Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Memphis City Council met on March 3, 2026, to conduct a regular meeting that included presentations, zoning cases, a major arbitration ordinance debate, multiple consent agendas, and public comments. The meeting began with a prayer by Dr. Noel Hutchinson and the adoption of the February 24 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of February 24, 2026 – Approved unanimously (all members present voted yes).
• Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 8–14) – Approved by acclamation. These included accepting additional grant funds from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for senior centers (Hickory Hill, Frazier Raleigh, Ruth Tate, McWert, Orange Mound, Josephine K. Lewis) and a $95,000 grant from the ASPCA for Memphis Animal Services. All had same-night minute requests.
• MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 15–25) – Approved by voice vote. Included contracts for electric distribution construction, trucks, janitorial services, insurance renewals, and new director salary positions.
• Consent Agenda Item 7 – Resolution approving engineering plans for Howard Soil Estate Subdivision lots 102-111 with security in lieu of bond – Approved.
• Add-On Items 34 & 35 – Resolution to amend FY26 CIP budget for Memphis Zoo compost project ($395,000 federal grant) and resolution establishing budget hearing rules – Both approved.

Presentations

• Resolution Honoring Marion LaTroy A. Williams (Item 1) – Sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. The resolution recognized Mr. Williams’ lifetime advocacy for housing justice, property tax reform, and civil rights. Approved by acclamation.
• Memphis Youth City Council Presentation (Item 2) – Chairwoman Destiny Davenport and Vice Chair Jordan Coley presented the council’s work, including community service events, a youth advocacy day in Nashville, and policy recommendations on youth health/wellness and student representation on the school board. Council members praised the group and encouraged continued engagement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chief Andre Matthews – Representing Hyde Park CDC and Family Farmers Cooperative. Requested an investigation into leftover 2022 Recovery Act funds for the North Memphis Food Desert, alleging the plan was “hijacked” by the District 7 representative. Asked council to release funds to support local growers and farmers.
• Dr. Marilyn Ann Wright Andrews – Pre-K teacher and site director at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Raised concerns about County Mayor Lee Harris not signing an $8.5 million grant for First 8 (pre-K) since September 2025. Asked if the deadline had passed and if her job was secure. Council explained the city had appropriated its share; the hold-up is with the county mayor.
• Annika Easley – Student at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Criticized MATA bus transportation as unreliable, causing hours-long delays. Asked when extra funding would be implemented and recommended council members ride the buses daily to understand the struggles.
• Joseph Kent – Citizen and transit advocate. Questioned MATA’s budget and a 68% increase in claimed passenger miles with only 19% ridership increase. Recommended a $5 million annual operating increase after correcting mileage anomalies.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance on Arbitration of Labor Disputes (Item 27) – Third and final reading of Ordinance 5969. Councilman Smiley proposed a substitute ordinance that would use a single arbitrator (selected by council from nominees by administration and employee associations) and a brief-based hearing. After debate, Councilman Spinoza motioned to hold the item until the next meeting to allow employee associations time to review. The hold passed unanimously (with Councilwoman White voting yes despite earlier agreement to move forward). The substitute ordinance as amended was included in the hold.
• Zoning Case – 3021 East Shelby Drive (Item 6) – Plan development for outdoor vehicle/equipment storage on a former landfill. Councilwoman Walker opposed, citing concerns from four neighborhood associations and previous industrial encroachments. Director Ragsdale explained conditions requiring TDEC and Public Works approval for landfill remediation. After extensive discussion and a request from Councilman Warren for additional buffer, the vote was 7-3-1 (Canale, Ford, Smiley, Spinoza, Warren, White, Swearington Washington in favor; Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Walker opposed; Logan abstained). Approved.
• Zoning Cases 4 & 5 – Special use permits at 6250 Summer Ave and 1333 Fairfax St – Both approved unanimously with committee recommendations.

Key Outcomes

• Items Held – Items 3 and 26 held until April 28, 2026; Items 30 and 31 held until March 24, 2026; Item 28 held until May 26, 2026.
• Item 27 Held – The arbitration ordinance (as amended by substitute) was held to the next regular council meeting (March 24, 2026) for further review by employee associations.
• Zoning Approvals – Items 4, 5, and 6 all passed. Item 6 included conditions requiring landfill remediation approval.
• Consent Agendas – All fiscal, MLGW, and general consent items approved.
• Same-Night Minutes – Approved for items 7–14, 24, 34, and 35.
• Public Comment Responses – Council directed speakers to county government for issues involving county mayor and MATA, and encouraged citizen engagement with county commissioners.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned by motion.