Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, October 19, 2023

• When: Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
• Where: City Council Chamber, 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/875810604
• Transcript: full text (87,102 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 Budget and Government Operations held a day of 2024 budget hearings. Public comment covered public health funding, reparations, expansion of the Rudy Lozano branch library, and funding for the Peace Book youth peacekeeper proposal. The committee then heard from the Office of the City Clerk, the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Department of Family and Support Services, with members asking about staffing and vacancies, City Key and council modernization, library safety and capital needs, mental health and violence prevention funding, the new arrivals response, homelessness programs, and senior and youth services. No votes were taken; departments were asked to send follow-up information through the chair, and the committee stood at ease until 10 a.m. the next day.

Topics: City Clerk budget, City Key program, Council modernization, Chicago Public Library, Department vacancies and hiring, Mental health services, Violence prevention funding, New arrivals response, Homelessness and rapid rehousing, Senior and youth services

Agenda items discussed

• 9:17 Public comment: discussed
• 31:13 2024 budget hearing: Office of the City Clerk: discussed
• 2:17:32 2024 budget hearing: Chicago Public Library: discussed
• 4:24:38 2024 budget hearing: Chicago Department of Public Health: discussed
• 7:18:54 2024 budget hearing: Department of Family and Support Services: discussed

Alderpersons who spoke

• Jason C. Ervin (chair): Said city sticker vehicle-weight classes had not been revisited in about ten years and suggested transportation leaders review them. (1:08:56); Asked how a state construction grant would be used and when the closed west side regional library would reopen after flooding. (2:28:48); Asked for a list of library deferred maintenance and how the 2024 capital strategy would be funded, suggesting the library consider seeking a larger levy. (3:30:11)
• Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Asked the clerk to add an assistant for the office's single timekeeper and payroll staffer. (38:10); Urged funding for an online City Key application, saying in-person events are overwhelmed. (39:14)
• Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Supported the clerk's requested positions and asked about residential permit parking revenue. (1:02:01); Asked how electronic co-sponsorship works and whether written floor co-sponsorships are still accepted. (1:03:59); Asked about limiting city stickers at transit-oriented developments and aligning sticker prices with vehicle weight. (1:06:18)
• Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported added clerk staff and asked how much modernization software cost is one-time versus ongoing. (1:10:20); Asked about the library's cyber navigator program and said more bilingual navigators are needed. (2:43:08); Asked what is being done to improve branch safety after bomb threats. (2:44:25)
• Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Supported the clerk's revenue-generating positions and asked the clerk to walk through preparations for a council meeting. (1:12:24); Asked about plans to fill library vacancies and whether branches are open Sundays. (2:39:06); Spoke in support of One Book One Chicago and keeping banned books available in libraries. (2:40:51)
• Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Asked whether the clerk's overtime and burnout are tied to the City Key program. (1:16:18); Asked whether paper co-sponsor signatures are transferred to the electronic system. (1:18:08); Raised issues with the council website and meeting streams. (1:19:35)
• Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Asked about the clerk's statutory duties and said the budget office's denial of added staff was frustrating. (1:21:31); Asked why mayoral introductions are posted later than aldermanic introductions and why their titles change. (1:23:30); Questioned the clerk's authority to cut off agreed calendar resolutions early before holiday weekends. (1:26:38)
• Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Suggested the legislative system automatically enforce submission deadlines by timestamp. (1:32:49); Said it is concerning the budget does not add revenue-generating positions and asked what reason the budget office gave. (1:34:12); Asked the clerk to submit options for improvements at different cost levels. (1:35:46)
• Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Said he would work with colleagues on a budget amendment for the clerk's needs. (1:40:00); Asked whether the legislative system could list proponents and opponents of ordinances. (1:40:18); Asked which firm is doing the council modernization work and noted it is a minority-owned firm. (1:41:38)
• Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked about the City Key advertising budget and linking the card to state ID. (1:49:53); Supported a witness slip style system for ordinances. (1:52:03); Asked what happens to people suspended from libraries. (3:15:04)
• Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said shortening questioning time and consolidating hearings does a disservice to residents. (1:53:13); Asked how City Key applicants' identities are verified, including new arrivals. (1:53:57); Suggested the City Key program be turned over to the Secretary of State and stickers returned to ward offices. (1:55:58)
• Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Thanked the clerk's team and noted its high minority and women business enterprise spending. (1:58:56); Said the 30th Ward has no library and asked whether capital funds could open a new branch. (3:23:25); Raised concerns about CDPH's 493 vacancies and a vehicle budget line. (6:19:44)
• Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Called for a legislative fix on residential permit parking at transit-oriented developments and revisiting vehicle weight fees. (2:01:01); Asked for the ability to add records for daily parking passes and about problems with remote sellers. (2:01:42); Asked for automatic notification when committee meetings are rescheduled or canceled. (2:04:46)
• Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Thanked library staff for work toward replacing the last storefront library with a community space. (3:12:25); Asked about equipment and programming for the senior center at 61st and Kedzie. (9:36:50); Asked that program information be provided in Spanish and Polish. (9:38:36)
• Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Thanked the clerk's staff and said he supports more money for the office. (2:06:47); Asked how many DFSS positions serve returning residents. (7:29:23); Asked that returning resident centers receive permanent corporate funding and their own unit. (7:30:52)
• Pat Dowell (alderperson): Asked about the expansion and future funding of the Family Connects home visiting program. (5:28:32); Asked how CDPH will handle rising noise and odor complaints without added staff. (5:32:39); Asked for an organizational chart of street outreach investments and where Black-led violence prevention groups are funded. (5:34:48)
• Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Thanked library staff for work to bring a new library to Back of the Yards at 46th and Ashland. (2:50:58); Recommended the library set out a capital improvement plan and adjust revenue sources to address infrastructure needs. (2:52:57)
• Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Asked what the library needs to keep libraries inclusive spaces amid book challenges. (2:54:39); Asked about alternatives to the former museum pass program for seniors and families. (2:59:09); Asked how many of the 29 mental health center positions have been hired and the total mental health investment. (5:03:41)
• Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Spoke about the importance of the library's work against book bans and the elimination of library fines. (3:09:10); Discussed a potential library site next to a senior housing building in his ward. (3:10:44)
• Peter Chico (alderperson): Asked about library outreach beyond branch walls at community events. (3:21:48); Asked about restaurant closures by health inspectors in the 10th Ward and relayed complaints about an inspector. (4:51:18); Asked whether business owners are offered interpreters during inspections. (4:53:28)
• Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Described increased use of the Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Walker branches and asked about library presence at community events. (3:27:00); Asked when the next COVID vaccine would be available and how residents are being reached. (4:38:31); Asked how the ward can partner to expand Narcan access, calling the issue personal. (4:39:53)
• Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Asked that a heavily used library in his ward built in 1968 be put on the list for renovation. (3:29:05)
• Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Asked what nursing staff will be hired for the new mental health clinics and how many nursing positions are vacant. (4:31:15); Asked how CDPH is shortening the months-long hiring process. (4:33:15); Asked how violence prevention funds are being distributed more quickly. (4:36:01)
• Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Asked CDPH to work with the Department of Finance to speed payments to delegate agencies. (4:44:04); Asked how many patients the reproductive health Justice for All fund served. (4:45:06); Asked about the home and business protection rebate program and said there is interest in continuing it. (4:46:45)
• Angela Clay (alderperson): Asked about Family Connects and its expansion. (6:05:44); Asked how to expand the lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes program. (6:06:53); Requested lists of delegate agencies and professional service contracts and asked about furniture spending. (6:08:07)
• Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Urged the acting commissioner to take a different direction and use partnerships with universities and alderpersons to fill vacancies. (6:34:39); Asked what the biggest health issue in the city is. (6:35:29); Said COVID and general health messaging has declined and asked for public health education. (6:36:00)
• Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Asked about the future of the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone led by a provider in the far south region. (6:45:22); Asked for equity zone allocations before the budget vote. (6:46:58); Thanked DFSS for its commitment to the Peace Book and asked about 300 new shelter beds. (9:04:06)
• William Conway (alderperson): Asked DFSS to push for alderpersons to be informed earlier about new shelters. (9:12:43); Thanked DFSS staff for helping a legal aid clinic for shelter residents seeking protected status and work authorization. (9:14:09)
• Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Asked what role DFSS plays in selecting shelter locations and relayed homeowner complaints. (7:56:36); Said park district facilities should not be used as shelters because they serve local children. (7:58:45); Asked whether DFSS programs are sustainable and what the accurate count of homeless residents is. (8:02:13)
• David H. Moore (alderperson): Said alderpersons were told shelter decisions would be made without consulting them or residents. (9:16:38); Asked for better notice and transportation for senior events in his ward. (9:18:15); Asked how many corporations were contacted for youth job partnerships. (9:23:41)

Exchanges between members

• 1:32:49 Vasquez followed up on Reilly's point about introduction timestamps.
• 2:01:01 Lawson added his voice to La Spata's call to address residential permit parking at transit-oriented developments.
• 2:36:56 Ervin added to Reilly's request, asking for library suspensions by facility and ward.
• 2:39:06 Nugent said Reilly had raised the library vacancy questions she planned to ask.
• 3:07:42 Vasquez expressed appreciation for Rodríguez Sánchez's remarks about libraries and LGBTQ residents.
• 5:27:27 Ervin clarified the fund La Spata was asking about and followed up on its vehicle costs.
• 5:40:17 Dowell thanked Ervin for backing her concerns about violence prevention funding.
• 5:43:32 Ervin added a request for overall violence prevention budget figures to Dowell's request.
• 5:51:15 Ervin referenced Nugent's point about health screening for new arrivals at intake.
• 5:57:44 Nugent asked the chair about holding a hearing with CDPH and Cook County.
• 5:58:07 Ervin suggested Rodríguez Sánchez's committee as the venue for that hearing.
• 5:58:46 Vasquez asked to be added to Nugent's concern about health conditions at police stations.
• 6:09:10 Clay referenced Vasquez's point about involving Cook County.
• 6:13:35 Manaa-Hoppenworth agreed with Chico's request for communication about business closures.
• 6:14:07 Manaa-Hoppenworth shared Nugent's concerns about new arrivals' health.
• 6:15:41 Manaa-Hoppenworth said she agreed with Dowell and Ervin on violence prevention.
• 6:17:04 Manaa-Hoppenworth referenced Vasquez's point on delegate agency accountability.
• 6:31:54 Ervin followed up on Lawson's HIV questions.
• 6:45:22 Mosley picked up on the chair's question about community health plans.
• 7:06:42 Ervin echoed Taylor's offer for alderpersons to help CDPH fill vacancies.

Documents

• Agenda
• Notice