No, right.
No.
yeah, it's not just
Yeah, it's not just congested. It's also that.
complicated and then
a lot of people
I know.
that's
All right.
explain that
yeah.
how
he is for
How are you?
I'm not using.
he's speaking on the
He's speaking on the patient 2.
He's speaking on the uh, don't.
And then working here.
And then working on the agenda that they want strange on the
agenda.
agenda that they want, but I'll let you repeat.
educate us.
in right now big
in high places
In high places means nothing.
Not the myth education of the black man.
Not the myth education of the black man the myth education
of the black woman.
have
Tell him to keep quiet.
Tell him to keep quiet where you can't tell me. I can't
talk.
talk other people are talking Hills. You can't tell me I
can't be seen if they're.
can't be seen if they're standing on.
he setting up he'll
he standing up he standing up and then talking to us and
they're talking. I'm not sitting down and
people are talking and
People are talking.
No.
Me go call the police. They can sit down make them. Keep
quiet.
There's nobody here, but me rep.
There's nobody here, but me representing my people.
is not K blacking in the
It's not kin black thing in the room. I'm talking about
those things that's in here. They work for the system.
They work in.
Work here. He work here.
They work his I don't talk to him.
I'm here as a concern.
I'm here as a concerned student. That's what
I'm here as a concerned student you could pay me to do.
what I spoke with.
Leave him alone.
Well, what would they do? They would say throw him out?
dragon
Dragon out and knock him out.
These disorders all of this. Is this on what?
These disorders all of this. Is this on what time of the
12th? Let me let me see they later. I think.
Got up there.
What time was supposed to start at 11?
What time was supposed to start at 11, but time is the
next.
meeting
How many minutes?
they
They don't have a cold.
They don't have a cold they always late.
They always late.
Why?
Y'all always know that you can't control me. I'm a free.
black man.
on the planet
Good morning, everyone.
the committ
after and we supposed to
does that have to do Mr. Blake?
committee reading and I'm saying that that you're giving
people exemptions of these various and while I'm talking
right here.
right here, but Chell Harris is right here.
right here, but Chell Harris is right here ignoring me.
I'm speaking to Wal.
I'm speaking to Walter Bernette want someone come?
public. You must stay focused on the public.
public. You must stay focused on the public because you are
a public servant. You're not above.
a public servant. You're not above the public.
and the reason
And the reason they can get away with all these egregious
Act.
act because of no public particip.
act because of no public participation.
and especially the
And especially the black public they should always be here.
They should leave of nothing to their.
They should leave of nothing to their own they have to
represent.
represent ourselves.
So it's very important.
So it's very important that a gentleman like Mr. Blakemore
come to these meetings on the and they having a new
Commission of Transportation. I always look at race.
Well, what does that have to do with?
Well, what does that have to do with race? I see other
people.
people are are getting things that that the blacks are not
getting but Hispanic they are.
getting but Hispanic they are because they got a
representation. They got representation.
And we have been gentrified out.
Well State the transportation. I am connecting the dots.
certain ultimates health.
certain ultimates Health influence and they can give their
constit.
constituents exempt.
what is
What is the criteria for that?
if everybody got to have a vehicle out or or
something and that's the law that mean.
law but everybody.
and don't
And don't tell me to sit down and other people are standing
up.
You got the right 1. Thank thank you Mr. Blake Moore and
I'll
get ready our next person for public comment.
get ready. Our next person for public comment is Neil
marklin.
I am
Hello, my name is Mark.
Hello, my name is public transportation.
Hello, my name is to get around.
Tom has been a senior position. I see you up for a long
time and has watched the status has been defined by this
function.
function the line with lack of coordination and lacking
number.
number of steps. We need someone to see that to understand
the continuity planning has been a diss.
the continuity planning has been a disaster for the city
understands a simple.
understands a simple path. I'm calling he
understands a simple path. I'm calling as a number 1
accomplishment. I do understand how close.
accomplishment. I do understand how closing off for a month
and we surfacing a small portion of our city streets for
the exclusive use as possible was an accomplished.
the exclusive use as possible was an accomplishment system
you think what?
You think to improve on your body?
You think to improve on the body of that group?
transportation those particularly as a pedestrian fans
arrive in a cyclist. I hear from the city this now
understand how Transportation will move.
parts of our city we
more traffic and solar buses as a result Aquarium
this is the highest.
this is in development was going on near the Chicago and
most intersection like the casino hardship.
most intersection like the casino home residential Towers.
The latest plans for reconstruction was the intersection.
did not include a barreling even though the 66 and 8 bus.
did not include a barreling even though the 66 and 8 bus on
the top 10 in the city transit.
the top 10 in the city transit Riders and car drivers
travel to Central increased.
travel to Central increased to see about does not change as
well thinking and
well as thinking and solution to traffic we bought a
well as thinking and solution to traffic was to driving
lots of time's experience is mostly in ever seen the
implementation projects. Not only last to experience some
vision and planning in the future Transportation find
relation to coordinate would be terrorists and other
agencies in opening up the streets for projects.
December the 76
that and the
about and looking on the Grand Avenue complete project.
shows up in the 3 months and after those restaurants.
Department came in with the moment to work.
Department came in with the moment to work under his watch.
The appointment of Tom Connie was at
Johnson to improve transportation in the city.
more than that understands.
more than that understands it faster, but I can always
dangerous between the cars.
understand that.
Thank you, Mr. Mark.
our next public speaker is
Our next public speaker is Kyle Lucas.
Hello there. Uh, my name is Kyle Lucas. I am 1 of the
co-founders of better Street.
co-founders of better Street Chicago We're a Grassroots
organization that are fighting for uh, safer streets and
better uh public transit. Um,
better uh public transit. Um for all Chicagoans. I'm here
today to speak in support of the appointment of of
board member of Roberto Vero.
board member Roberto vo. Um, we have seen a real
with CTA over the past few years.
with CTA over the past few years since Co hit and um,
really what?
really what we're seeing is a a lack of leadership Within
CTA, but also on its board we see that there are a lot of
members who are not really willing to hold.
members who are not really willing to hold CTA accountable
for a lot of the problems that they're facing. Um, and we
really need leadership on the board.
really need leadership on the board who is prepared to help
CTA chart.
CTA chart A, New Path for forward towards sustained.
towards um restoring service and
towards um, restoring service and ultimately to have a
vision for the future of the system.
vision for the future of the system and I believe that
Roberto over Co really represents what we need,
On the CTA board right now. He has a lot of experience. He
played an instrumental role in the passage.
played an instrumental role in the passage of the Equitable
Transportation. Um,
Transportation. Um or Transit oriented development
ordinance, um, which is going to really help a lot of
Chicagoans have access to affordable housing near Transit,
which is really critical. Um, but he also is a Transit
writer which is unfortunately uh unique for the
writer which is unfortunately, uh unique for the CTA board.
You would hope that the CTA board has a lot of experience.
using the system. Um, and Roberto will help.
using the system. Um, and Roberto will help start to
correct that um that glaring oversight. Um, and so I I
think that another critical thing is that he has trust from
the community and I think that's really critical at
where CTA has lost a lot of trust. Um, so I think that a a
point
appointing someone who can help rebuild that trust in the
system is very important right now. Um, so I hope that you
all will um approve his confirmation and I think you so
much for your time.
Thank you, Mr. Lucas.
uh next public comment we have
tasmin tanveer
and I apologize if I pronounced it.
Exactly. Okay, sorry.
Hi. Sorry, correct.
Hi, sorry, correct me. Yeah, no, thank you. I appreciate
it. Um, good morning.
Sorry.
Sorry, it's my first first time ever here.
Um, I just
uh when I was a kid, um, my grandfather, uh came to visit
and I remember walking with him to the lakefront.
Um, and he loved long walks.
Um, and he loved long walks and from where we lived, uh, we
had to cross dlsd. Um via
had to cross dlsd, um via a pedestrian bridge.
um and at that time
Um, and at that time he was in such good shape. He was very
active man and
active man, and he was able to um climb up.
active man, and he was able to um climb up to the
pedestrian bridge and go go to the other side.
Um, but later that year he was diagnose.
Um, but later that year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease.
and the thing about Parkinson's disease is
And the thing about Parkinson's disease is um, it's really
necessary.
necessary to keep active to be able to delay the pro.
And it makes me really sad that.
We had a person.
We had a person who loved to walk who needed to walk for.
his health.
and
instead of prioritizing seniors like him and their ability
to access the lakefront.
to access the lakefront instead. We prioritized cars being
able to drive on impeded.
and
its way
it's way better 30 years later and now I'm a parent.
Um
and I'm pushing my son around in a stroller and it's really
alarming how dangerous it is. Um even to walk around my
alarming how dangerous it is. Um, even to walk around my
neighborhood.
um industrial and duster on the rise and I
um industrial and duster on the rise, and I see for myself,
you know, I see cars just zooming through my neighborhood.
It doesn't matter if it's next to a school or a park.
they just got to get where they
They just got to get where they need to go at as fast as
the rate as possible. Um.
And then my son gets older. I want to be able to send him
to school.
to school on his own. I want him to be able to walk on.
because there are studies after studies.
because there are studies after studies showing that it's
really good for kids Mental Health.
really good for kids mental health and physical health
and
he needs that to be able to develop that.
he needs that to be able to develop that Independence as he
gets older.
um
but you know, I I feel like
if you were 10 years old today, I wouldn't be able to do
that.
that because I'm afraid of him being hit by a car.
and we could make
And we could make it possible for kids to be able to walk
to.
to their neighborhood schools.
We could prioritize.
We could prioritize that and prioritize something that is
so beneficial.
so beneficial to their mental health as we are seeing young
people.
people in a mental health crisis and as we are seeing rates
of obesity rising in children.
But instead we prior.
But in still we prioritize cars driving fast.
and the thing is that
um here at a community about public way and transportation
and not at The Pedestrian Safety Committee.
because
the way that we prioritize cars driving fast as the main
method where people to get from point A to point B.
Is a problem.
is a problem we prioritize cars driving fast over every
other concern and we've been doing that for decades.
um
and I'm just
And I'm just here to say that Mr. Carly apparently.
said there's no issue with that approach.
um, and I'm here to say that there is
Um, and I'm here to say that there is an issue that it's not
acceptable.
acceptable, um for us to prioritize cars driving fast over.
the health and safety of our children and of ourselves and
our senior citizens, um, and I'm just asking for a change I
want
I want a leader of C Dot
I want a leader of C dot to make a drastic change and how
we consider transportation.
Um, thank you.
Um, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
All right, our next public speaker and Bear.
All right our next public speaker and bear with me Dominic.
omalo
Pardon say my hand.
Pardon, my handwriting is terrible. So I
glad I made it into the right group this time. Um
I'm here today representing the Sierra Club.
I'm here today representing the Sierra Club as the co-chair
of the transportation team. Uh, Sierra Club is an
environmental organization and our transportation work
Focus.
focuses on making Chicago a more walkable bikeable trans.
forward City.
It doesn't necessarily have to come from our menu or
there's something.
there's something that you guys do proactively um, or is it
always contingent up?
always contingent upon what we say in our Awards?
uh is
uh, is there a mechanism in place where C dot is out there
doing just what we're saying on its own and it's and it's
it's covered by C dot so I I would say that um,
it's covered by C dot. So I I would say that um pre the uh,
the Chicago Works it it was very, uh, I'd say 95% we were
struggling to find funding sources to address.
struggling to find funding sources to address these
situations and it was very much.
situations and it was very much looking towards menu. Uh,
fund whatever the improvements were. Um, and and there were
certainly
Any projects signed off on by Council? Um
Any projects signed off on by Council, um, but pre or post
Chicago Works.
We have uh funding now that we put towards Safe Streets and
and that's where we're making.
and that's where we're making improvements where we see
based on, you know crash.
based on, you know, crash data or information we have or
even referring back to um previous.
even referring back to um, previous traffic studies where
we're now able to to get into the game as well where we're
seeing things that we could proactively address it. So,
it's really we
really we have more the funding is enabling more of that.
happening. I would say though that's only a more in the
recent couple years. So I I I think what you touched on all
of them is probably what um, you know for the ultimate
who've been around for a few years what you touched on was
really the way we had operated for many years. Okay and
when you guys what you just described being proactive that
usually is in more more travel areas like on the on the
South Side 95th in Stony.
South Side 95th in Stony, you know in area like that it's
not necessarily in the the residential areas.
maybe 8030 in Gates, correct? It's looking.
maybe 8030 in Gates. Correct? It's looking at at the
complex.
intersections, um some of our routes where there's you know
higher speed, you know more
higher speed, you know, more Lanes of traffic things like
that. Okay, so the resident
that. Okay. So the residential at this point is still kind
of up to the ottoman. Yes, okay.
of up to the ottoman. Yes. Okay. Okay. All right, um next
we have questions from um, autumn
we have questions from uh, ottoman Ronnie Mosley.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, and thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh and thank you commissioner for 1
just your attentiveness to the 21st War. Uh, I think you
Carl.
Carla thinks you JB. Thanks you for your
Carla thinks you JB thanks you for your Swift actions. Uh,
Alonso Swiss action.
Alonso Swiss actions and even gems which actions as well.
I want to start out by um asking you about like frost
lines.
and how that has changed with Chicago becoming warmer and
the amount of potholes more that we see now, is there a
strategy game plan?
strategy game plan around that um of how we improve just
even the potholes, uh, filling and making sure I know we
always request heat rollers, but um, what's what are you
envisioning?
envisioning the Department's action, uh with this climate
change
Equity to um those needs
Equity to um, those needs of our community if that's the
the pot of money that we're supposed to be using to deliver
that better quality of life. Yes. Um, thank you for that
question. Um, so I I've had the privilege of being a part
of um, uh 2 the 2 previous times where we've done menu.
of um, uh 2 the 2 previous times where we've done menu re
reform. Um, and um, I think it it's a good exercise for us.
as a city for us as a department working with Council.
as a city for us as a department working with Council on
that. Um, I think every
Few years. We do need to look at.
Few years. We do need to look at what makes sense on how to
administer the menu.
administer the menu program and um
Trying to find ways. You know the The Collector Street
program.
program and its heart was trying to find ways to to to get
to uh 1 of the components was to make sure we were getting
to you know infrastructure.
to you know, infrastructure improvements in large in words
that for variety reasons. Maybe hadn't had those
improvements to try and spread that out. Um, I think we've
been successful at it, but I I I welcome the conversation
with with you and the other council members and how how to
do manual reform how to do it in a way that that really
addresses some of our biggest
addresses. Some of our biggest infrastructure needs. Got
it. Well, thank you Comm
Well, thank you commissioner. I'm a vote uh in favor of
you.
and thank you Mr. Chair for the Indulgence. All right.
um, thank you as a commitment from from the
about
and that's something we
Um, we're moving on to uh, ottoman news and followed by
Ott.
C
congratulations on your
Congratulations.
nominated
my colleague
I also share their.
I also share their concern.
I welcome the opportunity.
I also share the concerns.
the restoration
the very next
of large with your partnership
Which means?
partnership with
County
with
strollers to to be protected from
and
we're
We're just trying to.
Thank you very much.
All right.
Thank you. Admin. Uh we have
Thank you. Admin. Uh, we have ottoman influences.
Thank you commissioner.
Thank you commissioner, uh for being here this afternoon.
Uh, I appreciate all the years that you put into the
department. I want to ask some questions.
department. I want to ask some questions that really help
us understand your vision for the Department as
commissioner. Um,
As I look forward to working with you on improving all of
the transportation.
the transportation infrastructure across the city. Uh,
let's talk about traffic studies quickly, uh, typically
traffic studies only account for the movement.
traffic studies only account for the movement of vehicles
and not for people, um, which by Nature uh conflicts with
the mission of the department, uh in terms of priorit.
the mission of the department, uh, in terms of prioritizing
pedestrians cycling safety, um and all
pedestrians cycling safety, um, and all the things that the
department has recently put out. Can you speak to how you
will intend to change the Department's current prior?
prioritization of vehicular movement?
prioritization of vehicular movement, um above all other
modes
um, so you know our
Um, so, you know our our traffic engineer and our traffic.
uh safety team with regards to uh traffic.
uh, safety team with regards to uh, traffic studies. They
do a phenomenal job. Um,
I it is something.
I it is something that we've been working very hard for
years in terms of trying to get them more resources, um
there.
there are there's the requests that I know Council knows
about because certainly responding to uh, you know request
or concerns from constituency businesses or uh, residents,
you know. Hey, we we have a location we need traffic.
you know. Hey, we we have a location we need traffic study,
right? Um, but they're also looking at, you know, traffic
studies generated by Major.
studies generated by Major developments. Um, you know, they
get pulled into like, let's say, you know, we're going to
be building a casino looking.
building a casino looking at all the traffic and things
like that. Um, they get brought into expertise on um,
like that. Um, they get brought into expertise on um other,
you know departments.
Other initiatives like that. So, um
there
There is um, there is definite stand.
there is um, there is definite standards that they follow
um that are you know, industry standards and and
considered, you know, both state and federal on that. Um,
terms of their ability though to um count
pedestrian counts, you know
Pedestrian counts, you know, they to be somewhere and and
and fully Eng.
and fully engage um and get those accurate counts for for a
location for you know a week or 2 weeks. It's very hard for
them to capture all the data.
them to capture all the data probably that we we would like
to um on each traffic study. Um, but at the heart of
everything they do and all the data that they do pull.
look they're looking at the safety of all modes of travel.
look they're looking at the safety of all modes of travel,
you know, bike pad, um, everyone involved. So, uh safety is
is is we're committed to Vision zero and safety of all is
is our goal. Um, we don't want to put you know with the
Limited
limited resources. We have staff has we don't want to put
in time.
in time in and get it wrong so I I can commit to
in time in and get it wrong. So I I can commit to you that
that's that's our goal is to keep everyone.
Thank you commissioner. Chicago's uh vision.
Thank you commissioner Chicago's uh, Vision zero plan has
been in effect for about a decade now.
been in effect for about a decade now, uh, but there's
still high numbers of roadway.
still high numbers of roadway crashes fatalities and
injuries. Uh, what will you and see that do to revitalize
Chicago's?
Chicago's lagging vision for zero, uh for vision zero
efforts using Vision zero best practices.
efforts using Vision zero best practices, um, the other
cities for example like Evan,
cities for example like Evanston have implemented.
yeah, so I I I'm going to go back to what I had said
earlier that it's it's it's something we're we're focused
on and we're going to keep working at it's a big city and
we got to keep working at it block by block, you know.
Corridor by Corridor, um improvements we've made you know,
we did the vision zero west side. We're doing Vision zero
South, you know, really targeting those areas where we're
statistics are are showing, you know, um dangerous,
behavior and and and higher number of crashes.
behavior and and and higher number of crashes and and
injuries. Um,
And those improvements over time, you know.
Refuge Islands, you know, um Cur.
Refuge Islands, you know, um curb bump outs, you know
protected bike Lanes.
protected bike Lanes the the the numbers on it are a little
bit lagging indic.
bit lagging indicators, right? But it it doesn't mean that
we're we're going to slow down in any way. We've got a
whole city of other locations and and and as I referenced
earlier, it's probably 1 of the top calls I get from
council members.
Council Members, you know, or it's 1 of the top things that
come up.
come up at CIP briefings or when we're meeting. You know,
how do we
out and I think we just
Out and I think we just have to keep plugging away at it.
Um, uh, you know, and then we also have to be creative we
have to you know learn.
have to you know, learn from other cities what they're
doing and we also have to um, I you know, as I said, I you
know as a department we're we're supportive of slowing
down, uh changing.
down, uh changing the city speed limit.
I appreciate.
I appreciate that response commissioner. Uh, the department
has been uh table bit behind on updating pedestrian, infr.
infrastructure and signaling according to the Ada
standards.
standards, uh that was evident by the 2022. Uh,
standards, uh that was evident by the 2022, uh doj ruling
finding the department in violation.
finding the department in violation of uh, Ada standards.
Can you not only speak to the progress of the department
has made since that ruling. Um, but also specifically how
you will prioritize accessibility as the commissioner in a
way that prevents further lawsuits and non-compliance.
yes, so
Yes, so so we are committed. Um, so that case is still in
litigation. So I'm going to not necessarily get into that
part of it your question, but
part of it your question. But um, you know, we have it as a
standard.
standard and a new signals going in our uh AP
standard and a new signals going in our uh, APS, um
accessible pedestrian signal so there's several projects,
uh signals going on.
uh signals going on currently where that's in motion.
there's some Corridor work on on locations like Stony,
Island. Um, we're very excited that we're we're very close
to awarding a contract.
to awarding a contract, uh, the Construction contract that
that will facilitate 26 construction of 26 new.
um
Um, you get those into construction those locations were
were ident.
were identified in collaboration with mayor's office people
would still disabilities. Um, but it it is something that
we're committed to and we're going to we're going to keep
working at there's no that's the direction. We're 100.
working at there's no that's the direction. We're 100%
behind going. Thank you. I'm gonna ask 2 more questions
Sharon for you asked me to also.
Sharon for you asked me to also schedule a meeting. Uh,
would you support adding an ADA compliance and planning
manager position? Um, or is there an existing position
right now that the department has that's responsible for
ensuring ADA compliance.
so
So ADA compliance is baked into our rules and regulations.
and it's baked into um the way
and it's baked into um, the way we designed and it's baked
into a lot of the standards and things.
into a lot of the standards and things we have. Um, it's
also baked into um our uh agreement with the doj.
also baked into um our uh agreement with the doj from back
in 2006. Um, but I am intrigued by your idea about having
that has a a um a separate
that has a a, um a separate position at cedat. Um, I'd be
happy to
talk that out and flush that out a little bit more. I will
say that we have a very strong working relationship with
mop.
mopd. Um, we collaborate with them all the time. Um, so but
I I think there's it's an interesting idea. Yeah. Thank
you. I truly believe that.
you. I truly believe that uh Improvement cannot happen with
with with not 1 person, right? Um You Are
with with not 1 person, right? Um You are the Visionary of
the department you look at infrastruct.
position. And so, um, I really appreciate that. Um, I
when we think about where we want to go it's very important
and when we get our constituents complaining about
everything as it is currently we also have to get that
done. Um as award,
done. Um as a word that currently has
I don't know 8 our projects coming 2 Street Scapes. Uh
constant new Metro station coming. Um, we'll have plent.
time to have a lot more conversations as you all know,
we'll continue them. Um, but I really wanted to get a
sense, um, because
um, because I've talked to you about it. So I understand
your passion for it.
your passion for it is really the way you're looking at
transportation in general, right? We get a lot of folks to
reach out.
reach out, um from different Advocate communities, uh,
when we think about the us being such a car Centric
infrastructure, and now the need for more cyclists
infrastructure more pedestrian safety more public
transportation, um, how do you view not just the work that
you're doing but having a balance all that out knowing that
that's where we're all looking to go.
Yeah, so so thank you for that Alderman. Um
you know it you your question made me think about you know,
the the first um
You know protected bike lane.
You know protected bike lane that that we tried, um going
downtown.
downtown and that was down Dearborn. Um,
that was that was an interesting thing because we we
up if I remember correct. Yeah, it was it was.
up if I remember correct. Yeah, it was it was December and
and we had a real mild thing in December.
and we had a real mild thing in December and it was it was
done through paint.
done through paint, uh with our in-house forces. Um, and we
we did a whole section 1 night we did a whole section.
we did a whole section 1 night. We did a whole section the
other night and I'll I'll always remember it because it was
my daughter's.
my daughter's birthday. So I did her birthday party and
Saturday and then Saturday and I worked all night.
Managing the crews out there, uh overnight and putting it
down now.
down now, uh, that was under commissioner Klein.
and
And I believe it was like 2012, you know.
And I believe it was like 2012, you know, I might be wrong.
Maybe some I think it was 2012.
and to think about what that was and was like wow this
looks way different than anything we've ever seen and how
is this going to work? Um, and then you fast forward to
where I see we are now, um, where
where I see we are now, um where we're putting, uh,
pre-cast protected bike.
pre-cast protected bike Lanes down. Um some of the the
interesting things we're doing on on a quarter like
Belmont, um, you know, just a variety of things.
Belmont, um, you know, just a variety of things, uh, and
how different it is and how far we've come. Um, it didn't
happen overnight. Um, but I see the benefit of change and I
see how we can do great things if we keep we keep at it. We
keep at it, you know corridor
keep at it, you know Corridor by Corridor we keep figuring
out we keep getting better and better. Um, so when we keep,
you know, we keep learning, you know, we we put down
all sorts of those pre-cast, uh,
all sorts of those pre-cast, uh concrete on our corridors
and and you know under commissioner bhajis leadership.
That's the new standard is to have that that layer of
protection.
and then let's let's see how let's go through.
and then let's let's see how let's go through it for summer
with that and let's see what we learn from that and then
let's see what we can improve upon that. Um, I I another
kind of lay.
kind of layer, uh lagging indicator about those we've
already put in our our our um orders and investment.
more equipment to sweep and clear.
more equipment to sweep and clear those bike Lanes, right?
So we're we're building towards that you know, so it it's I
know the wheels of government don't always meet. Um, the
Of what folks want to see especially when?
their life so much in the now but um, I just put in and I
answer your question to say that I I see.
answer your question to say that I I see that see the
difference we've made and and and I I I look forward to
working with Council and and our team to keep keep going
with that. Yeah. I I appreciate that. I think there's a a a
healthy tension and folks who want to make sure that they
can get to wherever they need to as safely as possible.
Yes, and then the realism of like how you build the INF
infrastructure do so, so I think a lot of it. Um, I'd
recommend is really in finding the ways to communicate and
partner with some of the groups like I we've had to deal
with when we did.
with when we did the Clark Street Bike Lane, right? Um, I
think the thing we've always communicated to people is it's
a always a work in progress and I think as it's moving
people get the sense of things are 1 and done um, and
because to your point how government tends to move people
feel like they're ignored, but I think we want to work to
kind of bridge some of that as well. And so I do appreciate
you having that frame of reference of like where it's been
where it's currently at and where we can go. Um,
And it's similarly my and also make questions to kind of
help.
help on sometime. But similarly like I was a little bit.
help on sometime. But similarly like I was a little bit
surprised to find out during budget and talking.
surprised to find out during budget in talking to the
transportation committee.
that there isn't really
except for the infrastructure build the kind of partnership
1 will want to see with CTA, right?
1 will want to see with CTA right? So CTA has its own
challenges we
challenges. We've got a president that I believe could be
doing more. Um, but the fact that there isn't that kind of
liaison to talk to you things.
liaison to talk to you things like for example right now,
we've got the metro station coming.
we've got the metro station coming on Peterson and ridge,
um, because that's their I think it necessitates Greater.
frequency by the CTA buses that are there. It's also going
to have an impact on the traffic and so um, how do you all
figure out conversations that are separate from just INF?
infrastructure when it relates to that relationship with
CTA?
So there's there's convers.
so there's there's conversations at the staff level with C
Dot and CTA daily. Uh there really was.
Dot and CTA daily. Uh, there really was there's there's key
contacts and there's so many things that we have.
points, um that intersect.
points, um that intersect um that I don't know if those
always are seen. Um, there's there's any anytime we do our
Bridge,
bridges downtown anytime. We're using those bridges.
part of it right because we got to figure out how to
through Wells and Lake Street, right? Um, but
always know about that interaction. Um, I think to your
point though, there is um,
um
in in in the grind of every day and and how we're we're
interacting.
interacting with it, but I think there there is um, you
bring up a good point for me to think about and talk to
President Carter.
President Carter about it is like, how do we um,
President Carter about it is like how do we um, really get
our collaboration tight on the bigger Vision stuff? Like
where do we want to go? You know, and um, I think we're
very good at at at day.
very good at at at day-to-day operations. And then when
we're in that 1 project, but taking it a step back. I I
think that you you gave me a good suggestion that uh to
think a bit more about and have those conversations. Yeah.
I I definitely want to partner with you because
think I think you guys do well when like either you're
working on a project or there's an emergency right? You
guys already have the teams.
already have the teams working. It's kind of the longer
vision and even some level.
longer vision and even some level of accountability for us,
right? Like I've been working to get CTA to do quarterly
hearing so we hear from them.
liaison, for example, there's
get a Western Avenue bus.
talking to all the altars.
partnership CT.
Dot in a way that I think um would be it would be helpful
to have a role.
to have a role to have like those dazen. Um, somebody asked
green alley, it's great. Um, thank you for the pothole
fixes, uh as the ward and I know some do as well.
literally Drive every single Street in our Ward to get
every single pothole and put in a 3111 seeing
have have been able to execute on it.
has been super helpful.
Kind of adjacent to that that's related.
about 2 years ago. There was the strike at the asphalt
plant and the cement shortage and so the following year we
were told we're going to try to get 2 years.
were told we're going to try to get 2 years worth of work
done in 1 year and I think obviously you do that to your
best of your ability, but you still got some spillover
year.
over year. Um, do y'all have a plan in place to try to
hopefully catch up which I imagine needs nessus.
hopefully catch up which I imagine needs necessitates more
labor to get that going.
yes, so, um, yeah, it was actually a
Yes, so, um, yeah, it was actually a query strike and Then
followed by a cement shortage. Um, uh, and then you know
last year we we did have challenges with that contractor in
the North Area. Um, we've been having uh, so so it's been a
2-fold approach it started last year.
2-fold approach it started last year and we're continuing
on with it. We're we're working hard.
on with it. We're we're working hard to peel off.
work and and use other either existing City contracts and
something I I'm I'm very appreciative for an excited about
we've been collaborating with the the PVC.
we've been collaborating with the the PVC public building
commission to get some um,
commission to get some um targeted, uh contract opportun.
opportunities. So 1 of the things is we're we're doing some
targeted.
targeted just a bidding out and going to reward. Um,
Alley reconstructions for certain parts to get because to
get caught up on those because those are old um, and that's
a bigger package that can be uh, advertised and awarded.
Um,
You know, we we were.
having conversations with that North contractor to make
sure.
sure that they have enough Crews on on staffed up for the
amount of work.
amount of work that they have. Um, they are getting going
on.
on some projects taking advantage of the nice weather.
on some projects taking advantage of the nice weather, um 1
big thing that that in addition to
1 big thing that that in addition to peeling off that work
was
and it was a priority for us is we I can affirmatively
state that they did catch up with the old.
state that they did catch up with the old shared cost
sidewalk works. So we are all caught up.
sidewalk works. So we are all caught up shared cost
Citywide. So, um, I'm getting my years mixed up but 22 and
23 all shared costs program participants have had.
projects delivered. So, um, they they had North contractor
is hitting
the year
The year with you know, no backlog of shared cost.
the year with you know, no backlog of shared costs. So they
are getting going on the menu work and that is their
priority out of the gate. We are instructing.
priority out of the gate. We are instructing them is you
have to get caught up on the old.
have to get caught up on the old menu work on the North.
Yeah. No, thank you. Like I said I I
Yeah. No, thank you. Like I said, I can't even imagine we
just I know we all just put in our orders like it's a menu
no pun intended and then expect the results.
no pun intended and then expect the results right super
quick. Um, I really appreciate the communication there. I
think when our office hears about it and then
think when our office hears about it, and then we have our
internal conversations of do we prioritize like the bigger
works that may have been from a couple years?
got these new ones being able to have that dialogue.
like Len and other folks is super helpful. Um, I think the
the last point I want to hit on is something a lot of
colleagues have been mentioning which is like
and safety and all
And safety and all of the things, uh, we want speed cameras.
We're actually working to get some in the you know, um,
parks and schools where we haven't had them. Um, we've had
loss of life due to people who don't know how to drive
responsibly. Um, I know that there's different takes on how
to address it my take is uh all of the above.
to address it my take is uh, all of the above, you know,
we're talking through um having
we're talking through, um having uh traffic diverters on
Granville, uh, because there's bike lane there that we want
to work on. We want to add speed.
to work on. We want to add speed cameras. We're adding
speed signs, but I think it's we're talking about it.
speed signs, but I think it's we're talking about it and I
appreciate that. Um, I appreciate that to to you and your
framing it feels like it can't be done overnight. But if
this Council agreed to lower the speed limit, which we were
talking about last term to bring it down to 20 or 25, um,
that would get that message across to folks and so as I'm
hearing enough of our colleagues say they have concerns
about the speed the answer.
about the speed the answer is right in front of our faces
when it relates to some of this legislation.
when it relates to some of this legislation and so, um,
You know should we?
You know, should we move that forward? I'd love to partner
with you and get a better understanding of some of the
challenges in implementation.
challenges in implementation, which is separate from us
passing a law. Um, but yeah if this Council found that the
numbers to go, hey, we're going to lower the speed limit
obviously, not tomorrow, but next council meeting. Um,
where would you stand on how to get that implemented? So we
get a better sense of like