Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – December 3, 2024

The Memphis City Council met on December 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM. The meeting included proclamations, approval of consent agendas, and votes on several resolutions and ordinances. Key discussions included the Morphe Memphis economic mobility plan, a downtown command center, and various funding allocations.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3, 4, and 29 were held until December 17, 2024.
• Items 5–9, 39–40 were approved as part of the consent agenda, with item 7 pulled for separate discussion. The consent agenda passed with one abstention (Councilwoman Logan) and one recusal (Councilwoman White).
• Fiscal consent agenda (items 10–14) approved with same-night minutes.
• MLGW fiscal consent agenda (items 15–27) approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers were present. Councilwoman Easter Thomas noted that Alice Hart had to leave and shared information about a toy drive in the Heights and Fraser areas.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Arts Week Proclamation: Chairman Smiley presented a resolution declaring the first week of December as Arts Week. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 2 – Tony B's Heritage Barbershop Honor: Councilwoman Logan presented a resolution honoring Tony B's Heritage Barbershop for over 30 years of community service. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 41 – Kevin Kane Street Name Change: Resolution to designate North Main Street between Poplar and Winchester as "Kevin Kane Lane" in honor of the longtime Memphis Tourism CEO. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 5 – Special Use Permit: Approved for 252 Brian Cove.
• Item 6 – Zoning Reclassification: Third reading of ordinance to rezone 0 Sweeney Road from residential single-family to employment use district. Approved.
• Item 7 – Morphe Memphis Ordinance: Ordinance to establish a public-private partnership for economic mobility (Morphe Memphis). After a public comment from Jamila Burke (411 Monroe Ave) defending the plan, the council voted 6–0–3 with one recusal (White). Passed. (Councilwoman Logan requested it be pulled from consent due to concerns about a RICO lawsuit; the city attorney stated no formal lawsuit had been received.)
• Item 30 – Downtown Command Center: Resolution to adjust the FY2025 CIP budget for a downtown command center. Initially held for documentation, then amended and approved.
• Item 33 & 34 – MLGW Tax Equivalent Payments: Final payments for gas and electric systems approved. Councilwoman White recused.
• Item 35 – First Quarter Budget Adjustment: $3,970,956.11 for unanticipated circumstances. Approved.
• Item 36 – BCIF TCC RP Grant: $39,500,000 from the state. Approved.
• Item 37 – Special Attorney Hiring: Resolution to hire a special attorney for extraordinary litigation. Approved.
• Item 38 – Hospitality Hub Work Initiative: $950,000 transferred for a work initiative for panhandlers and homeless. Approved.
• Item 28 – Pension System Amendment: Ordinance to amend Chapter 25, pension and retirement system. Approved.
• Item 31 – City Hall Improvements Transfer: $1,770,058.54 transferred from various CIP projects to City Hall improvements. Approved.
• Item 32 – Community Partners Funding: $350,000 allocated to community partners, amended to $375,000 with $225,000 for Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All proclamations and resolutions on the consent agenda were approved.
• The Morphe Memphis ordinance (Item 7) passed despite concerns about a potential RICO lawsuit (no formal suit received).
• The downtown command center resolution (Item 30) was amended and approved.
• Item 32 was amended to increase funding for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center from $200,000 to $225,000.
• Same-night minutes were approved for items 10–14, 30, 33–38, and 41.
• Meeting adjourned after all agenda items were considered.