No.
the committee on
government and budget operation will come to order.
We will have a roll call to determine quorum.
Vice chair Lee
Alderman Dow
on Robinson on the jansy on the Mitchell
on M Harris
Ramirez
Alderman Quinn on the Lopez almond Moore
almond. Oh say
Alderman Mosley I saw him.
On the Rodriguez. He's in the back.
on the Scott
autistic Lopez
Auto Bernett
Automotive pharaoh
president almond Cardona
Alderman Rodriguez Sanchez
On conways here. Okay, ottoman Ramirez Rosa.
ottoman viegas
almond mitts
ottoman pisado present
all the new Gents
new here
in the wrong seat
ottoman Vasquez
ottoman natano
on the Riley on the canson
on Martin
Alderman Hatton
almond Silverstein present
any non members?
Okay, we have a quorum.
of what entertain a motion to allow for remote
participation pursuing the roof 59 for Alderman Felix
Cardona Alderman Gil viegas almond Desmond. Yansi and
Alderman Emma mitts. Is there a motion?
so moved by Alderman Harris all in favor signify by saying
I
any oppose
any opinion of the chairs the eyes have it in Alderman
Cardona?
vagus
jansy
And mitts will be added to the role for the purposes of
quorum.
Okay, uh now is the time for public comment, uh public
comments limited to 3 minutes up to a maximum of 30
minutes. Uh, first up we have Jessica Jackson.
Who will be followed by Zoe Lee?
You may proceed. My name is Jessica Jackson.
And I'm here.
as always to talk about
how our rights as black property owners are being violated
by the city of Chicago and Cook County.
now in addition to that
this morning you all had us stand outside after 11 oclock
before you all let us in here.
You let these people in so that they could come in and sit
down and be comfortable.
Why you kept us outside?
and then now Alderman Ervin you so important that you don't
even have to look at people when they're talking to you and
addressing you because that's how important you are. Don't
you see and then you got the law man over there.
He's so important that when we talked to him about how our
rights are being violated. He doesn't even have to
entertain it then to my understanding this Alderman right
here. The light-skinned 1 sitting right here on the front
row. He's supposed to be a civil rights attorney and he
listens to us. Come here talk about how our civil rights
are being violated.
As black people and as black property owners and he has yet
to say anything about it and then you got the assistant
mayor sitting next to him.
who somehow finds things hilarious and when we're going on
with public speaking speaking he wants to go around the
room and speak to everybody to make sure that he's the
number 1 distant. Now, this is what we have in City Hall.
This is what we have in City Hall. This is what runs the
city of Chicago now to great.
Point he stopped me the other day to tell me in all honesty.
honesty. He really didn't know how it is that they could
even help me.
And I had to explain to him.
That not only is the county doing this with crooked County
judges.
And Crook County public administrators like Lewis G Apostle
who has put his name fraudulently on the eviction to get me
out of my own property. That's all that I own that's been
paid for. That's the city Greg Mitchell.
That's the city Greg Mitchell and that's how you can help
me like we talked about out there on the rail the other day
and I expect you to do that because you a man of action and
a man of your word. I'm not saying nothing against you. I'm
making things clear.
I'm making things clearer because you know me by now if I
had something to say to you I know how to bring it to you
and say it to you right now. I'm making something clear.
Okay. Now I'm talking about my rights and I'm talking about
how they constantly being violated and how y'all need to
get on your job and do your jobs and be better people.
Thank you, Miss Jackson. Uh, we'll add Alderman, uh Hatton
and Alderman now see you too Lopez to the role for quorum.
Uh next uh, we have Zoli.
followed by Kimberly Sanders
You already know how I'mma start.
true on on uh
over the long weekend, um in any event
There are 3 things you can do if you want the money for
demolished property if we're just talking about a little
bit of money the Alderman's committee on finance and I'm
surprised your Alderman didn't mention that to you.
Um
all right, so
As you know, I've been coming down here for a year because
the city of Chicago with the help of the building
department.
illegally demolished my mother's
uh commercial building that's illegal eminent domain that's
violating the Fifth Amendment. Like I said, the reason how
is the city of Chicago manipulates the Fifth Amendment
because they say stuff like well it was demolished but it
wasn't a fifth amendment because there's not a roadway or
railroad that went through. It doesn't matter at the end of
the day you guys knock down a building and you guys lie and
say about building violations and stuff and don't even go
through the process and I know the process
I mean, I'm not going to stop coming down here. Uh Cook
County to Tony pre Winkle last Friday. Try to give me a
last Thursday. Try to give me a rested for for uh violation
of my first amendment speaking on she's main reason why our
Deeds are being messed up. Then you come over here to the
building department. The building department does little
favors for these Alderman, especially these 20 black
Alderman not all of them, but some of the old Alderman that
have been stealing our properties for the longest and y'all
gonna continue to do it because no 1 does not say anything
and y'all use this affordable housing thing, which is the
new projects and on the south side and west side and feel
like that's how y'all can get away with this.
That's my generational wealth. Like I said, I'm not going
to stop I'm going to continue to fight and that's just what
it is. The city of Chicago owes my mother. I have a federal
lawsuit and like I said, I know the law I did the resource
resource research. I did everything like property act 1947
and 1949. Even if you feel like that Pro that property with
blighted and any type of way you are supposed to go to the
governor and then the governor is supposed to go to the to
the attorney general who is calling me Raul who does not do
anything for anybody, but y'all don't do that y'all skip
that and think that that's okay y'all y'all going to run my
mother her money or I swear to God everybody's going to be
a school exposed. It'll be another operation great Lord 2.0
research operation. Grey Lord. I promise you.
And they'll be starting with you Bernette.
Thank you.
Uh next we have Kim Kimberly Sanders followed by toan Sims.
Good morning. My name is Kimberly Saunders. I live in the
27 Ford, um in Walter Bernett. He knows me very well. Um, I
am a mother who my son was shot 9 times on Chicago Avenue
and state and between that shooting and finding out that I
had a brain aneurysm. I just woke up out of a bad dream and
right now I am here because I am trying to bridge some
gaps. I have been appointed Deputy in my area up under the
Republican party and I am in disbelief in what's going on
throughout the whole city. So I am here because I'm trying
to figure out what is the budget and really redeveloping
the city. I currently own about 3 properties in the
Englewood area that I'm funding out of my pocket. So I'm
here because I have a few other African-American people
that have spent their own money developing the community
and it seems as I'm finding out between the Alderman's and
their little friends they're getting on
All the money to develop and they're not doing it but it's
People Like Us that's doing it private investors. And so
what I'm doing is I'm getting with men that own 30 to 40
properties in some of this area and I'm going to put
together a plan that if you could trust these government
officials these criminals these non for profits. I have
nothing against them. But if you could trust them with the
money, I'm quite sure you could trust a few
multi-millionaire African-American Hispanic. I have some
Greek people because again, I am a person that represents
Chicago my kids go to British International. So I have
access to some of the wealthiest people in the city and a
lot of them have sold their stuff and left the parents from
British because they're sick of Chicago. So now I want to
know what are we going to do? Our downtown looks like the
projects?
You know you got you I'm hearing you got all this money
that these alms then got and filtered in the Lincoln Park.
Englewood should look like freaking Engel Lincoln Lincoln
Park. There is no way that all these years that no 1 has
invested. Where is the money so between from what I'm
finding out first. I know Catholic Charities on the
buildings, but between c ha funding funds and doing stuff
prime example. I know the young man that owns the building
in the fifth world 27. He owns 47 in Cottage Grove. He paid
a million dollars to turn this place into a museum for
culture this young man cannot get
Get any money the alderman whoever it is is some young man.
I don't have names right now. I'm getting it together. He
has not helped him get Tif money. But yet you giving Tif
money to the same non for profits all these people that's
not mishandling the money. So what about people like me and
him that we're out here with mortgages? I'm dying in tax
debt and I can't get no help to fix these properties. I
think that people like us should be entrusted and that's
why I'm here because none of them have the time to be here
and I got to leave right now.
To be it. Thank you.
thank you, uh for your comment, um
Taiwan Sims
followed by George, Blakemore
um
It's a terrorist attack happening in this city.
And it's happening against a nation of people black
Americans.
I'm certain of it. I'm suffering under that attack.
from government
from city workers judges
State's Attorney's office
Fighting over a small child.
Once again, Dianna Wilson works over there in domestic
relations.
She can weaponize a whole division of people against me.
She's a government worker a city worker. The number that
I'm the case that I'm fighting. Once again is 23 d 079597.
Diana Wilson was able to get up order protection against me
claiming that I'm stalking her.
For calling her out.
But there's a civil rights attorney in this room who've
been hearing these same complaints.
That's terrible.
I was attacked July 20 22nd or 2020.
By 2 roads dressed up as policemen.
The case number now what that was in the Northern Division
is 22 CV 5691. I find out that somehow for some reason
maybe because I'm homeless and unemployed and
I Indigent that this the government or the city wants to
take advantage of that opportunity.
There's so much happening.
And this terrorist attack is not ending.
Just Saturday. We want I want I seen Maybe.
Over 2,000 black Americans mixed in with other people
standing outside the durian or alongside the durian
building.
To identify themselves as Americans for that income tax. I
was 1 of them people and nearly arrested when I utilized My
First Amendment, right Zoe.
We are suffering a terrorist attack black Americans in this
city.
government
And I wonder what party it is because Mr. Blakemore is
always saying that this is a democratic.
Party something Evil's going on.
Everybody 69 and each other, but I don't know.
Because I want to think highly of my people that represent
us.
However, my people have observed me coming to this room.
And speak openly about what's going on in my life, but
there's been no change and no resolve. So I guess it's
falling on deaf ears.
And I'm disgusted at that thought because it's a small
child on the other end of this 2 children now, but the
government Mis Haden.
No need to look.
I guarantee this and I said with the utmost respect to you
all.
I will not be bullied.
See Joe Lopez.
I will not be bullied.
I've been dragged through hell I came out look at me.
I don't speak like it. Do I don't look like it. Do I y'all
looking at a man that's been through so much and y'all want
to put me through more under y'all foot.
I could act in a whole different way woman.
Thank you for your comment. Uh
we're going to add uh Alderman OSHA to the role as well as
uh, I don't think I had Lee and um myself Addie to the
role.
Okay.
Alderman Mosley
If I got you, you got it.
I did call your name, sir.
Yes, sir, George, Blakemore.
Wait, thank you very much.
Uh
Make it real clear Black Faces in high places selling black
people out.
Not selling white people out not selling hispanica Asian
people out selling their own people out.
On the plantation the master made a nicer.
And we have to purge ourselves a Niger ISM. Do you think
the master was trying to make a strong black man and woman
raping us Captain us enslaving us know so I understand the
psychology of the black men.
Mental Health
These people are sick.
something drove the black man crazy
he fell in love with his enemy.
something Mental Health
Insanity to to vote for Sanctuary bringing another people
in Insanity when your people need good job contraction
service hospital and all these things that this nation has
just and your people did not getting it and you are sad
some of you had that desert to to vote for Sanctuary. I
admire these Hispanic people advocating for their people. I
admire these are protesting then the Jews protested black
people don't protest nothing.
Nothing no movement. When Dr. King Malcolm X n**** all our
heroes and Shero protested went to the street got locked up
change up.
Spit on I come from this generation, but in college I
mama said I'm not sending you to Houston tell us from
college go down there and get involved in any of these
protests now, but I didn't obey her because I was caught up
in a whirlwind when all the young people was procaster all
from the north south east and west protesting going to the
street God.
Down it didn't mean nothing to me.
I come from that generation.
No.
down to nothing.
Thank you, Mr. Blakemore.
our final speaker today will be
Teresa TJ Hughes Miss Hughes
Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson Miss Jackson,
please. Please please calm down. We're going to have uh,
we're going to be civil here. Otherwise, the
sergeant-at-arms have to do what you have to do.
Mr. Sergeant-at-arms, please maintain order in the gallery,
uh our final speaker.
Is again Mr. Blakemore. Um, um, thank you.
Miss Hughes, uh you are you are our final speaker. Please
proceed to the mic.
Excuse me. You may proceed. Thank you. Good morning. I am
Teresa TJ Hughes.
And I am here addressing the budget in government
operations Committee in regards to advocating for black
contractors seeking fair and Equitable contract
opportunities through procurement services.
My research and conversations with many black contractors
have shed light on their struggles to secure and maintain
contracts with the Department of procurement Services
recently. I spoke with Mr. Jesse McGee vice president of
Linda construction, which is a WNBA DB firm founded in
November of 1990 and they were awarded 3 subcontracts with
Allied Waste Transportation Inc through the city.
Contract number is 1 223.
211472 and 27068
Mr. McGee highlighted a several failures by the chief
procurement officer Eileen The Last Quest
and the uh, and the contract officers compliance officers
and also the deputy compliance officer, Monica Cardenas.
I can't pronounce her last name, but you know what I'm
talking about.
Uh, and that that significantly impacted their business the
lack of enforcement on these contracts.
The city failed to enforce the contract terms and
conditions.
The Forum C2 compliance the prime prime contractor is
required to submit a C2 form showing payments to the
subcontractors, which are not enforced waivers for the wmbe
companies or the sub subcontractors are supposed to be
received by the contractor and signed for them to approve
of these waivers before they go to the chief procurement
officer.
Which that never happened?
An individual compliance officers. Um, they each are
assigned to those numbers that I um recited earlier.
The prevailing wage and living wage ordinance. These
requirements were not enforced reporting requirements
contracts for regular reporting. That's due to DPS were not
done.
the um
amendments
that were supposed to be documented and approved by the
chief procurement officer Eileen The Last Quest was not
followed.
and financial discrepancies
uh, we we're going to
Yes, we risked. Yes, George. Thank you.
2% of the contracts that were left, which is ridiculous for
black contractors 30% that were LED were for Hispanic
contracts.
Less than 7% of the contracts that were LED are for Asian.
Contractors, I'm like George. I don't I don't.
All right. You got it. Okay, here we go. Um, unfortunately
your your your time has expired but I think what you're
saying is uh clear and we understand what you're saying.
So, uh, we appreciate your comments and uh, we will
Understand what you're saying. I can't engage with the in
the debate with you right now. But I I got you. I got you.
So I'm just saying that we hear what you're saying. Well, I
understand what you're saying. So, you know, thank you very
much. Yes, ma'am. Okay. All right.
um
We're going to add Alderman Riley's joined us add him to uh
to our role. Um,
Our public comment period is now concluded committee will
now uh vote to approve the monthly rule 45 report for the
month of April 2024, which was transmitted electronically
to all members. Is there a motion to accept
so move Alderman Hatton all in favor signify by saying I
any opposed the eyes have it the rule 45 is approved.
We're going to go out of order. We're going to go to item
number 4.
Which is uh with uh our budget director to talk about the
2025 budgetary. Um,
process
What is she go? Oh, come on.
She's coming. Um.
we've got
we're gonna have a meeting on the third, uh on the to talk
about arpa. Uh, you will be receiving a uh, listing of all
of the uh, arpa changes or proposals and the different. Um,
The different departments that will be coming in the time
slots that we have a lot for everybody. So you'll be seeing
that soon as well. And that meeting is currently uh
scheduled for the third which is a Monday and it's going to
be pretty much an all day meeting, uh to discuss uh arpa
and again just someone to put that on your on your Radars
and schedule for um for the third of June.
director welcome
ottoman mid so I see you raise your hand. You have a point.
Point no, I just wanted to be asked for the purpose of a
key ma'am. I have you you're good. Thank you. No problem.
director Guzman
Good morning, and I apologize for those who are um calling
in that I don't have this up on the screen, but we will
make sure to get this to you. Uh, as soon as the meeting is
over. So before you is the uh proposed budget calendar for
FY 25, um, we are actually starting a little bit earlier
this year, uh with our departments to give them a little
bit more time not only to uh, collect their thoughts and
what their needs are for the coming year, but also to uh,
begin hearing from our communities, um, and our task force
and our commissions about what their um, their needs are
and what their requests are, um, 2 weeks ago, I believe it
was um, we actually uh publicly announced our public
engagement process for the budget this year. Um,
which includes meeting with task force and commissions to
hear from them and to also to ask them to help us, uh
co-design our engagement process this year and so you can
see that uh, the last week of July continues to serve as
our public, uh engagement process, but we will be uh,
continuing to hear from a number of stakeholders, uh within
our different
Commissions and task force about their uh, the budget this
year. So starting that a little bit earlier, um starting in
uh, the beginning of July is when we open the system, um to
our departments to start, uh, putting in their requests
closing that uh, the first week of August, uh, we
anticipate uh, submitting our budget forecast for fy2 by
the end of August, um, which will be uh, followed by uh
City Council meetings in uh, september and October. We will
likely come before you in a series of meetings to walk you
through the forecast. Um, so you can understand uh, what
makes up, um any deficit or Surplus, uh for the year,
the mayor will be coming before you the 16th of October for
his budget address, uh followed by our uh, very famous and
and and loving and all day budget hearings, uh, starting
with myself the CFO and the controller on the 21st of
October and then between oh, uh last week of October into
the first week of November will be Department budget
hearings. They'll come before you and as we um, finalize
that schedule with the chairman we'll get that before you
um after that, uh, Begins the budget amendment phase, uh, we
we will be working with um you as well as our departments
on any amendments that um will be proposed. Um,
uh, November 6th will be when we come before you for our
supplemental or uh ordinance introduction for both the
revenue and management ordinances, uh, looking to get a
full Council vote on the fy24 bud 25 budget by November
20th, uh, well ahead of Thanksgiving.
And that's the calendar. We'll let you know if any dates
change, uh, if anything comes up that will uh, cause any
impact on the dates before you uh keeping you apprised
along the way.
Thank you madam. Director any questions for the director.
Automate Vasquez.
Thank you, Mr. Uh chairman. Um, I the only question I had 1
first I want to commend you I appreciate getting this this
early to be able to look through all the different
timelines. Um, it is definitely helpful for our scheduling
as well. Uh, I think the only question I had was um in the
last term, um, I had raised up with a couple of a number of
Alders. Um, really kind of like a Alder working group to
kind of talk to this stuff. Um, mostly because what I had
seen in the years in Council is that while Administration
is tend to have the whole year to work on a budget the
Alders kind of start in september to try to get something
done in October and then because it's
A little bit late in the game. It's kind of hard to to
partner on certain things or figure out changes. So I just
wanted to get a sense. Um,
As to what that engagement with the altars looks like prior
to a budget presentation to see how we can all um kind of
work on it together. Yeah, so I think we we um,
We last year. We did a series of engagements with each of
the caucuses. Um, we're analyzing the effectiveness of that
uh for this year as well. We do in addition to making sure
that we're engaging with the public want to make sure that
we are continuing to engage with um, the city council. Um,
and so I don't know what that'll look like this year. We're
we're talking about it right now, um in conversations with
the chairman as well, we want to make sure it's meaningful
for you. We want to make sure that we get the feedback, um
with sufficient time to build it into a budget as well. So,
um, I think that's forthcoming. Um, and you and I can have
continued conversations about the best way for or the best
format for that. Yeah. I appreciate that. I think um, you
know, although the caucuses tend to have some shared
agreements sometimes when we look at budgets will look at
things differently even within caucuses. Um, I think the
other question I guess she was kind of like a follow-up,
um, as it gets fleshed out that communication will be super
helpful. I know that there is a revenue subcommittee. Uh,
that's also working on Revenue items and so has
Been any plans on what that looks like? Yeah. We're actually
meeting with um Alderman Hall and chairwoman dowel, uh next
week. I do anticipate, uh, Revenue subcommittee meeting, um
happening as soon as next month. Um, and so that's what
we're going to start bringing forth. Um some ideas, um for
you guys to really start thinking about um, uh, and then I
think Alderman Haul is gonna bring in some subject matter
experts as well. So, um all ahead of the budget season.
Yeah. I I've always appreciated kind of uh, really how you
worked through not only the data and the numbers but also
the processes that get us there. I think um last year being
able to talk through this budget stuff before we got to the
vote was actually super helpful in getting to agreement.
And so, um, I look forward to the process this year. Uh,
process this year. Uh, thank you so much for all the work
done. And thank you chairman. Thank you ottoman Vasquez
ottoman Rodriguez followed by Vice chair Lee.
Just a question for you, Mr. Chair. Uh, how do you see
this? Uh, what time we start and uh, are we doing food the
same way?
It's a little early to have that conversation, but it's the
most if somebody said if if it ain't broke don't fix it. So
I I think things went uh, rather smooth last year's budget
cycle. So it's my anticipation that we'll maintain the
same, uh going forward. So commencing at 10 or commencing
in any or 9. I forget we commit we started the first day at
10:00 the following day started at 9:00.
twice daily
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um.
Has has the community engagement team established where
they're going to do these Community round tables at um, I I
would love to put a plug in for my community. Um,
and for there to be a language accessible, you know, um
destination for for folks, um who don't speak English and
mostly speak Cantonese or Mandarin to be able to
participate
Um, I know that we've definitely locked in Malcolm X as we
had to because it's also being used for the DNC and so we
needed to get that nailed down quickly. Um, I don't know
about the other locations that but I can definitely um
confirm uh that for you. I do know that for each of the
locations that we do where it's the public engagement. We
do have language accessible. Um, uh, uh,
tools for for anyone that uh were to attend so we do make
sure that despite um, or irrespective of what language is
your most comfortable with you're able to communicate with
those who are presenting, right? Oh and I'm happy to work
with the uh Community engagement team to try to find a
location that's you know in the vicinity, um somewhere in
the 11th ward or thereabouts. So that was my only question.
Thank you. Any other questions for the director?
again
ma'am
No, no other questions, we will uh, thank you director for
your time today. I will go to item number 1 on the agenda
as an ordinance amending the appropriation.
Ordinance year 2024 members within fund 925 Ordnance 2024
zero z 8890. Um
Joining us today.
From the Department of budget management, uh, Matt you're
doing okay. Matt Smith is our manager and Deputy budget
director.
Good morning. My name is Matthew Schmidt. I'm the managing
Deputy budget director for the city of Chicago. I'm here on
behalf of the office of budget management to uh present a
request to amend the 925 to appropriate an additional 78
million 105000 in federal state local and private Grant
funds. Um, those funds are as are have been awarded as
follows. Um, the office of the mayor has received an award
of 75,000, um in private grants from the cities for
financial empowerment fund, um for the purposes of the city
start grant program,
the office of budget and management has been awarded million
dollars, um from Cook County, um for the new arrivals
mission,
the
department of cultural Affairs and special events has been
awarded 450,000 in state funds from the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the tourism and
Hospitality grant program. The Department of Family and
support services has been an awarded an additional SE
372,000 in state Grant funds from the Illinois Department
on Aging for the area plan on Aging program.
the City Department of the environment has been awarded
2,228 thousand dollars in Federal grant funds from the US
Department of energy for the Energy Efficiency and
conservation block grant program.
The department of streets and sanitation has been awarded,
uh, $3 million in federal funds from the Morton Arboretum
for the uh, urban forestry program.
And last but not least. The Department of Transportation
has been awarded $2 million in federal funds from the US
Department of Transportation for the reconnecting
communities and neighborhoods grant program. Um, I am
available now along with members of each of the Departments
to uh, answer any questions that you may have. Thank you.
Thank you, uh deputy director any questions.
any questions
if you continue with these outbursts on my my have the
sergeant-at-arms remove you from Council.
So okay, uh, Mr. Sergeant-at-arms, please remove the lady.
Okay.
Alderman Moore
this the 70 million Disaster Response and Recovery Fund
that's you said that's from the federal government.
No, it's from Cook County. Oh, it's from Cook County.
So how
they're just giving us what what are we doing with this
funding?
So as part of the briefings that we uh provided, uh last
month, um, we noted that the budget for the new arrivals
mission for fy24 is 387 million made up of sources, uh,
including the city the state and the county the uh
counties, um allocation was 70 million dollars, um, mostly
going to the cost associated with food and the 2 food
contracts that the city has um, signed through the
competitive, uh bid process with uh, 77 parish and 14
communities. Um, so that
is what the uh, uh funding for the uh, um, 70 million is is
going so so this was part of so we did our
um, we voted on our 70 million, correct, correct? And then
the county I remember because of state county the state the
county did theirs, but then they're giving us their money.
That is correct.
Okay, thank you. I get it.
finished
what and the 2 million 4 the um
Department of Transportation reconnecting communities and
neighborhood Grant what is what is that 2 million? What
does that mean? What are we doing with that?
C
Ya, good afternoon Grant Davis in the Chicago Department of
Transportation. Uh, this is funding is to support uh for a
planning Support Services project to do what I hear you.
I'm sorry.
the acronym
I I couldn't hear you clearly. Well, I apologize. My name
is Grant Davis. I'm the Chicago Department of
Transportation. Uh, this grant is for planning Support
Services projects, uh, which will work on which is for the
i290 corridor on the west side of Chicago. The project will
work with community members and stakeholders to develop a
vision to improve connections within the i290 corridor on
Chicago's West Side, uh, it will work on identifying
infrastructure improvements that will promote safety and
accessibility and supports and support access to services.
Recreation Ed education economic economic opportunities
within the corridor
So when you get i290 corredor, you're talking about along
the expressway.
Yeah, it is from Damon West to the city limits.
Okay.
all right, and and that's just is that like
repairing those streets or what? I'm I'm lost on what
you're saying. We're doing I'm not clear. Should I say so
as um, you may be aware? Uh, I do not and CTA are
restarting their efforts to reconstruct i290 and the blue
line. So our project will help ensure that the city and
importantly, uh, the community has a seat at the table to
inform how the larger i290 and blue line reconstruction
projects being led by idot and CTA will be completed. So
the dollar is not necessarily going towards infrastructure
work is going towards like
planning and community outreach. Correct me if I'm wrong.
That's what I'm hearing. That is correct. Okay, and who's
doing all of this community outreach because this seems
like this this money is going into somebody some or is it
going to an organization has that been identified?
that has not been identified the uh
Uh consultant will be selected per federal regulations.
okay, I'm sure our website Auto in a get involved in that
and um talk that through uh, but I'm hoping we have you
know, when I see this type of money that's not going
towards infrastructure, which is fine. I understand
planning and all of that but 2 million, although it may
seems like a a little and a big scheme of things but when
organizations or Consultants are getting involved, that's a
lot of money and I want to make sure um, and I'm sure my
website or make this man. All right. Um, the other part is
the 75,000 City start Grant tell me what that Grant is
because this sounds like a a person being hired so it'll uh
that sound like a salary or something like that so correct
me if I'm wrong. What is that? Uh, it it it's not actually
it's it's around, um a competitive uh con. Um,
Grant program that's nationally for different cities to be
part of a cohort, um to work on Equity, um, um,
programming, uh in uh, improving those systems and it's
mostly for outreach and administrative to try to reach out
to the community on those different issues.
so who so this is for your department and you all are going
to be doing so it's for the mayor's office, but the city
controller's office is assisting um, and this is really to
work on um access to financial services say financial
services for folks that are under an unbanked.
Okay. I guess we can talk about that for the offline
because I'm not yep understanding it. Thank you. Thank you
chairman.
Thank you.
chairman, um
so looking at the D case, um, 450,000 uh money from
ID. Um CEO
For tourism and Hospitality grant program. Can we talk
about what that is in detail?
To hear a big department of culture first and special
events. So yeah, it's going to host the Millennium Park
20th anniversary. It's the Inception. So it's um a a full
weekend of free programming and music and arts, uh, and
including family programming.
Well, that was an easy answer. Thank you. Um, I have 2
other questions. Um, I'm going to move on from the DK 1. Um
dfss is uh, 372,000 for the um area plan on Aging program.
Can someone tell me what that is.
Yes, certainly, Karen Cobb manager Senior Services
Department of Family and sports services that 372,000 will
go to support our home delivered meals program that
supports isolated frail older adults all across Chicago.
Um, and it accommodates additional participants so that we
do not have a wait list. The area plan is our funding for
for um,
services to older adults
within the city of Chicago for our Area Agency on Aging how
many more people does that allow us to serve with this
372000. Let's see. I am happy to provide uh the answer to
the chair but the rough estimate is about 78,000 meals.
That's great. Thank you. And if you have more details in
that through the chair is great, um, certainly
on the um Department of environment
The 2.2 million dollars, um for the Energy Efficiency and
conservation block grant program. Can someone talk to us
about um how that funding is.
How that's going to be dispersed and what the program
actually is.
Yeah. Sure. Thanks. Thanks. Alderwoman Jared Pacheco. I'm
the the Deputy Commissioner in the department of
environment. So this is um, this is fund formula funding
from the bipartisan infrastructure law, its formula funding
based on population. And um, what we're going to be doing
with this funding is working with several different
departments on several different projects, um about half of
the funding is going to be so around 1.1 million dollars is
going to be a partnership with C dot or an equitable pilot
project for charging, uh EV charging in the public way.
Um, then there's 4 other projects and they range from
working with 2 FM on building energy assessments for the
city's portfolio of public buildings. Um, another project
with 2 FM where we're going to be developing a fleet
modernization and electrification plan. We're already as
you many of you all know electrifying our Fleet, but this
will give us a comprehensive plan to do it in the most
efficient way, um some additional planning energy planning
done directly by the department of environment and then um,
the final project will be uh an education campaign for City
residents on uh, funding opportunities. They can take
advantage of for Energy Efficiency things through the
utility various, uh,
levels of government
so the um
The educational campaign the for the city residents. That's
just to promote the programs that are already exists. I
just want to clarify, correct. Okay. Um, and is the plan
the the funding to all be spent in this calendar year? No,
not this calendar year. It is a 2-year Grant term. Thank
you. So, uh february 2026 is our deadline to expend.
And will any of the funds that are being used go to create
uh, or to uh, create full-time, uh employees or is there
new hiring involved with this? No new hiring involved, uh,
in in this particular Grant know. Okay, great. Thank you.
That that's all I have chairman. Thank you. Thank you Vice
chair. Um,
Auto Vasquez
Thank you chairman. Sorry, thank you chairman. Uh, I've got
a couple of questions, um for the uh line item on the area
plan on Aging, um something I just kind of curious about is
um,
I know the state. I talked to some folks who focus on um
specifically aging and senior home when it comes to lgbtq
populations who it's a different experience sometimes and
getting the support systems that are necessary. Um, is
there any part of the area plan on Aging that covers like
um lgbtq folks?
certainly, um our area plan on Aging submission
Uh is being submitted to the state right now and each of
our service justifications for every uh service that we do.
Has a uh distinct set of metrics and goals around a variety
of factors.
Uh, including lgbtq older adults. Okay. Yeah because I I
know I learned about this some years back and and pardon my
ignorance of just really the experience of someone who
their whole life wasn't able to come out. They didn't come
out and they'll being their authentic selves and then you
go into a system with senior homes with folks who have
sometimes outdated mindsets and really what it looks like
to make sure somebody supported and able to be their
authentic self, you know as a continuing life. So I I
appreciate that the mindfulness and any information we can
get back on on what's developed there would be greatly
appreciated. Uh, the next question I have is related to the
uh, 3 million here for Illinois, Urban and Community
forestry. I just wanted to get more detail on on what that
goes towards.
commissioner
were you trying to hide from us Spectre?
I was here. I was here on time for the record meaning as in
the back row.
um
Good morning, everybody. Uh, thank you with these funds DSS
Bureau forestry will develop comprehensive digital
inventory.
Uh of public tree populations within Community boundaries
to better understand Forest composition.
Update CommunityWide Forest management plans with a
continued focus on improved canopy cover and disadvantaged
areas.
Further Implement management actions to increase
efficiencies and planting and area trimming program and the
increase health and growth of our Urban Forest Citywide.
The Bureau of off to uh, Alderman Lee's point will hire.
uh, uh Community City Forester
in order to engage residents within our route Chicago
priority areas to expand planning activities and to ensure
thorough Community involvement to inform the management
plan and inflammation, uh strategies.
Is that you got any questions on that 1 defines that
commissioner? Um, I really appreciate um, the amount of
work that's happened from going to our old, uh, tree trim
model to the area trim. I mean, you know in the budgets
passed we work pretty hard to make sure the funding was
there to get the Staffing. Um, thank you so much for the
improvements in it. I think something that that has been
uh, you know, not an insurmountable challenge or something
to work through is kind of like the digital communication
on what's been completed when it comes to the grids. So
when you're talking through, um kind of a digital map of
everything is that part of it too is how to communicate
like what grids have been completed to like the altars?
Yeah. We want to do better on that. Um again you brought up
the point. I I had some stats that in the last 12 months
when we when we had the blessing from everybody and we
tried it. We trimmed 96,000 trees.
uh versus 20 250080 trees the previous year in that same
time period we know we have to get better on the messaging
back to uh, the Alders that is part of the goal. And that's
some research that will be doing with this 3 million Grant
awesome and how to get that how to get that better flow.
Yeah and definitely, um, where possible bring us in like,
we love to be the champions of this the amount of
improvement from when you guys didn't have area trimming
now the amount of trees that get done is so much larger and
it's such an efficient and effective way for city
government to move forward that we want to make sure we're
helping get the word out. Um, I think the second question
which is related to kind of similarly and you know this
such as I'm getting a smile already is like the the ash
trees right? We had the folks who out here were making sure
we were getting stuff inoculated and trying to figure out
what's possible. We know that there is about a million
dollars a little bit north of that to put towards
inoculating some of their existing when you're doing the
digital map of all the trees are out there. It's part of it
going to be like which ones are ash trees which ones aren't
just to kind of get a
Sense of what it's looking like. Oh for sure. That's the
goal. That's why we want to know what we have out there and
we want to know where we have to plant, uh, as as we
stated. We we're we're 48,000 trees. We planted in the last
2 and a half years with the goal. We're going to meet that
goal. Probably a year early. I'm putting that on the record
that I think we're going to do that in 4 years, uh versus
the 5 that we were given for the 75,000 trees. We want to
get in those areas where in most need and to your question
as you noticed my smirk, um, they started they started
inoculating the ash trees last week. Yeah. No, I I I I I
thank you so much for the partnership on that. You know, we
had to get it right but I'm glad it's moving. Uh, the last
question. I've got only because I got you here right now is
we're starting to get neighbors contacting us about the
cicas and some of the younger trees that have been planted.
Uh, is there anything being done there proactively, so
we're not having to replant New Orleans. We talked to our
folks and they feel confident.
um that with our trees being over the 2 and a half inches,
they'll be okay, but I am getting sent pictures from the
suburbs where it does happen and they're they're on the
trees. So it is it is for real and it's it's right here.
So, um,
It's we're going to watch it with our Foresters. But we feel
we're in pretty good shape. You will see the Nets popping
up, uh throughout some of the areas where homeowners are
are going and putting the Nets on the the smaller trees.
But with what we plant. We're pretty confident that we're
confident that we're going to be. Okay? Okay. No, it's good
to know that when we get our neighbors contacting us about
it. So thank you so much for that for all the diligent
work. Look forward to partnering with y'all and thank you
chairman.
Vasquez, uh ottoman Martinez questions
Thank you chair. Um.
You quick follow-up questions, um 1 for dfss with regard to
um, the uh, uh area plan on Aging um, and trying to get
this through the chair. Is there currently a wait list for
um, individuals vulnerable older adults who are looking to
be served by the program.
Thank you, Karen Cobb Department of Family and support
services manager Senior Services know we do currently not
have a wait list for Home delivered meals got it. And then
if you can provide through the chair for the existing, I
think it says in here 11,000 vulnerable older adults who
are served a breakdown by however, you're tracking it
currently, um, whether it's by Ward by ZIP code by
community area love to see that.
next um
For the Department of environment. Um
For the curbside pilot approximately when are you planning
to have it launched? And approximately how long would it
last?
Yeah, thanks Alderman Jared pellico from the Department of
environment. Uh, so we're working on this closely with C
Dot and C dot is um is going to fund this as a phase 2 of
their existing EV framework analysis. Um, I am not sure
that we've settled on exact launch date. Uh, I don't know
Grant if you have any additional info
Okay.
um
so C dot saying they're not totally sure although I would
anticipate you know, it'll be based of course as always on
contract timing and things like that. But as I mentioned to
alderwoman Lee given, this is only a 2-year Grant term.
This is certainly not something that's
long off into the future. We plan if if if we receive a
favorable vote from from Council this week, we plan to
launch into work on expanding These funds right away. Okay,
thank you. And if you could provide through the chair, even
if it's not fully baked the inputs that you'll take into
account in selecting the pilot locations if you get to
know, um, and then lastly
uh for streets and sand with regard to the the canopy
inventory curious, um 1 uh, when that inventory was last
conducted and 2 how long you anticipate this inventory
that's envisioned here how long that will take?
well
We do a survey to know that a we have approximately if you
were to ask. Hey, we have approximately 600,000 trees out
there 575 and that number but this is going to give us the
specific species the size, um the type of tree um, so we
can be able to answer all those questions and it is going
to be digital and that that Forrester that we're hiring is
is responsible for reporting back to the grant folks that
hey this is where we're working and and to uh,
Help us get through. So we have a better. So the Hope was
to get through the canopy in 5 years to tree trim it and
and get it more on a maintenance schedule, uh versus what
we're doing now understood. Okay. Thank you. That's all
cheer.
Thank you. Almond Martin, uh want to recognize both
Alderman Rodriguez Sanchez and Ramirez Rosa for the purpose
of Quorum. Also ottoman courtesy is joined us as well. Any
other questions, uh on the 9255?
Um seeing none. Is there a motion?
uh, the ottoman Martin moves to pass all in favor signify
by saying I
Any opposed any pain in the chairs the eyes have in this
matter will be reported out of our next city council
meeting on this coming Wednesday. Uh
our next item
is an ordinance appointing an amendment Municipal Code
section 253 Dash 02 0 modifier for the director of the city
council office of financial analysis and the appointment of
Janice Oda gray as the new director of the Department of
financial analysis.
It's great you have open statement.
chairman Irving
Vice chairman Lee members of the budget committee and
guests. My name is you know, it's Janice soda gray and
currently I'm the acting director of the city council
office of financial analysis.
I've been in the office since I've been in this role since
August 2023.
And I've been with Kula for the past 3 years previously
serving as an analyst.
Prior to that role. I was a fisa administrator for PSA and
oemc.
I have been with the city of Chicago for 5 years.
Prior to coming to the city I served as director of
financial control at Cook County Health for 7 years.
and have held various Finance positions in the private
sector including
Exxon nuclear General Electric and AT&T to name a few
my educational background. I have a BS in economics.
And an MBA in finance with a finance concentration.
I'm currently completing my doctorate degree in public
administration at National University.
Also, I'm a member of the Westside NAACP board member of
prevention partnership.
board member of Westside expanded Mental Health Services
Program
member of the National Coalition of 100 black women
and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
are we supposed to clap on the AKA thing or what? Oh, we
were. Okay. I missed that let my wife know any questions,
uh for uh,
active directory
Auto vascular
Uh, thank you so much. Thank you director for all the work
Kofa does. Um, I really appreciate how it's been. Um,
it feels like it's been improving year over year when we
kind of partner up during your budget session. Uh, and so I
think the question I had for you was really what more can
we do to help Empower you to continue like to build the
accountability necessary. I know you did. Um
Kind of like what felt like some 101 presentation for some
of the new folks right kind of get a sense of it all but
also really want to see more of like digging into some of
the critique and things that can make the budget better and
so want to know what you need from us to empower that and
if there is there something uh, either staff wise or or
budget wise that might be needed to help really make Co
stronger.
1 of the first things that I would say we would need is
headcount. We definitely need another person in there. And
also we need robust analytics. Um, we need to be able to
for instance with a budget season coming up now, it would
be nice for you guys to know prior to you questioning
departments about the headcount. We have areas that have an
overabundance in surplus of headcount. Wouldn't it be nice
to know which areas have been holding those for 3 or 4
years or longer? So we need to have analytics and FTE.
Okay. If you could do the chair, it's kind of other
examples like that of things we can like 1 take to
Administration and make sure that when we're having our
budget conversations that you are equipped to do. So, um,
are you
To kind of follow up on that, uh partnering with DTI to kind
of figure out some of the Data Tracking and what can be
be done as they're looking to kind of know right now. We're
not partnering with them right now not at this point. We
are planning on anticipating hoping
To partner with an organization but uh currently we're not.
Okay. No, I I appreciate all that. I think these are things
that we want to make sure that as we're being, you know,
fiscal stewards for the folks who elect us and pay our
salaries that we're making sure we're doing a lot of data
driven work and so having different multiple entities,
whether it's outside of government or or y'all as a kind of
an independent body, um, it's really appreciated and make
sure we get the best results possible. So thank you for
your work.
So you have
No, no, no problem. Any other questions, um
Martin followed by Newton
thank you chair, um chair I wanted to um commend you um for
this appointment the work that you've been doing in this
office and would um suggest uh to to you and and the
director, um, a consideration around what some other cities
are doing in particular New York is we work collectively to
build this. I understand that they have a budget floor for
their office. I think that's something that in recent
terms. We've considered or implemented whether it's the
inspector General's office. Um, uh Copa, uh ccpsa, so I
think that's 1 where if we have
kind of a a a clear floor below which funding Cannot drop
that would be critical because as we've seen through public
comment and other things, uh, a lot of robust debate around
the work that we're doing and focus on the dollars and
cents to um have that sort of robust independent office,
uh, uh serving us will be invaluable, especially once these
Federal covid relief dollars, uh expire. So I think now is
the time to build that up, um, happy to talk offline about
what that could look like, but I think in the coming budget
season, it's worth considering what uh, a multi-year effort
might look like in terms of ramping up the support for your
office. Thank you. We appreciate that.
Thank you almond almond.
Thank you chairman. I just wanted to um congratulate you on
this this choice and say I'm really excited to be working
with Janice. She's been nothing, but lovely, uh ever since
I started working with her and always great answering my
questions and explaining things to me. So I just wanted to
thank you and and that was it. Thank you chairman. Thank
you any other questions.
Okay, if not the vice chair you have a motion.
um move to pass by Vice chair Lee all in favor signify by
saying I
In your Post Independent of the chair's eyes have it and
this uh ordinance will be this matter. We reported out at
our next city council meeting on May 22nd, uh,
congratulations, uh director.
Thank you very well. All right, uh item number 3, um will
be um, it won't be held the item. Uh,
the item was not introduced properly. So we're going to
send out a uh a memo to all um all offices in relation to
transfers, uh in your automatic accounts, uh, making sure
that uh, they are done properly and introduced properly so
that they can be heard, uh law has asked us not to hear
this matter now will be introduced on Wednesday and will be
heard at a subsequent meeting and this matter affected the
49th Ward. But again, I know many of us are making these
adjustments. So we just want to make sure everyone is doing
it properly so that they can be uh, the budget can be
properly amended. So, um, other than that, uh, we don't
have any other items on the agenda. Um, I did mention
before that. Uh, our next meeting will be scheduled for the
3rd of June which is a Monday and we will be going over the
arpa information from the Departments. They'll be
scheduled. Each department will have its own time slot
similar to what we've had for Budget hearings. Uh, so that
everyone can have their questions answered and we don't
have to keep everybody all day and if there's a specific
item of concern that you have we'll have a time slot for
that to be uh dealt with
Now we're going to try to run on time as much as possible.
We know that sometimes we we can't run behind a little bit,
uh in relation to items. So, um again, if that uh, no other
business before the committee, uh,
Uh vice vice member that has most of a journal all in favor
signify by saying I any opposed infinite chairs eyes have
it. The meeting is adjourned.