Sergeant Arms, would you please call our September 9th, 2025 meeting to order?

All right.

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, assistant Pastor Amisha Alice Perry of Dominion Transformation Center Church, invited by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton.

Pastor Perry, would you please lead us in prayer?

Amen.

Matthew, the 12th chapter, the 21st verse, 25th verse says, and Jesus knew their heart thoughts and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.

Let us pray.

So Father, first of all, we tell you thank you.

We thank you for your grace.

We thank you for your mercy, God, and we thank you just for being good to us.

God, we thank you, Lord God, that you've allowed us to see another day.

God, we thank you that you've allowed us, Lord God, to remain and even assume our positions in the earth, Father.

God, we praise you, we magnify you, and we lift you up, God.

We thank you for being a God that sits high and look low.

God, we thank you for being sovereign in all your ways and your glory shall be revealed in this earth.

God, so now we're asking you, Father, to look upon our city, Father, and even our gatekeepers, God.

God, we ask you right now that you touch minds, hearts, father, regulate minds and hearts.

God, you touch their spirits, Father, that they do what you've called them to do.

God, I ask you right now that you just have your way, Father, and anything that's not like you, Father.

We ask you right now that you, God, cast it down and cast it out right now, Father, that your will shall be done, Father.

I speak unity right now over our city.

God, I thank you right now that we'll be unified.

That how must we walk together unless we agree, Father?

So God, we thank you, Lord God, for what you're getting ready to do.

We thank you for what you've already done, Father.

And God, we thank you for what you've already getting ready to do in the next couple of minutes, Father.

God, we praise you, we magnify you, and we lift you up, Father.

God, your glory shall be revealed, Father, and we just give you the glory.

We bless your name, God, and all things, Father, you shall be revealed, God.

Your glory shall be revealed in the earth, God, even in the city, God.

We thank you for redeeming our city, God.

We thank you for sending on the right path of righteousness, God, that your righteousness shall be revealed in the earth.

So we praise you, we magnify you, we lift you up, God, and we give you all the glory, God.

We believe that you will show your hand in a mighty way.

God, we believe that you're not like man that shall change your mind, or God, or even go the other way concerning us.

So, God, we thank you, and we believe and will stand on your word, God, that what you're about to do, you will do it, God, and your son Jesus' name, Father, because it is done, Father, and it is so, and these things we do ask, and we say, Hallelujah, and amen.

Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, you're recognized.

Thank you for that powerful and spiritual prayer, and I pray that it touches every heart and every mind.

Thank you so much.

The city of Memphis, Tennessee, by the city council, greetings.

Be it hereby known that assistant pastor Perry and recognition of a life of exemplarity qualities under standing service to the city, involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrate concern of governmental process, has been appointed the chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council, and is hereby entitled to all of the honors, the rights, the privileges obtaining to the office and to display of this certificate given under the seal this ninth day of September 25.

Our chairman Jay Ford Canale, presented by the member of the council, Yolanda Cooper Sutton.

Thank you.

Madam Countroller, please call the roll.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Council members Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, President Logan, Smiley, Spinoza, Swearing, Washington, President, Walker, Warren, White, Chairman Canale.

Here.

Mr.

Chairman, you have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Countroller.

Pastor Perry, thank you for those words and for praying over us and with us today.

We appreciate your presence.

I believe the vice chair has read the meeting minutes for our August 19, 2025 meeting.

Thank you, Chairman.

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

I move for the adoption of the August 19th, 2025 meeting minutes as amended.

I'm not able to do it electronically, but I so move.

Okay, there it is.

All right, meeting minutes from ROV Vice Chair JSW, seconded by Carlisle.

Seeing the members in the queue.

Madam Countroller, please prepare the voting screen.

Carlisle, yes, Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, Sweringer, Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please call item number one.

Item number one is a resolution recognizing the achievements of kids in technology.

This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Logan.

Councilman Logan, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

At this time, I'm going to ask Ms.

Jacqueline Thomas Smith and the kids in technology students to join me at the podium.

Come on down.

Let's give them a hand as they come down y'all.

We are so proud of the wonderful achievements of kids in technology and its mission to expand access to STEM education and innovate innovative programming to students in our community.

At this time, I'd like to present certificates to them all in the program, and we're going to read the we're going to read the resolution at hearing after we give them there.

You want to give these are all certificates with your names on them.

Congratulations.

Jalen Givens.

Joshua Givens, Skylar Harris, and Raylon Neal.

Are we missing one?

Okay, great.

And um, colleagues and uh City of Memphis residents, we just like to take the time to honor and recognize the talent in our city.

Um we thank you so much for sowing into their lives, and we want to encourage you all to continue doing what you do, continuing to allow your talents and your gifts to be used for your city.

And I'm gonna read your um the uh information about your organization and some of the wonderful things that you all are doing, but I just want to personally thank you on behalf of uh the council members, how much we appreciate how you represent us and for saving us a lot of money this summer.

So thank you so much.

Let me read this, and then I'll let you have okay.

Okay, whereas on occasion, the Memphis City Council sees fit to honor organizations that are making significant contributions to our community, and kids in technology is an organization certainly deserving of recognition.

And whereas Kids in Technology at 501c3 nonprofit organization, founded by award-winning scientist and educator Jacqueline Thomas Smith, has been a pioneering force in STEM education since its founding in 2002, empowering students, teachers, and communities through our innovative hands-on programs that promote real-world learning and technological literacy.

And whereas kids in technology has remained steadfast in its mission to cultivate authentic STEM education through its STEM in schools program, providing in-school tutoring and enrichment for K through fifth grade students, closing academic gaps in math, science, and reading using real kits and hands-on learning.

The organization's STEM enrichment program offers after school and weekend enrichment opportunities, providing STEM kits, creative tech challenges, and hands-on learning for students in grades three through eight.

And whereas in 2012, kids' technology started, girls pursuing science, GPS, a groundbreaking social enterprise empowering over 5,000 young girls to explore STEM and entrepreneurship through the innovative BOSS, which stands for Beauty of STEM series curriculum.

This program inspires girls to apply scientific concepts in cosmetic chemistry and business development, instilling confidence, curiosity, and a mindset of innovation.

And whereas the organization has boldly expanded its mission to meet the demands of the future, launching forward-thinking initiatives like the STEM AI Academy, a 12-month AI training programs for students ages 12 through 21, preparing young leaders to build ethical world, real-world AI applications that solve pressing community challenges.

And that that's that's worthy of a hand.

Absolutely.

Oh my goodness.

And whereas in the summer of 2025, this summer, kids and technology students were recognized by local news media for their work developing the Summer Link app for the City of Memphis, which assisted in providing a streamlined check-in process and event management solution for our employee program.

Um events for hundreds of students saving an estimated 100,000 dollars in operational cost.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Brilliant, brilliance, brilliant.

Whereas through its signature program, STEM in schools, STEM Enrichment, girls pursuing STEM, girls pursuing science, excuse me, and STEM AI Academy, Kids in Technology has equipped thousands of students and educators with the tools and experience needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech-driven world.

And whereas Kids in Technology embodies the principles of access, student-centered learning, ethical innovation, and community partnerships, striving toward a vision where every child enjoys unrestricted access to transformative, future-ready STEM education.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Memphis City Council does hereby commend kids in technology for their extraordinary contributions to STEM education, their commitment to equal equity and excellence, and their ongoing leadership and shaping the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and global citizens.

Adopted September 9th, 2025, Ronda Logan, Memphis City Council District 1.

Thank you all so much.

Let's give them a hand, everyone.

Y'all turn around and salute.

I think that deserves a standing ovation.

Let's support them.

Good evening, everyone.

I am Jacqueline Thomas Smith, and I'm the founder and executive director of kids in technology and girls pursuing science.

And I just want to extend a thank you to my council members for it.

And of course, uh Councilwoman Logan for having the insight just to honor us for what we're doing for the city of Memphis.

And we will continue this program.

And as you guys do funding for next year, please don't forget us.

We thank you for the funding that you did give us last year and for the youth program for the youth uh coming to our program and doing what they're doing.

You can see that we have some really smart students uh here in Shelby County in Memphis.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

Madam Calder, please show that approved by acclamation.

Colleagues, please forgive me.

I was so excited to jump right in that I completely skipped my intro.

So if you would uh please indulge me now, I'm gonna go through the Welcome to the September 9th, 2025 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council.

Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has the full opportunity to be heard in the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times.

The Sergeant 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.

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

As chair will only recognize citizens that properly registered to speak by submitting a completed comment request card to the sergeant at arms.

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.

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 violent 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.

These rules are posted on the doors as you enter the chamber and as you pick up comment cards.

An example of an 11 by 17 poster is also posted on the door.

Signs larger than the permitted size are prohibited and will be removed from the chamber.

Holds item 22 has been withdrawn.

Item 23 will be held until September 23rd, 2025.

Colleagues, if you would please join me in a moment of silence.

Today we pause to honor and remember the life of Paul Trobid Trowbridge Gillespie Jr., a man whose joy for life, deep love for family and friends, and steadfast commitment to his community touched everyone he met.

Tro had a gift for connection.

He made each person feel like the most important person in the room, filling every gathering with warmth, laughter, and a generous spirit.

Whether on the football field in his business career or through decades of service to Memphis, he lived out his belief that to whom much is given, much is required.

We remember a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, a man who was never better than when he was surrounded by those he loved.

His legacy of service, leadership, and kindness will endure in his family, his church, and in this greater Memphis community that he cared for so deeply.

At this time, please let us join together in a moment of silence to honor his life, his memory, and the example he leaves behind.

May his family, including his son, Representative John Gillespie, find comfort and may his memory continue to be a blessing.

If you would join me in a moment as a moment of silence, please thank you, colleagues.

All right.

Now back to the agenda.

Madam Comptroller, would you please call it two?

Item number two is a resolution approving an honorary street name change of Scott Street from Broad Avenue to Nathan Avenue from Mr.

Noble Owens Senior, District 5, Super District 9.

This resolution is sponsored by Councilman Warren, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Spinoza, you're recognized.

There you go.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Yeah, it's an honor to be here today and read this on behalf of uh Councilman Warren, Dr.

Warren.

So I'll get to it.

Whereas, when worthy circumstances arise, the Memphis City Council approves the naming of specified public roads to honor citizens in the community for their extraordinary achievements.

And Noble H.

Owens is someone who is certainly worthy of such recognition.

Just want to say hello again.

Good to see you, officer.

Whereas in 1912, Noble H.

Owen Senior had a vision to open its own his own funeral home.

Gotta lift this up so I can see.

Realizing this dream at first in a small house in the Binghamton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee.

And whereas in 1918, Mr.

Owens and his wife Felicia had a son, Noble H.

Owens Jr., the younger Mr.

Owens graduated from Manassas High School and went on to obtain a degree in English education from Tennessee State University.

Returning to Memphis, he would ultimately teach at his high school alma mater during a 25-year teaching career.

And whereas, in addition to serving the Binghampton neighborhood through the funeral home, Noble H.

Owens Senior began hosting an annual picnic for the community in the Christmas tree and Thanksgiving seasons.

The funeral home would give food to needy families.

And whereas, in addition to teaching, double H.

Owens Jr.

also worked with his father at the funeral home, helping to lead the business for 11 years.

When the elder Mr.

Owens died in 1967, his son took the lead role, moving the business forward with the motto he coined, serving with compassion, dignity, and excellence in 1983.

Nouville H.

Owens Jr.

received the Tennessee State Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Memorial Award, as well as recognition of his life's work from the Tennessee House of Representatives.

And whereas, after Mr.

Owens Junior, Mr.

Owens Jr.'s passing in 1983, his wife Laura ran the funeral home for 31 years.

NH Owens and Son Funeral Home Inc.

is now a thriving business in the heart of Binghampton.

Owned by Noble H.

Owens Jr.'s daughter Cheryl and Denobra Owens and still dedicated to serving the community in every way.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Memphis, Tennessee, that a recognition of the lasting and continuing contributions of the Owens family in the Binghampton community, Scott Street between Broad Avenue and Nathan Avenue shall be designated and always remembered as Noble H.

Owens Street.

Be it further resolved that the city engineer is requested to fix suitable signs, so designating such public road.

Given by our hand and under the Great Seal of the City of Memphis this ninth day of September 2025, again, on behalf of Dr.

Warren, and also on behalf of me and the council, congratulations.

Yep, thanks so much.

I want everybody here to know this is a big deal.

It's a big deal for my family.

It's a big deal for the Binghampton community, because this community means everything to us and always has, ever since my family moved into Memphis back in the early 1900s.

But also because if you didn't know, I used to work here at the city council.

So it's like coming home for me.

And I really, really enjoy seeing the faces that I work with.

So thank you so much.

It's from the bottom of my heart.

I thank you all.

And I want to tell you a few things because my father was a very special person.

He believed in entrepreneurship, education, and English communications.

Because of the English, and he taught 12th grade English at Manassas, and he made me speak correct English all the time.

And there's a few things that weren't included in the resolution about my dad as a father, and I'm going to be very brief.

One was watch yourself, small fry.

Clean up your room.

Don't make us late for school while you're ironing your clothes.

Every time a wise man is born, a fool is born.

You're not going out tonight, you having dinner with your family.

And I'm saying all that to say these things have resonated with me all of my life.

And I want to give a special thanks to Ron Taylor, the manager of our funeral home, because he's been a godsend.

He's handled things with families that don't have money to pay.

He's handled murders, he's handled everything for us so beautifully and with integrity.

Because my father and and my grandfather, they live by this saying.

We serve with compassion, dignity, and excellence.

So I'm encouraging all of you to remember those three words: compassion, dignity, and excellence.

Again, I want to thank you, and I'm hoping that this street sign between on Scott Street, between Nathan and Broad, will remind the youth of community of the history of Owens funeral home so they can pursue and chase their own eternal entrepreneurship dreams.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Councilman Ford Sr.

You're recognized.

Appreciate your chair.

Yeah, I ain't telling our age, but yeah, you were here when I was here before.

So you know how long ago that's been.

I knew your daddy very well.

When you're talking about uh the funeral business, canale.

That's when everything was just what she just said, how you handle families.

Ron, I've been knowing you for we all work together.

Uh which goes back, I knew your dad before you were born.

So I'm telling my age, not the other.

But hey, he's so deserving in everything else.

And we loved him, and he was one of a kind.

Okay.

During those days, I got pictures of your daddy, the old pictures.

I gotta bring them down and let some of y'all see.

Oh, the real undertakers.

Appreciate you so much.

I just had to say that, and you know I love you.

All right.

And all of those of that didn't get to say hello to that I know from way back when I'm gonna say hello before I go.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number three.

Item number three is a resolution honoring the economic development growth engine for Memphis and Shelby County Edge for receiving the 2024 CDFA Distinguished Development Finance Agency Award.

This resolution is sponsored by Chairman Canale.

Chairman Canale, you are recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.

If I can get my Edge family to come forward, please.

Whereas the Memphis City Council is proud to recognize organizations that exemplify outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to economic and community development.

And whereas the Council of Development Finance Agencies is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance and annually recognizes outstanding agencies through its distinguished development finance agency awards.

And whereas the economic development growth engine for Memphis and Shelby County has been named the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Development Finance Agency Award by the CFDA, and whereas Edge was created in 2011 to unite public and private entities in the mission of driving economic advancement and prosperity throughout Memphis and Shelby County with a focus on attracting investments, creating and retaining jobs, raising wages, revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, and leveraging the Port of Memphis and Foreign Trade Zone 77.

And whereas Edge has successfully implemented innovative financing and incentive programs, including pilot incentives, TIFF districts, inner city economic development loans, industrial revenue bonds, and foreign trade zone benefits that have made a measurable impact across our community.

And whereas since its creation, Edge has helped create and retain more than 41,000 jobs, directed over 872 million dollars in spending with minority and women-owned businesses, attracting more than 8.3 billion dollars in capital investment and generated over 1.9 billion dollars in new tax revenue to strengthen Memphis and Shelby County.

And whereas under the leadership of President Jo Ann Massey and the dedicated Edge team, the agency continues to serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity, growth and innovation across our community.

And whereas the 2024 CDFA National Development Finance Summit in Baltimore, Maryland, will formally recognize Edge for its outstanding leadership, service, and contributions to the economic prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Memphis City Council congratulates Edge for Memphis and Shelby County, President Jo Ann Massey and the entire Edge team, which are standing around me here today, certainly not inclusive of everyone, but most everyone for receiving the 2024 CDFA Distinguished Development Finance Agency and commends their ongoing dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Memphis and Shelby County.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Edge as a token of the council's respect, gratitude, and recognition of this historic achievement.

Adopted September 9, 2025.

To President Massey, congratulations to you.

We are so proud of you, the work that you have done and continue to do, and to all your team.

This is for all of you.

This is a big congratulations to all of you.

We are so proud of you, and we so much appreciate the work that you do for Memphis and Shelby County each and every day.

Thank you all so much.

It is our honor to serve you and to be your economic development agency.

As it was said in the resolution, public and private partnerships are where we meet success.

Leadership is a journey and it's not a solo journey.

And so I wanted to have my entire team here to be recognized for the really hard work that they do every day, getting up every morning and focusing on how we create a thriving community for Memphis and Shelby County.

Recognizing that as we are Edge, we also have our port of Memphis in Shelby County, Mr.

Randy Richardson, who's the executive director there, and Randy, and I just want the council to know this, and thank you, Chairman, for also giving Randy recognition for his 35 years of service to the Port of Memphis.

And as our team, as as chairman said, this is some of our team members are at the office, I think it's five o'clock, uh, continuing their work.

But our team is extended not just by those who are um you know on our payroll, but who are consultants as well.

And so you all know, and you're really um the the first champions to say if we don't tell our own story and tell our own successes, we will no one will know.

Like they will not know what's happening.

So I want to recognize Beth Wilson and Wilson Public Relations, who is our consultant for marketing and public relations, helping to get the story out there, who was a tremendous part of us winning the CDFA award, that national award for all agencies.

They chose Edge because of all the work that we do with small businesses all the way up to corporations.

And so Beth and her team are here as a part of our team, just recognizing them as well.

And so I only leave you with is as I've said before, and we're almost believe it or not, one year to the day that you all appointed me in this role as president and CEO, and it has truly been an honor, but we have so much more work to do.

And so not only is it the Edge team and the port team and Wilson, but it's this council, the administration, and everyone uh that is a part of this community.

And so we thank you all so much for recognizing us today, and we're gonna get back to work.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, first want to thank the Edge team for the work that they're doing.

I think if Councilman Martavus Jones was here, he would be proud of the work that you're doing, but he will also um challenge you to continue to do um what's right in the community, continue to put our community first.

And I just want to acknowledge the folks here who get off at five.

I want to know it's after five o'clock.

So thank you for being here after work hours, showing your dedication to our community.

Much love and success.

Please show that that is approved by acclamation, madam controller.

Madam Controller, if you will please call the consent agenda.

Our consent agenda begins with it.

A resolution approving the final plat for Wartford Industrial Park Plan Development Phase 2, PD 2000-370, and accepting bond as security.

There is a request for same night minutes.

The contract number is CR-5480.

Item number seven is a resolution approving the final plat for Saint Jude Advanced Research Center and accepting bond as security.

There is a request for a same night minutes, and that contract number is CR-5481.

Councilwoman Green.

Right as I'm chewing a Skittle.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, I just wanted to uh make an announcement and a request of something that is not on our agenda.

At the end of committee, we held an item for two weeks that was sponsored by Councilman Warren regarding Region One.

I have spoken with uh General Counsel Van Turner at Region One.

He has agreed to hold the item for four weeks to when uh Councilman Warren can be back and do not expend any money or sign any contracts that would affect Councilman Warren's um request in that interim.

So if instead of two weeks, if we can hold it for four weeks, because I know councilman warren is going to be out in two weeks.

Um, and I've talked to Councilman Warren, and he is fine with that uh request as well.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Councilman.

Madam Vice Chair, you recognize thank you, Chairman.

The committee met.

There was a favorable recommendation, and I so move.

Consent agenda was moved by Swearing Washington, seconded by Green colleagues.

Please cast your votes for the consent agenda.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, please read the fiscal consent agenda.

On our fiscal consent agenda, we have item number eight, a resolution to accept and appropriate additional grant funds in the amount of one million four hundred thirty-two thousand eight hundred dollars from the state of Tennessee, specifically for additional bonus money for the in-service training program, which was for the training of 1791 commission officers from 2024, all districts and all super districts.

This resolution is sponsored by police services, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Item number nine is a resolution to accept and appropriate additional grant funds in the amount of seven thousand two hundred dollars from the state of Tennessee, specifically for the in-service training program, which trained nine commission officers from the previous year, all districts and all super districts.

This resolution is sponsored by police services.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Item number 10 is a resolution to accept grant funds in the amount of 24,395 from the Shelby County government through the Tennessee Office of Justice Programs.

All districts and all super districts.

This resolution is sponsored by police services.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Item number 11 is a resolution to accept and appropriate an allocation of 100,000 dollars in the FY26 budget chargeable to award 13403 from the cities for financial empowerment fund to create the Memphis Blueprint for Advancing Wealth Equity and Financial Empowerment.

All districts and all super districts.

This resolution is sponsored by housing and community development.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Mr.

Chairman, that concludes your fiscal consent agenda item.

Madam Council, we're gonna add 39 was added to fiscal consent.

If you'd read that into the agenda as well, please.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by council members Smiley, Swearing Washington, and Canale, and there is a request for same night minutes for this item also, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you, Madam Comptroller.

Colleagues, that concludes our fiscal consent items eight through eleven plus thirty-nine.

Madam Vice Chair, you are recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

There was a favorable recommendation to accept all of these items, and I so move.

Fiscal consent was moved by Swear Engine Washington, seconded by Green.

Seeing the members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes, Green, yes.

Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Swearon, Washington, yes.

Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Show Cooper Sutton is a yes, please as well.

Thank you.

Please show Cooper Sutton is voting yes on this item.

Madam Countroller, please take us to the MLGW fiscal consent.

Items 12 through 21.

Item number 12 is a resolution approving ratification and change to contract number 12487 LNG exterior painting of tanks with TMI coatings inc to ratify and expand the scope of the current contract in the funded amount of $13,755 and 23 cents.

Item number 13 is a resolution approving extension to contract number 12142 card payment processing services to card connect LLC to extend the current contract in the funded amount of three million one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred sixty dollars and twenty-nine cents.

Item number fourteen is a resolution awarding purchase order for three conductor cable to universal scaffold and equipment in the amount of five hundred twenty-nine thousand five hundred and sixty-three dollars.

Item number fifteen is a resolution awarding purchase order for horizontal LED 200 watt luminaries to engineered sealing components LLC in the amount of 232,404.

Item number 16 is a resolution awarding contract number 12555 external auditing services to CBIS, CPA's PC in the funded amount of 875,000 dollars.

Item number 17 is a resolution approving ratification and extension to contract number 12167, retirement and pension system and other post-employment benefits, OPEP audits with Forvis Mazars, formerly Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, to ratify and extend the current contract in the funded amount of 74,200.

Item number 18 is a resolution awarding 24 month purchase order for utility bill paper to MAC Papers LLC in the funded amount of 382,470.

Item number 19 is a resolution awarding 24 month purchase order for utility bill mailing and return envelopes to MAC Papers LLC in the amount of 561,594 dollars.

Item number 20 is a resolution approving an out an annual salary in the amount of 167,211 for a new hire to fill the vacant position of customer experience and energy services director strategic initiatives and execution and our final item is number 21, a resolution approving extension, change number three to contract number one two three one four, broker of record for cyber insurance and other insurance coverages with Willis Towers Watson Southeast Incorporated to extend the current contract in the funded amount of 147,000 dollars.

Mr.

Chairman, that concludes our MLGW consent items.

Thank you, Madam Countroller.

I would like to make note that item 20 on MLGW fiscal consent is same night minutes.

Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

The committee met with a favorable recommendation.

MLGW.

MLGW is moved by Walker, seconded by Green.

Sing the members in the queue.

Please cast your votes, members for the MLGW fiscal consent.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Councilman Walker, do you want to be recognized?

Okay.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please take us to item number four.

Item number four is a resolution approving the appeal of Dr.

Lynette P.

Williams on behalf of the Acklena Lakeview Garden CDC Inc.

seeking to overturn the action of the Memphis and Shelby County Land Use Control Board approving a resubdivision of a portion of lot one of the Save a Lot Subdivision to create lot three, made up of 0.82 acres on the north end at the subject property located at 4696 South Third Street.

This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development.

It was held from July 8th.

The case number is S25-10.

Madam Vice Chair, you recognize.

So a yes vote does those things.

Thank you, Mr.

Rexdale.

Dr.

Lynette Williams.

Followed by Winnie Hardaway and Dr.

Kimberly Owens Pearson.

I'm Dr.

Lynette Williams.

I'm the executive director of the Ackalina Lake View Gardens CDC, 5175 Horn Lake Road, Memphis, Tennessee.

And I just want to uh commend the City Council as well as the uh Department of Planning and Development that we actually came to an agreement.

Um we were in opposition of this subdivision because of um the threat to save a lot as well as putting uh gas pumps as well as the applications stated for an oil change facility.

This particular area is in a well protection zone, and we are very concerned about our environment in that area as well as being able to service the community as far as the grocery store is concerned, since we are in a desert, a food desert in that area, and we just like to thank everybody for the agreement that we came to and especially um councilman Ford as well as Councilman Cooper Sutton as far as getting us to an agreement, and we agreed to not have a gas station there, as well as not have an oil chains facility, but we are amenable to uh EV stations there as well as an office uh strip mall or a coffee shop or whatever else they want to put there and they can sell it without having any problems, and the community will be supportive because we had at least over 300 people in opposition to this particular project, but we appreciate the concern and everything, and we we really appreciate the fact that the the city council did work with us.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dr.

Williams.

Ms.

Hardaway.

Good afternoon.

I am Winnie Wade Hardaway.

Uh and I'm I'm I'm excited right now.

Y'all just don't know.

So I'm gonna say you've seen me angry, and this is me happy.

I want to thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

38109, look, 38109, Westwood.

Yes, we're here, and we've been asking to be a part.

This is a positive thing.

We can go back to the community and say they're working with us, they're hearing us.

We're at the table, we're being heard.

We don't need oil, we don't need another gas station on third street.

We need more food.

We are in a desert.

Thank you.

And I like the fact that you you heard me when I said put it in writing.

I don't want them to come back and do something different after they said it.

Ms.

Hardaway, uh, I'm sorry to interrupt you.

Will you give me your address, please?

4624 Honeysuckle.

Thank you.

Memphis, Tennessee, 38109.

Okay.

Go ahead.

Are we good?

Thank you.

Oh, you're done.

Dr.

Kimberly Pearson.

Kimberly once Pearson 1110 Star Line Memphis Tennessee 38109 um so this is a good thing all right so we have it in writing no more gas stations no lube oil whatever very good we keep coming down here and finally something was approved that we agree with so thank you thank you for saying thank you thank you Dr.

Pearson uh seeing no members in the queue that concludes our public comment on that item madam comptroller please prepare the voting screen hold the whole hold the screen one second councilwoman logan you're recognized our information yes is that we are in favor of this okay substitute as the minute that's I was asking okay thank you Cooper Sutton yes Easter Thomas yes Ford yes green yes Logan yes smiley yes swearing washington yes walker yes white yes chairman canale yes that item passes madam countroller please call item five no I'm sorry I'm sorry all right take us to item thirty two please item number thirty two on our add-ons is a resolution to approve the appropriation of funds of one million five hundred thousand dollars from Brooks Museum FY2026 CIP project number PK two four one zero six contract construction district seven super district eight this resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes madam vice chair you recognize thank you chair the committee met there was a favorable recommendation and ISO move item was moved by vice chair and jumps and seconded by Easter Thomas seeing the members in the queue please prepare the voting screen for 32 Cooper Sutton yes Easter Thomas yes Ford yes green yes Logan yes smiley yes walker yes white yes chairman canale yes that item passes madam comptroller please call item 33 item number 33 is a resolution to appropriate five hundred thousand dollars in geo bonds for Memphis animal shelter facility upgrades and the outfit in the Memphis animal shelter animal control ban CIP GA01036 district one super district nine this resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes councilwoman cooper Sutton you're recognized yes the committee met and approved and I so moved oh got it yeah I just pushed it oh easy thumbs thank you all right 33 was moved by Cooper Sutton seconded by Easter Thomas seeing the members in the queue please pair the voting screen cooperation yes easter thomas yes Ford yes green yes swearing in washington yes walker yes white yes chairman canale yes that item passes madam comptroller please call item 34 item number 34 is a resolution to transfer and appropriate funds in the amount of three million seventy seven thousand eight hundred dollars for CIPP noncana 66 feet project number sw 24205 to fund emergency rehabilitation of deteriorated sewer lines district three super district eight this resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes councilman smiley you're recognized I'm just deeply grateful that the chair will call me the committee met recommend approval and I saw move 34 was moved by smiley seconded by green seeing the members in the queue please pair the voting screen Cooper Sutton yes

This resolution is sponsored by the administration, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

I'm just deeply grateful that the chair will call me.

The committee recommended approval and I saw move.

34 was moved by Smiley, seconded by Green.

Seeing the members in the queue, please appear the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please call item 35.

Item number 35 is a resolution to transfer and appropriate construction funds in the amount of three million twenty-five thousand three hundred sixty-eight dollars and fifty cents from drainage st cover line, project number stero two zero three-five for upgrading the drainage system in the morning side place neighborhood, district five, super district nine.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There's a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Smiley, you recognized.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Committee may recommend move and I'll move.

Okay.

35 was moved by Smiley, seconded by Green.

Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, and Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please call item 36.

Item number 36 is a resolution accepting insurance proceeds totaling 920,109 dollars for damage suffered to Bass Pros Chillers, number two and number three.

District 7, super district eight.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you, sir.

Committee meet recommended or approval on ISO move.

36 was moved by Smiley, seconded by Green.

Seeing no members in the queue, please pair the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Swearing Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Please show council member white as voting yes on this item.

That's all right.

Madam Countroller, please call item 37.

Item number 37 is a resolution to allocate $15,000 annually for five years from solid waste community funds to Clean Memphis Inc.

nonprofit agency.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Smiley.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Committee may recommend approval and I saw move.

There's councilwoman Logan in the queue on this particular item as well.

All right, item was moved by Smiley, seconded by Swearing Washington.

Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

Earlier today, uh committee we discussed this.

Um, but after we voted, found out or had a discussion about Memphis City Beautiful doing the exact same work and being underfunded.

Um, and so I want to put a hold on this.

I know they're asking for the same nine minutes, but if we have a division or department that is doing the exact same thing, and they're needing funds, and we're you know, giving these funds 75,000 elsewhere for the same thing.

I really want us to explore that and to get a little bit more information about it before we make this decision.

And I thought move.

Okay, without objection, we're gonna hold item 37 until September 22nd.

Any objection to that?

26.

Whatever we need.

Whenever we need I'm gonna cut, I'm gonna come on the 22nd.

Um thank you.

All right, that item is held.

Madam Calder will please call item 38.

Item number 38 is a resolution to create an advisory board related to public use funds from artificial intelligence properties.

All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by councilwoman Cooper Sutton, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Councilwoman White, you're recognized.

Yes, the committee met and recommended approval um of with the amendment uh for same night uh minutes and I so move as amended.

All right, 38 was moved by white, seconded by Green.

I've got some comment request cards, but I'm gonna go to Councilwoman Green first.

Thank you, Chair.

I just um in committee I asked to be added as a sponsor, and so I wanted that for the record.

Thank you.

Chair, can you add me as well as a co-sponsor?

Yes, Esther Thomas added as well.

Um, Chairman, I thought at the committee that they all wanted to be added as acting sponsors, everyone and committee.

And committee if I shouldn't put it on the record.

Okay.

All right, Sarah Gladney.

Name and address, Miss Glady, you have two minutes.

My name is Sarah Gladney, 1751 East Box Town Road 38109.

And my question is to the council.

I would like to know why did you accept 25% from Mayor Paul Xyong offer to not only the Boxtown community, but part of the Whitehaven community.

We have been overburdened for years, and we have worked hard in our community, and to breathe is one of the things that we should deserve.

We deserve to breathe clean air.

So can you tell me how the 25% will be distributed among multiple communities?

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Glady.

Uh Winnie Hardaway.

Name and address, Miss Hardaway.

You have two minutes.

Let's do it a second time.

Winnie Wade Hardaway, 4624 Honeysuckle, Memphis, Tennessee, 38109.

I'm standing before you today because on the third the 38th, Miss Green and Mrs.

White.

I'm understanding this is an advisory board.

I believe the very first time I came down here to the council, I said I wanted to be a part of this.

I want to sit at the table.

I want to be in a part of the decision making of 38109.

I understand this is an advisory board that probably consists of you all, but at some point, who was the advisory board consisting of?

Maybe that's maybe that needs to be my first question.

Who was an advisory board?

Who did the advisor board consist of?

I'm okay with how you broke it down.

Come on, tell me who who we're directing my questions to now.

So can uh Miss Wendy.

I created this environment advisory board.

And can you hear me?

Okay.

And so the public advisory board was talked about in committee, and um the first meeting of our advisory board shall um consist of two single districts, two single districts, um, one super district council member recommended by the chairperson of Memphis City Council, three community leaders.

Oh, she got it.

Good.

You got that because we had to make some advice do some changes to make sure that they reflect in the ordinance as well.

And so um, would you like me to continue since you have it in your hand?

I'll read it.

I'll give you read it.

No, no, I'll read it down.

So you like me to continue?

Okay.

Um three community leaders uh selected by the self-nominated city council member, the city of Memphis mayor or designee, the city of Memphis Chief Financial Officer or Designee, and the City of Memphis General Service Director.

So that would be your advisory board will be set up.

And you have a copy, and if anyone else will like a copy, we can get you a copy because it had to be revised.

Okay.

It has been revised.

This is it.

That's just the revised.

This is your copy.

Okay.

Yes.

Any further questions?

Yes.

Yes.

So this has not been, we have not selected anyone at this time.

This is brand new.

Exactly.

And that's why I'm saying I understand all of this is new to all of us, yes, especially me.

But I'm saying now that I know who's on it, this is these are the individuals that I'll be asking the questions and who will be representing me at the table in the future, correct?

Once we get everything set up.

And I heard your request to be at the table.

Yes.

Yes, thank you, Miss Wendy.

Thank you, Chairman.

Thank you.

Dr.

Kimberly Pearson.

Say it again.

Dr.

Kimberly Owens Pearson 1110 Starline, Memphis, Tennessee, 38109.

In reference to 38 and having the advisory board, I was here on August 5th.

And I was highly upset in reference to the 25% because I thought that we are the one that takes the brunt of the pollution, and we should not just be given 25%.

It was still passed without a second to our amendment.

Um Cooper Sutton presented.

So I'm hoping today, and it seemed like good energy, good vibes are in the air.

So I'm hoping that this amendment where we are at the table with this advisory board, because we keep showing up, and we're the ones who are impacted, can be at the table.

And so that's why we are here.

So hopefully it passes, and we all have a good day.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Billy Sally.

She had the lead.

Okay.

Keyshaw Pearson.

Who is that?

Shall I find it?

Uh point of clarification before I get started.

Um, on the address, because it is written.

Um, is it possible that I just say the street name or what's the protocol there?

Name and address, please.

Okay.

Keyshaw Pearson.

Uh 3831 Masterson.

We good?

Yes, sir.

You may perceive.

All right.

So as the leader of Memphis Community Against Pollution, the one thing that has stood out in the entire saga of XAI and its data centers is is complete and overall lack of community engagement.

What has also permeated into policy that was recently passed in the community benefits ordinance is the continued lack of community engagement.

And so what this ordinance uh seeks to do is to provide some kind of restitution and to involve the community even more in processes where they get to decide what happens with the money.

25% is not nearly enough to make a dent or to atone for the pollution that we have to breathe in in 38109.

Uh we are receiving 100% of the pollution and only 25% of whatever uh will turn come out to be from these tax uh rebates or uh the tax money that's going to be allocated.

Uh going forward in the future.

I believe our government should reflect the people and their choices, and they should be included in the process as a government for the people by the people.

We should not operate like corporations.

I am uh confident that this will pass, and I feel um that I do want to extend thank you to uh councilwoman Cooper Sutton and everyone else involved in this.

Uh, but I do urge us to continue to work with the community and not without them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Pearson.

Madam Council, that takes us to the end of public comments.

So please take us to the voting screen for item 38.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

Please show council member Ford as voting, yes.

Swearing in Washington, yes, Walker, yes, White, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Excuse me, please call item 40.

Item number 40 is a resolution to exempt all employees of the division of finance of the city of Memphis as the city's municipal finance department from the civil service rules and regulations outlined in sections 3-8-2 through 3-8-6 Municode of the Charter of the City of Memphis pursuant to section 3-8-2 Municode of the Charter of the City of Memphis.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Madam Vice Chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

The committee met there was a favorable recommendation for this item, and I so move.

Item 40 was moved by vice chair and seconded by Green, but it's still showing 38 on my screen.

Could you advance it, please, Madam Countroller?

There you go.

Move it again.

There we go.

All right.

Seeing the members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen for item 40.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes, green, yes.

Logan, yes.

Smiley, yes.

A smiley, uh, please show council member smiley as abstained.

Swearing in Washington, yes.

Walker, yes, white, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

I've got you.

I'm putting it in the system.

Madam Countroller, please call item 41.

Item number 41 is a resolution approving transportation trustee agreement and trustees.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the transportation committee.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Madam Vice Chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

The committee met there was a favorable recommendation, and I so move.

41 was moved by Vice Chair JSW, seconded by Green.

Seeing the members in the queue, please appear the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas abstained, Ford, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

Walker, yes, and Chairman Canale, yes.

Please show Vice Chairwoman Janna Swearing Washington as voting yes.

White is a yes, green is a yes.

Okay, we're gonna put those in here.

White is a yes, and green is a yes, and swearing, washington.

That item passes.

All right, Madam Countroller, please take us back to our regular agenda starting with item.

No, 23.

Nope.

25.

Item number 25 is a resolution amending and appropriating pilot proceeds from the Health Educational and Housing Facility Board of the City of Memphis, Tennessee, up to but not to exceed $1 million,000 chargeable to the UI 2026 budget by appropriating funds to the division of housing and community development affordable housing program account.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, the committee met recommended approval, and I so move.

All right, 25 is moved by Logan, seconded by Swearing Washington.

I do have one comment card for Susan Marisi.

Okay, good afternoon.

My name is Susan Moresi.

I live at 1967 Wood Chase Cove, 38016.

So I just saw this when I came in here, and I'm not sure I'm understanding it, but I'm thinking you're saying money you get from a pilot is gonna go to health education and housing.

And I am on the uh uh better transit for a better Memphis and also the transit part of Micah, and I'm just telling everyone, it has been our understanding for over a year that funds from my uh pilots were gonna go to transit.

So if that's not true, it's not true, but we have thought that for a long time.

Thank you, Miss Moresi.

There you are correct that there are some expiring pilots that are going to transit vision.

That is a correct statement, but I don't know.

I don't have an exact list in front of me.

I'll get that list and we'll get that to you.

But it's not all of them.

No, okay.

Thank you, ma'am.

Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen for item 25.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Swearing, Washington, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

Please show council member Cooper Sutton as voting yes on this item.

And I have put that in the system for you.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please call item 26.

Item number 26 is a resolution to accept and appropriate the sum of 1 million five hundred forty-eight thousand nine hundred dollars funded by Shelby County Commission for the Southwest Twin Redevelopment Award 11551.

Project C D 01104, District 6, Super District 8.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

Councilwoman Logan.

26 has been moved by Logan seconded by Green.

Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Swearing, Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes Madam Council, please call item 27.

Item number 27 is a resolution appropriating bonds proceeds and accrued interest in the amount of one million four hundred twelve thousand eight hundred thirty six dollars and sixty-nine cents for additional project cost in connection with the fairgrounds tourism development zone TDZ Award 11559, project CD 18300 District 4 Super District 8.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

Council Wolverine, you're recognized.

Again, Chair the Housing and Community Development Committee Met recommended approval and I so move.

Thank you.

27 was moved by Logan, seconded by Green.

Seeing no members in the queue, please appear the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Swearing, Washington, yes, Walker, yes, Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes Madam Countroller, please call item 28.

Item number 28 is a resolution to allocate 200,000 dollars in support of the Shelby County Environmental Courts indigence fund to assist in the reduction of blight in Memphis neighborhoods.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by councilwoman Cooper Sutton.

Madam Vice Chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

The committee met there was a favorable recommendation, and I so move.

Item was moved by Swear and Washington, seconded by Green.

Councilwoman Green, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

Um I would like to request to be added as a sponsor.

As please add green as a sponsor.

Councilwoman Cumber Sutton, I see you over there motioning to me.

Did you want to speak?

No.

Okay.

All right.

Seeing no other members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen for 28.

Four, yes, three, yes, voting, yes.

That item passes.

I like the please add councilwoman Logan is a co-sponsor of that.

Um 28.

And please call item 29.

Item number 29 is a resolution to allocate funding for neighborhood associations for anti-blight and beautification efforts.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by council member Smiley.

Madam Vice Chair, you recognize.

The committee met.

There was a favorable recommendation, and I so moved.

29 was moved by Swearinger Washington, seconded by Easter Thomas.

Councilman Smiley, before you leave the chamber, would you like to speak on your item?

I believe we use it.

All right, Madam Councilman, please prepare the voting screen for item 29.

Thank you.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Swearing, Washington, yes, Walker, yes, and Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Council, please call item 30 with same night minutes, please.

Item number 30 is a resolution to establish the Memphis City Council Community Grant Program for FY26.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the Memphis City Council.

Madam Vice Chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chairman.

I am excited to announce that we have finally reached a favorable recommendation for this item.

And ISO move.

Item 30 was moved by Square in Washington, seconded by Green.

Seeing no members in the queue.

Members, please cast your votes.

Item 30.

Right.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes.

Logan, yes, wearing Washington, yes.

Walker, yes, and Chairman Canale.

Yes, and this is for same night minutes, and it's as amended.

Correct.

That item passes.

Madam Countroller, please call item 31.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Item number 31 is a resolution to amend rules of procedure.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by Chairman Canale.

It was held from 819, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Madam Vice Chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

The committee met.

There was a favorable recommendation, and ISO move.

Item was moved by Swearinger Washington, seconded by Cooper Sutton.

Seeing no members in the queue, please prepare the voting screen.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes.

Swearing in Washington, yes, Walker, yes, and Chairman Canale, yes.

That item passes.

All right, colleagues, that brings us to the end of our regular agenda.

I need to go back and do some cleanup.

Item 24, which I announced earlier.

An executive was going to be held till the second meeting in October.

Has now been withdrawn.

Councilman Spinoza had to leave, but he did leave me as the sponsor.

He left me a letter wishing to withdraw item 24.

That brings us to our same night minute items.

Madam Vice Chair, you are recognized.

To the same nine minutes.

Two, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twenty, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty, and forty-one.

And I so move.

Okay, that's a lot.

Uh we got all the same night minutes were moved by JSW seconded by Green.

Sing the members in the queue.

Members, please cast your votes for the same night minutes.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Ford, yes.

Green, yes, Logan, yes.

Wearing Washington, yes.

Walker, yes, and Chairman Cannelly, yes.

Same night minutes pass.

Okay, colleagues, it brings us to our public comment portion of the meeting.

We have a few cards.

Uh Emilon Rogers.

Followed by Alexandra Farmer.

Name and address, we have two minutes.

Emily Rogers, 670 West Drive 38112.

Thank you for hearing our comments today.

I have come as a representative of the Memphis Public Libraries Workers United to ask again for your support in our request for a change to our status so that we may no longer be classified as political appointees while serving as essential workers.

Library workers have long been in the habit of inventing solutions to too hard problems with too few resources.

We are creative sinkers out of necessity, political out of requirement, and passionate because of what we witness every day in our libraries.

We have turned to you, the city council, to allow us the freedom to serve our communities to the best of our ability.

We have chosen to unionize so that we can better support each other in our mission to never have someone leave our libraries with a question unanswered or a need unmet.

A supermajority of our coworkers is waiting to hear back from the few of us who were able to take time away from our libraries to stand here and ask that you help us.

They are waiting to hear that their elected officials, that the people they have chosen to put into power are willing to do what it takes to protect us as the last societal safety net in the first place people turn to when they don't know how to dig themselves out of whatever tangle they're in.

From homework to generational poverty, we offer up every last thing we have to our community.

Please do not let us go home empty-handed.

Allow the few of us here to go back to our co-workers with the promise of action and to be able to celebrate your investment in the well-being of our city.

Please pressure the mayor, City HR, and every other person you know who has power over our branch of the city to do everything in their ability to change our status and ensure that we will never have to turn someone away from our Memphis public libraries with empty hands.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much.

Alexandra Farmer.

Hello again.

My co-workers and I love our libraries, and we love serving the people of Memphis.

That's why we're here asking you to move forward with passing an ordinance to place a charter referendum on the 2026 ballot so voters can officially recognize library workers as the civil servants we have always been.

This change would give long-term security protections and rights to us as workers and to our union we are building together.

But we can't wait until then.

And Memphis has always been a place where working people stand up for dignity, respect, and fairness, from the sanitation workers to today.

We're asking you to carry that legacy forward by adding us to the next committee agenda and by moving ahead with our charter change.

And yes, by each of you urging the mayor and the city to act now.

Thank you for listening for our comments and requests today.

We are very grateful for your leadership on this issue.

Your support means everything as we keep fighting for our right to stand together and to represent ourselves.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Farber.

Laura Bontrager.

Hi, I'm Laura Bontrager, 8492 East Askerson, 38018.

Today I come before you as a member of MPL Workers United.

Our issue is twofold.

One, reclassification of library division workers from appointed to civil service with their years of service and their benefits intact and without having to go through a rehiring process.

And two, our right to act as a collective bargaining unit, which is now currently denied to us.

To accomplish the former, we must have the city council call for a referendum to redefine our status as civil service to accomplish the latter.

Will you require the mayor's office to carve out an exemption to the executive order, which denies us the right to form this bargaining unit?

It's not hard.

Clearly, we just saw it's actually simple.

This is why we absolutely must be on the city council agenda, because library workers are tired.

We are tired, we are strained, we are stressed, and we are not protected.

It feels like the world is burning down around us.

And meanwhile, we just want to support our communities and protect our neighborhoods.

We can't do that effectively when our livelihoods hang by a thread.

With your help, we can achieve lasting change in our library system.

We can change this change will translate to our patrons, translate to our neighborhoods and our city.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your comments.

Good afternoon.

My name is Lamichael Wilson.

My address is 936 Kelly Circle East in Memphis, Tennessee, 3811.

I come before you this afternoon, not just as a grieving son, but as a man whose soul has been shattered to its core by an act so cruel and so violating so much that I struggled to find the words.

Because what was done to my mother by a Memphis police officer after her death warrants not only answers but real tangible change.

After learning of my mother's passing, I later discovered that a Memphis police officer used her personal cell phone to take a photo of her body.

Nude, lifeless, and vulnerable.

Those words are hard to say.

The reality is even harder to live with.

As citizens, we place our trust in first responders to care for us in the most fragile and helpless moments.

And in death when citizens cannot speak for themselves, that trust must be honored even more.

But that was not my mother's case.

And so I am pleading with you this evening to create strict enforceable policies that make it absolutely clear that this misuse of a deceased persons, that any misuse of a deceased person's property by any first responder, especially for unauthorized photos, is not just unethical, it's unforgivable because no family members should have to wonder why this was done, who saw the pictures, or even if the pictures will ever resurface.

You have the opportunity to make sure no other family in Memphis is ever forced to experience the kind of suffering that I do.

Thank you.

Mr.

Wilson, I'm extremely sorry to hear that.

And uh please accept the sincerest condolences on behalf of all the city council on the loss of your mother.

Um we can put you in touch with the proper person to speak with at MPD about that, if you'll stick around.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

LD Thompson Sr.

Good evening, LD Thompson Senior, 1660 Holmes Road, and yeah, my condolences too, sir.

Um coming behind you.

Nevertheless, I'm here to say hello.

This is my first time ever coming before the city council, and this is a great city that we all live in, and we definitely want to make it as great as it can possibly be.

And since I have my two minutes, is it up yet?

There we go.

I want to introduce my my wife.

She's coming behind me, and and we're here trying to make a simple request.

The money that's going to be for the grant.

We're asking, can a window be at least a certain period of time to allow other nonprofits other than ourselves to apply?

I have other nonprofits that are interested, and I want to try to help them the best way to try to do some things within the city positive.

It's a one-week window, I was told.

Yes, sir.

I think we can answer that question for you.

What's the window to apply?

15th.

Through the 26th of what month?

September.

The window to apply is between the 15th and 26th.

You can find that information also on our website.

Right.

So is it to where there's no type of request that could be granted to allow at least two weeks time to submit where I can contact other nonprofits and let them know that there's a certain period of time that they have to, you know, have their documents in, which is you know, your 501c3.

Today's the ninth, so they'd have they have 17 days in Canada.

Okay, I didn't know.

I didn't get clarification.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

So that was pretty much it.

And um I wanted to definitely work with some of the other council members and their other prospective districts and try to assist some of the other nonprofits that don't have the knowledge I have.

So I still got enough, I still got a few minutes, Don.

Give me a few seconds, a few seconds.

Yes, okay.

Just trying to use all my time.

And uh I I thank everybody for their hard work.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you for your care and concern.

Mrs.

Thompson, Ms.

Davis Thompson.

Name and address you have two minutes, ma'am.

Yes, good evening, members of Memphis City Council.

Um, I would also just like to add to with the request of the submission for all of the 501c uh 511's uh can you give us your name and address, please?

Um, 1660 um East Holmes Road, Memphis Tennessee 3116.

Um just to spell out all of the different requirements, any types of uh workshops or any certificates or whatever is necessary in order for us to qualify for submission, and that's all.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Dr.

Tara.

Um I'm gonna give it a shot, okay.

Tongue Tungumpan.

Well, let's just say Dr.

Tara.

How about that?

Um, does this go any longer?

There we go.

Uh hi, my name is uh Dr.

Tara Tungpun, 4327, Elaine, Memphis, Tennessee 3122.

Regarding my background, I am a medical school graduate from the James H.

Quillan College of Medicine at ETSU.

I'm pursuing a career in obstetric syneology and women's preventative health.

I'm also a public health advocate with a Master of Public Health from the University of Memphis School of Public Health, specializing in social and behavioral sciences and health promotion.

I'm here to ask for assistance with the stray animal population in Memphis, Tennessee.

I've personally seen to the rescue of over 30 stray dogs, a dozen stray cats, and one pig.

For the majority of these animals, I was able to locate the owners and educate them on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, having them vaccinated, microchipping them should these animals find themselves lost on the streets again.

Of the animals who had no owners, I've uh I worked as a found foster through our MAS and uh had these animals spayed and neutered and adopted out to new forever homes.

All of this is not enough.

It's not enough to make even the slightest dent in the stray pet population on my street.

In my area of the Bird Claire Graham neighborhood in East Memphis, I could easily see upwards of a dozen stray dogs a day roaming in packs, fighting one another, dodging traffic.

I see numerous posts online asking for help with a female pregnant cat who turned up on someone's doorstep, or a litter of kittens whose mother abandoned them and now they need hour to hour care.

According to Spay Memphis, one fertile cat in her offspring can produce 370,000 kittens in seven years.

One fertile dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.

What we're doing as a society is not enough.

Um we we turn a blind eye, we say, I hope PUP finds a way home.

I hope Kitty has a dry place to say.

What we need to do is primate prevention.

We need to adopt spay neuter, trap neuter release of these animals, of the cats, spay neuter of the dogs.

Um all of this really requires money, access to resources such as medical supplies, vet care time, and working with the community.

I ask that you please look into funding ways to provide more access to spay and neuter services.

Um please consider hiring more vets and vet technic technicians at our public facilities.

Please look into coordinating with uh veterinary colleges to have students uh work in these underserved areas.

Uh, please work to incentivize practitioners of vet med to come to Memphis and stay here in exchange for student loan forgiveness.

Please do something.

Thank you.

Sorry for going over my time.

Thank you very much, and thank you for all you do.

Alexis Agnew.

Followed by Glenda Hicks.

Hi, you guys.

Hello.

Hello, hello.

Name and address, please.

Yes, Alexis Agnew, 4321 Elaine Avenue.

Uh, Dr.

Tira is my neighbor.

She's being humble.

She does every bit of that for free.

So all of those figures that she just gave you, she does all of that for free.

Um, that's what she's asking for the city if they're able to allocate a little bit more money, because she ain't made a money.

I mean, you know, so um I didn't come here in her support.

I came to again support the library's decision to form the union Memphis Memphis Public Libraries Workers United.

I do support the idea if they want to put um put a ballot measure on for next year to change their appointment from their designation from appointed to civil service status.

Currently, they are prohibited from collective bargaining, not good.

And if we are able to get their status officially changed, it's going to add um aid in the transparency and hiring firing.

They get to collectively bargain for fair wages and better working conditions.

And these are critical safeguards that kind of to me are just kind of the backbone of a democracy.

You just have these kinds of protections for your school workers.

Uh, we heart our librarians, we heart our library staff.

They do more than um more than we ever probably give them credit for and more than they'll ever tell you, because they're all super humble.

Um, so I just wanted to say that, support them.

Um, MATA.

I missed the committee meeting today, so I apologize.

Did we ever find out what happened with the um electric buses?

I think there were three, and only one is working.

So I wanted to ask about that.

I'll talk after the end of it.

And um, wanted to brag on Canale.

Uh there was a water fountain in Geisman at the Geisman um community center that was broken for a month.

And the director guy said that he well, we don't know who's responsible for it.

We talked to somebody, talked to somebody, talk to somebody, and I was like, okay.

Well, it's spewing out water uh for 30 days.

So I emailed um Canale emailed like just everybody that I could blast if I was able to, and he responded, and they got that done within about six hours.

So, you know, when we're up here talking about the things that we wish we could improve, gotta hand it to you.

That was pretty impressive.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Agnew.

Glenda Hicks.

Good evening, council members.

Our electeds who sit in the seats to represent our citizens.

Um it seems like there's an air of greater.

I'm sorry, Glenda Hicks, 608 Gillies.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Co-founder of 21st century Monthus or Bus.

My apologies.

However, it is my concern that corporations seem to continue to be put before the best interest of our citizenry.

And we know that we're in an age of technological advancements with all that's going on with AI.

So I am dearly concerned that our focus is on our citizenry, more so than dollars that might be coming in from these various corporations that are coming in.

We've heard about the data centers.

So certainly it is my request as a citizen that you as the individuals in seats of authority would certainly be mindful to keep the citizens of Memphis at the forefront of your decisions, and I want to certainly thank councilwoman Cooper Sutton for all of her efforts, which certainly put the citizens first.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Hicks.

It brings us to the end of our public comment.

I want to say thank you to each of you.

Uh deeply respect and care for each one of you.

Thank you for your service to the staff.

I feel the same way about you to the new members of the staff.

Welcome.

I hope you enjoyed your first city council meeting.

And I wish everybody a great rest of your week.

We are adjourned.

Be careful on your way home.

God bless you.