Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on June 24, 2025, at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a moment of silence for FedEx founder Fred Smith, approval of previous meeting minutes, several resolutions honoring individuals, and votes on ordinances including the joint Building Home Program, pre-K expansion, and creation of a Division of Community Enhancement. The council also approved consent items, fiscal grants, and street closures with amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the June 10, 2025 meeting (unanimous).
• MLGW fiscal consent items 16–24, including extensions and purchase orders for power equipment, trucks, and services, passed unanimously.
• Consent agenda items 7–13, including zoning ordinances, public improvement bond releases, and an honorary street name for Coach Terry Tippett, passed unanimously.
• Fiscal consent items 14–15 (grant funds from Shelby County for police services) passed unanimously, with Councilwoman White recusing.
• Add-on items 31–34 (license plate reader equipment, video wall infrastructure, EMS training grants, police training grant) passed unanimously, with Councilwoman White recusing from items 14–15 and 31–34.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Five speakers addressed the council on item 27 (Pre-K for All) during the regular agenda. All expressed strong support for expanding pre-K access, citing benefits for children, families, and the economy. Speakers included Robin Mayweather (Executive Director, Red Robins Academy), Aaron Tibbs (parent, Libertas community), Jaden Mosey (new homeowner, family of seven), Ashley Todd (former pre-K educator and cohort lead with First Aid Memphis), and Cicely Sharp (parent of a three-year-old on waitlists). Each urged passage of the joint ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Resolution honoring MA & Nine civil rights leaders and foot soldiers (Stone Awards 30 Ceremony): Sponsored by Councilwoman Walker, the resolution recognized the July 5, 2025 ceremony in Selma, Alabama. Andrew "Drew" McCraven and Stanley Campbell ("Memphis Footman") spoke, highlighting the link between Selma, Tulsa, and Memphis and the goal of rebuilding Black Wall Streets. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 1 – Honorary street name for Rev. John Frank Harris Sr.: Sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, the resolution designated West and East Shelby Drive between Horn Lake Road and Hodge Road as "Reverend John Frank Harris Senior Drive." The pastor spoke briefly. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 2 – Honoring Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell: Sponsored by Councilwoman Swearingin Washington, the resolution recognized Mitchell's Grammy-winning music production and his role at Royal Studios. Mitchell and his family attended; he thanked the council. Approved by acclamation.
• Item 4 – Street closure on Mahana Avenue: The council considered two friendly amendments: (1) allowing temporary closure with a Type III barricade until development, and (2) adding a condition for an easement for the Wolf River Greenway. Councilman Warren thanked the applicant for cooperation. Passed unanimously.
• Item 5 – Joint ordinance establishing Memphis and Shelby County Building Home Program (third reading): Councilwoman Easter Thomas introduced amendments to align with changes made by the County Commission (including requiring ordinance amendments to the implementation plan, adding City Council approval for property transfers, and strengthening annual reporting metrics on racial equity). Councilwoman White recused. Passed unanimously (with recusal).
• Item 6 – Zoning reclassification for 0 Mount Moriah Extended (third reading): Councilwoman Green noted environmental studies on flooding had been provided. The applicant, Prentice Mitchell, described his small business development goals. Passed unanimously.
• Item 26 – Ordinance creating Division of Community Enhancement (third reading): Councilman Warren explained amendments to transfer property maintenance code enforcement to the new division and move short-term rental permitting from Public Works to Planning and Development. Councilwoman White requested an amendment to remove the phrase "as per the attached schedule" from Section 4, clarifying that additional funds and personnel were as approved in the FY2026 budget. The amendment was accepted. Passed unanimously.
• Item 27 – Joint ordinance for Pre-K for All (third reading): Sponsored by Councilwoman Swearingin Washington, the ordinance continued the pre-K program. Councilwoman Easter Thomas disclosed her child is in a participating program but not paid. Councilwoman White recused. After public comments, passed unanimously.
• Item 30 – Sale of city-owned parcel at 738 Williams Avenue: Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved by acclamation: Resolutions honoring Rev. John Frank Harris Sr., Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, and the MA & Nine civil rights leaders.
• Passed unanimously: Items 4, 6, 26 (as amended), 30, and all consent and fiscal consent items.
• Passed with recusals: Item 5 (Building Home Program) and Item 27 (Pre-K for All) – Councilwoman White recused from both. Item 14, 15, and 31–34 also had her recusal.
• Housekeeping: Items 25 and 29 held until July 22, 2025; Item 28 withdrawn.
• Same night minutes approved for items 9–15 and 31–34 (with Councilwoman White's recusal noted).
• Next meeting: The council will meet again on July 22, 2025.