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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - June 4, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, June 4, 2024

BodyMemphis, Tennessee

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, June 4, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 43:41

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

I didn't bring any.

0:08

All right.

0:10

Sergeant of Arms, please call our June for 2024 Council meeting order.

0:25

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Gregory Stokes of Greater Paradise Baptist Church, invited by Councilman Ford, Pastor Stokes.

0:37

Please lead us in prayer.

0:46

Share we pray.

0:47

Eternal God our Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

0:51

It is again that you have allowed us another privilege to come before thee in our presence.

0:57

And as we come, Master, we'd like to say thank you for all of the blessings that you restored upon us.

1:04

You gave us last night's watch and early rising this morning, the dawn of a new day.

1:10

And we said thank you.

1:12

We thank you for the provisions you made for us this day.

1:16

You've given us protection.

1:18

You're giving us brand new blessings, and we're grateful.

1:22

Now, Lord, as we come uh to transact business on behalf of the citizens of this great city, we thank you for the group of council persons, oh God, who serve us.

1:37

Master, I pray especially for them.

1:40

I plead the blood of the Lamb over their lives, over their personal lives.

1:44

I pray that you would continue to uh give them divine guidance as they make decisions for the citizens of this city.

1:53

Master, I pray for our chairperson, our chairman, and the entire council.

2:01

I pray, oh God, that you would uh let them serve with ease and keep them free of stress, and you will give them joy and their spirits.

2:11

Pray that you bless their families and then all those who have come to participate for whatever interests it may be.

2:18

You said in your word to trust in you, lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge you in your direct eye past.

2:27

Blessing our master as they go forth, uh bless our city.

2:31

Uh you know what lies before us.

2:33

You are a healer, you are a deliverer.

2:36

Uh you can take evil and bring good out of it.

2:40

We pray that you bless the family of our friend Pastor Nat Rucker, who lost our sister in our Friday day, and all those concerned, those families that have been stricken by violence.

2:53

We pray, oh God, that you allow your Holy Spirit to comfort them, continue to be our God and our leader.

2:59

It's in Christ's name we pray.

3:01

Amen.

3:02

Amen.

3:04

Leaders to the flag of the United States of America and Republic, for which we stand, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

3:18

Thank you, Pastor Stokes, Councilman Ford.

3:26

You are recognized.

3:41

All right, Reverend Stokes.

3:42

Yes, sir.

3:43

On behalf of the city council, we appreciate you for coming down and leading us in prayer today, and we have a little total of your appreciation.

3:52

Thank you, sir.

3:53

Thank you, sir.

3:54

Can I say something?

3:54

Yeah, you can go right here.

3:57

I just wanted to say I started to sing a hymn to kind of get me in the spirit, but it didn't.

4:03

I didn't know whether I could, but I pass us not.

4:06

Oh, gentle saying you can't say.

4:10

He's the product of J.L.

4:12

Payne.

4:13

The legend.

4:14

Yeah, he was a singer.

4:17

Praise God.

4:18

Thank you.

4:19

Thank you.

4:20

Thank you.

4:20

Thank you.

4:20

Thank you.

4:22

All right.

4:23

Madam Comptroller, you know what to do.

4:25

Councilmember Canale.

4:27

Here.

4:28

Carlisle.

4:29

Not here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████████33%

Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████████████████29%

Public Engagement███████7%

Public Transportation███████7%

Pending Litigation█████5%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Animal Welfare█████5%

Public Safety█████5%

Real Estate Transactions██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - June 4, 2024

The Memphis City Council met on June 4, 2024, to consider consent agenda items, several resolutions, and hear public comments. Key topics included a management agreement with Memphis Museums Inc., a property sale to Crosstown Partners, and council rule amendments. Public comments addressed animal services, property taxes, youth funding, and utility governance.

Consent Calendar

Items 1–3 (ordinances) were approved unanimously on second reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

Lee Hollingsworth (on behalf of Oscar Silbinder) objected to item 7 (MMI contract) due to pending litigation, requesting the contract not be approved until the litigation is resolved.
Joan Harp highlighted the lack of veterinarians at Memphis Animal Services, reporting that 202 dogs were euthanized in May, 100 of those for space, and proposed distributing pet supplies to council offices.
Dr. Sharon Williams (president, Shelby County Republican Women's Club) opposed the proposed 75-cent property tax increase (28% increase), citing recent property value reassessments and suggesting a tax on outside investors instead.
Rodney Harrison (Americans for Prosperity) opposed any tax increase, arguing it harms renters and young people, and urged the council to find alternative revenue sources.
Andreas Williams spoke about youth truancy, lack of enforcement, and requested a youth task force and use of ARPA funds.
Amber Sherman criticized the budget allocation, arguing for funding youth mental health and libraries over the police budget, and urged action on resolutions.
Joe Kent criticized MRPP’s management of parks, claiming overspending, and suggested the city take over maintenance.
Aeris Newton (homeowner) supported a tax increase to invest in city services, urging the council to be brave.
Martavius Jones (former council member) opposed adding non-Memphians to the MLGW board, arguing it is a city division and suburbs could form their own utility.
Mr. Brody gave a prayer and religious remarks.

Discussion Items

Item 7: Resolution approving a management agreement between the city and Memphis Museums Inc. to manage museum properties. Councilman Spinoza moved approval after committee discussion. Passed unanimously.
Item 8: Resolution authorizing the sale of multiple parcels to Crosstown Partners LLC for $300,000. Councilman Spinoza moved approval. Passed unanimously with a request for same-night minutes.
Item 9: Resolution to amend council rules of procedure. Councilman Canale moved approval as amended. Passed unanimously with a request for same-night minutes.
Councilwoman Green commented on item 35 in the minutes regarding the vehicle registration fee, clarifying her role with Shelby County and that it does not affect her vote.

Key Outcomes

Consent agenda items 1–3 approved unanimously.
Item 7 (MMI management agreement) approved unanimously.
Item 8 (property sale to Crosstown Partners) approved unanimously with same-night minutes.
Item 9 (council rules amendment) approved unanimously with same-night minutes.
Same-night minutes for items 8 and 9 read and approved unanimously.
Items 4, 5, and 6 held until June 25, 2024.
No motions were made on public comments.

Meeting Transcript

I didn't bring any. All right. Sergeant of Arms, please call our June for 2024 Council meeting order. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Gregory Stokes of Greater Paradise Baptist Church, invited by Councilman Ford, Pastor Stokes. Please lead us in prayer. Share we pray. Eternal God our Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is again that you have allowed us another privilege to come before thee in our presence. And as we come, Master, we'd like to say thank you for all of the blessings that you restored upon us. You gave us last night's watch and early rising this morning, the dawn of a new day. And we said thank you. We thank you for the provisions you made for us this day. You've given us protection. You're giving us brand new blessings, and we're grateful. Now, Lord, as we come uh to transact business on behalf of the citizens of this great city, we thank you for the group of council persons, oh God, who serve us. Master, I pray especially for them. I plead the blood of the Lamb over their lives, over their personal lives. I pray that you would continue to uh give them divine guidance as they make decisions for the citizens of this city. Master, I pray for our chairperson, our chairman, and the entire council. I pray, oh God, that you would uh let them serve with ease and keep them free of stress, and you will give them joy and their spirits. Pray that you bless their families and then all those who have come to participate for whatever interests it may be. You said in your word to trust in you, lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge you in your direct eye past. Blessing our master as they go forth, uh bless our city. Uh you know what lies before us. You are a healer, you are a deliverer. Uh you can take evil and bring good out of it. We pray that you bless the family of our friend Pastor Nat Rucker, who lost our sister in our Friday day, and all those concerned, those families that have been stricken by violence. We pray, oh God, that you allow your Holy Spirit to comfort them, continue to be our God and our leader. It's in Christ's name we pray. Amen. Amen. Leaders to the flag of the United States of America and Republic, for which we stand, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Stokes, Councilman Ford. You are recognized. All right, Reverend Stokes. Yes, sir. On behalf of the city council, we appreciate you for coming down and leading us in prayer today, and we have a little total of your appreciation. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Can I say something? Yeah, you can go right here. I just wanted to say I started to sing a hymn to kind of get me in the spirit, but it didn't. I didn't know whether I could, but I pass us not. Oh, gentle saying you can't say. He's the product of J.L. Payne. The legend. Yeah, he was a singer. Praise God. Thank you.

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