Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – February 24, 2026

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on February 24, 2026, presided over by Chairwoman Janet Swearing Washington. The meeting opened with a prayer and invocation by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein of Temple Israel, followed by roll call and approval of the February 3, 2026 minutes. The council heard presentations, debated multiple ordinances, and voted on a range of fiscal and policy items. Key actions included advancing a referendum to grant civil service status to library workers, tightening zoning for correctional facilities, and approving a resolution critical of federal immigration enforcement.

Presentations & Recognitions

• Councilwoman Green presented a proclamation honoring Rabbi Greenstein as Chaplain of the Day.
• Allison Smith delivered a spoken word piece on Black history and resilience.
• The council awarded the 2025 Humanitarian Award to Christy Chandler, founder of the Young Actors Guild. Highlights included: over 41,000 children served since 1991, a 98% college graduation rate among alumni, and the transformation of a historic firehouse in Orange Mound into a creative arts hub.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Library workers (Item 22): Emiline Rogers, Alexandra Farmer, and others spoke in support of granting civil service status to library employees. They reported 70% support among the roughly 250–300 non‑managerial library workers and stated that they have systematically contacted every eligible employee. Speakers emphasized that workers are afraid of retaliation without civil service protections and that the current appointed status leaves them vulnerable.
• Andrea Bell (Item 23): Opposed the zoning amendment for correctional facilities, arguing it would allow a jail in New Chicago despite community opposition. She referenced the Department of Justice investigation into MPD after the death of Tyre Nichols.
• Dr. Carnita Atwater (Item 23): Presented 12,000 signatures opposing the jail in New Chicago and criticized the ordinance as a “back‑door” effort, noting that the county commission had already rejected the jail.
• Glenda Hicks (Item 21): Requested that the council not raise MLGW’s contract and salary thresholds, citing the need for public oversight and transparency.
• General public comments: Alexandria Salisbury described failures by Memphis Animal Services (MAS) to respond to a case of a neglected dog in Sherwood Forest, reporting that the animal had no food, water, or shelter during the ice storm. Timothy Vance complained about an abandoned house on his street that has been on fire and remains unremediated despite years of code enforcement complaints. Joe Kent criticized MATA’s management and alleged inflated contracts at MLGW.

Discussion Items

• Item 22 – Library Worker Civil Service Referendum: Councilman Smiley moved to hear the item despite it being held. The ordinance would amend the city charter to allow library employees to obtain civil service status. After extensive public testimony, Councilman Carlisle argued civil service is an “archaic mechanism” and expressed concern about the cumbersome re‑application process. The city attorney confirmed that under the charter, employees would have to reapply and undergo competitive examinations. Councilwoman Walker raised concerns about whether all employees had been informed of this requirement. The motion passed 11–1 (Carlisle dissenting).
• Item 23 – Correctional Facility Zoning: Councilwoman Easter Thomas and Green co‑sponsored an amendment to the Unified Development Code requiring special use approval for any new detention center, jail, or prison within city limits. The intent was to prevent a jail from being built by right in New Chicago or Shelby Farms. Opponents argued the city should not interfere with county decisions and that the community had already rejected the jail. The council voted unanimously (10–0, Councilwoman White recused) to adopt the amendment.
• Item 21 – MLGW Contract and Salary Limits: President Doug McGowan presented an ordinance to raise the contract threshold from $150,000 to $500,000 and the hiring salary limit from $120,000 to $180,000. He noted this would reduce items coming to council by about 4% (one to two items per meeting) and improve procurement speed for smaller vendors, especially those in the sheltered market. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton expressed concern about reduced oversight, but McGowan confirmed that MLGW’s board still reviews contracts over $250,000. The measure passed 10–1 (Cooper Sutton dissenting).
• Item 36 – Resolution on ICE and CBP Surges: Councilwoman Easter Thomas introduced a resolution calling for an end to “lawless” ICE and CBP enforcement actions and urging Congress to withhold funding for DHS without guardrails. An amendment by Councilman Warren added language to reconsider previously approved funding for ICE/CBP. The resolution passed with votes: 10 in favor, 1 opposed (Spinoza), 2 abstentions (Canale, Logan), and 1 abstention (Cooper Sutton).
• Other items: The council approved an engineering plans consent agenda (items 5–7), MLGW fiscal consent items (8–15), board appointments (items 16–18, 37–38), and a drainage improvement fund transfer (item 29). Item 19 (street renaming) was held, item 20 (arbitration impasse) was held to March 24, 2026, and item 4 (zoning case) was held to the next committee meeting. Item 26 (downtown parking garage program) passed with Vice Chair Carlisle recused.

Key Outcomes

• Item 22 passed (11–1): The referendum to grant civil service status to library workers will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide.
• Item 23 passed (10–0, 1 recusal): Correctional facilities now require special use permit approval from the City Council, giving communities a voice in siting decisions.
• Item 21 passed (10–1): MLGW’s contract threshold raised to $500,000 and salary limit to $180,000, reducing the number of routine contracts that require council review.
• Item 36 passed (10–1, 3 abstentions): The council adopted a resolution opposing aggressive federal immigration enforcement and calling for congressional funding restraints.
• Item 20 held to March 24, 2026: The arbitration impasse ordinance was postponed.
• Item 19 held without objection: The Monroe Avenue street renaming was deferred.
• Consent items and appointments all approved as recommended.

Next Steps

• The library worker referendum ordinance will proceed to the ballot for the next available election.
• The city attorney’s office will prepare a notice to all library employees regarding the re‑application process if the referendum passes.
• The council will take up the held items (item 4, item 20, item 19) at future meetings.