Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, September 5, 2023
- When: Tue, Sep 5, 2023, 1:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928495/video/859075237
- Transcript: full text (12,630 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development approved its July 2023 monthly report and deferred several items, including two special service area appointments and three Class 6B tax incentives. The committee recommended passage of a group of special service area commission appointments, a Class 6B tax incentive for a wall panel manufacturing facility at 407 West 109th Street in the 21st Ward, and a Class L landmark tax incentive for rehabilitating the former LaSalle Street cable car power house at 500 North LaSalle for a restaurant. Members asked the 109th Street applicants about workforce diversity and union jobs and asked about minority and women contractor participation on the LaSalle project. A Gartner consultant then updated the committee on the city's technology assessment, and members discussed legacy systems, the water billing system, a separate IT department, hiring a chief information officer and the cost of modernization; no public comment was received.
Topics: special service areas, Class 6B tax incentive, Class L landmark incentive, manufacturing jobs, workforce diversity, IT modernization, Gartner report, legacy systems
Agenda items discussed
- 10:39 July 2023 monthly report: passed
- 11:16 Deferred items: appointments to SSA 3 and SSA 42, and Class 6B incentives in the 11th, 28th and 36th Wards: deferred
- 12:19 Special service area commission appointments and reappointments (items 1-4, 6, 8-12): passed
- 19:52 Class 6B tax incentive for property at 407 West 109th Street (21st Ward): passed
- 37:44 Class L tax incentive for 500 North LaSalle Drive, former LaSalle Street cable car power house (42nd Ward): passed
- 47:07 Report and update on the Gartner technology assessment of city systems: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair): Said Integrity Wall should work closely with the local alderperson so job and training opportunities reach local residents, noting the building trades have not been diverse. (36:30); Recounted that the committee required an IT assessment and the council approved $350 million in capital funds for IT upgrades, and said the city is waiting on implementation. (47:31); Said he has advocated separating IT from fleet and facility management and wants a stand-alone innovation and technology department in the 2024 budget to attract talent and capture savings. (1:08:33)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): As a former alderperson for Old Town, commended Robert Block's community service and supported his reappointment to SSA 48 on behalf of himself and Alderperson Brian Hopkins. (17:07)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Thanked the SSA appointees and said the vitality of economic corridors depends on individuals who volunteer for their communities. (18:49); Said the technology plan should put equitable service to residents first and asked what omnichannel service means. (1:18:13)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Asked how the planned addition at 407 West 109th Street would be used, then said he supported the project and moved passage. (24:33)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Thanked the applicants for bringing a unique manufacturing business to the 21st Ward and said he looked forward to residents taking part in the work. (35:41)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Asked about the ownership and makeup of the company behind the 500 North LaSalle project and about minority and women contractor participation. (42:50); Said that because tax incentives cost the city money, members want to know who shares in the benefits and want good representation on projects. (45:55); Said the city's IT infrastructure is antiquated, estimated a full overhaul could cost around a billion dollars, and asked what should come first. (1:21:19)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked whether folding IT into fleet and facility management hampers the city and asked about plans to replace the Banner utility billing system. (1:05:19)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported centralizing IT systems, said replacing the Banner system could help with high water bills, and asked for an implementation timeline. (1:14:06)
Exchanges between members
- 24:33 Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. thanked Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley for the project in his ward.
- 1:14:46 Alderperson Ruth Cruz referred to Alderperson Daniel La Spata point about the Banner billing system.
- 1:18:08 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked the chair for the presentation.
- 1:31:18 The chair said Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell was correct about the difficulty of recruiting a top chief information officer.