Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – August 22, 2023

The Memphis City Council met on August 22, 2023, under Chair Martavius Jones. The council addressed a law enforcement resolution seeking ongoing Shelby County Sheriff's Office assistance downtown, a disputed apartment complex appeal, a pawn shop expansion near schools (held), two referendum ordinances, and multiple funding authorizations for parks, infrastructure, and MLGW. Public comment touched on housing conditions, downtown policing, police accountability, and tow truck rate increases.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from August 8, 2023 – Approved as amended (contract number changed to 5445). Unanimous.
• Items 7–11 (second reading of ordinance, engineering plans, supplemental agreements) – All approved on consent.
• Fiscal Consent (Items 12–18) – Grant, paving contract, MLGW-related contracts – Passed collectively.
• Items 19 (Animal Service Advisory Board appointment) – Approved.
• Items 24, 33–38 (hazmat grant, weatherization, major maintenance transfer appropriations) – All approved.
• Items 25–31 (Parks funding: Lester Community Center, tennis courts, Audubon Golf Course, Wolf River Greenway, Lichterman Nature Center, Memphis Zoo, Botanic Garden) – All approved unanimously.
• Item 32 (comprehensive rezoning study) – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Godwin (1081 Court Ave.) – Complained about mold and code violations at Memphis Tower (Millennium building), urged council to withhold funding until resolved.
• Lucille Catron (979 Grand Ave.) – Criticized the council for focusing enforcement on Beale Street, arguing it pushed crowds elsewhere; mentioned her lawsuit and unpaid promises for the Historic Daisy Theatre.
• Cassio Montez (503 N. 5th St.) – Demanded release of body camera footage in the fatal police shooting of Courtney Ross (August 11), expressed lack of trust in police, and called on council members to hold MPD accountable.
• Joe Kent (511 Flamingo) – Requested resurrection of the riverfront steering committee and accused "elitists" of bullying businesses; argued crime will remain high as long as taxpayer money subsidizes private interests.
• Angela Inman (4000 N. Watkins) – Representing tow truck owners, urged council to approve a rate increase, noting the current $31.25 per call is unsustainable.
• Scott Westbrook (3966 Winchester) – Said drivers risk their lives, have not seen a raise since 2006, and cited rising costs for trucks, fuel, and insurance; asked for immediate action on the tower rate increase.
• Paul Williams (3169 Ridgecrest) – Noted 35,000 accidents in 2022, argued the required $2 million insurance is prohibitive, and pleaded for a rate increase to survive.
• Philanese Anderson (905 Mason St.) – Driver and office manager, said current rates cannot support drivers or new companies; urged council to help the tower industry.
• Walter Brody – Gave a prayer.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Honor for Jim Jaggers – A resolution recognizing the 45‑year broadcasting meteorologist (WREG TV). Councilman Colvett read highlights; Mr. Jaggers thanked the council. Unanimously adopted.
• Item 40 – Request Sheriff’s Office Downtown Assistance – Vice Chair Smiley introduced the resolution after MPD Deputy Chief Crow confirmed a good working relationship. Sheriff Floyd Bonner stated he has never refused MPD, but needs an official request. Several council members (Johnson, Colvett, Warren, Smiley) stressed permanent collaboration, noting that Memphis taxpayers fund the sheriff’s budget. Sheriff committed to providing resources; the resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 2 – Apartment Complex Appeal (Anne Burgess) – Substitute resolution with nine conditions (max 399 units, emergency curb cut, preserved open space, right of first refusal for HOA, etc.) was presented by Councilman Colvett. Commissioner Erica Sugarman opposed, calling it a bait‑and‑switch. The substitute resolution passed 9‑1‑1 (Easter Thomas abstained, Swearingin Washington voted no).
• Item 3 – Vehicle Repair Special Use Permit – Amended resolution, passed unanimously.
• Item 5 – Plan Development at 3337 Overton Crossing (Pawn Shop Expansion) – Dozens of students and faculty from Memphis Business Academy and Memphis STEM Academy spoke in opposition, citing safety concerns, proximity to schools, and inconsistency with the city’s gun‑violence prevention efforts. Councilman Colvett noted a “trick bag”: a yes vote forces improvements; a no vote leaves the existing pawn shop unchanged. He requested the applicant consider prohibiting gun sales. The item was held for three weeks (to the next meeting) for further negotiation.
• Item 20 – Referendum to Re‑establish Elected City Court Clerk – Councilman Warren explained the measure corrects a prior election error, allowing citizens to decide. Passed unanimously.
• Item 21 – Referendum on Residency Requirement for City Employees – Would require all city employees (including MLGW) to live in Shelby County, with an exemption for first responders. Councilman Warren argued it would hinder MLGW hiring. The measure failed (5 yes, 3 no).
• Items 24–39 – Routine approvals for grants, CIP transfers, and a use agreement for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. All passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Jim Jaggers resolution – Adopted unanimously.
• Sheriff’s Office assistance resolution (Item 40) – Approved unanimously; ongoing collaboration expected.
• Apartment complex appeal (Item 2) – Substitute resolution with conditions approved 9‑1‑1.
• Pawn shop expansion (Item 5) – Held for three weeks pending further discussions.
• Referendum on elected city court clerk (Item 20) – Passed unanimously; will appear on a future ballot.
• Referendum on city employee residency (Item 21) – Failed (5 yes, 3 no); not placed on ballot.
• All park and infrastructure resolutions (Items 25–31, 33–38) – Approved.
• Consent agendas – Approved as presented.
• Public comment items – No formal action taken; the council listened to concerns about housing, policing, and tow rates.