Tune in to the live stream on the city clerks website: (scroll to the meeting notices section 📺) here is the agenda: chicityclerk.com

We have items about curbing corruption in the admin of red-light cameras, an EPA loan to get the lead out, we've got tax increment financing (TIF) money on the agenda, we have multiple settlements for police misconduct being voted on, among other things. Follow along, let's go!

The finance committee is the Council's largest, with 38 of 50 Alderpeople listed as members. The Committee was chaired for over 30 years by former Ald. Ed Burke, who leveraged his position into a huge infrastructure of influence. He resigned the chair when he was indicted.

Under Lori Lightfoot, the committee was chaired by Scott Waguespack (32nd), who was replaced by the incoming Brandon Johnson with Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd). Chair Dowell has called the meeting to order. The roll is being called.

A quorum has been established with 21 members. Two members join remotely. We enter public comment. Peter Sizinika is first to comment.

He is speaking on a public settlement that is not being brought before the committee today.

This is regarding an incident with Ald. Jim Gardiner and the CPD allegedly attacking a constituent. He is commenting on the OIGs finding that Gardiner allegedly acted inappropriately.

He also comments on the FBI investigation that Gardiner may have accepted a bribe. His comments are that the committee is intentionally concealing this incident with a settlement that is just under the $ amount needed to have the settlement before the committee.

Next is the first item on red light and speed cameras. Presentation by the City Comptroller. He is discussing the process of bringing the city into alignment with a new state law.

The law prohibits campaign contributions by contractors who provide for these automated systems, and provides that no outside contractors make decisions on citations. Chasse Rehwinkel is now answering questions about a contractor involved in reviewing citations.

Ald. Taylor is asking why there is a third party looking at this. Comptroller Rehwinkel is saying that it is best practice to have more eyes on these incidence.

Ald. Reilly Is asking about resources for this change, how it might impact enforcement, and how it may impact the budget. Rehwinkel is saying that there shouldn't be impacts.

Item passes out of committee through unanimous consent. It will be recommended to pass the full council.

The next item is presented by James McDonald Dept Council on the Dept of Law.

It is a revision for the use of a WIFIA Loan from the EPA. This loan is surrounding the removal of lead service lines.

The previous ordinance passed on this Loan authorized only the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to administer the loan. The current CFO has a conflict of interest, and is reusing herself of any involvement. The revision adds the Mayor and Comptroller as other individuals empowered.

This ordinance also passes through unanimous consent. We move to the department of housing. Kara Breams is presenting on a revision to the start and end dates of construction on Imani Senior Village. chicago.urbanize.city/post/full-buil…

It looks like a 3 month delay on the beginning of construction. The land is owned by Trinity Church in the 8th ward. Ald. Harris (8th) is commenting that the delay is exacerbated by trying to get on the calendar for the Finance Committee. She adds that simplification may help.

The Imani Village project is to provide 70 units of senior housing, 100 single family homes, a community garden and store.

Ald. Harris is giving context, adding that part of a site used to be called House of Kicks, an indoor recreation area.

Ald. Burnett has a comment about affordability. They were concerned about affordability for Seniors, including boomers entering retirement. He is asking Breams how many layers of funding, which include tax credits and subsidies. Ald. Harris mentions that the waitlist is over 300.

Ivan Hanson chief facility officer for Chicago Public Schools presents the next item for the planning and Urban development. It is for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to be used for a roof replacement and masonry repairs for Mccutcheon Elem. in the Lawrence/Broadway TIF in Uptown.

Ald. Taylor asks when the construction will begin. There is a discussion of relocating summer school nearby during construction.

Ald. Villegas asks about long term maintenance planning for Mccutcheon, and where new funding may come. He mentions CPS findings ties to property taxes, as well as the change to an elected school board. The Ald is saying CPS coming to the Council for TIF funds is a "problem"

Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth is commenting on schools as a hub of community and says she supports this appropriation in a neighboring ward. The item passes with unanimous consent.

The next item is funding for redevelopment for E.G. Woode. Presentation by Tim Jeffries of the Dept of Planning and Urban Development. This site is in Englewood.

Tif money $5 mil for redevelopment of EG Woode, a business incubator and architecture firm in the 16th ward. This redevelopment is in Englewood, the neighborhood is split between five wards, with no one alder seeing to the needs of that community.

This project is in Ald. Stephanie Coleman's ward, which also includes Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, New City, and West Englewood. Jeffries mentions space is near Kennedy King college, known for its culinary program. The use will be a restaurant and culinary incubator.

Jeffries continues that the funds will provide for a gut rehab by the developer, an L3C company based in Englewood, and DPD advises that this can fuel economic development.

Deon Lucas, member of E.G. Woode is now speaking at the request of Chair Dowell. He is describing how the group works collaboratively.

Ald. Martin is asking about the capacity of the incubator, how many kitchen spaces, how many stoves. Jeffries responds that there are three. Ald. Lee asks about the L3C designation.

Alds Villegas and La Spata comment on this project being a good fit for the TIF program. Ald. La Spata is asking about ownership of the restaurant, as it relates to E.G. Woode.

Lucas is commenting that the entrepreneurs own their own entities and have a say in how the space is administered.

Ald. Taylor is asking about community engagement. She asks if this project is part of Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's Invest South/West. Lucas responds that the entire process is community engagement. He comments that accountability is found in community.

Ald. Taylor mentions that her ward is in the same TIF and she hasn't been involved in conversations. She also says she supports this idea. Lucas is responding some discussions may predate her time in the council. He adds that he sees himself as a steward, not just an architect.

Taylor asks about soft costs and hard costs. Lucas and Jeffries will provide details.

Ald. Reilly asks that the Dept of Planning and Development include a "pro forma" to the Alders to give a fuller picture of the budget and where costs are allocated. The item passes with unanimous consent.

The next item is the last TIF related item. It is regarding Englewood Connect, a development group for Englewood Square. Presentation by Terrance Johnson of the Dept of Planning and Urban Development. The project is also in Englewood and also in the 16th ward.

Tif money $7 mil for Englewood Connect to develop phase 1A of Englewood Square at 6205 S Peoria. Englewood Connect is a project by McLaurin real estate devolpers as well as designers Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill and TnS Studio, and Farpoint Development.

The group specializes. in work on the south side neighborhood, often bidding for projects that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot was championing as part of her invest south/west plan.

McLaurin is a large real estate developer that has benefitted from many tif allotments for school repairs, as well as developments on the south side, including Bronzeville. McLaurin has also bought public land, including part of the land that used to house Michael Reese Hospital.

As well as a ground lease from the Chicago Housing Authority to build a Target on land that was set aside for public housing in Cabrini Green. Here's Ryan Ori for Crains. chicagobusiness.com/article/201201…

Englewood Square includes renovation of the historic firehouse on Peoria. This revision is to add $1M to phase one, which is the firehouse renno.

Ald. Villegas asks about tax benefits, as well as the neighboring Whole Foods in the neighborhood that has since closed, and whether the city can recoup funds from that project since to store closed. Johnson of DPD says the Whole Foods didn't receive TIF money.

Ald. Conway asks about energy efficiency, and amortization. Tracey McKinsey of Maclaurin comments that the majority of the efficiency is gained by window replacement.

This item passes through unanimous consent.