Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - July 25, 2023
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Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - July 25, 2023
The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on July 25, 2023, at 9:45 AM. The meeting included opening ceremonies, unanimous approval of multiple resolutions and ordinances, recognition of community members, and farewell remarks for a departing staff member.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of July 11, 2023 Minutes: Unanimously passed (moved by Vice Chair Smiley, seconded by Councilman Carlisle)
- Items 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 29: Consent agenda items approved unanimously, including referendum ordinances on re-establishing the elected City Court Clerk office and requiring city employees to live in Shelby County, a zoning ordinance, a land use control board notation, and a resolution accepting public improvements.
Discussion Items
- Resolution Honoring Reverend Alexander Gladley Sr. (Item 1): Sponsored by Councilwoman Easter Thomas. Approved by acclamation. The reverend’s brother spoke in gratitude.
- Resolution Honoring Ari Morris (Item 2): Sponsored by Councilwoman Swearingin Washington and Vice Chairman Smiley. Ari Morris, a Grammy-nominated producer and engineer, was recognized for his contributions to Memphis music. Approved by acclamation.
- Resolution Commemorating HBCU Scholarship Program (Item 4): Sponsored by Chairman Jones. The program awarded $448,000 to 84 students attending 25 different HBCUs. Approved by acclamation.
- Recognition of Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren: Introduced from the floor by Councilman Canale, Councilwoman Robinson, and Chairman Jones. Honored for receiving the Tennessee AFP Family Physician of the Year award. Approved by acclamation.
- Items 15-28: Unanimously approved, including:
- Fire station canopy and patio project (Item 15)
- Two-year license agreement with USFL at Liberty Stadium (Item 16)
- Multiple drainage repair and infrastructure projects (Items 17-27, totaling over $18 million)
- Sewer line rehabilitation (Item 28, $8,782,715)
- Appointments (Item 11): Approved appointments to the Memphis and Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine (Roderic Modeling) and the Downtown Memphis Commission (Raymond P. Brown). Councilman Carlisle praised Mr. Brown’s service.
- Capital Improvement Budget Amendment (Item 14): Sponsored by Councilwoman Logan. Transferred $90,000 for sidewalk construction at North Lake Apartments on Covington Pike due to safety concerns. Approved unanimously with same-night minutes.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were unanimous with no opposition.
- Items 3, 12, and 13 were held to August 8, 2023; Item 5 was held to August 22, 2023.
- Same-night minutes were approved for items 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.
- No public comments were submitted.
- The meeting adjourned with a farewell to Constance Brown, who left the council office for a legal position with the city.
Meeting Transcript
One two three JB. One, two, three. Six. Chase. Mr. Sergeant at Arms, will you please call our July twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-three meeting to order? All right. Good afternoon. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Brother Eric Wright of East Haven Church of Christ. The prayer will be, his prayer will immediately be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Brother Wright, will you please lead us in prayer? Thank you. Let us go to God and prayer. Oh, gracious and merciful, loving Father in Heaven. We approach your throne on this day. Thank you so much for all your love, your care, and your concern that you have for us. We come to you on this day, praying for this great event, this chamber, dignitaries, residents of the great city of Memphis. We pray that we will everything will be conducted in a manner that will be pleasing and acceptable in your sight. And we pray that we come to this meeting with the mindset to better Memphis to do those things that will impact and increase volunteerism and do all the things that'll be great for this city. We pray for our children at this time, dear God, that are preparing to go back to school. We pray for the parents, grandparents, uh that the children will be leaving. We pray for our seniors at this time of this great city. Pray that you will continue to watch over them and keep them safe. We know, dear God, that the heat is rising, temperatures are changing. Pray that you continue to watch over all of us. We appreciate all that you have done, what you are currently doing for us, and what you are going to do. We pray that as we go through the furtherance of this meeting, that we will have our minds focus on you, seek you for counsel, and do what is right in your sight. And we ask that in your son Jesus Christ's name. Amen. Amen. I 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, justice for all. Be it hereby known that Minister Eric Wright in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the City of Memphis, meritorious emballment in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated 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 the display of this certificate given under the seal this 25th day of July 2023 by our chairman Martavious Jones and presented by Patrice Jordan Robinson. Congratulations and thank you for serving the City of Memphis on today. God bless. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Council members canale. Carlisle call that Easter Thomas Ford. Johnson. Logan president. Morgan. Robinson. Vice Chairman Smiley. Oh. Swearing in Washington. Present. Warren? Present. Chairman Jones. Here.
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