Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - August 8, 2023

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on August 8, 2023, at 9:45 AM. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, several consent agenda approvals, a significant discussion on a pawn shop expansion, and public comments on public safety and small business concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
• Approved an honorary street name change for FedEx Corporation (Item 38) by acclamation, designating portions of Lt. George W. Lee Avenue and BB King Boulevard as FedEx One Plaza.
• Approved a resolution honoring Tracy Bedea for her contributions to gospel radio (Item 1) by acclamation.
• Approved Items 5, 6, 8-12, 13-17 (fiscal consent), 18-27 (MLGW fiscal consent), 35, 37, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, and same night minutes (Items 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,26,35,37,38) as part of consent agendas. All passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Commissioner Erica Sugarman (Shelby County Commission, District 12) spoke on Item 4 (held for two weeks). She expressed support for the city council's gun permit and background check resolution and the Playback Memphis program. However, she implored the council to vote against increasing apartment units from 279 to 579 at a development in District 12, citing the need for an MPD substation, flood cameras, and speed bumps. She reported that Sheriff Bonner stated the expansion would intensify crime. She also noted nearly 3,000 homeless students and 60,000 evictions in the last two years, and Memphis being labeled the most dangerous city.
• Joe Kent (public comment) criticized the closure of the Guthrie Clinic, accused the city of bullying small businesses, and stated that Memphis needs 6,000 more mom-and-pop establishments. He also criticized the mayor for preferring out-of-state and international companies over local small businesses, specifically mentioning a Canadian company, Israeli companies, and an Arizona company.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 (PD 23-09) – Plan development at 3337 Overton Crossing Street to expand an existing pawn shop (First Cash / Cash America) from a non-conforming use. The Division of Planning and Development recommended rejection, citing inconsistency with the future land use and that expansion would perpetuate the non-conformity. The Land Use Control Board had approved it 4-2 with one abstention.
  • Council members debated extensively. Some opposed the expansion, citing the community's opposition (represented by Reverend Anderson) and the desire to force the business to improve without expanding. Others supported the expansion because it would allow investment, improve the blighted property, retain employees (approximately 5 from a closing store), and provide needed storage. The applicant stated that the business model requires additional storage to consolidate two stores, and without the expansion, they would not invest in improvements and might lay off employees.
  • Vice Chair Smiley and Councilman Jones questioned why the property had not been improved before. Councilman Morgan noted he would support Councilwoman Easter Thomas's opposition as representative of the district. Councilman Canale proposed a hold for two weeks to see if a compromise could be reached with the community. The motion to hold was seconded by Vice Chair Smiley and passed without objection, with requests for additional information on square footage of other locations, costs, and employment details.

Key Outcomes

• Items held: Items 2, 3, 4, 29, and 30 were held. Item 4 (apartment expansion) was held for two weeks; Items 2 and 3 were held indefinitely. Item 7 was held for two weeks to allow further discussion and community input.
• Votes: All consent agenda items, fiscal consent items, and other resolutions (Items 5, 6, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, and same night minutes) passed with near-unanimous support. Councilwoman Johnson voted no on Item 28 (reappointment of Michael Poldman to MLGW Commission); Vice Chairman Smiley, Councilwoman Swearington Washington, and Councilman Warren abstained.
• Announcement: Councilman Carlisle announced that the governor called a special session of the General Assembly on August 21 with 18 topics; council members were asked to prepare legislative priorities for lobbyists.
• Next steps: Items held for two weeks will return at the August 22 meeting.