OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Meeting – February 18, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, February 18, 2025
BodyMemphis, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
5:08

Sergeant Arms, please call the February 18th meeting to order.

5:19

All right.

5:21

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

5:25

Kevin Andre Brooks of Providence AME Church, invited invited by Councilwoman Green.

5:32

Pastor Brooks, would you please lead us in prayer?

5:39

Let us pray.

5:43

Good and gracious God, we assemble here in this your sacred and hollow temple of democracy.

5:51

Here to convene the work of your people.

5:54

We come, O Lord, during a time where the sacredness of democracy is being challenged by plutocrats and oligarchs that want to take over our government.

6:04

We come, God, your people, to bear witness of the call for the noble sacrifice and service of these your councilmen and women.

6:13

Consecrate them, O God, that they continue to do your will and live according to the interest of the people who delected them.

6:21

Thank you, God, for selecting them for such a time as it is.

6:24

A time where the citizens are in need of leadership, a time when the city is in need of integrity.

6:33

A time where the citizens are in need of hope.

6:36

We come, God, during this sacred time to bear witness of your glory.

6:40

We come, God, invoking your presence today, that the decisions be made in the best interest of all citizens for shared prosperity.

6:49

And oh God, we come mindful and heartily repent of the decisions made by past policymakers that divided and did not invest in the interests of all.

7:53

Thank you, Chair.

7:54

Um, it is my distinct honor to welcome my friend today to be our chaplain of the day.

8:00

Um, if you have and I know councilwoman Farleva Walker is mad at me because she wanted him to be her chaplain of the day.

8:08

I know.

8:09

Uh sorry, I came first.

8:11

Uh, but we have had some incredible conversations, deep and meaningful conversations that Mimpians need to hear on your radio shows on Sunday afternoon.

8:19

Um I hope that you will tune in because every time I tune in, you're having those kinds of conversations with really important civic leaders in our space.

8:27

And that was a gorgeous prayer.

8:29

So let me honor you by saying it is hereby known that Pastor Dr.

8:34

Kevin Brooks, in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental processes has been appointed chaplain of the day by the Memphis City Council.

8:48

Thank you.

8:50

Thank you.

9:08

Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll?

9:12

Councilmember Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza, Swearin' Washington, Walker, Warren, President, White, Chairman Canale, Mr.

9:35

Chairman, you have a quorum.

9:37

Thank you, Madam Comptroller.

9:39

I believe Vice Chair Swearing Washington has read the meeting minutes for February 4th, 2025.

9:46

Thank you, Chairman.

9:47

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

9:50

And I move for the adoption of the February 4th, 2025 meeting minutes moved by Swear Engine Washington, seconded by Spinoza.

10:01

Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen for February fourth meeting minutes.

10:06

Members, please cast your votes.

10:15

Cooper Sutton, yes.

10:16

Easter Thomas, yes.

10:18

Ford, yes, green, yes.

10:20

Logan, yes.

10:21

Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes.

10:23

Swearing in Washington, yes.

10:25

Walker, yes, Warren, yes.

10:27

White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

10:32

That item passes.

10:52

Sergeant at Arms has meeting agendas available up front, as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item.

11:01

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

11:07

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

11:14

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

11:22

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.

11:33

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.

11:57

And as you pick up comment cards.

18:04

That was beautiful.

18:05

Thank you to the young men and women who serenated us today.

18:10

We appreciate you being here.

18:12

And you're all extremely talented.

18:52

We feel like we you did that Grammy with us for us.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Arts And Culture███████7%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Public Transportation███████7%
Zoning Ordinance█████5%
Public Health█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Meeting – February 18, 2025

[Introductory paragraph summarizing the overall meeting.] The Memphis City Council met on February 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included resolutions honoring a local educator, approving a planned development and building code updates, authorizing the sale of city-owned parcels (including one tied to XAI/Elon Musk), adopting consent and fiscal consent agendas, and adjusting budgets. Public comments raised concerns about transit funding, ethics complaints, and MLGW contracts. All votes were unanimous except for one item.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from February 4, 2025, meeting (passed unanimously).
  • Consent agenda (items 6-8, 26-27): acceptance of public improvements, engineering plans for an indoor event venue, honorary street name change, neighborhood parking permit ordinance (first reading), and alcoholic beverage code amendments (first reading) – passed unanimously.
  • Fiscal consent item 28: resolution to appropriate $1,835,730 in FEMA deployment revenue – passed unanimously.
  • MLGW fiscal consent (items 9-18): approvals for contract changes, new contracts, and a ratifications including a $13.8 million emergency meter repair contract with Utility Partners of America – passed unanimously.
  • Same night minutes (items 6,7,8,20,21,22,25,28) – passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Richard Massey (3615 Central Ave) criticized Elon Musk and XAI, alleging lack of public hearings, environmental harm, and backroom deals; urged the council to slow down.
  • Pamela Moses (2383 Jackson) echoed concerns about XAI permits and the lack of transparency; accused the council of conspiracy and rushed decisions, referencing smart meter issues.
  • Glenda Hicks (608 Gillies) opposed the XAI land sale, stating the process disrespects the council and citizens; called it a “sellout.”
  • Joan Harp (178 South Grove Park Rd) questioned the transparency of the XAI deal and the low sale price ($800,000); requested public hearings.
  • Sarah Houston (Protect Our Aquifer) supported cautious progress, noting the $800,000 sale includes a reversion clause that gives Memphis oversight; highlighted water usage concerns and the need for community policing.
  • Joan Harp (second appearance) criticized the FY25 second quarter budget adjustment, questioning spikes in outside postage and lack of oversight.
  • Leo Arnold (Immediate past chair, Memphis Interfaith Coalition) advocated for increased transit funding, citing one in five households without a car and business losses due to unreliable transit.
  • Gisela Guerrero (Better Transit for Better Memphis Coalition) supported the $5 million transportation budget adjustment but called for a transit rider advisory council and investigation of MATA spending.
  • Thomas Nolan yielded time; not used.
  • Gerald Pierce (499 South Hollywood) requested a new job classification for police radio technicians whose duties have expanded.
  • Nicholas Nibley (IBEW) supported Pierce’s request.
  • Glenda Hicks (second appearance) criticized the MLGW emergency meter repair contract (UPA), stating the work should be done by Memphis workers and the “emergency” extension is unjustified.
  • Antoine Maxwell (5198 Memphis) submitted an ethics complaint against Fire Chief Gita Swebb, alleging discrimination, favoritism, and retaliation; urged investigation.
  • Joan Harp (third appearance) raised a sidewalk repair notice issue, claimed it violates state law, then the meeting adjourned.
  • Pamela Moses (second appearance) criticized the MLGW vote for being rushed and lacking public input; threatened legal action over same-night minutes.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution honoring Adrian Macklin (Item 1): Recognized Cordova High School choir director and 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award recipient. Adopted by acclamation.
  • Planned Development at 3763 Jackson Ave (Item 2): Approved with amendments to landscaping and fencing along Villa Drive and Gregg Avenue. Passed unanimously.
  • Building Code Amendments (Items 3-5): Adopted 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, amended International Building Code, and adopted 2021 International Residential Code to comply with state law. Items 3-5 passed unanimously.
  • Sale of City-Owned Parcel at 2685 Plant Road (Item 25): Approved sale for $820,000. Property adjacent to XAI facility. Public speakers opposed lack of public involvement; support from Protect Our Aquifer with conditions. Passed unanimously.
  • Transportation Commission Term Amendment (Item 19): Ordinance 5928 amending term of service on Memphis Transportation Commission. Passed unanimously.
  • Meeting Dates Amendment (Item 20): Ordinance 5932 amending 2025 council meeting dates. Passed unanimously.
  • FY25 Second Quarter Budget Adjustment (Item 21): $185,569.20 to fund three inadvertently excluded full-time positions. Passed unanimously.
  • Transportation Budget Adjustment (Item 22): $5 million for MATA. Public comment supportive but called for oversight. Passed with one no vote (Councilmember Spinoza).
  • Sale of Parcel at Zero Dexter Road (Item 24): Approved sale for $280,000. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances passed unanimously, except Item 22 (transportation budget) which passed 11–1 (Spinoza no).
  • Councilmember Warren requested a future report on how previous pilot funding designated for MATA has been spent.
  • Councilmember Green committed to follow up with Gerald Pierce on the police radio technician job classification.
  • The meeting was adjourned after public comments.

Meeting Transcript

Sergeant Arms, please call the February 18th meeting to order. All right. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Dr. Kevin Andre Brooks of Providence AME Church, invited invited by Councilwoman Green. Pastor Brooks, would you please lead us in prayer? Let us pray. Good and gracious God, we assemble here in this your sacred and hollow temple of democracy. Here to convene the work of your people. We come, O Lord, during a time where the sacredness of democracy is being challenged by plutocrats and oligarchs that want to take over our government. We come, God, your people, to bear witness of the call for the noble sacrifice and service of these your councilmen and women. Consecrate them, O God, that they continue to do your will and live according to the interest of the people who delected them. Thank you, God, for selecting them for such a time as it is. A time where the citizens are in need of leadership, a time when the city is in need of integrity. A time where the citizens are in need of hope. We come, God, during this sacred time to bear witness of your glory. We come, God, invoking your presence today, that the decisions be made in the best interest of all citizens for shared prosperity. And oh God, we come mindful and heartily repent of the decisions made by past policymakers that divided and did not invest in the interests of all. Thank you, Chair. Um, it is my distinct honor to welcome my friend today to be our chaplain of the day. Um, if you have and I know councilwoman Farleva Walker is mad at me because she wanted him to be her chaplain of the day. I know. Uh sorry, I came first. Uh, but we have had some incredible conversations, deep and meaningful conversations that Mimpians need to hear on your radio shows on Sunday afternoon. Um I hope that you will tune in because every time I tune in, you're having those kinds of conversations with really important civic leaders in our space. And that was a gorgeous prayer. So let me honor you by saying it is hereby known that Pastor Dr. Kevin Brooks, in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental processes has been appointed chaplain of the day by the Memphis City Council. Thank you. Thank you. Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll? Councilmember Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza, Swearin' Washington, Walker, Warren, President, White, Chairman Canale, Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Comptroller. I believe Vice Chair Swearing Washington has read the meeting minutes for February 4th, 2025. Thank you, Chairman. I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order. And I move for the adoption of the February 4th, 2025 meeting minutes moved by Swear Engine Washington, seconded by Spinoza. Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen for February fourth meeting minutes. Members, please cast your votes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter Thomas, yes. Ford, yes, green, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes. Swearing in Washington, yes. Walker, yes, Warren, yes. White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes. That item passes. Sergeant at Arms has meeting agendas available up front, as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item. All those wishing to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to the Sergeant at Arms before the item is called.

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