Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, January 9, 2024
- When: Tue, Jan 9, 2024, 10:30 AM (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/895976789
- Transcript: full text (11,610 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, chaired by Alderperson Gilbert Villegas, approved its December 2023 monthly report and considered Mayor Johnson's appointment of Sierra Boatwright as Commissioner of Planning and Development and as a member of the Community Development Commission. Six public commenters spoke in support of the appointment, and one public commenter criticized special service areas. Boatwright described her background in nonprofit and for-profit real estate development and her goals of speeding development, working closely with alderpersons, using regional planners in neighborhoods, and supporting small businesses and affordable housing. Alderpersons asked about ward-level staff support, small business growth, vacant land and buildings, mixed-income development, co-location of libraries and housing, and transit-oriented development, and several expressed support. The committee recommended approval of the appointment, a series of special service area commissioner appointments, and two special service area budgets and service provider agreements.
Topics: Planning and Development commissioner appointment, neighborhood development, small businesses, affordable housing, special service areas, transit-oriented development
Agenda items discussed
- 28:57 Approval of the December 2023 monthly report: passed
- 29:24 Appointment of Sierra Boatwright as Commissioner of Planning and Development and member of the Community Development Commission: passed
- 1:20:14 Appointments and reappointments to Special Service Area commissions 31, 33, 50 and 56: passed
- 1:22:47 Scope of services, budgets and service provider agreements for Special Service Areas 2 (Belmont Central) and 5 (Commercial Avenue): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair): Asked the nominee about her career path, what she means by holistic development, and how she would work with alderpersons. (32:47); Agreed with Alderperson Emma Mitts on ward data and said his ward created a demographic brochure for developers. (43:38); Said slow deal approvals are troublesome, that Chicago-based developers are working elsewhere, and offered to work on legislation to help the department. (1:17:49)
- Emma Mitts (alderperson): Asked whether the department would assign representatives to wards and how it would address housing needs related to migrants. (37:50); Asked for ideas to bring more businesses to Black communities and create small businesses. (40:07); Requested ward-level data books with demographics, business locations and TIF funds to help market wards. (42:23)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said he wholeheartedly supports the appointment, citing the nominee's work at Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives in Pullman. (44:19); Said teamwork in Pullman produced over 2,000 jobs and $2 billion in investment and contrasted the nominee's approach with a prior commissioner. (45:40)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Said he rarely speaks on appointments but called this one of the best he has seen and said he looks forward to working with the nominee on his ward. (48:13)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked why the nominee wants to lead the department and what she sees as its biggest challenge. (52:38); Said the department had taken a top-down approach and asked how the nominee would change its mindset toward the South and Southwest sides. (56:47); Asked whether the nominee would work on legislation to repurpose city-owned vacant buildings such as schools instead of renting space. (59:01)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Commended the mayor on the appointment and said the nominee's nonprofit and corporate experience could help the city move faster. (59:57); Praised Planning and Development staff and said filling vacant lots and expediting development to grow the tax base is a priority. (1:02:08)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked how the department would support density and small businesses in the 48th Ward while retaining economic diversity. (1:04:25); Asked about co-locating public libraries with affordable housing. (1:08:16); Asked how the department will work with CTA on land freed by Red Line reconstruction and on equitable transit-oriented development. (1:09:37)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Said the nominee's consistent work speaks for her and his ward looks forward to working with her. (1:12:27)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Said he was glad the appointee is from Chicago and understands its communities, and invited her to tour his ward. (1:13:25)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Said the nominee's commitment to planning with communities rather than for them gives her hope for plans in the 30th Ward. (1:14:30)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Joined in support of the appointment and said she looks forward to working with the nominee on development in her community. (1:16:35)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Thanked Patrick Murphy for providing steady leadership at the department during the interim period. (1:19:41)
Exchanges between members
- 43:38 Chair Gilbert Villegas agreed with Alderperson Emma Mitts point about providing ward-level data to attract developers.
- 1:00:12 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett remarked on Alderperson Anthony Beale commendation of the mayor and his work with the nominee.
- 1:08:16 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth followed up on the nominee's exchange with Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor about using public facilities.
- 1:11:06 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth agreed with Alderperson Walter R. Burnett that the department has a strong team.
- 1:13:25 Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. noted Alderperson Anthony Beale support for this nominee compared with a prior commissioner.