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.