0:31Chairwoman, we laugh.
0:35Sergeant Arms, would you please call our January 27th meeting out of recess?
0:42Oh, yes, oh yes, it's honorable council of the city of Memphis.
0:45This is my call to order from recess.
0:51Please call our February 3rd, 2026 meeting to order, Sergeant in Arms.
0:56Madam Chair, I'd move to adjourn the February or the January meeting.
1:03Can I get a second on that adjournment?
1:05It has been probably moved by Vice Chair Carl Carlisle, and it has been seconded by Dr.
1:14Sergeant Arms, would you please call our February 3rd, 2026 meeting to order?
1:20Oh, yes, oh yes, is honorable council of the city of Memphis.
1:23It's about call to order for the transaction of business pursuit to adjournment.
1:30I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Brother Christian Camacho from Resurrection Catholic Church.
1:39He has been invited by Councilwoman Green.
1:42Brother Camacho, if you will please lead us in prayer.
1:48And so of course, let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
2:00We are mindful that the work before us is sacred work, the care of people's neighborhoods, and the shared life of this beloved city of Memphis.
2:11We give thanks for its rich history, resilience, and promise.
2:16The trust you place in us to serve the common good with wisdom, humility, and integrity is the greatest treasure we believe we hold at this very moment.
2:28Lord, we ask your protection upon all who call Memphis home and upon all who pass through its streets this day.
2:35As cold weather and uncertain conditions weigh heavily on so many of our neighbors, we entrust them to your loving care.
2:43This morning, as I traveled through the city, my eyes were opened and new to the reality of our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
2:51From that Baptist Memorial on Walnut Grove to Central Station on Maine, I encountered your son Jesus walking the streets of Memphis, present in the face of the forgotten, the weary, and the overlooked.
3:06Grant us the grace never to turn away from when he meets us at our final hour.
3:12Stir within us hearts that are attentive and courageous to act with mercy, justice, and love, according to the responsibilities entrusted to us.
3:23Through the intercession of St.
3:24John Baptista LaSalle, patron saint of teachers, and companion to all who serve the young and the poor, and through the witness of the saints we walk with each day, seen and unseen, we ask that you remain close to us in the deliberation set forth today.
3:42May all we say and do today reflect your care for human life and your hope for the city we serve.
3:49We ask this through Christ our Lord.
3:55Thank you for that beautiful prayer.
3:57Councilwoman Green, you are recognized at this time.
4:12Vice Chairman Carlisle, you're recognized at this time.
4:19Thank you, Madam Chair.
4:21Brother, thank you so much for being here and being with the city council and for your words.
4:24Um, both geographically, metaphorically, and literally.
4:27Um, this body needs them and needs people like you.
4:31And thank you for being here and um praying for us and praying over this city.
4:34Um we're very grateful for you.
4:43Warren, if you will please lead us with the pledge of allegiance.
4:46Thank you, madam chair.
4:49I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.
5:00One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
5:07Madam Controller, you will please call the roll.
5:12Thank you, Chairwoman Square in Washington.
5:15Councilmember Canale.
5:21Present Cooper Sutton.
6:08Chairwoman Janice Warrington Washington.
6:13Madam Chair, you have a quorum.
6:15Madam Controller, if you can mark Councilwoman Green is present.
6:19She just can't use her audio at the moment.
6:24I believe Vice Chairman Carlisle has read the minutes for our January 27, 26th meeting.
6:31Vice Chairman, you are recognized.
6:34Yes, ma'am, madam chairman.
6:35I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order, and I move for the adoption of the January 27, 2026 meeting minutes.
6:43It has been properly moved by Vice Chairman Carlisle and seconded by Councilman Warren.
6:49Madam Comptroller, if you will please conduct a roll call to approve the meeting.
7:01This is Councilwoman Cooper Sutton.
7:03And I know that a vice chair has already um approved the minutes, but madam chair, I would move to rescind my vote on the January 27th meeting.
7:14Uh, given what has been placed uh and has come to light, I would like to um rescind a vote, please.
7:25Councilwoman, may I help may I help out?
7:26Would you we haven't voted on the item?
7:29Let me see if I can help us.
7:30Is there is there an will you refer me to the item in which you'd like to take off uh or you'd like to amend your vote?
7:37Do you know that item?
7:39I think she just wants to remove her her approval of the minutes.
7:44Okay, just in just the whole minutes and themselves.
7:49Yes, and there was a particular item, which one whichever person is.
7:52We haven't voted on the minutes, Brooke.
7:53That's what I'm talking about.
7:56It's the uh MLGW appointment.
8:03What item is that brook.
8:14Don't you guys just love virtual media?
8:26I'm sorry, it was an add-on.
8:31Do you want to uh not approve all of them or just or just one particular?
8:36Are you trying to not approve the entire MLGW?
8:40Well, the one that was missing the information that was not provided, and that's the information that was requested.
8:46And you know, when God speaks, it it doesn't, I don't have to take a poll or survey.
8:50He he expects me to take the courage with the conviction and integrity and to do what's said when I go through all of that.
8:57I'm it's a missing information that we were asked to have and was not provided.
9:02So just that one particular person.
9:06Brooke, did we approve it as one item though?
9:08We did approve it as one item.
9:09All right, so councilman.
9:11May I may I recommend that we just and I'm gonna I'm gonna make the following motion.
9:16I think it will get everybody where they need to go as smoothly as possible.
9:20Yes, okay, madam chair.
9:21I I'd move that we brooke.
9:23What's the item number?
9:26I'm sorry, I am trying to believe it's Brooke.
9:34Here we'll dig madam chair.
9:36I I move that we remove item number 25, or rather, I move that we remove item number 25 to amend it to show councilwoman Yolanda Cooper for Sutton's vote as a as an abstention from item number 25.
9:58Do I have a second for that?
10:00Without objection, second.
10:03All right, it's on the floor.
10:05Do I get that right?
10:10I think I'm looking.
10:11Yeah, I'm not going to be able to do that.
10:12You want to abstain?
10:15All right, I'm sorry, uh, Madam Chairman.
10:16I just want to make sure I had it right.
10:19And that's for item 25, correct?
10:24It's been properly moved by Vice Chair Carlisle.
10:27It's been seconded by Dr.
10:30Are we ready now to vote for the meeting?
10:33Do we need to be approved?
10:34Well, I was saying, Brooke, do we need a vote to amend the minutes?
10:37Or since it's done without objection, can we just vote on the main motion for the minutes?
10:42As amended, all right.
10:45Uh the the I'm moving the meeting minutes now as amended.
10:52It's been properly moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, seconded by Dr.
10:56Madam Comptroller, if you will please call a roll vote.
11:00Council members canale.
12:03Before I finish the roll call, it seems uh council member Walker's screen is is frozen.
12:13Chairwoman Janice Warrington Washington.
12:19Welcome to the February 3rd, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council.
12:24Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has the full opportunity to be heard with a deliberate process of the council being retained at all times.
12:37Due to declarations of a state of emergency by president by the president of the United States, the governor of Tennessee, and the mayor of Memphis, we are relating to the inclement weather.
12:50The council has determined that it is necessary that the meeting be conducted electronic or other means of communication in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and city employees.
13:04Also the council staff, as well as members of the council.
13:07We have received, we have not received any public comments as of now, but as we do, we will share them when that item is called.
13:16Public comments that have been received for held items will be included in the official record of this meeting.
13:23Items that will be held would be item number one.
13:27It will be held until March 3rd, 2026.
13:30Items number two, three, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 will be held until February 24, 2026.
13:44Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 18.
13:52Thank you, Madam Chairman.
13:54Item number 18 is a resolution to approve and ratify the chairperson's decision to conduct the February 3rd, 2026 council meeting remotely.
14:08All council districts.
14:10This resolution is sponsored by council woman Washington and Carlisle.
14:20Vice Chairman Carlisle, you're recognized at this time.
14:29Thank you, Madam Chair.
14:30The committee of that recommends approval and I said move.
14:35It has been properly moved by Carlisle, seconded by Dr.
14:39Are there any questions or council members wishing to speak on this item?
14:46Madam Comptroller, if you will please call a vote for item number 18.
14:53Councilmember Canale.
15:45Chairwoman Squaring Washington.
15:51We are still on our add-on and same night minute items.
15:54Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 16.
16:02Item number 16 is a resolution amending the FY26 CIP budget by accepting additional federal grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
16:19An approximately approximately 390,279.33 cents to initiate construction on Hanley Elementary School Pedestrian Safety enhancement.
16:34This is Super District 4.
16:37This is District 4, Super District 8.
16:40This resolution is sponsored by General Services and the administration.
16:46And there is a request for same night minutes.
16:49Request for same night minutes.
16:51Thank you, Madam Comptroller.
16:52Councilman Smiley, you are recognized at this time.
16:55Thank you, Madam Chair.
16:56Committee met recommended approval and I so move.
17:01Are there any questions of council members?
17:06It's been seconded by Dr.
17:08It's been moved by Councilman Smiley.
17:10Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the roll call.
17:16Councilmember Canale.
18:06Chairwoman Swearington Washington.
18:12Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 17.
18:23Item number 17 is a resolution amending.
18:30The FY26 CIP budget by transferring appropriated funds from architecture and engineering to contract construction in the amount of 165,692 dollars and 72 cents to initiate construction on the STP pedestrian routes project.
18:55EN 01 36, Districts 1, 4, 5, and 7, Super District 9.
19:04This resolution is sponsored by the administration.
19:08There is a request for same night minutes.
19:11Thank you, Madam Comptroller.
19:13Councilman Smiley, you are recognized at this time.
19:16Thank you, Madam Chair, for recognizing me at this time.
19:19The committee met recommended approval and I so move.
19:26It has been properly moved by Councilman Smiley, seconded by Dr.
19:30Are there any questions of council members?
19:34Madam Comptroller, if you will please do a roll call vote for item number 17.
19:40Thank you, Chairwoman Washington.
20:36Chairwoman Swearington Washington.
20:42We will now do our consent agenda items, items four and five.
20:48Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the consent agenda, items four and five.
20:56Thank you, Chairwoman Swearing and Washington.
20:59These ordinances are up for second reading.
21:01Up for second reading is ordinance number five nine six eight.
21:05This is sponsored by the Memphis City Council.
21:08The second one is ordinance number five nine six nine.
21:12It's also sponsored by the Memphis City Council.
21:15That concludes our two consent agenda items, Chairwoman Swearing Washington.
21:21Chairwoman, before we proceed, uh Controller, can you read the captions for the consent agenda?
21:33Um for our second reading ordinance.
21:38It is an ordinance renaming Monroe Avenue between Front Street and Riverside Drive as High Square.
21:45It's up for second reading.
21:47The ordinance number is 5968.
21:49It is sponsored by the Memphis City Council.
21:52And item number five's caption is an ordinance to amend Article 8, Section 2-370 of the Code of Ordinances relative to arbitration of labor disputes, impasse procedures, and preservation of charter powers of City Council.
22:12Up for second reading, ordinance number 5969 is sponsored by the Memphis City Council.
22:18That concludes the two captions, Chief Hyman.
22:23Can I get a motion for the adoption of the consent agenda?
22:31It has been properly moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, seconded by Councilman Dr.
22:37Madam Comptroller, would you please prepare the roll call vote for our consent agenda?
22:43Items number four and five.
22:46Council members Canale.
23:43Chairwoman Square and Washington.
23:50We are now in our MLGW fiscal consent agenda, which are items six through ten.
23:56Madam Comptroller, will you please call the MLGW fiscal consent agenda items?
24:03Item number six is a resolution approving the board to authorize payment in the amount of 227,000 as matching funds with TBA's community care funds to be distributed to a local 501c3 organization for utility bill assistance.
24:26Item number seven is a resolution awarding contract number one two six zero six data historian replacement to open systems international inc in the funded amount of 710,857.
24:44Item number eight is a resolution awarding a purchase order for Quest Toad Software Licenses to Technologists Inc.
24:54in the amount of 461,065 and 29 cents.
25:00Item number nine is a resolution approving the renewal to contract number 12298 janitorial services to Mason's Professional Cleaning Services LLC to renew the current contract in the funded amount of 360,484 and 38 cents.
25:22And our final item number 10 is a resolution approving the renewal to contract number 12253 on call consulting services with Allen and Hoschel Inc.
25:34to renew the current contract in the funded amount of $500,000.
25:40Chairwoman Swearman Washington, that concludes our MLGW items.
25:45Thank you, Madam Comptroller.
25:46Councilwoman Walker, you are recognized at this time.
25:51Thank you, Madam Chair.
25:53The committee met with the favorable approval and ISO move.
26:01It has been properly moved by Councilwoman Walker.
26:04Seconded by Councilman Warren.
26:07Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare a roll call vote for our MLGW.
26:13Fiscal consent agenda items six through 10.
26:19Councilmember Canale.
26:30She got disconnected.
26:32She's trying to log back on.
27:11Did Councilman Cooper suddenly get back on?
27:19She's trying to log back on now.
27:25My last vote is Chairwoman Swearing, Washington at this time.
27:31Item that item passes.
27:34That brings us to our same night minutes.
27:37Vice Chairman Carlisle.
27:38Would you please read the same night minutes into record?
27:45Yes, madam chairwoman.
27:46Our same nightmare items are 16, 17, and 18.
27:55It has been moved by our vice chairman Carlisle, seconded by Councilman.
28:01Madam Comptroller, if you will please conduct a roll call vote for the same night minute items.
28:08Councilmember Canale.
29:00Chairwoman Swearington Washington.
29:07Are there any general public comments?
29:10I have one comment card.
29:17The comment card comes from Camel Moses.
29:22Members of the Memphis City Council.
29:24This illegal meeting is being conducted in violation of Tennessee Open Meetings Act.
29:28I place this council on a written notice before you attempted to pass a resolution.
29:32Yeah, you proceeded anyway.
29:34Under TCA section eight-44102A, all meetings of a governing body must be open to the public at all times.
29:41Under TCA section eight-44102C, adequate public notice is mandatory.
29:48Under TCA 8-44-105, any action taken in violation is voidable.
30:00The council did not give notice of a resolution in advance and then attempted to save face when you were caught violating the sunshine laws.
30:06This is unethical and dishonest.
30:08The public was excluded from a virtual meeting.
30:11Our council members had access by Zoom.
30:13If you can attend by Zoom, the public must be allowed the same access.
30:17We pay our salaries through your taxes.
30:19You do not get to govern in secrecy.
30:21Your conduct surrounding MLGW board appointments further demonstrates corruption and abuse of process.
30:27A qualified black woman who applied nearly two years ago, Miss Glinda Hicks was bypassed without meaningful consideration in favor of a candidate Kevin Wood, who applied weeks ago.
30:36This is not transparency.
30:38This is insider politics, and it raises serious civil rights and governance concerns.
30:43Now to individual members, um Brooke, I'm gonna stop you there.
30:48Those would be gathered out.
30:49Those would be gabbled out, so we're not gonna read that.
30:52So I won't read that part though.
30:53In closing, the council has demonstrated a pattern of contempt for transparency for the law and for the people of Memphis.
30:58These actions are being preserved, shared, and reviewed.
31:01Ethics complaints, open meeting act challenges, and further investigations are forthcoming.
31:05You are not above the law, you are not entitled to secrecy, and you do not get to govern without accountability.
31:10The people of Memphis deserve better.
31:12Pamela Moses rise up Memphis.
31:14And that is the only comment that we have received.
31:18All right, thank you so much.
31:20That brings us to the end of our meeting agenda, and I will entertain a motion to recess this meeting.
31:28Madam Chair, this is Vice Chairman Carl.
31:30I'll move to recess.
31:35It has been properly moved by Vice Chairman Carlisle, seconded by
