OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting — February 4, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, February 4, 2025
BodyMemphis, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:22

Please stop.

0:24

We gotta be serious here.

2:10

Good afternoon.

2:11

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Dr.

2:15

Linda Willis of New Life of Memphis, invited invited by Councilwoman Green.

2:21

Would you please lead us in prayer?

2:28

Thank you for this opportunity to pray over you, Council members, and to open this meeting.

2:34

Would you bow your heads for this moment of prayer?

2:39

Gracious God, we bow our heads in gratitude for the great city of Memphis.

2:46

Thank you for its people, its neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses, and all those who sustain it on a daily basis.

2:56

Today I lift up this city council, those who are entrusted with the responsibility to guide and govern.

3:15

Fill them with knowledge tempered with mercy and grace, so they may fulfill their purpose with integrity and compassion.

3:25

Give them a spirit of unity as they work together and collaborate with our mayor and other elected officials, striving collectively to help this city reach its fullest potential.

3:39

Bless not only their work, but also bless their individual lives and the lives of their families as they serve this city faithfully.

4:22

Amen.

5:00

That was a beautiful prayer, and um it was a wonderful um thought about Memphis, and I hope we all take that in our heart.

5:09

I'm here to uh present to you today in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for the governmental process.

5:22

You have been appointed the chaplain the day of Memphis City Council.

5:26

Thank you.

5:27

Thank you.

5:28

Oh, can I for you?

5:40

Thank you, Councilwoman Green.

5:42

Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll?

5:44

Thank you, Mr.

5:44

Chair, Councilmember Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, President Ford Green, Logan, Spinoza, Smiley, Walker, President, Warren, President.

6:04

So Aaron Washington present, White, President, Cameron Canale.

6:09

Here.

6:09

Mr.

6:09

Chairman, you have a quorum.

6:11

Thank you, Madam Countroller.

6:12

I believe Vice Chair Swearing from Washington has read the minutes from our January 21st, 2025 meeting.

6:19

Thank you, Chairman Canale.

6:21

I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order.

6:24

I move for the adoption of the January 21, 2025 meeting minutes.

6:33

Madam Controller, if I could do it electronically, please.

6:37

All right.

6:39

Yes, ma'am.

6:40

Minutes removed by Swearing Washington, seconded by Spinoza.

6:44

Seeing no members in the queue, colleagues, please cast your votes for the meeting minutes.

7:03

Carlisle, yes.

7:04

Cooper Sutton, yes.

7:06

Easter Thomas, yes.

7:08

Green, yes, Logan, yes.

7:10

Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes.

7:14

Vice Chair Swearing Washington, yes, White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

7:19

That item passes.

7:23

Welcome, colleagues, members of the public administration to the February 4th, 2025 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council.

7:33

Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has full opportunity to be heard, and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times.

7:42

Sergeant at Arms, if you'd please raise your hand.

7:50

Members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item.

7:53

All those wishing to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to the sergeant at arms before the item is called.

7:59

If you're not here to speak on a specific item, you can note your request to give general comment at the end of the meeting.

8:05

As chair, I will only recognize citizens that properly register to speak by submitting a completed comment request card to the Sergeant in Arms.

8:12

Members of the audience and persons addressing the council will not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory, personal, slanderous, or profane comments, or use abusive or vulgar language.

8:23

The chairperson of the council may maintain order by giving any persons who are in violation of the stated rules of decorum a warning to cease any violative conduct in order to leave the council's chambers or by giving an order for security personnel to remove any disruptive person in the council's chambers who refuses to leave voluntarily.

8:43

These rules are posted on the doors as you enter the chamber and as you pick up comment cards.

8:51

Item number three on the regular agenda will be held until February 18, 2025.

8:57

Item number 31 will be held until August 5th, 2025.

9:04

Councilwoman Walker.

9:08

You are recognized.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Arts And Culture██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Animal Welfare██████████10%
Zoning Ordinance████4%
Veterans Recognition███3%
Pending Litigation███3%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting — February 4, 2025

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on February 4, 2025. After opening remarks, prayer, roll call, and approval of the January 21, 2025 minutes, the council acted on zoning ordinances, development permits, real-estate matters, MLGW contracts, appointments, and multiple resolutions. No written agenda or minutes were provided, so this summary is based solely on the meeting transcript.

Ceremonial Items

  • Councilwoman Walker opened Black History Month with a reflection and welcomed Anise Robinson, who performed 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.'
  • The council approved by acclamation a resolution honoring Parker Nia Gordon, a Memphis illustrator and character designer whose children's book collaboration with NBA player Jason Tatum received national attention (including on Jimmy Kimmel Live and in Sports Illustrated).

Consent Calendar

  • Meeting minutes of January 21, 2025 were adopted.
  • General consent items (Items 7–15) were approved, including second-reading ordinances, final plat approval for Alliance Crisis Youth Center for Well-Being, engineering plans for SCFL Memphis East Homes Road, and bond acceptances/releases for UTHSC/Lean Station and Gray's Creek Apartments.
  • MLGW fiscal consent items (Items 16–28) were approved. Among the amounts cited: $984,660 for Mid-South Engineering Consultants; $28,822,252.17 for Equix Energy Services LLC; $34,699 for Fair Force LLC; $849,600 for ten 200-kW generators; $8,800,000 for water services; $221,292.12 for Grinder Tabber and Grinder Inc.; $222,621 for a 750-kW generator; $233,694.69 for SSP Innovations; $81,422.62 for Exit LLC; $270,782.68 for a natural gas filter separator; and $90,000 for Horton and Associates of Memphis. The consent agenda also included second amendments to natural gas supply agreements with the Public Energy Authority of Kentucky.
  • Same-night minutes were approved for Items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, and 36.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dennis Clark, from Arlington, Tennessee, asked the council for guidance on obtaining the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue, saying he and family members with mixed racial heritage are descendants/relatives and would like to place the statue in Shelby County. Chairman Canale offered to speak with him after the meeting.
  • Pamela Moses (2383 Jackson) opposed what she described as a 'trillion dollar infrastructure project' and 'back room deals brokered by the chamber of commerce.' She supported Councilwoman White's 'least leasing' proposal, said 'Memphis is not for sale,' threatened legal action involving Mr. Musk and what she called 'TBA,' and criticized Councilmember Smiley's absence. She also said Memphis residents can have their lights cut off for unpaid utility bills while people not from here are welcomed without paying.
  • Sheree Hoffman, an attorney and approved Memphis Animal Services dog foster, said spay/neuter enforcement and shelter collaboration are failing. She said sterilization should be mandatory on a first violation rather than a second, noted a distemper outbreak led to 100 dog euthanizations, and called for meetings among the rescue community, mayor's office, city council, and Memphis Animal Services.
  • Fabiola Francis urged the council to get involved in stray-dog issues, saying the city cannot blame previous administrations. She cited spay costs ($185 for 0–20 lb, $205 for 21–40 lb), a $55 Humane Society voucher, and a three-month wait list, and called for communication and transparency.
  • Joe Kent (111 Flamingo) criticized past council and county commission oversight of what he called 'matter' issues, expressed support for Emily Greer and John Lewis, and suggested 'what would Jesus do?' would be to go to the sports authority for recurring 'matter' funding. He also criticized organizations such as Moore for Memphis.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2: Resolution approving a planned development near the Racket Club, on Sanderland Avenue, Wheelis Drive, and White Station Road (PD 24-14), approved. Councilman Carlisle recused.
  • Item 4: Resolution approving closure of a paper alley approximately 126.8 feet east of Central Avenue/South Cooper Street (SAC 24-06), approved. Councilman Carlisle recused.
  • Item 6: Ordinance 5925 (third/final reading) deleting a section of the White Station Residential Corridor Overlay (RC24-02), approved as amended. Planning staff explained the amendment limited the deletion to the south side of Wheelis Drive. Councilman Carlisle recused.
  • Item 5: Resolution approving a special use permit at 1344 East Shelby Drive (SUP 24-44), with amendments requiring landscaping, building repairs, sign compliance, fencing, LED lighting, security cameras, and other conditions; approved.
  • Item 36: Resolution approving a special use permit at 2401 Harbor Avenue (SUP 24-45), after a community meeting in favor; approved.
  • Item 29: Ordinance 5926 (third/final reading) adding provisions on deadly weapons and extreme protection orders; approved as amended.
  • Item 30: Ordinance 5927 (third/final reading) naming the Ed Rice Community Center pool for Ossi Lewis Jr.; approved.
  • Item 32: Resolution approving the sale of a parcel at 272 to Kobe Avenue for $3,000; approved.
  • Item 33: Resolution transferring $600,624 from completed CIP projects to FY25 project PK04020 for Westwood pool repairs (District 6, Super District 8); approved.
  • Item 34: Appointment of Courtney Melton Fant to the Health Education and Housing Facility Board; approved.
  • Item 35: Resolution authorizing the city to hire a special attorney, pursuant to Ordinance 5294, to file suit regarding extraordinary litigation; approved.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items brought to a vote were approved. Voting was favorable among all voting members; Councilman Carlisle recused from Items 2, 4, and 6. No vote totals were announced in the transcript.
  • Item 3 was held to February 18, 2025, and Item 31 was held to August 5, 2025.
  • Same-night minutes were approved for 14 items.
  • No further formal actions were taken beyond the approvals and the public-comment follow-up offered to Mr. Clark.

Meeting Transcript

Please stop. We gotta be serious here. Good afternoon. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Dr. Linda Willis of New Life of Memphis, invited invited by Councilwoman Green. Would you please lead us in prayer? Thank you for this opportunity to pray over you, Council members, and to open this meeting. Would you bow your heads for this moment of prayer? Gracious God, we bow our heads in gratitude for the great city of Memphis. Thank you for its people, its neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses, and all those who sustain it on a daily basis. Today I lift up this city council, those who are entrusted with the responsibility to guide and govern. Fill them with knowledge tempered with mercy and grace, so they may fulfill their purpose with integrity and compassion. Give them a spirit of unity as they work together and collaborate with our mayor and other elected officials, striving collectively to help this city reach its fullest potential. Bless not only their work, but also bless their individual lives and the lives of their families as they serve this city faithfully. Amen. That was a beautiful prayer, and um it was a wonderful um thought about Memphis, and I hope we all take that in our heart. I'm here to uh present to you today in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for the governmental process. You have been appointed the chaplain the day of Memphis City Council. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, can I for you? Thank you, Councilwoman Green. Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. Chair, Councilmember Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, President Ford Green, Logan, Spinoza, Smiley, Walker, President, Warren, President. So Aaron Washington present, White, President, Cameron Canale. Here. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Countroller. I believe Vice Chair Swearing from Washington has read the minutes from our January 21st, 2025 meeting. Thank you, Chairman Canale. I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order. I move for the adoption of the January 21, 2025 meeting minutes. Madam Controller, if I could do it electronically, please. All right. Yes, ma'am. Minutes removed by Swearing Washington, seconded by Spinoza. Seeing no members in the queue, colleagues, please cast your votes for the meeting minutes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter Thomas, yes. Green, yes, Logan, yes. Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes. Vice Chair Swearing Washington, yes, White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes. That item passes. Welcome, colleagues, members of the public administration to the February 4th, 2025 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council. Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has full opportunity to be heard, and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times. Sergeant at Arms, if you'd please raise your hand. Members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item.

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