[35:27] >> give him all he needs to move the city in a

[35:30] positive direction, and lord, bless the old and new members of

[35:34] this council.

[35:36] give them grace, give them love, give them honor, and may

[35:38] they earn their respect, integrity, and character to go to

[35:42] the city of memphis without any hesitation or reservation

[35:46] within them.

[35:48] these give them the wisdom and knowledge to enact laws

[35:52] and legislation that will benefit the citizens of memphis

[35:57] . As we close this prayer, let us be mindful

[36:03] of the real reason of this advent season, jesus christ.

[36:07] may we have hope, peace, joy, and love this christmas and throughout

[36:14] the new year. It is in the name of mary's first baby,

[36:17] jesus christ, amen.

[36:20] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united

[36:22] states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god

[36:28] indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[36:38] >> councilmember johnson, you're recognized.

[36:53] >> councilmembers, it is an honor for me to

[36:59] recognize dr. Wayne williams for the identification he provided

[37:02] for us today. I have known mr.

[37:06] williams for a very, very long time, and I can assure you his words

[37:13] came from the heart, and are very sincere in

[37:17] their blessings.

[37:20] in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding

[37:23] service to the city, he returns the environment

[37:27] and humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concerns for governmental processes

[37:32] has been appointed.

[37:34] chaplain of the day of the memphis city

[37:38] council. And is hereby entitled to arms, rights, privileges, and prerogatives

[37:44] containing to the office, into display of this certificate.

[37:49] given under the seal, this 19 day of december, 2023

[37:53] . Jones' the chairman, it is presented by cheyenne johnson of the

[37:59] city council. And I so move.

[38:11] reverend, would you like to speak?

[38:14] >> thank you very much. We do go by quite a bit. I hate that

[38:19] this person is going out of here.

[38:20] I'll tell you one thing. She is certainly one

[38:25] that believes in doing the right thing. I appreciate her, and words cannot

[38:29] express how much I appreciate this honor, and it

[38:35] will always be engraved upon the tapestry of my

[38:39] art. Thank you so much.

[38:42] >> thank you.

[38:47] hey, these pictures are really good.

[38:49] >> thank you, reverend dr. Period madam controller, will you please call

[38:54] the role?

[38:55] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[38:59] councilmember canale?

[39:00] councilmember carlisle?

[39:01] >> present.

[39:04] >> councilmember colvett? Councilmember easter-thomas?

[39:07] councilmember ford?

[39:08] >> present.

[39:11] >> councilmember logan? Councilmember robinson?

[39:17] vice chair smiley?

[39:20] >> present. >> councilmember warren?

[39:26] chairman jones?

[39:28] >> here. >> chairman jones, you have a quorum.

[39:29] >> thank you. The minutes of been read from the december

[39:32] 5th meeting?

[39:33] >> thank you. I reviewed the meeting minutes

[39:38] , and wish you adopt the december 5th meeting minutes.

[39:39] >> okay. Our minutes of been approved by vice chair

[39:44] smiley, seconded by councilmember ford.

[39:46] >> mr. Chair, I have a card? >> okay.

[39:59] >> on the minutes.

[40:02] mr. Kent?

[40:04] >> I would ask that someone from prevailing side of the ml gw illegal

[40:20] rate increase votes item number 39 vote

[40:28] from last meeting, and someone on the prevailing side of the prevailing

[40:29] ml gw item 40 budget vote to do the right thing

[40:35] , and moved to reconsider each of these items as they were both past on

[40:38] a ml gw 24 budget that was not published for

[40:41] public review to allow for adequate budget noticing

[40:47] under state law.

[40:50] additionally, a city council, dating back to

[40:53] 11-9-23. The

[40:57] legal votes were not answered with the ml gw

[41:02] 24 document.

[41:05] I put that in, and you will ignore them. The city council was considering fyi

[41:08] 24 budget in committee.

[41:14] was arrogantly asserted that the public did not have any business

[41:17] raising questions about the to be on dollars zero industries hearing

[41:23] firm.

[41:25] discuss a person dismiss the mlg is a publicly owned

[41:29] facility utility. These remarks occurred at the

[41:32] same time the mlg in the city council conspire to

[41:35] conceal the fy 24 budget from the public. This arrogance provides

[41:39] an exhibit of a call to the civic

[41:43] was public behavior and disregards and dismisses

[41:47] of the public at large. So, that is one

[41:50] thing, 19 and 20 on today's agenda, mlgw

[41:55] refused to provide the actual contracts, and I believe

[42:04] , mr. Chairman, the brooks people, I am not speaking for them, were in

[42:07] agreement with you that they would like a seat at the table. Both

[42:10] negotiate and to be a part of an agreement, and that

[42:13] is an agreement that does not exist today.

[42:15] that was not publicly noticed. It doesn't even

[42:18] exist. So, thank you very much.

[42:20] >> thank you, mr. Kent.

[42:23] our minutes have been moved by vice chair smiley,

[42:28] seconded by councilmember morgan.

[42:29] better controller, will you please prepare the

[42:33] voting?

[42:50] >> councilmember carlisle, yes, councilmember canale, yes, councilmember warren,

[42:52] yes, councilmember morgan, yes, councilmember robinson, yes, vice chair smiley, yes, councilmember

[42:56] swearengen-washington, yes, chairman jones,

[42:58] yes.

[42:58] >> that item past, and those minutes have been approved.

[43:05] welcome to the december 19th, 2023 regular meeting of the memphis city council. Meetings

[43:09] of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner

[43:12] to ensure that the public has the full opportunity to be heard,

[43:15] and the deliberative process of the council is retained

[43:18] at all times.

[43:24] the sergeant at arms has meeting agendas available up front,

[43:25] as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to

[43:30] be heard on a specific item. All of those wishing

[43:33] to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to

[43:36] the sergeant at arms before the item is called. If you

[43:41] are not here to speak on a specific item, you can note your

[43:45] request to give general comments at the end of the meeting. As chair,

[43:48] I will only recognize citizens that properly register

[43:51] to speak by submitting a repeated comment request card to

[43:54] the sergeant at arms.

[43:56] members of the audience and persons attending the council meeting will not be permitted

[44:00] to engage in gossip, make defamatory, personal,

[44:06] slanderous, or profane comments, or use abusive

[44:09] or vulgar language. The chairperson of the council may maintain

[44:12] order by giving any persons who are in violation of the

[44:16] stated rules of decorum a warning to cease any

[44:21] violative action in order to leave the council's chambers, or by

[44:27] giving an order for security personnel to remove any disruptive person in the council chamber

[44:30] refuses to leave voluntarily. Madam controller,

[44:33] item 12 will be held

[44:37] until our january 9th, 2024 meeting.

[44:39] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[44:44] >> items 14 and 13 have been withdrawn.

[44:45] >> 13 and 14?

[44:48] >> yes, ma'am.

[44:51] I am sorry, 13 and 39. I am sorry. 13 and

[44:59] 39 have been withdrawn. Not 13 and 14.

[45:00] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[45:02] >> so, item number 12 has been held

[45:06] until 1-9-24, and then 13 and 39 have been withdrawn.

[45:12] madam controller, will you please call item one?

[45:18] >> item number one is a resolution approving an honorary street

[45:21] name change on yale road between austin p highway and millie

[45:27] road with dr. Sammy holloway.

[45:30] district 1, super district 9. This resolution is sponsored by councilman

[45:33] logan.

[45:41] >> councilmember logan? >> thank you. I am honored to be able

[45:45] to bring this forward. This is an honor in recognition for a

[45:50] very worthy cause, a very worthy servant in

[45:54] my district, and I would ask that the family and the pastoral staff

[46:00] come down as I read this.

[46:06] dr. Holloway has been in the raleigh area for over 40

[46:15] years, and he will be retiring to a new position. We wanted

[46:18] to honor that and commemorate that time, so, we will

[46:24] be bringing this forward.

[46:27] all right, thank you.

[46:32] and it is going to be a surprise.

[46:33] so, that is why there is not a lot. Whereas

[46:38] when were the circumstances arise, the memphis city council has

[46:42] seen fit to name certain public roads to honor citizens who have served

[46:45] the city of memphis, and dr.

[46:48] sammy holloway is certainly befitting of this great honor.

[46:51] whereas a beacon of light within this community, he established a

[46:55] breath of life christian center in memphis, tennessee, which blossomed from

[46:57] a bible class he taught from his home in the early

[47:02] 1980s. And where is in addition to leading his flock

[47:05] at the breath of life christian center, dr. Sammy holloway also served

[47:09] as the regional director, and on the board

[47:12] as the fellowship of inner-city word of faith ministries under the mitt leadership

[47:15] of the late dr. Frederick casey price.

[47:17] and whereas dr. Sammy holloway has founded and served as

[47:22] a president of the missile fellowship of charismatic pastors

[47:26] and multicultural organization formed to mentor and bridge the gap

[47:31] amongst races in memphis from 1989 through 1998

[47:34] while serving also as a regional director

[47:40] of global feed the hungry humanitarian aid organization, and

[47:43] whereas dr.

[47:44] sammy holloway has distinguished himself as a scholar, receiving a phd

[47:49] for cornerstone theological seminary, as well as an additional phd

[47:54] from friends at a national christian university, and whereas a multifaceted individual

[47:59] , dr. Holloway is also a published author of

[48:04] four books. They are attributed to his name.

[48:09] whereas dr. Sammy holloway is not only excited about

[48:11] ministry, but education is very important to him.

[48:16] in 1998, he found a breath of life christian academy, the raleigh

[48:19] frazier area of memphis tennessee, providing quality, christian, private

[48:22] education the partner with parents to train scholars

[48:28] in every aspect of life, and in 2008, dr. Holloway opened

[48:31] the doors of breath of life preparatory preschool

[48:34] as well. And whereas the community is thankful to dr.

[48:40] sammy holloway and his family, especially his wife and high school

[48:43] sweetheart, dr.

[48:45] annie holloway. Whereas dr. Sammy holloway is commendable and worthy

[48:49] of praise for the good work yes provided

[48:54] to the community and dedicated service to the greater

[48:56] memphis region, now therefore be it resolved by the memphis

[49:01] city council that yale road between austin p highway be declared dr.

[49:07] sammy holloway boulevard in honor of his

[49:11] remarkable life and numerous accomplishments enriching the city of memphis

[49:14] , be it further resolved that the city engineer

[49:21] is requested to a fixed suitable fine fixing this public road,

[49:23] given by my hand and under the great seal of the city of memphis, this 19th day

[49:28] of december, 2023.

[49:31] and I so move.

[49:34] thank you.

[49:40] and we are going to give the pastoral

[49:43] staff members an opportunity to say something as well.

[49:48] >> right. Many ms. Original harris.

[49:52] I'm on the pastoral stuffing of the church, and I just want to

[49:55] say how excited I am for you guys to allow this to happen. Truly,

[49:58] over 40 years of ministry, he deserves even more than this. I have been watching him

[50:01] from the pool to the golf course. He is a man

[50:04] of integrity, no matter where he goes. I'm just happy

[50:07] to be here and be a part of it.

[50:15] >> madam controller, will you please show that that

[50:19] item has been approved by acclamation?

[50:20] >> thank you, mr. Chair.

[50:22] let me do so.

[51:01] madam controller, will you please call item two?

[51:04] >> item number two is a resolution honoring wanda

[51:08] taylor, founder of ladies in need can survive, inc. This resolution is sponsored by councilwoman logan.

[51:21] >> councilmember logan? >> thank you.

[51:22] often times, we hear about crime, and we hear about

[51:28] violence, and we hear about homelessness, and we hear about the things going on

[51:30] in our community. But very seldom do we

[51:33] hear about something coming before this body discussing and sharing

[51:37] those that are doing something about it in our community. And today, I would just

[51:40] like to bring forth a beacon, a shining star

[51:46] in the district and surrounding areas

[51:51] who is giving her life to this cause, and

[51:55] to helping solve the problem. So, I would just like

[51:58] to ask wanda taylor, miss wanda taylor of

[52:01] ladies in need to come down, I would like to honor her for

[52:06] the work that she is doing in this area to save

[52:09] and change lives of women in our city. Let's give her

[52:13] a hand.

[52:19] and I have seen the work of women getting their high school diplomas,

[52:27] get in the college degrees, buying their first home, getting their first car.

[52:29] those things are really what changes lives from the

[52:36] inside out, one person at a time.

[52:37] so, I would like to read this resolution.

[52:39] whereas when circumstances arrive, they see fit

[52:43] with the distances of the city of memphis. Wanda taylor is

[52:46] certainly befitting of this great honor. Whereas after experiencing a tumultuous

[52:49] early life, wanda taylor made a choice to actively change the direction of

[52:55] her life, which --which

[53:00] change the direction of her life was headed in at the age

[53:03] of 28. She received her high school diploma,

[53:05] and whereas wanda taylor continued her education first

[53:09] when she received both a technical certificate in substance abuse counseling, and an

[53:13] associate of science degree in human services from

[53:17] southwest tennessee committee college at the university of phoenix, where

[53:22] she received a bachelor of science degree in business management.

[53:25] and whereas with a focus on giving back to

[53:29] her community and aiding young women with experiencing a similarly

[53:34] tumultuous early life as hers, wanda taylor served as

[53:37] an educator for more than 20 years working for the salvation army

[53:40] , serenity recovery center, shelby county

[53:43] crisis center, and a permanent human services, and shall

[53:46] be county child support office while also volunteering

[53:53] at various nonprofits, and whereas continuing

[53:55] her dedication to serve other women who want to change the direction of their

[53:59] lives, wanda taylor founded ladies in need can survive inc.

[54:05] , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and whereas through links, wanda

[54:10] taylor supports women who are transitioning back into being productive members of society

[54:14] by providing holistic support

[54:21] and services such as daily meals, clothing, transportation, basic necessities,

[54:23] and wraparound service in a fully furnished home in the

[54:27] quiet residential neighborhood in frazier, and whereas wanda taylor is commendable and

[54:32] worthy of praise for the good work she has provided to her community

[54:37] , including her work through links, and her unwavering dedication to supporting

[54:42] women on similar journeys as her own. Now therefore be

[54:46] it resolved that the memphis city council hereby celebrates and commends

[54:50] the contributions of wanda taylor and

[54:53] links to the city of memphis

[54:58] , given by my hand and under the great seal of the city of memphis, this 19th day

[55:02] of december, 2023. I am sorry, I am getting

[55:07] emotional, because she does tremendously changing work for these ladies who

[55:11] come up from the street with nothing. And to see them get their drivers license and

[55:15] first carney first job in everything, it is just

[55:19] impactful. Again, given by my hand under the great seal

[55:24] of the city of memphis, this 19th day of december, 2023, wanda logan,

[55:28] memphis city council, district 1, and I

[55:32] so move.

[55:44] >> first, I would like to say

[55:49] thank you, city part of memphis for being on this

[55:53] journey for the last 15 years the last 7 1/2 years without your

[55:57] funding, without your prayers, without your support, I could not have done

[56:01] this work by myself. So, I just want to thank you, city

[56:04] councilwoman for recognizing the work that

[56:08] we do. The work that we do is very difficult, because they

[56:11] are the ones that have overlooked, and seems like there is no

[56:14] hope because of their circumstance, because I travel the same path

[56:20] , came to the same hail, so I position these women

[56:23] , and have given them opportunities to become great

[56:28] . And now they are living the life that we are living today when the world

[56:32] so that they could in. Thank you.

[56:46] >> madam controller, will you please call item three?

[56:53] >> item number three is a resolution recognizing the career and contributions of

[56:56] bobby alston, a football coach at the memphis university school since 1977. All council

[57:02] districts. This resolution is sponsored by councilman colvett.

[57:11] >> councilmember colvett?

[57:13] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[57:17] probably should have told him

[57:21] that we would be recognizing some of the students and athletes, because we

[57:23] would be here. But in typical coach style,

[57:26] he doesn't want accolades for himself

[57:34] , but we are recognizing him anyway.

[57:35] colleagues, I think you will see why here in a moment. Whereas on

[57:39] occasion, the memphis city council has seen fit

[57:43] to honor those who have positively contributed to this community, and bobby alston

[57:47] is one such citizen whose contributions to the

[57:51] city of memphis are certainly worthy of recognition.

[57:55] whereas on december 31st, bobby alston will be retiring

[57:59] after nearly five decades of unparalleled devotion to the betterment

[58:03] of the memphis university school.

[58:07] he wore many hats, including teacher, dean of students,

[58:11] and most notably, as a well decorated coach for both the

[58:14] football and track and field teams.

[58:15] whereas bobby alston led the university school's football team as their

[58:20] head coach 24 state championships,

[58:23] four state runners-up, nine regional championships, and 10

[58:28] double-digit win seasons for an overall record of

[58:32] 213 wins to 90 losses.

[58:35] any football players would move on to

[58:39] achieve numerous accolades, including five football all-americans

[58:43] , eight mr. Football winners, 14 mr.

[58:44] football finalists, 95 all-state football players

[58:50] , and 147 college football players.

[58:53] and as a track and field coach, bobby alston led memphis university school

[59:01] to five state championships, to state championships and team relays, four

[59:03] state runners-up, four state runners-up in team relays, and

[59:08] 25 regional championships.

[59:11] >> whereas on numerous occasions, bobby alston was

[59:13] organized for his achievements in the tennessee athletics association

[59:17] coaching association states track coach of the year in 1991.

[59:20] commercial appeal for the football coach at 2004,

[59:23] five, eight, and nine.

[59:29] the coaches association --

[59:35] in 2005 and 2006, tennessee sportswriters -- I skip the part there. He was awarded

[59:44] in 2007.

[59:53] commercial appeal sportsman of the year, national federation of state

[59:58] high school association in state and the section of

[1:00:02] the year in 2014.

[1:00:09] tennessee football association hall of fame adopted in 2018, tennessee

[1:00:11] secondary school athletic association hall of fame inductee in 2020, the commercial

[1:00:13] appeal lifetime achievement award in 2023

[1:00:17] , and the tennessee secondary school athletic regional association

[1:00:20] athletic director of the year, and tennessee secondary school

[1:00:23] f bridges award winner, and --

[1:00:29] >> whereas bobby alston took time to positively contribute to

[1:00:31] the athletic community and leadership position serving

[1:00:34] in tennessee school athletic association regional

[1:00:37] coordinator on the tennessee secondary school athletic

[1:00:43] association states track and field advisory committee, and on the founding organizing

[1:00:45] committee for legal high school all-star game. And whereas bobby alston could have

[1:00:49] not accomplished so much without the support of his loving family including

[1:00:54] his wife, and true alston and the grandchildren

[1:01:03] , landon alston, charlotte alston, and

[1:01:05] madeleine alston. Not be it resolved that the memphis city council

[1:01:07] on is the dedication to the memphis university schoolhouse

[1:01:10] bobby alston simple fight throughout his career.

[1:01:13] this resolution was adopted december 19th, 2023

[1:01:23] . Mr. Chairman, I so move.

[1:01:29] >> second.

[1:01:36] >> thank you, mr.

[1:01:39] chair.

[1:01:42] madam controller, will you please show that that item has been approved

[1:01:45] by proclamation?

[1:01:47] >> thank you, mr. Chair. >> madam controller, will you

[1:01:48] please call item four?

[1:01:48] >> I don't four is a resolution thanking

[1:01:52] councilwoman cheyenne johnson for her service to the city of memphis. This resolution is sponsored by the memphis city

[1:01:57] council.

[1:02:12] >> you've got me. Oh, yeah, by request only.

[1:02:18] absolutely.

[1:02:26] oh, man, this one is going to be tough to

[1:02:30] get through. I know.

[1:02:33] I will pull a string, and I will just look straight down. Oh, you're going to

[1:02:36] love part of this. Whereas the

[1:02:40] members of the memphis city council honor and acknowledge councilwoman cheyenne

[1:02:42] johnson was for her punctuality and service for her

[1:02:47] pointman to serve super district 8.2.

[1:02:50] and whereas cheyenne johnson has dedicated her life to

[1:02:53] public service, and has made certificate contributions to the

[1:02:57] memphis community. Both as a public servant, and a positive championship

[1:03:00] for change.

[1:03:01] and whereas councilwoman cheyenne johnson was appointed to the memphis city

[1:03:06] council on january 8th of 2019, and has served the

[1:03:09] city with distinction throughout her tenure. Her commitment to the chair of

[1:03:12] the planning and zoning committee, vice chair of the budget committee

[1:03:15] , liaison to the downtown memphis commission, and board member for

[1:03:18] the memphis medical authority has greatly

[1:03:21] benefited the city's growth, development,

[1:03:26] and revitalization efforts. Whereas councilwoman cheyenne

[1:03:30] johnson's previous servings as the assessor, spanning three terms

[1:03:36] , demonstrated her unwavering dedication

[1:03:39] to the effective leadership in a ministry of excellence

[1:03:43] , and whereas councilwoman cheyenne johnson's historic achievement as the first

[1:03:46] black female elected property assessor in the state of tennessee in 2008,

[1:03:51] and her subsequent recognition as tennessee assessor

[1:03:53] of the year in 2015 highlighted her extraordinary analytical

[1:03:56] problem solving and leadership skills.

[1:03:58] and whereas councilwoman cheyenne johnson

[1:04:02] has consistently championed the restoration and revitalization of super

[1:04:05] district eight aiming to reduce plate and crime all ensuring quality education

[1:04:12] , fairness, taxation, and a brighter future for the residents, her trustworthiness,

[1:04:15] dependability, integrity, and transparency in fulfilling her duty

[1:04:24] as city center for excellence in public service.

[1:04:26] where's councilman cheyenne johnson has shown herself to be a dedicated

[1:04:28] bridgebuilder, fostering collaboration between the community, private sectors

[1:04:36] , and public sectors to achieve common goals

[1:04:37] for the betterment of memphis and advocate for the college chapel room in the

[1:04:39] end, belle view tennis, and alternative energy resources.

[1:04:43] whereas councilwoman cheyenne johnson fearlessly posed

[1:04:48] challenging questions, ensuring her constituents receive the

[1:04:51] necessary answers and effective solutions they deserved. Councilman

[1:04:54] cheyenne's johnson's boldness is

[1:04:58] part of the legacy that she leaves with the city council.

[1:05:06] whereas councilman cheyenne johnson's educational background, including

[1:05:07] her graduation from the university of memphis, and the security is a look at

[1:05:11] his reader from the university of tennessee it emphasizes hurt committed to lifelong

[1:05:12] learning and professional development, being

[1:05:15] actively involved in a church, the historic memphis get church, where she serves

[1:05:21] on the board of trustees, reflects her deep sense of faith,

[1:05:24] and commitment to her community.

[1:05:26] and whereas councilman cheyenne johnson's long-standing dedication to

[1:05:30] the political arena inspired by her husband, alvin carmichael johnson,

[1:05:33] and her services as a past member of the shelby democratic community,

[1:05:36] and demonstrates her enduring commitment to the

[1:05:40] democratic values as a devoted mother to her two sons, michael grisham,

[1:05:42] and gerald lafayette. Her love and support

[1:05:48] for family is her testament to character and values. Now therefore be it resolved by

[1:05:51] the memphis city council

[1:05:56] , by the memphis city council hereby honors and recognize as

[1:06:00] councilmember cheyenne johnson for her outstanding contributions to our city,

[1:06:03] her tireless dedication to public service, and

[1:06:05] her unwavering commitment to not only the betterment of super district eight,

[1:06:06] but his residence, and to memphis as a

[1:06:09] whole, and I so move.

[1:06:14] >> I might have another question.

[1:06:23] [ laughter ]

[1:06:38] I must say, it has been a pleasure to serve on

[1:06:41] this board with the city council.

[1:06:45] I came in with the one year apartment, never knowing

[1:06:49] that I was actually going to serve five years. What I have learned

[1:06:52] from serving is every citizen should have an opportunity

[1:06:55] to serve. Once you serve, you learn the

[1:06:59] complexity of what it takes to operate a city that operates

[1:07:04] 24 hours a day.

[1:07:05] but, the journey was made possible because of you.

[1:07:11] you helped me along, you informed me, helped me with the resolutions,

[1:07:14] you helped me make motions through the whole process. I

[1:07:18] am missing my dear friend polly, alan wade. We to

[1:07:21] learn from each other with legal issues that

[1:07:25] came about, and I just wanted to say thank you for being patient

[1:07:28] with me.

[1:07:33] I do know I ask a lot of questions.

[1:07:34] >> a whole lot of questions!

[1:07:35] >> but it is only through questioning's that we get to

[1:07:38] the peer effects. So, I encourage you to continue to ask the questions.

[1:07:48] >> absolutely. >> sometimes, things come so

[1:07:50] fast that you, that you don't even know what hit you. So, so

[1:07:53] the train down, and ask some questions. I wish you the best. I wish the citizens

[1:07:57] of memphis the best. And god bless up on everybody.

[1:08:01] thank you.

[1:08:13] >> madam controller, will you please call

[1:08:16] item five?

[1:08:19] >> I don't number five is resolution thanking councilwoman patrice j.

[1:08:23] robinson for her service to the city of memphis. This resolution is

[1:08:26] sponsored by the memphis city council.

[1:08:34] >> councilmember swearengen-washington?

[1:08:40] >> it is my honor to be able to recognize councilwoman

[1:08:46] patrice j robinson.

[1:08:48] that's right, give her applause, y'all.

[1:08:55] oh, that is so sweet.

[1:08:59] whereas the members of the memphis city council extend heartfelt recognition

[1:09:04] and honor to councilwoman patrice j robinson

[1:09:07] for her unwavering service throughout her tenure on the memphis city council

[1:09:13] is the admired representative of district 3, a

[1:09:17] chapter that gracefully concludes on december

[1:09:22] 31st, 2023, and whereas patrice j robinson,

[1:09:25] the eldest of the late reverend ament jordan junior

[1:09:28] , and the late rosetta h jordans two

[1:09:31] children blossomed into a devoted monfils and from

[1:09:37] her years, the city of memphis and the nurturing

[1:09:40] of others took root upon

[1:09:45] her, evolving into the guiding force propelling her

[1:09:48] illustrious career. Whereas embracing a passion

[1:09:51] for education, her commitment to learning unfolded effortlessly, following her

[1:09:57] graduation from whitehaven high school in 1972. She embarked on a dedicated

[1:10:04] journey to further her education

[1:10:08] . In 1981, she probably earned her bachelor's degree from them

[1:10:14] memphis state university, followed by the attainment of her masters degree from

[1:10:17] the university of tennessee in 1990.

[1:10:22] in 1975, patrice j robinson became an estate member

[1:10:28] of the roe gamma chapter of the sata five

[1:10:33] beta sorority incorporated. Were her dedication

[1:10:36] of would eventually be acknowledged as the chapters

[1:10:40] longest active member.

[1:10:43] throughout her graduate studies, she distinguished herself

[1:10:48] as a national honor society member, and whereas upon receiving her

[1:10:55] degree is, patrice j robinson gained over 30 years of professional expertise

[1:11:01] in human resources, training, and development,

[1:11:07] counseling, job development, and grant writing. Her district which career

[1:11:10] culminated with the retirement from memphis

[1:11:14] light, gas, and water, where she served as a supervisor of

[1:11:19] assessment and development. And whereas outside

[1:11:22] of her professional endeavors, she also achieved

[1:11:25] great success in her political career before her

[1:11:28] tenure on the memphis city council. Patrice

[1:11:31] j robinson dedicated 13 years to

[1:11:35] the memphis city shelby county schools board of education

[1:11:39] , notably holding the position of board president

[1:11:43] in 2004 and 2007.

[1:11:46] her impactful service on

[1:11:50] the school board not only provided a platform for her to support and nurture

[1:11:55] memphis youth, but also ignited a deepened desire to extend

[1:12:01] that care to a broader community of memphis members. And whereas in

[1:12:04] november of 2015, she secured the position of memphis city

[1:12:07] council district 3, representative of a role

[1:12:10] she faithfully fulfilled

[1:12:16] her eight consecutive years.

[1:12:18] her leadership has shown brightly in 2020

[1:12:22] , where she adapted, guided the counsel to the challenges

[1:12:25] of the covid-19 pandemic while serving

[1:12:30] as the memphis city council chairwoman throughout

[1:12:34] her tenure on the memphis city council. She harnessed the depth of

[1:12:39] professional knowledge she gained in her previous

[1:12:42] roles. She channeled it effectively as the chair of the

[1:12:48] memphis light, gas, and water committee.

[1:12:49] whereas during her counsel tenure, patrice j robinson spearheaded

[1:12:55] vital initiatives, such as the pre-k resolution, reviving the greater

[1:13:01] what heaven economic champion, and champion to the davis

[1:13:07] weight mca, and played a pivotal role in crime prevention grants

[1:13:13] driven by her deep affection for district 3,

[1:13:16] she prioritized community safety by installing over 50

[1:13:21] cameras, and supporting the hickory hill juvenile project. She dedicated keeping

[1:13:28] constituents informed, and dedicated to the patrice express

[1:13:35] quarterly update newsletter.

[1:13:39] whereas patrice j robinson, a recipient of various accolades, including spirit

[1:13:44] magazines 50 over 50 award, finding my yes honoree

[1:13:49] and the national foundation of women legislators women excellence award. She has been recognized

[1:13:54] for her exceptional community service within the male horn trailblazer.

[1:14:01] notably, the ymca of memphis and the midsouth honored her dedication by

[1:14:05] naming the aquatics emporium center as

[1:14:11] the patrice and jackie robinson name at thorium

[1:14:17] recently nominated by president biden to the tennessee

[1:14:19] valley authority board of directors. She was

[1:14:22] also bestowed with the key to the city by mayor jim strickland.

[1:14:29] whereas over a span of 20 years, patrice j robinson has

[1:14:32] dedicated herself wholeheartedly to public service

[1:14:38] as an elected official, all while maintaining a loving

[1:14:44] marriage with jackie robinson. Her commitment transcended her various

[1:14:49] professional roles seamlessly, extending into

[1:14:52] the most honorable aspects of life, being a devoted

[1:14:57] mother to her three beautiful children,

[1:15:02] gina, jay, and jordan, as well as a loving grandmother, and great-grandmother

[1:15:08] . Now, therefore be it resolved that the memphis

[1:15:14] city council extends its honor to councilwoman patrice

[1:15:20] j robinson for her eight years of dedicated service to

[1:15:23] the council, and wishes continued success

[1:15:30] and blessings to her political journey.

[1:15:32] god bless you.

[1:15:50] >> first, let me say to the audience, please forgive me

[1:15:55] for my full life story on today that you had

[1:15:57] to go through all of that. And I guess you know how old I am now,

[1:16:02] how busy I have been. You know my whole life story. To the

[1:16:07] council, thank you so much today for those words

[1:16:13] , and all I want people to know about me is that

[1:16:17] I love the city of memphis.

[1:16:19] I love our children, and I want us to be the greatest city in

[1:16:22] the united states. It will take some work, but it requires that we

[1:16:29] work together.

[1:16:30] it is my hope moving forward that everyone gets on the

[1:16:34] same page, so that we can be that late

[1:16:36] in the united states that everybody wants to look up to, and to aspire

[1:16:44] to be like us.

[1:16:47] now, I may be leaving the city council, but you

[1:16:50] won't leave my heart. I will be working every day to

[1:16:55] make sure that memphis is remembered at the tva table.

[1:17:02] I will ensure that east tennessee is not the only ones that

[1:17:05] are remembered, but

[1:17:09] west tennessee as well, and all of the other members in the seven state district.

[1:17:12] it is my desire to always represent you well,

[1:17:17] to always remember you, and to always ensure that we get the best

[1:17:23] for each of our constituents.

[1:17:26] thank you for the service with you. I really want to say

[1:17:32] what time can I get out of here?

[1:17:34] I don't know who will take all of those

[1:17:37] phone calls about mlgw once my lights went out.

[1:17:41] I get them seven days a week, 24 hours

[1:17:44] a day, and some knock on my door.

[1:17:49] I am so pleased that you will have that opportunity to continue

[1:17:53] that work.

[1:17:55] I want to remind you that you are not here just for yourselves, you

[1:17:58] are here for the community that needs you to represent them.

[1:18:04] we are here to represent the community and

[1:18:08] their desires, and make sure that at that same time,

[1:18:13] we remember all communities, and every decision that we make

[1:18:17] . God bless you, thank you, and I love each and everyone of you.

[1:18:47] >> excuse me, madam comptroller, but can you show that the item has been approved

[1:18:49] by proclamation?

[1:18:50] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[1:18:52] >> madam comptroller, may you please call item six?

[1:18:56] >> item number six is a resolution thanking councilman frank h. Colvett, jr. For his

[1:18:59] service to the city of memphis. This resolution is sponsored by the memphis city council.

[1:19:11] >> councilmember warren?

[1:19:17] >> thank you, mr. Chair.

[1:19:26] whereas the members of the city council which to recognize

[1:19:30] the contributions of councilmember colvett, and bid him

[1:19:36] a congratulatory farewell as we

[1:19:40] know it achievements leading up to and throughout his service as a council

[1:19:43] member to the great people of the city of memphis.

[1:19:48] and whereas he graduated from memphis university school

[1:19:54] in 1988 prior to attending millsaps college.

[1:19:59] he earned his bachelors degree in business

[1:20:01] in ministration and a minor in history, graduating with distinction.

[1:20:04] while attending millsaps, he served as a chapter resident

[1:20:12] at a fraternity, focusing as the highest standards of friendship, scholarship, leadership,

[1:20:15] and service.

[1:20:17] whereas upon graduation, councilmember franco that

[1:20:25] --research the company in various capacities, such as

[1:20:29] project minister --manager, estimator, and vice president

[1:20:32] of marketing. After years of dedication at green scape

[1:20:36] , and 2010, he was promoted to president.

[1:20:39] later, he would refocus his career, and become a real

[1:20:41] estate agent with re/max, and whereas a dedicated public servant with the passion

[1:20:48] for development, he served the local development boards

[1:20:51] , for example, chairman of the memphis county board of adjustments

[1:20:56] , and as an alternate on the memphis and

[1:20:59] shelby county land use control board.

[1:21:02] his enthusiasm for the community involvement continued when he served as chair

[1:21:05] of the memphis city councils planning and zoning committee, and

[1:21:10] housing and community development committees.

[1:21:14] on which he continued to use his mediation skills for service for his city. And,

[1:21:21] whereas councilmember colvett's approach of serving as

[1:21:25] chairman of the city council in 2021,

[1:21:28] and whereas vice chair in 2018 and 2020 made an impact

[1:21:32] that will be remembered long past his tenure on

[1:21:36] the council. For example, his strong ability to arbitrate led to the resolution

[1:21:39] of many disputes that would have remained

[1:21:42] unresolved, but for his interception. And

[1:21:47] whereas in ordinance supporter of our veterans, he spearheaded an effort

[1:21:54] to extend cities appreciation for their sacrifice by creating the

[1:21:59] veterans parking program. This program designated convenient

[1:22:03] parking spaces for veterans, your city

[1:22:07] libraries, parks, community centers, and senior centers,

[1:22:11] and whereas his active member of the community, councilmember colvett regularly attends the

[1:22:18] services at st. George's church, a church with

[1:22:21] nearly a century of history in the city of memphis. He also attends

[1:22:24] mass with his wife leslie, and his children, herman

[1:22:29] and ella, and whereas the memphis city council will sorely miss

[1:22:33] the ultimate mediator, councilmember colvett, and will think of him

[1:22:39] often, and with deals that reach an impasse, I will say this again,

[1:22:42] but think of him largely and often with

[1:22:45] deals that have reached an impasse that only

[1:22:49] councilmember colvett can navigate effortlessly. Therefore

[1:22:53] , now be it resolved that the memphis city councils says farewell

[1:22:57] to councilmember colvett, and thanks him for his dedicated service

[1:23:03] to district two, the city of memphis, and for his contributions

[1:23:06] to memphis city council presented by our chairman,

[1:23:12] chairman jones.

[1:23:30] >> oh, wow. Well, guys, thank you.

[1:23:33] it is the end of a very fun, long road.

[1:23:39] I would say to julia and clay

[1:23:45] especially, thank you for being in my life.

[1:23:46] you have amazing careers, and I'm happy to have just been a small part

[1:23:50] of it. I am joined, and I cannot say anything but the

[1:23:52] hugest debt of gratitude, thank you to leslie harmon, and ella.

[1:23:55] thank you for the nights I was gone.

[1:23:57] I was busy, I was late, I was

[1:24:02] forever leaving supper to take a phone call. I could not do this

[1:24:06] without you. Thank you.

[1:24:12] ella's boyfriend, drew, is with us today. Now, drew

[1:24:21] , we can't have fun unless we are appear having fun. I want you to introduce you

[1:24:24] to officer cedric young, who security here. Now cedric and I, cedric

[1:24:29] and I love the dallas cowboys, and firearms.

[1:24:36] sorry, I am having too much fun here. You were all stuck having

[1:24:42] to listen to me. To cheyenne, I would say keep asking questions.

[1:24:45] that is what truly makes it work. To patrice, the

[1:24:51] council mom, I hated telling you know.

[1:25:00] to councilmember canale, who cannot be here with us

[1:25:02] today, he is under the weather, he is one of the most honorable men

[1:25:06] I have ever known. To jb, I would say that

[1:25:11] the higher up you get, the more powerful you get, my friend. Always

[1:25:13] remember, you must walk even softer than you ever have. The more powerful you

[1:25:15] get, the more people are watching. To our

[1:25:18] chairman, I would say I have loved these eight years,

[1:25:23] especially when only once or twice we have agreed on something.

[1:25:30] it's true. But, you did teach me the most important

[1:25:32] lesson, I think, is that when the gavel bangs and it is over, we go

[1:25:33] to the fifth floor, and have a cocktail

[1:25:42] , and we leave it here on the field, as they say. It's lovely.

[1:25:48] jenna, I would say I adore you. The one and only

[1:25:53] vote I regret is the one I did not cast for you. I truly

[1:25:57] and deeply apologize. To rhonda, I would say

[1:26:00] feed.

[1:26:03] you are gifted. Lead. I would say am the only member who can call

[1:26:09] you pops.

[1:26:12] if you had told me eight years ago that the treasurer of the tennessee

[1:26:15] republican party would count forward as one of his very

[1:26:20] close political friends, I would told you they were insane. But as

[1:26:24] it is, I rely on your counsel, sir, and you

[1:26:26] are in fact crazy like a fox. Always like a fox.

[1:26:31] to chase, who is not here but I am sure can hear us, you talk

[1:26:34] too much, brother.

[1:26:40] brother, you talk way, way too much.

[1:26:47] but if there is one thing in four years I have learned,

[1:26:50] and it is an amazing gift, he has boiled down issues to bullet points

[1:26:55] in exact ways that made it very

[1:26:59] simple for all of us to understand.

[1:27:01] his uncanny ability I think going forward would

[1:27:04] be amazing.

[1:27:07] I would close and say that in all candor, you are brilliant. In

[1:27:10] all candor, while I count noses

[1:27:15] , you have been the one that always thought through

[1:27:19] an argument. To you, the facts mattered. The

[1:27:24] details mattered. The arguments were always

[1:27:28] on point. And I salute you for that optimism, sir.

[1:27:32] I will close by saying doc, you will probably have to move this

[1:27:35] one forward.

[1:27:35] >> if one were to judge a book by its cover

[1:27:40] , they would deduce that we have absolutely nothing

[1:27:43] in common, and yet, these four years, we develop a

[1:27:46] friendship and work together

[1:27:50] so much that I look forward to counsel tuesday's if only to hang out. We should

[1:27:53] have favorites appear, but you are mine.

[1:27:55] that is so sweet.

[1:28:10] >> thank you. I will close by saying,

[1:28:12] because I know they are playing that music at

[1:28:14] the oscars. I'm about to get yanked off the stage. I don't talk very much. I'm

[1:28:17] having fun with this. You are about to have five young firebrands

[1:28:24] I will fix everything the day before yesterday. And I want

[1:28:27] you to think about your first days here. Okay? And what all you

[1:28:29] have learned. Because you are the leaders now. You are the

[1:28:32] ones we look forward and look to for leadership. And as

[1:28:39] chairman jones taught me, we can sit in these meetings as elected

[1:28:41] officials have for centuries, and just absolutely dog cuss each other.

[1:28:43] but when the gavel ends, we are friends.

[1:28:49] teach, lead, and be friends.

[1:28:52] thank you.

[1:29:15] >> madam comptroller, kenny please call

[1:29:19] item seven?

[1:29:21] >> item number seven is a resolution thanking councilman worth morgan for his service to the city of

[1:29:24] memphis. This resolution is sponsored by the memphis city council.

[1:29:43] >> councilmember logan? >> thank you, chair.

[1:29:48] it is my pleasure to bring this forward as well. Whereas the memphis city council recognizes

[1:29:54] the opportunity to express and approval of praise

[1:30:01] to councilmember morgan for his tireless efforts and superb commitment

[1:30:04] to the city of memphis, and all memphis members

[1:30:07] throughout his tenure, and whereas an eager and driven ambassador

[1:30:10] for change, councilmember morgan became his

[1:30:16] politics 15 years

[1:30:20] ago before moving on in 2016 to serve as a voice for the community in

[1:30:25] district 5. Having consciously advocated

[1:30:30] for the entrance to his constituency over the

[1:30:34] course of the past octagonal., he is poised to conclude

[1:30:39] his continued service for the city council,

[1:30:42] marking the culmination of two consecutive terms. A resounding testament to his

[1:30:49] unwavering devotion to his constituents.

[1:30:52] and whereas councilmember morgan shared committees such as the

[1:30:55] budget and pension board. He

[1:31:01] also sponsored legislative ordinance for the charter

[1:31:04] of the city of memphis to provide provisions

[1:31:07] for the regulation of deadly weapons, drafted

[1:31:10] several amendments in support of allowing the memphis zoo control

[1:31:13] of the northern in of parker to allow

[1:31:18] parking on the greens board. And whereas the councilman's

[1:31:21] notable achievements during his tenure in the hollowed

[1:31:25] chambers of the city council have imparted substantial contributions

[1:31:30] to the amelioration of the broader community, providing a careful, thoughtful, but

[1:31:37] deliberate approach in ensuring the most logical decisions are made in the

[1:31:40] council chambers.

[1:31:43] and whereas councilmember morgan has undoubtably edged

[1:31:46] his presence upon the tapestry of his district for his

[1:31:52] exceptional receptiveness to multifarious concerns and challenges, articulated by

[1:31:58] his constituents, consistently extended a compassionate year

[1:32:04] and aiding had hand to those in need. And

[1:32:09] whereas councilmember morgan's dedication to the vocation of public service

[1:32:13] is self-evident, exemplified by his unyielding commitment

[1:32:16] to the betterment of his constituents through

[1:32:22] an uncomfortable reservoir of perspiration --is

[1:32:28] that right?

[1:32:31] okay, it should probably be perseverance.

[1:32:36] and unwavering constellation of determination.

[1:32:37] he has emerged that mackey has emerged

[1:32:43] as a champion for those who interested him

[1:32:48] , perpetually situating their needs and grievances

[1:32:54] at his legislative agenda. And whereas the city of memphis wholeheartedly

[1:32:59] express our profound gratitude for

[1:33:03] his unwavering dedication to the vocation of public service

[1:33:07] , and his relentless endeavors to uplifting

[1:33:09] his district, transforming it into a superlative haven

[1:33:14] for the entirety of his residence. His

[1:33:17] legacy cell into her in a font of a

[1:33:23] inspiration, a beacon eliminating our own aspirations

[1:33:29] to fill multifaceted needs and yearnings of those who are privileged to serve.

[1:33:33] his departure from the hallowed halls of the city council does not mark

[1:33:38] a farewell, but rather the inaugural chapter of an

[1:33:41] ongoing odyssey, dedicated to the betterment of

[1:33:46] the community. Now therefore be it resolved that the

[1:33:50] memphis city council, be it a worth farewell,

[1:33:55] so councilmember morgan for his unwavering commitment in even native

[1:34:00] attraction, creation, and dedication to public service to the city of memphis

[1:34:08] , adopted december 19th, 2023.

[1:34:11] let's give him a hand.

[1:34:29] >> madam comptroller, shall be voting

[1:34:32] no on the resolution. That's an inside joke if you have been here.

[1:34:43] councilmember logan, think of the kind words

[1:34:46] of reading that. Patrice, I feel like I'm a bit more mixed feelings

[1:34:48] about today than you do. Thinking back about the eight years, the very

[1:34:52] first meeting I have had, you asked me what you

[1:34:54] want to focus on? What is a problem had to work on? And

[1:34:58] I said our call center is not working.

[1:34:59] on average, it is 116 second wait time when someone

[1:35:04] picks up the phone and dialed 911 before someone picks up.

[1:35:11] he agreed, we change policies and procedures, we

[1:35:13] may do hiring practices, they put people in charge, and

[1:35:15] the council met them with resources and a new facility. And today, we

[1:35:17] have that number down to 9.3 seconds on average.

[1:35:26] 96% of calls are answered in under 20 seconds, and

[1:35:31] I wish everything that we worked on together had been as easy-going and smooth

[1:35:35] as that first one.

[1:35:38] you know, I especially wish that we could have done more for those who

[1:35:41] needed it the most.

[1:35:44] but I think that is the curse of being a legislator.

[1:35:46] no one has ever left the office and said the work is

[1:35:48] done. So, for council members it will still be here and those coming in, I

[1:35:51] wish you the best of luck. It has been my deepest honor to serve

[1:35:56] the public, and thank you for sending me here

[1:35:59] today for this work.

[1:36:05] usually, I lead by logic. Today will be a little different. I think it is

[1:36:07] difficult to close this chapter. I love the

[1:36:11] city of memphis more today than, if possible,

[1:36:12] more today than I did eight years ago when I got here.

[1:36:15] and again, be deepest thanks to the city council staff,

[1:36:19] to my colleagues, to the directors.

[1:36:23] you have been along that journey as we have worked together

[1:36:25] to serve the citizens of memphis, and try to provide a

[1:36:29] better tomorrow.

[1:36:32] the 6000 city employees we have, you are all

[1:36:35] the backbones, the hands, and the feet

[1:36:36] of the city of memphis. We could not have gotten it done without you.

[1:36:41] thank you so much, and I think a lot of the times were

[1:36:44] u of l had to bear the burdens of problems

[1:36:47] created by political arenas, but they were

[1:36:52] yours to figure out and solve on the street. You all were tremendous, tremendous

[1:36:53] in that effort. So, I came here to serve

[1:36:56] the citizens of memphis. Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity

[1:36:59] to do that. I leave here still willing and wanting to serve memphis.

[1:37:05] I don't know what the future holds, but I am excited

[1:37:08] to pursue it, and to still be a part of this community,

[1:37:13] loving memphis every single day. Thank you, mr. Chair.

[1:37:40] I forgot to thank my wife! That was a huge mistake!

[1:37:44] she is my everything! It would not be possible without her!

[1:37:52] >> thank you. Madam comptroller, will you please call

[1:37:54] item eight?

[1:37:54] >> item number eight is a resolution thanking chairman

[1:38:00] martavius d. Jones for his service to the city of memphis. This resolution is sponsored by the memphis city

[1:38:02] council.

[1:38:11] >> it afternoon, counsel.

[1:38:17] I think this is probably going to be difficult

[1:38:20] for me.

[1:38:26] yeah, this is going to be a tough one.

[1:38:28] we will try to get through. In 2017, I moved back to the city of memphis,

[1:38:31] attending to figure out how I can, you know, serve the city

[1:38:36] of memphis. It was kind of difficult for a younger person

[1:38:38] involved in politics. I was having meetings all across the cities, try to

[1:38:41] figure out who will open the door for me. All of the elected officials

[1:38:45] picked me, and only a elected officials took

[1:38:48] the time to meet with me, talk about

[1:38:53] memphis, and how we can help me along the journey.

[1:39:00] that was chairman jones.

[1:39:02] it's with great honor that I read this resolution

[1:39:06] , honoring the career of my friend, and my brother, chairman

[1:39:12] jones. Whereas to serve the people of memphis

[1:39:18] , and to be on the front line of the present issues that impact our great city

[1:39:21] on a daily basis is no easy feat.

[1:39:23] the requires ordinary aptitude for compassion, a constant willingness to advocate

[1:39:29] for those whose voices often go unheard, and a heart to serve the people

[1:39:34] with grace and humility, and above all else

[1:39:38] , even one's self, current chairman marti

[1:39:41] vs jones is one such individual who possesses all those qualities and more. And whereas

[1:39:47] chairman jones love the city of memphis, he served on any board

[1:39:53] of the memphis city council. He traces all the way back to his childhood

[1:39:58] in which he gained an appreciation for community, and a deep-rooted

[1:40:00] sense of response ability to strive for excellence, and be a public

[1:40:03] servant. These are principles that are instilled in him by

[1:40:09] his parents. Chairman jones is a proud member of

[1:40:15] the class of 1980.

[1:40:17] of the legendary central high school. His intelligence leason

[1:40:23] to the illustrious highway university, really will shine in and out of

[1:40:29] the classroom, and if this is a ministry to

[1:40:33] and finance in universities and colleges being inducted

[1:40:36] into the golden key national honor

[1:40:40] society, and serving of the treasure of the university's homecoming community.

[1:40:43] german jones joined an organization for ideal friendship

[1:40:48] essential to sold, or made it

[1:40:53] in washington, d.c., and worse upon graduation, he

[1:40:58] will go on to achieve great success in his professional career, including making

[1:41:00] the brief choice of becoming a doctor for newer and opening

[1:41:03] his financial consulting company. Through his career, will

[1:41:06] provide with many compliments, his heart for people, and the services

[1:41:09] to community. In 2003, he began serving

[1:41:13] on the memphis alcohol commission, review devote the time and knowledge he gained

[1:41:18] from his experiences of 10 years, knowing that

[1:41:20] they were for the people is never done.

[1:41:21] we shifted to one of that

[1:41:26] he was appointed to the memphis school board in 2006, and twice thereafter

[1:41:31] would be victorious in the election to the same position in 2006 and 2010.

[1:41:36] on the opposite where he serves on the

[1:41:39] school board, he uses his vast knowledge and experience

[1:41:41] of finance to do better in the state of education, the memphis

[1:41:44] city council, the chairman of the superintendent search

[1:41:47] committee, later as board president, and --

[1:41:51] >> whereas always a leader, a servant leader, visionary

[1:41:58] found to serve all of the citizens of memphis after being elected to

[1:42:01] the memphis city council on october 8th, 2015

[1:42:06] , and october 3rd, 2019.

[1:42:09] during his time on the council, he shared several standings ad

[1:42:13] hoc committee, including the economic develop a committee

[1:42:16] , budget committee, transportation committee, and executive committee

[1:42:21] , and served as the liaison for the pension investment board

[1:42:27] , memphis airport authority, memphis in may, and shelby county schools. Outside

[1:42:32] of his role of chairman of various committees, he also

[1:42:36] established himself as a fixture in our city

[1:42:41] . Through his service on numerous boards, including methodist hospital

[1:42:44] , extended care hospital board, playhouse on

[1:42:48] the square, memphis rock and soul museum, and

[1:42:51] the memphis police foundation, whereas a councilmember

[1:42:56] , chairman jones fiercely advocated for the people of memphis, and was steadfast

[1:43:03] in standing for what he believed in, even if it meant

[1:43:06] that he would sometimes stand alone.

[1:43:12] though his time on the memphis city school board ended, his presence

[1:43:15] served as a constant reminder that his body, though

[1:43:20] not directed in the education system, was always in the business of

[1:43:27] serving children.

[1:43:30] his commitment to this principle was demonstrated when

[1:43:33] he established the memphis city council hbcu scholarship

[1:43:36] program opportunity to experience the allocation

[1:43:42] of $1,000,000.00, and to allow students the opportunity to experience the

[1:43:47] rich culture and profound education provided by hbcu.

[1:43:54] his commitment to this principle also extended to the many nonprofit organizations

[1:44:00] that served our communities.

[1:44:03] as chairman jones brought the resolution to establish the memphis city

[1:44:08] council grant program each fiscal year.

[1:44:12] >> whereas with the departure

[1:44:17] of chairman jones, the council has lost a tighten and

[1:44:19] true advocate for the council's authority and well-being.

[1:44:23] is a leader in student mind. He has undeniably played a vital role in

[1:44:27] improving the city we call home. And advocating for

[1:44:30] a better quality of life for all people of memphis, his beloved role

[1:44:36] in the proudest achievement is being a father to

[1:44:39] his son, jerry jones. Therefore be resolved that the memphis city council honors

[1:44:42] the intrepid leader, chairman jones.

[1:45:07] >> colleagues, thank you. Thank you.

[1:45:19] this has been an honor to serve

[1:45:25] the city.

[1:45:28] you know, I am with you.

[1:45:34] I have mixed emotions about this. I will

[1:45:37] have some free time on my hands, you know, to dedicate,

[1:45:40] because I absolutely love what I do professionally. But, I love serving.

[1:45:48] into my council colleagues, it has been a pleasure serving

[1:45:52] with you all.

[1:45:56] I think it's a couple of incoming councilmembers here

[1:46:01] . You know, I just hope that you all, in the service that you do

[1:46:04] to the city

[1:46:10] , remember those people who we have to be the conscience. We have to be

[1:46:13] the voice of people who

[1:46:19] don't have the resources to come down here and advocate for the cause.

[1:46:22] we have to do that.

[1:46:28] you know, I still have to live here, I am still going to call

[1:46:31] this place home, so I need you all, and

[1:46:35] the collective of the city, to make memphis a city

[1:46:40] of choice. None of us should have to look

[1:46:46] over our shoulders. None of us should --we shouldn't isolate public safety

[1:46:52] to just one community.

[1:46:58] it should be all communities. Now, there's

[1:47:01] a lot of work that I feel was not done, and not a compass. I

[1:47:04] am not leaving here a happy camper. I am not.

[1:47:10] because they still of a high poverty rate. Colleagues, let's address that.

[1:47:13] I am not going to be here

[1:47:17] talking about everything. But it has been a joy.

[1:47:21] and now, I cannot leave here without thanking

[1:47:25] the staff, the council staff. First of all, the

[1:47:28] council staff.

[1:47:34] you all, for those of us who understand, the council

[1:47:36] members, there been people come down to city hall

[1:47:39] expecting to see us. We are not here. But it is the people who work here

[1:47:43] every day that really get the job done. People can

[1:47:46] complain about government, but as he talked about, there are

[1:47:52] 6000 people who do things right every single day that we take

[1:47:58] for granted.

[1:48:04] so, we may get the credit, but it is you all, council staff,

[1:48:07] and the 6000 folks who work for the city of memphis that do the real

[1:48:10] work. So, continue to work. It has been a pleasure to serve with you

[1:48:13] all. Thank you.

[1:48:22] >> hello, counsel.

[1:48:31] what a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. We came on

[1:48:34] eight years ago onto the council, and who would

[1:48:40] ever imagine this day?

[1:48:43] you have had many fights. You have had a lot

[1:48:49] of wins, if you that you were not successful with

[1:48:55] , but you kept fighting.

[1:48:58] you are a fighter.

[1:49:01] and that, one can't help but admire. I appreciate you

[1:49:07] . You are the vice chair. My last day here on the

[1:49:10] council, and now you have been

[1:49:15] the leader of the city of memphis and

[1:49:19] this council. And we are truly proud of you.

[1:49:24] and I know you have some other dreams coming forward

[1:49:28] , and I am a true believer. You have to have a dream. If you

[1:49:33] don't have a dream, how are you ever going to make a dream come true? So,

[1:49:36] we look forward to great things from you. We appreciate you

[1:49:40] , and congratulations on all of your great works.

[1:49:55] >> so, if I could have all of my councilmembers that are

[1:49:58] outgoing councilmembers, sticky photo, please.

[1:50:00] >> let the record affect that chairman jones

[1:50:03] did not get to vote no on this. [ laughter ]

[1:51:44] >> madam comptroller, will you please call item nine?

[1:51:50] >> thank you, mr. Chairman. Item number

[1:51:53] nine is a resolution approving the right-of-way vacation of lafayette place located between

[1:51:59] e. Goodwyn street and lafayette street. This resolution is sponsored by the division

[1:52:02] of planning and development.

[1:52:08] case number is s.a.c.

[1:52:11] 23-04.

[1:52:14] >> thank you.

[1:52:17] councilmember johnson?

[1:52:22] >> this item was discussed in committee, and was sent down

[1:52:24] without a recommendation, and I so move.

[1:52:26] >> okay.

[1:52:29] they item has been moved by councilmember johnson, seconded by

[1:52:33] councilmember morgan. Do we have any comment cards?

[1:52:41] miss sergeant-at-arms?

[1:52:43] do we have comment cards on this?

[1:52:44] we do? Okay. Do we have comment cards

[1:52:47] on item number nine?

[1:52:50] so, we will also have a presentation

[1:52:56] on this.

[1:53:08] your odd, now. I am sorry about that.

[1:53:09] >> thank you, mr. Chair, members of the

[1:53:13] council. Kendra calm, number of development. This is a request for right

[1:53:17] away vacation street segments.

[1:53:23] it's two different street island closer cases, 2023-004, and 2023-005

[1:53:31] . I combined them into one presentation.

[1:53:35] and the request is the applicant

[1:53:43] is part of the homeowners association, represented by miss

[1:53:46] cindy reeves. As I stated, this is in the

[1:53:48] gardens neighborhood, as shown on the map. Looking

[1:53:53] at the zoning map to the left, this is residential single-family

[1:53:59] six zoning, and the street segments are shown

[1:54:02] in yellow. So, you have lafayette place

[1:54:08] . That is to the right. And then, you have lombardi road that is to

[1:54:11] the left. You also have the street segments

[1:54:14] shown on the land use map. The yellow shows the residential

[1:54:20] single-family uses, and then also, you can see in blue

[1:54:25] , that is the memphis museum of science and history

[1:54:29] . That is in blue, and then the star that is above that is the

[1:54:32] lafayette place segment that is requested for closure.

[1:54:38] and then, to the left, the other star is lombardi road.

[1:54:44] so, looking at the subdivision plat,

[1:54:50] the gardens was planted in 26.

[1:54:53] at that time, it was well over 400 properties that

[1:54:56] were planted.

[1:54:59] this is the subdivision plat that I have broken into two

[1:55:05] different images. So, the image to the right does

[1:55:09] show once again, the street segments.

[1:55:11] you have lafayette place, that is ray here in

[1:55:17] yellow, and the lombardi road, ray here are makers there is.

[1:55:22] also, the subdivision plat does have a

[1:55:25] dedication of the citypark and the city lake

[1:55:29] that were also dedicated at that time to

[1:55:32] the city. It also shows pink palace museum here.

[1:55:38] so, looking at photos of these locations, we have

[1:55:44] lafayette place, and to the left, this is

[1:55:49] where the proposed date would be. From lafayette street.

[1:55:53] and, the opposite end of that would remain open. That would

[1:55:56] be for lafayette place. And for lombardi road,

[1:56:02] you have the cherokee drive access

[1:56:08] , and to the rights, that is the proposed placement of the gate.

[1:56:16] so, the closure plat does show that lafayette place

[1:56:20] is 15,157 square feet. That is requested for closure.

[1:56:26] and this is from lafayette street to east goodwin street.

[1:56:34] and looking at schematics of what was proposed, this would be wrought iron

[1:56:38] gate with brick columns.

[1:56:41] and, you have the closure to vehicle access in the center, but

[1:56:48] there is also a proposed access for pedestrians and bicyclists

[1:56:54] that is to the south.

[1:57:01] also, this shows that this gate would be a gait that swings into

[1:57:06] lafayette place.

[1:57:09] and that is how access

[1:57:13] , or, actually, leaving would be accessed or maintained

[1:57:18] at this particular location.

[1:57:21] in the other closure plat would be for lombardi road

[1:57:27] . That is 14,575 square feet. That would be from

[1:57:32] the segment of cherokee drive to south finley road.

[1:57:41] and it is the same type of gait that is

[1:57:43] proposed. The wrought iron gate with brick columns.

[1:57:48] rather than the gate swinging in, this gate is

[1:57:51] proposed to slide to the north.

[1:57:54] and also, there is a pedestrian gate proposed for this particular

[1:57:57] location as well.

[1:58:03] so, to conclude, these gates would be for emergency vehicle

[1:58:06] access only.

[1:58:09] or, it would be exit only access

[1:58:13] if a clicker is purchased from the homeowners association

[1:58:18] . There have been a number of street allie closures within

[1:58:21] this neighborhood over time.

[1:58:27] most notably along poplar avenue. Not only the street allie closures,

[1:58:30] but also the wall that is along poplar.

[1:58:38] there is the public park and the lake that is

[1:58:40] at the center of the neighborhood.

[1:58:44] and as I have shown on the subdivision plat, these are

[1:58:48] public amenities that were dedicated in 1926 when the subdivision

[1:58:51] was platted.

[1:58:53] while the stated reason for the application closure request the security of the neighborhood

[1:59:00] , dpd disagrees that street allie closure is the appropriate response

[1:59:06] for that.

[1:59:08] closing lafayette place and lombardi road could

[1:59:12] negatively impact access for the residents that live

[1:59:15] within chickasaw gardens, and also

[1:59:19] access to the public lake and park.

[1:59:24] and with the closure, that would limit the access to three access points

[1:59:27] on central avenue.

[1:59:33] our public works and solid waste divisions have

[1:59:35] also expressed concerns about the closure, and

[1:59:37] how that may impede service delivery. Lastly,

[1:59:42] closure would further prohibit access to

[1:59:48] the park and lake, and at the time, there was multiple

[1:59:51] access points to these public amenities when they

[1:59:54] were platted, and there have been less

[2:00:00] over time.

[2:00:03] so, approving the street allie closure applications in chickasaw gardens

[2:00:05] would further prohibit the access to the amenities, would

[2:00:12] you be detrimental.

[2:00:15] and I am happy to answer any questions.

[2:00:18] >> okay.

[2:00:23] yes, well, I am sorry. I have, in the queue,

[2:00:26] councilmember orange, followed by councilmember colvett and

[2:00:30] councilmember morgan.

[2:00:32] >> thank you, mr. Chair. Can we look at that 1926 slide that

[2:00:36] showed the original?

[2:00:38] yeah, if you look at the slide on the left, I think

[2:00:42] you can see there is one, two, three, four, five, six

[2:00:48] entry points of above that have all been closed. Is

[2:00:52] that correct?

[2:00:53] >> yes, that is correct.

[2:00:56] >> all right.

[2:00:57] that is what I wanted to know.

[2:00:58] thank you.

[2:00:58] >> councilmember colvett?

[2:01:00] >> thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman.

[2:01:06] staff, on the conditions item five,

[2:01:12] I guess that is page two.

[2:01:15] access would be for emergency vehicles only.

[2:01:18] no remote open access shall be allowed by residents. But, later

[2:01:23] on, page 16, you speak to the letter of intent

[2:01:27] . The clickers being purchased.

[2:01:30] I just want to make sure well we are debating

[2:01:33] this, which you make sure, do we need to strike back? Or clarify

[2:01:36] do they get clickers or not?

[2:01:39] >> so, no.

[2:01:44] staff is proposing this would be for emergency vehicle access only.

[2:01:50] >> okay. So, the condition, because I want the audience to know if we are

[2:01:53] in favor of closing this, no remote open access shall be allowed by

[2:01:57] the residence.

[2:01:58] that is the condition on this guy. Right?

[2:02:01] >> that is correct.

[2:02:03] >> okay.

[2:02:06] you also speak to, on page 16, this is

[2:02:09] the conclusion section.

[2:02:15] there would also be bike and pedestrian gate that would stay open during daylight hours.

[2:02:21] that is a conclusion. But, is it also a condition? Did not

[2:02:24] see it in there.

[2:02:24] >> there is actually, the applicant has proposed

[2:02:29] if this is approved, and amendment to that.

[2:02:35] which would then read pedestrian and bicycle gate access open

[2:02:40] one hour before daylight, and remain open for one hour after dusk.

[2:02:44] >> okay. So, the applicant intends to bring?

[2:02:46] >> yes, sir.

[2:02:49] >> I will say my questions.

[2:02:52] ms. Reeves, we can delve into those two and clean

[2:02:54] it up, exactly what you're looking for. Thank

[2:02:55] you, mr. Chairman, that concludes.

[2:02:57] >> thank you. Councilmember morgan?

[2:03:01] >> thank you, mr.

[2:03:02] chair. I will reserve my comments until after the public speaks.

[2:03:06] >> okay. So, I have a number of comment cards here.

[2:03:10] it looks like I have five comment cards for those in opposition.

[2:03:13] I have one card that specifies that they are

[2:03:18] in favor of it, but I need to know whether I should put you in the proponent

[2:03:22] or opponent. Mr. Raines, and mr. Wilder?

[2:03:28] in favor? Okay.

[2:03:33] so, what I will do, I will designate 10 minutes for

[2:03:36] each side. What that will amount to will be two minutes

[2:03:38] for those that are in opposition to make your public comments,

[2:03:43] and approximately 10 minutes for those that are in

[2:03:49] favor of it. So, my first comment card is going to be for those in favor.

[2:03:54] my first comment card for mr. Jim raines.

[2:04:01] >> I will close, if that is okay.

[2:04:04] >> okay, ms. Reeves? >> cindy reeves, we actually have

[2:04:08] a presentation, and then we have an order of speakers?

[2:04:15] >> okay. That would be fine. >> thank you.

[2:04:20] mr. Chairman, so there are two cases that we are hearing, is there

[2:04:22] any way to have 20 minutes?

[2:04:23] >> well, because they are going

[2:04:26] to be talking about the same subjects, that is why we are combining

[2:04:30] them that way. But, no, as far as the comments from the public

[2:04:35] , the presentation time that you have is not going to take away

[2:04:39] from their time for those were going to speak

[2:04:46] in favor from it.

[2:04:47] >> so my presentation will not take away from it?

[2:04:49] >> correct. >> thank you. Kendra?

[2:05:07] I will try to go to my presentation fairly quickly.

[2:05:13] this is our first line.

[2:05:14] welcome two saw gardens. There is a large presence of residents here.

[2:05:18] this is an extremely important case for our residents.

[2:05:20] so, welcome to chickasaw gardens.

[2:05:22] next slide?

[2:05:24] this is the outline in blue is the actual subdivision.

[2:05:30] the green are the three streets that will remain open, and

[2:05:33] as you can see, the big yellow is the public park and the lake.

[2:05:37] next slide?

[2:05:40] this with the original subdivision that was approved

[2:05:42] july 15th, 1926. We are proposing to approve the

[2:05:46] lafayette entrances shown in red two substrates. Neither of these entrances

[2:05:49] lead to the public park. The three entrances

[2:05:52] on central as shown in blue are to remain open 24

[2:05:58] seven for particular access. Visitors are familiar with

[2:06:01] chickasaw gardens, and will find these entrances

[2:06:06] leading directly to the public park, as you can see on the

[2:06:10] fly. Next slide? This is from the memphis parks website

[2:06:15] . As we said, we amended the condition on the park hours.

[2:06:19] next slide? This is lombardi road.

[2:06:24] it is 247 feet long, and it has five houses above it. Next slide?

[2:06:31] slofie a place is 297 feet long.

[2:06:34] it actually has one home that abides it. Neck slide? This is

[2:06:37] the memphis three-point oh.

[2:06:43] we do not agree with staff at this does not --that memphis three-point oh

[2:06:46] does not apply. Soon, we will be addressing the three-point

[2:06:49] oh points that we would like to point out, and

[2:06:51] we feel that we are a walkable neighborhood, and we feel like that is extremely boring

[2:06:55] to the council to understand, that this is

[2:06:59] a very, very walkable neighborhood.

[2:07:01] next slide?

[2:07:03] as you can see, this is one of our residents. You can see

[2:07:07] there is no sidewalks, there is small front yards. Your maintenance vehicles

[2:07:10] , you're trying to keep your children safe

[2:07:13] , and this is what you deal with on a

[2:07:16] daily basis when you want to walk on our streets.

[2:07:22] next slide? This is a couple more residents just enjoying

[2:07:25] a walk, walking their dog. As you can see, it happens all the time

[2:07:31] , and that is one of the beauties and amenities of the subdivision.

[2:07:34] next slide?

[2:07:37] as you can see, there is a lot of delivery

[2:07:40] trucks, maintenance trucks. You have a lot of uber drivers, you have a lot

[2:07:43] of fedex deliveries, you have a lot of people who visit this neighborhood

[2:07:49] . Is a very, very pleasant neighborhood to visit

[2:07:52] , but it is hard to get around of the narrow streets.

[2:07:55] next slide?

[2:08:00] these have been installed and paid for by chickasaw gardens.

[2:08:03] here's a sidewalk that goes all around the lake, and

[2:08:06] there is a new sidewalk with the curd curb cut ramp

[2:08:10] for handicap.

[2:08:12] next light? 30 benches a wheelchair pass.

[2:08:13] use these, and we welcome everybody

[2:08:18] to come enjoy the park. Next slide?

[2:08:19] this is an additional safety lighting that

[2:08:22] was installed by chickasaw gardens homeowners association

[2:08:25] back in 2000. We feel that we are very proud

[2:08:28] of those.

[2:08:31] the footbridge was also installed by

[2:08:36] the chickasaw gardens h away, not by the city of memphis. Next

[2:08:39] slide? As you can see, this is the vote of the residence

[2:08:44] that were in favor of this

[2:08:47] application and closing those two substrates. There is an overwhelming

[2:08:50] vote. It's 92.2% of the people in favor

[2:08:55] of the lafayette substrate to be closed, and 92.5% for family road.

[2:09:02] next slide?

[2:09:03] chickasaw gardens homeowners association has been the steward of the

[2:09:08] public parks since the 1980s, and we recognize this in 2014 by the

[2:09:11] city of memphis for taking over this maintenance.

[2:09:17] they started this and it's really long time ago,

[2:09:19] because they want people to be able to enjoy

[2:09:21] this park. They want to enjoy the park. The reason people want

[2:09:26] to come is because it is very, very well maintained, because

[2:09:28] chickasaw gardens makes sure that it is very

[2:09:32] well maintained and kept up, and has the nice amenities that you have

[2:09:35] seen in the previous slides. Next slide? This is the expenses

[2:09:40] by the chickasaw gardens homeowners association.

[2:09:47] just this year alone, there has been over $80,000.00 in beaton's expense, and

[2:09:49] over $330,000.00 insecurity expenses.

[2:09:50] over the last five years, the 382,990

[2:09:56] , and 1,000,124 on security over the last 10 years. 720,000

[2:10:02] , 700, and 2,000,164 security.

[2:10:05] we feel that it is extremely important

[2:10:08] for you to understand the amount of money that has gone towards the maintenance of

[2:10:11] this park by the chickasaw gardens homeowners association,

[2:10:14] and we feel it is important for the public to be able to enjoy this

[2:10:17] nice park, and the lake, and to be able to

[2:10:23] feel safe in this neighborhood.

[2:10:26] I will introduce sue clark.

[2:10:32] >> so, ms.

[2:10:33] clark, would you please provide your name and home address for the record?

[2:10:37] madam comptroller, would you set 10 minutes for the proponents? Total of

[2:10:44] 10 minutes?

[2:10:49] >> yes, I will. Before I begin, I would

[2:10:51] like to thank the council members and the staff for your time today. I recognize

[2:10:53] your calendar is full today

[2:10:58] , but I just want to thank you for your reference to make

[2:11:01] the city a better one. My name is sue clark,

[2:11:04] and I have lived in one cherokee drive and chickasaw gardens for over

[2:11:08] 28 years.

[2:11:10] I stand before you, because I am comfortable in my

[2:11:12] experiences that strengthen my resolve to improve the safety of our neighborhood

[2:11:19] for all the people who use it. For that,

[2:11:23] within the neighborhood within the neighborhood of either

[2:11:28] two lots or two miles from our community.

[2:11:32] why I am in favor of the gates of our community,

[2:11:38] I am going to offer to you three very valid reasons.

[2:11:44] number one, the clerks have always been

[2:11:46] doll levers. Not long ago, our dog, lucy, snuck out and

[2:11:49] was across the street to my neighbors yard. I called her

[2:11:52] home, and she came running towards me.

[2:11:56] at the same time, a car drove up the street, turn the

[2:11:59] corner, hit lucy, and killed her. She died in my arms, right in

[2:12:02] front of our home.

[2:12:07] if any of you have ever lost a family pet, I am sure

[2:12:09] you understand our family's sense of loss. I have been asked, with the

[2:12:12] driver speeding? Answer is yes. Did the driver live in chickasaw gardens?

[2:12:14] no, she does not. The point is that

[2:12:20] vehicular traffic has increased accidentally do two more deliveries

[2:12:23] from federal express, u.p.s., number, and other food

[2:12:29] delivery services.

[2:12:31] since we have no sidewalks, pedestrians, dog walkers, and joggers, must share

[2:12:38] the roadway, which leads me to another incident that I have to share with you.

[2:12:41] number two. I was witness to a very serious accident

[2:12:44] a few houses down the street from my home. A biker, who

[2:12:47] does not live in chickasaw gardens, was biking up

[2:12:50] the street.

[2:12:53] she drove further into the middle of the street to

[2:12:55] avoid trash bags that were awaiting pickup by the

[2:12:59] sanitation department.

[2:13:01] coming down the street was a man in a truck whose vision

[2:13:04] was challenged because of the morning sun. It was hurting his

[2:13:08] eyes a little bit.

[2:13:11] she was closer to the middle of the street, and he was having a

[2:13:14] tough time seeing. The driver of the truck struck the woman.

[2:13:20] I was there before the amulets arrived, and he

[2:13:23] later learned that she suffered a concussion and several broken

[2:13:25] bones. She underwent several surgeries. As they witnessed, I was deposed,

[2:13:29] and dragged into a legal battle between the two parties.

[2:13:32] fortunately, the woman completed her physical therapy, and has recovered

[2:13:38] . Our narrow streets and limited sidelines contributed to this accident.

[2:13:41] my family suffer the loss of a beloved pet.

[2:13:47] a woman underwent surgeries in a lot of physical therapies due to a series

[2:13:50] biking accident. My third experience is gut wrenching in a whole other way.

[2:13:53] a young girl, 19 years old

[2:13:58] , was caring for her neighbors home while they were out

[2:14:02] of town. She parked her car on the street, and was walking up

[2:14:05] the driveway. Mind you, this is next door to my home. A car filled with several

[2:14:08] young men drove around the corner

[2:14:13] . One fella jumped out, brandishing a handgun, stuck it to

[2:14:16] her head, and demanded her purse, or die.

[2:14:20] excuse me.

[2:14:25] she surrendered everything. He jumped back into the car, and sped down cherokee, and

[2:14:28] was tracked speeding out of the neighborhood via lombardi.

[2:14:36] now, I did not witness this act of crime. Instead, I was

[2:14:39] witness to the aftermath, and I was a young girl, hysterical

[2:14:42] and screaming, coming to her door and screaming

[2:14:45] at the top of her lungs because she was so scared

[2:14:49] to death. The young girl lost her purse, her phone, and then she worried that

[2:14:54] those fellows might track her down to her home since they had

[2:14:57] her identification.

[2:15:02] phones and purses can be replaced.

[2:15:03] thankfully, that they do not result in a more serious tragedy.

[2:15:06] moving on, and I apologize

[2:15:12] . I have read to the city approved memphis three-pointer report

[2:15:15] , and I took a few important facts from it.

[2:15:19] number one, we are considered an s, primarily simply in a neighborhood

[2:15:21] is outlined on page 130 in the study. We

[2:15:24] are probably in clear violation

[2:15:28] of the sidewalk work requirement.

[2:15:30] in some cases, we don't even have curves. On page 203,

[2:15:34] memphis is ranked the third most dangerous city for pedestrians

[2:15:39] . Looking at our neighborhood, we are, quote unquote, dangerous by design.

[2:15:45] as stated by smart growth america on page 211. There

[2:15:49] is section 5 point one, the thrust of that section is to make pedestrians

[2:15:54] the priority.

[2:15:57] I offer that that is exactly why we are

[2:15:58] here today.

[2:15:58] >> excuse me, ms.

[2:16:01] clark, let me just say that we have about five minutes left, and

[2:16:04] we still have two other people that have to speak in the allotted 10 minute time.

[2:16:08] >> thank you. I will move on. I can mention several other action

[2:16:12] items --

[2:16:14] >> but you have to do so at the expense of giving other

[2:16:17] people the opportunity to speak.

[2:16:18] >> thank you.

[2:16:21] one more thing that I would like to offer

[2:16:26] is that we, as a community, are doing an awful lot. We

[2:16:28] are doing a lot on our own, and we are doing it free the entire

[2:16:33] community around us.

[2:16:34] we are challenged by sharing the streets of various forms of traffic on

[2:16:37] old roads that were designed shy of 100 years.

[2:16:41] we offer solutions, and need you, our city

[2:16:43] council, to give us a little more health for increasing pedestrian safety

[2:16:45] for everyone. Our obligation is to safeguard the

[2:16:50] public. Please vote yes, and know that you have made a

[2:16:54] wise choice in making the pedestrian the priority.

[2:16:59] thank you. I would like to introduce mr. Jim raines.

[2:17:00] >> thank you.

[2:17:03] >> it afternoon.

[2:17:06] >> it afternoon.

[2:17:09] I am a retired attorney of over

[2:17:15] 50 years.

[2:17:18] others of you I know because of my age, your fathers

[2:17:24] and uncles. I want to thank all of you for your service,

[2:17:27] and in particular, the wonderful stories

[2:17:30] from those of you who have serviced is coming most to an end.

[2:17:36] I was born and have lived in memphis over three years

[2:17:39] of my life. I grew up attending public schools

[2:17:45] , I graduated from the university of memphis,

[2:17:48] both undergraduate and law school.

[2:17:50] I grew up at the corner of ellsworth and

[2:17:54] woodworth, which is only one stop away from where

[2:17:57] I live now.

[2:18:00] I can member as a child in the 40s and '50s walking down

[2:18:03] central avenue and riding a bike. I don't think mom

[2:18:06] would let me do that anymore, but that is what

[2:18:12] was done at that time.

[2:18:15] my wife and I have lived in chickasaw gardens

[2:18:18] for over 45 years, and have raised three children there. I can member

[2:18:21] when they were little, we would let them play in the

[2:18:23] neighborhood unattended. I don't think we could do

[2:18:27] that anymore. The neighborhood that we are talking about, we

[2:18:32] have worked hard as a homeowners association trying to compromise with

[2:18:36] the surrounding neighborhood.

[2:18:39] we are only looking to repurpose the streets to stop

[2:18:45] , for the time, vehicular traffic, and leave

[2:18:48] it open for pedestrians and bikers to easily enter and enjoy the amenities of

[2:18:51] the neighborhood in which we maintain. I

[2:18:56] have served on the homeowners association the whole time that I have lived in chickasaw

[2:19:00] gardens, and I have to tell you that

[2:19:05] the streets that are involved are what I called

[2:19:09] an ancillary and unnecessary stub street.

[2:19:13] the enter the neighborhood, but immediately terminate within a

[2:19:16] matter of feet into

[2:19:19] main thoroughfares that come off of central avenue, and the streets themselves

[2:19:22] are less than several hundred yards away

[2:19:25] from central avenue, which remains open with

[2:19:30] free access unimpeded into the neighborhood all

[2:19:34] the time.

[2:19:40] I want to emphasize that the neighborhood is 97 years old

[2:19:46] , and was constructed with outside work.

[2:19:51] when you think of what was happening 97 years

[2:19:53] ago with the regular traffic, there is no surprise that there are

[2:19:57] no sidewalks. But what this means is that the people who enter and live or visit

[2:20:04] have to use the streets to walk. Or ride their bike.

[2:20:10] and I can tell you personally, there are a number of times where

[2:20:14] I have been walking in the neighborhood, and have have two step off of

[2:20:17] the street because of oncoming traffic.

[2:20:19] the streets themselves are designed originally

[2:20:24] with curves, and with trees close to the streets

[2:20:28] , which restricts your view as a driver. Now, it

[2:20:34] is beautiful to look at, but it is also dangerous. I assure you that

[2:20:40] my purpose and request to repurpose the streets away from other vehicles

[2:20:43] is not selfish, nor egotistical

[2:20:49] , but it is done just for the safety of those of

[2:20:51] us that live in the neighborhood, and those of

[2:20:53] us that visit in the neighborhood to use the amenities

[2:20:57] that are there. We are proud of them, and we want

[2:21:00] people to visit, but we want them to be safe while they

[2:21:04] do it. Our resignation --

[2:21:07] >> I'm going to have to interrupt you. The time

[2:21:10] that was allotted for the proponents --

[2:21:16] >> two minutes.

[2:21:17] >> I will have to extend that. Let me hear from those that are

[2:21:19] in opposition.

[2:21:20] >> let me finish.

[2:21:23] >> mr. Raines, if they take more than 10 minutes, then we will do so, but

[2:21:27] we have to do so fairly.

[2:21:28] >> I would like to introduce to the

[2:21:31] council -- >>

[2:21:33] mr. Raines, thank you, but I will give those that are in

[2:21:35] opposition and equal time to talk. If the get more than 10 minutes,

[2:21:39] and it is the will of the council, then we will do so.

[2:21:40] >> thank you.

[2:21:58] so, your name, sir?

[2:22:04] okay, mr. Wardlaw?

[2:22:07] give me one second.

[2:22:10] madam comptroller, me please place 10 minutes on the timer?

[2:22:12] >> yes. >> thank you.

[2:22:16] >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[2:22:17] thank you members of the council.

[2:22:24] 6410, poplar avenue, memphis, tennessee. You will see here, and

[2:22:28] they haven't gotten quite a bit, no pun

[2:22:29] intended, there are dozens of people in the audience wearing stickers

[2:22:34] that say gate equals public safety.

[2:22:42] liberty road neighbors, and above 50 other neighbors to the west of

[2:22:46] the street closures. Gates don't

[2:22:52] equal public safety.

[2:22:55] access to this is bad city planning.

[2:23:01] you seen that in staff, in 1926, the original developer

[2:23:07] played a large part in the neighborhood in the midst of these public streets.

[2:23:10] it's a public park on public streets.

[2:23:13] the applicant wants to all that off, and create an island

[2:23:19] of safety. They are wrong in that aspect, and it is your job, as

[2:23:25] the city council, to protect the city from that mind-set. The

[2:23:28] boundaries of the neighborhood and its

[2:23:30] public streets are not even defined by the

[2:23:32] chickasaw gardens homeowners association.

[2:23:43] ingress, egress points.

[2:23:52] these streets

[2:23:54] >> excuse me, there will be no adverse in the council chambers, I'll ask security

[2:23:56] to remove you if that happens again.

[2:23:58] >> thank you, mr. Chairman, for that. That they claimed as their

[2:24:01] own must remain unfettered and open to

[2:24:07] the public. My clients, and I know I've been to dozens and dozens of city

[2:24:13] council meetings over the years, especially in the last three or four years, my

[2:24:16] clients and the city council or sympathetic to the crime wave facing the city

[2:24:22] of memphis. They suffer from that, too,

[2:24:24] each and every member suffers from that as do your constituents. But,

[2:24:25] blocking off a neighborhood to

[2:24:31] address that citywide problem is wrong headed and should not be allowed.

[2:24:34] walking off a city

[2:24:40] park, allowing, at their beck and call,

[2:24:43] other residents to come in, stating that they want to

[2:24:46] monitor who comes in and comes out of the neighborhood,

[2:24:49] that's wrongheaded and bad planning. Much was made at

[2:24:54] the control board about the pride with which chickasaw homeowners association takes and

[2:24:58] that they are funding this, not asking this body

[2:25:01] for money.

[2:25:01] >> mr.

[2:25:06] wardlaw, we have about seven minutes left and I have four other comment

[2:25:08] cards.

[2:25:08] >> I'm wrapping up. They take pride that they're not asking this

[2:25:13] counsel, this body for money to do that. But what about other communities

[2:25:16] that don't have the funds to address that? What about

[2:25:19] hyde park?

[2:25:21] what about central gardens? What about mud

[2:25:24] island? That community, what if they come to you

[2:25:28] and ask, put us on an island? What is the council to do, then?

[2:25:34] gait and exclusion do not equal safety. And

[2:25:41] we respectfully ask for the denial of the street closures. Several of the residents

[2:25:43] are going to speak as well and I'm happy to answer

[2:25:45] any questions.

[2:25:46] >> thank you. My next comment card is from miss

[2:25:51] julie green. Please state your name and address for the record.

[2:25:52] >> I'm julie green,

[2:25:54] I live at 2770 iroquois road. I've been a homeowner in humes heights,

[2:25:57] the neighborhood to the west of the proposed closure of the lombardi and

[2:26:01] fenwick for 18 years. Family walks and bikes to chickasaw gardens

[2:26:04] often, using lombardi, and I

[2:26:09] use those roads for going to pick up and drop off my son's

[2:26:12] friends, who live in chickasaw gardens.

[2:26:13] our property values in humes heights, fenwick, lombardi,

[2:26:16] and joffrey are tied to having quiet, residential

[2:26:18] road access to a public park less than a

[2:26:22] mile away. The humes heights neighborhood association

[2:26:24] opposes these gates and agrees with the

[2:26:27] opinions that this request is nothing more than an attempt to continue

[2:26:31] to turn chickasaw gardens into a private, gated community wall

[2:26:37] by walt. It is elitist and exclusionary in nature. This sets a precedent that we, as a city, should not support.

[2:26:41] allowing disclosure will violate city codes and excess ability plans, in

[2:26:44] addition to adversely affecting the

[2:26:48] surrounding areas property values, traffic patterns, and

[2:26:51] safety. If ingress and egress is limited essential,

[2:26:55] it will increase risk of accidents in

[2:26:56] our surrounding neighborhoods. If chickasaw gardens feels their roads are unsafe

[2:27:01] for pedestrians, they should have discussions

[2:27:03] about adding street hubs or sidewalks, not

[2:27:08] gates. The so-called offer of a pedestrian access point that they say they will unlock

[2:27:11] from dusk to dawn is not a

[2:27:14] real solution. There is no way to guarantee the gate will be unlocked consistently, regardless

[2:27:19] of that, we all know people who exercise outside of

[2:27:22] those time frames. Eliza fletcher was

[2:27:24] running in the predawn hours on central when she was abducted. If we learned any

[2:27:27] from from her untimely death it's that all men

[2:27:32] fears, deserve a safe path to

[2:27:38] exercise on residential roads in a matter what time they choose to

[2:27:43] do so. If these gates were added, someone in the

[2:27:45] area who wants to walk to chickasaw gardens with their family after 5:00 in the winter

[2:27:48] would be forced to walk to central, a fine lane road with heavy traffic during

[2:27:53] rush hour. Chickasaw gardens has the need for

[2:27:56] additional security is the main reason for this request, but the idea

[2:27:58] that closing off two more residential streets will

[2:28:01] magically make them safe while leaving all openings to central

[2:28:05] is ridiculous at best.

[2:28:06] at one point, there were over 10 points of entry to

[2:28:10] chickasaw gardens. Today, there are five, and now they want

[2:28:13] to reduce that to three.

[2:28:15] >> ms. Green, we have four minutes and I have three

[2:28:17] other cards.

[2:28:17] >> if the residents want to live

[2:28:21] in a gated community they should move to one that already exists. We ask that

[2:28:24] you reject these requests, thank you.

[2:28:26] >> thank you.

[2:28:28] >>> and next comment card is

[2:28:32] from michael, I'm sorry if I pronounce this wrong.

[2:28:43] >> good evening, and thank you for allowing us to have time

[2:28:45] tonight, thank you for your jobs. My name is michael, I'm a 24

[2:28:50] year resident at 193 south fenwick. Just two doors

[2:28:54] down from the proposed closing at lombardi and fenwick.

[2:28:58] as well, I'm a teacher at east high school, and

[2:29:02] I'm very involved, part of our neighborhood. I'm here to state

[2:29:08] my opposable to putting up gates, or a proposed closed gate

[2:29:11] at either side of chickasaw gardens, because

[2:29:14] we do enjoy the access into

[2:29:20] the neighborhoods, and we are part of chickasaw gardens, even though we

[2:29:23] may not be within the walls of chickasaw gardens. We love to

[2:29:28] take our dogs, day and night, 6:00 this morning I was walking through

[2:29:30] chickasaw gardens myself and it was 24 degrees outside, it

[2:29:36] was wonderful. But I want to talk about specifically, one reason I

[2:29:39] oppose, you're going to hear a lot of proposals, you may have heard a lot

[2:29:41] of other putting up the gates, but mine

[2:29:44] has to do with the safety of myself,

[2:29:48] my husband resides with me for 24 years, neighbors in pretty cold and

[2:29:53] along fenwick in the access we have two main roads during specific times

[2:29:59] of memphis storms. We know in the past 24

[2:30:03] years we've had major storms blow through memphis

[2:30:08] with large oak trees blown down in the neighborhood. Our neighborhood was

[2:30:11] hit hard during both storms, and during both storms,

[2:30:14] the only access we had to central avenue or lafayette on the

[2:30:17] other side of chickasaw gardens to leave our neighborhood

[2:30:20] was down lombardi. Had that street been

[2:30:26] closed, we would have been trapped in our neighborhood for seven days before

[2:30:29] the city could clear all the trees that were blown down in

[2:30:34] the area, that would have restricted our work, food, and

[2:30:36] other access to the safe things we can get in

[2:30:41] memphis. I hope that you vote no for closing any

[2:30:44] streets in memphis for any neighborhood mama because

[2:30:49] that's not what memphis is about.

[2:30:50] thank you.

[2:30:50] >> thank you for the comments.

[2:30:53] the next comment card is from william maroon.

[2:31:02] >> hello, thanks for your time. My name is william maroon,

[2:31:05] 2754 lombardy. I've

[2:31:07] got my eye on the time.

[2:31:10] >> comptroller, time, please. Okay.

[2:31:17] I'm sorry.

[2:31:20] >> okay. The

[2:31:26] primary reasons that I'm in opposition are, this goes against the guidelines that the city of memphis and

[2:31:33] the city urban design guidelines final draft adopted just one year ago. The memphis 3.0 plan, you

[2:31:37] heard a little bit about, as well as the

[2:31:40] city of memphis park services master plan. Each of these encourage access

[2:31:41] to the parks. Closing two of the five entrances would

[2:31:49] limit access to the park, creating a burden for pedestrians.

[2:31:53] you saw a lady with the stroller, and had she not had

[2:31:56] vehicle access, she would have had to go all the way

[2:32:00] around central. Bikers would be pushed onto a busy street, you would want him and say he

[2:32:05] didn't think that would make sense. And now, we're not suggesting that

[2:32:09] this is going to decrease traffic, but force people through fewer entrances. For these

[2:32:14] reasons, I don't think, I hope that you'll join me. It doesn't really

[2:32:21] make sense.

[2:32:24] >> thank you. Madame comptroller, will

[2:32:30] you please, I'm going to allow for two minutes for the next speaker

[2:32:36] in opposition, but then I'll allow two minutes for the last card that

[2:32:39] I have from gerrit

[2:32:43] wilder. So, my next comment card is from

[2:32:51] lynn joyner.

[2:32:57] >> hello. I live at 127

[2:32:58] south fenwick.

[2:32:59] >> your name, please, for the record. Your name?

[2:33:03] >> lynn joyner. 127 south

[2:33:09] fenwick road.

[2:33:12] I am representing fenwick road neighborhood association. We have

[2:33:15] lived there since 1984. And

[2:33:20] have seen a lot of changes, and some of them were with the cooperation

[2:33:24] of our friends, here, from chickasaw gardens.

[2:33:28] we worked together on speed humps. That is a genuine safety issue. I

[2:33:33] don't see the current issue is having anything

[2:33:36] to do with increasing the safety of the

[2:33:39] neighborhood.

[2:33:40] it would make it less safe for those of us who walk, run,

[2:33:48] and bike for some reasons that have been cited, but mainly, we go at night,

[2:33:54] we go early in the morning, at all hours. We do not want to be forced

[2:33:57] down to central, which is a detour. Okay. The other

[2:34:04] thing, well, I will just, in the interest of cutting time, I agree with everything

[2:34:07] that's been said. I hope you realize, this is such an important issue, that

[2:34:09] we're at a crossroads, here. We are at a crossroads

[2:34:12] for the community.

[2:34:18] either we have gated communities and enclaves that

[2:34:22] can make reasons for it, and a lot of them will be anecdotal, like some of the ones we've

[2:34:27] heard today, or we work together as a whole community on the big

[2:34:32] issues, broadly. But I don't want to see

[2:34:36] us become a city of gated communities. I don't think that

[2:34:39] bodes well for our future. Thank you, please

[2:34:41] reject it, thank you.

[2:34:42] >> thank you for your comments. My next comment

[2:34:45] card is from gerrit wilder.

[2:34:48] >> thank you,

[2:34:53] mr. Chairman. There's obviously >>

[2:34:54] name and address, please.

[2:34:57] >> gerrit wilder, I live at 225 lombardy road, memphis. So,

[2:35:02] the intention of what we're am a >>

[2:35:03] you can continue.

[2:35:06] >> what we want to do is not block

[2:35:13] off and stop people from having access.

[2:35:15] we want to do is, we have a significant pedestrian

[2:35:19] safety issue, we're having a lot of close calls. In our 1920s at neighborhood we have winding roads and 97-year-old

[2:35:21] treason we are having more and more

[2:35:26] close calls. We've already had a biker hit who had

[2:35:29] multiple surgeries and we are trying to create a safer area and draw more people in. We do

[2:35:36] not want anyone to walk around to central. We want to take

[2:35:40] these public roads, and make them dedicated to public

[2:35:44] pedestrian access, to bring more people in,

[2:35:47] and enhance our community. We are stewards of the

[2:35:49] park, we have a unique relationship with the city of memphis, and we want to bring

[2:35:53] people in to enjoy that, not deter that in any way. We are currently, I'm a father of

[2:35:58] two young boys, and I can tell you that it is scary every time they want to

[2:36:03] go outside. It is only a matter of time before the wrong car comes around the run corner, with

[2:36:06] obscured views, and no sidewalks are going to lead to

[2:36:12] a tragedy. We want to invite people in, we want for everyone to enjoy and

[2:36:15] we want to be a haven in our area for people to come and exercise or

[2:36:21] walk or sit at the park. This intention would prioritize pedestrians in these two areas and divert traffic around the

[2:36:26] central avenue. We have a traffic study that shows

[2:36:29] no loss of service with that, and does not deter traffic, central avenue will be

[2:36:36] just fine. We feel like prioritizing pedestrians

[2:36:38] in these two areas is the right thing to do for everyone in the area

[2:36:44] who wants to come, and will create a haven that will bring in

[2:36:47] more people, not keep people out of our neighborhood. I hope you'll please

[2:36:49] give us consideration and I would like

[2:36:52] to tell you that this is an issue that brings people from

[2:36:57] our neighborhood. Everyone knows, everyone talks about, and

[2:37:00] today they showed up in force and the people are here because

[2:37:02] we have a pedestrian safety issue and we want to make a

[2:37:05] difference, and I would ask them all to please stand right now and show your support for our

[2:37:08] intentions to make this a safer area and a better area for the community,

[2:37:09] not to wall it off.

[2:37:15] thank you.

[2:37:24] >> councilman morgan, you are recognized.

[2:37:25] >> thank you, mr. Chairman and thank you everybody

[2:37:27] for taking the time to come down

[2:37:31] here both in favor and against. And for your patience here

[2:37:34] tonight. I'll try to move through this quickly. I know

[2:37:36] this area very well. I have lived outside the neighborhood

[2:37:39] or in the neighborhood my entire life. My first five years on counsel,

[2:37:42] I had a house in the neighborhood, and since then I've lived on goodwin street on the other side.

[2:37:45] growing up, this is where I biked, this is my

[2:37:48] carpool, I proposed to my wife walking around

[2:37:53] the lake. This, this is, for the most part,

[2:37:57] my backyard. And I know and understand a lot of these intersections that

[2:38:00] people are talking about in terms of pressure. Central avenue is large.

[2:38:06] it can handle more traffic. Fenwick and liberty are not large breeds,

[2:38:11] central avenue is designed to hold as much traffic

[2:38:15] as possible. There are not five entrances to chickasaw gardens park. There

[2:38:19] are six. One of them has already been gated off since before I

[2:38:22] was born. And it hasn't been the end of days, it

[2:38:25] hasn't caused some sort of disaster, it hasn't been a blight

[2:38:28] upon the city.

[2:38:29] in fact, I can think of another a number of other street closures

[2:38:32] that the city of memphis have taken on themselves from time to time that

[2:38:34] have gone well, whether it be reddick, rowen, massey, and

[2:38:37] it is improved the walk ability and the safety

[2:38:41] and the character of neighborhoods, rather than taken back from them. So, there are some people

[2:38:50] who certainly believe that no streets should ever be closed at any point whatsoever. And I

[2:38:53] understand that, if memphis were a utopia.

[2:38:55] but it's not. We love the city, we work to

[2:39:00] improve it. But at some point we have to

[2:39:02] make certain reasonable concessions for safety and

[2:39:06] for traffic. People don't always drive the way they

[2:39:10] should, people don't always behave the way they should,

[2:39:13] and this, I believe, is a reasonable

[2:39:17] accommodation to make for a neighborhood that is asking for it, and they've

[2:39:19] asked for little else from

[2:39:23] us. They take care of the city park financially, they have put sky cop cameras up, they

[2:39:26] hired private security to watch these 330 homes so

[2:39:30] that our limited police resources can be patrolling other neighborhoods at night.

[2:39:34] I think this is a consideration that we ought to

[2:39:39] give all due respect when they come to us in such force and make it. As you saw from

[2:39:48] the 92.5%. That's a hard number to get.

[2:39:49] we rarely get that at the city council, here. There has

[2:39:52] been some misinformation that was

[2:39:58] spoken about.

[2:40:01] so that people, to the credit of people that have come in opposition today,

[2:40:03] some of this misinformation I also saw on social media, where people were talking as

[2:40:07] if from a place of authority. Walking to this park will

[2:40:10] be unimpeded. There are gates that will

[2:40:19] be open before and after the park is open. City parks

[2:40:22] are not open at night, so axis being limited at night at 2:00 a.m. Is not an

[2:40:28] issue, here. And it's not an issue, either,

[2:40:31] where if you can get your bike out your front door of your house or out your back

[2:40:34] door, you can be able to get it into chickasaw gardens, completely

[2:40:36] unimpeded. It will be gated, they will have doors

[2:40:38] that can be accessed by walkers and bikers, and if you're in your car

[2:40:40] already and coming to chickasaw gardens, then

[2:40:43] you've got to go a little bit around to one of the three entrance

[2:40:46] is on central, including the only lighted entrance at central

[2:40:49] and goodwin. Central is designed to handle

[2:40:54] that traffic. So, to my colleagues, I see we've

[2:40:56] got a lot of us in the queue, there will be more discussion and I make

[2:40:58] jump back in the queue, as soon as we're

[2:41:01] done because I want to hear your comments as well as

[2:41:07] your questions.

[2:41:08] but I think this is accommodation that we should make. I think it

[2:41:11] makes sense, in this case, and I hear what people's philosophic position is about

[2:41:13] gates and closing streets

[2:41:18] in memphis, but where the rubber meets the road, it doesn't always work out,

[2:41:21] and I think this is one of those cases that we ought to hear for

[2:41:23] the best interest of the city.

[2:41:25] >> thank you, councilman morgan.

[2:41:26] councilman johnson.

[2:41:27] >> thank you, chair.

[2:41:30] often times what issues come before the council, we

[2:41:34] always say, we want to hear from the people. We want to know what the neighbors think, what the

[2:41:40] citizens think. And sometimes, we just don't. But this time, we did.

[2:41:43] we see you in numbers expressing

[2:41:49] your opinion. Some people told me, it's just

[2:41:52] an elitist group. And they just want to have their way. So, my support

[2:41:55] is not because you're being considered something

[2:41:59] special, but because you came and you let us here how you actually feel

[2:42:04] about the situation. And I think that you're deserving of those

[2:42:07] gates, if that's what makes you feel safe. Now, I

[2:42:13] do have one question. It was brought up about

[2:42:16] emergency situations. How will those be

[2:42:19] handled in regards, when the trees fall

[2:42:25] and they need exit from their particular neighborhoods, or the

[2:42:28] police or firemen, who is going to be responsible for

[2:42:34] those situations?

[2:42:37] >> we met with the fire department and the

[2:42:40] police department prior to filing this

[2:42:42] application, and the gates will be emergency

[2:42:45] access operated. So, they'll have the yelp system and

[2:42:49] squat box.

[2:42:52] >> what about the situation with the trees?

[2:42:55] >> public works and sanitation division has also been contacted

[2:43:01] by us, and the gates will be, they will be

[2:43:04] operable to them, also,

[2:43:10] whenever necessary.

[2:43:16] >> I think that needs to be worked out so

[2:43:18] everybody knows what happens in case of an emergency, may be a sign needs to

[2:43:21] be placed out there by the gate or something, in an emergency, this is

[2:43:22] who you need to call.

[2:43:25] >> yes, ma'am, and what we can also do

[2:43:27] is when a situation does happen like that, then the gates will

[2:43:31] be opened. That way everybody will know.

[2:43:32] >> I'm not talking about the passenger gate. I'm talking about

[2:43:34] the swinging gate for the cars.

[2:43:37] >> yes, ma'am. The emergency gate.

[2:43:39] >> thank you so much, thank you, chair, for the opportunity.

[2:43:40] >> thank you, councilman johnson.

[2:43:43] >> thank you, chair. In doing research I found in

[2:43:46] 2023 there were 57

[2:43:54] pedestrian fatalities, and also in 2023, we

[2:43:59] have had 150 pedestrian crashes. In 2022, there

[2:44:02] were 83 pedestrian fatalities. As

[2:44:08] well as 170 pedestrian crashes. It concerns me

[2:44:11] greatly that they don't have any sidewalks, and they're

[2:44:14] not able

[2:44:18] to feel like they're safe with their children and their pets. That's a concern

[2:44:23] for me. I feel better about the gate being accessible to

[2:44:29] emergency access, and I feel wonderful about 92% of

[2:44:35] the community being in favor of this. So, for all those reasons, I

[2:44:40] am advocating for pedestrian safety, and I will

[2:44:44] be voting for this. Thank you.

[2:44:47] >> thank you.

[2:44:48] councilman logan?

[2:44:49] >> thank you, chair. I also visited, can

[2:44:56] you hear me. I also visited the neighborhood, just

[2:44:59] to see exactly what we were voting on. I

[2:45:04] spoke with some of the residence, saw exactly

[2:45:10] what they were talking about in terms of the narrow winding roads, the allotted trees, saw the access as well, that

[2:45:17] they were allowing for the public space,

[2:45:21] there is still great access. There may not be six or 10, in

[2:45:29] 1926, but there are several access points.

[2:45:34] and I do understand that the community has been paying for their own security, and I also

[2:45:38] spoke to the security officer about the problems in securing the

[2:45:44] big space, the big neighborhood, with the small roads and the other

[2:45:50] different trucks. So this is a neighborhood just trying to keep their

[2:45:52] neighborhoods safe, their residence safe.

[2:45:55] we saw on the picture, the mother and children trying to ride around

[2:45:59] while we were driving

[2:46:05] our truck, through there, it was hard to get through as well, with people walking

[2:46:08] dogs and things. I totally get it. I appreciate

[2:46:13] the fact that they are only blocking off or requesting to have blocked

[2:46:14] off small sections

[2:46:19] of streets that lead directly to homes, so anybody on

[2:46:23] that street, really, there are other streets to

[2:46:26] get to the park, even easier than it would be

[2:46:29] to go down those narrow streets that they are proposing

[2:46:32] to block off. So, the safety part and

[2:46:38] the fact that they are welcoming people to come in, creating gates and times

[2:46:41] to be open, and even are open to having

[2:46:47] the gates open, so, there won't be any certain

[2:46:50] time frames to leave them open, as it was stated

[2:46:56] earlier, our parks are only open from dusk to dawn, and that

[2:46:59] fits the requirement as well. Because of the fact that

[2:47:07] I've seen them, I've seen the streets, I understand what

[2:47:10] they're saying, I talked to the residence and the security officers, and I

[2:47:14] totally agree that neighborhoods, and these

[2:47:17] are citizens as well that we represent all citizens. Regardless

[2:47:23] of such economic levels, and if there are other

[2:47:26] neighborhoods that come, whether they are in

[2:47:30] this figure, whatever you feel like this

[2:47:35] community represents, any community that comes to advocate

[2:47:38] for their community, we

[2:47:43] are responsible to be open and to hear them. For that, as my colleagues

[2:47:47] have said, they have pleaded their case and shown the information,

[2:47:50] shown the proof, and I totally agree that we should be just as open.

[2:47:53] thank you.

[2:47:54] >> thank you. I haven't heard, we haven't

[2:47:59] heard from councilman logan. I'm sorry, councilman

[2:48:04] warren and cole that, I'll come back to you, councilman morgan.

[2:48:05] >> thank

[2:48:11] you, can I ask a question? Okay. Can I ask you

[2:48:17] a question? Could you possibly explain to me how having

[2:48:23] pedestrian gates are going to improve the safety for people walking

[2:48:26] in the community?

[2:48:28] why do they have to have pedestrian gates? Why is there

[2:48:32] not an open access, if you're looking at

[2:48:36] pedestrian safety?

[2:48:37] >> well, first of all, my address is 35

[2:48:44] airways boulevard, suite 229.

[2:48:45] as I understand your question,

[2:48:47] >> right now,

[2:48:51] they've got gates that are going to close at dusk and

[2:48:54] dawn. Why are there gates? If what we're talking about

[2:48:58] is pedestrian safety, and not isolating the

[2:49:00] neighborhood.

[2:49:01] >> I think I understand. Pedestrians and vehicles

[2:49:05] do not mix on roadways.

[2:49:06] >> pedestrians need access. The streams

[2:49:11] from other hoods

[2:49:16] neighborhoods are walking in, coming in with bikes, they don't want to

[2:49:18] necessarily just come into the neighborhood and ride around

[2:49:21] on the safe streets. Between 5:00 in the morning

[2:49:25] at five clock at night, they may want to come at 9:00 at night,

[2:49:29] but that gate is locked for pedestrians.

[2:49:31] why is there a gate, they are, for pedestrians if all you're trying to do

[2:49:34] is improve traffic safety you mark

[2:49:36] >> as I understand it, the memphis city parks

[2:49:39] are closed at certain hours.

[2:49:42] >> the city streets are not.

[2:49:44] >> wait a minute. Hold on a second. Sir, there

[2:49:51] are several city streets that are closed, and do not have access

[2:50:00] to vehicles. The primary one is right outside this doorway.

[2:50:01] >> in neighborhoods where

[2:50:02] people live?

[2:50:03] >> sir, I thought you said city streets.

[2:50:07] >> city streets in neighborhoods where people live.

[2:50:09] >> there are neighborhoods that are closed.

[2:50:12] yes, sir.

[2:50:13] >> tell me about the neighborhoods that

[2:50:20] are closed. Completely closed. Tell me about the neighborhoods that

[2:50:24] are closed.

[2:50:25] >> that have city streets that

[2:50:26] were closed?

[2:50:26] >> that have city streets that are closed to pedestrian traffic

[2:50:30] that make pedestrian traffic more difficult.

[2:50:33] >> okay, hold on a second.

[2:50:36] >> let me back this

[2:50:40] up. What I'm saying is, the arguments that we're hearing are this is about pedestrian

[2:50:42] safety. And the traffic that we heard about were

[2:50:45] more u.p.s. Delivery

[2:50:51] trucks, more trucks, people coming through

[2:50:54] driving that don't know the neighborhood. And we are putting

[2:50:59] up gates that have a pedestrian gate that stops them from

[2:51:05] coming in from 5:00 and identify the clock in the morning. What

[2:51:09] does that do for pedestrian safety?

[2:51:12] >> respectfully, sir, the pedestrian

[2:51:15] gates are open during the day.

[2:51:20] >> I'm talking about at night.

[2:51:21] >> I understand. I understand. I understand

[2:51:24] what you're saying. This will limit the

[2:51:30] vehicles in certain areas

[2:51:34] of the neighborhood. If you could go back to the slide,

[2:51:36] please?

[2:51:37] >> I'm talking about, we are closing access to pedestrians with

[2:51:42] gates from don, from dusk until dawn. That's what these gates

[2:51:48] are doing. They're closing off pedestrians walking into the neighborhood.

[2:51:51] the argument for putting up these gates is that what we're doing is

[2:51:57] making the neighborhood safe from traffic, why would you wall off your

[2:51:59] neighbors in the surrounding communities with a

[2:52:01] gate at all for pedestrians? Why wouldn't you have an open access where people

[2:52:03] can walk through?

[2:52:06] >> open access to pedestrians.

[2:52:07] >> and bicyclists.

[2:52:09] >> what you're asking is that the pedestrian gates

[2:52:13] remain open when the park is closed.

[2:52:17] >> there

[2:52:17] are no gates.

[2:52:18] >> is that what you're asking?

[2:52:21] >> what I'm saying is if you are trying to

[2:52:24] only, take the gates completely out, go ahead.

[2:52:27] >> let me, let me try to clarify

[2:52:29] what dr. Warren is suggesting. The argument that dr. Warren

[2:52:35] is making, if it's really about pedestrian safety and giving people

[2:52:39] access to the park, if they are walking, why do

[2:52:42] we have gates limiting pedestrian access at

[2:52:45] all? He's not arguing the point about vehicles. What he's suggesting, I believe

[2:52:48] this is what he is suggesting, would you be amenable

[2:52:56] to allowing 24 seven access for pedestrians only. I think that's what dr.

[2:52:59] warren is getting at. We haven't had an answer yet.

[2:53:00] >> now that I understand the question.

[2:53:01] >> now turn around, turn

[2:53:05] around and look at all the people you brought out.

[2:53:07] there's a lot of people in the crowd putting their thumbs up

[2:53:11] to that.

[2:53:11] >> yes, sir, now that I understand the question. I'll be happy.

[2:53:20] >> the question is. >> me I have

[2:53:22] a few minutes, please, to consult with my clients?

[2:53:24] >> please, but I think this is, in my mind, the

[2:53:27] big question. I don't think we have any data

[2:53:30] that shows limiting these two access points are going to stop the u.p.s. Trucks

[2:53:33] or the other trucks or

[2:53:38] extra traffic because they're going to be coming in the other way and they'll

[2:53:41] be driving strangely. But if what's going to

[2:53:45] happen is, this is going to pass and you want it to pass,

[2:53:48] one of the things that I think would show your neighbors in surrounding communities

[2:53:51] that you want them in is not to put a

[2:53:57] pedestrian gate. Just have the gate for the vehicular traffic, if that's

[2:54:00] what you need, and leave an open area that is wide enough for a

[2:54:03] bicycle or someone with a stroller.

[2:54:05] >> I understand, dr.

[2:54:08] warren. May I have two minutes to discuss this with my client? Mr. Chairman?

[2:54:09] >> you can talk to your client, but

[2:54:15] we have in the queue.

[2:54:18] >> I will respectfully wait. >> we have other members in the queue.

[2:54:27] to speak.

[2:54:30] >> my question was to make sure that the

[2:54:34] applicant understands that the a is now in charge or will be in charge, if this passes, perpetual maintenance required

[2:54:36] by the property owners, at the applicant's

[2:54:39] expense, the gutter

[2:54:44] sidewalk closure the city engineers, all

[2:54:49] a.

[2:54:50] I don't think these guys are going to have any problem paying for it, I

[2:54:54] just want to make sure that you know that

[2:54:55] you're going to pay for it.

[2:54:56] >> absolutely, we note that we are going to

[2:54:58] pay for all those services.

[2:54:59] >> okay, well you guys were gone I guess the

[2:55:01] gate or opening, we ought

[2:55:06] to offer some amendments for everybody to chew on, because

[2:55:10] in the package it speaks to no remote open access shall be allowed

[2:55:15] by residence. We need to work on, how do we strike that, depending on this

[2:55:19] gait question. I would like language

[2:55:24] as regards how the gate is to be opened in an emergency, specifically,

[2:55:29] contacts. It could be the a president, I don't care, but give me some wording on

[2:55:34] that. Last but not least, it speaks to, in some places, clickers

[2:55:37] for thea.

[2:55:42] I want to make sure that we have cleanup language

[2:55:44] that they can in fact have clickers they can

[2:55:50] have access to that gate. That any and all language as regards limitations

[2:55:52] to that be stricken. All

[2:55:54] right?

[2:55:54] >> could you repeat that last part?

[2:56:01] >> that any and all language, in case I missed it

[2:56:03] in our package, in this resolution, any

[2:56:07] language that speaks to the hoa residence not being

[2:56:10] able to obtain a clicker for the gate

[2:56:18] the stricken. That in fact, hoa members can have

[2:56:19] clickers.

[2:56:20] >> they will not have clickers.

[2:56:22] >> they are not going to have clickers?

[2:56:23] >> because they don't need access.

[2:56:25] >> the wording on this.

[2:56:28] all right. All right. So, we're going to strike all

[2:56:31] wording that no hoa member family may have a clicker

[2:56:34] to the gate.

[2:56:37] >> there could be

[2:56:41] somebody that could access the gate, in order to open it in

[2:56:44] an emergency.

[2:56:45] >> correct. >> I would not want to prohibit anybody from

[2:56:49] not having it.

[2:56:51] >> hang on, I got this.

[2:56:55] so, your okay with striking, a clicker is purchased

[2:56:58] from the hoa.

[2:57:00] okay. Mr. Chairman, I want to put it out

[2:57:05] there that strike all language as regards any member of the hoa being

[2:57:07] able to purchase a clicker for the

[2:57:16] gate. And strike any and all language that speaks to, no remote

[2:57:18] open access shall be allowed by residence. I'm just trying

[2:57:21] to clean it up at this point. It doesn't mean I'm for or against it.

[2:57:24] if it passes I want the language stricken.

[2:57:25] fair enough?

[2:57:28] without objection? They're going to enter

[2:57:31] the gate question. Chairman, if I could have a

[2:57:34] second?

[2:57:35] >> is there a second on that motion?

[2:57:39] >> is there emotion?

[2:57:42] >> any objection to that particular motion?

[2:57:48] the language that councilman colvett be stricken or removed in

[2:57:54] its entirety, he is allowing the members of

[2:57:56] the a or any member of the community to have access to

[2:57:59] the clickers.

[2:58:00] >> correct. >> so I think ms. Reeves suggested that the

[2:58:07] language has already been removed, maybe

[2:58:09] we are looking at older documents.

[2:58:10] there appears to be some confusion by planning and development.

[2:58:13] it appears.

[2:58:19] >> dbd is going to correct that.

[2:58:20] >> I don't think we need to change anything. The conditions

[2:58:25] that we have in the resolution just speak to no

[2:58:29] remote access shall be allowed by residence, and that's been agreed to

[2:58:31] by the applicant.

[2:58:33] >> but on page 16, on page 16 it speaks to

[2:58:37] exit only access if a clicker is purchased.

[2:58:39] >> that's in the staff report?

[2:58:40] >> page 16, I want to clarify that's for

[2:58:43] emergency vehicles only and not

[2:58:45] residence. If I'm wrong.

[2:58:47] >> that's not part of

[2:58:52] the resolution that is before you.

[2:58:53] >> then as long as I know we're safe and we've got it

[2:58:57] on the record. Last but not least and I'll close my remarks, I

[2:59:01] need an emergency contact in case people need to

[2:59:04] get that gate open. It's not a fire truck, trees come down, we need access.

[2:59:07] I need a friendly amendment for that. And guys, all this is designed to

[2:59:15] do, if it passes, it's in there, if it doesn't pass, we had

[2:59:18] it covered.

[2:59:18] >> as far as the pedestrian gate, we can

[2:59:22] have that to remain unlocked.

[2:59:24] 24 hours.

[2:59:25] >> so it will just remain open.

[2:59:27] >> it would just be an open door.

[2:59:30] >> yes.

[2:59:31] >> the reason I'm thinking about that.

[2:59:32] >> let me recognize other members in

[2:59:40] the queue. So, I have a couple of

[2:59:45] questions, here, and clarifying points I'd like to make, here.

[2:59:49] there were some assertions about pedestrian fatalities

[2:59:52] for pedestrian access. And colleagues,

[2:59:57] and for new councilmembers that are coming on,

[3:00:00] I hope that you are going to be driven by data. So, and

[3:00:07] not by emotions. Everybody wants a safe

[3:00:13] city, but, mr. Logan, there are neighborhoods

[3:00:15] in your community in your district that don't

[3:00:18] have sidewalks. They have u.p.s. Trucks coming

[3:00:22] and going. And so, do we say, what I would ask

[3:00:28] the homeowners, if this is about pedestrian safety, a lot of neighborhoods

[3:00:32] have sidewalks. Has it been explored for the

[3:00:35] homeowners association to install sidewalks? No, no,

[3:00:43] no, no. On your property, you can say, the homeowners association can

[3:00:47] say, throughout chickasaw gardens, that we want to

[3:00:53] install sidewalks. Each individual would have

[3:00:55] to do so, and it would be done at their expense. But if this were about safe

[3:01:00] pedestrian safety, and you're concerned about people walking their

[3:01:05] dogs, and not being subject to vehicles,

[3:01:11] vehicular traffic, sidewalks. Instead of

[3:01:17] gates.

[3:01:19] so, there are plenty of areas in memphis that do

[3:01:22] not have sidewalks. So, the way that we address them is by getting them off

[3:01:29] as well? I would contend,

[3:01:38] no. So, if we allow these gates to be erected, we're

[3:01:44] just going down a slippery slope, and setting

[3:01:50] a precedent that all you have to do is come down to council meetings

[3:01:53] and you'll get a gate erected in

[3:01:59] your neighborhood. This is a collective community that we have, here, in memphis.

[3:02:05] shared sacrifice, we all want a safe

[3:02:11] neighborhood. We all want a safe memphis. But, the way, and

[3:02:17] I like, and I'll say

[3:02:22] this facetiously. How it's being sold as

[3:02:27] pedestrian safety. Have we had any, so, provide data that

[3:02:30] talks about, is it more likely for someone to be hit by

[3:02:35] a car in this neighborhood compared

[3:02:40] to others? That's the data that I feel that we should be

[3:02:44] making decisions on. If the data comes back

[3:02:47] and says, yes, it's more

[3:02:51] likely for a pedestrian to be hit in this neighborhood, I'll be the

[3:02:56] first one supporting it. But this is not, we are

[3:02:59] asked to make this decision without any data supporting

[3:03:02] the assertions made.

[3:03:08] none. So, I don't know if I would get a second

[3:03:14] for this, but I would ask that we hold this and let the police

[3:03:17] department come back and say, here's what

[3:03:22] we've done. Here's what has been the result

[3:03:26] of this. So, I have councilmembers in the queue

[3:03:32] on this item. So, this is just on the

[3:03:41] hold, first. Okay.

[3:03:42] councilwoman logan.

[3:03:44] >> I wanted to make certain that I responded

[3:03:50] to the comment about communities in my district

[3:03:53] with no sidewalks.

[3:03:56] and code and development will tell you, I

[3:04:00] have been an advocate for sidewalks being put in my neighborhood, and the

[3:04:05] streets not my neighborhood, but the neighborhoods

[3:04:08] in my district that don't have them. I'm the number one advocate for those

[3:04:11] to be put in there by the

[3:04:16] city. We have had that conversation.

[3:04:17] it's our responsibility to put those in

[3:04:20] the neighborhood, to have sidewalks.

[3:04:22] >> the developer does it. If the developer doesn't.

[3:04:28] >> the ones in my neighborhood, in

[3:04:30] my community.

[3:04:31] >> I just said that to you

[3:04:35] because all of us one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

[3:04:38] every single one of us has neighborhoods without sidewalks.

[3:04:44] the assertion that I was making.

[3:04:46] >> but the streets aren't the same size.

[3:04:52] >> if you go to whitehaven you'll see the same things.

[3:04:53] >> and there are gated communities in whitehaven

[3:04:56] as well. It's not a race thing with me.

[3:04:59] >> twinkle town, for instance.

[3:05:02] that's the point. But now, we have to

[3:05:04] get back,

[3:05:05] >> I just wanted to make sure that it

[3:05:10] was understood that I am a chief advocate for

[3:05:14] nape.

[3:05:14] >> we get it, yes.

[3:05:20] councilman morgan smiley, and then logan, you're in

[3:05:23] the queue.

[3:05:26] >> to the hold and a few of the comments. We don't want to wait for

[3:05:34] every resolution we pass to be written in blood. We can proactively legislate

[3:05:35] before accidents happen, and that's okay,

[3:05:38] too. We don't have to wait. You can show up with your own

[3:05:44] eyes, walk it with your own feet and see the problems that

[3:05:47] they have and come to a rational decision without waiting for somebody

[3:05:50] to be killed. And I think this is something

[3:05:53] that fits that circumstance. And dr.

[3:05:55] warren, pedestrian access is not closed off to a single one of these streets

[3:05:56] in the chickasaw

[3:06:02] gardens neighborhood.

[3:06:07] you can come walk them with me at any time of night, 3:00 a.m., midnight,

[3:06:10] whatever it is. We will always be able to access them. We will always

[3:06:11] be able to walk them to our hearts content.

[3:06:14] we're talking about limiting access at two

[3:06:15] locations that it sounds like now the applicant's would rather be

[3:06:20] opened up. But there are not a lot of people walking neighborhoods at

[3:06:23] 3:00 a.m. That are sightseeing or looking at

[3:06:30] the stars.

[3:06:33] so, we're not going to block anybody from coming into

[3:06:35] the neighborhood at 3:00 p.m. At 3:00 a.m., you've got

[3:06:37] some problems and people want to be diligent in looking out for their

[3:06:39] neighbors. And keep a watch. That's our entire camera

[3:06:41] program that we've been putting up across the city, and avery neighborhood,

[3:06:45] rich and poor. To the hold, I

[3:06:52] would say, we should dispense with this right now. If a vote for

[3:06:54] hold fails, I would move previous question that we go ahead and vote

[3:06:57] and deal with this so people don't have to come down here,

[3:06:59] five new councilmembers don't have to get updated on the issue and get hundreds

[3:07:03] and hundreds of more emails, and that we deal with

[3:07:06] this tonight, once and for all. I think we for the case, I think

[3:07:09] we understand it, I think there's going to be some agree

[3:07:11] to disagree for various reasons, but the details

[3:07:14] of this case for the most part have been hammered out, and we owe them a vote and

[3:07:18] a solution tonight, rather than holding. I'm going to vote against

[3:07:21] the hold, and hopefully we can get onto the rest of the agenda

[3:07:24] and debate.

[3:07:25] >> thank you, councilman morgan.

[3:07:26] vice chair smiley.

[3:07:27] >> for those of you who

[3:07:31] don't know, I appreciate a pretty good argument. I think both

[3:07:36] sides made a really good argument. But, this conversation,

[3:07:39] for me, it reminds me of a

[3:07:45] very eager jb smiley, the

[3:07:49] attorney, visiting a hoa meeting.

[3:07:50] I won't talk about the neighborhood, but in that

[3:07:54] meeting, what transpired was something that I thought was concerning. It was a group

[3:07:57] of wealthy people and during that hoa

[3:08:00] meeting, one of the individuals present said, there is so much

[3:08:03] crime going on in the city of memphis, maybe our community

[3:08:06] should consider building a wall. And I'm going to tell you why

[3:08:12] that's problematic for me, because that doesn't breed inclusivity. That

[3:08:15] doesn't breed one memphis. That breeds, let me be

[3:08:20] excluded from the general population.

[3:08:21] I'm not sure that the members that I want to be part

[3:08:24] of. On the other side, I do value each

[3:08:29] and every person who comes down, and takes time

[3:08:33] out today, and comes making a very strong argument

[3:08:36] for why they believe that this will ultimately put

[3:08:39] them in a better position. And I'm also reminded of

[3:08:42] this, a couple things. If

[3:08:49] this was about pedestrian safety, and please correct me if I'm wrong, someone

[3:08:54] in planning and development. I think is neighborhood decline speed humps, but it's about pedestrian safety,

[3:09:00] I believe this neighborhood, declined those

[3:09:08] traffic devices. I'm not understanding why, if it's about safety, we are declining

[3:09:12] traffic calming devices. In addition to that, I'm

[3:09:15] also reminded we're not the first body

[3:09:16] to hear this. Planning and development said

[3:09:23] no. And then when it went before land-use control board, they said no. And what's happening, here, is your coming before

[3:09:31] us after planning and development said no, after land-use control board,

[3:09:33] you're asking this body to say

[3:09:39] yes. Without any data.

[3:09:45] councilman jones quotes a school board member, sarah lewis, all

[3:09:48] the time. And I would let him say the quote.

[3:09:51] >> you can't measure it, you can't manage it, if you can't manage it, I

[3:09:54] can't improve it.

[3:09:55] >> his argument today, I've wavered on this issue.

[3:10:00] I had a meeting with mr. Wilder, he did

[3:10:03] a really good job for you all.

[3:10:05] kudos to him, but, when I was looking at it, I

[3:10:11] get back to, there is no data. So I'm having a hard

[3:10:15] time, here, and I'm going to support a hold, and hopefully you

[3:10:18] can have some data, but I don't know if the hold is going to win the

[3:10:23] day, but I'm going to support the hold because there has been no data presented.

[3:10:25] there's folks making good arguments on both sides and with no argument for

[3:10:27] me to supersede the other, I'm in the position

[3:10:30] that I think maybe there's more information out

[3:10:33] there that this body would benefit from when we

[3:10:39] make a decision. But we'll see what happens. But good job on both

[3:10:42] sides, and I appreciate the participation

[3:10:48] of everyone. I often see the government works best when

[3:10:50] we have active participation from the community, so thank each and everyone

[3:10:51] of you for coming out, and

[3:10:55] I really do hope in 2024, this is the last time you come to

[3:10:59] city hall. I don't know any of you out there. A very small few, and

[3:11:02] I see a consistent few who always come because the issues that this

[3:11:03] body deals with is more

[3:11:09] important than erecting a gate or choosing not to erect a gate. This city has

[3:11:12] real challenges and all of you out there seems to

[3:11:15] have means and the ability to help the city

[3:11:23] of memphis with some of its real issues, so I hope you

[3:11:25] will dissipate more than just this single issue, but other issues as well.

[3:11:27] thank you all for being here.

[3:11:28] >> thank you, vice chair smiley. Councilwoman logan.

[3:11:30] >> thank you, chair. I

[3:11:35] didn't know that they had rejected speed

[3:11:39] humps. That's new information. I would like to hold

[3:11:45] as well to get more information about that.

[3:11:46] I had no idea that speed humps

[3:11:52] were rejected. I just assumed, because I drove down the streets,

[3:11:55] and I know those streets are more narrow than some of the streets that

[3:11:58] are in my community and other communities in my district and they

[3:12:00] were told that they could not get speed

[3:12:03] humps, because of the street being narrow.

[3:12:07] if this community was offered speed humps,

[3:12:10] and rejected them, that's problematic,

[3:12:14] and I would like to get more information about that. So I support

[3:12:19] the hold.

[3:12:21] >> this is, >> point of information about

[3:12:25] the speed humps.

[3:12:26] >> mr. Morgan, you said after this you were going to call for

[3:12:29] the question.

[3:12:29] >> after the vote for the hold, but this answer

[3:12:34] directly goes to councilmembers and whether or

[3:12:37] not they are voting for a hold as councilwoman logan just said. It has been

[3:12:41] alleged that they were offered speed humps and rejected it. I would like to find

[3:12:43] out the truth of that, if any council

[3:12:45] member's object.

[3:12:46] >> that's the purpose of the hold, colleagues.

[3:12:52] >> I can answer that. >> we can answer it right now.

[3:12:53] >> respectfully, I would like for us to go back

[3:12:58] to engineering. Your regular collection of this may

[3:13:04] be different.

[3:13:05] madam comptroller, will you please prepare the screens for the volt on the hold. This

[3:13:10] is on the hold. Yes. I was the maker of that

[3:13:17] motion and I think it was seconded by

[3:13:25] councilman warren.

[3:13:46] thank you. Yes.

[3:14:00] >> carlisle, no, colvett, no, ford, yes, johnson, noe, logan, yes, morgan, noe,

[3:14:07] robinson, no, vice chairman smiley,

[3:14:11] yes, washington, yes,

[3:14:14] >> that item passes.

[3:14:29] madam comptroller, will you please, okay. So this item will be held until our next meeting, which is

[3:14:34] january 9th.

[3:14:36] >> that's correct, mr. Chairman. >> madam comptroller, will you please call

[3:14:43] item 11? Yes.

[3:14:44] nine and 10, both of them have been held until the next meeting.

[3:14:48] >> thank you, mr. Chairman. We will note that items nine and 10 will be held

[3:14:55] until january 9th.

[3:14:57] majority.

[3:14:59] >> item number 11, is a resolution

[3:15:15] pursuant to chapter 9.6 of the memphis and shelby county unified development code approving

[3:15:20] a planned development at the subject property located

[3:15:26] at 1674 delano avenue.

[3:15:28] this resolution is sponsored by the division of planning and development. The case number

[3:15:35] is pd 23-16.

[3:15:41] >> councilwoman johnson? >> chair,

[3:15:44] before we proceed with item number 11, I think we need to go back and clean up item number 10. It

[3:15:50] was not red and voted on when we or another.

[3:15:53] >> this was a hold on both of the items.

[3:15:59] >> okay. But they were never read out loud. I'm just saying

[3:16:02] it was not red out the place on

[3:16:07] the record.

[3:16:09] >> hold on one second.

[3:16:21] >> mr. Chairman, for the record, we did read item

[3:16:25] number nine, and we had a rightful hold on it, but I'd like to read item number tens action that will

[3:16:29] be held until january 9th. The resolution

[3:16:36] approving the right-of-way vacation of lombardy road between south fenwick

[3:16:38] road and cherokee drive. This resolution sponsored by the

[3:16:41] division of planning and development. The case number is

[3:16:45] s.a.c. 23-05.

[3:16:46] >> thank you. Thank you, councilwoman johnson.

[3:16:53] >> and I have read number 11 into the record. Be make

[3:16:56] item number 11.

[3:16:59] >> this item was not discussed when it was sent directly

[3:17:02] down without recommendation. So we

[3:17:08] need, I so move, and we do need a presentation.

[3:17:09] >> if you would move so

[3:17:12] electronically, please. And seconded by

[3:17:16] councilmember warren. The floor is yours.

[3:17:17] >> thank you, mr. Chairman, members of

[3:17:23] the council. This is the case, and I think we're getting the

[3:17:26] presentation here in just

[3:17:31] a second. It is a case, pd 23-16, planned development

[3:17:34] to allow a self-service mini storage facility at 1674 delano

[3:17:41] avenue. You can see here, on the left, there's a location map in the fraser area

[3:17:43] just north of the 240 loop, and on the right is the vicinity

[3:17:47] map showing the notice that was sent out to judge the adjacent

[3:17:52] property owners. Here you have, to the left, the

[3:17:54] zoning, this property is zoned, it is bordered

[3:17:58] by are you one residential properties on the

[3:18:02] west side, and it is cmu

[3:18:08] 1 to the north and cmu 3 to the south. On

[3:18:14] the right, you see the land use, the pink star is

[3:18:21] the property, and it is commercial to the north and to the east, and

[3:18:26] to the south, and residential to the west. Again, and ariel of the property,

[3:18:29] showing the current use is office space to the south of the property,

[3:18:32] to the bottom, and

[3:18:36] there are five car wash bays, self-service car wash bays, and

[3:18:41] auto sales. Photos of the subject property from delano,

[3:18:47] and also from watkins. And aerial views of

[3:18:50] the site. Here. So, on the left is the

[3:18:56] existing plan showing the existing uses of

[3:18:59] office, and then auto sales. To the right is the proposed

[3:19:05] plan which retaining the office space however, converting the

[3:19:08] car wash and the auto sales to a self storage, facility

[3:19:18] one story.

[3:19:19] so, the applicant is requesting this planned development to allow the self

[3:19:21] storage mini storage facility in

[3:19:24] commercial mixed-use one district.

[3:19:25] self storage meetings or facilities are not allowed which

[3:19:28] is why the planned development is being requested, and I mentioned the

[3:19:35] current use. Dpd did recommend rejection to

[3:19:39] the language control board with if approved

[3:19:42] with outlined plan conditions, the language control board is recommending

[3:19:45] approval with those outlined plan

[3:19:51] conditions.

[3:19:53] and the outlined plan conditions are essentially for

[3:19:57] the use, it allows anything in cmu

[3:20:01] one with the addition of the self storage facility, and I'm happy to

[3:20:06] answer any questions you might have.

[3:20:12] >> councilwoman johnson? Can you speak into

[3:20:15] the mic?

[3:20:15] >> can you please go back to a previous slide? I think

[3:20:21] you said, was the front part going to

[3:20:25] be, what is it being used, the existing use, what is

[3:20:28] that again?

[3:20:28] >> the existing use, and if we pull

[3:20:33] this up, the existing use has two office space,

[3:20:38] and then a five bay self car wash.

[3:20:39] and then auto

[3:20:43] sales. So the new use would retain the office space, but it would only

[3:20:51] allow them the self storage facility. The self

[3:20:53] storage facility would replace the car wash

[3:20:55] and the auto sales.

[3:20:56] >> is there going to be a fence or division between

[3:21:00] those uses?

[3:21:01] >> between the office and the self storage?

[3:21:05] >> yes. >> there is not between the two uses, there is

[3:21:08] iron fencing already surrounding the property. And it

[3:21:12] will be modified slightly to allow the regular entrance and queuing

[3:21:15] space for that.

[3:21:19] but, the two office spaces, and the applicant might be able to answer

[3:21:21] that. I know they were going to keep the building and

[3:21:24] I don't know if that office space is only going to be used

[3:21:27] for the self storage facility or not. Right now, there are a couple

[3:21:31] of different businesses in there.

[3:21:33] >> may I hear from the applicant, please?

[3:21:36] >> go ahead.

[3:21:39] >> good evening.

[3:21:42] good evening chair. My name is

[3:21:46] evelyn royce, kirby parkway, memphis, tennessee, 38119.

[3:21:54] >> sorry, the mic struggles,

[3:22:00] it's okay.

[3:22:03] >> take

[3:22:09] your time.

[3:22:12] >> sorry for that.

[3:22:18] >> okay. The applicant's and owner, byron cook and lottie jones,

[3:22:21] are seated here. Have been a staple among this

[3:22:24] community and are a valuable attribute for over

[3:22:29] 28 years. Some would also refer to mr. Cook as a

[3:22:33] rock. He stays put but he constantly grows. And he's

[3:22:39] been at this location for 28 years. They currently are operating

[3:22:42] a multi-business facility that

[3:22:46] offers car wash, business office, and auto sales. The most

[3:22:50] positive impact their business have had in this community is

[3:22:54] creating jobs, to encourage more people to stay in

[3:23:00] the area. This not only allows people to work closer to home, but also improves

[3:23:03] the quality of life for the community by increasing city

[3:23:09] revenue, creating a more self sustainable community while connecting

[3:23:12] the community together.

[3:23:15] they maintain a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing

[3:23:18] business center here at watkins and

[3:23:25] delano intersection. Currently on the east side of this property intersection, there

[3:23:27] is a u-haul storage facility. If you would pull up

[3:23:30] that site, I think it's page eight.

[3:23:36] and nine. Please. It will show, that

[3:23:42] will show a u-haul service center on the

[3:23:47] opposite side, on the east side of this property, as you can see here,

[3:23:51] on the east side of that intersection. There is a u-haul

[3:23:57] storage, there. As I said, the most positive

[3:24:02] impact that they've had in this community is creating jobs for people to stay in

[3:24:06] this area, and this will allow people to work closer to home, and

[3:24:09] also improve the quality of life for the community by increasing city revenue, creating

[3:24:12] a more self sustainable community, while

[3:24:15] connecting them together. Mr. Cook, along with the owner

[3:24:21] of the u-haul facility have collaborated to

[3:24:24] work together because of the demand for storage

[3:24:27] in this community, and the growing families,

[3:24:29] to have the convenience to do business near

[3:24:32] their schools, library, community center, keeps the community thriving

[3:24:37] together. This property is currently zoned cmu 1, which permits multi

[3:24:40] storage units, but the cook's request is

[3:24:46] for 85 single storage units. This particular zoning does

[3:24:49] permit single, does permit two

[3:24:56] story storage units, but does not permit single story, and he wants

[3:24:58] to do single-story storage units. This would be used

[3:25:00] to enhance the improvement of the site and

[3:25:02] would clear up the cars that are sitting dormant,

[3:25:05] even though they are enclosed and secure with

[3:25:09] electronic gate. Again, the site plan shows

[3:25:13] the perimeter of the property is enclosed with the wrought

[3:25:19] iron gate. This is how the site appears. They've gone on to the

[3:25:22] next. A storage facility would be much nicer and neat for this intersection immediately

[3:25:28] off of i2 40

[3:25:32] exit. We have no oppositions to the cook's operating a storage facility at

[3:25:36] this location. Matter of fact, they have 100%

[3:25:40] support from the surrounding community.

[3:25:44] the request use is compatible with the location characteristics, zoning, and

[3:25:46] adjacent lands use and zoning as the proposed self

[3:25:49] storage would not be too intense in terms of both use

[3:25:54] and skill for the surrounding neighborhood and the

[3:25:58] nearby elementary schools. There currently

[3:26:01] are two other storage facilities located on james road, at covington

[3:26:04] pike, and on austin at stage road. That are zone c

[3:26:10] that permit single-story self storage but were

[3:26:14] approved recently for single storage units

[3:26:19] as well. The project presently is served adequately

[3:26:22] by a central public facilities and services street parking, drainage

[3:26:25] refused disposable amma fire protection and

[3:26:31] services water and sewer. Are that the applicant

[3:26:34] will provide adequately for such services. We are requesting

[3:26:39] the city council members would approve applications for a single

[3:26:43] self storage unit at this location, and I would

[3:26:45] also like to thank those who have served us very

[3:26:48] well and are exiting at the end of this month. I hope I see you along

[3:26:52] your journey, and thank you.

[3:26:55] >> thank you. Councilwoman johnson, you're in the

[3:27:03] q. Okay. Seeing no other councilmembers to speak

[3:27:07] on this item, madam comptroller, will you please prepare the

[3:27:13] voting screen?

[3:27:27] >> carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan,

[3:27:30] yes, morgan, yes, swearengen-washington, yes,

[3:27:34] warren, no, german jones, yes.

[3:27:37] >> that item

[3:27:39] passes.

[3:27:40] >> thank you. >> you're welcome. Madam comptroller,

[3:27:46] will you please call

[3:27:52] item 12. Item 12. Yes, yes, I'm sorry,

[3:27:57] it is. 13 has been withdrawn. Madam comptroller, will you please call

[3:28:01] our consent agenda.

[3:28:13] >> item number 14 is up for a second reading on our

[3:28:18] consent agenda. The ordinance number is 5895, and it's sponsored by

[3:28:22] chairman jones. Item number 15 is also

[3:28:25] up for second reading. His ordinance is sponsored

[3:28:28] by the division of planning and development.

[3:28:30] the case number is z 23-12, the ordinance number

[3:28:36] is 5894. Item number 16 is a resolution approving the

[3:28:40] engineering plans for university lofts, and accepting bond

[3:28:43] as a security, there is a request for same night minutes. The contract

[3:28:46] number is cr 5451. Item number 17 is a resolution

[3:28:52] approving the engineering plans for frank because as a subdivision,

[3:28:55] part of lot 420 23, and accepts revised letter

[3:29:01] of credit in lieu of bond. The contract number is

[3:29:07] cr 5452. Item number 18 is a resolution accepting

[3:29:10] public improvements for broad avenue apartments, and

[3:29:14] releasing bond. There is a request for same night

[3:29:17] minutes. The contract number is cr dash 5364. And mr. Chairman,

[3:29:24] that concludes our consent agenda items.

[3:29:25] >> thank you. Our consent agenda has

[3:29:31] been moved by councilman swearengen-washington and

[3:29:33] seconded by councilman warren. Seeing the members in the queue to

[3:29:36] speak on it, madam comptroller, will you please prepare the

[3:29:43] voting screen?

[3:29:55] >> carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson,

[3:29:58] yes, morgan, yes, vice chairman smiley, yes,

[3:30:05] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german jones, yes.

[3:30:06] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller will

[3:30:11] you please call our fiscal consent agenda?

[3:30:15] >> thank you, mr. Chairman, that takes us to

[3:30:19] item number 18, a resolution ratifying the emergency award contract

[3:30:26] number 12474, emergency meter repair to utility partners of

[3:30:34] america llc, not to exceed amount of $7,098,724

[3:30:40] and $.30. Item number 20 is a resolution to ratify

[3:30:44] the emergency award of contract

[3:30:50] number 12463, adventures inc.

[3:30:53] to um our adventures inc. And not to exceed

[3:30:56] the amount of $959,000. Item

[3:31:00] number 21 is a resolution approving change number one to

[3:31:05] contract number 12236, meter support maintenance,

[3:31:08] with honeywell, to ratify the change, and current

[3:31:14] contract not to exceed amount

[3:31:20] of $145,259. Item number 22, is a resolution approving

[3:31:23] change number three to contract number

[3:31:29] 12265, with solutions llc to renew change and increase the

[3:31:37] contract valued in the funded amount of $464,719

[3:31:41] and $.23. Item number 23

[3:31:47] two contract number 12464 and track

[3:31:52] solution incorporated, to expand the scope and increase the current

[3:31:59] contract value, of now

[3:32:05] 648,000 $28.50. Item number 24, is a resolution approving change

[3:32:11] number two to contract number 12288, gas matrix utility

[3:32:14] landscaping with enlightenment inc. Doing business

[3:32:20] as aps facility maintenance, in the funded

[3:32:26] amount of $398,448. Item number 25 is a resolution

[3:32:32] approving change number one to contract number 12366, large

[3:32:37] directional drilling with memphis road boring

[3:32:40] company incorporated, to renew the current contract

[3:32:44] for the first of four annual renewal terms for the period covering january

[3:32:50] 1st, 2024, through december 31st, it says 2024,

[3:32:57] but that possibly could be corrected, in the funded amount of

[3:33:02] $2,509,000. Item number 26, our final item, a resolution

[3:33:05] approving change number one to contract number 12378,

[3:33:08] fleet maintenance with goodyear commercial tire and

[3:33:15] service center, in the funded amount of $1,144,008. Determine, that concludes

[3:33:20] our fiscal consent items.

[3:33:23] >> thank you. R mlg w

[3:33:29] physical agenda has been moved by councilmember robinson,

[3:33:33] seconded by councilwoman swearengen-washington.

[3:33:35] I have two common caramels,

[3:33:41] the first one is from glenda hicks. Name and address for the record,

[3:33:47] please, ms. Hicks.

[3:33:53] >> good evening, glenda hicks. 3090

[3:33:59] wood thrush. 21st century. Thank

[3:34:08] you all. As we come to the end of a most challenging, frustrating, and

[3:34:11] financially abusive year

[3:34:16] regarding gas and water services, I ask each of you to give

[3:34:20] serious weight to your continued approval of millions of

[3:34:26] dollars regarding lake acid water. You unanimously

[3:34:35] say yes. And with that, you are continuously strapping already

[3:34:45] overstressed citizens. Ones who live paycheck

[3:34:50] to paycheck.

[3:34:53] of course, we understand that this council

[3:34:56] recently improved a rate increase that's going to

[3:34:59] seriously impact the citizenry. Per doug mcgowan's

[3:35:05] own statement to fox 13, on september 20th, this

[3:35:11] situation that has caused delayed bills is now, he's

[3:35:17] saying won't be remedied until the end

[3:35:20] of 24. So, you have people yet coming in to the

[3:35:25] situation where they have yet to receive corrected

[3:35:29] bills, and meters are yet malfunctioning. So I ask this

[3:35:32] council to take this situation into

[3:35:37] serious consideration as you move forward with any

[3:35:41] requests from mlgw. Thank you.

[3:35:44] >> thank you. Our next card is

[3:35:48] from pamela moses.

[3:36:09] >> pamela moses, 2383 jackson avenue, 38108. Mlgw charged me $143

[3:36:15] because I called in a gas

[3:36:19] leak. They said it was a false gas leak.

[3:36:20] it wasn't. It was a broken thermostat that cost us

[3:36:24] almost $500 to fix. I got the receipt from national economy plumbers to prove it if

[3:36:26] you don't believe me. I'm a single parent on a fixed

[3:36:30] income, mlgw refuses to give me a

[3:36:36] courtesy credit, but yet, they've entered into a binding agreement of fraud

[3:36:41] with honeywell, and just like I know what product liability,

[3:36:45] is, if you don't, you're an attorney. Product liability claims can be

[3:36:51] based on negligent, breach of warranty fitness, this typically depends on the jurisdiction which the claim

[3:36:59] is based. Due to the fact that there is product

[3:37:03] liability law, if you give them another dime, I'm going

[3:37:06] to report each one of you to the federal government, because all of

[3:37:10] those things that they say they need money for, they're under warranty,

[3:37:14] so therefore, they should be filing a claim with

[3:37:18] honeywell or whoever it is,

[3:37:22] in which guaranteed that warranty. You can correct me if I'm wrong. If

[3:37:25] you vote on it, that's up to you. I will say this, what does

[3:37:28] it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? Y'all keep cutting

[3:37:33] all these deals. They won't even give me

[3:37:39] $143 credit. You gave me your word, mr. Mcgowan, the last time I

[3:37:41] was here you would talk to me about my community

[3:37:43] and the things that it needs, but he refused to do

[3:37:47] that. He refused to talk to me about my community, but you're getting

[3:37:51] ready to put gates up. Just like trump might not

[3:37:54] be able to run for office, some of y'all are going

[3:37:57] to be joining him in federal.

[3:38:00] >> madam

[3:38:05] comptroller. The voting screen, please. That was our last comment card.

[3:38:18] mlgw consent agenda.

[3:38:29] >> carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan, yes,

[3:38:33] robinson, yes, vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington,

[3:38:36] yes. Chairman jones, yes.

[3:38:43] please joe, councilmember warren as voting yes.

[3:38:45] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will

[3:38:48] you please call item 40.

[3:38:54] >> that will take us to our add-ons. Item

[3:38:57] number 40. Is

[3:39:03] a resolution accepting grant funds from the u.s. Department of homeland

[3:39:09] security, over a three-year period for the 2024, 2022 safer grant

[3:39:12] in the amount

[3:39:18] of 13 and $.40, and appropriating fy 24

[3:39:21] funds in the

[3:39:27] amount of $1,700,645.02, all council districts,

[3:39:32] this resolution is sponsored by the administration.

[3:39:33] there is a request for same night minutes.

[3:39:35] >> thank you. Councilwoman logan.

[3:39:41] >> thank you, chair. The committee may

[3:39:48] recommend our proposal, and I so move.

[3:39:50] >> item number 40 has been moved by councilwoman logan, seconded by

[3:39:51] councilmember warren, madam comptroller, will you please prepare

[3:39:54] the voting screen?

[3:40:06] >> carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson,

[3:40:09] yes, vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren,

[3:40:12] yes, chairman jones, yes.

[3:40:15] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will you please

[3:40:18] call item 41.

[3:40:21] >> item number 41 is a resolution to allocate

[3:40:27] and appropriate $300,000 to the memphis

[3:40:33] inner-city rugby to assist in the operation

[3:40:36] of its program. All council districts, this resolution

[3:40:39] is sponsored by

[3:40:48] councilman carlisle, and there is a request for

[3:40:49] same night minutes.

[3:40:49] >> councilman carlisle?

[3:40:51] >> thank you, I would invite my colleagues to join as cosponsors

[3:40:53] if they would be so willing.

[3:40:54] >> no objection, would you

[3:40:57] please note that the cosponsors of that are all council

[3:41:00] members that are present. Remic yes, thank

[3:41:04] you.

[3:41:05] >> councilmember

[3:41:06] swearengen-washington?

[3:41:08] >> thank you, chair.

[3:41:14] the committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.

[3:41:15] >> item number 41 has been moved by

[3:41:19] councilwoman swearengen-washington.

[3:41:21] seconded by councilwoman logan, seeing no cue cards to speak on this

[3:41:24] item, madam comptroller will you please control prepare

[3:41:28] the voting screen.

[3:41:39] >> councilmembers, please cast your vote.

[3:41:46] thank you.

[3:41:48] carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson,

[3:41:52] yes, vice chairman smiley, yes,

[3:41:56] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, chairman jones, yes.

[3:41:57] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will

[3:42:01] you please call item

[3:42:02] 42.

[3:42:03] >> item number 42 is a resolution to amend

[3:42:10] the youth pilot program funded by the american rescue plan act. All

[3:42:13] council districts, this resolution is sponsored by council

[3:42:19] and robinson.

[3:42:25] and there is a request for same night minutes.

[3:42:26] >> councilman carlisle?

[3:42:27] >> think you, mr. Chairman, the community met

[3:42:29] and regimented approval and I so move, is it as amended? As amended. As

[3:42:33] amended. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chair.

[3:42:34] >> thank you.

[3:42:47] councilmembers, please cast your vote for item number 42

[3:42:55] as amended.

[3:42:59] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan,

[3:43:02] yes. Robinson, yes, vice chairman smiley, yes,

[3:43:08] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, and chairman jones, yes.

[3:43:10] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will you

[3:43:13] please call item 43.

[3:43:19] >> item number 43 is a resolution approving a

[3:43:23] management agreement between the city of memphis through its divisional parts

[3:43:28] and memphis brooks museum of art inc. To manage and

[3:43:31] operate downtown museum facility. District 5, super

[3:43:37] district 9, this resolution is sponsored by the administration. There

[3:43:40] is a request for same night minutes.

[3:43:43] >> councilmember warren?

[3:43:44] >> mr. Sherman, during committee there was

[3:43:49] a motion to not have the same night minutes. And I would like to make sure

[3:43:54] this goes through regular channels without same night minutes.

[3:43:58] >> okay. Is there any objection to removing the same night minutes for

[3:44:04] this? Okay. So, there is no objection, we will remove the same

[3:44:07] night minute request for this item.

[3:44:08] madam comptroller, will you please prepare the voting

[3:44:13] screen to vote on item number 43, but oh,

[3:44:19] I'm sorry. Miss mclean, virginia mclean,

[3:44:22] we have three comment cards.

[3:44:34] so, councilwoman warren, would you please move this, please.

[3:44:40] okay, yes.

[3:44:41] >> hi, I'm virginia mclean, and I'd like to thank

[3:44:44] those peers

[3:44:44] >> name and address, address for the record, please.

[3:44:49] >> virginia mclean, 3848 poplar. I want to

[3:44:52] thank all of you for allowing me to present in

[3:44:55] the executive committee today. I think there's been

[3:44:58] a lot of misinformation and confusion about

[3:45:01] the position of friends for our riverfront. For those

[3:45:06] of you who weren't there, I just want to say

[3:45:09] quickly that, basically, our position is that there's

[3:45:16] no rush, there's no time sensitiveness to this

[3:45:21] contract that the issue is in the courts, that neither brooks nor the city

[3:45:25] owns the land, that brooks is a private institution,

[3:45:28] that they do not have a

[3:45:33] building permit, that they haven't raised the

[3:45:37] money to build the building, and that truthfully, why sign a management

[3:45:42] contract, now, for a building that won't be billed for

[3:45:49] two years. Really, and then there's the issue

[3:45:52] of what is the contract say?

[3:45:55] the contract that y'all are being asked to sign

[3:45:58] today has not been made public. I understand that y'all have seen it,

[3:46:01] but, nobody else has seen it. So, I ask that you,

[3:46:07] I'm delighted that we're having this chance to talk,

[3:46:10] and I welcome the opportunity to talk with anybody on this city council

[3:46:13] about this, since 2017 we've been trying to work with

[3:46:16] brooks art museum, and the city.

[3:46:20] we've only asked that the promenade be honored, that the bluff

[3:46:25] remain green, and that there be a promenade either around

[3:46:31] or through or across the river. That the two could work together. We have

[3:46:34] been ignored, we have been misled, and I very much

[3:46:37] would work welcome the

[3:46:43] city council becoming involved with us, giving us

[3:46:46] an opportunity to work with brooks, to work with the city. I thank you for

[3:46:49] this time, and I think

[3:46:54] you for honoring the fact that there is no contract.

[3:47:02] and delaying minutes for, what you call it, for

[3:47:04] a vote tonight, thank you. Munich miss mclean, I have a question for

[3:47:08] you. Before us is to approve the management agreement. As you know,

[3:47:13] although things are in litigation, there's construction that's

[3:47:17] taking place already. So, with construction taking place,

[3:47:19] without a management contract, who would

[3:47:23] be responsible for the construction that's currently underway?

[3:47:29] >> I think they have hired contractors themselves, I think that

[3:47:32] they have to be responsible for themselves,

[3:47:35] the court ruled that it gave a warning tone.

[3:47:38] she said we have claims

[3:47:44] but then she divided the baby and asked us to come up with

[3:47:47] $1 million, which we do not have. So, it's still in the courts, we're

[3:47:50] waiting on the judge

[3:47:56] to decide. The development, what about it?

[3:48:04] I'm sorry. This is stacy greenway, I don't

[3:48:06] know the answer.

[3:48:06] >> thank you. Miss greenway, I have your

[3:48:11] card next, name and address for the record and you'll have two minutes

[3:48:14] to speak, thank you for that.

[3:48:15] >> I don't understand.

[3:48:18] >> hello, council persons and good evening, I'm stacy

[3:48:23] greenway.

[3:48:24] I represent friends for our riverfront as well as the descendents of some

[3:48:26] of the heirs of memphis. My address is

[3:48:29] 780 ridge lake boulevard.

[3:48:34] 381-2820. So I want to start with your comment, councilperson jones

[3:48:41] in the committee meeting. You said the city is being held hostage. With

[3:48:46] the development of the land downtown.

[3:48:47] the city doesn't own the land. That seems

[3:48:51] to be a very big misconception amongst a lot

[3:48:59] of people. So when you don't own the land, there's

[3:49:01] restrictions to what you can do with the land

[3:49:03] and the supreme court has recognized their ability to enforce this

[3:49:06] easement. I want to be clear, the descendents of the founders of memphis

[3:49:08] are not holding the city hostage, nor do they

[3:49:11] want to. The bottom line is that they own the land, and they have rights

[3:49:14] and responsibilities. They have the right to

[3:49:16] challenge the city and the city's use of

[3:49:20] this land, and they have the responsibility to protect the public's

[3:49:23] interest in this land as a public promenade. The laws and the constitution

[3:49:27] of the state of tennessee will determine what happens with the

[3:49:32] public promenade. The laws and the constitution of this state

[3:49:34] are not holding you hostage, they are holding

[3:49:38] you accountable. We're just asking you to

[3:49:41] allow the court to do its job and make

[3:49:42] a determination before you push forward on a contract. That affects a lot of

[3:49:45] things. I also want to end with your comment to

[3:49:50] your successors. You urge them to figure out a way to settle this issue and

[3:49:53] come to an agreement.

[3:49:55] the city mailed a letter to the descendents in october

[3:49:59] of 1999, recognizing the need for some sort of partnership

[3:50:01] to figure out what could be done with the

[3:50:05] public promenade. 24 years later, we still do

[3:50:08] not have an agreement, but you have an

[3:50:09] error right here, telling you she's going to agree with you on something

[3:50:11] to speak with her. There is nothing

[3:50:16] at that point right now. We have to start somewhere,

[3:50:19] and it seems to me, holding off on approving

[3:50:23] a contract that isn't even an issue for two years

[3:50:24] seems a really good place to start.

[3:50:25] >> thank you for your comments, ms. Greenway.

[3:50:27] >> and if you have any questions I'm

[3:50:29] happy to answer them.

[3:50:30] >> councilman warman, carlisle, and logan.

[3:50:35] >> I heard today that one of the projects we

[3:50:40] were looking at, doing a zip line or something

[3:50:44] across, had been stopped by your group. Is that

[3:50:46] accurate?

[3:50:46] >> not to my knowledge, nothing like that. But

[3:50:52] if that is something that's going to happen, then you are acknowledging that maybe

[3:50:57] they need some sort of approval to do so, and if you are needing

[3:51:00] approval, why don't you need approval for

[3:51:02] eight 180,000.

[3:51:03] >> that's why I don't know

[3:51:04] anything if that's true or not.

[3:51:06] >> it's not true.

[3:51:08] >> miss mclean,

[3:51:13] >> there's a lot of questions that need to

[3:51:16] be answered, councilperson jones, isaac use it

[3:51:23] once before you want to do your homework and you

[3:51:25] want to make sure that you get it right. I think there are plenty

[3:51:28] of questions being asked and I think that just means we have more

[3:51:29] homework.

[3:51:29] >> thank you. We may have a question for you from councilman carlisle.

[3:51:32] >> thank you, chairman jones, I'll try and be brief

[3:51:35] because I know I'm tired and you guys are, too. It's the holidays. You are,

[3:51:44] this is, this is about the management agreement. Your issues are with

[3:51:47] construction. What in the management agreement you take

[3:51:49] issue with? You are adverse to the city and not seeking reconciliation with

[3:51:52] the council or the city, you're seeking summary judgment from the

[3:51:56] chancery court. So how are those two related?

[3:51:59] >> we just saw a minute ago that closing

[3:52:07] a street and putting up a gate, you have a responsibility for the private

[3:52:08] parties that are going to be putting up that gate,

[3:52:11] maintain the gate. Those types of things,

[3:52:16] like who is responsible for building it, who is maintaining it, is funding

[3:52:17] it, those of the types of things that

[3:52:20] are going to be in his management and operation agreement. And so until

[3:52:23] we have the answers for that on who the responsible party is, then you shouldn't

[3:52:28] be voting on whether or not it should be approved or not, because we don't know

[3:52:30] the details.

[3:52:33] >> but you're trying to convolute it with your issue with the

[3:52:35] district and prep design of the promenade.

[3:52:37] >> I don't think the issue is the construction or the design. That's part

[3:52:40] of the issue, but,

[3:52:40] >> is it, or is it not?

[3:52:43] >> there are probably about eight claims in

[3:52:47] the complaints. The use of the land is at issue, the specific enforcement

[3:52:51] of this easement is at issue.

[3:52:59] >> I guess that's my question. In what relation does

[3:53:01] that have to do with the management agreement of an inevitable museum that is going

[3:53:03] to open? In what standing is the friends

[3:53:06] of the riverfront have to negotiate that management agreement.

[3:53:11] I understand the claims on the construction.

[3:53:13] I don't want to get into that, because, again, you're in active litigation.

[3:53:15] and I would remind my colleagues

[3:53:19] about. So let's take the promenade and put that in a box for a hot minute,

[3:53:22] because that has nothing to do with what's before us. You're asking us

[3:53:24] to delay a vote on the management agreement

[3:53:27] for an operation between the city and

[3:53:33] a museum, and to date with the city believes is its land. If the judge

[3:53:36] rules otherwise, that's the city's position.

[3:53:41] >> the supreme court in 19

[3:53:42] >> the city's position, the city's position is adverse

[3:53:44] to yours.

[3:53:45] >> I mean, everyone has recognized

[3:53:48] that they have an easement.

[3:53:51] >> the benefit of the use of the land, not

[3:53:54] the ownership of the land itself.

[3:53:56] >> okay. Let me back up.

[3:53:57] >> I guess what I'm getting

[3:54:03] at is,

[3:54:04] >> why am I challenging the contract?

[3:54:06] >> yes, why would you like us to delay a vote on the management agreement

[3:54:09] with the city that is unrelated to the litigation about the use of the

[3:54:11] land?

[3:54:11] >> because I think it is related. Especially, we've alleged

[3:54:15] that they are a private entity, they are a private organization that

[3:54:19] is funding this, they are a private economic developer. And if we prove that, then

[3:54:27] I think that has a very big impact on who builds it, who

[3:54:30] maintains it, and who funds it. Just like we saw.

[3:54:31] >> so you would concede the point that if a judge ruled in

[3:54:36] your favor, that it would strike down the

[3:54:37] management agreement anyway in part or in whole?

[3:54:39] >> correct.

[3:54:44] okay, yes. If you're trying to build relationships and come to

[3:54:46] a consensus and an agreement with people, that's what I said this might be a

[3:54:48] good place to start.

[3:54:48] >> unfortunately, the city council is not in a position

[3:54:51] to be the administration to which you guys

[3:54:54] have failed to do so, to your point, in 24 years. I'm not saying,

[3:54:57] >> is that my failure or

[3:54:59] our failure?

[3:55:00] >> you represent the entity, correct, like I

[3:55:06] represent the city of memphis?

[3:55:08] okay. I wasn't around in 1999 for it, I'm not trying to be

[3:55:12] argumentative with you, but it's the argument that

[3:55:15] doesn't make sense to me, whether we move forward on the

[3:55:18] management agreement or not, to me, today, is insignificant. It's the

[3:55:20] spirit of the argument that I'm taking issue with, and

[3:55:22] for me, it's not jiving. You're saying we have a problem with the use of

[3:55:26] the land, so we're suing you for it because we believe that

[3:55:29] the easement that the heirs gave his violated. That's

[3:55:33] fair, that's a fair argument.

[3:55:38] but then to say that the management agreement is directly related to that knowing that

[3:55:39] it may be struck down for some reason,

[3:55:41] that's the piece of the argument.

[3:55:42] >> isn't it labeled a use at operating

[3:55:44] agreement?

[3:55:44] >> correct, because the city believes

[3:55:46] that it owns the property.

[3:55:46] >> that's not what

[3:55:49] the city believes. That's not the position they've taken in court.

[3:55:50] >> then why would

[3:55:51] we have the management agreement?

[3:55:53] >> that's

[3:55:54] what I'm trying to figure out.

[3:55:56] >> then we can let the court

[3:56:00] settled it. Let me

[3:56:05] answer, let me answer for you, it's because the city believes that the on

[3:56:06] the property, because we've had a fire house

[3:56:09] in the garage there, and the only thing you have is an easement, or your

[3:56:12] claim for the easement.

[3:56:15] >> during the time that those two buildings were built, the city

[3:56:18] did on the property.

[3:56:19] >> as much fun, as much fun as I

[3:56:23] do enjoy this, this is the point of having the

[3:56:27] court system. It's not for us to litigate it here.

[3:56:28] >> at the courts should make this decision and I'm just asking

[3:56:30] you to give the courts time to do that

[3:56:33] before you push forward a contract that impacts

[3:56:37] things. I don't know what it's going to impact. That's the thing.

[3:56:42] this is very last minute. I came here at 3:00 on

[3:56:45] a committee meeting and now we're here, I don't have

[3:56:48] a laptop.

[3:56:48] >> mr. Carlisle, is at the conclusion of your questions?

[3:56:56] okay. Seeing no other members in the queue to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will

[3:56:59] you please prepare the voting screen.

[3:57:00] just to note, this is without same night minutes. For item 43. I'm sorry. I

[3:57:06] withdraw that. Sue williams, I'm sorry. Another speaker. Sue

[3:57:09] williams.

[3:57:10] >> she wasn't able to wait this long, so she's not going

[3:57:15] to be speaking, thank you.

[3:57:21] >> okay.

[3:57:27] >> carl carlisle, yes, ford, yes,

[3:57:32] johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson, yes, vice

[3:57:38] chairman smiley, abstained, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german

[3:57:43] jones, yes.

[3:57:44] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller,

[3:57:49] will you please call item

[3:57:51] 44, yes.

[3:57:52] >> item number 44 is a resolution to allocate the

[3:58:02] remaining $500,000 to the whitehaven stem project, district 3, super district

[3:58:07] 8. This resolution is sponsored by councilwoman robinson.

[3:58:10] there is a request for same night minutes.

[3:58:11] >> thank you, council member

[3:58:13] carlisle.

[3:58:14] >> I so move.

[3:58:20] >> item number 44 has been moved by councilman

[3:58:24] carlisle, seconded by councilwoman

[3:58:24] swearengen-washington, seeing november's in the to speak on

[3:58:25] this item, madam comptroller

[3:58:26] will you please prepare the voting screen..

[3:58:37] it past.

[3:58:38] ms. Mclean, will you please speak to us?

[3:58:41] a staff member about what happened, please. Okay.

[3:58:46] >> somebody will come help

[3:58:48] you.

[3:58:48] >> colvett, yes, for the vote. Ford, yes, johnson, yes,

[3:58:58] logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson, yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren,

[3:59:01] yes, german jones, yes.

[3:59:09] >> madam comptroller, would you please register mr.

[3:59:10] smiley as a yes vote. Thank you. That

[3:59:16] item passes. Madam comptroller, will you please call item 27?

[3:59:17] >> that will take us to our regular

[3:59:24] agenda. Where we have an ordinance to establish city council meeting dates for 2024, up for third and final reading.

[3:59:29] ordinance number 5891 is sponsored by german jones, and there has been a

[3:59:33] request for same night minutes.

[3:59:35] >> okay.

[3:59:37] >> when is your vacation?

[3:59:39] >> thank you. Colleagues? There are no speakers in the queue to

[3:59:44] speak on this item, it has been moved by councilman carlisle,

[3:59:49] seconded by councilman warren,

[3:59:52] madam comptroller, will you please prepare the

[3:59:58] voting screen?

[4:00:08] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes. Johnson, yes, logan, yes,

[4:00:16] morgan, yes.

[4:00:18] robinson, abstained. Vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes,

[4:00:22] warren, no. German jones, yes.

[4:00:25] >> that item

[4:00:29] passes. Madam comptroller, will you please call

[4:00:32] item 28?

[4:00:33] >> item number 28 is an ordinance to fix

[4:00:40] and determine the salary and compensation of the

[4:00:43] mayor pursuant to home rule amendments, up for third and final

[4:00:46] reading. Ordinance number 5892

[4:00:55] is sponsored by german jones, and there is a request for same night minutes.

[4:00:57] >> thank you. Item number 28 has been moved by swearengen-washington, and

[4:01:00] seconded by councilman warren, I have one comment card from

[4:01:04] mr.

[4:01:07] richard massey.

[4:01:13] >> good evening, council. 3615

[4:01:19] central avenue.

[4:01:20] I would like to reaffirm that the holiday season doesn't always conjure

[4:01:22] images of gift sharing, of happiness

[4:01:30] and gratitude from memphians. It may be a time of great uncertainty and

[4:01:33] looming instability. As many folks are struggling to pay their utilities.

[4:01:34] struggling to put

[4:01:39] their kids in quality childcare while their children are off for winter

[4:01:40] break.

[4:01:43] let alone being able to put a

[4:01:48] christmas turkey on the table limits rising food prices. In the face of

[4:01:51] the city that is reeling from a legacy of disinvestment, we are all here,

[4:01:55] gathered today, discussing an ordinance that would increase the salary of

[4:01:59] the mayor elect by $40,000. Meanwhile, the median household

[4:02:05] income in memphis is just over $43,000 itself. Folks,

[4:02:09] there is no understating just how egregiously irresponsible and morally

[4:02:11] bankrupt of this proposal is. It's

[4:02:14] my understanding the underlying rationale of this ordinance is to promote

[4:02:20] job retention. If we want to talk about job retention, how about

[4:02:23] increased wages for ordinary city workers? Such as directional

[4:02:26] workers who aren't sure if they'll be able to retire comfortably in memphis.

[4:02:29] what about those workers who have been left out of

[4:02:31] every single wage increase proposal, including

[4:02:35] this one that we are hearing tonight? Make no mistake about

[4:02:38] it, people from this great city have been coming

[4:02:41] here for months on end, taking the time to ask this body why. Why has

[4:02:47] the maintenance of their

[4:02:52] school building been put on the back burner?

[4:02:53] why hasn't the affordable housing trust fund been expanded to develop more

[4:02:56] affordable housing units within our communities mark why have routes

[4:02:59] not been expanded to cover more of our city? Council, let it be heard

[4:03:03] that if we want to talk about creating a memphis that works for all

[4:03:07] memphians, wage increases should come from the bottom up,

[4:03:09] and never from the top down. Thank you.

[4:03:10] >> thank you, mr. Massey. Seeing no

[4:03:13] other councilmembers, and I have no other comment cards, madam comptroller,

[4:03:17] will you please prepare the voting screen.

[4:03:32] >> colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, logan, yes, morgan,

[4:03:35] no, robinson, abstained. Vice chairman smiley, yes,

[4:03:41] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german jones, yes.

[4:03:43] >> that

[4:03:46] item passes. Madam comptroller, will you

[4:03:50] please call item number 29?

[4:03:53] >> item number 29 is a referendum

[4:03:58] ordinance pursuant to article 11, section 9 of the constitution of the

[4:04:02] state of tennessee home rule amendment, to amend provisions of

[4:04:05] the charter of the city of memphis, the

[4:04:09] same being chapter 11 of the acts of 1870 as

[4:04:13] amended, relative to mayor, council, and appointed salaries, up for third and

[4:04:18] final reading. Ordinance number 5893 is sponsored by

[4:04:23] german jones. And there is a request for same

[4:04:25] night minutes.

[4:04:26] >> thank you. Councilman warren.

[4:04:29] >> yes. Mr. Chair, on this, I

[4:04:35] take it that was going to happen if this passes is that we will

[4:04:41] have to approve the salaries of each of his

[4:04:46] appointed directors. And that, in my mind, it seems

[4:04:50] like I don't know what it takes to hire

[4:04:53] people to do these jobs, and what the situation

[4:04:56] is on the ground, they are, and I don't think our council

[4:04:59] is going to be expert enough to know what salary it took to

[4:05:02] get what person here. For that reason, I am

[4:05:07] perfectly content with us looking at,

[4:05:13] you know, the salary of the mayor and the salary of the

[4:05:15] council, but appointed salaries, I think, are on

[4:05:20] the marketplace. And I don't know if we're going

[4:05:21] to know or have enough expertise to be able to do that. And I

[4:05:24] don't think without any discussion about this up until this point. I would

[4:05:26] really like us to hold this

[4:05:32] for another meeting, if we possibly could, to get some comment

[4:05:35] from the new administration about if they're okay with it or not

[4:05:41] and why, and let us hear what they have to say before

[4:05:43] we move forward.

[4:05:43] >> okay. As a response to that, and one of the things,

[4:05:47] if you recall, councilman warren, that mr. Wade talked about

[4:05:50] the timing of things, certain things have

[4:05:53] to take place. We can't do it in the middle of

[4:06:01] the administration. But I still would trust that as we are

[4:06:06] looking at the salaries of the human resources would have what would

[4:06:11] be comparable salaries that would be information, talking about what

[4:06:14] comparable salaries or the study for those type

[4:06:17] of ideas. I don't think that we would be, the

[4:06:20] council would be charged with just pulling

[4:06:23] a number out of the air and approving it. But I think that

[4:06:26] compensation would be, would be brought before

[4:06:29] the council in order to evaluate what those

[4:06:31] salaries are.

[4:06:32] >> I just am sitting here, I know that

[4:06:38] they would bring that to us, I'm not sure what our expertise would

[4:06:41] be in it,

[4:06:41] >> I would contend that we don't

[4:06:46] have any. We don't have any with any of the things that come before

[4:06:49] us, but we trust the professionals to go out, and I don't think that

[4:06:53] the city, that the city administration itself would do the compensation

[4:06:58] study. There are companies that they would access the professionals who are familiar

[4:06:59] with the industry, with those practices, that

[4:07:02] would go out and do the compensation study.

[4:07:05] that's my thinking. Councilwoman johnson?

[4:07:11] >> chair, my question is similar to dr. Warren. Is this the

[4:07:17] only time, where this can take place? I was clear that this

[4:07:23] is the only time the mayor's salary could be addressed,

[4:07:26] is that true of all the appointees, the

[4:07:30] council, appointed salary? This is the only time we can authorize

[4:07:35] it?

[4:07:38] >> right.

[4:07:44] >> we're not setting any salaries, we're just allowing to have the opportunity in the future. Okay. Thank you

[4:07:48] for the clarity, thank you.

[4:07:50] >> vice chair smiley? >> I don't

[4:07:52] necessarily know if I need to be in the queue at this point. I feel

[4:07:55] like councilman jones did a good job addressing the questions and concerns.

[4:08:00] what I would like the council to consider is, we are

[4:08:06] less than, less than 12 days from having a

[4:08:12] new mayor, and I'm not sure if the mayor, at this point, has in his entire

[4:08:15] administration. Some of the difficulties, some of the difficulties the mayor is currently

[4:08:19] experiencing were filling some of his potential

[4:08:23] employments is the difficulty in salary.

[4:08:24] and in order to give the mayor an opportunity to

[4:08:32] be successful, and I believe this is council's responsibility to

[4:08:36] show the administration some grace, and to allow him to be able to

[4:08:39] go out and get the best talent and the difficulty is are you going to the

[4:08:45] private sector, those salaries are significantly more than

[4:08:48] city government can pay for, but we want, we do want to be able to properly compensate people. I think

[4:08:51] mr. Massey spoke to it, we gave, we gave increases

[4:08:57] to sanitation, we gave increases to police, we gave increases down the board, but

[4:09:00] we have not contemplated as a body is, what does it look like

[4:09:05] to attract the best talent? And we have to give

[4:09:06] ourselves an opportunity, once hr gives us the wage comparison, I

[4:09:13] think this gives an opportunity to bring in the best talent of the city

[4:09:16] of memphis. You see what we did with our

[4:09:19] staff and I'm going to echo the words of someone else, that council has put together some of

[4:09:24] the best staff they've ever seen. And it's because we were able

[4:09:27] to give our staff the

[4:09:33] necessary increase.

[4:09:35] >> this is a referendum ordinance.

[4:09:39] yes.

[4:09:42] yes. This was mainly for the council itself to set their salaries. But, we had to, this will not

[4:09:48] kick in come january 1st. This

[4:09:52] is going to be a ballot item. Because, I guess city council salaries to

[4:10:03] the county commission,

[4:10:09] and includes the mayor, the council, and

[4:10:12] I would still contend, though, once this is

[4:10:19] in place, come 2027 when there is an election, they will be a compensation

[4:10:21] study for the then council to say we approve what the

[4:10:27] salaries are. But this was done to address the council's

[4:10:31] salary, not tying it whatever the county commission does. But this is

[4:10:36] referendum only. This is a referendum item so the vote, the voters vote

[4:10:42] on it.

[4:10:43] >> I was trying to play by the rules,

[4:10:48] but yes.

[4:10:51] the mayor's salary must be set before the term

[4:10:52] begins, or it cannot be changed during the term.

[4:10:54] >> that was the previous one.

[4:10:55] >> the directors of salary cannot be changed in the middle of the fiscal

[4:10:57] year, which is where we are, which was the issue. Which is

[4:11:00] unrelated but to set us all on, set

[4:11:06] level. So, if mayor elect young has somebody

[4:11:09] he wants to bring in, hypothetically, so-and-so wants

[4:11:12] to come in and they are salaried today $175,000, but they've agreed

[4:11:18] to do hundred $10,000, he's going to figure

[4:11:20] out somewhere in the budget to give them a

[4:11:23] bonus of sorts. Or some other compensation mechanism. To councilman jones point,

[4:11:24] I can't remember when it

[4:11:30] was sometime, I see edmund ford junior back there, he

[4:11:33] would probably remember, but sometime in the early, mid to

[4:11:36] thousands it got attached as an escalator by referendum, by the

[4:11:39] vote of the people, to the county commission. This is on doing

[4:11:45] that, and it's broad because it's required to

[4:11:47] be, to bring it home to chairman jones points, all you're doing is putting

[4:11:48] the question on the ballot, and that's

[4:11:50] that.

[4:11:50] >> okay. Seeing no other

[4:11:56] members in the queue to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will you please

[4:12:00] prepare the voting screen.

[4:12:06] I move, yes.

[4:12:24] >> carlisle, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes,

[4:12:26] logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson, yes,

[4:12:30] excuse me. Vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes,

[4:12:34] warren, yes.

[4:12:35] >> thank you. That item passes. Okay. Madam comptroller, will you please show mr.

[4:12:45] cole that as a yes vote on that item? Yes. Madam

[4:12:49] comptroller, will you please call item 30.

[4:12:54] >> item number 30 is a resolution

[4:13:02] for approval of parade or race routes per ordinance

[4:13:06] number 5675, all council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the engineering

[4:13:11] division.

[4:13:11] >> thank you. Vice chair smiley?

[4:13:16] >> committee member recommended approval and I

[4:13:19] so move.

[4:13:22] >> item number 30 has been moved by vice chair smiley,

[4:13:28] seconded by councilmember swearengen-washington, seeing the

[4:13:31] members in the queue to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will you please prepare the voting

[4:13:40] screen..

[4:13:51] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes,

[4:13:53] morgan, yes, robinson, yes, vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington,

[4:13:58] yes, warren, yes, chairman jones, yes,

[4:14:01] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will

[4:14:04] you please call

[4:14:10] item 35.

[4:14:16] >> item number 35 is a resolution to reallocate and

[4:14:19] re-appropriate $3 million in capital improvement

[4:14:22] plan funds previously earmarked for mud

[4:14:27] island contract construction. All council districts. This resolution

[4:14:33] is sponsored by german jones. And there is a

[4:14:35] request for same night minutes.

[4:14:36] >> thank you. Councilman carlisle?

[4:14:38] >> thank you.

[4:14:43] iso move.

[4:14:44] >> item number 35 has been moved and seconded. Seeing the members in

[4:14:49] the queue to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will

[4:14:52] you please prepare the voting screen.

[4:14:55] >> seconded by swearengen-washington.

[4:15:01] >> thanks.

[4:15:15] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes,

[4:15:19] logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson, yes, vice chairman

[4:15:23] smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, chairman

[4:15:29] jones, yes.

[4:15:31] >> okay.

[4:15:34] councilwoman logan?

[4:15:37] your mike wasn't on.

[4:15:41] >> I'd like to abstain from

[4:15:42] this note.

[4:15:43] >> madam comptroller, will you please show

[4:15:49] that councilwoman logan's vote is an abstention on

[4:15:52] that item.

[4:15:55] >> abstained.

[4:16:01] >> okay. >> we have it for the record.

[4:16:03] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will you please call

[4:16:07] item 36?

[4:16:10] >> item number 36 is a resolution to amend the memphis

[4:16:13] city council rules of procedure. All council districts.

[4:16:16] this resolution is sponsored by councilmembers carlisle

[4:16:22] and smiley. And there is a request for same night minutes.

[4:16:25] >> okay. Vice chair smiley. >> I just wanted to make note that this

[4:16:28] is the previous resolution that this body passed, a

[4:16:34] meeting ago, we previously met in committee today, we amended this, I

[4:16:37] want to note, this is being moved

[4:16:39] as amended earlier today.

[4:16:40] >> okay.

[4:16:43] item number 36 is being moved

[4:16:45] as amended.

[4:16:45] >> thank you, mr. Chairman. >> seeing no

[4:16:53] councilmembers to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will you please prepare the

[4:16:55] voting screen.

[4:16:58] >> thank you.

[4:17:16] carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson,

[4:17:19] yes, logan, yes, robinson,

[4:17:24] yes. Vice chairman smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, chairman jones, yes.

[4:17:28] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will you

[4:17:31] please call item

[4:17:32] 38.

[4:17:33] >> item number 38 is a resolution to transfer simmons bank

[4:17:43] liberty stadium and allocate $120 million of

[4:17:46] state grant funds for sports facilities improvements to

[4:17:50] university of memphis auxiliary services foundation. All council

[4:17:55] districts. This resolution is sponsored by

[4:18:01] the administration.

[4:18:03] and there is a request for same night minutes.

[4:18:04] >> okay, I have councilman carlisle in the queue.

[4:18:06] >> first, mr. Chairman, hold on, let me look at

[4:18:13] my notes. The committee did meet, it did recommend approval, as you can

[4:18:16] imagine, mr. Chairman, there has been lots of discussion

[4:18:18] since then. I'm going to move the item to

[4:18:22] the floor, and you've got comment cards,

[4:18:24] mr. Chairman.

[4:18:25] >> I do. >> I'll yield back.

[4:18:26] >> I have three comment cards. The first

[4:18:29] comment card is from mr.

[4:18:35] fred jones.

[4:18:40] >> thank you, mr. Chairman. Members of

[4:18:47] the council. I'm really concerned about

[4:18:52] >> mr. Jones, name and

[4:18:54] address for the record, please.

[4:18:57] >> fred jones, junior. 1030 dumaine

[4:19:02] place, 38106.

[4:19:05] I received this amendment to

[4:19:13] the agreement, I was on route here, around 2:50. Been expecting it really for

[4:19:20] the last couple

[4:19:24] days. And I was, you know, hadn't had enough time to really evaluate it

[4:19:30] and evaluate it from a standpoint of how much this is going

[4:19:35] to affect. My council, has

[4:19:41] seen it, and we have come to the conclusion that we really have a problem and

[4:19:44] we need to really evaluate what is this going to cost us,

[4:19:49] based on the way it's being written.

[4:19:50] the document is not

[4:19:55] very supportive of the southern heritage classic,

[4:19:59] at all. Even though I've heard different versions of

[4:20:04] the extensions from three years to five years,

[4:20:08] the documents, after the first year which

[4:20:14] was 2024.

[4:20:20] if you want an extension, that

[4:20:25] we would have the right to request an extension

[4:20:35] by the people who really would be running

[4:20:41] the stadium the people running the stadium. So you don't have autonomy

[4:20:44] to move forward

[4:20:49] pass that. Then there were some changes in terms

[4:20:53] of what the city was saying that they were no

[4:20:59] longer provide we don't know what that is and we haven't

[4:21:02] had time to evaluate it, with our present contract

[4:21:05] to see how that applies, to what they're

[4:21:08] talking about, here. They are simply saying

[4:21:11] they are going to take

[4:21:17] it away.

[4:21:19] with this document that was presented to us,

[4:21:23] in item number five, it says once the

[4:21:29] transfer happens, it automatically goes to the people,

[4:21:35] the foundation even

[4:21:40] our one-year deal with the city would be

[4:21:45] negated in essence this document is not very helpful to

[4:21:50] this process at all. Okay. I want to make that very clear,

[4:21:56] on the record with

[4:22:00] that. It would be very, very detrimental to us, the southern heritage classic, we

[4:22:08] don't know what, financially, is going to impact, yet,

[4:22:11] because we haven't had a chance. Hopefully the same day has

[4:22:17] been requested for this, they will give us a little time, two or three days

[4:22:23] to really analyze this, because right now, on the surface, it's

[4:22:31] very detrimental to the southern heritage classic, and to the

[4:22:33] existence of the classic, I want to be very clear about that. The way this

[4:22:38] is written, and the way it is structured. So I want to be clear

[4:22:41] as far as that goes, thank you

[4:22:42] very much.

[4:22:43] >> okay, I have councilwoman logan,

[4:22:45] councilman carlisle, and vice chair smiley in the queue. Councilmember logan.

[4:22:49] >> thank you,

[4:22:53] chair. Colleagues, we've discussed at length on a number of occasions not

[4:22:56] having information for us

[4:23:04] to look at and discuss, and I know we've been round and

[4:23:07] round and talked about this a lot.

[4:23:08] my only concern, I've stated several times but

[4:23:12] I definitely want to see this happen, but first and foremost, I think we should

[4:23:14] be fair and it's not fair to mr. Jones or the

[4:23:20] other gentleman, I'm sorry.

[4:23:23] ehrhardt, mr. Ehrhardt, for us to have given them

[4:23:28] this today in the 11th hour and expect them to answer to

[4:23:32] it. I'm opposed to that part. I do want them to be able to sign

[4:23:35] this in good faith and with

[4:23:40] total understanding, and to make certain that we, as a

[4:23:42] community, are going to continue to experience the classic and the liberty

[4:23:47] bowl as we've had in the past, and I hear them saying they just

[4:23:50] got this and he hasn't been able to look

[4:23:54] at it. And that some of the things look different

[4:23:56] for him. I think we should give them that time. It's not their fault or

[4:24:00] our fault that we just got this today. And I think that we,

[4:24:06] moving forward, have to change that behavior.

[4:24:14] if there is a way that somebody can sit with them and go through it today, line

[4:24:18] by line, I wish that would have happened before we got here, right now,

[4:24:21] but I don't want to force it down their throat. I don't want to force

[4:24:23] it down the city's throat. Because, in terms

[4:24:27] of the community, and the people, I don't want to come

[4:24:31] up and have been one of the ones to sign this, then we no

[4:24:34] longer are able to have the classic or the liberty bowl. So, unless I

[4:24:37] hear something subsequent to this, I will not be supporting this.

[4:24:41] thank you.

[4:24:42] >> thank you, councilmember logan. Councilman carlisle.

[4:24:48] >> thank you, hopefully I can say something subsequent

[4:24:51] to your comments to get your support.

[4:24:54] there's no doubt, it's been a very fast-paced moving deal, we, unfortunately,

[4:24:57] only meet every other tuesday, and we're at

[4:25:00] the end of the year. And this is not, this

[4:25:06] is actually not what's before the body. The point that I want to

[4:25:09] make is, I'm not trying to play games, I'm just trying to

[4:25:12] put say, this is something that this body, you and others and

[4:25:15] myself included, for both the southern heritage classic and the autozone

[4:25:21] liberty bowl want to be successful. So does

[4:25:27] the university. The extension is very fair, and it's pursued between

[4:25:29] both the autozone liberty bowl and the southern

[4:25:31] heritage classic. Mr. Jones is absolutely correct,

[4:25:38] his understanding, you're talking about in-kind services, historically what's

[4:25:39] that been able to cost has been, the university

[4:25:42] wants to see those events be equally successful,

[4:25:45] and I'm happy to bring them up here to get on the

[4:25:48] record and say that, that they want these events to last and they

[4:25:51] want them to be successful.

[4:25:55] the concern, and you mentioned the term good faith, and here's the

[4:25:58] reality. We've got this resolution, we are going to

[4:26:01] attach that the auxiliary services board has signed

[4:26:08] off on, that to be clear is going to extend them

[4:26:11] for three years, on the same terms and conditions, and five one-year options

[4:26:12] for both parties. Where they've got together,

[4:26:15] to be fair to both these two entities in the

[4:26:18] university of memphis is to understand the future

[4:26:20] cost of in-kind services, like setting up

[4:26:24] the halo, parking, how this, and the city has already

[4:26:29] agreed, here, to negotiate directly with, and to be clear, the stadium,

[4:26:31] the university is only taking the city is going to control

[4:26:37] everything else. Really, what they've got to work out is, after these first

[4:26:40] couple years where they know what the costs are going to be, what those

[4:26:44] costs are going to be, and there is no real way to determine what

[4:26:46] they're going to be, they've got to work out language between the

[4:26:49] parties that is fair and equal, and they've agreed to work in good faith to

[4:26:54] do that. I think that you can support that, moving forward. Furthermore, the mayor,

[4:27:00] the mayor isn't here to agree to this, but we

[4:27:04] can approve this tonight, and the mayor and the university and these entities

[4:27:06] can work before the resolution is executed, and

[4:27:09] I believe strongly that he's going to do that,

[4:27:12] and especially the smith family, who is an ardent supporter of the

[4:27:15] university, ardent supporter of the autozone liberty

[4:27:18] bowl and a key sponsor for the southern heritage

[4:27:21] classic wants to see all those events succeed. So

[4:27:26] I recognize mr. Jones representing his organization has

[4:27:29] issues, because there are unknowns to him, and that's a

[4:27:33] very fair point.

[4:27:34] we, unfortunately, have to make a decision whether or not we want to transfer

[4:27:37] the stadium, or potentially forgo $50 million and or put this back in

[4:27:44] the hands of the state of tennessee general assembly to split the baby down

[4:27:47] the middle which is 175, 175. Which creates a huge problem for

[4:27:51] the grizzlies.

[4:27:53] it's a very, and also, the tigers.

[4:27:54] the tigers play in the fedex forum. It's an unfortunate set of circumstances

[4:27:57] that we are at the end of the year, but, I think, at

[4:28:03] some point, there's enough

[4:28:14] within the parameters of the loi to come together and negotiate,

[4:28:16] and council miley, vice chair smiley, correct me if I'm wrong. Any material changes to the loi

[4:28:20] requires this to come back before the body.

[4:28:23] so, we've given them, again, the parameters to work within and negotiate and we've got

[4:28:27] to let them go do that, but this body can authorize them

[4:28:30] to do that. Almost every lease, like the management agreement,

[4:28:32] is us authorizing the administration to go and do

[4:28:36] that necessary job. We try to do here and just

[4:28:38] ran out of time was to have as much of that work done, and hoped to be

[4:28:42] completed but we ran out of time, before the council had to vote,

[4:28:45] and it's pretty far along. It's

[4:28:50] just, no one is going to be able to tell you what it costs to operate the

[4:28:53] stadium in 2028. It's not possible. You can have an idea. So, I hope

[4:28:57] that the university, the city of

[4:29:01] memphis, the autozone liberty bowl and the southern heritage classic will

[4:29:03] work in good faith, and I believe they will, to come to an

[4:29:07] agreement that works for them on the amendment, and if not, I have

[4:29:10] no doubt that this body and the body that will be seated january

[4:29:13] 1 will take issue with that, but I implore

[4:29:16] you, I implore this body to vote on the $120 million grant, and the transfer of

[4:29:19] the stadium so that we do not put that

[4:29:25] in jeopardy. With that, I yield my comments, thank

[4:29:28] you, mr. Chair.

[4:29:29] >> thank you, vice chair smiley.

[4:29:33] >> okay. I just want to remind this body where

[4:29:37] we started. So, when we started talking about

[4:29:42] the transfer of liberty bowl stadium, this body had absolutely no input.

[4:29:46] we were basically being told what to do, and this is in the best interest

[4:29:52] in the city of memphis without any information. I this council expressing

[4:29:55] its deepest concerns about the transfer,

[4:29:58] what transpired is this body having a say on

[4:30:03] what the steel ultimately looks like.

[4:30:07] we've had extensive conversations, me having

[4:30:09] good conversations with mr. Jones, at first he

[4:30:13] started off with one year remaining on his contract, it went from one

[4:30:16] year remaining on his contract to four years on his contract, and

[4:30:19] after that, another conversation with mr. Jones,

[4:30:24] he said, I need more assurances than that.

[4:30:26] now, where we are now is, I think it's three years and

[4:30:31] the option of four more years.

[4:30:32] I think that's what it is. I may be wrong on the timeline, but

[4:30:37] he has more time now than he had previous to when we started this

[4:30:40] conversation. In addition to that, when we talk about

[4:30:43] what happens with the liberty bowl stadium,

[4:30:46] we went from no advisory board meeting,

[4:30:49] we have nothing to do with the liberty bowl, the university of

[4:30:52] memphis will act at its own volition without really

[4:30:57] any type of mechanism for this body to still have some say

[4:31:02] so, some input on what happens with the liberty bowl that ultimately impacts the

[4:31:04] assets around it.

[4:31:07] in addition to that, pursuant to the concerns by

[4:31:10] dr. Warren and councilman ford, concerns about what happens if the

[4:31:13] university of memphis decides to

[4:31:22] fail this back to the state of memphis. What this body decided to do was, if we're

[4:31:25] going to transfer it to you for free, you should give it back to us for

[4:31:28] free. It's not free. It's a nominal cost of one dollar.

[4:31:30] I think we've made significant progress.

[4:31:32] and I'm

[4:31:35] very critical of things that I don't believe to be

[4:31:39] right. And like I said I like a good argument. One thing that's abundantly

[4:31:43] clear to me, not to give the

[4:31:49] university of memphis too much credit, here, I had some really direct

[4:31:52] conversations with them and I think you all know I speak

[4:31:55] very frank all the time, and they met my frankness with

[4:32:02] essentially acquiescence to most of the terms this body demanded. What I

[4:32:04] believe the university of memphis will do,

[4:32:07] they will act in good faith and ultimately make

[4:32:09] it right. And if they don't, I'm sure that mr. Jones will have no

[4:32:12] problem letting us know it's not right, and then we will have to figure

[4:32:15] out, how are we going to move accordingly? But I don't think we

[4:32:17] should be taking a position, now, since we can all see

[4:32:20] that there is progress being made, taking a position now saying, it's not

[4:32:25] perfect yet. We agreed to the material terms.

[4:32:27] it's up to the administration to come back with

[4:32:31] an agreement that, ultimately, that's amicable to

[4:32:32] mr. Jones, because we want to put him in a good position.

[4:32:36] that's amicable to mr. Ehrhardt, we want to put

[4:32:40] him in a good position. But we agreed to the material terms, and

[4:32:43] what I hope this body does to vote for, and if the administration doesn't

[4:32:46] put them in a better position, we hold the administration's

[4:32:49] feet to the fire.

[4:32:52] it will be on mayor young to make sure it happens, and if

[4:32:55] it's not mayor young, it'll be on jim strickland. But if we're going

[4:32:58] to do this, it's time to do it now.

[4:33:01] >> thank

[4:33:02] you. Councilman warren.

[4:33:03] >> thank you, mr. Chair. I guess I have

[4:33:10] a question. To the university of memphis and mr. Jones and

[4:33:15] mr. Ehrhardt. I think it makes sense, we pass

[4:33:19] this tonight, do you think two weeks is enough time

[4:33:22] for you to work out your differences were everyone can feel safe that this

[4:33:25] is an agreement that's going to make you happy? Because we

[4:33:28] have to approve the minutes before its

[4:33:33] official. So we pass it tonight, you have a two

[4:33:36] week timeframe. Is that long enough time to be able to come up

[4:33:39] and make sure, mr. Moody, could you talk

[4:33:43] to that? Is that enough time that you guys could possibly get

[4:33:49] this done?

[4:33:51] just, I mean, I'm hoping that that's the case.

[4:33:57] it sounds like everybody here wants it to work. Everybody here wants to make

[4:34:01] sure everyone is successful. It seems to me that we

[4:34:04] don't have the paperwork right, and we haven't

[4:34:07] dealt with the small details.

[4:34:08] >> number one, the way that things are

[4:34:13] going, now, we are getting this on the

[4:34:18] back end, of the discussion about what's going to happen.

[4:34:22] >> that's how.

[4:34:34] >> for the classic it had to be while this is

[4:34:40] going forward.

[4:34:42] and expect to go back and make it right for the classic.

[4:34:51] based on the paperwork, when it's been presented.

[4:34:55] >> I get it that what you've been presented isn't working for you. So, you'll have

[4:35:00] two weeks for you to be able to get something

[4:35:02] that's working.

[4:35:03] >> it wouldn't take that long. We just didn't have

[4:35:07] enough time. We were presented this document.

[4:35:08] >> I think,

[4:35:11] >> so, I'm just saying, you're going to vote

[4:35:17] for this, and then we are going to hopefully get something done. I'm saying

[4:35:20] that we need to have a clear understanding in order for this to

[4:35:26] go forward, in a unison way that we need to be taken care of and considered

[4:35:32] now, as opposed to later.

[4:35:34] >> so, what we're looking at is if

[4:35:37] we pass this tonight, what we're doing is

[4:35:39] passing it and there's two weeks left before its

[4:35:42] official. And if it's not you're going to come back and tell

[4:35:47] us before our next meeting, that we have a problem, here, and at that

[4:35:50] point, we can pull it off the minutes and we can bring it back

[4:35:53] and discuss it and make it right. The fact that we move it forward today

[4:35:56] doesn't mean that you will not be able to

[4:35:59] work and get this correct. Mi, is this

[4:36:07] correct, chase? I'm going through my real estate guy, here.

[4:36:10] >> yes. Mr.

[4:36:11] chair, may I?

[4:36:15] thank you. The answer is, yes, the body has the option to approve the

[4:36:20] vote tonight. Here are our options. The body, here's what

[4:36:23] we can decide.

[4:36:24] the body can approve the vote tonight and ratify the minutes on the ninth,

[4:36:26] it gives you three weeks to work out

[4:36:29] a deal, the body can recess and come back in 48 hours by the end of the week with same night

[4:36:36] minutes if everybody is available.

[4:36:37] thursday would be great, friday isn't a good one for me. Four

[4:36:41] next week. But I'll be gone, but, the longer, hold

[4:36:44] on, brooke, easy. Getting into next week

[4:36:47] gets more difficult.

[4:36:49] >> I'll be gone.

[4:36:53] >> so what I would suggest is 48 hours

[4:36:55] for them to work out the details, or it passes with

[4:36:59] same night minutes tonight, and the mayor doesn't sign

[4:37:01] the resolution.

[4:37:01] those of the options. As I see it. Or you vote it down.

[4:37:05] >> thank you, councilman carlisle. I think it would

[4:37:11] be wise for us, in my mind, to go ahead and move forward

[4:37:14] with this, and vote for it, knowing we have good

[4:37:17] faith in you, and mr.

[4:37:18] ehrhardt and mr. Moody, we think you're going to get a

[4:37:23] deal that's going to be good for all of

[4:37:25] us, because everyone wants the same thing. And if it's not, we'll

[4:37:28] pull it from the minutes on the ninth, and

[4:37:32] we can reassess it and vote it down, if it's not where

[4:37:35] we wanted to be. So I think it behooves everyone to

[4:37:38] work together, because you want to have the

[4:37:44] classic there, too. You want to have the liberty bowl and we want to have

[4:37:47] memphis to have a stadium. In my mind, if we

[4:37:51] vote this down, vote it up today, I don't want you to think we're not

[4:37:54] listening to your concerns. We think you will have your concerns fixed. By

[4:37:56] the time we have to ratify the minutes on the

[4:37:59] ninth. Thank you, mr. Chair.

[4:38:02] >> I want to make sure that I'm on the record with this. This is a very

[4:38:08] critical time for the southern heritage classic. I

[4:38:12] want to make sure that we're clear with that. As

[4:38:16] much as that stadium needs the repair and

[4:38:19] everything else, but if we do not have a deal

[4:38:23] in place the correct way that takes

[4:38:27] into consideration what the classic has done and means to

[4:38:32] this community, I want to make sure that we are on the record with that.

[4:38:35] thank you.

[4:38:38] >> thank you. >> mr. Ehrhardt?

[4:38:40] >> since you called me up, to clarify our

[4:38:44] position and on behalf of steve ehrhardt, representing

[4:38:47] the autozone liberty bowl, the liberty bowl festival association, and

[4:38:53] I think part of the real problem is the communication, which I

[4:38:56] know I learned about from you, because even to this moment I have

[4:38:59] not seen some

[4:39:02] of the resolution, and I gather that some of that has changed already in the

[4:39:04] last few hours, and councilman carlisle, had expressed to

[4:39:11] me that the extension, which was critical to our

[4:39:14] association, we're in the middle of negotiating long-term contracts right now, that the resolution

[4:39:17] of this council, tonight,

[4:39:23] would include a three-year agreement, three-year

[4:39:27] addendum, and then five one-year options, which was exactly what was in our prior

[4:39:31] contract. So we were not asking for anything unusual. That there's

[4:39:35] a three year firm agreement after our 24 year, and then five one-year options

[4:39:41] which is exactly the language. And then

[4:39:47] the other issues that I think mr. Jones, and I certainly agree with him, we haven't had that

[4:39:50] chance to determine some of the actual specifics. But I feel in

[4:39:56] good faith, one of the ones this council, the new administration since parking is being cut aside from

[4:40:01] the stadium, that will be managed by

[4:40:04] the city. So you can't have football games and big gatherings without

[4:40:10] parking. It will take a negotiation with the city, with you all

[4:40:14] about how to integrate parking to put on

[4:40:20] our games. With that, I think if that's the resolution, then we're

[4:40:23] certainly willing to work diligently as quick as we can, and

[4:40:26] we don't have much time. This sunday, on

[4:40:32] christmas eve, iowa state university is

[4:40:33] showing up, here, christmas eve, with thousands

[4:40:39] of people that are going to be here next week. Hopefully we

[4:40:41] can roll out the red carpet for our visitors from out of town. Thank you.

[4:40:45] >> thank you. We will have, I just wanted

[4:40:51] to make some general comments. From the onset,

[4:40:57] this was the city, the city on this property,

[4:41:03] and there were multiple stakeholders. University

[4:41:06] of memphis was a stakeholder, the autozone liberty bowl

[4:41:07] was a stakeholder. Southern heritage classic was a

[4:41:12] stakeholder. But there were only two people that went to

[4:41:15] the table and talked about this without

[4:41:18] any consideration for the other two stakeholders in this. So,

[4:41:24] I just see,

[4:41:30] I just see,

[4:41:36] the mighty powerful university of memphis, and something that

[4:41:42] two organizations that are equally important, to this community,

[4:41:45] but they were not part of this. This

[4:41:51] is something, this is something that is essentially, in my words,

[4:41:57] are being shoved down their throats. Versus having them as

[4:42:00] true stakeholders

[4:42:05] and saying, how will this affect the liberty bowl? How

[4:42:09] will this affect the southern heritage

[4:42:12] classic? This was not done. And so, from

[4:42:18] the onset, there was no good faith.

[4:42:21] for you not to have all stakeholders, to be at the table to

[4:42:24] talk about this. It's not only affecting the

[4:42:27] university of memphis. This affected the southern heritage

[4:42:32] classic, this affected the autozone liberty bowl, and they

[4:42:37] were not at the table, and they were stakeholders in this, and I think that that's, this

[4:42:39] has been unfair from the beginning. We

[4:42:45] can hear from athletic director.

[4:42:51] >> I just want to say thank you for being

[4:42:54] here on one of the biggest nights in tiger

[4:42:58] basketball of the season. I saw you watching on your phones, I appreciate it.

[4:43:00] >> last I checked we were winning.

[4:43:02] >> I wanted to come up and echo councilman carlisle's comments,

[4:43:06] summons miley's comments. From

[4:43:12] the beginning, we have had every intention to move forward

[4:43:15] in good faith, just has been suggested. I do believe, confidently,

[4:43:18] given the time that councilmember warren has mentioned,

[4:43:22] that we can come together and find resolution. I think this is more of

[4:43:25] a function of the speed and magnitude of the

[4:43:33] entire affair, and we would look forward to that opportunity as has been suggested,

[4:43:36] to sit down over the next couple weeks and come

[4:43:37] together with all four parties to help make

[4:43:41] this happen. I know it's an important decision and I

[4:43:42] appreciate the efforts.

[4:43:43] >> thank you. Councilwoman johnson?

[4:43:45] >> let me hear what you said. You said in the next

[4:43:51] four weeks? Three weeks?

[4:43:52] >> he sang ratifying the minutes on the ninth.

[4:43:54] >> reporter: so it's like granting an

[4:43:58] extension? Okay. My question was,

[4:44:00] >> you are next in the queue. You are next in the queue.

[4:44:03] >> my question was, what was the urgency?

[4:44:06] why do we have to get this done by

[4:44:08] a certain date? Has that been explained?

[4:44:11] >> multiple

[4:44:16] times. Gift expires december 31st of this year.

[4:44:17] >> what gift? >> $50 million.

[4:44:18] >> are we certain of that you mark

[4:44:20] >> yes, ma'am.

[4:44:21] yes, ma'am.

[4:44:22] >> I don't know about that. I heard different, but okay.

[4:44:30] >> so, to that point, and as I said earlier, I'm not familiar with

[4:44:33] anybody's finances. Along

[4:44:39] these lines. But, to make a charitable

[4:44:44] contribution, to get the tax benefit and the tax

[4:44:50] write off, I've never seen it tied to the transfer of a stadium. I

[4:44:54] just haven't.

[4:44:57] and that's, I'm looking at it blindly. I just haven't seen

[4:45:03] that. If we look at the generosity of the smith family to

[4:45:06] the university of memphis in the past,

[4:45:09] that's not going away.

[4:45:14] and so, I just, I simply don't buy the

[4:45:20] fact that, if we don't transfer the stadium that their generosity is all

[4:45:21] of a sudden going to dry up. I haven't

[4:45:24] had any conversations. That's just my opinion without having any knowledge

[4:45:30] about that. I'm not going to go to mr. Smith and say what you going

[4:45:33] to do with your money?

[4:45:35] no. I'm saying based upon what I've seen and

[4:45:37] the generosity that has taken place in the past, I'm

[4:45:42] just skeptical of it being contingent upon the

[4:45:48] transfer.

[4:45:51] >> okay. The only thing I want to say is, I definitely want to

[4:45:53] see these organizations be treated fairly.

[4:45:54] in this process. If they can wait three

[4:45:57] weeks and that won't be the end of their project, let's give

[4:46:00] them the three weeks. Because they need to

[4:46:06] have an opportunity to look at that contract, I'm just sorry they

[4:46:09] gave me two different documents, I said what am I looking at? Nobody

[4:46:12] explained the documents to me. Thank you for telling me. I have

[4:46:18] no idea. But I just think

[4:46:23] that, I also feel like memphis estate university of

[4:46:26] memphis should be in control of the management of the stadium's. That's

[4:46:30] not the issue with me.

[4:46:32] the issue is making sure that everybody feels comfortable. We want the community

[4:46:36] to know that we did not mistreat mr. Jones in

[4:46:42] any capacity. And that the liberty bowl fans got everything that

[4:46:46] they were looking for. And it's just

[4:46:50] not worth it if it's a couple days, I'm willing to come back for that special

[4:46:52] meeting, whatever it takes to make it happen. But we need to make sure

[4:46:55] everybody is in agreement, thank you.

[4:46:56] >> thank you.

[4:46:58] chief fry?

[4:47:04] >> one inquiry, are you

[4:47:09] all opposed to the council saying there is no same

[4:47:11] night minutes, and trying to spend their time between

[4:47:16] today and the next, today

[4:47:19] and the next council meeting working it

[4:47:25] out? Or, I think councilwoman johnson wants

[4:47:28] to do some more work before she rolls off

[4:47:34] this body. Or would it be prudent, prudent to

[4:47:40] all parties involved to say, if we can't get it done, that just

[4:47:43] resets it and come back?

[4:47:49] tomorrow, thursday?

[4:47:51] although, holed up. Go ahead, go ahead and speak to

[4:47:55] that.

[4:47:56] >> we would be, we would be

[4:48:05] okay with the recess, that would be great for us to get everything resolved by

[4:48:09] the end of the year. I believe we could

[4:48:13] live with having the minutes on the first

[4:48:16] council meeting.

[4:48:17] >> I'll tell you, I would tell you based on, it's the

[4:48:25] holidays, et cetera, to give, here's the good news. If

[4:48:31] we recess, mr. Chairman. If we recess, getting everybody

[4:48:35] back together at the holidays might be difficult,

[4:48:41] including staff. By voting this through and having the minutes come

[4:48:44] on the ninth, well it does take authority away from some sitting councilmembers

[4:48:46] to approve the minutes, it gives them the clock.

[4:48:49] you can say 48 hours gives them the clock but

[4:48:52] they may need another 48, so, I think, I think the prudent thing

[4:49:01] to do is to vote this up or down. I'm going to be voting

[4:49:04] it up, and let it follow the ordinary course, and

[4:49:09] between now and the end of the year, we will reach out

[4:49:12] to the smith family and I'm sure that they will acquiesce a nine

[4:49:16] day total. But there are many reasons, and

[4:49:19] I can produce the letter. It's a matter of public record at this

[4:49:22] point. It was sent to the university of memphis is to

[4:49:25] be living the reason why the gift was tied at 2:00. It wasn't

[4:49:30] necessarily arbitrary. The general assembly is seated on the

[4:49:32] 11th or the 12th, so I think we've got time, but,

[4:49:36] I'm tired. These organizations are going to work

[4:49:43] it out. I would encourage us to take this note and we will ratify the

[4:49:46] minutes on the ninth and that gives them three full weeks to work

[4:49:51] it out. If they can't work it out then, and this deal

[4:49:53] doesn't go through, then we have a bad stadium and mr. Jones and mr.

[4:49:55] ehrhardt are left with one year left on mr.

[4:49:58] jones agreement, and I don't know, two years or three years on mr. Ehrhardt's

[4:50:01] agreement. They're in a worse position, too, because the stadium

[4:50:04] is retained by us, then it's at the will of the

[4:50:07] city administration whether or not what deal they want

[4:50:13] to strike. I point is, it's not a threat, is to demonstrate that all parties

[4:50:16] are induced to work something out.

[4:50:18] to the benefit. Thank you, mr. Chairman, I'm sorry that I went over.

[4:50:22] >> I have councilwoman logan, swearengen-washington in the

[4:50:26] queue.

[4:50:27] >> thank you, chair. We had

[4:50:34] three options. And I didn't know if we were going, are those

[4:50:39] the options for us, or the options for the

[4:50:43] two gentlemen? Okay. Well, I just want

[4:50:49] to stress the fact that we have known all along what our

[4:50:54] concerns were. It hasn't been a big u.s. It has

[4:50:58] not been

[4:51:02] hidden. We've said this looks wonderful, everyone wants to do this, the only thing

[4:51:07] we ask for was to get with those two parties to make

[4:51:10] sure everything was included, and that was

[4:51:12] not done. It still hasn't done. Not to where they can

[4:51:17] understand it.

[4:51:18] >> let her get her comments

[4:51:20] out.

[4:51:20] >> I don't feel that they understand and are comfortable with

[4:51:25] what they received today. Some of my colleagues have

[4:51:28] heard are not comfortable with what they've heard

[4:51:31] today, however, this has been going on for two

[4:51:37] council meetings. It's not rocket science. It

[4:51:40] could have been sent to us before now. And then, to me, what I

[4:51:43] hear them saying is, they don't know what

[4:51:50] this means for their organizations. They're not just going to sign a piece of paper

[4:51:54] saying yes, on good faith. To them it's business, to us it's politics. My

[4:51:58] thing is, we said that we could give them

[4:52:04] 48 hours to come to an agreement that they understand, put

[4:52:07] it in writing, come back and vote on it in 48 hours, why are we changing

[4:52:10] that now? Because they want to see it before they sign, and

[4:52:13] I think that's there. That's the only thing left

[4:52:16] to consider. Everyone else here is on board with the transaction. The

[4:52:24] only thing that's not is there agreement, which that's what we've been saying

[4:52:27] for two meetings. Is not something we just pulled out the hat. I

[4:52:32] would recommend remove that we recess for

[4:52:36] those 48 hours, give them time to put in writing what everybody is

[4:52:40] agreeing on, they know, they have their attorney to sign it, and then

[4:52:43] we come back in 48 hours and vote and

[4:52:46] go home.

[4:52:47] >> councilwoman swearengen-washington.

[4:52:53] >> my question is, or statement, or concern

[4:52:56] is, if it was that important, why is it at 9:00

[4:53:01] this morning that fred jones did not have

[4:53:05] a contract? And if it's that important by 2:45, he still hadn't

[4:53:08] gotten the contract. If it's such a sense

[4:53:14] of urgency and the deal had to be made, why weren't all

[4:53:18] parties included so that an agreement could be made? It

[4:53:21] seems disrespectful.

[4:53:22] >> may I respond?

[4:53:27] there have been several documents passed back and forth. I would call attention to a

[4:53:30] document dated december 12th that was sent to both mr. Erica hart and mr.

[4:53:34] jones detailing what the university was willing

[4:53:37] to do at the last council meeting.

[4:53:38] the conversation was about giving those two

[4:53:48] entities reassurances that the university would want to work with them, and

[4:53:50] would have good faith effort in working

[4:53:56] with them. And the university produced that document, they

[4:53:58] produced it on december 12th. Last week.

[4:54:00] then, from that conversation, it shifted and it keeps shifting two

[4:54:05] different terms and deal points. And we've been trying

[4:54:08] to work with them to iron out, and we've had

[4:54:11] a lot of help and

[4:54:15] support from members trying to help us along this journey to bring it

[4:54:17] all together, but that is what has

[4:54:23] been happening. It looks like the narrative is nothing that was

[4:54:28] produced today as if it was haphazard.

[4:54:29] there have been several conversations.

[4:54:50] it started at five years, that was four years, then 5+3, we got the five

[4:54:59] +3, 3+5, and

[4:55:05] to these points, to make this, to resolve

[4:55:11] this issue. And that's where we are wanting, we would love to have a

[4:55:17] vote today, so we can resolve the rest of these

[4:55:20] terms.

[4:55:26] my fear I don't want to keep moving the date if

[4:55:29] possible, so that we can get everybody nailed down and

[4:55:32] just finish the negotiations for this piece. But, we just came up with a

[4:55:35] document today.

[4:55:36] it's been a lot of conversations back and forth.

[4:55:41] >> thank you, councilman carlisle.

[4:55:43] >> thank you, mr. Chairman. I'll yield the floor.

[4:55:47] if you don't mind. I've spoken on this matter,

[4:55:53] I guess. I just, before I do, I have to

[4:55:58] acknowledge the fact that this is an symbol. What councilman smiley

[4:56:05] said is accurate. There is a deal to transfer

[4:56:08] the stadium by and between the city and the

[4:56:11] auxiliary services foundation, for them

[4:56:14] to care for. It was only after the council said it's important that

[4:56:17] these events, through the body, get extensions or some sort of certainty,

[4:56:24] it's actually not even really part of the deal that's before us, but it's

[4:56:29] something we're trying to do. Be careful, because what you're going to do is you're going

[4:56:32] to put all the negotiating power in those two entities hands, if that's

[4:56:35] what your vote is contingent on. If I'm in that position

[4:56:38] that I'm going to take everything I need and more in order to get

[4:56:41] what I want. So,

[4:56:50] that is why you can't negotiate where it's like, we're

[4:56:52] only going to vote yes if you get everything you want because the field

[4:56:53] goals and posts keep moving. What has occurred,

[4:56:56] and I want to reiterate this. Under today's

[4:56:58] current situation, we maintain and on the

[4:57:02] liberty bowl, and the southern heritage classic

[4:57:05] has a one year left on their term. It's likely to get renewed,

[4:57:11] but it could get renewed under worse terms, because they don't have a

[4:57:14] deal. And we don't have an improved stadium.

[4:57:16] I'm going to say this again. Nobody, hours and hours and hours conversations

[4:57:19] and meetings, alan wake got on the zoom call

[4:57:23] from mexico. To try and hammer this deal out, and the

[4:57:26] reality is it's because this gift came at the end of the year in

[4:57:29] order to make it happen to avoid a cataclysmic outcome for the

[4:57:32] city of memphis. We have an opportunity to

[4:57:35] do something very simple, and ultimately, you're saying,

[4:57:41] I don't think of the university of memphis is telling

[4:57:44] the truth, and that the administration is telling the

[4:57:46] truth, that they want these two organizations to last and be fruitful for the

[4:57:49] city. To be frankly honest, we lose money on the southern heritage

[4:57:56] classic and on a direct basis supporting it, but it's

[4:57:59] important because of the indirect impact to the city from a visibility standpoint and economic

[4:58:05] development standpoint. No one wants to mess that up, the only way we will mess

[4:58:08] this up is continually trying to kick this can until every tiny detail in the agreement

[4:58:12] as to the satisfaction of one or two people. That is no way

[4:58:16] to negotiate. They have all the parameters in the letter

[4:58:20] of intent, that they need to go and finalize

[4:58:22] this deal, mr.

[4:58:22] jones and mr. Ehrhardt now have from 2024 25

[4:58:27] three years guaranteed under the same terms and conditions,

[4:58:31] and five one-year options. They now have

[4:58:36] nine years.

[4:58:37] the only thing that they've got to work out, this is where the rub

[4:58:41] is coming, is all of the in-kind services that the city has provided over the

[4:58:44] years that the university is willing to provide to

[4:58:47] some degree inside the liberty bowl, and we will

[4:58:54] provide outside.

[4:58:57] the reason you can't iron it out is no one knows what it's going to cost

[4:59:00] to operate the liberty bowl post renovation, or what it's

[4:59:02] going to cost for a vendor to do something in the locker room in 10 or six years

[4:59:06] or six or seven years. So you have to figure

[4:59:09] out, to put some mechanism in there that it's fair and equal.

[4:59:11] that is something their attorneys can

[4:59:15] do in pretty good form. I'm going to say this again. We

[4:59:18] need to move forward on this boat, and they need to do their

[4:59:21] job and work it out in the near term. I'm going to repeat what

[4:59:27] councilman smiley said, because it's important. If there's a material change

[4:59:29] to the loi which sets the ground rules, it's got

[4:59:33] to come back to the body anyway. With that, I move the previous question, I

[4:59:36] recognize there are members in the queue for a vote this

[4:59:38] evening.

[4:59:39] >> okay. We do have comment cards, the first comment card I

[4:59:42] have is from joe kant.

[4:59:46] >> joe kant, 5111 from mango, please grant the stadium for the

[4:59:49] university of memphis terms to the u

[4:59:54] of m and run, run, run from any board seats. Following

[4:59:57] the grant, place a resolution, perform and recognize yourself and memphis taxpayers

[5:00:01] as truthfully the most generous city by far

[5:00:06] of any in the nation.

[5:00:10] we're number one. Give us a hand.

[5:00:12] number one. Then offer another grant to the university

[5:00:15] of memphis in the granting

[5:00:19] of which upon waiting the $2.5 million owed to the city by the university,

[5:00:21] we will let that go, make

[5:00:26] this offer as they are talking about being in professional

[5:00:28] terms to memphis. Keep in mind, there is no where

[5:00:34] for any spectators to sit. While also knowing, with confidence, that left

[5:00:36] which peaked out the day it opened to the public. Immediately

[5:00:39] offer two grant that will take

[5:00:45] it, immediately, and in add-on item today. Give that

[5:00:50] away, too. Where's my client? After the former, don't

[5:00:53] grant the u of m another public local dollar. Not

[5:00:59] another one. You are number one by far in the united states,

[5:01:01] and don't collaborate on any research, either, as the u of m is

[5:01:08] corporate slop. Corporate socialist slop.

[5:01:10] keep in mind that not granting the u of m another local dollar is actually

[5:01:15] in the interest of the u of m. But no the idiotic u of m board

[5:01:18] of trustees lack the ability to connect the dots

[5:01:20] between vital civic evolution and the success of the

[5:01:24] university. They don't have it.

[5:01:27] these businesses, in

[5:01:31] the image of jack black himself, you know the u of m board is a band

[5:01:35] of civic idiots, I promise you, they're always. Finally, appeal after the

[5:01:39] grant, and ask them to not behave like rednecks in bullying

[5:01:42] the taxpayers out of more tax dollars. Don't give them another dollar,

[5:01:45] don't sponsor any grant applications, public grant applications,

[5:01:48] unless you have them take no more than 20%. You will have to

[5:01:52] negotiate hard. They're negotiating hard, you're going to have to negotiate hard

[5:01:54] with them. And one

[5:02:00] more thing, district one said they didn't have information for this.

[5:02:03] brooks had zero information that you voted

[5:02:09] on that. You had no information on that, I'd like to see

[5:02:11] the contract that you approved after the meeting. District 1 for brooks.

[5:02:15] >> thank you, mr. Kent. Next comment card

[5:02:18] is from pamela moses.

[5:02:39] >> what does it profit a man to gain the

[5:02:41] world and lose his soul.

[5:02:42] >> name name and address, please. Pamela moses, 2383

[5:02:48] jackson. You don't care nothing about my life, that's why y'all conspired

[5:02:51] to try to harm you when I leave every time. But god knows who all

[5:02:56] of you are, and just like the lady from chickasaw said that we are at

[5:03:00] a crossroads, you could continue could to cut deals out there in the foyer.

[5:03:06] mr. Carlisle. But don't forget who was murdered on front

[5:03:09] street. If you want to reduce

[5:03:15] crime, you invest in people, and not corporations. How much has

[5:03:19] simmons bank spent in hollywood? How much have they spent on any of

[5:03:23] the poor communities surrounding them?

[5:03:24] not a dime. The love of money is the

[5:03:30] root of all evil. Mr. Morgan, you can give them gates, but you

[5:03:35] can't get resolutions, I'm sorry, patrice robinson for reparations,

[5:03:39] but the chickasaw folks

[5:03:43] have no indians, but you don't know this, they're on stolen land. This

[5:03:45] man gave you 30

[5:03:50] years of the southern heritage classic, and if you ain't willing to

[5:03:53] give him 30 more years, then it's not a

[5:04:00] good deal, and I say that for all the people that travel

[5:04:02] from tsu, gsu, and arkansas every year for that event. If

[5:04:07] he ain't getting what he been getting,

[5:04:09] he getting nothing, and you sold the city out for the last time. I can't wait

[5:04:13] till all of you are gone and we get some change in this city.

[5:04:15] >> next comment card is from mr.

[5:04:22] fred dors.

[5:04:34] >> my name is fred dors, 3268

[5:04:39] northland. Memphis, tennessee, 38111. I stand before you because I was sitting back in

[5:04:43] the back and I got very concerned.

[5:04:47] it appears that we are putting the cart before the host horse. If

[5:04:52] you vote tonight in the favor of university

[5:04:54] of memphis, which I attended memphis state. If you

[5:04:58] vote in favor of that tonight, you're putting fred jones,

[5:05:01] the southern classic heritage, and the african

[5:05:04] american community, who have been a recipient of so many of the

[5:05:10] offspring dollars that trickle down effect of the southern classic heritage that

[5:05:13] are not being spoken or addressed here tonight.

[5:05:16] we cannot do this. Once we

[5:05:22] vote tonight, they will not do what they said, but you

[5:05:26] put the power in their hand that they don't even have to speak

[5:05:31] to mr. Jones. That is what I am mostly concerned. It's not

[5:05:36] put the cart before the horse. Let's keep the playing

[5:05:40] field level. Let's keep the playing field level.

[5:05:47] if everybody is operating in good faith, and I don't know the deals

[5:05:49] about the $50 million. I confess to that. But, I

[5:05:52] think if it's here for now, if you can't give them

[5:05:58] a place next year, then so be it.

[5:06:01] memphis grizzlies say grid and grind. Memphis has been gritting and

[5:06:04] grinding for a long time, and especially we in the african american

[5:06:08] community. Let's not vote against the legacy of

[5:06:11] fred jones brought to this city and to our community as

[5:06:15] a whole, and to the state of tennessee, even mississippi. Three jackson

[5:06:22] state, and now arkansas. Their sister states. I

[5:06:27] encourage you to hold this and let them go back

[5:06:30] to the table, and try to work it out and

[5:06:33] come back for whatever deal they think is there.

[5:06:36] thank you.

[5:06:36] >> colleagues. The question has been

[5:06:40] called on this item.

[5:06:46] mr. Smiley.

[5:06:49] >> all right.

[5:06:54] I think people know I have an affinity for mr. Dors, but I think your

[5:06:58] argument is flawed for several use reasons.

[5:06:59] I don't think it's putting mr. Jones in a bind. This is the councils saying,

[5:07:02] telling the university of memphis, you've got two weeks to get it done.

[5:07:04] if you screw it up, the council has the authority

[5:07:07] to essentially kill the deal. It's also telling jones, you've got

[5:07:10] to come in with the spirit

[5:07:16] of understanding that you all have to work together. I think

[5:07:19] this body has been very clear and over the past year that both entities

[5:07:22] have to work together. It's not saying

[5:07:27] mr. Jones is in a lesser position, is not putting the university of memphis

[5:07:29] in a better position. You have two weeks to get it done. If you don't

[5:07:31] get it done, the council, trust me, this

[5:07:34] new council will be different. The council will take corrective action,

[5:07:42] and I don't think you want the council to take corrective action. It's putting

[5:07:45] the onus on the inner city of memphis to get the job done but also

[5:07:49] telling mr. Jones, come to these meeting rooms when you talk to the university of

[5:07:52] memphis, and operate in good faith, and I

[5:07:54] think he's done that. For me, I was critical of these deals

[5:07:58] at the beginning. I think university of memphis has operated

[5:08:01] in good faith. What we have, here, is an agreement by this

[5:08:04] body of the loi, which is the principal terms. Now they have

[5:08:07] two weeks from today till the next council meeting to get

[5:08:12] it together. And if they don't, this new body will

[5:08:14] take corrective action, and it's not putting anybody in a better

[5:08:19] position. It's saying, get it

[5:08:24] done. That's where we are now. Get it done, figure it out. They have

[5:08:27] two weeks, three weeks because it's january 9th. That's more time. And

[5:08:31] I see mr. Jones coming to the podium, I think your hand has

[5:08:34] been going up all the time, and I will note,

[5:08:37] it is 8:15.

[5:08:38] >> we've got to be out of here.

[5:08:43] >> it's 8:15. So what I would like to hear from you. Are

[5:08:45] you committed to getting it done?

[5:08:47] you have three weeks.

[5:08:49] >> I mean,

[5:08:55] I really don't like that, I'll be quite

[5:08:58] honest. Because I have worked really hard

[5:09:04] on this, trying to get some clarity on what was going with

[5:09:13] this. Okay? And I want to make sure that I'm clear, on

[5:09:16] the record. I did not receive any document until

[5:09:22] this afternoon.

[5:09:24] I want, the people that are listening to

[5:09:30] this, nothing. Nobody is giving me a document to reach an loi that you're

[5:09:34] talking about. I read it in

[5:09:41] [ inaudible ]

[5:09:42] they have the whole document, there.

[5:09:44] >> when did you read it?

[5:09:49] >> whatever day the letter is from peer

[5:09:51] >> you just made a statement you didn't receive any documents until today, but now you're

[5:09:54] saying, holed up, holed up. No, sir.

[5:09:56] >> mr. Smiley, he has the floor. To your point,

[5:09:58] >> I was very clear. [

[5:10:05] inaudible ]

[5:10:07] >> pardon me for one second. He's a party to this. What

[5:10:11] he's saying is it should be the newspaper. If he's part of these

[5:10:13] negotiations, he shouldn't have to rely on the

[5:10:15] daily memphian to get this. That's what I think

[5:10:19] he's saying. That's unfair to us, too.

[5:10:23] >> to his point, he's been having communications, there may not

[5:10:29] have been a document but there's been multiple conversations

[5:10:31] for mr. Jones talking about how much time do you need him

[5:10:33] at first you said you wanted one, then it went to four,

[5:10:36] because he was having communications with the administration. That's true.

[5:10:38] and also true is, I need more than four years,

[5:10:45] and this is the conversation that I have, and I have the text message

[5:10:47] to prove it, that I need at least eight.

[5:10:50] we got to eight. He's been in communication. The council, he's

[5:10:53] been in communication with the

[5:10:57] administration, and maybe, I'm not going to say maybe, the administration

[5:11:02] should have operated differently. I will agree to that

[5:11:05] point, because this body didn't have all the information. So surely he cannot have all

[5:11:08] the information. But, I think

[5:11:17] it's difficult for me to sit here and say there was no information shared.

[5:11:20] he got information. Maybe not a written document, because the same

[5:11:23] loi that we all received, guess when we received it? Today.

[5:11:26] guess what mr. Jones received it? Today. However, all of the other

[5:11:29] points that have been addressed, mr. Jones was

[5:11:32] privy to that. The nuances of this, that's

[5:11:37] something different. And what this body is

[5:11:39] asked to do is, what happens in the next three weeks? That's a very valid concern

[5:11:44] of his. We're not, we're not here to address what happens, they have to work

[5:11:47] it out, and I agree with that. But I mean, I

[5:11:50] just have a hard time.

[5:11:52] >> mr. Jones,

[5:11:56] >> I want to make sure I'm clear, all due

[5:12:02] respect. There has been conversation. The fact that I had conversation about

[5:12:05] what's going on, what's going on with this

[5:12:11] whole thing was a conversation. There was never a document

[5:12:14] that was presented to me regarding this.

[5:12:20] at all.

[5:12:23] until this afternoon. I had conversation with

[5:12:26] many members of this body, but

[5:12:30] never the document. And I've asked for that time and

[5:12:35] time again. So I want to make sure it's clear, I've

[5:12:41] had conversation. That is part of what running a big organization

[5:12:44] like the southern heritage classic and autozone liberty

[5:12:50] bowl, talking to steve ehrhardt, we are

[5:12:52] talking about that, to have a document that states what's going

[5:12:56] to happen.

[5:12:59] was not received until today. There never

[5:13:05] has been. Only conversations.

[5:13:08] talking about the loi.

[5:13:12] if it's going to change again, it never came from anybody else other than

[5:13:14] what was in the paper,

[5:13:19] which was, all of us had that same, they could have gotten the

[5:13:22] same thing.

[5:13:23] >> thank you, mr. Jones, let me hear from mr. Johnson and then

[5:13:28] we will figure out what we're going to do.

[5:13:29] >> I have a question for clarification. I

[5:13:34] don't have a copy of the loi in front of me, but, where in the

[5:13:38] loi does it say that we have to make sure

[5:13:44] these third-party issues of been addressed?

[5:13:47] and we can use it to come back?

[5:13:52] >> paragraph e. >> can you read it, please?

[5:14:02] >> it says the city will convey the property to on or before december

[5:14:05] 30th 2023,

[5:14:06] contemporaneously

[5:14:07] >> slowdown, please, please slow down, I'm trying to hear

[5:14:11] it.

[5:14:14] >> contemporaneously, okay, with such conveyance,

[5:14:20] the asf will assume the city's rights and obligations

[5:14:22] under all existing contracts that affect the property

[5:14:25] and execute an assignment and assumption agreement for each

[5:14:29] contract as may be required, to the extent that such contracts

[5:14:34] are assignable, without fees being assessed against the city. Asf will

[5:14:38] be allowed to conduct its own due diligence

[5:14:41] with regard to any contracts to be assumed, and reserves any rights it

[5:14:46] may have regarding the continuation of those contracts provided, however,

[5:14:53] that regardless of the foregoing, the asf shall fully

[5:14:56] assume the existing contract between the city and mfa populace and barton marlow, each

[5:15:01] as hereinafter defined and provided that the asf

[5:15:05] shall commit for a period of

[5:15:11] five years execution date of the definitive agreements

[5:15:17] to use good faith efforts to continue the existing contractual

[5:15:21] relationships with usfl league llc, liberty bowl venture inc.,

[5:15:27] for the liberty bowl festival association and summit management

[5:15:30] corporation.

[5:15:32] >> okay. So they did say that they're going to

[5:15:35] extend the time on the contract. That's in

[5:15:40] that. But I'm not sure what other items that they may be

[5:15:45] looking at.

[5:15:46] that's how I understood that, that they would grant that particular

[5:15:51] contract and extend it. No, I thought they

[5:15:57] said they were going to give it to them.

[5:15:58] >> the city does not have the ability to

[5:16:04] force upon a non-city entity to do city tasks.

[5:16:09] so, they can't force, if you look at the amendment, they can't force

[5:16:12] the university to do something at tiger lane when

[5:16:17] the city controls tiger lane. I'm going to say

[5:16:20] this as clearly as I can. The stipulation, the biggest

[5:16:24] issue here is, we

[5:16:29] don't get to review mr. Jones or mr. Ehrhardt's financials. They could be making $1

[5:16:33] million a year, we wouldn't know.

[5:16:36] >> but we don't ask for memphis states either.

[5:16:37] >> memphis estate is a

[5:16:42] public entity it's a matter of public record.

[5:16:43] >> I'm talking about the expenses of the game.

[5:16:45] >> I'm just making the point

[5:16:51] to you, [ inaudible ] and then you say let me see your financials and they say, no, be careful. All I'm saying

[5:16:54] to you is, what's really at issue, here,

[5:16:59] are the expenses. All the fringe benefits that

[5:17:03] are provided either by the city directly, like public safety

[5:17:09] is a good one. We provide both events, sheriff's department,

[5:17:12] mpd support, and they don't pay us a dime for that. That's a

[5:17:15] real cost. There are other things that are in-kind

[5:17:18] contributions by the city that are currently in

[5:17:21] the agreement that either the university can't, because

[5:17:23] they wouldn't have the legal ability to enforce,

[5:17:30] or that in four or five years, the university doesn't

[5:17:33] know what the cost of those are going to be, so why would you agree

[5:17:36] to something that you don't know the cost of? What they have to figure

[5:17:39] out, it's not political. This is straight business. Straight business. Is,

[5:17:42] what parameters are you going to put in

[5:17:45] place, not knowing the hard dollar number.

[5:17:46] I'll give you a few examples. You can cap the exposure of expenses

[5:17:50] to one party of the other. Could have noncumulative

[5:17:54] expense caps. What you're trying to do is make sure that both

[5:17:58] organizations and the university are financially viable. The city has been

[5:18:03] picking those costs up for years.

[5:18:11] so there is no way to quantify what they are, outside of maybe

[5:18:13] two or three years specifically once the liberty bowl has been

[5:18:18] fully renovated. Theoretically, some cost should come down, but they could go up,

[5:18:21] and they won't know that until they finalize the design and get feasibility

[5:18:24] studies on this. These attorneys and their partners, their

[5:18:26] principles, have to get together and say, here's the

[5:18:28] framework in which we are willing to work. Three weeks

[5:18:33] is enough time to do that. Jb has said this, and I cannot

[5:18:39] agree more. Nobody is going to screw this

[5:18:41] up given the amount of publicity that has.

[5:18:42] in my question is, I want to be assured, if you're using

[5:18:47] the loi as a document that we can come

[5:18:54] back to. And say you have violated this document.

[5:18:56] >> if there are material changes to that.

[5:18:57] >> based on what she read was very vague. The

[5:19:03] only thing she addressed was the contract.

[5:19:06] that's my concern.

[5:19:09] >> what is referencing is the actual lease

[5:19:12] agreement. That's the problem. First off, the university today doesn't have the ability to

[5:19:15] negotiate anything. Period.

[5:19:18] they have no authority.

[5:19:24] what we're asking, this is the reality of what's happening. We are asking the

[5:19:27] city to try and amend, this is what the council asked.

[5:19:30] we wanted the city to amend, with the council's approval,

[5:19:31] before the transfer occurred.

[5:19:31] >> that didn't work?

[5:19:33] >> we are out of time. Hours of meetings have taken

[5:19:36] place.

[5:19:39] we have two options. Give them more time to

[5:19:42] work on the amendment before the minutes

[5:19:48] are ratified, or have the lease assigned to the university with transfer and let

[5:19:51] the university do it which doesn't seem like that's very tenable for this group.

[5:19:52] >> where we out of time in regards to

[5:19:56] transferring the lease?

[5:19:59] >> we have covered that

[5:20:00] ad nauseam.

[5:20:00] >> we said of the 50 million can be extended.

[5:20:04] >> no one has said that. What we said is we hope

[5:20:07] that if we make this vote.

[5:20:08] >> you can go talk

[5:20:10] to mr. Smith and try to get those nine days.

[5:20:15] >> that's not

[5:20:16] fair.

[5:20:16] >> it's non-debatable. I'm calling for it and

[5:20:21] I'm going to enforce the rules of this body.

[5:20:22] >> madame comptroller will you please repair the

[5:20:26] voting screen?

[5:20:28] >> this is for this agreement, without same

[5:20:33] night minutes.

[5:20:36] as amended. Without same night minutes. So, in essence, we

[5:20:39] are giving the parties time to come up

[5:20:46] with it.

[5:20:52] the motion.

[5:20:56] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes,

[5:20:59] logan, abstained, organ, yes, robinson, yes, warren, yes, german

[5:21:04] jones, no, councilmember smiley as yes, and please

[5:21:08] show councilmember swearengen-washington is no.

[5:21:13] >> that item passes.

[5:21:18] no same night minutes. Madame comptroller, will you

[5:21:22] please call item 38.

[5:21:31] 39. 39 was withheld.

[5:21:36] madame comptroller, will you please call item 32.

[5:21:49] >> item number 32 was a resolution requesting

[5:21:52] the approval to transfer a 6.95 acre parcel, parcel

[5:21:58] number 069004 00174 two the

[5:22:04] memphis shelby county board of education in memphis, shelby county, tennessee.

[5:22:07] district 7, super district 8. This revolution

[5:22:13] is sponsored by general services.

[5:22:16] >> vice chair smiley is not here. Item number

[5:22:20] 32.

[5:22:21] >> swearengen-washington, will you please call item number 32 approved

[5:22:27] in committee?

[5:22:28] >> thank you, chair, the

[5:22:35] committee met, the committee met, recommended approval, and I

[5:22:38] so move.

[5:22:39] >> item number 32, will you move it electronically,

[5:22:43] please? Has been

[5:22:47] moved, okay, I'm sorry. This item has been moved by councilman

[5:22:52] carlisle, seconded by councilman warren, madame comptroller, will

[5:22:55] you please prepare the voting screen.

[5:23:08] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, logan, yes, organ, yes, robinson,

[5:23:13] yes, swearengen-washington, yes, german jones, yes.

[5:23:19] >> that item passes. Madame comptroller, will you

[5:23:22] please call item 31.

[5:23:25] >> item number 31 is a resolution approving the sale of

[5:23:31] city-owned property, pardon me. In the

[5:23:37] amount of $3500.

[5:23:43] mr.

[5:23:46] chairman, jones is saying I did

[5:23:52] 31. Know?

[5:23:58] item number 31 is the resolution approving the sale of a city-owned property in the amount

[5:24:01] of $3500, known as 927 little weaver lane come in memphis, tennessee,

[5:24:07] 38109. Parcel I.d.

[5:24:13] number 07508700556.

[5:24:15] district 6, super district date. This resolution is sponsored by general services.

[5:24:19] >> thank you.

[5:24:25] councilwoman swearengen-washington, will you please

[5:24:26] announce this?

[5:24:26] >> thank you, chair, the committee met, recommended approval, and

[5:24:28] I so move.

[5:24:30] >> thank you. Item number 31 has been moved by

[5:24:31] councilwoman swearengen-washington, seconded by councilmember carlisle, madame comptroller, will

[5:24:37] you please prepare the voting screen.

[5:24:52] >> carlisle yes, colvett yes, logan yes, morgan, yes, robinson, yes,

[5:24:58] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german jones, yes.

[5:25:01] >> that item passes. Madame comptroller, will you

[5:25:04] please call item

[5:25:06] number 33.

[5:25:08] >> item number 33 is a

[5:25:16] resolution transferring $450,000 from fleets

[5:25:19] unreserved fund balance to cover the unexpected

[5:25:22] need for a lease for general services fleet maintenance body and paint

[5:25:26] shops until their permanent location is completed at the former coke property. District

[5:25:31] 6, super district date.

[5:25:33] this resolution is sponsored by general services.

[5:25:34] >> thank you. Councilwoman

[5:25:35] swearengen-washington.

[5:25:36] >> thank you, chair. The committee met, recommended approval, and

[5:25:40] I so move.

[5:25:46] >> item number 33 has been moved by councilwoman swearengen-washington,

[5:25:49] seconded by councilman warren. Madam comptroller, will you please prepare the

[5:25:52] voting screen..

[5:26:07] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes,

[5:26:10] logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson,

[5:26:14] yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german jones, yes.

[5:26:16] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller, will you

[5:26:18] please call item 34.

[5:26:18] >> item number 34 is resolution transferring allocations

[5:26:22] and appropriations for cip projects

[5:26:28] number cd 01101, raleigh vehicle repair shop and

[5:26:34] gs 01032 city of memphis phase two, totaling $1

[5:26:38] million to cip project number gs 01049 coke facility adaptive

[5:26:44] reuse to help fund the completion of the fleet fueling station and

[5:26:50] administration building. District 6, super district 8. This resolution

[5:26:53] is sponsored by general services.

[5:26:55] >> thank you, councilwoman swearengen-washington.

[5:26:56] >> thank you,

[5:27:02] chair, the committee met, there was a favorable recommendation for

[5:27:04] approval, and I so move.

[5:27:04] >> item number 34 has been moved by councilwoman

[5:27:07] swearengen-washington, seconded by councilman

[5:27:09] warren, seeing the numbers to speak on this item, madam comptroller, will

[5:27:11] you please prepare the voting

[5:27:17] screen.

[5:27:33] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, logan, yes, morgan, yes, robinson,

[5:27:43] yes, swearengen-washington, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german

[5:27:46] jones, yes.

[5:27:47] >> that item passes. Madam comptroller,

[5:27:50] will you please call item 37.

[5:27:59] >> item number 37 is a

[5:28:02] resolution to require city administration to seek council approval prior

[5:28:08] to nonemergency street closures that last more than 24 hours

[5:28:11] in the city of memphis and are

[5:28:15] not covered by existing ordinances. This resolution is sponsored by

[5:28:20] councilman smiley.

[5:28:21] >> vice chair smiley.

[5:28:25] >> thank you, german jones.

[5:28:26] the committee met, recommended approval, and I so

[5:28:29] move.

[5:28:32] >> okay. Electronically, please.

[5:28:35] thank you. Item number 37 has been moved by vice chair smiley,

[5:28:40] seconded by councilwoman swearengen-washington, seeing no members in the queue to speak on this

[5:28:43] item, madam comptroller, will you please prepare the voting

[5:28:50] screen.

[5:28:59] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson,

[5:29:02] yes, morgan, abstained, robinson, yes,

[5:29:05] swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german jones, yes.

[5:29:11] >> that item passes.

[5:29:20] mr. Vice chair, will you please read our same night minute items into

[5:29:24] the record?

[5:29:24] >> thank you mr. Chair. The same night minute items

[5:29:29] are 16, 17, 18, 27, 28, 29, 35,

[5:29:38] 36, 40, 41, 42, and 44. And I so move.

[5:29:41] >> our same night

[5:29:45] minutes have been moved by vice chair smiley, seconded by

[5:29:49] councilman carlisle. Seeing no members in the queue to speak on this item,

[5:29:51] madam comptroller, will you please prepare the voting

[5:29:59] screen.

[5:30:07] >> carlisle, yes, colvett, yes, ford, yes, johnson, yes, morgan, yes,

[5:30:10] vice chair smiley, yes, swearengen-washington, yes, warren, yes, german

[5:30:14] jones, yes.

[5:30:14] >> that item passes.

[5:30:17] that brings us to our public

[5:30:23] comment section.

[5:30:25] we have just two comment cards, the first one is for mr.

[5:30:32] raymond neil.

[5:30:33] mr. Neal? Okay. We don't have mr.

[5:30:36] neal here. Before

[5:30:40] we announce, I wanted to announce that

[5:30:44] the university of memphis beat the university of

[5:30:50] virginia 77-54. University of virginia was ranked in the top 25.

[5:30:56] rate job. Okay.

[5:31:02] okay.

[5:31:05] okay. So, we're at the point of our meeting where this

[5:31:11] is my last meeting as chair. So, what I'll do, at

[5:31:15] this point, I'm going to pass the gavel for

[5:31:19] the chairmanship, for the memphis city council

[5:31:23] to chairman elect, mr. Jb smiley jr.

[5:31:29] >> applause mac

[5:31:36] >> although my gavel is not as shiny, I appreciate it. And to my friend, my brother,

[5:31:41] current chair of the memphis city council,

[5:31:46] sherman jones, I want to open it up, because it's amazing.

[5:31:47] >> thank you.

[5:31:56] [ applause ]

[5:32:05] >> so, you have the gavel now, what you can do, you can call up mr. Walter

[5:32:09] brody.

[5:32:10] >> all right, now. Get used

[5:32:14] to it. Mr. Brody? The floor is yours, sir.

[5:32:15] >> good evening, my name is walter brody, I said

[5:32:20] memphis tennessee, 38109, and I've got this scripture, right

[5:32:23] here, and it's going to be a scripture, and it got

[5:32:27] deuteronomy chapter and verse, and it says you

[5:32:32] have passed this mountain long enough, turn you north. Just

[5:32:35] a test that you have went through,

[5:32:40] all the old and the new, the coming in, I'm

[5:32:44] just going into prayer right now, it's been a long day. Heavenly

[5:32:49] father, I want to thank you. I want to thank for everything. Father god,

[5:32:53] continue to bless all the city council members, father god. Less

[5:32:57] the old and the new, father god, continue

[5:33:00] to bless the staff members who are working

[5:33:02] real hard behind the scenes, father god, father

[5:33:06] god, continue to bless wade, bless everybody who come

[5:33:08] down here to voice their opinion. Father god, continue to bless

[5:33:11] both are mayors, continue to bless the city

[5:33:13] council commission, bless our president, our vice

[5:33:15] resident, every republican, democrat, bless everybody

[5:33:18] in this city, every saint, every sinner, bless everybody all around

[5:33:21] the world. Father god, we thank you, we glorify you

[5:33:23] in the mighty name of jesus, amen and amen.

[5:33:25] >> is that emotion? Adjourned.

City Council Full Meeting

Agenda

Transcript