Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – January 7, 2025

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on January 7, 2025, at 10:15 AM. After invocation and roll call establishing a quorum, the council approved minutes from December 17, 2024, and recognized the new Council Chair, Chairman Canale, and outgoing Chair Councilman Smiley. The agenda included numerous land‑use decisions, consent items, public safety recognitions, and resolutions on funding and policy. Public comments addressed community nonprofit support and concerns about the MLGW Share the Pennies program.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 and 4 were initially scheduled to be held until February 4, 2025 after a motion to withdraw the hold failed (the motion would have kept them on the current agenda; a majority voted against, sending them to February 4).
• Item 9 and Item 12 held until January 21, 2025.
• MLGW fiscal consent agenda (Items 19‑25) – approved: contracts for landfill services ($777,600), pump station motor ($224,317), utility payment center renewal ($239,172), flower‑planting maintenance renewal ($92,735), Bridgewater consulting extension ($84,694), and two Bell & Howell maintenance renewals ($36,640 and $138,490).
• City Council consent agenda (Items 11, 14, 15) – approved (Councilman Carlisle recused). Item 11 (first reading of an ordinance on deadly weapons and extreme protection orders) was noted to have all council members added as sponsors. Item 14 (Chick‑fil‑A engineering plans at Raleigh Lagrange & Witton roads). Item 15 (Stratford Center public improvements). Ordinance 5927 to name the Ed Rice Community Center pool after Ossi Lewis Jr. was added and passed on first reading.
• Fiscal consent agenda (Items 16‑18) – approved: acceptance of forensic software donation ($2,800), DOJ COPS grant ($163,000), DOJ Byrne grant ($963,000), all for police services.
• Add‑on items 33‑36 (same‑night minutes) – approved: Fire services hazmat grant ($9,121), Police port security grant ($248,000), acknowledgment of November 5, 2024 election results, and appointment of Michael Fulton to the Memphis & Shelby County Sports Authority.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alice Hart (1919 Due Point, Memphis) – Representing her nonprofit “Know Thy Worth,” she described community giveaways, minority scholarships, and college tours. She requested council support in future grant allocations and promoted a January 25, 2025 fundraiser.
• Letricia Adams (655 South Riverside Drive, Memphis) – Raised concerns about the MLGW Share the Pennies program, alleging that some weatherization contractors lack federally‑mandated EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification, potentially spreading lead dust in homes. She noted that MLGW staff acknowledged the issue and urged the council to ensure contractor certification and better coordination with city lead‑hazard programs. Councilwoman Easter Thomas directed staff to forward Adams’ email to MLGW President McGowan for response.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – 2024 Humanitarian Award: Councilwoman Walker presented a resolution honoring Dr. David and Mrs. Yvonne Acey, founders of the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival (established 1986, now the largest black‑owned festival of its kind in the U.S. and sixth largest globally). The resolution was adopted by acclamation. The Aceys and community leaders (Rev. Watkins, LaCelle Vaughan, Rev. Dr. Brooks) spoke about the award’s significance.
• Item 2 – Public Safety Promotions: Chairman Canale presented a resolution designating January 7, 2025 as Public Safety Promotion Day. Police Chief Davis introduced newly promoted colonels and a chief of staff. Mayor Young congratulated the honorees and thanked the council.
• Item 5 – Plan Development for Auto Repair (PD 24‑16): The Division of Planning and Development recommended rejection for 1389 Fairfax Street due to a prior zoning error. Applicant Aaron Bright explained he obtained permits in good faith and spent weeks cleaning the site. Council debated downzoning plans and small business support. Councilwoman Easter Thomas insisted on a sunset clause to align with future neighborhood rezonings. After discussion, the council added a sunset of November 1, 2027. The item passed unanimously as amended.
• Item 6 – Special Use Permit for Vehicle Sales (SUP 24‑11): Approved unanimously.
• Item 7 – Special Use Permit for Vehicle Rental (SUP 24‑27): Approved unanimously.
• Item 8 – Special Use Permit at 485 North Hollywood (SUP 24‑34): Councilman Carlisle requested a condition requiring the applicant to make reasonable efforts to close an abutting alleyway/right‑of‑way. Friendly amendments regarding fence removal were also incorporated. The resolution passed as amended.
• Item 10 – Zoning Reclassification for 485 North Hollywood (Z 24‑10): Approved unanimously.
• Items 26‑27 – Sewer Revenue Bonds: Initial and series resolutions authorizing up to $70 million in sanitary sewer system revenue bonds passed unanimously.
• Item 28 – Committee to Honor Employees Killed in Line of Duty: Councilman Canale’s resolution was amended to include MLGW and sanitation workers; all 13 council members were added as co‑sponsors. Passed.
• Item 29 – Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant: Councilman Spinoza presented a resolution supporting a $13.2 million federal grant ($3.3 million match from Accelerate Memphis) and creating a $2.1 million neighborhood infrastructure fund. Approved unanimously.
• Item 30 – FY2025 Community Grant Allocations ($2.6 million): Approved.
• Item 31 – Amendment to FY2025 Council Grant Allocations: Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5 approved with a November 1, 2027 sunset clause, requiring the auto‑repair use to cease by that date unless extended.
• Item 8 approved with conditions requiring alley closure pursuit and fence modifications.
• Item 28 amended to include MLGW and sanitation workers and co‑sponsored by all council members.
• The council approved $2.6 million in community grant allocations (FY2025) and $70 million in sanitary sewer bonds.
• A motion to keep Items 3 and 4 on the current agenda failed, postponing them to February 4, 2025.
• Concern about MLGW Share the Pennies program will be forwarded to MLGW President McGowan for investigation.