[0:10] meeting to order the chaplain

[0:24] is reverend dr let us pray

[0:38] Dear God, we're grateful for

[0:40] this opportunity and privilege

[0:43] together to work together

[0:45] for the good of this city.

[0:48] We pray thanking you for those

[0:49] who make choices and who make

[0:52] the choice and those who make

[0:54] the choice and those who are

[0:55] sitting behind these desks.

[0:57] We do pray, Lord, that each

[0:59] representative will approach

[1:00] the issue at hand

[1:02] with understanding and wisdom.

[1:06] Lord May each representative

[1:09] look to you

[1:10] for strength enough to have and

[1:13] maintain open minds and

[1:15] listening ears, seasoned

[1:17] with respect and integrity,

[1:20] reflecting your truth and grace

[1:21] extended to us all.

[1:24] We also pray that our time here

[1:27] this day will yield some

[1:28] fruitful outcomes that might

[1:30] amaze everyone involved today.

[1:33] May we be faithful enough

[1:34] in you to accept this agenda.

[1:37] and his outcome

[1:39] into your loving and tender

[1:41] arms of mercy and grace and

[1:44] may your divine

[1:47] in all that we seek to do

[1:49] on it is in christ's name that

[1:51] we pray amen Thank you.

[2:16] You may be seated.

[2:20] Councilman Ford, Senior, you're

[2:24] recognized.

[2:43] Thank you.

[2:45] Councilman, this is a little

[2:56] certificate showing that you

[2:57] were chaplain of today.

[3:00] Everybody, this is Reverend

[3:03] Walker Wright, Whitestone

[3:07] Missionary Baptist Church at

[3:08] Parkway, right at 3rd

[3:10] Street.

[3:12] Very great pastor, and I want

[3:14] y'all to understand this,

[3:15] and maybe you all need

[3:16] to do this too,

[3:17] every evening.

[3:20] Every evening,

[3:22] he calls and we have prayer.

[3:25] So get your friends and y'all

[3:27] have prayer too, every evening,

[3:28] every six or seven.

[3:33] We never miss that.

[3:37] Seven days a week.

[3:38] Seven days a week.

[4:20] I hope I'm getting to a 50s,

[4:27] a very trying day of the trying

[4:37] decisions and all.

[4:40] I want everybody to know that

[4:53] I'm not a bad guy.

[4:54] You can only do certain things,

[4:55] but if you believe in better,

[4:57] better, and better,

[5:02] that's all you have to do.

[5:04] We got a crowd invited

[5:06] to that.

[5:08] Yes, sir.

[5:10] Important to me.

[5:14] But I just want to say that.

[5:16] That's fine.

[5:17] Like I said, call your friends

[5:18] and I tell you, your things

[5:25] should turn around.

[5:28] Thank you all very much.

[5:29] I got this certificate

[5:31] for you and we got a little...

[5:35] Thank you.

[5:37] And I just want to thank

[5:38] everybody, okay?

[5:39] Thank you so much.

[5:47] Madam Comptroller.

[5:50] Thank you.

[5:51] Council Members Canale,

[5:53] Cooper, Sutton, Easter,

[5:57] Thomas, Green, Logan.

[6:03] NOSA, Walker Warren,

[6:12] Chairwoman. Present.

[6:13] Thank you, Madam Comptroller.

[6:18] I believe Councilman Carlisle

[6:22] has read the minutes.

[6:25] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[6:26] I've reviewed the minutes.

[6:27] Option of the June 9th, 2026

[6:28] meeting minutes.

[6:32] Okay.

[6:33] It has been properly moved by

[6:34] Councilman Carlisle.

[6:35] It has been seconded by

[6:36] Councilman Spinoza.

[6:38] Madam Comptroller, please

[6:39] conduct the roll.

[6:43] Prepare the screen.

[6:56] Canali, yes.

[6:57] Easter, Thomas, yes.

[7:00] Ford, yes.

[7:01] Green, yes.

[7:02] Logan, yes.

[7:03] Spinoza, yes.

[7:05] Walker, yes.

[7:06] Warren, yes.

[7:08] White, yes.

[7:09] Chairwoman

[7:10] Swearingen-Washington, yes.

[7:11] Please show Councilmember

[7:14] Cooper-Sudden is voting yes

[7:15] on the minutes.

[7:17] Thank you.

[7:19] That item passes.

[7:21] Welcome to the June 23, 2026

[7:24] regular meeting of the

[7:26] Memphis City Council.

[7:27] Meetings of the Council shall

[7:29] be conducted

[7:30] in an orderly manner to ensure

[7:32] the public has the full

[7:34] opportunity to be heard and the

[7:36] deliberate process

[7:38] of the council is retained

[7:40] at all times.

[7:41] Our council staff has meeting

[7:43] agendas available up front.

[7:46] Summer, please raise your hand.

[7:48] As well as comment request

[7:49] cards for members

[7:51] of the public wishing

[7:52] to be heard

[7:53] on a specific item.

[7:54] All those wishing to speak

[7:55] on an item must turn

[7:57] in their comment card to staff

[7:58] before the item is called.

[8:02] If you are not here to speak

[8:03] on a specific item,

[8:05] you can note your request

[8:06] to give general comments

[8:08] at the end of the meeting.

[8:10] As chair, I will only recognize

[8:11] citizens that properly

[8:14] registered to speak by

[8:15] submitting a completed comment

[8:18] request card

[8:19] to council staff.

[8:21] Please note that item number

[8:22] six has been withdrawn.

[8:27] We will now start

[8:28] with our presentations.

[8:29] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[8:31] please call item number one.

[8:34] Thank you.

[8:35] Item number one is a resolution

[8:36] approving an honorary street

[8:39] name change for Carolyn

[8:40] Goodwin Willett on Castalia

[8:43] Street between Lamar Avenue and

[8:45] South Parkway East.

[8:48] This resolution is sponsored

[8:49] by Chairwoman Swearengin

[8:51] Washington.

[9:05] Miss Goodwin-Willett, she

[9:07] thought she was coming

[9:08] down here

[9:09] to honor her son today,

[9:10] but today is your day.

[9:21] Yes, we did.

[9:26] I mean, we got you good.

[9:33] Today we are honoring An icon

[9:36] in the Castellan, South

[9:39] Memphis, greater Memphis

[9:40] community for all the work that

[9:42] she has done.

[9:45] She is an advocate

[9:47] for everyone, for business,

[9:49] for education,

[9:50] for what you've done with your

[9:51] child care center and what

[9:53] you're doing with the

[9:54] neighborhood associations.

[9:56] We are proud

[9:57] of you and we want

[9:58] to celebrate you and we want to

[9:59] give you your flowers while you

[10:02] are here.

[10:03] And thank you, Carlton,

[10:04] for helping us to fool her.

[10:08] Today you're going

[10:09] to be honored

[10:10] with an honorary street sign.

[10:14] Yes.

[10:16] When we go down, all the work

[10:29] that you have done.

[10:34] Somebody please get my reading

[10:35] glasses out of my purse.

[10:37] Please.

[10:39] Okay, I'll use her.

[10:41] Praise the Lord.

[10:42] Thank you.

[10:44] Whereas Carolyn Goodwin

[10:46] Willett, born July 4th, 1949,

[10:50] is a true daughter of the

[10:52] Magnolia Castella community,

[10:54] and her life stands as a

[10:56] powerful testament

[10:57] to what it means

[10:59] to remain rooted, to rise

[11:00] with purpose, and to leave

[11:03] every place better than she

[11:04] found it.

[11:05] Whereas a young woman at

[11:07] Memphis State University, she

[11:09] joined the Black Student

[11:10] Association

[11:11] during a pivotal moment in the

[11:12] city's civil rights history,

[11:14] standing with conviction

[11:16] among the 109 students arrested

[11:18] during the historic 1969

[11:21] sit-in, choosing courage

[11:24] over comfort and justice

[11:25] over silence.

[11:27] And though Carolyn Goodwin

[11:28] Willett faced hostility,

[11:30] was the only black student

[11:32] in her English class, she

[11:34] persisted, completing her

[11:36] undergraduate degree and later

[11:38] returning

[11:39] to earn her master's, and

[11:41] in doing so,

[11:42] helped move this city forward.

[11:44] Her life's work as a social

[11:45] worker and advocate,

[11:47] supporting families in crisis

[11:48] and leading statewide youth

[11:51] drug prevention programs,

[11:52] reflects a deep,

[11:53] unwavering commitment.

[11:56] to children and families,

[11:58] grounded in the belief that

[11:59] every child deserves not only

[12:01] care, but opportunity,

[12:03] protection, and path forward.

[12:05] Through her visionary

[12:07] leadership of Kitty College

[12:09] Child Care Center, founded in

[12:11] 1994, alongside her mother,

[12:15] the late Florine Hines,

[12:17] Carolyn Goodwin will let, build

[12:19] an enduring institution that

[12:21] grew

[12:22] from an initial enrollment

[12:23] of nine children.

[12:25] to caring to as many 180

[12:27] across two shifts that today,

[12:30] more than 30 years later,

[12:33] proudly serves

[12:34] fourth-generation families

[12:36] transforming early childhood

[12:37] education

[12:38] into a lasting legacy

[12:40] of excellence, trust,

[12:41] and community stability.

[12:44] Her service to the city of

[12:46] Memphis through the Board of

[12:47] Ethics and the Health

[12:49] Education and Housing

[12:50] Facility Board reflects a woman

[12:52] of integrity and discernment,

[12:54] trusted to lead, to guide, and

[12:56] to uphold the principles that

[12:58] strengthen public trust and

[13:00] civic life.

[13:01] As a longtime director of the

[13:04] Magnolia Castellia Community

[13:07] Association, Carolyn

[13:09] Goodwill-Willett has done the

[13:10] sacred work

[13:12] of community building,

[13:13] partnering

[13:15] with organizations such as

[13:17] Habitat for Humanity and

[13:20] Black Seed Farms to expand

[13:21] housing access and food

[13:22] security, championing...

[13:24] Magnolia Elementary School and

[13:26] reminding us that true

[13:28] leadership is not measured

[13:29] by recognition, but

[13:31] by responsibility.

[13:33] She is sustained by the love

[13:34] of her family, her devoted

[13:36] husband, Eugene Willett, her

[13:38] sons, Carlton Fields and

[13:40] Jimmy Goodwin, and her nine

[13:42] precious grandchildren and

[13:44] great-grandchildren,

[13:46] who have been the foundation

[13:47] of her work and the source

[13:49] of her strength

[13:50] through a lifetime

[13:51] of service.

[13:52] Whereas grounded in faith,

[13:54] sustained by family,

[13:55] and guided by purpose,

[13:57] her life reflects a legacy,

[13:58] not simply of achievement, but

[13:59] of impact.

[14:01] One that continues

[14:03] to shape lives, strengthen

[14:04] community,

[14:06] inspire those who follow.

[14:07] Now therefore be it resolved

[14:08] that Chairwoman Jana

[14:10] Swearingen-Washington and the

[14:11] entire Memphis City Council, we

[14:15] hereby honor Carolyn

[14:17] Goodwin-Willett.

[14:29] embodies grace, strength,

[14:33] and a steadfast commitment

[14:34] to service.

[14:36] Be it further resolved that the

[14:37] naming of Castalia Street

[14:39] between Lamar Avenue and

[14:41] South Parkway East in her honor

[14:42] stands as a lasting and visible

[14:44] testament

[14:46] to a legacy built not

[14:48] in moments, but

[14:49] over a lifetime of faithful

[14:51] service and enduring impact.

[14:53] Be it further resolved that the

[14:54] city engineer is requested

[14:56] to affix suitable signs

[14:58] to designate such public road

[15:01] in honor of Carolyn Goodwin

[15:03] Willett for her commitment and

[15:06] contributions to the city of

[15:07] Memphis given by my hand

[15:09] under the great seal

[15:11] of the city of Memphis this

[15:13] 23rd day of June 2026.

[15:15] Jana Swearingen Washington,

[15:17] chairwoman of the Memphis

[15:19] City Council District 4, where

[15:21] we get more.

[15:31] I want to commend all the

[15:32] family and friends.

[15:34] You all know y'all can keep a

[15:35] secret.

[15:37] Something else for you.

[15:43] Beautiful flowers for you.

[15:45] Oh wow.

[15:50] We're gonna let you say

[15:52] something and then you can get

[15:53] your flowers and we're gonna

[15:54] take pictures.

[16:00] Sorry.

[16:13] I was raised to serve,

[16:17] so it's what I know

[16:18] to do.

[16:19] I don't know where to act other

[16:21] than to serve.

[16:23] I thank you all so much.

[16:28] I appreciate the recognition

[16:30] and the loss of words.

[16:34] Thank you.

[16:36] Thank you.

[16:42] Madam Comptroller, would you

[18:55] please call Item Number 2?

[18:56] Thank you.

[19:00] Acclamation is seconded by

[19:03] Ford.

[19:05] Item Number 2 is a resolution

[19:07] honoring Adrian Davis for his

[19:09] outstanding service and

[19:11] contributions to the Memphis

[19:13] community.

[19:14] This resolution is sponsored

[19:16] by Councilwoman Easter

[19:18] Thomas.

[19:23] Thank you.

[19:24] Good afternoon,

[19:26] evening colleagues in the city

[19:27] of Memphis.

[19:28] I am so excited to not only

[19:30] myself, but along

[19:31] with the entire Memphis City

[19:32] Council, to be able to

[19:34] recognize someone that really

[19:36] gives and gives

[19:38] of his self and

[19:39] of his organization

[19:40] to the community.

[19:41] So along with my colleague,

[19:43] Councilwoman Cooper-Sund,

[19:44] you're going to read.

[19:47] Okay, good.

[19:48] We should be able to honor

[19:49] Mr.

[19:50] Adrian Davis through this

[19:51] resolution.

[19:52] Whereas it is fitting that the

[19:54] Memphis City Council honor and

[19:55] recognize individuals whose

[19:57] service, leadership,

[19:58] and commitment

[20:00] to improving the lives of

[20:01] others have made a lasting and

[20:03] meaningful impact on the

[20:04] Memphis community.

[20:06] Adrian Davis has dedicated his

[20:10] life to serving others

[20:11] through public safety,

[20:12] community advocacy,

[20:14] and non-profit leadership,

[20:16] consistently demonstrating a

[20:18] commitment

[20:19] to improving the lives

[20:20] of others.

[20:22] of individuals and families

[20:23] throughout Memphis and the

[20:24] Mid-South.

[20:28] Whereas Adrian Davis serves

[20:29] with distinguished as a

[20:32] firefighter with the Memphis

[20:33] Fire Department from 2017 to

[20:34] 2024, earning numerous honors

[20:39] including firefighter

[20:40] of the year, the valor award,

[20:42] the lifesaver award,

[20:44] and the merit award

[20:46] in recognition

[20:47] of his courage,

[20:49] professionalism,

[20:50] and dedication

[20:51] to protecting the citizens of

[20:52] Memphis.

[20:54] And whereas following a

[20:55] life-altering line

[20:57] of duty injury in 2021,

[20:59] Adrian Davis transformed

[21:02] adversity into opportunity

[21:05] by expanding his service to the

[21:07] community and founding

[21:09] community service leaders of

[21:11] America, CSLA,

[21:15] a nonprofit organization

[21:16] focused on uplifting undeserved

[21:18] communities

[21:21] through compassion, advocacy,

[21:23] and direct support.

[21:28] Through strategic partnerships

[21:31] with healthcare providers,

[21:32] businesses, faith-based

[21:33] organizations, civic leaders,

[21:34] and volunteers, Adrian Davis

[21:36] has mobilized hundreds of

[21:38] individuals and engaged

[21:40] thousands of community members

[21:43] in efforts that strengthen

[21:44] neighborhoods, expand access

[21:47] to essential services,

[21:48] and improve quality of life

[21:50] across Memphis and the

[21:52] Mid-South.

[21:53] Adrian's unwavering commitment

[21:54] to service exemplifies the

[21:56] high-quality and high-quality

[22:01] of life that he has.

[22:02] highest ideals of leadership,

[22:04] resilience, and community

[22:05] engagement,

[22:06] and his work continues

[22:07] to inspire others to serve

[22:08] with purpose, compassion,

[22:09] and integrity.

[22:10] Now, therefore,

[22:11] be it resolved that the

[22:12] Memphis City Council hereby

[22:14] honors and commends Adrian

[22:16] Davis for his extraordinary

[22:17] contributions to the Memphis

[22:20] community and extends its

[22:21] sincere appreciation

[22:23] for his continued dedication

[22:25] to improving the lives

[22:27] of others through service and

[22:28] leadership.

[22:29] You all please support us

[22:32] in giving a hand to Mr.

[22:33] Adrian Davis for all

[22:35] of his work and advocacy

[22:36] through the community.

[22:48] I thank you.

[22:49] This is what happens when you

[22:53] put God first.

[22:54] You put the people first and

[22:56] you be selfless.

[22:59] I got a second chance

[23:00] at life and it gave me a chance

[23:02] to really prove myself to God

[23:04] about who I can be.

[23:06] So I wanted to change some

[23:08] of the standards of leaders

[23:10] in the community.

[23:13] And one of those things is

[23:14] collaboration.

[23:16] I wanted to collaborate at a

[23:17] high level.

[23:18] I wanted the leaders

[23:19] to be able to serve and not...

[23:30] official the gap in between

[23:31] those relationships.

[23:32] I think I'm doing a great job

[23:33] of that.

[23:34] I have a lot of people

[23:35] to thank and just thank you

[23:36] for having an open ear

[23:37] for new ideas and a new type of

[23:39] leadership where it's more

[23:41] involving the people.

[23:43] Not to say that they're not

[23:44] doing it now,

[23:45] but we just upscale

[23:47] at a high level.

[23:48] So I just appreciate all the

[23:49] help and look forward to

[23:51] continuing this effort and

[23:53] thank you.

[24:00] to by affirmation.

[24:01] Thank you.

[24:03] Madam Comptroller, please call

[24:04] item number three.

[24:09] Item number three is a

[24:10] resolution honoring Lexi

[24:11] Carter

[24:13] for her community impact

[24:14] in the city of Memphis.

[24:16] This resolution is sponsored

[24:18] by Councilwoman Easter Thomas

[24:20] and Chairwoman Swearingen

[24:21] Washington.

[25:02] Thanks to Carter and family.

[25:03] We're so excited to be able

[25:04] to salute this woman

[25:06] of excellence who gives

[25:07] of herself every day

[25:08] to the greater Memphis

[25:10] community.

[25:11] We're so proud of you and the

[25:12] work that you're doing,

[25:13] and we want to give you your

[25:14] flowers as you live.

[25:17] Whereas the Memphis City

[25:18] Council sees fit to honor

[25:20] individuals whose commitment

[25:21] to service, civic engagement,

[25:23] and community leadership has

[25:25] made a lasting impact

[25:26] on the city of Memphis and its

[25:28] citizens.

[25:29] And whereas Lexi Reed Carter is

[25:31] a proud United States Navy

[25:34] veteran whose service reflects

[25:36] a lifelong commitment

[25:38] to leadership, duty,

[25:40] and public service.

[25:41] Through more than 30 years

[25:43] of dedicated service

[25:45] in the field of social work,

[25:46] she has helped countless

[25:48] individuals and families while

[25:50] advocating

[25:51] for their well-being

[25:52] of her community.

[25:53] After relocating in Memphis

[25:55] in 1991, Lexi Reed-Carter

[25:58] became an active and

[26:00] influential voice in civic and

[26:02] political affairs throughout

[26:04] Shelby County.

[26:06] She has served

[26:07] in numerous leadership

[26:09] positions within the Shelby

[26:10] County Democratic Party,

[26:11] including public relations

[26:13] secretary, fundraising leader,

[26:15] convention delegate,

[26:17] and chairwoman.

[26:20] Lexi Reed-Carter co-hosted the

[26:22] community-focused radio

[26:23] program, Eyes on Memphis.

[26:26] and later became editor and

[26:28] owner of the Shelby Democrat

[26:30] publication, helping keep

[26:31] residents informed and engaged.

[26:34] Lexi Reed Carter founded

[26:36] Diversity Memphis PAC and

[26:37] Willow, Women in Leadership

[26:39] Leaning on Wisdom, creating

[26:41] opportunities

[26:42] for leadership development,

[26:43] mentorship,

[26:44] and community service.

[26:45] For more than 25 years, Lexi

[26:48] has shared her passion

[26:50] for music by teaching piano

[26:52] to students of all ages, And

[26:54] Lexi Reed-Carter is a devoted

[26:56] wife, mother, grandmother,

[26:58] great-grandmother, woman

[27:01] of faith, and community leader

[27:02] whose life has been dedicated

[27:04] to serving others.

[27:07] Whereas the military service,

[27:09] her civic leadership, her

[27:10] mentorship, her community

[27:12] advocacy, Lexi Reed-Carter has

[27:14] left a lasting and meaningful

[27:16] impact on the city of

[27:19] Memphis.

[27:20] Now, therefore, it be resolved

[27:22] that the Memphis...

[27:24] City Council, we hereby honor

[27:26] Lexi Reed-Cotter for your

[27:28] outstanding contributions

[27:30] to public service, civic

[27:32] leadership, community

[27:34] empowerment, which extends our

[27:37] sincere appreciation

[27:39] for your lasting impact

[27:41] on the City of Memphis and its

[27:43] citizens.

[27:45] Be it further resolved that

[27:47] this resolution serves as an

[27:49] expression of the Memphis

[27:51] City Council.

[27:52] Our gratitude for you,

[27:54] for your unwavering dedication

[27:56] to serving others and

[27:58] strengthening the Memphis

[27:59] community.

[28:00] Given by our hand, Jana

[28:02] Swearingen-Washington,

[28:03] Chairwoman of the Memphis

[28:05] City Council, and...

[28:06] Councilwoman District 7,

[28:08] Myklyn Easter-Thomas.

[28:10] Please join us in celebrating

[28:12] and giving our gratitude for

[28:13] Ms.

[28:14] Lexi Reed-Carter.

[28:15] Yay I just want

[28:24] to thank everybody here,

[28:27] everybody that's present.

[28:28] You know,

[28:31] I did serve as a social worker

[28:32] for some years,

[28:33] and I developed a passion

[28:35] for people.

[28:36] And, you know,

[28:38] I've gotten several different

[28:39] awards,

[28:40] but this means the world

[28:42] to me.

[28:43] This reminds me of the work

[28:44] that I have done, and all

[28:45] of those that are around me,

[28:47] almost everyone that I look at.

[28:49] has been a part of my success

[28:51] in serving the community.

[28:52] Because I get a phone call that

[28:54] somebody's being evicted, or I

[28:55] get a phone call somebody needs

[28:57] help with their utilities.

[28:59] I always have called on them,

[29:01] and they've always rallied

[29:02] around me.

[29:04] So it's the entire community

[29:05] that makes me able to stand up

[29:08] before you.

[29:09] So I want to thank you all very

[29:10] much.

[29:11] We have something else

[29:12] for you.

[29:13] Come on, Clay.

[29:19] Beautiful flowers

[29:20] for a beautiful lady.

[29:22] Thank you so much.

[29:24] You're welcome.

[29:53] I'm going to take some pictures

[29:54] right quick.

[29:59] You're about to fold.

[30:00] Thank you, Madam

[30:01] Comptroller.

[30:02] Please approve Item 8,

[30:03] Acclamation.

[30:09] Thank you, so noted.

[30:12] Councilwoman White, you're

[30:13] recognized.

[30:17] Thank you, Chairman.

[30:19] Congratulations, Ms.

[30:20] Carter.

[30:21] Before everyone, thank you.

[30:27] To also acknowledge that we

[30:29] have Judge Gina Higgins,

[30:32] Circuit Court Division 4 judge

[30:33] with us today.

[30:36] We also have Judge Chris

[30:39] Frula, which is our judge in

[30:44] Circuit Court as well.

[30:49] That's what I thought I saw

[30:50] another judge.

[30:51] Judge Ernestine Hunt-Dorst is

[30:53] also here.

[30:59] And we also have Circuit

[31:00] Court Clerk Jamita

[31:01] Swearengin.

[31:05] Thank you all for joining us

[31:06] this afternoon, as well as all

[31:10] of our distinguished guests.

[31:11] You're all special to us.

[31:13] Thank you.

[31:19] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[31:20] please call the consent agenda.

[31:22] Thank you.

[31:24] Item number four on our consent

[31:25] agenda is up

[31:27] for first reading.

[31:28] An ordinance to amend chapter

[31:29] 25, Pension and Retirement

[31:32] System of the City of

[31:33] Memphis, Tennessee.

[31:34] Up for first reading,

[31:36] ordinance number 5974 is

[31:38] sponsored

[31:39] by the administration.

[31:41] Item number 5 is an ordinance

[31:43] to amend City of Memphis Code

[31:45] of Ordinances chapter 33,

[31:47] article 3, and corresponding

[31:49] chapter 13-28

[31:51] to increase the sewer fees.

[31:53] up for first reading.

[31:55] Ordinance number 5975 is

[31:58] sponsored

[31:59] by the administration.

[32:00] Item number seven is a

[32:02] referendum ordinance

[32:03] to amend the charter

[32:05] of the city of Memphis, same

[32:07] being Chapter 11 of the Acts

[32:09] of 1879, as amended pursuant

[32:13] to provisions of Article 11,

[32:16] Section 9 of the Constitution

[32:17] of the State of Tennessee

[32:19] Home Rule Amendment, so as to

[32:22] establish lobbyist registration

[32:24] and disclosure requirements and

[32:29] to submit the proposed

[32:31] referendum ordinance

[32:32] to the qualified voters

[32:34] of the city of Memphis at the

[32:36] next state general election.

[32:39] Up for first reading,

[32:40] ordinance number 5977 is

[32:43] sponsored by Councilman

[32:45] Carlisle.

[32:46] On our add-ons, we have item

[32:48] number 34.

[32:50] a resolution approving an

[32:51] honorary street name change

[32:53] for bb district 5 super

[32:56] district 9.

[32:57] this resolution is sponsored by

[32:59] council members canali and

[33:01] spinosa there is a request for

[33:03] same night minutes and our

[33:05] final item is number 40 a

[33:06] referendum ordinance

[33:08] to amend the charter

[33:09] of the city

[33:10] of memphis same being chapter

[33:11] 11 of the acts of 1879 as

[33:13] amended pursuant

[33:15] to the provisions of Article

[33:16] 11, Section 9.

[33:18] of the Constitution of the

[33:22] State of Tennessee Home Rule

[33:23] Amendment

[33:25] to authorize the creation

[33:27] by ordinance of uniform

[33:29] administrative procedures and

[33:31] systems for disposition

[33:33] of appeals that may affect the

[33:36] employment status

[33:38] of civil service employees.

[33:40] Up for first reading,

[33:42] ordinance number 5978 is

[33:44] sponsored by Councilman

[33:45] Carlisle, and there is a

[33:47] request to add this on

[33:49] for first reading.

[33:50] Madam Chairwoman, that

[33:51] concludes your consent agenda

[33:53] items.

[33:54] Thank you.

[33:55] Vice Chair Carlisle, you are

[33:56] recognized at this time.

[33:57] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[33:58] The consent agenda has been

[33:59] read and I so move.

[34:01] It has been properly moved by

[34:02] Vice Chair Carlisle, seconded

[34:03] by Councilwoman Green.

[34:04] There are no counsel

[34:05] in the queue to speak.

[34:08] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[34:11] please prepare the screen

[34:12] for the consent agenda.

[34:25] Council, please cast your vote.

[34:32] Madam Comptroller, the screen.

[34:55] Nally, yes.

[34:56] Carlisle, yes.

[34:57] Cooper, Sutton, yes.

[34:58] Easter, Thomas, yes.

[35:00] Ford, yes.

[35:01] Green, yes.

[35:02] Logan, yes.

[35:03] Walker, yes.

[35:04] Warren, yes.

[35:05] White, yes.

[35:06] Chairwoman

[35:07] Swearingen-Washington, yes.

[35:09] That item passes.

[35:11] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[35:13] please call the MLGW Fiscal

[35:14] Consent Agenda Items 8

[35:16] through 11.

[35:24] Item number 8 is a resolution.

[35:25] Proving the increase

[35:28] in extension

[35:29] to contract number 12227, high

[35:32] volume outage call management

[35:34] with message broadcast LLC to

[35:36] increase the contract amount

[35:38] and extend the current contract

[35:40] in the funded amount of

[35:42] $1,503,125.

[35:46] Item number nine is a

[35:48] resolution awarding a purchase

[35:50] order for gas meters at AMI

[35:53] Equipment.

[35:54] to Ed Young Sales Company,

[35:55] Inc.

[35:57] in the amount of

[35:58] $5,176,100.54.

[36:02] Item number 10 is a resolution

[36:05] awarding a purchase order for

[36:07] Water Meter Registers to

[36:09] Badger Meter, Inc.

[36:11] in the amount of

[36:12] $3,058,598.34.

[36:19] Item number 11 is a resolution

[36:20] awarding...

[36:21] a purchase order

[36:22] for water modules to Westco

[36:25] Distribution, Inc.,

[36:26] in the amount of

[36:27] $5,476,434.98.

[36:33] Madam Chair, that concludes our

[36:35] MLGW consent items.

[36:37] Thank you, Madam

[36:38] Comptroller.

[36:39] Councilwoman Walker, you're

[36:40] recognized.

[36:42] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[36:43] The committee met with a

[36:45] favorable recommendation,

[36:46] and I so move.

[36:47] Thank you.

[36:49] It has been moved by

[36:50] Councilwoman Walker, second

[36:51] by Councilman Dr.

[36:52] Warren.

[36:54] There are no members

[36:55] in the queue to speak.

[36:56] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[36:57] please prepare the screen

[36:58] for the vote.

[37:14] Cannelli, yes.

[37:15] Carlisle, yes.

[37:16] Cooper-Sutton, yes.

[37:17] Easter Thomas, yes.

[37:19] Ford, yes.

[37:20] Green, yes.

[37:21] Logan, yes.

[37:22] Spinoza, yes.

[37:23] Walker, yes.

[37:25] Warren, yes.

[37:26] White, yes.

[37:28] Chairwoman

[37:29] Swearengin-Washington, yes.

[37:30] That item passes.

[37:35] Madam Comptroller, if you would

[37:37] please call the same night

[37:38] minute items, starting

[37:39] with item number 35.

[37:41] Thank you.

[37:43] Item number 35 is...

[37:46] A resolution to accept,

[37:47] allocate,

[37:49] and appropriate grant funds

[37:50] in the amount of $494,875.31

[37:56] from Overton Park Conservancy

[37:58] for reimbursement allocated

[38:01] to eligible projects associated

[38:03] with an MOU between the City

[38:05] of Memphis, Overton Park

[38:07] Conservancy, and Memphis

[38:09] Zoological Society for

[38:10] renovations and accessibility

[38:12] improvements in the Overton

[38:14] Park area.

[38:15] District 5, Super District 9.

[38:18] This resolution is sponsored

[38:19] by the administration.

[38:21] There is a request

[38:22] for same-night minutes.

[38:23] Councilman Smiley, you're

[38:25] recognized.

[38:27] Committee member recommend

[38:28] approval.

[38:33] I so move.

[38:34] It has been moved by

[38:35] Councilman Smiley, seconded

[38:36] by Councilman Warren.

[38:37] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[38:39] please prepare the screen.

[38:54] Canale, yes.

[38:55] Carlisle, yes.

[38:56] Hooper, Sutton, yes.

[38:57] Easter Thomas, yes.

[38:59] Ford, yes.

[39:00] Green, yes.

[39:01] Logan, yes.

[39:02] Smiley, yes.

[39:03] Spinoza, yes.

[39:05] Walker, yes.

[39:07] Warren, yes.

[39:08] White, yes.

[39:09] Chairwoman

[39:10] Swearingen-Washington, yes.

[39:14] That item passes.

[39:15] Madam Comptroller, if you'll

[39:16] please call item number 36.

[39:20] Item number 36.

[39:21] This is a resolution

[39:23] to transfer and appropriate

[39:25] $703,675.20 in Accelerate

[39:28] Memphis funds

[39:32] for the procurement

[39:34] of equipment and vehicles

[39:35] for the maintenance of roads

[39:37] and parks and remediation

[39:38] of blight.

[39:39] All council districts,

[39:41] this resolution is sponsored

[39:43] by the administration.

[39:44] There is a request

[39:46] for same-night minutes.

[39:52] Councilwoman White, you're

[39:53] recognized.

[39:57] The committee met and

[39:58] recommended approval and I so

[39:59] move.

[40:03] It has been moved by

[40:04] Councilwoman White, second by

[40:05] Councilman Carlisle.

[40:07] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[40:09] please prepare the screen

[40:10] for the vote.

[40:25] Canale, yes.

[40:26] Carlisle, yes.

[40:27] Sutton, yes.

[40:29] Ford, yes.

[40:30] Logan, yes.

[40:31] Spinoza, yes.

[40:33] Walker, yes.

[40:34] Warren, yes.

[40:35] White, yes.

[40:37] Chairwoman

[40:38] Swearingen-Washington, yes.

[40:39] That item passes.

[40:42] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[40:43] please call item number 36.

[40:46] 37.

[40:51] Item number 37 is a resolution

[40:53] to allocate and appropriate

[40:55] $5,000 in FY26 Memphis City

[40:59] Council Community Grant

[41:01] Program funds.

[41:02] to reach Memphis.

[41:03] All council districts,

[41:04] this resolution is sponsored

[41:05] by Councilman Canale, and there

[41:07] is a request

[41:08] for same-night minutes.

[41:10] Councilwoman White, you are

[41:11] recognized.

[41:12] The committee met and

[41:13] recommended approval,

[41:14] and I so move.

[41:17] It has been moved by

[41:18] Councilwoman White, second by

[41:19] Councilman Warren.

[41:20] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[41:23] please prepare the screen

[41:24] for the vote.

[41:38] I can help you.

[41:40] Yes.

[41:43] Canali, yes.

[41:44] Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton, yes.

[41:46] Easter Thomas, yes.

[41:47] Ford, yes.

[41:48] Green, yes.

[41:49] Logan, yes.

[41:51] Spinoza, yes.

[41:52] Walker, yes.

[41:53] Warren, yes.

[41:55] Please show Councilmember

[41:56] Janika White as voting yes

[41:57] on this item.

[41:58] Chairwoman Swearingen,

[42:00] Washington, yes.

[42:01] That item passes.

[42:12] Council members, we're moving

[42:13] to item number 38.

[42:15] Item number 38 is an omnibudget

[42:17] resolution that includes items

[42:19] 21 through 28 and items 30

[42:24] through 33.

[42:25] If item 38 is approved,

[42:28] I would like to withdraw the

[42:29] following resolutions

[42:30] without objection.

[42:31] Thank you.

[42:34] Madam Comptroller, please call

[42:36] item number 38 as amended.

[42:39] Thank you.

[42:40] Item number 38 is an amended

[42:42] resolution

[42:43] to amend the fiscal year 2027

[42:46] operating budget and capital

[42:48] improvement program budget.

[42:50] All council districts,

[42:51] this resolution is sponsored

[42:53] by Councilman Ford and there is

[42:55] a request

[42:56] for same night minutes.

[43:11] Vice Chair Carlisle, you are

[43:12] recognized.

[43:15] Thank you.

[43:16] Thank you, Chairwoman.

[43:17] The committee met, recommends

[43:19] approval, and I so move.

[43:22] It has been moved by Vice

[43:23] Chair Carlisle, second by

[43:24] Councilman Warren.

[43:30] Chief Person, you are

[43:31] recognized.

[43:32] Thank you, Chair.

[43:34] Walter Person, 125 North

[43:36] Main, CFO.

[43:38] I want to make a small change

[43:40] to one bullet point regarding

[43:42] Memphis Parks.

[43:43] In the omnibus resolution that

[43:46] is considered before you,

[43:48] there's language

[43:49] in there that says funding

[43:51] Memphis Parks summer camp

[43:53] expansion.

[43:54] I'd like for that

[43:55] to be changed to just reflect

[43:56] community center hours,

[43:58] which is really the import

[43:59] of the modification to that

[44:00] resolution.

[44:05] I'll just speak.

[44:06] Thank you.

[44:17] We're going to move

[44:19] to our comment cards.

[44:56] We're going to begin with

[44:57] Kelsey Hughes.

[44:59] And then we will have Dorothy

[45:01] Connor, if you'll please

[45:03] prepare the screen.

[45:07] Two?

[45:11] Two minutes, please.

[45:18] Kelsey Hughes, and then

[45:20] Dorothy.

[45:22] I'm speaking on item 21.

[45:24] Good afternoon, my name is

[45:28] Kelsey Hughes, District 5.

[45:29] I'm a public transit advocate

[45:31] because I know that you cannot

[45:32] have a world-class city

[45:34] without efficient, functioning

[45:36] public transit.

[45:37] I also have a Master's of

[45:38] City Planning degree from

[45:39] University of Memphis.

[45:40] Because I know you all are

[45:42] people of faith like I am,

[45:43] I want

[45:45] to share something that's been

[45:46] on my heart recently,

[45:48] and that's Matthew 2540.

[45:49] And it says, truly I tell you,

[45:51] whatever you did for the least

[45:53] of these brothers and sisters

[45:55] of mine, you did for me.

[45:56] One

[45:57] of those sisters is my friend

[45:59] Zinyori Winters.

[46:00] She lives in the Chelsea,

[46:01] Hollywood area and takes MATA

[46:03] to work every day.

[46:04] Yesterday morning,

[46:05] when it was pouring

[46:06] down rain, she called me.

[46:08] She said the 815 bus did not

[46:09] show up.

[46:10] The 915 bus did not show up.

[46:12] She was going to be late for

[46:14] work unless someone gave her a

[46:15] ride.

[46:17] In my two years in Memphis, I

[46:18] have seen public transit go

[46:19] from bad

[46:21] to downright horrible.

[46:24] The latest metrics show the

[46:25] buses are only on time 60%

[46:26] of the time.

[46:28] I'm very concerned

[46:29] by what I've seen from Memphis

[46:31] elected officials

[46:33] on how you're seeking to

[46:34] address this problem.

[46:36] I've seen threats

[46:37] to cut funding by 50%.

[46:40] I've seen a performative bus

[46:41] ride along with the community.

[46:43] I've seen CEO interviews

[46:44] cancelled the day the

[46:46] candidates were in town.

[46:47] I've seen this council vote

[46:49] for a trusteeship model with

[46:50] less public transparency and

[46:52] accountability.

[46:53] I've seen the Daily Memphian

[46:55] expose that the trustee makes

[46:56] $75,000 per month, and I've

[46:57] seen routes and frequency cut,

[46:58] and now we have this agenda

[47:00] item, which is number 21.

[47:02] It does not increase funding.

[47:04] It does not guarantee future

[47:05] funding.

[47:06] And it is not a real dedicated

[47:07] funding source.

[47:09] And most importantly,

[47:11] this will do absolutely nothing

[47:13] to improve the lives

[47:14] of the least of these brothers

[47:16] and sisters here in Memphis.

[47:17] Here's what I want to see.

[47:19] End the $75,000 per month

[47:23] contract with Holmes.

[47:25] Hire a real CEO.

[47:26] Reinstate the board.

[47:28] Define what stabilization

[47:29] means.

[47:30] And publish progress every

[47:31] month.

[47:32] Thank you.

[47:33] Thank you.

[47:34] We have Dorothy Connor and then

[47:35] Susan Mar...

[47:57] Good afternoon.

[47:59] Good afternoon.

[48:00] My name is T and today

[48:02] transport matters to me.

[48:09] The city council

[48:12] to increase the investment

[48:22] in public transportation by 20

[48:25] million.

[48:27] Public Transit for Better

[48:28] Memphis insists that $52

[48:30] million is needed

[48:32] for the upcoming budget

[48:34] to adjust

[48:36] for inflation and restore

[48:38] routes to pre-COVID levels.

[48:41] As a volunteer, I'm asking you

[48:45] to increase the City of

[48:47] Memphis investment

[48:49] in public transit from $32

[48:53] million to $53 million.

[48:55] for the next fiscal year.

[48:57] Public transit is a public good

[48:59] that spurs economic

[49:01] development.

[49:02] The American Public Transit

[49:04] Association estimates that

[49:06] every dollar spent

[49:08] on public transit reduces five

[49:09] in five dollars in growth

[49:13] in the gross domestic product.

[49:15] An extra 20 million invested

[49:17] in public transit can expect

[49:20] to see 80 million gross

[49:23] domestic product growth.

[49:26] Downtown businesses have

[49:27] responded to members of the

[49:29] Better Memphis that they are

[49:31] financially hurt.

[49:35] Memphis lags far

[49:45] behind pure cities

[49:47] in our per capita investment

[49:48] in public transit.

[49:50] We would have

[49:51] to double our budget

[49:53] to catch up with Birmingham,

[49:55] Alabama.

[49:56] We would have to quadruple our

[49:57] budget to catch up with New

[49:58] Orleans.

[50:00] This request for an ad.

[50:14] I have to say my name and this

[50:15] is how we start.

[50:17] Okay, I thought I had three

[50:18] minutes, so I have

[50:20] to curtail my remarks.

[50:21] But I brought you a map just

[50:23] to emphasize the distances in

[50:26] Memphis and how big Memphis is.

[50:28] Here's the river.

[50:32] That's not really the end.

[50:34] Okay.

[50:35] Memphis and MATA have been

[50:36] focusing

[50:37] on providing transportation

[50:38] to people

[50:39] with absolutely no other means

[50:41] of transportation.

[50:42] for either

[50:43] in their most basic needs,

[50:45] such as getting to and

[50:47] from work, preferably

[50:48] on time, to grocery stores,

[50:49] medical appointments, etc.,

[50:50] and I don't begrudge MATA

[50:51] for that.

[50:53] Many fun things to do in

[50:54] Memphis, such as a walk

[50:55] across the Mississippi River,

[50:57] the new flyway, sporting

[50:58] events, the Stax Museum, seeing

[51:00] the bison at Shelby Farms, the

[51:01] zoo concerts at the Overton

[51:03] Shell, are useless to people

[51:07] who can't get there or get

[51:08] home.

[51:09] This body needs to decide what

[51:12] it would like to do

[51:13] about public transit.

[51:15] Does it want to continue

[51:16] with a model based

[51:17] on where people lived and

[51:18] wanted

[51:19] to go many many years ago?

[51:20] Does it want to make some

[51:21] transportation available

[51:22] to most people?

[51:25] Does it want to continue

[51:26] to try to provide

[51:27] for the neediest

[51:28] of us and actually provide

[51:30] for them?

[51:31] Memphis is geographically very

[51:33] big, 300 square miles, so the

[51:35] distances are also sizable.

[51:37] This adds to...

[51:39] to the cost of transportation,

[51:40] but the other end of the

[51:42] continuum is that people stay

[51:43] close

[51:44] to home and really don't

[51:45] benefit from much

[51:47] of what is relatively nearby,

[51:48] which is Memphis, not

[51:58] Cordova.

[51:59] It looks like the eastern edge

[52:00] of Memphis,

[52:01] but actually there's much more

[52:02] Memphis east

[52:03] of where I live that is east

[52:05] of Germantown Parkway.

[52:07] I brought this map because I'm

[52:08] not sure we're

[52:09] on the same wavelength

[52:11] about the size of Memphis, the

[52:12] distances in Memphis, and the

[52:13] inability

[52:14] of residents and visitors

[52:16] to get around without a

[52:17] privately owned vehicle.

[52:18] I am here today because I would

[52:20] like to see the City of

[52:21] Memphis become a little more

[52:23] serious

[52:24] about public transportation.

[52:25] Thank you

[52:27] for this opportunity.

[52:28] Thank you so much.

[52:39] Good evening, y'all.

[52:40] We've sent you some letters and

[52:42] you haven't responded

[52:43] to our letter, unfortunately.

[52:47] But I do have a letter here

[52:53] from Mayor Young in support

[52:56] of transit.

[52:57] On behalf of the city of

[52:59] Memphis, I'm honored

[53:01] to extend our support for

[53:03] Transit Equity Day.

[53:04] We celebrate that in

[53:06] February, a park's birthday.

[53:08] A key person in the civil

[53:11] rights transit movement.

[53:12] And we birthday.

[53:26] Transportation is the means

[53:28] of travel.

[53:29] It's a vital resource that

[53:31] connects people

[53:32] to opportunity, strengthens

[53:34] communities,

[53:35] and promotes sustainability.

[53:36] Transit Equity serves...

[53:39] Equity Day serves as a reminder

[53:41] that equitable, safe, and

[53:43] accessible public transit is

[53:44] essential

[53:45] for economic mobility, climate

[53:47] resilience,

[53:48] and social justice.

[53:49] I mean, you know it,

[53:51] and we know it.

[53:52] The city of Memphis remains

[53:53] committed

[53:54] to advancing these values.

[54:12] Find the make sure that we just

[54:14] needs but we need

[54:18] to continue pushing for that

[54:19] there people here gonna.

[54:22] Thank you very much Thank you

[54:28] so much.

[54:29] Good afternoon.

[54:32] Mr.

[54:33] Mayor and council members.

[54:35] Oh Okay Good afternoon.

[54:37] Better transit for a better

[54:42] Memphis.

[55:02] Audibility and transparency

[55:03] for both riders,

[55:05] for city council members, and

[55:08] for the MATA administration.

[55:12] We deserve a MATA

[55:13] administration.

[55:15] That will tell us the hard

[55:17] truths about the service that

[55:19] we use every day to get

[55:21] to work, to get to school,

[55:23] to get to all of the wonderful

[55:26] social activities that make

[55:28] Memphis, Memphis.

[55:30] But currently,

[55:31] as we stand here today, we are

[55:34] without that.

[55:40] We are left to guess, wait

[55:43] on sparse communication,

[55:45] use our phones through social

[55:46] media platforms.

[55:47] And hoping that we will get

[55:48] updates on a transit system

[55:49] that often leaves most of

[55:52] Memphis behind.

[55:54] I am here to demand of you,

[55:56] City Council members, that you

[56:00] start again holding the matter

[56:03] administration responsible

[56:05] for the jobs that you call them

[56:08] to do.

[56:09] And that is to serve one

[56:12] Memphis.

[56:15] Transit is essential

[56:17] to the infrastructure and

[56:19] growth

[56:20] of this wonderful city.

[56:21] We're asking that you hold

[56:23] transit committee meetings so

[56:27] you can ask the hard questions

[56:29] that so many Memphis deserve

[56:31] truthful answers to.

[56:35] Thank you.

[56:39] Transit for Better Memphis.

[56:53] Good afternoon, Mr.

[56:54] Mayor and council members.

[56:56] So, I am a recently retired

[56:58] chairman of the board of a

[57:01] heavy manufacturing company.

[57:04] I also serve on the vestry at

[57:05] Calvary Church just

[57:08] across the street.

[57:09] So, I'll keep it very simple.

[57:11] Business owners need people

[57:12] that can get

[57:17] to work.

[57:19] regularly on a timely fashion

[57:21] and many

[57:24] of the people that work for our

[57:26] company use public transit.

[57:29] I also work

[57:31] with our outreach program for

[57:34] people who are unhoused and we

[57:36] are thrilled when one

[57:38] of our neighbors gets a job.

[57:40] They rely on public transit and

[57:42] it's heartbreaking

[57:45] to hear the stories

[57:46] of people.

[57:48] Who get fired because they

[57:51] couldn't rely on transit.

[57:52] Thank you very much.

[57:54] Thank you.

[57:59] Matthew Herman.

[58:01] And then Leo Arnold.

[58:03] Hello, City Council, Mayor.

[58:05] This public school's pointed

[58:07] interest is in getting

[58:08] students.

[58:14] school having the reliability

[58:16] for families students

[58:21] to school

[58:23] but this that I'm gonna talk

[58:26] about is how

[58:28] to fund investments is of

[58:31] course more broad I'm here as a

[58:33] volunteer with better transit

[58:35] for a better Memphis

[58:36] to ask you to vote

[58:38] to increase the city's Memphis

[58:39] and investment

[58:40] in public transit from 32 to

[58:42] 50 plus million dollars

[58:43] in the next fiscal year It is

[58:44] time

[58:46] for the council and the mayor

[58:47] to step up and increase funding

[58:49] to a stabilized,

[58:50] for a stabilized MATA.

[58:51] You can fund most of this $20

[58:53] million additional

[58:54] by fulfilling your ordinance,

[58:56] your 2022 ordinance restricting

[58:58] retiring pilots to MATA.

[59:01] So the retired pilot revenues

[59:04] would go to MATA.

[59:06] Ordinance 5830 created the

[59:09] Transit and Mobility Special

[59:10] Revenue Fund to fulfill transit

[59:12] vision.

[59:13] that commission.

[59:15] We ask that you tell the public

[59:16] how much funding is within that

[59:20] fund and that the city uses it

[59:21] to fulfill the increased

[59:22] investment towards the $20

[59:23] million increase needed.

[59:27] We also ask that you provide

[59:28] updates on the bus rapid

[59:29] transit or the BTR fund and use

[59:31] that funding for the increased

[59:35] investment as well.

[59:37] Additionally, we ask that the

[59:41] County Commission appoint one

[59:43] of the nine MATA board members,

[59:45] also fulfilling the renewing of

[59:49] operational and CIP funds

[59:51] previously committed, along

[59:53] with the 60% of the retiring

[59:56] pilots that was supposed to go

[59:58] to that fund.

[1:00:00] Thank you for supporting public

[1:00:01] services.

[1:00:02] Let's get on the bus

[1:00:03] with public transit.

[1:00:05] Thank you.

[1:00:06] I think it'd be good for us to

[1:00:08] know why they're getting that.

[1:00:43] Good afternoon.

[1:00:44] My name is Chair Better.

[1:00:45] better Memphis and also

[1:00:46] involved with MICA.

[1:00:48] The city needs

[1:00:51] to increase its funding

[1:00:53] by a minimum of 20 million

[1:00:55] dollars.

[1:00:56] We wrote all of you a letter

[1:00:57] last week asking you to add 20

[1:00:59] million to the budget.

[1:01:02] We also want to see this

[1:01:03] resolution that you're about

[1:01:04] to review and hopefully pass to

[1:01:06] take that additional funds that

[1:01:09] County Councilwoman Green and

[1:01:13] Councilwoman Cooper Sutton are

[1:01:16] proposing $10 million to go

[1:01:18] to MATA. Unfortunately, they

[1:01:22] want to just supplement the

[1:01:24] $32 million.

[1:01:25] We want you to add that on top

[1:01:26] of the $32 million the mayor is

[1:01:30] calling for.

[1:01:31] The city needs this increase,

[1:01:33] especially considering the new

[1:01:35] threat to MATA's 27 budget

[1:01:37] arising from the Build America

[1:01:41] 250 HR Act.

[1:01:43] This will result in the

[1:01:45] elimination of...

[1:01:46] direct federal public transit

[1:01:48] grants to cities such as

[1:01:50] Memphis.

[1:01:51] Instead, they will be sending

[1:01:52] general transportation block

[1:01:54] grants to the states.

[1:01:55] This act, if passed, could send

[1:01:58] funds formally designated

[1:02:00] to MATA to Tennessee's

[1:02:01] Republican-dominated state, and

[1:02:04] they will most likely send our

[1:02:07] former MATA money

[1:02:09] to rural counties

[1:02:11] to fund bridges and roads

[1:02:13] in their districts, not to

[1:02:15] Memphis.

[1:02:16] They don't particularly

[1:02:17] like us these days.

[1:02:18] So I'm saying we want

[1:02:19] to see our elected leaders.

[1:02:21] We want you

[1:02:22] to mount a campaign to maintain

[1:02:23] our federal operating and

[1:02:24] capital grants, which we're

[1:02:26] about to lose thanks to

[1:02:29] President Trump's 2025 plan.

[1:02:31] This bill is a direct

[1:02:32] derivative of the 2025 plan,

[1:02:36] and it is

[1:02:37] out there right now.

[1:02:38] And I'd like

[1:02:39] to ask a question.

[1:02:40] How many of you right now will

[1:02:41] raise your hands and say you're

[1:02:42] aware of the build America 250

[1:02:45] Act.

[1:02:46] How many?

[1:02:47] That's a shame.

[1:02:49] That's a real darn shame that

[1:02:51] the city has not kept you up

[1:02:52] to speed on this.

[1:02:54] Where's the thing?

[1:02:55] Thumbs up, thumbs down.

[1:03:02] Carissa, who's?

[1:03:13] Thank you very much.

[1:03:19] Carissa Hussong, 1293 Central

[1:03:20] Avenue.

[1:03:22] As you know, the Metal Museum

[1:03:23] has not received any previous

[1:03:25] funding from the city

[1:03:26] for the renovation

[1:03:28] of the former Memphis College

[1:03:29] of Art building in Overton

[1:03:30] Park.

[1:03:31] We are currently requesting

[1:03:33] funds to help cover the costs

[1:03:34] of unanticipated costs

[1:03:36] resulting

[1:03:37] from deferred maintenance

[1:03:38] of the building and

[1:03:39] of the drainage systems.

[1:03:40] This is a capital request and

[1:03:42] we will not be pursuing

[1:03:44] operating funds.

[1:03:46] It should be noted that unlike

[1:03:48] other cultural organizations

[1:03:49] managing city-owned facilities

[1:03:51] in Overton Park and throughout

[1:03:53] the city, we have not received

[1:03:55] capital assistance.

[1:03:57] It should also be noted that if

[1:03:58] this request is granted,

[1:04:00] it will be matched dollar

[1:04:01] for dollar

[1:04:03] by a generous donor,

[1:04:04] helping us bring new life to

[1:04:06] this award-winning historic

[1:04:07] landmark.

[1:04:08] We appreciate your

[1:04:10] consideration and look forward

[1:04:11] to welcoming you into the

[1:04:13] restored facility when we open

[1:04:14] in September.

[1:04:15] Thank you.

[1:04:18] Thank you.

[1:04:19] This is Ted Davis and then

[1:04:21] Austin Kimball.

[1:04:23] Ted Davis, 1590 Vance

[1:04:24] Avenue.

[1:04:26] My point of interest is,

[1:04:28] Executive Committee Member, I

[1:04:29] want to thank you for your

[1:04:32] consideration today based

[1:04:33] upon...

[1:04:34] Councilman Warren's support

[1:04:35] of a capital investment.

[1:04:37] These funds are to support

[1:04:48] capital improvements and damage

[1:04:54] to the building.

[1:04:57] The process had begun.

[1:05:02] We're seeing facility expenses

[1:05:05] include damage

[1:05:07] toward basement water.

[1:05:09] These expenses...

[1:05:12] are currently about $800,000.

[1:05:14] At the same time, these were

[1:05:17] incurred expenses that we're

[1:05:19] spending now to improve the

[1:05:32] building that make our efforts

[1:05:33] to continue to raise capital to

[1:05:34] finish the building more

[1:05:41] difficult.

[1:05:45] So we would like you guys to

[1:05:46] consider.

[1:05:47] our request today.

[1:05:49] Thank you for your time.

[1:05:50] Thank you.

[1:05:54] Is it Austin Kimball?

[1:05:57] Austin Kimball and then

[1:05:58] Christopher Jones?

[1:06:02] That's a Monspout.

[1:06:06] No.

[1:06:18] There's no one in the queue.

[1:06:19] Will you please prepare the

[1:06:23] screen for the vote?

[1:06:51] Here's the vote.

[1:06:54] Cannelly, yes.

[1:06:55] Carlisle, yes.

[1:06:56] Easter, Thomas, yes.

[1:06:58] Ford, yes.

[1:06:59] Green, yes.

[1:07:00] Logan, yes.

[1:07:01] Smiley, yes.

[1:07:03] Nosa, yes.

[1:07:04] Walker, yes.

[1:07:05] Warren, yes.

[1:07:06] White, yes.

[1:07:08] Chairwoman

[1:07:09] Swearingen-Washington, yes.

[1:07:10] Madam Comptroller, please call

[1:07:19] item.

[1:07:23] Number 39. Number 39 is a

[1:07:48] resolution confirming impasse

[1:07:49] vote.

[1:07:51] of the City Council pursuant

[1:07:52] to substitute ordinance number

[1:07:54] 5639 regarding total economic

[1:07:57] package of AFSCME.

[1:07:59] All Council districts,

[1:08:00] this resolution is sponsored

[1:08:02] by Council Members Smiley and

[1:08:04] Green.

[1:08:10] Chair, Vice Chair Carlisle,

[1:08:12] you're recognized.

[1:08:14] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[1:08:15] The committee met and

[1:08:17] recommended a ISO move.

[1:08:19] Quick, Madam Chair, if I may,

[1:08:21] I'll quickly what's happening

[1:08:24] as a process just

[1:08:25] from a technical standpoint.

[1:08:27] So we have a bill that's coming

[1:08:29] up.

[1:08:30] It's item 16.

[1:08:32] That's going to be

[1:08:33] after that.

[1:08:34] And that is the tax levy

[1:08:35] ordinance that will go

[1:08:36] to the state.

[1:08:37] After that, we're going

[1:08:38] to get item 17, which is

[1:08:39] actually a resolution that says

[1:08:40] send the tax bills out.

[1:08:41] What we just did was took up an

[1:08:44] item that will inform those two

[1:08:47] bills.

[1:08:49] I'm using the term bill very

[1:08:50] loosely.

[1:08:51] We have ordinance and

[1:08:52] resolution.

[1:08:54] Let me use bill.

[1:08:55] Those two bills that

[1:08:56] Councilman Ford sponsored that

[1:08:59] will change the budget

[1:09:00] ordinance that we're about

[1:09:01] to pass.

[1:09:02] And now we're going

[1:09:03] to hear an item that may change

[1:09:04] it one more time from

[1:09:05] Councilman Smiley.

[1:09:06] So we are building on to the

[1:09:07] larger budget vote that's going

[1:09:08] to take place right after this

[1:09:09] at item 16.

[1:09:10] So that's the four votes that

[1:09:11] we're going to take that are

[1:09:12] all one budget vote.

[1:09:13] So when we get past 17, that's

[1:09:14] basically the budget.

[1:09:16] And for all those wearing

[1:09:18] safety gear, This is you.

[1:09:20] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[1:09:23] Thank you, Vice Chair.

[1:09:29] All right, item

[1:09:30] in the queue.

[1:09:33] All right.

[1:09:34] Councilman Smiley, you're

[1:09:35] recognized.

[1:09:36] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[1:09:37] Thank you, colleagues,

[1:09:38] for indulging me.

[1:09:39] During the impasse committee,

[1:09:40] the council approved the total

[1:09:44] economic...

[1:09:45] Package brought by Ask Me

[1:09:46] Lever Union.

[1:09:48] At the last council meeting,

[1:09:50] the committee did the same

[1:09:51] thing.

[1:09:52] Today during the committee

[1:09:53] meeting, there were questions

[1:09:54] about, you know,

[1:09:56] where the 5% increase would

[1:09:58] come from,

[1:09:59] and council members wanted me

[1:10:01] to identify some funding

[1:10:02] sources.

[1:10:03] I spoke to the administration

[1:10:04] finance committee and the

[1:10:06] finance office about, you know,

[1:10:08] what money was needed

[1:10:10] to address the shortfall.

[1:10:11] The finance division provided

[1:10:17] us a cost breakdown

[1:10:19] of the various divisions.

[1:10:21] We would need to find $1.5

[1:10:24] million in five solid waste.

[1:10:28] A management fund,

[1:10:32] a sewer treatment fund,

[1:10:33] we need enough thousand.

[1:10:35] What you have before you is a

[1:10:39] resolution addressing that.

[1:10:41] This resolution would

[1:10:42] essentially amend.

[1:10:43] the previous resolution we just

[1:10:46] voted.

[1:10:47] I'm just gonna read it and the

[1:10:49] folks

[1:10:52] out there don't have it.

[1:10:54] Whereas the Mayor submitted

[1:10:55] to the Council of the City of

[1:10:56] Memphis on April 21st, 2026, a

[1:10:57] proposed operating budget and

[1:10:59] capital improvement program

[1:11:00] budget

[1:11:01] for the fiscal year ending in

[1:11:02] June 30, 2027.

[1:11:03] Whereas the Budget Committee

[1:11:05] of the Council has held

[1:11:06] meetings, thoroughly reviewed

[1:11:07] the recommended operating

[1:11:08] capital improvement budgets and

[1:11:09] will make approved revisions

[1:11:11] thereto.

[1:11:12] Whereas the council has

[1:11:13] identified a need for funds

[1:11:14] to be allocated

[1:11:16] for a raise totaling 5% and a

[1:11:17] $2,000 bonus for AFSCME

[1:11:18] employees who are funding the

[1:11:19] general fund, solid waste

[1:11:21] funds, sewer fund,

[1:11:22] and a stormwater fund.

[1:11:24] And whereas the Memphis City

[1:11:25] Council hereby makes the

[1:11:26] following amendments to the

[1:11:28] previous resolution we just

[1:11:30] voted on.

[1:11:31] So out of the solid waste fund,

[1:11:33] there'll be a reduction to the

[1:11:35] personnel full-time salaries

[1:11:38] line 0511.

[1:11:41] Fund equaling $1,574,044

[1:11:46] by eliminating vacant positions

[1:11:48] to cover the reduction.

[1:11:50] As it relates

[1:11:51] to the general fund,

[1:11:53] a professional service line

[1:11:54] item 052528 of $87,650 per

[1:12:01] division across the following

[1:12:03] divisions totaling

[1:12:04] $1,490,000.

[1:12:06] City Attorney, City Council,

[1:12:08] City Court Court.

[1:12:09] City Court judges, community

[1:12:11] enhancement, engineering, fire

[1:12:12] services, general service,

[1:12:14] housing, community development,

[1:12:15] human resources, IT, library

[1:12:17] service, Memphis Parks, police

[1:12:19] service, and public works.

[1:12:21] There will be a reduction

[1:12:22] of services

[1:12:24] in the sewer fund, totaling

[1:12:26] $135,500.

[1:12:27] There will be a reduction of

[1:12:29] miscellaneous professional

[1:12:30] services, 052528,

[1:12:34] in the stormwater, equaling

[1:12:35] $177,976.

[1:12:37] whereas the total funding

[1:12:38] reduction listed

[1:12:40] above shall be used

[1:12:41] to fund a 5% raise and the

[1:12:43] $2,000 bonus

[1:12:45] for asking employees

[1:12:46] across the general fund, solid

[1:12:48] waste, sewer fund,

[1:12:49] and stormwater fund.

[1:12:50] With these calculations

[1:12:51] for the needed allocations

[1:12:52] for each fund,

[1:12:53] employees are attached in a

[1:12:54] provider's spreadsheet.

[1:12:55] I'm going to skip where I read

[1:12:58] the last one to.

[1:12:59] Now, therefore,

[1:13:00] be it resolved that Memphis

[1:13:01] City Council hereby amends

[1:13:02] operating fiscal year 2020

[1:13:03] by reducing one point

[1:13:04] $1,574,000

[1:13:07] in solid waste fund,

[1:13:08] personnel full-time service

[1:13:09] line item, and the previous

[1:13:11] ones that I've noted.

[1:13:15] Be therefore resolved that the

[1:13:16] administration may make

[1:13:18] reductions in material and

[1:13:19] supply lines if it's deemed

[1:13:20] necessary by the division

[1:13:22] to meet the request

[1:13:24] for reductions.

[1:13:25] Essentially what happened

[1:13:27] in this resolution, we amended

[1:13:29] the previous resolution that

[1:13:31] the council just voted on

[1:13:33] to include a 5% raise

[1:13:36] for AFSCME.

[1:13:39] labor union by pulling 1.5

[1:13:40] from solid waste fund.

[1:13:41] We pulled 1.5

[1:13:42] from the general fund by

[1:13:43] reducing each division's

[1:13:49] miscellaneous professional

[1:13:50] service line and we pulled

[1:13:53] 135,000 by reducing the

[1:13:55] miscellaneous professional

[1:13:56] service line in the sewer fund

[1:13:59] and we did the same thing for

[1:14:00] 177,976 dollars.

[1:14:01] forward by reducing the

[1:14:03] miscellaneous professional

[1:14:04] service line in stormwater.

[1:14:06] That's how we came up

[1:14:07] with the amount needed

[1:14:08] to address what I believe

[1:14:09] to be the shortfall in AFSCME's

[1:14:12] salary.

[1:14:13] I think we heard multiple times

[1:14:15] during people who work

[1:14:16] in AFSCME, we spent a lot

[1:14:19] of time talking

[1:14:20] about people not being able

[1:14:21] to live with inflation.

[1:14:23] There's people who work in

[1:14:25] Aspen and make $600 a week.

[1:14:31] It's very, very difficult

[1:14:35] to live.

[1:14:36] And, you know, I wouldn't want,

[1:14:37] you know, someone to have

[1:14:39] to live on $600.

[1:14:40] I know many people who are

[1:14:42] in here do not have to live

[1:14:44] with $600 a week.

[1:14:45] I think this is something that

[1:14:46] we can address.

[1:14:48] I think the biggest concern

[1:14:49] for this body is...

[1:14:50] The 1.5 we're taking

[1:14:51] from the general fund,

[1:14:53] which is ultimately a reduction

[1:14:55] of $87,000 from the

[1:14:56] miscellaneous professional

[1:14:58] service line.

[1:14:59] The reason I believe that is

[1:15:01] prudent, the miscellaneous

[1:15:02] professional service line is

[1:15:03] the money that we use to pay

[1:15:05] outside contractors or outside

[1:15:07] services that the city

[1:15:08] considers necessary or we need

[1:15:10] in this particular time.

[1:15:12] I can find nothing more

[1:15:14] important to do with those

[1:15:16] monies than paying the people

[1:15:17] who are already...

[1:15:18] out there in the high sun, the

[1:15:19] rain, the snow.

[1:15:21] I think all of those things,

[1:15:23] I think all of those things are

[1:15:31] important because

[1:15:32] to be very direct, if it rains

[1:15:34] outside,

[1:15:35] I still want the trash to be

[1:15:37] picked up.

[1:15:38] I don't see why we should be

[1:15:39] finding a reason to say no.

[1:15:41] I think everybody here should

[1:15:43] find a reason to say yes.

[1:15:44] We spend so much time talking

[1:15:48] about the blight in the city,

[1:15:51] the trash in the city.

[1:15:53] I think if we show the folks

[1:15:56] who are working in these

[1:15:57] various divisions that we

[1:15:58] support them, I have a sneaky

[1:16:00] suspicion that the concerns we

[1:16:02] have will be addressed as

[1:16:03] promptly as appropriate as

[1:16:05] possible.

[1:16:06] So I'm going to close

[1:16:10] with this.

[1:16:11] You know, I'm just asking the

[1:16:13] council.

[1:16:14] to find a reason to say yes

[1:16:15] today and we're in the era

[1:16:17] of yes so find a reason

[1:16:18] to say yes today with that i'm

[1:16:20] out thank you councilman canali

[1:16:30] you are recognized oh i do have

[1:16:38] cards christopher jones we have

[1:16:42] three cards Christopher

[1:16:45] Jones, Austin Kimball, and then

[1:16:46] Bob Green, if you all are here.

[1:17:07] Christopher Jones, my address

[1:17:09] is 3290 South Mendenhall

[1:17:10] Road.

[1:17:11] Council members, thank you

[1:17:12] for allowing me to speak.

[1:17:14] Today I'm here again on behalf

[1:17:15] of AFSCME Local 1733 members,

[1:17:18] the men and women who keep this

[1:17:20] city moving every single day.

[1:17:22] We are the first responders.

[1:17:24] We are the workers

[1:17:25] in the field, in the offices,

[1:17:27] on the streets,

[1:17:28] in the neighborhoods, and

[1:17:30] behind the scenes.

[1:17:31] We are the ones residents see

[1:17:33] when services are needed,

[1:17:35] when complaints are made,

[1:17:36] when emergencies happen,

[1:17:38] and when the city of Memphis

[1:17:39] has to deliver.

[1:17:40] We have worked

[1:17:42] through staffing shortages.

[1:17:43] Heavier workloads, rising

[1:17:44] costs, public pressure, and

[1:17:46] conditions that most people

[1:17:48] never see.

[1:17:49] Yet, we continue to show up.

[1:17:51] We continue to serve.

[1:17:53] We continue

[1:17:54] to carry the responsibility

[1:17:55] of keeping Memphis operating.

[1:17:58] That's why the 5% pay increase

[1:17:59] and the $2,000 bonuses are not

[1:18:02] a gift.

[1:18:03] They are not a handout.

[1:18:04] They are recognition of the

[1:18:06] work that has already been

[1:18:07] done.

[1:18:08] City Councilwoman Cooper

[1:18:10] Sutton once told me and my

[1:18:12] colleagues, you never go for

[1:18:14] what you think you're good

[1:18:15] enough to get, but

[1:18:17] for what you actually deserve.

[1:18:18] And that's exactly why we're

[1:18:20] here today.

[1:18:21] As for me, local 1733 members

[1:18:22] deserve fair pay.

[1:18:24] We deserve to be respected

[1:18:27] for the value we bring

[1:18:29] to this city.

[1:18:30] We deserve compensation that

[1:18:32] reflects the professionalism

[1:18:33] and dedication we give every

[1:18:35] day.

[1:18:36] Memphis cannot say it values

[1:18:38] the city employees Thank you.

[1:18:39] or city services without

[1:18:41] valuing the city employees who

[1:18:42] provide those services.

[1:18:44] So I'm asking this council

[1:18:45] to stand

[1:18:46] with the workers who have stood

[1:18:48] with Memphis, support the 5%

[1:18:50] increase, support the bonus,

[1:18:51] not because we are asking

[1:18:54] for extra,

[1:18:55] but because we have earned it.

[1:18:57] Thank you.

[1:19:22] A man much smarter than myself

[1:19:23] once said that the masses are

[1:19:24] the makers of history.

[1:19:26] In order to be

[1:19:27] on the right side of history,

[1:19:28] one must be on the side

[1:19:29] of the masses, particularly

[1:19:30] on the side

[1:19:31] of the working masses.

[1:19:32] Paul Young has been awarded a

[1:19:33] rate of $40,000, about

[1:19:36] $210,000.

[1:19:39] The median salary in Memphis is

[1:19:40] $48,000.

[1:19:42] That's yearly.

[1:19:44] The wanton murder of Tyree

[1:19:46] Nichols, among many others,

[1:19:47] happened

[1:19:48] under the watchful eye of our

[1:19:49] Israeli-trained chief

[1:19:50] of police, C.J.

[1:19:51] Davis, and she is still

[1:19:52] on payroll with a salary of

[1:19:53] $250,000.

[1:19:55] The National Guard and ICE seem

[1:19:57] to have ample funding while

[1:19:59] they occupy our city, and the

[1:20:00] federal government is

[1:20:01] constantly scrounging up change

[1:20:03] to pay for the next bomb

[1:20:04] to drop on children.

[1:20:05] My comrades and I, however,

[1:20:06] repair roads.

[1:20:08] We pick up your trash.

[1:20:09] We maintain public

[1:20:10] infrastructure,

[1:20:11] yet we are left

[1:20:12] with scraps.

[1:20:13] I can think of two

[1:20:14] life-threatening injuries that

[1:20:16] have happened this year to

[1:20:18] Aspen employees.

[1:20:20] Now, I have no choice but to

[1:20:21] assume that this government

[1:20:23] does not care

[1:20:24] about the masses, the general

[1:20:25] public, the workers of

[1:20:27] Memphis.

[1:20:28] We went through this song and

[1:20:30] dance last year

[1:20:31] with absolutely nothing

[1:20:33] to show for it, which further

[1:20:35] fuels my assumption.

[1:20:37] Now, I ask,

[1:20:38] does the city council want

[1:20:39] to side with the masses?

[1:20:40] The makers of history,

[1:20:41] or will you capitulate

[1:20:42] to your reactionary handlers?

[1:20:44] Thank you.

[1:20:53] The machine of local government

[1:20:57] is running, and y'all are the

[1:21:00] ones who make sure everybody

[1:21:01] knows the machine moves where

[1:21:03] it needs to move,

[1:21:05] the machine is getting fueled.

[1:21:06] If you listen closely,

[1:21:10] you will hear belts are worn,

[1:21:12] wheels are squeaking,

[1:21:17] lights are flashing.

[1:21:19] We're not asking for you to do

[1:21:21] a full repair and rebuild.

[1:21:23] We're asking

[1:21:24] for maintenance.

[1:21:27] We make sure that the evidence

[1:21:29] for the court cases get filed

[1:21:31] properly.

[1:21:32] We make sure that the garbage

[1:21:34] gets picked up when it's

[1:21:35] supposed to.

[1:21:36] We make sure that the parks...

[1:21:37] are clean as they're supposed

[1:21:39] to be.

[1:21:40] All we're asking is for that

[1:21:43] little bit of maintenance to

[1:21:44] make sure the machine can keep

[1:21:45] running.

[1:21:47] Thank you.

[1:21:56] Thank you, Madam Chair,

[1:22:08] Councilman Canale.

[1:22:09] disproportionate does not do

[1:22:15] what that

[1:22:27] with and they are going

[1:22:46] to and there is an opportunity

[1:22:47] to do similar and true

[1:22:51] represent and a $2,000 million

[1:23:07] employees achieves what we

[1:23:13] really We find that you be

[1:24:06] first, you're recognized.

[1:24:18] Good afternoon again, Walter

[1:24:19] Person, CFO, 125 North Main.

[1:24:23] I'm going to speak

[1:24:25] to the numbers, and I'd have to

[1:24:28] say that my position is very

[1:24:32] similar to Councilman Canale.

[1:24:36] I won't begin to question...

[1:24:40] The challenges that many

[1:24:42] of our employees face in terms

[1:24:44] of getting compensation,

[1:24:46] I think we have to look

[1:24:49] at the realities of the budget

[1:24:52] that we're facing this year.

[1:24:53] We have no fund balance

[1:24:56] contribution that's planned

[1:24:58] for this budget.

[1:25:00] We brought before you,

[1:25:01] the mayor brought before you

[1:25:03] in April, a truly balanced

[1:25:06] budget with zero contribution

[1:25:08] of fund balance.

[1:25:09] What that means is any

[1:25:12] increments

[1:25:13] beyond what we've been working

[1:25:15] through as a body under

[1:25:16] Councilman Ford Senior's

[1:25:19] leadership is a balanced

[1:25:22] budget.

[1:25:24] This increment, even though

[1:25:26] to Councilman Smiley's point,

[1:25:31] is a 1.5 increase to general

[1:25:34] fund that would be purely

[1:25:36] funded from fund balance.

[1:25:38] That is already

[1:25:39] in existence.

[1:25:40] It would not be funded

[1:25:41] from any kind of contribution

[1:25:42] of fund balance.

[1:25:44] So that would mean we would

[1:25:45] have to dig deeper into the

[1:25:47] hole that we already have

[1:25:49] to fund those expenses.

[1:25:52] Additionally, to Councilman

[1:25:56] Canale's point,

[1:25:58] we did offer 2%

[1:26:01] to all employees.

[1:26:02] All employees were offered 2%.

[1:26:03] during the process.

[1:26:06] The mayor has come forward

[1:26:07] along with Councilman Ford

[1:26:10] Sr.

[1:26:11] a $2,000 bonus.

[1:26:12] Now, if we raise that up,

[1:26:14] we're also talking

[1:26:15] about an impact to our ADC,

[1:26:17] or our Actuarially Determined

[1:26:20] Contribution, that would also

[1:26:23] drive additional expenses

[1:26:25] in subsequent years.

[1:26:27] The benefit of a bonus is that

[1:26:30] it's a one-time expense.

[1:26:31] This bonus would be funded

[1:26:33] in part...

[1:26:34] from one-time revenues that I

[1:26:36] think were disclosed

[1:26:38] during our discussion

[1:26:39] about the debt cliff.

[1:26:42] If we increase salaries,

[1:26:43] those are going to be recurring

[1:26:45] expenses that will continue

[1:26:46] year after year and cause

[1:26:47] additional expenses

[1:26:50] down the road

[1:26:52] from an ADC perspective, as

[1:26:54] well as supporting these

[1:26:56] recurring expenses.

[1:26:59] So all in all,

[1:27:00] it would be a big challenge

[1:27:01] for us because Currently, it

[1:27:04] would be very difficult

[1:27:05] to give one particular group

[1:27:07] within Ask Me a Raise

[1:27:09] without really looking

[1:27:11] at the MOU in total

[1:27:13] in addressing that issue, which

[1:27:14] I think is the reason that

[1:27:15] Councilman Canale wanted

[1:27:17] to look at it post-budget.

[1:27:20] And I think that's really the

[1:27:21] position I have to take

[1:27:22] on this.

[1:27:24] Thank you, Chief.

[1:27:26] Councilman Warren, you'll

[1:27:27] recommend?

[1:27:29] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[1:27:30] We had a pretty vigorous

[1:27:31] discussion.

[1:27:32] Concerning an increase

[1:27:33] in inflation, where the

[1:27:52] Tennessee in the mid increasing

[1:27:57] inflation if you look

[1:27:59] at what the Kept it.

[1:28:01] The tax rate being $5.

[1:28:18] Be $12.

[1:28:20] So we spent continuing.

[1:28:38] And this is just one issue.

[1:28:47] To get this information is this

[1:28:57] year.

[1:28:58] It's too late to consider doing

[1:28:59] that.

[1:29:18] I'm going to type it as we play

[1:29:27] more.

[1:29:53] And we have not, you know, May

[1:30:29] not be able

[1:30:54] to handle counseling the kids,

[1:31:11] so.

[1:31:36] Mr.

[1:31:37] Thomas, yes.

[1:33:21] Thank you.

[1:33:27] The tax every species

[1:33:31] within the city limits

[1:33:33] of general purpose.

[1:33:37] June 27, inclusive together

[1:33:42] with all collections and fees,

[1:33:45] fines per city of Minnesota.

[1:34:26] Chair Carlisle.

[1:34:32] Based on tonight's previous

[1:34:33] actions, could we have this.

[1:34:57] Madam Comptroller.

[1:35:20] Nally, yes.

[1:35:53] Mr.

[1:35:54] Thomas, that I am a man.

[1:35:55] Fabulous.

[1:35:56] Item number seven, 2026 tax

[1:36:05] bills

[1:36:06] for state-assessed properties.

[1:36:08] All council districts, this

[1:36:09] resolution, Vice Chair

[1:36:16] Carlisle.

[1:36:29] This hit the resolution.

[1:36:40] Which bring?

[1:36:41] Do we have to do this

[1:36:45] resolution?

[1:37:07] Canale, yes, yes.

[1:37:28] Chairwoman, item number...

[1:37:46] Proceeds as interim safety

[1:37:51] repairs and future renovate

[1:37:57] seven super eight is sponsored

[1:38:00] the committee met in It is a

[1:38:17] property controller.

[1:38:24] We have some cards.

[1:38:35] We have two cards, counsel.

[1:38:47] Good afternoon members of the

[1:38:49] City Council.

[1:38:50] My name is Brendan Ward.

[1:38:52] I am a seasonal game day

[1:38:53] employee at AutoZone Park and I

[1:38:56] have been there for seven

[1:38:57] years.

[1:38:58] I don't do this job for the

[1:39:01] money because I have a

[1:39:02] full-time job that takes care

[1:39:04] of my needs.

[1:39:06] I do it because I love the

[1:39:07] environment and the memories we

[1:39:09] get to create for families.

[1:39:11] That's what we do at AutoZone

[1:39:13] Park.

[1:39:15] It was my very first job.

[1:39:17] after graduating

[1:39:18] from college and I am grateful

[1:39:20] to still be part of an

[1:39:22] organization that means so much

[1:39:23] to me and to our community.

[1:39:26] I remember going to Liberty

[1:39:28] Land and have heard about

[1:39:30] Adventure River.

[1:39:31] Don't let the Redbirds become

[1:39:33] another memory of the past.

[1:39:36] Over the years,

[1:39:37] I have seen thousands

[1:39:39] of children walk

[1:39:40] through those gates, excited

[1:39:41] to spend time with their One

[1:39:43] of my favorite parts

[1:39:45] of the job It's Sunday

[1:39:47] afternoons when I get

[1:39:48] to interact with kids after

[1:39:50] they finish running the bases

[1:39:51] following a game.

[1:39:53] Seeing the smiles

[1:39:55] on their faces reminds me that

[1:39:56] AutoZone Park is

[1:39:58] about much more than baseball.

[1:40:00] It's about family, community,

[1:40:02] and memories that children

[1:40:04] would carry with them

[1:40:05] for years.

[1:40:06] I also wanted to address the

[1:40:07] comment suggesting that people

[1:40:09] may prefer playing pickleball

[1:40:10] over attending baseball games.

[1:40:12] There is room for many.

[1:40:14] Recreational activities

[1:40:16] in this city, but I don't

[1:40:18] believe a comparison should be.

[1:40:19] Made to determine the future

[1:40:21] of AutoZone Park, a pickleball

[1:40:24] court and ballpark serve very

[1:40:26] different purposes.

[1:40:28] At the ballpark,

[1:40:29] families gather together,

[1:40:30] local businesses benefit

[1:40:32] from visitors coming downtown,

[1:40:33] and employees

[1:40:35] like me have the opportunity to

[1:40:36] work.

[1:40:37] I simply ask that you consider

[1:40:39] not only the financial

[1:40:40] investment, but also the value

[1:40:42] the ballpark brings to our

[1:40:44] community and the memories it

[1:40:46] creates.

[1:40:47] Just like we're trying

[1:40:48] to keep the Grizzlies in

[1:40:49] Memphis, We need to keep the

[1:40:51] red bears here as well.

[1:40:53] Thank you for your time and

[1:40:54] consideration.

[1:40:58] I'm chair.

[1:41:13] My name is Mike Todd.

[1:41:18] He considered the godfather

[1:41:19] of the Edge District for 30

[1:41:21] years.

[1:41:29] We're kind of the forgotten

[1:41:30] edge of the edge

[1:41:33] on the west edge there

[1:41:34] near the ballpark.

[1:41:36] The ballpark has been an

[1:41:38] amazing facility that has been

[1:41:40] tops in the country when it was

[1:41:44] built.

[1:41:45] We need to preserve our

[1:41:46] investment.

[1:41:47] in the ballpark with the

[1:41:49] immediate emergency repairs.

[1:41:50] And then we also need

[1:41:52] to invest

[1:41:53] in the neighborhood.

[1:41:54] We've got a 28-acre,

[1:41:56] essentially, wasteland that's

[1:41:58] been sitting there since

[1:42:00] 2019.

[1:42:01] We've invested millions

[1:42:04] of dollars incrementally.

[1:42:07] We've got Los Camales

[1:42:09] in that area, Arnold RQ.

[1:42:13] After axe throwing,

[1:42:17] we created a little bit

[1:42:18] of an entertainment district,

[1:42:19] but we need some help

[1:42:21] down there.

[1:42:22] We got crumbling

[1:42:23] infrastructure.

[1:42:24] We've got several bad owners

[1:42:25] down there that have not paid

[1:42:26] taxes within 10 years.

[1:42:29] They never seem to be able

[1:42:31] to put it up for sale.

[1:42:32] They just continue

[1:42:33] to crumble.

[1:42:34] It's dangerous.

[1:42:35] And we need some investment

[1:42:37] in that area in general.

[1:42:38] And I would like

[1:42:40] to also advocate

[1:42:41] for the larger investment.

[1:42:43] It's being proposed,

[1:42:44] but we certainly need to make

[1:42:46] the emergency repairs now

[1:42:47] for the safety

[1:42:49] of the folks that go to this

[1:42:50] wonderful venue and enjoy this

[1:42:53] place.

[1:42:54] And that's all I've got

[1:42:55] to say.

[1:42:56] Thank you.

[1:42:57] Thank you so much

[1:42:58] for coming down.

[1:43:16] Allie, yes.

[1:43:17] Easter Thomas, yes.

[1:43:20] Ford, yes.

[1:43:21] Rogan.

[1:43:22] Spinoza, yes.

[1:43:32] All right, beginning with...

[1:43:51] Agenda is reappointment

[1:43:56] to the health educational

[1:43:57] Moniece Hagler and

[1:44:08] Councilwoman White.

[1:44:10] The committee met and recommend

[1:44:11] Councilman.

[1:44:13] L.G.

[1:44:19] Cossett.

[1:44:33] Good afternoon.

[1:44:34] Good afternoon.

[1:44:35] L.G.

[1:44:36] Cossett.

[1:44:37] I'd like for the statement

[1:44:38] to be read to the council

[1:44:40] for acknowledgement,

[1:44:42] understanding.

[1:44:47] Cossett Library had project.

[1:44:48] Thank you for your letter

[1:44:51] expressing your interest.

[1:44:53] Being a consulting party

[1:44:54] for this project,

[1:44:55] I have added your letter.

[1:44:56] It is the federal agency's

[1:44:59] responsibility to consult

[1:45:00] with you on this project and

[1:45:01] future projects.

[1:45:02] I have copied Glenn Gluck's,

[1:45:04] the contact for the city of

[1:45:07] Memphis, for this project,

[1:45:08] since HUD has designated the

[1:45:10] city with completing the

[1:45:12] Section 106 responsibilities.

[1:45:14] He should add this letter to

[1:45:15] the city's files and ensure

[1:45:18] that you are consulted

[1:45:19] in future.

[1:45:20] If this project continues,

[1:45:22] I would also recommend that

[1:45:25] Glenn Ludno

[1:45:27] of interest.

[1:45:34] I'm the great, great, great,

[1:45:36] great grandson of Frederick

[1:45:37] Cossett, a Frenchman that built

[1:45:41] the first Cossett Library.

[1:45:42] I'm following in the steps,

[1:45:46] and I'm building the first

[1:45:48] American Aborigine Museum.

[1:45:50] in Orange Mountain.

[1:45:54] That's the statement I wanted

[1:45:55] to have that acknowledged

[1:45:56] by the council as well

[1:45:58] by the city.

[1:46:01] I'm LG Cossett.

[1:46:02] Thank you.

[1:46:04] Thank you so much.

[1:46:07] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[1:46:08] please.

[1:46:31] Your show item.

[1:46:32] Would you like

[1:46:33] to do a voice vote?

[1:47:13] Canali?

[1:47:14] Yes.

[1:47:15] Carlisle?

[1:47:19] For 12.

[1:47:20] Of reappointments,

[1:47:21] Moniz-Hagler and

[1:47:25] Cooper-Sutton.

[1:47:28] Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton.

[1:47:29] These are

[1:47:30] for the appointees.

[1:47:32] Attorney Hag.

[1:47:33] Thank you.

[1:47:41] Easter Thomas

[1:47:42] for the appointment.

[1:47:43] Ford Green

[1:47:45] for the appointment.

[1:47:46] Thank you.

[1:47:47] Logan, thank you.

[1:47:50] Smiley, Spinoza, thank you.

[1:47:54] Walker, Warren, Chairwoman

[1:48:02] Swearengin-Washington.

[1:48:03] Yes.

[1:48:04] Give me one moment.

[1:48:40] Thank you.

[1:48:41] One moment.

[1:48:47] To the Convention Center

[1:48:49] Commission Board, we have

[1:48:50] Camion.

[1:48:57] Thank you, Madam

[1:48:59] Councilwoman.

[1:49:09] by Councilman Spinoza.

[1:49:12] We're casting our vote

[1:49:13] for I-10 and for the- Thank

[1:49:15] you.

[1:49:18] Carlisle, Easter, Thomas,

[1:49:24] Green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,

[1:49:38] Warren.

[1:49:40] White.

[1:49:41] Yes.

[1:49:42] Chairwoman Swervington-Wan.

[1:49:44] Yes.

[1:49:45] Thank you.

[1:49:59] This facility creation

[1:50:12] of is sponsored

[1:50:13] by the edition city revenue

[1:50:20] Councilwoman Green.

[1:50:23] The committee met.

[1:50:24] It has been moved.

[1:50:40] Thank you very much.

[1:50:46] Cooper Sutton.

[1:50:50] Easter Thomas.

[1:50:52] Thank you.

[1:50:53] Ford.

[1:50:56] Thank you.

[1:50:57] Green.

[1:50:59] Logan.

[1:51:01] Smiley.

[1:51:03] Spinoza.

[1:51:05] Thank you.

[1:51:06] Walker.

[1:51:07] Yes.

[1:51:08] Warren.

[1:51:09] White.

[1:51:12] Chairwoman

[1:51:13] Swearengin-Washington.

[1:51:14] Yes.

[1:51:15] Madam Cummings.

[1:51:21] After 9.10-1C of the Memphis

[1:51:30] and Shelby County name change.

[1:51:36] Subject property located

[1:51:37] between E.H.

[1:51:38] Crump, Roundup, 3rd and

[1:51:42] Planning and Development.

[1:51:48] The case number is SNC 26-02.

[1:51:56] Councilman Spinoza.

[1:51:58] Thank you, Madam.

[1:52:05] It has been moved by

[1:52:07] Councilman Warren. Thank you,

[1:52:11] Madam Comptroller.

[1:52:16] Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton,

[1:52:23] Easter, Thomas.

[1:52:25] Ford, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza,

[1:52:35] thank you, Walker, Warren,

[1:52:40] Cooper-Sudden is voting.

[1:52:51] Madam Comptroller, excuse me.

[1:53:09] There's a resolution

[1:53:22] to support reduction program.

[1:53:26] All council districts,

[1:53:28] this resolution is a resolution

[1:53:29] to support reduction program.

[1:53:37] Thank you, Chair.

[1:53:38] Commitment

[1:53:39] in his board canally.

[1:53:54] This item number Sutton.

[1:54:02] Easter Thomas, Green, Logan,

[1:54:12] Smiley, Bonosa, Walker,

[1:54:18] Warren, White, Chairwoman

[1:54:23] Swearingen.

[1:54:46] $50,000.

[1:54:49] Tennessee Department of the

[1:54:50] State Water Infrastructure

[1:54:53] program

[1:54:55] to be fully utilized.

[1:54:59] T02013,

[1:55:01] stormwater districts.

[1:55:03] This resolution is sponsored

[1:55:05] by Councilman Ford Canale.

[1:55:09] Thank you, Madam.

[1:55:11] Thank you.

[1:55:15] Thank you.

[1:55:25] Councilmember Kanata, Easter

[1:55:31] Thomas, Green, Logan, thank

[1:55:42] you.

[1:55:43] Smiley, Spinoza, Walker.

[1:55:53] Chairwoman Swearingen?

[1:55:55] Yes.

[1:55:56] That item passes.

[1:55:58] If you will start.

[1:56:06] Item number is a resolution

[1:56:10] to accept recommendations

[1:56:11] from the public's Councilman

[1:56:29] Ford-Canale.

[1:56:30] Thank you, Madam.

[1:56:32] It's been moved by Councilman

[1:56:37] Ford Sr.

[1:56:41] Thank you.

[1:56:45] Councilmember Cooper-Sutton.

[1:56:58] Easter Thomas?

[1:57:20] Yeah, let's do that now.

[1:57:21] Please forgive me.

[1:57:25] Richard Massey, and then

[1:57:36] Kelly.

[1:57:44] Good evening, Council.

[1:57:45] Richard Massey, 38111.

[1:57:47] While their facilities pollute

[1:57:48] South Memphis with methane gas

[1:57:50] turbines that are

[1:57:51] in constant operation, XAI,

[1:57:53] which is now Space XAI,

[1:57:54] has enabled the creation of the

[1:57:55] world's first trillionaire.

[1:57:58] XAI came here two years ago

[1:57:59] backed by empty promises

[1:58:01] of job creation, pollution

[1:58:02] controls,

[1:58:03] and sustainable water use.

[1:58:04] Thus far they failed

[1:58:05] to live up to their promise

[1:58:06] of 500 new jobs here in

[1:58:08] Memphis.

[1:58:09] They've expanded the lightning

[1:58:10] speed shrouded by NDAs without

[1:58:11] engaging the community.

[1:58:12] They've become the largest

[1:58:14] industrial source of smog here

[1:58:15] in Memphis

[1:58:16] within two years and they draw

[1:58:17] 800,000 gallons from the

[1:58:18] Memphis Sands Aquifer every

[1:58:20] single day despite Memphis

[1:58:21] being the largest city in the

[1:58:23] United States that relies

[1:58:24] entirely on groundwater.

[1:58:25] So the community got the work

[1:58:27] on demanding a real community

[1:58:29] benefits ordinance that directs

[1:58:30] property tax revenue generated

[1:58:31] from AI properties

[1:58:33] to communities who are

[1:58:34] in direct proximity

[1:58:36] to AI infrastructure.

[1:58:37] 25% of XAI property tax revenue

[1:58:39] will be allocated annually

[1:58:41] towards this effort,

[1:58:43] which would be $3.3 million

[1:58:44] this year.

[1:58:45] So while we're proud

[1:58:47] of the work that we've done

[1:58:48] in fighting for this, we also

[1:58:49] recognize just how obscene it

[1:58:50] is for the CEO

[1:58:52] of a said company to be

[1:58:53] humanity's first ever

[1:58:54] trillionaire while we're

[1:58:55] fending for $3 million.

[1:58:57] Spread out across over nearly a

[1:58:58] dozen investment areas.

[1:59:00] And using this time,

[1:59:01] we're demanding the following.

[1:59:02] Accept the recommendations

[1:59:03] from the public advisory board,

[1:59:04] such as allocating public funds

[1:59:06] towards community health

[1:59:07] clinics and increased air

[1:59:08] quality monitoring.

[1:59:09] Demand at SpaceX AI adheres

[1:59:10] to a binding written commitment

[1:59:12] to building out their water

[1:59:13] reuse facility that they've

[1:59:15] already delayed once.

[1:59:16] Issue real repercussions if

[1:59:18] they don't build

[1:59:19] out their facility.

[1:59:20] And reintroduce a data center

[1:59:21] moratorium so that we have

[1:59:22] ample time to both study and

[1:59:23] regulate.

[1:59:25] this massive tech expansion

[1:59:26] that is harming our neighbors

[1:59:27] here in Memphis.

[1:59:28] Thank you.

[1:59:29] Thank you.

[1:59:31] We will have Raquel and then

[1:59:33] Dr.

[1:59:34] Kimberly Owen-Pearson.

[1:59:41] Good evening, my name is

[1:59:42] Michelle for Memphis Community

[1:59:43] Against Pollution and if we

[1:59:45] truly to improve the lives

[1:59:47] of the people most affected,

[1:59:51] then the funds set aside for

[1:59:52] this community must follow the

[1:59:53] priorities residents themselves

[1:59:54] have consistently raised, which

[1:59:56] are health care and housing

[1:59:58] accommodations.

[1:59:59] Both the City of Memphis survey

[2:00:00] and our community-led survey

[2:00:02] show the same reality.

[2:00:04] Our residents are living with

[2:00:05] elevated respiratory illnesses

[2:00:06] and limited economic mobility.

[2:00:09] To address this, I recommend

[2:00:11] creating a health care grant

[2:00:12] program to help families cover

[2:00:14] doctor visits, health

[2:00:15] maintenance, and essential

[2:00:17] medical equipment.

[2:00:18] These funds should be held

[2:00:20] by the Community Foundation

[2:00:21] of Memphis with Church

[2:00:23] Health, whose mission is to

[2:00:24] make quality health care

[2:00:25] accessible.

[2:00:27] Transportation is also a

[2:00:28] barrier to health.

[2:00:29] Nearly 30% of Southwest

[2:00:31] Memphis families lack reliable

[2:00:32] transportation.

[2:00:34] So I propose...

[2:00:35] Allocating $100,000

[2:00:37] to support access to care

[2:00:38] through MATA's Groove on

[2:00:39] Demand service.

[2:00:41] Housing is the final thing that

[2:00:43] should be addressed.

[2:00:44] I recommend a $1 million

[2:00:45] pre-housing weatherization

[2:00:47] assistance program

[2:00:48] to cover inspections, roof

[2:00:50] repair, window repair, and

[2:00:51] other work that prepare homes

[2:00:53] for full weatherization.

[2:00:56] This program will deliver the

[2:00:57] much-needed and long-requested

[2:00:59] home improvements that our

[2:01:00] community has been denied

[2:01:02] for so long.

[2:01:03] Memphis Light, Gas and Water

[2:01:04] and Garenswell, an organization

[2:01:06] focused

[2:01:07] on energy affordability,

[2:01:08] should steward this work.

[2:01:10] Finally, every resident of five

[2:01:11] must be directly and

[2:01:12] consistently notified

[2:01:14] about what is happening, who is

[2:01:16] eligible and what is available.

[2:01:19] Lack of transparency has been a

[2:01:20] long-standing issue and clear

[2:01:22] communication is essential

[2:01:23] to rebuilding trust.

[2:01:25] Thank you so much.

[2:01:26] Thank you.

[2:01:54] Dr.

[2:01:55] Pearson.

[2:01:56] Good evening.

[2:01:57] Good evening.

[2:01:58] I think it was deplorable

[2:01:59] for our voting

[2:02:00] without listening.

[2:02:02] Then, when people were talking,

[2:02:07] you were not paying attention.

[2:02:10] So it clearly shows that you

[2:02:14] already have your mind.

[2:02:17] I am here.

[2:02:19] to say that in Westwood, it's a

[2:02:23] historical neighborhood, and

[2:02:25] that we pay city and state

[2:02:27] county taxes.

[2:02:29] It should look like heaven

[2:02:31] on earth.

[2:02:35] As a high priority,

[2:02:37] I understand these

[2:02:39] recommendations,

[2:02:40] but blight should be out

[2:02:42] of our taxes.

[2:02:45] What else is paved roads?

[2:02:48] roads should be out

[2:02:49] of our tax money.

[2:02:50] That should not be coming out

[2:02:52] of us who breathe in and

[2:02:54] out methane gas 24-7.

[2:02:58] Us who breathe nitric oxide.

[2:03:03] It should not be a

[2:03:04] recommendation that gets

[2:03:05] approved.

[2:03:06] So I propose, one,

[2:03:10] the pre-weatherization

[2:03:12] for the historical homes.

[2:03:14] The windows need

[2:03:15] to be updated.

[2:03:16] They need.

[2:03:18] New back systems,

[2:03:19] they need things

[2:03:21] in the attic.

[2:03:22] We need to pass

[2:03:23] pre-weatherization so the

[2:03:25] housing can be up to code.

[2:03:26] Second, the health grants.

[2:03:30] We need quality health care

[2:03:33] accessibility.

[2:03:34] People in these communities

[2:03:36] need to be able to get care.

[2:03:37] These are high priorities.

[2:03:42] They need to be able

[2:03:43] to get transportation.

[2:03:44] Madeline was here earlier.

[2:03:46] sucks that people can't get

[2:03:47] to doctors, can't get

[2:03:50] to jobs.

[2:03:51] So with the recommendations,

[2:03:54] roads and blights should be

[2:03:57] taken off.

[2:04:16] We should have what's going

[2:04:18] on right now.

[2:04:20] That's what's scaring the

[2:04:22] people down now.

[2:04:24] So that would be a good thing

[2:04:26] for if they're down here

[2:04:27] with adequate health care

[2:04:28] down there.

[2:04:29] Clinics, anything.

[2:04:30] But we need something

[2:04:31] down there where...

[2:04:42] Thank you so much.

[2:04:44] Ms.

[2:04:45] Glenda Hicks and Pamela

[2:04:46] Mose.

[2:04:55] Good afternoon, Glenda.

[2:04:59] So, I'm here just

[2:05:01] to express genuine concern over

[2:05:04] the fact that the ordinance

[2:05:08] that has been written...

[2:05:09] has 11 mandates for $3 million

[2:05:15] for 100,000 citizens.

[2:05:19] That is simply asinine.

[2:05:23] Does not make sense.

[2:05:24] Is not genuine consideration

[2:05:26] for those citizens.

[2:05:29] That 11 mandates for $3 million

[2:05:35] means absolutely pennies.

[2:05:39] and zero impact.

[2:05:42] Come on guys, you all can do

[2:05:45] better than that.

[2:05:48] You can, you all can do better

[2:05:51] than that.

[2:05:53] That's an insult.

[2:05:55] You all could have narrowed it

[2:05:57] down to those issues that the

[2:06:00] citizens expressed to you all

[2:06:02] that were paramount.

[2:06:03] People have talked

[2:06:05] consistently,

[2:06:06] about health care.

[2:06:10] We know that these citizens

[2:06:13] have been sorely impacted

[2:06:15] from the pollution, so that

[2:06:18] should have been number one

[2:06:20] on the list.

[2:06:21] It's not a hard decision, and

[2:06:23] then we need their lives

[2:06:24] protected.

[2:06:27] So the fact that you all would

[2:06:29] draft any ordinance talking

[2:06:33] about 11 items

[2:06:35] to be addressed is an insult.

[2:06:38] You all need to do better.

[2:06:40] Please correct that.

[2:06:42] Please correct that.

[2:06:54] Walker, you're recognized.

[2:06:56] Sure, thank you, Madam Chair.

[2:06:58] I think I was supposed to speak

[2:07:02] next.

[2:07:16] committee and says resolution

[2:07:20] except the recommendations

[2:07:23] these items are not all be

[2:07:32] implemented the first thing and

[2:07:36] then all

[2:07:38] in this little city is all So

[2:07:40] anything in this list, city,

[2:07:42] our XAI, anything

[2:07:55] on if we wanted

[2:07:57] to use these funds.

[2:08:12] It would not have been

[2:08:17] necessary to go

[2:08:20] through this process.

[2:08:23] So I just wanted

[2:08:25] to offer that clarification.

[2:08:26] And once again, the operative

[2:08:28] word is recommendation.

[2:08:30] So we still have a job to do

[2:08:31] to go back and decide

[2:08:34] on the best way

[2:08:35] to allocate these funds based

[2:08:38] on the feedback that was given.

[2:08:42] And I will say at our next

[2:08:44] to the last meeting, All the

[2:08:47] public comments, I'll be glad

[2:08:51] to go back to the tape and any

[2:08:52] of you all can too,

[2:08:54] but it was a vast opportunity

[2:08:56] for the citizens

[2:09:00] to share their feedback as

[2:09:02] to what they wanted these funds

[2:09:04] to be used for.

[2:09:06] And instead,

[2:09:07] the comments were critical

[2:09:09] of XAI, Elon Musk, just

[2:09:15] to me a wasted opportunity to

[2:09:21] share what you wanted the funds

[2:09:24] to be used for and with that

[2:09:26] I'll yield the floor.

[2:09:28] Thank you Councilwoman.

[2:09:29] Councilwoman Green you're

[2:09:30] recognized.

[2:09:32] Thank you Chair and thank you

[2:09:33] for everybody who came

[2:09:34] down today.

[2:09:35] Councilwoman Green go ahead.

[2:09:40] We're gonna get to you.

[2:09:41] We're gonna get to you.

[2:09:48] Thank you.

[2:09:50] Every recommendation that you

[2:09:55] are suggesting I think are very

[2:09:56] important too.

[2:09:58] I really do like the

[2:09:59] weatherization and I have been

[2:10:00] a proponent for health care

[2:10:01] access as well because I do

[2:10:03] think that's the most

[2:10:04] important.

[2:10:05] But as Councilman Walker said,

[2:10:06] these were the things that that

[2:10:10] committee that was set up to

[2:10:11] give us community feedback was

[2:10:13] supposed to bring back

[2:10:14] to us.

[2:10:15] Well, I can't speak to whether

[2:10:18] they were educated properly or

[2:10:20] not, but what I can tell you is

[2:10:21] this is us receiving the

[2:10:25] feedback from the community,

[2:10:27] and then we take it back, and

[2:10:29] we actually allocate the funds.

[2:10:32] But this was not written

[2:10:34] by us.

[2:10:35] So I know it says that it's

[2:10:37] Sponsored by the City

[2:10:38] Council, it's because we wanted

[2:10:40] to get the feedback

[2:10:42] from the community from the

[2:10:43] public advisory board that was

[2:10:44] set up and the appointments

[2:10:45] were made by the mayor.

[2:10:47] So this is just us formally

[2:10:50] receiving those recommendations

[2:10:53] and saying, we hear you,

[2:10:56] and we see you,

[2:10:57] and we value your input.

[2:10:58] That's what it is.

[2:11:00] And then we welcome more

[2:11:01] feedback about which

[2:11:03] of these you see as priorities.

[2:11:04] But this is not, we're going

[2:11:06] to use this money

[2:11:07] for blight or this money

[2:11:09] for road projects.

[2:11:11] That's not what this says.

[2:11:12] So I just wanted

[2:11:15] to make sure that everybody,

[2:11:16] so I think it is important to

[2:11:17] say this is the

[2:11:18] recommendations, but also it is

[2:11:20] clear that this says that the

[2:11:22] public advisory board members

[2:11:27] share and propose the following

[2:11:29] recommendations.

[2:11:30] These are not our

[2:11:31] recommendations.

[2:11:32] This is us receiving what they

[2:11:34] have shared with us.

[2:11:36] So I just wanted

[2:11:37] to clarify that for you.

[2:11:39] And so I think as we continue

[2:11:40] through this process,

[2:11:41] you should definitely continue,

[2:11:42] whether it is by email,

[2:11:43] by phone call, by meeting,

[2:11:44] by coming

[2:11:45] down here and giving comment.

[2:11:46] Please continue

[2:11:47] to provide us feedback on how

[2:11:48] you want these funds spent.

[2:11:50] But don't think this is how

[2:11:52] this is going to be spent.

[2:11:54] Thank you.

[2:11:57] Councilwoman.

[2:11:58] Thank you.

[2:11:59] Thank you, Councilwoman.

[2:12:01] Ms.

[2:12:02] Moses, you have the floor.

[2:12:05] Pamela Moses, based

[2:12:10] on the resolution of the

[2:12:11] advisory board and recommending

[2:12:12] portions of Southwest Memphis

[2:12:14] infrastructure, all that other

[2:12:17] stuff, sounds good.

[2:12:19] But the fact

[2:12:21] of the matter remains,

[2:12:22] Anthropic has agreed to pay

[2:12:23] Elon Musk, please listen,

[2:12:25] Councilman White, because

[2:12:27] you're the reason we're here

[2:12:28] today.

[2:12:29] They've agreed to pay $1.2

[2:12:31] billion.

[2:12:34] For that building that you

[2:12:35] rented

[2:12:36] for $800-some thousand dollars,

[2:12:39] see, I know the history.

[2:12:40] And see, if they can get $1.2

[2:12:41] billion a month,

[2:12:44] y'all can do something else,

[2:12:45] which is not sell us out.

[2:12:48] So while the billionaires and

[2:12:50] the trillionaires are making

[2:12:51] enormous profits off

[2:12:52] of our natural resources,

[2:12:54] you want

[2:12:55] to offer us weatherization?

[2:12:56] We done had that program for

[2:13:00] 20 years.

[2:13:01] That's not enough.

[2:13:02] Elon Musk...

[2:13:03] operations are benefiting him,

[2:13:04] not us.

[2:13:07] So to every, cause see,

[2:13:08] I know what's going on.

[2:13:10] Me sorry, you ain't the only

[2:13:13] one gonna go down.

[2:13:14] To everybody that got paid and

[2:13:15] you sold us out, I wanted you

[2:13:16] to revisit what's really going

[2:13:19] on and look at the decisions

[2:13:21] that have been made

[2:13:22] by closed rooms,

[2:13:25] backroom deals of the chamber

[2:13:26] of commerce and everybody else.

[2:13:28] We are not roaches,

[2:13:29] we are people.

[2:13:31] We deserve more than crumbs.

[2:13:34] Mississippi can kill beasts and

[2:13:35] get away with it

[2:13:37] with their state violence.

[2:13:39] And they getting a billion.

[2:13:40] And they hadn't even set up

[2:13:43] shop here.

[2:13:44] Because their community knows

[2:13:45] what's going on.

[2:13:46] And you're not going

[2:13:47] to sell them out.

[2:13:49] for no crumbs.

[2:13:50] So I think all of you,

[2:13:51] especially you, Councilman

[2:13:53] Walker, you need to go back

[2:13:54] to Elon, Doug McGowan, and

[2:13:55] whoever else was

[2:13:56] on that plane that went to

[2:13:58] Texas and cut this deal.

[2:14:00] And you need

[2:14:01] to tell them we're going

[2:14:02] to have to give the people a

[2:14:03] little bit more.

[2:14:04] And that's all I have

[2:14:05] to say.

[2:14:06] Thank you.

[2:14:07] And don't vote Democrat because

[2:14:08] they are really Republicans.

[2:14:09] Vote independent.

[2:14:13] So our same night minute item.

[2:14:22] Councilman Canale, would you

[2:14:23] please read the same night

[2:14:24] minute item?

[2:14:26] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[2:14:27] The same night minute items are

[2:14:28] 16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and

[2:14:34] 39.

[2:14:36] Oh, wait one second.

[2:14:43] We forgot to vote for 20.

[2:14:45] We're going to go back.

[2:14:46] Did we complete the vote on?

[2:14:53] Okay, let's go back.

[2:14:56] Start over with the vote.

[2:14:57] For Sutton, for item number

[2:15:06] 20, Easter Thomas, I had her

[2:15:12] vote as.

[2:15:13] Board, Green, Logan, Smiley,

[2:15:21] Spinoza, Walker, thank you,

[2:15:22] Warren, White, and Chairwoman

[2:15:27] Swerington-Washington for 20.

[2:15:32] Thank you.

[2:15:34] Yes, that item passes.

[2:15:37] Now that moves

[2:15:40] to our same night minutes.

[2:15:42] Councilman Ford-Canale, would

[2:15:43] you please read them

[2:15:44] into record?

[2:15:45] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[2:15:46] Same nine-minute items are

[2:15:48] 16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and

[2:15:52] 39.

[2:15:55] And with that, I move it

[2:15:56] to the floor.

[2:16:00] All right.

[2:16:01] It's been moved by Councilman

[2:16:02] Ford-Canale, second by

[2:16:03] Councilwoman Green.

[2:16:05] Madam Comptroller, if you will

[2:16:06] please prepare the screen

[2:16:07] for the vote.

[2:16:08] Roll call vote.

[2:16:09] Canale, please.

[2:16:11] Yes.

[2:16:12] Carlisle.

[2:16:14] Cooper Sutton for the

[2:16:15] same-night minutes.

[2:16:16] Easter Thomas.

[2:16:19] Ford.

[2:16:21] Green.

[2:16:23] Logan.

[2:16:25] Smiley.

[2:16:27] Spinoza, same-night minutes.

[2:16:28] Walker.

[2:16:31] Yes.

[2:16:32] Warren.

[2:16:33] White, same-night minutes.

[2:16:34] Thank you.

[2:16:37] Chairwoman

[2:16:38] Swearingen-Washington.

[2:16:39] Yes.

[2:16:40] Item passes.

[2:16:41] Is that item?

[2:16:44] All right, that moves us

[2:16:46] to our public comment cards.

[2:16:52] We will start with Tierney

[2:16:54] Macon.

[2:16:56] Tierney Macon and then

[2:16:57] Angelica Whitehead.

[2:17:15] If I have to, okay,

[2:17:16] I would have projected,

[2:17:17] okay.

[2:17:18] Happy Tuesday.

[2:17:19] We recognize and appreciate

[2:17:20] the, well, first of all,

[2:17:22] my name is Tierney Macon.

[2:17:23] I'm the Shelby County

[2:17:24] Community Organizer with the

[2:17:25] Equity Alliance.

[2:17:26] We were here at the last city

[2:17:27] council meeting, and I wanted

[2:17:28] to start out by saying we

[2:17:29] recognize and appreciate the

[2:17:31] council's additional investment

[2:17:33] when it comes

[2:17:34] to middle class funding

[2:17:35] for housing.

[2:17:37] This is a very important step,

[2:17:38] but we need to name the other

[2:17:40] imbalances and challenges

[2:17:41] to come along.

[2:17:42] with the housing disparities

[2:17:44] that the city is facing.

[2:17:45] If the city can identify $4.1

[2:17:47] million and $3.5 million for

[2:17:50] recreation and parks

[2:17:53] investments, such as the

[2:17:55] Ardenborn Golf Clubhouse and

[2:17:57] the Jesse Turner Park

[2:17:58] improvements,

[2:18:00] then we should be able to

[2:18:01] identify serious long-term

[2:18:03] investment for housing, too.

[2:18:05] This is not saying that parks

[2:18:07] do not matter.

[2:18:08] Parks do matter, recreation

[2:18:09] matters,

[2:18:10] and public spaces matters.

[2:18:12] But housing is at the core

[2:18:13] of our foundation.

[2:18:15] Families need safe and stable

[2:18:17] affordable homes

[2:18:18] before they can benefit from

[2:18:19] neighborhood amenities.

[2:18:21] A park investment improves the

[2:18:22] quality of life, but housing

[2:18:23] investments stabilize families,

[2:18:25] neighborhoods, schools,

[2:18:26] and the local economy as well.

[2:18:30] The money allocated for the

[2:18:31] middle class investment funding

[2:18:33] cannot be treated as a

[2:18:34] Band-Aid or a full solution.

[2:18:37] It should be treated as seed

[2:18:38] funding.

[2:18:39] We're asking that this money

[2:18:41] should prove what is possible

[2:18:43] to attract additional

[2:18:44] investment from banks, CDFIs,

[2:18:45] philanthropy, federal housing

[2:18:48] programs, state resources,

[2:18:50] mission-aligned developers,

[2:18:52] and private partners as well.

[2:18:54] The goal should be able

[2:18:55] to turn the $1 million

[2:18:56] into millions more.

[2:18:58] And the future of the capital

[2:18:59] improvement plan budget has

[2:19:01] to incorporate a minimum of

[2:19:03] $10 million

[2:19:05] for the next five years

[2:19:06] with a focus

[2:19:07] on infrastructure.

[2:19:08] Basically, we're here asking

[2:19:09] yet again that the city needs a

[2:19:10] clear strategy on how this

[2:19:12] funding would be used,

[2:19:14] and we want to be a part

[2:19:15] of that conversation.

[2:19:16] What outcomes will be produced?

[2:19:17] How will this leverage matching

[2:19:18] dollars and additional

[2:19:19] investment?

[2:19:20] We should not just spend the

[2:19:22] money,

[2:19:23] but we should also structure it

[2:19:24] in a way that creates momentum.

[2:19:25] We are asking for the council

[2:19:26] to commit to working

[2:19:27] with the residents and the

[2:19:29] Equity Alliance

[2:19:30] to make sure we achieve these

[2:19:31] 10,000 homes.

[2:19:32] Thank you so much.

[2:19:34] Thank you.

[2:19:35] Mr.

[2:19:36] Keeley Sr.

[2:19:37] Angelica Whitehead, I'm a

[2:19:45] resident of the White Haven

[2:19:47] community.

[2:19:49] Memphis has a home ownership

[2:19:50] problem.

[2:19:52] The owner-occupied housing rate

[2:19:53] in Memphis is about 45%,

[2:19:57] compared to

[2:19:58] about 70% statewide in

[2:20:00] Tennessee.

[2:20:01] That gap should concern every

[2:20:03] elected official

[2:20:05] in this city.

[2:20:07] With fewer than half of

[2:20:08] Memphis households own their

[2:20:10] homes, that means too many

[2:20:12] families.

[2:20:13] are locked out of wealth

[2:20:14] building, neighborhood

[2:20:16] stability, and long-term

[2:20:17] economic security.

[2:20:19] Yes, Memphis needs rental

[2:20:21] opportunities.

[2:20:22] Yes, Memphis needs affordable

[2:20:24] housing.

[2:20:25] Yes, Memphis needs

[2:20:26] down payment assistance.

[2:20:28] But we also have

[2:20:29] to be clear.

[2:20:30] We must create homeowners if we

[2:20:32] want

[2:20:33] to stabilize the economy.

[2:20:34] Homeownership helps families

[2:20:39] build equity.

[2:20:40] It helps stabilize...

[2:20:41] It keeps long-time residents

[2:20:44] rooted in their communities,

[2:20:48] and it allows working and

[2:20:49] middle-class families to share

[2:20:51] in the growth

[2:20:52] of the city instead

[2:20:53] of being displaced by it.

[2:20:55] We cannot depend on our own

[2:20:57] local investment and need your

[2:20:59] commitment to work with the

[2:21:01] Equity Alliance,

[2:21:02] with the residents,

[2:21:05] and housing advocates

[2:21:06] to come up with comprehensive

[2:21:07] housing plans.

[2:21:08] 10,000 houses by 2030.

[2:21:10] Let's work together to ensure

[2:21:12] that our budget account

[2:21:14] for this robust initiative.

[2:21:16] Thank you.

[2:21:48] Good evening members of City

[2:21:49] Council.

[2:21:51] My name is Stephanie Lee and I

[2:21:53] live at 2019 Killarney

[2:21:55] Avenue, 38106.

[2:21:58] I'm here to discuss the

[2:22:01] problems we're continuing

[2:22:02] to have

[2:22:03] with flooding issues coming

[2:22:04] from Old Dominion's property.

[2:22:06] Old Dominion became my neighbor

[2:22:09] somewhere between 2000 and

[2:22:10] 2004.

[2:22:13] We moved into our home in

[2:22:14] December of 94.

[2:22:18] The land behind our home was

[2:22:19] totally flat,

[2:22:21] and this was a selling point

[2:22:22] for us.

[2:22:24] Since the construction of Old

[2:22:25] Dominion, we've had to incur

[2:22:26] several changes regarding the

[2:22:29] quality of life.

[2:22:30] When we started noticing an

[2:22:33] increasingly amount of water

[2:22:35] in our backyard,

[2:22:37] it was an eye-opener.

[2:22:40] Then it got

[2:22:42] to be an excessive amount

[2:22:43] of water.

[2:22:45] But now...

[2:22:46] It looks

[2:22:48] like a lake or river,

[2:22:49] and I think some

[2:22:50] of you have pictures or copies,

[2:22:51] and it continues

[2:22:54] to get worse.

[2:22:55] This nasty,

[2:22:57] dirty water is traveling

[2:22:59] into our home.

[2:23:01] My house is not

[2:23:04] in a flood zone area.

[2:23:05] We have worked and put things

[2:23:09] that my husband will talk

[2:23:11] about in a minute into place.

[2:23:13] to try and prevent this

[2:23:15] from continuing to happen.

[2:23:17] But everything that we have

[2:23:18] done has only been temporarily.

[2:23:21] We have spoken

[2:23:22] with the city engineers, Old

[2:23:24] Dominion engineers.

[2:23:25] We've spoken to some of you

[2:23:26] on this matter.

[2:23:27] However, Old Dominion is aware

[2:23:28] we face, and yes, they did

[2:23:33] conduct a survey that looked

[2:23:36] at the drainage issue.

[2:23:37] When I went to contact them

[2:23:39] about the results,

[2:23:40] they told me

[2:23:41] to contact my city council.

[2:23:43] So I'm asking you,

[2:23:44] what does the survey say?

[2:23:47] And explain the results

[2:23:48] to us.

[2:23:50] And I'm also asking you

[2:23:53] to make it right.

[2:23:56] Help us to make it right.

[2:23:57] Mr.

[2:23:58] Lee.

[2:24:00] I'm Keith Lee, and I live at

[2:24:02] 2019 Killarney Avenue,

[2:24:05] Memphis, Tennessee, 38116.

[2:24:09] We, um, the sheet that you have

[2:24:11] is the first.

[2:24:12] Part here is our lawn,

[2:24:15] just the way our lawn used

[2:24:17] to look, and behind that,

[2:24:18] that's where Old Dominion is

[2:24:20] located.

[2:24:21] In 2004, the owner of that

[2:24:27] place, he kind

[2:24:28] of raised it up a little bit.

[2:24:29] We had a little water coming

[2:24:30] through.

[2:24:31] The last picture, that's Old

[2:24:32] Dominion, what they have done.

[2:24:34] And you can see the water

[2:24:37] coming down from there.

[2:24:39] The next page, that was in

[2:24:41] 2019, that's the side

[2:24:43] of our house.

[2:24:45] The next one is May 20th,

[2:24:47] that's the other side.

[2:24:49] If you look at April 1st,

[2:24:52] 2022, you see the river coming

[2:24:54] down.

[2:24:56] That's coming from Old

[2:24:57] Dominion.

[2:24:59] Also, I'm just going to jump

[2:25:03] over to this last picture

[2:25:04] on the next page.

[2:25:06] That's coming from Old

[2:25:07] Dominion.

[2:25:08] That happens all the time.

[2:25:09] Also, I've also did trench,

[2:25:13] French drains

[2:25:15] around my property, lugging

[2:25:18] in rocks, tons of rocks

[2:25:19] to do the French drain.

[2:25:23] And I mean, it's a lot

[2:25:24] of hassle trying

[2:25:26] to do all this by yourself.

[2:25:27] And we talk

[2:25:29] to them and they act

[2:25:31] like they don't give a hoot.

[2:25:34] And I need you all's help.

[2:25:36] I've been in combat and

[2:25:38] everything and I've come home

[2:25:40] and this is what I come to.

[2:25:43] Now, I go and fight

[2:25:44] for y'all.

[2:25:45] Can y'all fight for me?

[2:25:48] I need your help.

[2:25:52] And if you look through it,

[2:25:53] you'll see the patio,

[2:25:55] water come out of my patio.

[2:25:58] Sometimes the water is up

[2:25:59] to my ankles, past my ankles

[2:26:02] actually.

[2:26:06] I did everything I know

[2:26:08] to do.

[2:26:09] Thank you, Madam Chair, and

[2:26:12] thank you all

[2:26:16] for today established in 24,

[2:26:32] and this issue did not start

[2:26:35] then.

[2:26:37] Say we in...

[2:27:20] Sure Senator is dissented on

[2:27:28] Jink We all got We've been just

[2:27:29] going back And they should not

[2:27:31] have this ad This deal was

[2:27:39] We've been working The general

[2:27:51] consensus engineering I think

[2:27:52] we just got it

[2:27:54] on and so our next to get

[2:27:55] with Manny and I'll dress you

[2:28:03] all should not so to It is

[2:28:05] deep, like you said,

[2:28:47] and it's horrible to deal with

[2:28:56] in the beginning.

[2:29:22] I feel like it happens that

[2:29:40] they should be called and make

[2:29:42] sure that it is a could let us

[2:29:43] know thank you thank you jamiah

[2:29:44] Good afternoon, Council.

[2:30:57] I am Jamiah Irby.

[2:30:58] I am the E-Equity Alliance, and

[2:31:02] we are asking Council to

[2:31:03] support a co-governance

[2:31:05] approach where residents,

[2:31:06] community organizations,

[2:31:08] housing experts,

[2:31:09] and city leaders work together

[2:31:11] to guide a pilot and the

[2:31:13] identified targeted zip code

[2:31:15] for additional middle income.

[2:31:17] That means creating a process

[2:31:19] that includes a resident

[2:31:24] advisory table.

[2:31:25] Clear public goals,

[2:31:29] regular updates

[2:31:31] to the community, a plan to

[2:31:33] attract matching dollars and

[2:31:34] additional investment,

[2:31:36] and a commitment

[2:31:37] to use what we learned to

[2:31:39] inform a citywide housing

[2:31:41] strategy.

[2:31:42] Memphis does not currently have

[2:31:43] a comprehensive housing plan

[2:31:45] and that has to change.

[2:31:47] The $1 million for middle class

[2:31:50] investment funding.

[2:31:52] should be the beginning

[2:31:53] of a larger plan for 10,000 new

[2:31:54] housing opportunities across

[2:31:55] Memphis, including home

[2:31:58] ownership, city infrastructure,

[2:32:01] rental opportunities, home

[2:32:04] repair,

[2:32:05] down payment assistance,

[2:32:07] and anti-displacement

[2:32:08] protections, vacant property

[2:32:10] reuse,

[2:32:12] and neighborhood reinvestment.

[2:32:15] The focus has to be home

[2:32:17] ownership because ownership

[2:32:19] units grow the tax base.

[2:32:20] And without more housing,

[2:32:23] the tax burden will be placed

[2:32:24] on fewer housing receiving

[2:32:26] fewer services

[2:32:27] to balance the budget.

[2:32:29] We appreciate the council's

[2:32:30] investment of $1 million for

[2:32:32] middle class investment

[2:32:33] funding.

[2:32:34] Now, we are asking council

[2:32:36] to protect this funding through

[2:32:37] a community-led governance

[2:32:39] process.

[2:32:40] Commitment to working

[2:32:42] with the residents and the

[2:32:43] Equity Alliance and use this as

[2:32:45] the first step

[2:32:47] toward a long-term plan for

[2:32:48] 10,000 new housing.

[2:32:50] Opportunities Across

[2:32:51] Memphis.

[2:32:52] Thank you.

[2:32:53] Thank you.

[2:32:54] Brianna Smith and then Damon

[2:32:56] Curry-Mars.

[2:32:59] Hello.

[2:33:01] Brianna Smith is gone.

[2:33:03] Oh, okay.

[2:33:04] And my name is Rita Rita.

[2:33:06] So I think you have my card.

[2:33:07] Yes,

[2:33:09] but I haven't called you yet.

[2:33:10] Okay.

[2:33:12] Well, Ms.

[2:33:14] Smith is not here.

[2:33:15] Go on, Ms.

[2:33:16] Rita.

[2:33:17] All right, then.

[2:33:18] My name is Rita Rita.

[2:33:20] I will be back.

[2:33:22] I just want to say I have been

[2:33:26] back in Memphis for about seven

[2:33:29] or eight months.

[2:33:30] I did 18 years in Dallas and

[2:33:32] when you talked about the the

[2:33:35] busing and the transit that

[2:33:39] really hit me because in

[2:33:41] Dallas-Fort Worth we have a

[2:33:42] pretty good system so I want to

[2:33:44] just offer myself and offer my

[2:33:47] help to get Memphis up and

[2:33:52] running.

[2:33:53] And like I said, I will be

[2:33:56] back.

[2:33:58] But each one of you, all

[2:34:01] of you sitting here,

[2:34:04] I just want you to get a thank

[2:34:08] you and a gratitude.

[2:34:11] This has been a rough meeting.

[2:34:12] This has been a rough meeting

[2:34:16] and I want to take your hand,

[2:34:19] take your hand, pat yourself on

[2:34:20] the back because you all have

[2:34:21] handled this well.

[2:34:22] I know there's only two

[2:34:25] decisions that you can make and

[2:34:29] you're not going

[2:34:30] to make everybody happy.

[2:34:32] So thank you.

[2:34:33] It's not sexy to be elected.

[2:34:37] It's not sexy

[2:34:39] to be the police department.

[2:34:41] It's not.

[2:34:42] sexy to be sanitation.

[2:34:44] It's not sexy

[2:34:45] to be a teacher.

[2:34:49] But I thank each and every one

[2:34:50] of you for where you have

[2:34:53] parked your car

[2:34:56] in this life and

[2:34:57] for what you're doing.

[2:34:59] So I just want

[2:35:00] to thank each and every one

[2:35:01] of you.

[2:35:03] The people that showed up,

[2:35:04] the people who are here,

[2:35:06] thank you.

[2:35:08] Thank you and bless you.

[2:35:09] If we can have Damon Curry,

[2:35:13] England.

[2:35:44] Professor Damon Curry Morris,

[2:35:46] 1529 Dunmore Road, Memphis

[2:35:49] C-38114.

[2:35:51] You know, I'm just disgusted

[2:35:54] with everything that's going

[2:35:55] on in this city.

[2:35:56] You know, it's disheartening

[2:35:59] to sit here on this council and

[2:36:01] especially why I watch a den

[2:36:03] of thieves, liars, crooks and

[2:36:07] thugs running this city.

[2:36:09] We got buffoons running this

[2:36:11] city and don't understand how

[2:36:12] to help the people.

[2:36:14] I'm just seeing people up here

[2:36:15] crying out

[2:36:16] for everything and I have

[2:36:17] to come

[2:36:18] down here and bust folks

[2:36:19] out because I'm going

[2:36:20] to tell you one thing.

[2:36:21] If you didn't listen to Miss

[2:36:23] Moses about what's about

[2:36:24] to hit this city, hey,

[2:36:25] if I release what's in here,

[2:36:27] I'm gonna send some

[2:36:29] of y'all running for the hills

[2:36:31] because trust me I got

[2:36:32] to prove CJ Davis you can shake

[2:36:34] your head and me off.

[2:36:35] Wait a minute no we're not

[2:36:41] gonna be insulting yes but we

[2:36:44] can't be insulting this is our

[2:36:53] opportunity to have comments

[2:36:55] but we can't be insulting.

[2:36:58] Yes.

[2:36:59] I've been insulted, okay,

[2:37:01] reclaiming my time.

[2:37:02] I've been insulted.

[2:37:05] It don't take me two years

[2:37:06] to get a meeting.

[2:37:07] It don't take me two years to

[2:37:09] get services that my tax

[2:37:11] dollars pay for, okay?

[2:37:13] You very well know what it is.

[2:37:15] Pearl Walker, let me tell y'all

[2:37:20] one...

[2:37:32] Thank you, thank you, thank

[2:37:33] you, thank you, thank you,

[2:37:35] Mr.

[2:37:36] Mars.

[2:37:37] Officer Young, we through.

[2:37:38] Next person is Robin

[2:37:44] England.

[2:38:06] This meeting is res- This

[2:38:07] meeting- Did Rob...

[2:39:04] Okay, come on, Ms.

[2:39:10] England.

[2:39:15] I'm sorry, go ahead.

[2:39:16] Let me cut it back out.

[2:39:17] I emailed everyone up here

[2:39:19] after the last...

[2:39:20] I emailed everyone up here and

[2:39:38] I didn't get any response back

[2:39:41] and that kind of seems

[2:39:42] to be the way that this goes,

[2:39:44] that people here speak and

[2:39:47] y'all look bored, y'all look

[2:39:49] uninterested.

[2:39:51] I don't get it.

[2:39:53] We've got citizens begging

[2:39:54] for housing,

[2:39:55] for transportation,

[2:39:57] for clean air.

[2:40:00] And I just, I don't get it.

[2:40:04] I don't know what y'all need

[2:40:09] to take this seriously from

[2:40:11] what people are telling y'all.

[2:40:14] The city's getting worse.

[2:40:15] We're talking about where we're

[2:40:17] spending XAI money when we

[2:40:19] don't want XAI here.

[2:40:20] It is ruining our water supply.

[2:40:24] It is ruining our air and

[2:40:26] for nothing.

[2:40:28] I don't know.

[2:40:34] Chase Carlisle, I am coming for

[2:40:36] your job.

[2:40:38] I don't think you deserve it.

[2:40:40] Up here talking about

[2:40:41] pickleball when we have

[2:40:43] actual...

[2:40:47] We cannot call out council

[2:40:49] members.

[2:40:50] They need to be called out.

[2:40:52] All right.

[2:41:12] Hello, my name is Ann, and I am

[2:41:16] a community advocate.

[2:41:20] I am with the citizens of

[2:41:23] District 7.

[2:41:27] Our club has consistently held

[2:41:29] meetings, discussions, focused

[2:41:31] on issues affecting our

[2:41:33] community, yet our city council

[2:41:35] representative has not attended

[2:41:37] or acknowledged these efforts.

[2:41:40] The community engagement

[2:41:42] requires more than just holding

[2:41:44] an office.

[2:41:45] It requires being present and

[2:41:47] listening, communicating with

[2:41:48] the people that you represent.

[2:41:52] To this day,

[2:41:53] many residents are still

[2:41:54] seeking updates, matters

[2:41:56] including the grocery store

[2:41:58] project, as well as the park

[2:42:01] across from the Fraser

[2:42:02] Library.

[2:42:04] At the same time, the public

[2:42:06] funds have continued

[2:42:07] to be direct toward various

[2:42:09] organizations and programs,

[2:42:11] while many residents feel that

[2:42:14] their voices and concerns are

[2:42:16] not adequately being addressed.

[2:42:18] It raises important questions

[2:42:19] and priorities and

[2:42:21] accountabilities.

[2:42:24] The residents of the community

[2:42:25] deserve honesty and

[2:42:27] transparency and open

[2:42:28] communication

[2:42:30] from those who seek

[2:42:31] to represent them.

[2:42:32] Our community deserves a leader

[2:42:34] who is visible, accessible,

[2:42:36] and willing to engage directly

[2:42:37] with the people that they

[2:42:40] serve.

[2:42:41] Not popping out when cameras

[2:42:42] are around, because how can you

[2:42:44] propose a budget when you don't

[2:42:47] come to any of the community

[2:42:49] meetings being held?

[2:42:51] I thank you.

[2:42:56] We will now have Clark and

[2:42:57] Dionne.

[2:43:00] And I live in 1995.

[2:43:02] And just like Mr.

[2:43:06] Lee has said,

[2:43:09] I have also built a fridge

[2:43:10] drain behind my house.

[2:43:12] And none of that steel works.

[2:43:13] I place my driveway and it goes

[2:43:14] up under the door.

[2:43:16] Therefore, I use the driveway

[2:43:20] to check my foundation because

[2:43:21] any kind of hip...

[2:43:30] Any kind of way you all can do

[2:43:33] to help us resolve the cutting

[2:43:35] issue, we would greatly,

[2:43:36] greatly appreciate it.

[2:43:37] I want

[2:43:38] to thank you all very much.

[2:43:39] Thank you.

[2:43:40] Thank you.

[2:43:41] And we say sure that you all

[2:43:42] get the support.

[2:43:43] Dionne Newsom, Adrian.

[2:43:54] Hello, man.

[2:43:55] Five, one, four,

[2:43:56] five days laying cold.

[2:43:58] As of July 26, 2026, I would

[2:44:01] have reached 19 years

[2:44:02] of services with Memphis Like

[2:44:03] Gas and Water.

[2:44:05] I was a monthly employee

[2:44:06] terminated on Friday, June

[2:44:07] 12, 2026 by SEAS VP Timothy

[2:44:10] Davis.

[2:44:12] Throughout my career, I served

[2:44:13] Memphis Like Gas and Water and

[2:44:14] employees with pride and

[2:44:15] commitment.

[2:44:16] I was assigned to the

[2:44:17] Militant Community Office and

[2:44:18] regularly rotated to assist

[2:44:20] at the Lamar Community Office

[2:44:22] as well.

[2:44:23] During my time in leadership

[2:44:25] within the community office,

[2:44:26] our team worked together to

[2:44:27] improve the customer and

[2:44:28] employee's experience.

[2:44:30] Customer satisfaction score

[2:44:31] consistently improved, with our

[2:44:33] most recent scores reaching

[2:44:34] 89.9%.

[2:44:36] I'm asking the board to

[2:44:38] carefully examine the

[2:44:39] justification that has been

[2:44:40] provided for the elimination of

[2:44:41] numerous frontline leadership

[2:44:43] positions.

[2:44:45] Employees were told these

[2:44:46] actions were necessary because

[2:44:47] of modernization.

[2:44:49] However, none

[2:44:50] of us who work directly

[2:44:51] with customers...

[2:44:53] And employees have not been

[2:44:55] provided

[2:44:56] with a clear explanation of

[2:44:58] what modernization specifically

[2:44:59] requires.

[2:45:01] Specifically required the

[2:45:03] elimination of experienced

[2:45:05] supervisors and leaders.

[2:45:06] I find it difficult to

[2:45:07] understand how an organization

[2:45:09] can simultaneously celebrate

[2:45:11] improvements in customer

[2:45:12] satisfaction while eliminating

[2:45:14] much of the leadership team

[2:45:15] that helped achieve those

[2:45:16] results.

[2:45:17] In credit and payment services,

[2:45:18] six of nine leadership

[2:45:19] employees were eliminated.

[2:45:20] In customer care, four of five

[2:45:22] leadership employees were

[2:45:24] eliminated, with those

[2:45:25] employees awaiting the

[2:45:27] termination of...

[2:45:29] To termination

[2:45:31] at the conclusion of that

[2:45:32] 90-day notice period.

[2:45:34] A team is only good as its

[2:45:35] leader.

[2:45:36] If these departments were truly

[2:45:37] failing, then accountability

[2:45:38] should extend

[2:45:39] beyond front-line leaders.

[2:45:41] If we were succeeding, why the

[2:45:42] individuals who contributed

[2:45:43] to those successes selected

[2:45:44] for elimination.

[2:45:45] We played a critical role

[2:45:47] in supporting employees,

[2:45:49] resolving customer concerns,

[2:45:50] maintaining accountability,

[2:45:52] developing staff, and ensuring

[2:45:53] constant service delivery.

[2:45:55] Removing a significant portion

[2:45:57] of experienced leadership

[2:45:58] raises serious questions

[2:46:00] about the long-term impact

[2:46:01] of employees.

[2:46:02] Thank you.

[2:46:03] We will now have Adrian

[2:46:04] Lomax.

[2:46:16] Good evening, Madam Chairwoman

[2:46:18] and Councilmembers.

[2:46:19] My name is Adrian

[2:46:20] Lomax-Hernandez.

[2:46:22] I need to share my experience.

[2:46:23] Former MLGW dedicated more than

[2:46:29] 17 years of service to MLGW,

[2:46:31] working hard to serve both the

[2:46:33] utility and the citizens

[2:46:34] of this city.

[2:46:39] In October 2024, I was selected

[2:46:41] to serve as section supervisor

[2:46:43] of cashiering operations and

[2:46:44] credit for the Lamar

[2:46:46] Community Office.

[2:46:48] I have no disciplinary actions

[2:46:50] on my file and was proud

[2:46:53] to lead a team committed

[2:46:54] to serve.

[2:46:56] our customers.

[2:46:57] In the spring of 2025, Vice

[2:47:00] President Timothy Davis and

[2:47:02] then HR supervisor, now HR

[2:47:03] manager, Denise Bamberg,

[2:47:05] informed my colleagues and me

[2:47:08] that reorganization of

[2:47:09] frontline management was being

[2:47:11] planned.

[2:47:12] They later reiterated this

[2:47:13] in an email to us on both

[2:47:16] occasions who assured no jobs

[2:47:18] would be lost.

[2:47:20] That promise was not kept.

[2:47:24] On June 5th of this year, my

[2:47:25] colleagues and I were informed

[2:47:27] that our positions would be

[2:47:29] eliminated effective the

[2:47:31] following Friday, June 12th.

[2:47:33] After more than 17 years

[2:47:34] of service,

[2:47:35] I was given just one week

[2:47:36] of notice and told I would have

[2:47:38] to apply and compete for a

[2:47:40] newly positioned position.

[2:47:41] Although presented as a new

[2:47:44] role, the only substantive

[2:47:47] difference was the title, the

[2:47:51] job description itself.

[2:47:52] is based largely on subjective

[2:47:55] personality traits rather than

[2:47:57] addictive skills.

[2:47:59] As the primary breadwinner

[2:48:02] for my family, this decision

[2:48:04] has created significant

[2:48:05] uncertainty and financial

[2:48:07] hardship

[2:48:08] for my husband and myself.

[2:48:09] Despite many years of service

[2:48:11] and positive employment record,

[2:48:13] I'm not asking for special

[2:48:15] treatment.

[2:48:17] I'm asking for transparency,

[2:48:18] accountability,

[2:48:20] and fairness.

[2:48:21] Public employees,

[2:48:22] your dedicated ears, thank you

[2:48:24] for your time.

[2:48:26] Thank you so much for coming

[2:48:27] down and sharing.

[2:48:29] Joanna Blanton.

[2:48:44] Good evening,

[2:48:45] chairperson and members

[2:48:46] of the council.

[2:48:47] My name is Joanna Blanton, and

[2:48:48] I'm a former cashier and credit

[2:48:49] section supervisor with

[2:48:50] Memphis Light, Gas, and

[2:48:51] Water.

[2:48:52] On June 12th, several of my

[2:48:53] colleagues and I were

[2:48:54] terminated

[2:48:55] from our positions.

[2:48:56] On June 5th, at approximately

[2:48:58] 3 o'clock p.m., we were

[2:48:59] informed that our positions

[2:49:00] were being eliminated and

[2:49:01] replaced

[2:49:02] with a new role called

[2:49:03] Customer Experience Supervisor

[2:49:04] We were told the position would

[2:49:06] be posted.

[2:49:07] Later that evening,

[2:49:08] applications would close

[2:49:09] Monday the 8th, interviews

[2:49:11] would take place the 9th and

[2:49:12] 10th of June, And anyone not

[2:49:13] selected.

[2:49:14] would have their employment end

[2:49:16] on the 12th. What makes this

[2:49:18] situation especially concerning

[2:49:19] is that on July the 9th,

[2:49:20] 2025, we received a memorandum

[2:49:23] regarding this realignment.

[2:49:26] The memo specifically stated

[2:49:28] that this was not a layout,

[2:49:29] but a realignment based

[2:49:30] on clear, meaningful,

[2:49:31] and measurable expectations.

[2:49:33] It further stated that

[2:49:35] employees who were not selected

[2:49:36] to return to a supervisory role

[2:49:38] would be supported

[2:49:39] with reassigned opportunities

[2:49:41] within the organization. That

[2:49:42] support never happened.

[2:49:44] In addition, we were informed

[2:49:45] that these position changes

[2:49:47] were necessary as part

[2:49:48] of a modernization initiative.

[2:49:50] However, to date, no

[2:49:51] modernization measures or

[2:49:53] related initiatives have been

[2:49:54] implemented. Given that the

[2:49:56] company employs approximately

[2:49:58] 2,700 people, it is unclear how

[2:50:00] the elimination or

[2:50:01] restructuring of 16 positions

[2:50:03] materially advances the

[2:50:05] modernization plan.

[2:50:06] Furthermore, while the only

[2:50:08] employees affected

[2:50:09] by these changes are those

[2:50:11] within this particular vice

[2:50:12] president's reorganization,

[2:50:13] Timothy Davis. Thank you. Last

[2:50:15] question. Why was a $5.7

[2:50:17] million contract awarded

[2:50:19] to hire college students only

[2:50:20] to eliminate full-time vested

[2:50:22] employees? Is this the

[2:50:24] modernization Mr. Davis is

[2:50:26] speaking of? Thank you

[2:50:27] for allowing me this time

[2:50:28] to come before this council.

[2:50:32] Thank you for coming. Ricky

[2:50:35] Lewis, last name Lewis. Thanks

[2:50:45] for having me to speak. Excuse

[2:50:46] me. What's your first name,

[2:50:49] sir? Ricky. Ricky, okay.

[2:50:51] Ricky Lewis, former employee

[2:50:53] of MLGW of 36 years,

[2:50:56] been retired seven years. When

[2:50:59] I heard on June the 12th,

[2:51:01] when they were terminated,

[2:51:03] that disturbed me. It disturbed

[2:51:05] me. And if it didn't disturb

[2:51:07] nobody else,

[2:51:09] they don't have a heart.

[2:51:10] Especially at Light, Gas, and

[2:51:12] Water. When I was there

[2:51:13] on the 17th, I mentioned

[2:51:14] Davis, the president,

[2:51:18] put it that way. He said

[2:51:20] something about technology.

[2:51:23] Light, Gas, and Water have a

[2:51:24] center. If they don't know

[2:51:25] anything... They can have them

[2:51:27] trained. Now, I want

[2:51:29] to say this. The four times,

[2:51:36] they should destroy lives,

[2:51:38] families and lives,

[2:51:40] with what they just did. And

[2:51:43] you tell me they got rid of 15

[2:51:45] to 20, and there are tons of

[2:51:49] part-time workers that they are

[2:51:50] writing. Does that make sense

[2:51:53] to you? One plus one is not

[2:51:54] four. It didn't add up to me.

[2:51:57] So I'm asking the council,

[2:52:01] I'm asking your city council,

[2:52:02] if you guys can do something

[2:52:04] about these families' lives.

[2:52:06] When they said that, I know

[2:52:08] they're not sleeping because

[2:52:10] I'm not sleeping. And I've been

[2:52:11] retired seven years,

[2:52:13] and I'm doing fine. But if you

[2:52:15] can help these families and

[2:52:16] these people reserve their jobs

[2:52:18] back, and I appreciate it.

[2:52:20] Thank you. Thank you so much

[2:52:24] for coming down. George Todd,

[2:52:28] George Mike Todd. He's gone. I

[2:52:31] said I will entertain.

City Council Full Meeting

Transcript