Memphis City Council Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025

The regular meeting of the Memphis City Council was convened on November 18, 2025, presided over by Chairman Canale. The session opened with a prayer led by Pastor Julio May Jr. and proceeded to approve the minutes from the November 4, 2025 meeting. The council addressed a range of items including resolutions of honor, numerous fiscal and contract approvals, and a contentious debate regarding the 2026 MLGW budget before concluding with public comments focused on library workers and community support.

Consent Calendar

• Routine Approvals: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the November 4, 2025 meeting. The Consent Calendar (Items 4-11, 45) was passed, including second readings of ordinances 5960-5964, a first reading of Ordinance 5965 (establishing 2026 meeting dates), and resolutions for engineering plans (Item 10) and the Austin Peace Center (Item 11). Councilwoman White recused herself from items 4, 6, and 7 due to her representation of the Shelby County Commission.
• Fiscal Consent & Contracts: The Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 12-16, 46) was passed, including approvals for grant funds for David Carnes Park, Josephine K. Lewis Senior Center, and Frazier Raleigh Senior Center; acceptance of donated police equipment; and the amendment of the fiscal year 2026 operating budget to raise minimum pay for full-time city employees to $40,000. A separate fiscal item (Item 46) raising minimum pay to $40,000 was highlighted with strong support from Councilwoman Green.
• MLGW Fiscal Items: Item 39 was held until December 2, 2025. A series of resolutions regarding contracts and payments for ABB software maintenance, street cut permits, building screen replacements, mechanical maintenance, gas transmission extensions, cashiering system replacements, and various meter readings were moved by Councilman Spinoza and unanimously adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• MLGW Budget Opposition:
  • Christine Fox expressed strong opposition to the proposed MLGW budget and the increase in the streetlight fee, citing unjustified costs in a $228 million tree trimming contract and inaccurate billing, stating these expenditures are "not justified" and demanding an independent audit.
  • Glenda Hicks and Andrea Bell, representing constituents, expressed support for a freeze on rates, arguing that a 4% electric rate increase is inequitable given the city's high poverty rates and the affordability of utilities in Memphis compared to Nashville.
  • Public Comment on Library Workers:
  • Missy Robinson, Jonathan Hill, Emiline Rogers, and Denise Ewell expressed full support for library unionization efforts and the city council's support of Library Workers United. They praised Councilman Smiley for his leadership on the National Guard lawsuit and his ordinance to create a referendum allowing voters to reclassify library workers as civil servants, stating this is crucial for "democracy" and worker safety.
  • Timothy Foster proposed renaming Mud Island to "Kings Island" to parallel the King's Bridge and promote a World's Fair vision.
  • Chief Andre Matthews requested assistance from the council for the North Memphis food store, representing Family Farmers Cooperative, to help feed the hungry community members.
• Councilman Carlisle's Rebuttal: Councilman Carlisle expressed opposition to the characterization of the council as "rubber-stamping" the budget, stating that the public's desire for better politicians is contradicted when they face constant criticism despite hard work, asserting, "You cannot pay less and constantly expect more in this city."
• MLGW President McGowan's Defense: President McGowan expressed support for the council's oversight roles but firmly opposed the narrative of financial malfeasance. He argued that the increase in the tree trimming contract cost was due to inflation, the underperformance of the previous contractor, and the unique high density (37%) of rear-line vegetation in Memphis, asserting the budget is necessary for reliability and that Memphis rates remain lower than Denver's and Nashville's combined averages.

Discussion Items

• Resolutions of Honor:
  • Councilman Spinoza introduced a resolution recognizing November 2025 as Veterans and Military Family Month, honoring service members and their families. The resolution was adopted by acclamation.
  • Councilwoman Cooper Sutton and Councilman Edmund Ford Sr. introduced a resolution honoring First Baptist Church of Lauderdale for its 160th anniversary, highlighting its historical significance as the first independent Black Baptist Church in Memphis. The resolution was adopted.
• MLGW 2026 Budget Debate: A significant discussion occurred regarding the 2026 operating and capital budgets for MLGW (electric, gas, water divisions). Public comments focused heavily on opposition to a 4% electric rate increase and a streetlight fee hike. Councilman Carlisle defended the council's oversight efforts, while President McGowan provided justification for the costs, particularly the tree trimming contract, citing historical underperformance by vendors and high maintenance costs due to rear-line trees. He emphasized that the budget is smaller than the 2025 budget when adjusted for inflation and that it continues a plan that has reduced outage minutes by 50%.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: The 2026 MLGW operating and capital budget was approved with a 10-0 vote (all present members voting yes). The budget includes a third increment of the previously approved electric rate increase and a 17% increase to the streetlight fee (raising monthly residential costs by $0.76). It was noted that water and gas rates do not increase in this budget.
• Minimum Wage Increase: A resolution (Item 46) was passed to amend the FY 2026 budget to establish a $40,000 minimum salary for all full-time city employees, supported by Councilwoman Green's advocacy.
• Contract and Grant Approvals:
  • Item 44: Approved $1,724,723 in surface transportation block grant funds for the Winchester Drive Interchange at Perkins Road.
  • Item 40: Approved permanent easement acquisition of four properties in the Greater White Haven Gardens subdivision for the MSQ2 project.
  • Item 42: Approved $250,000 CIP funding for Oberton Park restroom renovations.
  • Item 43: Approved a $394,520 additive change order to the stormwater FY26 CIP budget for South German Town Road improvements.
• Same Night Minutes: All designated same-night minute items (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 44, and 46) were approved by vote of 12-0.
• Future Actions:
  • Councilman Smiley announced that a referendum ordinance to reclassify library workers will be introduced at the next council meeting.
  • Item 39 was rescheduled for December 2, 2025.
  • The council adjourned with wishes for a happy Thanksgiving.