Laura Sabronsky from Savior Ash is giving public comment requesting that the Ash trees around the city. There is a concern for public health and well-being. Funding has not been given towards this effort

Public comment given by Jessica Jackson expressing lack of care and sanitation for South and West Side while dealing with migrant influx in the city. She stresses the importance property taxes being driven down on the South and West Side of the city due to negligence.

Michael Young Bay provides his public comment agreeing with Jackson and adds on to lack of street sanitation on South & West Side and city segregation. Bay calls out lack of respect from alderpersons. Public comment has ran over.

General public comments surrounded street sanitation and influx of migration proposal for porta potties as a solution to street sanitation.

COFA presentation begins showcasing budget for the year and highlighted issues. Some being Alley maintenance, tree trimming, recycling. Below is the budget in past years as well as this years proposed budget w/ $344.74 million.

Commissioner of Street Department and Sanitation Cole Stallard is speaking on environmental efforts done so far. City is on track to plant 20,000 trees by the end of the year as part of the city’s environmental equity plan.

Stallard expressed increase in tree trimmings by 172% compared to fall of 2022. The city has trimmed down 53,188 trees in the city. Additionally 3-1-1 has been consistent on rodent control.

Questions of reimbursement for services such as NASCAR, Lollapolooza and other special events in the city. Council expressed they have a cost of service however did not share financial rundown.

Questions has been posed to the department about snow plow trucks for the winter. Commissioner expressed that it is in the works but not fully laid out yet. An additional 20 sweepers and 37 more garbage trucks by the end of the year.

As winter approaches there are roughly 800 drivers that will be dispersed throughout the city to keep roads clear through the winter.

Reverting back to forestry in the city. Crews are being added. Suggestion made to have a trucking crew in each ward to quicken the process on tree trimmings and up-keeping throughout the city.

Commissioner expressed assisting in public safety (snow plowing, street blocking, etc) $200,000 difference from last year. Overtime spent on public safety is based on seasons.

Tree gridding is the next topic on the agenda. A projected 90,000 trees are set to be trimmed in the next 12 months. With an ultimate 5 year plan to have every tree in the city trimmed. 75,000 trees are to planted over 5 years. 40,000 have been planted last year.

Moving forward effort for community outreach so that citizens can have trees in their areas. Language barriers serve as an issue and therefore working through that by referring to the trees as “Street Trees” instead of Parkway trees.