OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyMemphis, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:11

Transcript — Verbatim
1:53

Sergeant Arvis, please call our October seventh, twenty twenty-five council meeting to order.

2:07

The chaplain of the day is Bishop Edward Houston Stevens Junior from Golden Gate Cathedral.

2:13

Bishop Stevens, would you please lead us in prayer?

2:24

Let us pray.

2:30

Thanking you for the beautiful city of Memphis and for each person gathered in this chamber.

2:40

And we humbly invite your presence into this meeting.

2:44

Father God, we thank you for the rich heritage of this city from the banks of the mighty Mississippi to the spirit of resilience that defines our people.

2:56

And we praise you for the leaders that you have called to serve, and we ask that you would fill them with supernatural wisdom, discernment, and courage as they make decisions that affect our community.

3:09

And Lord, we pray and we declare hope over Memphis, hope for our neighborhoods, hope for our schools, hope for our businesses, and hope for every family within our city limits.

3:22

Where there has been discouragement, breathe fresh vision, where there have been challenges, open doors of opportunity, and we believe that your plans for our city are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

5:00

We thank you for all that you do, not only as the bishop of Golden Gate Cathedral, but the bishop for many of us who don't attend.

5:06

And I know we have some in the audience today, but all that you've done for the community.

5:10

We know you all have a school, the way that you always answer the call for service.

5:15

Pray over our city and care and love for us.

5:18

Personally, me.

5:19

So we have a gift for you from the city of Memphis.

5:27

And then they didn't come aside.

5:29

We have another gift from me.

5:33

Thank you.

5:34

And thank you so much.

5:36

Thank you.

5:41

Thank you, Councilmember.

5:47

Thank you, Bishop Stevens.

5:49

Always good to see you.

5:50

Thank you for praying with us and over us today.

5:53

Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll?

5:58

Thank you, Mr.

5:59

Chairman.

6:00

Councilmember Carlisle.

6:03

Cooper Sutton.

6:05

Easter Thomas.

6:07

Ford.

6:09

Green.

6:10

Logan.

6:12

Smiley.

6:14

Spinoza.

6:15

Swamrington, Washington.

6:17

Present.

6:18

Walker.

6:18

Present.

6:19

Warren.

6:20

White.

6:22

Chairman Canale.

6:24

Mr.

6:24

Chairman, you have a quorum.

6:27

Thank you, Madam Comptroller.

6:29

I believe Madam Vice Chair has read the meeting minutes for our September 23rd, 2025 meeting.

6:40

Thank you, Chair.

6:41

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

6:43

I move for the adoption of the September 23rd, 2025 meeting minutes as amended.

6:51

I so move.

6:55

That item was moved by Swear Engine Washington, seconded by Spinoza.

7:00

Seeing no members in the queue, please appear the voting screen for our meeting minutes.

7:20

For the minutes.

7:25

Please show Council Member Easter Thomas as voting yes on the minutes.

7:30

Ford, yes.

7:31

Green, yes.

7:32

Logan, yes.

7:33

Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes.

7:35

Swearing Washington, yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Health███████████11%
Educational Institutions███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Zoning Ordinance██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on October 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The meeting began with a prayer led by Bishop Edward Houston Stevens Jr., roll call (all 13 members present, quorum established), and approval of the September 23, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous). The council adopted several proclamations, approved consent and fiscal consent agendas, debated a resolution concerning Regional One Hospital, and heard public comments on library workers, crime, poverty, building codes, and cable management.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, noting over 319,000 new breast cancer cases expected in the U.S. in 2025 and approximately 150,000 people living with metastatic breast cancer.
  • Honoring Roblin J. Webb: The council presented a resolution honoring Roblin J. Webb for her visionary leadership as founder of Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools, upon her retirement. The resolution passed by acclamation.
  • National Principals Month: The council recognized October as National Principals Month and honored ten Memphis principals from various schools for their leadership and dedication.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 6 & 7 (Second Reading): Ordinances sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development passed unanimously. Councilmember White recused from both items (special counsel for county commission).
  • Fiscal Consent Items 9–11: Three grant resolutions accepted: $35,000 from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for bicycle/pedestrian safety; $400,000 for community-based traffic enforcement; and $500,000 from TVA for the Efficient Homes for All program. All passed unanimously with request for same-night minutes.
  • MLGW Fiscal Consent Items 12–21: Ten resolutions covering contracts for pole restoration, fiber optic material, batteries, transformers, aerial patrol, landscaping, payment centers, service trucks, a new supervisor position, and workers’ compensation brokering. All passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • Item 23 – General Obligation Bonds: Resolution authorizing up to $150 million in general obligation bonds for public works projects. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 24 – Improvement Bonds: Resolution for the Series 2025 General Improvement Bonds. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 25 – CIP Operational Infrastructure: $1 million appropriated for IT operational enhancements (project IT01003). Passed unanimously.
  • Item 26 – CIP Transfer: $200,000 transferred from IT improvement to operational infrastructure projects. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 27 – Smart City Project: $2 million appropriated for the Smart City Project (IT01009). Passed unanimously.
  • Item 28 – Regional One Hospital Resolution: Councilmember Warren proposed a resolution requesting Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris convene a stakeholder meeting to discuss alternatives to building a $1.9 billion new Regional One Hospital. Warren argued the county faces $1.2 billion in deferred school maintenance and other pressing needs. Council members debated: White and Green recused (county roles); Carlisle and others supported a meeting; Cooper Sutton noted the hospital’s historical significance. The resolution initially passed 11–0–2 (Logan abstained first, then changed to yes; White recused; Green recused). Ford Sr. suggested amending to include the county commission. On reconsideration, the council amended the resolution to request a meeting with both the county mayor and county commission. The amended resolution then passed unanimously (White and Green recused; Logan voted yes).
  • Item 4 – Special Use Permit (1507 Airways Blvd): A resolution for a special use permit for a tire sales business. Council members expressed concerns about tire storage as an eyesore. The applicant confirmed tires would be stored indoors. Officials from the Division of Community Enhancement explained enforcement under the tire ordinance (Ordinance 5875). The council adopted three amendments: permitting used tire sales subject to compliance with the tire ordinance, requiring a photometric plan, and adding new conditions. The amended permit passed unanimously.
  • Same-Night Minutes: For items 4, 9, 10, and 11, the council approved same-night minutes unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Martha Sink & Emily Rogers (Library Workers United): Asked the council to exempt library workers from Executive Order 1984 to allow unionization and civil service protections. They noted they had been directed by the mayor’s office to the council. Councilmember Logan responded that the council hears them and is awaiting a report from the administration.
  • Dennis Clark: Expressed support for federal/state crime reduction efforts but urged equal attention to white-collar crime. He also highlighted poverty driving youth crime.
  • Rigo Abel: Criticized the council for silence on the National Guard deployment and cited poverty statistics: 22.6% of residents live in poverty, 36% of children, with city capital budget allocating only 2% to housing. He urged sustained investment in housing, education, transit, and jobs.
  • Ms. Hardaway: Thanked the council for recognizing principals and breast cancer awareness but expressed concern about building code approvals for schools, arguing they affect safety. Chair clarified the council does not make school decisions.
  • Glenda Hicks (21st Century Memphis Bus): Raised concerns about excessive cabling on utility poles causing visual blight. Councilmember Logan noted MLGW is addressing cable management and asked for photos.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All agenda items passed with near-unanimous support. Recusals: White (items 6,7,28); Green (item 28). Abstention: Logan initially on item 28, changed to yes.
  • Same-night minutes approved for consent items 4, 9, 10, and 11.
  • Item 28 amended to include both the county mayor and county commission as addressees.
  • Item 4 amended to permit tire sales under the 2023 tire ordinance with additional conditions.
  • Public comments acknowledged; council members committed to following up on library worker concerns, cable management, and poverty issues.

Meeting Transcript

Sergeant Arvis, please call our October seventh, twenty twenty-five council meeting to order. The chaplain of the day is Bishop Edward Houston Stevens Junior from Golden Gate Cathedral. Bishop Stevens, would you please lead us in prayer? Let us pray. Thanking you for the beautiful city of Memphis and for each person gathered in this chamber. And we humbly invite your presence into this meeting. Father God, we thank you for the rich heritage of this city from the banks of the mighty Mississippi to the spirit of resilience that defines our people. And we praise you for the leaders that you have called to serve, and we ask that you would fill them with supernatural wisdom, discernment, and courage as they make decisions that affect our community. And Lord, we pray and we declare hope over Memphis, hope for our neighborhoods, hope for our schools, hope for our businesses, and hope for every family within our city limits. Where there has been discouragement, breathe fresh vision, where there have been challenges, open doors of opportunity, and we believe that your plans for our city are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. We thank you for all that you do, not only as the bishop of Golden Gate Cathedral, but the bishop for many of us who don't attend. And I know we have some in the audience today, but all that you've done for the community. We know you all have a school, the way that you always answer the call for service. Pray over our city and care and love for us. Personally, me. So we have a gift for you from the city of Memphis. And then they didn't come aside. We have another gift from me. Thank you. And thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. Thank you, Bishop Stevens. Always good to see you. Thank you for praying with us and over us today. Madam Comptroller, would you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Councilmember Carlisle. Cooper Sutton. Easter Thomas. Ford. Green. Logan. Smiley. Spinoza. Swamrington, Washington. Present. Walker. Present. Warren. White. Chairman Canale. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Comptroller. I believe Madam Vice Chair has read the meeting minutes for our September 23rd, 2025 meeting. Thank you, Chair. I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order. I move for the adoption of the September 23rd, 2025 meeting minutes as amended.

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