@CHIdocumenters 1: Here's today's agenda: Most of the meeting today deals with budget, tax levy and service provider agreements for Special Service Areas across the city. …storagev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachm…

@CHIdocumenters 2: Special Service Areas are hyperlocal tax districts to fund and beautify commercial areas across the city. You can read more about them here: Andddd here's a map of the City's 55 SSAs: chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…

@CHIdocumenters 3: The meeting is called to order with quorum established by roll call vote at 11:17 a.m.

@CHIdocumenters 4: The meeting begins with public comment. Each commenter is limited to 2 minutes due to an abundance of them. Cecilia Butler is up first to oppose Sunshine Ministries' community building in Washington Park, preferring to keep the park as open space. hpherald.com/evening_digest…

@CHIdocumenters 5: Ted Stalnos, the president of the Calumet Area Industrial Committee, speaks in support of the quantum computing project planned for Steelworkers park. blockclubchicago.org/2024/07/25/for…

@CHIdocumenters 6: Oscar Sanchez, of the Southeast environmental task force, urges the committee to consider developments that benefit the community. Amalia NietoGomez of Alliance of the Southeast says to slow down the approval of the Steelworkers park site, instead diverting taxes to schools.

@CHIdocumenters 7: Another speaker speaks out against the speed at which the quantum computing project has moved through council. "We're moving too fast," he said. "I'm not opposed to the project, just the process." The next speaker, a small business owner, speaks in support of the project.

@CHIdocumenters 8: A Roseland resident raises concern about the "blight" in his area and abundance of vacant lots. He calls for more economic investment in Black communities. Mari Rodriguez of the 36th ward complains about alder Villegas taking away the residential parking on her block.

@CHIdocumenters 9: A south Chicago resident recalls its middle class industrial history to speak in support of the quantum works to bring jobs back to the area. Jessica Jackson opposes commercial development until housing issues and gentrification in South Shore are addressed.

@CHIdocumenters 10: George Blakemore comments, then leaves the conference room yelling. The next commenter says she is offended by the lack of Black alderpeople in this meeting. She announces her candidacy for 3rd ward to unseat alder Pat Dowell.

@CHIdocumenters 11: Another speaker from Alliance of the Southeast raises concerns about lowering the quantum computing project developers' taxes to incentivize development. She questions why the same incentives aren't available for small business. "Please slow down the process," she said.

@CHIdocumenters 12: Juan Sandoval speaks in support of the tax incentives for the quantum computing developer to move Chicago into the future. South Chicago resident and founder of Lake Effect Community Development Jorge Perez speaks in support of the tax incentive too.

@CHIdocumenters 13: Public comment concludes and the meeting moves into agenda item 1, reappointing Juliana Montebello-Roman as member of SSA 17 in Central Lakeview. Her reappointment passes by quorum vote. It will be presented to the full council at the next meeting.

@CHIdocumenters 14: The motion to approve all of items 2-9 by the same roll call that established quorum vote passes.

@CHIdocumenters 15: Tim Jeffries of the Dept of Planning and Urban Development presents agenda item 30, regarding the development of the US Steel site for the quantum computing project.

@CHIdocumenters 16: Jeffries says the site is perfect due to its water and highway access. He calls this a "generational investment" to re-establish the Southeast side as a global hub for industry.

@CHIdocumenters 17: The site has one company confirmed, PsiQuantum, and will court other companies to utilize the space. The City expects federal and state investments. Jeffries stresses current park space is NOT included in this development proposal, just vacant former industrial space.

18: Developers and city officials field questions from alderpersons. The County and City will be providing a $10 million development incentive in addition to the tax reduction.

19: Ald Waguespack asks about ongoing environmental cleanup, the city says it has been cleared. Ald LaSpata asks about previous attempts to develop the site. There were 3 from 1999 to 2017, ranging from factories to housing. The city says this is the most developed proposal.

20: Ald LaSpata advocates to keep environmental impact in mind. He said although it complies with the lakefront ordinance, he wants to make sure the lakefront remains publicly accessible.

21: Ald Manaa-Hoppenworth asks about workforce development and a jobs pipeline for area students. The developer said they will host a contractor fair. They are partnered with an organization to start apprenticeships for students to build an "ecosystem" from CPS to city colleges.

22: "The goal is to have that poster child who grew up in the neighborhood, went to the neighborhood school, went to CPS, then UIC or U of C ,and now returns to work on the campus," a representative from the developer said.

23: Ald Manaa-Hoppenworth asks if this project will displace anyone. A rep from the Mayor's office says they are working on infill housing and developing community strategies to prevent displacement. blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/18/sou…

24: The mayor's office expects the plan to go to the planning commission within a month or two. Ald Lee inquires about the project's power needs. A rep from ComEd says they will build a new substation onsite to serve the project's needs. It will not effect reliability elsewhere

25: The committee passes item 30 to be reported out at the next city council meeting. The Quantum computing development advances.

26: Item 40 is to support an initial property tax incentive at 4655 W Arthington St, currently a vacant lot. Angela Maxwell from the DPD is here to present. The property is set to be developed into a 72,000 sq ft manufacturing facility to produce high voltage capacitor banks.

27: This project is estimated to create 80 - 100 new jobs. the developer is partnering with North Lawndale community organizations to hire local.

28: The committee passes the incentive for item 40. Next is approval for a class C tax abatement at 3179 N Clark St. for HSG Belmont Clark, LLC in the 44th ward. The property will have a grocery store on the second floor and banking and retail space below.

29: The recomendation passes committee to be reported out at the next city council meeting.

30: And with that, the meeting is adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Thanks for following along!! Follow @CHIdocumenters for more local coverage :)