Sergeant at arms, please call us out, call our May 12th, 2026, Council meeting to order.

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Reverend Dr.

Tanita Freeman from the City of Memphis, Office of Community Affairs.

She has been invited by Councilman Spinoza, Reverend Dr.

Tanita Freeman.

Please lead us in prayer at this time.

Let us pray.

We lift up the city of Memphis before you, oh God, today.

Cover our city with your peace, your protection, wisdom, and grace.

Let hope rise and revive in every neighborhood.

Heal and flow through every community and unity prevail among all of your people.

God strengthen families, uplift businesses, protect our youth, and let your light shine in places of struggle and uncertainty.

Lord, we pray for every member of our city council, led by councilwoman Janna Swearage in Washington.

God, we pray for our mayor, the honorable Paul Young, and every leader who is entrusted to serve our city.

God grant them wisdom to make righteous decisions, courage to lead with integrity, compassion for the people, and discernment in every matter that affects our communities.

Let their leadership be guided by justice, humility, and a sincere desire to serve for the greater good.

God, we also pause to honor and pray for our teachers.

God, we thank you for the calling that you have placed upon their lives.

Strengthen them when they are weary, encourage them when challenges arise, and remind them that the seeds that they plant daily are shaping the future for generations.

God, give them patience, creativity, protection, and renewed passion for the work that they do.

Now, God, we thank you for this gathering of council members and citizens of Memphis on today.

Thank you for allowing us to come together in unity, purpose, and service for the betterment of this great city.

We thank you for every voice represented, every heart committed to progress, and every hand willing to do the work of our community.

We seal this prayer with a it is well and it is done in Jesus' name, amen.

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

With liberty and justice.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would have appreciated a shout out in the prayer.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Uh greetings.

Be it hereby known that Reverend Dr.

Tanita Freeman in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental process has been appointed chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council, and is hereby entitled to all of the honors, rights, and privileges and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate given under this seal this 12th day of May 2026, signed by Madam Chair Janice Wearinger Washington and myself.

Great to see you.

Thank you.

We appreciate you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councilman.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the roll.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Council members Canale, Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, President, Ford, Green, President, Logan, Smiley.

Spinoza.

Walker.

Present.

Warren.

Present.

White.

Chairwoman Swearing Washington.

Present.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Walker, I think you reviewed the minutes.

Yes, madam Chair.

I have reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order, and I move for the adoption of the April 28th, 2026 meeting minutes.

Move it one more time electronically.

All right, it has been properly moved by Councilwoman Walker, second by Councilman Spinoza.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes.

Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, White, yes.

Swearing in Washington, Chairwoman, yes.

Please show Councilmember Canale as voting yes on this on the minutes.

Also, please show Councilmember Smiley voting yes on the minutes.

That item passes.

Welcome to the May 12, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council.

Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has the full opportunity to be heard and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times.

Our council staff member has meeting agendas available up front.

Mr.

Clay, if you'll please raise your hand, as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on a specific item.

All those wishing to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to staff before the item is called.

If you are here to speak on a specific item, you can note your request to give a general comment at the end of the meeting.

As chair, I will only recognize citizens that properly register to speak by submitting a completed comment request card to council staff.

Our hosts, item number five will be held until May 26, 2026.

Item number 11 will be held until June 9, 2026.

Item number one is being withdrawn.

We will now begin with our presentations.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call it number two.

Item number two is a resolution honoring teachers in honor of teacher appreciation week.

This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Easter Thomas.

Good evening, colleagues and city of Memphis.

As you know, uh the first week of May is nationally celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week.

However, our meeting is today, so uh let's not think of it as a late celebration, but a very timely one, um, as any time is a great time to thank a teacher you know.

So, colleagues, I would like to read into resolution um how we are honoring those who are really just shaping what I call and what you all will too, the future leaders of our city.

And so we entrust over a hundred thousand young Memphians in their care every day, 180 days out of the year.

And so it is only a small token that we just get to say publicly on record, thank you.

So at the end of the resolution, teachers, if you're present, I'll call your name so that we can properly give you an applause, your name, certificate, and also that you can join us here on the dais.

Oh, not on the dice, I'm sorry, at the podium.

Whereas teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of our city by educating, mentoring, encouraging, and inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators, and citizens.

During teacher appreciation week, the Memphis City Council proudly recognizes the countless contributions educators make each day through their commitment to academic excellence, student achievement, and the overall well-being of children throughout Memphis and Shelby County.

Educators serve not only as instructors, but also as role models, advocates, trusted mentors that help students navigate challenges, discover their strengths, and achieve their fullest potential.

The patience, resilience, and dedication demonstrated by teachers continue to strengthen our schools and our communities throughout our great city, creating lasting impacts that extend far beyond the classroom.

Now, these educators who were all nominated by our city council members, they exemplify the spirit of service and excellence through their unwavering dedication to empowering students and strengthening the future of Memphis through education.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Memphis City Council does hereby recognize May 4th through May 8th as Teacher Appreciation Week and honors the teachers of Memphis for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and invaluable contributions to education and the community.

And we also, as a Memphis City Council, extend sincere gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the students, families, and communities of Memphis.

So in no particular order, we have Menar Al Dash.

And if you can join me up here as well.

Erica Bryant.

Chris Kolbeck.

All the ones that you've had.

Jonathan Dancy.

Carrie Flynn.

Michael Hoots.

Alex Iber.

Trips teacher.

Ray Ann Jaber.

So much patience.

Matthew Jones.

Brother Lewis Brown.

And some of y'all can come on this side too.

Kelly Mungle.

My middle school teacher, Miss Sandra Polk.

Jacob Reeves.

Vincent Smith.

Miss Tamika Somerville.

Cassandra Stewart.

Raven Tate.

And last but certainly not least, Javita Taylor Wade.

Join me in celebrating all of our outstanding teachers for this week's teacher appreciation, y'all.

In the audience as well, can we just give a standing ovation for our teachers that are putting forth the work they do every day?

Anyone want to say anything?

Anyone want to say anything?

No.

No.

All right.

All right.

So thank with that chair.

I saw move, and I would ask for council members if you have your if the chair allows, if you have your nominated teacher, if you can take a photo with them as well.

Madam Comptroller, if you're sure that approved by acclamation.

Thank you.

Madam Comptroller, for the record item number three is being held until May twenty sixth.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Colleagues, we're ready to continue business.

Thank you.

Item number four is a resolution honoring Lieutenant Stacey Lee for her distinguished promotion and outstanding leadership in the greater Memphis community.

This resolution is sponsored by Chairwoman Swearing Washington.

Come on up here.

The family and supporters of Lieutenant Stacey Lee.

Whereas Lieutenant Stacey Lee has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service through her work with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, embodying integrity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to the community that she serves.

Whereas Lieutenant Lee has embraced the calling of law enforcement with purpose, recognizing as both a challenge and a privilege, and approaching each day with a steadfast commitment to protect serve and uplift those in need.

She has distinguished herself as providing compassion and strength to individuals doing some of the most difficult moments of their lives, offering not only protection, but hope, reassurance, and a path forward.

Her own words reflect the heart of her service, and there is no greater reward than helping others persevere through tragedy.

And in doing so, she has brought a light within our community.

She has been a model of what true leadership looks like in action.

Lieutenant Lee, your service brings honor not only to the Sheriff County Sheriff's Office, but to the city of Memphis, as we continue to inspire others through your professionalism, your resilience, and your unwavering dedication.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the chairwoman of the Memphis City Council, Jana Swearing in Washington, does hereby honor and congratulate Lieutenant Stacey Lee for her well deserved promotion and commend her to outstanding leadership and service.

Be it further resolved that we express our deepest appreciation for your commitment, your professionalism, uplifting the community, and recognizing the impact of your work, not only seen but unseen.

Be it further resolved that we celebrate Lieutenant Lee as a shining example of service, strength, and purpose, and extend our support and gratitude as you continue to move forward in this important work.

Not only do we congratulate you, but we want to give you your beautiful flowers.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And we have a couple of people before you speak.

We have someone that would like to share about your leadership and the impact that you have had.

Oh, son.

Hi, how are you all?

Um, I am Deputy James Swan Richie.

I actually have had the privilege and the honor to serve under this great lieutenant.

I've only been on this job for about two years.

I'm not gonna hold you long.

But one thing I will say is Lieutenant Lee is a person that has always had our backs.

Um she is one lieutenant that has had, I think I don't, I might have been every every month.

We had deputy of the month.

Deputy of the year standing right here, came from the same shift.

Um, she's a person that will come to you when you fall short, correct you.

She will hold you accountable, but she will make sure that you have everything that you need.

And if she calls you, I'll give you a specific example.

If she says it's anyone near this certain situation, when you get there, she'll be there with a vest and ready to go in the trenches with you as well.

So I appreciate your leadership.

I will always serve under you, and I look forward to your greatness.

All right.

Okay.

It's on you.

Okay.

Thank you guys so much for taking the time to um recognize me at Chairwoman Swearing, Washington, uh, Memphis City Council, my family, my mentors.

You know, it's really, really nice of you.

And um being able to serve in this capacity has been the most rewarding privilege of my life.

I'm serving this community.

I grew up in Parkway Village with two parents that were not so great.

And it was a community member, member who changed my life.

And I just try to lead that way.

You know, you never know the difference you can make in somebody's life, so thank you.

Thank you.

Let's take a picture.

Madam Calor, if you'll show that approved by acclamation.

Madam Countrol, if you would please take us to item 10.

Item number 10 on our regular agenda is an ordinance to amend the code of ordinances of Memphis, Tennessee, regarding the small business enterprise opportunity program up for third and final reading.

Ordinance number 5959 is sponsored by the administration.

This ordinance was held from April 28th.

Thank you.

Councilman Ford Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Colleagues, um, as you can see on your agendas, how many times this item has been held.

And the reason this item has been held so many times is because we wanted to get it right.

Uh, and we have spent uh a lot of time, a lot of credit to Chief Gibson and Odell Horton, Cheryl Hearn, um the City uh legal office, but also for to Rick Bennett, Joe Getz, the ABC board, Amber Harris, um, all the interested parties that wanted to see the best possible outcome for the interested parties to promote small business enterprise within the city of Memphis.

I think uh, and everybody has a copy in your binders.

I hope everybody's had the chance to read it.

We believe both sides that the the final document is well done and is a document that both sides agree to, and uh that's a win when you can get both sides to come to the table uh after many many conversations on tweaks to make sure that everyone is covered and that everyone agrees uh and we can push this item forward together.

So with that, um madam chair, I'll move it to the floor.

I would like to ask uh Cheryl Hearn and uh Rick Bennett to come up and just give a few brief remarks, um, and then any colleagues that have any questions after that.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

Uh Cheryl Hearn, Deputy City Hirny Chair for Chief Gibson.

Um, as you stated, the purpose of this ordinance is to drive economic growth within our own community.

Um, and as you stated, it has been held over the course of several months to allow the parties to engage and interested parties to provide comment to the document.

We believe that we have come up with a document that reflects all parties' objectives, and we are signed off on this document today and just wanted to make the council aware of that.

Attorney Bennett.

Council, thank you.

Rick Bennett.

Uh I'm the attorney for associate builders and contractors, and I would just like to say thank you to the council and to the city staff who uh did a great job of working with all the interested uh parties uh on getting this uh ordinance passed and and we really uh appreciate working with them, uh the insights that that they you know brought to the table and and their ability and their uh uh willingness to to listen to all uh uh parties involved and everyone got together, and that's the way it should should work.

You get together and you talk it through and uh you come to a resolution, and that's what we did here, and it was a uh I think every is as Councilman Canale said it took us a little while for everybody to get together, uh, but we did it, and uh the vast and we're we're pleased with everything from the standpoint of our uh association.

Uh the vast majority of the folks that do business uh with this city are small contractors, small vendors, and so we wanted to make sure that that was protected in regard to this particular uh ordinance that they're that their interests were uh heard and they have been heard by the city and we really appreciate that.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilman, for your leadership on this as well.

Thank you so much, Attorney Bennett.

We do have one comment card from this Pamela Moses, if you'll come down at this time.

Just state your name and then you may proceed.

Um Pamela Moses.

Uh I don't I had I had submitted that before the add-ons.

And so I really just wanted to I had a question, that's all if this is gonna help with the closing where Paul Young closed down the small business entrepreneurial place where small business entrepreneurs were able to, you know, utilize it.

Is this gonna go with that?

That's all I had a question.

Is this gonna go with that?

Once this ordinance is passed and finalized, then we will work with the department in which this division will file under to um get that up and running again.

It's all part of it, it all goes together.

We had to get this in place first before we could pull the trigger and do anything else.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Councilman Ford Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

So colleagues remember we'll be voting on this item as amended.

So the amended version, which is in your bonders.

Um, and I would appreciate everyone's support on this.

I think this is a win for us and the administration working together to put forward a great product.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for item number 10.

Canale, yes, Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, Chairwoman Swearin's in Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the consent agenda, items six, seven, and eight.

Item number six is a general ordinance up for first reading.

Ordinance to appropriate the proceeds of the tax levy on the assessed values on all properties of every species within the city limits of general purposes for the fiscal year, July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027, inclusive together with all collections from privileged licenses fees, fines, permits, charges, revenue receipts of the city of Memphis for the fiscal year July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027, inclusive to provide the manner in which monies may be transferred from one fund to another and to provide a standard code or designations under which the appropriations are to be administered and accounting control maintained.

All council districts, ordinance number five nine seven one is sponsored by the administration.

Item number seven from our engineering division, a resolution accepting public improvements for gardens of Gray's Creek, Phase Three, Contract Number 5397 and releasing the bond.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Item number eight is a resolution accepting public improvements for Shady Grove median enhancement, contract number 5438, and releasing the bond, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Madam Chairwoman that concludes our consent agenda items.

Please call item number 21 as well for the consent.

Item number 21 on our add-ons is a resolution approving an honorary street name change of Bullington Avenue between South Parkway East and Taylor Street for James A.

Bridges Senior, District 4, Super District 8.

This resolution is sponsored by Council Members Canale, Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas Ford, Logan, Smiley, Spinoza, Swearing, Washington, Walker, and Warren.

There is a request to add this on to the consent agenda and same night minutes.

Madam Chairwoman, that does conclude our items now.

All right.

Councilman Ford Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The committee meant recommended approval and also move.

It has been moved by Ford Canale.

Second by Councilman Spinoza.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen.

Canale, yes.

Cooper Sutton, yes.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes.

Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

Spinoza, yes.

Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes.

Chairwoman Swearin's in Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 12.

Item number 12 is a resolution requesting inclusion of funding for budget management software in the fiscal year 2026 operating budget.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by Councilman Spinoza.

Councilman Spinoza, you're recognized.

Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Met recommends approval, and I so move.

It has been moved by Councilman Spinoza, second by Councilwoman Green.

There's no one in the queue.

Madam Controller, if you'll please prepare the screen for the vote.

Menosa, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes.

Chairwoman Swear in Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Controller, if you please call item number 13.

Item number 13 is a resolution approving the option to enter into a 50-year ground lease for the construction and operation of multifamily residential apartments on the upper two floors of historic Melrose School Building and multifamily residential affordable town home and apartment units on an additional 1.03 acres of the site with Melrose Housing Partners LLC District 4, Super District 8.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration, and this was held from April 14th.

Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.

Thank you.

The committee may recommended approval and I sub it has been moved by Councilwoman Logan, second by Councilman Spinoza.

We also have two cards.

If you'll please come down at this time.

We have events in the gym.

We have a Christ community center there.

We have a medical clinic, a mental health clinic.

We have food drives, kids' fairs, and events.

It's more than just a location, it's a way of life for us in Orange Mound.

So when we were brought um by the now Mayor Young to the forefront saying we wanted to do something with that building, when they closed Old Melrose building, it was 1979.

That was years ago.

That building sat there in ruins.

It was dilapidated, rats, people trying to live in that building.

Nobody made any money off the building.

Nobody did anything off the building.

So now we have this big plan to have something done with the building, and now we have to move forward for the ground lease issue.

I want to ask that we please move forward.

We need a win in Orange Mile.

We need to keep winning.

That corner, that lot is very important to us and our kids and our families and our history.

Money is an issue.

I understand all of that.

It could be, but sometimes you have to look beyond that.

Look for our kids and our seniors who need this to happen.

So I ask for you all to please let this happen for us so we can move forward and make Orange Mount even better than what it was, what it is now.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs.

Green.

Miss Glenda Hicks.

Good afternoon, Glenda Hicks.

I listened in on the committee session, and because of my love for seniors, one concern that I have with what was presented was the fact that I believe it's the second and maybe third floors that you all want to put senior living on, and then other floors above them.

You want to have living space for younger people and different retails and whatever else is going on.

So my concern is the serenity that seniors deserve.

Is was that taken into consideration?

Most seniors uh retire early.

They don't want a lot of noise going on around them.

They want peace, quiet, and serenity.

Was this considered when this plan was brought forth?

So multi-use.

Is that really giving the seniors the consideration, the respect, the solitude that they deserve?

Respectfully.

Consider that.

Thank you so much.

Director Cash, can you give some clarification?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Um, good evening, Ashley Cash, Director of Housing and Community Development 170 North Main.

I appreciate the comments shared from uh both parties in regards to in regards to the um floors over uh so the the library is three stories right now.

The bottom floor is the library, floors two and three will be the senior buildings, and those will have an elevator access.

Um that'll be 100% senior.

There are no additional floors above that, so it's just a three-story building, and then adjacent to the site, there will be some additional um affordable housing, about 27 units, one and two bedroom.

And I'm I'm not sure if there was something else that I missed to not respond to.

No, that's it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair, and maybe Ashley can just kind of stay.

I want to just make sure I'm sure that's in the floor plans and in the architect work, but I know it.

I just heard you say elevators, and I hope and I know that you have take it in consideration that you have senior citizens, and they're gonna use elevators, but they have is there an escape of fire?

Have all these things been taken into consideration?

So, what I can tell you is that we are meeting the building codes, the building standards, it did um pass through uh the entitlement process, and so we're meeting the building standards.

I'm not sure about separate fire access on that site.

Because we need to under we need to make sure all that is in place for our senior citizens.

You got disability, you got handicaps, you got to make sure that you know people on ventilators when you're talking about seniors, there's a whole big scope, and I understand what both um citizens uh said and we want a win for our entire city, but we want a win that has been fairly thought out and have taken our seniors in consideration with the amount of income and money that they make, and make sure that when we finish this, that there is no restriction on credit reporting.

See, it's some backdoor stuff we need to make sure, because that happens to our seniors all the time.

We build these things, and then you meet the criteria where there are credit checks done on our senior citizens.

So we need to make sure I want this project to pass, support it, but we got across every I and dot every T when it comes to our senior citizens.

I yield.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, Chairwoman Swearington Washington, yes.

That item passes, thank you, Madam Comptroller.

If you will please call item number 14 item number 14 is a resolution authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of a financing lease in an amount not exceeding six hundred forty-three thousand eight hundred and ten dollars relating to the acquisition of various solid waste vehicles and to approve certain other matters related there too.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

If you'll please show item 14 on the voting screen, councilman smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you, madam chair.

The committee meant recommended approval on so move.

It has been moved by councilman smiley, second by councilman Dr.

Warren.

There are no there are no council members in the queue to speak.

Madam Comptroller, if you'll please prepare the screen for the vote.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, walker, yes, warren, yes, chairwoman Swearing in Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you'll please call item number nine.

On our fiscal consent agenda, item number nine is a resolution to accept an in-kind donation from the Bluff City Cluster of the Lynx Incorporated for the benefit of Hickory Hill Community Center, District 2, Super District 8.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The committee met recommended.

I have no idea what life sells.

Committee meant recommend approval, not so move.

It has been moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman Dr.

Warren.

Madam Controller, if you'll please prepare the screen for the vote.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, Chairwoman Swearing Washington, yes.

That item passes.

We will now do our add-ons and same night minute items.

Madam Controller, if you will please stall call start calling item number 15.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

Item number 15 on our add-ons is a resolution opposing congressional map splitting U.S.

Congressional District 9, all council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by council members, Easter Thomas, Ford, Logan, Smiley, Swearing Washington, Walker, Warren, and White.

There is a request for same night minutes on item number 15.

Councilman Smiley, you are recognized.

Thank you.

The committee met recommended approval and I saw move.

I'm gonna make a brief comment as well because I held my comments in the committee.

Um I wanted to just briefly read a statement as it relates to um you know this resolution.

If that's okay, madam chair.

All right.

For generations, Congressional District 9 has ensured that the voices of the people of Memphis are heard at the federal level.

Now the state legislator has fractured our community and diluted our collective voices for partisan gain.

This body has a responsibility to stand up for the people we represent and make it clear that Memphis will not quietly accept disenfranchisement.

We cannot normalize a process where politicians choose their voters instead of the voter choosing their representatives.

Regardless of political party, every person should be concerned when government attempts to redraw maps in a way that weakens the voice of an entire community.

This resolution is about fairness, it's about representation, and it's about protecting the democracy the democratic principle that every community deserves an equal and meaningful voice.

Memphis has always fought through adversity, and we'll fight through this too, because no map can erase the people of this city, our history, or our power.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

If you think back, um when I was a young man, I remember the civil rights marches, and I remember people being sprayed with cannon and attacked by dogs.

I saw that on TV at night, and I knew how hard it was for people to actually get the right to vote, and then actually get the right to have their own voice represented, represented in our own houses of government, and these particular events that are going on a national level, state by state, are wrong, and what we're looking at is not political gerrymandering.

This is a reinstitution of Jim Crow, intentional or not, and is wrong.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you.

We have two comment cards.

Ms.

Glenda Hicks, and then Miss Moses, Glenda Hicks.

So while I totally appreciate standing firm on our rights, why is it that we are always reactive instead of proactive council?

The warning signs went out that this was coming down, and we sat silent.

So here we are now fighting behind the eighth ball.

So yes, a stance is absolutely necessary, but we have got to stop being reactive and take action proactively, thinking ahead.

So what are we gonna do now that this has been done?

Because this resolution doesn't do much of anything but say that you've taken a stand.

So what are we going to do proactively to protect ourselves and the rights of these citizens?

What do I suggest?

We ain't got the job.

You the lawyer, we ain't got the job.

The job belongs to the state, not to the vocal.

Okay.

So I I can I can present, I can present some very drastic measures, and I will gladly talk directly with you.

Council uh attorney wait.

Thank you.

Miss Moses I ain't even started talking in okay, Pamela Moses.

Um I stand before you today, and y'all excuse the way I look up and up for a week fighting something that you should be doing, Mr.

Wade.

I stand before you today, not just as a candidate in a congressional candidate in the 8th district, but a concerned taxpayer, and I dedicated almost two and a half years of my life to campaigning.

I didn't just get started last week or a few days ago, and I ain't got six hundred thousand dollars in my war chess, but my commitment is to the city, and it runs really deep.

While I appreciate resolutions, Miss Easter, I must emphasize that this is urgent.

You can't just pass a resolution, and this is that's just symbolic.

That's all y'all do is symbolic gestures.

We are facing a critical moment, one which the very rules of our democratic process are being challenged.

The state's recent attempts to alter the electoral landscape in the middle of an election, my election, yours, Miss Green, it's unconscionable.

We must ask ourselves is it even legal, Mr.

Wade?

You, the city attorney, do your job as a taxpayer.

I deserve to see my hard-earned tax dollars work for me.

I urge this city council to not just pass another resolution, but direct action, Mr.

Wade.

The city needs to file a lawsuit on behalf of the citizens.

This unprecedented maneuver by the state threatens to disenfranchise many who have relied on fair representation.

I took my own initiative and filed a lawsuit.

Linda Phillips committed perjury.

She said in a case two years ago, my lawyer gave it to me that what they're doing is virtually impossible.

I have I filed her af uh her affidavit today.

Thank you.

Give me the same amount of time you gave your friend, I just need 30 more seconds, please.

I filed my affidavit today.

Thank you so much, Miss Moses.

I went to jail for trying to resist.

I went to jail, and the same people are saying it.

I'm so sorry that happened to you.

But they don't want it now.

Do your job now.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Cooper Sutton, you are recognized at this time.

You're supposed to suit.

You're not all that money with the Democratic Party, people need to go in the thank you.

Councilwoman Cooper Sudden, you're recognized.

Thank you.

Um chairwoman, um, just listening to all of this and not ever even imagining to think that in this time in this era in this season that we would see such a horrific and such barbaric actions being taken among us when I think about our great-grandmother who was able to luckily guess how many beans was in a jar, and because she guessed how many beans were in a jar, they sicked a dog on her and mauled her ankles.

Um she wanted to vote, but the process back then was she had to guess how many beans were in a jar, and um eventually they did let her vote, but the trauma that we as a country and we as a people have gone through just to have a right to vote, has minimized to you don't want our vote, and you don't even want our voice anymore.

It's like a dictatorship.

When I think about my other grandmother who's still living born in 1928, born doing the gym and Jane Crow.

I was just sitting with her on Mother's Day, and we were talking about the events that are happening now in our country and the way that it's happening, and she still votes to this day.

We make sure that someone is taking her to exercise her right to vote with a third grade education.

And I asked her, did you ever think that we would ever be here again?

And she kind of smiled and she said, There's nothing new up under the sun.

As long as there is evil and good exist, you will always see the same thing being replayed through history.

She said the thing that saddens me the most, and I'm about to close, is all of these educated people that we have, and all the smarts that we have, and we have more black leadership than I've ever seen in my 97 years that I've been here on earth, and we didn't have a plan and we didn't see this coming.

She said, So the best thing that I can do if I live to see 98, and she said, I hope hopefully I do, is I'm praying, because my great-grandgrands that are in that yard, that's running up and down this yard right now, have no idea.

So she said, I need you to continue to fight, to continue to use your voice, because as we fought for you and you are where you are, you must continue to fight for them so they can have the same chance and opportunity.

I yield Madam Comptroller, if you'll please prepare the screen.

Council members, please cast your vote for this item.

Cooper Sutton, yes, Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Warren, yes, Chairwoman Swearogen Washington, yes.

Please show council member Walker as voting yes on this item number and white, walker and white, please voting on item number 15.

There's a request for same night minutes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 16.

Item 16 is appointments to the metropolitan to the Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority, Trisha Adrian, Curtis Braden, Adrian Henning, Barbara Conway.

These four appointments are up for same night minutes.

Councilwoman White, you're recognized at this time.

The committee met and recommended approval and I so moved.

It has been moved by Councilwoman White and second by Councilman Dr.

Warren.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Easter Thomas abstained, Ford, yes, Green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 17.

Item number 17 is a resolution to swap 230,000 and accelerate Memphis funds in the C Owl Fitness Project, PK 07134 with 230,000 in CIP funds and the Galloway Golf Course Repairs Project, PK06019, to ensure proper completion of both projects.

Districts two and five, super district nine.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Warren, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee met recommended approval and I say move.

It's been moved by Councilman Warren, second by Councilman Spinoza.

Madam Controller, if you will please prepare the screen.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes.

Green, yes.

Logan, yes.

Smiley, yes.

Spinoza, yes.

Walker, yes, Warren, yes.

White, yes.

Chairwoman Swearin' Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Controller, if you will please call item number 18.

Item number 18 is a resolution to transfer, allocate, and appropriate $500,000 from ST Bridge Repair Cover Line.

Project number stero three two one six contract construction funds to Gayoso Inspection and Design.

Project number stero two zero zero two to fund the repair replacement of various structures in the Gayoso Bio Drainage System.

District Six and Seven, Super District Eight.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes on this item.

Councilman Smiley, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The committee may recommend approval and I saw move.

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes, Spinoza, yes, Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes, chairwoman Swearin' Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 19.

Item number 19 is a resolution to transfer allocate and appropriate $800,000 from bridge repair cover line, project number PW2440 to night Arnold Johns Creek Bridge project number PW02039 to fund the construction of the night Arnold Bridge.

District 4, super district eight.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes for this item number 19.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The committee may recommend approval and I so move.

It's been moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman Dr.

Warren.

There are no council members in the queue.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes, green, yes, Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

Walker, yes, Warren, yes, white, yes.

Chairwoman Swearing Washington, yes.

That item passes.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 20.

Item number 20 is a resolution to reduce grant funds in the amount of $80,000 from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office through the Tennessee Department of Safety.

All council districts.

This resolution is sponsored by the administration.

There is a request for same night minutes.

Madam Comptroller, did you say eight or eighty?

Eighty thousand.

Thank you.

All right.

Dr.

Warren, Councilman, you are.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee met recommended approval and I said move.

All right.

It's been moved by Councilman Dr.

Warren, second by councilwoman Green.

There are no council in the queue.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes.

Green, yes.

Smiley, yes.

Walker, yes.

Warren, yes, white, yes.

Chairwoman Swearing, Washington, yes.

That item passes.

That takes us to our comment cards.

Okay.

That brings us to our same night minute items.

Councilman Smiley.

Would you please read the same night minutes into record?

Yes, madam chair.

Same night minutes items are seven, eight, nine, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one.

And I'll so move.

There we go.

It's been moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman Warrant.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen.

Easter Thomas, yes.

Ford, yes, green, yes.

Smiley, yes, Walker, yes.

Warren, yes, white, yes.

Chairwoman Swearing in Washington, yes.

That item passes.

That moves us to our comment card section.

Our first comment card by general comments is Alexa Pouncey.

After that, we will have Leandre Key.

Just state your name and you may proceed.

Oh, I'm sorry, go ahead.

There it goes.

Alexa Pouncy.

Um, I'm here to speak with the council about a contract that you guys signed with Congruics for the fiber optics in lower income neighborhoods.

Um I'm in one of those neighborhoods, and they came through to lay the fiber optics.

Um when they did this, they have done property damage.

They have not given us timelines, and this is the whole neighborhood.

This is not just me.

Um, they did not give us any information about who they were or why they were coming on our property.

Not only that, they were hopping fences to get into other people's property.

Correct.

I have photos of them sitting out back on my patio furniture on their phones.

I I I have a lot of issues with this company that you guys approve to come and lay all this fiber optics because if it's just my neighborhood, who else is seeing this and not reporting it?

And I have spoken with them.

Have you emailed this to us?

I'm sorry.

I say can you email this to us?

Send it to the administration, but please copy the chair.

Okay.

One of the Chief Adams is over there.

He has a card on him.

I know for sure.

Please go get a card from Chief Adams.

Email it to the administration and copy Chair Wolverine Swords of Washington.

But yeah, that is problematic.

Thank you so much for coming down.

Chief Adams, thank you for your service to the city of Memphis.

Leandre Key and then Ron Painter.

My timer was already going.

Hey, I might run out of time, but uh I'm back.

I was here a couple weeks ago and um I spoke to y'all a little bit about myself, but today I'd actually like to tell you guys about what I'm trying to do for the city.

I founded Keystone Energy Foundation.

It's a nonprofit, and our goal is to provide free or very, very low cost electricity to the residents of our city.

Um I born and raised in Memphis.

I love it.

So electricity is my passion.

I'm an electrician by trade, and the global landscape that we are in now, a lot of the lot of the pressure that our citizens feel comes from the energy sector mostly.

Housing is another story, but what I'm specifically touching on is fuel and utilities because our utilities, you know, we use natural gas to generate electricity since the coal plant closed down, and we also use renewables.

Um however, we have a a deal with well, MLGW has a deal with the TVA, and for lack of a better way to put it, um, it's like a 360 deal.

Um, I commend you all for not um agreeing to the 20-year deal because it would greatly inhibit what I'm trying to do for our city now.

So I was also here earlier at the committee meeting, and I'd like to say that providing free electricity comes off the exact same way that the ACUF enterprise employees are running into where they're trying to replace the lid pipes for people, and people think it's a scam, so they're saying no.

So I'm here today to um essentially stand before you all and let you know that it is real, and because we are we take private donors.

So I'm here today to um essentially stand before you all and let you know that it is real, and because we are we take private donors, sorry, um we take private donors, and we found a strategy, it's a financial strategy utilizing IRS credits uh from the inflation reduction act.

But what we can do is I'm sorry, we're out of town, but we do have your information, so we will be happy to follow up with you.

Thank you for coming down.

Ron Painter, I have his card, his address and telephone number.

Thank you so much.

Mr.

Johnson Salisbury.

Good evening.

My name is Johnson Salisbury, and I like to yield my time to uh Pastor Leon Gray.

We can't yield in time, so you might as well use your time.

I'm not feeling that well too.

Okay, yes, sir.

Well, thank you for coming down.

Dr.

Gray.

Dr.

Reverend Dr.

Lassimba Gray.

Thank you, madam chairlady.

Yes, sir.

Thank you for listening to us.

We come to request uh an ordinance and a resolution to restore the church park auditorium.

For the past 100 years, Memphis has systematically, strategically tried to erase every image of Robert R.

Church Sr.

They tore down the church park auditorium two times.

The last time it was torn down, Mayor Lowe promised in 1970 that the city would rebuild it as it was in its days of grandeur.

We have waited 56 years, and it's still a vacant lot.

That is no way to respect a man who made Memphis first, always first, and who was one of the most respected men in this nation.

I'm asking you for June 18th, he would have been 187 years old.

That's his birthday.

You can make that happen to honor one of the greatest miphians that ever lived.

We wouldn't have a park in the downtown area were not for Mr.

Robert Reed Church Sr.

We ask you to do it.

Now, the word is out that they're waiting for a corporate takeover.

We neglect it, leave it alone, let it go into disrepair again, then the corporate will take it over.

We can't let that happen.

That's sacred ground.

We couldn't go in into any other park but that park.

And I beg of you to give us an ordinance that we can restore that park to its grandeur and honor Robert Reed Church.

Thank you very much.

Dr.

Gray.

Yes.

Have you have you um have any proposals about how much it would cost physical note attached to it?

Have you spoken to the administration about it?

We have requested a meeting with the mayor.

We've not been granted that meeting.

Have you talked to any of the members of his team?

I have not.

But I've spoken with the professionals in that area who would develop that uh for us.

It's estimated that 20 million dollars is what it would take.

That's not a budget buster.

That's a rearrangement of priorities as we see it.

Chief Adams is over there right now.

You can talk to an administration.

But we're open to talk and meet with the mayor.

We have that request then.

So uh the mayor has a team that runs a lot of point on most items.

So um chairwoman as far as your watch and just mentioned uh everyone's boss, Chief Adams is over there.

That's right.

Chief Adams, raise your hand.

Dr.

Gray.

I think Chief Adams and Dr.

Gray know each other pretty well.

But I think I think they'll probably be glad to meet with them.

Most appropriate ways, and then um see what it can be worked out with the administration, and then we'll figure out what this body can do.

And then there's Director Bowden, he's over parks.

Oh, yeah.

So you got two in one right there.

Two or one.

Both of the people.

Thank you, Dr.

Gray, for coming down.

They'll take care of you.

Thank you much.

Yes, sir.

Mr.

James Clark.

Mr.

Dr.

Dr.

Gray, go talk to them while they're here.

They over here.

Mr.

Clark be clean.

My name is James Clark, and I am here as the owner of the oldest business on Bill Street.

And I I want to address this committee to just say that Bill Street is dying slowly.

And revamping that park would bring people more traffic.

It would give people place to go and on Beale Street.

And I want to say that, for instance, Africa in April, when African April happens every year, business on that end of the street is good.

When the Corvettes come, it's good.

We need to create something to bring business to that side of Beale Street.

You have recently closed uh Ghost River.

It closed yesterday.

Two months ago, coyote ugly closed.

The Clittle Royal building has been closed for 20 years.

The bottom of the police station was supposed to be a museum 15 years ago.

And it's like if they don't fix it, it's gonna it's gonna kill Beale Street.

I've been there 43 years, and I'm seeing things get just back up, back up.

And I just think if this committee allows that park to be revamped, the auditorium, it would greatly uh help Beale Street, and it would be an asset to the city.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Brianna Byrd.

Ashley.

Me on Alison.

Okay, uh Brianna 720 Loeb Street.

Uh I'm with a group called Vets for the 901.

We're a grassroots organization of veterans here in the Memphis that are opposed to a lot of what's going on.

I just want to read this letter into the record.

On September 29th, 2025, the Memphis Safe Task Force began operations in our city at the behest of the Trump administration.

For the last seven months, veterans across the city have watched an object horror as federal agencies have used military tactics to terrorize the most vulnerable members uh of our community.

We've seen children traumatized by terrifying no-knock raids.

We've seen high schoolers taken from their families and held prisoners for simply existing as immigrants.

We've seen groups of mass agents dressed in tactical gear swarm vehicles for minor traffic infractions.

The people being targeted are not enemy combatants.

These are mothers, fathers, friends, and neighbors.

They're members of our community.

Since the announcement of the task force, it's been carried out under the guise of fighting crime, but we know that's not its true purpose.

The crime rate in Memphis was already at a 25-year low when the task force was announced.

Regardless, over policing can't create long-lasting change uh change because it can't address the issue at the heart of crime.

If we want to see an enduring change, we need to address the issue of poverty in Memphis.

We need affordable quality housing.

We need labor rights, a living wage, and real investment in our communities.

We need opportunities and not occupation.

From the beginning, this operation has actually been about the intimidation of our black and brown neighbors.

An overwhelming 94% of task force arrests have been of non-white individuals, and a significant majority of immigration arrests has have involved people with no connection to criminal activity.

This is having a chilling effect on the entire immigrant population.

Citizens are going hungry in their own homes, terrified that they could be mistakenly swept into the immigration system on a routine shopping trip.

It's no coincidence that the task force is operating against the backdrop of voter suppression measures from the ongoing push to eliminate mail in ballots to discussion of having ice agents stationed at polling locations in November to last week's uh censorship of Memphis through uh illegal gerrymandering.

The Trump administration is blatantly trying to suppress midterm voting, and it's shameful that our leadership is all too happy to comply.

As veterans, we find the normalization of troops on our streets deeply troubling.

We take an oath to protect this country from enemies, both foreign and domestic, and we thank you so much for coming now.

We appreciate you.

That concludes our council meeting.

We will take a motion to adjourn.

So move, Chairwoman.

All right, it's been moved back to the slide.

He's up here.

Yeah, I think you called Madam Chair.

I think you called in and then you called Mr.

Salisbury and he was uh missed.

Is that right?

Because that's how I'm walking down the gentleman in the hat.

What's your name, sir?

My name was called Ron Pager, I think it is.

Yes, sir.

Go ahead.

Okay, thank you.

I would like I'm a Vietnam pattern.

Uh June six uh uh 1969, 1971 enlisted.

I would like to uh second what uh Brianna just said.

My name's uh I said Ron Painter, okay.

Um basically the ICE is a and the National Guard as presence is essentially an attack on our uh democratic rights, uh terrorizing the uh our immigrant communities as well as the uh black communities.

Uh we also uh that the Memphis City Council needs to cease all cooperation with the federal ICE and Nash and the deployment of National Guard in Memphis.

I'd like to speak on item fifteen.

Uh the redistrict is not gerrymandering, but what it is, it's going to involve rezoning and it will essentially it is essentially an attack on our black communities.

Uh we saw what happened with uh the Bill Street community, which was re uh which was um uh community renewed out of existence of scattered uh communities and lost its cohesiveness, the vi the vitality of uh uh of uh uh uh Bill Street has been uh uh crippled.

It's you see the sea s I seen the same same thing in New York City around the east uh around uh the village uh Greenwich Village.

The community that supported it has uh been decimated.

Okay.

Um now the gentrification that this we've seen it with Watts that the uh the uh black community has basically been decimated there.

And I would like to conclude uh okay, opposed redistricting and finally went immediate end to the war and thank you so much for coming down and sharing your comments today, and we thank all of you who have come down to the city council meeting, and this will conclude our meeting.

We will have a motion to adjourn.

For the second time I moved to adjourn.

All right, we've been moved by Smiley and second by Councilman Dr.

Warren.

Thank you so much.

Have a safe evening.

Thank you.