[0:01] There we go, sergeant lawrence. Please
[0:05] call our may 26 2026 meeting to order. I
[0:11] would like to recognize our chaplain of
[0:15] the day, arnell morris, of the memphis
[0:19] fire department. He has been invited by
[0:23] councilman spinoza. Mr. Morris, please
[0:27] lead us in prayer.
[0:31] >> arnell morris: shall we pray? Dear
[0:33] god, first of all, we want to give you
[0:36] thanks for this day and for the many
[0:38] things that you've done for us. We ask
[0:41] you to look upon this meeting and give
[0:43] grace to every person that's here, the
[0:45] leadership of this city, we thank you
[0:48] for what they've done thus far. So we
[0:50] ask you for peace today, and that you
[0:52] would guide our efforts and give us good
[0:55] success. We give you praise and glory in
[0:57] your son's name. We do pray. We all can
[1:00] say, amen.
[1:02] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:03] thank you. Please remain standing for
[1:05] the pledge of allegiance.
[1:06] >> I pledge
[1:22] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:23] counselors, melosa, you're recognized at
[1:24] this time,
[1:38] >> councilmember: thank you, madam
[1:41] chair. Greetings. Be it hereby known
[1:43] that chaplain arnold morris, in
[1:46] recognition of a life of exemplary
[1:49] qualities, outstanding service to the
[1:52] city, meritorious involvement in
[1:54] humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated
[1:57] concern for governmental process. Has
[2:00] been appointed chaplain of the day of
[2:03] the memphis city council, and is hereby
[2:05] grant entitled to all the honors,
[2:08] rights, and privileges and prerogatives
[2:11] appearing to the office into the display
[2:14] of the certificate gender given under
[2:16] this seal, 26th day of may, 2026 signed
[2:19] by chairwoman janice
[2:22] swearengen-washington and myself. Thank
[2:25] you, madam chair. Good to see you, sir.
[2:27] thank you.
[2:30] >> madam comptroller: thank you so much,
[2:34] madam comptroller. If you will, please
[2:37] call the roll. Thank you, madam
[2:41] chairwoman, council members canale,
[2:45] carlisle, cooper, sutton, easter,
[2:49] thomas, board. Green, logan, smiley,
[2:52] spinoza, walker, warren, white,
[2:56] chairwoman swearengen-washington
[3:00] present. Madam chair, you have a quorum.
[3:04] thank you, councilman canale. I believe
[3:07] you reviewed the minutes.
[3:11] >> councilman canale: yes, madam chair,
[3:13] I have reviewed the meeting minutes from
[3:16] the may 12, 2026 meeting, and find them
[3:18] to be in order and move for their
[3:21] adoption.
[3:23] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: it
[3:28] has been moved by council. Councilman
[3:32] for canal, and second by councilor
[3:37] spinoza. Madam comptroller, if you will,
[3:41] please prepare the screen for the
[3:46] >> madam comptroller: vote. Council
[3:47] members in the cast
[3:48] >> of rose,
[3:52] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[3:56] please catch your votes in the minutes.
[4:01] >> madam comptroller: canale, yes.
[4:04] cooper-sutton, yes. Easter-thomas, yes.
[4:07] ford, yes, green, yes, logan, yes,
[4:10] smiley, yes, spinoza, yes, walker, yes,
[4:12] warren, yes, chairwoman
[4:15] swearengen-washington, yes.
[4:18] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[4:21] that item passes. Welcome to the may 26
[4:24] 2026 regular meeting of the memphis city
[4:27] council meetings of the city council
[4:30] shall be conducted in an orderly staff
[4:33] to ensure the public has the full
[4:36] opportunity to be heard and the
[4:38] deliberate process of the council is
[4:41] retained at all times. Our council staff
[4:44] has meeting agendas available up front
[4:47] with mr. Clay. Clay, please raise your
[4:50] hand, as well as comment request cards
[4:53] for members of the public wishing to be
[4:56] heard on a specific item. All those
[4:59] wishing to speak on an item must turn in
[5:02] their comment card to staff before the
[5:05] item is called. If you are not here to
[5:08] speak on a specific item, you can note
[5:11] that your request to give general
[5:14] comments at the end of the meeting. As
[5:16] chair, I will only recognize citizens
[5:19] that properly registered to speak by
[5:22] submitting a completed comment request
[5:25] card to council staff. Okay, items 28
[5:28] no, that's going to be withdrawn. We do
[5:31] have a presentation, colleagues. I want
[5:34] to take a point of privilege to
[5:37] recognize mr. Mason todd and his
[5:40] beautiful family that are joining us
[5:43] here today for his innovation,
[5:46] compassion, and commitment to serving
[5:49] others through technology. Where are
[5:51] you, mr. Mason? Where are you? Come on
[5:54] down in your beautiful family. Come on
[5:57] down. Come on, family. Mason's work in
[6:00] developing an ai-powered health
[6:03] application focused on helping
[6:06] low-income families access healthcare
[6:09] resources reflects not only impressive
[6:12] talent, but also a deep understanding of
[6:15] the importance of equity and community
[6:18] impact. His initiative demonstrates how
[6:21] young leaders are already helped shaping
[6:24] a stronger and more connected future for
[6:27] our city and beyond. On behalf of
[6:29] councilwoman logan, congratulations to
[6:32] mason todd on his outstanding
[6:35] accomplishment, and for using innovation
[6:38] to making a meaningful difference in the
[6:41] lives of others. Councilwoman logan, you
[6:44] are recognized at this time.
[6:47] >> councilwoman logan: thank you,
[6:49] chairwoman, and to my colleagues. I am
[6:52] so excited today to present this
[6:54] resolution on behalf of the council. I
[6:57] was watching the news, and I happened to
[6:59] see this clip about this incredible
[7:02] young man who was using his talent and
[7:04] ability, god-given talent and abilities
[7:07] to help those across the world, and the
[7:09] africa app, africa health app, correct.
[7:12] and so he wasn't just talking about it,
[7:14] but he was being about it, and he has
[7:17] done a tremendous work, and I was at
[7:19] that moment just impressed to
[7:21] acknowledge him. We always want to
[7:24] acknowledge and celebrate our hometown
[7:26] heroes, and so this young man, we
[7:29] encourage you, we appreciate you, and
[7:31] want you to continue using your vision
[7:34] and your innovation for good, for not
[7:36] just here locally but worldwide, and so
[7:39] hopefully this will be a motivation to
[7:41] other young people to think worldwide
[7:44] and to think beyond themselves. So,
[7:46] thank you so much. We have a resolution
[7:49] that I want to read, and I also want to
[7:51] say my church member, mr. Mays, came up
[7:53] and said, "hey, y'all recognize my
[7:56] grandson after, and I said, "you are
[7:58] right for some, huh? But he is such a
[8:01] wonderful young man, and so humble. So
[8:03] we want to read this into the public
[8:06] hearing, memphis city council
[8:08] resolution. Whereas it is with great
[8:11] pride and admiration that this
[8:13] recognition is presented to mason todd
[8:16] for his outstanding innovation
[8:18] leadership and commitment to improving
[8:21] the lives of others through technology
[8:23] and service, and whereas mason todd has
[8:25] demonstrated remarkable, innovate,
[8:28] innovative, and forward-thinking
[8:30] creativity through the development of an
[8:33] artificial intelligence-powered health
[8:35] application designed to assist
[8:38] low-income families in accessing
[8:40] healthcare resources and support, and
[8:43] whereas his work reflects a meaningful
[8:45] commitment to addressing real-world
[8:48] challenges faced by underserved
[8:50] communities and highlights the
[8:53] importance of equitable access to health
[8:55] care information, guidance, and
[8:58] services, and whereas through his
[9:00] innovation, compassion, and dedication
[9:02] to community impact, mason todd
[9:05] exemplifies the positive difference that
[9:07] young leaders can make when they use
[9:10] their talents and education to uplift
[9:12] others and create solutions that benefit
[9:15] the public good, and whereas mason
[9:17] todd's achievement serves as an
[9:20] inspiring example of excellence,
[9:22] determination, civic-minded leadership,
[9:25] demonstrating demonstrating how
[9:27] technology and innovation can be used
[9:30] responsibly and thoughtfully to
[9:32] strengthen communities and support
[9:34] families in need, and whereas his
[9:37] accomplishments bring pride not only to
[9:39] those who know and support him, but also
[9:42] to the broader community, while
[9:44] encouraging other students and young
[9:47] innovators to pursue their ideas with
[9:49] purpose, integrity, and a heart for
[9:52] service. Now, therefore, be it resolved
[9:54] that the memphis city council does
[9:57] hereby recognize and celebrate mason
[9:59] todd for his exceptional
[10:02] accomplishments, innovative spirit, and
[10:04] dedication to creating meaningful
[10:06] solutions that positively impact the
[10:09] lives of others. We extend our sincere
[10:11] congratulations and best wishes for his
[10:14] continued success, future endeavors, and
[10:16] the lasting impact of his work within
[10:19] the community and beyond given by my
[10:21] hand under the great seal of the city of
[10:24] memphis this 26th day of may 2026 rhonda
[10:26] logan, member, memphis city council
[10:29] district one, and we congratulate you. I
[10:31] want to acknowledge his mother and
[10:34] family, grandmother and grandpa,
[10:36] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[10:38] madam comptroller, if you will, please
[10:40] show that approved by affirmation.
[10:42] >> madam comptroller: thank you. Bye.
[10:51] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[10:53] madam comptroller, we will please call
[10:54] item number one.
[10:56] >> madam comptroller: item number one is
[10:58] a resolution recognizing may as mental
[11:01] health awareness month. This resolution
[11:04] is sponsored by councilman canale.
[11:06] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[11:12] councilman canale, you are recognized.
[11:17] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[11:19] chair. If I get the alliance folks
[11:22] great, I think so, colleagues, as most
[11:24] of you know, the month of may is mental
[11:27] health awareness month, and the great
[11:29] folks at alliance do so much in that
[11:31] space to help so many memphians on a
[11:34] daily basis. So, we want to thank you
[11:36] for all that you do, and thank you for
[11:39] coming down and receiving this
[11:41] recognition. They are certainly not the
[11:43] only ones that do the work in memphis,
[11:46] but they are a big part, and we, they
[11:48] are valuable peace to our city. We
[11:51] definitely need it for those that are
[11:53] struggling. So, whereas mental health is
[11:55] the foundation of our overall
[11:58] well-being, because it shapes how we
[12:00] care for ourselves, how we show up for
[12:03] the people we love, and how we
[12:05] participate in the life of our
[12:07] community. And yet, mental health
[12:10] challenges remain among the most common
[12:12] conditions memphians will face in their
[12:15] lifetime, affecting two in five adults,
[12:17] one in six children, and one in three
[12:19] teenagers. Whereas, while mental health
[12:22] has long been a struggle for many in our
[12:24] community, we have witnessed a sharp
[12:27] rise in anxiety, depression, and a sense
[12:29] of disconnection from one another,
[12:31] especially among our young people, and
[12:34] this crisis has been made significantly
[12:36] worse by the prolonged isolation brought
[12:39] on by the covid-19 pandemic, and whereas
[12:41] we affirm as a community that treatment
[12:43] works, that recovery is real, and that
[12:46] no person should ever feel shame or fear
[12:48] in reaching out for help, and we renew
[12:51] our commitment this month and every
[12:53] month to confronting the stigma
[12:55] surrounding mental illness and removing
[12:58] every barrier that stands between our
[13:00] neighbors and the high quality care that
[13:03] they deserve, and whereas we recognize
[13:05] and deeply honor the mental health
[13:07] professionals, advocates, faith leaders,
[13:10] first responders, parents, teachers,
[13:12] coaches, and the countless friends,
[13:15] family members, and neighbors who give
[13:17] of themselves every day on the front
[13:19] lines of this crisis, and we pledge as a
[13:22] community to stand with them by unifying
[13:24] our efforts to educate, raise awareness,
[13:27] and expand access to prevention, early
[13:29] intervention, and treatment resources
[13:31] for all memphians. Now, therefore, be it
[13:34] resolved that the month of may, and the
[13:36] city of memphis is hereby recognized as
[13:39] mental health awareness month, given by
[13:41] my hand under this great seal of the
[13:43] city of memphis, and our chairwoman,
[13:46] janice swearengen, washington. Really,
[13:48] on behalf of all of the memphis city
[13:51] council, thank you for all that you
[13:53] >> alliance healthcare representative:
[13:56] do. Thank you, guys, so much. I know
[13:58] some of you on the city council. Hello,
[14:01] dr. Warren's my doctor. I have to say
[14:04] that you're a great doctor, and you're
[14:06] awesome, councilwoman cooper-sutton. She
[14:09] came out and toured, and you guys, if
[14:12] you need my cell, a lot of the
[14:15] commissioners have it. Reach out to me
[14:17] if anybody needs help. We just opened up
[14:20] our 24 hour, seven days a week
[14:23] children's crisis stabilization unit,
[14:25] jail diversion unit, 24 hour walk in
[14:28] center, and that's exactly what we do
[14:31] for adults. Over the weekend, I was told
[14:33] we had 43 of our 45 beds full, and we
[14:36] had 13 people walking in from crisis on
[14:39] the streets. We are the largest jail
[14:41] provider in the entire jail provider,
[14:44] jail diversion, jail diversion provider
[14:47] in the entire state. People need
[14:49] immediate access to treatment. They do
[14:52] not need incarceration, and that's my
[14:55] heart. 34 years straight, and I hope to
[14:58] keep doing it. Thank you so much, guys.
[15:00] I love the work, and I'd like to
[15:03] acknowledge my chairman of the board,
[15:06] clinton robinson. You can't do your job
[15:08] without a good board chair. So,
[15:11] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[15:14] thank you so much for your service.
[15:16] >> alliance healthcare representative:
[15:19] good evening, councilman canale, other
[15:21] members of the memphis city council. We
[15:24] certainly appreciate your support and
[15:26] advocacy on behalf of alliance health
[15:29] care, as we endeavor to provide services
[15:32] to as many individuals in this community
[15:34] as we can, especially those that are
[15:37] underserved. So we appreciate your
[15:40] thoughtfulness, and we also appreciate
[15:42] your financial support. We receive
[15:45] monies from the council to construct our
[15:47] new youth facility, as well as our duck
[15:50] facility. So, just thank you so much.
[15:53] and it's truly an honor and a pleasure
[15:55] to be able to work with this great
[15:58] organization, serving the needs of our
[16:01] folks in the community who need
[16:03] assistance for mental health services
[16:06] and substance abuse disorder. So, thank
[16:08] you so much for your partnership.
[16:11] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[16:14] thank you. Before we move to our next
[16:17] item, we would like to acknowledge that
[16:20] we have councilwoman patrice robinson in
[16:24] the audience. If you'll please stand at
[16:27] this time. Thank you so much for your
[16:30] service, madam comptroller. If you will,
[16:33] please call item number two.
[16:36] >> madam comptroller: item number two is
[16:39] a resolution approving the honorary
[16:42] street name change on horn lake road
[16:44] between west shelby drive and west
[16:47] holmes road for dr. Gerald rayborn,
[16:50] district six, super district eight. This
[16:52] resolution is sponsored by councilwoman
[16:55] cooper-sutton.
[16:58] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[17:09] councilwoman cooper-sutton, you are
[17:21] recognized at this time.
[17:32] >> thank you, chair, and my
[17:36] esteemed council members.
[17:41] >> your beautiful wife and
[17:43] daughter, come on, come on, don't be
[17:44] able to come on
[17:46] >> and all of the church
[17:49] members, the memphis city council
[17:53] resolution, whereas when worthy
[17:56] circumstances arise, the memphis city
[18:00] council has seen fit to name certain
[18:03] public roads to honor citizens who have
[18:07] served the city of memphis. The reverend
[18:10] dr. Gerald rayborn sr. Is certainly
[18:14] befitting of this honor, and whereas
[18:17] reverend dr. Gerald rayborn, senior, a
[18:21] faithful servant of god, visionary
[18:24] leader, gifted gospel preacher, and
[18:28] beloved community pillar, was born on
[18:31] april 23 1946 in hernando, mississippi
[18:35] to the late mr. C j g rayborn and miss
[18:38] elsie rayborn, and rose from humble
[18:42] beginnings as one of 10 children to
[18:45] become a powerful voice of faith and
[18:48] hope throughout the city of memphis, and
[18:52] whereas reverend dr. Gerald rayborn sr.
[18:55] is a devoted husband to bonnie rayborn
[18:59] and a loving father to gerald rayborn jr
[19:02] and stacy rayborn, amplifying the values
[19:06] of faith, family, integrity, and
[19:09] unwavering commitment throughout his
[19:13] life and ministry, and whereas after
[19:16] receiving his education at delta center
[19:20] high school in walls, mississippi.
[19:23] reverend dr. Gerald rayborn sr. Answered
[19:27] the divine call upon his life by
[19:30] pursuing theological training at the
[19:34] william herbert brewster clinic in
[19:37] memphis, tennessee, where his passionate
[19:41] preaching and electrifying spirit earned
[19:44] him the unforgettable name fabal
[19:47] rayborn, and whereas the reverend doctor
[19:51] gerald rayborn has faithfully dedicated
[19:54] his life to the work of the gospel,
[19:58] beginning his ministry in 1976 and
[20:01] answering the pastoral call to mount
[20:05] moriah baptist church in east tennessee
[20:08] before beginning called in 1977 to lead
[20:12] mount sinai baptist church in memphis,
[20:15] tennessee, where his dynamic leadership
[20:19] transformed lives, strengthened
[20:22] families, and expanded the ministry far
[20:26] beyond the church walls, and whereas
[20:29] under reverend gerald, dr. Gerald
[20:33] rayborn, senior anointed leadership,
[20:36] mount sinai baptist church flourished
[20:40] spiritually and numerically, resulting
[20:43] in the establishment of the new mount
[20:46] sinai missionary church, and the
[20:50] expansion of countless outreach efforts
[20:53] designed to uplift the hurting, feeding
[20:57] the hungry, encourage, encourage the
[21:00] discouraged, and bring hope to the
[21:04] community, and whereas for then 40 years
[21:07] the reverend dr. Gerald rayborn senior
[21:11] has stood boldly as a beacon of truth,
[21:14] compassion, and righteousness, preaching
[21:18] with conviction and power, while
[21:21] reaching multitudes through his ministry
[21:25] broadcast on 1340 w l o k radio station,
[21:28] ensuring that the message of christ
[21:32] reached beyond his community, and
[21:35] whereas the city of memphis wishes to
[21:38] honor the reverend dr. Jill rayborn
[21:42] senior outstanding contributions and
[21:45] lasting legacy by bestowing a symbolic
[21:49] recognition near the church that he will
[21:52] leave a long life legacy lifetime of
[21:56] dedicated service and undeniable impact.
[21:59] now, therefore, be it resolved by the
[22:03] memphis city council that horn lake road
[22:06] and hernandez dr, between horn lake road
[22:10] and west shelby drive, and horn lake
[22:13] road and west holmes road, shall be
[22:17] designated honorary as the reverend dr.
[22:20] gerald rayborn senior drive. Be it
[22:24] further more resolved that the city
[22:27] engineer is requested to affix suitable
[22:31] signs denoting the public road. Adopted
[22:34] tuesday, may 26 2026 yolanda
[22:37] cooper-sutton, memphis city council,
[22:41] super district eight three. This is for
[22:44] you, sir. Congratulations. And I'm going
[22:48] to give him an opportunity to say a few
[22:51] words, but if you're hungry on sunday
[22:55] mornings, he'll get you some grits, some
[22:58] biscuits, sausage, bacon, orange juice,
[23:02] apple juice, and some water and some
[23:05] jelly. This man still fixed breakfast
[23:09] every sunday morning, whether you
[23:12] remember or not. At his church, you can
[23:16] go eat breakfast, and he don't even make
[23:19] you stay there. Listen to him sing, but
[23:23] I wanted to share that, that he's still
[23:26] serving the community with a hot
[23:30] breakfast. Pastor,
[23:33] >> thank you. Thank you, miss
[23:37] cooper. And I'm just grateful to be on
[23:40] like this, and we're just grateful for
[23:44] our church family, as she fores stated
[23:47] that we have been there, and we do a
[23:51] community service every sunday morning,
[23:55] and it's not for the churches, it's for
[23:58] the whole community. If you, it doesn't
[24:02] matter whether you homeless, poor, or
[24:05] rich. I look for all of y'all to come by
[24:09] and have a hot breakfast on sunday
[24:13] morning. Amen. 7 o'clock breakfast is
[24:16] hot and ready to go, and I just want to
[24:20] say, thank you so much for all of your
[24:23] kindness. God bless
[24:27] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[24:29] you. Thank you, madam comptroller. You
[24:31] will please go by acclamation that that
[24:33] has been approved. Thank you, minister.
[24:35] madam comptroller, please call item
[24:37] number three.
[24:39] >> madam comptroller: item number three
[24:42] is a resolution honoring and recognizing
[24:45] peyton gibson, carter holmes and ty
[24:48] miller as prize winners in the 2026
[24:50] c-span national documentary competition.
[24:53] this resolution is sponsored by
[24:56] councilwoman white. This was held from
[24:59] may 12.
[25:02] >> councilwoman white,
[25:04] you're recognized, you
[25:07] >> thank you so much. Good
[25:10] afternoon, council members, and thank
[25:12] you so much, audience. I have up here
[25:15] with me some more of our students whom
[25:18] we are very proud of today. We proudly
[25:20] recognize three outstanding students
[25:23] from t-stem academy at east high school,
[25:26] ms. Peyton gibson, carter, mr. Carter
[25:29] holmes, and mr. Ty miller, for earning
[25:31] national recognition in the 2026 c-span
[25:34] student competition. We're also
[25:37] recognizing their mentor, mr. Marshawn
[25:39] calvin. He's not okay. Well, tell him
[25:42] that we shouted him out as well. We are
[25:45] recognizing them today as young leaders
[25:47] who use their talent, creativity, and
[25:50] voices to produce the pursuit, which was
[25:53] a documentary that explored immigration
[25:55] reform and the experiences of daca
[25:58] recipients with compassion, courage, and
[26:01] purpose, their work reminds us that
[26:03] excellence is achieved when preparation
[26:06] meets opportunity. These students
[26:09] reflect the excellence that we want to
[26:12] see out of our, out of our students, the
[26:14] innovativeness, but also the courage and
[26:17] the boldness to speak on issues that are
[26:20] impacting people on a daily basis. We
[26:22] also have already stated recognize their
[26:25] mentor, marshawn calvin. I'm not going
[26:28] to read the resolution, but I do want to
[26:30] say that we are so proud of you all for
[26:33] taking your ideas, for using your voices
[26:36] and your vision, and you all turned it
[26:38] into something powerful enough for the
[26:41] nation to notice, and we want you to
[26:44] know that we noticed it here in memphis,
[26:47] and we celebrate you. One thing that I
[26:49] always tell young people, and maybe this
[26:52] will be good for every person in the
[26:55] room, is to be a thermostat, not a
[26:57] thermometer. A thermometer only reacts
[27:00] to the environment around it. A
[27:03] thermostat sets the temperature in the
[27:05] room. Leaders do not wait on the world
[27:08] to change, they walk into rooms and
[27:11] change the atmosphere themselves, and
[27:13] that's what you all are already doing.
[27:16] keep setting the standard, keep raising
[27:19] expectations, keep believing that what
[27:22] starts in memphis can impact the nation,
[27:24] because it can, and you all did it. Now,
[27:27] therefore, be it resolved that the
[27:30] memphis city council hereby honors and
[27:32] congratulates peyton gibson, carter
[27:35] holmes, and ty miller of memphis east
[27:38] c-stem academy for earning national
[27:40] recognition in the 2026 c-span student
[27:43] can national documentary competition,
[27:46] and commends them for their outstanding
[27:52] documentary, the pursuit, as well as
[27:55] their commitment to education, civic
[27:58] awareness, and excellence in
[28:00] storytelling. Be it be further resolved
[28:03] that the memphis city council extends
[28:06] its appreciation to the advisor,
[28:09] marshawn calvin, for his dedication to
[28:11] mentoring and empowering students to
[28:14] achieve such academic success.
[28:17] congratulations, you all.
[28:19] congratulations,
[28:22] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[28:26] madam comptroller. If you will, please
[28:29] show that confirmed by acclamation, you
[28:33] >> and we're also joined by
[28:42] their wonderful parents up here too.
[28:51] congratulations, and thank you, parents
[29:09] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[29:14] thank you, madam chair, a chair woman,
[29:18] we're going to move to our public
[29:22] hearing part. Madam comptroller, if you
[29:27] would please call item number four.
[29:32] thank you.
[29:36] >> madam comptroller: item number four
[29:38] from our division of planning and
[29:41] development is a resolution pursuant to
[29:43] chapter 9.6 of the memphis and shelby
[29:46] county unified development code
[29:48] approving a special use permit at the
[29:51] subject property located at 2342 frazier
[29:53] boulevard. This resolution is sponsored
[29:56] by the division of planning and
[29:58] development. This item was held from may
[30:01] 12. The case number is sup 26 03
[30:03] councilors spinoza, you're recognized at
[30:06] this time.
[30:08] >> councilman spinosa: thank you, madam
[30:11] chair. Committee met recommended
[30:15] approval, but I'll move
[30:18] >> it all right. Properly
[30:21] moved by councilman spinoza, moved by
[30:23] councilman dr. Warren. Councilwoman
[30:26] easter-thomas, you are recognized at
[30:29] this time. Thank you, chair. And thank
[30:31] you, councilor espinosa. So, I did have,
[30:34] so, and when we met in committee two
[30:37] council meetings ago, four weeks ago,
[30:39] and pnc committee, I did have questions,
[30:42] and I also had a withholding of my vote
[30:45] for said questions. Since then, I was
[30:47] able to talk to mr. Kent and meet mr.
[30:50] sunny chow, who is standing right here
[30:53] before us, and also was glad to learn
[30:55] about that there are other restaurants
[30:58] similar to this one that has come into
[31:01] district seven, that they are active in
[31:04] the community, that they have a standard
[31:06] of non-code violations and just doing
[31:09] what they said that they were going to
[31:12] do, and so knowing that we'll be able to
[31:14] uphold them to the standard they set
[31:17] their sales to, and then we also have a
[31:20] way of holding them accountable as well.
[31:22] I'm glad to support this project and ask
[31:25] my colleagues to do the same. This was
[31:28] not what I said in committee, so I just
[31:30] want to be clear that I help support the
[31:33] project, especially with the rendering
[31:36] that we have, and that we'll be able to
[31:38] just contact with communication if
[31:41] anything goes wrong, but I'm sure that
[31:44] they won't, since mr. King assured me
[31:46] earlier. So, thank you, chair.
[31:49] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[31:51] thank you. And I would like to attest
[31:54] that I belong to an organization, and we
[31:56] had a meeting at one of your restaurants
[31:59] at another location this weekend, and
[32:01] the customer service was fantastic, the
[32:03] food was wonderful, everything was
[32:06] clean. So I just want to thank you for
[32:08] your high standard of excellence. Dr.
[32:11] warren, you're recognized.
[32:13] >> I just want to thank my
[32:15] colleague, easter-thomas, for taking a
[32:17] teacher's perspective, getting more
[32:19] information, and actually changing your
[32:21] mind. So, people that say we never
[32:23] change our minds, the reason we change
[32:26] our minds is we get more information and
[32:28] we think about it, so thank you for
[32:30] thinking and bringing that to us and
[32:32] changing your mind. Thank you. So, when
[32:34] I do it, back me up,
[32:36] >> all right.
[32:37] >> please, please
[32:39] remember this, dr. Walker. I think it's
[32:42] a sign of good, good governance. Thank
[32:44] you, councilwoman walker. You're
[32:47] recognized. Thank you, madam chair. I
[32:49] just want to concur with your comments,
[32:52] and also mr. Kent and his company. They
[32:54] have poured a lot of positive energy, a
[32:57] lot of wonderful investments into
[32:59] district three. And I just want to thank
[33:02] you for that. And best wishes on this
[33:04] project. And I yield the floor. With
[33:07] that being said, madam
[33:09] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[33:29] comptroller, if you will, please prepare
[33:49] the screen for the vote.
[34:09] >> madam comptroller: canale, yes.
[34:12] easter, thomas, yes. For yes, green,
[34:15] yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza,
[34:18] yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White,
[34:21] yes. Chairwoman swearengen-washington,
[34:24] yes.
[34:27] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[34:29] that item passes. We'll move to our
[34:32] consent agenda items, which are items
[34:34] number 56789, 10, and 11. Madam
[34:37] comptroller, if you will, please call
[34:39] the consent agenda items, beginning with
[34:42] number five
[34:45] >> madam comptroller: item number five is an
[34:48] ordinance for the designation of a
[34:51] qualified public use facility creation
[34:54] of the 33 bill street tourism
[34:57] development zone tourism surcharge, and
[35:01] otherwise providing with respect to the
[35:04] foregoing up for first reading ordinance
[35:07] number 5972 is sponsored by the downtown
[35:10] memphis commission and central city
[35:13] revenue finance corporation. Item number
[35:16] six is an ordinance pursuant to chapter
[35:19] nine dot 10.1 c of the memphis and
[35:22] shelby county unified development code,
[35:26] approving a street name change at the
[35:29] subject property located between eh
[35:32] crump roundabout and mental museum drive
[35:35] up for first reading. This ordinance is
[35:38] sponsored by the division of planning
[35:41] and development. The case number is snc
[35:44] 26 02 ordinance number 5973 item number
[35:47] seven is up for second reading.
[35:51] ordinance number 5971 is sponsored by
[35:54] the administration from that engineering
[35:57] division. Item number eight, resolution
[36:00] approving the engineering plans for
[36:03] tournament trails center plan
[36:06] development county and accepting bond as
[36:09] security. There's a request for same
[36:12] night minutes. The contract number is cr
[36:15] dash 5495 item number nine is a
[36:19] resolution approving the final plot for
[36:22] oakland estates plan development phase
[36:25] three and accepting bond as security.
[36:28] there's a request for same night
[36:31] minutes. There's a request for same
[36:34] night minutes. The contract number is cr
[36:37] that 5496 item number 10 is a resolution
[36:40] accepting public improvements for fill
[36:44] and go south third street, sup 2012
[36:47] contract number 5475 and releasing the
[36:50] bond. There is a request for sign nine
[36:53] minutes for this item. Our final item on
[36:56] our consent agenda is number 11. It is a
[36:59] resolution approving supplemental
[37:02] agreement number one for memphis brooks
[37:05] museum of art contract number 5447 and
[37:09] accepting bond as security, there is a
[37:12] request for same like minutes for this
[37:15] item. Also, madam chairwoman, that
[37:18] concludes our consent agenda items.
[37:21] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[37:22] councilman canal, you're recognized.
[37:23] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[37:25] chair. The committee met, recommended
[37:28] approval.
[37:30] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: it
[37:34] has been moved by councilman for canal,
[37:39] and second by councilman spinoza. Madam
[37:43] comptroller, if you will, please prepare
[37:48] the screen for the vote,
[37:52] >> madam comptroller: I canali, yes.
[37:56] easter, thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Green,
[37:59] yes. Logan, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker,
[38:03] yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman
[38:06] swinburton, washington, yes.
[38:10] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[38:12] thank you. That item passes, madam
[38:14] comptroller. If you will, please call
[38:15] for fiscal consent agenda item.
[38:17] >> madam comptroller: thank you. Our
[38:20] item is number 12, a resolution to
[38:23] accept a donation in the amount of
[38:26] $90,692.98 from the eloise bishoprical
[38:29] trust memphis animal shelter to
[38:32] authorize expenditures for heartworm
[38:35] treatment, adoption subsidies, and
[38:38] related services for shelter animals.
[38:40] all council districts, this resolution
[38:43] is sponsored by the administration.
[38:46] there is a request for saint mike
[38:49] minutes, and that concludes our fiscal
[38:52] consent agenda items. It's always
[38:55] exciting to get a donation. Councilman
[38:58] for canale, you are recognized.
[39:01] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[39:03] chair. Committee recommend approval. Not
[39:04] so moved.
[39:06] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[39:11] it's been moved by councilman for
[39:15] canale, second by councilman spinoza.
[39:20] madam comptroller, if you will, please
[39:24] prepare the screen for the vote.
[39:29] >> madam comptroller: canale, yes.
[39:31] easter, thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Green,
[39:34] yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Vanessa,
[39:36] yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White,
[39:38] yes. Chairwoman swearengen-washington,
[39:41] yes.
[39:43] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: an
[39:47] item passes. Madam comptroller, if you
[39:51] will, please call the mlgw fiscal
[39:55] consent agenda items 13 through 27 with
[39:59] same night minutes on item number 18.
[40:03] >> madam comptroller: bear with us while
[40:04] we experience some minor, minor
[40:06] technicalities.
[40:07] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[40:08] yes, ma'am.
[40:09] >> madam comptroller: item number 13 on
[40:11] our mlgw disconsent is a resolution
[40:14] awarding contract number 12660 drill
[40:18] pier foundation installation to chris
[40:22] hill construction company llc in the
[40:25] funded amount of $1,205,865 item number
[40:29] 14 is a resolution approving the scope
[40:33] change and increase to contract number
[40:37] 12649 newton x support and maintenance
[40:40] with c d w government llc to expand the
[40:44] scope and increase the current contract
[40:48] in the funded amount of $313,532 and 52
[40:51] cents. Item number 15 is a resolution
[40:55] awarding contract number 12645 nerc
[40:59] consultant to gds associates, inc. In
[41:02] the funded not to exceed amount of
[41:06] $1,908,000 item number 16 is a
[41:10] resolution approving the scope change
[41:13] and increase to contract number 10332
[41:17] abb software maintenance with hitachi
[41:21] energy, formerly abb power training and
[41:25] development company incorporated, to
[41:28] expand the scope and increase the
[41:32] current contract value in the amount of
[41:36] $1,113,362 item number 17 is a
[41:39] resolution approving the payment for
[41:43] street cut permits to the city of
[41:47] memphis in the amount of $2,500,000 item
[41:50] number 18 resolution awarding a 36 month
[41:54] purchase order for asphalt to lehman
[41:58] roberts company in the amount of
[42:01] $1,330,000 please note there's a request
[42:05] for same night minutes on this item,
[42:09] item number 19 resolution awarding
[42:13] contract number 12677 net worth
[42:16] maintenance to logicalis inc. In the
[42:20] funded amount of $729,621.66 item number
[42:24] 20, resolution approving the increase
[42:27] and renewal to contract number 12545
[42:31] vera this net fact of renewal with
[42:35] thomas consultants inc to increase and
[42:38] renew the current contract in the funded
[42:42] amount of $227,248.68 item number 21 is
[42:46] a resolution approving the scope
[42:49] expansion and increase to contract
[42:53] number 12069 rfm viewer replacement with
[42:57] ssp innovations llc to expand the scope
[43:00] and increase the current contract in the
[43:04] funded amount of $20,000 item number 22
[43:08] resolution approving the increase and
[43:12] extension to contract number 11594 power
[43:15] plan maintenance agreement with power
[43:19] plan inc to increase and extend the
[43:23] current contract in the funded amount of
[43:26] $2,814,188.38 item number 23 is a
[43:30] resolution awarding purchase orders for
[43:34] four wheel drive trucks with service
[43:37] bodies to landers ford inc and nashville
[43:41] automotive doing business as sarah
[43:45] chevrolet buick gmc in the amount of
[43:48] $948,499.20 item number 24 is a
[43:52] resolution awarding a purchase order for
[43:56] four wheel drive backhoes to stribling
[44:00] equipment llc in the amount of
[44:03] $1,706,625 item number 25 resolution
[44:07] approving of increase to contract number
[44:11] 12371 system furniture with office
[44:14] interiors to increase the current
[44:18] contract in the funded amount of
[44:22] $1,500,000 item number 26 resolution
[44:25] awarding contract number 12662 billing
[44:29] services assistance to hometown of llc
[44:33] in the funded amount of $5,709,705.67
[44:36] our final item tonight is number 27
[44:40] resolution approving the increase and
[44:44] renewal to contract number 125 through
[44:48] three division copy fleet with kanoka
[44:51] minolta to increase and renew the
[44:55] current contract in the funded amount of
[44:59] $117,720 madam chairwoman, that
[45:02] concludes our mlgw fiscal consent items.
[45:06] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[45:08] thank you, madam comptroller.
[45:09] councilwoman walker, you are recognized
[45:10] at this time.
[45:12] >> thank you, madam chair.
[45:14] the committee met with a favorable
[45:15] recommendation, and I so
[45:17] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[45:20] move. It has been properly moved by
[45:22] councilwoman walker, second by
[45:24] councilman warren. Madam comptroller, if
[45:27] you will, please prepare the screen for
[45:30] the vote, you
[45:32] >> madam comptroller: canali, yes,
[45:37] cooper-sutton, yes, easter-thomas, yes,
[45:41] green, yes, logan, yes. Smiley, yes.
[45:46] spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes.
[45:51] white, yes. Chairwoman
[45:55] swearengen-washington, yes.
[46:00] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[46:03] that item passes. Madam comptroller, if
[46:06] you will, please call the add-ons and
[46:08] same night minutes, items 3132 and 33
[46:11] >> madam comptroller: starting with item
[46:14] number 31 which should slowly display on
[46:17] the board a resolution to accept
[46:20] additional grant funds in the amount of
[46:23] $1,303,991 from the us department of
[46:26] justice through the united states
[46:29] marshal service of the western district
[46:32] of tennessee, all council districts.
[46:35] this resolution is sponsored by the
[46:38] administration, and there is a request
[46:41] for same night minutes.
[46:44] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[46:45] thank you, councilman canale. You're
[46:47] recognized.
[46:48] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[46:49] chair, the committee met, recommended
[46:51] approval, and I so moved.
[46:52] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: it
[46:56] has been moved by councilman canal, and
[47:00] second by councilwoman green. Madam
[47:04] comptroller, please prepare the screen
[47:08] for the vote.
[47:12] >> madam comptroller: I canal, yes.
[47:15] cooper-sutton, yes. Easter-thomas, yes.
[47:18] green, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes.
[47:22] spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes.
[47:25] white, yes. Chairwoman
[47:28] swearengen-washington. Yes,
[47:31] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[47:34] that item passes. That moves us to our
[47:38] regular agenda items, items number 2829
[47:41] and 30. Madam comptroller, please call
[47:44] item 28 and what add 32 did I skip 32
[47:48] okay. Okay, item 32 madam comptroller.
[47:51] we have such a fabulous staff. Thank you
[47:55] all.
[47:58] >> madam comptroller: I couldn't do
[48:01] without them. Item number 32 is a
[48:03] resolution allowing the mayor's veto of
[48:06] ordinance number 5969 to stand and
[48:08] establishing an impasse ordinance review
[48:11] committee, all council districts. This
[48:14] resolution is sponsored by council
[48:16] members swering and washington and
[48:19] smiley, and there is a request for same
[48:21] night minutes.
[48:24] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[48:26] councilman canal, you are recognized.
[48:28] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[48:30] chair, the committee met recommended
[48:32] approval, and also moved. It
[48:34] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: has
[48:38] been moved by councilman canale, second
[48:41] by councilman spinoza. Madam
[48:45] comptroller, please prepare the screen,
[48:48] I
[48:52] >> madam comptroller: the vote for item
[48:57] number 32 regarding the mayor's veto
[49:02] ordinance 5969 canale, yes,
[49:06] cooper-sutton, yes, easter-thomas, yes,
[49:11] ford, yes, green, yes, logan, yes,
[49:16] smiley, yes, spinoza, yes, walker, yes,
[49:20] warren, yes, white, yes, chairwoman,
[49:25] swearington, washington, yes,
[49:30] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: bet
[49:34] item passes. Will you please call item
[49:39] number 33
[49:43] >> item number 33 thank you.
[49:47] item number 33 is
[49:51] >> madam comptroller: please see the
[49:54] revised add on agenda number 33 is a
[49:57] resolution to schedule an impasse
[50:00] presentation before the full council,
[50:02] all council districts sponsored by the
[50:05] memphis city council. There is a request
[50:08] for same night minutes,
[50:11] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[50:12] let's let's get a point of
[50:13] clarification. Councilman smiley,
[50:14] >> all right. So, item
[50:17] number 32 was the resolution to allow
[50:20] the mayor's veto to stand and create an
[50:23] impasse committee to put together an
[50:25] impasse process and credit the impasse
[50:28] ordinance. I'm number 33 on the revised
[50:31] agenda, which some of the council
[50:34] members do not have is the setting of
[50:37] the date of the impasse hearing for asme
[50:40] in june 8, but it's a june 8 hearing of
[50:43] ase impasse, so that's what's item
[50:45] number 30 on the revised bill. I know
[50:48] those of us on this side, we don't have
[50:51] it. It all right, council members.
[50:54] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[50:55] let's get a motion.
[50:56] >> move it.
[50:57] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[50:58] it's been moved by councilman smiley,
[51:00] second by councilman dr. Warren. Madam
[51:03] comptroller, if you will, please prepare
[51:05] the screen.
[51:07] >> so, again, item number 33
[51:12] is setting the hearing date for impasse
[51:17] for ask me labor year is june
[51:22] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: 8,
[51:28] so item number 33 is a resolution to
[51:31] schedule an impasse presentation before
[51:34] the full council, all all council
[51:37] districts sponsored by the memphis city
[51:41] council, and there's a request for same
[51:44] night minutes. Thank you very much. We
[51:47] will show that in the records.
[51:50] >> madam comptroller: and here are the
[51:53] votes for item number 33 canale abstain
[51:57] easter-thomas yes ford yes green yes
[52:00] logan yes smiley yes spinoza yes walker
[52:03] yes warren yes chairwoman
[52:07] swearengen-washington yes
[52:10] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[52:13] that item passes that pulls us to the
[52:15] regular agenda items. Item number 28
[52:18] madam comptroller, if you will, please
[52:20] call item number 28
[52:23] >> madam comptroller: that's a joint
[52:25] ordinance about the public private
[52:27] partnership
[52:29] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[52:31] withdrawn. Councilwoman easter-thomas,
[52:32] you're recognized.
[52:34] >> thank you, chair. I'd
[52:36] like to withdraw item number 28
[52:38] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[52:40] madam comptroller, if you will, please
[52:42] show that item being withdrawn. Thank
[52:44] you, madam chair. Madam comptroller, if
[52:46] you will, please call item number 29
[52:48] >> madam comptroller: item number 29 is
[52:51] a resolution to amend the fiscal year
[52:53] 2026 general fund operating budget in
[52:56] the amount of $575,000 for the memphis
[52:59] parks division. All council districts,
[53:02] this resolution is sponsored by the
[53:04] administration.
[53:07] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[53:12] councilman white, you are recognized at
[53:17] this time, we we can wait. She's worth
[53:21] the wait.
[53:26] >> the committee met and
[53:28] recommended approval, and I shall move.
[53:31] we appreciate you moving. It
[53:33] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: has
[53:37] been moved by councilwoman white, second
[53:42] by councilman smiley. Madam comptroller,
[53:47] please prepare the screen for the vote.
[53:51] >> madam comptroller: canali, yes.
[53:53] cooper-sutton, yes. Easter-thomas, yes.
[53:56] ford, yes. Green, yes. Logan, yes.
[53:59] smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes.
[54:01] warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman
[54:03] swearing to washington, yes.
[54:06] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[54:11] that item passes. Madam comptroller, if
[54:16] you will, please call item number 30.
[54:21] >> madam comptroller: item number 30,
[54:24] which should appear momentarily, is a
[54:27] resolution fiscal year 20 26/3 quarter
[54:30] budget neutral adjustment. All council
[54:33] districts, this resolution is sponsored
[54:36] by the administration. All right, we do
[54:39] have some comment cards for this item.
[54:42] miss dorothy connor,
[54:45] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[54:51] after miss connor, we have miss, we have
[54:57] marley, I madam comptroller, please put
[55:04] two minutes on the screen.
[55:10] >> I'm dorothy connor,
[55:12] >> my address.
[55:15] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: no,
[55:16] just your name.
[55:17] >> dorothy conner.
[55:18] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[55:19] yes, ma'am. Go ahead.
[55:20] >> as a volunteer of the
[55:23] better transit, better for better
[55:26] memphis, we asked the vote to increase
[55:29] the city of memphis investments and
[55:32] public transit from 32 to 52 million for
[55:35] the next fiscal year. Public transit is
[55:39] a public good that spurs economic
[55:42] development. The american public transit
[55:45] association estimates that every dollar
[55:48] spent on public transit produces $5 in
[55:51] growth in the gross domestic product.
[55:54] the extra 20 million invested in public
[55:57] transit can expect to see 80 million in
[56:00] the gdp growth. Downtown businesses have
[56:03] reported to members of the better
[56:06] transit for better memphis that they are
[56:09] financially hurting, and looking at
[56:13] closure due to the current state of
[56:16] public transit in the downtown area.
[56:19] memphis lags far behind peer cities in
[56:22] our cap and per capita investment in
[56:25] public transportation. We would have to
[56:28] double our budget to catch up with
[56:31] birmingham, alabama, we would have to
[56:34] quadruple our budget to catch up with
[56:37] new orleans, louisiana. This request for
[56:40] an extra 20 million, that is 52 million
[56:43] total for next year, is an investment
[56:47] that will start getting us back to these
[56:50] economic development benefits. Thank you
[56:53] for supporting community development.
[56:56] let's go, let's get on the bus with
[56:59] public transit.
[57:02] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[57:04] thank you so much for coming down and
[57:06] sharing your thoughts, marley.
[57:08] >> thank you, madam
[57:11] chairwoman, and city council. My name is
[57:13] marley unigas, and I'm here as a
[57:16] volunteer with better transit for a
[57:18] better memphis to ask you to vote to
[57:21] increase the city of memphis' investment
[57:24] in public transit from 32 to 52 million
[57:26] for the next fiscal year. Public transit
[57:29] is essential infrastructure, it connects
[57:31] 1000s of residents to jobs, health care,
[57:34] education, and daily necessities.
[57:37] investment in mata reduces poverty and
[57:39] ensures greater connection with the
[57:42] city, including for seniors, people with
[57:45] disabilities, and other marginalized
[57:47] communities. Last year, more than 40,000
[57:50] riders relied on mata each and every
[57:52] day. That ridership has increased to
[57:55] 50,000 with the introduction of fare
[57:58] free travel. Memphis city council voted
[58:00] to make this public service available to
[58:03] more of the public, but now we need to
[58:05] increase funding realistically to
[58:08] support this growth. Currently, more
[58:11] than 25,000 memphians lack access to a
[58:13] car, even for those who have a car, the
[58:16] economic impact of car ownership is
[58:19] substantial. According to scientific
[58:21] american, americans spend on average 13%
[58:24] of their income on transit. For those
[58:26] with lower incomes, this can reach 30%
[58:29] of their income for transportation. The
[58:32] rising cost of gasoline compounds this
[58:34] affordability crisis. Thank you for
[58:37] supporting community connections. Let's
[58:39] get on the bus with public transit.
[58:42] >> thank you so much, susan
[58:44] neely. Thank you, madam chairwoman, and
[58:47] members of the council. My name is susan
[58:49] neely barnes, and I'm also here as a
[58:51] volunteer with the better transit for a
[58:54] better memphis to ask you to increase
[58:56] the city of memphis investment in public
[58:58] transit from 32 to 52 million for next
[59:01] fiscal year.
[59:03] >> the
[59:04] >> memphis transit vision
[59:07] forecast that increasing funding for
[59:10] mata would result in 39% more jobs
[59:12] within a one hour commute by bus
[59:15] investment in public transit is critical
[59:18] to ensuring a more reliable workforce,
[59:21] and would support job opportunities and
[59:24] stability for memphians. There are
[59:26] proposed changes to the federal budget
[59:29] that will create additional challenges
[59:32] for mata if those come to pass. House
[59:35] bill 8870 the build america act proposes
[59:38] to reduce funding for public
[59:40] transportation by 25% this would shift
[59:43] money to state block grants and reduce a
[59:46] key funding source. This would also mean
[59:49] that we're relying on the state to
[59:52] continue to fund memphis when other
[59:54] cities in the state have competing
[59:57] demands with a smaller budget. This
[1:00:00] makes the council's investment in public
[1:00:03] transit even more urgent. This change in
[1:00:06] policy, if it passes, will be a real
[1:00:08] threat to the funding of mata. In my
[1:00:11] last 30 seconds, I just want to mention
[1:00:14] that when my daughter was 817, 18, and
[1:00:17] had her first job, she worked at the
[1:00:20] einsteins that used to be on poplar
[1:00:22] corridor, and even right there in that
[1:00:25] very central location, many people who
[1:00:28] worked with her had trouble getting
[1:00:31] there because of unreliable transit.
[1:00:34] thank you for supporting community, our
[1:00:36] community vision. And let's get on the
[1:00:39] bus with public transit.
[1:00:42] >> thank you so much, mr.
[1:00:44] ron davis. Thank you. My name is ron
[1:00:46] davis. I am an organizer with the better
[1:00:48] tresor for better memphis coalition. One
[1:00:50] of the things I have today is a couple
[1:00:52] of postcards, because our leaders that
[1:00:54] you see behind us, who are just regular
[1:00:56] members of our community, have been
[1:00:58] working day and night trying to figure
[1:01:00] out what it is that we need to do in
[1:01:02] order to make how public transit system
[1:01:04] work for us. Memphis still faces a
[1:01:07] significant gap between the level of
[1:01:09] service residents need and the resources
[1:01:11] currently allocated to support it.
[1:01:13] currently, matter has about 56 busses
[1:01:15] running on a daily basis, that serves
[1:01:17] about 50,000 daily riders. Matter needs
[1:01:19] over 70 busses to operate effectively
[1:01:21] and sufficiently, and sufficient budget
[1:01:23] to maintain the fleet. Additional bus
[1:01:25] drivers and mechanics are also needed,
[1:01:27] but all of this can only happen if you
[1:01:29] have funding, which is why we are also
[1:01:31] demanding that the city of memphis
[1:01:33] invest $20 million into public transit,
[1:01:35] bringing it from 32 million to 52
[1:01:37] million. We have been also meeting on
[1:01:39] direction from the mayor with holmes,
[1:01:41] who is the current interim ceo of mata,
[1:01:43] and we've actually had some very
[1:01:45] productive conversations. These leaders
[1:01:47] that you see behind me, who again are
[1:01:49] not career politicians or career transit
[1:01:51] authority figures, have been trying to
[1:01:54] figure out of their own volition what it
[1:01:56] is that mata can do on their own to make
[1:01:58] services more reliable, and we are happy
[1:02:00] to report that through the time that
[1:02:02] holmes has been in his position, we have
[1:02:04] seen a marginal increase. Riders are
[1:02:06] saying they are seeing slowly that
[1:02:08] holmes is addressing certain issues,
[1:02:10] whether it be at hudson with security,
[1:02:12] or whether it be trying to get more
[1:02:14] security on busses, or whether it be
[1:02:16] trying to rearrange bus services, so
[1:02:18] they work more effectively. He even had
[1:02:20] a community meeting about two weeks ago,
[1:02:22] which is the first time that community
[1:02:24] riders have had a chance to actually
[1:02:26] voice their opinions or get any
[1:02:28] knowledge or information for transit in
[1:02:30] the last six months, since we don't have
[1:02:32] a board. However, cut a summer
[1:02:34] satisfaction remains low due to the
[1:02:36] inability of current systems to meet the
[1:02:38] published schedule, with riders some
[1:02:41] time waiting hours for a pickup date.
[1:02:43] even have a leader from out of town who
[1:02:45] wanted to ride the bus down here, but it
[1:02:47] will take him 50 minutes, and he didn't
[1:02:49] want to be late, so you got to call an
[1:02:51] uber. That's why we are proposing a 32
[1:02:53] million increase in 32 million to $50
[1:02:55] thank you so much. And we hope to be
[1:02:57] able to meet with you all soon. And I'm
[1:02:59] gonna hand you all some postcards people
[1:03:01] wrote to you all.
[1:03:03] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:03:05] thank you. That brings us to our same
[1:03:07] night-minute items. Council mccann
[1:03:10] alley, would you please read the same
[1:03:12] night-minute items into record?
[1:03:14] >> councilman canale: thank you, madam
[1:03:17] chair. Same recommended items are eight
[1:03:21] 910 1112 1831 3233 and 34 with that,
[1:03:25] madam chair, I move it to the floor.
[1:03:28] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:03:31] thank you so much. It's been moved by
[1:03:35] councilman canal, and second by
[1:03:38] councilman dr. Warren, madam
[1:03:41] comptroller, if you will, please prepare
[1:03:45] the screen for the vote.
[1:03:48] >> madam comptroller: thank you, council
[1:03:51] members, for your votes.
[1:03:55] >> thank
[1:03:59] >> madam comptroller: canale, yes.
[1:04:03] easter, thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan,
[1:04:07] yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White,
[1:04:11] yes. Please show council members spinoza
[1:04:15] as voting yes. Please show green, and we
[1:04:19] show smiling, I have set the names for
[1:04:24] the record. That item passes. Madam
[1:04:28] comptroller, would you please look at
[1:04:32] item 30 and make sure we voted on that
[1:04:36] item, I well, now, well, now, what a
[1:04:40] wonderful system.
[1:04:44] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: for
[1:04:47] the record, can we please just cast the
[1:04:49] vote on number 30? My system is not
[1:04:52] allowing me to call it back up. Item 30
[1:04:55] is a resolution, fiscal year 20 26/3
[1:04:57] quarter budget neutral adjustment all
[1:05:00] council districts. This resolution is
[1:05:03] sponsored by the administration. I'll
[1:05:06] entertain a motion and a second at this
[1:05:08] time.
[1:05:13] >> anybody
[1:05:14] >> madam comptroller: like someone
[1:05:15] saying something. White, so
[1:05:16] >> alliance healthcare representative:
[1:05:17] this
[1:05:18] >> came down with no
[1:05:21] recommendation. Okay,
[1:05:25] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: can
[1:05:27] I get a motion? It's been moved by
[1:05:28] councilwoman white, second by councilman
[1:05:30] dr. Warren. If you'll please prepare the
[1:05:31] screen,
[1:05:33] >> madam chair, you said
[1:05:35] could we have someone give a little bit
[1:05:38] further explanation of this. This is our
[1:05:41] third quarter budget neutral adjustments
[1:05:43] that we did earlier. Some
[1:05:45] administration,
[1:05:48] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:05:50] okay? Is there anyone from the
[1:05:52] administration that can offer clarity on
[1:05:54] item number 30?
[1:05:56] >> councilmember: I'll make a motion to
[1:05:59] hold the item,
[1:06:01] >> if I could, madam chair.
[1:06:02] >> all right. All right, I
[1:06:04] got an emotional to hold two weeks,
[1:06:06] madam chair.
[1:06:08] >> yeah, hold on for two
[1:06:09] weeks
[1:06:10] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington: for
[1:06:14] the next council meeting. Thank you.
[1:06:19] number 30. All right, can you prepare
[1:06:25] the screen that we're going to hold it
[1:06:30] without two weeks. All right, two weeks
[1:06:35] without objection. All right, that moves
[1:06:40] us to our general comment cards. We have
[1:06:45] three cards: cynthia bailey. After
[1:06:50] cynthia bailey, we'll have johnny
[1:06:56] mosley. After johnny mosley, sammy
[1:07:01] hunter.
[1:07:06] >> yes, cynthia bailey,
[1:07:09] transit advocate. I'm coming here today.
[1:07:12] I like to start off saying hey to
[1:07:15] everybody. I'm coming out here today on
[1:07:19] the behalf of the bus riders, and this
[1:07:22] is some of the things that the bus
[1:07:25] riders have brought to my attention at
[1:07:28] mata no road supervisor at the bus
[1:07:31] stations. When busses don't show up, if
[1:07:34] you don't have a supervisor there, then
[1:07:37] people are stranded, and you have no way
[1:07:41] of getting to your destination. Then
[1:07:44] also we wanted to request for the mayor
[1:07:47] to ride the bus to do a ride along.
[1:07:50] also, it was a request as well for a
[1:07:53] timeline on new busses. Secondly, each
[1:07:56] bus stop should need, I mean, excuse me,
[1:08:00] each bus stop needs shelter at each
[1:08:03] stop, improving customer service at the
[1:08:06] call center and the reception, because
[1:08:09] they are very rude, very disrespectful,
[1:08:12] and it's just not customer good customer
[1:08:15] service. Also, I have also some writers
[1:08:18] have told me lack of unqualified people
[1:08:22] that varies that work in position that
[1:08:25] matter, that's in those positions not
[1:08:28] qualified, so that's a red flag as well,
[1:08:31] but my most thing for me is I strongly
[1:08:34] disagree with the new adjustment
[1:08:37] changes. It is a hinder on everybody
[1:08:41] that I talk to, and I'm trying to see
[1:08:44] this part right here that really puzzled
[1:08:47] me. Is how was the adjustment changes
[1:08:50] without a board? You have to have a
[1:08:53] board in order to make changes to any
[1:08:56] kind of routes scheduling, because it's
[1:08:59] a proposal you cannot make a proposal
[1:09:03] without a full board. So I'm trying to
[1:09:06] see who at mato made those changes.
[1:09:09] thank you.
[1:09:12] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:09:14] thank you so much for sharing all those
[1:09:16] concerns. Our staff is going to take
[1:09:18] note and follow up with those. Mr.
[1:09:20] johnny mosley,
[1:09:29] >> thank you. I'm johnny
[1:09:32] mosley. I'm chairman of citizens with
[1:09:36] better service group that's been dealing
[1:09:39] with public transportation issues since
[1:09:43] 1993 just to pick it off, what miss
[1:09:46] bailey said, is that that is a concern
[1:09:49] about how can matter cut service cut
[1:09:53] frequencies and bus route without a coin
[1:09:56] from the board. I think it's a violation
[1:09:59] of the city charter, because the city
[1:10:03] charter gives that sole power to the
[1:10:06] malabar. They said that it was for to
[1:10:10] make matter better, to make the system
[1:10:13] reliable when it cuts become reliable
[1:10:16] service. When it cuts and frequency
[1:10:20] become reliable service, people are
[1:10:23] still waiting at the bus stop trying to
[1:10:26] get to the designation. Some can't get
[1:10:30] to the designation because service have
[1:10:33] been cut in their neighborhoods. Just
[1:10:37] give you an example. If we had not got
[1:10:40] involved, the whole box town area would
[1:10:43] have been cut. They said that they
[1:10:47] wanted to cut certain areas in the box
[1:10:50] town because of a train. We had to send
[1:10:53] mall, and I also sent a letter to
[1:10:57] council member ford, a route that would
[1:11:00] allow the metro dev your transit thor to
[1:11:04] get a round of train, whatever happened
[1:11:07] to the matter that occurred about the
[1:11:10] ridership, whatever happened to the
[1:11:14] matter that treat people with a sense of
[1:11:17] human dignity and respect, we need that
[1:11:20] matter back, and only way that matter is
[1:11:24] going to come back is this much, the
[1:11:27] city council get involved, as well as
[1:11:31] mayor young. Thank you very much.
[1:11:34] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:11:37] thank you for coming down, mr. Sammy
[1:11:41] hunter,
[1:11:44] >> you good evening,
[1:11:46] council. My name is sammy hunter. I live
[1:11:48] at 4211 park chester avenue. I co-chair
[1:11:50] the memphis bus riders union. I've been
[1:11:53] doing it here since 2012 I just want to
[1:11:55] speak on this on this topic, because bus
[1:11:57] riders, a lot of work, they go to work,
[1:11:59] they pay taxes, and they deserve
[1:12:01] reliable, sufficient transportation.
[1:12:03] they're not getting it on a daily basis.
[1:12:05] the next thing I want to say, they're
[1:12:07] standing out here two or three hours
[1:12:10] waiting on busses, and it's very
[1:12:12] frustrating to them, and it's
[1:12:14] frustrating for most of our bus riders
[1:12:16] are women. This plays into crime. They
[1:12:18] have to stand out there two or three
[1:12:20] hours waiting on the bus. They don't
[1:12:22] know if they're gonna get robbed or
[1:12:24] anything. This is something that I hope
[1:12:27] you all will look into and try to come
[1:12:29] in and try to give us better
[1:12:31] transportation, because I've been at
[1:12:33] this a long time. I have gotten money
[1:12:35] from you all from the when some of you,
[1:12:37] I went here. I got 7.5 million, me and
[1:12:39] miss cynthia bailey. We was coach her,
[1:12:42] so I've been just.. It's not nothing new
[1:12:44] to me. So I'm trying to get a better
[1:12:46] transportation system here for these bus
[1:12:48] routes. I care about them and
[1:12:50] everything, because I know what they go
[1:12:52] through, and I would like to see some of
[1:12:54] you council members come out and get on
[1:12:56] the bus and ride bus with me and talk to
[1:12:59] some of them, and if you don't believe
[1:13:01] what I'm saying, y'all know you tired
[1:13:03] hearing me come down and talk to you.
[1:13:05] just get on the bus, just ride, and
[1:13:07] they'll let you know how they feel about
[1:13:09] this transportation system. Memphis
[1:13:11] needs a better transportation system.
[1:13:13] memphis is being bigger than boston,
[1:13:16] massachusetts, and square mile. We
[1:13:18] deserve better transportation system in
[1:13:20] the city of memphis. Thank you, ma'am.
[1:13:22] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:13:28] thank you so much. Jessica miller,
[1:13:35] >> my name is jessica
[1:13:37] miller. I'm a community organizer with
[1:13:40] indivisible memphis. I'm reading this
[1:13:42] straight from mpds handbook dr 301
[1:13:45] excessive force, excessive force
[1:13:47] unnecessary is defined as the amount of
[1:13:50] force which is beyond the need and
[1:13:52] circumstances of the particular event,
[1:13:55] or which is not justified in the light
[1:13:57] of all circumstances, as is the case of
[1:14:00] deadly force to protect property, as
[1:14:02] contrasted with protecting life
[1:14:05] comptroller may be achieved through
[1:14:07] advice, warnings, and persuasion, or by
[1:14:10] the use of physical force. While the use
[1:14:12] of reasonable physical force may be
[1:14:15] necessary in situations which cannot be
[1:14:17] otherwise controlled, force may not be
[1:14:20] resorted to unless other reasonable
[1:14:22] alternatives have been exhausted or
[1:14:25] would clearly be ineffective under the
[1:14:27] particular circumstances. This past
[1:14:30] week, more footage was released from the
[1:14:32] no kings event, and it showed what many
[1:14:35] of us already knew and have talked about
[1:14:37] many times in front of you all: obvious
[1:14:40] excessive force that appears to directly
[1:14:42] contradict mpd own policies. At first,
[1:14:45] the public was told the internal
[1:14:47] investigation would be completed by
[1:14:50] june. Now, after media inquiries last
[1:14:52] week, mpd says that there is no timeline
[1:14:55] at all for when this investigation will
[1:14:57] be finished. Meanwhile, two people have
[1:15:00] been killed by law enforcement in the
[1:15:02] last two weeks. What are we doing?
[1:15:05] people in memphis are exhausted from the
[1:15:07] same cycle over and over again of
[1:15:10] endless ongoing investigations with no
[1:15:12] deadlines. Public discussions
[1:15:15] mysteriously moved from council agenda
[1:15:17] to behind closed doors, accountability
[1:15:20] delayed until outrage dies down, and
[1:15:22] officials refusing to admit that this
[1:15:25] city has a policing problem, not just a
[1:15:27] crime problem. And I want to remind this
[1:15:30] council of something else. Every single
[1:15:32] member of this body voted to retain cj
[1:15:35] davis as chief of police. You made that
[1:15:37] decision, so at what point do you either
[1:15:40] admit that that vote of confidence was a
[1:15:42] mistake, or finally hold her and these
[1:15:45] officers accountable.
[1:15:47] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:15:49] councilwoman easter-thomas, you are
[1:15:50] recognized.
[1:15:52] >> thank you, chair. For ms.
[1:15:55] bailey, mr. Mosley, and mr. Hunter, ms.
[1:15:59] bailey, johnny, miss bailey, mr. Mosley,
[1:16:02] and ron, if it's not too much to ask for
[1:16:06] what you three said, we get what y'all
[1:16:09] said. Thank you. If it's not too much
[1:16:12] for what you all three said, the issues
[1:16:16] that you talked about, everything
[1:16:19] outside of mary on riding, because we
[1:16:23] don't have anything to do with that. If
[1:16:26] we can get it, either mr. Moser, you can
[1:16:29] send us a bullet list, so that we can
[1:16:33] send that to mr. Holmes. He was in here,
[1:16:36] but, but he's not in here anymore. But
[1:16:40] well, he came in, but he left back out,
[1:16:43] but we can. I'd like to send it to him,
[1:16:46] so that we can at least get some, start
[1:16:50] get some answers for you, so that the
[1:16:53] council will know if there's any action
[1:16:56] we can or need to take. Here, come back,
[1:17:00] mr. Holmes. I just said, mr. Holmes,
[1:17:03] that's not mess. Okay, yeah, we can't
[1:17:07] see a period. What I just said to miss
[1:17:10] cynthia bailey, mr. Johnny hunter, I'm
[1:17:13] johnny mosley. I'm sorry, mr. Hunter, is
[1:17:17] that I was asking for a written just
[1:17:20] bullet list. It don't have to be too
[1:17:24] fancy, just put what you said. Hold on,
[1:17:27] miss mosley, so that we can get to mr.
[1:17:30] holmes, so that we can start as a
[1:17:34] council seeing how, if, how these things
[1:17:37] that they mentioned can be addressed. Is
[1:17:41] that okay, miss holland?
[1:17:44] >> okay.
[1:17:46] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:17:47] thank you so much.
[1:17:48] >> councilwoman cooper-sutton: just send
[1:17:50] the bullets of what you and miss cynthia
[1:17:52] said, so we can just send it on. Yes,
[1:17:54] sir. Thank you. Thank you. I know you
[1:17:57] will, councilwoman cooper-sutton. You
[1:18:00] are recognized. Thank you, chairwoman.
[1:18:02] to address miss bailey, ron, and mr.
[1:18:04] johnny, I am, and I have.. I'm taking
[1:18:07] tours now with real people, real time,
[1:18:10] without anyone messing with the
[1:18:12] schedule, because I wanted to see for
[1:18:14] myself, and I've written.. I've written
[1:18:17] on the one that goes in binghampton,
[1:18:20] that takes the people to the grocery
[1:18:22] store, and I've gone shopping with them
[1:18:24] in walmart. I've taken the one. Where
[1:18:27] should we go, deja? We've been.. I mean,
[1:18:30] I'm actually.. They did not substitute,
[1:18:32] they did not make it better. I wanted to
[1:18:34] be on the worst bus they had. They did
[1:18:37] not fix it where it was perfect for me.
[1:18:40] I got on the bus and I'm riding around
[1:18:42] the city, and I'm talking to the riders,
[1:18:44] and I'm listening to what they're
[1:18:47] saying. And I wanted you to know that
[1:18:50] you do have council members. Some of our
[1:18:52] council members work, and so once we got
[1:18:54] through with our ride, we have two more
[1:18:57] weeks to go on this ride. Days and I
[1:19:00] will get a full report and give it to
[1:19:02] our council members, but the rides that
[1:19:04] I'm taking real time, don't try to sugar
[1:19:07] coat it, make it right. I talked with
[1:19:10] mr. Holmes, he set it up, and the riders
[1:19:12] that I'm riding with, and I don't know
[1:19:14] if you all know, I don't think everybody
[1:19:17] knows that there is a program out there
[1:19:20] that you can ride personally. You don't
[1:19:22] even have to sit there, wait at the bus,
[1:19:24] and wait for the bus. You can call them,
[1:19:27] and they will come pick you up to make
[1:19:30] sure that you're not late for work. This
[1:19:32] is something that can routinely happen.
[1:19:34] I didn't even know that existed. Ready
[1:19:37] service, is that ready services, ready
[1:19:40] services. I went over there to the
[1:19:42] senior citizen place over there for
[1:19:44] danny thomas, and I think it's south
[1:19:47] side city over there. People are really,
[1:19:50] they don't even, they don't even know
[1:19:52] this exists. It's ready service, so it's
[1:19:54] working to make sure if it's in certain
[1:19:57] areas, if we can get it across the city,
[1:20:00] but if you don't use it, how do you know
[1:20:02] that it's going to work? I didn't know
[1:20:04] it exists, because I'm a bus rider, I
[1:20:07] live in new jersey, new jersey in east
[1:20:10] orange, so bus riding was my thing to
[1:20:12] ride a bus, and I was looking forward to
[1:20:14] that, but I just wanted to just clarify
[1:20:17] that, as a council member, I heard you
[1:20:20] out when you first drove up, and that
[1:20:22] was a while back, telling us to go back
[1:20:24] and take the ride, and that's what I'm
[1:20:25] doing right now, and I have two more
[1:20:28] weeks of riding the busses.
[1:20:30] >> thank you so
[1:20:31] >> much. We will give
[1:20:33] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:20:34] you, thank you for being involved, and
[1:20:36] thank you, aaron. We will now entertain
[1:20:38] a motion to adjourn.
[1:20:39] >> a motion to
[1:20:40] >> chairwoman swearengen-washington:
[1:20:41] adjourn. It is properly motioned and
[1:20:43] seconded. Thank you, staff council
[1:20:47] member.