1
00:00:06,536 --> 00:00:11,936
>> Sergeant of arms please call the meeting to order.

2
00:00:14,847 --> 00:00:16,271
>> (indiscernible).

3
00:00:16,271 --> 00:00:19,881
All rise. >> I would like to recognize

4
00:00:19,881 --> 00:00:25,450
our chaplain of the day, Pastor Christopher D Walton of First

5
00:00:25,450 --> 00:00:27,450
Baptist Church Lauderdale.

6
00:00:27,850 --> 00:00:29,325
Invited by Councilman Smiley.

7
00:00:29,325 --> 00:00:31,458
Please lead us in prayer.

8
00:00:31,458 --> 00:00:36,405
We will follow the prayer with the Pledge of Allegiance.

9
00:00:36,405 --> 00:00:38,405
>> Good afternoon.

10
00:00:38,877 --> 00:00:40,877
Please bow.

11
00:00:41,165 --> 00:00:43,785
Eternal Holy God I thank you for this day.

12
00:00:43,785 --> 00:00:46,653
Thank you for all who have assembled here in this place.

13
00:00:46,653 --> 00:00:50,143
As we meet here come up with the amalgamation of our minds,

14
00:00:50,143 --> 00:00:52,261
let us collectively use our minds

15
00:00:52,261 --> 00:00:54,587
for the better good of all who are here.

16
00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:58,263
God, you called us for a reason you called us for a purpose.

17
00:00:58,263 --> 00:01:02,945
Let us serve with love, justice, and righteousness,

18
00:01:02,945 --> 00:01:05,245
and let the marginalized be heard.

19
00:01:05,245 --> 00:01:07,285
Collectively, let's unify and come together

20
00:01:07,285 --> 00:01:10,218
with resolutions that work for all of our cities

21
00:01:10,218 --> 00:01:13,181
and all the citizens of Memphis Tennessee.

22
00:01:13,181 --> 00:01:19,545
God, as we are here, embrace us, change us, renew us,

23
00:01:19,545 --> 00:01:25,231
and although we are here -- and sometimes we get our barbecue --

24
00:01:25,231 --> 00:01:28,780
let our blessings be in this place today.

25
00:01:28,780 --> 00:01:30,310
As we move forward in this meeting,

26
00:01:30,310 --> 00:01:33,749
guard us, protect us, and let us make Memphis the greatest

27
00:01:33,749 --> 00:01:34,991
city in this nation.

28
00:01:34,991 --> 00:01:37,465
We ask this in your sovereign and mighty name

29
00:01:37,465 --> 00:01:40,465
for which we pray, Amen.

30
00:01:45,660 --> 00:01:46,297
[crowd speaking]

31
00:01:46,297 --> 00:01:48,964
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

32
00:01:48,964 --> 00:01:48,976
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,

33
00:01:48,976 --> 00:01:53,176
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

34
00:02:02,647 --> 00:02:03,845
>> Thank you.

35
00:02:03,845 --> 00:02:06,845
Council member Smiley is recognized.

36
00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,585
Councilmember Smiley, Jr. : Be it hereby known that pastor

37
00:02:15,585 --> 00:02:20,985
for Chris Walton has been approved and appointed chaplain

38
00:02:22,485 --> 00:02:27,938
of the day and is hereby entitled to all rights,

39
00:02:27,938 --> 00:02:32,138
privileges, and prerogatives pertaining to the office,

40
00:02:32,149 --> 00:02:36,349
given under seal of 18th of August, 2026.

41
00:02:37,338 --> 00:02:39,338
Here you go.

42
00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:40,919
Thank you so much.

43
00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:46,319
I know we have another one in here somewhere.

44
00:02:50,439 --> 00:02:51,845
>> Thank you so much.

45
00:02:51,845 --> 00:02:55,445
>> Madam controller please call the roll.

46
00:02:58,965 --> 00:03:02,565
>> Canali, Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford,

47
00:03:07,752 --> 00:03:11,952
Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren --

48
00:03:23,325 --> 00:03:25,725
we have a quorum.

49
00:03:26,572 --> 00:03:27,947
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

50
00:03:27,947 --> 00:03:32,147
I believe Canale has read the minutes.

51
00:03:39,770 --> 00:03:40,702
Councilmember Canale: I have read them,

52
00:03:40,702 --> 00:03:46,522
find them to be an order, and move for adoption.

53
00:03:46,522 --> 00:03:47,897
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

54
00:03:47,897 --> 00:03:50,909
Moved by Canale and seconded by Warren.

55
00:03:50,909 --> 00:03:55,109
Approval of minutes of August 24th meeting.

56
00:04:01,208 --> 00:04:01,836
>> Thank you.

57
00:04:01,836 --> 00:04:03,835
You may proceed with the vote.

58
00:04:03,835 --> 00:04:08,350
Cast your votes for the minutes, please.

59
00:04:13,752 --> 00:04:18,552
>> Canale, Cooper, Mr. Thomas, Ford, green, Smiley, Walker,

60
00:04:22,465 --> 00:04:26,650
Warren, White, chairwoman All a 'yes'.

61
00:04:37,162 --> 00:04:38,537
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

62
00:04:38,537 --> 00:04:41,805
Welcome to the Memphis City Council.

63
00:04:41,805 --> 00:04:43,877
These shall be conducted in an orderly manner

64
00:04:43,877 --> 00:04:48,189
to ensure the public has the full opportunity to be heard.

65
00:04:48,189 --> 00:04:50,461
The deliberate process of the Council

66
00:04:50,461 --> 00:04:52,925
should be retained at all times.

67
00:04:52,925 --> 00:04:57,380
The Sergeant at Arms has a meeting agenda available

68
00:04:57,380 --> 00:05:00,255
up front, as well as comment request cards

69
00:05:00,255 --> 00:05:03,855
for members of the public wishing

70
00:05:04,305 --> 00:05:05,597
to be heard on a specific item.

71
00:05:05,597 --> 00:05:08,330
All those wishing to speak on an item

72
00:05:08,330 --> 00:05:12,541
must turn in their comment card to the Sergeant at Arms

73
00:05:12,541 --> 00:05:14,893
before the item is called.

74
00:05:14,893 --> 00:05:18,585
If you are not here to speak on a specific item,

75
00:05:18,585 --> 00:05:23,578
you can note that your request to give a general comment

76
00:05:23,578 --> 00:05:25,905
at the end of the meeting.

77
00:05:25,905 --> 00:05:28,898
As chair, I will only recognize citizens

78
00:05:28,898 --> 00:05:31,450
that properly registered to speak

79
00:05:31,450 --> 00:05:34,157
by submitting a completed comment request

80
00:05:34,157 --> 00:05:37,757
card at the Sergeant at Arms.

81
00:05:37,805 --> 00:05:41,950
Member of the audience and persons addressing the Council

82
00:05:41,950 --> 00:05:43,405
will not be permitted to engage in gossip,

83
00:05:43,405 --> 00:05:47,605
make defamatory, personal, slanderous, or profane comments,

84
00:05:49,225 --> 00:05:52,525
or use abusive or vulgar language.

85
00:05:52,525 --> 00:05:55,565
The chair of the council will maintain order by giving any

86
00:05:55,565 --> 00:05:59,398
persons who are in violation of stated rules of decorum

87
00:05:59,398 --> 00:06:04,198
a Warning to cease any violative Conduct --

88
00:06:06,338 --> 00:06:12,938
by a given order for security personnel to remove a disruptive

89
00:06:14,761 --> 00:06:17,885
person in the chambers who refuses to voluntarily leave.

90
00:06:17,885 --> 00:06:21,565
These rules are posted on the door as you enter the chamber

91
00:06:21,565 --> 00:06:23,285
and pick up the comments cards.

92
00:06:23,285 --> 00:06:25,965
We will begin with our presentations.

93
00:06:25,965 --> 00:06:29,885
Madame controller, please call item number one.

94
00:06:29,885 --> 00:06:35,245
>> Item number one is resolution recognizing and honoring black

95
00:06:35,245 --> 00:06:39,805
owned businesses in honor of national Black Business Month.

96
00:06:39,805 --> 00:06:44,500
This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Chairwoman

97
00:06:50,498 --> 00:06:54,698
Swearengen-Washington: You are recognized at this time.

98
00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,465
Councilmember Easter-Thomas: Thank you and good afternoon.

99
00:06:58,465 --> 00:07:00,345
We've done this for a few years in a row,

100
00:07:00,345 --> 00:07:02,245
and this is a good time to make sure we are

101
00:07:02,245 --> 00:07:04,245
supporting those in our city.

102
00:07:04,245 --> 00:07:09,450
The Memphis City Council proudly recognizes national Black

103
00:07:09,275 --> 00:07:13,465
Business Month, each August, a nationwide observance honoring

104
00:07:13,465 --> 00:07:18,445
the rich legacy, resilience, and ongoing of black owned

105
00:07:18,445 --> 00:07:20,445
businesses across the U.S..

106
00:07:20,445 --> 00:07:24,125
Black entrepreneurship has long been a cornerstone of economic

107
00:07:24,125 --> 00:07:27,851
opportunity, dating back to the late 1700s,

108
00:07:27,851 --> 00:07:32,651
when free enslaved black Americans laid the foundation

109
00:07:35,325 --> 00:07:39,225
for generations of black enterprise despite ongoing

110
00:07:39,225 --> 00:07:43,925
and historic barriers to opportunities come up black

111
00:07:43,925 --> 00:07:46,845
businesses continue to thrive through determination,

112
00:07:46,845 --> 00:07:50,835
innovation, and an unwavering commitment to saving

113
00:07:50,835 --> 00:07:51,885
their commitments.

114
00:07:51,885 --> 00:07:55,469
Black owned businesses play a vital role in Memphis

115
00:07:55,469 --> 00:07:59,690
by creating jobs, expanding economic opportunity,

116
00:07:59,385 --> 00:08:01,785
strengthening neighborhoods, preserving culture,

117
00:08:02,501 --> 00:08:05,719
and investing in the future of our community.

118
00:08:05,719 --> 00:08:07,511
Whereas the Memphis City Council recognizes

119
00:08:07,511 --> 00:08:11,485
the remarkable achievements of this year's honorees, whose

120
00:08:11,485 --> 00:08:15,850
dedication, entrepreneurship, and commitment to excellence

121
00:08:15,485 --> 00:08:20,245
continue to inspire others and contribute to Memphis growth

122
00:08:20,245 --> 00:08:21,465
and prosperity.

123
00:08:21,465 --> 00:08:24,858
Now, therefore be it resolved that the Memphis City

124
00:08:24,858 --> 00:08:29,645
Council recognizes August 2026 as National Black Business Month

125
00:08:29,645 --> 00:08:33,245
and encourages all residents to support,

126
00:08:33,605 --> 00:08:36,725
uplift, and celebrate black owned businesses

127
00:08:36,725 --> 00:08:38,271
and their invaluable contributions

128
00:08:38,271 --> 00:08:41,125
to the economic vitality and cultural fabric

129
00:08:41,125 --> 00:08:43,695
of the City of Memphis.

130
00:08:43,695 --> 00:08:49,695
Colleagues and city, before we call out this year's honorees,

131
00:08:50,277 --> 00:08:54,637
I'm joined by Mark Yates, president and CEO of the Black

132
00:08:54,637 --> 00:08:57,797
Chamber of Memphis, who wants to share words before we

133
00:08:57,797 --> 00:09:00,197
honor this year's honorees.

134
00:09:02,169 --> 00:09:04,169
[audience applauding]

135
00:09:05,658 --> 00:09:08,658
>> Very briefly, good evening, everybody.

136
00:09:11,285 --> 00:09:13,685
Good evening Councilwoman Easter-Thomas.

137
00:09:20,244 --> 00:09:21,869
Thanks for inviting and recognizing us.

138
00:09:21,869 --> 00:09:26,469
On behalf of the chamber and entrepreneur and business owners

139
00:09:26,469 --> 00:09:32,469
we serve, thanks for recognizing MBB month and the contributions

140
00:09:33,885 --> 00:09:36,125
black businesses make to Memphis every day.

141
00:09:36,125 --> 00:09:39,141
Black businesses are an important part of this city's

142
00:09:39,141 --> 00:09:40,165
economic infrastructure.

143
00:09:40,165 --> 00:09:43,585
They create jobs and invest in neighborhoods,

144
00:09:43,585 --> 00:09:46,103
providing essential services and provide

145
00:09:46,103 --> 00:09:48,645
opportunities that extend well beyond the individual business

146
00:09:48,645 --> 00:09:49,145
owner.

147
00:09:49,145 --> 00:09:52,925
When these businesses grow, Memphis grows with them.

148
00:09:52,925 --> 00:09:55,610
I want to say that this is a very important.

149
00:09:55,610 --> 00:09:57,317
Our economy is dependent upon 65%

150
00:09:57,317 --> 00:10:01,625
of the population, which looks like myself and others

151
00:10:01,625 --> 00:10:02,445
in this room.

152
00:10:02,445 --> 00:10:04,165
That is very important.

153
00:10:04,165 --> 00:10:07,731
With that we will provide these awards and acknowledgments.

154
00:10:07,731 --> 00:10:13,731
Thank you very much for allowing us to be here.

155
00:10:14,649 --> 00:10:16,649
[crowd applauding]

156
00:10:19,741 --> 00:10:22,740
Councilmember Easter-Thomas: When we call these honorees

157
00:10:22,740 --> 00:10:23,770
we will need more claps than that.

158
00:10:23,770 --> 00:10:28,570
Memphis City Council honors following black businesses --

159
00:10:31,901 --> 00:10:37,981
as you are called, come this way to receive your items.

160
00:10:37,981 --> 00:10:40,390
We will try to get a full picture

161
00:10:40,390 --> 00:10:44,239
when you are up here as well.

162
00:10:44,818 --> 00:10:49,618
A&R barbecue. (crowd applauding) Aviation Pediatric Dentistry

163
00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:02,264
(crowd applauding) Black Market Strategies (crowd applauding)

164
00:11:10,816 --> 00:11:13,660
Any invocation that may be offered before the official

165
00:11:13,660 --> 00:11:15,566
start of the Council meeting shall be the voluntary offering

166
00:11:15,566 --> 00:11:23,750
of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Council. -- .

167
00:11:23,750 --> 00:11:23,825
Memphis.

168
00:11:23,825 --> 00:11:26,225
Carpenter primary health, PLLC.

169
00:11:30,525 --> 00:11:32,925
Feast and -- Humankind.

170
00:12:00,507 --> 00:12:02,507
Erbie enterprises LLC.

171
00:12:06,165 --> 00:12:09,765
Lavish, A Lux Boutique. (crowd Applauding).

172
00:12:16,275 --> 00:12:18,275
Lynn Whitney Consulting.

173
00:12:24,125 --> 00:12:29,725
Chair, if it's okay to invite you all down for photos.

174
00:12:29,725 --> 00:12:32,125
Olympic Career training Institute.

175
00:12:35,645 --> 00:12:38,450
Professional allied health LLC.

176
00:12:41,445 --> 00:12:43,845
The Reeves Law Firm.

177
00:12:52,281 --> 00:12:57,273
Last but not least, the Valar group of Keller Williams Realty.

178
00:12:57,273 --> 00:13:02,673
Please stand and join me in celebrating these honorees.

179
00:13:06,645 --> 00:13:12,825
You all we can do better join me in celebrating black businesses

180
00:13:12,825 --> 00:13:17,625
for Black Business Month. (crowd applauding) Council members,

181
00:13:32,425 --> 00:13:37,405
stand behind them so we can be in the photos.

182
00:13:37,405 --> 00:13:39,545
Afterwards, businesses, the family

183
00:13:39,545 --> 00:13:46,145
can Come and take pictures as well if the chair allows.

184
00:13:52,690 --> 00:13:54,690
[background conversations]

185
00:14:18,610 --> 00:14:21,610
[photographer taking pictures of honorees]

186
00:15:09,537 --> 00:15:10,912
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

187
00:15:10,912 --> 00:15:15,112
Madam Comptroller, please call item number two.

188
00:15:15,888 --> 00:15:20,755
>> Item number two is a resolution approving an honorary

189
00:15:20,755 --> 00:15:24,145
street name change for Samuel Henderson,

190
00:15:24,145 --> 00:15:28,205
in recognition of his extraordinary courage, faith,

191
00:15:28,205 --> 00:15:34,750
and selfless service to the city of Memphis during the 1878

192
00:15:34,750 --> 00:15:36,750
yellow fever epidemic.

193
00:15:37,805 --> 00:15:43,205
This resolution is sponsored by the Memphis City Council.

194
00:15:43,715 --> 00:15:45,900
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

195
00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:48,900
You are recognized, Councilman Canale.

196
00:15:52,321 --> 00:15:54,671
Councilmember Canale: Thank you Madam Chair.

197
00:15:54,671 --> 00:15:59,905
If I can get colleagues to come down since it

198
00:15:59,905 --> 00:16:03,505
is sponsored by all of us.

199
00:16:03,765 --> 00:16:07,965
Don't everybody come at the same time.

200
00:16:24,965 --> 00:16:30,365
Colleagues, indulge me and we will break this up

201
00:16:30,901 --> 00:16:33,738
into different sections and read it together.

202
00:16:33,738 --> 00:16:38,938
I set up stairs when judge Jenny Lada brought this

203
00:16:38,938 --> 00:16:39,981
to my attention.

204
00:16:39,981 --> 00:16:41,769
I thank her for that.

205
00:16:41,769 --> 00:16:45,605
It was very meaningful to me for a variety of reasons.

206
00:16:45,605 --> 00:16:52,805
I think it is something that Saint Peter's Church is proud of

207
00:16:54,165 --> 00:16:56,565
to celebrate and recognize.

208
00:16:57,965 --> 00:17:01,405
Also, there is a special people in our history

209
00:17:01,405 --> 00:17:05,185
that haven't necessarily gotten the recognition they deserve.

210
00:17:05,185 --> 00:17:08,778
We will recognize them in a meaningful way.

211
00:17:08,778 --> 00:17:10,778
Councilwoman Green.

212
00:17:18,766 --> 00:17:20,641
Councilmember Green: The Memphis City Council

213
00:17:20,641 --> 00:17:23,165
has named certain public roads to honor citizens

214
00:17:23,165 --> 00:17:25,809
in the city of Memphis and Samuel Henderson is

215
00:17:25,809 --> 00:17:28,809
deserving of this great honor.

216
00:17:36,153 --> 00:17:38,445
Councilmember Smiley, Jr. : He demonstrated exceptional

217
00:17:38,445 --> 00:17:43,845
courage, compassion, and faith during the yellow fever epidemic

218
00:17:44,855 --> 00:17:46,785
--

219
00:17:46,785 --> 00:17:48,295
>> During the yellow fever epidemic,

220
00:17:48,295 --> 00:17:52,495
which claimed an estimated 5000 lives in Memphis,

221
00:17:52,705 --> 00:17:57,505
and resulted in widespread illness, fear, and lawlessness,

222
00:17:59,580 --> 00:18:04,458
Samuel Henderson remained with the Dominican Friars of Saint

223
00:18:05,290 --> 00:18:09,950
Peter Catholic Church, while many residents fled,

224
00:18:09,950 --> 00:18:12,925
providing comfort and care to the sick and dying,

225
00:18:12,925 --> 00:18:17,125
including many Irish and German immigrants --

226
00:18:19,506 --> 00:18:23,500
>> He carried a lantern to eliminate the Dominican friars

227
00:18:23,500 --> 00:18:26,125
nighttime visits, and accompanied them as they

228
00:18:26,125 --> 00:18:29,900
minister to those suffering from yellow fever,

229
00:18:29,900 --> 00:18:33,265
thereby risking his own life through exposure to infection

230
00:18:33,265 --> 00:18:35,965
while exposing the people of Memphis during one

231
00:18:35,965 --> 00:18:40,165
of the city's most challenging periods. --

232
00:18:44,217 --> 00:18:46,825
>> Whereas Samuel Henderson continued the work,

233
00:18:46,825 --> 00:18:49,825
despite the dangers of diseases .

234
00:18:52,250 --> 00:18:56,825
Anti-Catholic and anti immigrant prejudice and hostility directed

235
00:18:56,845 --> 00:19:01,645
towards free black individuals, prioritizing service to others

236
00:19:01,805 --> 00:19:04,805
over his own safety --

237
00:19:06,666 --> 00:19:09,525
>> -- whereas the members of the Catholic community have

238
00:19:09,525 --> 00:19:14,105
initiated discussions to promote his consideration for sainthood

239
00:19:14,105 --> 00:19:18,905
in recognition of his remarkable demonstration of faith

240
00:19:19,913 --> 00:19:22,313
and selfless service --

241
00:19:23,233 --> 00:19:27,505
>> -- whereas the city of Memphis and Memphis City Council

242
00:19:27,505 --> 00:19:30,955
finds it appropriate to recognize the enduring legacy

243
00:19:30,955 --> 00:19:34,555
of Samuel Henderson, whose courage, humility,

244
00:19:36,450 --> 00:19:41,445
steadfast faith, and selfless service serve as an example

245
00:19:42,205 --> 00:19:44,205
for future Memphians..

246
00:19:46,906 --> 00:19:50,235
>> Therefore be it resolved by Memphis City Council that Adams

247
00:19:50,235 --> 00:19:55,125
Avenue, between North B.B. King Boulevard and North Street be

248
00:19:55,125 --> 00:19:57,765
known as Saint Peter Sam Avenue.

249
00:19:57,765 --> 00:20:01,125
Samuel Henderson made a lasting impact

250
00:20:01,125 --> 00:20:03,850
through his extraordinary service

251
00:20:03,850 --> 00:20:07,930
during one of the city's greatest times of need.

252
00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:13,930
The city's engineers will affix suitable signs to this road.

253
00:20:15,125 --> 00:20:17,958
Thank you, colleagues, I'm grateful

254
00:20:17,958 --> 00:20:20,997
for you joining me in support of this meaningful recognition.

255
00:20:20,997 --> 00:20:24,555
I do want to recognize and introduce

256
00:20:24,555 --> 00:20:30,500
Father Scott O'brien from Saint Peter Catholic Church and Judge

257
00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:32,500
Jenny Latta.

258
00:20:33,371 --> 00:20:35,309
>> Dear members of the City Council,

259
00:20:35,309 --> 00:20:37,525
my name is Father Scott O'brien.

260
00:20:37,525 --> 00:20:41,165
I serve as the pastor of Saint Peter Church.

261
00:20:41,165 --> 00:20:45,165
I'm deeply grateful that you are considering or have considered

262
00:20:45,165 --> 00:20:48,165
this resolution honoring Samuel Henderson

263
00:20:48,310 --> 00:20:50,805
and that the city of Memphis would recognize

264
00:20:50,805 --> 00:20:55,644
a man whose courage and service have been part of the parish's

265
00:20:55,644 --> 00:20:57,845
history for over 150 years.

266
00:20:57,845 --> 00:21:03,845
During the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, Saint Peter Sam --

267
00:21:04,407 --> 00:21:08,469
as he came to be known throughout the city --

268
00:21:08,469 --> 00:21:12,665
remained in Memphis and risks his life among the Dominican

269
00:21:12,665 --> 00:21:17,885
priests of Saint Peter, caring for the sick and dying.

270
00:21:17,885 --> 00:21:21,290
Like Sam, Dominican priest and brothers,

271
00:21:21,290 --> 00:21:23,851
who saved Saint Peter together with parishioners,

272
00:21:23,851 --> 00:21:25,789
remain committed to downtown Memphis

273
00:21:25,789 --> 00:21:30,405
and the people of this city for more than 180 years.

274
00:21:30,405 --> 00:21:34,515
Samuel's history is not only part of Saint Peter's history.

275
00:21:34,515 --> 00:21:38,205
It represents a tradition of faithful presence and service

276
00:21:38,205 --> 00:21:39,825
that continues today.

277
00:21:39,825 --> 00:21:42,669
To name a street after Samuel Henderson

278
00:21:42,669 --> 00:21:45,233
is a fitting tribute to a man who

279
00:21:45,233 --> 00:21:48,710
once walked the streets of this city

280
00:21:48,710 --> 00:21:54,671
in humble and courageous service on behalf of Saint Peter Church.

281
00:21:55,165 --> 00:21:59,685
On behalf of the Dominicans that serve here,

282
00:21:59,685 --> 00:22:01,725
I offer gratitude for the resolution.

283
00:22:01,725 --> 00:22:05,645
Thank you, so much, and thank you, Sam.

284
00:22:05,645 --> 00:22:11,645
>> Members of the Council, I join Father Scott and other

285
00:22:12,500 --> 00:22:16,410
members of Saint Peter Church here with us today,

286
00:22:16,410 --> 00:22:19,885
in thanking you for joining us and honoring a special person

287
00:22:19,885 --> 00:22:21,500
to our parish.

288
00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:23,525
This is a special person to our city.

289
00:22:23,525 --> 00:22:26,745
I became a member of Saint Peter Parish in 2007.

290
00:22:26,745 --> 00:22:30,758
I had never heard the story of Saint Peter Sam.

291
00:22:30,758 --> 00:22:37,358
To stand before you today and see him honored at last

292
00:22:38,427 --> 00:22:40,728
is very special to my heart.

293
00:22:40,728 --> 00:22:44,928
I thank you very much. (crowd applauding)

294
00:22:59,990 --> 00:23:01,990
[background conversation]

295
00:23:17,299 --> 00:23:21,499
[photographer taking photos of recipients and council]

296
00:23:53,378 --> 00:23:55,300
Councilmember Canale: Madam controller,

297
00:23:55,300 --> 00:23:57,615
if you would show that as approved by acclamation.

298
00:23:57,615 --> 00:24:00,615
Please call item number three.

299
00:24:01,485 --> 00:24:05,685
>> Resolution honoring Floyd Bonner Jr for distinguished

300
00:24:07,525 --> 00:24:12,325
service as -- this is sponsored by Councilwoman

301
00:24:17,796 --> 00:24:19,796
Swearengen-Washington.

302
00:24:21,870 --> 00:24:23,245
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

303
00:24:23,245 --> 00:24:26,245
This is quite an honor.

304
00:24:26,345 --> 00:24:29,345
Our Sheriff is leaving us.

305
00:24:30,965 --> 00:24:32,725
He's retiring.

306
00:24:32,725 --> 00:24:36,690
He will be on his boat or yacht enjoying life.

307
00:24:36,690 --> 00:24:40,515
We want to celebrate his service and tenure.

308
00:24:40,515 --> 00:24:47,115
Whereas, before Floyd Bonner Jr wore a badge of his own,

309
00:24:47,221 --> 00:24:49,965
he watched his father wear one.

310
00:24:49,965 --> 00:24:53,871
In doing so, the truest lesson of his life

311
00:24:53,871 --> 00:24:56,405
was that you serve your neighbors

312
00:24:56,405 --> 00:25:00,500
by living a life worth living.

313
00:25:00,365 --> 00:25:06,269
Whereas, that lesson took root, a graduate of Hillcrest High

314
00:25:06,269 --> 00:25:10,325
School, and later the University of Memphis, where he earned

315
00:25:10,325 --> 00:25:12,725
his degree in criminal justice.

316
00:25:12,725 --> 00:25:18,725
Young deputy Bonner joined the Sheriff office of Shelby County

317
00:25:21,941 --> 00:25:25,270
and never stopped rising or climbing.

318
00:25:25,270 --> 00:25:31,270
Steadily, through 35 years -- and every rank the office holds

319
00:25:33,627 --> 00:25:38,845
-- all the way to Chief Deputy, his excellence earned

320
00:25:38,845 --> 00:25:43,765
recognition as a Dean's scholar in one of law enforcement's most

321
00:25:43,765 --> 00:25:46,165
demanding leadership programs whereas,

322
00:25:46,685 --> 00:25:51,305
in 2018 the people of Shelby County placed their trust in him

323
00:25:51,305 --> 00:25:57,905
in letting Floyd Bonner Jr as the 47th Sheriff of Shelby

324
00:26:00,285 --> 00:26:00,905
County.

325
00:26:00,905 --> 00:26:04,355
In 2022, having watched him lead with integrity,

326
00:26:04,355 --> 00:26:08,245
they placed their trust in him again.

327
00:26:08,245 --> 00:26:12,517
Whereas, through it all, he hasn't walked alone.

328
00:26:12,517 --> 00:26:16,117
For 44 years, his beautiful wife, Audrey,

329
00:26:18,925 --> 00:26:21,133
has stood beside him.

330
00:26:21,133 --> 00:26:23,685
They raised two sons and welcomed

331
00:26:23,685 --> 00:26:27,580
four beautiful grandchildren and build a home

332
00:26:27,580 --> 00:26:31,877
where the same devotion he gave to Shelby County was never,

333
00:26:31,877 --> 00:26:34,877
not once, in short supply.

334
00:26:35,171 --> 00:26:42,371
It is on the kitchen table this is what 45 years of service

335
00:26:42,893 --> 00:26:43,925
looks like.

336
00:26:43,925 --> 00:26:48,261
It is a life given fully, a family built faithfully,

337
00:26:48,261 --> 00:26:52,461
and a community left better and safer

338
00:26:53,445 --> 00:27:00,495
for having had Floyd Bonner Jr spent his life watching over it.

339
00:27:00,495 --> 00:27:04,695
Now therefore be it resolved, that Chairwoman

340
00:27:13,804 --> 00:27:16,804
Swearengen-Washington and the whole council

341
00:27:18,964 --> 00:27:25,564
honors Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr and keeping watch over the city.

342
00:27:27,717 --> 00:27:33,117
The council thanks Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr for 45 years,

343
00:27:34,980 --> 00:27:38,661
given without hesitation to the people of Shelby County,

344
00:27:38,661 --> 00:27:44,610
and for a career spent standing between this community.

345
00:27:45,695 --> 00:27:51,633
Be it therefore resolved that a copy of this resolution be

346
00:27:51,633 --> 00:27:58,233
placed with Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr as gratitude by the City

347
00:28:03,365 --> 00:28:06,545
Council and the citizens of Memphis, given by my hand,

348
00:28:06,545 --> 00:28:11,345
on this great day of Tuesday, August 18th, 2026.

349
00:28:12,510 --> 00:28:16,250
Chairwoman of the Memphis City Council.

350
00:28:16,250 --> 00:28:20,825
We also have a framed resolution for you

351
00:28:22,741 --> 00:28:28,141
that you can put on your yacht. (crowd applauding)

352
00:28:30,614 --> 00:28:34,814
(Chairwoman laughing) I'm speaking it into existence.

353
00:28:35,365 --> 00:28:38,365
We also have a bag.

354
00:28:41,885 --> 00:28:46,685
Come on up here and share some comments.

355
00:28:48,405 --> 00:28:54,405
>> First of all, thank the City Council for this honor.

356
00:28:54,685 --> 00:29:00,850
As Councilwoman Washington says, it has been almost 46 years

357
00:29:00,861 --> 00:29:03,741
that I've served as deputy Sheriff,

358
00:29:03,741 --> 00:29:06,285
rising all the way up to Sheriff.

359
00:29:06,285 --> 00:29:09,782
It is not very often that I get a chance to come over here.

360
00:29:09,782 --> 00:29:13,982
I do my battles across them all.

361
00:29:14,101 --> 00:29:17,605
I'm honored and grateful for you to give me this award.

362
00:29:17,605 --> 00:29:22,405
Certainly, the cities of Memphis and Shelby County

363
00:29:23,138 --> 00:29:26,610
I am grateful to for electing me twice.

364
00:29:26,610 --> 00:29:30,885
My wife is here and the command staff and law enforcement

365
00:29:30,885 --> 00:29:31,845
is here.

366
00:29:31,845 --> 00:29:34,245
We appreciate your friendship.

367
00:29:34,405 --> 00:29:37,375
I've had dealings with most of you

368
00:29:37,375 --> 00:29:41,575
when problems have arose in your district.

369
00:29:41,591 --> 00:29:46,310
I hope I've always been able to take care of your needs.

370
00:29:46,310 --> 00:29:50,831
Thank you all very very much. (crowd applauding).

371
00:30:00,786 --> 00:30:02,411
Councilmember Canale: Madam controller,

372
00:30:02,411 --> 00:30:05,565
please show that as approved by acclamation.

373
00:30:05,565 --> 00:30:11,565
Please note that item number two had same night minutes.

374
00:30:33,845 --> 00:30:35,845
Congratulations, Sheriff Bonner.

375
00:30:38,197 --> 00:30:40,885
Job well done my friend.

376
00:30:40,885 --> 00:30:42,885
Enjoy your retirement.

377
00:30:42,885 --> 00:30:47,850
Madam controller, please call item number four.

378
00:30:47,885 --> 00:30:53,285
>> Item number four is a resolution honoring Doctor Noel

379
00:30:55,623 --> 00:31:01,230
G. L. Hutchinson, Jr. This is sponsored by Councilwoman

380
00:31:08,349 --> 00:31:10,349
Cooper-Sutton.

381
00:31:11,780 --> 00:31:12,703
Councilmember Canale: Councilwoman, you

382
00:31:12,703 --> 00:31:14,703
are recognized.

383
00:31:19,127 --> 00:31:21,127
Councilmember Cooper-Sutton: They saved the best

384
00:31:21,127 --> 00:31:23,685
for last Memphis city Council resolution,

385
00:31:23,685 --> 00:31:27,285
whereas Doctor Noel G. L. Hutchinson

386
00:31:29,605 --> 00:31:35,500
Jr is a distinguished author and community advocate that's

387
00:31:35,645 --> 00:31:39,605
dedicated his life to serving God and uplifting individuals,

388
00:31:39,605 --> 00:31:43,805
families, and communities, and whereas, Doctor Hutchinson

389
00:31:46,595 --> 00:31:49,405
Jr currently serves as the executive mission

390
00:31:49,405 --> 00:31:53,605
director for the Progressive National Baptist Convention,

391
00:31:55,887 --> 00:32:01,287
He in BC and pastor of Kingdom Baptist Church

392
00:32:04,375 --> 00:32:07,375
in Memphis Tennessee, previously serving

393
00:32:08,765 --> 00:32:14,165
as pastor of First Baptist Church Lauderdale for 22 years.

394
00:32:14,925 --> 00:32:20,725
Whereas Doctor Hutchinson Jr is married to the beautiful Rebecca

395
00:32:20,725 --> 00:32:26,125
Hutchinson, native Memphian, who has been a steadfast partner

396
00:32:27,813 --> 00:32:33,813
and a source of support throughout his years of ministry

397
00:32:34,549 --> 00:32:37,213
and service to the community.

398
00:32:37,213 --> 00:32:43,213
Whereas, a native of Bronx, New York, doctor Hutchinson Jr

399
00:32:45,765 --> 00:32:50,565
pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree and sociology

400
00:32:51,575 --> 00:32:55,775
and American Studies from Brandeis University, master

401
00:32:57,265 --> 00:33:02,650
of Divinity, cum laude, from drew theological school,

402
00:33:09,364 --> 00:33:14,580
and doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary

403
00:33:14,580 --> 00:33:16,580
in Trotwood, Ohio.

404
00:33:18,250 --> 00:33:21,625
He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment

405
00:33:23,951 --> 00:33:28,751
to theological education and development of future leaders,

406
00:33:30,905 --> 00:33:35,105
serving as a professor at Memphis Theological

407
00:33:38,125 --> 00:33:42,450
Seminary and the Tennessee School of Religion,

408
00:33:42,450 --> 00:33:47,445
as well as college chaplain at Lemoyne Owens College.

409
00:33:58,545 --> 00:34:04,545
Here he helped establish a faith in action community conference,

410
00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:10,671
in partnership with the Congress of National Black Churches.

411
00:34:10,671 --> 00:34:13,710
Memphis affiliated created opportunities

412
00:34:13,151 --> 00:34:16,265
for faith leaders and community stakeholders

413
00:34:16,265 --> 00:34:21,650
to engage in meaningful dialog and collaborative actions.

414
00:34:21,765 --> 00:34:24,765
Whereas, Doctor Hutchinson Jr continues

415
00:34:25,635 --> 00:34:32,675
to engage the community through his work as host of Huddle Talk

416
00:34:32,675 --> 00:34:36,275
with Dr. Hutch, providing a platform

417
00:34:38,885 --> 00:34:41,885
for thoughtful conversation, community dialog,

418
00:34:42,650 --> 00:34:46,265
and issues impacting the lives of Memphians.

419
00:34:46,271 --> 00:34:51,710
Whereas, Doctor Hutchinson Jr is an accomplished author

420
00:34:51,585 --> 00:34:56,985
that has published from the Shepherd's Staff and Shepherd's

421
00:35:06,614 --> 00:35:09,140
Staff Remix, inspiring words.

422
00:35:10,714 --> 00:35:14,914
Doctor Hutchinson Jr has exemplified the values

423
00:35:15,858 --> 00:35:20,580
that make a lasting and meaningful contribution

424
00:35:20,285 --> 00:35:24,485
to the city of Memphis and beyond.

425
00:35:25,211 --> 00:35:32,411
Be it resolved that on this day, the Memphis City Council extends

426
00:35:32,845 --> 00:35:37,645
its sincere appreciation to Doctor Noel G. L.

427
00:35:40,236 --> 00:35:46,370
Hutchinson, Jr, for many years of dedicated service to Memphis

428
00:35:46,370 --> 00:35:49,301
and for the positive impact he continues

429
00:35:49,301 --> 00:35:53,501
to make through his ministry and leadership.

430
00:35:53,541 --> 00:35:58,311
Given by my hand, and under the great seal of the City

431
00:35:58,311 --> 00:36:03,111
of Memphis, this 18th day of August 18th, 2026,

432
00:36:08,765 --> 00:36:10,765
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton.

433
00:36:15,824 --> 00:36:17,669
(crowd applauding).

434
00:36:17,669 --> 00:36:23,669
We will give him an opportunity to say some words.

435
00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:29,511
>> While Councilwoman was reading all that,

436
00:36:29,511 --> 00:36:31,691
I felt sorry for her.

437
00:36:31,691 --> 00:36:35,418
I understand why she had to wipe her glasses.

438
00:36:35,418 --> 00:36:39,625
In all seriousness, to the Memphis City Council

439
00:36:39,625 --> 00:36:42,625
and to Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton,

440
00:36:45,155 --> 00:36:47,237
thank you for this August honor.

441
00:36:47,237 --> 00:36:48,805
Thank you so much.

442
00:36:48,805 --> 00:36:54,805
First, I come with the attire of a mission director,

443
00:36:56,930 --> 00:36:59,249
in solidarity with my much better half, Rebecca.

444
00:36:59,249 --> 00:37:04,490
You can clap on that one. (crowd applauding).

445
00:37:06,989 --> 00:37:12,885
Her credentials in serving this community stand on their own.

446
00:37:12,885 --> 00:37:17,812
I, love, and appreciate you more than you'll ever know.

447
00:37:17,812 --> 00:37:19,812
(crowd applauding).

448
00:37:20,388 --> 00:37:23,638
I also need to share other thank yous.

449
00:37:23,638 --> 00:37:27,885
I want to thank members of Kingdom Fellowship Baptist

450
00:37:27,885 --> 00:37:29,745
Church, some who are here today.

451
00:37:29,745 --> 00:37:32,645
I want to thank friends across the country watching

452
00:37:32,645 --> 00:37:38,695
this on the live stream, as well as thank my family in about

453
00:37:38,695 --> 00:37:40,125
six different countries.

454
00:37:40,125 --> 00:37:42,100
As a matter of fact, I know as a fact

455
00:37:42,100 --> 00:37:43,665
that I want to give a special shout out

456
00:37:43,665 --> 00:37:48,710
to my London family, who is staying awake in England.

457
00:37:48,710 --> 00:37:52,871
It is about 11:00 in the evening right now.

458
00:37:55,605 --> 00:38:00,315
They want to stay up late to see their big cousin get honored.

459
00:38:00,315 --> 00:38:02,271
I'm appreciative of that.

460
00:38:02,271 --> 00:38:07,500
I will be quick because I know Baptist preachers are

461
00:38:07,500 --> 00:38:08,437
long winded.

462
00:38:08,437 --> 00:38:13,837
I realize I didn't get up here by myself.

463
00:38:13,965 --> 00:38:20,565
I stand on the shoulder of my parents, Annie Calhoun, Wesley

464
00:38:21,965 --> 00:38:27,365
and Gloria Duckett, Thomas and Pauletta Rose, Springer Allen,

465
00:38:28,245 --> 00:38:32,845
Paul Weaver junior, Gregory Jackson, Richard C, Gardner

466
00:38:32,845 --> 00:38:36,540
Taylor, Charles Dickens, Aaron Powell, Bobby Renfro,

467
00:38:36,540 --> 00:38:40,325
James Bridges, James Cowan Jr, and many others.

468
00:38:40,325 --> 00:38:45,957
You may not know them -- and many have left the Church

469
00:38:45,957 --> 00:38:48,709
militant for the church triumphant --

470
00:38:48,709 --> 00:38:53,145
but they and many others are why I'm standing here today.

471
00:38:53,145 --> 00:38:57,365
I'm especially appreciative because someone like me, someone

472
00:38:57,365 --> 00:39:02,705
outspoken in many ways, someone with a focus on the greater

473
00:39:02,705 --> 00:39:04,905
good, usually doesn't get awards.

474
00:39:04,905 --> 00:39:11,505
We have to wait on Jesus to tell us "well done."

475
00:39:13,195 --> 00:39:15,285
to better understand why it's like that,

476
00:39:15,285 --> 00:39:19,191
I'm descended from those gathered from present day Ghana

477
00:39:19,191 --> 00:39:22,205
and Nigeria that are made slaves.

478
00:39:22,205 --> 00:39:25,705
They threw off shackles and made themselves free they

479
00:39:25,705 --> 00:39:28,333
British Empire couldn't deal with them.

480
00:39:28,333 --> 00:39:30,445
It had to leave them alone.

481
00:39:30,445 --> 00:39:35,180
That's why when there's no music, I don't dance.

482
00:39:35,180 --> 00:39:39,155
And when there is no itch, I don't scratch.

483
00:39:39,155 --> 00:39:43,355
Secondly, I operate in ministry by Jeremiah 29:7,

484
00:39:49,270 --> 00:39:53,382
seeking peace and prosperity of the city by the way I carried it

485
00:39:53,382 --> 00:39:54,936
to you.

486
00:39:54,936 --> 00:39:59,136
If it prospers, you will also prosper.

487
00:39:59,557 --> 00:40:02,511
God planted me in Memphis and I hope I my actions,

488
00:40:02,511 --> 00:40:05,673
it is obvious that I love this city.

489
00:40:05,673 --> 00:40:11,985
It is up to us, the council, me, and the citizens,

490
00:40:11,985 --> 00:40:14,805
to remember our cloud of witnesses

491
00:40:14,805 --> 00:40:19,519
that have gone before us, who endured much, who could only

492
00:40:19,519 --> 00:40:23,965
go to the zoo on Thursday, who shed blood for the city

493
00:40:23,965 --> 00:40:25,225
and in the city.

494
00:40:25,225 --> 00:40:29,691
We must build on their witness to seek its peace

495
00:40:29,691 --> 00:40:30,517
and prosperity.

496
00:40:30,517 --> 00:40:36,869
This is a great city and it is up to us to make it greater.

497
00:40:36,869 --> 00:40:41,805
City Council, Memphis, all of you gathered here today,

498
00:40:41,805 --> 00:40:42,765
thank you.

499
00:40:42,765 --> 00:40:48,165
I appreciate y'all putting some respect on my name.

500
00:40:48,325 --> 00:40:50,325
(crowd applauding).

501
00:41:08,215 --> 00:41:09,590
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

502
00:41:09,590 --> 00:41:09,641
Thank you.

503
00:41:09,641 --> 00:41:11,685
Will you show that approval by acclamation?

504
00:41:11,685 --> 00:41:13,685
>> Yes, Ma'am.

505
00:41:14,370 --> 00:41:18,837
Item number five is resolution honoring the volunteers

506
00:41:23,645 --> 00:41:25,645
at Plough Towers.

507
00:41:32,284 --> 00:41:33,701
Councilmember Green: You know they

508
00:41:33,701 --> 00:41:36,650
say to never follow preachers.

509
00:41:36,650 --> 00:41:39,665
I'm going to struggle through this.

510
00:41:42,797 --> 00:41:44,938
I think we've had a great start to the council

511
00:41:44,938 --> 00:41:47,635
meeting of some of the amazing things that

512
00:41:47,635 --> 00:41:49,225
make Memphis special.

513
00:41:49,225 --> 00:41:54,250
We've honored leaders, elected officials, and business owners.

514
00:41:56,290 --> 00:42:01,578
But I'm about to honor people that often don't get seen

515
00:42:01,578 --> 00:42:05,778
and don't get their flowers, as it

516
00:42:05,891 --> 00:42:10,850
were, because they are doing the great work of Memphis

517
00:42:10,850 --> 00:42:12,850
behind The scenes.

518
00:42:14,303 --> 00:42:19,703
Plough Towers is a retirement home in my district.

519
00:42:24,109 --> 00:42:26,445
I visited with Meals on Wheels and they

520
00:42:26,445 --> 00:42:31,245
are volunteers doing incredible things every year their.

521
00:42:32,130 --> 00:42:36,213
They offer a variety of volunteer activities,

522
00:42:38,245 --> 00:42:42,725
including running a mini Mart, which helps the residents there

523
00:42:42,725 --> 00:42:44,597
with everyday food purchases.

524
00:42:44,597 --> 00:42:47,465
They have a knitting ladies group

525
00:42:47,465 --> 00:42:51,525
that handcrafts lab coats and shawls that

526
00:42:51,525 --> 00:42:57,525
are donated to organizations, such as the West Cancer Center.

527
00:42:58,258 --> 00:43:02,685
They have an I am well program that promotes mental

528
00:43:02,685 --> 00:43:05,717
and physical well-being through door to door wellness

529
00:43:05,717 --> 00:43:08,345
checks they have a peanut butter and jelly program,

530
00:43:08,345 --> 00:43:10,565
where they help people experiencing

531
00:43:10,565 --> 00:43:14,271
hunger and homelessness by preparing and distributing

532
00:43:14,271 --> 00:43:15,580
sandwiches.

533
00:43:15,580 --> 00:43:19,285
Over the past 30 years, the program has provided 282,624

534
00:43:19,285 --> 00:43:24,685
sandwiches to the individuals served by Saint Mary's Soup

535
00:43:24,857 --> 00:43:25,357
Kitchen.

536
00:43:25,357 --> 00:43:27,789
I love that they kept Count.

537
00:43:27,789 --> 00:43:30,917
This resolution reads, whereas, it is fitting

538
00:43:30,917 --> 00:43:33,445
that the Memphis City Council recognizes and honors

539
00:43:33,445 --> 00:43:37,450
organizations and volunteers whose unwavering commitment

540
00:43:37,710 --> 00:43:40,635
to service, compassion, and community engagement

541
00:43:40,635 --> 00:43:43,885
has enriched lives of Memphis residents,

542
00:43:43,885 --> 00:43:45,445
strengthening Memphis.

543
00:43:45,445 --> 00:43:49,450
The City Council recognizes the volunteers

544
00:43:49,295 --> 00:43:52,580
for their tireless efforts to uplift the community,

545
00:43:52,580 --> 00:43:54,335
their unwavering dedication of service,

546
00:43:54,335 --> 00:43:57,551
and exemplary spirit of compassion, generosity,

547
00:43:57,551 --> 00:43:58,835
and altruism.

548
00:43:58,835 --> 00:44:01,235
Whereas, since 1980, Plough Towers

549
00:44:04,956 --> 00:44:10,356
has been dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing

550
00:44:10,675 --> 00:44:14,275
for seniors, while providing an environment

551
00:44:14,445 --> 00:44:19,845
that promotes safety and well-being and sense of worth.

552
00:44:21,165 --> 00:44:25,805
The program is comprised of 75 dedicated volunteers, including

553
00:44:25,805 --> 00:44:28,911
55 residents and 20 volunteers from the surrounding

554
00:44:28,911 --> 00:44:31,605
communities, who generously give their time

555
00:44:31,605 --> 00:44:34,285
through the organization's many initiatives.

556
00:44:34,285 --> 00:44:38,465
Be it resolved that the Memphis City Council hereby

557
00:44:38,465 --> 00:44:42,650
recognizes and expresses their deepest appreciation

558
00:44:42,950 --> 00:44:47,495
to the volunteers of Plough Towers for their dedication

559
00:44:50,249 --> 00:44:52,565
of service, strengthening of community,

560
00:44:52,565 --> 00:44:54,305
and the countless lives they've touched

561
00:44:54,305 --> 00:44:56,258
through great compassion, generosity,

562
00:44:56,258 --> 00:44:58,215
and selfless volunteerism.

563
00:44:58,215 --> 00:45:02,415
I think of the famous quote, everyone

564
00:45:02,551 --> 00:45:08,551
can be great because everyone can serve, that MLK said.

565
00:45:10,845 --> 00:45:15,645
I invite you to rise and recognize them.

566
00:45:15,932 --> 00:45:17,932
(crowd applauding).

567
00:45:27,663 --> 00:45:29,380
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

568
00:45:29,380 --> 00:45:33,485
Madam controller, please show that approved by acclamation.

569
00:45:33,485 --> 00:45:39,500
This will move us to our consent agenda item, item six

570
00:45:39,500 --> 00:45:45,605
through ten, 25 with same night minutes, on items nine and ten.

571
00:45:45,675 --> 00:45:49,875
Madam controller, please call the consent agenda.

572
00:46:01,404 --> 00:46:03,218
>> On our consent agenda you stated,

573
00:46:03,218 --> 00:46:07,125
we have an item on ordinance for first reading,

574
00:46:07,125 --> 00:46:09,885
item number 25 on our add ons.

575
00:46:09,885 --> 00:46:12,805
It's an ordinance declaring a temporary moratorium

576
00:46:12,805 --> 00:46:17,500
on acceptance, processing approval, and issuing zoning,

577
00:46:19,445 --> 00:46:23,485
land use, building, and other associated infrastructure

578
00:46:23,485 --> 00:46:28,250
permits for data center developments within the city

579
00:46:28,250 --> 00:46:28,897
of Memphis.

580
00:46:28,897 --> 00:46:31,897
Up for first reading, ordinance 5982

581
00:46:32,425 --> 00:46:36,625
is sponsored by Council member Smiley, green,

582
00:46:43,941 --> 00:46:45,941
Swearengen-Washington and Easter-Thomas.

583
00:46:46,850 --> 00:46:49,658
We also have ordinance 5980 for first reading,

584
00:46:49,658 --> 00:46:51,933
zoning ordinance up for second reading,

585
00:46:51,933 --> 00:46:56,133
case number Z 26-zero five, ordinance number 5981.

586
00:46:59,205 --> 00:47:02,213
Item number eight is also up for second reading,

587
00:47:02,213 --> 00:47:04,455
a joint ordinance sponsored by the Division

588
00:47:04,455 --> 00:47:05,677
of Planning and Development.

589
00:47:05,677 --> 00:47:08,391
It was held from July 21st.

590
00:47:08,391 --> 00:47:13,791
The case number is ZTA26-zero two, ordinance number 5979.

591
00:47:16,145 --> 00:47:19,145
From Engineering Division number nine,

592
00:47:19,565 --> 00:47:23,421
resolution approving final plat for Pleasant Acres

593
00:47:23,421 --> 00:47:26,421
first edition, lots 22 and 23, there's

594
00:47:33,333 --> 00:47:36,933
a request for same night minutes.

595
00:47:37,205 --> 00:47:40,205
The contract number is C-5500.

596
00:47:41,325 --> 00:47:45,471
Item number ten is resolution approving supplemental agreement

597
00:47:45,471 --> 00:47:49,950
number one, area A, Lake Las Cruces plan

598
00:47:49,950 --> 00:47:52,115
development, phase number two, accepting bond as security.

599
00:47:52,115 --> 00:47:54,765
There's a request for same night minutes.

600
00:47:54,765 --> 00:47:56,765
Contract number is 5482.

601
00:47:57,261 --> 00:48:01,461
Madam chair, that concludes consent agenda items.

602
00:48:04,196 --> 00:48:05,834
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington: you.

603
00:48:05,834 --> 00:48:09,434
Council member Canale, you are recognized.

604
00:48:13,725 --> 00:48:16,725
Councilmember Canale: It has moved.

605
00:48:17,135 --> 00:48:18,510
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

606
00:48:18,510 --> 00:48:22,710
Moved by Canale and seconded by Warren.

607
00:48:25,245 --> 00:48:30,645
Madame Comptroller, please prepare the screen for a vote.

608
00:48:35,520 --> 00:48:39,645
>> Council members, please cast your vote for these items.

609
00:48:39,645 --> 00:48:42,645
Cannoli is yes arenas yes.

610
00:48:44,365 --> 00:48:45,397
Smiley is yes.

611
00:48:45,397 --> 00:48:46,484
Walker's yes.

612
00:48:46,484 --> 00:48:48,404
Warren is yes.

613
00:48:48,404 --> 00:48:52,400
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington is a 'Yes.'

614
00:49:04,370 --> 00:49:08,237
>> Please list Ford as a 'yes. '

615
00:49:19,237 --> 00:49:19,239
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

616
00:49:19,239 --> 00:49:19,906
The item passes.

617
00:49:19,906 --> 00:49:24,106
>> Item number 11 is a grant accepting funds

618
00:49:25,365 --> 00:49:31,365
for the Tennessee Arts Commission for the Arts for all

619
00:49:31,821 --> 00:49:35,421
grant program in the amount of $7,600.

620
00:49:35,485 --> 00:49:39,445
There's a request for same night minutes.

621
00:49:39,445 --> 00:49:43,640
Councilmember Canale: I move physical consent agenda

622
00:49:43,640 --> 00:49:46,640
to the floor for discussion.

623
00:49:46,694 --> 00:49:48,690
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

624
00:49:48,690 --> 00:49:53,800
It has been moved by Canale and seconded by green.

625
00:49:53,800 --> 00:49:58,480
Madame Comptroller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

626
00:50:10,653 --> 00:50:12,653
>> Here's the vote.

627
00:50:14,199 --> 00:50:18,399
Canale, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Walker, Warren,

628
00:50:23,421 --> 00:50:25,421
Swearengen-Washington all 'yes'.

629
00:50:30,663 --> 00:50:32,380
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

630
00:50:32,380 --> 00:50:32,746
That item passes.

631
00:50:32,746 --> 00:50:36,805
>> Next is item number 12 that should display.

632
00:50:36,805 --> 00:50:40,658
It is a resolution approving the scope expansion,

633
00:50:40,658 --> 00:50:44,258
increase and renewal to contract number 12525,

634
00:50:46,295 --> 00:50:51,950
distribution UAV inspection with UAV-Recon LLC to increase

635
00:50:57,719 --> 00:51:00,669
the contract value, to expand the scope of work and renew

636
00:51:00,669 --> 00:51:04,245
the current contract in the funded amount of $1,104,000 per

637
00:51:04,245 --> 00:51:07,557
act as a request for same night minutes.

638
00:51:07,557 --> 00:51:11,757
Resolution 13 is a resolution approving ratification, renewal,

639
00:51:12,205 --> 00:51:16,405
scope expansion, and increase to contract number 11821,

640
00:51:20,465 --> 00:51:24,665
NERC compliance management solution software with AssurX,

641
00:51:28,541 --> 00:51:32,597
incorporated to ratify, renew, expand the scope,

642
00:51:32,597 --> 00:51:34,941
and increase the contract value in the funded amount

643
00:51:34,941 --> 00:51:39,741
of $256,045.33 per resolution 14 is a resolution awarding a 12

644
00:51:45,450 --> 00:51:49,691
month purchase order for 500 Cxm wire with the option to extend

645
00:51:49,691 --> 00:51:56,291
it for two, 12 month periods two brighter days and nites Inc,

646
00:51:58,658 --> 00:52:04,580
in the amount of $504,813 per resolution 15 is a resolution

647
00:52:04,318 --> 00:52:06,718
approving the ratification, renewal,

648
00:52:06,898 --> 00:52:09,898
and increase to contract number 12516,

649
00:52:10,391 --> 00:52:14,591
security automation installation and service agreement with

650
00:52:15,245 --> 00:52:19,150
access control integration incorporated to ratify, renew,

651
00:52:19,150 --> 00:52:22,130
increase the current contract in the amount of $187,000.

652
00:52:22,130 --> 00:52:26,505
Item number 16 is a resolution ratifying the emergency ward

653
00:52:26,505 --> 00:52:31,305
of contract number 12707 MLGW Netters HVAc Replacement with

654
00:52:41,637 --> 00:52:46,585
Trane US to ratify the current contract in the funded amount

655
00:52:46,585 --> 00:52:50,785
of $2,709,687.45 per resolution number 17 is a resolution

656
00:52:59,525 --> 00:53:04,325
approving the increase and renewal to contract number

657
00:53:09,334 --> 00:53:13,534
12584, MLGW safety boot program with Tyndale Enterprises.

658
00:53:19,885 --> 00:53:21,343
Councilmember Walker: Committee met

659
00:53:21,343 --> 00:53:25,543
with a favorable recommendation and I move.

660
00:53:26,896 --> 00:53:28,271
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

661
00:53:28,271 --> 00:53:31,478
Moved by Councilwoman Walker and seconded by Councilwoman Logan.

662
00:53:31,478 --> 00:53:36,453
There are no council in the queue to speak.

663
00:53:36,453 --> 00:53:41,853
Madam Comptroller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

664
00:53:48,229 --> 00:53:52,429
>> Cooper sudden, forward, green, Smiley, Walker, Warren,

665
00:54:02,345 --> 00:54:05,945
white, Swearengen-Washington, and Canale all "yes."

666
00:54:15,255 --> 00:54:16,630
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

667
00:54:16,630 --> 00:54:17,297
The item passes.

668
00:54:17,297 --> 00:54:20,599
Now we go to add on agenda and same night minutes.

669
00:54:20,599 --> 00:54:23,965
We will go to the add on and same night minute items.

670
00:54:23,965 --> 00:54:26,365
The addition of items 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,

671
00:54:33,505 --> 00:54:36,505
and 32 the same night minutes.

672
00:54:38,429 --> 00:54:41,645
Madame controller, please call item number 19.

673
00:54:41,645 --> 00:54:45,931
>> This is a resolution to approve the allocation

674
00:54:45,931 --> 00:54:50,731
and appropriation of FY 27, Memphis City Council community

675
00:54:51,805 --> 00:54:56,765
Grant program bonds to support medical debt relief through

676
00:54:56,765 --> 00:55:01,685
undue medical debt and to allocate the remaining funds

677
00:55:01,685 --> 00:55:05,565
to the MLG W plus one program.

678
00:55:05,565 --> 00:55:09,461
All Council districts, this is sponsored by Councilwoman Green.

679
00:55:09,461 --> 00:55:13,661
There's a request for same night minutes.

680
00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:24,950
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

681
00:55:24,950 --> 00:55:27,950
Councilwoman white, you are recognized.

682
00:55:34,223 --> 00:55:38,423
>> Committee recommended approval and I so move.

683
00:55:41,208 --> 00:55:42,583
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

684
00:55:42,583 --> 00:55:47,983
Moved by Councilwoman White and seconded by Councilwoman Green?

685
00:55:49,708 --> 00:55:51,708
>> --

686
00:56:00,409 --> 00:56:01,784
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

687
00:56:01,784 --> 00:56:03,784
Councilwoman green.

688
00:56:04,718 --> 00:56:07,447
Councilmember Green: I want to thank the council.

689
00:56:07,447 --> 00:56:11,365
This means over 12,000 families in the city of Memphis will have

690
00:56:11,365 --> 00:56:13,765
their medical debt erased.

691
00:56:19,601 --> 00:56:21,438
(crowd applauding).

692
00:56:21,438 --> 00:56:25,000
I'm happy for all of you.

693
00:56:25,000 --> 00:56:26,375
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

694
00:56:26,375 --> 00:56:29,975
Madam Comptroller, please call item number 20.

695
00:56:30,485 --> 00:56:33,445
>> This is a resolution to allocate an appropriate funds

696
00:56:33,445 --> 00:56:37,645
for $500,000 for FY 2027, parks critical needs funds,

697
00:56:39,325 --> 00:56:42,325
project number PK120215, fixtures, furniture,

698
00:56:43,898 --> 00:56:45,185
and equipment.

699
00:56:45,185 --> 00:56:48,785
This resolution is sponsored by administration.

700
00:56:49,165 --> 00:56:53,365
There's also requests for same night minutes.

701
00:56:54,199 --> 00:56:55,574
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

702
00:56:55,574 --> 00:56:58,574
You are recognized Councilman Warren.

703
00:57:04,285 --> 00:57:09,685
It is moved by Warren and seconded by Walker.

704
00:57:10,685 --> 00:57:13,685
Controller, please show the screen.

705
00:57:20,349 --> 00:57:24,549
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, forward, green, Smiley, Warren,

706
00:57:40,470 --> 00:57:42,470
Swearengen-Washington all "yes".

707
00:57:45,368 --> 00:57:46,743
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

708
00:57:46,743 --> 00:57:47,410
The item passes.

709
00:57:47,410 --> 00:57:52,810
>> Item 21 is transfer of funds of $221,000 to project number

710
00:57:58,685 --> 00:58:02,285
GA7002, contract construction two FY 2027CIP,

711
00:58:05,875 --> 00:58:08,565
riverfront Park improvements and maintenance,

712
00:58:08,565 --> 00:58:11,565
project number GA07709, contract construction.

713
00:58:13,871 --> 00:58:16,741
District seven, super district eight.

714
00:58:16,741 --> 00:58:18,658
Resolution is sponsored by the administration.

715
00:58:18,658 --> 00:58:21,245
There's a request for a same night

716
00:58:21,245 --> 00:58:23,645
minutes for item number 21.

717
00:58:25,768 --> 00:58:27,143
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

718
00:58:27,143 --> 00:58:29,143
Thank you.

719
00:58:31,653 --> 00:58:34,550
It has been moved by Councilman Warren

720
00:58:34,550 --> 00:58:37,550
and seconded by Councilman Canale.

721
00:58:39,240 --> 00:58:44,640
Madam controller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

722
00:58:45,964 --> 00:58:50,764
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, Ford, green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,

723
00:58:58,685 --> 00:59:01,685
Warren, white, Swearengen-Washington all "yes."

724
00:59:12,448 --> 00:59:13,823
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

725
00:59:13,823 --> 00:59:14,531
That item passes.

726
00:59:14,531 --> 00:59:18,731
>> Item number 22 transfers money from general obligation

727
00:59:20,705 --> 00:59:25,505
bond appropriations in CIP project innovation corridor BRT

728
00:59:28,885 --> 00:59:34,525
contract construction to other costs and vehicles, C a p,

729
00:59:34,525 --> 00:59:37,226
district six, super district eight.

730
00:59:37,226 --> 00:59:39,351
This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

731
00:59:39,351 --> 00:59:43,551
There's a request for same night minutes.

732
00:59:44,655 --> 00:59:46,300
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

733
00:59:46,300 --> 00:59:48,300
Councilman Ford, senior.

734
00:59:50,245 --> 00:59:54,145
It has been moved by Ford, senior,

735
00:59:54,145 --> 00:59:57,145
and seconded by Councilman Canale.

736
01:00:01,231 --> 01:00:05,405
Controller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

737
01:00:05,405 --> 01:00:10,205
>> Canale, Cooper set, Ford, green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,

738
01:00:14,605 --> 01:00:17,605
Warren, white, Swearengen-Washington all "yes".

739
01:00:33,369 --> 01:00:34,744
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

740
01:00:34,744 --> 01:00:34,897
That item passes.

741
01:00:34,897 --> 01:00:36,850
Please call the next item.

742
01:00:36,850 --> 01:00:38,850
>> There are comments.

743
01:00:43,941 --> 01:00:48,141
>> Item 23 appoints transit amenities to rail structure

744
01:00:53,685 --> 01:00:57,285
and transfers $600,000 of general obligation bond

745
01:00:57,405 --> 01:01:01,500
appropriations in CIP GA03029, transit amenities,

746
01:01:05,850 --> 01:01:07,485
to transit paratransit vehicles.

747
01:01:09,738 --> 01:01:12,685
This resolution is sponsored by the administration

748
01:01:12,685 --> 01:01:17,485
and there's a request for same night minutes.

749
01:01:17,904 --> 01:01:19,279
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

750
01:01:19,279 --> 01:01:23,479
Councilman Ford senior has moved and seconded

751
01:01:24,173 --> 01:01:27,173
by Councilmen Ford and Canale.

752
01:01:32,392 --> 01:01:36,592
Please prepare the screen for the vote.

753
01:01:37,333 --> 01:01:42,133
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, Ford, Green, Smiley, Walker, Warren,

754
01:01:51,227 --> 01:01:53,627
White, Swearengen-Washington all "yes."

755
01:01:57,801 --> 01:01:59,176
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

756
01:01:59,176 --> 01:01:59,884
That item passes.

757
01:01:59,884 --> 01:02:02,284
Please call item number 24.

758
01:02:03,850 --> 01:02:06,645
>> This is a resolution to amend fiscal year 2027 capital

759
01:02:06,645 --> 01:02:10,245
Improvement Plan budget to comply with the public Art

760
01:02:10,245 --> 01:02:11,705
program ordinance.

761
01:02:11,705 --> 01:02:14,665
All council districts, this resolution

762
01:02:14,665 --> 01:02:17,650
is sponsored by Swearengen-Washington

763
01:02:26,698 --> 01:02:28,698
and Easter-Thomas.

764
01:02:29,680 --> 01:02:31,550
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

765
01:02:31,550 --> 01:02:37,655
This has been moved by Ford Canale and seconded by Warren.

766
01:02:38,990 --> 01:02:43,190
Please prepare the screen for the vote.

767
01:02:45,893 --> 01:02:47,893
>>

768
01:03:02,134 --> 01:03:04,134
[background conversations]

769
01:03:06,375 --> 01:03:10,575
>> Green years, Smiley yes, -- all "yes."

770
01:03:17,305 --> 01:03:18,680
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

771
01:03:18,680 --> 01:03:19,434
The item passes.

772
01:03:19,434 --> 01:03:22,845
I missed two common cards for item number 22.

773
01:03:22,845 --> 01:03:26,445
Miss Dorothy Connor and Leo Arnought.

774
01:03:30,666 --> 01:03:35,466
Please forgive me if I mispronounce your name.

775
01:03:37,161 --> 01:03:42,561
If you would like to come at this time.

776
01:03:52,766 --> 01:03:53,516
>> Good afternoon.

777
01:03:53,516 --> 01:03:58,101
I'm Dorothy Connor, co-chair of the micro Transit equity team

778
01:03:58,101 --> 01:04:01,295
and better transfer for Better Memphis coalition.

779
01:04:01,295 --> 01:04:05,495
We appreciate the BRT fund of $6 million

780
01:04:06,891 --> 01:04:09,891
being added to the budget.

781
01:04:11,500 --> 01:04:15,205
This will greatly benefit MATA to improve

782
01:04:18,451 --> 01:04:22,510
their operations we appreciate the funds,

783
01:04:22,520 --> 01:04:25,150
but MATA is in need of more funding.

784
01:04:25,150 --> 01:04:27,660
It is currently operating with 23 scheduled routes that

785
01:04:27,660 --> 01:04:31,860
were offered after the 2020 COVID 19 epidemic lockdown.

786
01:04:33,565 --> 01:04:37,765
These 23 routes are improperly and insufficiently running.

787
01:04:41,300 --> 01:04:45,500
We need more busses, mechanics, and drivers.

788
01:04:46,185 --> 01:04:51,585
Passengers are experiencing 2 to 3 hour wait times between busses

789
01:04:53,851 --> 01:04:56,461
and some are no show busses.

790
01:04:56,461 --> 01:04:59,511
When they arrive they are overcrowded.

791
01:04:59,511 --> 01:05:03,310
I've witnessed passengers faint and get

792
01:05:03,310 --> 01:05:07,491
sick in these 90 degree and 100 degree temperature days.

793
01:05:07,491 --> 01:05:12,891
Some busses do not have properly operating air conditioning.

794
01:05:13,631 --> 01:05:16,298
Route indicator lights are not working

795
01:05:16,298 --> 01:05:19,311
in the front or the back.

796
01:05:19,311 --> 01:05:22,365
The route is indicated by a piece of paper

797
01:05:22,365 --> 01:05:25,365
taped to the front windshield.

798
01:05:26,885 --> 01:05:31,685
This isn't properly servicing the City of Memphis.

799
01:05:31,773 --> 01:05:36,545
The routes need to be increased to 63 routes,

800
01:05:36,545 --> 01:05:41,945
servicing the entire city of Memphis from 5 a.m.

801
01:05:41,981 --> 01:05:43,981
Until 11:15 p.m..

802
01:05:44,489 --> 01:05:47,489
More bus shelters are needed .

803
01:05:51,387 --> 01:05:54,665
People need to get to work, get to school,

804
01:05:54,665 --> 01:05:57,665
pay bills, and get groceries.

805
01:06:03,237 --> 01:06:08,637
>> We appreciate your full attention to what we're saying.

806
01:06:09,138 --> 01:06:13,325
We congratulate Councilwoman Green for her proposal

807
01:06:13,325 --> 01:06:16,301
and are pleased it was passed today for $6 million.

808
01:06:16,301 --> 01:06:19,757
We hope you will also pass the $10 million

809
01:06:19,757 --> 01:06:26,357
transfer of auto fees to Mata in the next fiscal period.

810
01:06:26,693 --> 01:06:28,485
We are asking each of you to tell the mayor

811
01:06:28,485 --> 01:06:35,450
that he must allow the county to appoint at least one

812
01:06:35,450 --> 01:06:41,450
of those board members because mayor elect Lowery is committed

813
01:06:41,315 --> 01:06:43,500
to better transit.

814
01:06:43,500 --> 01:06:46,605
He will resume funding to MATA.

815
01:06:49,230 --> 01:06:51,325
Combined with that $10 million, this $6 million,

816
01:06:51,325 --> 01:06:55,284
and other money, we can start funding transit vision.

817
01:06:55,284 --> 01:06:58,598
It is up to you to make the mayor do it.

818
01:06:58,598 --> 01:07:01,845
He's not planning on doing it unless you insist on it.

819
01:07:01,845 --> 01:07:06,195
Lastly, it is very important for you to know that when we met

820
01:07:06,195 --> 01:07:10,995
on August the 4th for the MATA presentation,

821
01:07:11,900 --> 01:07:14,521
he did not answer most of the questions we presented to you

822
01:07:14,521 --> 01:07:15,453
that morning.

823
01:07:15,453 --> 01:07:20,685
We were shocked that no questions were asked by you

824
01:07:20,685 --> 01:07:23,165
of Mr. Holmes and his report.

825
01:07:23,165 --> 01:07:25,815
We will talk to him tomorrow and ask him all these questions.

826
01:07:25,815 --> 01:07:28,882
We hope to God that you will ask him as well

827
01:07:28,882 --> 01:07:31,282
and hold him accountable.

828
01:07:32,944 --> 01:07:34,399
(crowd applauding).

829
01:07:34,399 --> 01:07:36,399
Thank you.

830
01:07:41,130 --> 01:07:42,505
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

831
01:07:42,505 --> 01:07:46,105
Madame controller, please call item number 26.

832
01:07:46,565 --> 01:07:50,270
>> Item number 26 is a resolution to allocate

833
01:07:50,270 --> 01:07:54,227
and appropriate funds of $3,100,000 for FY 2027 CIP,

834
01:07:57,845 --> 01:08:02,258
Jesse Turner Park improvements, project number to be announced,

835
01:08:02,258 --> 01:08:03,638
contract construction.

836
01:08:03,638 --> 01:08:07,440
District four, super district eight, and this

837
01:08:07,440 --> 01:08:08,898
is sponsored by the administration.

838
01:08:08,898 --> 01:08:13,980
There's a request for same night minutes.

839
01:08:17,855 --> 01:08:19,855
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

840
01:08:25,630 --> 01:08:28,663
It has moved by Councilman Warren

841
01:08:41,915 --> 01:08:44,915
and seconded by Councilman Canale.

842
01:08:52,678 --> 01:08:54,678
[background conversations]

843
01:09:06,870 --> 01:09:10,470
>> Canale, Green, Ford, Logan, Walker, White,

844
01:09:18,647 --> 01:09:20,647
Swearengen-washington all "yes."

845
01:09:26,570 --> 01:09:27,432
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

846
01:09:27,432 --> 01:09:28,454
That item passes.

847
01:09:28,454 --> 01:09:32,540
Madame controller, please call item number 27.

848
01:09:34,165 --> 01:09:37,525
>> This is a resolution to allocate an appropriate funds

849
01:09:37,525 --> 01:09:41,725
of $1,250,000 for FY 2027CIP Zoom major maintenance,

850
01:09:46,271 --> 01:09:50,471
project number PK09002, contract construction, district five,

851
01:09:52,405 --> 01:09:54,250
super district nine.

852
01:09:54,250 --> 01:09:56,871
This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

853
01:09:56,871 --> 01:10:02,871
There's a request for same night minutes for item number 27.

854
01:10:06,231 --> 01:10:07,606
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

855
01:10:07,606 --> 01:10:12,406
This has been moved by Councilman Doctor Warren

856
01:10:12,621 --> 01:10:15,210
and seconded by Canale.

857
01:10:16,342 --> 01:10:20,542
Please prepare the screen for the vote.

858
01:10:27,975 --> 01:10:32,775
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, Ford, green, Smiley, Walker, Warren,

859
01:10:35,325 --> 01:10:38,325
white, Swearengin -Washington all "yes."

860
01:10:45,898 --> 01:10:47,273
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

861
01:10:47,273 --> 01:10:47,981
That item passes.

862
01:10:47,981 --> 01:10:53,610
>> Item number 28 is to allocate an appropriate funds of $500,000

863
01:10:53,610 --> 01:10:56,661
for FY 2027CIP Kennedy Park improvements,

864
01:10:57,965 --> 01:11:01,178
project number to be announced, for contract construction,

865
01:11:01,178 --> 01:11:03,928
district one, super district nine.

866
01:11:03,928 --> 01:11:05,845
Resolution is sponsored by the administration.

867
01:11:05,845 --> 01:11:11,845
There's a request for same night minutes for this item.

868
01:11:30,522 --> 01:11:31,897
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

869
01:11:31,897 --> 01:11:37,897
Item number 28 is moved by Warren and seconded by Canale.

870
01:11:38,675 --> 01:11:42,875
Please prepare the screen for the vote.

871
01:11:46,699 --> 01:11:48,407
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington: Canale,

872
01:11:48,407 --> 01:11:52,700
Cooper Sutton, Ford, Smiley, Warren, White,

873
01:12:01,344 --> 01:12:03,344
Swearengen-Washington all "yes."

874
01:12:08,697 --> 01:12:10,720
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

875
01:12:10,720 --> 01:12:11,885
That passes.

876
01:12:11,885 --> 01:12:16,685
>> Item 29 is $500,000 for Wolf River Greenway, district seven,

877
01:12:21,100 --> 01:12:22,924
super district eight.

878
01:12:22,924 --> 01:12:24,591
This is sponsored by the administration.

879
01:12:24,591 --> 01:12:27,165
There's a request for a same night minutes

880
01:12:27,165 --> 01:12:29,565
for this item number 29.

881
01:12:33,799 --> 01:12:35,174
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

882
01:12:35,174 --> 01:12:41,174
Item 29 is moved by Councilman Warren and seconded by Canale.

883
01:12:42,598 --> 01:12:45,265
There are no council members in queue to speak madam controller,

884
01:12:45,265 --> 01:12:47,665
please prepare the screen.

885
01:12:53,376 --> 01:12:58,176
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, Ford, green, Smiley, green, Warren,

886
01:13:08,910 --> 01:13:10,491
White, Swearengen-Washington all "yes."

887
01:13:14,257 --> 01:13:15,632
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

888
01:13:15,632 --> 01:13:16,340
That item passes.

889
01:13:16,340 --> 01:13:20,325
>> Item number 30 is to appropriate funds of $500,000

890
01:13:20,325 --> 01:13:24,525
for FY 2027CIP for Overton Park Mental,

891
01:13:25,130 --> 01:13:29,213
project number to be announced, for construction.

892
01:13:29,431 --> 01:13:32,431
District five, super district nine.

893
01:13:32,794 --> 01:13:34,711
Resolution is sponsored by the administration.

894
01:13:34,711 --> 01:13:36,685
There's a request for a same night

895
01:13:36,685 --> 01:13:39,850
minutes for item number 30.

896
01:13:51,691 --> 01:13:53,660
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

897
01:13:53,660 --> 01:13:54,608
Item 30 is moved by Councilman Warren

898
01:13:54,608 --> 01:13:56,850
and seconded by Councilman Smiley.

899
01:13:56,850 --> 01:13:58,485
Madame controller, please prepare

900
01:13:58,861 --> 01:14:01,861
the screen for item number 30.

901
01:14:08,961 --> 01:14:13,761
>> Canale, Cooper Sutton, Ford, green, Smiley, Warren, white,

902
01:14:20,566 --> 01:14:22,966
Swearengen-Washington, Walker, all "yes."

903
01:14:28,881 --> 01:14:30,256
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

904
01:14:30,256 --> 01:14:30,259
That item passes.

905
01:14:30,259 --> 01:14:31,384
Please call item number 31.

906
01:14:31,384 --> 01:14:35,584
>> Resolution to allocate an appropriate funds of $150,000

907
01:14:37,450 --> 01:14:41,845
for FY 2027 CIP pine Hill Golf Course netting,

908
01:14:43,705 --> 01:14:47,725
project number to be announced, district six,

909
01:14:47,725 --> 01:14:48,949
super district eight.

910
01:14:48,949 --> 01:14:51,850
This is sponsored by administration

911
01:14:51,850 --> 01:14:56,485
and there is a request for same night minutes.

912
01:15:06,510 --> 01:15:07,426
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

913
01:15:07,426 --> 01:15:09,826
It has been moved.

914
01:15:12,245 --> 01:15:15,345
It has been moved by Councilman Warren

915
01:15:15,345 --> 01:15:18,345
and seconded by Councilman Canale.

916
01:15:23,616 --> 01:15:28,416
Comptroller, Please prepare the screen for the vote.

917
01:15:33,337 --> 01:15:38,137
>> Canale, Cooper satin, Ford, green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,

918
01:15:44,685 --> 01:15:47,685
Warren, white, Swearengen-Washington all "yes".

919
01:16:01,793 --> 01:16:03,168
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

920
01:16:03,168 --> 01:16:03,876
That item passes.

921
01:16:03,876 --> 01:16:06,276
>> Item 32 is allocation of $750,000,

922
01:16:07,743 --> 01:16:11,343
Levitt shell improvements, contract construction district

923
01:16:14,525 --> 01:16:16,925
five, super district nine.

924
01:16:17,850 --> 01:16:20,150
This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

925
01:16:20,150 --> 01:16:26,615
There is a request for a same night minutes for item 32.

926
01:16:36,699 --> 01:16:38,740
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

927
01:16:38,740 --> 01:16:39,657
It has been moved by Councilman Warren

928
01:16:39,657 --> 01:16:42,657
and seconded by Councilman Canale.

929
01:16:43,484 --> 01:16:47,684
Please prepare the screen for the vote.

930
01:17:07,943 --> 01:17:10,943
>> Canale, Logan, Smiley, Warren, white,

931
01:17:21,464 --> 01:17:24,464
Swearengen-washington, Cooper Sutton all "yes."

932
01:17:26,314 --> 01:17:27,689
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

933
01:17:27,689 --> 01:17:27,702
That passes.

934
01:17:27,702 --> 01:17:29,244
That brings us to our regular agenda.

935
01:17:29,244 --> 01:17:31,244
Please call item 18.

936
01:17:32,645 --> 01:17:35,984
>> Item number 18 is a resolution of the Council

937
01:17:35,984 --> 01:17:38,815
of City of Memphis Tennessee approving and authorizing

938
01:17:38,815 --> 01:17:43,325
the issuance, sale, and delivery of the maximum aggregate

939
01:17:43,325 --> 01:17:48,725
principal amount not to exceed $350 million city of Memphis

940
01:17:51,365 --> 01:17:54,965
Tennessee, general improvement refunding bonds, series 2026,

941
01:17:57,965 --> 01:18:01,405
in one or more series, for the purpose of refunding certain

942
01:18:01,405 --> 01:18:04,245
specified maturities of the city's outstanding general

943
01:18:04,245 --> 01:18:09,450
obligation debt and funding the costs related therewith,

944
01:18:10,450 --> 01:18:12,845
making provisions for the raising annually by the city

945
01:18:12,845 --> 01:18:19,525
of a sum sufficient to pay, as the same shall become due,

946
01:18:19,525 --> 01:18:26,301
the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such bonds,

947
01:18:26,301 --> 01:18:29,285
proscribing the form in certain details of such bonds

948
01:18:29,285 --> 01:18:31,985
and delegating the authority to the Chief Financial

949
01:18:31,985 --> 01:18:36,671
Officer of the city to determine such additional details,

950
01:18:36,671 --> 01:18:40,450
approving and authorizing the public negotiated sale

951
01:18:40,450 --> 01:18:43,425
of such bonds, approving and authorizing

952
01:18:43,425 --> 01:18:47,625
the preparation and distribution of preliminary official

953
01:18:49,325 --> 01:18:51,565
statement relating to such bonds,

954
01:18:51,565 --> 01:18:55,215
and approving the form thereof and authorizing

955
01:18:55,215 --> 01:18:56,685
an official statement in connection

956
01:18:56,685 --> 01:19:01,450
with the issuance, sale and delivery of said bonds.

957
01:19:01,450 --> 01:19:03,885
Approving and authorizing the execution and delivery

958
01:19:03,885 --> 01:19:06,285
of a bond purchase agreement, appointing

959
01:19:06,285 --> 01:19:10,245
the pain and registration agent for such bonds.

960
01:19:10,245 --> 01:19:15,105
Authorizing the execution and delivery of a refunding trust

961
01:19:15,105 --> 01:19:19,305
agreement and appointing the Refunding Trustee thereunder.

962
01:19:24,952 --> 01:19:27,535
Authorizing city officials to facilitate, perform and complete

963
01:19:27,535 --> 01:19:29,805
all legal and administrative actions deemed

964
01:19:29,805 --> 01:19:35,450
necessary or advisable with respect to the issuance, sale,

965
01:19:35,450 --> 01:19:39,855
and delivery of said bonds, and setting forth an effective date.

966
01:19:39,855 --> 01:19:42,650
All City Council districts.

967
01:19:42,650 --> 01:19:46,265
This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

968
01:19:52,300 --> 01:19:53,675
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

969
01:19:53,675 --> 01:19:55,675
It has been moved by Councilwoman Attorney White

970
01:19:55,675 --> 01:19:58,980
and seconded by Doctor Warren.

971
01:19:58,980 --> 01:20:03,498
Madame Comptroller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

972
01:20:16,320 --> 01:20:19,632
>> Canale, forward, green, Walker, Warren, white,

973
01:20:26,761 --> 01:20:29,161
Swearengen-Washington, Ford all "yes."

974
01:20:33,314 --> 01:20:34,689
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

975
01:20:34,689 --> 01:20:36,689
Item passes.

976
01:20:37,520 --> 01:20:41,252
Councilman Canale, please read the following items.

977
01:20:51,793 --> 01:20:53,793
Councilmember Canale:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.

978
01:21:05,839 --> 01:21:07,214
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

979
01:21:07,214 --> 01:21:09,890
Madame Comptroller, please prepare the screen

980
01:21:09,890 --> 01:21:13,289
for the vote for same night minutes.

981
01:21:17,227 --> 01:21:19,685
Councilmember Cooper-Sutton:31 asks for same night minutes.

982
01:21:19,685 --> 01:21:22,685
Are they included in that?

983
01:21:25,943 --> 01:21:27,943
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington: Yes.

984
01:21:28,399 --> 01:21:30,240
Councilmember Cooper-Sutton: Thank you.

985
01:21:30,240 --> 01:21:31,985
>> Please cast the vote for same night minutes.

986
01:21:31,985 --> 01:21:33,985
Thank you.

987
01:21:36,685 --> 01:21:41,485
Canale, Cooper Sutton, for, Ford, Warren, Walker, white,

988
01:21:58,792 --> 01:22:00,792
Swearengen-Washington all "yes."

989
01:22:01,373 --> 01:22:02,748
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

990
01:22:02,748 --> 01:22:03,620
Item passes.

991
01:22:03,620 --> 01:22:05,175
That moves to general Commons.

992
01:22:05,175 --> 01:22:09,975
The first comment card is from Claudia Hyman.

993
01:22:19,165 --> 01:22:21,165
Is Claudia here?

994
01:22:39,639 --> 01:22:41,560
Community Member: Hello, everyone.

995
01:22:41,560 --> 01:22:44,285
I'm very glad we are here, albeit,

996
01:22:44,285 --> 01:22:47,525
I wish we were having this conversation

997
01:22:47,525 --> 01:22:51,965
before the data centers were already in construction.

998
01:22:51,965 --> 01:22:55,565
During community meetings in Jackson Mississippi,

999
01:22:56,295 --> 01:22:59,501
in wake of the Jackson water crisis,

1000
01:22:59,501 --> 01:23:03,485
I heard from parents with tears in their eyes,

1001
01:23:03,485 --> 01:23:06,693
sharing that their kids cried every night because they

1002
01:23:06,693 --> 01:23:07,877
couldn't take a bath.

1003
01:23:07,877 --> 01:23:12,677
They couldn't take a bath because their water

1004
01:23:15,916 --> 01:23:20,179
was coming out of the faucet various shades of brown

1005
01:23:20,179 --> 01:23:21,385
with sediment.

1006
01:23:21,385 --> 01:23:24,311
Do you know how many water bottles

1007
01:23:24,311 --> 01:23:26,130
it takes to fill a bathtub?

1008
01:23:26,130 --> 01:23:28,715
How much water bottles does it take for a family of four

1009
01:23:28,715 --> 01:23:31,125
to brush their teeth over a week's worth of time?

1010
01:23:31,125 --> 01:23:34,805
What do these costs look like as families

1011
01:23:34,805 --> 01:23:38,725
are forced to still pay utility companies for water that

1012
01:23:38,725 --> 01:23:41,345
is no longer safe to drink?

1013
01:23:41,345 --> 01:23:45,865
How does one safely operate a school, daycare, business,

1014
01:23:45,865 --> 01:23:50,585
or hospital without access to clean and safe drinking water?

1015
01:23:50,585 --> 01:23:53,421
Maybe you wonder what this has to do with Memphis

1016
01:23:53,421 --> 01:23:54,995
water and Data centers.

1017
01:23:54,995 --> 01:24:00,105
In Morgan County, Georgia, where meta is constructing a data

1018
01:24:00,105 --> 01:24:03,285
center, residents report there's dark brown water coming

1019
01:24:03,285 --> 01:24:04,275
from their taps.

1020
01:24:04,275 --> 01:24:06,885
According to the congressional hearing record,

1021
01:24:06,885 --> 01:24:13,450
these families now have to ship water into cook and bathe,

1022
01:24:13,450 --> 01:24:15,253
while the cost of the brown water coming from faucets

1023
01:24:15,253 --> 01:24:18,589
is estimated to have risen by 33%.

1024
01:24:18,589 --> 01:24:22,900
Residents say that the only difference in the water

1025
01:24:22,900 --> 01:24:24,231
is the start of data center construction.

1026
01:24:24,231 --> 01:24:27,565
This sounds eerily similar to what

1027
01:24:27,565 --> 01:24:31,765
I saw families experience in Jackson, Mississippi.

1028
01:24:32,580 --> 01:24:35,953
Many believe that Memphis is one of the last metropolitan

1029
01:24:35,953 --> 01:24:40,625
on the planet that fully relies on a natural aquifer.

1030
01:24:40,625 --> 01:24:46,625
The question on whether we should implement a data center

1031
01:24:47,760 --> 01:24:49,760
moratorium --

1032
01:24:49,546 --> 01:24:50,921
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1033
01:24:50,921 --> 01:24:53,321
Thank you. (crowd applauding).

1034
01:25:02,838 --> 01:25:03,505
[GAVEL BANGING].

1035
01:25:03,505 --> 01:25:04,345
Thumbs up.

1036
01:25:04,345 --> 01:25:05,185
Thumbs down.

1037
01:25:05,185 --> 01:25:07,301
Thank you for not clapping.

1038
01:25:07,301 --> 01:25:13,850
We appreciate your cooperation doing thumbs up or thumbs down.

1039
01:25:13,850 --> 01:25:15,650
Andre Abaixo.

1040
01:25:15,650 --> 01:25:17,650
Ricky Lewis.

1041
01:25:17,805 --> 01:25:19,805
Reverend Gordon Myers.

1042
01:25:31,737 --> 01:25:34,610
Community Member: Good evening.

1043
01:25:34,610 --> 01:25:37,610
My name is Andrea Vail.

1044
01:25:37,867 --> 01:25:43,325
I don't know if I need to give my zip code.

1045
01:25:43,325 --> 01:25:47,525
I'm here to discuss several topics. --

1046
01:25:48,814 --> 01:25:50,359
Bell.

1047
01:25:50,359 --> 01:25:55,525
I want to make sure on the record there

1048
01:25:55,525 --> 01:26:01,513
was a town hall meeting a week and a half ago on Hill.

1049
01:26:01,513 --> 01:26:05,450
I'm asking for an update for when

1050
01:26:05,450 --> 01:26:07,417
the basic services like cutting the grass

1051
01:26:07,417 --> 01:26:10,422
and sweeping the side of the streets would be done.

1052
01:26:10,422 --> 01:26:13,850
I was wondering if you could give an update

1053
01:26:13,850 --> 01:26:17,738
because Councilman JB Smiley did a great update telling

1054
01:26:17,738 --> 01:26:19,251
the community and constituents what

1055
01:26:19,251 --> 01:26:20,543
is going on with his community.

1056
01:26:20,543 --> 01:26:24,845
I'm wondering if we can get updates to keep hold of that.

1057
01:26:24,845 --> 01:26:29,445
Also, we have a problem with the Hickory Hill Post Office

1058
01:26:29,445 --> 01:26:33,611
that has been a common theme in this area.

1059
01:26:33,611 --> 01:26:35,985
It would be great if we could help with that.

1060
01:26:35,985 --> 01:26:39,565
It looks like a deserted post office.

1061
01:26:39,565 --> 01:26:46,165
Next I would like to talk about The colossal tax funds.

1062
01:26:51,899 --> 01:26:55,499
There's our recommendation from city leadership

1063
01:26:55,698 --> 01:26:59,629
that absolutely dismiss the health concerns concentrating

1064
01:26:59,629 --> 01:27:01,210
in that area.

1065
01:27:01,210 --> 01:27:04,875
It is not even a top five.

1066
01:27:04,875 --> 01:27:08,475
As a lifelong resident of 38109 --

1067
01:27:11,235 --> 01:27:14,868
and I still have family members in the area --

1068
01:27:14,868 --> 01:27:18,773
my story is I had asthma growing up as a child.

1069
01:27:18,773 --> 01:27:22,285
When I moved out of the area my condition

1070
01:27:22,285 --> 01:27:24,285
significantly got better.

1071
01:27:25,925 --> 01:27:32,771
I'm asking -- because you all will be the ones to approve --

1072
01:27:32,771 --> 01:27:37,885
you to reconsider and put health concerns as priority.

1073
01:27:37,885 --> 01:27:40,885
Thank you. (crowd Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1074
01:27:45,439 --> 01:27:45,939
Thank you.

1075
01:27:45,939 --> 01:27:47,439
We can do thumbs up and thumbs down.

1076
01:27:47,439 --> 01:27:51,390
Ricky Lewis and Reverend Gordon Myers.

1077
01:27:52,205 --> 01:27:54,605
They are not here?

1078
01:27:56,165 --> 01:28:02,165
Reverend Gordon Myers and then Rachel Shantel and Aaron Lewis.

1079
01:28:14,830 --> 01:28:15,375
Community Member: Good evening.

1080
01:28:15,375 --> 01:28:18,975
Reverend Gordon Myers, 11167 Orville Cove, Tennessee.

1081
01:28:21,610 --> 01:28:25,861
As a council, you make many business decisions

1082
01:28:26,485 --> 01:28:29,391
but few issues give you the opportunity

1083
01:28:29,391 --> 01:28:34,191
to demonstrate your moral leadership than the moratorium

1084
01:28:34,605 --> 01:28:36,405
on data centers.

1085
01:28:36,405 --> 01:28:40,170
People of faith look to Scripture for guidance,

1086
01:28:40,170 --> 01:28:45,197
as both Matthew and Luke record Jesus as saying, in everything,

1087
01:28:45,197 --> 01:28:47,711
do unto others as you would have them do unto you,

1088
01:28:47,711 --> 01:28:50,440
for this is the law of the prophets.

1089
01:28:50,440 --> 01:28:56,440
The Golden rule also reflects in writing in Judaism, Islam,

1090
01:28:58,405 --> 01:29:03,485
and Buddhism and Confucius as the basis of decision making.

1091
01:29:03,485 --> 01:29:06,105
Speaking to this decision, a moral insight

1092
01:29:06,105 --> 01:29:08,733
could be stated as, if you yourself would not

1093
01:29:08,733 --> 01:29:13,565
choose to live in health and life compromising proximity

1094
01:29:13,565 --> 01:29:17,165
to data centers, you should refrain

1095
01:29:17,365 --> 01:29:19,378
from requiring others to do so.

1096
01:29:19,378 --> 01:29:24,295
A second moral insight may come from article one, section one,

1097
01:29:24,295 --> 01:29:26,315
of the Tennessee Constitution, which

1098
01:29:26,315 --> 01:29:31,485
says that all powers inherited to people and governments

1099
01:29:31,485 --> 01:29:34,205
founded upon their authority and instituted

1100
01:29:34,205 --> 01:29:37,435
for their peace, safety, and happiness.

1101
01:29:37,435 --> 01:29:43,435
Applying that to the situation, it is clear that clear

1102
01:29:44,325 --> 01:29:47,845
articulation shows that the purpose of government

1103
01:29:47,845 --> 01:29:53,245
isn't to protect profits of large corporations or protect

1104
01:29:53,365 --> 01:29:56,845
the interests of billionaires, or place these interests above

1105
01:29:56,845 --> 01:30:01,461
the peace, safety, and happiness of the people .

1106
01:30:01,461 --> 01:30:08,610
A third moral direction may come from your oath of office,

1107
01:30:10,849 --> 01:30:12,474
to support the Constitution of the U.S.

1108
01:30:12,474 --> 01:30:15,829
And Tennessee, and faithfully and impartially discharge

1109
01:30:15,829 --> 01:30:21,525
and carry out and enforce all the duties of said office.

1110
01:30:21,525 --> 01:30:23,525
Thank you.

1111
01:30:27,839 --> 01:30:29,214
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1112
01:30:29,214 --> 01:30:29,218
Thank you so much.

1113
01:30:29,218 --> 01:30:30,965
Rachel Chantal and Aaron Lewis.

1114
01:30:30,965 --> 01:30:33,365
Aaron Lewis isn't here?

1115
01:30:43,372 --> 01:30:45,800
Community Member: My name is Aaron Lewis.

1116
01:30:45,800 --> 01:30:47,604
I am a resident of Memphis, Tennessee.

1117
01:30:47,604 --> 01:30:50,400
Good evening, Council members.

1118
01:30:50,650 --> 01:30:52,889
My concern isn't whether data centers are good or bad.

1119
01:30:52,889 --> 01:30:54,556
My concern is who pays for them and what

1120
01:30:54,556 --> 01:30:56,725
happens to public utilities in the process.

1121
01:30:56,725 --> 01:30:59,725
First, even the Trump administration

1122
01:31:00,578 --> 01:31:03,645
recognizes the dangers of cost shifting.

1123
01:31:03,645 --> 01:31:05,765
It's rate payer protection pledge

1124
01:31:05,765 --> 01:31:10,500
says data centers should build, or by the generation

1125
01:31:10,500 --> 01:31:11,938
they require and pay for infrastructure

1126
01:31:11,938 --> 01:31:16,738
necessary to serve them, not ordinary resident ratepayers.

1127
01:31:17,871 --> 01:31:22,349
The builder signed the pledge in Memphis should enforce it.

1128
01:31:22,349 --> 01:31:25,450
We need the same protection for water services.

1129
01:31:25,450 --> 01:31:29,845
If major industrial customers leave MLG w potable

1130
01:31:30,130 --> 01:31:33,449
water for a privately owned reclaimed water system,

1131
01:31:33,449 --> 01:31:37,490
MLG W could lose significant revenue

1132
01:31:39,424 --> 01:31:41,286
while residents remain responsible for fixed

1133
01:31:41,286 --> 01:31:43,255
cost of maintaining public water system.

1134
01:31:43,255 --> 01:31:45,501
I ask you to consider longer term implications.

1135
01:31:45,501 --> 01:31:51,465
We saw a version of this model before with Elon Musk and NASA.

1136
01:31:51,465 --> 01:31:56,865
Space X became a contractor and owns critical infrastructure

1137
01:31:58,265 --> 01:32:01,265
upon which NASA missions depend.

1138
01:32:06,445 --> 01:32:12,231
I'm not saying Musk intends to take over another industry

1139
01:32:12,231 --> 01:32:14,631
but multibillion dollar companies

1140
01:32:16,245 --> 01:32:19,505
are being encouraged to build their own generation.

1141
01:32:19,505 --> 01:32:24,905
What happens when MLG W becomes a major producer?

1142
01:32:25,360 --> 01:32:29,560
What happens with our relationship with TBA?

1143
01:32:33,117 --> 01:32:34,325
We should develop safeguards.

1144
01:32:34,325 --> 01:32:37,925
Required cost of service, cost shifting,

1145
01:32:38,229 --> 01:32:44,229
and long term integrity of our publicly owned utilities as

1146
01:32:44,455 --> 01:32:45,325
important.

1147
01:32:45,325 --> 01:32:49,508
If we are not careful, one day it

1148
01:32:49,508 --> 01:32:53,708
might be like Musk-like gas and water.

1149
01:32:59,190 --> 01:33:00,394
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1150
01:33:00,394 --> 01:33:00,396
Thank you.

1151
01:33:00,396 --> 01:33:01,896
Please do thumbs up and thumbs down.

1152
01:33:01,896 --> 01:33:03,845
Please refrain from clapping.

1153
01:33:03,845 --> 01:33:07,445
Amber Sherman, Randy price, Roy Davis.

1154
01:33:08,645 --> 01:33:11,645
>> My name is Amber Sherman.

1155
01:33:12,638 --> 01:33:14,845
I want to talk about the data center moratorium.

1156
01:33:14,845 --> 01:33:17,365
I appreciate you passing it on the first reading.

1157
01:33:17,365 --> 01:33:20,633
It's crucial that we have a moratorium for some reasons Elon

1158
01:33:20,633 --> 01:33:23,737
Musk is exploiting our city and there are no guardrails in place

1159
01:33:23,737 --> 01:33:24,605
to prevent that.

1160
01:33:24,605 --> 01:33:28,180
Our air is being polluted, water is being taken advantage of,

1161
01:33:28,180 --> 01:33:31,500
and they are not paying their fair price for it either.

1162
01:33:31,500 --> 01:33:35,850
MLG W doesn't have a way to charge them a fee.

1163
01:33:35,850 --> 01:33:37,465
It isn't fair that they are getting a discount for water

1164
01:33:37,465 --> 01:33:39,941
and other folks are getting charged more, who

1165
01:33:39,941 --> 01:33:41,791
are closer to the data center.

1166
01:33:41,791 --> 01:33:43,405
There are other folks experiencing

1167
01:33:43,405 --> 01:33:46,685
pollution in the air and have to use asthma pumps.

1168
01:33:46,685 --> 01:33:49,569
I had to get an asthma pump last December

1169
01:33:49,569 --> 01:33:51,595
and haven't had it in my life.

1170
01:33:51,595 --> 01:33:53,741
Now I have trouble breathing because I

1171
01:33:53,741 --> 01:33:55,101
live near South Memphis.

1172
01:33:55,101 --> 01:33:57,195
Elon Musk is polluting our air.

1173
01:33:57,195 --> 01:33:59,517
It's important to pass the moratorium because there

1174
01:33:59,517 --> 01:34:02,500
has to be a way to stop data centers from coming

1175
01:34:02,500 --> 01:34:02,633
into Memphis.

1176
01:34:02,633 --> 01:34:06,125
They see Memphis as a free for all, where they can

1177
01:34:06,125 --> 01:34:07,635
go to build whatever they want.

1178
01:34:07,635 --> 01:34:10,789
Yesterday, before you announced the moratorium being heard,

1179
01:34:10,789 --> 01:34:16,789
they are talking about a fifth data center from AXi.

1180
01:34:19,361 --> 01:34:24,895
-- I see that Cooper Sutton took her name off as a sponsor and I

1181
01:34:24,895 --> 01:34:26,884
still hope you vote yes on the moratorium.

1182
01:34:26,884 --> 01:34:30,136
It's okay if you don't want to sponsor it but we as citizens

1183
01:34:30,136 --> 01:34:34,770
want you to vote yes on the moratorium and I hope that

1184
01:34:34,770 --> 01:34:37,770
Councilwoman Janika White votes "yes",

1185
01:34:45,965 --> 01:34:47,882
because she tends to be very pro-big business.

1186
01:34:47,882 --> 01:34:52,682
I hope you vote yes on the moratorium.

1187
01:34:59,926 --> 01:35:01,468
Councilmember Cooper-Sutton: I didn't

1188
01:35:01,468 --> 01:35:02,676
get paid when Elon Musk came.

1189
01:35:02,676 --> 01:35:07,831
Maybe we need to talk down the line while this moratorium is

1190
01:35:07,831 --> 01:35:09,831
happening.

1191
01:35:12,875 --> 01:35:14,250
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1192
01:35:14,250 --> 01:35:16,250
Brandi Price.

1193
01:35:26,805 --> 01:35:28,513
Community Member: My name is Brandi Price

1194
01:35:28,513 --> 01:35:29,230
and I'm here to inform you and the public

1195
01:35:29,230 --> 01:35:30,853
onto what greenwashing is.

1196
01:35:30,853 --> 01:35:34,785
It is when they use environmental issues to hide

1197
01:35:34,785 --> 01:35:36,785
behind nefarious policies.

1198
01:35:37,191 --> 01:35:39,885
The policies here today we are talking about

1199
01:35:39,885 --> 01:35:41,805
is mass surveillance and data collection.

1200
01:35:41,805 --> 01:35:46,515
We are constantly talking about wanting to attract businesses

1201
01:35:46,515 --> 01:35:49,637
and don't want to hurt chances for investment.

1202
01:35:49,637 --> 01:35:53,245
If you want to invest, invest in the citizens

1203
01:35:53,245 --> 01:35:54,605
and get proper housing.

1204
01:35:54,605 --> 01:35:57,949
We can do city bonds and have people directly invest

1205
01:35:57,949 --> 01:35:58,945
in their own city.

1206
01:35:58,945 --> 01:36:00,733
Y'all don't want to do that.

1207
01:36:00,733 --> 01:36:04,157
You keep talking about investors and green energy

1208
01:36:04,157 --> 01:36:08,357
and greenwashing the harm that is done.

1209
01:36:08,749 --> 01:36:11,853
We need a moratorium stronger than Coke.

1210
01:36:11,853 --> 01:36:14,309
We need something stronger than 12 months.

1211
01:36:14,309 --> 01:36:16,933
We need something to assess the damage.

1212
01:36:16,933 --> 01:36:19,645
These data centers damage people's bodies

1213
01:36:19,645 --> 01:36:22,450
very subtly and Harmfully.

1214
01:36:22,221 --> 01:36:27,925
It causes children to have strokes, which is what research

1215
01:36:27,925 --> 01:36:31,525
has shown, as well as elders.

1216
01:36:31,685 --> 01:36:36,839
These things are loud and can affect your body

1217
01:36:36,839 --> 01:36:39,965
on a sub acoustic level people keep

1218
01:36:39,965 --> 01:36:44,231
saying that we have these things and we

1219
01:36:44,231 --> 01:36:46,685
shouldn't be afraid of surveillance

1220
01:36:46,685 --> 01:36:48,845
if there's nothing to hide.

1221
01:36:48,845 --> 01:36:52,330
That is a subtle nod to not having rights

1222
01:36:52,330 --> 01:36:53,645
under the Constitution.

1223
01:36:53,645 --> 01:36:55,545
That is basically why we are here.

1224
01:36:55,545 --> 01:36:59,745
If you're only argument for mass surveillance

1225
01:37:02,365 --> 01:37:07,645
is catching bad people, the question is who accesses it,

1226
01:37:07,645 --> 01:37:10,669
who watches for abuse, and what happens

1227
01:37:10,669 --> 01:37:12,775
when the database is wrong?

1228
01:37:12,775 --> 01:37:15,775
Searchable location histories, warrantless arrests,

1229
01:37:16,500 --> 01:37:20,205
police database abuses, automatic police flagging across

1230
01:37:23,563 --> 01:37:25,563
agencies --

1231
01:37:27,420 --> 01:37:29,725
ICE -- you don't have to be a criminal to care about privacy

1232
01:37:29,725 --> 01:37:33,661
and you don't have to hate the police to know that

1233
01:37:33,661 --> 01:37:36,610
the government needs limits.

1234
01:37:40,228 --> 01:37:41,603
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1235
01:37:41,603 --> 01:37:42,436
Thank you very much.

1236
01:37:42,436 --> 01:37:46,360
Royce Davis, Dillon Dukes, and Pearson.

1237
01:37:50,885 --> 01:37:54,485
Community Member: I'm an independent journalist.

1238
01:37:54,996 --> 01:37:57,265
I've been looking into these data centers

1239
01:37:57,265 --> 01:37:58,791
for the past couple of months.

1240
01:37:58,791 --> 01:38:02,391
I want to thank you all.

1241
01:38:02,735 --> 01:38:05,735
You brought the moratorium forward.

1242
01:38:06,770 --> 01:38:08,477
It is long overdue.

1243
01:38:10,325 --> 01:38:14,125
I documented what is happening in South Memphis.

1244
01:38:14,125 --> 01:38:17,725
There's 69 methane turbines operating without permits.

1245
01:38:26,458 --> 01:38:29,458
There's formaldehyde and oxygen dioxide.

1246
01:38:29,875 --> 01:38:34,108
This has been introduced into a community that

1247
01:38:34,108 --> 01:38:36,285
has the highest rate of emergency room

1248
01:38:36,285 --> 01:38:40,517
visits for respiratory illness in the state of Tennessee.

1249
01:38:40,517 --> 01:38:42,585
This is not speculation.

1250
01:38:42,585 --> 01:38:44,305
These are facts.

1251
01:38:44,305 --> 01:38:48,301
The turbines require permits from the EPA.

1252
01:38:48,301 --> 01:38:53,101
Shelby County gave AXI breaks and the permit

1253
01:38:55,643 --> 01:38:57,685
was initially approved with zero community input.

1254
01:38:57,685 --> 01:38:59,573
This isn't just Memphis.

1255
01:38:59,573 --> 01:39:03,145
I've documented from renters in Texas

1256
01:39:03,145 --> 01:39:08,545
that have stillborn calves for the last two years.

1257
01:39:11,125 --> 01:39:16,525
Also come farming families in Indiana, communities in Montana,

1258
01:39:18,850 --> 01:39:20,850
Michigan, and Minnesota.

1259
01:39:21,550 --> 01:39:24,181
They are fighting the same fight.

1260
01:39:24,181 --> 01:39:27,605
The industry playbook is build first and permit later.

1261
01:39:27,605 --> 01:39:33,242
When the community complains, point to the jobs it creates.

1262
01:39:33,242 --> 01:39:38,642
One megawatt of capacity generates fewer than two jobs.

1263
01:39:38,925 --> 01:39:44,925
Subsidy costs nearly 2 million per job created jobs don't come.

1264
01:39:45,141 --> 01:39:47,141
Tax breaks do.

1265
01:39:47,469 --> 01:39:52,869
The community pays in higher utility bills, depleted water,

1266
01:39:53,805 --> 01:39:56,805
polluted air, and dead livestock.

1267
01:40:01,604 --> 01:40:02,979
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1268
01:40:02,979 --> 01:40:03,479
Thank you.

1269
01:40:03,479 --> 01:40:07,790
Dylan Robinson Duke and Keshawn Pearson.

1270
01:40:17,636 --> 01:40:19,303
Community Member: Hello my name is Dylan

1271
01:40:19,303 --> 01:40:21,458
and I reside in the gerrymandered district number

1272
01:40:21,458 --> 01:40:22,111
five.

1273
01:40:22,111 --> 01:40:26,911
I have one thing I want to say.

1274
01:40:27,980 --> 01:40:30,105
Doing the moratorium now doesn't exonerate anybody

1275
01:40:30,105 --> 01:40:31,181
from being replaced.

1276
01:40:31,181 --> 01:40:33,581
Keep that in mind.

1277
01:40:38,299 --> 01:40:39,674
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1278
01:40:39,674 --> 01:40:39,678
Thank you so much.

1279
01:40:39,678 --> 01:40:41,386
Community Member: We have Keshawn Pearson

1280
01:40:41,386 --> 01:40:43,386
and Christian Dennis.

1281
01:40:45,850 --> 01:40:48,685
Community Member: Doctor Martin Luther King

1282
01:40:49,300 --> 01:40:51,677
said come to the movement lives or dies in Memphis.

1283
01:40:51,677 --> 01:40:55,765
Judging by the look of the folks behind me,

1284
01:40:55,765 --> 01:41:00,565
the movement is very much alive (crowd applauding).

1285
01:41:02,172 --> 01:41:03,922
In the city of Memphis, we have a decision

1286
01:41:03,922 --> 01:41:05,922
to make whether we will be the site of continued

1287
01:41:05,922 --> 01:41:09,522
corporate exploitation or demand corporate ethics.

1288
01:41:10,735 --> 01:41:13,465
We can demand ethical development

1289
01:41:13,465 --> 01:41:17,325
that doesn't sacrifice our clean air, clean water,

1290
01:41:17,325 --> 01:41:18,295
or communities.

1291
01:41:18,295 --> 01:41:21,285
Let's talk about facts over fear.

1292
01:41:21,285 --> 01:41:24,445
The fear is that the corporate community will

1293
01:41:24,445 --> 01:41:26,861
be impacted by a moratorium.

1294
01:41:26,861 --> 01:41:32,861
The facts are that AXI is already operating methane gas

1295
01:41:36,508 --> 01:41:41,825
turbines that is emitting more nitrogen dioxide in the air

1296
01:41:41,825 --> 01:41:43,893
than we ever have had to breathe.

1297
01:41:43,893 --> 01:41:47,545
Our clean water is being pumped out to machines

1298
01:41:47,545 --> 01:41:50,100
that will power AI that is meant to replace us

1299
01:41:50,100 --> 01:41:52,855
at a rate of nearly 5 million gallons per day.

1300
01:41:52,855 --> 01:41:55,938
Let's talk about facts over fear of.

1301
01:41:55,938 --> 01:41:59,931
The fear is that somehow, the corporate community

1302
01:41:59,931 --> 01:42:03,325
will take a loss but we have the facts about what we are already

1303
01:42:03,325 --> 01:42:07,125
losing because of the 59 methane gas turbines

1304
01:42:07,125 --> 01:42:09,525
that AXI is emitting.

1305
01:42:15,134 --> 01:42:19,934
We can see up to $33 million in earned

1306
01:42:20,253 --> 01:42:24,205
wages that will not become real because folks will be ill.

1307
01:42:24,205 --> 01:42:27,850
Let's talk about facts over a fear

1308
01:42:27,850 --> 01:42:29,850
that corporations will be harmed.

1309
01:42:29,850 --> 01:42:34,229
The facts are our community has been hurting for over two years,

1310
01:42:34,229 --> 01:42:37,350
and there's been no meaningful engagement with our community

1311
01:42:37,350 --> 01:42:39,185
or regulation past.

1312
01:42:39,185 --> 01:42:41,850
Stand up.

1313
01:42:41,850 --> 01:42:42,669
Meet the moment.

1314
01:42:42,669 --> 01:42:48,669
Our county, city, the south, and black people deserve better.

1315
01:42:52,310 --> 01:42:53,917
(crowd applauding).

1316
01:42:53,917 --> 01:42:55,292
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1317
01:42:55,292 --> 01:42:55,792
Thank you.

1318
01:42:55,792 --> 01:42:59,392
Christian Dennis and then Jax Branson.

1319
01:43:05,172 --> 01:43:06,630
Community Member: Christian Dennis.

1320
01:43:06,630 --> 01:43:08,917
I believe and I believe my community believes

1321
01:43:08,917 --> 01:43:12,138
that it is imperative that a moratorium is passed on data

1322
01:43:12,138 --> 01:43:14,185
centers as soon as possible.

1323
01:43:14,185 --> 01:43:18,978
It should be halted until proper research is done,

1324
01:43:18,978 --> 01:43:21,450
especially considering that this company is

1325
01:43:21,450 --> 01:43:28,650
one that has a history of using gray areas to circumvent areas

1326
01:43:30,650 --> 01:43:31,605
of existing legislation.

1327
01:43:31,605 --> 01:43:34,901
I believe a moratorium should be as thorough as possible

1328
01:43:34,901 --> 01:43:37,597
and should include, but not be limited

1329
01:43:37,597 --> 01:43:42,997
to air quality, grid strain, no aquifer usage, subsidence,

1330
01:43:49,850 --> 01:43:52,709
contamination from mineral build up through wastewater systems,

1331
01:43:52,709 --> 01:43:56,909
and pretty much every foreseeable catastrophe that

1332
01:43:57,500 --> 01:44:00,498
could come from data centers this big.

1333
01:44:00,498 --> 01:44:06,615
They are setting up shop in our city and commodifying our water.

1334
01:44:06,615 --> 01:44:09,981
I believe it was a good idea to form a committee that

1335
01:44:09,981 --> 01:44:15,381
would oversee this project and also a committee that

1336
01:44:17,178 --> 01:44:19,578
is transparent and unbiased.

1337
01:44:23,245 --> 01:44:25,977
The research we saw from the company

1338
01:44:25,977 --> 01:44:28,945
itself was proven to be insignificant

1339
01:44:28,945 --> 01:44:33,637
and I believe this is not something we should rush.

1340
01:44:33,637 --> 01:44:39,637
I believe we should be as thorough as humanly possible.

1341
01:44:40,205 --> 01:44:42,205
Thank you.

1342
01:44:46,292 --> 01:44:47,667
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1343
01:44:47,667 --> 01:44:53,670
Thank you. (crowd applauding) Jack Branson and Richard Massie.

1344
01:44:57,628 --> 01:44:59,295
Community Member: Good evening, Council,

1345
01:44:59,295 --> 01:45:00,885
I'm a third year environmental services student

1346
01:45:00,885 --> 01:45:02,298
at the University of Memphis.

1347
01:45:02,298 --> 01:45:04,385
I want to bring up some concerns when

1348
01:45:04,385 --> 01:45:06,185
it comes to AI data centers.

1349
01:45:06,185 --> 01:45:10,297
I believe it was Councilman Warren during the first reading

1350
01:45:10,297 --> 01:45:12,525
that brought up that passing the moratorium

1351
01:45:12,525 --> 01:45:15,565
may cause businesses to not want to invest in the city.

1352
01:45:15,565 --> 01:45:17,179
I'm curious as to why.

1353
01:45:17,179 --> 01:45:19,571
We are the logistics capital of the country.

1354
01:45:19,571 --> 01:45:23,495
We are in a prime location that have favorable taxes at state

1355
01:45:23,495 --> 01:45:25,810
and local level for businesses.

1356
01:45:25,810 --> 01:45:28,698
I don't see why, outside of a couple AI companies,

1357
01:45:28,698 --> 01:45:31,805
people wouldn't want to invest in Memphis.

1358
01:45:31,805 --> 01:45:34,124
Secondly, we've already heard a lot

1359
01:45:34,124 --> 01:45:36,765
about the environmental impacts data centers can have,

1360
01:45:36,765 --> 01:45:40,871
such as air quality, water quality, subsidence,

1361
01:45:40,871 --> 01:45:43,605
and overall declines in the quality of life.

1362
01:45:43,605 --> 01:45:47,629
It must be noted that residents in Boxtown and South Memphis

1363
01:45:47,629 --> 01:45:52,285
have already seen a noticeable reduction in life expectancy.

1364
01:45:52,285 --> 01:45:54,987
I believe it was a 4 to 5 drop in just two years.

1365
01:45:54,987 --> 01:45:58,311
That's a rate that hasn't been seen since --

1366
01:45:58,311 --> 01:46:01,311
if I'm not wrong --

1367
01:46:01,815 --> 01:46:02,315
COVID.

1368
01:46:02,315 --> 01:46:05,605
I think it must be put out there that the health of citizens

1369
01:46:05,605 --> 01:46:09,141
should come first over the profits of a single corporation.

1370
01:46:09,141 --> 01:46:11,541
I rest my time.

1371
01:46:18,265 --> 01:46:19,640
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1372
01:46:19,640 --> 01:46:20,140
Thank you.

1373
01:46:20,140 --> 01:46:23,740
Richard Massey and then Jeremiah Smith.

1374
01:46:24,605 --> 01:46:26,272
Community Member: Good evening, Council.

1375
01:46:26,272 --> 01:46:29,578
Warren County, coffee County, mid Midville Tennessee,

1376
01:46:29,578 --> 01:46:32,578
Davidson County, branch, Mississippi, Jackson,

1377
01:46:33,978 --> 01:46:38,178
Mississippi, little Rock, Arkansas, and more makeup

1378
01:46:38,581 --> 01:46:43,971
a list of communities that have elevated corporate interest

1379
01:46:43,971 --> 01:46:45,465
over community health.

1380
01:46:45,465 --> 01:46:49,665
The most impacted city is Memphis, Tennessee.

1381
01:46:50,330 --> 01:46:56,336
For hyperscale a x I data centers and we are on the other

1382
01:46:56,336 --> 01:47:01,685
side where the water reuse facility has been paused without

1383
01:47:01,685 --> 01:47:03,685
explanation. $800,000 of --

1384
01:47:08,417 --> 01:47:12,695
800,000 gallons of water are drawn from aquifers each day.

1385
01:47:12,695 --> 01:47:14,533
Residents have exhausted all options.

1386
01:47:14,533 --> 01:47:17,400
They have come before the body, responded to surveys,

1387
01:47:17,400 --> 01:47:19,417
send emails, engage with neighbors,

1388
01:47:19,417 --> 01:47:21,878
and have done everything in their God given power

1389
01:47:21,878 --> 01:47:25,710
to make sure that them, their children and grandchildren can

1390
01:47:25,710 --> 01:47:28,650
breathe clean air in the area they grew up in.

1391
01:47:28,650 --> 01:47:29,945
We are demanding the city of Memphis

1392
01:47:29,945 --> 01:47:33,231
finally deems energy affordability come a clean air,

1393
01:47:33,231 --> 01:47:35,720
and clean energy as non-negotiable.

1394
01:47:35,720 --> 01:47:38,805
We are entirely too late to the party in terms

1395
01:47:38,805 --> 01:47:40,808
of reversing damage, but we can pull

1396
01:47:40,808 --> 01:47:44,185
every lever possible to make sure future damage is mitigated.

1397
01:47:44,185 --> 01:47:48,985
Data center development is the most discussed issue

1398
01:47:49,157 --> 01:47:52,757
for land use in the US.

1399
01:47:53,547 --> 01:47:58,347
It results in higher utilities, worse air quality,

1400
01:47:58,875 --> 01:48:01,275
and degrading water systems.

1401
01:48:01,371 --> 01:48:06,171
This is a case study of corporate exploitation.

1402
01:48:06,485 --> 01:48:11,485
Pass the moratorium so we can study the tank expansion.

1403
01:48:11,485 --> 01:48:15,165
Memphis has a place in the modern economy and deserves,

1404
01:48:15,165 --> 01:48:18,580
but we cannot put our health on the chopping block

1405
01:48:18,580 --> 01:48:20,580
in the process.

1406
01:48:21,245 --> 01:48:24,765
Executives and CEOs could care less about our welfare.

1407
01:48:24,765 --> 01:48:26,765
Thank you.

1408
01:48:30,930 --> 01:48:31,468
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1409
01:48:31,468 --> 01:48:31,968
Thank you.

1410
01:48:31,968 --> 01:48:34,968
Jeremiah Smith and Wanyeesea Hyman.

1411
01:48:44,841 --> 01:48:46,133
Community Member: Good evening.

1412
01:48:46,133 --> 01:48:48,175
I want to remind you that tech billionaires don't

1413
01:48:48,175 --> 01:48:50,589
live in West Memphis, don't drink from the aquifer,

1414
01:48:50,589 --> 01:48:54,685
don't live in Whitehaven, boxwood, or South Memphis.

1415
01:48:54,685 --> 01:48:57,285
There are no data centers where they live.

1416
01:48:57,285 --> 01:49:00,729
Where they live, there are no turbines spewing toxic chemicals

1417
01:49:00,729 --> 01:49:01,821
into the air.

1418
01:49:01,821 --> 01:49:05,109
There are no machines squealing constantly 24 hours

1419
01:49:05,109 --> 01:49:06,637
a day where they live.

1420
01:49:06,637 --> 01:49:08,388
They don't care about this community.

1421
01:49:08,388 --> 01:49:10,180
They see Memphis as an opportunity for them

1422
01:49:10,180 --> 01:49:13,505
to drink up the water, take the land,

1423
01:49:13,505 --> 01:49:15,461
and poison the air for their profit.

1424
01:49:15,461 --> 01:49:19,205
That is why it's important that this body, elected

1425
01:49:19,205 --> 01:49:23,171
to be representatives as the people in Memphis,

1426
01:49:23,171 --> 01:49:28,218
the elders, and the children whose futures are at risk,

1427
01:49:28,218 --> 01:49:30,382
you all take a stand for.

1428
01:49:30,382 --> 01:49:34,453
I want to applaud the authors of this bill because it is

1429
01:49:34,453 --> 01:49:37,309
so important that y'all stand.

1430
01:49:37,309 --> 01:49:39,407
It is not just the air.

1431
01:49:39,407 --> 01:49:40,413
That is not it.

1432
01:49:40,413 --> 01:49:41,765
It is not just the water.

1433
01:49:41,765 --> 01:49:43,305
That would be enough.

1434
01:49:43,305 --> 01:49:46,365
Is not just the land, although that would be important enough.

1435
01:49:46,365 --> 01:49:49,229
It's also what the technology is used for.

1436
01:49:49,229 --> 01:49:54,300
The generative AI that the data centers produce is not neutral.

1437
01:49:54,300 --> 01:49:59,700
Grok was used to produce child sex abuse material

1438
01:50:00,894 --> 01:50:02,815
and to push white supremacist ideas online.

1439
01:50:02,815 --> 01:50:05,342
It is used to bomb schools in Iran.

1440
01:50:05,342 --> 01:50:09,505
This is not just about a small common narrow set of issues,

1441
01:50:09,505 --> 01:50:11,965
although those would be enough to protect the water.

1442
01:50:11,965 --> 01:50:16,245
This is being used to literally usher in a surveillance state,

1443
01:50:16,245 --> 01:50:19,917
as Brandi mentioned before, that is kidnaping our neighbors.

1444
01:50:19,917 --> 01:50:22,918
It is used to create the task force that commits

1445
01:50:22,918 --> 01:50:24,850
violence in our communities.

1446
01:50:24,850 --> 01:50:25,629
This isn't about life.

1447
01:50:25,629 --> 01:50:27,210
It's about death.

1448
01:50:27,210 --> 01:50:29,905
This body has to take a stand, not just

1449
01:50:29,905 --> 01:50:33,850
for a narrow set of regulations, but to block something

1450
01:50:33,850 --> 01:50:38,245
that threatens our future as a planet and people and city.

1451
01:50:38,245 --> 01:50:40,199
I appreciate the body taking a stand

1452
01:50:40,199 --> 01:50:42,285
and I hope to see this resolution move

1453
01:50:42,285 --> 01:50:45,885
through the three readings. (crowd applauding)

1454
01:50:49,421 --> 01:50:50,796
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1455
01:50:50,796 --> 01:50:52,375
Thank you.

1456
01:50:52,375 --> 01:50:54,375
Wyneesa Hyman.

1457
01:50:55,532 --> 01:50:57,532
Community Member: Greetings.

1458
01:50:57,757 --> 01:50:59,924
Blessings to us all and I appreciate the opportunity

1459
01:50:59,924 --> 01:51:00,965
to speak.

1460
01:51:00,965 --> 01:51:05,765
Piggybacking off of my brother that just spoke,

1461
01:51:10,710 --> 01:51:12,168
Grok is being used for war in Iran.

1462
01:51:12,168 --> 01:51:13,710
Memphis water being used for machines

1463
01:51:13,710 --> 01:51:15,100
that perpetuate war in Iran.

1464
01:51:15,100 --> 01:51:18,891
I encourage all of us to look into the research

1465
01:51:18,891 --> 01:51:21,725
and reputable news articles related

1466
01:51:21,725 --> 01:51:24,485
to the all girls school that was bombed

1467
01:51:24,485 --> 01:51:29,285
multiple times, in my opinion, with Memphis water.

1468
01:51:29,917 --> 01:51:31,917
Fact check me.

1469
01:51:32,205 --> 01:51:37,411
Also, I appreciate the body for what you all

1470
01:51:37,411 --> 01:51:39,450
are doing right now.

1471
01:51:39,450 --> 01:51:46,245
I also want to make mention that this body also previously --

1472
01:51:47,308 --> 01:51:52,341
I think you all did pass the a x I transparency act,

1473
01:51:52,341 --> 01:51:55,605
but it was vetoed citing anti-business.

1474
01:51:55,605 --> 01:51:58,765
No one is talking about business that is anti-people.

1475
01:51:58,765 --> 01:52:01,429
Since I have a couple more seconds left,

1476
01:52:01,429 --> 01:52:09,229
it is so disheartening, my god, with all the federal A B here,

1477
01:52:10,205 --> 01:52:16,205
surveillance , and overpolicing, but no one can tell us who

1478
01:52:16,955 --> 01:52:20,593
burned down Clayborn temple and who paid that person,

1479
01:52:20,593 --> 01:52:23,445
if so, to do it.

1480
01:52:23,445 --> 01:52:24,911
God bless all of us.

1481
01:52:24,911 --> 01:52:26,911
Peace. (crowd applauding).

1482
01:52:35,212 --> 01:52:36,587
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1483
01:52:36,587 --> 01:52:37,743
Lucia Chambers.

1484
01:52:37,743 --> 01:52:39,326
Community Member: You know I come here

1485
01:52:39,326 --> 01:52:41,438
for you to to try to pronounce my name right.

1486
01:52:41,438 --> 01:52:43,166
I've been coming in front of you all

1487
01:52:43,166 --> 01:52:44,749
meeting after meeting to ask questions

1488
01:52:44,749 --> 01:52:46,457
about the task force and the relationship

1489
01:52:46,457 --> 01:52:49,165
they have with M PD.

1490
01:52:49,165 --> 01:52:51,357
Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, I appreciate

1491
01:52:51,357 --> 01:52:55,450
that you asked the chief those questions today.

1492
01:52:55,450 --> 01:52:58,115
Since my friend Yolanda asked those questions come I have

1493
01:52:58,115 --> 01:53:04,715
a new question double -- is -- a liar or incompetent?

1494
01:53:13,293 --> 01:53:15,501
She said she wasn't aware of the mental health calls,

1495
01:53:15,501 --> 01:53:18,909
but instead of the $2 million a year

1496
01:53:18,909 --> 01:53:23,709
city responding to Jonah Hill's mental health emergency,

1497
01:53:28,135 --> 01:53:32,450
the IRS responded to a mental health emergency.

1498
01:53:32,450 --> 01:53:35,500
We know that because it was their body Cam

1499
01:53:35,500 --> 01:53:36,471
footage that we saw.

1500
01:53:36,471 --> 01:53:39,164
The chief sat here in front of you

1501
01:53:39,164 --> 01:53:40,997
and said she wasn't aware of that happening.

1502
01:53:40,997 --> 01:53:45,919
I'm aware of it, and I'm just a girl.

1503
01:53:45,919 --> 01:53:48,925
How is your chief not aware of it?

1504
01:53:48,925 --> 01:53:51,791
She said the National Guard doesn't have the power to arrest

1505
01:53:51,791 --> 01:53:55,982
but they seem to have the power to kill.

1506
01:53:55,982 --> 01:53:59,265
I know that Tyron Johnson's family

1507
01:53:59,265 --> 01:54:02,160
would have rather gone and bailed him out of jail

1508
01:54:02,160 --> 01:54:07,951
and hired an attorney to fight these charges then bury him.

1509
01:54:07,951 --> 01:54:12,325
If the National Guard is in a multiplying factor in the task

1510
01:54:12,325 --> 01:54:14,551
force, they aren't doing anything

1511
01:54:14,551 --> 01:54:18,845
to get crime off our streets and don't have the power to arrest.

1512
01:54:18,845 --> 01:54:23,450
Then why the darn, tootin heck do

1513
01:54:23,111 --> 01:54:27,205
they have the power to kill us?

1514
01:54:27,205 --> 01:54:29,205
Thank you.

1515
01:54:33,166 --> 01:54:34,541
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1516
01:54:34,541 --> 01:54:36,941
Thank you. (crowd applauding).

1517
01:54:39,973 --> 01:54:42,973
Tracy woods and Breanna Smith.

1518
01:54:46,741 --> 01:54:49,199
Community Member: I want to talk about the way potholes are

1519
01:54:49,199 --> 01:54:49,741
being filled.

1520
01:54:49,741 --> 01:54:54,411
Instead of doing the job job and leaving a hump,

1521
01:54:54,411 --> 01:54:56,778
do the long strips.

1522
01:54:56,778 --> 01:55:00,938
We don't want you wasting our time and money anymore

1523
01:55:00,938 --> 01:55:03,338
when you do that.

1524
01:55:03,391 --> 01:55:09,391
The MPD is towing people and not picking up trash

1525
01:55:10,205 --> 01:55:13,485
and are leaving parts on the streets.

1526
01:55:13,485 --> 01:55:17,669
There's only three sweepers for Shelby County.

1527
01:55:17,669 --> 01:55:20,500
We need funding for that.

1528
01:55:20,500 --> 01:55:21,898
We need equipment for whatever they

1529
01:55:21,898 --> 01:55:26,698
need to do to fill these potholes correctly.

1530
01:55:26,765 --> 01:55:29,165
There are overgrown hedges.

1531
01:55:29,453 --> 01:55:33,455
If you're fence is as tall, that is as tall

1532
01:55:33,455 --> 01:55:34,657
as your hedges should be.

1533
01:55:34,657 --> 01:55:35,853
We need an ordinance.

1534
01:55:35,853 --> 01:55:38,397
We need you to change this.

1535
01:55:38,397 --> 01:55:43,285
If my neighbor's tree falls in my yard, it is still his tree.

1536
01:55:43,285 --> 01:55:46,199
I don't want to hear about it being an act of God.

1537
01:55:46,199 --> 01:55:48,695
If he keeps it level off my fence,

1538
01:55:48,695 --> 01:55:50,938
we wouldn't have to go through it

1539
01:55:50,938 --> 01:55:52,778
because God would do his thing.

1540
01:55:52,778 --> 01:55:55,305
They are wasting our money.

1541
01:55:55,305 --> 01:55:58,495
Ml g w isn't doing anything about it.

1542
01:55:58,495 --> 01:56:00,870
You are not holding anyone accountable for the money that

1543
01:56:00,870 --> 01:56:03,870
is being robbed from us.

1544
01:56:04,249 --> 01:56:11,449
We make enough money for the city to carry on with 201 --

1545
01:56:16,660 --> 01:56:17,680
needs all that work.

1546
01:56:17,680 --> 01:56:17,686
Quit letting these get by.

1547
01:56:17,686 --> 01:56:18,466
Hold someone accountable.

1548
01:56:18,466 --> 01:56:19,991
While the other states are trying

1549
01:56:19,991 --> 01:56:22,638
to do everything they can to stop AI,

1550
01:56:22,638 --> 01:56:25,605
we are getting further and further in the hole

1551
01:56:25,605 --> 01:56:27,618
with the devil because that's what he is.

1552
01:56:27,618 --> 01:56:29,591
You all know that.

1553
01:56:29,591 --> 01:56:33,791
You have to start funding money where

1554
01:56:34,365 --> 01:56:37,582
we need it the most and stop letting people come in and do us

1555
01:56:37,582 --> 01:56:42,382
any kind of way with our taxpayer money.

1556
01:56:44,889 --> 01:56:46,889
(crowd applauding).

1557
01:56:50,303 --> 01:56:51,678
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1558
01:56:51,678 --> 01:56:55,278
Breanna Smith and then Christine Faub.

1559
01:56:58,988 --> 01:57:00,696
Community Member: Good afternoon everyone

1560
01:57:00,696 --> 01:57:01,738
my name is Brianna Smith.

1561
01:57:01,738 --> 01:57:05,136
I'm a resident of 38 109 zip code.

1562
01:57:05,136 --> 01:57:09,910
I'm here as a concerned citizen and have a few questions

1563
01:57:09,910 --> 01:57:11,844
that I believe deserve answers.

1564
01:57:11,844 --> 01:57:17,844
First, when did clean air become too much to ask?

1565
01:57:19,111 --> 01:57:22,181
As harmless as a data center may seem,

1566
01:57:22,181 --> 01:57:26,468
it is depleting the waters from our stream.

1567
01:57:26,468 --> 01:57:30,680
It's polluting the air we breathe.

1568
01:57:30,605 --> 01:57:36,500
This is something majority black zip codes already know.

1569
01:57:37,165 --> 01:57:43,165
Every single day, 18 wheelers go up and down our roads.

1570
01:57:43,885 --> 01:57:46,844
Exhaust fields enter our nose.

1571
01:57:46,844 --> 01:57:49,689
Our souls are being sold by the truckload.

1572
01:57:49,689 --> 01:57:54,311
You think we don't know about the crooked seeds that you sow?

1573
01:57:54,311 --> 01:57:57,156
Why not just allow our neighborhoods to grow?

1574
01:57:57,156 --> 01:58:00,895
Kids with asthma cannot even have a forgetful day,

1575
01:58:00,895 --> 01:58:05,264
because leaving their pump at home feels too much like a death

1576
01:58:05,264 --> 01:58:05,778
sentence.

1577
01:58:05,778 --> 01:58:09,711
We just want to know if you are proud of what you've done.

1578
01:58:09,711 --> 01:58:12,924
Are you proud of the work you are doing now?

1579
01:58:12,924 --> 01:58:17,724
We just want clean air and clean water.

1580
01:58:18,738 --> 01:58:22,645
We would like to go home and breathe.

1581
01:58:22,645 --> 01:58:26,612
We would like to bathe and not pay too much money.

1582
01:58:26,612 --> 01:58:30,250
In conclusion, me and my colleagues

1583
01:58:30,250 --> 01:58:33,605
here are deeply deeply disturbed by the indefinite pause

1584
01:58:33,605 --> 01:58:38,117
of the construction of the a x I water reuse facility.

1585
01:58:38,117 --> 01:58:41,358
We also demand that you sign the moratorium today,

1586
01:58:41,358 --> 01:58:43,316
demonstrating your compassion for the community

1587
01:58:43,316 --> 01:58:46,738
that you serve, realizing that air polluters don't

1588
01:58:46,738 --> 01:58:47,605
discriminate.

1589
01:58:47,605 --> 01:58:52,125
They will quickly start to poison our neighbors --

1590
01:58:52,125 --> 01:58:57,525
Germantown, Desoto County -- because the poison will spread

1591
01:58:57,875 --> 01:59:01,205
by self-inflicted wound by delusions of more jobs.

1592
01:59:01,205 --> 01:59:03,205
Thank you.

1593
01:59:10,932 --> 01:59:12,470
Chairwoman Thank you.

1594
01:59:12,470 --> 01:59:16,700
Kristen Faub, Sara Houston, Jasmine Bernard.

1595
01:59:17,790 --> 01:59:19,479
Community Member: Good afternoon.

1596
01:59:21,295 --> 01:59:23,753
I'm a community organizer and concerned citizen of Memphis.

1597
01:59:23,753 --> 01:59:27,477
Today, I'm coming before you as a seminary student and person

1598
01:59:27,477 --> 01:59:28,241
of faith.

1599
01:59:28,241 --> 01:59:32,725
I come today to speak as one who bears witness,

1600
01:59:32,725 --> 01:59:36,525
one who laments the harm human beings have unleashed

1601
01:59:36,525 --> 01:59:37,775
upon the earth.

1602
01:59:37,775 --> 01:59:40,431
Theologian and scholar Ellen Davis

1603
01:59:40,431 --> 01:59:44,631
tells us that in early Israel societies,

1604
01:59:45,835 --> 01:59:48,689
people found their identity in relation

1605
01:59:48,689 --> 01:59:54,689
to the well-being of the land and its non-human inhabitants.

1606
01:59:56,226 --> 01:59:57,893
As other ancient and indigenous cultures

1607
01:59:57,893 --> 02:00:00,865
understood and still understand, community

1608
02:00:00,865 --> 02:00:03,240
is found in covenant relationship

1609
02:00:03,240 --> 02:00:06,685
with the land and all who dwell upon her.

1610
02:00:06,685 --> 02:00:09,685
In 2026, we find ourselves living

1611
02:00:09,741 --> 02:00:12,845
in a world that seems completely divorced from that covenant.

1612
02:00:12,845 --> 02:00:16,845
This is a world that runs on exploitation and extraction.

1613
02:00:16,845 --> 02:00:20,445
Government, societies, and institutions that cannot

1614
02:00:21,325 --> 02:00:24,525
function without violence and don't honor the sanctity

1615
02:00:24,525 --> 02:00:28,125
of life, human or other, exist.

1616
02:00:29,765 --> 02:00:35,765
In Leviticus 22:23, the word says you reside in my land

1617
02:00:43,285 --> 02:00:44,452
as foreigners and strangers.

1618
02:00:44,452 --> 02:00:50,452
Same sentiment is echoed in the words of Isaiah --

1619
02:00:51,175 --> 02:00:54,775
a leader of the Wampanoag Tribe.

1620
02:01:12,340 --> 02:01:15,590
How can one man say it all belongs to him?

1621
02:01:15,590 --> 02:01:17,465
I urge you to honor the covenant relationship

1622
02:01:17,465 --> 02:01:24,665
we have with our home, the land we know as Memphis, Tennessee.

1623
02:01:25,811 --> 02:01:26,725
Thank you.

1624
02:01:26,725 --> 02:01:30,925
Community Member: Sarah Houston and Jasmine Bernard.

1625
02:01:33,900 --> 02:01:35,409
Community Member: Good afternoon.

1626
02:01:37,337 --> 02:01:37,920
Sarah Houston.

1627
02:01:37,920 --> 02:01:43,320
I serve as executive director of Protect Our Aquifer.

1628
02:01:47,593 --> 02:01:52,359
I want to say "thank you" to everyone that has shown up.

1629
02:01:52,359 --> 02:01:54,317
Thank you to this body for taking action today.

1630
02:01:54,317 --> 02:01:57,764
This is a big opportunity for our community to get it right.

1631
02:01:57,764 --> 02:02:00,405
Do not be afraid of your next two votes.

1632
02:02:00,405 --> 02:02:02,589
Sometimes you have to work through the fear.

1633
02:02:02,589 --> 02:02:04,305
This is about digging deep.

1634
02:02:04,305 --> 02:02:06,390
It is not just a pause.

1635
02:02:06,390 --> 02:02:08,965
It is also the work we have ahead to build the guardrails.

1636
02:02:08,965 --> 02:02:12,450
We want to build a city we are proud of.

1637
02:02:12,450 --> 02:02:14,631
We want to rectify harms that have been

1638
02:02:14,631 --> 02:02:16,290
done over the past century.

1639
02:02:16,290 --> 02:02:19,991
We are talking about two years on data centers.

1640
02:02:19,991 --> 02:02:25,125
Are Memphis and aquifer has been used and abused for a century.

1641
02:02:25,125 --> 02:02:28,550
The biggest threat today is the legacy pollution,

1642
02:02:28,550 --> 02:02:32,255
stuff that was spilled, buried, and not dealt with.

1643
02:02:32,255 --> 02:02:34,445
The more we palm, the faster we are

1644
02:02:34,445 --> 02:02:36,615
pouring that towards our drinking water supply.

1645
02:02:36,615 --> 02:02:39,229
That becomes expensive and a health hazard.

1646
02:02:39,229 --> 02:02:41,238
You know I love history.

1647
02:02:41,238 --> 02:02:45,462
I will take you back a few years to 2022.

1648
02:02:45,462 --> 02:02:48,462
MGW was considering leaving TBW.

1649
02:02:54,653 --> 02:02:58,291
Leadership asked to sign a never leave TBA contract.

1650
02:02:58,291 --> 02:03:00,499
We worked hard on the ML g w board to say no to that.

1651
02:03:00,499 --> 02:03:02,791
They went against their own leadership's recommendation

1652
02:03:02,791 --> 02:03:06,391
because TBA hadn't treated Memphis well.

1653
02:03:09,150 --> 02:03:10,608
They didn't treat our aquifer well,

1654
02:03:10,608 --> 02:03:14,225
Nora investing in us like Chattanooga and Knoxville,

1655
02:03:14,225 --> 02:03:15,690
or Nashville.

1656
02:03:15,690 --> 02:03:18,500
We got the whole community to stand on business

1657
02:03:18,500 --> 02:03:22,805
and now TBA brought their board meeting here

1658
02:03:24,660 --> 02:03:25,358
for the first time in a decade.

1659
02:03:25,358 --> 02:03:25,525
Their increasing weatherization and

1660
02:03:25,525 --> 02:03:29,365
say that they will go in with us on the water recycling facility.

1661
02:03:29,365 --> 02:03:32,110
That has been community movement since day one.

1662
02:03:32,110 --> 02:03:33,517
We have to stand on business.

1663
02:03:33,517 --> 02:03:38,457
We cannot build an economy, exploiting resources that make

1664
02:03:38,457 --> 02:03:40,538
Memphis valuable in the first place.

1665
02:03:40,538 --> 02:03:42,205
Keep going with the moratorium and let's

1666
02:03:42,205 --> 02:03:44,205
build more legislation.

1667
02:03:49,423 --> 02:03:50,798
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1668
02:03:50,798 --> 02:03:50,800
Thank you.

1669
02:03:50,800 --> 02:03:52,258
Jasmine Bernard and Debbie Harwood.

1670
02:03:52,258 --> 02:03:54,258
Community Member: Hi.

1671
02:03:55,987 --> 02:03:57,623
I'm Jasmine Bernard.

1672
02:03:57,623 --> 02:03:57,631
I want to start with a simple fact

1673
02:03:57,631 --> 02:03:59,631
that there's an environmental genocide happening

1674
02:03:59,631 --> 02:04:03,285
in Memphis that is powering genocides worldwide.

1675
02:04:03,285 --> 02:04:05,751
Today is the best time to do what should

1676
02:04:05,751 --> 02:04:07,575
have been done yesterday.

1677
02:04:07,575 --> 02:04:09,791
Is necessary today to protect Memphians

1678
02:04:09,791 --> 02:04:12,650
from further exploitation from profit.

1679
02:04:12,650 --> 02:04:18,650
In only two years, a x I has caused $44 million

1680
02:04:18,981 --> 02:04:23,645
in health damage alone with one data center.

1681
02:04:23,645 --> 02:04:28,820
Imagine what happens when you multiply that to up to five data

1682
02:04:28,820 --> 02:04:28,582
centers.

1683
02:04:28,582 --> 02:04:31,985
This is all the harm being done without considering the fact

1684
02:04:31,985 --> 02:04:33,517
that these billionaires have been

1685
02:04:33,517 --> 02:04:36,290
able to make false promises, like they did

1686
02:04:36,290 --> 02:04:38,313
with the gray water facilities.

1687
02:04:38,313 --> 02:04:41,180
U, Memphis City Council, has the opportunity

1688
02:04:41,180 --> 02:04:44,209
to defend constituents and take a stand against dirty data

1689
02:04:44,209 --> 02:04:44,709
centers.

1690
02:04:44,709 --> 02:04:47,205
We all claim to care about the future of Memphis

1691
02:04:47,205 --> 02:04:49,129
and claim to care about the youth.

1692
02:04:49,129 --> 02:04:51,965
This is your opportunity to take the first step in defending

1693
02:04:51,965 --> 02:04:55,705
the future of Memphis, like other jurisdictions in Tennessee

1694
02:04:55,705 --> 02:04:58,450
and nationwide have already done.

1695
02:04:58,450 --> 02:04:59,989
We ask you to adopt the moratorium.

1696
02:04:59,989 --> 02:05:03,375
We ask you to direct the Office of Planning and Development,

1697
02:05:03,375 --> 02:05:05,941
creating a data center for use definition.

1698
02:05:05,941 --> 02:05:08,935
We ask you to develop and convene stakeholder body

1699
02:05:08,935 --> 02:05:11,845
during this pause, where residents have voting power

1700
02:05:11,845 --> 02:05:13,538
and true decision making power.

1701
02:05:13,538 --> 02:05:17,450
We ask you to hold existing data centers accountable,

1702
02:05:17,450 --> 02:05:21,850
as we work towards removing all environmental polluters

1703
02:05:21,850 --> 02:05:22,595
from our community.

1704
02:05:22,595 --> 02:05:25,505
Memphis is ground zero for the data centers.

1705
02:05:25,505 --> 02:05:28,477
You have an opportunity to limit the growing body count that

1706
02:05:28,477 --> 02:05:29,835
is happening in Memphis.

1707
02:05:29,835 --> 02:05:31,835
Thank you.

1708
02:05:36,231 --> 02:05:37,606
Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington:

1709
02:05:37,606 --> 02:05:37,608
Thank you.

1710
02:05:37,608 --> 02:05:37,611
Miss Debbie Arrowood.

1711
02:05:37,611 --> 02:05:38,928
She's not here?

1712
02:05:38,928 --> 02:05:42,150
That ends our public comment cards.

1713
02:05:42,150 --> 02:05:45,485
I entertain a motion to adjourn.

1714
02:05:45,485 --> 02:05:48,845
It has been moved by Councilman Smiley

1715
02:05:48,845 --> 02:05:51,845
and seconded by Councilman Warren.

1716
02:05:56,956 --> 02:05:59,131
Everyone have a safe evening.

1717
02:05:59,131 --> 02:06:01,531
Meeting adjourned. (crowd applauding).