Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2024
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Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2024
The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on August 6, 2024, with Chairman J.B. Smiley presiding. The meeting opened with a prayer by Dr. Keith Norman, who was also appointed Chaplain of the Day. The council observed a moment of silence for fallen MPD Officer Demetrius Johnson and injured Officer Bobby Fields. Several resolutions were passed unanimously, including honorary street naming, recognitions, land use approvals, and appointments. Public comments addressed public safety, transit, and transparency.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from July 23, 2024.
- Consent agenda (items 14–18) including zoning ordinances and bond releases.
- Fiscal consent (item 19) accepting a $35,000 grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Same night minutes for items 17, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35.
Recognition and Honorary Items
- Resolution to name a portion of Horn Lake Road (from Shelby Drive to Third Street) as "Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover Street" – passed by acclamation.
- Recognition of Haley Litsey, a rising senior at Hutchison School, for academic excellence, leadership, and community service, including founding the organization "Her Image."
- Recognition of Tabita L. Williams Dumas for over 40 years of dance education and 25 years of operating TL Williams Academy of Dance in Whitehaven.
- Recognition of Steve Shular for over 40 years of public service with the city and county; declared "Steve Shular Day" in Memphis.
- Ordinance renaming the Lincoln Park Pavilion to "Hazel Moore Pavilion" – passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Plan Development PD 24-06 (2606 Appling Road): Approved with additional restricted uses, including adult-oriented establishments, vehicle sales/service/repair, liquor stores, smoke shops, payday/title loan shops, dollar stores, and cell phone stores.
- Special Use Permit SUP 24-08 (3487 Toppler Avenue): Gas station redevelopment approved with conditions requiring three EV charging stations and solar panel installation.
- Appointments: Approved Chief Operating Officer Antonio M. Adams Sr., Chief Financial Officer Walter Person, EDGE President Joanne Massey, and several board members (Landmarks Commission, Board of Adjustment, Land Use Control Board). Councilman Carlisle praised the appointees.
- Liberty Park Developments: Approved three 30-year ground leases: (1) High Five Entertainment complex, (2) mixed-use with multifamily and 12,000 sq ft of retail, (3) hotel. All items passed.
- Fairgrounds Redevelopment: Resolution to appropriate $500,000 in CIP funds (item 34) approved.
- Community Grant Program: Resolution to reopen the FY24 Community Grant Program for 15 days and amend FY25 program (item 35) was withdrawn after discussion over funding caps and minimums.
- Motor Vehicle Registration Fees: Ordinance to amend fees (item 24) passed third reading.
- Police Services CIP: $1 million appropriation for new Mount Moriah Station (item 29) approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pastor Kenneth Van Buren (No Greater Law Ministries, Sherwood Forest) reported a church member was assaulted and carjacked; criticized interim police director Cerelyn Davis and called for the return of former director Tony Armstrong.
- Christine Fox (244 N McNeil St) questioned language changes in item 13 staff report regarding consideration of plans approved in 2019.
- Joe Kent (taxpayer) criticized the MRPP oversight hearing, demanded transparency on Accelerate Memphis allocations, and alleged mismanagement at Mud Island.
- Johnny Mosley (Citizens for Better Service) and Sammy Hunter (co-chair, Memphis Bus Riders Union) thanked the council for attention to MATA, highlighted poor bus service, and called for accountability.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions on the agenda passed unanimously except item 35 (withdrawn).
- Appointments to key city positions and boards were approved.
- Land use approvals (PD, SUP, street closures) passed with conditions.
- Ground leases for Liberty Park developments approved.
- Public comments were heard; no council action taken on them during the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day. I think everyone in here knows him. He needs no introduction. This is not a part of my script. Nor did he pay me to say this. This is the good doctor. Reverend Dr. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church Broad. He was invited by Councilwoman White. I'm gonna pretend to take credit for this. I did it too. Dr. Norman, please lead us in prayer. Thank you for the opportunity to our council chair, to our council men and women who are present, and to all who are present in the audience, I would read before you briefly a synopsis of a book called Reading While Black. It is written by a brilliant gentleman by the name of Esau Macaulay. Esau writes that an African American biblical interpretation would help to soothe the issues of our society. He goes on to comment in a recent commentary that cultural misunderstandings of words such as I rebuke you or I rebuke that would be better understood, and a life like Sonia Massey's would not have been taken. So today, as I read before you, I would like to read a prayer for each of you. It says, First Timothy 2, one through 4. First of all, we should pray for leaders. We should ask that their needs are met. We should offer prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving. In that day they spoke of kings, but in this day I speak of mayors and city council people, so that those who are in high positions would lead a peaceful and quiet life, and we would benefit from it. Let us pray. Oftentimes, Lord, as we come to pray in these quarters, we pray for ourselves, and we ask that the people who govern would govern in such a way that we might lead a peaceful and quiet life. But truthfully, God, you include them in the prayer as well. How can those who govern govern effectively without their needs being met? So today, God, I pray for the mayor of this city and all of those who lead with him and every member of this council and all who carry and wear a badge and protect us, that we would uplift their needs, that everything that they would have need of would be met. Lord, this is the supplication that we ask for. Not that they would serve without the privilege of reaping a harvest from their service, but Lord, that they would serve and be benefactors of the same service that they render unto us. We pray for their prayers to be answered, for chairman smiley to be heard as he intercedes for his own family after having experienced turmoil after turmoil. We ask that you would heal his heart as well as those who sit to his left and his right and meet every need. We intercede for them, God, because as they govern, they have concerns. They have children, they have spouses, they have parents. And we ask that you would meet those needs by way of our collective intercession as we stand in the gap for them. And finally, in the four part of the prayer, after supplication, prayer, and intercessions are made. You said there should be thanksgiving. So today we thankfully tell you thank you for selecting a mayor and a council that has worked together cohesively. They are finding their way in unity. They are bonding together to do the best for our city. I pray in the matchless and marvelous name of Jesus the Christ, and I respect the faith of all who are gathered in his name. Amen. Dr. Warren. Liberty. Councilwoman White, you are recognized. Greetings, everyone. Be it hereby known that Dr. Keith Norman, in recognition of a life exemplary, qualities, outstanding service of the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been appointed chaplain of the day of 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, the sixth day of August 2024, signed by our chairman and myself, Councilwoman Janica White.
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