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Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – November 15, 2022

City Council — Tuesday, November 15, 2022
BodyMemphis, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 15, 2022
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:58

Original source
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0:00

Good afternoon.

0:00

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day.

0:03

Reverend Calvin Whitlock has been invited by Councilman Warren.

0:07

The prayer will be immediately followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:12

Pastor Whitlock, would you lead us in prayer, please?

0:19

Let us bow.

0:36

We oh God, recognize the fact that you have ordained government for your purpose and for your end.

0:42

And so, Father, our prayer is that uh as they move and operate in that which you have granted them stewardship, that you may direct them, Father, in all the matters that are going to be brought before this council.

0:54

We asked, oh God, you'll continue blessing upon all of the council members on the mayor of this city, your blessing upon all of the officials of Father and governmental leaders, father of this Shelby County.

1:05

We certainly pray, Father, for all leaders of all sorts, specifically, Father, certainly for our spiritual leaders, and we might represent Father, you and your kingdom in a way that honors you.

1:15

Father, we ask, oh God, your blessings upon uh the citizens of this community.

1:19

We ask your protection upon them.

1:21

Uh we ask, Father, your blessings and bounty upon them, and Father, we ask that all that we do be done in such a way that the name of Jesus and his kingdom is advanced.

1:31

This we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

1:34

Amen.

1:35

Uh pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:52

Warren, you're recognized.

2:03

Thank you.

2:08

Thank you, Mr.

2:09

Chair.

2:09

Um, I just want to uh sort of have a confession here is that when uh I called people to to pray, I'd ask Reverend Whitlock to play pray, and uh I didn't you know get that information to the council.

2:26

So I had uh two people coming today to pray.

2:30

So uh we're gonna have to make another proclamation for Reverend Whitlock, okay?

2:36

But being in recognition known that Reverend Calvin Whitlock in represent in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, extending service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs and demonstrating concern for governmental processes, has been appointed chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council, and is hereby entitled to all the honors, rights, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office, and to display the certificate given this day under the seal of uh city council or Tavius Jones Chairman Jeff Warren, member of the council.

3:10

Thank you.

3:10

And you so move?

3:12

So moved.

3:12

Okay.

3:13

That item is moved by if there's no object item is moved by acclamation.

3:23

Battle comptroller, will you please call the roll?

3:26

Mr.

3:26

Chairman, Councilmember Canale.

3:32

World call.

3:40

Councilmember Canale.

3:43

Pres uh Carlisle.

3:45

Present.

3:45

Calvet.

3:46

Dockery.

3:48

Easter Thomas.

3:50

Ford.

3:51

Johnson.

3:52

Logan.

3:54

Morgan.

3:56

Robinson.

3:57

Present.

3:58

Vice Chairman Smiley.

4:01

Okay.

4:03

Warren.

4:04

Present.

4:05

Chairman Jones.

4:06

Present.

4:07

Uh Councilman Smiley.

4:09

Thank you.

4:09

Councilman Smiley.

4:10

Uh, have you read our minutes from the November 1st meeting?

4:13

Thank you, Mr.

4:14

Chair.

4:14

I reviewed the minutes and finally ordered the vote to be.

4:19

Electronically, please.

4:20

I cannot.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Religious Observance█████████████████17%
Public Works███████████11%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Public Utilities███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Youth Programs████4%
Zoning Ordinance████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – November 15, 2022

The Memphis City Council convened on November 15, 2022, at 9:45 AM (local time) for a regular meeting. The meeting opened with a prayer by Reverend Calvin Whitlock, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a proclamation appointing Reverend Whitlock as Chaplain of the Day. The council approved the minutes from the November 1st meeting, adopted several resolutions and ordinances, and elected officers for 2023. Public comment was heard regarding a proposed long-term contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of November 1, 2022: Approved unanimously (13-0).
  • Consent Agenda (Items 8, 9, and 57): Approved after removing Item 7 for separate consideration. Included ordinances for land use, community redevelopment, and a Sheraton Hotel tourism development zone.
  • Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 10–15, 49–56): Approved unanimously. Included grant acceptances from PetSmart Charities ($50,000), Best Friends Animal Society ($10,000), Petfinder Foundation ($750), DHS for Tennessee Task Force One ($181,350), DHS for Fire Services ($1,211,650), DHS for Police Services ($398,250), and eight council FY23 grant allocation amendments (each sponsored by individual council members).
  • MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 16–36): Approved unanimously. Included contract changes for utility services, emergency storm restoration, substation engineering, gas engineering, cashiering system, and power supply consulting, totaling approximately $18.9 million.
  • Items 58–61: Approved unanimously. Item 58: $1,909,000 for four ambulances (DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant). Item 59: $1,680,469.56 for training and safety devices (DHS grant). Item 60: fund transfer for police violent crime unit renovation. Item 61: $800,000 for improvements at Memphis River Park Partnership parks (districts 6, 7, super district 8).
  • Item 37: Appointment of Mario Walker to the Public Art Oversight Committee, approved unanimously.
  • Item 38: Ordinance amending council staff positions and classifications (third reading), approved unanimously.
  • Items 39–41: Housing and community development grants approved unanimously: $651,982.67 for affordable housing (item 39); $923,258 for weatherization assistance (item 40); $234,607 over three years for HUD Healthy Homes and Weatherization Cooperation Demonstration Grant (item 41).
  • Item 42: $75,000 grant to Clean Memphis for clean water initiatives, approved unanimously.
  • Item 43: Resolution accepting a sculpture from Cherokee Heights Civic Club into the city’s public art inventory, sponsored by all council members, approved unanimously.
  • Item 44: $5 million (GeoBonds) for local share of a new Bus Rapid Transit line connecting downtown to the University of Memphis, approved unanimously.
  • Item 45: $1 million (GeoBonds) for development of three on-street bus transfer facilities as part of the transit vision plan, approved unanimously.
  • Item 46: Resolution requesting trauma-informed care (TIC) training for all city employees (amended from “citizen-facing employees” to “all employees”), approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dennis Lynch (347 North McClain, leader of Sierra Club and former member of MLGW’s Power Supply Advisory Board) spoke against signing a 20-year evergreen contract with TVA, calling it a “lock-in ball and chain.” He urged the council to stay with the existing five-year contract and reconsider later. He noted he would also present similar comments to the MLGW board. Councilman Carlisle and Councilman Warren echoed opposition, stating the inducements offered are not worth the long-term commitment. Councilman Warren expressed doubt that the MLGW board would approve such a contract.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1 – Resolution celebrating Church of God in Christ (COGIC) 114th Holy Convocation, declaring November 15, 2022 COGIC Day: Councilwoman Logan and Councilman Canale read the resolution. COGIC representatives (Bishop Porter and Bishop Hall) spoke about the convocation’s return to Memphis, the building of 20 new affordable housing units (Vance Flats), and plans for hundreds more. The resolution passed by acclamation.
  • Item 2 – Resolution honoring Kate Bond Middle School Kodiak Bears (state champion football team): Councilwoman Logan highlighted the team’s undefeated season and 35-0 championship victory. Coaches and players were recognized. The resolution passed by acclamation.
  • Item 6 – Zoning change (third reading): Ordinance 5837 reclassifying land at the northwest corner of N 2nd Street and Hickory Avenue from commercial mixed-use and employment districts to residential urban district. Andrew Murray (CRA) explained the site will be used for housing and that a new bike trail (Bearwater Trail) will connect to the Chelsea Green Line and beyond. Councilman Warren asked about environmental testing for residual toxicity; Murray confirmed testing was done and fill will be brought in. The ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Item 7 – Klondike ordinance (consent agenda item removed): Councilman Carlisle moved to substitute the ordinance, striking the phrase “up to five percent” in Section C regarding incremental tax revenues. The amendment was accepted without objection, and the ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Item 46 – Trauma-informed care training: Councilwoman Easter Thomas proposed the resolution; Councilwoman Johnson offered a friendly amendment to extend training to all city employees (not just citizen-facing). The amendment was accepted, and the resolution passed unanimously.
  • Item 47 – Selection of 2023 Council Chair: Councilman Smiley nominated Councilman Martavius Jones, who was elected by acclamation.
  • Item 48 – Selection of 2023 Council Vice Chair: Councilman Warren nominated Councilman JB Smiley, who was elected by acclamation.

Key Outcomes

  • Elected Officers: Martavius Jones elected Council Chair for 2023; JB Smiley elected Vice Chair for 2023 (both by acclamation).
  • Votes: All items on the agenda were approved unanimously (13-0), with the exception of items that were held or removed. No votes were recorded against any item.
  • Items Held: Items 3 and 5 were held for two weeks; Item 4 was held until the December 20, 2022 meeting.
  • Public Comment on TVA Contract: Council members Carlisle and Warren expressed strong opposition to the proposed 20-year evergreen contract with TVA, signaling that if the MLGW board sends such a contract to the council, it will be defeated.
  • Next Steps: The council will receive written comments from Dennis Lynch and will continue to monitor MLGW’s power supply strategy.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day. Reverend Calvin Whitlock has been invited by Councilman Warren. The prayer will be immediately followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Whitlock, would you lead us in prayer, please? Let us bow. We oh God, recognize the fact that you have ordained government for your purpose and for your end. And so, Father, our prayer is that uh as they move and operate in that which you have granted them stewardship, that you may direct them, Father, in all the matters that are going to be brought before this council. We asked, oh God, you'll continue blessing upon all of the council members on the mayor of this city, your blessing upon all of the officials of Father and governmental leaders, father of this Shelby County. We certainly pray, Father, for all leaders of all sorts, specifically, Father, certainly for our spiritual leaders, and we might represent Father, you and your kingdom in a way that honors you. Father, we ask, oh God, your blessings upon uh the citizens of this community. We ask your protection upon them. Uh we ask, Father, your blessings and bounty upon them, and Father, we ask that all that we do be done in such a way that the name of Jesus and his kingdom is advanced. This we pray in Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Uh pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Warren, you're recognized. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I just want to uh sort of have a confession here is that when uh I called people to to pray, I'd ask Reverend Whitlock to play pray, and uh I didn't you know get that information to the council. So I had uh two people coming today to pray. So uh we're gonna have to make another proclamation for Reverend Whitlock, okay? But being in recognition known that Reverend Calvin Whitlock in represent in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, extending service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs and demonstrating concern for governmental processes, has been appointed chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council, and is hereby entitled to all the honors, rights, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office, and to display the certificate given this day under the seal of uh city council or Tavius Jones Chairman Jeff Warren, member of the council. Thank you. And you so move? So moved. Okay. That item is moved by if there's no object item is moved by acclamation. Battle comptroller, will you please call the roll? Mr. Chairman, Councilmember Canale. World call. Councilmember Canale. Pres uh Carlisle. Present. Calvet. Dockery. Easter Thomas. Ford. Johnson. Logan. Morgan. Robinson. Present. Vice Chairman Smiley. Okay. Warren. Present. Chairman Jones.

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