>>
sergeant-at-arms,
would you please call the december
16th council meeting
to order.
>> [ indiscernible ]
>> I would like to welcome
hindu statesman
, who is president of the universal
decided hinduism to lead us in a prayer
. Thank
you, sir, being with us.
the floor is yours.
>> starting with
the most sacred month,
I will be reading from
the scriptures some as old as
1500 bce
interpreted into english.
we meditate
on the transcendental
who is inside the heart the life
of the sky, and inside the soul
of the heaven. May stimulate and illuminate
our minds .
lead us
from the unreal to the real lead us
from darkness to light, lead us from death
to mortality.
strive constantly to serve the welfare
of the world by devotion to selfless
, do
your work with what is always in mind.
may we be protected
--may we work together
with no obstacles arise
between us.
piece , peace,
peace be unto all.
thank you.
>> I pledge allegiance 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.
>>
councilman, you are recognized.
>> thank you, mr. Chair.
greetings, being hereby known
in recognition of a life of exemplary
qualities, outstanding service to
the
city in many cities,
involvement in
humanitarian affairs and demonstrated
concern for governmental process has
been appointed chaplain
of the day
of the memphis city council. It is
hereby
entitled to all the honors, rights,
and privileged
pertaining to the office and to the
display the certificate given this day
, the 16th of december
by the chairman and myself.
>> thank you. >> thank
you, sir.
could we possibly
ask council members to come down and get
a photograph with our
colleague here? He has been
many places and would like to have
this as a memory.
>> would you please call the roll?
>> [ roll call ]
you have
a quorum.
>>
thank you, madam controller. I believe
vice chair swearengen-washington
has read the minutes
from december 2nd.
>> I have reviewed
the minutes,
I find them to be in order and move
for
the adoption of the december 2nd,
2025, meeting minutes.
and I so move.
>> the minutes were moved by
vice chair swearengen-washington and
seconded by council member
spinosa. Please take us
to the voting screen.
>> [ roll call ]
>> the item passes.
welcome
to
our december 16th,
2025, regular meeting of the memphis
city council.
meetings of the council should be conducted
in an orderly manner to ensure
the public has the full opportunity to
be heard in the deliberate process of
the councils retained at
all times. The sergeant at arms has
cards available
up front
and cards for members of the public wishing
to be heard on a
specific item. All those wishing to
speak must turn in their comment card to
the sergeant at arms before the item
is called . If you're not
here to speak on a specific item,
you can only request to give general
comments at the end
of the meeting and
as chair I will only recognize citizens
that are properly registered to speak
by completing a comment request card
to the sergeant
at arms. Members of the audience and
persons addressing
the council will not be permitted
to engage in gossip, make defamatory
slanderous or profane comments or
use abusive or
vulgar language. Chairperson,
the council maintain order and
any persons in violation of the
--any conduct in order to leave the
council chambers
for security personnel to remove any disruptive
person
in the council chambers
who refuses to leave voluntarily.
these rules were posted
on the door as you enter the chamber and
as you pick up comment cards. An example
of the poster is posted on the door.
signs larger than that are
prohibited and will be removed from the chamber.
all that to say
let's have a
good meeting. We have some important
work to get through. Housekeeping items.
26, 27, 29
will be held
until january 13, 2026. Item
28 will be held until march third,
2026.
madam comptroller, call item number one.
>>
item number one is a resolution recognizing
and honoring the memphis parks literally
this is
sponsored by council
member logan.
>>
but thank you, chair
and colleagues. I am so excited to
actually present these certificates.
I
attended an event
-- an amazing event at the park
--the community center in raleigh
, and it was a
joint activity among the
community centers.
the event was passport to literacy
and it was unbelievable how they came together
in the parks department, put this
program on, and now , we have
10 new published authors
from the parks department.
I felt like this is an opportunity
to recognize our
amazing parks staff as well as
our parents
and those young people that attended this
program who worked
so hard and now
they are published authors as a result
of this program. I'm going to call
their names and
asked them to call their parents name
and asked him to come down and I want
to bring up the parks director
is representing parks to talk
about the program and when I called
her name,
we will ask the parent to stand as well.
>> [ reading list of names ]
parents are
,
>> [ reading list of names ]
parents
, if you are here,
please stand.
these are
all published authors , and they
have the books with them.
come right over. I will
give you a space to tell about the
program and the others.
appreciate you.
>>
good afternoon
, council members, the mayor, and
distinguished guests. Thank you for this
resolution and
recognizing us with the literacy program.
this is
a literacy initiative of memphis parks
as
you see. They came together and
they created
and they reimagine how learning can happen
in our community.
it integrates
reading, writing, storytelling, into
the neighborhood
community centers
placed in traditional known recreation,
transforming them into spaces
where literacy creativity and youth
are forced
to thrive. Through this program
young people are not only playing
in our community centers,
they are becoming published authors, storytellers
,
and leaders. It addresses
a critical community need by
meeting youth where they are and providing
parks and recreation are more than
places to play. We are
essential to education.
to empowering youth
an opportunity of potential.
we are honored this day by you guys
recognizing us and having the grace
to
give us this on her. We thank you
for helping us cultivate the potential
and strength
by building the family's and
becoming more literate and connected.
these children
--these authors here
have become published authors throughout
memphis parks , the literacy program.
this first time event highlighted
creative expression and community
pride transforming
local kids into storytellers with books,
now available online and royalties
are earned forever. Thank you ,
thank you, thank you, from memphis parks.
>> I'm going
to read the resolution for
your hearing ,
then we will come over here and take
a picture, okay?
whereas literacy including reading and
writing is
fundamental to academic success, workforce readiness
and long life opportunity yet many children
and families in memphis continue to face
significant literacy challenges. Few
than one quarter
meet grade level proficiency in reading
on state assessments highlighting
the urgent need
for innovative acceptable
and community-based literacy initiatives.
and whereas the memphis
city council
recognizes and honors the memphis
parks literacy meets recreation program
commonly known as
bill young authors guild project
for their
successful efforts in enabling 10
authors to publish books in 2025.
and whereas the let me's rec program
and the
encourage participants to tell their
own stories and encourage their literature beyond the
traditional classroom setting
three unique opportunities
special events and interactive activities
and whereas the let me's
rec program provides
joyful and relevant
that bridge literacy and recreation fostering
a lifelong love of reading
and whereas the council member
easter-thomas lit meets rec
participants project
teach participants how to develop,
write, and illustrate and
publish their own stories
including opportunities to receive
royalties from books
sales inspiring
young people to embrace their creative potential
engaging in meaningful storytelling
and envision themselves as
published authors whose work can influence
,
educate, and uplift the community.
and whereas the memphis
city council wishes continued success
to the
memphis park literacy recreation program
and the young actors guild project
in their efforts to support youth
literacy, creativity
and positive development in the city
of memphis
now therefore be it resolved that
the memphis
city council hereby stands the
sincerest congratulations to the memphis
parks literacy
meets recreation program
and project for their outstanding
achievements and
meaningful contributions to youth
development and literacy
in memphis. Adopted december
16, 2025, district 1.
let's stand and
give them a hand. And their parents that
are here.
>> congratulations to you, we are so
proud
of you. Okay.
>> amazon and barnes
& noble.
>>
madam comptroller, please read item
number two.
>>
resolution recognizing and honoring the graduating class
of the south city leads resident leadership academy.
this resolution is sponsored by
councilwoman white.
>>
thank
you so much, chairman. I'm so excited.
I had
the opportunity to go to
the graduation , and right here beside
me is the brilliant rebecca hutchinson,
who leads
opportunity
revitalization and empowerment.
it is south
city leads resident leadership academy
and these wonderful people decided they
wanted
to learn more about our government
, how they could become engaged. Each
one of them participated in a community project
and it was the most
amazing program to see
that we want people to be more interested
in what's going on in the community
and see that these individuals decided to
dedicate
their time to serve in their communities
and learn more about
how the communities operated and make
sure they
were contributing to our
thoughts and ideas and policies that
we pass here on
the council. I wanted to
make sure we recognize not only ms.
hutchinson but
the graduates. So to the graduating class
of s.c.o.r.e.
, congratulations. Yes.
you all have demonstrated exceptional
commitment, leadership and
passion for improving your communities
through initiatives such
as community
, school initiatives, school supply
drive, neighborhood cleanup and
senior outreach.
is she here? She's not here.
one of the graduates was talking about how
before this class
she goes along with her
children and feeds meals to the children.
I want to recognize
>> [ reading list of names ]
congratulations.
we have a certificate and a gift for
each one of you all. Thank
you for all that you do.
>>
thank you so very much,
council member white. This is an amazing
opportunity
for our participants in the leadership
academy to understand what
public policy is about. These are
individuals who live work and worship
in the
south city community , which is not
far from here.
38126.
we don't believe
that we can empower residents but
we believe that they already processed
the power and what is missing is the
connection to information
resources and knowledge.
and once we help them to connect to that
, they activate that internal power
and they
can go out in the neighborhood and
they
can work with the ywca and fulfill
the wish list
of those mothers in the
senior housing. There's so much they
can do. We just heard
about what they've done .
they learn about the data in the neighborhood
and what
it looks like ,
they learn about public policy and how they can
impact public policy. They learn
how to develop the community service
project amongst so many
other things and we are very proud
of
cohort eight
and we started in 2021.
so we are excited about this and we
continue to do this work
and continued to build
into and nurture the residence and neighborhood
of south city.
thank you so much for this recognition.
>> congratulations
graduating class.
please call item number three.
>> honoring the graduating class item
number three is a of memphis academy of civil
engagement (mace).this resolution is sponsored by
councilmembers white and smiley.
>>
your recognize.
>> thank you
so much. I had to have councilman
smiley come down here. If
we could have
our former city councilwoman
along with the graduates.
first of all, I want
to thank the council
for supporting this program. Back
in 2021
when I had an idea trying to find
a way to give people more engaged
with city government so they could
learn more about our community and
what ended up happening is
we created graduates
who leave this program more informed
and feel more empowered
to get involved in the community and
become advocates for the
community. Deeply appreciative
of them and I would
like to create space for them to talk
about what this program
is doing.
>> thank
you all so much for this privilege
and opportunity. We want to
say thank you to the city council
for approving this program. It's been a
tremendous impact
in the community we are fortunate
to have some
the citizens that want to understand
the inner workings of government
want to understand how they can also
be a part of
the solutions in our community
and have deep impact in their neighborhoods
and say thank you
to our partners at
public safety at the memphis fire
and police department.
is because of the citizen to dedicate
their time and energy
to being a part of the change they
want to see in memphis. Thank you
so much.
>> I said I wouldn't speak because
I'm a little horse.
memphis is
a great city.
it is always
a humbling experience when you see citizens
to take their time for
7 weeks two and three
hours a session to learn as much as they
can about memphis
and where they can use their talent.
it
was not long ago and every time you sit
in those seats you must feel honored
and humbled . Because people entrust
their neighborhoods
and communities to you.
it's a humbling experience to serve and
that's why I'm glad they have
an opportunity to see such fine
leadership your memphis and especially
my colleague
mr. Ford.
especially my colleague mr. Ford.
I feel very honored to have served
with him and
to know all of you and thank you
for investing in our future.
but the memphis city
council commence these graduates for their
dedication to civic engagement and
efforts to strengthening
the fabric of our city. Congratulations
to
>> [ reading list of
names ]
you represent a growing network of informed
citizens dedicated
to building a better memphis. Thank you for all that
you do.
welcome and thank you for
joining us today from memphis city
council meeting.'s
>> thank you, chair. The students
are the american muslim advisory council
here.
and
we are so honored. I had
the pleasure of being in their presence
. They came to learn about the policies
and legislation here in the city of
memphis. Myself, the mayor
, and a couple more administrators
came and I wanted to tell them thank you.
they are asking, can we come back
to meeting
, and I said you sure can. Thank you.
just
excited about what you are doing and how
you're moving forward and your love
for
this country because we love you.
>> thank you
for joining us.
welcome and thank you for being here.
it's good
to see you.
>>
we appreciate you.
although our name sounds a little bit
different and I
know sometime people were laughing at us
here for names
, but we've been here for
so long and we really appreciate
what memphis gives us and we would
like to give back to
the city here as well. We, as muslims,
we
are proud to be the fabric of
this city .
you probably don't know that the 1990
it was really
the case of
[ indiscernible ] who really
--more representation for everyone
for african americans and minorities
to
be on the city of memphis. Used to
be
they had a councilman at large and
that really took away all the
presentation of the minorities. Just
as we
do have that contribution
, we also would like
to show there are a lot of other things offered
to the city of memphis and we are
proud as well.
many of us were born and raised here
and went to public school here and
we are
very proud to represent the city of memphis
,
and we want to thank the council for
providing us
this opportunity to be here as well
and to recognize our efforts. We appreciate you.
thank you.
collies,
forgive me. I did not mention
it at the beginning of the meeting,
but item number four was held in planning
and zoning so it will be held
for 3 weeks until
january 13th meeting. Please call
--I'm sorry,
the second meeting in january
so that would be the 27th of january.
held until the 27th.
please take us to item number five.
>>
resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 of the memphis and shelby
county unified development code
approving a planned development at the subject property
located at 7913 dexter road.
this resolution is sponsored by the division of planning and
development.
applicant: case no. Pd 25-14
>>
madam vice chair, your recognize.
>> this item was sent down with a
favorable recommendation
and I so move.
>>
item 5 was moved by
vice chair swearengen-washington seconded by
council member spinosa.
does any member want to hear from
the applicant?
very good. Please take us to
the voting screen.
>> [
roll call ]
>> that item passes.
please take us item number six.
resolution pursuant to chapter
9. 6 of the memphis and shelby
county unified development code approving a special use
permit at the subject property
located at 577 east raines road. This resolution is
sponsored
by the division of planning and development. Case
no. Sup 25-24
.
>> thank you, chair. The committee met
, there was a
favorable recommendation for this site.
they have an impressive plan
and have been partnering with one
of the local memphis city shelby county schools. Thank
you
and I so move.
>> that item was
moved by vice chair swearengen-washington seconded
by
council member green. I do have a
comment card.
your recognized.
>> thank you so much.
please give us your name and address.
>>
dr. Franklin
1755 ash. 38108.
good afternoon, city council members.
as we gather for the final meeting of
this year, I want to acknowledge the citizens
of memphis in our
local government. We've been
fortunate to have incredible leaders
like you
, yet we face many challenges that
often
go seen. In this chamber we
ask men and women of faith are united
in prayer
for you and the decisions
that will propel her city forward.
inspired by the bibles call, follow
peace
with all men. We are actively engaging
in a prayer watch with many groups
throughout
the city in joining us at this very moment.
we are playing not just here in the chambers but
online and
in various groups.
believing god's guidance as we look
toward 2026 and work
together in unity. Scripture
reminds us my people are called by
my name
will humble themselves and pray
see my face and then will I hear
from heaven and here
--this urgency resonates deeply as
we gather today. I
genuinely wish for the best for
my community.
I encourage each of you to join us in a moment
of prayer
as we physically are present here.
we are spiritually connected
to those playing across the
memphis city. Remembering the scripture that
warns us of our responsibility.
the blood will be on our hands. As
we conclude
25 and
reflect on the city affairs, I pray
as we answer
2026 our decisions
are prioritize the collective needs of
memphis
over personal interest. I also
invite everyone in this chamber
to wear red symbolizing the
blood of jesus. This serves as a powerful reminder
to our
city council that we all share the responsibility
for the direction in which we take.
the bible says what can wash away our sins
and the answer
is nothing but the blood of jesus. As we approach
this final governing meeting of the year
we face many ups and downs from the school board to the county
commission and the memphis
city council. Yet I faith in god and
in
each of you that together we can try to do what is right
for memphis , tennessee,
may god bless you and keep you.
>>
thank you,
dr. Franklin.
>>
number 6? Thanks.
>>
please take us to the voting screen for item number six.
correct.
please cast your vote
for 6.
>> [ roll call ]
>> that
item passes.
>>
item number seven is aresolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 of the memphis and shelby
county unified development code approving a special use
permit at the subject property
located at 1032 hale road.
this resolution is sponsored by
the division of planning and
development. Case no. Sup 25-27.
>> ma'am, vice chair, your recognize. >> the
committee met
there was a favorable recommendation and I
so move.
>> seven was moved by vice chair swearengen-washington and seconded by
council member spinosa. Does anyone wish to hear from
dpd
or the applicant?
please take us to the voting screen.
castor
wrote for item number seven.
>> [ roll call
]
>> please call item
number eight.
>> number eight resolution pursuant to chapter
is a 9.6 of the memphis and shelby county unified development
code approving a special use permit at the subject property
located at 5133 park avenue. This resolution is sponsored by
the division of planning and development. Case no. Sup
25-32.
>>
madam vice chair, your recognize.
>>
the committee met there was a favorable recommendation, and I so
move.
>> item number
eight was moved by vice chair swearengen-washington
seconded by council member spinosa.
I have one comment card.
if you would approach the podium
and you have two minutes.
>> thank you, chair.
5442 sunday away.
I wanted to bring some things
to your attention concerning this
item. 5133
orange mountain park. We've been moving and discovering
different things and
the gas stations
we've been looking at, that's why I
think the elder who came
from india
, we just
played against utah
but showing the connections spiritually. We have been finding
some
issues with some people
who own these gas stations.
I want to inform you to take a closer look
at the expansion of these gas stations.
I have
[ indiscernible ] behind me so I will talk to
her privately and I will have some
of
my concerns hopefully, you know, those
questions
answered. And then we can move forward
,
and I will be able to email you all
privately as well
concerning this matter. But I want
to inform everyone to please take
a close look
at the gas stations. Thank you.
>> thank
you.
colleagues, any questions?
does anyone want to
hear from --
all right.
name and address.
but thank you, mr. Chairman.
the applicant
partnering
with the applicant on the record
has been developing these particular stores
in memphis for the last 15 years or so.
we are just under construction on
one
at the polo grounds your topgolf.
he's built extensively
in bartlett
and germantown and is a resident
of memphis and shelby county and has
his offices in collierville. His wife
was
on the design review commission in collierville.
they live in south wind
and they are here permanently.
>>
does anybody want hear from dpd?
if anyone has any
questions, I would ask you day
>>
is there
any opposition
? No?
okay.
>> anyone else? All right.
please take us to
the voting screen.
>> [ roll call ]
>>
that
item passes.
>> madam comptroller, take us to the
regular agenda to item number 34.
>> number
34 is
to
mend the operating budget this
resolution is sponsored by the administration
and help
from december 2nd.
>>
your recognized.
>>
I can't remember the recommendation.
I believe this came down with no recommendation. I will move it
to the floor for discussion.
>> 34
was moved by
council member carlisle.
>> I
didn't know I was in the queue.
this is the
fire item.
>> before
I go to the voting
screen I have one comment card.
>> hold on,
mr. Chairman.
technically they're supposed to be
a vote
on the but I know that the rules
given the fact we're talking about
a $2 million changed the budget,
I think, if I may ,
thank you. I motion
to hold the last meeting in order
to try
and work on a solution that would
acknowledge with the councils trying
to do specific to
fire employees. I spent
35 or 40 hours going through eight years of
audits. I could not get answers to questions
on this year's current audit.
I failed through committee to get
specific answers
to specific questions with specific numbers.
the more I spent time with
the audit
, the more I realized kind of where
we are at
and I'm in the same allotment for
the new year because I think it applies
to the budget
versus general financial health
and they are two different things.
but ultimately
I didn't find a single trigger
because I couldn't get the complete information to tie a
trigger to in order to make sure we
are in financial health.
I can continue to go through every metric
for 2
1/2 hours on why no business
public entity under the sun
should make this decision today
based on the current information it
has. Partial would be an understatement.
I can answer
financial questions but I don't really
think everybody wants them the way they
want to hear
them and we would probably be here for
too long.
to say we have a spending problem would
be an understatement of that epic proportions.
incrementally we've spent over half
$1
billion in the last five years.
200 million accelerate memphis
that was --we picked
up an incremental
260+ million dollars in federal funding
and guess
what our property tax collections
were
on point the whole time. State sales tax on point
all time. We
had moments where there were gaps
in
what we used to budget too, meaning
if you go back and look at our audits
to budget
we would pick up an extra 20 to 40 million
throughout the year.
budget is what you make it
and you're relying on
the information given to you by the
administrators at that time. We
are crossing administrations.
when I say to you that we collected --
we lost
the hall income tax. That is true. But it was
made up by
[ indiscernible ] so
there was no real funding gap. When
I say incremental, incremental, hard
cash that's gone out
the door. We did real work and we
did parks, right? So what's
the financial picture. We raised taxes
and spend an extra half 1 billion
and you have to
ask to be get there? And that's the
question we will broach january,
february, march to make sure we have an
understanding and we can get
into today and I know you don't
want to. We need to keep the main
thing the main
thing. I've had a very good working relationship --
I'm not saying
there's anything nefarious or malicious going on.
there just a lot of questions
that cannot be answered today. That's okay. We've made decisions on
partial
information before and I respect every
member's reason. As the three maybe
four your budget chairman it won't be on
sound financial ground
, full stop.
when jim strickland took office in 2015
our balance
was $91 million.
he took office because his responsibility was billed a city
guided by
bad financial decisions and reduced revenues.
cut first responder pay and benefits. When he
left office --114 million.
today it's that 91
million cash on hand. It's actually
less than
that. It's 91 net liabilities.
we know
where 15 million so it's really 76 million.
you will
draw down the extra 2 million cynee at
74 million.
fiscal policy is
8%. If you read a
bond reports from moody's or s&p everything
is shifted.
that is not anyone in the fire department's fault.
that's not anyone
in the association's fault.
they advocate the way they want to only allow
to happen because we are the keepers
of the ecosystem here.
that goes for every other association
and employed it comes down or anyone
that talks
to us.
I will rap this up but it's a big
thing since I spent 35 hours I
feel I have a minute to talk on. Over that time
city has declined in population so every
time we raise taxes,
you heard me today
second-largest taxpayer went from
bellsouth communications to the memphis
city center
revenue corporation
holding 300 million in real estate.
the last and final
thing I will say and I will be quiet
that I take a very personal issue with and I
will directed,
but personally you know I never enter into
an agreement on any
two-year deal
when I can't I've been clear we cannot be
--in the very first
year together we tried to work through
couple things but I respect
your position but I will not be called a liar
, I will not be called a cheat , I
will not be called anything
other than what I am,
which is I do I simply
do and work my tail off for the city and am speaking
for myself.
I built
an entire political reputation on that and
I hold very dear.
I try to support everyone's needs and wishes within
some sort of
economic reason
. I'm telling you now we are getting to the end of
that rope. For far too long
it's always we will figure it out
and memphis has bumped along and survived.
but step back from to city hall and think
about what's happening in the environment.
shelby county is having the
tissues on revenues. They had to get the state comptroller to borrow money. The public transportation system has a [ indiscernible ] the memphis city school board is
about
to see the county commission. They've a
$2 billion budget
and they received half 1 billion and
somehow we are still fixing units.
we somehow managed to raise taxes.
my point is I'm
telling you we
may have the cash in the account today, but
that is not going to
last if we don't make changes soon.
I know a lot of people here the term broke and
they
say from trout and bar the door and
on
the street. We
are broke if we don't make changes.
we cannot continue down this. It's an
unsustainable path. We can't tax the same base.
the people that are mobile belief.
this
is a yellow flashing light
from where I'm sitting, and maybe I'm
an idiot. Maybe I am
an idiot.
but my biggest thing is
this. This body has the final authority over the budget
.
may your
offered 0% ,
the impasse committee accepted a recommendation in this body
in the place
that accounts set three across the board
for
everyone. I respect
what is being lobbied for, but I don't
know how it's any different for any
other association whose agreements
were passed
. For me, not only is it a $2 billion problem,
it's a
$19 million problem
because if
I'm in another organization on the say will
they got their
raise that was promised, where's mine.
those
are just my general thoughts.
it has nothing to do
with the performance of the fire department
or individuals elected to lobby for them.
I will
get into the overtime. But in the reality, this body is not a
party to an mou between the mayor
and
the associations. We
are just not. There's no signed agreement.
this
is the truth. We typically agree those
deals because it takes the pressure
off
of -- it saves months
and hours
and hundreds of thousands if not millions
of
dollars in salaries, legal fees ,
and everybody's opportunity costs
to come down here from
december and sometimes to july to deal
with the same five groups
instead of proactively
going about what we really want to do.
so I'm going to leave it
at that. I respect everyone's position
in
this, I really do.
but on a personal level I'm not can
be called a liar or a thief or
saying I went back on my word.
I've been crystal clear from the beginning
of what our authority is
about where position is
and I know other members probably feel the
same. At the end of the day
I respect everyone's vote on this I'm
telling you right now if you think
we
will have the money, there's cash in the
account
but you don't have the longevity to go
the
distance if we spend this way continually. The mayor said
it himself. Whatever
huge number was thrown out there for 5
years ago indicated when we said
leases and obligations and inflation,
the comment was
it's going to take -- unless there's
some other
large federal chunk of money coming
, we have to work with what we have
to work with
and to dr. Warren's point you can raise
taxes again . With that, I yield the
floor.
>> thank you.
any other members wish to speak? I
have two public comment cards.
john, you are first. You have two minutes.
>>
I
yield my time.
>> all right.
amber sherman.
>> I yield my time.
>>
my dressed is 6070 --
I want talk about this is
fiscally irresponsible. Every year
we have a budget season
and folks talk about having to raise taxes
and actual citizens in memphis don't get the services we
need but you continue to approve things
and make people like they are going get
a
raise when you don't have the money
to pay for it and they are not underpaid.
I know several firefighters.
they are getting what they wanted, but we don't have the
money to do that.
I think it's important going into
the next budget season that you are
more
fiscally responsible and
listening to people about what we
want funded.
we talked about parks and summer school and
summer camp
and talked about more
recreational things. We
are talking about giving firefighters more money
we don't have. We don't have the money to
pay it. Stop
approving things when you know you don't
have the money. Thank you.
>> thank you.
nobody else right.
council member white, your recognize.
>>
I think
I'm not going to go for number four.
my
question is , and I don't know if
there's
someone from the administration but
when we left here
the last time it was what
part of money is this can come from
? Toward the end
of committee it was mentioned some
additional money had been found from
I
think reimbursement. And we got down here
we discussed another pot of money
at one point
I don't think I made a motion for
come over
time line and left with
council
member green, where did we land on
how this is going
to be paid for
-- funded?
>> chief adams.
>>
antonio adams.
it's
my understanding that this money is
a reimbursement for training
that firefighters received.
this money was originally supposed to be booked in fy
25 and
it was received in fy
26. It will be coming from the fire
-- fire department. So fire division personnel.
>>
okay. I don't know
if you were here last time.
kind of, -- I
think --
I'm sorry.
aside from
that money the whole idea was is
still money that should technically go back
to the general fund. It still the same
pot of money. Does that make
sense? We
were looking at some other alternatives
to funding
--we were trying
to find
something that fiscally was responsible
and made sense. In light of us
trending down in
expected revenues and exceeding
budgeted expenditures.
so I said
if this is the rule of the
body one thing I recommended was it
come from the over time line being fire
at the time of the quarterly report
was about $1 million and
what
the quarterly budget would be at that
point in time.
am I making sense? We were saying
to take 1.7 from
the overtime.
I didn't know --in the resolution it
doesn't specifically say what would
come from
in addition to that is a consideration
--and I don't know of the chief is
here and we have this chief here.
I don't know if
so overtime will be needed.
with respect
to other items in other areas in the personnel line, we've looked at
in the past full-time salaries.
we will delay classes.
it would only exacerbate an issue
with respect to replacing
personnel. So, again,
our logic was to take
the reimbursable and reallocate
the reimbursable. I
understand the argument and the logic
respect to
not using that , but that's where
we identified
that it was unobligated dollars that we
could use this year
to cover
that 2%.
I'm just
--
>>
I
think the chief financial officer's on
the way but the point is on a reimbursement
this
is my point. There's too much dancing around
using the term budget and budget year in
fiscal year. We don't get to the end of the
race and leave the
arena and go play in the next arena.
it's one house, and the point
is with took $15 million out-of-pocket
to pick up 101 positions the year before
that were unaccounted for.
that cost us $15 million
of credit, which affects our
borrowing ability and every year we pay more to
borrow money. You need to put it
back and [ indiscernible ] it's not
as expensive.
this is the stuff
I'm trying to be professional here.
I'm not can argue anymore about it.
I know what I'm talking about.
I know that because I've sat here
at certain times
in this, that, and the other and here's
the reality. I've gone through these documents.
but I will say this one more time.
that $2.2 million
came in because we spent money
and came back to pay us
back for. That is not
net new revenue.
it's obligated to pay back thing that
it
went to expense. Furthermore it's an ongoing
obligation.
if you go back and look at the
bond rating
if
you read the audit from last year,
one of the specific
notes talks about the increased pensioners
and
premium obligations related
to all the first responder raises.
we spent
an incremental $100 million
from 2015 through 2023 and
public safety. Maybe shorter years. The same amount
of money. I don't want to make about
--
it's not about fire or non-represented.
if we are to make this decision, make it
because you
want to give fire raise and stop telling
me you have money somewhere in the account.
cash is physically there and will
be there until it runs out but every
time you draw down and say
it's magically
to the point he just said we can't
manage to
the overtime , they know they're going
to run into all that over time.
we get to the end of the year with
you
to overtime or not there will be reconciliation.
you're just adding 2,000,002 it. If you
want to
vote for that, do it. But
we are not to talk around how or why
were doing it.
the sun good essay and I will leave
it alone.
antonio,
you know I love you but were trying to find
ways to make it stick the right way and we
received the
money this year.
but the idea we are not can acknowledge
what happened the year
before is insane
to me because again we started at 114 million
in 2023
and now we are down to 91 million
and within a draw down another 10 million.
when does it stop? When the controller
comes in? Last time we had to cut salary
was, as we had ongoing pension liabilities
increasing salaries and less revenues
and
you can ask the attorney what the temperature
was in
the room in 2012 and 2014.
I yield the floor.
>>
councilmember logan.
>> when I came
on board
the one thing I said since I got here and
I said to the chief and
chief adams is we do
not want to spend all of
our money. In our rainy
day fund. We don't want to spend all of our savings.
we don't have bad credit. There are some
things as a
city that is so important. Our credit rating is so
important for the
debt we get that we are able to
do projects with. Changing that credit
rating is can it change the trajectory of
how we are
able to borrow money
in the debt service pays a lot of things that
we use. Just having the responsibility as a councilmember for this
fiscal soundness
of your city I know several
other cities that are in trouble financially
in
our state. And we already know
how the state handles
us as it relates to the finances.
so we have to be prudent
as to how we move
within that savings, and unfortunately
a lot of the information we
have now or that I have now I did not
have before
we went through the
impasse process because during the
impasse process we all want to be hopeful
and we all
want to give -- show
our gratitude
and how we stand behind
our employees
. However, if information comes along
after that
that lets us know
that it may not
be the best idea, that's why we have
that whole process. It's unfortunate
that we don't have even now
some of the information that was requested.
we can at any point
give raises. We
can at any point come back to this.
right
now not having all the information
that's needed that's been requested
, it appears
we are to come back in january and
look at that and it changes
the way we may have looked at it previously.
I want to say for the public consumption
that you
may hear that we
live for say one thing during that time.
that is not actually the case. If
you get more information you
have to make a better decision. Not that it won't happen,
it just may not
be the perfect time now. So I didn't want
to let the constituents know because
another thing that we always said is
we need to pay our staff
--we need
higher wages in our city. We are for higher
wages and that starts with the city government.
but we have to do it responsibly , and I
would like for us to be able to plan
for that
look at exactly where
we are in determining that way forward.
I
wanted to share that for the public
because we are responsible for making sure that we
stay sound as a city. Thank you.
>>
council member smiley.
we said we would do it. I think time I've
been on
this counsel for a significant amount
of time
when it comes to issues of budget,
we divert to the full-time employees.
and the full-time employees are telling
us today they can find the money within
the budget.
I'm not sure
why we are spending so much time talking
about this
but I understand the concern. I'm
going to toss it to the councilperson
to close it up.
>> I've been here a long time.
>> you can
believe me the long time I've been
working on the budget the first thing on
my mind make sure
ratings are going to be right.
you can go
and call all the other mayors.
I
will go back to harrington.
but the budget
is very important.
where wasting a lot of time.
let
me get you across the street since
were talking about
the comptroller.
across the street
with those commissioners
would've done their job, a
medical back to budget. My son worked
on the budget.
if
you check around, I'm serious now.
the comptroller came in
because they did not turn
in nothing.
they did not know what to turn in.
that's --
now they got the call
and I spend this
money now. Comptroller
for years. Even sent them
just feel this out.
that's how trifling they were
. Since we want to talk
about control.
[ indiscernible ]
I think we need to vote this on and
get
beyond this . The money is there.
everybody keeps saying it's not or
does. It
is there.
it's not going to affect our ratings.
I don't want to give the fire department anything
, but
what is going on, yes.
I think we will all be okay.
we need to move forward.
chase, I love you to death.
but I've had many more budgets and
I worked on
--
you wasn't here. We used to have --
you were here. Yes.
we
were here working on budgets until
1:00 a.m. In the morning.
I was the chair.
they wanted to
just, let's do this and I recessed
on them. And said
when you get these numbers right,
we can go back
into session.
I ordered pizza , do you
remember that? They said
, well, can we do this while
we were eating pizza? No. You eat
the pizza
and think about it first. And then
come back and do what
is supposed to be. You remember that,
don't you?
we had everything correct. We went
through a lot with kobrick.
okay?
strickland and not just him.
everyone was
getting money
. They didn't know
it was going to come to an end sooner
or later.
that's what we are
looking at. If you look at some of
these
other cities, we are doing much better.
we have
2 million out there. To great people
out there. They know
what they're doing.
I think
we just need call for the vote
and vote your conscience today.
let's get this over and move forward. It
would be okay. We are to
be okay.
I'm through.
>> thank you.
council member walker.
>> thank you, mr. Chair. I
will have to say this is one of my most
disappointing moments
since I've been on the council
. I really don't understand why the
lawsuit
was filed. We said we would make good
in january. January is less than a
month away. Insider understand
--I really don't understand why the
lawsuit
was filed . This counsel
does support the race
in case
--you support
the race. We
are not clear on the money. Where
the money is or
is not. So
how can we have the money and then
not have
the money simultaneously?
it's kind of like faith and fear
cannot occupy the same space at the
same time, so how can we have
the money then not have the money.
in closing I want to repeat myself
and say I'm not clear
on why the lawsuit was filed in the
first place.
thank you, mr. Chair.
>> thank you.
please take us to the voting screen.
item number 34.
>> [ roll call ]
>> we have
eight yeses.
>> the item passes.
>> when you have faith, you
fear nothing. Faith
always overrides fear.
I just want to say, you know,
the lord said
bring your burdens and leave
them there. The problem with
a lot of people is they take their
burdens to him
and they say ,
I'm still worried about it. So you
know what? It tells god
that you do not believe in me. But
if you take it to him and you leave
it there
and go on about your business, he
can show up and show out and
if anybody can say
--20 some years ago
they tried to send
me to . Three years. My lawyer
thought I was crazy.
everything I
told my attorney it happened. My attorney
gave me
big old bill. Let me just say
this, now, after everything was
over he came to me and said, you
owe me not a dime.
he can show up and show out all you
have to do is leave
it there. Thank you. I just had to
say that.
but thank you, councilman.
>> take
us
to item 35.
>>
is an appointment planning
and development director and there's
a request
for minutes.
>>
council member easter-thomas, you
are recognized.
>> the committee met and recommends
unanimous
approval and I so move .
>> item number 35
you beat me to it.
moved by council
member easter-thomas seconded by council
member green.
do you want to speak? But very briefly.
>>
I wanted to say thank you for your
support for this appointment
and I look forward to continuing
the work of
the division and a quick thanks to my family
for being here as well. Thank you.
>> [ applause
]
>> thank you,
mr. Ragsdale. We look forward to continuing
to work
with you and we appreciate you. Congratulations.
>> don't talk yourself out
of it.
thank you.
>> --
>> [ roll call ]
>> that item now passes. Congratulations, sir.
>> [ applause ]
>>
please call
item number 36.
>>
a reappointment of
darius jones to the solid waste municipal
planning board
and appointments of
[ indiscernible ] there's request
-- these are appointments and reappointments to the
solid waste municipal planning board.
>>
your recognized.
>> the committee recommends approval
and I so move.
>> 36 is moved
by council member easter-thomas and seconded by
council member carlisle.
the council wanted to hear from
-- they're not coming tonight? Right.
does anyone have any questions? Comments.
mr. Jones.
your recognized.
>> I want to thank you and the city council for support
on this nomination.
thank you.
>> yes,
solid waste administrator.
I want to thank you for
the appointment
. I've been working with the city going
on 15 years now and started
from the bottom as a mechanic
helper and here I am now
hopefully to do good things and help out
the
community.
>> thank you.
>>
philip davis.
solid waste director.
andy the other nominee was present this
morning
and committee and he's the head of
the development corporation
very involved in the solid waste and
recycling initiatives and
we are happy to have them
on board with the solid
waste board.
>> thank you, sir.>>
please take us to the voting screen.
>> council members, please cast your vote.
>> [ roll call ]
>> the item passes. Congratulations.
please call item number 37.
>>
a resolution
to outtake an appropriate
$2,600,000 in
city council community grant funds
to nonprofit agencies
for fy26.
all council districts, this resolution
is sponsored by the memphis city council.
this request for
[ indiscernible ]
>>
thank you, mr. Chairman.
I recommend the approval and I so
move.
>>
can I get a second?
please take us to the voting screen.
>> [ roll call ]
>> that item passes. >>
please call item 38.
's
>> item number 38 is a resolution
to allocate an appropriate
and transfer a sum total of
$3,920,000
through
[ indiscernible ] award 11516
to
the first part of the city's pledge
of funding to
the clubhouse. Project to
be announced and to design
the jesse turner park improvements project
number to be announced later. District
four and
five and super district 8 and nine.
this resolution is
sponsored by the administration and there's
a request for same night minutes.
>>
council member carlisle.
>>
I recommend the
approval and I so move.
>> 38 was
moved by council member carlisle.
and seconded
by council member warren.
I would like the whole council to
sponsor
this.
>> please take us to the voting screen.
would you please hold the
voting screen.
council member easter-thomas is glasgow attorney
question.
>> thank you. All right. Members,
if you have casted your votes for
38, and whenever you
have casted your votes, you can release
the voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes.
easter-thomas,
yes. 40, yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
smiley, yes. Logan, yes. Swearengen-washington,
yes. Warren, yes. White, yes.
chairman canale, yes.
>> that item
passes. Thank you, colleagues. Madame
comptroller,
please call item 39.
>>
item number 39 is a resolution authorizing
final payment fy
2026
tax equivalent payment from memphis light
gas and water divisions electric system
and total distribution of the fy 2026
tax
equivalent payment
to taxing jurisdictions in shelby
county, tennessee. All
counsel districts. This resolution
is
sponsored by mlg w and
there is a request for same night
minutes.
>>
councilmember spinosa, you
are recognized.
>> thank you, chairman canale, chair recommends approval
and I second
period
>> 39 was seconded by green, moved by
spinosa, seeing no members in the queue, please bring the
voting to the screen.
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes.
ford, yes. Green, yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
spinosa, yes.
swearengen-washington, yes. Walker,
yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairman canale, yes.
>>
that item passes.
>> madam comptroller, please call item 40.
>> item
number 40
is a resolution authorizing the final payment
of the fy 2026 tax equivalent payment
from memphis light, gas, and water
divisions
gas system and total
distribution of the fy 2026 tax equivalent payment
to taxing jurisdictions in shelby county, tennessee. All
counsel districts. This
resolution is sponsored by
mlgw.
there is a request for same night minutes.
>> councilmember spinosa, you are recognized.
>> thank you, committee chair,
committee recommends approval.
>> item 40 was
moved
by spinosa, seconded by warren. Seeing no members in the queue, please
take us to the voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes.
cooper-sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa,
yes. Swearengen-washington, yes. Walker,
yes. Warren, yes.
white, yes. Chairman canale, yes.
>> that item passes.
madam comptroller,
please take us back to our mlgw fiscal
consent items.
numbers 12 through 24.
>>
item number 12 is a resolution approving contract
number 12658 reliability
coordination agreement, for a period
of january 1st, 2026,
to december 31st, 2026,
stipulating that a sum of $1,147,890 will
be furnished by the division for
the tennessee valley authority to
act as mlgw's designated reliability
coordinator.
item number 13, is a resolution approving ratification,
renewal, scope change, and increase
to
contract number 12276,
mobile radio replacement with leonardo
u.s. Cyber and security solutions, llc, to
ratify, renew,
expand the scope and increase the
current contract in
the funded amount of
$819,262. Item
number 14,
is
a resolution awarding contracts number 12601,
ips energy, to ips-energy
usa, inc.
in the funded not to exceed amount
of $479,216. Item number 15
is a resolution awarding contracts
number 12661, variable frequency drive, for
the
lng plant to
second. In the funded amount of $419,212.
item 19 is a purchase order
for vertical turbine,
and motor assembly to wastewater solutions llc in the amount of $229,445.
item number 17 is
a resolution awarding contracts number
12610,
allen
pumping station reservoir baffling
and piping installation to
kajacs
contractors, inc. In the amount of $12,750,000. Item
number 18,
is a resolution approving ratification
and renewal to
contract number 12435,
external corrosion direct assessment
with integrity solutions field services inc.
to ratify and renew the current contract
in
the funded amount of $228,000. Item
number 19 is a resolution
approving increase to contract number 12244
smart sheet with smart sheet inc. To increase the current
contract value in the funded amount
of $45,750.03.
item number 20
is a resolution awarding contract number 12547,
enterprise synergy frames and
gen11 compute modules for vdi to logicalis, inc.
in the funded amount of $1,104,904.50.
item number 21 is
a resolution awarding
purchase order for palo alto firewalls
for the 5g
project to unico technology, llc in the amount of
$340,798.00.
item number 22 is a
resolution awarding purchase orders for crew cab trucks with
enclosed service bodies to automation
ford memphis in the amount of $163,142.00 and nashville automotive llc dba serra chevrolet buick gmc for
$88,500.00.
item
number 23, is a resolution
approving renewal to contract number 12563
--
mlgw flower planting, mulch maintenance, & turf area management with enlightenment
inc.
doing business as
aps facility maintenance to renew the current contract in the funded amount of
$95,517.12.
and our final item, number 24,
is a resolution approving an annual salary
in the amount of $178,552.80
for a new hire to fill
the vacant position of director, central
support services.
there is a request for same night
minutes for that
item, mr. Chairman, and
that concludes your mlgw consent items.
>> well done, madam comptroller. >>
thank you, mr. Chair.
>>
councilmember spinosa, you are recognized.
>> thank
you, chairman
canale. Committee recommends approval and
I so move.
>> mlgw is moved by spinosa, seconded
by green. Seeing no members
in the queue,
members, please cast your votes for
the mlgw fiscal consent.
>> carlisle, yes.
cooper-sutton, yes.
easter-thomas, yes.
ford, yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
spinosa, yes.
swearengen-washington, yes. Walker,
yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairman
canale, yes.
>> that item passes.
madam comptroller, please take
us to the consent agenda items number 10,
nine, and 10.
>>
we will have a display on the
monitor, momentarily. On our consent
agenda, we
have item number nine,
a referendum ordinance to amend article
34, section 250,
of the home rule charter of the
city of memphis, relative to the classification of
officers and positions,
exemptions from article,
to amend the classification of employees
of the
memphis and shelby county public library
to
allow civil service status up for
first reading.
ordinance number 5966 is sponsored by
councilmembers smiley,
canale, cooper-sutton, easter-thomas, ford,
green,
spinosa,
swearengen-washington, walker, and
warren.
item number 10 is also up for first reading. Ordinance
amending the memphis and shelby county unified
development code, as adopted
by the city of memphis on august 10th,
2010,
and by shelby county on august 9th,
2010,
as amended, to revise the zoning and
subdivision regulations within the
city of memphis, pertaining
to core lecture facilities specifically
detention
centers, jails, and prisons, up for
first reading. Ordinance number 5958
is sponsored by
councilwoman easter-thomas.
it
was held from december 2nd. Mr. Chairman,
that concludes our consent agenda
items.
>> thank you,
madam comptroller. Madam vice chair,
you are recognized.
>> thank you,
chairman. The committee met,
there were favorable recommendations
for both of these items, and I so
move.
>>
consent was moved by swearengen-washington,
seconded by carlisle. Councilwomen
white, you are recognized,
followed by
councilwomen green.
>> thank you,
chairman, I will be recusing from
this matter, specifically item 10,
as I am
not officially on the county commission.
>> please
show white as a recusal. Councilwomen green,
you are recognized.
>> thank you, chair.
I just want to
note for the record that when item
number 10, the ordinance regarding the
jails
being held and heard in committee,
I asked to be added
as a cosponsor and that was approved without
objection so I would just
like the record to reflect that.
>>
all right. Thank you, councilwomen.
please show
green as a cosponsor, white as a recusal,
and take us to the voting screen, please.
>>
carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, abstain. Easter-thomas,
yes. Ford, yes. Green, yes. Logan,
yes. Smiley, yes.
spinosa, yes. Swearengen-washington,
yes. Walker, yes. Warren,
yes. White, recused.
chairman canale, yes.
>> that item
passes.
madam comptroller, please call our fiscal consent
agenda.
item number 11.
>> thank you, mr. Chairman. Item number
11 is a resolution to accept grant
funds
in the amount of $634,009
from the u.s. Department of justice
through the united states marshals
service western district of tennessee.
all council
districts. This resolution is sponsored
by police services. There is a request
for
same night minutes.
>> madam vice chair, you are recognized. >>
thank you, chairman. The
committee met, there was a favorable recommendation to
accept these grant funds, and I
so move.
>> 11
was moved by swearengen-washington,
seconded by spinosa. Seeing no members
in the queue, please take
us to the voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes.
easter-thomas, yes. Ford, yes.
green, yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes.
swearengen-washington, yes. Walker,
yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairman
canale,
yes.
>> that item passes.
madam comptroller, please take us
back
to our regular agenda,
item number 25.
and for the record,
madam comptroller, as you read it,
it was
amended in executive.
>> okay. Thank
you, mr. Chairman. Item number
25 is an ordinance to establish with
the city council meeting dates for
2026, up for
third and final reading. Ordinance number
5965 is sponsored by councilmembers
swearengen-washington and carlisle.
>> madam vice chair, you are recognized.
>> thank you,
chairman. The committee met, there
was a favorable recommendation to
accept
the schedule as amended, and I
so move.
>> all right, 25 was moved by swearengen-washington, seconded by
carlisle.
colleagues, this is your chance to
make any changes, if you wish. Speak
now, or forever hold your peace.
can we get a --before you --before
we go
to the
voting screen, I am going to --I want
everybody to see the changes, in
case you didn't see them in insect executive.
>> all right, madam comptroller, I
will tell you what we are going
to do, we are going to ponder on 25.
we are going to come back to
it. If you would call item number 30?
>> item number 30 is displayed on
the monitor. It is a
resolution to accept a donation in the amount
of $2000 from
funcity memphis llc to help support the operation of ridgeway station. District 3, super district 8. This resolution is sponsored by
the administration.
>> councilwoman
white,
you are recognized.
>> thank you, the committee
chair made
recommendation for approval, and I so
move.
>> 30 is moved by white, seconded
by carlisle. Seeing no members in the
queue, please take us to the
voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes. Easter-thomas, yes. Ford, yes.
green,
yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker,
yes. White, yes. Chairman canale,
yes.
please show vice chair,
swearengen-washington,
voting on this item.
>> all right,
item 30 passes.
>> cooper-sutton
and vice chair swearengen-washington
--yes.
>> madam comptroller, please
call item 31.
>>
item number 31 is a resolution to appropriate
$11 million in
fy 2026 cip funding for the
axon enterprise solution, project number
pd04031.
all council districts. This resolution is
sponsored by
the administration.
>>
councilwoman white, you are recognized.
>> the
committee
met and recognized approval, and I
so move.
>> 31 was moved by white.
31 was moved by white, seconded by smiley.
seeing
no members in the queue, please take
us to the voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes.
easter-thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Green,
yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes.
spinosa, yes. Swearengen-washington,
yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White,
yes. Chairman canale, yes.
>> that
item
passes. Madam comptroller, please
call item 32.
>> item number 32
--should display momentarily --it
is a resolution to amend the fiscal
year 2026 cip budget by allocating
and appropriating $5,100,000 and
$5,900,000
in funds 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 sponsored by the administration.
>>
councilman smiley,
you are recognized.
>>
committee recommends approval, and
I so move --mayor gave me permission.
>> 32
was --I need you to
move it electronically, please. 32 is
moved by smiley, seconded
by warren. I do have one common card,
ms. Glenda hicks.
>> glenda hicks, 608 gillies.
I reviewed the documentation
that was presented on this item,
and was somewhat
baffled, so I thought I would just come and
ask my questions. So,
understanding that the citizenry
pays, just residential citizens, pay
$41.96 per month on the light, and gas bill for
solid waste, and if I take a mere
150,000 citizens
times that,
then we are looking at over $6 million a
month. So, I was a bit baffled, as to why we
are in a lease agreement
with jpmorgan,
to purchase this equipment,
and why we are not just purchasing
to -- to lease
--excuse me --this
equipment. And why are we not just
purchasing it outright,
given the amount of funds that are
collected just on
the basis of
residence paying? And
I know that is more than 150,000 citizens.
residential, I'm
not even counting the commercial,
which is double that amount. So, just
trying to understand
why we are in some lease agreement,
going
back to 2013, based on the documentation that
was provided.
>> thank you, ms. Hicks.
I think
I can have director davis come up and speak
to the specifics, why
he chose the lease as opposed to the purchase.
>> pay. Philip
davis, solid waste director,
208 bullock drive memphis, 21119.
yes,
good question. So, we do enter into a
five-year lease, it is a lease
purchase. We finance these vehicles because we have
about --to the common areas point
--we do have about a $104 million
operating budget.
we have 181,000 customers that pay
--
largely 4196,
give or take, the fee classification,
but most of our customers pay 4196
per month, that brings in about that
much revenue, about $104 million.
we have about a $35
million payroll for personnel.
we also finance these vehicles. This
is
about $11 million. It is going to
replace about
10% of our operating fleet.
and so,
we finance, because of a cash flow,
a cash flow
for the operation. So, this is why
we do this.
>> thank you, director davis.
madam comptroller, please take us
to the voting screen for item 32.
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes.
ford,
yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker,
yes.
warren, yes. White, yes. Please show
easter-thomas as voting
yes on this item.
chairman
canale, yes.
>> that item passes.
madam comptroller, please call item
33.
>> item
number 33 is a resolution to
allocate inappropriate
$2,600,000 in city council community grant
funds to
nonprofit agencies for fy 26. All
council districts.
this resolution is sponsored by the
budget committee.
>>
councilmember carlisle, you are recognized.
>>
thank you, chairman canale. Committee recommends
approval and I so move.
>> 33 was
moved by carlisle, seconded by green.
seeing no members in the queue, please take us to
the voting screen.
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes. Easter-thomas,
yes. Ford, yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
smiley, yes.
spinosa, yes. Swearengen-washington, yes.
walker, yes. Warren, yes. White,
yes. Chairman canale, yes.
>> that item
passes.
>>
madam comptroller come out of an abundance
of clarity, we reread 25 into the record.
>> item number 25
is an ordinance
to establish
memphis city council meeting dates
for 2026
up for a third and final reading.
ordinance number 5965
is sponsored by councilmembers swearengen-washington
and carlisle.
>> so, I spoke incorrectly earlier, it is a substitute
ordinance,
with the changes --
>> for the record,
it is
a substitute ordinance and we will archive
it as that.
>> thank you. Madam vice
chair, you are recognized.
>> thank
you, chair. The committee met and
received a favorable
recommendation for the schedule of
meeting dates
--it has been a minute.
>> 25 was moved
by swearengen-washington, seconded by
carlisle.
councilman warren, you are recognized.
>>
thank you, mr. Chair. As you know,
we have meetings on january 13th and 27th,
and a week from the 27th,
february 3rd.
if we could avoid having those throughout
the year, I think it
helps us.
the sixth this pretty far
in from the beginning of the year,
so I think
most people
are back from vacation
after that we can, they are back from
the weekend of the
first. It seems that the sixth and
the 20th would have eliminated that problem.
we got november 2nd, I guess, or third,
that is right on the
voting day of --I think that is the election --
so, that is
why we moved in november and december back,
but
that keeps us from having a lot of these that
are just back to back, as we go throughout
the
year. So, I would like to see if there
are other people that
will comment on why
we shouldn't go back to the sixth
and the
20th of january.
>> all right, colleagues, if
you have any thoughts or opinions
on moving the 13th to the sixth and the
27th to the 20th
in the month of january, please speak up.
>> madam vice chair,
you are recognized.
>> thank you,
mr. Chair. That is all I needed.
>>
so, everybody
is okay with these dates in front
of them? Love these dates. Okay. All
right.
25 was moved by swearengen-washington,
seconded by carlisle. Will
the members of the queue please take
us to the voting screen?
>> carlisle, yes. Cooper-sutton, yes.
ford, yes. Green, yes. Please
show easter-thomas as voting yes on
this item. Logan, yes. Smiley,
yes. Spinosa, yes. Swearengen-washington,
yes. Please show
councilmember walker as voting yes
on this item. Warren,
yes. White, yes. Chairman canale,
yes.
>> that item passes.
all right, colleagues, that brings us to
the end of our agenda, I
believe the vice chair has
our same night minute items available?
>> thank you, chair. Our same night
minute
items are
items 11, 24, 25, 33, 35, 36,
37,
38, 39,
and 40.
and I so move.
>> all right, same night minutes
were moved by
swearengen-washington --
I need a second? Seconded by smiley,
councilman smiley, you are smart recognized.
>>
think you, mr. Chair. I moved to the
approved item 34 same night minutes.
item number 34 is the item that
we had much
discussion about.
>> all right, any
objection to adding
34 to our same night minutes? All
right, hearing no objection,
item 34 will be added. Please note
that,
madam comptroller, item
34 will be added to the list
of same minute items.
>> thank you,
mr. Chairman.
>> seeing no members
in the
queue, please take us to the voting screen.
>> cooper-sutton, yes. Easter-thomas,
yes. Ford, yes. Green, yes.
smiley,
yes. Spinosa, yes. Swearengen-washington,
yes. Walker, yes.
chairman canale, yes.
>> that item
passes.
all right, colleagues, this brings
us to the public comment portion of
our meeting.
dr. Cornelius atwater, you are up
first.
name and address for the record. You
have two minutes, ma'am.
>> dr. Carlita atwater,
1005 firestone memphis,
tennessee, 380107. I came to
speak on the number,
on the agenda, 10, item 10. I think
it is a disservice
and disrespectful to not let the public
speak on a
permit, a
resolution, an ordinance that is going
to affect the jail, the new jail,
the detention center and all that.
but I will
address that with a legal situation because I thought
that was very disrespectful.
>>
dr. Atwater? Can you pause her time
for just
a second?
you would be able to speak on that item, but
you can only speak on ordinances when it comes
up for third reading. When it comes up
for third reading, anybody who wishes to speak on that item -- which is when
we will truly vote on that item --
we are just letting it go through
the
process of consent, but when it comes up for third reading,
anybody who wishes to
speak will be given the option to
speak at that
time. Thank you, you can consider
your comments.
>> are you going
to take time back? Okay. So, now,
what I want
to address is, july 27th,
I gave you all the memphis black agenda and
I want to read that into record, so
that can be documented publicly. You
never
did respond to that. So, let me
go to what I will say in the few minutes
I have.
I am reading this document into record
of
the memphis black agenda, presented
to you july the 22nd. I am requesting
a
forensic investigation
and accounting of all fiscal budget on
the fiscal budget 2021, '22,
'23, '24, and '25, regarding the
funding of accelerated
memphis
cra, memphis chamber of commerce,
memphis downtown commission, and
review board, and land bank, and any other
organizations who have received funding
from the city of memphis, city council,
in the
last five years. And
I am requesting that and I want to
put that into the record.
>> thank you, dr. Atwater. Sammy hunter?
>> yes, my name is sammy hunter.
I live at 4211 park chester avenue,
memphis, tennessee, 83318.
bored, I just want to address you,
all, about the concerns of these security
guards
that are down here at the north end terminal.
about the bus riders, how aggressive they are
being toward the bus
riders and stuff. We had a lady that
was thrown down by the
security guards, down at the north
end terminal.
she was intoxicated -- yes,
she was -- but, she was handcuffed, but
she didn't deserve to
be thrown down that aggressively by security guards.
now, we have went to mr. Holmes
and told mr. Holmes
that he needs to put body cams on these
security guards, as
they are
being aggressive toward the bus riders.
if a
bus rider is waiting on a bus, if
the bus is not showing up, you can't
just push
them out because his bus hasn't came.
so, these are things that we wish
you all would
look into. The bus riders don't deserve
this. It's just bad, down there.
with me and mr.
mosier from citizen assistant services wish
you
would check in with this. The other
thing is,
the bus riders went to know, when
are y'all going to assemble a
board? Because they need to come to address
their concerns, because they --they
come
to me, but they need to be able to
come to a board, to address their
concerns with what they are going through
out here.
it's --we need a board. We need a
board, so we can
come and tell you about the issues
that are going on
out here, about these buses.
and another thing, we want to know, when are
the
buses coming? Are they coming in january?
because we badly need
them. It is fine that you all are
doing a free-for-all, but if
the buses are not showing up on time,
then it's --it does no
good. So, that's what we want.
>>
thank you, mr. Hunter. And to answer
your question
about --
the board, those board appointees
do have to come from the administration
and we either vote the appointment
up or down, we don't get to pick
who serves on the board.
>> okay,
thanks.
>> thank you, sir. Johnny mosley?
>> johnny mosley.
1150 pebble lane memphis, tennessee, 38109.
the
citizens service route, I have been
an advocate for citizens bus service
riders
since 1973.
I guess mr. Hunter just about
said everything I wanted to say, and of course you
all know that I wrote a three-page
letter to mr. Holmes,
talking about some of the things that mr. Hunter talked
to y'all about just
a moment ago. And so, I would just
like to reiterate
what he says, I would like to see
our
city council,
not only find out what is going on
down at the north end terminal and
the william hudson
stop, but just for you all
to go and take some time to go and
talk to bus riders at the
transit center.
in 1984, I played a role in making
sure that the city
council at that time allocates dollar bills
-- I thought that would be a dream
for bus riders.
bus riders are scared.
telling me
that
security guards are losing their mind.
I am sure you all know we get telephone
calls 8:00, 9:00
to 10:00, 11:00 at night complaining about
the security guards and how they
are treated, being treated like
they are second-class citizens. Yes,
bus fare
is free today. Our bus riders do not fear
--they feel that they
are
not treated with a sense of human dignity as
respect and as I said,
they are treated just as bad as my father,
back in 1968 when he marched for dignity.
>>
what is the
name of the security company? Do you know
off the top of
your head?
>> water security --there's
two security companies --yeah, water
security company. We want
to see the security company change,
because we just don't want
to see
the bus
riders continue to be scared while
they are waiting on the buses.
>>
thank you,
mr. Mosley.
>> thank you. >> yes,
sir. Alayna, a.k.a. Philly?
state your name, please.
>> at evening and
happy holidays, my name is amita brown, 8236
waverley avenue 38114. Good evening,
city councilmembers,
my name is amita, a.k.a. Philly, I am
the civil rights advocacy
director for we fed up, a community
organization fighting for
constitutional compliance and the
protection of fundamental rights.
under the memphis
city charter, behold
legislative authority,
legislative oversight and responsibility
for the city
government operations,
including the mayor and the memphis
police department. Therefore, this
body proves funding
and establishes policies
and betraying the duty and authority to act
when
city officials violated the law.
the united states department of justice
has formally
confirmed that the city of memphis
engages in a pattern and practices
of unconstitutional policing, and
including excessive force. These findings place
this council on actual notice. When a
governing body knowingly hires,
retains, and pays public servants who violate
federal law, that conduct that conduct, triggers
municipal reliability under 42
u.s. C 1983 as established in
mondale the department of social service.
used
her correct
known constitutional
constitutes indifference. Under the
supremacy clause of the
united states constitution federal
civil rights law
overrides local policy and political
discretion. This
council is now on the record.
failure to act converts knowledge
into reliability, public office is
a public trust, and
when the trust is breached, the people
retain the right to petition,
demand redress, and seek accountability
under constitutional federal law when rights
are violated under law.
you are not observers, you are employers. And
continued interactions will
be treated as ratification, the record is preserved, and
the rights of the people are not negotiable, accountability needs
to come one way or another, and I will see you
soon.
>> thank
you. Joe kent.
>> joe kent, 5111 flamingo. Since 2019, the chamber
has excessive tax incentives
that have brought 20,000 job losses. Since
2022, the prosper
2030 plan since august of 2023
skill
center announcement, 3500 job losses have occurred.
all of this results in $100 million
of deficient
revenue growth, since 2021.
so, blame the chamber of nashville
for the revenue
problems.
bobby white, yesterday,
imply that
the pile is the chamber's only incentives
while others
resort to other incentives. This is
more joke chamber propaganda and a
gross
misrepresentation. Here are some examples
of cash incentives.
18,000,030 6 million in private garage
loans
can be attributed to cash grants.
through the
ccd see the cd mc is handing out cash
grants all the time. One example is
a one million-dollar
carlisle storefront grant and another
is a $30 million sheraton grant from the city.
and
there is more. Edge gave $4 million
to fedex to move across town
to downtown,
and edge administers a
whole bunch of cash grants for the
state, job infrastructure, job skills training,
and
cash incentives. What about the low,
below-market edge $10 million loan
to skerritt building? And
what about the $10 million grant to
the snape district? And what about
all the infrastructure works going
on at
liberty park? What about
the free lease to agro center? That
is again affecting a cash
grant for agro recruitment
and there will be even more cash grants
from the obnoxious board authority
cash
bunker so blamed chamber, edge, and punk
families of memphis for your public
revenue problems. Which are significant.
blame them.
blame them. Start publicly blaming
these baskets. They are ripping the
city
off.
>> thank you, mr. Kent. >> thank
you.
>>
dan snyder.
>> dan snyder, 27 years old. I am
here
with a couple other librarians today
and we would like to thank everyone
who voted
yes on cosponsor and we look forward
to the second and third readings,
as well. Have a good evening.
>> thank
you. Alexander farmer?
>> alexandra farmer, 1044 bruce street.
yeah, thank you, all, so much. We are so grateful
and excited that this is
moving forward. We will see you at the second and
third readings, and we really hope
that all
of you will cosponsor, as well. We
know we still have three of you that
have
yet to cosponsor, we would love to
have you on board, as well. So, thank
you, all. We are all very grateful.
>> thank you,
ms. Farmer. Laura?
>> hi, laura, 84942
east askers and, 30108. I just
want to say thank you
for giving us the encouragement of
your cosponsorship, your sponsorship
of this resolution,
collaborating with workers. We appreciate
the work you do for us. Happy holidays.
>> thank you. G wayne downey?
>> g
wayne downey, 3574 marriott avenue
memphis 38 0101
--I wish to
provide the council with information
that I respectfully believe should
be considered in drafting the
referendum ordinance
referencing article 34
250. In 1949, the tennessee general assembly passed
a private act and
the memphis board of commissioners passed
an ordinance creating a comprehensive
civil service commission for
memphis. The ordinance states all
employees holding positions covered
by the provisions of this act for
a period
of six months or more
immediately prior to the adoption
of this law shall be continued in the
respective positions without the necessity
of a qualifying test.
in 2000, ordinance number 4763 was passed,
which abolished
the park commission and replaced it
with the commission of parks services. These
services will meet of city workers,
but were
not included on the list of city employees
exacted from civil service protection.
in 2005, ordinance 5093 was passed,
which added library employees
to
the list of city workers exempt from
civil service protection.
it is my professional opinion that
the 1949 municipal code and city ordinance 4763
suggests that
no city employees have ever been dismissed
and compelled to repeat the hiring process
to join the ranks of civil
service. Therefore,
I respectfully suggest that the library
division workers are not required
to be rehired
in order to be classified as civil service.
thank you.
sir?
what?
>> they just wanted a copy of
what --
>> yeah, I got it. Yeah, I
will give it to
you.
>> thank you, sir. Judge sink?
is he gone? Okay.
madeline rogers?
>>
670 west drive 38112. I've got copies,
if y'all
want them. I just want to
say --thank you all so much
for getting us through the first reading
today, and I
am really excited for the second and
third --
happy holidays.
>> thank you, ms. Rogers.
lisa peterson?
>> hello, my name
is lisa peterson. 5012
newcastle road.
I wanted to join my coworkers from
the new memphis public libraries and
thank you for getting us through the first
reading, and
hopefully, as we move through the
second and third readings and onto
the referendum, we are
able to find a way to make what wayne
is saying is true,
where library staff are
able to maintain their positions and
gain civil-service status. Thank you
and happy holidays.
>>
thank you, ms. Peterson. Councilman
warren, you are recognized.
>> thank you,
mr. Chair. I was just looking
at the calendar bill we passed, and realized that
today, is the 15th of
december and january 13th is 28 days
away. So,
that is four
weeks that we would not be here. And although
the 19th is, you know, a time that
would be hard for staff, I
am wondering, do we really not want to be
here for four weeks? Will that be
acceptable? And I am thinking
if this might not --we might not want
a four
week vacation. At least have us
reconsider,
having four weeks off and come back
to three
weeks. I think it will make our meeting
when we come back ridiculously long and hard to do.
>> stop talking. >> thank you, councilman.
I will let
council member carlisle respond to
that.
>>
you have main meetings and committee meetings.
if there is business
that doesn't have to be composed of
the official act, call your committee, right?
chairman ford wants to
call the transportation committee on
a tuesday, he feels like he has
a right to do that. Chairman spinosa can call mlgw
--
>> sounds like a good idea.
I'm with you.
>> okay. >> thank you,
thank you. Thank you. All
right. Bennan al-shamari?
>> hello,
my name is
bennan al-shamari and I live in for 840
lynn road.
I am a sophomore at west asian high
school and ever since I was a
sixth-grader at
last station middle school I have
been going to jeffrey red library.
as a student
growing up in a working-class family,
I loved going to this library and
reading
comments until my mom had to shout
at me to run home. Now,
jeffrey renton wasn't always called
jeffrey renton. It
was honored after the heroic officer
who lost his life after being shot
outside of the library while responding
to a
call on february 2nd, 2023.
after three years of this tragic event,
my family
still has concerns over me going to
this beautiful area. This is why we
need more protection and security
for library workers --for library
workers. Another challenge, I have
learned that memphis library workers
face, is the
livable wage that they have. The same
people who helped me
pick out my books to achieve the education
I have today,
and who have provided a safe space
for me
struggled to
provide for their children. According to
the commercial appeal,
laura that works in the
science department at the benjamin library
stated that many library workers make
less than $44,000 and that is
the living wage for a single person with
no children living
in memphis, but that doesn't have
to be that way, like how my favorite
author, cs lewis, stated, "you are
never too old to set another goal
or
to dream a new dream." let this
letdown of memphis library and lead
us to a new day that helps us resolve
so I urge you to pass this ordinance
to alleviate the struggles of library
and workers. Thank you.
>> thank you.
paul williams?
>> paul williams. 711.
I am
here today
to talk about the vms that runs the
city of memphis impound lot. So, back
in 2023,
y'all signed a contract with them
for them
to run the impound lot.
after doing some research on it, it
comes to my
attention that they do the same thing
we do for
free. So,
but the system is exactly how this
is. So
--
vms
is an out-of-state company, out of
chicago. There is no
--well, this is my thing --can anybody
tell me
how much did the city of memphis make
off of the impound lot
last year or since they have been in
control, really?
>> no, sir, we
don't have contracting authority,
that rests solely with the administration.
>>
with that being said, we are talking about the
city of memphis being broke,
when these people are making over
$5 million on something that we do
for free. So, tell me, why is that?
>> so, actually, sir,
we actually redid the structure of that
lot in the
last 12 months and one of the things
we talked about today was
getting the update on the new contract,
how well it was performing, because
a couple of years
ago, as you know,
it was a disaster. So, I appreciate
you coming down and making your
comments, and at the january meeting,
if the chairman of the public's work
and
solid waste will allow it, I would
like the administration to come and
talk about
where we are since we made those changes
at the lot and we will get
into it.
>> so, I understand the changes
that were made, but the --these
are the same citizens that they hired
from the city of memphis, so why
couldn't y'all just hire with them and get
new management instead of just letting
them
keep that whole $5 million? And y'all
won't even give $2.5 million for
the fire department? That could have give
raises and added the police department
a raise, too. And we do the
job for free. So, why would y'all
pay them for that?
>> I appreciate
you
coming down and I want to be respectful
of the
chair at your time but basically out of
respect for you coming down here,
at the first year
--meeting of the year, we will get into
it, we will get into how
that process is going and get into
it. Thank you, sir.
>> okay. >>
thank you, sir. Lisa bennett?
>> good evening. My name is lisa d
bennett. My
address is 4321 royal palace cove
memphis 38128.
it is my understanding, from previous
council meetings, that sitting councilmembers
are
not to be named during citizen comments, and
so, I
won't name the councilperson in the
email thread that
I have. However,
I can name
the person who is cced
in that
email thread and that person is mlgw
president, doug mcgowan. I would like
to read this thread, this three emails,
into public record. "dear councilperson,
the last
time I attended a council meeting
regarding the water issue on
my street, I asked if there were specific
protocols that were used to determine
how and when the emergencies
are addressed." that question was never
answered, so I am
asking again.
how does mlgw
leadership determine which emergencies are addressed and
in what manner? This includes both
the residential and commercial customers
and areas. Is there software, or a
protocol system used
to make determinations? I would like
to think that
the
councilmembers will also have this
specific information about our public utility,
so that they could inform constituents.
I look
forward to a response that is thorough and
timely.
best regards, lisa d bennett,
lisa constituent.
the email response from mr. Mcgowan
and I will read through directly what
he wrote. I am
an english teacher, retired english
teacher, and I will read exactly what
he wrote because
this is public record. "ms. Bennett, if
you could please provide an address
and date when
the water leak occurred, I would be
better equipped for answering the
question.
I apologize that I do not recall the
discussion you referenced.
respectfully, doug." my response --
"dear
mr. Mcgowan, respectfully,
I don't understand how information about
my specific situation is necessary
for answering questions regarding
mlgw's
emergency response protocols or procedures,
in general. If there is something
I
am missing, please let me know. However,
my questions are about emergency response,
procedures, and protocols, in the
entire mlgw service area, and are
not specific to my
residence or neighborhood. Sincerely,
lisa d bennett,
district
1 constituent." there were no more
emails. I did not hear from mr.
mcgowan. I am very frustrated
that this seems not to be something
that is important to y'all,
when we spend
millions and millions of dollars
for our public utility. I am particularly disturbed
that I turned in a comment card to
be able to speak on items
12 and 34, but I
was not called for either one. Now,
someone told me that I couldn't speak on
a fiscal consent item. I don't recall
that happening before.
>> that is
correct.
>> okay, that is correct. >> if the
card was turned in before --
>> however
--however, item 34 was not physical
consent, in my understanding that
correctly?
>>
yes, ma'am, I called on everybody
who submitted a card.
>> I did not
speak
on that particular item. I would have
liked the opportunity to
speak what I am sharing now, before you all voted
on
both the mlgw resolutions 14 through 21,
and before you voted on fiscal year
'26 budget. Now, it is unfair, it
is disrespectful,
and
I believe there is some dissembling going on.
>> thank you, ms. Bennett. I need
you to hold your comments.
>> I need
you to understand what you are saying.
>>
we will afford you two more minutes.
yes, ma'am.
>> I believe there is
the
simply going on that I turn in a card
and I am not allowed to
speak to items that speak to a significant
portion of our city's budget. I
also heard from people behind me,
how disappointed they were, that they were not
allowed
to speak to specific items. So, in
addition to asking, what are the procedures
and protocols for emergency response
for mlgw,
especially considering it will have a significant
burden on our utilities with xai
and other businesses and corporations
coming in, and considering that we are experiencing rate
increase next year, I think it is more than fair that we
know
--
that you know --what the policies and
procedures are.
>> thank you, ms. Bennett. >> nope,
I'm not finished.
>> well, yes, you are, because you
have already spoken
two minutes.
>> no, I'm not. I'm not finished.
and so, I am asking you all --
I am asking --I am asking that question
about mlgw --
[ inaudible - low
volume ]
>> amber sherman?
>> my name is amber sherman, my
address is 6070
north
bilbo cove. I want to talk about the
situation
in the jail, especially as y'all, as
city councilmembers, and the power that you
have, currently
from the data transparency that we
actually asked the mayor to put up, there
have been 569
misdemeanor citations given out by
3600 physical arrests, 2400 misdemeanors,
at 2600 that are nonviolent.
I asked the mayor, can we have a list
of the actual charges? Because nobody
actually knows what the charges are,
but the folks that we are bailing
out
of jail from the official memphis
chapter going to jail for suspended
license or not
paying the registration, or not having
insurance, which are all financial
responsibility's, not things
you should actually be going to jail
for, so I think this body needs to
use the public safety committee to
ask for a list of those
things, what are the charges folks are being
taken in for? Because people who are
going to
jail have also been seeing a higher
rate of suicide watch, from the november
report
card from the jail --are y'all going
to listen? We are queuing away? Rude.
yeah. So,
from the november report card
from the jail, there has been an increase
of 133% of attempts for suicide.
there is a longer processing time
of up to six days, and people are
attempting
to kill themselves before that's the jail is so
disgusting. The folks we are bailing
out
is talking about how there are pods that are being
covered by one person, so
up to 500 people and there is one
deputy covering them and when they
are
calling for medical attention, they
don't hear someone for
hours because there's only one person
covering five to up to 600 people. So, I think
that this
body, because you represent memphians
and shelby county is 70% memphis,
so the folks who are going
to the jail, to the shelby county jail,
are memphians, you need to hold them
accountable, get a list of the charges
of what folks are going to jail
for and hold them accountable for
siding people. There is very clear
law about citations and there is a
clear law, listing out what you should
be cited for,
at the things folks are being arrested
for, I think
they should be cited for, so I am
asking this body to do your job, because
we
also emailed y'all two weeks ago asking
all to ask the mayor to do his job
and y'all don't hold him accountable.
>> thank you, ms. Sherman. Councilwoman
green, you are recognized.
>> thank you,
mr. Chair. Ms. Sherman? Ms. Sherman, I just wanted
to
let you know, this is definitely a concern
for me, it is something I am working on,
on this side of the street, and on
the county side. As you know,
sheriff bonner is in charge of 201
and that limits a lot of
what we can do. As it relates to who
end up staying there, I am on an
interagency justice workforce, that
involves the sheriff's office, and
the chief jailer, it involves
pretrial, it involves the clerk's
office, the mayor's administration,
csa.
we are meeting
together regularly and looking at
who is being arrested and what the
charges are, and
who we can get out. We have started a
system to speed up
low-level offenders that
we can get out quicker. We are also
putting overflow
people in our department of corrections
so that they are not staying in those
conditions
because the department of corrections is
run
by the mayor's administration is better.
all that to say that I appreciate
what you are saying,
and I agree with you,
I think the conditions over there are
inhumane and what is happening to
people is unacceptable. But,
the person we need to be holding responsible
is sheriff bonner.
and everyone who is running for sheriff right
now. So, I
don't -- and I will also say this,
mpd was invited to be a part of that task force,
that working group, and they were
a part of it for one meeting and now they are not
anymore, it is all just county officials,
now. The sheriff is at the table.
tennessee highway patrol is at the
table. So, we have done everything
we
can, to be able to limit the number
of people that are going in for low-level
offenses. And even when they get in,
we are having d.a.s reviewed the cases
quicker
to get them out. I don't know what else
we can do, we
can't tell -- but, we can't tell the
administration how to run the police department.
so --
it's janicka.
>>
[ inaudible - low volume ]
>> you can come to the mic. I agree. And
there is a public dashboard available, now,
I believe
clerk
sawyer has posted it online.
>> and
I asked
her to also add more details because that dashboard
doesn't have any details just like the city
link and I do want to say we requested multiple times
for the intergovernmental body you
are talking about
to have a community representative
and they denied it both times, so
I think
as a city council, you can request
mpd come back, if not, you should
say
something to the public knows what
is happening and also, you should
recommend that
you have a community partner or community representative
in those meetings because we have
requested
it multiple times.
>> I don't disagree with
you. I didn't set up the meeting,
I
didn't pick up the partners, I just
agreed to participate because I think
it
is such an important issue. In the
public defender is also there, in
addition to
the d.a.
so, I just want you to
know that there are people working
on this issue and trying to get it,
and if you look at the trend, we are
down, in the numbers, we are still
way overcrowded.
we were close to 3000 people, at one
time. We are getting closer to
the max capacity, which is 2400.
>>
and the suicide rate has gone up about
40% in the last month, even though y'all
are doing all those changes, there
is still a lot of people in there and people
are attempting to
kill themselves because they would
rather die in jail for
>> okay, I don't want
to interrupt, but this could probably be
handled in a private meeting, I don't
know if
we can keep doing the back and forth.
>> I actually want this in public
record because I have seen jerry say
this in text message and it is great
that she is advocating but actually
the public should know what is happening,
here.
>> I agree and that is why I want
to put it on
the record. Thank you, chair. Thank
you, ms. Sherman. We will continue
to work on
it.
>> thank you. Any further comments?
>> hello, everybody hey, hi, how you doing? My
name is brady price, she/we. 316 summer
sage. I was summoned here tonight
to
address a comment that was most horrendous.
I came here to address the disrespect
that
has been thrown on our public servants
of the fire department, and also for
the rest of the citizens, here in
memphis, tennessee. I was summoned
here because someone
on this council said the fire department
was "raping" the city of memphis,
knowing full
well, the amount of untested held
by memphis
police department that goes untested
every day,
every day, that is a slap
and a spit to our faces
in each one of the citizens faces. A
lot of
you, council people,
are living high
on the hog, while the rest of us are in hell. We live
in
hell by the policies that y'all push, that y'all push
and enforce upon us. Meanwhile, y'all
allow elon
musk to take 3 million gallons of our drinking
water,
per day, with a promise of a great
water facility, with a
--with 5 million
gallons at their peak. When the water
level drops to a certain
level, arsenic gets into the water,
and the whole greater memphis area
will not have a single drop to
drink. Not a single drop to drink.
not a single
drop to drink, we won't have anything
to
spare. Now,
people say, things are bad, crime
is bad,
but y'all have unleashed, truly, hell on
earth.
and when y'all come join us, when
the a.I. Replace
your job security, I am going to laugh
at you. I am going to laugh at you,
just like this. [
laughter ]
you need to step down from your position,
because you disrespected the people.
>>
thank you.
>> you disrespected the
people.
>> thank you. >>
step down.
>>
councilwoman cooper-sutton, you are
recognized.
all right.
colleagues, that brings us to the end of
our public comment.
if you would indulge me for
just one minute --
this is --where am I going?
going to be coming down there? All right.
to each of you, it has been an honor
of a lifetime to serve
the minute the citizens of memphis
since 2018 and most importantly, as
your chairman for the
last 12 months. I couldn't have done
it without each of use confidence
and trust. I know the toll it takes
on each of you and I
know the toll it takes on your families. And
I want to assure
you that each day, I woke up with a
clear vision in my mind,
and some days were easier than others,
and that was to
lead this body to the best of my ability,
and I hope that I
served you well, and I want you to
know that I
believe in each one of you and I believe in this institution, and I
want
you and all of the staff to know that
I love you, and I care for you, and
I know that this is not the end, I
have two years left, and I look forward
to working alongside you, these next
two years, but I want to take this
opportunity now, while I have the
chance, because I am truly
grateful, from the bottom of my heart,
to be able to serve you. To my
advice, chair, and your next chairwoman,
it has been an absolute pleasure to
work
alongside you. You have been a true
committed adviser and a trusted friend,
and I
wish you and vice chair elect carlisle
nothing but the very best. And with
that,
I will pass this gavel to you.
>>
[ applause ]
[ cheers and applause ]
>> I appreciate you.
>> hold on, one second. There is a
gentleman behind you, trying to show
you some love.
>> ain't that so sweet! [ laughter ]
>> [ applause ]
>> we have one more person coming
to show
you some love.
>> come on up! >>
well chairwoman emirites is coming,
I just wanted to say, I appreciate
your dedication, your consistency
in touring me, and all of the things,
I have
appreciated having not only a friend
and a colleague, but a brother.
>>
thank you.
>> brother! >>
[ applause ]
>> thank you so much.
>> congratulations.
I just wanted to be the first to decorate my
old office.
[
laughter ] and your new office. Please,
open it.
>> all right,
let's see.
>> what is it? >>
aw!
that's beautiful! Thank you!
represent memphis. I love it.
>> it was
personally drawn for you.
>> aw, it's
beautiful!
>>
that's my grandson, my knees -- my daughter
is somewhere.
>> this is a councilwoman --
[ inaudible - low volume ]
[ laughter ]
group picture.
>> I couldn't have done any of this,
I couldn't have
woken up
every day and done this without god's
grace and god's mercy.
so, with that, I will entertain a
motion to adjourn.
>> mr. Chairman,
I move to adjourn.
>> we are
adjourned. For one last time. God
bless you.