Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, September 4, 2024
- When: Wed, Sep 4, 2024, 1:00 PM (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
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1006298100
- Transcript: full text (9,122 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 public comment from six speakers, approved remote participation for two members and approved the July 2024 Rule 45 report. The committee recommended approval of the appointment of Dr. Everett as a commissioner of the Chicago Park District after members spoke in support. It accepted a substitute ordinance and recommended passage of an amendment raising open space impact fees for the first time since 1998, presented by Alderperson Daniel La Spata, with Department of Planning and Development staff answering questions about fee levels, affordable unit fees and expected revenue. The committee also recommended passage of three open space impact fee expenditures: a turf play area at Gray Elementary School, the Larrabee Gateway Plaza, and a nature play area at Stone Elementary School, all to be reported to the September 18, 2024 City Council meeting.
Topics: Chicago Park District appointment, open space impact fees, school play areas, Larrabee Gateway Plaza, lifeguard recruitment, park conditions, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 8:13 Public comment
- 28:57 Motion to approve remote participation of members under Rule 59: passed
- 29:33 Approval of the July 2024 monthly Rule 45 report: passed
- 30:07 Appointment of Dr. Everett as a commissioner of the Chicago Park District: passed
- 41:32 Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 16-18 to adjust open space impact fee costs and schedules (substitute): passed
- 56:33 Expenditure of open space impact fee funds for improvements at Gray Elementary School play area, 3730 N. Laramie (O2024-0010961): passed
- 59:09 Expenditure of open space impact fee funds for development of Larrabee Gateway Plaza (O2024-0010962): passed
- 1:04:32 Expenditure of open space impact fee funds for Stone Elementary School nature play area, 6239 N. Leavitt (O2024-0010963): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Spoke in support of the Park District appointee, citing his medical and environmental testing background. (34:04); Supported the Larrabee Gateway Plaza as a joint project connecting a park to new open space and thanked Alderperson Brian Hopkins for his advocacy. (1:03:10)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Thanked the appointee for his commitment and said he was impressed by his background. (35:03)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Said park programs have not recovered since the pandemic and asked to work with the appointee on lifeguard recruitment and bringing children back to field houses. (35:41)
- Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Said she looked forward to working with the appointee on ideas to improve the parks. (37:06); Asked whether members could learn how much open space impact fee money is available by ward. (54:09)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Said parks have declined from past standards and suggested hiring someone to inspect each park, and expressed interest in working on marinas. (37:33)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Supported the appointment, saying the appointee's focus on heart health fits the role of parks in exercise and recreation. (38:32)
- Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Commended the appointee's work on safety-net hospitals, raised code compliance concerns at park buildings such as Ogden Park, and said the Black Caucus supports the appointment. (39:51)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Said many community areas have unspent open space fund balances and encouraged colleagues to use them, crediting Alderperson Scott Waguespack advocacy for inspiring the ordinance. (47:09)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked for an estimate of total open space fund revenue expected in 2025 and 2026 under the new fees. (54:46)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Described the Larrabee Gateway Plaza as a joint project with Alderperson Walter R. Burnett that repurposes a former roadway and bridge for pedestrian and cyclist access to a new park. (1:01:03)
Exchanges between members
- 47:43 Alderperson Daniel La Spata credited and thanked Alderperson Scott Waguespack for advocacy that inspired the ordinance.
- 1:01:06 Alderperson Brian Hopkins described the plaza as a joint project with Alderperson Walter R. Burnett.
- 1:03:18 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett said he could not put it more eloquently than Alderperson Brian Hopkins had.
- 1:03:47 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett thanked Alderperson Brian Hopkins for being a strong advocate for the project.