bring so much energy, you're so intentional
with everything you do.
You are helping us transform our community when we talk
about economic development, small businesses you
and your team are doing,
and it speaks to your leadership when it comes to the team.
You have not only you have hired,
but you have built a very talented team
who comes from the community, who sees the needs
of the community and who are executing to bring
that development into the ward.
So have to say, you have an outstanding team.
I wish I could name all of them,
but I don't want them to get jealous, uh, if I forget one.
But again, it speaks to, to your leadership style
that you have when it comes to the very detailed,
intentional, um, but how to execute.
We can have a hundred million ideas,
but actually making those ideas come true
and see the impact community, you are the leader that, um,
we see in the northwest side.
So I just wanna say, um, thank you for your dedication.
You will do just great here as well,
and you will have a greater impact now.
So it's not only on the northwest side,
but throughout the city.
And we do ask that when we talk about those, those tips
and those development, that you are in the forefront to say,
we also need that economic development in our communities,
and how can we balance the needs that is entirely needed for
what the tips are for,
but also making sure that it stays in our communities.
But I wanna say congratulations.
I know it's not yet, but, um,
I was really excited when your name was
one of the ones that came up.
So welcome.
Thank you. Alderman Cruz. Alderman
Lopez, followed by Alderman Lee.
Thank you chairman and good
morning members of the committee.
Um, just two que uh, a question and a 0.1.
Did you and Alderman list over here?
Oh, thank you. I was trying to figure out
Did you and Alderman Lata
coordinate on your outfits today?
Oh, that's, we are wearing the same outfit.
I didn't notice. That's right. That's right.
I'm glad your son answered the phone.
I think that's what happened, right? Yeah.
Well, I appreciate coordination with Alderman, um,
and it's exactly my tie in right now,
because Thank you.
Thanks Shannon. Here all week.
Um, that is exactly my question, which is
we have seen an administration that,
as my colleagues are politely referencing when it comes
to Tiff, um, I'm gonna be blunt about what my concerns are,
which is we have a billion dollar
financial tool that oftentimes
is overlooking the direct needs of the residents
or the local elected official, the alderman of the ward, um,
at the expense of the agenda and mission.
And you could make whatever face you want back there.
Not you, you oh, about
what I'm talking about, but it remains true.
When you have communities that have had requests languish
for and not get listed, that is an issue.
Um, our website says the CDC helps administer
along with Tick or Turk
or whatever the tr whatever you guys call it now, we need
to make sure that there's accuracy in
what is being brought both to the Department of Planning
that is in your, in your sphere of influence on the CDC,
and ultimately with those who finally make
and vote on the expenditure of those dollars,
which are the members of the city council.
So I appreciate, I believe you reached out to me as well.
I appreciate your, uh, your efforts on that. Thank you.
Forgive me for, uh, not being able to, uh,
connect and advance.
I'm glad that you are here today.
Um, but I want to make sure that in your new role
and with the glowing support of those that are here today,
that you do not forget that there are 50 of us now
that you have to deal with and balance with
local priorities for our investments that are
finally in tune with the people who put us here, as well as,
uh, making sure that those dollars
that are there are available to us.
So best of luck.
Thank you, chairman, and look forward
to supporting this appointment.
Thank you. Alman Lopez. Thank you. Wo Lee.
Thank you chair. Uh, and good morning and welcome.
Um, you know, with all of the amazing accolades
that you've gotten from my colleagues here, um,
I'm confident that you're gonna be able to do a great job.
I just have one question for you.
What do you, what do you think is gonna be, um,
your biggest challenge as part of this new body,
as a new part of this body?
I think it's the challenge that probably everyone has,
which is what we were just talking about.
Balancing, right?
Your, um, what, what it is, you know, you know, being able
to hear the, the, the folks here in, in this space
or in the, the committee space, their concerns,
what they want, what they don't want, right.
And also balancing that with
what the constituents are saying, right?
And making sure that, um, both your,
your automatic leadership
and your community are having their voices heard.
Um, I think is something that, um, um,
is always a challenge, right?
You know, we wanna make sure we're doing
the right thing in our neighborhoods.
We want development and we want, um, we,
we want folks in our neighborhoods, right?
But I think the vehicles for that is really
what sometimes can be a challenge, right?
And so just making sure that everyone gets,
I think all the airtime, um, to be able to put
that out there for us to make the right decisions,
I think is important, but can sometimes be
a challenge. Alright,
Thank you.
Uh, that's all I've got, chair.
Good. Thank you. Um, alderman Lee, let's add, uh,
alderman Mitchell to the role for the purposes of quorum.
Are there any other questions? All right.
Well, Jason, this is an important committee,
um, or commission rather.
Economic development is what we need now.
Uh, and so as you're, uh, on this commission
and you start to see, um, legislative ideas that need
to be put in place in order to help economic development,
please feel free to reach out to this committee
so we can introduce legislation to help, um, begin
to remove the red tape from, from, uh,
from economic development.
So looking forward to working with you.
And so, um, seeing no further questions,
uh, alderman Cardona makes a motion to recommend approval
of the appointment by the same roll call vote
that was applied to the, to determine quorum hearing.
No objection. So ordered to do pass recommendation
of the appointment will be reported
out the next city council meeting.
Um, thank you so much, Jason. Thank
You all. Appreciate it.
All right. At this time I'd like to invite
any special service Air Commissioner appointees
that are present to come up front and take a seat.
If your name is called, please indicate
your presence to be acknowledged.
We also have some members, uh, on the, uh, on Zoom as well.
We have, uh, Milkie Brown, um, Anastasia
Mac, I'm sorry, Milkie.
Malachi Brown. Yes, sir.
Um, Anastasia Anastasia Radkey.
Yes. Uh, Thomas PA present
Constantinos Vito Gianni present Timothy Klump
and Jamin Whitaker Present.
Thank you. Alright. At this time, um, mark Rosin
for the Department of, uh, planning
and Development is available an answer.
Any questions on these appointments or, or reappointments?
Um, the ECTD team has confirmed a support
or non objection from the following council members within
appointments and
reappointments within their respective wards.
Alderwoman Clay, alderman Conway, alderman Dow,
Alderwoman Harris, alderman Lawson,
alderman Mitchell, alderman Yancy.
Uh, at this time, if any of the appointees are present,
would like to make a statement at this time,
whether in person, uh, or online, please indicate so.
Sir, would you like to make, make a statement?
Just say your name and make your statement, sir?
Absolutely. Good morning. Thank you. Morning.
Thank you Chairman. Uh,
and thank you to all of the leaders here in the room.
My name is Malki Brown.
I am a resident of the South Shore community.
I am a business owner in South Shore as well.
Uh, and, uh, I've grown pretty much grew up in South Shore.
So to be, um, appointed
or given this opportunity to be, uh, a commissioner
and serve that community in the city of Chicago,
frankly, is amazing.
Um, it is a true honor.
Um, my father owned a bookstore in,
in the eighties on 71st Street.
So to be a part of the SSA 42 is amazing.
Uh, I'm blessed to have, uh, one of the greatest aldermen
of the city of Chicago, Greg Mitchell, uh,
here with us today.
Thank you, sir. And, um, you know, essentially,
uh, Chicago's, we, we've come a long way
and we're about to go a long way.
We have the OPC, we have the IQMP.
We have advocate investing in our community.
This is an amazing time to take the mantle of leadership in
that general area, and I'm really excited about that.
Um, you know, I,
I spent the last 13 years working at a very amazing
engineering firm called Millhouse Engineering.
I was a vice president when I left there, and I left there
and started my own company called MGE Property Solutions.
Uh, we do commercial property risk management
and facility maintenance through snow removal
and landscaping, uh,
commercially across the state of Illinois.
And so, um, I'm excited to provide that service
for the Seventh Ward, um, uh, around the advocate, uh,
medical area and other parts of that community, uh,
along 71st Street.
And just really grateful for the, um, south Shore Chamber
of Commerce and the role
that they played in putting me in this position as well.
So, uh, that's really all I have to say. Thank you so much.
And preferably, uh, this will be confirmed and,
and I can get to work serving the community. Gotcha.
Thank you Mr. Brown. Are there any other members, uh,
that are online that'd like to make a statement?
Just unmute yourself and introduce yourself.
Okay. Alright.
Seeing no other, um, speakers
or any other commissioners wanting to make a comment, uh,
may have a motion to recommend approval of the appointment
and reappointments by the same roll call vote
that was applied to determine quorum.
Um, vice Chair Mosley.
So moves, hearing no objections, so ordered
to do pass recommendation that the appointments,
reapp appointments will be reported at the
next city Council meeting.
Uh, congratulations. Um, SSA members, uh, we look really,
we look, really look forward to working with you.
Uh, you guys and you many
and women are the boots on the ground.
Uh, along those business corridors.
We wanna hear from you as to what it is that we can do
as a council to help, uh, businesses thrive
and create economic development.
So thank you for your service. Thank you. Alright.
Um, ladies and gentlemen,
since there are no further business, may have a motion
to adjourn, but the same roll call vote that was applied
to determine quorum, uh, alderman las.
Sure. There no objections? Yes, ma'am. Chairman, this is
Alderman. I wanted to
know if you got me, uh, for the purpose of
Yes ma'am. We have you for
the purposes of quorum. Thank you. Thank
You.
All right. Uh, hearing no objections.
Uh, so ordered the meeting
of the Committee on Economic Capital
and technology development is adjourned.
Thank you everyone.