Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - October 1, 2024

The Memphis City Council met on October 1, 2024, at 10:15 AM (CT) to conduct its regular business. The meeting included approval of minutes, consent agenda items, MLGW fiscal items, a series of resolutions and ordinances, and public comments. Chairman JB Smiley presided.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the September 24, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Items 2–5 were held to later dates: Items 2 and 5 to November 12, 2024; Items 3 and 4 to December 3, 2024.
• Consent agenda items (6–8) were approved unanimously. These included:
  • Ordinance 5917 (second reading, sponsored by Councilwoman Swearington Washington).
  • Zoning ordinance (case Z24-05, first reading).
  • Resolution accepting termination of public improvements for sanitary sewer extension on Elvis Presley Boulevard and East Shelby Drive.

MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda

• Items 9–16 were approved unanimously. These included:
  • Resolution authorizing up to $330,000 in matching funds for utility bill assistance (item 9).
  • Five contract changes/renewals for ISIT services, fuel supply, and transportation uniforms (items 10–16).

Discussion Items

Most items were voted on without debate. Key items included:

• Item 17: Appointment of Erskine McCrate to the Police Advisory and Review Committee – approved unanimously.
• Item 18: Resolution for up to $16 million in economic development revenue bonds for the city (District 7, Super District 8) – approved unanimously.
• Item 19: Resolution approving use of $3 million (amended from $2.5 million) in compounded interest from Accelerate Memphis bonds for traffic engineering camera mesh project – approved unanimously after a caption amendment and revote.
• Item 20: Resolution appropriating up to $1.5 million in PILOT proceeds for affordable housing – approved unanimously.
• Item 21: Resolution accepting insurance proceeds for damages at 281 East Parkway North – approved unanimously.
• Items 22, 24, 23, 25: Resolutions regarding quarterly updates from city departments, fire station improvements, a five-year lease for parking spaces, and acceptance of federal historic preservation funds – all approved unanimously.
• Items 26, 27, 28: Resolutions related to the Sheraton Hotel purchase, including a $30 million bond, $1.5 million in tourism surcharge funds for earnest money, and transfer of the city's interest to the Memphis Center City Development Corporation – all approved unanimously (items 26–28 were sent from committee with no recommendation).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joan Hart (178 South Grove Park Road, Bethel Grove neighborhood) spoke against the proposed hotel purchase, citing 300 missing teachers, low downtown hotel occupancy (60%), and 200 unusable rooms at the Sheraton. She also criticized spending on Memphis Animal Services (5.8 million), the bus crisis, and the lack of programs for youth. She urged the council to redirect funds to education, animal welfare, and community centers.
• Kenyatta Harden (2763 Browning, 38114) spoke about his experience as a former employee of the Memphis Fire Department apparatus maintenance shop. He alleged racial discrimination and harassment from 2012 to 2017, leading to his termination in July 2017 without explanation. He noted that a third-party study documented the hostile work environment. He requested the council investigate his case.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and regular agenda items were approved unanimously, with no recorded dissenting votes.
• The council amended item 19 from $2.5 million to $3 million and revoted.
• Same-night minutes were approved for items 8, 9, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28.
• The meeting was adjourned following public comments.

Note: Agenda and minutes were not available for cross-reference; all information is derived from the meeting transcript.