# Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy meeting, September 10, 2024

- When: Tue, Sep 10, 2024, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/environmental-protection-and-energy)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928545/video/1008116344
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1008116344.txt) (14,487 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 Environmental Protection and Energy met on September 10, 2024, heard one public commenter, approved a Rule 45 report, and considered two items. The committee accepted a substitute ordinance establishing a Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board to review shoreline management plans, with the Department of Environment staffing the board, and recommended it for passage after members discussed board composition, the role of the Army Corps of Engineers, and coordination with other agencies. The committee then accepted a substitute resolution calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 and heard from Sustainable Englewood Initiatives and a Northwestern law professor about rail safety, rail yard pollution, and a 2013 Norfolk Southern community benefits ordinance. The resolution was recommended for passage at the September 18, 2024 City Council meeting.

Topics: Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board, shoreline erosion, Army Corps of Engineers, railroad safety, Railway Safety Act, Englewood rail yards, environmental justice, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [34:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2047) Rule 59 remote participation requests: passed
- [34:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2082) Public comment: discussed
- [39:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2364) Approval of the May Rule 45 report: passed
- [40:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2455) Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-31 establishing the Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board (substitute ordinance) (O2024-0008886): passed
- [1:12:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=4330) Resolution calling on Congress to expand the scope and enforcement of railroad safety standards and pass the Railway Safety Act (substitute): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (chair): Described the substitute shoreline ordinance, which reduces mayoral appointees from five to three, allows the chair to call extra meetings, has the Department of Environment manage the board, and has OEMC present its emergency plans to the board. ([41:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2487)); Said record-high Lake Michigan levels after 2019 caused erosion in the 49th Ward and that no single body convened all the agencies that manage the shoreline. ([42:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2571)); Said the board would review shoreline plans, recommend legislation, and provide feedback as the Army Corps of Engineers finalizes a study of Chicago's shoreline, and urged passage. ([45:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2703))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (alderperson): Asked about the reduction from five to three mayoral appointees and raised concern that a small board would lack a variety of perspectives. ([46:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2806)); Asked whether quarterly meetings remain a minimum under the substitute language. ([48:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2914))
- [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (alderperson): Asked what lessons from the Urban Forestry Advisory Board led to assigning management of the board to the Department of Environment. ([49:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2950)); Asked whether the board could still offer insights on shoreline plans without a request from the mayor or City Council, and called it a good ordinance. ([51:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3063))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Described the 44th Ward's shoreline protection project replacing the Belmont rocks and said the Army Corps had primary authority, asking to confirm that. ([52:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3159)); Suggested more community representation beyond three outside appointees, possibly geographic, and asked about state and federal agency participation, while supporting the idea. ([54:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3243)); Said the board should also review shoreline changes tied to the redefining of Lake Shore Drive. ([1:04:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3873))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Asked whether the Army Corps of Engineers was consulted in crafting the ordinance and when its report is due. ([55:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3353)); Asked about the roles of the U.S. Coast Guard and MWRD regarding the shoreline. ([57:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3446)); Said many of the board's duties overlap with the Department of Environment's role and expressed concern about adding red tape at a time the city is trying to reduce it. ([59:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3592))
- [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (alderperson): Said Edgewater residents on Sheridan Road are concerned about erosion and welcomed the board as a venue for community input. ([1:02:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3763)); Asked whether the board would be involved in redefining DuSable Lake Shore Drive and said Planning and Environment should have more of a voice in that process. ([1:03:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3801))
- [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (alderperson): Said the federal government will ultimately decide the shoreline's fate and cautioned against people viewing the new board as the solution. ([1:05:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3937)); Asked the chair how the board's role would be explained to people interested in serving on it. ([1:07:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=4064)); Said the Illinois congressional delegation needs to press the Army Corps for results and suggested inviting congressional offices to board meetings. ([1:10:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=4216))
- [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (alderperson): Cautioned against demonizing industries and said he would not call West Englewood or Back of the Yards a sacrifice zone. ([1:44:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=6259)); Said the intermodal facilities support thousands of jobs and that Norfolk Southern's facility has modernized equipment within the same footprint. ([1:46:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=6363)); Said city department delays after 2013 stalled the Norfolk Southern expansion for nearly a decade and cost jobs. ([1:48:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=6491))

### Exchanges between members

- [47:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2862) Hadden answered La Spata's question, clarifying that only the mayoral appointments were reduced to three and the board would have more members.
- [49:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=2950) Martin asked the chair or Department of Environment staff about lessons from the Urban Forestry Advisory Board.
- [51:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3063) Martin asked the chair whether the board could offer insights on plans without a formal request.
- [52:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3150) Martin thanked the chair for leading the ordinance.
- [54:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3248) Lawson referred to La Spata's point about board size in suggesting more community representation.
- [1:00:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3622) Hadden responded to Conway's concern about added red tape by describing the board as a space for public participation.
- [1:02:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3749) Conway thanked the chair for her response and yielded his time.
- [1:03:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3801) Manaa-Hoppenworth asked whether the board would be involved in redefining DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and the chair answered.
- [1:05:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3900) Reilly said he generally echoed Conway's comments.
- [1:05:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=3906) Reilly thanked the chair for leading on the shoreline issue for several years.
- [1:07:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=4064) Reilly asked the chair how to frame the board's role for prospective appointees.
- [1:11:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=4280) Reilly suggested to the chair inviting congressional offices to board meetings.
- [1:52:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=6736) Lopez asked the chair for a broader conversation that includes the railroads.
- [1:52:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64?t=6754) Hadden agreed that railroads should be at the table and offered to work with Lopez on next steps.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/aae6ff20-8785-4e62-9def-cdebc309b7f1.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/2c183f63-eacf-499b-862b-50e0181680c6.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/07c00cd0-a5fb-4330-bed7-bc88d99877d6.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77EE5096-F05F-EF11-BFE3-001DD804AA64 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt