Tell me about it.
Chairman, we are alive and the Mikes are unmuted.
Create.
Is is i g a criminal?
I'm just text me, she's walking in the building
Anthony's on his way.
Not the chairman wanted to meet you. So we got one
All right, I apologize. Everybody was or starting our first
meeting 3 minutes late. So it's actually four minutes late.
So blame it on all the movies, I guess. So, no committee
members, I take it back. All right. All right. Fine to
32099.
18.
Chevy.
Seven, eight year right here comes Alderman, Hopkins. Okay,
did you count all the right areas? Okay. Right.
now, I
Now we do all right. Okay. All right, folks, it's 12:05
good afternoon. Today is June 15th 2023. This meeting of
the committee on special events, cultural Affairs. And
Recreation also known as a happy committee is called the
order will. And I'll do the roll call to establish a
quorum. Please note that your vet, yes, or present response
will be deemed as a. Yes vote. When the Forum roll call is
used for
French about it later items. So I'm guessing first, we have
to take the corn with the people here and then we could get
the zoom people. So, chairman sposato is here.
Alderwoman Scott assuming, so when I called her yet, it
happens while I'm in Robinson.
All.
Other women Coleman Alderman Curtis. I don't see him all
the men. O'Shea. I don't see him all the men mostly he's
here all the men Rodriguez's hear. All the women cruise. I
do not see her other men waguespack, is here all the men
Conway, which I'm very surprised. The military guy is not
here. All the women. No, gent is here in the pilot. And no,
I do not see him yet. So I'm a gardener is here while their
men Silverstein and aldermen Lawson are going to be doing
an end. So I guess we will now all I want and sky, are you
hear? Oliver, status present, chairman
All of my.
Alleman Lawson present. Mister chairman, thank you. And all
the women Silverstein
Right? She was zooming in all the women Silverstein. All
right, I'll have to see if she Zooms in a little later.
Okay? Folks and and not other women as well. Hopefully she
can hear us.
I prefer.
Before we get started committee, I just like the we have
many new members here. So I kind of like to let you know my
rules before we get started. I pride myself in starting on
time, I don't want to punish you or anybody else coming
here for being on time and start their meeting channel. 15
half hour, 45 minutes late so I do like to start on time so
I appreciate if everyday could be here on time cuz their
meetings are usually pretty quick so if you're here at 10
or 15 minutes late you may miss the meeting so please be on
time or meetings are never contentious. They're usually
just any conversation that she was a congratulations from
one council member to another
also, I
Also, I do not allow cell phone.
Also, I do not allow cell phone parking in here in my
meetings. All right, so if we're in council chambers and
any other side of the table, still no cell phone talking,
same with texting three, on the other side of the table in
Chambers, you can text all you want. But if you're up here,
please do not talk on your cell phone or text.
Cameron, can you hear me? It's all the Silverstein.
Oh, okay, I'm sorry. I just got I just I'm just told we
have to take a boat by the members here to allow the Zoo
members to zoom in. So so moving, okay, all or mostly moves
to allow the Zoo members that your men to this meeting all
in favor signify by all opposed, signify by Nae. All right.
Yeah, I have it fall on the lawn. I didn't make this rule
out so I I don't disagree with you on that. Okay. We got
the cell phone out of way, they got to texting out of the
weight 10 of our members, just to let committee members
know, 10 of 10 of members on this committee, RN license.
So, I'll do my best best to piggyback on license and, and
special events together tube to not to drag you down for 1
meeting.
Zoom.
Zombie.
Zahm law, says, reasonable reasonable. Notice to be able to
zoom in. So first of all, we have to have a quorum before
they could zoom in. Reasonable and defining reason, boesen
law, can't. And since I have a high school diploma, I'll be
the guy to Define it. Reasonable to me is a 1 hour notice.
Okay? Give me a 1 hour notice. No questions asked, I don't
care. I don't I don't get your business is your personal
business. Why you could get an accident, you could be sick,
anything can happen. You give me a 1 hour notice when I
allow you to doing it. All right, we do need a quorum in
order for you to zoom in. So just want to make sure of a
nose then. And with that, we could start our meeting, do we
say we're over here? Then I'll need is your members. Yeah,
that sounds right? Okay. Looks like we got 14-member, okay.
All right, as we have one public, comment is a long time.
And the time at their friend of friend of the committee
that he never liked, this is the first time I believe he's
ever commented in person. So usually he gets US Written
testimony. So John Paul Jones Sinatra to meet you. I'm glad
you're up. Following are committees that put the timer on I
guess you have
I guess.
I guess you have.
I guess you have 3 minutes or so. Is there John Paul Jones
we're taking this morning here with always going to support
about the culture. And recreation committee has always been
a committee that is valuable to our district on the way in
which to bring about a good quality of life ever since she
was good, Open Spaces steps in for the weekend, Elevate,
culture strategy Supply, Chicago. So it's been a blessing
to monitor your activities will also to add value to the
conversation to have in terms of a project watch Chicago
that important to our neighborhoods. We're here today to
support the eagle Garden East Garfield Avenue, La Nueva
space is no stranger to Englewood Orthopedics in Chicago.
Be doing a great job with your brain about ways to Ramona
remediate. They can land but also to bring the
Productive use.
Productive. Use reduce Open Spaces. In in vacant, lots and
lots of other activities. Also, to introduce communities,
to Agricultural and nature initiatives the project report
because we also in Inglewood is John Paul Jones out with
the Kroger in Englewood Community Development and we do a
lot of work around farms and land development. We do a lot
of
Around. I think encouraging. Now somebody can re-up on a
cultural initiatives. Enterprises that would allow for land
to be reused and productive ways that again, just the
average citizen to do for me. And I choose their families
in the community at the culture. And so, with the eagle
Garden, Treasures taken place in Napa. I got, this will be
the first name Chicago when I never recall the ego or name
yet, but I know it's kind of a new initiative in the in the
world and Native Community tickling Africa and what we've
been trying to do it also here in Inglewood where you begin
to and look at how can you use nature any more like the way
that citizens can.
Lake.
Later.
Play to get out the same time, deal with ways to remediate
climate changes. So how we can use the native plants that
can be used a new strategy when it comes to Watershed, what
we do with the infrastructure we have to make it again.
Good bases, not only play but also to enjoy every creation
is okay. What is project was introduced a moment. I don't
see it as a very disturbing because we have to do the same
thing with language.
What's the?
Which is one point.
What is 1.7 of 1.7? Mile trail, running through Inglewood
and in all of the coldest war on 59th Street, which was
donated back and probably would have benefited from the
Norfolk Southern Railroad company. That can you wrap up
please? Thank you. We're here to support the project.
Excited about it. We going to use miles and they'll be
using to know any remedial player, but also introduced a
new way of gardening on the South Side. So we are again,
this happen to be going to Englewood. Thank you so much,
and thanks for supporting the. I happy committee all the
time, so, okay. Thank you, sir. All right, we have three
items before the committee on the agenda today. One Zoom
speaker also thank you. Okay, okay. Mister or missus on
speaker.
Okay, yo, my name is pizzas NECA. I'd like to welcome this
expression and members of the committee, you are the hope
for the future here. I'd like to concentrate on the
cultural Affairs mission of the committee and in
particular,
Committee members. We know that asylum-seekers are
overburdening are minimally existing systems of care in the
city. Some non freshman members of this committee until we
know everything. Before we do anything about the Asylum,
Seekers and voted against the 51 million dollar saying we
should take care of our own homeless first. They are
correct in pointing out the lack of facilities that they
were part of creating. It is the culture of some of the non
freshman committee members to lie about the Asylum, Seekers
calling them illegal. It is the culture of some of the non
freshman committee members to fear Monger, about the clerks
Mobile City Hall events committee on special events
I am speaking writing about hundreds of individuals
illegally and calling for the CPD to have a plan to address
Wilks. Only wanting to secure a city key ID, that would
allow them to open a bank account, rent an apartment, check
into a hospital, donate blood, enter a school building
prove identity when applying for government services and
more fear-mongering does not build
it's
It support.
It support segregation in the city. It is the culture of
some of the nine freshmen committee members to do what they
can to Rouse the homeless, in their Wards having by having
CPAC. Remove a homeless person is using, or by encouraging
CPA private security forces, to daily, Ralph end of these
homeless individuals, seeking warmth in Winter, or by
acquiescing to rousting homeless, folks from O'Hare and
requiring a papers, please policy to enter a public
building. It is the culture of the non freshman committee
members to actually have their staff, remove homeless folks
belongings in the middle of the freaking winter and boast
about the crime. Freshman members ask the oig for the memo
that they sent two remaining altars of the Illinois,
homeless, Bill of Rights. And the illegality of ignoring
those rights is the culture of some of the non freshman
committee members to hold Maga, meaning support the police
rally on Juneteenth.
yep, the
Yep, they're
Yep, there's a culture of some of the non freshman
committee members that is mostly seen on Fox News,
interviews and right-wing Outlet in FBI affidavit is about
bribes accepted by committee. Members said, of course, on
their own official Facebook page has one of the non
freshman committee members even take time out of his busy.
All demonic day to troll citizens and called him names on
the official Facebook page of another nine freshmen
Committee Member, there is a culture in this committee
there is a culture perhaps The Freshman numbers.
Saratoga, ninja lab.
Okay.
Okay, well, alright everybody, I believe is that it was
running a meeting. That's it. I'm so I'll make sure I thank
you. Okay. You should have received a copy to report
electronically. Why I might die? I thought I said that but
we have three items on the agenda today. The first item is
the approval of the monthly rule. 45 report, all members of
the committee should have received a copy of this report,
electronically, are there any questions or comments
regarding this report on a raid recognizing no questions
motion by Paul Hermann Hall to recommend approval of this
item at affirmative, vote of all members present broke,
while determine the Forum hearing no objections or second
item. On the agenda is an ordinance, 20, 23-16 17,
conveyance of property at 3302 Dash 3326, East, 92nd
Street,
the name.
The neighbors face and allocation of financial assistance
for development of Calumet Gateway Garden here today is to
present our from the Department of Planning and
Development. Are our good friend was always here with us
helping us out. Megan Gustafson, also joining the help
answer. Any questions also are out of my friend, Ben,
halfin from Neighbors face. Thanks for being here today.
And if
Present.
Presentation. Thank you. Great. Good afternoon for the
record. My name is Megan Gustafson Department of Planning
and Development. This is exciting project we have before
you. Today it's in the South Chicago, community area,
Alderman, Chico's word. And this is a proposed land write
down sale for a dollar to a neighbor's face, and to approve
impact refunds.
He?
Here is a context map is at the mouth of the Calumet River,
92nd and buffalo.
It is in the invest Southwest Corridor. You can see it on
the far, right.
An.
And these are the pins we propose to transfer to neighbor
space for $1 each.
You.
You can see there's one lot in the middle that neighbors
base is currently acquiring.
Here is a an aerial view of the site, there's some big
trees. And if it's a great location for a garden, a Gateway
Garden. A little background on neighborspace there. The
city's, only nonprofit Land. Trust. They have 131 Garden,
City Wide about 33 Acres of of protected open space and
Clarity Vision. Associates is a community partner that will
be managing this Garden. Here's the budget. We're here
today to approve the stuff.
5000.
$5,000.
$5,000 in Impact fees. That is the total amount available in
the South Chicago, community area other sources of funds,
include National fish and wildlife. Grant Fifth, Third
Bank, Grant. We're so close to Indiana here. There's a
Central Indiana Community, Foundation, Grant $500,000 in
CRP. Uchicago, recovery Plan B, and the neighborhood and
neighbor space has raised $40,000. So the total budget is
1.3 million dollars.
Did you?
The uses are bloat and I'll show you a proposed. Site,
plan, site, Design Group, worked with the community and
neighbor space to create this. And here's a rendering of
the BIOS whale and or dry River beds, that can be native
plantings and a nature play area.
This.
This is my last light on this project. Here is some of the
presidents that site, Design Group. Not all of these
exactly will be in this park, but this is what the
community came up with and the design is not totally
finalized, they're working, they're working on the design.
Well, I don't know maybe Ben can a more of those questions
but these are some of the presidents that site Design Group
does on other Gardens to and that concludes my
presentation, take any questions, thank you Meg.
One question was answered in a presentation and it was
about the Community Kitchen in looks great them happy once
again for my colleague. And I say most of the stuff we do
here. The only questions are it's going to be mostly July
of Collie being happy and grateful for what's going on in
her colleagues community. So has a comment or a question.
I'm sorry, I don't know what it is. Tell me the question.
So it's actually for Ben if that's okay. First of all y'all
do great work. That's exactly right, German and Creations
is a great Community partner down there. So I I love your
guys local governance structure in the way you put these
parts together. This is our first meeting in the new terms.
I want a North 2nd and pick a number 1 to make sure to just
lend my support. Just generally to a neighbor's three stars
in my community as well. I do have a question though.
We are.
We are selling these last $4 each and they do come off
essential potential, attacks Rose in the future. But I do
believe that this is also a very strong Economic
Development effort given that beautifies spaces and
encourages other types of investments in and around the
areas you take over. I'm just curious if you guys have
threw out a way to articulate that or be able to quantify
that kind of economic impact as well. I certainly
understand the qualifying kind of benefits, but I just
curious.
For the record Ben Elf and his neighbor space. It's a great
question for this project that there aren't. We don't I
don't have data on my fingertips on that there are studies
I could share on the economic impact of community, Open
Spaces. But for this project and actually the other one
that the next one that make is going to present, this was
part of a much more comprehensive plan. So this is one
piece of I think like a 7 prong plan with claretian. So
that in conjunction with Street, improvements on 92nd
Street, we're coordinating with. See. There was an
improvement to the Willmar YMCA building. There's a new
restaurant. So it's we were actually part of a team that
apply for the Chicago prize. Two years ago, we didn't win,
but the consolation prize in a sense, was the fifth third
support. So, this open space has seen very much as part of
a constantly.
Improvement.
Improvements in South Chicago. And what was the the phrase
that we use during the proposal that it was, we all came
together, these like seven nonprofits and seven projects to
make it a community that had everything you would need. So
you can walk everywhere. You had places to read create you
had places to work. He's a he's of Transportation so you
know it's not a direct answer your question but it is, it
is this is a you know, one of the
First.
Cornerstones.
Cornerstones along with those other other pieces and make
it so people don't have to leave the neighborhood or nature
play for recreation. So
and,
Thank.
thank you. And yes, I do think maybe this is for Meg, but
is that a bus turnaround? Just below that location. It is.
Yes, I guess it is just curious because I couldn't tell,
which there's no signage there for the bus, but for which
one it is. So I was just curious if you could bulldoze that
and take it over, but we're leaning in that direction. It's
already doing a, a street Improvement on 92nd Street, but
their time line is like a year after us. So we've been
getting ahead of the curve and coordinating with them, even
on the map. You see those two triangles are not part of the
ten Lobster. So we've already been working with C. So we
can do the Improvement of that space without having to wait
for them to do the Improvement of the circle. But it is
being seen comprehensively so we're okay but it is where
buses.
it is we
It is where buses.
It is where buses turn, right? Or do I Think They Might Be
Giants sun, setting? That
I'm not positive yet. We are coordinating on the open space
and Google Maps. It looks like it's just Drifters in there
right now.
yeah, I haven't I've been there many many times I've never
seen a bus fare so
Thank.
Thank you. Thank you. Got a question or comment. Question,
I guess pretty close to you. Can you repeat which decking
up and you said, stop Chicago and give the rough
boundaries. It is the South Chicago community area, which
is how we spend impact fee, fund, their collected on new
development of residential development. And they go into
the community area. And then we have to spend them within
that same community area. Let me see if I have
I don't think I have the community about the neighborhood.
I can send you a map if you'd like. I'm sorry about that
other woman. Coleman located in the 10th. Ward as Alderman.
Chico's been briefed on this project.
Don't know why he couldn't.
Don't know why he couldn't be here today but I can follow
back up on that with you. If you want, is he supportive
supportive? And this was obviously an alderman Garza, she
was very supportive of this is it as a freshman, former
freshman Alderman, I know, you know, being 30 days in the
office and when you find out things that happen in
committee, you like, why didn't anyone tell me? So I just
want to make sure that you all have done that awesome. Now,
the 7th Ward is very close to this project is Alderman.
Greg Mitchell, was he ever a part of any planning or
briefing? This Ward directly touches and his residence are
directly will. Be supporters, are all of this space. Have
you all reached out her hand and you should work with him
to see you about when you know the timing and the right
Southwest of 3300 East.
What sound?
Example be hospital and I'm going to ask about, I think
it's is a Trinity Hospital on 93rd between Jeffrey and
Oglesby. It's near and I look at this as a public health of
healing the Chicago, what is the Chicago Heights Community?
Have we engage with the major health system. Their major
connections have been right to the facility is right across
the street, so it's family housing with quite a few kids,
which is why we
And into the nature.
And into the nature play areas, but we have not connected
with the hospital. I recommend as well as brief Alderman,
Greg Mitchell because his residence will be calling. Once
they start to see construction and I'm sure it will be a
somewhat inconvenience for the residence, but hopefully we
don't have to close the street there. Hopefully, not.
Hopefully not now because I have John Paul Jones with whose
in a legend in Chicago and especially in my community who I
hadn't seen in 25 years and his wife is so good to see you
all. I've noticed Coalition I've been hearing Coalition
even on the Englewood Trail. I believe they will be a part
of the exclamation a part of your son. Okay.
Skip.
Okay, so maybe I'll just told Clarissa and applicable to
this project and US finding a managing engine. If you will
for the Englewood Trail in the budget is a 430,000
remediation. Just curious as to. How long did you always
remediation take took? Because I'm dealing with some light
from 2018 that I inherited that have yet to have the
remediation then.
Fireman tools and what firm. I'm curious as the minority
representation on who's doing the workout. At this one
point, three million dollars, we've been using Pioneer
Environmental, we use them partially, because they have a
commitment to Community Education. So, when we go in, we
take time to really meet with the community, explain,
what's going on. So, it's not really seen as a surprise. We
also use Pioneer for some of the Lots along bagel with line
early on, I expected to take cuz we have to get a note for
the remediation letter from the IPA. So it could take quite
some time, 6, to 8 months, probably is what, where is what
we're budgeting. But we we hit the we've already prepped
Pioneer so they know this is coming as soon as it passes,
we will begin. But it's it's not a quick process at all.
Basil.
Phase 1 phase two. Just to get to this point to get that
estimate, you know, I'm just recommendation. Please reach
out to Alderman, Greg Mitchell and brief him as his
community is literally while it's not in the 10th ward, he
is the right across the street in with any between an area.
Gets an email saying, we want to spend and pack fee funds
here. Yeah, we may have gotten that.
Fix.
Six to nine months ago when we kind of started this, but I
can, first of all, followed to see if that actually
happened, I believe in dead. And then I will tell him how
exciting this project is, and if he wants to talk to Ben
about timing and programming. Yes. The last four years,
when we did not have as much involved had as much notice,
and this collaboration with our department. Thank you, just
for the record tuna and committee members here, alarm in
vice mayor.
Arnett.
Thank.
Thank you, sir. You have something to say?
Do.
Do so, thank you very much amongst the title. The other
titles that I have one of them is on the board of neighbors
face. So maybe space is a great organization. When they do
a lot of work in coordination, with the, ultimate County
Commissioners on the board and with the state are, we need
to continue to support them as much as possible. So for you
and I and I want to say something for the new colleagues,
write, you all need to get to know, neighbors snakes, you
going to have specially, those of us who have vacant Lots
in our Ward, and you have a communities, that we may want
to. It's a great way of bringing the community together and
given
I'm home.
I'm hope I
I'm hope right Suzuki. So you may have some blocks that may
want to do something with some of the Lots in their area
and they burst space is the organization that everybody
uses to help with the insurance and all of the other things
in order to make that happen. So so I can put you new guys,
you may want to meet with me with Ben, he's fantastic. So
just wanted to mention that. Thank you, thank you, and I
can cover it with you. Neighbors face is a great
organization with led by great leadership. A good friend.
Ben
How to make?
How to make Hopkins? German 430,000 for mediation indicates
that you had some work to do. I was just wondering if you
could describe some of the salt contaminants, that were
identified during the analysis phase
I can share the report, I don't know off the top of my head
exactly what was there, but it was bad enough that a is
required us to go to this level. Cuz we base that estimate
working with a, I asked about what they would require, I'm
assuming lead. Oh, yes. And more accident on chromium,
heavy metals. The usual, the usual steal the sandwich
industry on the Calumet River. Yes, I'm interested. If you
could, please forward the here and no questions or comments
motion by other women Cruiser.
Remind me.
Remind me approval. I decided by the affirmative vote for
members, present for the roll-call. Determine a quorum so
approved, your no Jackson's ordered. I'm sorry. This is my
first one, I'm sorry. A recommendation is two are nuts,
will be reported out. The next city council meeting on
June, 21st 2023. The third item on the agenda is the
ordinance, 20, 23-16 18, conveyance of property at 3024
Dash, 3040 West, 5th Avenue, neighborspace, and allocation
of financial assistance for development of Eco Garden.
North presenting, once again from Department of Planning
and Development, Meg and answer any questions. Assisted, by
our friend, Ben from Neighbors base for the record, this is
not our first time of the committee for the Fifth Avenue
Eagle Ridge.
This.
This time, we're here for a land transfer. We've already
allocated impact fee funds. We so I'll start from the
beginning here, this is Alderman, Irving's word. He is in
support of this project. The East Garfield Park Community
area and the site is currently City out.
This.
This map of the blue is sitting on land, so you can see how
much we're working with here. At about heads e and 5th,
Avenue and Madison, the two stars are both, Eco Orchard
Gardens. There's a north side and a stout site this action.
Today with these 8, pin number for the north side. We're
proposing selling eight pins from 3040 to 3024 West 5th
Avenue to neighbors space for $1 each.
The.
The picture there is the current site condition here. This
map shows its proximity to the South Side, so which we are
also currently working on with neighbors face and that has
already received and pack fee funds. From a few years ago,
the community partner here is Westside nature play Network
and the Garfield Park Community Council. Hears our budget
for this one last year, we approved $111,000 for the
environmental and I believe that will cover the full
environmental. This one was less contaminated and it's a
little smaller than the Calumet Gateway. We have $160,000
of Chicago recovery funds and then $6,000 of a grant from
Christopher Family Foundation, Ellen, there
Dubai.
Define.
The budget for cleanup and site prep is 208000. So the site
prep is thrown in there. The design, 30,000 fencing path,
work grading, 62,000, and then project management. So we're
hoping to get this Garden up and running for about
$333,000.
here is a site plan, and
I'm
And precedents. I believe that's the end of my
presentation. I'll take any question. Thank you, okay.
Anybody have any questions or comments? Come out.
Thank you very much and on behalf of my colleague and
neighbor, the alderman. Jason, Ervin, we support this 100%.
We all work very closely with the Garfield Park Community
Council. As some of you may or may not know the Garfield
Park Community is on fire right now. Properties are
starting to go for for $500,000 so if we don't, if we don't
do two things, if we don't put affordable housing over
here. And if we don't put Green Space over here, there's
not going to be any space, right? So so this is very timely
that we do this and that the city support this in order for
us to keep Green Space.
Cheap conductive Green Space in our community so that we
can have some green space after everything is sold them
build up. So thank you.
Thank You by Samara Burnett appreciated. Anybody else that
much on this one. All right, there are no other questions
motion by other women, to recommend approval. This I am, I
refer me to vote while members present for the roll-call of
term, the Quorum a hearing no objections. So, are they okay
to do pass recommendation? This ordinance will be recorded
or next city council meeting on June 21st 2023. And would
that this meaning of committee on special events. Cultural
Affairs, also known as a happy committee has adjourned.
Thank you everybody for coming out to appreciate y'all and
have a great day. If if the committee members of our little
bit late if we could stick around. So we can go over
something for the future. I greatly appreciate it.