The Memphis City Council convened on April 11, 2023, at 9:30 AM for a regular meeting. The session opened with prayer by Reverend Clifford Ballinger, followed by approval of the March 21st meeting minutes. The council approved numerous resolutions honoring individuals and organizations, passed consent agendas, and conducted legislative business including the third reading of the Driving Equality Act, which was amended and renamed in honor of Tyree Nichols. Items related to police reform were tabled indefinitely, and public comment included calls to rescind bans on community members.
Mr. Sergeant at Arms, will you please call our April 11th, 2023 Council meeting to order? All right, please. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Reverend Clifford Ballinger, Senior Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church, invited by Councilwoman Logan. The prayer will immediately be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Ballinger, please lead us in prayer. Let us pray with boldness. Mighty and merciful God, lover of justice and equity. You call us to support the weak, to help those who suffer, and to honor all people. By the power of the Holy Spirit, make us advocate of your justice today. Justice on this day, for justice delayed, is too all you denied. We cry out for justice, justice for the death of Pyrene Nichols, justice for victims of sexual abuse, justice for victims of domestic violence. We pray for protection to the for the vulnerable, protection for the abused, courage to the fearful, strength to parents and caregivers, urge the privilege of their sense of superiority, and help us build communities of equity and diversity. We pray for our city council and pray for all who serve the local city government. Give them a voice that seeks a common good for our community. We pray for meaningful police reforms in our city. We pray that the people will be heard this day. We pray for courage to address real problems with real solutions. We pray that we never have to vary the innocent victim of police violence ever again at our city and we pray for fair wages, public education, accessible health care, and compassionate elder care. Pray for juvenile justice reform, living wages for our workers, and family leave in times of crisis. Pray for wisdom, discernment. We pray for action. We pray in particular for our home, our community here in Memphis, Tennessee. We give thanks for clean water, a deep aquifer, and a mighty river. Help us to be good stewards of these good gifts of creation. We pray for Memphis that Memphis may be a city of safety, a city of peace, a city where all will welcome, a safe place where all can live out their diversity without fear. Pray all these things, and the one who created it all, and thought that we would have a good community love one another, love our God the Creator. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. And I'd just like to um come on up, please. Just like to thank um Reverend Ballinger for his willingness to be involved in the community always. He's never um closes doors on the community. He's always been from voting booth to community meetings, always been active in the community, and we um thank God for uh public servant uh such as himself being available to uh the community. And I'd just like to read this for your hearing by the city council greetings. Be it thereby known that Reverend Clifford A. Ballinger is recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs and demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been appointed chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council and is hereby entitled to all of the honors, rights, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate given under this CEO this 11th day of April 2023. Martavis Jones, Chairman, presented by Ronda Logan, member of City Council, and again, we so appreciate you. And have a gift for you. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Councilmembers Canale, Carlisle, call that Easter Thomas, Ford, Johnson, Logan, Morgan, Robinson, Vice Chairman Smiley, Swearman Washington, Frederick, Warren, Chairman Jones. Here. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you. I believe Vice Chair Smiley has read the minutes from our March 21st meeting. Indeed. I have reviewed.