Memphis City Council Meeting November 12, 2024: Budget Approvals, Rezonings, and Leadership Elections
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Memphis City Council Meeting Summary (November 12, 2024)
The Memphis City Council convened on November 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM (Central Time) for its regular session, presided over by Chairman JB Smiley. The meeting covered a wide range of items including routine approvals, zoning ordinances, major developments, and the selection of the 2025 Council leadership. Key actions included the approval of the 2025 Chair and Vice Chair, the denial of a proposed high school in an industrial area, the denial of a residential development in the Red Oaks area, and the passage of the MLGW fiscal consent agenda and a $2.6 million community grant allocation.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of October 15, 2024 meeting: Adopted unanimously.
- Consent Agenda (Items 12-18, 47, 48): Approved by roll call. Included zoning ordinances, street name changes (including honorary street name for Pasta Noah Alexander), engineering plans approvals, and the approval of the 2025 Council meeting dates (ordinance 5921).
- Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 19-21, 44-46): Approved, including grant acceptances, fund transfers for Harbor Avenue repaving, paving operations funding, and the allocation of $2.6 million in FY25 community grant funds.
- MLGW Fiscal Consent (Items 22-43): Approved, covering various contracts and purchases, including workers compensation stop-loss brokering, property sales, a mobile circuit breaker trailer, transformers, and Summer Avenue improvement project invoices.
- Same-Night Minutes: Approved for numerous items (14-21, 23, 39-46, 49, 50).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joan Harp: Criticized Memphis Animal Services (MAS) under Mary Borsky, referencing recent puppy killings and alleged mistreatment, and called for reform. Also proposed a plan to foster 200 dogs by New Year's and suggested community activities for youth.
- Joe Kent: Thanked Doug McGowan for MLGW financial transparency, but criticized "More for Memphis" and sports authority initiatives, calling them "scams." Also expressed concerns about MLGW capital spending and rate increases.
- Lisa Romero: Requested information about a check for a spay/neuter van for Memphis Animal Services, seeking details on the funds and its status.
Discussion Items
- Election of 2025 Council Chair and Vice Chair (Items 49 & 50): Councilman Jay Ford Canale was unanimously elected as Chairman for 2025, and Councilwoman Jana Swearingin Washington was elected as Vice Chair, both by acclamation.
- Principals Month Resolution (Item 1): Recognized October as National Principals Month, honoring 14 principals from various schools across Memphis.
- Clergy Appreciation Resolution (Item 2): Proclaimed October as Clergy Appreciation Month in District One, honoring pastors and faith leaders.
- New East Region High School (Item 4): Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) requested approval for a plan development at 7801 Fisher Steel Road to build a new high school. The proposal was opposed by several business owners citing traffic, safety, environmental, and operational concerns. Supporters highlighted the need for the school to satisfy state law, the completion of environmental assessments, and the school's design. The item was held twice, and a motion to hold again failed, leading to a final vote that denied the project.
- Red Oaks Residential Development (Item 8): A plan development for residential units at 4701 Boeingshire Drive was opposed by the Red Oaks community, citing design, safety, environmental, and transparency concerns. The applicant reduced the number of units from 11 to 6, but council members voted unanimously to deny after hearing community opposition.
- Zoning Ordinances (Items 10, 11, 12, 47): Approved ordinance 10 (Warren Road) and ordinance 12 (Sweeney Road) on first reading. Ordinance 11 (Commercial Parkway) failed on third reading.
- MLGW Fiscal Consent (Items 22-43): Approved as a block.
- Same-Night Minutes: Approved for various items.
Key Outcomes
- 2025 Leadership: Councilman Jay Ford Canale elected as Chairman; Councilwoman Jana Swearingin Washington elected as Vice Chairman.
- New East Region High School (Item 4): Failed (Vote: 4 yes, 7 no, 2 abstentions, 1 recusal). A motion to hold the item to January was also rejected (6 yes, 8 no).
- Red Oaks Development (Item 8): Failed (Vote: 0 yes, 10 no).
- Ordinance 11 (Commercial Parkway): Failed on third reading (Vote: 0 yes, 8 no).
- MLGW Fiscal Consent (Items 19-46): Approved (Vote: 13 yes).
- Community Grant Allocation (Item 46): Approved with $2.6 million.
- Public Comments: Took note of concerns about Memphis Animal Services and MLGW; management will follow up on the spay/neuter van question.
Meeting Transcript
I would love to have at least one more council member. There we go. As always, we start these meetings at a decent time. Probably not on time. Um Sergeant Rones, please call this City Council meeting order. Councilwoman Walker lead us with a pledge of allegiance. Our chaplain of the day is Rabbi Ian Lichter. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the council for the invitation, the opportunity to pray together this afternoon. Sovereign of the universe who created all in love, teach us to love all that is good and beautiful in this world. At this fateful moment in human history, bless us that we may be a blessing to others. Guide our beloved city of Memphis to honor you by honoring one another, so that by reaching out in love, we may turn enemies into friends and become your family on earth as you are our parent in heaven. Beloved God, bless the members of this city council, the individuals who stand before you today, individuals who have distinguished themselves with generosity and strength of spirit on behalf of their community. We ask of you, God, to guide their considerations, their discussions, and their actions, that they may represent their constituents with wisdom and justice, grace and compassion, bringing honor to your name and your blessing to humankind. We are thankful for this day that you have given us for its blessings, its opportunities, and its challenges. May we appreciate and use each day that comes to us. May we be challenged to give our best always, and may we be assured of your presence with us. Lord of the universe, this is a time in our year when many many of us turn our attention to the spiritual side of our lives. When we consider what light we will follow. Let us be reminded of the daily miracles that surround our existence. Let us renew our obligation to meet those miracles with a new commitment to help others in our community, our nation, and our world. With the power, influence, and resources that you have blessed us with. Let us always remember that these indeed are a blessing from you, and that charity is more fulfilling than decadence. And the golden rule of love thy neighbor like thyself is a true guidepost for which we should mark our existence. Bless those people around the world who are touched by our works so that they too can have the joy of a fulfilling life, full of good health and companionship and surroundings that are beneficial to us all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Colleagues, members of the public. Given under the seal, 12th day of November, Chairman JB Smiley, Councilman J. Ford Canally. Thank you very much for being here. We appreciate you so much. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council members canale. Carlisle. Cooper Sutton. Easter Thomas. President. Ford. Green. Logan present. Spinoza. Chair. Swearing in Washington. Present. Walker. Present. Warren.
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