[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.
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.