Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 9, 2024
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Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 9, 2024
The Memphis City Council convened at 10:15 AM on July 9, 2024, for its regular meeting. The agenda included approval of prior minutes, several honorary resolutions, a contested special use permit for a gas station, a zoning ordinance, multiple consent agendas, and public comments. Key actions included the passage of Pride Month recognition, two honorary street naming resolutions, rejection of the special use permit, and a hold on a rezoning request pending a traffic study.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The June 25, 2024 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
- Pride Month Resolution: Commemorating June as Memphis Pride Month, recognizing Friends of George's. Passed by acclamation.
- Honorary Street Name – Judge Bernice Bowie Donald: Front Street between Poplar Avenue and Beale Street to be designated as Judge Bernice Bowie Donald Street. Sponsored by the entire council; passed by acclamation.
- Honorary Street Name – Lawrence and Magnolia Johnson: Shelby Drive between Mill Branch Road and Airways Boulevard designated as Lawrence and Magnolia Johnson Drive. Passed by acclamation.
- Consent Agenda (Items 6-7): Included zoning amendments, ordinance for Hazel Moore Pavilion renaming, referendum on MLGW board composition, and motor vehicle registration fee amendment. Passed unanimously.
- Fiscal Consent Agendas: Multiple fiscal items passed, including acceptance of $400,000 for urban forestry, MLGW items (items 10-38) for street cut permits, equipment purchases, contract renewals, and grant acceptance. All passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gas Station Special Use Permit (Item 4): Several Westwood community members spoke in opposition. Ola Hughes (President of Westwood Neighborhood Association) presented a petition with 545 signatures against the permit. Residents cited existing gas stations (seven within two miles), environmental justice concerns, poverty, and desire for grocery stores or restaurants. Applicants David Bray (attorney) and the owner noted added EV charging stations and solar panels, but community members remained opposed.
- Zoning Rezoning – Cordova (Item 5): Diane McCollow and Christine Fox requested denial or hold pending a traffic study, citing lack of recent study and congestion. They urged community input via upcoming Memphis 3.0 workshops.
- General Public Comments: Topics included criticism of Memphis Police Department (MPD) conduct, a proposed film/music project on Front Street, fiscal transparency critiques, animal shelter crisis, food deserts, and a former city employee’s benefit dispute. Several speakers urged council action on animal shelter conditions and spay/neuter programs.
Discussion Items
- Special Use Permit – Gas Station at 391 Western Park Drive (Item 4): The applicant sought to reopen a former gas station with three fuel pumps, convenience store, EV chargers, and solar panels. Planning staff presented conditions. Council heard public opposition and debated. Councilmembers cited community desires and overabundance of gas stations. Chairman Smiley noted the city has more gas stations per capita than anywhere else. Councilwoman Walker raised concerns about adjacent property owner’s January 6 involvement. Councilman Warren encouraged reimagining. The item failed 0-13.
- Zoning Reclassification – Cordova (Item 5): Proposal to rezone 1.1 acres from CA to R-6 for 16 single-family lots. Public speaker Diane McCollow requested hold for traffic study and community input. Councilwoman Green moved to hold for two weeks (month) to allow feasibility study of a traffic review. Councilman Logan noted a previously authorized Cordova traffic study. Item held for two weeks without objection.
Key Outcomes
- Special Use Permit (Item 4): Denied by unanimous vote (0-13).
- Zoning Reclassification (Item 5): Held for two weeks (to next meeting) to explore traffic study and community engagement.
- All Consent and Fiscal Consent Agendas: Passed unanimously.
- Public Comments: Council directed staff to connect Mr. Simmons (benefit issue) with HR and legal; Chair offered to discuss MPD concerns after meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Sergeant of Owens, please call our July 9th, 2024 Council Meet in Order. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Dr. Talise Franklin from Willing Souls Church. As chaplain of the day, invited by Councilwoman Easter Thomas. Dr. Franklin, please lead us in prayer. Father God, in the name of Jesus, only led by you the Holy Spirit. Lord, we come before you today with our hearts overflowing with gratitude for the city of Memphis, a place where we are privileged to call home. We thank you for your abundance blessings you have bestowed upon our city from its rich history to its vibrant culture to its diverse community. We lift up Mary Young and the entire team that tires leaves works for our great city. Grant them the wisdom, the strength, and the discernment as they navigate through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. May they be guided by your divine hand by making decisions that promote justice, equality, and prosperity for all residents. May they be filled with a spirit of unity and collaboration as they work together to address the needs and concerns of our community. Help them to prioritize the well-being of the people that they serve and to make decisions that reflect your heart of compassion and love. Bless their endeavors, grant them the wisdom and decision making, and provide them with the resources needed to thrive and create opportunities for employment and growth. Help us to embrace our diversity and celebrate our differences. Recognizing that we are stronger together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for that. Beautiful prayer. And I'm going to recognize Councilwoman Dr. Easter Thomas. You're recognized, Councilwoman. Thank you, Chair. Thank you so much, Dr. Theresa Franklin, for coming. Uh, colleagues, you may know. Dr. Franklin is one of the ministers at Willing Souls Church in the historic Douglas community in the lovely District 7. Uh, but also Dr. Franklin is uh a minister all over our Memphis community from the Juneteenth festivals to what she does in our neighborhoods. We're just so lucky. And the billboards is a good and the billboards if you see them, right? Talisa loves you is what they say. Um, but here to read the resolution from Chaplain of the Day. Be it hereby known that Dr. Talesa Franklin, in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been appointed chaplain of the day for the Memphis City Council and is hereby entitled to all of the honors, rights, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate. Given under this seal this ninth day of July 2024, JB Smiley Jr. Chairman, presented by Dr. Michael Nister Thomas, member of the Memphis City Council. Thank you for being here with us today. Thank you, love. Thank you again. Thank you, Councilwoman Easter Thomas. Madam Controller, you've been here for a while, so I would assume you know what to do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Council members Canale, Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinoza, Swearing in Washington. Present.
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