Memphis City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024

The Memphis City Council convened on December 17, 2024, for a regular meeting that included adoption of minutes, multiple consent agendas, recognition of community members, and a lengthy public hearing on proposed street closures in the Chickasaw Gardens neighborhood. The meeting also featured resolutions honoring retiring MLGW CFO Dana Jeans and Deputy Chief Paul Wright, along with the appointment of a new public works director and MLGW CFO. After debate, the council voted to hold both street closure items (items 5 and 6) to January 7, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of December 3, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Consent agenda (items 9-10): Ordinance amending the Unified Development Code (first reading) and resolution for I-40 widening supplemental agreement – approved unanimously.
• MLGW fiscal consent (items 11-21): Awarded purchase orders and contract changes totaling several million dollars (e.g., $236,355 for water well pumps, $1.17M for network maintenance, $581,098 for backup replication, etc.) – approved with one abstention (Councilman Cooper Sutton).

Public Comments & Testimony

General public comments (end of meeting):

• Pamela Moses urged more community involvement in decision-making and discussed Walgreens closure in North Memphis and the potential AI initiative with Elon Musk. She called for a community benefits agreement.
• LJ Abraham criticized funding a downtown command center given the DOJ report on MPD abuses; called for quarterly audits of special units and data transparency.
• Multiple speakers (Brandon Dill, Joanne Selvage, Gillian Winhold, Sara Ann Kennison, Josh Adams) compared the recent DOJ report to the "People's Report," citing patterns of excessive force, unconstitutional stops, and lack of accountability. They urged the council to stop funding MPD and remove police from mental health calls.
• Raleigh-Fraser community members (Michelle Keller, Tamandra Cheatham, others) opposed the replacement of Officers Curry and Naylor with a civilian coordinator, citing successful community policing and safety concerns.
• Joan Harp criticized the Memphis Animal Services for euthanizing healthy animals and lack of oversight; mentioned a specific case involving a dog surrender.
• Joe Kent raised concerns about MLGW transparency, rate increases, and a proposed $70M engineering ops center.
• Glenda Hicks expressed concerns about council oversight of MLGW.
• Belinda Caroosh highlighted an underpublicized senior discount program for solid waste and sewer fees; she and others said seniors have overpaid for years.
• Shirley Ford and Mary Ford shared personal stories of losing sons to violence and feeling failed by the justice system; they asked for help with the DA's office.
• Amber Sherman echoed criticisms of MPD and called for policy changes.

Testimony on street closure items (items 5 and 6):

• Proponents (Cindy Reeves, Natalie Hartman, Chelsea Savage, Lon Magnus, Jared Wilder, Jay McDonald, Lauren Malone): Argued that closing two streets (Lafayette Place and Lombardy Road at Fenwick) would improve pedestrian safety, reduce speeding, and concentrate traffic on safer central entrances. They highlighted 92% homeowner approval, narrow winding streets without sidewalks, and that pedestrian access would remain fully open with cameras and lighting. They stated the HOA would spend $80,000/year on park beautification and security.
• Opponents (Attorney John Smith, Peter Kaufman, Pamela Moses, and several residents): Argued that the closures would reduce vehicular access, force traffic onto dangerous Central Avenue, increase congestion and crash risk (citing that the two proposed closures are the safest current access points), and set a precedent of privatizing public streets. They noted over 280 signatures in opposition and that the Land Use Control Board and Planning staff recommended rejection. Concerns were raised about elitism and exclusion, especially given the public park. Council members questioned the lack of data showing speeding problems and noted that speed humps had been denied for lack of traffic data.

Discussion Items

Recognition Resolutions (unanimous):

• Item 1: Resolution congratulating Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE) on winning the Class 1A football state championship (13-1 record). Approved by acclamation.
• Item 2: Resolution honoring Dana Jeans for 37 years at MLGW, noting his role as only person in TN with both PE and CPA licenses, and his work on the TVA Electric Prepay Agreement saving $250M. Approved.
• Item 3: Resolution honoring Deputy Chief Paul Wright for 35 years of service with MPD. Councilman Canale and Chief Davis praised his leadership. Approved unanimously.

Street Closure Debate (Items 5 and 6):

• Item 5 (Lafayette Place right-of-way vacation) and Item 6 (Lombardy Road vacation) were discussed jointly. The administration had originally rejected the proposal due to concerns about reduced access, emergency response, and potential for future gate closure. The applicant presented updated conditions removing locked gates and ensuring 24/7 pedestrian openings.
• Council members were divided. Supporters (Carlisle, Spinoza, Ford Sr.) argued the compromise still allows full pedestrian and bike access, reroutes only vehicular traffic, and addresses safety concerns. Opponents (Cooper Sutton, Walker, White) cited lack of data, traffic engineer concerns, and the importance of keeping public streets open. Councilwoman White highlighted that the city's own experts (LUCB, Planning) recommended rejection.
• Councilman Ford Sr. moved to hold both items to January 7, 2025, to allow a parks department representative to speak. The motion passed on item 5 (vote: 8-3 in favor of hold; against: Walker, Warren, and Cooper Sutton? Actually roll call: Carlisle yes, Ford yes, Green yes, Logan yes, Spinoza yes, Swearinger Washington yes, Walker no, Warren no, Chairman Canale yes – so 7 yes, 2 no, and others not voting? Wait, minutes show: Carlisle yes, Ford yes, Green yes, Logan yes, Spinoza yes, Swearington Washington yes, Walker no, Warren no, Chairman Canale yes. That's 7 yes, 2 no, so hold passes.) Item 6 was then held without objection to January 7 as well.

Other Business:

• Item 7: Ordinance to rename Park Lane (Bates Alley) to "Stereo Alley" – third reading, passed with 7 votes (some abstentions).
• Item 23: Ordinance establishing 2025 council meeting dates (substitute ordinance with changes: March 4 moved to March 11; July 1 moved to July 8). Passed with one abstention (Warren).
• Items 25, 26: Resolutions for equipment transfer for firefighter facilities and port security grant for rescue boat – passed.
• Items 27-30 (add-ons): Accepted $100,000 grant for McWherter Senior Center renovation; approved appointment of Scott Wargal as Public Works Director; approved nomination of Rodney Cleek as MLGW VP/CFO at $231,680 salary; approved ARPA reallocations (e.g., $80,000 to Room in the Inn, $20,000 to MIFA, etc.) – all passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Street Closures (Items 5 & 6): Held to January 7, 2025, pending further discussion including parks department input.
• All other resolutions and ordinances on the agenda were approved as noted.
• Same-night minute items (10, 23, 27-30) were approved as a group.
• No data-driven evidence was presented to support the claim that street closures would reduce speeding, as noted by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton and others.
• The council committed to arranging a meeting with Chief Davis regarding the Raleigh-Fraser precinct staffing changes.