meeting to order the chaplain
is reverend dr let us pray
Dear God, we're grateful for
this opportunity and privilege
together to work together
for the good of this city.
We pray thanking you for those
who make choices and who make
the choice and those who make
the choice and those who are
sitting behind these desks.
We do pray, Lord, that each
representative will approach
the issue at hand
with understanding and wisdom.
Lord May each representative
look to you
for strength enough to have and
maintain open minds and
listening ears, seasoned
with respect and integrity,
reflecting your truth and grace
extended to us all.
We also pray that our time here
this day will yield some
fruitful outcomes that might
amaze everyone involved today.
May we be faithful enough
in you to accept this agenda.
and his outcome
into your loving and tender
arms of mercy and grace and
may your divine
in all that we seek to do
on it is in christ's name that
we pray amen Thank you.
You may be seated.
Councilman Ford, Senior, you're
recognized.
Thank you.
Councilman, this is a little
certificate showing that you
were chaplain of today.
Everybody, this is Reverend
Walker Wright, Whitestone
Missionary Baptist Church at
Parkway, right at 3rd
Street.
Very great pastor, and I want
y'all to understand this,
and maybe you all need
to do this too,
every evening.
Every evening,
he calls and we have prayer.
So get your friends and y'all
have prayer too, every evening,
every six or seven.
We never miss that.
Seven days a week.
I hope I'm getting to a 50s,
a very trying day of the trying
decisions and all.
I want everybody to know that
I'm not a bad guy.
You can only do certain things,
but if you believe in better,
better, and better,
that's all you have to do.
We got a crowd invited
to that.
Yes, sir.
Important to me.
But I just want to say that.
That's fine.
Like I said, call your friends
and I tell you, your things
should turn around.
Thank you all very much.
I got this certificate
for you and we got a little...
Thank you.
And I just want to thank
everybody, okay?
Thank you so much.
Madam Comptroller.
Thank you.
Council Members Canale,
Cooper, Sutton, Easter,
Thomas, Green, Logan.
NOSA, Walker Warren,
Chairwoman. Present.
Thank you, Madam Comptroller.
I believe Councilman Carlisle
has read the minutes.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I've reviewed the minutes.
Option of the June 9th, 2026
meeting minutes.
Okay.
It has been properly moved by
Councilman Carlisle.
It has been seconded by
Councilman Spinoza.
Madam Comptroller, please
conduct the roll.
Prepare the screen.
Canali, yes.
Easter, Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Spinoza, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington, yes.
Please show Councilmember
Cooper-Sudden is voting yes
on the minutes.
Thank you.
That item passes.
Welcome to the June 23, 2026
regular meeting of the
Memphis City Council.
Meetings of the Council shall
be conducted
in an orderly manner to ensure
the public has the full
opportunity to be heard and the
deliberate process
of the council is retained
at all times.
Our council staff has meeting
agendas available up front.
Summer, please raise your hand.
As well as comment request
cards for members
of the public wishing
to be heard
on a specific item.
All those wishing to speak
on an item must turn
in their comment card to staff
before the item is called.
If you are not here to speak
on a specific item,
you can note your request
to give general comments
at the end of the meeting.
As chair, I will only recognize
citizens that properly
registered to speak by
submitting a completed comment
request card
to council staff.
Please note that item number
six has been withdrawn.
We will now start
with our presentations.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please call item number one.
Thank you.
Item number one is a resolution
approving an honorary street
name change for Carolyn
Goodwin Willett on Castalia
Street between Lamar Avenue and
South Parkway East.
This resolution is sponsored
by Chairwoman Swearengin
Washington.
Miss Goodwin-Willett, she
thought she was coming
down here
to honor her son today,
but today is your day.
Yes, we did.
I mean, we got you good.
Today we are honoring An icon
in the Castellan, South
Memphis, greater Memphis
community for all the work that
she has done.
She is an advocate
for everyone, for business,
for education,
for what you've done with your
child care center and what
you're doing with the
neighborhood associations.
We are proud
of you and we want
to celebrate you and we want to
give you your flowers while you
are here.
And thank you, Carlton,
for helping us to fool her.
Today you're going
to be honored
with an honorary street sign.
Yes.
When we go down, all the work
that you have done.
Somebody please get my reading
glasses out of my purse.
Please.
Okay, I'll use her.
Praise the Lord.
Thank you.
Whereas Carolyn Goodwin
Willett, born July 4th, 1949,
is a true daughter of the
Magnolia Castella community,
and her life stands as a
powerful testament
to what it means
to remain rooted, to rise
with purpose, and to leave
every place better than she
found it.
Whereas a young woman at
Memphis State University, she
joined the Black Student
Association
during a pivotal moment in the
city's civil rights history,
standing with conviction
among the 109 students arrested
during the historic 1969
sit-in, choosing courage
over comfort and justice
over silence.
And though Carolyn Goodwin
Willett faced hostility,
was the only black student
in her English class, she
persisted, completing her
undergraduate degree and later
returning
to earn her master's, and
in doing so,
helped move this city forward.
Her life's work as a social
worker and advocate,
supporting families in crisis
and leading statewide youth
drug prevention programs,
reflects a deep,
unwavering commitment.
to children and families,
grounded in the belief that
every child deserves not only
care, but opportunity,
protection, and path forward.
Through her visionary
leadership of Kitty College
Child Care Center, founded in
1994, alongside her mother,
the late Florine Hines,
Carolyn Goodwin will let, build
an enduring institution that
grew
from an initial enrollment
of nine children.
to caring to as many 180
across two shifts that today,
more than 30 years later,
proudly serves
fourth-generation families
transforming early childhood
education
into a lasting legacy
of excellence, trust,
and community stability.
Her service to the city of
Memphis through the Board of
Ethics and the Health
Education and Housing
Facility Board reflects a woman
of integrity and discernment,
trusted to lead, to guide, and
to uphold the principles that
strengthen public trust and
civic life.
As a longtime director of the
Magnolia Castellia Community
Association, Carolyn
Goodwill-Willett has done the
sacred work
of community building,
partnering
with organizations such as
Habitat for Humanity and
Black Seed Farms to expand
housing access and food
security, championing...
Magnolia Elementary School and
reminding us that true
leadership is not measured
by recognition, but
by responsibility.
She is sustained by the love
of her family, her devoted
husband, Eugene Willett, her
sons, Carlton Fields and
Jimmy Goodwin, and her nine
precious grandchildren and
great-grandchildren,
who have been the foundation
of her work and the source
of her strength
through a lifetime
of service.
Whereas grounded in faith,
sustained by family,
and guided by purpose,
her life reflects a legacy,
not simply of achievement, but
of impact.
One that continues
to shape lives, strengthen
community,
inspire those who follow.
Now therefore be it resolved
that Chairwoman Jana
Swearingen-Washington and the
entire Memphis City Council, we
hereby honor Carolyn
Goodwin-Willett.
embodies grace, strength,
and a steadfast commitment
to service.
Be it further resolved that the
naming of Castalia Street
between Lamar Avenue and
South Parkway East in her honor
stands as a lasting and visible
testament
to a legacy built not
in moments, but
over a lifetime of faithful
service and enduring impact.
Be it further resolved that the
city engineer is requested
to affix suitable signs
to designate such public road
in honor of Carolyn Goodwin
Willett for her commitment and
contributions to the city of
Memphis given by my hand
under the great seal
of the city of Memphis this
23rd day of June 2026.
Jana Swearingen Washington,
chairwoman of the Memphis
City Council District 4, where
we get more.
I want to commend all the
family and friends.
You all know y'all can keep a
secret.
Something else for you.
Beautiful flowers for you.
Oh wow.
We're gonna let you say
something and then you can get
your flowers and we're gonna
take pictures.
Sorry.
I was raised to serve,
so it's what I know
to do.
I don't know where to act other
than to serve.
I thank you all so much.
I appreciate the recognition
and the loss of words.
Thank you.
Madam Comptroller, would you
please call Item Number 2?
Thank you.
Acclamation is seconded by
Ford.
Item Number 2 is a resolution
honoring Adrian Davis for his
outstanding service and
contributions to the Memphis
community.
This resolution is sponsored
by Councilwoman Easter
Thomas.
Thank you.
Good afternoon,
evening colleagues in the city
of Memphis.
I am so excited to not only
myself, but along
with the entire Memphis City
Council, to be able to
recognize someone that really
gives and gives
of his self and
of his organization
to the community.
So along with my colleague,
Councilwoman Cooper-Sund,
you're going to read.
Okay, good.
We should be able to honor
Mr.
Adrian Davis through this
resolution.
Whereas it is fitting that the
Memphis City Council honor and
recognize individuals whose
service, leadership,
and commitment
to improving the lives of
others have made a lasting and
meaningful impact on the
Memphis community.
Adrian Davis has dedicated his
life to serving others
through public safety,
community advocacy,
and non-profit leadership,
consistently demonstrating a
commitment
to improving the lives
of others.
of individuals and families
throughout Memphis and the
Mid-South.
Whereas Adrian Davis serves
with distinguished as a
firefighter with the Memphis
Fire Department from 2017 to
2024, earning numerous honors
including firefighter
of the year, the valor award,
the lifesaver award,
and the merit award
in recognition
of his courage,
professionalism,
and dedication
to protecting the citizens of
Memphis.
And whereas following a
life-altering line
of duty injury in 2021,
Adrian Davis transformed
adversity into opportunity
by expanding his service to the
community and founding
community service leaders of
America, CSLA,
a nonprofit organization
focused on uplifting undeserved
communities
through compassion, advocacy,
and direct support.
Through strategic partnerships
with healthcare providers,
businesses, faith-based
organizations, civic leaders,
and volunteers, Adrian Davis
has mobilized hundreds of
individuals and engaged
thousands of community members
in efforts that strengthen
neighborhoods, expand access
to essential services,
and improve quality of life
across Memphis and the
Mid-South.
Adrian's unwavering commitment
to service exemplifies the
high-quality and high-quality
of life that he has.
highest ideals of leadership,
resilience, and community
engagement,
and his work continues
to inspire others to serve
with purpose, compassion,
and integrity.
Now, therefore,
be it resolved that the
Memphis City Council hereby
honors and commends Adrian
Davis for his extraordinary
contributions to the Memphis
community and extends its
sincere appreciation
for his continued dedication
to improving the lives
of others through service and
leadership.
You all please support us
in giving a hand to Mr.
Adrian Davis for all
of his work and advocacy
through the community.
I thank you.
This is what happens when you
put God first.
You put the people first and
you be selfless.
I got a second chance
at life and it gave me a chance
to really prove myself to God
about who I can be.
So I wanted to change some
of the standards of leaders
in the community.
And one of those things is
collaboration.
I wanted to collaborate at a
high level.
I wanted the leaders
to be able to serve and not...
official the gap in between
those relationships.
I think I'm doing a great job
of that.
I have a lot of people
to thank and just thank you
for having an open ear
for new ideas and a new type of
leadership where it's more
involving the people.
Not to say that they're not
doing it now,
but we just upscale
at a high level.
So I just appreciate all the
help and look forward to
continuing this effort and
thank you.
to by affirmation.
Thank you.
Madam Comptroller, please call
item number three.
Item number three is a
resolution honoring Lexi
Carter
for her community impact
in the city of Memphis.
This resolution is sponsored
by Councilwoman Easter Thomas
and Chairwoman Swearingen
Washington.
Thanks to Carter and family.
We're so excited to be able
to salute this woman
of excellence who gives
of herself every day
to the greater Memphis
community.
We're so proud of you and the
work that you're doing,
and we want to give you your
flowers as you live.
Whereas the Memphis City
Council sees fit to honor
individuals whose commitment
to service, civic engagement,
and community leadership has
made a lasting impact
on the city of Memphis and its
citizens.
And whereas Lexi Reed Carter is
a proud United States Navy
veteran whose service reflects
a lifelong commitment
to leadership, duty,
and public service.
Through more than 30 years
of dedicated service
in the field of social work,
she has helped countless
individuals and families while
advocating
for their well-being
of her community.
After relocating in Memphis
in 1991, Lexi Reed-Carter
became an active and
influential voice in civic and
political affairs throughout
Shelby County.
She has served
in numerous leadership
positions within the Shelby
County Democratic Party,
including public relations
secretary, fundraising leader,
convention delegate,
and chairwoman.
Lexi Reed-Carter co-hosted the
community-focused radio
program, Eyes on Memphis.
and later became editor and
owner of the Shelby Democrat
publication, helping keep
residents informed and engaged.
Lexi Reed Carter founded
Diversity Memphis PAC and
Willow, Women in Leadership
Leaning on Wisdom, creating
opportunities
for leadership development,
mentorship,
and community service.
For more than 25 years, Lexi
has shared her passion
for music by teaching piano
to students of all ages, And
Lexi Reed-Carter is a devoted
wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, woman
of faith, and community leader
whose life has been dedicated
to serving others.
Whereas the military service,
her civic leadership, her
mentorship, her community
advocacy, Lexi Reed-Carter has
left a lasting and meaningful
impact on the city of
Memphis.
Now, therefore, it be resolved
that the Memphis...
City Council, we hereby honor
Lexi Reed-Cotter for your
outstanding contributions
to public service, civic
leadership, community
empowerment, which extends our
sincere appreciation
for your lasting impact
on the City of Memphis and its
citizens.
Be it further resolved that
this resolution serves as an
expression of the Memphis
City Council.
Our gratitude for you,
for your unwavering dedication
to serving others and
strengthening the Memphis
community.
Given by our hand, Jana
Swearingen-Washington,
Chairwoman of the Memphis
City Council, and...
Councilwoman District 7,
Myklyn Easter-Thomas.
Please join us in celebrating
and giving our gratitude for
Ms.
Lexi Reed-Carter.
Yay I just want
to thank everybody here,
everybody that's present.
You know,
I did serve as a social worker
for some years,
and I developed a passion
for people.
And, you know,
I've gotten several different
awards,
but this means the world
to me.
This reminds me of the work
that I have done, and all
of those that are around me,
almost everyone that I look at.
has been a part of my success
in serving the community.
Because I get a phone call that
somebody's being evicted, or I
get a phone call somebody needs
help with their utilities.
I always have called on them,
and they've always rallied
around me.
So it's the entire community
that makes me able to stand up
before you.
So I want to thank you all very
much.
We have something else
for you.
Come on, Clay.
Beautiful flowers
for a beautiful lady.
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
I'm going to take some pictures
right quick.
You're about to fold.
Thank you, Madam
Comptroller.
Please approve Item 8,
Acclamation.
Thank you, so noted.
Councilwoman White, you're
recognized.
Thank you, Chairman.
Congratulations, Ms.
Carter.
Before everyone, thank you.
To also acknowledge that we
have Judge Gina Higgins,
Circuit Court Division 4 judge
with us today.
We also have Judge Chris
Frula, which is our judge in
Circuit Court as well.
That's what I thought I saw
another judge.
Judge Ernestine Hunt-Dorst is
also here.
And we also have Circuit
Court Clerk Jamita
Swearengin.
Thank you all for joining us
this afternoon, as well as all
of our distinguished guests.
You're all special to us.
Thank you.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please call the consent agenda.
Thank you.
Item number four on our consent
agenda is up
for first reading.
An ordinance to amend chapter
25, Pension and Retirement
System of the City of
Memphis, Tennessee.
Up for first reading,
ordinance number 5974 is
sponsored
by the administration.
Item number 5 is an ordinance
to amend City of Memphis Code
of Ordinances chapter 33,
article 3, and corresponding
chapter 13-28
to increase the sewer fees.
up for first reading.
Ordinance number 5975 is
sponsored
by the administration.
Item number seven is a
referendum ordinance
to amend the charter
of the city of Memphis, same
being Chapter 11 of the Acts
of 1879, as amended pursuant
to provisions of Article 11,
Section 9 of the Constitution
of the State of Tennessee
Home Rule Amendment, so as to
establish lobbyist registration
and disclosure requirements and
to submit the proposed
referendum ordinance
to the qualified voters
of the city of Memphis at the
next state general election.
Up for first reading,
ordinance number 5977 is
sponsored by Councilman
Carlisle.
On our add-ons, we have item
number 34.
a resolution approving an
honorary street name change
for bb district 5 super
district 9.
this resolution is sponsored by
council members canali and
spinosa there is a request for
same night minutes and our
final item is number 40 a
referendum ordinance
to amend the charter
of the city
of memphis same being chapter
11 of the acts of 1879 as
amended pursuant
to the provisions of Article
11, Section 9.
of the Constitution of the
State of Tennessee Home Rule
Amendment
to authorize the creation
by ordinance of uniform
administrative procedures and
systems for disposition
of appeals that may affect the
employment status
of civil service employees.
Up for first reading,
ordinance number 5978 is
sponsored by Councilman
Carlisle, and there is a
request to add this on
for first reading.
Madam Chairwoman, that
concludes your consent agenda
items.
Thank you.
Vice Chair Carlisle, you are
recognized at this time.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The consent agenda has been
read and I so move.
It has been properly moved by
Vice Chair Carlisle, seconded
by Councilwoman Green.
There are no counsel
in the queue to speak.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen
for the consent agenda.
Council, please cast your vote.
Madam Comptroller, the screen.
Nally, yes.
Carlisle, yes.
Cooper, Sutton, yes.
Easter, Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington, yes.
That item passes.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please call the MLGW Fiscal
Consent Agenda Items 8
through 11.
Item number 8 is a resolution.
Proving the increase
in extension
to contract number 12227, high
volume outage call management
with message broadcast LLC to
increase the contract amount
and extend the current contract
in the funded amount of
$1,503,125.
Item number nine is a
resolution awarding a purchase
order for gas meters at AMI
Equipment.
to Ed Young Sales Company,
Inc.
in the amount of
$5,176,100.54.
Item number 10 is a resolution
awarding a purchase order for
Water Meter Registers to
Badger Meter, Inc.
in the amount of
$3,058,598.34.
Item number 11 is a resolution
awarding...
a purchase order
for water modules to Westco
Distribution, Inc.,
in the amount of
$5,476,434.98.
Madam Chair, that concludes our
MLGW consent items.
Thank you, Madam
Comptroller.
Councilwoman Walker, you're
recognized.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The committee met with a
favorable recommendation,
and I so move.
Thank you.
It has been moved by
Councilwoman Walker, second
by Councilman Dr.
Warren.
There are no members
in the queue to speak.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen
for the vote.
Cannelli, yes.
Carlisle, yes.
Cooper-Sutton, yes.
Easter Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Spinoza, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearengin-Washington, yes.
That item passes.
Madam Comptroller, if you would
please call the same night
minute items, starting
with item number 35.
Thank you.
Item number 35 is...
A resolution to accept,
allocate,
and appropriate grant funds
in the amount of $494,875.31
from Overton Park Conservancy
for reimbursement allocated
to eligible projects associated
with an MOU between the City
of Memphis, Overton Park
Conservancy, and Memphis
Zoological Society for
renovations and accessibility
improvements in the Overton
Park area.
District 5, Super District 9.
This resolution is sponsored
by the administration.
There is a request
for same-night minutes.
Councilman Smiley, you're
recognized.
Committee member recommend
approval.
I so move.
It has been moved by
Councilman Smiley, seconded
by Councilman Warren.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen.
Canale, yes.
Carlisle, yes.
Hooper, Sutton, yes.
Easter Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Smiley, yes.
Spinoza, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington, yes.
That item passes.
Madam Comptroller, if you'll
please call item number 36.
Item number 36.
This is a resolution
to transfer and appropriate
$703,675.20 in Accelerate
Memphis funds
for the procurement
of equipment and vehicles
for the maintenance of roads
and parks and remediation
of blight.
All council districts,
this resolution is sponsored
by the administration.
There is a request
for same-night minutes.
Councilwoman White, you're
recognized.
The committee met and
recommended approval and I so
move.
It has been moved by
Councilwoman White, second by
Councilman Carlisle.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen
for the vote.
Canale, yes.
Carlisle, yes.
Sutton, yes.
Ford, yes.
Logan, yes.
Spinoza, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington, yes.
That item passes.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please call item number 36.
37.
Item number 37 is a resolution
to allocate and appropriate
$5,000 in FY26 Memphis City
Council Community Grant
Program funds.
to reach Memphis.
All council districts,
this resolution is sponsored
by Councilman Canale, and there
is a request
for same-night minutes.
Councilwoman White, you are
recognized.
The committee met and
recommended approval,
and I so move.
It has been moved by
Councilwoman White, second by
Councilman Warren.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen
for the vote.
I can help you.
Yes.
Canali, yes.
Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton, yes.
Easter Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Spinoza, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
Please show Councilmember
Janika White as voting yes
on this item.
Chairwoman Swearingen,
Washington, yes.
That item passes.
Council members, we're moving
to item number 38.
Item number 38 is an omnibudget
resolution that includes items
21 through 28 and items 30
through 33.
If item 38 is approved,
I would like to withdraw the
following resolutions
without objection.
Thank you.
Madam Comptroller, please call
item number 38 as amended.
Thank you.
Item number 38 is an amended
resolution
to amend the fiscal year 2027
operating budget and capital
improvement program budget.
All council districts,
this resolution is sponsored
by Councilman Ford and there is
a request
for same night minutes.
Vice Chair Carlisle, you are
recognized.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chairwoman.
The committee met, recommends
approval, and I so move.
It has been moved by Vice
Chair Carlisle, second by
Councilman Warren.
Chief Person, you are
recognized.
Thank you, Chair.
Walter Person, 125 North
Main, CFO.
I want to make a small change
to one bullet point regarding
Memphis Parks.
In the omnibus resolution that
is considered before you,
there's language
in there that says funding
Memphis Parks summer camp
expansion.
I'd like for that
to be changed to just reflect
community center hours,
which is really the import
of the modification to that
resolution.
I'll just speak.
Thank you.
We're going to move
to our comment cards.
We're going to begin with
Kelsey Hughes.
And then we will have Dorothy
Connor, if you'll please
prepare the screen.
Two?
Two minutes, please.
Kelsey Hughes, and then
Dorothy.
I'm speaking on item 21.
Good afternoon, my name is
Kelsey Hughes, District 5.
I'm a public transit advocate
because I know that you cannot
have a world-class city
without efficient, functioning
public transit.
I also have a Master's of
City Planning degree from
University of Memphis.
Because I know you all are
people of faith like I am,
I want
to share something that's been
on my heart recently,
and that's Matthew 2540.
And it says, truly I tell you,
whatever you did for the least
of these brothers and sisters
of mine, you did for me.
One
of those sisters is my friend
Zinyori Winters.
She lives in the Chelsea,
Hollywood area and takes MATA
to work every day.
Yesterday morning,
when it was pouring
down rain, she called me.
She said the 815 bus did not
show up.
The 915 bus did not show up.
She was going to be late for
work unless someone gave her a
ride.
In my two years in Memphis, I
have seen public transit go
from bad
to downright horrible.
The latest metrics show the
buses are only on time 60%
of the time.
I'm very concerned
by what I've seen from Memphis
elected officials
on how you're seeking to
address this problem.
I've seen threats
to cut funding by 50%.
I've seen a performative bus
ride along with the community.
I've seen CEO interviews
cancelled the day the
candidates were in town.
I've seen this council vote
for a trusteeship model with
less public transparency and
accountability.
I've seen the Daily Memphian
expose that the trustee makes
$75,000 per month, and I've
seen routes and frequency cut,
and now we have this agenda
item, which is number 21.
It does not increase funding.
It does not guarantee future
funding.
And it is not a real dedicated
funding source.
And most importantly,
this will do absolutely nothing
to improve the lives
of the least of these brothers
and sisters here in Memphis.
Here's what I want to see.
End the $75,000 per month
contract with Holmes.
Hire a real CEO.
Reinstate the board.
Define what stabilization
means.
And publish progress every
month.
Thank you.
We have Dorothy Connor and then
Susan Mar...
Good afternoon.
My name is T and today
transport matters to me.
The city council
to increase the investment
in public transportation by 20
million.
Public Transit for Better
Memphis insists that $52
million is needed
for the upcoming budget
to adjust
for inflation and restore
routes to pre-COVID levels.
As a volunteer, I'm asking you
to increase the City of
Memphis investment
in public transit from $32
million to $53 million.
for the next fiscal year.
Public transit is a public good
that spurs economic
development.
The American Public Transit
Association estimates that
every dollar spent
on public transit reduces five
in five dollars in growth
in the gross domestic product.
An extra 20 million invested
in public transit can expect
to see 80 million gross
domestic product growth.
Downtown businesses have
responded to members of the
Better Memphis that they are
financially hurt.
Memphis lags far
behind pure cities
in our per capita investment
in public transit.
We would have
to double our budget
to catch up with Birmingham,
Alabama.
We would have to quadruple our
budget to catch up with New
Orleans.
This request for an ad.
I have to say my name and this
is how we start.
Okay, I thought I had three
minutes, so I have
to curtail my remarks.
But I brought you a map just
to emphasize the distances in
Memphis and how big Memphis is.
Here's the river.
That's not really the end.
Okay.
Memphis and MATA have been
focusing
on providing transportation
to people
with absolutely no other means
of transportation.
for either
in their most basic needs,
such as getting to and
from work, preferably
on time, to grocery stores,
medical appointments, etc.,
and I don't begrudge MATA
for that.
Many fun things to do in
Memphis, such as a walk
across the Mississippi River,
the new flyway, sporting
events, the Stax Museum, seeing
the bison at Shelby Farms, the
zoo concerts at the Overton
Shell, are useless to people
who can't get there or get
home.
This body needs to decide what
it would like to do
about public transit.
Does it want to continue
with a model based
on where people lived and
wanted
to go many many years ago?
Does it want to make some
transportation available
to most people?
Does it want to continue
to try to provide
for the neediest
of us and actually provide
for them?
Memphis is geographically very
big, 300 square miles, so the
distances are also sizable.
This adds to...
to the cost of transportation,
but the other end of the
continuum is that people stay
close
to home and really don't
benefit from much
of what is relatively nearby,
which is Memphis, not
Cordova.
It looks like the eastern edge
of Memphis,
but actually there's much more
Memphis east
of where I live that is east
of Germantown Parkway.
I brought this map because I'm
not sure we're
on the same wavelength
about the size of Memphis, the
distances in Memphis, and the
inability
of residents and visitors
to get around without a
privately owned vehicle.
I am here today because I would
like to see the City of
Memphis become a little more
serious
about public transportation.
Thank you
for this opportunity.
Thank you so much.
Good evening, y'all.
We've sent you some letters and
you haven't responded
to our letter, unfortunately.
But I do have a letter here
from Mayor Young in support
of transit.
On behalf of the city of
Memphis, I'm honored
to extend our support for
Transit Equity Day.
We celebrate that in
February, a park's birthday.
A key person in the civil
rights transit movement.
And we birthday.
Transportation is the means
of travel.
It's a vital resource that
connects people
to opportunity, strengthens
communities,
and promotes sustainability.
Transit Equity serves...
Equity Day serves as a reminder
that equitable, safe, and
accessible public transit is
essential
for economic mobility, climate
resilience,
and social justice.
I mean, you know it,
and we know it.
The city of Memphis remains
committed
to advancing these values.
Find the make sure that we just
needs but we need
to continue pushing for that
there people here gonna.
Thank you very much Thank you
so much.
Good afternoon.
Mr.
Mayor and council members.
Oh Okay Good afternoon.
Better transit for a better
Memphis.
Audibility and transparency
for both riders,
for city council members, and
for the MATA administration.
We deserve a MATA
administration.
That will tell us the hard
truths about the service that
we use every day to get
to work, to get to school,
to get to all of the wonderful
social activities that make
Memphis, Memphis.
But currently,
as we stand here today, we are
without that.
We are left to guess, wait
on sparse communication,
use our phones through social
media platforms.
And hoping that we will get
updates on a transit system
that often leaves most of
Memphis behind.
I am here to demand of you,
City Council members, that you
start again holding the matter
administration responsible
for the jobs that you call them
to do.
And that is to serve one
Memphis.
Transit is essential
to the infrastructure and
growth
of this wonderful city.
We're asking that you hold
transit committee meetings so
you can ask the hard questions
that so many Memphis deserve
truthful answers to.
Thank you.
Transit for Better Memphis.
Good afternoon, Mr.
Mayor and council members.
So, I am a recently retired
chairman of the board of a
heavy manufacturing company.
I also serve on the vestry at
Calvary Church just
across the street.
So, I'll keep it very simple.
Business owners need people
that can get
to work.
regularly on a timely fashion
and many
of the people that work for our
company use public transit.
I also work
with our outreach program for
people who are unhoused and we
are thrilled when one
of our neighbors gets a job.
They rely on public transit and
it's heartbreaking
to hear the stories
of people.
Who get fired because they
couldn't rely on transit.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Matthew Herman.
And then Leo Arnold.
Hello, City Council, Mayor.
This public school's pointed
interest is in getting
students.
school having the reliability
for families students
to school
but this that I'm gonna talk
about is how
to fund investments is of
course more broad I'm here as a
volunteer with better transit
for a better Memphis
to ask you to vote
to increase the city's Memphis
and investment
in public transit from 32 to
50 plus million dollars
in the next fiscal year It is
time
for the council and the mayor
to step up and increase funding
to a stabilized,
for a stabilized MATA.
You can fund most of this $20
million additional
by fulfilling your ordinance,
your 2022 ordinance restricting
retiring pilots to MATA.
So the retired pilot revenues
would go to MATA.
Ordinance 5830 created the
Transit and Mobility Special
Revenue Fund to fulfill transit
vision.
that commission.
We ask that you tell the public
how much funding is within that
fund and that the city uses it
to fulfill the increased
investment towards the $20
million increase needed.
We also ask that you provide
updates on the bus rapid
transit or the BTR fund and use
that funding for the increased
investment as well.
Additionally, we ask that the
County Commission appoint one
of the nine MATA board members,
also fulfilling the renewing of
operational and CIP funds
previously committed, along
with the 60% of the retiring
pilots that was supposed to go
to that fund.
Thank you for supporting public
services.
Let's get on the bus
with public transit.
Thank you.
I think it'd be good for us to
know why they're getting that.
Good afternoon.
My name is Chair Better.
better Memphis and also
involved with MICA.
The city needs
to increase its funding
by a minimum of 20 million
dollars.
We wrote all of you a letter
last week asking you to add 20
million to the budget.
We also want to see this
resolution that you're about
to review and hopefully pass to
take that additional funds that
County Councilwoman Green and
Councilwoman Cooper Sutton are
proposing $10 million to go
to MATA. Unfortunately, they
want to just supplement the
$32 million.
We want you to add that on top
of the $32 million the mayor is
calling for.
The city needs this increase,
especially considering the new
threat to MATA's 27 budget
arising from the Build America
250 HR Act.
This will result in the
elimination of...
direct federal public transit
grants to cities such as
Memphis.
Instead, they will be sending
general transportation block
grants to the states.
This act, if passed, could send
funds formally designated
to MATA to Tennessee's
Republican-dominated state, and
they will most likely send our
former MATA money
to rural counties
to fund bridges and roads
in their districts, not to
Memphis.
They don't particularly
like us these days.
So I'm saying we want
to see our elected leaders.
We want you
to mount a campaign to maintain
our federal operating and
capital grants, which we're
about to lose thanks to
President Trump's 2025 plan.
This bill is a direct
derivative of the 2025 plan,
and it is
out there right now.
And I'd like
to ask a question.
How many of you right now will
raise your hands and say you're
aware of the build America 250
Act.
How many?
That's a shame.
That's a real darn shame that
the city has not kept you up
to speed on this.
Where's the thing?
Thumbs up, thumbs down.
Carissa, who's?
Thank you very much.
Carissa Hussong, 1293 Central
Avenue.
As you know, the Metal Museum
has not received any previous
funding from the city
for the renovation
of the former Memphis College
of Art building in Overton
Park.
We are currently requesting
funds to help cover the costs
of unanticipated costs
resulting
from deferred maintenance
of the building and
of the drainage systems.
This is a capital request and
we will not be pursuing
operating funds.
It should be noted that unlike
other cultural organizations
managing city-owned facilities
in Overton Park and throughout
the city, we have not received
capital assistance.
It should also be noted that if
this request is granted,
it will be matched dollar
for dollar
by a generous donor,
helping us bring new life to
this award-winning historic
landmark.
We appreciate your
consideration and look forward
to welcoming you into the
restored facility when we open
in September.
Thank you.
This is Ted Davis and then
Austin Kimball.
Ted Davis, 1590 Vance
Avenue.
My point of interest is,
Executive Committee Member, I
want to thank you for your
consideration today based
upon...
Councilman Warren's support
of a capital investment.
These funds are to support
capital improvements and damage
to the building.
The process had begun.
We're seeing facility expenses
include damage
toward basement water.
These expenses...
are currently about $800,000.
At the same time, these were
incurred expenses that we're
spending now to improve the
building that make our efforts
to continue to raise capital to
finish the building more
difficult.
So we would like you guys to
consider.
our request today.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
Is it Austin Kimball?
Austin Kimball and then
Christopher Jones?
That's a Monspout.
No.
There's no one in the queue.
Will you please prepare the
screen for the vote?
Here's the vote.
Cannelly, yes.
Carlisle, yes.
Easter, Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Green, yes.
Logan, yes.
Smiley, yes.
Nosa, yes.
Walker, yes.
Warren, yes.
White, yes.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington, yes.
Madam Comptroller, please call
item.
Number 39. Number 39 is a
resolution confirming impasse
vote.
of the City Council pursuant
to substitute ordinance number
5639 regarding total economic
package of AFSCME.
All Council districts,
this resolution is sponsored
by Council Members Smiley and
Green.
Chair, Vice Chair Carlisle,
you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The committee met and
recommended a ISO move.
Quick, Madam Chair, if I may,
I'll quickly what's happening
as a process just
from a technical standpoint.
So we have a bill that's coming
up.
It's item 16.
That's going to be
after that.
And that is the tax levy
ordinance that will go
to the state.
After that, we're going
to get item 17, which is
actually a resolution that says
send the tax bills out.
What we just did was took up an
item that will inform those two
bills.
I'm using the term bill very
loosely.
We have ordinance and
resolution.
Let me use bill.
Those two bills that
Councilman Ford sponsored that
will change the budget
ordinance that we're about
to pass.
And now we're going
to hear an item that may change
it one more time from
Councilman Smiley.
So we are building on to the
larger budget vote that's going
to take place right after this
at item 16.
So that's the four votes that
we're going to take that are
all one budget vote.
So when we get past 17, that's
basically the budget.
And for all those wearing
safety gear, This is you.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Vice Chair.
All right, item
in the queue.
All right.
Councilman Smiley, you're
recognized.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, colleagues,
for indulging me.
During the impasse committee,
the council approved the total
economic...
Package brought by Ask Me
Lever Union.
At the last council meeting,
the committee did the same
thing.
Today during the committee
meeting, there were questions
about, you know,
where the 5% increase would
come from,
and council members wanted me
to identify some funding
sources.
I spoke to the administration
finance committee and the
finance office about, you know,
what money was needed
to address the shortfall.
The finance division provided
us a cost breakdown
of the various divisions.
We would need to find $1.5
million in five solid waste.
A management fund,
a sewer treatment fund,
we need enough thousand.
What you have before you is a
resolution addressing that.
This resolution would
essentially amend.
the previous resolution we just
voted.
I'm just gonna read it and the
folks
out there don't have it.
Whereas the Mayor submitted
to the Council of the City of
Memphis on April 21st, 2026, a
proposed operating budget and
capital improvement program
budget
for the fiscal year ending in
June 30, 2027.
Whereas the Budget Committee
of the Council has held
meetings, thoroughly reviewed
the recommended operating
capital improvement budgets and
will make approved revisions
thereto.
Whereas the council has
identified a need for funds
to be allocated
for a raise totaling 5% and a
$2,000 bonus for AFSCME
employees who are funding the
general fund, solid waste
funds, sewer fund,
and a stormwater fund.
And whereas the Memphis City
Council hereby makes the
following amendments to the
previous resolution we just
voted on.
So out of the solid waste fund,
there'll be a reduction to the
personnel full-time salaries
line 0511.
Fund equaling $1,574,044
by eliminating vacant positions
to cover the reduction.
As it relates
to the general fund,
a professional service line
item 052528 of $87,650 per
division across the following
divisions totaling
$1,490,000.
City Attorney, City Council,
City Court Court.
City Court judges, community
enhancement, engineering, fire
services, general service,
housing, community development,
human resources, IT, library
service, Memphis Parks, police
service, and public works.
There will be a reduction
of services
in the sewer fund, totaling
$135,500.
There will be a reduction of
miscellaneous professional
services, 052528,
in the stormwater, equaling
$177,976.
whereas the total funding
reduction listed
above shall be used
to fund a 5% raise and the
$2,000 bonus
for asking employees
across the general fund, solid
waste, sewer fund,
and stormwater fund.
With these calculations
for the needed allocations
for each fund,
employees are attached in a
provider's spreadsheet.
I'm going to skip where I read
the last one to.
Now, therefore,
be it resolved that Memphis
City Council hereby amends
operating fiscal year 2020
by reducing one point
$1,574,000
in solid waste fund,
personnel full-time service
line item, and the previous
ones that I've noted.
Be therefore resolved that the
administration may make
reductions in material and
supply lines if it's deemed
necessary by the division
to meet the request
for reductions.
Essentially what happened
in this resolution, we amended
the previous resolution that
the council just voted on
to include a 5% raise
for AFSCME.
labor union by pulling 1.5
from solid waste fund.
We pulled 1.5
from the general fund by
reducing each division's
miscellaneous professional
service line and we pulled
135,000 by reducing the
miscellaneous professional
service line in the sewer fund
and we did the same thing for
177,976 dollars.
forward by reducing the
miscellaneous professional
service line in stormwater.
That's how we came up
with the amount needed
to address what I believe
to be the shortfall in AFSCME's
salary.
I think we heard multiple times
during people who work
in AFSCME, we spent a lot
of time talking
about people not being able
to live with inflation.
There's people who work in
Aspen and make $600 a week.
It's very, very difficult
to live.
And, you know, I wouldn't want,
you know, someone to have
to live on $600.
I know many people who are
in here do not have to live
with $600 a week.
I think this is something that
we can address.
I think the biggest concern
for this body is...
The 1.5 we're taking
from the general fund,
which is ultimately a reduction
of $87,000 from the
miscellaneous professional
service line.
The reason I believe that is
prudent, the miscellaneous
professional service line is
the money that we use to pay
outside contractors or outside
services that the city
considers necessary or we need
in this particular time.
I can find nothing more
important to do with those
monies than paying the people
who are already...
out there in the high sun, the
rain, the snow.
I think all of those things,
I think all of those things are
important because
to be very direct, if it rains
outside,
I still want the trash to be
picked up.
I don't see why we should be
finding a reason to say no.
I think everybody here should
find a reason to say yes.
We spend so much time talking
about the blight in the city,
the trash in the city.
I think if we show the folks
who are working in these
various divisions that we
support them, I have a sneaky
suspicion that the concerns we
have will be addressed as
promptly as appropriate as
possible.
So I'm going to close
with this.
You know, I'm just asking the
council.
to find a reason to say yes
today and we're in the era
of yes so find a reason
to say yes today with that i'm
out thank you councilman canali
you are recognized oh i do have
cards christopher jones we have
three cards Christopher
Jones, Austin Kimball, and then
Bob Green, if you all are here.
Christopher Jones, my address
is 3290 South Mendenhall
Road.
Council members, thank you
for allowing me to speak.
Today I'm here again on behalf
of AFSCME Local 1733 members,
the men and women who keep this
city moving every single day.
We are the first responders.
We are the workers
in the field, in the offices,
on the streets,
in the neighborhoods, and
behind the scenes.
We are the ones residents see
when services are needed,
when complaints are made,
when emergencies happen,
and when the city of Memphis
has to deliver.
We have worked
through staffing shortages.
Heavier workloads, rising
costs, public pressure, and
conditions that most people
never see.
Yet, we continue to show up.
We continue to serve.
We continue
to carry the responsibility
of keeping Memphis operating.
That's why the 5% pay increase
and the $2,000 bonuses are not
a gift.
They are not a handout.
They are recognition of the
work that has already been
done.
City Councilwoman Cooper
Sutton once told me and my
colleagues, you never go for
what you think you're good
enough to get, but
for what you actually deserve.
And that's exactly why we're
here today.
As for me, local 1733 members
deserve fair pay.
We deserve to be respected
for the value we bring
to this city.
We deserve compensation that
reflects the professionalism
and dedication we give every
day.
Memphis cannot say it values
the city employees Thank you.
or city services without
valuing the city employees who
provide those services.
So I'm asking this council
to stand
with the workers who have stood
with Memphis, support the 5%
increase, support the bonus,
not because we are asking
for extra,
but because we have earned it.
Thank you.
A man much smarter than myself
once said that the masses are
the makers of history.
In order to be
on the right side of history,
one must be on the side
of the masses, particularly
on the side
of the working masses.
Paul Young has been awarded a
rate of $40,000, about
$210,000.
The median salary in Memphis is
$48,000.
That's yearly.
The wanton murder of Tyree
Nichols, among many others,
happened
under the watchful eye of our
Israeli-trained chief
of police, C.J.
Davis, and she is still
on payroll with a salary of
$250,000.
The National Guard and ICE seem
to have ample funding while
they occupy our city, and the
federal government is
constantly scrounging up change
to pay for the next bomb
to drop on children.
My comrades and I, however,
repair roads.
We pick up your trash.
We maintain public
infrastructure,
yet we are left
with scraps.
I can think of two
life-threatening injuries that
have happened this year to
Aspen employees.
Now, I have no choice but to
assume that this government
does not care
about the masses, the general
public, the workers of
Memphis.
We went through this song and
dance last year
with absolutely nothing
to show for it, which further
fuels my assumption.
Now, I ask,
does the city council want
to side with the masses?
The makers of history,
or will you capitulate
to your reactionary handlers?
Thank you.
The machine of local government
is running, and y'all are the
ones who make sure everybody
knows the machine moves where
it needs to move,
the machine is getting fueled.
If you listen closely,
you will hear belts are worn,
wheels are squeaking,
lights are flashing.
We're not asking for you to do
a full repair and rebuild.
We're asking
for maintenance.
We make sure that the evidence
for the court cases get filed
properly.
We make sure that the garbage
gets picked up when it's
supposed to.
We make sure that the parks...
are clean as they're supposed
to be.
All we're asking is for that
little bit of maintenance to
make sure the machine can keep
running.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair,
Councilman Canale.
disproportionate does not do
what that
with and they are going
to and there is an opportunity
to do similar and true
represent and a $2,000 million
employees achieves what we
really We find that you be
first, you're recognized.
Good afternoon again, Walter
Person, CFO, 125 North Main.
I'm going to speak
to the numbers, and I'd have to
say that my position is very
similar to Councilman Canale.
I won't begin to question...
The challenges that many
of our employees face in terms
of getting compensation,
I think we have to look
at the realities of the budget
that we're facing this year.
We have no fund balance
contribution that's planned
for this budget.
We brought before you,
the mayor brought before you
in April, a truly balanced
budget with zero contribution
of fund balance.
What that means is any
increments
beyond what we've been working
through as a body under
Councilman Ford Senior's
leadership is a balanced
budget.
This increment, even though
to Councilman Smiley's point,
is a 1.5 increase to general
fund that would be purely
funded from fund balance.
That is already
in existence.
It would not be funded
from any kind of contribution
of fund balance.
So that would mean we would
have to dig deeper into the
hole that we already have
to fund those expenses.
Additionally, to Councilman
Canale's point,
we did offer 2%
to all employees.
All employees were offered 2%.
during the process.
The mayor has come forward
along with Councilman Ford
Sr.
a $2,000 bonus.
Now, if we raise that up,
we're also talking
about an impact to our ADC,
or our Actuarially Determined
Contribution, that would also
drive additional expenses
in subsequent years.
The benefit of a bonus is that
it's a one-time expense.
This bonus would be funded
in part...
from one-time revenues that I
think were disclosed
during our discussion
about the debt cliff.
If we increase salaries,
those are going to be recurring
expenses that will continue
year after year and cause
additional expenses
down the road
from an ADC perspective, as
well as supporting these
recurring expenses.
So all in all,
it would be a big challenge
for us because Currently, it
would be very difficult
to give one particular group
within Ask Me a Raise
without really looking
at the MOU in total
in addressing that issue, which
I think is the reason that
Councilman Canale wanted
to look at it post-budget.
And I think that's really the
position I have to take
on this.
Thank you, Chief.
Councilman Warren, you'll
recommend?
Thank you, Madam Chair.
We had a pretty vigorous
discussion.
Concerning an increase
in inflation, where the
Tennessee in the mid increasing
inflation if you look
at what the Kept it.
The tax rate being $5.
Be $12.
So we spent continuing.
And this is just one issue.
To get this information is this
year.
It's too late to consider doing
that.
I'm going to type it as we play
more.
And we have not, you know, May
not be able
to handle counseling the kids,
so.
Mr.
Thomas, yes.
Thank you.
The tax every species
within the city limits
of general purpose.
June 27, inclusive together
with all collections and fees,
fines per city of Minnesota.
Chair Carlisle.
Based on tonight's previous
actions, could we have this.
Madam Comptroller.
Nally, yes.
Mr.
Thomas, that I am a man.
Fabulous.
Item number seven, 2026 tax
bills
for state-assessed properties.
All council districts, this
resolution, Vice Chair
Carlisle.
This hit the resolution.
Which bring?
Do we have to do this
resolution?
Canale, yes, yes.
Chairwoman, item number...
Proceeds as interim safety
repairs and future renovate
seven super eight is sponsored
the committee met in It is a
property controller.
We have some cards.
We have two cards, counsel.
Good afternoon members of the
City Council.
My name is Brendan Ward.
I am a seasonal game day
employee at AutoZone Park and I
have been there for seven
years.
I don't do this job for the
money because I have a
full-time job that takes care
of my needs.
I do it because I love the
environment and the memories we
get to create for families.
That's what we do at AutoZone
Park.
It was my very first job.
after graduating
from college and I am grateful
to still be part of an
organization that means so much
to me and to our community.
I remember going to Liberty
Land and have heard about
Adventure River.
Don't let the Redbirds become
another memory of the past.
Over the years,
I have seen thousands
of children walk
through those gates, excited
to spend time with their One
of my favorite parts
of the job It's Sunday
afternoons when I get
to interact with kids after
they finish running the bases
following a game.
Seeing the smiles
on their faces reminds me that
AutoZone Park is
about much more than baseball.
It's about family, community,
and memories that children
would carry with them
for years.
I also wanted to address the
comment suggesting that people
may prefer playing pickleball
over attending baseball games.
There is room for many.
Recreational activities
in this city, but I don't
believe a comparison should be.
Made to determine the future
of AutoZone Park, a pickleball
court and ballpark serve very
different purposes.
At the ballpark,
families gather together,
local businesses benefit
from visitors coming downtown,
and employees
like me have the opportunity to
work.
I simply ask that you consider
not only the financial
investment, but also the value
the ballpark brings to our
community and the memories it
creates.
Just like we're trying
to keep the Grizzlies in
Memphis, We need to keep the
red bears here as well.
Thank you for your time and
consideration.
I'm chair.
My name is Mike Todd.
He considered the godfather
of the Edge District for 30
years.
We're kind of the forgotten
edge of the edge
on the west edge there
near the ballpark.
The ballpark has been an
amazing facility that has been
tops in the country when it was
built.
We need to preserve our
investment.
in the ballpark with the
immediate emergency repairs.
And then we also need
to invest
in the neighborhood.
We've got a 28-acre,
essentially, wasteland that's
been sitting there since
2019.
We've invested millions
of dollars incrementally.
We've got Los Camales
in that area, Arnold RQ.
After axe throwing,
we created a little bit
of an entertainment district,
but we need some help
down there.
We got crumbling
infrastructure.
We've got several bad owners
down there that have not paid
taxes within 10 years.
They never seem to be able
to put it up for sale.
They just continue
to crumble.
It's dangerous.
And we need some investment
in that area in general.
And I would like
to also advocate
for the larger investment.
It's being proposed,
but we certainly need to make
the emergency repairs now
for the safety
of the folks that go to this
wonderful venue and enjoy this
place.
And that's all I've got
to say.
Thank you.
Thank you so much
for coming down.
Allie, yes.
Easter Thomas, yes.
Ford, yes.
Rogan.
Spinoza, yes.
All right, beginning with...
Agenda is reappointment
to the health educational
Moniece Hagler and
Councilwoman White.
The committee met and recommend
Councilman.
L.G.
Cossett.
Good afternoon.
L.G.
Cossett.
I'd like for the statement
to be read to the council
for acknowledgement,
understanding.
Cossett Library had project.
Thank you for your letter
expressing your interest.
Being a consulting party
for this project,
I have added your letter.
It is the federal agency's
responsibility to consult
with you on this project and
future projects.
I have copied Glenn Gluck's,
the contact for the city of
Memphis, for this project,
since HUD has designated the
city with completing the
Section 106 responsibilities.
He should add this letter to
the city's files and ensure
that you are consulted
in future.
If this project continues,
I would also recommend that
Glenn Ludno
of interest.
I'm the great, great, great,
great grandson of Frederick
Cossett, a Frenchman that built
the first Cossett Library.
I'm following in the steps,
and I'm building the first
American Aborigine Museum.
in Orange Mountain.
That's the statement I wanted
to have that acknowledged
by the council as well
by the city.
I'm LG Cossett.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please.
Your show item.
Would you like
to do a voice vote?
Canali?
Yes.
Carlisle?
For 12.
Of reappointments,
Moniz-Hagler and
Cooper-Sutton.
Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton.
These are
for the appointees.
Attorney Hag.
Thank you.
Easter Thomas
for the appointment.
Ford Green
for the appointment.
Thank you.
Logan, thank you.
Smiley, Spinoza, thank you.
Walker, Warren, Chairwoman
Swearengin-Washington.
Yes.
Give me one moment.
Thank you.
One moment.
To the Convention Center
Commission Board, we have
Camion.
Thank you, Madam
Councilwoman.
by Councilman Spinoza.
We're casting our vote
for I-10 and for the- Thank
you.
Carlisle, Easter, Thomas,
Green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,
Warren.
White.
Yes.
Chairwoman Swervington-Wan.
Yes.
Thank you.
This facility creation
of is sponsored
by the edition city revenue
Councilwoman Green.
The committee met.
It has been moved.
Thank you very much.
Cooper Sutton.
Easter Thomas.
Thank you.
Ford.
Thank you.
Green.
Logan.
Smiley.
Spinoza.
Thank you.
Walker.
Yes.
Warren.
White.
Chairwoman
Swearengin-Washington.
Yes.
Madam Cummings.
After 9.10-1C of the Memphis
and Shelby County name change.
Subject property located
between E.H.
Crump, Roundup, 3rd and
Planning and Development.
The case number is SNC 26-02.
Councilman Spinoza.
Thank you, Madam.
It has been moved by
Councilman Warren. Thank you,
Madam Comptroller.
Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton,
Easter, Thomas.
Ford, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza,
thank you, Walker, Warren,
Cooper-Sudden is voting.
Madam Comptroller, excuse me.
There's a resolution
to support reduction program.
All council districts,
this resolution is a resolution
to support reduction program.
Thank you, Chair.
Commitment
in his board canally.
This item number Sutton.
Easter Thomas, Green, Logan,
Smiley, Bonosa, Walker,
Warren, White, Chairwoman
Swearingen.
$50,000.
Tennessee Department of the
State Water Infrastructure
program
to be fully utilized.
T02013,
stormwater districts.
This resolution is sponsored
by Councilman Ford Canale.
Thank you, Madam.
Thank you.
Councilmember Kanata, Easter
Thomas, Green, Logan, thank
you.
Smiley, Spinoza, Walker.
Chairwoman Swearingen?
Yes.
That item passes.
If you will start.
Item number is a resolution
to accept recommendations
from the public's Councilman
Ford-Canale.
Thank you, Madam.
It's been moved by Councilman
Ford Sr.
Thank you.
Councilmember Cooper-Sutton.
Easter Thomas?
Yeah, let's do that now.
Please forgive me.
Richard Massey, and then
Kelly.
Good evening, Council.
Richard Massey, 38111.
While their facilities pollute
South Memphis with methane gas
turbines that are
in constant operation, XAI,
which is now Space XAI,
has enabled the creation of the
world's first trillionaire.
XAI came here two years ago
backed by empty promises
of job creation, pollution
controls,
and sustainable water use.
Thus far they failed
to live up to their promise
of 500 new jobs here in
Memphis.
They've expanded the lightning
speed shrouded by NDAs without
engaging the community.
They've become the largest
industrial source of smog here
in Memphis
within two years and they draw
800,000 gallons from the
Memphis Sands Aquifer every
single day despite Memphis
being the largest city in the
United States that relies
entirely on groundwater.
So the community got the work
on demanding a real community
benefits ordinance that directs
property tax revenue generated
from AI properties
to communities who are
in direct proximity
to AI infrastructure.
25% of XAI property tax revenue
will be allocated annually
towards this effort,
which would be $3.3 million
this year.
So while we're proud
of the work that we've done
in fighting for this, we also
recognize just how obscene it
is for the CEO
of a said company to be
humanity's first ever
trillionaire while we're
fending for $3 million.
Spread out across over nearly a
dozen investment areas.
And using this time,
we're demanding the following.
Accept the recommendations
from the public advisory board,
such as allocating public funds
towards community health
clinics and increased air
quality monitoring.
Demand at SpaceX AI adheres
to a binding written commitment
to building out their water
reuse facility that they've
already delayed once.
Issue real repercussions if
they don't build
out their facility.
And reintroduce a data center
moratorium so that we have
ample time to both study and
regulate.
this massive tech expansion
that is harming our neighbors
here in Memphis.
Thank you.
We will have Raquel and then
Dr.
Kimberly Owen-Pearson.
Good evening, my name is
Michelle for Memphis Community
Against Pollution and if we
truly to improve the lives
of the people most affected,
then the funds set aside for
this community must follow the
priorities residents themselves
have consistently raised, which
are health care and housing
accommodations.
Both the City of Memphis survey
and our community-led survey
show the same reality.
Our residents are living with
elevated respiratory illnesses
and limited economic mobility.
To address this, I recommend
creating a health care grant
program to help families cover
doctor visits, health
maintenance, and essential
medical equipment.
These funds should be held
by the Community Foundation
of Memphis with Church
Health, whose mission is to
make quality health care
accessible.
Transportation is also a
barrier to health.
Nearly 30% of Southwest
Memphis families lack reliable
transportation.
So I propose...
Allocating $100,000
to support access to care
through MATA's Groove on
Demand service.
Housing is the final thing that
should be addressed.
I recommend a $1 million
pre-housing weatherization
assistance program
to cover inspections, roof
repair, window repair, and
other work that prepare homes
for full weatherization.
This program will deliver the
much-needed and long-requested
home improvements that our
community has been denied
for so long.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water
and Garenswell, an organization
focused
on energy affordability,
should steward this work.
Finally, every resident of five
must be directly and
consistently notified
about what is happening, who is
eligible and what is available.
Lack of transparency has been a
long-standing issue and clear
communication is essential
to rebuilding trust.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Dr.
Pearson.
Good evening.
I think it was deplorable
for our voting
without listening.
Then, when people were talking,
you were not paying attention.
So it clearly shows that you
already have your mind.
I am here.
to say that in Westwood, it's a
historical neighborhood, and
that we pay city and state
county taxes.
It should look like heaven
on earth.
As a high priority,
I understand these
recommendations,
but blight should be out
of our taxes.
What else is paved roads?
roads should be out
of our tax money.
That should not be coming out
of us who breathe in and
out methane gas 24-7.
Us who breathe nitric oxide.
It should not be a
recommendation that gets
approved.
So I propose, one,
the pre-weatherization
for the historical homes.
The windows need
to be updated.
They need.
New back systems,
they need things
in the attic.
We need to pass
pre-weatherization so the
housing can be up to code.
Second, the health grants.
We need quality health care
accessibility.
People in these communities
need to be able to get care.
These are high priorities.
They need to be able
to get transportation.
Madeline was here earlier.
sucks that people can't get
to doctors, can't get
to jobs.
So with the recommendations,
roads and blights should be
taken off.
We should have what's going
on right now.
That's what's scaring the
people down now.
So that would be a good thing
for if they're down here
with adequate health care
down there.
Clinics, anything.
But we need something
down there where...
Thank you so much.
Ms.
Glenda Hicks and Pamela
Mose.
Good afternoon, Glenda.
So, I'm here just
to express genuine concern over
the fact that the ordinance
that has been written...
has 11 mandates for $3 million
for 100,000 citizens.
That is simply asinine.
Does not make sense.
Is not genuine consideration
for those citizens.
That 11 mandates for $3 million
means absolutely pennies.
and zero impact.
Come on guys, you all can do
better than that.
You can, you all can do better
than that.
That's an insult.
You all could have narrowed it
down to those issues that the
citizens expressed to you all
that were paramount.
People have talked
consistently,
about health care.
We know that these citizens
have been sorely impacted
from the pollution, so that
should have been number one
on the list.
It's not a hard decision, and
then we need their lives
protected.
So the fact that you all would
draft any ordinance talking
about 11 items
to be addressed is an insult.
You all need to do better.
Please correct that.
Walker, you're recognized.
Sure, thank you, Madam Chair.
I think I was supposed to speak
next.
committee and says resolution
except the recommendations
these items are not all be
implemented the first thing and
then all
in this little city is all So
anything in this list, city,
our XAI, anything
on if we wanted
to use these funds.
It would not have been
necessary to go
through this process.
So I just wanted
to offer that clarification.
And once again, the operative
word is recommendation.
So we still have a job to do
to go back and decide
on the best way
to allocate these funds based
on the feedback that was given.
And I will say at our next
to the last meeting, All the
public comments, I'll be glad
to go back to the tape and any
of you all can too,
but it was a vast opportunity
for the citizens
to share their feedback as
to what they wanted these funds
to be used for.
And instead,
the comments were critical
of XAI, Elon Musk, just
to me a wasted opportunity to
share what you wanted the funds
to be used for and with that
I'll yield the floor.
Thank you Councilwoman.
Councilwoman Green you're
recognized.
Thank you Chair and thank you
for everybody who came
down today.
Councilwoman Green go ahead.
We're gonna get to you.
Thank you.
Every recommendation that you
are suggesting I think are very
important too.
I really do like the
weatherization and I have been
a proponent for health care
access as well because I do
think that's the most
important.
But as Councilman Walker said,
these were the things that that
committee that was set up to
give us community feedback was
supposed to bring back
to us.
Well, I can't speak to whether
they were educated properly or
not, but what I can tell you is
this is us receiving the
feedback from the community,
and then we take it back, and
we actually allocate the funds.
But this was not written
by us.
So I know it says that it's
Sponsored by the City
Council, it's because we wanted
to get the feedback
from the community from the
public advisory board that was
set up and the appointments
were made by the mayor.
So this is just us formally
receiving those recommendations
and saying, we hear you,
and we see you,
and we value your input.
That's what it is.
And then we welcome more
feedback about which
of these you see as priorities.
But this is not, we're going
to use this money
for blight or this money
for road projects.
That's not what this says.
So I just wanted
to make sure that everybody,
so I think it is important to
say this is the
recommendations, but also it is
clear that this says that the
public advisory board members
share and propose the following
recommendations.
These are not our
recommendations.
This is us receiving what they
have shared with us.
So I just wanted
to clarify that for you.
And so I think as we continue
through this process,
you should definitely continue,
whether it is by email,
by phone call, by meeting,
by coming
down here and giving comment.
Please continue
to provide us feedback on how
you want these funds spent.
But don't think this is how
this is going to be spent.
Thank you.
Councilwoman.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman.
Ms.
Moses, you have the floor.
Pamela Moses, based
on the resolution of the
advisory board and recommending
portions of Southwest Memphis
infrastructure, all that other
stuff, sounds good.
But the fact
of the matter remains,
Anthropic has agreed to pay
Elon Musk, please listen,
Councilman White, because
you're the reason we're here
today.
They've agreed to pay $1.2
billion.
For that building that you
rented
for $800-some thousand dollars,
see, I know the history.
And see, if they can get $1.2
billion a month,
y'all can do something else,
which is not sell us out.
So while the billionaires and
the trillionaires are making
enormous profits off
of our natural resources,
you want
to offer us weatherization?
We done had that program for
20 years.
That's not enough.
Elon Musk...
operations are benefiting him,
not us.
So to every, cause see,
I know what's going on.
Me sorry, you ain't the only
one gonna go down.
To everybody that got paid and
you sold us out, I wanted you
to revisit what's really going
on and look at the decisions
that have been made
by closed rooms,
backroom deals of the chamber
of commerce and everybody else.
We are not roaches,
we are people.
We deserve more than crumbs.
Mississippi can kill beasts and
get away with it
with their state violence.
And they getting a billion.
And they hadn't even set up
shop here.
Because their community knows
what's going on.
And you're not going
to sell them out.
for no crumbs.
So I think all of you,
especially you, Councilman
Walker, you need to go back
to Elon, Doug McGowan, and
whoever else was
on that plane that went to
Texas and cut this deal.
And you need
to tell them we're going
to have to give the people a
little bit more.
And that's all I have
to say.
Thank you.
And don't vote Democrat because
they are really Republicans.
Vote independent.
So our same night minute item.
Councilman Canale, would you
please read the same night
minute item?
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The same night minute items are
16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and
39.
Oh, wait one second.
We forgot to vote for 20.
We're going to go back.
Did we complete the vote on?
Okay, let's go back.
Start over with the vote.
For Sutton, for item number
20, Easter Thomas, I had her
vote as.
Board, Green, Logan, Smiley,
Spinoza, Walker, thank you,
Warren, White, and Chairwoman
Swerington-Washington for 20.
Thank you.
Yes, that item passes.
Now that moves
to our same night minutes.
Councilman Ford-Canale, would
you please read them
into record?
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Same nine-minute items are
16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and
39.
And with that, I move it
to the floor.
All right.
It's been moved by Councilman
Ford-Canale, second by
Councilwoman Green.
Madam Comptroller, if you will
please prepare the screen
for the vote.
Roll call vote.
Canale, please.
Yes.
Carlisle.
Cooper Sutton for the
same-night minutes.
Easter Thomas.
Ford.
Green.
Logan.
Smiley.
Spinoza, same-night minutes.
Walker.
Yes.
Warren.
White, same-night minutes.
Thank you.
Chairwoman
Swearingen-Washington.
Yes.
Item passes.
Is that item?
All right, that moves us
to our public comment cards.
We will start with Tierney
Macon.
Tierney Macon and then
Angelica Whitehead.
If I have to, okay,
I would have projected,
okay.
Happy Tuesday.
We recognize and appreciate
the, well, first of all,
my name is Tierney Macon.
I'm the Shelby County
Community Organizer with the
Equity Alliance.
We were here at the last city
council meeting, and I wanted
to start out by saying we
recognize and appreciate the
council's additional investment
when it comes
to middle class funding
for housing.
This is a very important step,
but we need to name the other
imbalances and challenges
to come along.
with the housing disparities
that the city is facing.
If the city can identify $4.1
million and $3.5 million for
recreation and parks
investments, such as the
Ardenborn Golf Clubhouse and
the Jesse Turner Park
improvements,
then we should be able to
identify serious long-term
investment for housing, too.
This is not saying that parks
do not matter.
Parks do matter, recreation
matters,
and public spaces matters.
But housing is at the core
of our foundation.
Families need safe and stable
affordable homes
before they can benefit from
neighborhood amenities.
A park investment improves the
quality of life, but housing
investments stabilize families,
neighborhoods, schools,
and the local economy as well.
The money allocated for the
middle class investment funding
cannot be treated as a
Band-Aid or a full solution.
It should be treated as seed
funding.
We're asking that this money
should prove what is possible
to attract additional
investment from banks, CDFIs,
philanthropy, federal housing
programs, state resources,
mission-aligned developers,
and private partners as well.
The goal should be able
to turn the $1 million
into millions more.
And the future of the capital
improvement plan budget has
to incorporate a minimum of
$10 million
for the next five years
with a focus
on infrastructure.
Basically, we're here asking
yet again that the city needs a
clear strategy on how this
funding would be used,
and we want to be a part
of that conversation.
What outcomes will be produced?
How will this leverage matching
dollars and additional
investment?
We should not just spend the
money,
but we should also structure it
in a way that creates momentum.
We are asking for the council
to commit to working
with the residents and the
Equity Alliance
to make sure we achieve these
10,000 homes.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Mr.
Keeley Sr.
Angelica Whitehead, I'm a
resident of the White Haven
community.
Memphis has a home ownership
problem.
The owner-occupied housing rate
in Memphis is about 45%,
compared to
about 70% statewide in
Tennessee.
That gap should concern every
elected official
in this city.
With fewer than half of
Memphis households own their
homes, that means too many
families.
are locked out of wealth
building, neighborhood
stability, and long-term
economic security.
Yes, Memphis needs rental
opportunities.
Yes, Memphis needs affordable
housing.
Yes, Memphis needs
down payment assistance.
But we also have
to be clear.
We must create homeowners if we
want
to stabilize the economy.
Homeownership helps families
build equity.
It helps stabilize...
It keeps long-time residents
rooted in their communities,
and it allows working and
middle-class families to share
in the growth
of the city instead
of being displaced by it.
We cannot depend on our own
local investment and need your
commitment to work with the
Equity Alliance,
with the residents,
and housing advocates
to come up with comprehensive
housing plans.
10,000 houses by 2030.
Let's work together to ensure
that our budget account
for this robust initiative.
Thank you.
Good evening members of City
Council.
My name is Stephanie Lee and I
live at 2019 Killarney
Avenue, 38106.
I'm here to discuss the
problems we're continuing
to have
with flooding issues coming
from Old Dominion's property.
Old Dominion became my neighbor
somewhere between 2000 and
2004.
We moved into our home in
December of 94.
The land behind our home was
totally flat,
and this was a selling point
for us.
Since the construction of Old
Dominion, we've had to incur
several changes regarding the
quality of life.
When we started noticing an
increasingly amount of water
in our backyard,
it was an eye-opener.
Then it got
to be an excessive amount
of water.
But now...
It looks
like a lake or river,
and I think some
of you have pictures or copies,
and it continues
to get worse.
This nasty,
dirty water is traveling
into our home.
My house is not
in a flood zone area.
We have worked and put things
that my husband will talk
about in a minute into place.
to try and prevent this
from continuing to happen.
But everything that we have
done has only been temporarily.
We have spoken
with the city engineers, Old
Dominion engineers.
We've spoken to some of you
on this matter.
However, Old Dominion is aware
we face, and yes, they did
conduct a survey that looked
at the drainage issue.
When I went to contact them
about the results,
they told me
to contact my city council.
So I'm asking you,
what does the survey say?
And explain the results
to us.
And I'm also asking you
to make it right.
Help us to make it right.
Mr.
Lee.
I'm Keith Lee, and I live at
2019 Killarney Avenue,
Memphis, Tennessee, 38116.
We, um, the sheet that you have
is the first.
Part here is our lawn,
just the way our lawn used
to look, and behind that,
that's where Old Dominion is
located.
In 2004, the owner of that
place, he kind
of raised it up a little bit.
We had a little water coming
through.
The last picture, that's Old
Dominion, what they have done.
And you can see the water
coming down from there.
The next page, that was in
2019, that's the side
of our house.
The next one is May 20th,
that's the other side.
If you look at April 1st,
2022, you see the river coming
down.
That's coming from Old
Dominion.
Also, I'm just going to jump
over to this last picture
on the next page.
That's coming from Old
Dominion.
That happens all the time.
Also, I've also did trench,
French drains
around my property, lugging
in rocks, tons of rocks
to do the French drain.
And I mean, it's a lot
of hassle trying
to do all this by yourself.
And we talk
to them and they act
like they don't give a hoot.
And I need you all's help.
I've been in combat and
everything and I've come home
and this is what I come to.
Now, I go and fight
for y'all.
Can y'all fight for me?
I need your help.
And if you look through it,
you'll see the patio,
water come out of my patio.
Sometimes the water is up
to my ankles, past my ankles
actually.
I did everything I know
to do.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and
thank you all
for today established in 24,
and this issue did not start
then.
Say we in...
Sure Senator is dissented on
Jink We all got We've been just
going back And they should not
have this ad This deal was
We've been working The general
consensus engineering I think
we just got it
on and so our next to get
with Manny and I'll dress you
all should not so to It is
deep, like you said,
and it's horrible to deal with
in the beginning.
I feel like it happens that
they should be called and make
sure that it is a could let us
know thank you thank you jamiah
Good afternoon, Council.
I am Jamiah Irby.
I am the E-Equity Alliance, and
we are asking Council to
support a co-governance
approach where residents,
community organizations,
housing experts,
and city leaders work together
to guide a pilot and the
identified targeted zip code
for additional middle income.
That means creating a process
that includes a resident
advisory table.
Clear public goals,
regular updates
to the community, a plan to
attract matching dollars and
additional investment,
and a commitment
to use what we learned to
inform a citywide housing
strategy.
Memphis does not currently have
a comprehensive housing plan
and that has to change.
The $1 million for middle class
investment funding.
should be the beginning
of a larger plan for 10,000 new
housing opportunities across
Memphis, including home
ownership, city infrastructure,
rental opportunities, home
repair,
down payment assistance,
and anti-displacement
protections, vacant property
reuse,
and neighborhood reinvestment.
The focus has to be home
ownership because ownership
units grow the tax base.
And without more housing,
the tax burden will be placed
on fewer housing receiving
fewer services
to balance the budget.
We appreciate the council's
investment of $1 million for
middle class investment
funding.
Now, we are asking council
to protect this funding through
a community-led governance
process.
Commitment to working
with the residents and the
Equity Alliance and use this as
the first step
toward a long-term plan for
10,000 new housing.
Opportunities Across
Memphis.
Thank you.
Brianna Smith and then Damon
Curry-Mars.
Hello.
Brianna Smith is gone.
Oh, okay.
And my name is Rita Rita.
So I think you have my card.
Yes,
but I haven't called you yet.
Okay.
Well, Ms.
Smith is not here.
Go on, Ms.
Rita.
All right, then.
My name is Rita Rita.
I will be back.
I just want to say I have been
back in Memphis for about seven
or eight months.
I did 18 years in Dallas and
when you talked about the the
busing and the transit that
really hit me because in
Dallas-Fort Worth we have a
pretty good system so I want to
just offer myself and offer my
help to get Memphis up and
running.
And like I said, I will be
back.
But each one of you, all
of you sitting here,
I just want you to get a thank
you and a gratitude.
This has been a rough meeting.
This has been a rough meeting
and I want to take your hand,
take your hand, pat yourself on
the back because you all have
handled this well.
I know there's only two
decisions that you can make and
you're not going
to make everybody happy.
So thank you.
It's not sexy to be elected.
It's not sexy
to be the police department.
It's not.
sexy to be sanitation.
It's not sexy
to be a teacher.
But I thank each and every one
of you for where you have
parked your car
in this life and
for what you're doing.
So I just want
to thank each and every one
of you.
The people that showed up,
the people who are here,
thank you.
Thank you and bless you.
If we can have Damon Curry,
England.
Professor Damon Curry Morris,
1529 Dunmore Road, Memphis
C-38114.
You know, I'm just disgusted
with everything that's going
on in this city.
You know, it's disheartening
to sit here on this council and
especially why I watch a den
of thieves, liars, crooks and
thugs running this city.
We got buffoons running this
city and don't understand how
to help the people.
I'm just seeing people up here
crying out
for everything and I have
to come
down here and bust folks
out because I'm going
to tell you one thing.
If you didn't listen to Miss
Moses about what's about
to hit this city, hey,
if I release what's in here,
I'm gonna send some
of y'all running for the hills
because trust me I got
to prove CJ Davis you can shake
your head and me off.
Wait a minute no we're not
gonna be insulting yes but we
can't be insulting this is our
opportunity to have comments
but we can't be insulting.
Yes.
I've been insulted, okay,
reclaiming my time.
I've been insulted.
It don't take me two years
to get a meeting.
It don't take me two years to
get services that my tax
dollars pay for, okay?
You very well know what it is.
Pearl Walker, let me tell y'all
one...
Thank you, thank you, thank
you, thank you, thank you,
Mr.
Mars.
Officer Young, we through.
Next person is Robin
England.
This meeting is res- This
meeting- Did Rob...
Okay, come on, Ms.
England.
I'm sorry, go ahead.
Let me cut it back out.
I emailed everyone up here
after the last...
I emailed everyone up here and
I didn't get any response back
and that kind of seems
to be the way that this goes,
that people here speak and
y'all look bored, y'all look
uninterested.
I don't get it.
We've got citizens begging
for housing,
for transportation,
for clean air.
And I just, I don't get it.
I don't know what y'all need
to take this seriously from
what people are telling y'all.
The city's getting worse.
We're talking about where we're
spending XAI money when we
don't want XAI here.
It is ruining our water supply.
It is ruining our air and
for nothing.
I don't know.
Chase Carlisle, I am coming for
your job.
I don't think you deserve it.
Up here talking about
pickleball when we have
actual...
We cannot call out council
members.
They need to be called out.
All right.
Hello, my name is Ann, and I am
a community advocate.
I am with the citizens of
District 7.
Our club has consistently held
meetings, discussions, focused
on issues affecting our
community, yet our city council
representative has not attended
or acknowledged these efforts.
The community engagement
requires more than just holding
an office.
It requires being present and
listening, communicating with
the people that you represent.
To this day,
many residents are still
seeking updates, matters
including the grocery store
project, as well as the park
across from the Fraser
Library.
At the same time, the public
funds have continued
to be direct toward various
organizations and programs,
while many residents feel that
their voices and concerns are
not adequately being addressed.
It raises important questions
and priorities and
accountabilities.
The residents of the community
deserve honesty and
transparency and open
communication
from those who seek
to represent them.
Our community deserves a leader
who is visible, accessible,
and willing to engage directly
with the people that they
serve.
Not popping out when cameras
are around, because how can you
propose a budget when you don't
come to any of the community
meetings being held?
I thank you.
We will now have Clark and
Dionne.
And I live in 1995.
And just like Mr.
Lee has said,
I have also built a fridge
drain behind my house.
And none of that steel works.
I place my driveway and it goes
up under the door.
Therefore, I use the driveway
to check my foundation because
any kind of hip...
Any kind of way you all can do
to help us resolve the cutting
issue, we would greatly,
greatly appreciate it.
I want
to thank you all very much.
Thank you.
And we say sure that you all
get the support.
Dionne Newsom, Adrian.
Hello, man.
Five, one, four,
five days laying cold.
As of July 26, 2026, I would
have reached 19 years
of services with Memphis Like
Gas and Water.
I was a monthly employee
terminated on Friday, June
12, 2026 by SEAS VP Timothy
Davis.
Throughout my career, I served
Memphis Like Gas and Water and
employees with pride and
commitment.
I was assigned to the
Militant Community Office and
regularly rotated to assist
at the Lamar Community Office
as well.
During my time in leadership
within the community office,
our team worked together to
improve the customer and
employee's experience.
Customer satisfaction score
consistently improved, with our
most recent scores reaching
89.9%.
I'm asking the board to
carefully examine the
justification that has been
provided for the elimination of
numerous frontline leadership
positions.
Employees were told these
actions were necessary because
of modernization.
However, none
of us who work directly
with customers...
And employees have not been
provided
with a clear explanation of
what modernization specifically
requires.
Specifically required the
elimination of experienced
supervisors and leaders.
I find it difficult to
understand how an organization
can simultaneously celebrate
improvements in customer
satisfaction while eliminating
much of the leadership team
that helped achieve those
results.
In credit and payment services,
six of nine leadership
employees were eliminated.
In customer care, four of five
leadership employees were
eliminated, with those
employees awaiting the
termination of...
To termination
at the conclusion of that
90-day notice period.
A team is only good as its
leader.
If these departments were truly
failing, then accountability
should extend
beyond front-line leaders.
If we were succeeding, why the
individuals who contributed
to those successes selected
for elimination.
We played a critical role
in supporting employees,
resolving customer concerns,
maintaining accountability,
developing staff, and ensuring
constant service delivery.
Removing a significant portion
of experienced leadership
raises serious questions
about the long-term impact
of employees.
Thank you.
We will now have Adrian
Lomax.
Good evening, Madam Chairwoman
and Councilmembers.
My name is Adrian
Lomax-Hernandez.
I need to share my experience.
Former MLGW dedicated more than
17 years of service to MLGW,
working hard to serve both the
utility and the citizens
of this city.
In October 2024, I was selected
to serve as section supervisor
of cashiering operations and
credit for the Lamar
Community Office.
I have no disciplinary actions
on my file and was proud
to lead a team committed
to serve.
our customers.
In the spring of 2025, Vice
President Timothy Davis and
then HR supervisor, now HR
manager, Denise Bamberg,
informed my colleagues and me
that reorganization of
frontline management was being
planned.
They later reiterated this
in an email to us on both
occasions who assured no jobs
would be lost.
That promise was not kept.
On June 5th of this year, my
colleagues and I were informed
that our positions would be
eliminated effective the
following Friday, June 12th.
After more than 17 years
of service,
I was given just one week
of notice and told I would have
to apply and compete for a
newly positioned position.
Although presented as a new
role, the only substantive
difference was the title, the
job description itself.
is based largely on subjective
personality traits rather than
addictive skills.
As the primary breadwinner
for my family, this decision
has created significant
uncertainty and financial
hardship
for my husband and myself.
Despite many years of service
and positive employment record,
I'm not asking for special
treatment.
I'm asking for transparency,
accountability,
and fairness.
Public employees,
your dedicated ears, thank you
for your time.
Thank you so much for coming
down and sharing.
Joanna Blanton.
Good evening,
chairperson and members
of the council.
My name is Joanna Blanton, and
I'm a former cashier and credit
section supervisor with
Memphis Light, Gas, and
Water.
On June 12th, several of my
colleagues and I were
terminated
from our positions.
On June 5th, at approximately
3 o'clock p.m., we were
informed that our positions
were being eliminated and
replaced
with a new role called
Customer Experience Supervisor
We were told the position would
be posted.
Later that evening,
applications would close
Monday the 8th, interviews
would take place the 9th and
10th of June, And anyone not
selected.
would have their employment end
on the 12th. What makes this
situation especially concerning
is that on July the 9th,
2025, we received a memorandum
regarding this realignment.
The memo specifically stated
that this was not a layout,
but a realignment based
on clear, meaningful,
and measurable expectations.
It further stated that
employees who were not selected
to return to a supervisory role
would be supported
with reassigned opportunities
within the organization. That
support never happened.
In addition, we were informed
that these position changes
were necessary as part
of a modernization initiative.
However, to date, no
modernization measures or
related initiatives have been
implemented. Given that the
company employs approximately
2,700 people, it is unclear how
the elimination or
restructuring of 16 positions
materially advances the
modernization plan.
Furthermore, while the only
employees affected
by these changes are those
within this particular vice
president's reorganization,
Timothy Davis. Thank you. Last
question. Why was a $5.7
million contract awarded
to hire college students only
to eliminate full-time vested
employees? Is this the
modernization Mr. Davis is
speaking of? Thank you
for allowing me this time
to come before this council.
Thank you for coming. Ricky
Lewis, last name Lewis. Thanks
for having me to speak. Excuse
me. What's your first name,
sir? Ricky. Ricky, okay.
Ricky Lewis, former employee
of MLGW of 36 years,
been retired seven years. When
I heard on June the 12th,
when they were terminated,
that disturbed me. It disturbed
me. And if it didn't disturb
nobody else,
they don't have a heart.
Especially at Light, Gas, and
Water. When I was there
on the 17th, I mentioned
Davis, the president,
put it that way. He said
something about technology.
Light, Gas, and Water have a
center. If they don't know
anything... They can have them
trained. Now, I want
to say this. The four times,
they should destroy lives,
families and lives,
with what they just did. And
you tell me they got rid of 15
to 20, and there are tons of
part-time workers that they are
writing. Does that make sense
to you? One plus one is not
four. It didn't add up to me.
So I'm asking the council,
I'm asking your city council,
if you guys can do something
about these families' lives.
When they said that, I know
they're not sleeping because
I'm not sleeping. And I've been
retired seven years,
and I'm doing fine. But if you
can help these families and
these people reserve their jobs
back, and I appreciate it.
Thank you. Thank you so much
for coming down. George Todd,
George Mike Todd. He's gone. I
said I will entertain.