Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – April 9, 2024

The Memphis City Council convened on April 9, 2024, at 9:30 AM for a regular meeting. The session included approval of numerous agenda items, several holds and deferrals, controversial budget adjustments, and public comments on local and global issues.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8–14: Approved unanimously. Included ordinances renaming the Pine Hill Clubhouse in honor of Cleophys Hudson Sr. and Charles Hudson; zoning reclassification on Dexter Lane and Cordova Road; accepting public improvements for Memphis Union Mission Phase 2A and Lucky Self-Storage.
• Item 15: Approved (12–1) an honorary street name change on Union Avenue Extended for the late Warren Stephen Canale.

MLGW Consent Agenda

• Items 16–34, 36–42: Approved en bloc. Included ratifications for construction services, purchase orders for generators, electric smart meters (discussed), ductile iron pipe, and various contract renewals. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton raised concerns about ongoing smart meter issues; MLGW President Doug McGowan clarified that electric meters differ from gas/water meters and have not experienced the same problems.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Blue and Green Day: Resolution designating April 12, 2024, as Blue and Green Day to promote organ and tissue donation. Approved unanimously.
• Item 2 – Street/Alley Closure: Approval of closure of a segment of North November 6th Street and an unnamed alley for the 100 North Main project. Passed unanimously.
• Item 3 – Special Use Permit at 3545 South Third Street: Held for the second time; applicant required to host a public meeting.
• Item 4 – Special Use Permit for Hotel at 46 North BB King Boulevard: Approved unanimously with a friendly amendment requiring council approval if the hotel flag changes from Holiday Inn Express.
• Item 5 – Special Use Permit at 2491 Joy Lane: Held at the request of Councilwoman Cooper Sutton pending further discussion with investors and management. Motion passed 9–4; will be heard at the next meeting.
• Item 6 – Special Use Permit at 391 Western Park Drive: Held until May 7, 2024, to allow a public meeting in District 6. Councilman Ford noted the need for proper community engagement.
• Item 7 – Zoning Reclassification for Fuller Road: Approved unanimously after a protracted negotiation brokered by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton and community representatives.
• Item 43 – MLGW Contract and Salary Oversight: Third reading approved (12–1, with Councilman Canale opposed; Councilman Warren abstained). Ordinance raises salary threshold requiring council approval from $90,000 to $120,000 and contract threshold from $100,000 to $150,000. Includes a six-month sunset clause; sponsors will work with MLGW on a permanent process.
• Item 45 – Entertainment Transportation Vehicles Ordinance: Third reading approved unanimously. Regulates party bikes, pedal taverns, and similar vehicles. A friendly amendment changed “any moving traffic violations” to “repeated moving traffic violations” to avoid overly broad disqualification.
• Item 58 – FY24 Third Quarter Budget Adjustment: Approved (12–0). Transfers approximately $10 million from the rainy day fund to cover 100+ fire department positions inadvertently omitted from the payroll. Council members criticized the prior administration for suppressing the shortfall, demanding accountability.
• Item 49 – Resolution Opposing School Vouchers: Approved unanimously. Adds council to opposition against Tennessee HB 202/SB 2517 that would divert public funds to private schools.
• Item 50 – Resolution Opposing Elimination of Two Judicial Courts in Shelby County: Approved unanimously. Calls for maintaining circuit and criminal court judgeships.

Key Outcomes

• Items 3, 5, 6: Held for further community input or applicant negotiations.
• Item 43: Amended and approved; council will evaluate the oversight process within six months.
• Item 45: Passed with amendment on moving violations.
• Item 58: Approved amid strong criticism; council will seek records of prior administration's knowledge of the shortfall.
• Appointments: Approved for Air Pollution Control Board (Steve Sheridan), Urban Art Commission (Takisha Johnson), and Pension Board (Catania Evans, James Mike Ryle).
• Public Comments: Residents spoke on potholes, a Gaza ceasefire resolution, animal shelter conditions, and the biomass facility on North Washington Street. Council members acknowledged concerns but took no immediate action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sylvia Presley (“Pothole Lady”): Announced a Facebook group to raise awareness about potholes and read a poem criticizing city response.
• Natasha Strong and Stephanie Walker: Opposed the biomass facility at 1230 North Washington Street, citing community opposition and the applicant’s public withdrawal. Council voted 9–4 to place the item on the next meeting agenda.
• Tara Miller (LMSW): Urged incorporation of social workers into public safety strategies. Councilwomen Green, Logan, and Cooper Sutton shared personal experiences with gun violence and offered further engagement.
• Multiple speakers (Laila Al-Sherif, Nabil Bayokly, Amal Al-Tereb, etc.): Urged a ceasefire resolution for Gaza. Students submitted handwritten letters. Council Chairman Smiley acknowledged the issue but no resolution was introduced.
• Glenda Hicks: Questioned why citizens cannot speak on MLGW consent agenda items. Requested explanation.
• Joanne Hart and Fabiola Francis: Protested conditions at Memphis Animal Shelter, calling for increased funding and transparency.
• Joe Kent: Criticized lack of MLGW financial transparency and the Chamber of Commerce’s role.

Key Outcomes

• Items 3, 5, 6: Held for further community input or applicant negotiations.
• Item 43: Amended and approved; council will evaluate the oversight process within six months.
• Item 45: Passed with amendment on moving violations.
• Item 58: Approved amid strong criticism; council will seek records of prior administration's knowledge of the shortfall.
• Appointments: Approved for Air Pollution Control Board (Steve Sheridan), Urban Art Commission (Takisha Johnson), and Pension Board (Catania Evans, James Mike Ryle).
• Public Comments: Residents spoke on potholes, a Gaza ceasefire resolution, animal shelter conditions, and the biomass facility on North Washington Street. Council members acknowledged concerns but took no immediate action.