# Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, May 8, 2024

- When: Wed, May 8, 2024, 11:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/special-events-cultural-affairs-and-recreation)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/944116141
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/944116141.txt) (5,292 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 heard eight public commenters, most of them community gardeners and farmers describing support they receive from NeighborSpace, an urban land trust. The committee approved its monthly rule 45 report. It then recommended passage of an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Park District and the Forest Preserves of Cook County that raises the city's annual NeighborSpace contribution from $100,000 to $185,000 and extends the agreement through 2033. Members asked about partner agencies' contributions, NeighborSpace's budget and how community groups can start new sites, and spoke in support.

Topics: NeighborSpace, community gardens, urban agriculture, intergovernmental agreement, open space funding, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [12:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=723) Public comment
- [35:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2121) Approval of the monthly rule 45 report: passed
- [36:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2160) First amendment to intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Park District and Forest Preserves of Cook County for NeighborSpace funding (O2024-0008968): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Praised NeighborSpace's work with two different gardens in his ward and asked what the other government agencies contribute. ([42:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2545)); Asked whether the funds are used only in the city and what NeighborSpace's total annual budget and administrative share are. ([43:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2591))
- [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (alderperson): Asked whether community groups can approach NeighborSpace first about a site, whether flower gardens qualify, and whether sites must have water. ([44:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2650))
- [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (alderperson): Agreed with colleagues that NeighborSpace's work is valuable, welcomed larger contributions from other agencies, and expressed support. ([45:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2707))
- [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (alderperson): Said NeighborSpace has been a strong partner in his ward, thanked a Little Village public commenter, said residents are empowered to invest in their blocks, and moved to pass. ([45:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2742))

### Exchanges between members

- [45:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2742) Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez said he concurred with Alderperson Matthew J. O'Shea.
- [45:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219?t=2742) Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez said he concurred with Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson.

## Documents

- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/902f6520-a6cd-47eb-99a3-7c98eb0822a3.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/92e58627-95f9-4d2a-9e2a-c22d22ab8fcf.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/f4070d82-f231-49c7-983b-539ee1c16d18.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/063368d6-9f9e-4aeb-b3ee-e05fa9061c4c.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D799C8BB-9908-EF11-9F89-001DD8301219 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt