Memphis City Council Meeting: March 5, 2024 – Resolutions, Public Comments on Ceasefire, and Sawmill
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Memphis City Council Meeting: March 5, 2024
The Memphis City Council convened on March 5, 2024, to consider several resolutions, hear extensive public comment, and address procedural matters. The meeting featured debates on funding transfers for infrastructure projects, a controversial sawmill development, and a significant public outcry demanding a ceasefire resolution regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The council passed most items on the agenda, except for one resolution that initially passed but was later found to have failed due to a vote tally error.
Consent Calendar
- No separate consent calendar was used; all items were voted on individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ceasefire Resolution Support: Over 50 speakers, including Palestinian Americans, students, teachers, physicians, clergy, and community activists, urged the council to adopt a non-binding resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers cited statistics: more than 30,000 Palestinians killed (including 14,000 children), 65,000 injured, 1.9 million displaced, and the destruction of hospitals, schools, and religious sites. They noted that over 70 U.S. city councils have passed similar resolutions and that Memphis sends an estimated $9 million annually in federal tax dollars to Israel. Many speakers expressed frustration with the council's inaction and lack of a sponsor for the resolution.
- Sawmill Opposition: Kevin Crawford (age 17), Vincent Spriggs (Game Changers), and other residents opposed a proposed sawmill at 1230 North Watkins Street, citing health risks from particulate matter, lack of community input, and the need for a grocery store instead. Councilwoman Swarengin Washington asked for data on health impacts.
- Police Accountability: Damon Curry Morris called for defunding the Memphis Police Department, alleging misconduct and lack of accountability. He referenced a survey showing 69% of residents are not in favor of the police.
- Procedural Complaints: Amber Sherman criticized the council for not paying attention, laughing at name pronunciations, and failing to sponsor the ceasefire resolution. She noted that the council had received the resolution weeks prior.
Discussion Items
- Item 20 – Land Transfer to School Board: Resolution to transfer two parcels to Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education. Passed unanimously.
- Item 21 – Riverfront Park Improvement Funding: Resolution to transfer $250,000 for riverfront park improvements (Wagner Lot). Public comment from Joe Kent argued the city was paying twice for a shoddy parking lot. Initially passed 7-3, but after Councilman Canale’s vote was recorded as “no,” the tally was recalculated, and the item failed (5-5? The transcript shows confusion: final tally was 5 yes, 5 no? Actually it says “five no” and then “five yes” but then “item passes” then “fails”. The final ruling: “This item fails.” We report as failed.
- Item 22 – Bridge Repair Funding: Transfer $800,000 for bridge repairs on Walnut Grove, Rains Road, Getwell, and South Parkway. Passed.
- Item 23 – Additional Bridge Repair Funding: Transfer $500,000 for bridge repairs citywide. Passed.
- Item 24 – Safety Action Plan Funding: Accept $640,000 from U.S. DOT for comprehensive safety action plan. Passed.
- Item 25 – Pedestrian Crossing Project: Accept $551,230 for Mississippi Boulevard pedestrian crossing. Passed. Same-night minutes approved for items 5, 10, and 25.
- Ceasefire Resolution: No formal resolution was introduced or voted on. Councilwoman Green explained that a sponsor is needed to bring it to committee and then to the full council. No council member volunteered to sponsor at the meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Item 20 passed (unanimous).
- Item 21 failed after a recount; initial vote 7-3, but corrected to 5-5? The chair declared it failed. (Exact final tally unclear from transcript, but outcome is failure.)
- Items 22, 23, 24, 25 passed (all with yes votes, some with noes but passed).
- Same-night minutes for items 5, 10, and 25 approved.
- No action on the requested ceasefire resolution; no sponsor emerged.
- The council agreed to continue public comment but did not set a date for further discussion of the ceasefire resolution.
Meeting Transcript
For those of you who are listening online, I I just would like to remind you that we're taking a brief pause to see if we can get the machines back up. It appears that they're up and running. Are we good? Madam Comptroller. I think we is displaying that. All right. Have we already called item number 20? So council members, could you please sign into your screens? All right, so let's let's call it number 20 again. I'm not sure if we got all the way through it. Item number 20 is a resolution requesting the city of Memphis to the City of Memphis transfer two parcels, parcel number 059088047, and parcel number 059088048 to Memphis Shelby County Board of Education in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, District 4, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by the administration. All right. Uh see uh councilwoman Swedish Washington, you recognize. Thank you, Chair. The committee met and had a favorable recommendation. I so moved. Moved by Councilwoman Swan Watson and seconded by Councilman Warren. It appears that all hearts and minds are clear. Madam Comptroller, could you please prepare the screen for a vote? Canale, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Ford, yes, green, yes, Spinoza, yes, Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes. Chairman Smiley, yes. This item passes. Madam Comptroller, please call item number 21. Item number 21 is a resolution transferring and appropriating funds in the amount of 250,000 dollars for GA07002 to GA0709, river front park improvement and major maintenance. District 7, super district eight. This resolution is sponsored by the administration. Councilwoman Warren, I mean Councilman Warren. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the committee met and recommended approval and I show move. Moved by Councilman Moore. Thank you. Mr. Kent, you're recognized. Joe Kent, 511 Flamingo, founder of the institute, local conspiracy theorists, investigative journalist, and photojournalist. My pronouns are he, him, and can change, could change at any time. So the Wagner lot already has funding, a funding source in the $62 million DMC pilot extension fund from 62 million. The following projects were supposed to be funded uh in the uh always have empty mobility center, shoppers garage, first park uh place garage, which I doubt will ever be done. Brooks, cut bank bluff, and wagner lot. When presented before district six counselors economic uh development committee in 2020 as part of the $62 million, a welcoming and manicured parking experience was to be the product with brick pavers and nothing, and nothing was mentioned about paid parking. This was a picture presented. What taxpayers got instead from the $62 million DMC tranche for Wagner was an asphalt paved, unmanicured and unwelcome cyclone fence parking experience, paid parking experience. Reject or deduct the 61k from the appropriation as the city council will be paying twice for the shoddy DMC funded MRPP project. And next, uh get on with shutting down MRPP by not funding them at all in the three million dollar maintenance contract or through the parks budget. MRPP is not a maintenance organization. Taxpayers never signed up for Bill Street Landing, Boat Docks, unmaintained Mud Island ripped off cobblestones. Brooks are paying interest through decreased maintenance on MRPP's loans stemming from uncollected private pledges. So you're paying twice.
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