Hello everyone, please make sure your name is change to accurately reflect who you actually are!

Welcome, everyone, please be aware that we are asking you to re-name yourself, so that you can be named your real name!

I wasn’t able to join using video for some reason, so I hope my audio isn’t on either. Is it just the panelists that are on video? Thank you

how do i rename myself?

I was not able to use my video or able to rename myself.

Hi Blanche!

If you are not familiar with the q and a function, it is at the bottom of the screen. Erik will be keeping track of the q and a section.

Christina Schleich, AGA Mindful Living Garden

If I may, if you're looking for your video screen, even if it's not on, it is likely the very first one on the left, and then Sean's. There should be three dots in the upper left of that frame(if your head frames are on the top), and the option to rename

To find your video (in order to change your name), there should be a box that says “view” on the top right corner. You may have to move your mouse for it to pop up.

Welcome, Sally & thank you.

Yes, you can find the resources on either AUA or NeighborSpace websites : https://auachicago.org/wateraccess/

http://neighbor-space.org/wateraccess/

Will CPS school garden need insurance?

No cost for support.

In regards to Chicago Public School gardens, you may need insurance if CPS doesn't let you use their insurance, which has been the case with some larger institutions.

You mean watering trees?

I have an RPZ here, it’s long and heavy.

In answer to Edgar's question, "how can I legitimatize a renegade garden on a empty city lot where a house once stood years ago/"there are several options, but you will need to get the legal rights to be on the space. That requires some investigation, please let us know where you are and sign up for our office hours, we can help ask those questions for you. NeighborSpace is one option, we anticipate that there will be other pathways, as well in the future.

You are appearing as Fylinda :)

A question was asked in the Q and A; hydrant water is NOT potable.

Power Plumbing is very familiar with this process and has good relationship with DWM

Another piece of equipment that is legally required is a y strainer, but we can help you all with this.

Re-certification fees this year, for those who need support, will be covered.

Not buying that one, sorry City + DWM :-p

One question was asked in the chat: " Last year, we didn't get water until July -and we were one of the lucky ones. Will the timing be better this year?"- YES, THE TIMING WILL BE BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING A JUMP ON IT, and many of the kinks have been worked out.

When can we expect to have water?

Sorry, Gina. Tech issues. Thank you for offering your time.

The earliest hydrant use permit can be made available is April. So if you get your application in by the end of February, you should be good. Linda, you received a permit last year, it will be much easier than last year, since your square footage has already been measured.

Go Sally, Go Sally!

Sally showing off her RPZ muscles, nice!

How do we sign up for office hours?

Office Hours: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeATVKZlwhLtww73h3yl-2S9IS_k47g_PXP7UTzksoLvCSRSw/viewform

We are updating/uploading forms, docs, tomatoes, shoes, shirts and carrots on our websites:

https://auachicago.org/wateraccess/

http://neighbor-space.org/wateraccess/

thank you all for your work on this!

Thank you!

Thanks for the info

thank you

<3 appreciate your support <3

This was all so helpful! Thank you so much!

Kelly Keffer from BEET Chicago Community Garden

I will check with my local firehouse --there's a resource through them to the guy who makes the caps for the city and he may have source for the gasket too

Maxwell Garden got a good deal

Thank you Sally!

The RPZ certification is for the growing season only -- it expires Nov 1 no matter when you get it according to my plumber and the last convo I had with DWM

otherwise that's 25c in Sally's RPZ jar

It shouldn't be left "alone" --someone needs to monitor it

Even though I was unable to contribute, thank you for some great info.

It can be certified prior to April 1 as it has to be certified before you can complete the application

Thank you!