Memphis City Council: August 4, 2026

6:43

----: I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Wade C. Bryant of Future Grace Baptist Church, invited by Councilman Smiley. Pastor Bryant, if you will please lead us in prayer. Let us pray. [snorts] Father God, it is in the name of Jesus the Christ that I stand here today at this city council meeting to invoke prayer for this body. There's a story about a man named Jonah that cried by reason of his afflictions unto God. And God heard him out of the belly of a fish. He said, "I cried and God heard him." We come today to cry in this city council meeting that we will lift up the voices of the collective and we will see why we need to cry and seeing the need in Memphis and seeing the richness of our city, the diversity of our cultures, the vast intellectual al reservoirs that has been divinely crafted and shaped out of struggle and triumph. The uniqueness of our sound, the allure of the river Mississippi has positioned us to stand in these difficult times. In these times, we will not just stand, but we will we will as citizens and elected

8:44

----: officials and leaders and representatives use our voices to cry. Cry for justice. Cry for righteousness. Cry for parity, inclusion, and representation. Cry for human rights. Cry for human authenticity. We will cry that our humanity will be the litmus test for the allocations of resources and conduct by our leaders and citizens of Memphis. We encourage our council and our citizens always look toward heaven. Lift up your eyes unto the hills from which cometh your help because your help will come from the Lord. Your help will come from the Lord which made the heavens and the earth. We pray today that your relationship as city council person one to the other will be one of inclusion and cooperation. That you will find common ground and work to do the best for this city that sits on the Mississippi. that you will allow bygones to be bygone. You will allow things that's old to be passed away. And words say that behold all things will become new. We ask you today to search your hearts [snorts] and allow each person that's in your mind and in your sight and in your districts and in this city. Venerate those that need venerating. Lift up those that know not how and why they are in the positions that they are in. Leave no child, man, woman, man, father, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, or grandparent, leave no one behind. Every strike of your g,

10:46

----: make it a good one. Each time you open these chambers, open these chambers to cry for the righteousness of this great city. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
----: Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.
----: I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you for that beautiful prayer. Councilman Smiley, you are recognized at this time. Madame Chair, um be it hereby known that Pastor Wade Bryan in recognition of life exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been appointed chaplain of the day by the Memphis City Council and is hereby entitled to all the honors, rights, and privileges and prerogatives appertaining to that office and to the display of this certificate given under this seal of the great city of Memphis. Chairwoman Jenna Washington presented by myself, Councilman JB Smiles. Pastor Brian, first there is something else. We don't want you to leave empty behind.
----: Thank you so much, Pastor Bryant. Madame Comproller, if you will please call the role. Thank you, Madam Chair. Council members Canali, Carlilele, Cooper, Sutton,
----: Easter, Thomas, Ford,
----: Green, Logan,
----: Spinosa,

12:47

----: Smiley,
----: Walker,
----: Warren, White
----: chairwoman swaring Washington
----: present madam chair you have a quorum thank you I believe vice chair carile has read the minutes
----: that thank you madam chair I've read the minutes from the prior meeting and move see them to be in order and move for their adoption
----: it has been moved by vice chair carile second by councilman warren madame controller if you will please prepare the screen for the vote Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Smiley, yes. Please show council member Logan as voting yes on the minutes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Please show council member Cooper Sutton as voting yes on the minutes. Warren, yes. Chairwoman Swearing Washington, yes.
----: That item passes. Welcome to the August 4th, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council. Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure that the public has the full opportunity to be heard and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times. The sergeant-at-arms has meeting agendas available upfront as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item. All those wishing to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to the sergeant at arms before the item is called. If you are not here to speak on a specific item, you can note that your

14:47

----: request to give a general comment card at the end of the meeting. As chair, I will only recognize citizens that properly registered to speak by submitting a completed comment request card at the sergeant-at-arms. Members of the audience and persons addressing the council will not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory, personal, slanderous, or profane comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. The chair of the council may maintain order by giving any persons who are in violation of the stated rules of decorum a warning to cease any violative conduct in order to leave the council chambers or by giving an order for security personnel to remove any disruptive person in the council chambers who refuses to leave voluntarily. These rules are posted on the door as you enter the chamber and as you pick up comment cards. We will now begin with our presentations. Madame controller, if you will please call item number one.
----: Item number one is a resolution honoring Patricia an Rogers for her steadfast dedication and commitment to fighting blight in Memphis. This resolution is sponsored by Chairwoman Swingen Washington. Any of Miss Rogers guests, you're welcome to join us. Anybody who has an email know that you will receive a correspondence from Patricia

16:50

----: Rogers, but that's because she cares about her community. She has a standard of excellence. We appreciate her advocacy, her love for the greater Memphis community, and we want to honor her and give her her flowers. and we have your beautiful picture up there because we are honoring your outstanding service. On behalf of the Memphis City Council, we would like to share this resolution with you. Whereas Patricia Anne Rogers, a native of Brownsville, Tennessee, is the daughter of matriarch Elma B. Rogers, a retired school teacher, [snorts] and the late Roger Walter Rogers, Senior, a respected businessman, and has carried the values of family, faith, and hard work with her throughout a lifetime of service. Whereas a 1977 graduate of Haywood High School, Patricia Anne Rogers earned [clears throat] her bachelor's of arts degree in 1982 from the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Memphis State University with a concentration in public relations and a minor in sociology. laying the foundation for a distinguished professional career. She inherited her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen from her father and her brother, the founders of Rogers funeral home in native Brownsville and has built upon a legacy of more than 30 years of public relations. She is a graduate also of Lemon on College and she has worked with Felix Way advertising before founding Patricia A. Rogers public relations in 2009 where she serves today as president and chief executive off officer. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Patricia Anne Rogers

18:51

----: has given herself generously to the city of Memphis, fighting blight, cleaning up neighborhoods, and championing [clears throat] the causes of the underprivileged and the underserved, believing as she does that every Memphian deserves to live on a clean and dignified street. Whereas a faithful missionary at Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ under the pastor of Pastor Renardo Dion Ward, she has been grounded in her civic work, in her faith, serving her community with compassion, humility, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Having recently celebrated her 68th birthday. Oh, I'm about to look at your ID. You don't look 68. Patricia Anne Rogers has chosen not to rest, but to double her efforts by launching a citywide public relations campaign entitled Join the Fight Against Urban Blight. Together, we can keep Memphis clean, rallying her fellow citizens to take pride in ownership in our beautiful city. Whereas through her advocacy, her professional excellence, her faith, and her tireless labor on behalf of clean and thriving neighborhoods, Patricia Anne Rogers has demonstrated that a single person determined for the citizens can change the face of a community. And she has inspired countless Memphians to join her in the work. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the chairwoman Janice Swaren Washington and the entire Memphis City Council do hereby recognize and honor Patricia an Rogers for her

20:55

----: dedication, her commitment to keeping Memphis clean. Be it further resolved that the council commends Patricia Anne Rogers for her leadership in her fight against urban blight, for her service to the underprivileged and underserved, and for calling upon every Memphian to share in the responsibility of keeping our city clean and beautiful. given by my hand under the great seal of the city of Memphis this fourth day of August 2026. Janice Wren Washington, chairwoman of the Memphis City Council, District 4 and the entire Memphis City Council.
----: Thank you for all that you do. Okay.
----: Thank you and God bless you, Council Chairwoman Janice Weren Washington for recognizing my community service and mission to fight blight and to help clean up Memphis and make our city beautiful again. I am truly humbled and I'm elated at the same time. [snorts] It has really been a privilege to work closely and collaboratively with you to identify and address issues not only in your district 4, but in neighborhoods across this city. Your leadership and your commitment to serving your constituents and residents have made a significant difference and impact. [clears throat] I want to acknowledge the honorable mayor Paul Young for inspiring me and others to own our

22:57

----: block. [clears throat] Councilman Ford Canali and Councilman Chase Carile, I want to thank you for assisting me in neighborhood cleanups in Parkway Village on Night on the Road and Councilman Road in the past. Receiving this resolution, and I'm closing, is a tremendous honor. It inspires me to continue our community service and renewed purpose and dedication to work together. I appreciate members of my family, my niece, my great nephew who is a senior at Memphis Tennessee Memphis Middle Tennessee State University and Reverend Robert Rogers. his father started Roger's funeral home. I'm so proud of them. And I want to acknowledge my 94 year old mother who is watching online with other family members across the nation. And [clears throat] last but not least, Pastor Diane Young, my emotional fitness therapist. And believe me, I need it
----: to work things together in this city. I want to thank her for her encouragement and I just love her. So with that being said, thank you so much.
----: Madam Cong item moved by friends in Washington, second by Ford and pass back.
----: Thank you. Madam Control, if you'll call item number two.
----: Thank you. Item number two is a resolution approving the honorary street name change on East Street between Stage

24:59

----: Road and Fair Haven Lane for Pastor Leon Jones Jr. District 1, Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Logan. Good afternoon everyone. Colleagues, Pastor Jones and family, would you all come on down and and others that are here with you please stand?
----: Okay. Absolutely. That's what that's how he rolls. Colleagues, I am thrilled in keeping with the same manner of service. I am thrilled to honor Pastor Leon Jones. And I just want to say before I we reread the resolution that this is a pastor that actually exemplifies and I'm sure others but um from homelessness to uh forklift drivers and things like that is amazing. And they drive a bus and go pick up homeless people out of the woods and have helped them get birth certificates, identification, jobs, and home. When you drive down the street, you'll say, "Yeah, that he deserved that one." And I can attest to that. He does and he continues to do so. Absolutely. And so I'm going to read this for your hearing, pastor. Whereas when worthy circumstances arise, the Memphis City Council has seen fit to name certain public roads to honor citizens who have served the city of Memphis. And Pastor Leon Leonard Jones Jr. thought I didn't know, huh, is certainly befitting of this great honor. Whereas, Pastor Leon Jones was born in Somville, Tennessee in

27:02

----: November uh 1967 to his deceased parents, the late Leon Jones, Senior and Diane Marshall Jones. Coming from an humble background, he grew up in the projects of Clementine Apartments in South Memphis and moved to Smoky City in North Memphis. Pastor Jones graduated from North Side High School in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a veteran in the United States Navy aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. He currently resides in Memphis with his wife, three children, and two grandchildren. I'm sorry, wife Anita, three children, and two grandchildren. Whereas, Pastor Leon Jones earned his [clears throat] bachelor of theology, received two master degrees in ministry and Christian studies, and received his doctorate in Christian counseling. He worked 20 years for St. Joseph and Baptist Hospitals in which he held various positions. The last position he held in the hospital was coordinator of cardiac pulmonary rehab. His last corporate job was director of enrollment and adjun professor of church planting in Union University. Whereas pastor Leon Jones is a church planter, a senior pastor for the dwelling place church in Memphis, Tennessee as well as Mason. He is also an active member of the Southern Baptist Convention, Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the Mids South Baptist Association, which is also duly aligned with the National Baptist Convention. He is currently a missionary to the countries of was the first African-American police chaplain of Kyerville Police Department. Served as the youngest president of the NAACP chapter in Kaville and was awarded leadership award from the Memphis clergy police academy. The founder of Light at Night. He instituted Dwell Well, which has acquired 20 partnerships to serve the community, including but not limited to the Midsouth Food Bank. Um, and he's

29:04

----: also served those right from his parking lot at the Dwelling Place Church. Just imagine serving 450 people um from your parking lot over the years. Lastly, he partnered with the international entity uh entitled Sin Relief to bring compassion to the city of Memphis and that is a national organization. Whereas the in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the city of Memphis, the Memphis City Council desires to honor Pastor Leon Jones Jr. legacy with a lasting tribute that will continue to inspire future generations. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Memphis City Council that East Street between Stage Road and Fair Haven Lane will be declared Pastor Leon Jones Jr. Street in honor of his exceptionable exceptional contributions to the city of Memphis and the community of Raleigh. Be it further resolved that the city engineer is requested to affix suitable signs designated designating this public road given by my hand under the great seal of the city of Memphis this fourth day of August 2026. Rhonda Logan, City Council, Memphis City Council District 1. And [snorts] I would love to have my colleague say a few words uh regarding pastor and then for you to speak. Thank you. I met you um a couple years ago and you still have that same demeanor, that same welcoming smile, and just an abundance of love for your community. I've been watching you for years here in Memphis before I actually had an opportunity to meet you. And so when Councilwoman Logan u and I found out that she was giving this and honoring you, I saw it be fitting to

31:07

----: share not growing up in Memphis but been here for 30 years. You are just a bright light that shines through this city and through your community. And so I wanted you to know that I have been watching you for quite some time and I am just so elated to know you and to share this great honor uh on this day with you and your wife and your family and friends and the city of Memphis.
----: Thank you. Thank you.
----: Well, thank you so much uh Councilwoman Logan. Uh she's just a wonderful uh person and leader in our community. I've been fortunate to work with her, the mayors and governors and county commission and everybody. It takes all of us to uh to better our city and our citizens. U I'm so grateful for my wife of 30 years and my daughter Jasmine here with me and our children and grandchildren who uh never complains when I'm gone all the time helping somebody. Uh but I still try to take care of them. But I'm so grateful to uh our church, the dwelling place. Um we serve food over to a half a million people and I cannot do that by myself. And so I'm so grateful to them, all of them that are here that follow me as I follow Christ. And so grateful to my commissioners and everybody uh JD and London Sutton. Thank you so much for the work you do and the kind words. Uh but I do thank everybody. This such an honor. I get a whole bunch of honors, but this one is for the record. Uh, so I'm grateful for that. And I guess um, you know, being from the projects myself, I never thought I would be sitting here. And many in here today have never been in here. So, I'm grateful that they've had the opportunity to see where decisions are made and where the people that we elect make those decisions to better our lives. Uh my closing statement is uh the worst shape to be in

33:09

----: is lost and ain't nobody looking for you.
----: And so through our efforts we're looking. Bless you. [cheering] Madame Controller, if you will please show that item approved by acclamation.
----: Madam Chair, Madame Comproller, if you will please call item number three. Item number three is a resolution honoring Coronda Huda Brown Dawson. This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. It was held from July 7th. Madam controller, will you please note that item number two was same night minutes.
----: Thank you.
----: I haven't seen you since we were [laughter]
----: Yes. Yes.
----: That's okay. You did. We didn't say it. This will be recorded.
----: Come on. Come on.
----: Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, you are recognized.
----: Thank you, Chairwoman. This is an honor. When I saw you, a scuba diver, so

35:11

----: there's a little history with Kanda and I. Well, we started playing tennis together and I don't know what happened to Kanda, but now I do know what happened. She went to start swimming in a scuba diver and so we became friends and her baby, she was so little and she's an adult now. I mean, just beautiful. But I just saw it fit to honor you because this is such an amazing accomplishment, especially as an African-American woman to accomplish such something so huge and something that I would never ever ever do. So, and where is Councilwoman Logan? And Councilwoman Logan is sharing um this resolution with me to give honor to you.
----: Well, thank you.
----: Okay. Whereas Kanda Huda Brown Dawson is an accomplished [clears throat] entrepreneur, licensed occupational therapist, world record holding explorer and visionary leader whose life work is dedicated to helping individuals rediscover balance, healing, and joy through transformative experiences. And whereas Kanda Dawson made history as the first AfricanAmerican woman to scuba dive in every ocean in the world
----: and earned a Guinness World Record title for the fastest person.
----: Fastest person.
----: Fastest person. Let me make sure you understand that. fastest person to scuba dive all seven continents. Demonstrating extraordinary courage, perseverance, and determination. And whereas following a difficult period in her life, Kuranda Dawson chose to

37:14

----: embrace personal growth by challenging herself to learn new skills, beginning with a simple introductory scuba diving class that ultimately transformed her life and inspired a global journey of exploitation and selfdiscovery. And whereas through her philosophy that the darkest of disappointment can be heavy, but learning new things spark small victories that light the way forward. Corandanda Dawson encourages others to embrace curiosity as a pathway to healing, resilience, and lifelong learning. Whereas as as the founder of curated life, Kuranda Dawson has created a movement that inspires individuals to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world through intentional travel, wellness experience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. And whereas through her motivational speaking, educational programs, and advocacy, Kuronda Dawson continues to inspire people across the globe to pursue purpose over fear, experience over possessions, and personal growth over limitations, proving that confidence and healing begin the moment one chooses to keep moving forward. And whereas Kuronda Dawson's remarkable accomplishments serve as an inspiration to women, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, adventurers, and future generations, demonstrating that resilience, courage, and curiosity can transform adversity into extraordinary achievement. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Memphis City

39:14

----: Council hereby recognizes and honors Kuranda Huda Brown Dawson for her groundbreaking accomplishment and for inspiring countless individuals to embrace a purpose way of living. Be it further resolved that on this day, the Memphis City Council extends its sincere appreciation and congratulations to Kuranda Dawson for her outstanding leadership and wishes her continued success as she empowers communities around the world. given by my hand and under the great shield of the city of Memphis this fourth day of August 2026. Yolanda Cooper Sutton, Memphis City Council, and Councilwoman Rhonda Logan, Memphis City Council.
----: Thank you so much. You are so welcome.
----: Yes, we're going to give her a moment to say something. Yes.
----: I'd like to say to the city council, thank you all for honoring me. um as a daughter of this great city and um um somewhere where I've kept Memphis with me. So even in Antarctica, I went from Antarctica. The old world record was 19 days. I completed in 11 days, 23 uh 23 hours and 40 minutes. Um taking almost a week off of the old record starting in Antarctica. Went from Antarctica to Rio di Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro to uh Lisbon Portugal. Lisbon Portugal to Tanga Morocco. Tangent, Morocco to Dubai, Dubai to Sydney, Sydney to LA where both of my beautiful daughters who are also scuba divers met me for that final cross of the finish line. And I I can't say um that I want to always represent Memphis and having started at the Davis Thomas YMCA in White Haven. Um yes, my love for the White Haven folks. Um and uh being a

41:17

----: lifeguard at the old fairgrounds pool, you know, I want Yeah. At the old fairgrounds pool, I was a lifeguard there and and they were those kids were hard-headed, but [laughter] but loving children. But uh I just I just want to say thank you guys so much because Memphis is always with me everywhere I've gone and I've traveled the world twice. As a matter of fact, during that um particular run, I uh uh traveled the entire globe um twice in less than 354 days. So, uh it is my proud honor just to be before you all to be uh a um a representation of all of what Memphis can be. Um, as a business owner, I was the youngest person to receive a certificate of need by the Health Care Facilities Commission when I first started business 28 years ago. Um, so you know, trail brazen is what Mephians do. Much love. Thank you.
----: Thank you. Congratulations again.
----: This is for you. Congratulations. Madame Controller, if you will please show that item being approved by acclamation.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair.
----: That moves us to our zoning cases. Madame Controller, if you will please call item number four.
----: Item number four is a resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 six of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a special use permit at the subject property located at 3778 Old Waverly Code. This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is SU25-36.
----: All right, Councilman Spinosa, you are recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee met recommends approval and I so move we do

43:17

----: have uh everybody here for presentation if anybody wants to see it.
----: Okay, that item has been moved by Councilman Spinosa, second by Ford Canali. We're ready for our presentation. You'll make sure her mic is on,
----: I think. Good afternoon. All right. Good afternoon. Khloe Christian with DPD. I'll be giving a brief presentation on this item. Um, the case number is SUP 2025036. The applicant, Luke Katerman, is with us today and the property is located at 3778 Old Waverly Cove. This is a special use permit request to allow a um 130 foot monopoly style uh cell tower and it's [snorts] located in council district 2. Here's a location map of the property and a vicinity map. We did mail out public notices um and we did not receive any um comments of opposition or support, any concern at all um with this item. The property is underlying zone R10. However, there is um a planned development overlay um to allow apartments at the subject property. Um and as you can see on the land use map, the existing land use is multifamily. Here are some photos of the subject property. The cell tower would be located um to the rear of this existing parking lot um for the apartments. This is the site plan that was submitted by the applicant of the cell tower. You

45:18

----: can see the uh proposed elevation there. It is uh the tree style cell tower. Here's an additional survey that was submitted. So in conclusion, the applicant's proposing to erect a 130 foot monopoly cell tower and um we do find that the cell tower is in compliance with the requirements of the unified development code. Um as a part of the uh if approved, the applicant would be required to submit a final plat review to re-record that existing plat to show the um location of the cell tower. Um, but in conclusion, we do not find that this request would cause any detriment to the public good nor impair the intent of the unified development code. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
----: Thank you. I don't see any council in the queue. So, madame controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Canali. Yes. Carile. Yes. Cooper. Sutton. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes. Smiley. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Walker. Yes. Warren. Yes. Chairwoman swearing in Washington. Yes,
----: that item passes. Madam comfortable.
----: Thank you very much.
----: If you will please call item number five. Oh, I'm sorry. Wait a minute. Follow my script. Oh, now we're moving to the consent agenda. items 5 through 11 with same

47:20

----: night minutes on items 8, 9, 10, and 11. Madame Controller, if you will please call the consent agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. Item number five is an ordinance to amend ordinance number 5856 that establish rules and regulations relating to the operation and regulation of shortterm rentals in Memphis by amending section 8 compliance to detail enforcement of shortterm rentals reported as a public nuisance. Up for first reading, ordinance number 5980 is sponsored by Councilman Spinosa. Item number six is a zoning ordinance amending ordinance number 5367 of the code of ordinances, city of Memphis, Tennessee, adopted on August 10th, 2010 as amended, known as the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code to authorize a zoning use district reclassification for land located on 2021 Berry Hill Road by taking the land out of the conservation agriculture use district and including it in the residential single family use district. Up for first reading, this ordinance is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is Z26-05, ordinance number 5981. Item number seven is also up for first reading. a joint ordinance to amend the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code adopted by the city of Memphis on August 10th, 2010 and by Shelby County on August 9th, 2010 to establish a procedure for replacing the zoning map up for first reading. This ordinance is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is ZTA26-02. The ordinance number is 5979 and this was held from July 21st. Item

49:24

----: number eight in our engineering division is a resolution approving the engineering plans for intersection of A W Willis Avenue at North Fourth Street and accepting bond as security. There is a request for same night minutes. The contract number is 5499. Item number nine is a resolution accepting public improvements for Walnut Green Plan development phase one county and releasing the bond. There is a request for same night minutes. The contract number is CR5460. Item number 10 is a resolution accepting public improvements for Phillips Farms Plan development area 2A phase one and releasing the bond. There is a request for saying night minutes. That contract number is 5477. Item number 11 is a resolution accepting public improvements for 272 North Belleview Residential and releasing bond. There's also a request for saying night minutes. That contract number is 5478. Madam Chairwoman, that concludes our consent agenda items.
----: Thank you so much. Vice Ch Vice Chair Carlile, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. I've moved items.
----: All right. It has been moved by Vice Chair Carile, second by Councilman Spinosa. Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Canal, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearing Washington, yes.
----: Councilwoman Cooper Sutton,
----: yes.
----: What is actually going on with AW Willis

51:25

----: North for Street? What is the plans for this? Because it's over a million dollars to secure a bond for this engineering project. Could Yeah.
----: Yeah. We've already
----: All right. So, may I All right. So, what item number, Council Member?
----: Number eight.
----: That's it number eight.
----: All right. Without objection, I move to divide the question and remove item number eight from the consent agenda.
----: Thank you.
----: And then, so if I believe, Madam Controller, that means we're back to the main motion, which is just a consent agenda item eight. Is that correct?
----: No. No. We're just going to vote on the consent agenda without item eight.
----: Without eight.
----: Without eight. And And so that's the vote. So we put that vote back up or do we want to revote just for clarity sake?
----: Let's do that.
----: Thank you, chair, vice chair.
----: Okay. We're going to revote on the consent agenda minus item number eight. It's been moved by Carlile, second by Dr. Warren. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Nosa yes. Walker yes. Warren yes. White yes. Please show council member Cooper Sutton as voting on this item and also chairwoman swing Washington. Yes. That item passes. Now we're going to move to item number eight.

53:27

----: Item number eight is should display momentarily. It is a resolution approving the engineering plans for intersection of AW Willis Avenue at North Fort Street and accepting bond as security. There is a request for same night minutes. That contract number again is 5499.
----: Vice Chair Carlile, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll move it to the floor for discussion.
----: Okay, it's been moved by Carlile, second by Dr. Warren. Is someone here from the administration that can speak to this item? City engineer would be anybody from the city engineer's office. Great.
----: I think what I would Hey, real quick. Let me help out here. Not see anything. I think I would talk if you cannot speak specifically to this project what the typical order of operations is in this instance and why it's an ordinary course of business for your division would be if it's not then you're going to have to highlight why it might be not ordinary and that might be a problem here. So that'd be my I think what the counciloman's going to look for.
----: Yeah. I Okay. So, so Greg Dodson, um, Division of Engineering, 125 North Main Street,
----: y'all here to talk.
----: Oh, yeah. With St. Jude. Okay. They they I'm sure they will be able to share a little bit more. What I do understand is that in in regards to the ongoing work at St. Jude and the towers that are being erected, the this project involves the intersection improvements that are needed to accommodate that development. But I will definitely yield the floor to you guys.
----: Hi, uh, Robert Torak, uh, Kimley Horn and Associates. Uh, it is a traffic signal that will be installed at the intersection, uh, in accordance with that, uh, ongoing construction on the

55:28

----: St. Jude property.
----: So, would it be fair to say that when you filed your plans to improve the site, part of the city engineers requirement was to pay for the cost and the installation of this light as a matter of public safety?
----: Yeah. Yes.
----: Okay. I thought it might be the case. So, that that's a good explanation.
----: Yeah.
----: Developers.
----: Yeah.
----: Whether they're paying for it or I'm paying for it, I wanted to get an explanation of what was happening and I appreciate that. Thank you. I over oversight on my part. I missed that one. So, thank you. And it's good to know that you're paying for it and not the [clears throat] [laughter]
----: All right. With that being said, if you will please, Madame Controller, prepare the screen for item number eight. By the way, got
----: Canali? Yes. Carile? Yes. Cooper Sutton? Yes. Ford? Yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman swearing Washington, yes. That item passes. Madame controller, if you'll please call the fiscal consent agenda with item number 12 being same night minutes. [clears throat]
----: Thank you. Item number 12 should display momentarily. It is a resolution authorizing FY27 sponsorships for Memphis Parks programming in the amount of $200,000 all council districts. This resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes. And that concludes our fiscal consent agenda items.
----: Vice Chair Carlau, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh fiscal consent agenda has been read and moved to the floor.

57:29

----: All right. It has been moved by Vice Chair Carlile, second by Councilman Spinosa. Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Canali, yes. Carell, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman swearing in Washington, yes.
----: That item passes. Madame Controller, will you please call our add-on agenda items with same night minutes, items 17 through 19, beginning with item number 17. Item number 17 on our add-on agenda is a resolution to appropriate the sum of 13,672,960 funded by go bonds chargeable to the FY2027 capital improvement program CIP budget for the Southwest Twin Redevelopment Project CD01104. 4, District 6, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes. Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Chair. Committee met recommended approval and I move.
----: All right. It's been moved by Councilwoman Logan on my screen. It's not showing. And second by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. Madam Controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

59:33

----: Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman, Swarington, Washington, yes. That item passes. Madame controller, if you will please call item number 18. Item number 18 is a resolution approving proposed consolidated plan year 26 fiscal year 27 annual action plan and appropriating federal entitlement funds to the plan year 26 fisc year 27 housing and community development budget. All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the administration. There is a request for same night minutes. Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.
----: Yes, ma'am. The committee met recommended approval and I so move. It's not showing on my screen.
----: It's been moved by Councilwoman Logan, second by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Canali yes. Carlile yes. Cooper Sutton yes. Ford yes. Please show council member Logan as voting yes on this item. Smiley yes. Spinosa yes. Walker yes. Warren yes. Chairwoman swaring Washington yes.
----: That item passes. Madame Controller, if you will please call.
----: Excuse me.
----: Could you please show Council Member White uh is voting yes on the last item, please? Myra.
----: That item passes. Madame Controller, if you will please call item number 19.
----: Item number 19 is a resolution

1:01:35

----: supporting the installation of a public art mural at the Alliance Healthc Care Services Children and Youth Crisis Wellness Center, District 5, Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by Councilman Canali. There is a request for same night minutes.
----: Councilman Spinosa, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee me recommends approval. Thank you, Councilman Canali. And I so move.
----: All right. It's been moved by Spinosa, second by Ford Canali. Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Spinosa and Fort Canali. Canali, yes. Carlile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Vossa, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman swearing in Washington, yes.
----: That item passes. That moves us to our regular agenda items. Items 13 through 16. Madame controller, if you will please call item number 13. Item number 13 is a referendum ordinance to amend the charter of the city of Memphis. same being chapter 11 of the acts of 1879 as amended pursuant to provisions of article 9 of the constitution of the state of Tennessee

1:03:38

----: home rule amendment so as to establish lobbyist registration and disclosure requirements and to submit the proposed referendum ordinance to the qualified voters of the city of Memphis at the next state general election up for third and final reading ordinance number 597 77 is sponsored by Councilman Carile. This was held from July 21st. Councilwoman White, you're recognized.
----: Thank you. This matter came down without recommendation.
----: Okay. It has been moved by Councilwoman White. If you'll move it electronically, second by Councilman Spinosa. We do have one card. Miss Moses. Greetings, Pamela Moses. Um, I'm here because first I would like to say that I think it's good for change. Change is good. It's something we can all embrace. But what I don't understand is our charter is 147 years old and y'all want to make amendments. But the main thing of the charter is home rule. So night before last, I was coming from Park Avenue in Cerville where I'm campaigning and I was headed home and I saw a car wrapped around a pole. [snorts] I saw another car that was crashed and I saw about 10 state troopers and I couldn't figure out what had happened. So I had to get out and be nosy and find out. And all I know is that there was a chase and I believe those people died because there's no way possible that they could have lived with a pole

1:05:40

----: being knocked down. Now, one of my constituents, there was a young man that hit a pole. A well, actually a car hit him and he hit a pole and they kept going and they had him as responsible for paying for that poll. And those polls can go as much as $25,000. So, my thing is, if we're going to make some amendments, when is this city council or this government going to get a backbone and stop being yellow? We have MPD and we have the sheriff. The task force may be good, but it's also very bad. And somebody's got to pay for that pole. And whoever died, they're not coming back. So, I asked this city council to please make an amendment to regain some control of this municipality, which I hope to represent one day. Something needs to be done. So, put that on the ballot. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair Carl. You're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. Colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to be here when this item takes a vote. Um, I would just ask that you put this on the ballot and allow the people to speak. I think that governments, especially large city governments all over the country, are starting to look at at at lobbyist registry and and all sorts of transparency opportunities. And I think for us, this is just lowhanging fruit and something, you know, I think should have been done a long time ago. But it's really not about what I think. Um, we're just asking the voters to say, "Hey, we want the council to form this." And so I ask for your support to put it on the ballot. Thank you.
----: Okay. I don't see any other council in the queue to speak. Madam Control, if you would please prepare the screen.
----: Oh, there is a question. Wait just a moment.
----: Yes. Councilwoman Cooper said,
----: when would this proposed to be on the ballot?
----: This November. because we need to really explain to the constituents what this is. We don't want them to be ignorant to it. So, it will be on the ballot this November.

1:07:40

----: Yes, ma'am.
----: Okay. Thank you.
----: Okay.
----: Madam Control, if you'll please prepare the screen.
----: Thank you. Council members, please cast your vote for this item, this referendum item. Thank you. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman swearing, Washington, yes.
----: That item passes. Madame Controller, if you will please call item number 14. Item number 14 is a referendum ordinance to amend the charter of the city of Memphis saying being chapter 11 of the acts of 1879 as amended pursuant to the provisions of article 9 section 9 of the constitution of the state of Tennessee home rule amendment to authorize the creation by ordinance of uniform administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals that may affect the employment status of civil service employees. But for third and final reading, ordinance number 5978 is sponsored by Councilman Carile. This was also held from July 21st. All right, we have some cards. Councilwoman White, you're recognized.
----: Thank you. This came down without recommendation.
----: Okay. It's been moved by Councilwoman White, second by Vice Chair Carlile.

1:09:45

----: Okay. Attorney, wait, we'll do the cards first. Okay. Casey McCleion. I'm sorry, I can't read it.
----: Good evening, city council. My name is Casey Mcun.
----: Makun. Okay.
----: Yes. Um, I'm here to ask some questions about the civil service referendum ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carile. I keep asking myself one question and that is why now? Just months ago, this council opened a path for library workers to finally receive civil service protections through their own referendum. That was a hard one victory for workers who have been fighting for basic job security and rights here in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Now, right as the measure is headed for voters in November, this council is considering a separate vague referendum about civil service, administrative procedures, and disposition of appeals. Is it a coincidence that this appears right as library workers are asking voters for protection? If voters see two civil service measures on the same ballot, how are they supposed to know which one protects workers and which one might actually undermine those same protections? Please explain the timing and give us some clarity on what this referendum ordinance is meant to do before November. Thank you. I mean, I'll respond to that directly. I apologize. I thought I was very clear when that referendum was passed that I was going to come with something specifically like this. So, I I apologize if I wasn't specific. I just want to answer.
----: All right. Chelsea Chelshshire.
----: Good evening, council members. My name is Chelsea Cheshshire and I am uh here about item 14, the civil service referendum ordinance on tonight's agenda. Across this country, we've seen

1:11:47

----: a troubling trend. Civil service protections that took generations to build are being weakened or dismantled through administrative language that sounds harmless to the average lay person until it is too late. This is itself of a part of a larger trend towards deregulation where administrative efficiency has been used as an excuse for illegally cutting funding for necessary government programs, slashing our social safety net, and gutting protections for the people while enabling corruption. Now, here in Memphis, we have an ordinance that would let this council create administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals affecting civil service employees without properly outlining those procedures or offering an explanation for why this is necessary. My legal background indicates to me that this ordinance would attempt to sidestep necessary procedures already in place and take away due process from our civil servants. Without due process, there is no justice system, only a legal system, one that gets twisted in ways that I cannot stomach. Are you about to tell our city employees that the protections the city has long defended are now up for revision by ordinance with no clear explanation of what's changing or why. that they like career civil civil servants at the national level may be stripped of protections and reclassified so they can be fired at will causing them to fear for their livelihoods. I don't think this council wants to be remembered as the one that weakened legal protections for workers and opened the door for corruption. So I'm asking you vote no or provide detailed explanation of how the new procedures will differ from those already in place. Thank you for your time. Please protect our civil servants.
----: Thank you. Uh Jameson Harrington, remember no clapping. It's thumbs up or thumbs down, please. Jame Harrington,

1:13:48

----: I withdraw my comment.
----: Okay. Maisie Hazard.
----: Good evening, council members. My name is Macy Hazard and I am here about the civil service referendum ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carlilele. I'll be honest, I don't fully understand what this ordinance does and that's exactly the problem. The language talks about uniform administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals that may affect the employment status of civil service employees. That's incredibly vague. And for something that can change how thousands of city workers are protected, it should not be vague. When elected officials pass unclear ordinances without clear public explanation, it erodess trust and it makes people wonder what's being hidden. Memphis workers and voters deserve transparency, not confusion. So, please either vote no on this ordinance or be clear with us and explain exactly what this means. Please give us clarity. Thank you for your time.
----: Thank you. And last, Denise Ule.
----: Good evening. My name is Denise Hule. My Do I need to do my address?
----: No. Okay. All right. So, hello council members. I would also like to address a civil service referendum ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carile. As currently written, I struggle to understand the purpose of this referendum ordinance, and I'm here to ask for clarity. Government workers need protections in order to do their jobs well without fear of political retaliation or politically motivated decisions. Would this referendum give politicians even more power over our government workers? How would this impact our city's civil service system and the way appeals or grievance processes work? Is someone trying to end

1:15:49

----: ser civil service protections altogether or undermine the progress Memphis has made through the sanitation worker struggle? Would this referendum threaten the independence of the civil service board? And why is this being pushed forward now right as library workers are fighting for these exact civil service protections in their jobs? We're seeing civil service protections weakened or dismantled in other places around the country, often through vague administrative language just like this, and often as a step toward reducing the public workforce or opening the door to privatization. Memphis does not want that. We want strong public services, public libraries, and other services run by protected civil servants who can do their jobs without political interference. So, I'm asking you, is this referendum a step toward making it easier to shrink our civil service pro service workforce or weaken these protections? Please vote no. Thank you for listening and please protect our civil servants.
----: Thank you for your comments. Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.
----: Oh, you sure can. Attorney Wade.
----: Um I was interested to hear uh the comments tonight and I would like to ask the speakers if any of them know what the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act is. Raise your hand if you know. They don't. Okay. Le Let me explain. The Tennessee Supreme Court rules that any Any time that a municipal government has a proceeding that affects the employment rights of its employees, it must give them adequate due process. The Supreme Court said that the process that they believe is due and accurate is the Tennessee Administrative Procedures Act. That is an act which allows

1:17:53

----: employees protections. It gives them the right to counsel. It gives them the right to a process where just like a trial, it also has appeal rights to chancery court. This has been used in the state for disciplinary actions against teachers in universities, doctors in stateowned hospitals. It is for the protection of employees, not to their detriment. Just because we put something on the books, they believe automatically we're trying to attack them. This is for their protection. What our civil service charter provision now provides is that you have a hearing before the Civil Service Commission. It doesn't spell out what that process is. It doesn't spell out what that procedure is. It doesn't lay out a game plan, a game, a framework that the proponents, the employer and the employee know exactly what the rules of the game are. It is to level the playing field, not to dislevel it. They do not understand that this is for their protection and that the Supreme Court has mandated that we do it to protect employees, not to hurt them. So that's why this is important. And why do we do it now? We only get to amend our charter once every two years. This is something that we use for pension appeals, OJI appeals. Right now, these things are handled the same way and they go to chancery court if an employee or the employee is disadvantaged. We have been doing this forever. The county uses it. They've been using it for decades. Nobody is hurt by this amendment contrary to what they believe. And I understand you're down because you don't even understand what the Uniform Procedures Act is.
----: So, I'm just saying that's the problem,

1:19:56

----: dude. Crazy crazy work.
----: Okay.
----: Uhuh. Wait a minute. Now,
----: have order. So um with respect to the summary that you gave, could you say specifically about what exactly this ordinance does?
----: Like okay, right now this ordinance right now we do not have a a a process for how we have administrative law judges hear these cases. We do not have a process for how they are appointed. And we do not have a process that implements these rules that spells them out, which you would do by ordinance. It that's all we're doing is is conforming our actions to what the Supreme Court says we have to do.
----: And councelor, I would add I would add to that the reason is that the process as we've heard from HR is broken. It can take up to two years to to clear a case. And like that's problematic for both employee and employer. And to the point it's a bi it's bilateral. Like that's the point. I don't I don't know what's going on with all this like extra stuff. This is something we've been talking about as a problem. And so we're bringing forth again just a solution and transparency. It's going to be it's been it was held so it's been public for four weeks or or four four meetings and it's going to be on the ballot in November. So it'll be out in the public between the time it's ratified published in the paper and and I have a sneaking suspicion I know what's going to happen on some of the ballots that get put out into the marketplace of what the recommendation is going to be on this. But the point is is I think I've always come to the table in good faith and that's all I'm doing here. We have a we have a problem with the current system. It doesn't work well. And so this is a this is to basically say, hey, we want to spell out the rules for a timetable and a process. I I I yeah, I always these issues. I always struggle to see the see the issue here, but I'll yield the floor.

1:21:56

----: Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I would like a clarification. Um, for we a few months ago passed the ordinance um [clears throat] to put the option for you all to be civil servant employees on the ballot. I supported that. I'm a former Miss Click employee. I supported that with reservation because all of the library employees did not know about this. So, it's a few months later and you all are here today. You're wanting info and a clarification on what is before you, this agenda item. But what confuses me is you want info and clarification on this, but there are still currently library employees who don't know about the civil servant service resolution that we voted on a few months ago. So are we selectively saying that we want information and clarification when it comes to certain things and then when it comes to certain other things info and clarification is not important. And I close again there are still employees who don't know about this. Thank you and I yield the floor. Madam Control, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

1:24:02

----: Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, no. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. This item passes. All right. Madame controller, if you will please call item number 15. Item number 15 is a resolution authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of a financing lease in an amount not to exceed $7,100,000 relating to the acquisition of various solid waste vehicles and to approve certain other matters relating there to all council districts. This resolution is sponsored by the administration. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.
----: Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee may recommend. Oh, hold up. I see Councilwoman Cooper says in the queue.
----: Okay. Councilwoman Cooper said,
----: thank you, Chair. What the wording here certain other matters relating there to could I mean the vehicle pro various solid waste vehicles I have no problem. But what does that certain other matters relating there to mean? incidental cost, insuranceances, and all that good stuff.
----: Okay. Here, here. Thank you. Thank you, director.
----: Back in town. He's ready to talk to the council.
----: Director Davis,
----: I was excited to speak to y'all. [snorts] Philip Philip Davis down. We saw the eagerness.
----: Yes. It's It's my birthday.
----: Well, happy birthday.
----: Happy birthday.
----: Please go home. I'm I'm I'm I'm 28. Um so
----: you're under O.
----: Uh again, Phil Davis, always waste

1:26:03

----: director. It's really probably a better question for finance because I think that wording is put in there for closing cost, insurance, things like that. Um but yeah, that's it's it's kind of the all-encompassing language that allows them the latitude to pay some closing costs to the attorneys and the bank uh related to that. Okay. Thank you. Because I got a text message from a that somebody's watching online, right?
----: And they wanted to know. So, we want to put it on record to clarify what that is.
----: Yes, ma'am.
----: Thank you.
----: Thank you.
----: All right. Madam Controller, if you will please prepare the screen. Item number 15 moved by
----: Smally. Second by Spinosa. Canali? Yes. Carile? Yes. Cooper Sutton? Yes. Ford? Yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swaring, Washington, yes.
----: That item passes. Madame Controller, if you will please call item number 16.
----: Thank you. Item number 16 is a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2027 CIP budget by allocating and appropriating 7,100,000 for the purchase of various vehicles and equipment through incurrence of indebtedness via the execution of a master equipment lease. All council districts, this resolution is [clears throat] sponsored by the

1:28:03

----: administration.
----: Councilman Smiley, you're recognized. Committee recommended approval and I already moved.
----: All right. It's been moved by
----: Councilman Smiley, second by Councilwoman Logan. There are no council members in the queue to speak. Madame Comproller, please prepare the screen for the vote. Canali, yes. Carlile, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Washington, yes. That item passes. Same night minutes. All right. That brings us to our same night minutes items. Thank you, Madam Chair. Our same night minutes are items 2 8 9 10 11 12 17 18 and 19. And I said move.
----: All right. It has been moved by Vice Chair Carile, second by Councilman Spinosa. Council, please vote. Hear your same night minute votes. Canal, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Please show Smiley is voting yes on the same night minutes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. Chairwoman swearing in Washington, yes. That item passes.
----: We will now move to our general comment cards. We will start with Janice Davis and then Reverend Gordon Meyers.

1:30:13

----: If you'll please put two minutes on the screen.
----: Good evening everyone.
----: Good evening.
----: He's He going to pull up a picture for me on the screen so y'all can see it.
----: No.
----: Okay. You're not going to do pictures.
----: Okay. Okay, that's fine.
----: Thank you.
----: Okay. Uh I was bus driver for Memphis Area Trans Authority and I had spoke um last time when y'all had a meeting and I just want to know I just want to let y'all know um they didn't follow when they terminated me. They didn't follow the procedures that they supposed to on a job. Also, Miss uh Susie the the human resource manager, Thomas Davidson, he was the director and the safety manager. Okay. They fill our documents. They had filled out documents saying I had killed somebody which I did not. So, they went to the uh unemployment office. the unemployment office. They tried to deny my unemployment, but the uh lawyers from the unemployment office, they told matter that they was wrong for everything they had done to me. And uh I do have documents. Miss uh Brianna Owens, she had my documents. She gave it to Miss Chief. I'm sort of nervous, y'all. Excuse me. Miss Chief Gibson in room 336. She have all my documents and they have everything on it about what I'm telling you about what I'm saying. Um, they did a lot and I'm just overwhelmed. I'm sorry y'all. I'm about to sort of break down the way I was treated. I'mma sit down. Thank y'all. I'mma sit down.

1:32:13

----: We'll have some. But I would like for y'all to just hear me because I was mistreated. I was really mistreated. If you ever been on a bus, the brakes just constantly go, just go with without no warning. I could not stop. Somebody hit the back of the bus. That's not my fault. The mechanics weren't even certified. They put all in jeopardies. me.
----: Thank you for your comments. But
----: thank you.
----: Chief Gibson does have your documents and they are investigating. So there is a followup
----: that's going on as we speak.
----: Reverend Gordon Meyers and then Reagan Murray. [clears throat] Gordon Meyers 1167 Orville Cove, Arlington, Tennessee. Thank you for the opportunity. Um Jesus told a parable about a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people and a widow who kept coming before him saying, "Grant me justice." At first he refused, but later said to himself, "Though I have no fear of God and no respect for people, yet this widow keeps bothering, I will grant her justice before she wears me out." Here we go again. It would seem a self-evident principle of justice that the water and air upon which all our lives depend should be sustained, protected, and accessible to all. not sacrificed for the benefit of few. While XAI's promised water reuse facility is put on hold, they continue to draw almost a million gallons a day from the public resource of the Memphis

1:34:14

----: Sand Aquafer in order to prioritize construction of yet another facility which will draw on even more public resources. They pay 19 cents per 100 gallons of water. I pay 32 cents for the same water in Arlington as do the people of Westwood and Boxtown and all the communities approximate to XAI sites. These communities also pay an additional search charge on their hearts, lungs, and lifespan just for the privilege of having XAI as a neighbor. Elon Musk just announced his intention to spend $120 million to put his thumb on the scales of our midterm elections. One would think that if he has the spare cash to play kingmaker, his first priority should be to fulfill his obligations to the people of Memphis.
----: Thank you. Thank you so much for coming, Reagan Murray. And then Lucy Chambers. I'm Reagan and I'm a licensed mental health professional in Memphis. Can y'all hear me? Okay. I never done this before. Okay. Um, I'm here because I've seen multiple reports of the Memphis Unsafe Task Force and HSI responding to mental health calls in the community, which is very concerning for me because one, we all know that that's not an evidence-based practice. And two, the city still refuses to acknowledge their cooperation with the unsafe task force. The Memphis Unsafe Task Force and National Guard has already killed four people that we know of, including Tyron Johnson, Alfonso Ivy, Darren Piggrim, and Jonah Neil. Jonah was experiencing a mental health crisis and within minutes of the unsafe

1:36:14

----: task force's arrival, he had been shot and killed. HSI recently responded to a mental health call where they busted someone's door down, handcuffed them, and searched their home without a warrant prior to taking them to a local crisis center. MPD has a crisis intervention team, so I'm wondering where they were when all this was going down. I want to share some quick statistics just to illustrate how easily any of us could be in this situation. In Tennessee, one in five children and over 1.4 4 million adults experience mental illness in any given year. 3.2 million Tennessans live in a community that does not have adequate access to mental health care. And 17.9% of Miffians specifically report having poor mental health. So that's a lot of y'all's constituents, y'all not even looking when we're talking to y'all. Uh people with mental illness are up to 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter. So I ask, would our tax dollars not be better spent to improve our own city's crisis response networks instead of paying federal agents to come in and abuse and or murder Memphians? Who are my clients supposed to call in their time of need when they don't know if it's going to be an untrained federal agent or an actual mental health professional at their door? And how many more Memphis families must be harmed before y'all decide to stand up and do something? Who authorized the unsafe task force to respond to these types of calls when we all know, like I stated, this is not an evidence-based practice that supports positive outcomes for our community. Do better.
----: Thank you so much, Glenda Hicks.
----: Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Lucy. You're first. Lucy Reagan stole everything I was going to say. So now I have to freestyle. I apologize in advance. Um, people were making comments about y'all finally not being up there snacking during the meeting. But, uh, I think that maybe

1:38:15

----: y'all should be snacking because y'all are cranky tonight and kind of rude. I know everybody isn't about to retire like attorney Wade, but come on now. We're your constituents. You can tone it down a bit when you speak to us. So, I'm here about HSI responding to mental health calls. Um, I do want to for the probably only time in my life acknowledge something great that this administration has done. Starting in July, when you call 911, you get the option of police, fire, ambulance, or mental health. And if you ask for mental health, normally an EMT, paramedic, and a social worker respond. Now, I understand that there are some exceptions if someone has a weapon or if they are considered violent that you all have chosen to continue sending the police. And that's a that's a topic we can take up another day. We're we're way behind the trend on changing the way that we respond to mental health calls. But to have HSI responding like you guys made this decision, this administration made this decision because we understand that the presence of a unformed officer and a weapon is an immediate escalation. So why are we allowing HSI to respond? Who made that call? Who thought that that was a good idea? So my ask of you tonight Oh, dang. I got more time than I thought. I'm say something else. My ask of you tonight is to not spend$ 13 million [clears throat] more dollars on the police in southwest Memphis bu building this new complex until we get some answers about how the police are operating right now. Chief Davis called this this partnership a recalibration of the way that we think about our city. Why are we thinking of our most vulner vulnerable citizens are mentally ill as disposable? South Memphis doesn't even have grocery stores. And I understand the MPD likes to feed our citizens bullets, but that's not a healthy diet. And that's not what we need. We need answers. And I'm asking

1:40:16

----: you to make the chief accountable to the cities because there are a lot of people with a lot of questions. Chief among them, Darren Prim's family, Jonah Neil's family, Tyron Johnson's family, and Alfonso Ivy's family.
----: Thank you so much. Glenda Hicks, thumbs up, thumbs down. Glenda Hicks and then Rihanna Watson. Good afternoon, Glenda Hicks, co-founder 21st Century Memphis or Bust. So, um, just want to ask a question and put a question on your mind. Mr. Smiley, thank you. Question. How many of you know that your constituents have faith in you? How many of you council members know that your constituents believe that you are truly their voice, that you truly speak for them, that you truly have their best interest at heart? I am here today requesting that this body course correct. I was out of town when you all approve [clears throat] this sewer rate increase and have read over it and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I understood that a portion of this rate increase goes in effect or went in effect as of August 1. And then as of 2028, there is another increase that is to go in effect. And I I humbly asked you all, what are you doing to your citizens? We have had people literally leave Memphis

1:42:18

----: because of the over financial burdening that they're receiving in taxes. And taxes cover what? and then solid waste and then sewer and then storm water and then street light which your taxes are supposed to cover and we get all of these additional fees. Then you all have the audacity to go and jack it up. Unacceptable. Are we trying to literally someone said allow Memphis to become a welfare city? We have got to do better.
----: This is not working.
----: And then Brandy Price.
----: Good afternoon, council members. My name is
----: Hello.
----: My name is Riann Watson. I'm the advocacy coordinator for Protect Our Aquafer. Um, a lot of people in the city are trying to understand what's happening with these data centers. Um, and right now it feels like the public is always finding out after the fact. Uh, on July 31st, we learned that a fourth data center, Minihard, has already been built or had already been built, excuse me, with only local documentation showing $659 million building permit for March. We still do not know how much water that facility is using um or how much Colossus 2 is using, but we know what may be coming next. What we do know is that Colossus 1 drew about 840,520 gallons per day from the Memphis Sand Aquafer in February of 2026 during a winter month when cooling demand is lower.

1:44:19

----: For residents, this is not just about numbers on a page. It's about whether the water beneath our feet is being protected, whether our air and health are being considered, and whether people have a real voice in the decisions that shape our neighborhoods for years to come. Memphis is under national and global spotlight because of the speed at which these data centers are being established. Um, [clears throat] excuse me. Oh, lost my pl my place. uh we have the opportunity to show that growth can happen responsibly, but it requires more than promises. So, what I'm asking is that this council um advocate for SpaceX leadership to appear publicly and provide a clear timeline for the water reuse facility, full disclosure of water use across all four of these facilities, and honest information about the cumulative environmental impact of its rapid expansion. So, not just the water, but the air as well. Memphians should not have to piece together basic facts from these permits, press statements, and social media posts. We deserve transparency. Thank you so much, Brandy Price. And then Teal Wright Hello, my name is Brandy Price. I come here to say that one uh it seems like tonight the spirit of Nathan Beth fors is still here alive today living through y'all right here right now because that's that shows the amount of care that y'all actually care about your citizens. The spirit of the man who came to Memphis said, "Burn them. Burn them all into the crib." Lives through y'all right now through the decisions y'all are making right now when it comes to allowing this cancer uh uh that XAI to pollute our air and steal the water from

1:46:20

----: our feet. Uh [snorts] when I look back at history and look at the social standards and all what has repeated before, I see what's going on now. how slowly our water is being drained. How other majority black cities water have [clears throat] been drained and it's looking like they're setting up a disaster for so they can come in and like hunt each and everyone's down cuz like what what do you think the life is going to be like when the water in your city turns brown? The world's cleanest water turns brown. How do you think people going to react to that? How do you think uh do you really do we not understand that uh people most crime is out of desperation? It seems like with the unsafe task force coming in answering mental health calls as though there's freaking SWAT team. I seen this myself in my own eyes. Like literally coming in to answer a mental health crisis as a SWAT team. It seems like they're ready to set up Memphis as a shooting center. Like literally just a way to get rid of and criminalize black people here in Memphis. Like what is growth? unpre unstop growth that's cancer and XAI to meet their data standards like it's physically is not it's not able you're not able to meet those standards and answer the rules of thermodynamics like you have to constantly grow and constantly seek out new sources to keep your systems down after a while your computer chip is going to just start melting on itself and there's going to have to constantly ask for more more you people are cancer
----: thank you so much for coming down We will have teal right at this time.
----: Greetings, council. My name is Teal Wright. Um, and just in solidarity with these fine folks behind me, please protect Memphis water and Memphis Air. I'll start there.

1:48:21

----: Thank you. Let me also say uh I'm here today representing ECE Abioto and Genius Unlimited as well as the Glen View Edgewood Manor Neighborhood Association and we are having a celebration in Glen View on September the 26th with the Glen View Community Roots Festival. I just want to share a little bit about this festival with you all. We had our first one in 2024. Um let's see. So this time we have four uh four pillars that we'll be celebrating with our festival and they are uh culture honoring Glen View's history, residence and legacy through music, storytelling and community recognition, literacy um artist talks and book engagement including ECE's book don't touch a gun reinforcing learning identity and expression wellness a youth gun safety and community forum focused on safety mindfulness and prevention through education dialogue. also economic empowerment, supporting local vendors, discussing restorative economics, and continuing to introduce you to entrepreneurship and community-based economic participation. Uh, what to expect. There'll be a pop-up art exhibit featuring Glen View and South Memphis artists, a guided walking tour of Glen View, live music, poetry, and cultural performances, youth activities, arts and crafts, and family engagement. We will also honor important Memphis freedom fighters and sites through cultural storytelling and reflection. That includes Slave Haven, Underground Railroad Museum, Claybourne Temple, Zion Cemetery. Um, I'm coming to you to share that we need your support with this festival. We have raised about $3,600 so far. We have a goal of 20,000. We believe in fair pay for artists and creatives that are putting on this festival as well as giving um our neighbors in Glen View a sound festival to celebrate the neighborhood and the culture and the history of that neighborhood. You can reach me at till the [email protected] also through eggpage sites. Thank you.
----: Thank you.

1:50:22

----: Can someone get her information? All right, Chuck Thomas.
----: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'm Chuck Thomas. I reside at 5983 Mon Cove 38134. I've represented AT&T as a top officer over the last 17 years. Recently, I retired. I went to work for Southwest Tennessee Community College. I was so impressed with this college when when I served as a top officer for AT&T. I'd like to invite you to legislative day. It's going to be August the 13th, next Thursday. The president of TVA, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, came to visit Southwest. He was so impressed he's sponsoring Legislative Day. I've sent you an invite. I'd hope that you certainly return. But a couple of things about Southwest I'd like for you to understand. Number one, we have free tuition at the school. We have over 150 academic programs. We're 50% cheaper than most colleges. We're the second largest community college in the state. We have 8,000 students. I'm sorry. We have an aviation program. We're the only community college in the state with an aviation program. the only community college in the state with a mortterary science program. We have four locations and 95% of our students are placed in jobs that they're studied for. But most importantly, we have the most tenured college president in West Tennessee. That's Dr. Tracy Hall. So, at 1:00 on August the 13th, next Thursday, we'd love to invite you to the Mon Cove campus in the Borne Bloom Library to attend Legislative Day. Thank you for the great work that this council does. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you on

1:52:23

----: behalf of our students.
----: Tuition is free for all the students,
----: for all students. And most importantly, we have the Tennessee Reconnect program. So, if you're over the age of 23 and you want to go back to school and you haven't received an associates degree and you're looking for a workforce uh certificate, come to Southwest. It's an amazing college with four locations in the greater Memphis area. Thank you.
----: Thank you, Madam Chairman.
----: All right. Thank you for that great information.
----: All right. That concludes our general comments. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Second.
----: It's been moved by Councilman Ford Canali, second by Vice Chair Carile. Everyone have a safe evening. Thank you all so much for coming down. [clears throat]

Gov901

Memphis City Council: August 4, 2026

At a glance

Transcript