The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on August 19, 2025, at 10:15 AM. The meeting covered a wide range of items including resolutions honoring community figures, land use permits, fiscal consent items for Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), an ordinance regarding artificial intelligence property (XAI facility), and public comments on transportation, library worker protections, and municipal accountability. Several items were approved, with notable amendments and discussions.
Sergeant Arms, please call the meeting to order. All right. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Jalen Washington from Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church. Yes, sir. First of all, thank you all so much for the opportunity. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your blessings. We thank you for the city of Memphis. And Father, we ask God that you would cover this city. We pray that you would give the leaders wisdom to make the right decisions concerning this city. And Father, while we're praying, we address every spirit and we address every principality of this city and of this region. And Father, we pray God that you would allow the angels of the living God to cover us in the name of Jesus. We come against violence. And Father, we speak peace, we speak unity. Councilman Smiley, you recognize my first message. Chairman, can I be recognized, sir? I recognize you, my friend. I do appreciate it. Um, the city of Memphis hereby being on their past of Reverend Jalen Washington in recognition of a life uh exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritors, involvement in humanitarian, and demonstrated concern for the governmental process has been appointed chaplain of the day by the Memphis City Council and is hereby entitled to all the honors, rights, and privileges and prerogatives are pertaining to the office and to display of this certificate, given under my hand. Councilman JB Smiley and Chairman For Canal. What I will tell you is this. Um the good book says prayers of the righteous available much. If Reverend Washington prays for you, good things will happen. So thank you for the good things that will happen to this council in the city of Memphis for your prayers, and appreciate you so much, good brother. The hand off was really sloppy. Pastor Washington, thank you for praying with us and over us today. God bless you, my friend. Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll? Councilmember Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza, Swearingen, Washington. Present. Walker, Warren, White. Chairman Canale. Here. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Comptroller. I believe Vice Chair Swearing Washington has read the meeting minutes from our August 5th meeting. Thank you, Chair. I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order. I move for the adoption of the August 5th, 2025 meeting minutes as amended. August 5th meeting minutes have been moved by Swearing Washington. Seconded by Warren. Carlisle, yes. Easter Thomas, yes. Ford, yes, green, yes, Spinoza, yes. Swearing in Washington, yes. Walker, yes. Please show Council Member White as voting, yes on the minutes. Chairman Canale, yes. Please show Smiley as a yes, also.