Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, February 20, 2024

When: Tue, Feb 20, 2024, 2:00 PM (Chicago time)
Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Committee: Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576/video/914882092
Transcript: full text (32,906 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

22:40 Public comment
39:31 Resolution celebrating Black History Month
42:13 William E. Hall: Honored Darlene Tribute for leading the Park Manor neighbors.
42:50 Michelle A. Harris: Honored resident Paul King for advocating for Black inclusion in the construction trades.
45:24 David H. Moore: Honored Shirley Bryant for decades of community safety work in the 17th Ward.
48:53 Pat Dowell: Honored Pastor Earl Granberry for his acts of kindness truck and help for people in need.
51:47 Desmon C. Yancy: Honored Sam Benyon of Greater Grand Crossing and recognized the Black Fire Brigade and…
53:19 Derrick G. Curtis: Honored Quentin Curtis and the Black Fire Brigade and said he would advocate for city…
57:32 Emma Mitts: Honored 37th Ward resident and education advocate Roberta Wilson.
1:01:13 Jeanette B. Taylor: Said people should not question Black leadership without understanding the Black…
1:03:57 Jeanette B. Taylor: Noted that Black firefighters sued the city repeatedly and said behavior has not changed.
1:05:12 Lamont J. Robinson: Honored Pastor Granberry, Mama E, and former Cook County Commissioner Charles Bowen.
1:08:02 Lamont J. Robinson: Said the city has not done right by Black firefighters and that they should not have to…
1:11:59 Lamont J. Robinson: Asked non-African American colleagues to do their part to elevate the African American…
1:13:24 Stephanie D. Coleman: Honored the late Richard Stamps, the first African American to debut on WBBM-TV, and…
1:16:39 Ronnie L. Mosley: Honored 103-year-old veteran Edward H. Campbell Sr. of the 21st Ward.
1:20:15 Raymond A. Lopez: Recognized Black residents of his ward and said George Blakemore's advocacy focused on…
1:22:52 Raymond A. Lopez: Asked the mayor's administration to drop charges against George Blakemore.
1:23:05 Raymond A. Lopez: Said that with Black leaders in many top city positions, the city should be able to…
1:26:17 Maria E. Hadden: Reflected as a Black Chicagoan on Black History Month and the space made by those before her.
1:27:30 Maria E. Hadden: Said a colleague who had just spoken had made social media statements that morning and…
1:32:41 Jason C. Ervin: Thanked Alderwoman Maria E. Hadden for her words and said a colleague had overstepped.
1:33:17 Jason C. Ervin: Honored his predecessor, former 28th Ward Alderman Ed Smith, as a mentor.
1:43:19 Resolution honoring the legacy of the Divine Nine
1:45:13 Desmon C. Yancy: Recognized family members and staff who belong to Divine Nine organizations.
1:45:52 Pat Dowell: Recognized Delta Sigma Theta leaders in support of the Divine Nine resolution.
1:48:37 Walter R. Burnett: Thanked the Divine Nine for providing role models and spoke about Phi Beta Sigma.
1:51:05 Michelle A. Harris: Recognized sorority members and thanked the Divine Nine for their service.
1:55:16 Stephanie D. Coleman: Asked the Divine Nine to work with the council on violent crime affecting Black women.
1:56:27 Nicole T. Lee: Described how the Divine Nine inspired her and others to found the first Asian American…
1:58:47 David H. Moore: Urged Greek organizations to be involved in the community and thanked Delta Sigma Theta for…
2:00:57 Gregory I. Mitchell: Spoke about his membership in Omega Psi Phi and the influence of fraternity and…
2:13:53 Resolution honoring the 157th anniversary of Morehouse College
2:14:17 William E. Hall: Spoke in support of the Morehouse resolution as a member of the Morehouse Board of Preachers.
2:15:14 Walter R. Burnett: Commended Morehouse College and the pride of its graduates.
2:16:14 David H. Moore: Recognized Morehouse alumni and said development creates jobs that help prevent homelessness.
2:19:13 Jason C. Ervin: Spoke about Morehouse alumni including former Alderman Gregory I. Mitchell Scott.
2:20:41 Stephanie D. Coleman: Recognized Morehouse alumni including developer Zeb McLaurin and the Englewood Connect…
2:22:26 Ronnie L. Mosley: Described Morehouse College alumni in Chicago and said HBCUs are still needed.
2:35:58 Pat Dowell: Presented the Finance Committee report, including Parkside Phase 3 affordable housing funding,…
2:36:09 Financial assistance for Parkside Phase 3 affordable housing project in the 27th Ward
2:39:33 Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for TIF funds for artificial turf field at Percy…
2:42:41 Amended redevelopment agreement with Team Pioneer LLC for former Pioneer Bank building
2:43:39 Settlement in Kevin Lusk v. Philip Renault and the City of Chicago ($195,000)
2:44:02 Settlement in Aisha Hurston v. City of Chicago ($400,000)
2:45:17 Settlement in Tony Pearson v. City of Chicago ($425,000)
2:46:23 Settlement in Forestine Williams v. City of Chicago ($3.25 million)
2:47:20 Appointment of Alfonso Conner Jr. as Commissioner of the Department of Water Management
2:47:48 Brian Hopkins: Commended the Water Management commissioner appointment and expressed confidence in his…
2:48:26 Walter R. Burnett: Supported the Water Management appointment, citing the commissioner's experience across…
2:50:01 Matthew J. O'Shea: Supported the Water Management commissioner, describing his on-site response to a water…
2:51:06 Maria E. Hadden: Supported the Water Management commissioner, calling water a core service.
2:52:02 Derrick G. Curtis: Supported the Water Management appointment, noting the commissioner came up through the…
2:53:19 Emma Mitts: Supported the Water Management commissioner and said families in her ward were still recovering…
2:54:46 William E. Hall: Supported the Water Management commissioner appointment, saying the commissioner had…
2:55:24 Gilbert Villegas: Supported the Water Management commissioner, saying water main replacement fell from 40…
2:57:07 Ronnie L. Mosley: Thanked the Water Management commissioner for returning to service.
2:57:46 Michael D. Rodriguez: Said climate change and flooding make the Water Management appointment especially…
2:59:16 Nicholas Sposato: Supported the Water Management commissioner appointment.
3:01:25 James M. Gardiner: Supported the Water Management commissioner, recalling his help on Gray Street in the…
3:02:26 Anthony Beale: Supported the Water Management appointment, describing the Conner family as public servants.
3:03:15 Chris Taliaferro: Supported the Water Management commissioner, recalling his leadership of the department…
3:08:00 Andre Vasquez Jr.: Supported the Water Management commissioner, saying response times declined under the…
3:10:28 Anthony V. Napolitano: Supported the Water Management commissioner and praised his communication with ward…
3:11:20 Debra L. Silverstein: Welcomed back the Water Management commissioner.
3:14:32 2024 annual appropriation ordinance amendment within Fund 925
3:14:45 Ordinances transferring ward funds between expense and wage accounts
3:16:13 Special service area appointments and reappointments
3:17:22 Gilbert Villegas: Reported that the Economic, Capital and Technology Development Committee held a subject…
3:18:11 Debra L. Silverstein: Presented the License Committee report, including liquor moratoriums and a paper…
3:18:14 Liquor moratorium ordinances in several wards
3:19:16 Amendment regarding paper carryout bag regulations
3:20:08 Appointment of Lisette Castaneda as Commissioner of the Department of Housing
3:20:34 Michael D. Rodriguez: Supported the Housing commissioner, citing her knowledge of the city's housing…
3:22:01 Jessica L. Fuentes: Supported the Housing commissioner, citing gentrification and disinvestment and the need…
3:24:00 Daniel La Spata: Supported the Housing commissioner, citing her understanding of the city's varied housing…
3:26:59 Andre Vasquez Jr.: Supported the Housing commissioner, describing displacement and the need for varied…
3:29:38 Byron Sigcho-López: Supported the Housing commissioner, citing 80,000 unhoused residents and calling housing…
3:34:04 Acquisition of property at 4130 South Morgan Street for a Streets and Sanitation facility and other housing…
3:34:04 Byron Sigcho-López: Presented housing and real estate items including a property acquisition for a Streets…
3:38:02 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee report, including Complete Streets subject matter hearing
3:38:02 Daniel La Spata: Reported the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee's Complete Streets hearing and 215…
3:38:44 Chris Taliaferro: Presented the Police and Fire Committee report on an ordinance establishing a CPD staffing…
3:38:56 Ordinance establishing a comprehensive staffing analysis for the Chicago Police Department
3:39:34 Nicholas Sposato: Presented the Special Events Committee report including the 2024 Special Events Ordinance.
3:39:49 City of Chicago Special Events Ordinance 2024
3:40:25 Bennett R. Lawson: Presented the Zoning Committee report, including religious assembly special use in PMD…
3:40:41 Special use approval for religious assembly in PMD 11, 25th Ward
3:41:36 Zoning map amendments and large signs in various wards
3:42:09 Michelle A. Harris: Presented the agreed calendar of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions for passage.
3:48:47 Substitute ordinance regulating small box retailers (dollar stores)
3:49:07 Matthew J. O'Shea: Called for a vote on his substitute ordinance on small box retailers under a Rule 41…
3:49:48 Derrick G. Curtis: Supported the dollar store ordinance, saying Dollar Tree had not kept promises made to…
3:51:42 Jeanette B. Taylor: Described her daughters' experience of a robbery while working at a dollar store and…
3:55:21 Andre Vasquez Jr.: Supported the dollar store ordinance, saying the companies only engaged after it was…
3:59:14 Nicholas Sposato: Said he supports the dollar store ordinance but that talking directly to his ward's store…
4:00:29 Matthew J. O'Shea: Explained that the ordinance requires contact placards and bars a new dollar store within…

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 February 21, 2024 City Council meeting opened with public comment from five speakers, then the council heard extended remarks on and adopted three resolutions honoring Black History Month, the Divine Nine Black fraternities and sororities, and the 157th anniversary of Morehouse College. Committee reports were approved, including Finance Committee TIF and affordable housing items, several police-related legal settlements (with some members recorded as voting no), and the appointments of Alfonso (Randy) Conner as Commissioner of Water Management and Lisette Castaneda as Commissioner of Housing, both of which drew many supportive remarks. Under unfinished business, Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea called for a vote on his substitute ordinance regulating small box (dollar) stores, requiring posted contact placards and limiting new stores within one mile of a same-company store; it passed 42 to 7 after debate. New introductions included ordinances on lithium-ion battery safety, Wrigley Field liquor licensing, and hearings on Chicago Board of Education school safety policy.

Topics: Black History Month, Divine Nine, Morehouse College, Public comment, TIF and affordable housing, Police misconduct settlements, Water Management commissioner, Housing commissioner, Dollar store ordinance, Board of Education school resource officers

Agenda items discussed

22:40 Public comment: discussed
39:31 Resolution celebrating Black History Month: passed
1:43:19 Resolution honoring the legacy of the Divine Nine: passed
2:13:53 Resolution honoring the 157th anniversary of Morehouse College: passed
2:30:15 Communications from the Mayor, including up to $1.25 billion in general obligation and/or sales tax securitization bonds for economic development and affordable housing
2:36:09 Financial assistance for Parkside Phase 3 affordable housing project in the 27th Ward: passed
2:39:33 Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for TIF funds for artificial turf field at Percy Julian High School: passed
2:42:41 Amended redevelopment agreement with Team Pioneer LLC for former Pioneer Bank building: passed
2:43:39 Settlement in Kevin Lusk v. Philip Renault and the City of Chicago ($195,000): passed
2:44:02 Settlement in Aisha Hurston v. City of Chicago ($400,000): passed
2:45:17 Settlement in Tony Pearson v. City of Chicago ($425,000): passed
2:46:23 Settlement in Forestine Williams v. City of Chicago ($3.25 million): passed
2:47:20 Appointment of Alfonso Conner Jr. as Commissioner of the Department of Water Management: passed
3:14:32 2024 annual appropriation ordinance amendment within Fund 925: passed
3:14:45 Ordinances transferring ward funds between expense and wage accounts: passed
3:16:13 Special service area appointments and reappointments: passed
3:18:14 Liquor moratorium ordinances in several wards (O2024-0006857): passed
3:19:16 Amendment regarding paper carryout bag regulations (O2024-0007355): passed
3:20:08 Appointment of Lisette Castaneda as Commissioner of the Department of Housing: passed
3:34:04 Acquisition of property at 4130 South Morgan Street for a Streets and Sanitation facility and other housing and real estate items: passed
3:38:02 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee report, including Complete Streets subject matter hearing: passed
3:38:56 Ordinance establishing a comprehensive staffing analysis for the Chicago Police Department: passed
3:39:49 City of Chicago Special Events Ordinance 2024 (O2024-0007317): passed
3:40:41 Special use approval for religious assembly in PMD 11, 25th Ward: passed
3:41:36 Zoning map amendments and large signs in various wards: passed
3:48:47 Substitute ordinance regulating small box retailers (dollar stores): passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Spoke about his membership in Omega Psi Phi and the influence of fraternity and sorority members on his life. (2:00:57)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Honored Darlene Tribute for leading the Park Manor neighbors. (42:13); Spoke in support of the Morehouse resolution as a member of the Morehouse Board of Preachers. (2:14:17); Supported the Water Management commissioner appointment, saying the commissioner had already resolved an issue that day. (2:54:46)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Honored resident Paul King for advocating for Black inclusion in the construction trades. (42:50); Recognized sorority members and thanked the Divine Nine for their service. (1:51:05); Presented the agreed calendar of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions for passage. (3:42:09)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Honored Shirley Bryant for decades of community safety work in the 17th Ward. (45:24); Urged Greek organizations to be involved in the community and thanked Delta Sigma Theta for honoring his late sister. (1:58:47); Recognized Morehouse alumni and said development creates jobs that help prevent homelessness. (2:16:14)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Honored Pastor Earl Granberry for his acts of kindness truck and help for people in need. (48:53); Recognized Delta Sigma Theta leaders in support of the Divine Nine resolution. (1:45:52); Presented the Finance Committee report, including Parkside Phase 3 affordable housing funding, TIF agreements, and legal settlements. (2:35:58)
Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Honored Sam Benyon of Greater Grand Crossing and recognized the Black Fire Brigade and Evelyn Johnson. (51:47); Recognized family members and staff who belong to Divine Nine organizations. (1:45:13)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Honored Quentin Curtis and the Black Fire Brigade and said he would advocate for city funding for the program. (53:19); Supported the Water Management appointment, noting the commissioner came up through the ranks. (2:52:02); Supported the dollar store ordinance, saying Dollar Tree had not kept promises made to his community and city stores are not maintained like suburban ones. (3:49:48)
Emma Mitts (alderperson): Honored 37th Ward resident and education advocate Roberta Wilson. (57:32); Supported the Water Management commissioner and said families in her ward were still recovering from flooding and mold. (2:53:19)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said people should not question Black leadership without understanding the Black experience, and honored community elder Mama Evelyn. (1:01:13); Noted that Black firefighters sued the city repeatedly and said behavior has not changed. (1:03:57); Described her daughters' experience of a robbery while working at a dollar store and opposed delaying the ordinance. (3:51:42)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Honored Pastor Granberry, Mama E, and former Cook County Commissioner Charles Bowen. (1:05:12); Said the city has not done right by Black firefighters and that they should not have to sue for promotions. (1:08:02); Asked non-African American colleagues to do their part to elevate the African American community. (1:11:59)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Honored the late Richard Stamps, the first African American to debut on WBBM-TV, and his daughter. (1:13:24); Asked the Divine Nine to work with the council on violent crime affecting Black women. (1:55:16); Recognized Morehouse alumni including developer Zeb McLaurin and the Englewood Connect project. (2:20:41)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Honored 103-year-old veteran Edward H. Campbell Sr. of the 21st Ward. (1:16:39); Described Morehouse College alumni in Chicago and said HBCUs are still needed. (2:22:26); Thanked the Water Management commissioner for returning to service. (2:57:07)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Recognized Black residents of his ward and said George Blakemore's advocacy focused on goods, contracts, and jobs. (1:20:15); Asked the mayor's administration to drop charges against George Blakemore. (1:22:52); Said that with Black leaders in many top city positions, the city should be able to address problems in the Black community, and raised contracting participation. (1:23:05)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Reflected as a Black Chicagoan on Black History Month and the space made by those before her. (1:26:17); Said a colleague who had just spoken had made social media statements that morning and called for accountability offered with respect rather than to tear others down. (1:27:30); Supported the Water Management commissioner, calling water a core service. (2:51:06)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Thanked Alderwoman Maria E. Hadden for her words and said a colleague had overstepped. (1:32:41); Honored his predecessor, former 28th Ward Alderman Ed Smith, as a mentor. (1:33:17); Spoke about Morehouse alumni including former Alderman Gregory I. Mitchell Scott. (2:19:13)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Thanked the Divine Nine for providing role models and spoke about Phi Beta Sigma. (1:48:37); Commended Morehouse College and the pride of its graduates. (2:15:14); Supported the Water Management appointment, citing the commissioner's experience across city departments. (2:48:26)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Described how the Divine Nine inspired her and others to found the first Asian American sorority at Indiana University. (1:56:27)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Commended the Water Management commissioner appointment and expressed confidence in his leadership. (2:47:48)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner, describing his on-site response to a water main break in the 19th Ward. (2:50:01); Called for a vote on his substitute ordinance on small box retailers under a Rule 41 notice. (3:49:07); Explained that the ordinance requires contact placards and bars a new dollar store within one mile of a same-company store, without affecting existing stores. (4:00:29)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner, saying water main replacement fell from 40 miles a year to five under the previous commissioner and minority- and women-owned firms struggled. (2:55:24); Reported that the Economic, Capital and Technology Development Committee held a subject matter hearing on Illinois data residency with no votes taken. (3:17:22)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Said climate change and flooding make the Water Management appointment especially important and supported it. (2:57:46); Supported the Housing commissioner, citing her knowledge of the city's housing situation. (3:20:34)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner appointment. (2:59:16); Presented the Special Events Committee report including the 2024 Special Events Ordinance. (3:39:34); Said he supports the dollar store ordinance but that talking directly to his ward's store led it to improve. (3:59:14)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner, recalling his help on Gray Street in the 45th Ward. (3:01:25)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Supported the Water Management appointment, describing the Conner family as public servants. (3:02:26)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner, recalling his leadership of the department during its 2017 troubles. (3:03:15); Presented the Police and Fire Committee report on an ordinance establishing a CPD staffing analysis. (3:38:44)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner, saying response times declined under the prior leadership. (3:08:00); Supported the Housing commissioner, describing displacement and the need for varied housing solutions. (3:26:59); Supported the dollar store ordinance, saying the companies only engaged after it was introduced and that liaisons could disappear if it fails. (3:55:21)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Supported the Water Management commissioner and praised his communication with ward offices. (3:10:28)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Welcomed back the Water Management commissioner. (3:11:20); Presented the License Committee report, including liquor moratoriums and a paper carryout bag amendment. (3:18:11)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Supported the Housing commissioner, citing 80,000 unhoused residents and calling housing a human right. (3:29:38); Presented housing and real estate items including a property acquisition for a Streets and Sanitation facility and city lot sales. (3:34:04)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Supported the Housing commissioner, citing gentrification and disinvestment and the need for new housing revenue sources. (3:22:01)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Supported the Housing commissioner, citing her understanding of the city's varied housing needs. (3:24:00); Reported the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee's Complete Streets hearing and 215 routine traffic items. (3:38:02)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Presented the Zoning Committee report, including religious assembly special use in PMD 11, signs, and map amendments. (3:40:25)
Carlos Ramírez-Rosa (alderperson): Supported the dollar store ordinance, describing years of cleanliness and safety issues with a dollar store on Armitage. (3:57:34)

Exchanges between members

1:27:30 Hadden responded to the colleague who had just spoken, objecting to statements made on social media.
1:32:43 Ervin thanked Alderwoman Maria E. Hadden for her words.
1:13:01 Coleman thanked Robinson following his remarks.
1:07:01 Robinson echoed Dowell's remarks about Pastor Granberry's work.
1:51:07 Harris thanked Coleman for her leadership on the Divine Nine resolution.
1:57:38 Lee picked up on Harris's point about the Divine Nine's commitment to service.
2:16:34 Moore said Vice Mayor Walter R. Burnett had described Morehouse eloquently.
3:01:28 Gardiner echoed O'Shea's account of the commissioner working on the streets.
3:12:16 Ervin cited Villegas's description of the Water Department's scale.
3:27:46 Vasquez thanked Fuentes for summarizing differing housing challenges across the city.
3:49:48 Curtis said he supports the ordinance his colleague O'Shea introduced.
3:55:00 Taylor thanked Moore for helping after her daughter's robbery.
3:55:04 Taylor told O'Shea he had her yes vote.
3:55:21 Vasquez thanked O'Shea for his work on the ordinance.
3:55:44 Vasquez differed with Taylor, saying the ordinance brought order rather than chaos.
3:57:28 Ramírez-Rosa thanked his colleague for bringing forward the dollar store ordinance.
3:59:22 Sposato told O'Shea he supports the ordinance.
4:03:32 O'Shea referenced Taylor's account of her daughters' treatment as dollar store employees.

Documents

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