Hello.
Okay, if anyone is planning to testify, can you please fill
out a pink sheet in the back? Thank you.
Is my favorite?
Good morning, the meeting of the committee on economic
capital technology development call to order do not have a
roll call to establish Quorum. Please note that your
present response will be deemed a yes vote when the
squirrel calls used as a reference boat for later. Miss.
When you also please call the roll.
German Villegas vice-chair Moseley Alderman Alderman Hall
Alderman Chico older women lead other one with the address
Alderman Lopez
All done with Nevarez.
Roman Cruz Alderman Cardona
alderman waguespack
alderwoman mitts
Alderman Napolitano
Auburn Riley
older woman mono hoppenworth
we have 10 members present.
Other Alters automobile alderwoman Taylor and aldermen
Burnet prior to the public comment going to read into the
record of the rules of conduct for public meetings
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following rules of conduct to be filed during the public
comment period in the duration of all comedians City
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this presentation is not permitted banners Flyers of
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remove from the meeting of the Sergeant at Arms.
Let's about Edwin B to the Rope at this time. We will be in
the public comment period for the comments is limited to 30
minutes. I respect everybody's tiny speakers them two to
three minutes. Our first speaker will be Mister George make
more.
I'm near the first one because you want to deal with nine
minutes. They need another another clock up or I was
listening that you reading public behavior. When was those
rude one day to go to rules committee and who voted for and
when did the people have an input and making these rule?
I'm not just a pop-up stealing mail out here several years
when birth was hit on that the average citizen do not know.
What a s s a
music is at the end of the sentence. Maybe it's not proper
English. I'll tell you what it is.
I'm using again is at the end and look up sisters. My
Mother's Day on use is at the end of the school.
double Taps into people
bus service that our Police Department of Streets &
Sanitation Department for these corrupt politician. They
said the city of Chicago is the most corrupt city in the
United States. This is SSA.
Is nothing but a game of chance to to deal with money other
text pay his money and the average person that's in SSA.
They don't even know it they didn't even vote for it.
Guess you just another game a game that people play and we
should have this bracelet with black people playing in the
Bella David Rubin was going in that got another lady that
poured her to it. It's a game to their Planning and
Development to put you black people out of Peace Tea.
Out of this city and you have black faces in high places
helping them to put you out. This is why God sent me. I
should have been here earlier. I hear it on the radio. I
can let me get up and I'm quite comfortable here alone
here. The ancestor sent me here go again bb bb or 3 minutes
ago. I got a few more steps and they steal the minutes to
I'm not the one.
Go to your constituents and ask them a question. Do you all
know what a SSA? Do you know the purpose of the planning
and development are playing in them developed to put you
out black people. They got a plan for you. You don't have a
plan for you. That's why the black should have said a lot
here because you don't want to
thank you. Mr. Blake Moore.
Our next speaker is Greg Mooney.
Good morning, Greg Mooney with the comer education campus
and foundation on Chicago's South Side in the greater Grand
Crossing community. Just want to communicate to a two
important things off first couldn't be more thrilled to
have.
Sarah Boatwright proposed for this role arguably her
experience and professional expertise are unmatched for a
role like this, but, you know as importantly and perhaps
more importantly her her deep ties to Chicago's communities
and deep appreciation for for the great both the great
assets and also some of our are very serious needs you to
make this an outstanding excellent / selection for this
role and on behalf of the greater Grand Crossing community
were thrilled for the city council to consider this a
tremendous opportunity a moment. Thank you.
Thank you. Mr. Mooney.
Our next speaker is a j Patton.
Good morning for the record. My name is AJ Patton CEO of
540 development. I'm coming here to speak on behalf of the
confirmation for the Department of planning. We can see
your bull right just a few quick, So I just want to say
that in support of it. She represents the appropriate
balance of the necessity to invest both in the
neighborhood, but also in the central business district and
I think check that balance is going to be important for the
future of the Department of planning. Also, I think it's
important that her background in advocacy both in moving
projects forward and out of the bureaucratic process in
into economic stimulus is really important for the future
of the Department of planning and frankly the future of our
city and also lastly her background in advocating for
inclusivity in these informed investment. She started the
diverse developer Network and the diverse developer
platform educating and bring in the next generation of
diverse developers so that they can be a participant in
these in
Investments throughout our city and so I think she
represents the appropriate thing of and often are cities
forest with the do we do this or that and I think she's the
Right leader to say and we can do both things for this city
so that all of us can participate in so I'm really excited
about her potential leadership. Thank you. Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. Mr. Patton.
Next speaker is Mister G pretty.
Good morning. Miss you too are the members of the
committee? I might even scream Grady. I'm a partner at the
law firm of Taft stettinius & Hollister over today. I am
here my role as a private citizen and proud to speak on
behalf of the recommendation for Sierra Boatwright as
commissioner Department of planning and development.
Sierra is a strong advocate for Community empowerment.
She is an expert in land use development. She's extremely
knowledgeable and land planning zoning economic incentives
construction and development overall.
I had the opportunity to observe Miss Boatwright in her
role as chair of the DEA initiative diversity equity and
inclusion initiative of the landmarks of landmarks,
Illinois landmarks Commission of Illinois, that will
required her to balance multiple competing and conflicting
opinions reviews priorities and perspectives. She handled
that over the course of a year with amazing leadership
aplomb.
I can't think of all the right ads just to use she handled
it. So well those same skills will serve her at this
challenging time facing Chicago and the future of our
development. I congratulate Mayor Johnson for identifying
see your butt right? She's the right person for the right
job at the right time. I could not be more pleased both as
a land-use attorney. And as a native of the South Side
Chicago today is a banner day for Chicago. I hope and pray
that this committee will affirm the recommendation of the
mirror and we congratulate see your boat right and wish her
the best. Thank you. See about right.
Thank you. Mr. Grady.
Our next speaker is Tom McMahon.
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Tom McMahon. I'm a retired
Captain Chicago Police Department member of Chicago
neighborhood initiatives. I know Sierra know her well.
I have lived in the south east side historic Pullman
neighborhood for 40 years. I want to tell a brief story
about this woman here. Who will I'm here is obviously
support her confirmation a we put together a plan of a new
housing development in historic Pullman complex. She's
smiling and she knows exactly where I'm going with this and
you would know as elected officials anytime you bring
something new into your Wards. There's always going to be
opposition.
This had that kind of opposition to it. But Ciara at the
helm decided we were going to meet with the community. We
hosted three meetings and the first one was very
adversarial. But by the time we got to the third one she
won over a lot of the naysayers with the project. We also
went back to the drawing board a little bit and we took
some of the recommendations that the community brought to
the table.
And we enacted on acting on some of those recommendations
today. This is a 40 some unit housing development in
historic Pullman Neighborhood Housing artists. And it also
renovated to needed buildings that were just floundering
and now they're back as housing for for artist Ciara wish
you the best. It has been a pleasure to serve with you and
Chicago neighborhood initiative and I am certainly a strong
supporter of your recommendation for this position. Thank
you. Thank you. Mr. McMahon. Our next speaker is
Christopher Hill.
Good morning, mister chairman and members of the committee.
My name is Christopher Hill. I'm happy to be back in City
Hall more than 20 years ago. I had the honor of serving
under mayor Richard M Daley as this Commissioner of
Planning and Development as well as executive director of
the public building commission, and I'm so pleased to be
here today to voice my support for Sarah Boatwright.
So there is someone I've known for a guest 10 years work
with her on many projects on the south side of City of
Chicago all them successful. You just heard about one of
them.
And what I wanted to say today.
this year
as a very difficult job in front of her
it's difficult because in today's environment are to bring
people together.
We rarely see you in an empty and anyting.
But we need our city officials to work together for the
benefit of this great City. And I know this year is well
prepared to do that.
And I look forward to working with her and the city as I
have been my whole life.
I'm a born and raised in the city Chicago went to Chicago
Public Schools. Graduated went to University of
illinois-chicago. Graduated is a longtime City resident
born and raised and she knows the city of Chicago and if
there's one thing I need to know is what the heck's going
on in the 225 square miles of the city of Chicago.
So I'm proud.
Voice my support for Sarah. I'm proud of the mayor for
appointing her. I hope she is confirmed and see her. Thank
you for all that you've done for this city so far, and I
know you're going to do great. Thanks. Thank you. Thank
you. Mr. No final speaker. Is David doing?
I'm going to raise no fool.
Thank you, mr. Chairman and members of council. So this is
a this is a very special day. I think for the city in a lot
of ways and you've heard previous speakers indicate years
incredible knowledge of the city you've heard other say her
experience or her her tenacity, but I what I want to talk
about today is Ciara get it done spirit. So I'll tell you a
quick story.
Heard from time but so many of you know, Sierra started her
work in planning and development working at Chicago near
initiatives. First day on the job was a big day for us. We
we were recruiting a new company to move to Chicago and
build their first industrial plant method soap. And so
Ciara's first day was our our time to meet with method and
sell them on Holman and on the far south side of Chicago
and Sierra was was phenomenal see if she's literally been
there are a couple hours and she was talking about all the
great things that happen on the south side and we ended up
getting method which was kind of the kickoff to a lot of
other Industrial Development to see are not only is she
hard-working super smart and has get it done Spirit, but
she's also got a little magic and and we called to see are
magic and I am I am
How did that get the city of Chicago under her leadership
and under the Department's leadership is going to take our
neighborhood still holding that a whole new level because
she's committed to go to the city to a residence. But most
importantly she's important issues. So supportive and
interested in getting things done and I can tell you the
last four years haven't been easy in development. We've
we've we've had a number of hiccups and we worked with
auburn B on a project that took probably a couple years
longer than it should have but I'm confident under Sears
leadership that the department of Planning Development is
going to thrive we're going to do more in 24 so we can
thrive in 25 rights here. That's our that's our motto. All
right. Thanks so much, and certainly welcome and I
appreciate your support.
Thank you. Mr.
But the first order of business is approval the December
2023 monthly report which all members of committee should
have received any questions or comments from the committee
members regarding the report.
We have a motion to recommend approval December 2023
monthly report by the same roll call vote as applied to
term of corn.
I'm in Moseley. So lose your nerve deafness or ordered.
Please let the record reflect that we are joined by
Alderman Mitchell as well as Alderman Yancey.
Item one and two on the agenda. I'm going to take them both
at the same time since they are appointments to both the
planned development as well as a community development
commission item one on the agenda is the bottom one and two
on the agenda has the appointment of Sierra Boatwright as
commissioner Planning and Development as well as member of
Community Development commission introduced by Mayor
Johnson during the November 1st. 2023 city council meeting
is Boatwright is present and will provide a statement on
their experiences and her vision for the Department of
planning and development.
Acting commissioner. Thank you. Good morning. Cheryl
Villegas by Cher Mosley and members of the economic capital
technology development committee with my brief remarks. I'd
like to say how honored I am the Mayor Johnson appointed me
to leave the department of planning and development and how
excited I am to be here today. I believe my training as a
urban planner pair with my nonprofit and for-profit real
estate development experience has prepared me well to leave
the department on behalf of your constituents and the
entire city.
4/10 years I've had the privilege of developing impactful
and Equitable retail industrial and residential projects
that not only created thousands of jobs, but also created
opportunities for large and small businesses first time
home buyers diverse and emerging developers and youth in
need of State supervised Recreation. I was born and raised.
Here in Chicago and my husband and I are raising our baby on
Chicago southside I'm acutely aware of our neighborhood
assets and the strength of downtown which is why I chose
planning and real estate development as a profession
neighborhood development is where I learned offensively
engaged Community is where I learned the importance of
planning with versus planning for community and it's where
I learned the power of automatic collaboration a view
Chicago neighborhoods not as problems to be solved but its
assets the highlights and thoughtful development and
Strategic investment successful development doesn't involve
a one-size-fits-all approach but instead leverages
neighborhood shrimps while utilizing the entire Financial
toolbox deliver transformative project at all residences
are regardless of their neighborhood.
I'm pro-development. I'm confident that my nonprofit and
for-profit development experience will provide a holistic
perspective that balance is Market needs and Community
goals with a broader economic landscape that extends far
beyond Wards neighborhoods and our city. I'll conclude by
saying that I'm thrilled to leave the incredible team at
dpd to maximize our work with businesses residence
Community leaders developers and elected officials together
with Mary Johnson DVD is committed to creating a more
equitable.
Rent and inclusive future throughout Chicago that feels
meaningful opportunities for current residence and
generations to come. Thank you cheer.
Okay, I see this now.
Let me set up a couple questions commissioner. I like to
know a little bit more about your career trajectory. What
drove me into real estate. And then also you use holistic
development. You can grab you a little bit more sure of I
was born and raised on the south side and I always tell the
story grown up on the South Side. There's a lack of a lot
of basic amenities that many other neighborhoods take for
granted. And so, you know, we left her neighborhood for a
lot of things and that was normal until it wasn't normal.
So I got exposure to more and I think that's what really
feel my passion to really think about neighborhood
development and a thoughtful way often times you go away to
college and you come back and your kind of talk to leave
the community go into a better neighborhood and for me, I
recognize it at my neighborhood wasn't something to run
from but instead an opportunity to pull up my sleeves and
really affect the change that I wanted to see I decided
after graduating. I was in banking for some time. I wasn't
particular.
Field was okay, but I decided to go back for my masters in
urban planning with a focus on economic and Community
Development. It was my first semester, but I got hired
working for a nonprofit developer Chicago neighborhood
initiative. And I really learned what authentic engagement
was. I really learned the power of community. I learn the
power of planning and I just plans but actually executing
plan has been getting things done. I learn the power of
deep Community benefits and most importantly neighborhoods
that have experienced decades and Decades of disinvestment
to be first to benefit from the influx of invest some
really Unapologetic about that and I think all those
experiences and my unique perspective is what led me to not
just urban planning, but what do I do with the plans right?
It's the development component is the actual execution. And
so this is this is the right space for me at the right
time. And again, I'm just honored to be in the seat as
acting commissioner to really take those best practices.
Can I get it done nature that you heard about and ensure
that we see development and more shovels in the ground and
ribbons cut in all of our Wards development. What does that
mean? Cuz I think that's a lot music to our ears here. And
then on my last question is how do you envision yourself
working with y'all doing things done development is really
hard right now interest rates are high capital is
constrained we're seeing
How much is that we haven't seen before when you see
challenges that you haven't seen in a very long time. You
got to implement tools and strategies that maybe haven't
been explored before as a developer. I've experienced to be
completely honest frustrations working with the dpd and I
think I'm uniquely positioned to remove some of those
barriers and ensure that my incredible team. It's an
incredible team. I want to be really clear feels empowered
to make decisions and is informed with Market realities. We
can't have a disconnect what's happening outside of City
Hall. We've got to be informed what's happening with the
affordable housing market the market rate housing market
industrial Market neighborhood retail and our big box
retail could is all very different and I think that's
really important to remove barriers. They got a lot of
low-hanging fruit that we can really address so that we can
fast-track development and an equitable way but still
mitigates risk, but we can get far more shovels in the
ground and more ribbons cut at the end of the day being
proactive.
Spell business and I'm proud to say that I'm proud of
element. We've got to move forward. We got to leverage
every tool in the toolbox. I know how to finance deals. I
know how to get deals done. And so the success that we've
experienced in Pullman talking about holistic development.
I think that we can replicate that in other neighborhoods
leveraging each community's unique assets to be more
proactive element throughout our city planner working with
us. Got to work together. The constituents are knocking on
your doors when things go well.
Hear about it when things don't go. Well you hear about it.
And so I envision our relationship to be very much a
partnership and collaboration. I've had the pleasure of
meeting with over 30 Alderman right now. And my first
question is tell me your priorities and how can our
department work closely with you to achieve those goals no
matter what Ward you in your in from what I've heard from
30-plus conversation. Everyone wants to shovel in the
ground and everyone wants to focus on cutting ribbons job
creation support for small businesses. And it's how we do
it. I want to leverage every single to that. We have I want
two oppositely engage residents and community members as
well as are otters what the direction comes from our
alderman, you know, the challenges, you know your assets
and so we're going to work closely together you God will
hear from me a lot. I left a lots of voice mails if I
haven't talked to you because I'm eager excited. I'm really
looking forward to building a really strong relationship
with all 50 words.
logo with all the Mets verse followed by automobile
Thank you. Mr. Chairman and good morning Sierra. Thank you
for reaching out to me as well. And you have a very
impressive resume.
But I've seen several Commissioners come through and at a
time now where development is.
sword at the local Pig
you talk about the aggressiveness, but is the
aggressiveness going to come with representatives for us?
To have in our community someone rather than reason cuz you
can't be everywhere. What is that going to look like a 50
ottoman the move fast just to stay in the past. I have been
represented to sign to our Ward who we can call on and
specific areas. The other thing I want to make sure that
looking forward to that to her right away. I need to get
you on the books ASAP. I don't kill Ryan signs need a snow.
We got to go out here and make sure we are working on
behalf of their constituents as we're looking at a crisis
with the migrants development.
There's a housing need there's a lot of the issues that we
have to not only work with planning but other departments
as well. So it have to be some collaboration in order for
the planning department can move at a pace where is welcome
in there. So I'm your department has been fine. I work with
many of your at the members on the staff and they do is
Service as well. But it is the new role always respecting
Nunes. I don't expect for you to be with the old was I want
to take you out who you are and let's see what we can make
happen then only in the world but the entire west side of
Chicago the city of Chicago everybody looking at you said
the cuts and ribbons. We have a challenge in business
coming into the community and and the black communities
that's going to issue and I'm hoping
Do you have some ideas on how we can bring more?
Business within our neighborhood and creating more small
businesses at the same time.
Absolutely. I look forward to visiting your ward started
wart or isn't it to get out of City Hall and actually see
the war to see some of the opportunities and you see some
of the ongoing development and how some of your suggestions
highlight and really complement those developments. I think
from our teams perspective. We've had we have Regional
planners and we want to make sure that those Regional
planners are the boots on the ground and they're not just
working here in the office, but they're in the neighborhood
and they're working closely with you and your team to make
sure that we're being really thoughtful and I talked a lot
about leveraging all the tools and what I mean is the tools
to ensure that our retail can be successful that are small
businesses can Thrive a lot of our neighborhoods, like
retail amenities other neighborhoods take for granted and
as a real estate developer. I know that retail follows
rooftops, and so in addition to thinking about how we bring
retail to the neighborhood. We've also we also have to
think holistically about how we can repopulate our
neighborhood and how they re Papi
Haitian then supports the retail and all the other
amenities there's opportunities for us to leverage if
there's opportunities for us to leverage neighborhood
opportunity finally have grants. We got technical
assistance. We got lots of support it got a small Business
Bureau that's committed to working with our small business
to ensure that they don't just survive but they're thriving
in our neighborhood. And so I want to make sure that as the
commissioner for the Department of Planning and Development
development that I'm pulling on every single lever that's
available to me and ensuring that our team knows who really
laying in and be really thoughtful and strategic what are
ottoman to make sure that we're making informed decisions
and spurring development. That's sustainable. Right? We
want to keep our business is open and I really responsive
to the neighborhood's challenges but also opportunity. So
you've got my commitment you're going to hang out with like
to see your department do that. I think we've been asking
and I only saw it once and that is
a book but each War given the demographics given the
locations of the business Tif dollars that's accessible
with the information together population-wise. We need we
need information so that even for the new ottoman they can
see a bigger picture and you all have the access to be able
to do that. Now there may be
And it's going around but we used to have that. So when we
are marketing Awards, we have a 2 to be able to present
absolutely we can do that and we can keep it updated very
good. I'm happy that you're here and looking forward to
working with you new energy New Direction 2024. What was
the saying David? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the
Mets and to your point Alderman Mets our Ward. Actually we
created a brochure as we talked with developers around the
demographics that you can pull from the sensors to really
talk about the why they should invest not because of where
the ultimate but we're looking at it from from their
standpoint as to how they can leverage and attract
businesses to the area. So that's a great idea and I hope
that
Bonnie can take a look at doing brochures. Thank you. I
want to recognize all the women Scott as well as Alderman
Harris our next automobile.
Thank you. Miss in German.
Good morning, acting commissioner. Let me just say that and
I want everybody to give me real good that I support this
commissioner wholeheartedly and I think this is a wonderful
wonderful appointment by the mayor for this department. I
can honestly say that I've known commission about right for
over 20 years. She got her start in the community. She
started off as a teller at US Bank and that's the only one
joint with Joe that we have, but she was not a tell her she
was actually the bank manager, but I always say she started
off as a teller and then moved over into seeing I and I can
honestly say once the commissioner move to Sendai that
whole organization change.
And you know the energy the knowledge to get things done
attitude really took that organization to a higher level
and and that's not taking anything away from my good friend
David awake, but we have a great team in a community and
that is what it's all about. It's about teamwork everybody
working together public-private other community the elected
officials and everybody working together to get things done
and doing that. We have created over 2,000 jobs, and we
created over 2 billion dollars.
Of public-private investment in the Pullman Community
working together. And so when you listen to the
commissioner talked about working with the alderman those
are just not words. She means that because she understands
that without the ottoman support without the ottoman
driving development and driving division of the community.
You don't have anything and it's really breathtaking to
hear that we're working with the Ottoman and listening to
the ultimate versus what we had in the past because I can
honestly tell you the first meeting I had with a former
commissioner. He was telling me what he wanted to do
everything that she wanted to bring to the community and
everything that I said my community needs he dismissed it.
Insole having a commissioner that gets our communities that
gets the get it done attitude is breathtaking to hear and I
think under your leadership you going to take this
department to higher levels? I think you're going to push
everyone in the department to get it done. And and you see
the great support stay after we have I can't tell you the
last time I seen a commissioner appointment when you have
former commissioner planning planners developers coming to
support a Commissioners appointment you all this is energy
in this apartment like we've never seen in a long time. And
so I'm excited again.
I've known C are for a long time. I've and her wonderful
family or husband and her mother is here sister is here
actually coached her son at Gwendolyn Brooks high school.
He's on the baseball team is Gwendolyn Brooks high school,
and so I'm really excited that you all will see from a city
standpoint what we have been able to develop and just a
small part of the ninth ward. You going to start seeing
that throughout the entire city, and so I don't have any
questions because I know where your vision is. I know where
your dedication is, and I know you're get it done attitude,
and I just want everybody in the department know cuz I see
you got some people from the Department out of here as well
that you all tighten up your bootstraps because you're in
for a ride because the air is going to get it done with or
without you so we want to get it done with you. So, thank
you so much. Congratulations, and look forward to working
with you looking for. Thank you.
Call Wildman Spider-Man. Thank you. Good morning. I very
rarely in the nine years. I've been here speak about up
unemployment. But I miss you can hear from everybody both
in the in the pit things. Well, as I understand the Sierra
Rd being the commissioner special a lot of years, we've had
many discussions about how to tackle the hills and the
weakness is my ward and absolutely look forward to working
with you. I think that this is not only just one of the
better appointments I've seen.
But I think commissioner is the right person for this time
and not to put a lot of pressure on you, but you can handle
it but we we when I found out that you were the person
absolutely was thrilled and then I turn nervous because
once everybody find out what I know with Bill know if I can
be pulling that you and I want all the attention of an at 7
board cuz I want a little bit at sprinkle from the ninth
over there. I can I can go on and on, but I'm extremely
excited about you being here. You know, you have a partner
and me. We've always been a partnership. I Look to learn
from you some things in and work together my words. So like
everybody said, let's look like we stay bill this buckle up
and enjoy and enjoy the ride. Thank you, Thanks Tammy.
Thank you.
Thank you so much Erica Mission. I thank you so much for
being with us today. I had known you by reputation and you
are peers in the planning committee who spoke so highly and
immediately of your you're working your capacities what you
were going to bring to the city and it was all cemented by
the conversation that we got to have even briefly. I'm
excited to work together in this space and Zoning in my
ward and on the plane commission. I think you inherit one
of the best department mental games.
In the city of Chicago there is not one person sitting over
there or up on the 11th. I think you guys are 11th. I think
I'm remembering prepared to do and have been doing.
incredible work and if I could
offered few pieces of support in this I would say to always
remember like we we do want development. But what we'd
develop will hopefully stand for the next hundred years.
That requires the thoughtfulness this consideration that
your team is so skilled at applying to make sure that we're
what we build not only in terms of individual buildings,
but communities are prepared. Not only for this moment, but
These Urban National Global forces that are going to shape
Chicago over the next 20 30 50 years whether we want them
to or not. And so making sure that our development is
prepared for what that world is going to be I would also
say you had a colleague from seeing eye out here who talks
about whenever you bring something new into a community.
There will always be opposition. We need you to bring new
things into this community knowing that there will be
opposition knowing that is hard to think differently about
a city.
About a community. I have always been a fitted more from the
folks who told me no, but rather than a simple flat-out
Yes. It sharpens my mind sharp until I think about my
community. I am always grateful for the support of a
critical perspectives that my regional planners bring to
me, and I am trusting you to bring both your skillfulness
and your courage and your communication skills to helping
us take a critical eye to what our city is and what it can
be knowing all that and knowing that you are more than
qualified for this heady task. Thank you so much for
joining us in the city. Thank you, Tara.
Automan Taylor followed by Auburn.
He was surprised that you got a devilish list.
You do such good work. What why why do what is the heat
what is and all the women being so I'm just going to say I
got my ride around scheduled already look, but why are you
do it is amazing to see all of these people who support you
and say good things about you. But why why dpd I love my
city? I'm from the city. I'm raising my babies in the city
and I recognized the value of our city and all of our
neighborhoods. I've done a lot of things nonprofit
for-profit.
Solomon and I've done well doing that but I just feel like
it's my passion and I want to address challenges in our
community in a really thoughtful way and and really have
all the best practices that I've learned over the last 10
plus years to really create opportunities and neighborhoods
that have been overlooked are too long and also recognized
in a balance between really focusing in our neighborhood
and downtown. It's not an either-or. It's a both and for me
I mentioned earlier that I had been frustrated time to time
working with the city and just trying to move developments
forward you can complain about it. You can be thoughtful
and pull up your sleeves and do something about it. And so
I charge myself to do something about it and it's my love
letter to the city. I love my city. I love my neighborhood.
I know how to finance the deal. I know how to get a deal
done. So why not leverage my expertise my experience to
ensure thoughtful development and low.
The incredible team that we have at dpd and all of their
thoughtful Walworth thoughts or thinking Anna behaviors to
ensure more Equity everywhere in our city again, not just
in the neighborhood and I just on the South and West sides
Southwest Side downtown Northside. It's what I love it's
what I care about. I want babies to be proud of where they
live. I want people to come back so their neighborhoods. I
want our neighborhoods to look different.
I want all of our neighborhoods to be places where people
are proud to live work and visit and so there's two ways
that we can leverage and I want to leverage him. And so I
think the answer your question is because I'm passionate
about the city. I love our city and I want to just utilize
planning and development in a way to just let her job
opportunities throughout the city. What do you feel like
dpd's biggest challenge is Ellen Jay would say we got a lot
of opportunities DVD has a lot of vacant land. They got to
put that land back and productive use we got to get that
land that property back on the tax rolls. I mentioned
earlier that retail follows rooftop sleep at challenge week
at retail leakage in our neighborhood as money leave in our
neighborhood because we don't have the goods and services
in our community. And so we've got to capture that leakage,
right but we need the household. We need to look tops to
ensure that our neighborhood retail can thrive on
challenges downtown that we've never seen before we've got
vacancies. We've got office buildings that have been vacant
for some time and so that require
Us to use strategies that we haven't used before I really
think creatively and leverage every tool in the toolbox.
And so I don't know if it's the challenges and dpd as much
of the opportunities for us to address challenges that
exist within the city in a really thoughtful way, but I
would say we really have to be thoughtful and moving the
needle we got to remove barriers for our development. We
got to move development faster development is hard right
now. I'm as money.
Development until deals at pencil six months ago. I don't
pencil now and so we've got to create opportunities to
ensure that was creating jobs that were creating affordable
housing opportunities market-rate housing opportunities
lean green industrial opportunities that create living wage
jobs and really being thoughtful than doing it. And so less
of challenges I'm excited about the opportunities. I'm
excited about the tools that are available for us to really
be impactful and I would say I'm up by the job and I know
that our team is committed to the job.
One of my biggest struggles with the Department of planning
in the last Administration was Chicago and so think about
is a new person being in a space. If you're not from here,
it's going to take you at least two or three years to learn
our city and you still can't learn it and that amount of
time so I'm excited that you are born and raised in breaded
here. Not a lot of us are but tell me how you are going to
Udpd to understand that it's not that there is not this top
down there cuz the the last commissioner it was top-down he
is what he saw and that was his vision for your bored and
that's not how Community work. So tell me how you going to
and how are you going to change the mindset of the
Department of planning for the Department of planning has
not been friendly to the southwest side. Let's be honest.
They they have not it is not been an investor Southwest
didn't do what we thought it would do. And so tell me your
thoughts about I guess not a new thing. But how are you you
want to change the mindset of what happens in dpd got to
get out of the office and you have to get in the community
and we've got to work together with our alderman. We're
Partners. We got to collaborate. You got to elaborate early
and often on project and I think it's important for us to
have more presents in the neighborhood. We got Regional
planners that are out working with community and working
with the outer man, and I think we want a rampant up more.
I think I think the idea of a regional Focus as we think
about development is a good one right to say hey, we are
prioritizing neighborhood development and we're identifying
opportunities to attract private investment in leverage
public dollars to do. So, I think it's going to require
more boots on the ground. We should be in the neighborhoods
more we've got to do more war towards I got to see the
opportunities. I've got to see the challenge that you speak
a to be able to think Innovative Lee and so I can't say it
enough.
I think is a partnership and proximity is powerful and
we've got to be in the communities more simply put Let Us
question. Are you willing to work with us around
legislation about how we do development? So we had a
meeting was last month and what we're spending on rent and
some of these faces we could have our own these buildings.
And so I look forward to working with you around
legislation that says why are we why don't we repurpose the
school instead of paying rent to somebody who we're making
ribs who sang little to no taxes. I'm absolutely open to
explore ideas on how to put are vacant buildings back and
productive fuse I think collaboration is key both with our
alderman and also across department since I think we have
to engage with each other earlier so that we can really be
thoughtful and problem-solving and so yes, I'm absolutely
open to explore how we can be thoughtful about putting
vacant buildings back in.
Abuse weather at schools with a historic buildings weathers
bacon apartment buildings. I think the thoughtfulness is
key. Thank you. Mr. Chairman also like to come in the mail
on this appointment. Congratulations to you. I think this
is a great appointment. You know, you really not always
good when you have Anthony Bill commending the mayor I
think that's a big deal and all that needs to
Go down in history. We need to talk this went off. But I
wanted first of all, thank you commissioner for making all
of those guys that you work with look good like Anthony
Bill David Doyle David, reifman know all of the folks that
you work when you made all of them look good. I want to
commend you on all of your hard work and working with all
those guys but all jokes aside you had the opportunity to
work with some great people. But all of those guys are
respect to two Commissioners are planning a coup both were
in place to do great jobs during the time when the city was
doing good stuff, and they they I'm sure they shared with
you a lot of things that help to make the city move
forward. And then also I have no patience to work with all
them and Bill tells me that you can work with any of the
Ottoman in the city council. And so I want to show him.
Thank you.
So I know you going to do a good job, but I really
appreciate your excitement and and and your common sense. I
appreciate the fact that you get it from how novel profits
have to deal with government. But also how corporations
like you were just with clayco a big developer one. That's
an international developer and to understand how they have
to deal with government here in the city of Chicago. But
also how they had to do with best practices around the
country and making the
Woodman's move faster and quicker and make things happen.
And I know that you're going to bring that experience to
the city. But also hopefully you can pass it on to some of
the other departments that may be lacking on things that
they can do better too. And then I want to say yo yo in my
past 21 on 29 years, I've always work great with people in
the department of planning some good people in there, you
know, usually when they usually they take orders, right and
and and usually when they take water sometimes they may be
a little different depending on who's in charge, but I'm
going to tell you you got some folks who I mean been
through been through some fires been through a lot of
different personalities and understand these communities
and really want to work hard. I commend you for not
accepting big jobs in Corporate America and come to doing
your civic duty for the city of Chicago. I just want to
thank you for that. I look
Go to working with you. I'm very excited. I understand the
South Side West Side. Of course, you can't kill the Golden
Goose cuz you know, I have a diverse Ward, but I do know I
know you understand we have to take care of the stuff is
bringing the money to the city to you know, I know you
familiar with that balancing you and I had a great
conversation about that and I appreciate what you was
talking about. We have to fill in these vacant Lots. That's
a big concern of mine filled in the vacant lot and getting
these things done and expediting.
All of this stuff so that you know things can happen quickly
and we can bring more new tax dollars to the city of
Chicago. That's very important. So I look forward to
working with you. I'm very excited about it. The Mariners
picked a good team. He's picking some good people. I think
you are a very good pic. I like, you know you working with
can you over there and you know a gyro person and a lot of
exciting people dead that should give people in the city of
Chicago some hope in the business community that things are
going to start moving and we going to make some things
happen and keep this city on Pace with everything else. So
I just want to commend you and thank you very much and look
for look forward to working with you and I support I
support this appointment 100%
speaking of a net recognize when Tazewell next is
Manahawkin worthwhile by Alderman Hall
Good morning. Thank you chair.
Good morning. It was really a pleasure to chat with you the
other day, and I'm excited to support your nomination.
Congratulations for stepping up. I'm a mom too. And I I
want my kids to Envision that they could also come back to
Chicago if they choose to and we live in the 48 towards
it's one of the most
Diverse words in Chicago it's also an area of high
opportunity. And and it's a very small Ward and at the same
time we want small businesses to thrive. We want more
people to live in the ward. And also we want to retain the
diversity including the you know, everything that makes a
special including art are very high working class
population. So can you speak on how what's your vision on
on that? Because again, we we like our diversity. We like
with a call all of it across classic across that housing
stock and small businesses and we want people to stay and
at the same time we want more density cuz we know that that
is going to help with our small business corridors and we
have many in the 48.
Thank you for that question. I think when we think about
the diverse incomes that our neighborhood all I need is
important to be thoughtful about the development that we
bring and so one example is how we attract market-rate
housing and how we lovers the tools to create some
affordable units within that development is the weather is
US leverage in the city's 9% working with Department of
Housing celebrity sales tax credits are leveraging. I does
9% tax credits are working closely with chaa for project.
Couches to really unsure deep affordability within market
rate development. I think we want to tap all the tools as a
relates to really thinking about supporting small
businesses in our neighborhood has one thing that I know
about small businesses. My ten years of development is that
we don't always have to convince them that our
neighborhoods are viable. They want to be in our
neighborhood. They recognized the opportunity of growing
and thriving in our communities and sometimes in my capital
and so how do we leverage opportunities to infuse Capital
into their businesses so that they can grow in our
neighborhood and saw the department has opportunities to
bring Capital to attract small businesses so that you have
your National tenants and you also have your small
businesses in a really good diverse of both right as both
an and so I want to make sure that we're leveraging the
tools that are small Business Bureau has to ensure that we
can keep a small businesses in your neighborhood to bring
that much-needed diversity which ask the fabric of your
community that you need for a backup your community, but
also really being thoughtful and I tracked
National tenants as well. Right? It's the both an approach
often times of national tenants. How's it going to offset
the rent for those small businesses in our communities? I
talked a little bit about how we really focus on affordable
housing affordable housing isn't a bad word. We got to
really be thoughtful about the diverse income that we bring
in we've got to preserve affordability and we've got a
brand new affordable units and neighborhoods that are
threatened with less units right or gentrification. And so
I want to
All the tools we've got a lot of tools at dpd and there's
an opportunity for us to leverage them to make sure that
your ward continues to thrive and we're really thoughtful
thoughtful probably 10 times throughout this hearing but I
think really being thoughtful whiskey and making sure that
we responded in a really respectful way and a timely way to
your needs with the tools that we have at the PD.
You see a possibility of us. You spoke about it with other
Taylor about how we could use our public facilities in more
thoughtful ways. Do you have any thoughts about locating
public libraries with portable housing? Can you speak more
on that? I love that you asked that I've actually had some
conversations with the commissioner. I think we're really
excited to figure out how we can work together the
libraries and in d p d and d o h i a vision far more
collaboration between departments collaboration is really
going to be he as we think about housing as we think about
retail as we think about the library. I think this is a
unique opportunity for all of those departments are really
leverage the tools that we have to bring those necessary
Republic Services to neighborhood. We see if they're
successful they are thriving and so I think we need more of
that. I'm kind of lit up when you asked that question
because of the very recent conversation that I've had with
the commissioner.
As we think about the libraries and so yes, absolutely we're
going to do a lot more of that and I would say when I come
out to visit your War. I know we talked about this it'll be
great to kind of see it and it would be great if I have the
commissioner join either that visit or following one so we
can start to brainstorm, but I love the idea of
collocation.
Can you speak on wiiware redeveloping the red line, you
know the first time in a hundred years and there's going to
be a lot of empty land underneath the CTA. We didn't expect
that to happen. But can you speak on how you're working
with CTA? Not just in the 48th Ward, but across all of the
Chicago and terms of Equitable Transit, so I haven't
formally had my first meeting with us ETA yet, but there's
a couple projects that I am working with the Department to
review that does require a partnership with CTA where I
stationed at potential colocation opportunities that I can
probably share more later, but we really want to leverage
transit-oriented development. We want to leverage the
relationship that we have and I think this example that I
just mentioned is an example of how we can work really
closely with CTA to really maximize the benefits and really
focus on
Transit-oriented development the way that we should focus
on it. And the way that we should highlighted it has the
ability to attract a lot of private development and I think
we could be really thoughtful how we leverage our public
investment and how that will then attract private
investment. And so yes to field a yes or Partnerships with
CTA, but it's a little early and further kind of my full
vision cuz I want to work closely with etas. We can develop
it. I'm really excited to work with you. I also have to
agree with the altar Burnett that you have a terrific team
and the regional planning that you your team has been doing
since I have been office since May has been so helpful for
me. So I also want to continue to ask you know, how is it
that we can help you help them help us and just to say I I
had that I was born on the south side to I had the pleasure
of visiting, you know, the 10th ward in the 9th Ward. I'm
too trivial.
witness, you know, the environmental sacrifice zones are
there and as well as the development of Pullman District
which centers artist which is very exciting to me as an
artist, you know, we would like to see that and I'll do 50
words and the fact that you had so many speak so highly of
you including David my diet what you know, we had the
pleasure of spending a lot of time with and in the Pullman
area to
I'm excited to work with you. I have so much hope for the
city to have people in leadership like you who has a track
record of working together and collaborating. We need that
right now and I just wanted again to to come and you and
the mayor on this appointment and to think your team. Thank
you followed by Alvin Cardona. I want to say that echo in
with everybody else said they said it's a good day in
Chicago in the reason being is that you have been
consistent in your work speaks for you and so not to
belabor the moment, but I do want to say that our Ward is
looking forward to expanding seeing what you see. I am
working collectively with you because you've been
consistent and so on behalf about Ward and in other words
in the city of Chicago, we looking forward to seeing the
consistent touch of the negotiations, but moreover the
consistent.
Growth in all of our Ward, so I'm excited. I'm glad that
you're making a new chapter in Chicago and The Best Is Yet
To Come. So welcome, Cruz. Thank you chairman commissioner
first and foremost. I just got to say this is the first
time I see Aldrin bill being very supportive on a decision,
especially the commission of this commissioner.
Phone number for years ago up sitting here and Pryor middle
person was sitting here all of them Bill gave them because
he wasn't from here. He was he was he was not from Chicago,
and I'm glad that we pick someone who lives here who
understands our culture Wednesday's our communities because
I remember we had the conversation on a potential
consequences. We want to be very cautious. We want to be
aware of that, but I hear all the accolades and I'm very
happy that you're going to take this job and working with
you in the future and for my residence here in a 31st Ward
gratulation is and I can't wait to you come by me so we can
go drive around and you could give me some ideas. Thank you
so much.
Ricardo Cruz and Then followed and finally all womanly and
other members.
I want to say congratulations commissioner. So thank you
for reaching out. I know we reach out the first time I was
making dinner. So thanks for calling me back again, but
after speaking with you, you know, you left me with a lot
of Hope and I do a lot of understanding like I was able to
share with you what are my plans? But now only one of my
plans with my community wants to see in the ward and after
speaking with you talk a little bit about your experience.
I know we talked about like we talked about by experience.
I was like, I already Google you already have done a lot of
research and was able to see your resume, which is very
impressive and tweets of all,
To all the people that are here in support of you but I just
want to say over eyes is the hope you bring not only to the
entire city, but also to the plans that we would like to
see in the 30th Ward. You said very kinky things during you
know, your opening statement and something that you know is
staying with me a lot to is that you're here to plant with
not for like I think this is something we want to see
throughout the communities as communities wants to be
importing with Community want to do it. All again. We're
the ones who live in the neighborhood so we should be able
to have a saying at what the things you want to see. So I
think that is highly important to have somebody like
yourself who is willing to do that and collaborate with the
community and after hearing a gentleman speak about the
opposition from the community meetings and get into the
third median income in to say hey were in support again
that speaks a lot about what is your mission and your
vision for the work that you do, but also during our
Talked talked about like in other minute since we want to
make sure now only we have a lot of shovels, but a lot of
ribbon cutting and I did let them poor dancers not about
starting something, but it's about finishing something and
how that's going to be done. And I know we're very
confident with your experience. So I just want to say
congratulations again. It would have something 12 recap and
take away their you bring a lot of hope. So, thank you.
Thank you. I'm Chris only.
Thank you chairman. I just want to join the chorus of
accolades here. I did not know you prior to this whole
connection. But when I did finally get on a call with you,
I found it to be very much Kindred Spirits with our love
for this city and our commitment to putting our mouths of
our money where our mouth are right at the end of the day.
So I'm excited to work with you. I'm in this reception and
all of your I wish I had a cheering Squad like this
following the Arab be great. You got a big task ahead of
you and I think that you've heard from all of us here how
excited we are for your appointment and under your
leadership to see how we're going to bring Chicago into
this next phase of development. And that's you know, we we
need that all around. My community is no different
different in the in the way it's made up and no different
in the desire and I think that's one thing that you called
out in your conversations. We're all interested in it
because the development
Opportunities for all of our communities in one way or
another so congratulations. I look forward to working with
you. No more questions. I'd just like to close by saying
that we are excited about the the appointment and really
the New Direction the DVD is going to go in my boss and
said that time kills all deals and the fact that it's
taking a long time to get deals done is troublesome.
Take a look at and speak to developers that are
headquartered here. But I'm doing most of the work in
Phoenix or Nashville. We got to change that narrative and
not just change the narrative so much but change policies
to help recruit them back to the city. So that way you're
creating jobs and development here. So look forward to
working with you from a legislative standpoint of his ideas
or policy changes that you think you need in order to help
with your toolbox. Please feel free to reach out. This will
be more than happy to work and collaborate with you and
your department to actually create the economic development
that the city needs right now. So thank you Sierra for
strike that thank you acting commissioner Boatwright for
your testimony this morning any closing statements. Thank
you, honored. I'm excited. I'm passionate. I'm ready to
roll my sleeves up and I'm ready for my incredible
department and eyes are really leaning and be amazing
Partners to all of your constituents.
You and the store City. I'm ready to go 1 & 2 by the same
roll call was applied to establish Quorum all the middle
spot us some moves, you know directions to order. This will
be reported out at the next city councilman.
Congratulations.
I'm going to Sparta.
If I made her ever so briefly and since he is still here, I
I just want to give a big thank you to Patrick Murphy
African. I know it was a brief tenure sir. But I really
appreciate you talking to somebody else. I think you may
have to work. I just thought it needed to be noted that
during this interim. He really bought a steady hand at DVD
and I'm really grateful for that. Thank you. Alright
members will go through 10 on the agenda are series.
Adams 3 through 10 on the agenda or series of appointments
reappointments the very special service areas introduced by
Amir Johnson during the December 13th 2023 city council
meeting. The following individuals are being considered
before the committee appointment of David wifa to SSA
number 31 with commission located 46 and 47 towards
reappointment of David J to SSA number 33 Wicker Park Inn.
Commission located on 1st and 32nd Ward's appointment of
Laura K. With Nick to SSA number 33 Wickham Park in
Bucktown commission located on 1st and 32nd Ward's
appointment of em, Virginia McGarry, 33 Wicker Park in
Bucktown commission located on 1st and 32nd words
appointment of Dominica M hertzberg at the same with 33
Wicker Park Bucktown commission look in the 1st and 32nd
towards employment of Kila and Culvert in the same as 50
Calumet Heights Avalon commission located in 8th ward.
Appointment of Sean's at cheeks as a senior 50 Calumet
Heights Avalon commission located on 8th ward appointment
of Jem Randy Whitaker SSA number 56 Brownsville commission
located in the Third Ward.
At this time Mark Roshan is available assistant
commissioner with Department of planning to answer any
questions from the members. Are there any questions from
the members?
All right, single question questions for mr. Roshan the
ectd team has confirmed the support or non objection from
the following council members with appointments or we
appointments within their respective impact Auto in clay
almond Martin ottoman laspada. Almond waguespack Alderman
Harris and Alderman Alderman dial most commissioner
candidates were unable to appear for today's meeting her
and support their appointments are my appointments at this
time with any
Members of the committee or council members like to make a
statement or ask any questions?
Sing no questions or take no hands raised for any questions
or statements.
The appointees are here may have a motion to recommend
approval of the appointments are reappointment by the same
roll call vote as was applied to return Coram all womanly.
So I moved here no directions. So order to do pass
recommendation that the appointments reappointments will be
reported out the next City Council meetings items 11 and 12
on the agenda our scope of services budget and service
provider agreements for special service areas introduced by
Mayor Johnson during the December 13th, 2023 city council
meeting.
Following special service areas are being considered before
the committee for scope of services budget and service
provider agreements 11 is a special service area number to
Belmont Central located in the 30th and 31st Ward Under 12
is a special service area number 5 Commercial Avenue
located at 7th and 10th towards at this time. We're
approaching the assistant commissioner Department playing
the villain is available to answer any questions or any
questions from members.
Signal the ectd team has confirmed the support or
non-objection for the following council members the special
service areas within their respective impacted warts on
women Cruise Alvin Cardona Mitchell autumn in Chico.
Remember any questions or comments from those member for
those members?
I think I may have a motion to recommend passive this item
by the same roll call was applied to establish quorum.
Other woman gets here. So I moved here in your ejection. So
ordered to do pass recommendation to be reported out at the
next city council meeting they sent to him and being that
there's no further business may have a motion to adjourn by
the same roll call vote was applied to establish a quorum
Alvin Alvin Cardona. Some moves. No Jackson, so ordered the
committee the meaning of the committee on economic have
technology developments adjourned. Thank you.