Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - January 24, 2023

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on January 24, 2023, at 9:30 AM. The meeting included a moment of silence for Tyre Nichols and Dr. Charles Champion, approval of multiple resolutions and ordinances, a detailed discussion on a water meter purchase order from MLGW, public comments regarding the death of Tyre Nichols, police transparency, ethylene oxide emissions, and community safety concerns, and council members' responses pledging policy action.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution honoring Senator Ramesh Akbari for her election as Senate Minority Leader (approved by acclamation).
• Resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of AR Barbecue (approved by acclamation).
• Resolution approving honorary street name change of Chelsea Avenue for Dr. Gloria Cryor Lewis (approved by acclamation).
• Resolution recognizing Geno Brownlee for his service to youth (approved by acclamation).
• Resolution approving special use permit at 526 Weekly Avenue (SUP 22-31) – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution approving plan development at 8349 Macon Road (PD 22-24) – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Consent agenda (items 7, 8, 9, 11, 22, 27, 28, 29) – passed unanimously (13-0). Item 22: resolution to reduce ethylene oxide emissions. Items 27-28-29: joint resolutions requesting state action on short rail line preservation, EPA recycling funding, and TCAT airplane mechanic program expansion.
• Fiscal consent agenda (items 14, 15, 16) – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution allocating $509,500 from CIP for Glenview Community Center – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution allocating $240,500 from CIP for Gooch Park – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution accepting donation of real property at 2140 South Third Street – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution approving sale of city-owned property at Zero Castellia Street – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution transferring ownership of 268 Bethel Avenue to Community Redevelopment Agency – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Resolution appropriating $9,131,466 for TE Maxon Wastewater Treatment Facility construction – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Joint resolution requesting state amendment on taxation of investor-owned single-family rentals (50 or more units) – passed unanimously (13-0).
• Same night minutes approved for items 3, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 – passed unanimously (13-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• P. Moses (2383 Jackson Ave) opposed appointments to the Economic Development Growth Engine board, criticizing the use of tax breaks and demanding release of body camera footage of Tyre Nichols’ death. She was warned for profanity.
• Vincent Taylor (4721 Harvest Park Dr) offered to lease land near the police impound lot for overflow vehicles. Chairman Jones advised that such matters must be initiated by the administration.
• Angela Johnson (492 Charter Ave) thanked the council for passing a non-binding resolution on ethylene oxide emissions and announced a community meeting on February 11, 2023 at South Branch Library. She also raised concerns about decoy police cameras in Westwood/Boxtown after recent murders.
• Richard Massey (614 Coaster Dr, Marion, AR) urged the council to address police misconduct, citing the death of Tyre Nichols. He was given extra time but asked to submit written policy recommendations.
• Ayanna Watkins (MICA – Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) reiterated that no one should die from a traffic stop and called for transparent police policies.
• Cassio Montez (503 North Fifth St) expressed anger over Tyre Nichols’ murder, demanded accountability, and warned of continued protests.
• Amber Sharman (6070 North Bellgrove Cove) urged passage of a data transparency ordinance, cited statistics showing racial disparities in traffic stops, and criticized Mayor Strickland’s hiring standards.
• Joy Brook Fairfield (2095 Poplar Ave #54) shared personal reflections on the Tyre Nichols case, called for an end to pretextual stops, and urged council to pass transparency measures.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – MLGW Water Meters Purchase Order: MLGW CFO answered questions about a $3,184,544.10 contract with Neptune Technology Group for 17,000 water meters over 36 months. Councilmembers questioned the 15% contingency for inflationary pressures and quantity changes. Some expressed confusion over the need for a 36-month blanket order rather than annual budget amendments. The item passed 11-2 (Canale voted no; Johnson and Logan abstained).
• Item 31 – Joint Resolution on Rental Property Taxation: Councilman Carlisle explained the resolution would treat investors with 50+ single-family rental properties in one county as commercial for taxation, addressing institutional investors. Chairman Jones supported the resolution, noting it targets large-scale entities. Passed unanimously.
• Council Discussion on Tyre Nichols: After public comments, Chairman Jones, Councilman Smiley, Councilwoman Logan, Councilman Carlisle, Councilwoman Robinson, and Vice Chair Smiley spoke. They expressed grief and solidarity, asked the community for patience to avoid prejudicing the ongoing TBI and DOJ investigations, and committed to policy action. Vice Chair Smiley announced he will introduce a data transparency ordinance at the next meeting requiring reporting of traffic stops, arrests, use of force, and complaints. Councilwoman Robinson recommitted to consistent police training.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and fiscal consent items passed unanimously except where noted.
• Item 13 (MLGW water meters) passed 11-2 (Canale no; Johnson and Logan abstain).
• Item 31 (rental property taxation resolution) passed unanimously.
• Appointments to Film and Television Commission (Gina Neely) and Economic Development Growth Engine (JT and Kumar) were approved after a public comment and vote (13-0).
• Vice Chair Smiley will file a data transparency ordinance for the February 7, 2023 meeting.
• Councilwoman Logan will request a Public Safety Committee report on MPD’s use of decoy cameras.
• Council reaffirmed support for the family of Tyre Nichols and urged patience for the investigation process.