[0:10] meeting to order the chaplain
[0:24] is reverend dr let us pray
[0:38] Dear God, we're grateful for
[0:40] this opportunity and privilege
[0:43] together to work together
[0:45] for the good of this city.
[0:48] We pray thanking you for those
[0:49] who make choices and who make
[0:52] the choice and those who make
[0:54] the choice and those who are
[0:55] sitting behind these desks.
[0:57] We do pray, Lord, that each
[0:59] representative will approach
[1:00] the issue at hand
[1:02] with understanding and wisdom.
[1:06] Lord May each representative
[1:09] look to you
[1:10] for strength enough to have and
[1:13] maintain open minds and
[1:15] listening ears, seasoned
[1:17] with respect and integrity,
[1:20] reflecting your truth and grace
[1:21] extended to us all.
[1:24] We also pray that our time here
[1:27] this day will yield some
[1:28] fruitful outcomes that might
[1:30] amaze everyone involved today.
[1:33] May we be faithful enough
[1:34] in you to accept this agenda.
[1:37] and his outcome
[1:39] into your loving and tender
[1:41] arms of mercy and grace and
[1:44] may your divine
[1:47] in all that we seek to do
[1:49] on it is in christ's name that
[1:51] we pray amen Thank you.
[2:16] You may be seated.
[2:20] Councilman Ford, Senior, you're
[2:24] recognized.
[2:43] Thank you.
[2:45] Councilman, this is a little
[2:56] certificate showing that you
[2:57] were chaplain of today.
[3:00] Everybody, this is Reverend
[3:03] Walker Wright, Whitestone
[3:07] Missionary Baptist Church at
[3:08] Parkway, right at 3rd
[3:10] Street.
[3:12] Very great pastor, and I want
[3:14] y'all to understand this,
[3:15] and maybe you all need
[3:16] to do this too,
[3:17] every evening.
[3:20] Every evening,
[3:22] he calls and we have prayer.
[3:25] So get your friends and y'all
[3:27] have prayer too, every evening,
[3:28] every six or seven.
[3:33] We never miss that.
[3:37] Seven days a week.
[3:38] Seven days a week.
[4:20] I hope I'm getting to a 50s,
[4:27] a very trying day of the trying
[4:37] decisions and all.
[4:40] I want everybody to know that
[4:53] I'm not a bad guy.
[4:54] You can only do certain things,
[4:55] but if you believe in better,
[4:57] better, and better,
[5:02] that's all you have to do.
[5:04] We got a crowd invited
[5:06] to that.
[5:08] Yes, sir.
[5:10] Important to me.
[5:14] But I just want to say that.
[5:16] That's fine.
[5:17] Like I said, call your friends
[5:18] and I tell you, your things
[5:25] should turn around.
[5:28] Thank you all very much.
[5:29] I got this certificate
[5:31] for you and we got a little...
[5:35] Thank you.
[5:37] And I just want to thank
[5:38] everybody, okay?
[5:39] Thank you so much.
[5:47] Madam Comptroller.
[5:50] Thank you.
[5:51] Council Members Canale,
[5:53] Cooper, Sutton, Easter,
[5:57] Thomas, Green, Logan.
[6:03] NOSA, Walker Warren,
[6:12] Chairwoman. Present.
[6:13] Thank you, Madam Comptroller.
[6:18] I believe Councilman Carlisle
[6:22] has read the minutes.
[6:25] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[6:26] I've reviewed the minutes.
[6:27] Option of the June 9th, 2026
[6:28] meeting minutes.
[6:32] Okay.
[6:33] It has been properly moved by
[6:34] Councilman Carlisle.
[6:35] It has been seconded by
[6:36] Councilman Spinoza.
[6:38] Madam Comptroller, please
[6:39] conduct the roll.
[6:43] Prepare the screen.
[6:56] Canali, yes.
[6:57] Easter, Thomas, yes.
[7:00] Ford, yes.
[7:01] Green, yes.
[7:02] Logan, yes.
[7:03] Spinoza, yes.
[7:05] Walker, yes.
[7:06] Warren, yes.
[7:08] White, yes.
[7:09] Chairwoman
[7:10] Swearingen-Washington, yes.
[7:11] Please show Councilmember
[7:14] Cooper-Sudden is voting yes
[7:15] on the minutes.
[7:17] Thank you.
[7:19] That item passes.
[7:21] Welcome to the June 23, 2026
[7:24] regular meeting of the
[7:26] Memphis City Council.
[7:27] Meetings of the Council shall
[7:29] be conducted
[7:30] in an orderly manner to ensure
[7:32] the public has the full
[7:34] opportunity to be heard and the
[7:36] deliberate process
[7:38] of the council is retained
[7:40] at all times.
[7:41] Our council staff has meeting
[7:43] agendas available up front.
[7:46] Summer, please raise your hand.
[7:48] As well as comment request
[7:49] cards for members
[7:51] of the public wishing
[7:52] to be heard
[7:53] on a specific item.
[7:54] All those wishing to speak
[7:55] on an item must turn
[7:57] in their comment card to staff
[7:58] before the item is called.
[8:02] If you are not here to speak
[8:03] on a specific item,
[8:05] you can note your request
[8:06] to give general comments
[8:08] at the end of the meeting.
[8:10] As chair, I will only recognize
[8:11] citizens that properly
[8:14] registered to speak by
[8:15] submitting a completed comment
[8:18] request card
[8:19] to council staff.
[8:21] Please note that item number
[8:22] six has been withdrawn.
[8:27] We will now start
[8:28] with our presentations.
[8:29] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[8:31] please call item number one.
[8:34] Thank you.
[8:35] Item number one is a resolution
[8:36] approving an honorary street
[8:39] name change for Carolyn
[8:40] Goodwin Willett on Castalia
[8:43] Street between Lamar Avenue and
[8:45] South Parkway East.
[8:48] This resolution is sponsored
[8:49] by Chairwoman Swearengin
[8:51] Washington.
[9:05] Miss Goodwin-Willett, she
[9:07] thought she was coming
[9:08] down here
[9:09] to honor her son today,
[9:10] but today is your day.
[9:21] Yes, we did.
[9:26] I mean, we got you good.
[9:33] Today we are honoring An icon
[9:36] in the Castellan, South
[9:39] Memphis, greater Memphis
[9:40] community for all the work that
[9:42] she has done.
[9:45] She is an advocate
[9:47] for everyone, for business,
[9:49] for education,
[9:50] for what you've done with your
[9:51] child care center and what
[9:53] you're doing with the
[9:54] neighborhood associations.
[9:56] We are proud
[9:57] of you and we want
[9:58] to celebrate you and we want to
[9:59] give you your flowers while you
[10:02] are here.
[10:03] And thank you, Carlton,
[10:04] for helping us to fool her.
[10:08] Today you're going
[10:09] to be honored
[10:10] with an honorary street sign.
[10:14] Yes.
[10:16] When we go down, all the work
[10:29] that you have done.
[10:34] Somebody please get my reading
[10:35] glasses out of my purse.
[10:37] Please.
[10:39] Okay, I'll use her.
[10:41] Praise the Lord.
[10:42] Thank you.
[10:44] Whereas Carolyn Goodwin
[10:46] Willett, born July 4th, 1949,
[10:50] is a true daughter of the
[10:52] Magnolia Castella community,
[10:54] and her life stands as a
[10:56] powerful testament
[10:57] to what it means
[10:59] to remain rooted, to rise
[11:00] with purpose, and to leave
[11:03] every place better than she
[11:04] found it.
[11:05] Whereas a young woman at
[11:07] Memphis State University, she
[11:09] joined the Black Student
[11:10] Association
[11:11] during a pivotal moment in the
[11:12] city's civil rights history,
[11:14] standing with conviction
[11:16] among the 109 students arrested
[11:18] during the historic 1969
[11:21] sit-in, choosing courage
[11:24] over comfort and justice
[11:25] over silence.
[11:27] And though Carolyn Goodwin
[11:28] Willett faced hostility,
[11:30] was the only black student
[11:32] in her English class, she
[11:34] persisted, completing her
[11:36] undergraduate degree and later
[11:38] returning
[11:39] to earn her master's, and
[11:41] in doing so,
[11:42] helped move this city forward.
[11:44] Her life's work as a social
[11:45] worker and advocate,
[11:47] supporting families in crisis
[11:48] and leading statewide youth
[11:51] drug prevention programs,
[11:52] reflects a deep,
[11:53] unwavering commitment.
[11:56] to children and families,
[11:58] grounded in the belief that
[11:59] every child deserves not only
[12:01] care, but opportunity,
[12:03] protection, and path forward.
[12:05] Through her visionary
[12:07] leadership of Kitty College
[12:09] Child Care Center, founded in
[12:11] 1994, alongside her mother,
[12:15] the late Florine Hines,
[12:17] Carolyn Goodwin will let, build
[12:19] an enduring institution that
[12:21] grew
[12:22] from an initial enrollment
[12:23] of nine children.
[12:25] to caring to as many 180
[12:27] across two shifts that today,
[12:30] more than 30 years later,
[12:33] proudly serves
[12:34] fourth-generation families
[12:36] transforming early childhood
[12:37] education
[12:38] into a lasting legacy
[12:40] of excellence, trust,
[12:41] and community stability.
[12:44] Her service to the city of
[12:46] Memphis through the Board of
[12:47] Ethics and the Health
[12:49] Education and Housing
[12:50] Facility Board reflects a woman
[12:52] of integrity and discernment,
[12:54] trusted to lead, to guide, and
[12:56] to uphold the principles that
[12:58] strengthen public trust and
[13:00] civic life.
[13:01] As a longtime director of the
[13:04] Magnolia Castellia Community
[13:07] Association, Carolyn
[13:09] Goodwill-Willett has done the
[13:10] sacred work
[13:12] of community building,
[13:13] partnering
[13:15] with organizations such as
[13:17] Habitat for Humanity and
[13:20] Black Seed Farms to expand
[13:21] housing access and food
[13:22] security, championing...
[13:24] Magnolia Elementary School and
[13:26] reminding us that true
[13:28] leadership is not measured
[13:29] by recognition, but
[13:31] by responsibility.
[13:33] She is sustained by the love
[13:34] of her family, her devoted
[13:36] husband, Eugene Willett, her
[13:38] sons, Carlton Fields and
[13:40] Jimmy Goodwin, and her nine
[13:42] precious grandchildren and
[13:44] great-grandchildren,
[13:46] who have been the foundation
[13:47] of her work and the source
[13:49] of her strength
[13:50] through a lifetime
[13:51] of service.
[13:52] Whereas grounded in faith,
[13:54] sustained by family,
[13:55] and guided by purpose,
[13:57] her life reflects a legacy,
[13:58] not simply of achievement, but
[13:59] of impact.
[14:01] One that continues
[14:03] to shape lives, strengthen
[14:04] community,
[14:06] inspire those who follow.
[14:07] Now therefore be it resolved
[14:08] that Chairwoman Jana
[14:10] Swearingen-Washington and the
[14:11] entire Memphis City Council, we
[14:15] hereby honor Carolyn
[14:17] Goodwin-Willett.
[14:29] embodies grace, strength,
[14:33] and a steadfast commitment
[14:34] to service.
[14:36] Be it further resolved that the
[14:37] naming of Castalia Street
[14:39] between Lamar Avenue and
[14:41] South Parkway East in her honor
[14:42] stands as a lasting and visible
[14:44] testament
[14:46] to a legacy built not
[14:48] in moments, but
[14:49] over a lifetime of faithful
[14:51] service and enduring impact.
[14:53] Be it further resolved that the
[14:54] city engineer is requested
[14:56] to affix suitable signs
[14:58] to designate such public road
[15:01] in honor of Carolyn Goodwin
[15:03] Willett for her commitment and
[15:06] contributions to the city of
[15:07] Memphis given by my hand
[15:09] under the great seal
[15:11] of the city of Memphis this
[15:13] 23rd day of June 2026.
[15:15] Jana Swearingen Washington,
[15:17] chairwoman of the Memphis
[15:19] City Council District 4, where
[15:21] we get more.
[15:31] I want to commend all the
[15:32] family and friends.
[15:34] You all know y'all can keep a
[15:35] secret.
[15:37] Something else for you.
[15:43] Beautiful flowers for you.
[15:45] Oh wow.
[15:50] We're gonna let you say
[15:52] something and then you can get
[15:53] your flowers and we're gonna
[15:54] take pictures.
[16:00] Sorry.
[16:13] I was raised to serve,
[16:17] so it's what I know
[16:18] to do.
[16:19] I don't know where to act other
[16:21] than to serve.
[16:23] I thank you all so much.
[16:28] I appreciate the recognition
[16:30] and the loss of words.
[16:34] Thank you.
[16:36] Thank you.
[16:42] Madam Comptroller, would you
[18:55] please call Item Number 2?
[18:56] Thank you.
[19:00] Acclamation is seconded by
[19:03] Ford.
[19:05] Item Number 2 is a resolution
[19:07] honoring Adrian Davis for his
[19:09] outstanding service and
[19:11] contributions to the Memphis
[19:13] community.
[19:14] This resolution is sponsored
[19:16] by Councilwoman Easter
[19:18] Thomas.
[19:23] Thank you.
[19:24] Good afternoon,
[19:26] evening colleagues in the city
[19:27] of Memphis.
[19:28] I am so excited to not only
[19:30] myself, but along
[19:31] with the entire Memphis City
[19:32] Council, to be able to
[19:34] recognize someone that really
[19:36] gives and gives
[19:38] of his self and
[19:39] of his organization
[19:40] to the community.
[19:41] So along with my colleague,
[19:43] Councilwoman Cooper-Sund,
[19:44] you're going to read.
[19:47] Okay, good.
[19:48] We should be able to honor
[19:49] Mr.
[19:50] Adrian Davis through this
[19:51] resolution.
[19:52] Whereas it is fitting that the
[19:54] Memphis City Council honor and
[19:55] recognize individuals whose
[19:57] service, leadership,
[19:58] and commitment
[20:00] to improving the lives of
[20:01] others have made a lasting and
[20:03] meaningful impact on the
[20:04] Memphis community.
[20:06] Adrian Davis has dedicated his
[20:10] life to serving others
[20:11] through public safety,
[20:12] community advocacy,
[20:14] and non-profit leadership,
[20:16] consistently demonstrating a
[20:18] commitment
[20:19] to improving the lives
[20:20] of others.
[20:22] of individuals and families
[20:23] throughout Memphis and the
[20:24] Mid-South.
[20:28] Whereas Adrian Davis serves
[20:29] with distinguished as a
[20:32] firefighter with the Memphis
[20:33] Fire Department from 2017 to
[20:34] 2024, earning numerous honors
[20:39] including firefighter
[20:40] of the year, the valor award,
[20:42] the lifesaver award,
[20:44] and the merit award
[20:46] in recognition
[20:47] of his courage,
[20:49] professionalism,
[20:50] and dedication
[20:51] to protecting the citizens of
[20:52] Memphis.
[20:54] And whereas following a
[20:55] life-altering line
[20:57] of duty injury in 2021,
[20:59] Adrian Davis transformed
[21:02] adversity into opportunity
[21:05] by expanding his service to the
[21:07] community and founding
[21:09] community service leaders of
[21:11] America, CSLA,
[21:15] a nonprofit organization
[21:16] focused on uplifting undeserved
[21:18] communities
[21:21] through compassion, advocacy,
[21:23] and direct support.
[21:28] Through strategic partnerships
[21:31] with healthcare providers,
[21:32] businesses, faith-based
[21:33] organizations, civic leaders,
[21:34] and volunteers, Adrian Davis
[21:36] has mobilized hundreds of
[21:38] individuals and engaged
[21:40] thousands of community members
[21:43] in efforts that strengthen
[21:44] neighborhoods, expand access
[21:47] to essential services,
[21:48] and improve quality of life
[21:50] across Memphis and the
[21:52] Mid-South.
[21:53] Adrian's unwavering commitment
[21:54] to service exemplifies the
[21:56] high-quality and high-quality
[22:01] of life that he has.
[22:02] highest ideals of leadership,
[22:04] resilience, and community
[22:05] engagement,
[22:06] and his work continues
[22:07] to inspire others to serve
[22:08] with purpose, compassion,
[22:09] and integrity.
[22:10] Now, therefore,
[22:11] be it resolved that the
[22:12] Memphis City Council hereby
[22:14] honors and commends Adrian
[22:16] Davis for his extraordinary
[22:17] contributions to the Memphis
[22:20] community and extends its
[22:21] sincere appreciation
[22:23] for his continued dedication
[22:25] to improving the lives
[22:27] of others through service and
[22:28] leadership.
[22:29] You all please support us
[22:32] in giving a hand to Mr.
[22:33] Adrian Davis for all
[22:35] of his work and advocacy
[22:36] through the community.
[22:48] I thank you.
[22:49] This is what happens when you
[22:53] put God first.
[22:54] You put the people first and
[22:56] you be selfless.
[22:59] I got a second chance
[23:00] at life and it gave me a chance
[23:02] to really prove myself to God
[23:04] about who I can be.
[23:06] So I wanted to change some
[23:08] of the standards of leaders
[23:10] in the community.
[23:13] And one of those things is
[23:14] collaboration.
[23:16] I wanted to collaborate at a
[23:17] high level.
[23:18] I wanted the leaders
[23:19] to be able to serve and not...
[23:30] official the gap in between
[23:31] those relationships.
[23:32] I think I'm doing a great job
[23:33] of that.
[23:34] I have a lot of people
[23:35] to thank and just thank you
[23:36] for having an open ear
[23:37] for new ideas and a new type of
[23:39] leadership where it's more
[23:41] involving the people.
[23:43] Not to say that they're not
[23:44] doing it now,
[23:45] but we just upscale
[23:47] at a high level.
[23:48] So I just appreciate all the
[23:49] help and look forward to
[23:51] continuing this effort and
[23:53] thank you.
[24:00] to by affirmation.
[24:01] Thank you.
[24:03] Madam Comptroller, please call
[24:04] item number three.
[24:09] Item number three is a
[24:10] resolution honoring Lexi
[24:11] Carter
[24:13] for her community impact
[24:14] in the city of Memphis.
[24:16] This resolution is sponsored
[24:18] by Councilwoman Easter Thomas
[24:20] and Chairwoman Swearingen
[24:21] Washington.
[25:02] Thanks to Carter and family.
[25:03] We're so excited to be able
[25:04] to salute this woman
[25:06] of excellence who gives
[25:07] of herself every day
[25:08] to the greater Memphis
[25:10] community.
[25:11] We're so proud of you and the
[25:12] work that you're doing,
[25:13] and we want to give you your
[25:14] flowers as you live.
[25:17] Whereas the Memphis City
[25:18] Council sees fit to honor
[25:20] individuals whose commitment
[25:21] to service, civic engagement,
[25:23] and community leadership has
[25:25] made a lasting impact
[25:26] on the city of Memphis and its
[25:28] citizens.
[25:29] And whereas Lexi Reed Carter is
[25:31] a proud United States Navy
[25:34] veteran whose service reflects
[25:36] a lifelong commitment
[25:38] to leadership, duty,
[25:40] and public service.
[25:41] Through more than 30 years
[25:43] of dedicated service
[25:45] in the field of social work,
[25:46] she has helped countless
[25:48] individuals and families while
[25:50] advocating
[25:51] for their well-being
[25:52] of her community.
[25:53] After relocating in Memphis
[25:55] in 1991, Lexi Reed-Carter
[25:58] became an active and
[26:00] influential voice in civic and
[26:02] political affairs throughout
[26:04] Shelby County.
[26:06] She has served
[26:07] in numerous leadership
[26:09] positions within the Shelby
[26:10] County Democratic Party,
[26:11] including public relations
[26:13] secretary, fundraising leader,
[26:15] convention delegate,
[26:17] and chairwoman.
[26:20] Lexi Reed-Carter co-hosted the
[26:22] community-focused radio
[26:23] program, Eyes on Memphis.
[26:26] and later became editor and
[26:28] owner of the Shelby Democrat
[26:30] publication, helping keep
[26:31] residents informed and engaged.
[26:34] Lexi Reed Carter founded
[26:36] Diversity Memphis PAC and
[26:37] Willow, Women in Leadership
[26:39] Leaning on Wisdom, creating
[26:41] opportunities
[26:42] for leadership development,
[26:43] mentorship,
[26:44] and community service.
[26:45] For more than 25 years, Lexi
[26:48] has shared her passion
[26:50] for music by teaching piano
[26:52] to students of all ages, And
[26:54] Lexi Reed-Carter is a devoted
[26:56] wife, mother, grandmother,
[26:58] great-grandmother, woman
[27:01] of faith, and community leader
[27:02] whose life has been dedicated
[27:04] to serving others.
[27:07] Whereas the military service,
[27:09] her civic leadership, her
[27:10] mentorship, her community
[27:12] advocacy, Lexi Reed-Carter has
[27:14] left a lasting and meaningful
[27:16] impact on the city of
[27:19] Memphis.
[27:20] Now, therefore, it be resolved
[27:22] that the Memphis...
[27:24] City Council, we hereby honor
[27:26] Lexi Reed-Cotter for your
[27:28] outstanding contributions
[27:30] to public service, civic
[27:32] leadership, community
[27:34] empowerment, which extends our
[27:37] sincere appreciation
[27:39] for your lasting impact
[27:41] on the City of Memphis and its
[27:43] citizens.
[27:45] Be it further resolved that
[27:47] this resolution serves as an
[27:49] expression of the Memphis
[27:51] City Council.
[27:52] Our gratitude for you,
[27:54] for your unwavering dedication
[27:56] to serving others and
[27:58] strengthening the Memphis
[27:59] community.
[28:00] Given by our hand, Jana
[28:02] Swearingen-Washington,
[28:03] Chairwoman of the Memphis
[28:05] City Council, and...
[28:06] Councilwoman District 7,
[28:08] Myklyn Easter-Thomas.
[28:10] Please join us in celebrating
[28:12] and giving our gratitude for
[28:13] Ms.
[28:14] Lexi Reed-Carter.
[28:15] Yay I just want
[28:24] to thank everybody here,
[28:27] everybody that's present.
[28:28] You know,
[28:31] I did serve as a social worker
[28:32] for some years,
[28:33] and I developed a passion
[28:35] for people.
[28:36] And, you know,
[28:38] I've gotten several different
[28:39] awards,
[28:40] but this means the world
[28:42] to me.
[28:43] This reminds me of the work
[28:44] that I have done, and all
[28:45] of those that are around me,
[28:47] almost everyone that I look at.
[28:49] has been a part of my success
[28:51] in serving the community.
[28:52] Because I get a phone call that
[28:54] somebody's being evicted, or I
[28:55] get a phone call somebody needs
[28:57] help with their utilities.
[28:59] I always have called on them,
[29:01] and they've always rallied
[29:02] around me.
[29:04] So it's the entire community
[29:05] that makes me able to stand up
[29:08] before you.
[29:09] So I want to thank you all very
[29:10] much.
[29:11] We have something else
[29:12] for you.
[29:13] Come on, Clay.
[29:19] Beautiful flowers
[29:20] for a beautiful lady.
[29:22] Thank you so much.
[29:24] You're welcome.
[29:53] I'm going to take some pictures
[29:54] right quick.
[29:59] You're about to fold.
[30:00] Thank you, Madam
[30:01] Comptroller.
[30:02] Please approve Item 8,
[30:03] Acclamation.
[30:09] Thank you, so noted.
[30:12] Councilwoman White, you're
[30:13] recognized.
[30:17] Thank you, Chairman.
[30:19] Congratulations, Ms.
[30:20] Carter.
[30:21] Before everyone, thank you.
[30:27] To also acknowledge that we
[30:29] have Judge Gina Higgins,
[30:32] Circuit Court Division 4 judge
[30:33] with us today.
[30:36] We also have Judge Chris
[30:39] Frula, which is our judge in
[30:44] Circuit Court as well.
[30:49] That's what I thought I saw
[30:50] another judge.
[30:51] Judge Ernestine Hunt-Dorst is
[30:53] also here.
[30:59] And we also have Circuit
[31:00] Court Clerk Jamita
[31:01] Swearengin.
[31:05] Thank you all for joining us
[31:06] this afternoon, as well as all
[31:10] of our distinguished guests.
[31:11] You're all special to us.
[31:13] Thank you.
[31:19] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[31:20] please call the consent agenda.
[31:22] Thank you.
[31:24] Item number four on our consent
[31:25] agenda is up
[31:27] for first reading.
[31:28] An ordinance to amend chapter
[31:29] 25, Pension and Retirement
[31:32] System of the City of
[31:33] Memphis, Tennessee.
[31:34] Up for first reading,
[31:36] ordinance number 5974 is
[31:38] sponsored
[31:39] by the administration.
[31:41] Item number 5 is an ordinance
[31:43] to amend City of Memphis Code
[31:45] of Ordinances chapter 33,
[31:47] article 3, and corresponding
[31:49] chapter 13-28
[31:51] to increase the sewer fees.
[31:53] up for first reading.
[31:55] Ordinance number 5975 is
[31:58] sponsored
[31:59] by the administration.
[32:00] Item number seven is a
[32:02] referendum ordinance
[32:03] to amend the charter
[32:05] of the city of Memphis, same
[32:07] being Chapter 11 of the Acts
[32:09] of 1879, as amended pursuant
[32:13] to provisions of Article 11,
[32:16] Section 9 of the Constitution
[32:17] of the State of Tennessee
[32:19] Home Rule Amendment, so as to
[32:22] establish lobbyist registration
[32:24] and disclosure requirements and
[32:29] to submit the proposed
[32:31] referendum ordinance
[32:32] to the qualified voters
[32:34] of the city of Memphis at the
[32:36] next state general election.
[32:39] Up for first reading,
[32:40] ordinance number 5977 is
[32:43] sponsored by Councilman
[32:45] Carlisle.
[32:46] On our add-ons, we have item
[32:48] number 34.
[32:50] a resolution approving an
[32:51] honorary street name change
[32:53] for bb district 5 super
[32:56] district 9.
[32:57] this resolution is sponsored by
[32:59] council members canali and
[33:01] spinosa there is a request for
[33:03] same night minutes and our
[33:05] final item is number 40 a
[33:06] referendum ordinance
[33:08] to amend the charter
[33:09] of the city
[33:10] of memphis same being chapter
[33:11] 11 of the acts of 1879 as
[33:13] amended pursuant
[33:15] to the provisions of Article
[33:16] 11, Section 9.
[33:18] of the Constitution of the
[33:22] State of Tennessee Home Rule
[33:23] Amendment
[33:25] to authorize the creation
[33:27] by ordinance of uniform
[33:29] administrative procedures and
[33:31] systems for disposition
[33:33] of appeals that may affect the
[33:36] employment status
[33:38] of civil service employees.
[33:40] Up for first reading,
[33:42] ordinance number 5978 is
[33:44] sponsored by Councilman
[33:45] Carlisle, and there is a
[33:47] request to add this on
[33:49] for first reading.
[33:50] Madam Chairwoman, that
[33:51] concludes your consent agenda
[33:53] items.
[33:54] Thank you.
[33:55] Vice Chair Carlisle, you are
[33:56] recognized at this time.
[33:57] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[33:58] The consent agenda has been
[33:59] read and I so move.
[34:01] It has been properly moved by
[34:02] Vice Chair Carlisle, seconded
[34:03] by Councilwoman Green.
[34:04] There are no counsel
[34:05] in the queue to speak.
[34:08] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[34:11] please prepare the screen
[34:12] for the consent agenda.
[34:25] Council, please cast your vote.
[34:32] Madam Comptroller, the screen.
[34:55] Nally, yes.
[34:56] Carlisle, yes.
[34:57] Cooper, Sutton, yes.
[34:58] Easter, Thomas, yes.
[35:00] Ford, yes.
[35:01] Green, yes.
[35:02] Logan, yes.
[35:03] Walker, yes.
[35:04] Warren, yes.
[35:05] White, yes.
[35:06] Chairwoman
[35:07] Swearingen-Washington, yes.
[35:09] That item passes.
[35:11] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[35:13] please call the MLGW Fiscal
[35:14] Consent Agenda Items 8
[35:16] through 11.
[35:24] Item number 8 is a resolution.
[35:25] Proving the increase
[35:28] in extension
[35:29] to contract number 12227, high
[35:32] volume outage call management
[35:34] with message broadcast LLC to
[35:36] increase the contract amount
[35:38] and extend the current contract
[35:40] in the funded amount of
[35:42] $1,503,125.
[35:46] Item number nine is a
[35:48] resolution awarding a purchase
[35:50] order for gas meters at AMI
[35:53] Equipment.
[35:54] to Ed Young Sales Company,
[35:55] Inc.
[35:57] in the amount of
[35:58] $5,176,100.54.
[36:02] Item number 10 is a resolution
[36:05] awarding a purchase order for
[36:07] Water Meter Registers to
[36:09] Badger Meter, Inc.
[36:11] in the amount of
[36:12] $3,058,598.34.
[36:19] Item number 11 is a resolution
[36:20] awarding...
[36:21] a purchase order
[36:22] for water modules to Westco
[36:25] Distribution, Inc.,
[36:26] in the amount of
[36:27] $5,476,434.98.
[36:33] Madam Chair, that concludes our
[36:35] MLGW consent items.
[36:37] Thank you, Madam
[36:38] Comptroller.
[36:39] Councilwoman Walker, you're
[36:40] recognized.
[36:42] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[36:43] The committee met with a
[36:45] favorable recommendation,
[36:46] and I so move.
[36:47] Thank you.
[36:49] It has been moved by
[36:50] Councilwoman Walker, second
[36:51] by Councilman Dr.
[36:52] Warren.
[36:54] There are no members
[36:55] in the queue to speak.
[36:56] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[36:57] please prepare the screen
[36:58] for the vote.
[37:14] Cannelli, yes.
[37:15] Carlisle, yes.
[37:16] Cooper-Sutton, yes.
[37:17] Easter Thomas, yes.
[37:19] Ford, yes.
[37:20] Green, yes.
[37:21] Logan, yes.
[37:22] Spinoza, yes.
[37:23] Walker, yes.
[37:25] Warren, yes.
[37:26] White, yes.
[37:28] Chairwoman
[37:29] Swearengin-Washington, yes.
[37:30] That item passes.
[37:35] Madam Comptroller, if you would
[37:37] please call the same night
[37:38] minute items, starting
[37:39] with item number 35.
[37:41] Thank you.
[37:43] Item number 35 is...
[37:46] A resolution to accept,
[37:47] allocate,
[37:49] and appropriate grant funds
[37:50] in the amount of $494,875.31
[37:56] from Overton Park Conservancy
[37:58] for reimbursement allocated
[38:01] to eligible projects associated
[38:03] with an MOU between the City
[38:05] of Memphis, Overton Park
[38:07] Conservancy, and Memphis
[38:09] Zoological Society for
[38:10] renovations and accessibility
[38:12] improvements in the Overton
[38:14] Park area.
[38:15] District 5, Super District 9.
[38:18] This resolution is sponsored
[38:19] by the administration.
[38:21] There is a request
[38:22] for same-night minutes.
[38:23] Councilman Smiley, you're
[38:25] recognized.
[38:27] Committee member recommend
[38:28] approval.
[38:33] I so move.
[38:34] It has been moved by
[38:35] Councilman Smiley, seconded
[38:36] by Councilman Warren.
[38:37] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[38:39] please prepare the screen.
[38:54] Canale, yes.
[38:55] Carlisle, yes.
[38:56] Hooper, Sutton, yes.
[38:57] Easter Thomas, yes.
[38:59] Ford, yes.
[39:00] Green, yes.
[39:01] Logan, yes.
[39:02] Smiley, yes.
[39:03] Spinoza, yes.
[39:05] Walker, yes.
[39:07] Warren, yes.
[39:08] White, yes.
[39:09] Chairwoman
[39:10] Swearingen-Washington, yes.
[39:14] That item passes.
[39:15] Madam Comptroller, if you'll
[39:16] please call item number 36.
[39:20] Item number 36.
[39:21] This is a resolution
[39:23] to transfer and appropriate
[39:25] $703,675.20 in Accelerate
[39:28] Memphis funds
[39:32] for the procurement
[39:34] of equipment and vehicles
[39:35] for the maintenance of roads
[39:37] and parks and remediation
[39:38] of blight.
[39:39] All council districts,
[39:41] this resolution is sponsored
[39:43] by the administration.
[39:44] There is a request
[39:46] for same-night minutes.
[39:52] Councilwoman White, you're
[39:53] recognized.
[39:57] The committee met and
[39:58] recommended approval and I so
[39:59] move.
[40:03] It has been moved by
[40:04] Councilwoman White, second by
[40:05] Councilman Carlisle.
[40:07] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[40:09] please prepare the screen
[40:10] for the vote.
[40:25] Canale, yes.
[40:26] Carlisle, yes.
[40:27] Sutton, yes.
[40:29] Ford, yes.
[40:30] Logan, yes.
[40:31] Spinoza, yes.
[40:33] Walker, yes.
[40:34] Warren, yes.
[40:35] White, yes.
[40:37] Chairwoman
[40:38] Swearingen-Washington, yes.
[40:39] That item passes.
[40:42] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[40:43] please call item number 36.
[40:46] 37.
[40:51] Item number 37 is a resolution
[40:53] to allocate and appropriate
[40:55] $5,000 in FY26 Memphis City
[40:59] Council Community Grant
[41:01] Program funds.
[41:02] to reach Memphis.
[41:03] All council districts,
[41:04] this resolution is sponsored
[41:05] by Councilman Canale, and there
[41:07] is a request
[41:08] for same-night minutes.
[41:10] Councilwoman White, you are
[41:11] recognized.
[41:12] The committee met and
[41:13] recommended approval,
[41:14] and I so move.
[41:17] It has been moved by
[41:18] Councilwoman White, second by
[41:19] Councilman Warren.
[41:20] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[41:23] please prepare the screen
[41:24] for the vote.
[41:38] I can help you.
[41:40] Yes.
[41:43] Canali, yes.
[41:44] Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton, yes.
[41:46] Easter Thomas, yes.
[41:47] Ford, yes.
[41:48] Green, yes.
[41:49] Logan, yes.
[41:51] Spinoza, yes.
[41:52] Walker, yes.
[41:53] Warren, yes.
[41:55] Please show Councilmember
[41:56] Janika White as voting yes
[41:57] on this item.
[41:58] Chairwoman Swearingen,
[42:00] Washington, yes.
[42:01] That item passes.
[42:12] Council members, we're moving
[42:13] to item number 38.
[42:15] Item number 38 is an omnibudget
[42:17] resolution that includes items
[42:19] 21 through 28 and items 30
[42:24] through 33.
[42:25] If item 38 is approved,
[42:28] I would like to withdraw the
[42:29] following resolutions
[42:30] without objection.
[42:31] Thank you.
[42:34] Madam Comptroller, please call
[42:36] item number 38 as amended.
[42:39] Thank you.
[42:40] Item number 38 is an amended
[42:42] resolution
[42:43] to amend the fiscal year 2027
[42:46] operating budget and capital
[42:48] improvement program budget.
[42:50] All council districts,
[42:51] this resolution is sponsored
[42:53] by Councilman Ford and there is
[42:55] a request
[42:56] for same night minutes.
[43:11] Vice Chair Carlisle, you are
[43:12] recognized.
[43:15] Thank you.
[43:16] Thank you, Chairwoman.
[43:17] The committee met, recommends
[43:19] approval, and I so move.
[43:22] It has been moved by Vice
[43:23] Chair Carlisle, second by
[43:24] Councilman Warren.
[43:30] Chief Person, you are
[43:31] recognized.
[43:32] Thank you, Chair.
[43:34] Walter Person, 125 North
[43:36] Main, CFO.
[43:38] I want to make a small change
[43:40] to one bullet point regarding
[43:42] Memphis Parks.
[43:43] In the omnibus resolution that
[43:46] is considered before you,
[43:48] there's language
[43:49] in there that says funding
[43:51] Memphis Parks summer camp
[43:53] expansion.
[43:54] I'd like for that
[43:55] to be changed to just reflect
[43:56] community center hours,
[43:58] which is really the import
[43:59] of the modification to that
[44:00] resolution.
[44:05] I'll just speak.
[44:06] Thank you.
[44:17] We're going to move
[44:19] to our comment cards.
[44:56] We're going to begin with
[44:57] Kelsey Hughes.
[44:59] And then we will have Dorothy
[45:01] Connor, if you'll please
[45:03] prepare the screen.
[45:07] Two?
[45:11] Two minutes, please.
[45:18] Kelsey Hughes, and then
[45:20] Dorothy.
[45:22] I'm speaking on item 21.
[45:24] Good afternoon, my name is
[45:28] Kelsey Hughes, District 5.
[45:29] I'm a public transit advocate
[45:31] because I know that you cannot
[45:32] have a world-class city
[45:34] without efficient, functioning
[45:36] public transit.
[45:37] I also have a Master's of
[45:38] City Planning degree from
[45:39] University of Memphis.
[45:40] Because I know you all are
[45:42] people of faith like I am,
[45:43] I want
[45:45] to share something that's been
[45:46] on my heart recently,
[45:48] and that's Matthew 2540.
[45:49] And it says, truly I tell you,
[45:51] whatever you did for the least
[45:53] of these brothers and sisters
[45:55] of mine, you did for me.
[45:56] One
[45:57] of those sisters is my friend
[45:59] Zinyori Winters.
[46:00] She lives in the Chelsea,
[46:01] Hollywood area and takes MATA
[46:03] to work every day.
[46:04] Yesterday morning,
[46:05] when it was pouring
[46:06] down rain, she called me.
[46:08] She said the 815 bus did not
[46:09] show up.
[46:10] The 915 bus did not show up.
[46:12] She was going to be late for
[46:14] work unless someone gave her a
[46:15] ride.
[46:17] In my two years in Memphis, I
[46:18] have seen public transit go
[46:19] from bad
[46:21] to downright horrible.
[46:24] The latest metrics show the
[46:25] buses are only on time 60%
[46:26] of the time.
[46:28] I'm very concerned
[46:29] by what I've seen from Memphis
[46:31] elected officials
[46:33] on how you're seeking to
[46:34] address this problem.
[46:36] I've seen threats
[46:37] to cut funding by 50%.
[46:40] I've seen a performative bus
[46:41] ride along with the community.
[46:43] I've seen CEO interviews
[46:44] cancelled the day the
[46:46] candidates were in town.
[46:47] I've seen this council vote
[46:49] for a trusteeship model with
[46:50] less public transparency and
[46:52] accountability.
[46:53] I've seen the Daily Memphian
[46:55] expose that the trustee makes
[46:56] $75,000 per month, and I've
[46:57] seen routes and frequency cut,
[46:58] and now we have this agenda
[47:00] item, which is number 21.
[47:02] It does not increase funding.
[47:04] It does not guarantee future
[47:05] funding.
[47:06] And it is not a real dedicated
[47:07] funding source.
[47:09] And most importantly,
[47:11] this will do absolutely nothing
[47:13] to improve the lives
[47:14] of the least of these brothers
[47:16] and sisters here in Memphis.
[47:17] Here's what I want to see.
[47:19] End the $75,000 per month
[47:23] contract with Holmes.
[47:25] Hire a real CEO.
[47:26] Reinstate the board.
[47:28] Define what stabilization
[47:29] means.
[47:30] And publish progress every
[47:31] month.
[47:32] Thank you.
[47:33] Thank you.
[47:34] We have Dorothy Connor and then
[47:35] Susan Mar...
[47:57] Good afternoon.
[47:59] Good afternoon.
[48:00] My name is T and today
[48:02] transport matters to me.
[48:09] The city council
[48:12] to increase the investment
[48:22] in public transportation by 20
[48:25] million.
[48:27] Public Transit for Better
[48:28] Memphis insists that $52
[48:30] million is needed
[48:32] for the upcoming budget
[48:34] to adjust
[48:36] for inflation and restore
[48:38] routes to pre-COVID levels.
[48:41] As a volunteer, I'm asking you
[48:45] to increase the City of
[48:47] Memphis investment
[48:49] in public transit from $32
[48:53] million to $53 million.
[48:55] for the next fiscal year.
[48:57] Public transit is a public good
[48:59] that spurs economic
[49:01] development.
[49:02] The American Public Transit
[49:04] Association estimates that
[49:06] every dollar spent
[49:08] on public transit reduces five
[49:09] in five dollars in growth
[49:13] in the gross domestic product.
[49:15] An extra 20 million invested
[49:17] in public transit can expect
[49:20] to see 80 million gross
[49:23] domestic product growth.
[49:26] Downtown businesses have
[49:27] responded to members of the
[49:29] Better Memphis that they are
[49:31] financially hurt.
[49:35] Memphis lags far
[49:45] behind pure cities
[49:47] in our per capita investment
[49:48] in public transit.
[49:50] We would have
[49:51] to double our budget
[49:53] to catch up with Birmingham,
[49:55] Alabama.
[49:56] We would have to quadruple our
[49:57] budget to catch up with New
[49:58] Orleans.
[50:00] This request for an ad.
[50:14] I have to say my name and this
[50:15] is how we start.
[50:17] Okay, I thought I had three
[50:18] minutes, so I have
[50:20] to curtail my remarks.
[50:21] But I brought you a map just
[50:23] to emphasize the distances in
[50:26] Memphis and how big Memphis is.
[50:28] Here's the river.
[50:32] That's not really the end.
[50:34] Okay.
[50:35] Memphis and MATA have been
[50:36] focusing
[50:37] on providing transportation
[50:38] to people
[50:39] with absolutely no other means
[50:41] of transportation.
[50:42] for either
[50:43] in their most basic needs,
[50:45] such as getting to and
[50:47] from work, preferably
[50:48] on time, to grocery stores,
[50:49] medical appointments, etc.,
[50:50] and I don't begrudge MATA
[50:51] for that.
[50:53] Many fun things to do in
[50:54] Memphis, such as a walk
[50:55] across the Mississippi River,
[50:57] the new flyway, sporting
[50:58] events, the Stax Museum, seeing
[51:00] the bison at Shelby Farms, the
[51:01] zoo concerts at the Overton
[51:03] Shell, are useless to people
[51:07] who can't get there or get
[51:08] home.
[51:09] This body needs to decide what
[51:12] it would like to do
[51:13] about public transit.
[51:15] Does it want to continue
[51:16] with a model based
[51:17] on where people lived and
[51:18] wanted
[51:19] to go many many years ago?
[51:20] Does it want to make some
[51:21] transportation available
[51:22] to most people?
[51:25] Does it want to continue
[51:26] to try to provide
[51:27] for the neediest
[51:28] of us and actually provide
[51:30] for them?
[51:31] Memphis is geographically very
[51:33] big, 300 square miles, so the
[51:35] distances are also sizable.
[51:37] This adds to...
[51:39] to the cost of transportation,
[51:40] but the other end of the
[51:42] continuum is that people stay
[51:43] close
[51:44] to home and really don't
[51:45] benefit from much
[51:47] of what is relatively nearby,
[51:48] which is Memphis, not
[51:58] Cordova.
[51:59] It looks like the eastern edge
[52:00] of Memphis,
[52:01] but actually there's much more
[52:02] Memphis east
[52:03] of where I live that is east
[52:05] of Germantown Parkway.
[52:07] I brought this map because I'm
[52:08] not sure we're
[52:09] on the same wavelength
[52:11] about the size of Memphis, the
[52:12] distances in Memphis, and the
[52:13] inability
[52:14] of residents and visitors
[52:16] to get around without a
[52:17] privately owned vehicle.
[52:18] I am here today because I would
[52:20] like to see the City of
[52:21] Memphis become a little more
[52:23] serious
[52:24] about public transportation.
[52:25] Thank you
[52:27] for this opportunity.
[52:28] Thank you so much.
[52:39] Good evening, y'all.
[52:40] We've sent you some letters and
[52:42] you haven't responded
[52:43] to our letter, unfortunately.
[52:47] But I do have a letter here
[52:53] from Mayor Young in support
[52:56] of transit.
[52:57] On behalf of the city of
[52:59] Memphis, I'm honored
[53:01] to extend our support for
[53:03] Transit Equity Day.
[53:04] We celebrate that in
[53:06] February, a park's birthday.
[53:08] A key person in the civil
[53:11] rights transit movement.
[53:12] And we birthday.
[53:26] Transportation is the means
[53:28] of travel.
[53:29] It's a vital resource that
[53:31] connects people
[53:32] to opportunity, strengthens
[53:34] communities,
[53:35] and promotes sustainability.
[53:36] Transit Equity serves...
[53:39] Equity Day serves as a reminder
[53:41] that equitable, safe, and
[53:43] accessible public transit is
[53:44] essential
[53:45] for economic mobility, climate
[53:47] resilience,
[53:48] and social justice.
[53:49] I mean, you know it,
[53:51] and we know it.
[53:52] The city of Memphis remains
[53:53] committed
[53:54] to advancing these values.
[54:12] Find the make sure that we just
[54:14] needs but we need
[54:18] to continue pushing for that
[54:19] there people here gonna.
[54:22] Thank you very much Thank you
[54:28] so much.
[54:29] Good afternoon.
[54:32] Mr.
[54:33] Mayor and council members.
[54:35] Oh Okay Good afternoon.
[54:37] Better transit for a better
[54:42] Memphis.
[55:02] Audibility and transparency
[55:03] for both riders,
[55:05] for city council members, and
[55:08] for the MATA administration.
[55:12] We deserve a MATA
[55:13] administration.
[55:15] That will tell us the hard
[55:17] truths about the service that
[55:19] we use every day to get
[55:21] to work, to get to school,
[55:23] to get to all of the wonderful
[55:26] social activities that make
[55:28] Memphis, Memphis.
[55:30] But currently,
[55:31] as we stand here today, we are
[55:34] without that.
[55:40] We are left to guess, wait
[55:43] on sparse communication,
[55:45] use our phones through social
[55:46] media platforms.
[55:47] And hoping that we will get
[55:48] updates on a transit system
[55:49] that often leaves most of
[55:52] Memphis behind.
[55:54] I am here to demand of you,
[55:56] City Council members, that you
[56:00] start again holding the matter
[56:03] administration responsible
[56:05] for the jobs that you call them
[56:08] to do.
[56:09] And that is to serve one
[56:12] Memphis.
[56:15] Transit is essential
[56:17] to the infrastructure and
[56:19] growth
[56:20] of this wonderful city.
[56:21] We're asking that you hold
[56:23] transit committee meetings so
[56:27] you can ask the hard questions
[56:29] that so many Memphis deserve
[56:31] truthful answers to.
[56:35] Thank you.
[56:39] Transit for Better Memphis.
[56:53] Good afternoon, Mr.
[56:54] Mayor and council members.
[56:56] So, I am a recently retired
[56:58] chairman of the board of a
[57:01] heavy manufacturing company.
[57:04] I also serve on the vestry at
[57:05] Calvary Church just
[57:08] across the street.
[57:09] So, I'll keep it very simple.
[57:11] Business owners need people
[57:12] that can get
[57:17] to work.
[57:19] regularly on a timely fashion
[57:21] and many
[57:24] of the people that work for our
[57:26] company use public transit.
[57:29] I also work
[57:31] with our outreach program for
[57:34] people who are unhoused and we
[57:36] are thrilled when one
[57:38] of our neighbors gets a job.
[57:40] They rely on public transit and
[57:42] it's heartbreaking
[57:45] to hear the stories
[57:46] of people.
[57:48] Who get fired because they
[57:51] couldn't rely on transit.
[57:52] Thank you very much.
[57:54] Thank you.
[57:59] Matthew Herman.
[58:01] And then Leo Arnold.
[58:03] Hello, City Council, Mayor.
[58:05] This public school's pointed
[58:07] interest is in getting
[58:08] students.
[58:14] school having the reliability
[58:16] for families students
[58:21] to school
[58:23] but this that I'm gonna talk
[58:26] about is how
[58:28] to fund investments is of
[58:31] course more broad I'm here as a
[58:33] volunteer with better transit
[58:35] for a better Memphis
[58:36] to ask you to vote
[58:38] to increase the city's Memphis
[58:39] and investment
[58:40] in public transit from 32 to
[58:42] 50 plus million dollars
[58:43] in the next fiscal year It is
[58:44] time
[58:46] for the council and the mayor
[58:47] to step up and increase funding
[58:49] to a stabilized,
[58:50] for a stabilized MATA.
[58:51] You can fund most of this $20
[58:53] million additional
[58:54] by fulfilling your ordinance,
[58:56] your 2022 ordinance restricting
[58:58] retiring pilots to MATA.
[59:01] So the retired pilot revenues
[59:04] would go to MATA.
[59:06] Ordinance 5830 created the
[59:09] Transit and Mobility Special
[59:10] Revenue Fund to fulfill transit
[59:12] vision.
[59:13] that commission.
[59:15] We ask that you tell the public
[59:16] how much funding is within that
[59:20] fund and that the city uses it
[59:21] to fulfill the increased
[59:22] investment towards the $20
[59:23] million increase needed.
[59:27] We also ask that you provide
[59:28] updates on the bus rapid
[59:29] transit or the BTR fund and use
[59:31] that funding for the increased
[59:35] investment as well.
[59:37] Additionally, we ask that the
[59:41] County Commission appoint one
[59:43] of the nine MATA board members,
[59:45] also fulfilling the renewing of
[59:49] operational and CIP funds
[59:51] previously committed, along
[59:53] with the 60% of the retiring
[59:56] pilots that was supposed to go
[59:58] to that fund.
[1:00:00] Thank you for supporting public
[1:00:01] services.
[1:00:02] Let's get on the bus
[1:00:03] with public transit.
[1:00:05] Thank you.
[1:00:06] I think it'd be good for us to
[1:00:08] know why they're getting that.
[1:00:43] Good afternoon.
[1:00:44] My name is Chair Better.
[1:00:45] better Memphis and also
[1:00:46] involved with MICA.
[1:00:48] The city needs
[1:00:51] to increase its funding
[1:00:53] by a minimum of 20 million
[1:00:55] dollars.
[1:00:56] We wrote all of you a letter
[1:00:57] last week asking you to add 20
[1:00:59] million to the budget.
[1:01:02] We also want to see this
[1:01:03] resolution that you're about
[1:01:04] to review and hopefully pass to
[1:01:06] take that additional funds that
[1:01:09] County Councilwoman Green and
[1:01:13] Councilwoman Cooper Sutton are
[1:01:16] proposing $10 million to go
[1:01:18] to MATA. Unfortunately, they
[1:01:22] want to just supplement the
[1:01:24] $32 million.
[1:01:25] We want you to add that on top
[1:01:26] of the $32 million the mayor is
[1:01:30] calling for.
[1:01:31] The city needs this increase,
[1:01:33] especially considering the new
[1:01:35] threat to MATA's 27 budget
[1:01:37] arising from the Build America
[1:01:41] 250 HR Act.
[1:01:43] This will result in the
[1:01:45] elimination of...
[1:01:46] direct federal public transit
[1:01:48] grants to cities such as
[1:01:50] Memphis.
[1:01:51] Instead, they will be sending
[1:01:52] general transportation block
[1:01:54] grants to the states.
[1:01:55] This act, if passed, could send
[1:01:58] funds formally designated
[1:02:00] to MATA to Tennessee's
[1:02:01] Republican-dominated state, and
[1:02:04] they will most likely send our
[1:02:07] former MATA money
[1:02:09] to rural counties
[1:02:11] to fund bridges and roads
[1:02:13] in their districts, not to
[1:02:15] Memphis.
[1:02:16] They don't particularly
[1:02:17] like us these days.
[1:02:18] So I'm saying we want
[1:02:19] to see our elected leaders.
[1:02:21] We want you
[1:02:22] to mount a campaign to maintain
[1:02:23] our federal operating and
[1:02:24] capital grants, which we're
[1:02:26] about to lose thanks to
[1:02:29] President Trump's 2025 plan.
[1:02:31] This bill is a direct
[1:02:32] derivative of the 2025 plan,
[1:02:36] and it is
[1:02:37] out there right now.
[1:02:38] And I'd like
[1:02:39] to ask a question.
[1:02:40] How many of you right now will
[1:02:41] raise your hands and say you're
[1:02:42] aware of the build America 250
[1:02:45] Act.
[1:02:46] How many?
[1:02:47] That's a shame.
[1:02:49] That's a real darn shame that
[1:02:51] the city has not kept you up
[1:02:52] to speed on this.
[1:02:54] Where's the thing?
[1:02:55] Thumbs up, thumbs down.
[1:03:02] Carissa, who's?
[1:03:13] Thank you very much.
[1:03:19] Carissa Hussong, 1293 Central
[1:03:20] Avenue.
[1:03:22] As you know, the Metal Museum
[1:03:23] has not received any previous
[1:03:25] funding from the city
[1:03:26] for the renovation
[1:03:28] of the former Memphis College
[1:03:29] of Art building in Overton
[1:03:30] Park.
[1:03:31] We are currently requesting
[1:03:33] funds to help cover the costs
[1:03:34] of unanticipated costs
[1:03:36] resulting
[1:03:37] from deferred maintenance
[1:03:38] of the building and
[1:03:39] of the drainage systems.
[1:03:40] This is a capital request and
[1:03:42] we will not be pursuing
[1:03:44] operating funds.
[1:03:46] It should be noted that unlike
[1:03:48] other cultural organizations
[1:03:49] managing city-owned facilities
[1:03:51] in Overton Park and throughout
[1:03:53] the city, we have not received
[1:03:55] capital assistance.
[1:03:57] It should also be noted that if
[1:03:58] this request is granted,
[1:04:00] it will be matched dollar
[1:04:01] for dollar
[1:04:03] by a generous donor,
[1:04:04] helping us bring new life to
[1:04:06] this award-winning historic
[1:04:07] landmark.
[1:04:08] We appreciate your
[1:04:10] consideration and look forward
[1:04:11] to welcoming you into the
[1:04:13] restored facility when we open
[1:04:14] in September.
[1:04:15] Thank you.
[1:04:18] Thank you.
[1:04:19] This is Ted Davis and then
[1:04:21] Austin Kimball.
[1:04:23] Ted Davis, 1590 Vance
[1:04:24] Avenue.
[1:04:26] My point of interest is,
[1:04:28] Executive Committee Member, I
[1:04:29] want to thank you for your
[1:04:32] consideration today based
[1:04:33] upon...
[1:04:34] Councilman Warren's support
[1:04:35] of a capital investment.
[1:04:37] These funds are to support
[1:04:48] capital improvements and damage
[1:04:54] to the building.
[1:04:57] The process had begun.
[1:05:02] We're seeing facility expenses
[1:05:05] include damage
[1:05:07] toward basement water.
[1:05:09] These expenses...
[1:05:12] are currently about $800,000.
[1:05:14] At the same time, these were
[1:05:17] incurred expenses that we're
[1:05:19] spending now to improve the
[1:05:32] building that make our efforts
[1:05:33] to continue to raise capital to
[1:05:34] finish the building more
[1:05:41] difficult.
[1:05:45] So we would like you guys to
[1:05:46] consider.
[1:05:47] our request today.
[1:05:49] Thank you for your time.
[1:05:50] Thank you.
[1:05:54] Is it Austin Kimball?
[1:05:57] Austin Kimball and then
[1:05:58] Christopher Jones?
[1:06:02] That's a Monspout.
[1:06:06] No.
[1:06:18] There's no one in the queue.
[1:06:19] Will you please prepare the
[1:06:23] screen for the vote?
[1:06:51] Here's the vote.
[1:06:54] Cannelly, yes.
[1:06:55] Carlisle, yes.
[1:06:56] Easter, Thomas, yes.
[1:06:58] Ford, yes.
[1:06:59] Green, yes.
[1:07:00] Logan, yes.
[1:07:01] Smiley, yes.
[1:07:03] Nosa, yes.
[1:07:04] Walker, yes.
[1:07:05] Warren, yes.
[1:07:06] White, yes.
[1:07:08] Chairwoman
[1:07:09] Swearingen-Washington, yes.
[1:07:10] Madam Comptroller, please call
[1:07:19] item.
[1:07:23] Number 39. Number 39 is a
[1:07:48] resolution confirming impasse
[1:07:49] vote.
[1:07:51] of the City Council pursuant
[1:07:52] to substitute ordinance number
[1:07:54] 5639 regarding total economic
[1:07:57] package of AFSCME.
[1:07:59] All Council districts,
[1:08:00] this resolution is sponsored
[1:08:02] by Council Members Smiley and
[1:08:04] Green.
[1:08:10] Chair, Vice Chair Carlisle,
[1:08:12] you're recognized.
[1:08:14] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[1:08:15] The committee met and
[1:08:17] recommended a ISO move.
[1:08:19] Quick, Madam Chair, if I may,
[1:08:21] I'll quickly what's happening
[1:08:24] as a process just
[1:08:25] from a technical standpoint.
[1:08:27] So we have a bill that's coming
[1:08:29] up.
[1:08:30] It's item 16.
[1:08:32] That's going to be
[1:08:33] after that.
[1:08:34] And that is the tax levy
[1:08:35] ordinance that will go
[1:08:36] to the state.
[1:08:37] After that, we're going
[1:08:38] to get item 17, which is
[1:08:39] actually a resolution that says
[1:08:40] send the tax bills out.
[1:08:41] What we just did was took up an
[1:08:44] item that will inform those two
[1:08:47] bills.
[1:08:49] I'm using the term bill very
[1:08:50] loosely.
[1:08:51] We have ordinance and
[1:08:52] resolution.
[1:08:54] Let me use bill.
[1:08:55] Those two bills that
[1:08:56] Councilman Ford sponsored that
[1:08:59] will change the budget
[1:09:00] ordinance that we're about
[1:09:01] to pass.
[1:09:02] And now we're going
[1:09:03] to hear an item that may change
[1:09:04] it one more time from
[1:09:05] Councilman Smiley.
[1:09:06] So we are building on to the
[1:09:07] larger budget vote that's going
[1:09:08] to take place right after this
[1:09:09] at item 16.
[1:09:10] So that's the four votes that
[1:09:11] we're going to take that are
[1:09:12] all one budget vote.
[1:09:13] So when we get past 17, that's
[1:09:14] basically the budget.
[1:09:16] And for all those wearing
[1:09:18] safety gear, This is you.
[1:09:20] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[1:09:23] Thank you, Vice Chair.
[1:09:29] All right, item
[1:09:30] in the queue.
[1:09:33] All right.
[1:09:34] Councilman Smiley, you're
[1:09:35] recognized.
[1:09:36] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[1:09:37] Thank you, colleagues,
[1:09:38] for indulging me.
[1:09:39] During the impasse committee,
[1:09:40] the council approved the total
[1:09:44] economic...
[1:09:45] Package brought by Ask Me
[1:09:46] Lever Union.
[1:09:48] At the last council meeting,
[1:09:50] the committee did the same
[1:09:51] thing.
[1:09:52] Today during the committee
[1:09:53] meeting, there were questions
[1:09:54] about, you know,
[1:09:56] where the 5% increase would
[1:09:58] come from,
[1:09:59] and council members wanted me
[1:10:01] to identify some funding
[1:10:02] sources.
[1:10:03] I spoke to the administration
[1:10:04] finance committee and the
[1:10:06] finance office about, you know,
[1:10:08] what money was needed
[1:10:10] to address the shortfall.
[1:10:11] The finance division provided
[1:10:17] us a cost breakdown
[1:10:19] of the various divisions.
[1:10:21] We would need to find $1.5
[1:10:24] million in five solid waste.
[1:10:28] A management fund,
[1:10:32] a sewer treatment fund,
[1:10:33] we need enough thousand.
[1:10:35] What you have before you is a
[1:10:39] resolution addressing that.
[1:10:41] This resolution would
[1:10:42] essentially amend.
[1:10:43] the previous resolution we just
[1:10:46] voted.
[1:10:47] I'm just gonna read it and the
[1:10:49] folks
[1:10:52] out there don't have it.
[1:10:54] Whereas the Mayor submitted
[1:10:55] to the Council of the City of
[1:10:56] Memphis on April 21st, 2026, a
[1:10:57] proposed operating budget and
[1:10:59] capital improvement program
[1:11:00] budget
[1:11:01] for the fiscal year ending in
[1:11:02] June 30, 2027.
[1:11:03] Whereas the Budget Committee
[1:11:05] of the Council has held
[1:11:06] meetings, thoroughly reviewed
[1:11:07] the recommended operating
[1:11:08] capital improvement budgets and
[1:11:09] will make approved revisions
[1:11:11] thereto.
[1:11:12] Whereas the council has
[1:11:13] identified a need for funds
[1:11:14] to be allocated
[1:11:16] for a raise totaling 5% and a
[1:11:17] $2,000 bonus for AFSCME
[1:11:18] employees who are funding the
[1:11:19] general fund, solid waste
[1:11:21] funds, sewer fund,
[1:11:22] and a stormwater fund.
[1:11:24] And whereas the Memphis City
[1:11:25] Council hereby makes the
[1:11:26] following amendments to the
[1:11:28] previous resolution we just
[1:11:30] voted on.
[1:11:31] So out of the solid waste fund,
[1:11:33] there'll be a reduction to the
[1:11:35] personnel full-time salaries
[1:11:38] line 0511.
[1:11:41] Fund equaling $1,574,044
[1:11:46] by eliminating vacant positions
[1:11:48] to cover the reduction.
[1:11:50] As it relates
[1:11:51] to the general fund,
[1:11:53] a professional service line
[1:11:54] item 052528 of $87,650 per
[1:12:01] division across the following
[1:12:03] divisions totaling
[1:12:04] $1,490,000.
[1:12:06] City Attorney, City Council,
[1:12:08] City Court Court.
[1:12:09] City Court judges, community
[1:12:11] enhancement, engineering, fire
[1:12:12] services, general service,
[1:12:14] housing, community development,
[1:12:15] human resources, IT, library
[1:12:17] service, Memphis Parks, police
[1:12:19] service, and public works.
[1:12:21] There will be a reduction
[1:12:22] of services
[1:12:24] in the sewer fund, totaling
[1:12:26] $135,500.
[1:12:27] There will be a reduction of
[1:12:29] miscellaneous professional
[1:12:30] services, 052528,
[1:12:34] in the stormwater, equaling
[1:12:35] $177,976.
[1:12:37] whereas the total funding
[1:12:38] reduction listed
[1:12:40] above shall be used
[1:12:41] to fund a 5% raise and the
[1:12:43] $2,000 bonus
[1:12:45] for asking employees
[1:12:46] across the general fund, solid
[1:12:48] waste, sewer fund,
[1:12:49] and stormwater fund.
[1:12:50] With these calculations
[1:12:51] for the needed allocations
[1:12:52] for each fund,
[1:12:53] employees are attached in a
[1:12:54] provider's spreadsheet.
[1:12:55] I'm going to skip where I read
[1:12:58] the last one to.
[1:12:59] Now, therefore,
[1:13:00] be it resolved that Memphis
[1:13:01] City Council hereby amends
[1:13:02] operating fiscal year 2020
[1:13:03] by reducing one point
[1:13:04] $1,574,000
[1:13:07] in solid waste fund,
[1:13:08] personnel full-time service
[1:13:09] line item, and the previous
[1:13:11] ones that I've noted.
[1:13:15] Be therefore resolved that the
[1:13:16] administration may make
[1:13:18] reductions in material and
[1:13:19] supply lines if it's deemed
[1:13:20] necessary by the division
[1:13:22] to meet the request
[1:13:24] for reductions.
[1:13:25] Essentially what happened
[1:13:27] in this resolution, we amended
[1:13:29] the previous resolution that
[1:13:31] the council just voted on
[1:13:33] to include a 5% raise
[1:13:36] for AFSCME.
[1:13:39] labor union by pulling 1.5
[1:13:40] from solid waste fund.
[1:13:41] We pulled 1.5
[1:13:42] from the general fund by
[1:13:43] reducing each division's
[1:13:49] miscellaneous professional
[1:13:50] service line and we pulled
[1:13:53] 135,000 by reducing the
[1:13:55] miscellaneous professional
[1:13:56] service line in the sewer fund
[1:13:59] and we did the same thing for
[1:14:00] 177,976 dollars.
[1:14:01] forward by reducing the
[1:14:03] miscellaneous professional
[1:14:04] service line in stormwater.
[1:14:06] That's how we came up
[1:14:07] with the amount needed
[1:14:08] to address what I believe
[1:14:09] to be the shortfall in AFSCME's
[1:14:12] salary.
[1:14:13] I think we heard multiple times
[1:14:15] during people who work
[1:14:16] in AFSCME, we spent a lot
[1:14:19] of time talking
[1:14:20] about people not being able
[1:14:21] to live with inflation.
[1:14:23] There's people who work in
[1:14:25] Aspen and make $600 a week.
[1:14:31] It's very, very difficult
[1:14:35] to live.
[1:14:36] And, you know, I wouldn't want,
[1:14:37] you know, someone to have
[1:14:39] to live on $600.
[1:14:40] I know many people who are
[1:14:42] in here do not have to live
[1:14:44] with $600 a week.
[1:14:45] I think this is something that
[1:14:46] we can address.
[1:14:48] I think the biggest concern
[1:14:49] for this body is...
[1:14:50] The 1.5 we're taking
[1:14:51] from the general fund,
[1:14:53] which is ultimately a reduction
[1:14:55] of $87,000 from the
[1:14:56] miscellaneous professional
[1:14:58] service line.
[1:14:59] The reason I believe that is
[1:15:01] prudent, the miscellaneous
[1:15:02] professional service line is
[1:15:03] the money that we use to pay
[1:15:05] outside contractors or outside
[1:15:07] services that the city
[1:15:08] considers necessary or we need
[1:15:10] in this particular time.
[1:15:12] I can find nothing more
[1:15:14] important to do with those
[1:15:16] monies than paying the people
[1:15:17] who are already...
[1:15:18] out there in the high sun, the
[1:15:19] rain, the snow.
[1:15:21] I think all of those things,
[1:15:23] I think all of those things are
[1:15:31] important because
[1:15:32] to be very direct, if it rains
[1:15:34] outside,
[1:15:35] I still want the trash to be
[1:15:37] picked up.
[1:15:38] I don't see why we should be
[1:15:39] finding a reason to say no.
[1:15:41] I think everybody here should
[1:15:43] find a reason to say yes.
[1:15:44] We spend so much time talking
[1:15:48] about the blight in the city,
[1:15:51] the trash in the city.
[1:15:53] I think if we show the folks
[1:15:56] who are working in these
[1:15:57] various divisions that we
[1:15:58] support them, I have a sneaky
[1:16:00] suspicion that the concerns we
[1:16:02] have will be addressed as
[1:16:03] promptly as appropriate as
[1:16:05] possible.
[1:16:06] So I'm going to close
[1:16:10] with this.
[1:16:11] You know, I'm just asking the
[1:16:13] council.
[1:16:14] to find a reason to say yes
[1:16:15] today and we're in the era
[1:16:17] of yes so find a reason
[1:16:18] to say yes today with that i'm
[1:16:20] out thank you councilman canali
[1:16:30] you are recognized oh i do have
[1:16:38] cards christopher jones we have
[1:16:42] three cards Christopher
[1:16:45] Jones, Austin Kimball, and then
[1:16:46] Bob Green, if you all are here.
[1:17:07] Christopher Jones, my address
[1:17:09] is 3290 South Mendenhall
[1:17:10] Road.
[1:17:11] Council members, thank you
[1:17:12] for allowing me to speak.
[1:17:14] Today I'm here again on behalf
[1:17:15] of AFSCME Local 1733 members,
[1:17:18] the men and women who keep this
[1:17:20] city moving every single day.
[1:17:22] We are the first responders.
[1:17:24] We are the workers
[1:17:25] in the field, in the offices,
[1:17:27] on the streets,
[1:17:28] in the neighborhoods, and
[1:17:30] behind the scenes.
[1:17:31] We are the ones residents see
[1:17:33] when services are needed,
[1:17:35] when complaints are made,
[1:17:36] when emergencies happen,
[1:17:38] and when the city of Memphis
[1:17:39] has to deliver.
[1:17:40] We have worked
[1:17:42] through staffing shortages.
[1:17:43] Heavier workloads, rising
[1:17:44] costs, public pressure, and
[1:17:46] conditions that most people
[1:17:48] never see.
[1:17:49] Yet, we continue to show up.
[1:17:51] We continue to serve.
[1:17:53] We continue
[1:17:54] to carry the responsibility
[1:17:55] of keeping Memphis operating.
[1:17:58] That's why the 5% pay increase
[1:17:59] and the $2,000 bonuses are not
[1:18:02] a gift.
[1:18:03] They are not a handout.
[1:18:04] They are recognition of the
[1:18:06] work that has already been
[1:18:07] done.
[1:18:08] City Councilwoman Cooper
[1:18:10] Sutton once told me and my
[1:18:12] colleagues, you never go for
[1:18:14] what you think you're good
[1:18:15] enough to get, but
[1:18:17] for what you actually deserve.
[1:18:18] And that's exactly why we're
[1:18:20] here today.
[1:18:21] As for me, local 1733 members
[1:18:22] deserve fair pay.
[1:18:24] We deserve to be respected
[1:18:27] for the value we bring
[1:18:29] to this city.
[1:18:30] We deserve compensation that
[1:18:32] reflects the professionalism
[1:18:33] and dedication we give every
[1:18:35] day.
[1:18:36] Memphis cannot say it values
[1:18:38] the city employees Thank you.
[1:18:39] or city services without
[1:18:41] valuing the city employees who
[1:18:42] provide those services.
[1:18:44] So I'm asking this council
[1:18:45] to stand
[1:18:46] with the workers who have stood
[1:18:48] with Memphis, support the 5%
[1:18:50] increase, support the bonus,
[1:18:51] not because we are asking
[1:18:54] for extra,
[1:18:55] but because we have earned it.
[1:18:57] Thank you.
[1:19:22] A man much smarter than myself
[1:19:23] once said that the masses are
[1:19:24] the makers of history.
[1:19:26] In order to be
[1:19:27] on the right side of history,
[1:19:28] one must be on the side
[1:19:29] of the masses, particularly
[1:19:30] on the side
[1:19:31] of the working masses.
[1:19:32] Paul Young has been awarded a
[1:19:33] rate of $40,000, about
[1:19:36] $210,000.
[1:19:39] The median salary in Memphis is
[1:19:40] $48,000.
[1:19:42] That's yearly.
[1:19:44] The wanton murder of Tyree
[1:19:46] Nichols, among many others,
[1:19:47] happened
[1:19:48] under the watchful eye of our
[1:19:49] Israeli-trained chief
[1:19:50] of police, C.J.
[1:19:51] Davis, and she is still
[1:19:52] on payroll with a salary of
[1:19:53] $250,000.
[1:19:55] The National Guard and ICE seem
[1:19:57] to have ample funding while
[1:19:59] they occupy our city, and the
[1:20:00] federal government is
[1:20:01] constantly scrounging up change
[1:20:03] to pay for the next bomb
[1:20:04] to drop on children.
[1:20:05] My comrades and I, however,
[1:20:06] repair roads.
[1:20:08] We pick up your trash.
[1:20:09] We maintain public
[1:20:10] infrastructure,
[1:20:11] yet we are left
[1:20:12] with scraps.
[1:20:13] I can think of two
[1:20:14] life-threatening injuries that
[1:20:16] have happened this year to
[1:20:18] Aspen employees.
[1:20:20] Now, I have no choice but to
[1:20:21] assume that this government
[1:20:23] does not care
[1:20:24] about the masses, the general
[1:20:25] public, the workers of
[1:20:27] Memphis.
[1:20:28] We went through this song and
[1:20:30] dance last year
[1:20:31] with absolutely nothing
[1:20:33] to show for it, which further
[1:20:35] fuels my assumption.
[1:20:37] Now, I ask,
[1:20:38] does the city council want
[1:20:39] to side with the masses?
[1:20:40] The makers of history,
[1:20:41] or will you capitulate
[1:20:42] to your reactionary handlers?
[1:20:44] Thank you.
[1:20:53] The machine of local government
[1:20:57] is running, and y'all are the
[1:21:00] ones who make sure everybody
[1:21:01] knows the machine moves where
[1:21:03] it needs to move,
[1:21:05] the machine is getting fueled.
[1:21:06] If you listen closely,
[1:21:10] you will hear belts are worn,
[1:21:12] wheels are squeaking,
[1:21:17] lights are flashing.
[1:21:19] We're not asking for you to do
[1:21:21] a full repair and rebuild.
[1:21:23] We're asking
[1:21:24] for maintenance.
[1:21:27] We make sure that the evidence
[1:21:29] for the court cases get filed
[1:21:31] properly.
[1:21:32] We make sure that the garbage
[1:21:34] gets picked up when it's
[1:21:35] supposed to.
[1:21:36] We make sure that the parks...
[1:21:37] are clean as they're supposed
[1:21:39] to be.
[1:21:40] All we're asking is for that
[1:21:43] little bit of maintenance to
[1:21:44] make sure the machine can keep
[1:21:45] running.
[1:21:47] Thank you.
[1:21:56] Thank you, Madam Chair,
[1:22:08] Councilman Canale.
[1:22:09] disproportionate does not do
[1:22:15] what that
[1:22:27] with and they are going
[1:22:46] to and there is an opportunity
[1:22:47] to do similar and true
[1:22:51] represent and a $2,000 million
[1:23:07] employees achieves what we
[1:23:13] really We find that you be
[1:24:06] first, you're recognized.
[1:24:18] Good afternoon again, Walter
[1:24:19] Person, CFO, 125 North Main.
[1:24:23] I'm going to speak
[1:24:25] to the numbers, and I'd have to
[1:24:28] say that my position is very
[1:24:32] similar to Councilman Canale.
[1:24:36] I won't begin to question...
[1:24:40] The challenges that many
[1:24:42] of our employees face in terms
[1:24:44] of getting compensation,
[1:24:46] I think we have to look
[1:24:49] at the realities of the budget
[1:24:52] that we're facing this year.
[1:24:53] We have no fund balance
[1:24:56] contribution that's planned
[1:24:58] for this budget.
[1:25:00] We brought before you,
[1:25:01] the mayor brought before you
[1:25:03] in April, a truly balanced
[1:25:06] budget with zero contribution
[1:25:08] of fund balance.
[1:25:09] What that means is any
[1:25:12] increments
[1:25:13] beyond what we've been working
[1:25:15] through as a body under
[1:25:16] Councilman Ford Senior's
[1:25:19] leadership is a balanced
[1:25:22] budget.
[1:25:24] This increment, even though
[1:25:26] to Councilman Smiley's point,
[1:25:31] is a 1.5 increase to general
[1:25:34] fund that would be purely
[1:25:36] funded from fund balance.
[1:25:38] That is already
[1:25:39] in existence.
[1:25:40] It would not be funded
[1:25:41] from any kind of contribution
[1:25:42] of fund balance.
[1:25:44] So that would mean we would
[1:25:45] have to dig deeper into the
[1:25:47] hole that we already have
[1:25:49] to fund those expenses.
[1:25:52] Additionally, to Councilman
[1:25:56] Canale's point,
[1:25:58] we did offer 2%
[1:26:01] to all employees.
[1:26:02] All employees were offered 2%.
[1:26:03] during the process.
[1:26:06] The mayor has come forward
[1:26:07] along with Councilman Ford
[1:26:10] Sr.
[1:26:11] a $2,000 bonus.
[1:26:12] Now, if we raise that up,
[1:26:14] we're also talking
[1:26:15] about an impact to our ADC,
[1:26:17] or our Actuarially Determined
[1:26:20] Contribution, that would also
[1:26:23] drive additional expenses
[1:26:25] in subsequent years.
[1:26:27] The benefit of a bonus is that
[1:26:30] it's a one-time expense.
[1:26:31] This bonus would be funded
[1:26:33] in part...
[1:26:34] from one-time revenues that I
[1:26:36] think were disclosed
[1:26:38] during our discussion
[1:26:39] about the debt cliff.
[1:26:42] If we increase salaries,
[1:26:43] those are going to be recurring
[1:26:45] expenses that will continue
[1:26:46] year after year and cause
[1:26:47] additional expenses
[1:26:50] down the road
[1:26:52] from an ADC perspective, as
[1:26:54] well as supporting these
[1:26:56] recurring expenses.
[1:26:59] So all in all,
[1:27:00] it would be a big challenge
[1:27:01] for us because Currently, it
[1:27:04] would be very difficult
[1:27:05] to give one particular group
[1:27:07] within Ask Me a Raise
[1:27:09] without really looking
[1:27:11] at the MOU in total
[1:27:13] in addressing that issue, which
[1:27:14] I think is the reason that
[1:27:15] Councilman Canale wanted
[1:27:17] to look at it post-budget.
[1:27:20] And I think that's really the
[1:27:21] position I have to take
[1:27:22] on this.
[1:27:24] Thank you, Chief.
[1:27:26] Councilman Warren, you'll
[1:27:27] recommend?
[1:27:29] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[1:27:30] We had a pretty vigorous
[1:27:31] discussion.
[1:27:32] Concerning an increase
[1:27:33] in inflation, where the
[1:27:52] Tennessee in the mid increasing
[1:27:57] inflation if you look
[1:27:59] at what the Kept it.
[1:28:01] The tax rate being $5.
[1:28:18] Be $12.
[1:28:20] So we spent continuing.
[1:28:38] And this is just one issue.
[1:28:47] To get this information is this
[1:28:57] year.
[1:28:58] It's too late to consider doing
[1:28:59] that.
[1:29:18] I'm going to type it as we play
[1:29:27] more.
[1:29:53] And we have not, you know, May
[1:30:29] not be able
[1:30:54] to handle counseling the kids,
[1:31:11] so.
[1:31:36] Mr.
[1:31:37] Thomas, yes.
[1:33:21] Thank you.
[1:33:27] The tax every species
[1:33:31] within the city limits
[1:33:33] of general purpose.
[1:33:37] June 27, inclusive together
[1:33:42] with all collections and fees,
[1:33:45] fines per city of Minnesota.
[1:34:26] Chair Carlisle.
[1:34:32] Based on tonight's previous
[1:34:33] actions, could we have this.
[1:34:57] Madam Comptroller.
[1:35:20] Nally, yes.
[1:35:53] Mr.
[1:35:54] Thomas, that I am a man.
[1:35:55] Fabulous.
[1:35:56] Item number seven, 2026 tax
[1:36:05] bills
[1:36:06] for state-assessed properties.
[1:36:08] All council districts, this
[1:36:09] resolution, Vice Chair
[1:36:16] Carlisle.
[1:36:29] This hit the resolution.
[1:36:40] Which bring?
[1:36:41] Do we have to do this
[1:36:45] resolution?
[1:37:07] Canale, yes, yes.
[1:37:28] Chairwoman, item number...
[1:37:46] Proceeds as interim safety
[1:37:51] repairs and future renovate
[1:37:57] seven super eight is sponsored
[1:38:00] the committee met in It is a
[1:38:17] property controller.
[1:38:24] We have some cards.
[1:38:35] We have two cards, counsel.
[1:38:47] Good afternoon members of the
[1:38:49] City Council.
[1:38:50] My name is Brendan Ward.
[1:38:52] I am a seasonal game day
[1:38:53] employee at AutoZone Park and I
[1:38:56] have been there for seven
[1:38:57] years.
[1:38:58] I don't do this job for the
[1:39:01] money because I have a
[1:39:02] full-time job that takes care
[1:39:04] of my needs.
[1:39:06] I do it because I love the
[1:39:07] environment and the memories we
[1:39:09] get to create for families.
[1:39:11] That's what we do at AutoZone
[1:39:13] Park.
[1:39:15] It was my very first job.
[1:39:17] after graduating
[1:39:18] from college and I am grateful
[1:39:20] to still be part of an
[1:39:22] organization that means so much
[1:39:23] to me and to our community.
[1:39:26] I remember going to Liberty
[1:39:28] Land and have heard about
[1:39:30] Adventure River.
[1:39:31] Don't let the Redbirds become
[1:39:33] another memory of the past.
[1:39:36] Over the years,
[1:39:37] I have seen thousands
[1:39:39] of children walk
[1:39:40] through those gates, excited
[1:39:41] to spend time with their One
[1:39:43] of my favorite parts
[1:39:45] of the job It's Sunday
[1:39:47] afternoons when I get
[1:39:48] to interact with kids after
[1:39:50] they finish running the bases
[1:39:51] following a game.
[1:39:53] Seeing the smiles
[1:39:55] on their faces reminds me that
[1:39:56] AutoZone Park is
[1:39:58] about much more than baseball.
[1:40:00] It's about family, community,
[1:40:02] and memories that children
[1:40:04] would carry with them
[1:40:05] for years.
[1:40:06] I also wanted to address the
[1:40:07] comment suggesting that people
[1:40:09] may prefer playing pickleball
[1:40:10] over attending baseball games.
[1:40:12] There is room for many.
[1:40:14] Recreational activities
[1:40:16] in this city, but I don't
[1:40:18] believe a comparison should be.
[1:40:19] Made to determine the future
[1:40:21] of AutoZone Park, a pickleball
[1:40:24] court and ballpark serve very
[1:40:26] different purposes.
[1:40:28] At the ballpark,
[1:40:29] families gather together,
[1:40:30] local businesses benefit
[1:40:32] from visitors coming downtown,
[1:40:33] and employees
[1:40:35] like me have the opportunity to
[1:40:36] work.
[1:40:37] I simply ask that you consider
[1:40:39] not only the financial
[1:40:40] investment, but also the value
[1:40:42] the ballpark brings to our
[1:40:44] community and the memories it
[1:40:46] creates.
[1:40:47] Just like we're trying
[1:40:48] to keep the Grizzlies in
[1:40:49] Memphis, We need to keep the
[1:40:51] red bears here as well.
[1:40:53] Thank you for your time and
[1:40:54] consideration.
[1:40:58] I'm chair.
[1:41:13] My name is Mike Todd.
[1:41:18] He considered the godfather
[1:41:19] of the Edge District for 30
[1:41:21] years.
[1:41:29] We're kind of the forgotten
[1:41:30] edge of the edge
[1:41:33] on the west edge there
[1:41:34] near the ballpark.
[1:41:36] The ballpark has been an
[1:41:38] amazing facility that has been
[1:41:40] tops in the country when it was
[1:41:44] built.
[1:41:45] We need to preserve our
[1:41:46] investment.
[1:41:47] in the ballpark with the
[1:41:49] immediate emergency repairs.
[1:41:50] And then we also need
[1:41:52] to invest
[1:41:53] in the neighborhood.
[1:41:54] We've got a 28-acre,
[1:41:56] essentially, wasteland that's
[1:41:58] been sitting there since
[1:42:00] 2019.
[1:42:01] We've invested millions
[1:42:04] of dollars incrementally.
[1:42:07] We've got Los Camales
[1:42:09] in that area, Arnold RQ.
[1:42:13] After axe throwing,
[1:42:17] we created a little bit
[1:42:18] of an entertainment district,
[1:42:19] but we need some help
[1:42:21] down there.
[1:42:22] We got crumbling
[1:42:23] infrastructure.
[1:42:24] We've got several bad owners
[1:42:25] down there that have not paid
[1:42:26] taxes within 10 years.
[1:42:29] They never seem to be able
[1:42:31] to put it up for sale.
[1:42:32] They just continue
[1:42:33] to crumble.
[1:42:34] It's dangerous.
[1:42:35] And we need some investment
[1:42:37] in that area in general.
[1:42:38] And I would like
[1:42:40] to also advocate
[1:42:41] for the larger investment.
[1:42:43] It's being proposed,
[1:42:44] but we certainly need to make
[1:42:46] the emergency repairs now
[1:42:47] for the safety
[1:42:49] of the folks that go to this
[1:42:50] wonderful venue and enjoy this
[1:42:53] place.
[1:42:54] And that's all I've got
[1:42:55] to say.
[1:42:56] Thank you.
[1:42:57] Thank you so much
[1:42:58] for coming down.
[1:43:16] Allie, yes.
[1:43:17] Easter Thomas, yes.
[1:43:20] Ford, yes.
[1:43:21] Rogan.
[1:43:22] Spinoza, yes.
[1:43:32] All right, beginning with...
[1:43:51] Agenda is reappointment
[1:43:56] to the health educational
[1:43:57] Moniece Hagler and
[1:44:08] Councilwoman White.
[1:44:10] The committee met and recommend
[1:44:11] Councilman.
[1:44:13] L.G.
[1:44:19] Cossett.
[1:44:33] Good afternoon.
[1:44:34] Good afternoon.
[1:44:35] L.G.
[1:44:36] Cossett.
[1:44:37] I'd like for the statement
[1:44:38] to be read to the council
[1:44:40] for acknowledgement,
[1:44:42] understanding.
[1:44:47] Cossett Library had project.
[1:44:48] Thank you for your letter
[1:44:51] expressing your interest.
[1:44:53] Being a consulting party
[1:44:54] for this project,
[1:44:55] I have added your letter.
[1:44:56] It is the federal agency's
[1:44:59] responsibility to consult
[1:45:00] with you on this project and
[1:45:01] future projects.
[1:45:02] I have copied Glenn Gluck's,
[1:45:04] the contact for the city of
[1:45:07] Memphis, for this project,
[1:45:08] since HUD has designated the
[1:45:10] city with completing the
[1:45:12] Section 106 responsibilities.
[1:45:14] He should add this letter to
[1:45:15] the city's files and ensure
[1:45:18] that you are consulted
[1:45:19] in future.
[1:45:20] If this project continues,
[1:45:22] I would also recommend that
[1:45:25] Glenn Ludno
[1:45:27] of interest.
[1:45:34] I'm the great, great, great,
[1:45:36] great grandson of Frederick
[1:45:37] Cossett, a Frenchman that built
[1:45:41] the first Cossett Library.
[1:45:42] I'm following in the steps,
[1:45:46] and I'm building the first
[1:45:48] American Aborigine Museum.
[1:45:50] in Orange Mountain.
[1:45:54] That's the statement I wanted
[1:45:55] to have that acknowledged
[1:45:56] by the council as well
[1:45:58] by the city.
[1:46:01] I'm LG Cossett.
[1:46:02] Thank you.
[1:46:04] Thank you so much.
[1:46:07] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[1:46:08] please.
[1:46:31] Your show item.
[1:46:32] Would you like
[1:46:33] to do a voice vote?
[1:47:13] Canali?
[1:47:14] Yes.
[1:47:15] Carlisle?
[1:47:19] For 12.
[1:47:20] Of reappointments,
[1:47:21] Moniz-Hagler and
[1:47:25] Cooper-Sutton.
[1:47:28] Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton.
[1:47:29] These are
[1:47:30] for the appointees.
[1:47:32] Attorney Hag.
[1:47:33] Thank you.
[1:47:41] Easter Thomas
[1:47:42] for the appointment.
[1:47:43] Ford Green
[1:47:45] for the appointment.
[1:47:46] Thank you.
[1:47:47] Logan, thank you.
[1:47:50] Smiley, Spinoza, thank you.
[1:47:54] Walker, Warren, Chairwoman
[1:48:02] Swearengin-Washington.
[1:48:03] Yes.
[1:48:04] Give me one moment.
[1:48:40] Thank you.
[1:48:41] One moment.
[1:48:47] To the Convention Center
[1:48:49] Commission Board, we have
[1:48:50] Camion.
[1:48:57] Thank you, Madam
[1:48:59] Councilwoman.
[1:49:09] by Councilman Spinoza.
[1:49:12] We're casting our vote
[1:49:13] for I-10 and for the- Thank
[1:49:15] you.
[1:49:18] Carlisle, Easter, Thomas,
[1:49:24] Green, Logan, Smiley, Walker,
[1:49:38] Warren.
[1:49:40] White.
[1:49:41] Yes.
[1:49:42] Chairwoman Swervington-Wan.
[1:49:44] Yes.
[1:49:45] Thank you.
[1:49:59] This facility creation
[1:50:12] of is sponsored
[1:50:13] by the edition city revenue
[1:50:20] Councilwoman Green.
[1:50:23] The committee met.
[1:50:24] It has been moved.
[1:50:40] Thank you very much.
[1:50:46] Cooper Sutton.
[1:50:50] Easter Thomas.
[1:50:52] Thank you.
[1:50:53] Ford.
[1:50:56] Thank you.
[1:50:57] Green.
[1:50:59] Logan.
[1:51:01] Smiley.
[1:51:03] Spinoza.
[1:51:05] Thank you.
[1:51:06] Walker.
[1:51:07] Yes.
[1:51:08] Warren.
[1:51:09] White.
[1:51:12] Chairwoman
[1:51:13] Swearengin-Washington.
[1:51:14] Yes.
[1:51:15] Madam Cummings.
[1:51:21] After 9.10-1C of the Memphis
[1:51:30] and Shelby County name change.
[1:51:36] Subject property located
[1:51:37] between E.H.
[1:51:38] Crump, Roundup, 3rd and
[1:51:42] Planning and Development.
[1:51:48] The case number is SNC 26-02.
[1:51:56] Councilman Spinoza.
[1:51:58] Thank you, Madam.
[1:52:05] It has been moved by
[1:52:07] Councilman Warren. Thank you,
[1:52:11] Madam Comptroller.
[1:52:16] Carlisle, Cooper, Sutton,
[1:52:23] Easter, Thomas.
[1:52:25] Ford, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza,
[1:52:35] thank you, Walker, Warren,
[1:52:40] Cooper-Sudden is voting.
[1:52:51] Madam Comptroller, excuse me.
[1:53:09] There's a resolution
[1:53:22] to support reduction program.
[1:53:26] All council districts,
[1:53:28] this resolution is a resolution
[1:53:29] to support reduction program.
[1:53:37] Thank you, Chair.
[1:53:38] Commitment
[1:53:39] in his board canally.
[1:53:54] This item number Sutton.
[1:54:02] Easter Thomas, Green, Logan,
[1:54:12] Smiley, Bonosa, Walker,
[1:54:18] Warren, White, Chairwoman
[1:54:23] Swearingen.
[1:54:46] $50,000.
[1:54:49] Tennessee Department of the
[1:54:50] State Water Infrastructure
[1:54:53] program
[1:54:55] to be fully utilized.
[1:54:59] T02013,
[1:55:01] stormwater districts.
[1:55:03] This resolution is sponsored
[1:55:05] by Councilman Ford Canale.
[1:55:09] Thank you, Madam.
[1:55:11] Thank you.
[1:55:15] Thank you.
[1:55:25] Councilmember Kanata, Easter
[1:55:31] Thomas, Green, Logan, thank
[1:55:42] you.
[1:55:43] Smiley, Spinoza, Walker.
[1:55:53] Chairwoman Swearingen?
[1:55:55] Yes.
[1:55:56] That item passes.
[1:55:58] If you will start.
[1:56:06] Item number is a resolution
[1:56:10] to accept recommendations
[1:56:11] from the public's Councilman
[1:56:29] Ford-Canale.
[1:56:30] Thank you, Madam.
[1:56:32] It's been moved by Councilman
[1:56:37] Ford Sr.
[1:56:41] Thank you.
[1:56:45] Councilmember Cooper-Sutton.
[1:56:58] Easter Thomas?
[1:57:20] Yeah, let's do that now.
[1:57:21] Please forgive me.
[1:57:25] Richard Massey, and then
[1:57:36] Kelly.
[1:57:44] Good evening, Council.
[1:57:45] Richard Massey, 38111.
[1:57:47] While their facilities pollute
[1:57:48] South Memphis with methane gas
[1:57:50] turbines that are
[1:57:51] in constant operation, XAI,
[1:57:53] which is now Space XAI,
[1:57:54] has enabled the creation of the
[1:57:55] world's first trillionaire.
[1:57:58] XAI came here two years ago
[1:57:59] backed by empty promises
[1:58:01] of job creation, pollution
[1:58:02] controls,
[1:58:03] and sustainable water use.
[1:58:04] Thus far they failed
[1:58:05] to live up to their promise
[1:58:06] of 500 new jobs here in
[1:58:08] Memphis.
[1:58:09] They've expanded the lightning
[1:58:10] speed shrouded by NDAs without
[1:58:11] engaging the community.
[1:58:12] They've become the largest
[1:58:14] industrial source of smog here
[1:58:15] in Memphis
[1:58:16] within two years and they draw
[1:58:17] 800,000 gallons from the
[1:58:18] Memphis Sands Aquifer every
[1:58:20] single day despite Memphis
[1:58:21] being the largest city in the
[1:58:23] United States that relies
[1:58:24] entirely on groundwater.
[1:58:25] So the community got the work
[1:58:27] on demanding a real community
[1:58:29] benefits ordinance that directs
[1:58:30] property tax revenue generated
[1:58:31] from AI properties
[1:58:33] to communities who are
[1:58:34] in direct proximity
[1:58:36] to AI infrastructure.
[1:58:37] 25% of XAI property tax revenue
[1:58:39] will be allocated annually
[1:58:41] towards this effort,
[1:58:43] which would be $3.3 million
[1:58:44] this year.
[1:58:45] So while we're proud
[1:58:47] of the work that we've done
[1:58:48] in fighting for this, we also
[1:58:49] recognize just how obscene it
[1:58:50] is for the CEO
[1:58:52] of a said company to be
[1:58:53] humanity's first ever
[1:58:54] trillionaire while we're
[1:58:55] fending for $3 million.
[1:58:57] Spread out across over nearly a
[1:58:58] dozen investment areas.
[1:59:00] And using this time,
[1:59:01] we're demanding the following.
[1:59:02] Accept the recommendations
[1:59:03] from the public advisory board,
[1:59:04] such as allocating public funds
[1:59:06] towards community health
[1:59:07] clinics and increased air
[1:59:08] quality monitoring.
[1:59:09] Demand at SpaceX AI adheres
[1:59:10] to a binding written commitment
[1:59:12] to building out their water
[1:59:13] reuse facility that they've
[1:59:15] already delayed once.
[1:59:16] Issue real repercussions if
[1:59:18] they don't build
[1:59:19] out their facility.
[1:59:20] And reintroduce a data center
[1:59:21] moratorium so that we have
[1:59:22] ample time to both study and
[1:59:23] regulate.
[1:59:25] this massive tech expansion
[1:59:26] that is harming our neighbors
[1:59:27] here in Memphis.
[1:59:28] Thank you.
[1:59:29] Thank you.
[1:59:31] We will have Raquel and then
[1:59:33] Dr.
[1:59:34] Kimberly Owen-Pearson.
[1:59:41] Good evening, my name is
[1:59:42] Michelle for Memphis Community
[1:59:43] Against Pollution and if we
[1:59:45] truly to improve the lives
[1:59:47] of the people most affected,
[1:59:51] then the funds set aside for
[1:59:52] this community must follow the
[1:59:53] priorities residents themselves
[1:59:54] have consistently raised, which
[1:59:56] are health care and housing
[1:59:58] accommodations.
[1:59:59] Both the City of Memphis survey
[2:00:00] and our community-led survey
[2:00:02] show the same reality.
[2:00:04] Our residents are living with
[2:00:05] elevated respiratory illnesses
[2:00:06] and limited economic mobility.
[2:00:09] To address this, I recommend
[2:00:11] creating a health care grant
[2:00:12] program to help families cover
[2:00:14] doctor visits, health
[2:00:15] maintenance, and essential
[2:00:17] medical equipment.
[2:00:18] These funds should be held
[2:00:20] by the Community Foundation
[2:00:21] of Memphis with Church
[2:00:23] Health, whose mission is to
[2:00:24] make quality health care
[2:00:25] accessible.
[2:00:27] Transportation is also a
[2:00:28] barrier to health.
[2:00:29] Nearly 30% of Southwest
[2:00:31] Memphis families lack reliable
[2:00:32] transportation.
[2:00:34] So I propose...
[2:00:35] Allocating $100,000
[2:00:37] to support access to care
[2:00:38] through MATA's Groove on
[2:00:39] Demand service.
[2:00:41] Housing is the final thing that
[2:00:43] should be addressed.
[2:00:44] I recommend a $1 million
[2:00:45] pre-housing weatherization
[2:00:47] assistance program
[2:00:48] to cover inspections, roof
[2:00:50] repair, window repair, and
[2:00:51] other work that prepare homes
[2:00:53] for full weatherization.
[2:00:56] This program will deliver the
[2:00:57] much-needed and long-requested
[2:00:59] home improvements that our
[2:01:00] community has been denied
[2:01:02] for so long.
[2:01:03] Memphis Light, Gas and Water
[2:01:04] and Garenswell, an organization
[2:01:06] focused
[2:01:07] on energy affordability,
[2:01:08] should steward this work.
[2:01:10] Finally, every resident of five
[2:01:11] must be directly and
[2:01:12] consistently notified
[2:01:14] about what is happening, who is
[2:01:16] eligible and what is available.
[2:01:19] Lack of transparency has been a
[2:01:20] long-standing issue and clear
[2:01:22] communication is essential
[2:01:23] to rebuilding trust.
[2:01:25] Thank you so much.
[2:01:26] Thank you.
[2:01:54] Dr.
[2:01:55] Pearson.
[2:01:56] Good evening.
[2:01:57] Good evening.
[2:01:58] I think it was deplorable
[2:01:59] for our voting
[2:02:00] without listening.
[2:02:02] Then, when people were talking,
[2:02:07] you were not paying attention.
[2:02:10] So it clearly shows that you
[2:02:14] already have your mind.
[2:02:17] I am here.
[2:02:19] to say that in Westwood, it's a
[2:02:23] historical neighborhood, and
[2:02:25] that we pay city and state
[2:02:27] county taxes.
[2:02:29] It should look like heaven
[2:02:31] on earth.
[2:02:35] As a high priority,
[2:02:37] I understand these
[2:02:39] recommendations,
[2:02:40] but blight should be out
[2:02:42] of our taxes.
[2:02:45] What else is paved roads?
[2:02:48] roads should be out
[2:02:49] of our tax money.
[2:02:50] That should not be coming out
[2:02:52] of us who breathe in and
[2:02:54] out methane gas 24-7.
[2:02:58] Us who breathe nitric oxide.
[2:03:03] It should not be a
[2:03:04] recommendation that gets
[2:03:05] approved.
[2:03:06] So I propose, one,
[2:03:10] the pre-weatherization
[2:03:12] for the historical homes.
[2:03:14] The windows need
[2:03:15] to be updated.
[2:03:16] They need.
[2:03:18] New back systems,
[2:03:19] they need things
[2:03:21] in the attic.
[2:03:22] We need to pass
[2:03:23] pre-weatherization so the
[2:03:25] housing can be up to code.
[2:03:26] Second, the health grants.
[2:03:30] We need quality health care
[2:03:33] accessibility.
[2:03:34] People in these communities
[2:03:36] need to be able to get care.
[2:03:37] These are high priorities.
[2:03:42] They need to be able
[2:03:43] to get transportation.
[2:03:44] Madeline was here earlier.
[2:03:46] sucks that people can't get
[2:03:47] to doctors, can't get
[2:03:50] to jobs.
[2:03:51] So with the recommendations,
[2:03:54] roads and blights should be
[2:03:57] taken off.
[2:04:16] We should have what's going
[2:04:18] on right now.
[2:04:20] That's what's scaring the
[2:04:22] people down now.
[2:04:24] So that would be a good thing
[2:04:26] for if they're down here
[2:04:27] with adequate health care
[2:04:28] down there.
[2:04:29] Clinics, anything.
[2:04:30] But we need something
[2:04:31] down there where...
[2:04:42] Thank you so much.
[2:04:44] Ms.
[2:04:45] Glenda Hicks and Pamela
[2:04:46] Mose.
[2:04:55] Good afternoon, Glenda.
[2:04:59] So, I'm here just
[2:05:01] to express genuine concern over
[2:05:04] the fact that the ordinance
[2:05:08] that has been written...
[2:05:09] has 11 mandates for $3 million
[2:05:15] for 100,000 citizens.
[2:05:19] That is simply asinine.
[2:05:23] Does not make sense.
[2:05:24] Is not genuine consideration
[2:05:26] for those citizens.
[2:05:29] That 11 mandates for $3 million
[2:05:35] means absolutely pennies.
[2:05:39] and zero impact.
[2:05:42] Come on guys, you all can do
[2:05:45] better than that.
[2:05:48] You can, you all can do better
[2:05:51] than that.
[2:05:53] That's an insult.
[2:05:55] You all could have narrowed it
[2:05:57] down to those issues that the
[2:06:00] citizens expressed to you all
[2:06:02] that were paramount.
[2:06:03] People have talked
[2:06:05] consistently,
[2:06:06] about health care.
[2:06:10] We know that these citizens
[2:06:13] have been sorely impacted
[2:06:15] from the pollution, so that
[2:06:18] should have been number one
[2:06:20] on the list.
[2:06:21] It's not a hard decision, and
[2:06:23] then we need their lives
[2:06:24] protected.
[2:06:27] So the fact that you all would
[2:06:29] draft any ordinance talking
[2:06:33] about 11 items
[2:06:35] to be addressed is an insult.
[2:06:38] You all need to do better.
[2:06:40] Please correct that.
[2:06:42] Please correct that.
[2:06:54] Walker, you're recognized.
[2:06:56] Sure, thank you, Madam Chair.
[2:06:58] I think I was supposed to speak
[2:07:02] next.
[2:07:16] committee and says resolution
[2:07:20] except the recommendations
[2:07:23] these items are not all be
[2:07:32] implemented the first thing and
[2:07:36] then all
[2:07:38] in this little city is all So
[2:07:40] anything in this list, city,
[2:07:42] our XAI, anything
[2:07:55] on if we wanted
[2:07:57] to use these funds.
[2:08:12] It would not have been
[2:08:17] necessary to go
[2:08:20] through this process.
[2:08:23] So I just wanted
[2:08:25] to offer that clarification.
[2:08:26] And once again, the operative
[2:08:28] word is recommendation.
[2:08:30] So we still have a job to do
[2:08:31] to go back and decide
[2:08:34] on the best way
[2:08:35] to allocate these funds based
[2:08:38] on the feedback that was given.
[2:08:42] And I will say at our next
[2:08:44] to the last meeting, All the
[2:08:47] public comments, I'll be glad
[2:08:51] to go back to the tape and any
[2:08:52] of you all can too,
[2:08:54] but it was a vast opportunity
[2:08:56] for the citizens
[2:09:00] to share their feedback as
[2:09:02] to what they wanted these funds
[2:09:04] to be used for.
[2:09:06] And instead,
[2:09:07] the comments were critical
[2:09:09] of XAI, Elon Musk, just
[2:09:15] to me a wasted opportunity to
[2:09:21] share what you wanted the funds
[2:09:24] to be used for and with that
[2:09:26] I'll yield the floor.
[2:09:28] Thank you Councilwoman.
[2:09:29] Councilwoman Green you're
[2:09:30] recognized.
[2:09:32] Thank you Chair and thank you
[2:09:33] for everybody who came
[2:09:34] down today.
[2:09:35] Councilwoman Green go ahead.
[2:09:40] We're gonna get to you.
[2:09:41] We're gonna get to you.
[2:09:48] Thank you.
[2:09:50] Every recommendation that you
[2:09:55] are suggesting I think are very
[2:09:56] important too.
[2:09:58] I really do like the
[2:09:59] weatherization and I have been
[2:10:00] a proponent for health care
[2:10:01] access as well because I do
[2:10:03] think that's the most
[2:10:04] important.
[2:10:05] But as Councilman Walker said,
[2:10:06] these were the things that that
[2:10:10] committee that was set up to
[2:10:11] give us community feedback was
[2:10:13] supposed to bring back
[2:10:14] to us.
[2:10:15] Well, I can't speak to whether
[2:10:18] they were educated properly or
[2:10:20] not, but what I can tell you is
[2:10:21] this is us receiving the
[2:10:25] feedback from the community,
[2:10:27] and then we take it back, and
[2:10:29] we actually allocate the funds.
[2:10:32] But this was not written
[2:10:34] by us.
[2:10:35] So I know it says that it's
[2:10:37] Sponsored by the City
[2:10:38] Council, it's because we wanted
[2:10:40] to get the feedback
[2:10:42] from the community from the
[2:10:43] public advisory board that was
[2:10:44] set up and the appointments
[2:10:45] were made by the mayor.
[2:10:47] So this is just us formally
[2:10:50] receiving those recommendations
[2:10:53] and saying, we hear you,
[2:10:56] and we see you,
[2:10:57] and we value your input.
[2:10:58] That's what it is.
[2:11:00] And then we welcome more
[2:11:01] feedback about which
[2:11:03] of these you see as priorities.
[2:11:04] But this is not, we're going
[2:11:06] to use this money
[2:11:07] for blight or this money
[2:11:09] for road projects.
[2:11:11] That's not what this says.
[2:11:12] So I just wanted
[2:11:15] to make sure that everybody,
[2:11:16] so I think it is important to
[2:11:17] say this is the
[2:11:18] recommendations, but also it is
[2:11:20] clear that this says that the
[2:11:22] public advisory board members
[2:11:27] share and propose the following
[2:11:29] recommendations.
[2:11:30] These are not our
[2:11:31] recommendations.
[2:11:32] This is us receiving what they
[2:11:34] have shared with us.
[2:11:36] So I just wanted
[2:11:37] to clarify that for you.
[2:11:39] And so I think as we continue
[2:11:40] through this process,
[2:11:41] you should definitely continue,
[2:11:42] whether it is by email,
[2:11:43] by phone call, by meeting,
[2:11:44] by coming
[2:11:45] down here and giving comment.
[2:11:46] Please continue
[2:11:47] to provide us feedback on how
[2:11:48] you want these funds spent.
[2:11:50] But don't think this is how
[2:11:52] this is going to be spent.
[2:11:54] Thank you.
[2:11:57] Councilwoman.
[2:11:58] Thank you.
[2:11:59] Thank you, Councilwoman.
[2:12:01] Ms.
[2:12:02] Moses, you have the floor.
[2:12:05] Pamela Moses, based
[2:12:10] on the resolution of the
[2:12:11] advisory board and recommending
[2:12:12] portions of Southwest Memphis
[2:12:14] infrastructure, all that other
[2:12:17] stuff, sounds good.
[2:12:19] But the fact
[2:12:21] of the matter remains,
[2:12:22] Anthropic has agreed to pay
[2:12:23] Elon Musk, please listen,
[2:12:25] Councilman White, because
[2:12:27] you're the reason we're here
[2:12:28] today.
[2:12:29] They've agreed to pay $1.2
[2:12:31] billion.
[2:12:34] For that building that you
[2:12:35] rented
[2:12:36] for $800-some thousand dollars,
[2:12:39] see, I know the history.
[2:12:40] And see, if they can get $1.2
[2:12:41] billion a month,
[2:12:44] y'all can do something else,
[2:12:45] which is not sell us out.
[2:12:48] So while the billionaires and
[2:12:50] the trillionaires are making
[2:12:51] enormous profits off
[2:12:52] of our natural resources,
[2:12:54] you want
[2:12:55] to offer us weatherization?
[2:12:56] We done had that program for
[2:13:00] 20 years.
[2:13:01] That's not enough.
[2:13:02] Elon Musk...
[2:13:03] operations are benefiting him,
[2:13:04] not us.
[2:13:07] So to every, cause see,
[2:13:08] I know what's going on.
[2:13:10] Me sorry, you ain't the only
[2:13:13] one gonna go down.
[2:13:14] To everybody that got paid and
[2:13:15] you sold us out, I wanted you
[2:13:16] to revisit what's really going
[2:13:19] on and look at the decisions
[2:13:21] that have been made
[2:13:22] by closed rooms,
[2:13:25] backroom deals of the chamber
[2:13:26] of commerce and everybody else.
[2:13:28] We are not roaches,
[2:13:29] we are people.
[2:13:31] We deserve more than crumbs.
[2:13:34] Mississippi can kill beasts and
[2:13:35] get away with it
[2:13:37] with their state violence.
[2:13:39] And they getting a billion.
[2:13:40] And they hadn't even set up
[2:13:43] shop here.
[2:13:44] Because their community knows
[2:13:45] what's going on.
[2:13:46] And you're not going
[2:13:47] to sell them out.
[2:13:49] for no crumbs.
[2:13:50] So I think all of you,
[2:13:51] especially you, Councilman
[2:13:53] Walker, you need to go back
[2:13:54] to Elon, Doug McGowan, and
[2:13:55] whoever else was
[2:13:56] on that plane that went to
[2:13:58] Texas and cut this deal.
[2:14:00] And you need
[2:14:01] to tell them we're going
[2:14:02] to have to give the people a
[2:14:03] little bit more.
[2:14:04] And that's all I have
[2:14:05] to say.
[2:14:06] Thank you.
[2:14:07] And don't vote Democrat because
[2:14:08] they are really Republicans.
[2:14:09] Vote independent.
[2:14:13] So our same night minute item.
[2:14:22] Councilman Canale, would you
[2:14:23] please read the same night
[2:14:24] minute item?
[2:14:26] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[2:14:27] The same night minute items are
[2:14:28] 16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and
[2:14:34] 39.
[2:14:36] Oh, wait one second.
[2:14:43] We forgot to vote for 20.
[2:14:45] We're going to go back.
[2:14:46] Did we complete the vote on?
[2:14:53] Okay, let's go back.
[2:14:56] Start over with the vote.
[2:14:57] For Sutton, for item number
[2:15:06] 20, Easter Thomas, I had her
[2:15:12] vote as.
[2:15:13] Board, Green, Logan, Smiley,
[2:15:21] Spinoza, Walker, thank you,
[2:15:22] Warren, White, and Chairwoman
[2:15:27] Swerington-Washington for 20.
[2:15:32] Thank you.
[2:15:34] Yes, that item passes.
[2:15:37] Now that moves
[2:15:40] to our same night minutes.
[2:15:42] Councilman Ford-Canale, would
[2:15:43] you please read them
[2:15:44] into record?
[2:15:45] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[2:15:46] Same nine-minute items are
[2:15:48] 16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and
[2:15:52] 39.
[2:15:55] And with that, I move it
[2:15:56] to the floor.
[2:16:00] All right.
[2:16:01] It's been moved by Councilman
[2:16:02] Ford-Canale, second by
[2:16:03] Councilwoman Green.
[2:16:05] Madam Comptroller, if you will
[2:16:06] please prepare the screen
[2:16:07] for the vote.
[2:16:08] Roll call vote.
[2:16:09] Canale, please.
[2:16:11] Yes.
[2:16:12] Carlisle.
[2:16:14] Cooper Sutton for the
[2:16:15] same-night minutes.
[2:16:16] Easter Thomas.
[2:16:19] Ford.
[2:16:21] Green.
[2:16:23] Logan.
[2:16:25] Smiley.
[2:16:27] Spinoza, same-night minutes.
[2:16:28] Walker.
[2:16:31] Yes.
[2:16:32] Warren.
[2:16:33] White, same-night minutes.
[2:16:34] Thank you.
[2:16:37] Chairwoman
[2:16:38] Swearingen-Washington.
[2:16:39] Yes.
[2:16:40] Item passes.
[2:16:41] Is that item?
[2:16:44] All right, that moves us
[2:16:46] to our public comment cards.
[2:16:52] We will start with Tierney
[2:16:54] Macon.
[2:16:56] Tierney Macon and then
[2:16:57] Angelica Whitehead.
[2:17:15] If I have to, okay,
[2:17:16] I would have projected,
[2:17:17] okay.
[2:17:18] Happy Tuesday.
[2:17:19] We recognize and appreciate
[2:17:20] the, well, first of all,
[2:17:22] my name is Tierney Macon.
[2:17:23] I'm the Shelby County
[2:17:24] Community Organizer with the
[2:17:25] Equity Alliance.
[2:17:26] We were here at the last city
[2:17:27] council meeting, and I wanted
[2:17:28] to start out by saying we
[2:17:29] recognize and appreciate the
[2:17:31] council's additional investment
[2:17:33] when it comes
[2:17:34] to middle class funding
[2:17:35] for housing.
[2:17:37] This is a very important step,
[2:17:38] but we need to name the other
[2:17:40] imbalances and challenges
[2:17:41] to come along.
[2:17:42] with the housing disparities
[2:17:44] that the city is facing.
[2:17:45] If the city can identify $4.1
[2:17:47] million and $3.5 million for
[2:17:50] recreation and parks
[2:17:53] investments, such as the
[2:17:55] Ardenborn Golf Clubhouse and
[2:17:57] the Jesse Turner Park
[2:17:58] improvements,
[2:18:00] then we should be able to
[2:18:01] identify serious long-term
[2:18:03] investment for housing, too.
[2:18:05] This is not saying that parks
[2:18:07] do not matter.
[2:18:08] Parks do matter, recreation
[2:18:09] matters,
[2:18:10] and public spaces matters.
[2:18:12] But housing is at the core
[2:18:13] of our foundation.
[2:18:15] Families need safe and stable
[2:18:17] affordable homes
[2:18:18] before they can benefit from
[2:18:19] neighborhood amenities.
[2:18:21] A park investment improves the
[2:18:22] quality of life, but housing
[2:18:23] investments stabilize families,
[2:18:25] neighborhoods, schools,
[2:18:26] and the local economy as well.
[2:18:30] The money allocated for the
[2:18:31] middle class investment funding
[2:18:33] cannot be treated as a
[2:18:34] Band-Aid or a full solution.
[2:18:37] It should be treated as seed
[2:18:38] funding.
[2:18:39] We're asking that this money
[2:18:41] should prove what is possible
[2:18:43] to attract additional
[2:18:44] investment from banks, CDFIs,
[2:18:45] philanthropy, federal housing
[2:18:48] programs, state resources,
[2:18:50] mission-aligned developers,
[2:18:52] and private partners as well.
[2:18:54] The goal should be able
[2:18:55] to turn the $1 million
[2:18:56] into millions more.
[2:18:58] And the future of the capital
[2:18:59] improvement plan budget has
[2:19:01] to incorporate a minimum of
[2:19:03] $10 million
[2:19:05] for the next five years
[2:19:06] with a focus
[2:19:07] on infrastructure.
[2:19:08] Basically, we're here asking
[2:19:09] yet again that the city needs a
[2:19:10] clear strategy on how this
[2:19:12] funding would be used,
[2:19:14] and we want to be a part
[2:19:15] of that conversation.
[2:19:16] What outcomes will be produced?
[2:19:17] How will this leverage matching
[2:19:18] dollars and additional
[2:19:19] investment?
[2:19:20] We should not just spend the
[2:19:22] money,
[2:19:23] but we should also structure it
[2:19:24] in a way that creates momentum.
[2:19:25] We are asking for the council
[2:19:26] to commit to working
[2:19:27] with the residents and the
[2:19:29] Equity Alliance
[2:19:30] to make sure we achieve these
[2:19:31] 10,000 homes.
[2:19:32] Thank you so much.
[2:19:34] Thank you.
[2:19:35] Mr.
[2:19:36] Keeley Sr.
[2:19:37] Angelica Whitehead, I'm a
[2:19:45] resident of the White Haven
[2:19:47] community.
[2:19:49] Memphis has a home ownership
[2:19:50] problem.
[2:19:52] The owner-occupied housing rate
[2:19:53] in Memphis is about 45%,
[2:19:57] compared to
[2:19:58] about 70% statewide in
[2:20:00] Tennessee.
[2:20:01] That gap should concern every
[2:20:03] elected official
[2:20:05] in this city.
[2:20:07] With fewer than half of
[2:20:08] Memphis households own their
[2:20:10] homes, that means too many
[2:20:12] families.
[2:20:13] are locked out of wealth
[2:20:14] building, neighborhood
[2:20:16] stability, and long-term
[2:20:17] economic security.
[2:20:19] Yes, Memphis needs rental
[2:20:21] opportunities.
[2:20:22] Yes, Memphis needs affordable
[2:20:24] housing.
[2:20:25] Yes, Memphis needs
[2:20:26] down payment assistance.
[2:20:28] But we also have
[2:20:29] to be clear.
[2:20:30] We must create homeowners if we
[2:20:32] want
[2:20:33] to stabilize the economy.
[2:20:34] Homeownership helps families
[2:20:39] build equity.
[2:20:40] It helps stabilize...
[2:20:41] It keeps long-time residents
[2:20:44] rooted in their communities,
[2:20:48] and it allows working and
[2:20:49] middle-class families to share
[2:20:51] in the growth
[2:20:52] of the city instead
[2:20:53] of being displaced by it.
[2:20:55] We cannot depend on our own
[2:20:57] local investment and need your
[2:20:59] commitment to work with the
[2:21:01] Equity Alliance,
[2:21:02] with the residents,
[2:21:05] and housing advocates
[2:21:06] to come up with comprehensive
[2:21:07] housing plans.
[2:21:08] 10,000 houses by 2030.
[2:21:10] Let's work together to ensure
[2:21:12] that our budget account
[2:21:14] for this robust initiative.
[2:21:16] Thank you.
[2:21:48] Good evening members of City
[2:21:49] Council.
[2:21:51] My name is Stephanie Lee and I
[2:21:53] live at 2019 Killarney
[2:21:55] Avenue, 38106.
[2:21:58] I'm here to discuss the
[2:22:01] problems we're continuing
[2:22:02] to have
[2:22:03] with flooding issues coming
[2:22:04] from Old Dominion's property.
[2:22:06] Old Dominion became my neighbor
[2:22:09] somewhere between 2000 and
[2:22:10] 2004.
[2:22:13] We moved into our home in
[2:22:14] December of 94.
[2:22:18] The land behind our home was
[2:22:19] totally flat,
[2:22:21] and this was a selling point
[2:22:22] for us.
[2:22:24] Since the construction of Old
[2:22:25] Dominion, we've had to incur
[2:22:26] several changes regarding the
[2:22:29] quality of life.
[2:22:30] When we started noticing an
[2:22:33] increasingly amount of water
[2:22:35] in our backyard,
[2:22:37] it was an eye-opener.
[2:22:40] Then it got
[2:22:42] to be an excessive amount
[2:22:43] of water.
[2:22:45] But now...
[2:22:46] It looks
[2:22:48] like a lake or river,
[2:22:49] and I think some
[2:22:50] of you have pictures or copies,
[2:22:51] and it continues
[2:22:54] to get worse.
[2:22:55] This nasty,
[2:22:57] dirty water is traveling
[2:22:59] into our home.
[2:23:01] My house is not
[2:23:04] in a flood zone area.
[2:23:05] We have worked and put things
[2:23:09] that my husband will talk
[2:23:11] about in a minute into place.
[2:23:13] to try and prevent this
[2:23:15] from continuing to happen.
[2:23:17] But everything that we have
[2:23:18] done has only been temporarily.
[2:23:21] We have spoken
[2:23:22] with the city engineers, Old
[2:23:24] Dominion engineers.
[2:23:25] We've spoken to some of you
[2:23:26] on this matter.
[2:23:27] However, Old Dominion is aware
[2:23:28] we face, and yes, they did
[2:23:33] conduct a survey that looked
[2:23:36] at the drainage issue.
[2:23:37] When I went to contact them
[2:23:39] about the results,
[2:23:40] they told me
[2:23:41] to contact my city council.
[2:23:43] So I'm asking you,
[2:23:44] what does the survey say?
[2:23:47] And explain the results
[2:23:48] to us.
[2:23:50] And I'm also asking you
[2:23:53] to make it right.
[2:23:56] Help us to make it right.
[2:23:57] Mr.
[2:23:58] Lee.
[2:24:00] I'm Keith Lee, and I live at
[2:24:02] 2019 Killarney Avenue,
[2:24:05] Memphis, Tennessee, 38116.
[2:24:09] We, um, the sheet that you have
[2:24:11] is the first.
[2:24:12] Part here is our lawn,
[2:24:15] just the way our lawn used
[2:24:17] to look, and behind that,
[2:24:18] that's where Old Dominion is
[2:24:20] located.
[2:24:21] In 2004, the owner of that
[2:24:27] place, he kind
[2:24:28] of raised it up a little bit.
[2:24:29] We had a little water coming
[2:24:30] through.
[2:24:31] The last picture, that's Old
[2:24:32] Dominion, what they have done.
[2:24:34] And you can see the water
[2:24:37] coming down from there.
[2:24:39] The next page, that was in
[2:24:41] 2019, that's the side
[2:24:43] of our house.
[2:24:45] The next one is May 20th,
[2:24:47] that's the other side.
[2:24:49] If you look at April 1st,
[2:24:52] 2022, you see the river coming
[2:24:54] down.
[2:24:56] That's coming from Old
[2:24:57] Dominion.
[2:24:59] Also, I'm just going to jump
[2:25:03] over to this last picture
[2:25:04] on the next page.
[2:25:06] That's coming from Old
[2:25:07] Dominion.
[2:25:08] That happens all the time.
[2:25:09] Also, I've also did trench,
[2:25:13] French drains
[2:25:15] around my property, lugging
[2:25:18] in rocks, tons of rocks
[2:25:19] to do the French drain.
[2:25:23] And I mean, it's a lot
[2:25:24] of hassle trying
[2:25:26] to do all this by yourself.
[2:25:27] And we talk
[2:25:29] to them and they act
[2:25:31] like they don't give a hoot.
[2:25:34] And I need you all's help.
[2:25:36] I've been in combat and
[2:25:38] everything and I've come home
[2:25:40] and this is what I come to.
[2:25:43] Now, I go and fight
[2:25:44] for y'all.
[2:25:45] Can y'all fight for me?
[2:25:48] I need your help.
[2:25:52] And if you look through it,
[2:25:53] you'll see the patio,
[2:25:55] water come out of my patio.
[2:25:58] Sometimes the water is up
[2:25:59] to my ankles, past my ankles
[2:26:02] actually.
[2:26:06] I did everything I know
[2:26:08] to do.
[2:26:09] Thank you, Madam Chair, and
[2:26:12] thank you all
[2:26:16] for today established in 24,
[2:26:32] and this issue did not start
[2:26:35] then.
[2:26:37] Say we in...
[2:27:20] Sure Senator is dissented on
[2:27:28] Jink We all got We've been just
[2:27:29] going back And they should not
[2:27:31] have this ad This deal was
[2:27:39] We've been working The general
[2:27:51] consensus engineering I think
[2:27:52] we just got it
[2:27:54] on and so our next to get
[2:27:55] with Manny and I'll dress you
[2:28:03] all should not so to It is
[2:28:05] deep, like you said,
[2:28:47] and it's horrible to deal with
[2:28:56] in the beginning.
[2:29:22] I feel like it happens that
[2:29:40] they should be called and make
[2:29:42] sure that it is a could let us
[2:29:43] know thank you thank you jamiah
[2:29:44] Good afternoon, Council.
[2:30:57] I am Jamiah Irby.
[2:30:58] I am the E-Equity Alliance, and
[2:31:02] we are asking Council to
[2:31:03] support a co-governance
[2:31:05] approach where residents,
[2:31:06] community organizations,
[2:31:08] housing experts,
[2:31:09] and city leaders work together
[2:31:11] to guide a pilot and the
[2:31:13] identified targeted zip code
[2:31:15] for additional middle income.
[2:31:17] That means creating a process
[2:31:19] that includes a resident
[2:31:24] advisory table.
[2:31:25] Clear public goals,
[2:31:29] regular updates
[2:31:31] to the community, a plan to
[2:31:33] attract matching dollars and
[2:31:34] additional investment,
[2:31:36] and a commitment
[2:31:37] to use what we learned to
[2:31:39] inform a citywide housing
[2:31:41] strategy.
[2:31:42] Memphis does not currently have
[2:31:43] a comprehensive housing plan
[2:31:45] and that has to change.
[2:31:47] The $1 million for middle class
[2:31:50] investment funding.
[2:31:52] should be the beginning
[2:31:53] of a larger plan for 10,000 new
[2:31:54] housing opportunities across
[2:31:55] Memphis, including home
[2:31:58] ownership, city infrastructure,
[2:32:01] rental opportunities, home
[2:32:04] repair,
[2:32:05] down payment assistance,
[2:32:07] and anti-displacement
[2:32:08] protections, vacant property
[2:32:10] reuse,
[2:32:12] and neighborhood reinvestment.
[2:32:15] The focus has to be home
[2:32:17] ownership because ownership
[2:32:19] units grow the tax base.
[2:32:20] And without more housing,
[2:32:23] the tax burden will be placed
[2:32:24] on fewer housing receiving
[2:32:26] fewer services
[2:32:27] to balance the budget.
[2:32:29] We appreciate the council's
[2:32:30] investment of $1 million for
[2:32:32] middle class investment
[2:32:33] funding.
[2:32:34] Now, we are asking council
[2:32:36] to protect this funding through
[2:32:37] a community-led governance
[2:32:39] process.
[2:32:40] Commitment to working
[2:32:42] with the residents and the
[2:32:43] Equity Alliance and use this as
[2:32:45] the first step
[2:32:47] toward a long-term plan for
[2:32:48] 10,000 new housing.
[2:32:50] Opportunities Across
[2:32:51] Memphis.
[2:32:52] Thank you.
[2:32:53] Thank you.
[2:32:54] Brianna Smith and then Damon
[2:32:56] Curry-Mars.
[2:32:59] Hello.
[2:33:01] Brianna Smith is gone.
[2:33:03] Oh, okay.
[2:33:04] And my name is Rita Rita.
[2:33:06] So I think you have my card.
[2:33:07] Yes,
[2:33:09] but I haven't called you yet.
[2:33:10] Okay.
[2:33:12] Well, Ms.
[2:33:14] Smith is not here.
[2:33:15] Go on, Ms.
[2:33:16] Rita.
[2:33:17] All right, then.
[2:33:18] My name is Rita Rita.
[2:33:20] I will be back.
[2:33:22] I just want to say I have been
[2:33:26] back in Memphis for about seven
[2:33:29] or eight months.
[2:33:30] I did 18 years in Dallas and
[2:33:32] when you talked about the the
[2:33:35] busing and the transit that
[2:33:39] really hit me because in
[2:33:41] Dallas-Fort Worth we have a
[2:33:42] pretty good system so I want to
[2:33:44] just offer myself and offer my
[2:33:47] help to get Memphis up and
[2:33:52] running.
[2:33:53] And like I said, I will be
[2:33:56] back.
[2:33:58] But each one of you, all
[2:34:01] of you sitting here,
[2:34:04] I just want you to get a thank
[2:34:08] you and a gratitude.
[2:34:11] This has been a rough meeting.
[2:34:12] This has been a rough meeting
[2:34:16] and I want to take your hand,
[2:34:19] take your hand, pat yourself on
[2:34:20] the back because you all have
[2:34:21] handled this well.
[2:34:22] I know there's only two
[2:34:25] decisions that you can make and
[2:34:29] you're not going
[2:34:30] to make everybody happy.
[2:34:32] So thank you.
[2:34:33] It's not sexy to be elected.
[2:34:37] It's not sexy
[2:34:39] to be the police department.
[2:34:41] It's not.
[2:34:42] sexy to be sanitation.
[2:34:44] It's not sexy
[2:34:45] to be a teacher.
[2:34:49] But I thank each and every one
[2:34:50] of you for where you have
[2:34:53] parked your car
[2:34:56] in this life and
[2:34:57] for what you're doing.
[2:34:59] So I just want
[2:35:00] to thank each and every one
[2:35:01] of you.
[2:35:03] The people that showed up,
[2:35:04] the people who are here,
[2:35:06] thank you.
[2:35:08] Thank you and bless you.
[2:35:09] If we can have Damon Curry,
[2:35:13] England.
[2:35:44] Professor Damon Curry Morris,
[2:35:46] 1529 Dunmore Road, Memphis
[2:35:49] C-38114.
[2:35:51] You know, I'm just disgusted
[2:35:54] with everything that's going
[2:35:55] on in this city.
[2:35:56] You know, it's disheartening
[2:35:59] to sit here on this council and
[2:36:01] especially why I watch a den
[2:36:03] of thieves, liars, crooks and
[2:36:07] thugs running this city.
[2:36:09] We got buffoons running this
[2:36:11] city and don't understand how
[2:36:12] to help the people.
[2:36:14] I'm just seeing people up here
[2:36:15] crying out
[2:36:16] for everything and I have
[2:36:17] to come
[2:36:18] down here and bust folks
[2:36:19] out because I'm going
[2:36:20] to tell you one thing.
[2:36:21] If you didn't listen to Miss
[2:36:23] Moses about what's about
[2:36:24] to hit this city, hey,
[2:36:25] if I release what's in here,
[2:36:27] I'm gonna send some
[2:36:29] of y'all running for the hills
[2:36:31] because trust me I got
[2:36:32] to prove CJ Davis you can shake
[2:36:34] your head and me off.
[2:36:35] Wait a minute no we're not
[2:36:41] gonna be insulting yes but we
[2:36:44] can't be insulting this is our
[2:36:53] opportunity to have comments
[2:36:55] but we can't be insulting.
[2:36:58] Yes.
[2:36:59] I've been insulted, okay,
[2:37:01] reclaiming my time.
[2:37:02] I've been insulted.
[2:37:05] It don't take me two years
[2:37:06] to get a meeting.
[2:37:07] It don't take me two years to
[2:37:09] get services that my tax
[2:37:11] dollars pay for, okay?
[2:37:13] You very well know what it is.
[2:37:15] Pearl Walker, let me tell y'all
[2:37:20] one...
[2:37:32] Thank you, thank you, thank
[2:37:33] you, thank you, thank you,
[2:37:35] Mr.
[2:37:36] Mars.
[2:37:37] Officer Young, we through.
[2:37:38] Next person is Robin
[2:37:44] England.
[2:38:06] This meeting is res- This
[2:38:07] meeting- Did Rob...
[2:39:04] Okay, come on, Ms.
[2:39:10] England.
[2:39:15] I'm sorry, go ahead.
[2:39:16] Let me cut it back out.
[2:39:17] I emailed everyone up here
[2:39:19] after the last...
[2:39:20] I emailed everyone up here and
[2:39:38] I didn't get any response back
[2:39:41] and that kind of seems
[2:39:42] to be the way that this goes,
[2:39:44] that people here speak and
[2:39:47] y'all look bored, y'all look
[2:39:49] uninterested.
[2:39:51] I don't get it.
[2:39:53] We've got citizens begging
[2:39:54] for housing,
[2:39:55] for transportation,
[2:39:57] for clean air.
[2:40:00] And I just, I don't get it.
[2:40:04] I don't know what y'all need
[2:40:09] to take this seriously from
[2:40:11] what people are telling y'all.
[2:40:14] The city's getting worse.
[2:40:15] We're talking about where we're
[2:40:17] spending XAI money when we
[2:40:19] don't want XAI here.
[2:40:20] It is ruining our water supply.
[2:40:24] It is ruining our air and
[2:40:26] for nothing.
[2:40:28] I don't know.
[2:40:34] Chase Carlisle, I am coming for
[2:40:36] your job.
[2:40:38] I don't think you deserve it.
[2:40:40] Up here talking about
[2:40:41] pickleball when we have
[2:40:43] actual...
[2:40:47] We cannot call out council
[2:40:49] members.
[2:40:50] They need to be called out.
[2:40:52] All right.
[2:41:12] Hello, my name is Ann, and I am
[2:41:16] a community advocate.
[2:41:20] I am with the citizens of
[2:41:23] District 7.
[2:41:27] Our club has consistently held
[2:41:29] meetings, discussions, focused
[2:41:31] on issues affecting our
[2:41:33] community, yet our city council
[2:41:35] representative has not attended
[2:41:37] or acknowledged these efforts.
[2:41:40] The community engagement
[2:41:42] requires more than just holding
[2:41:44] an office.
[2:41:45] It requires being present and
[2:41:47] listening, communicating with
[2:41:48] the people that you represent.
[2:41:52] To this day,
[2:41:53] many residents are still
[2:41:54] seeking updates, matters
[2:41:56] including the grocery store
[2:41:58] project, as well as the park
[2:42:01] across from the Fraser
[2:42:02] Library.
[2:42:04] At the same time, the public
[2:42:06] funds have continued
[2:42:07] to be direct toward various
[2:42:09] organizations and programs,
[2:42:11] while many residents feel that
[2:42:14] their voices and concerns are
[2:42:16] not adequately being addressed.
[2:42:18] It raises important questions
[2:42:19] and priorities and
[2:42:21] accountabilities.
[2:42:24] The residents of the community
[2:42:25] deserve honesty and
[2:42:27] transparency and open
[2:42:28] communication
[2:42:30] from those who seek
[2:42:31] to represent them.
[2:42:32] Our community deserves a leader
[2:42:34] who is visible, accessible,
[2:42:36] and willing to engage directly
[2:42:37] with the people that they
[2:42:40] serve.
[2:42:41] Not popping out when cameras
[2:42:42] are around, because how can you
[2:42:44] propose a budget when you don't
[2:42:47] come to any of the community
[2:42:49] meetings being held?
[2:42:51] I thank you.
[2:42:56] We will now have Clark and
[2:42:57] Dionne.
[2:43:00] And I live in 1995.
[2:43:02] And just like Mr.
[2:43:06] Lee has said,
[2:43:09] I have also built a fridge
[2:43:10] drain behind my house.
[2:43:12] And none of that steel works.
[2:43:13] I place my driveway and it goes
[2:43:14] up under the door.
[2:43:16] Therefore, I use the driveway
[2:43:20] to check my foundation because
[2:43:21] any kind of hip...
[2:43:30] Any kind of way you all can do
[2:43:33] to help us resolve the cutting
[2:43:35] issue, we would greatly,
[2:43:36] greatly appreciate it.
[2:43:37] I want
[2:43:38] to thank you all very much.
[2:43:39] Thank you.
[2:43:40] Thank you.
[2:43:41] And we say sure that you all
[2:43:42] get the support.
[2:43:43] Dionne Newsom, Adrian.
[2:43:54] Hello, man.
[2:43:55] Five, one, four,
[2:43:56] five days laying cold.
[2:43:58] As of July 26, 2026, I would
[2:44:01] have reached 19 years
[2:44:02] of services with Memphis Like
[2:44:03] Gas and Water.
[2:44:05] I was a monthly employee
[2:44:06] terminated on Friday, June
[2:44:07] 12, 2026 by SEAS VP Timothy
[2:44:10] Davis.
[2:44:12] Throughout my career, I served
[2:44:13] Memphis Like Gas and Water and
[2:44:14] employees with pride and
[2:44:15] commitment.
[2:44:16] I was assigned to the
[2:44:17] Militant Community Office and
[2:44:18] regularly rotated to assist
[2:44:20] at the Lamar Community Office
[2:44:22] as well.
[2:44:23] During my time in leadership
[2:44:25] within the community office,
[2:44:26] our team worked together to
[2:44:27] improve the customer and
[2:44:28] employee's experience.
[2:44:30] Customer satisfaction score
[2:44:31] consistently improved, with our
[2:44:33] most recent scores reaching
[2:44:34] 89.9%.
[2:44:36] I'm asking the board to
[2:44:38] carefully examine the
[2:44:39] justification that has been
[2:44:40] provided for the elimination of
[2:44:41] numerous frontline leadership
[2:44:43] positions.
[2:44:45] Employees were told these
[2:44:46] actions were necessary because
[2:44:47] of modernization.
[2:44:49] However, none
[2:44:50] of us who work directly
[2:44:51] with customers...
[2:44:53] And employees have not been
[2:44:55] provided
[2:44:56] with a clear explanation of
[2:44:58] what modernization specifically
[2:44:59] requires.
[2:45:01] Specifically required the
[2:45:03] elimination of experienced
[2:45:05] supervisors and leaders.
[2:45:06] I find it difficult to
[2:45:07] understand how an organization
[2:45:09] can simultaneously celebrate
[2:45:11] improvements in customer
[2:45:12] satisfaction while eliminating
[2:45:14] much of the leadership team
[2:45:15] that helped achieve those
[2:45:16] results.
[2:45:17] In credit and payment services,
[2:45:18] six of nine leadership
[2:45:19] employees were eliminated.
[2:45:20] In customer care, four of five
[2:45:22] leadership employees were
[2:45:24] eliminated, with those
[2:45:25] employees awaiting the
[2:45:27] termination of...
[2:45:29] To termination
[2:45:31] at the conclusion of that
[2:45:32] 90-day notice period.
[2:45:34] A team is only good as its
[2:45:35] leader.
[2:45:36] If these departments were truly
[2:45:37] failing, then accountability
[2:45:38] should extend
[2:45:39] beyond front-line leaders.
[2:45:41] If we were succeeding, why the
[2:45:42] individuals who contributed
[2:45:43] to those successes selected
[2:45:44] for elimination.
[2:45:45] We played a critical role
[2:45:47] in supporting employees,
[2:45:49] resolving customer concerns,
[2:45:50] maintaining accountability,
[2:45:52] developing staff, and ensuring
[2:45:53] constant service delivery.
[2:45:55] Removing a significant portion
[2:45:57] of experienced leadership
[2:45:58] raises serious questions
[2:46:00] about the long-term impact
[2:46:01] of employees.
[2:46:02] Thank you.
[2:46:03] We will now have Adrian
[2:46:04] Lomax.
[2:46:16] Good evening, Madam Chairwoman
[2:46:18] and Councilmembers.
[2:46:19] My name is Adrian
[2:46:20] Lomax-Hernandez.
[2:46:22] I need to share my experience.
[2:46:23] Former MLGW dedicated more than
[2:46:29] 17 years of service to MLGW,
[2:46:31] working hard to serve both the
[2:46:33] utility and the citizens
[2:46:34] of this city.
[2:46:39] In October 2024, I was selected
[2:46:41] to serve as section supervisor
[2:46:43] of cashiering operations and
[2:46:44] credit for the Lamar
[2:46:46] Community Office.
[2:46:48] I have no disciplinary actions
[2:46:50] on my file and was proud
[2:46:53] to lead a team committed
[2:46:54] to serve.
[2:46:56] our customers.
[2:46:57] In the spring of 2025, Vice
[2:47:00] President Timothy Davis and
[2:47:02] then HR supervisor, now HR
[2:47:03] manager, Denise Bamberg,
[2:47:05] informed my colleagues and me
[2:47:08] that reorganization of
[2:47:09] frontline management was being
[2:47:11] planned.
[2:47:12] They later reiterated this
[2:47:13] in an email to us on both
[2:47:16] occasions who assured no jobs
[2:47:18] would be lost.
[2:47:20] That promise was not kept.
[2:47:24] On June 5th of this year, my
[2:47:25] colleagues and I were informed
[2:47:27] that our positions would be
[2:47:29] eliminated effective the
[2:47:31] following Friday, June 12th.
[2:47:33] After more than 17 years
[2:47:34] of service,
[2:47:35] I was given just one week
[2:47:36] of notice and told I would have
[2:47:38] to apply and compete for a
[2:47:40] newly positioned position.
[2:47:41] Although presented as a new
[2:47:44] role, the only substantive
[2:47:47] difference was the title, the
[2:47:51] job description itself.
[2:47:52] is based largely on subjective
[2:47:55] personality traits rather than
[2:47:57] addictive skills.
[2:47:59] As the primary breadwinner
[2:48:02] for my family, this decision
[2:48:04] has created significant
[2:48:05] uncertainty and financial
[2:48:07] hardship
[2:48:08] for my husband and myself.
[2:48:09] Despite many years of service
[2:48:11] and positive employment record,
[2:48:13] I'm not asking for special
[2:48:15] treatment.
[2:48:17] I'm asking for transparency,
[2:48:18] accountability,
[2:48:20] and fairness.
[2:48:21] Public employees,
[2:48:22] your dedicated ears, thank you
[2:48:24] for your time.
[2:48:26] Thank you so much for coming
[2:48:27] down and sharing.
[2:48:29] Joanna Blanton.
[2:48:44] Good evening,
[2:48:45] chairperson and members
[2:48:46] of the council.
[2:48:47] My name is Joanna Blanton, and
[2:48:48] I'm a former cashier and credit
[2:48:49] section supervisor with
[2:48:50] Memphis Light, Gas, and
[2:48:51] Water.
[2:48:52] On June 12th, several of my
[2:48:53] colleagues and I were
[2:48:54] terminated
[2:48:55] from our positions.
[2:48:56] On June 5th, at approximately
[2:48:58] 3 o'clock p.m., we were
[2:48:59] informed that our positions
[2:49:00] were being eliminated and
[2:49:01] replaced
[2:49:02] with a new role called
[2:49:03] Customer Experience Supervisor
[2:49:04] We were told the position would
[2:49:06] be posted.
[2:49:07] Later that evening,
[2:49:08] applications would close
[2:49:09] Monday the 8th, interviews
[2:49:11] would take place the 9th and
[2:49:12] 10th of June, And anyone not
[2:49:13] selected.
[2:49:14] would have their employment end
[2:49:16] on the 12th. What makes this
[2:49:18] situation especially concerning
[2:49:19] is that on July the 9th,
[2:49:20] 2025, we received a memorandum
[2:49:23] regarding this realignment.
[2:49:26] The memo specifically stated
[2:49:28] that this was not a layout,
[2:49:29] but a realignment based
[2:49:30] on clear, meaningful,
[2:49:31] and measurable expectations.
[2:49:33] It further stated that
[2:49:35] employees who were not selected
[2:49:36] to return to a supervisory role
[2:49:38] would be supported
[2:49:39] with reassigned opportunities
[2:49:41] within the organization. That
[2:49:42] support never happened.
[2:49:44] In addition, we were informed
[2:49:45] that these position changes
[2:49:47] were necessary as part
[2:49:48] of a modernization initiative.
[2:49:50] However, to date, no
[2:49:51] modernization measures or
[2:49:53] related initiatives have been
[2:49:54] implemented. Given that the
[2:49:56] company employs approximately
[2:49:58] 2,700 people, it is unclear how
[2:50:00] the elimination or
[2:50:01] restructuring of 16 positions
[2:50:03] materially advances the
[2:50:05] modernization plan.
[2:50:06] Furthermore, while the only
[2:50:08] employees affected
[2:50:09] by these changes are those
[2:50:11] within this particular vice
[2:50:12] president's reorganization,
[2:50:13] Timothy Davis. Thank you. Last
[2:50:15] question. Why was a $5.7
[2:50:17] million contract awarded
[2:50:19] to hire college students only
[2:50:20] to eliminate full-time vested
[2:50:22] employees? Is this the
[2:50:24] modernization Mr. Davis is
[2:50:26] speaking of? Thank you
[2:50:27] for allowing me this time
[2:50:28] to come before this council.
[2:50:32] Thank you for coming. Ricky
[2:50:35] Lewis, last name Lewis. Thanks
[2:50:45] for having me to speak. Excuse
[2:50:46] me. What's your first name,
[2:50:49] sir? Ricky. Ricky, okay.
[2:50:51] Ricky Lewis, former employee
[2:50:53] of MLGW of 36 years,
[2:50:56] been retired seven years. When
[2:50:59] I heard on June the 12th,
[2:51:01] when they were terminated,
[2:51:03] that disturbed me. It disturbed
[2:51:05] me. And if it didn't disturb
[2:51:07] nobody else,
[2:51:09] they don't have a heart.
[2:51:10] Especially at Light, Gas, and
[2:51:12] Water. When I was there
[2:51:13] on the 17th, I mentioned
[2:51:14] Davis, the president,
[2:51:18] put it that way. He said
[2:51:20] something about technology.
[2:51:23] Light, Gas, and Water have a
[2:51:24] center. If they don't know
[2:51:25] anything... They can have them
[2:51:27] trained. Now, I want
[2:51:29] to say this. The four times,
[2:51:36] they should destroy lives,
[2:51:38] families and lives,
[2:51:40] with what they just did. And
[2:51:43] you tell me they got rid of 15
[2:51:45] to 20, and there are tons of
[2:51:49] part-time workers that they are
[2:51:50] writing. Does that make sense
[2:51:53] to you? One plus one is not
[2:51:54] four. It didn't add up to me.
[2:51:57] So I'm asking the council,
[2:52:01] I'm asking your city council,
[2:52:02] if you guys can do something
[2:52:04] about these families' lives.
[2:52:06] When they said that, I know
[2:52:08] they're not sleeping because
[2:52:10] I'm not sleeping. And I've been
[2:52:11] retired seven years,
[2:52:13] and I'm doing fine. But if you
[2:52:15] can help these families and
[2:52:16] these people reserve their jobs
[2:52:18] back, and I appreciate it.
[2:52:20] Thank you. Thank you so much
[2:52:24] for coming down. George Todd,
[2:52:28] George Mike Todd. He's gone. I
[2:52:31] said I will entertain.