Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, June 15, 2023
- When: Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/836263318
- Transcript: full text (5,374 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 Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation held its first meeting of the new term, with the chair outlining his rules on punctuality, phone use and one hour of notice for remote attendance, and members voting to allow remote participation. Two public commenters spoke: one in support of the Eco Garden project and one criticizing some committee members' conduct. The committee approved the monthly Rule 45 report and recommended passage of two ordinances conveying city land to NeighborSpace for $1 per parcel with funding for gardens: the Calumet Gateway Garden at East 92nd Street in the 10th Ward and the Eco Garden on West 5th Avenue in East Garfield Park. Members asked about economic impact, remediation timelines and contaminants, contractor diversity, and outreach to neighboring alderpersons.
Topics: community gardens, NeighborSpace, open space impact fees, environmental remediation, remote attendance rules, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 9:30 Motion to allow members to attend remotely: passed
- 19:10 Monthly Rule 45 report: passed
- 19:39 Conveyance of property at 3302-3326 East 92nd Street to NeighborSpace and financial assistance for Calumet Gateway Garden: passed
- 36:47 Conveyance of property at 3024-3040 West 5th Avenue to NeighborSpace and financial assistance for Eco Garden: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Nicholas Sposato (chair): Told new members he starts meetings on time and does not allow phone calls or texting at the committee table. (8:20)
- Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Asked for the boundaries of the community area where impact fees are spent. (27:45); Asked whether Alderperson Peter Chico supports the project and whether Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell of the adjacent 7th Ward was briefed. (28:59); Asked whether the project engaged the nearby Trinity Hospital as a public health partner. (29:55)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Said he serves on the NeighborSpace board and encouraged new colleagues with vacant lots to work with the organization. (34:16); Supported the Eco Garden on behalf of Alderperson Jason C. Ervin, saying rising property values make preserving green space and affordable housing timely. (39:58)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Asked what soil contaminants led to the $430,000 remediation estimate and requested the report. (35:29)