Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – June 9, 2026

The Memphis City Council met in regular session on June 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent agendas, adoption of resolutions on paid parental leave, budget adjustments, and MLGW contracts, as well as a resolution honoring Juneteenth. Several items were held for further discussion on June 23, 2026. Public comment focused heavily on increasing MATA funding, police accountability, pre‑K education, affordable housing, and environmental concerns related to XAI.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2–6 (Consent Agenda): Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance No. 5972 (second reading) – Designation of Qualified Public Use Facility and creation of Tourism Development Zone surcharge at 33 Beale Street.
  • Ordinance No. 5973 (second reading) – Street name change from Alston Avenue to Metal Museum Drive.
  • Resolution CR‑5497 – Approval of final plat for Amendment to Commons @ Dexter Lake Outparcel C, with acceptance of $364,300 performance bond.
  • Resolution CR‑5498 – Approval of engineering plans for Sandbrook Street/Springbrook Avenue realignment, with acceptance of $535,500 bond.
  • Resolution – Honorary street name change on Homer Road to “Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler Street” (sponsored by Councilman Warren).
• Item 7 (Fiscal Consent): Approved unanimously. Resolution accepting $8,857 in additional grant funds from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Frayser‑Raleigh Senior Center.
• Items 8–14 (MLGW Fiscal Consent): Approved unanimously. Included contract awards for Outage Map ($501,910), MicroFocus license renewal ($507,523.17), pickup trucks ($576,855.04 and $601,833.24), horizontal directional drilling machine ($503,607.78), Utility Consumer Analytics contract expansion ($1,481,554.56), and FM Global property insurance ratification (not‑to‑exceed $3,122,783.00).

Public Comments & Testimony

Multiple residents spoke during the public comment period (approximately 20 speakers). Key themes:

• MATA/Public Transit: Several speakers (Charlie Virgos, Barry Ford, Zaire Lamb, Kelsey Hughes, Marley & Gawis, Allison Donald, Susan Neely‑Barnes) urged the council to increase MATA funding by $20 million, citing lost trolley service, dangerous pedestrian conditions, and reduced bus routes (65% fewer buses than in 2000). Statistics included Memphis ranking #1 most dangerous city for pedestrians (Smart Growth America) and that 1 in 3 Mid‑South employers report transportation as a challenge for employees.
• Police Violence/No Kings Rally: Multiple speakers (Jessica Miller, Tierney Macon, Kristen Walter, Liana Venezia, Lily Blanton, Karen Spencer‑McGee) demanded release of full body‑cam footage and accountability for police use of force during the March 28 No Kings March. Some noted they were legal observers or participants affected by pepper spray. They called for transparency and for the council to pressure MPD and County Attorney Mulroy.
• Pre‑K Funding: Educators and parents (Frank Weiss, Jemia Irby, Candace Washington, Sharice Clark, Hattie Lattner, Jill Torres, Bridget Grubb) praised the council’s past support for pre‑K and urged restoration of full funding in FY27, highlighting positive outcomes for students and families.
• Affordable Housing: Some speakers (Tierney Macon, Jemia Irby) asked for a $1 million targeted housing investment pilot in underserved zip codes (38109, 38116, 38127, 38128). Chairwoman Swearengen‑Washington noted funding had been allocated.
• XAI/Environmental Concerns: Rhiannon Watson (Protect Our Aquifer) requested a formal update on the water reuse facility timeline and water consumption data (currently over 800,000 gallons/day). Robin England voiced opposition to XAI’s presence and demanded accountability.
• Sanitation Workers: Michael Foster asked for hazard pay, gloves, and Gatorade for sanitation workers, noting they buy their own supplies.
• Financial Transparency: Kate Darell Cowan raised concerns about misuse of federal funds and potential state takeover.

Discussion Items

• Item 16 (FY26 Q3 Budget Neutral Adjustment): Approved unanimously after brief committee recommendation. The resolution reallocates $2,109,281 to Fire Services from Police ($959,281), Parks ($250,000), and General Services ($900,000), along with internal adjustments within General Services, Police, and Fire divisions.
• Item 18 (Paid Parental Leave Resolution): Approved unanimously. Councilwoman Easter‑Thomas expressed excitement about this new benefit for all full‑time city employees, providing six weeks (240 hours) of paid leave funded through the Sick Leave Bank.
• Items 19–23 (Add‑on Agenda): All approved with same‑night minutes.
  • Item 19: Transfer of funds ($90,721 from Galloway Golf, $350,000 from Parks Coverline, $500,000 from Parks Capital Reserve) to Audubon Park Splash Pad (total project cost $2,232,411).
  • Item 20: Approval of The Links at Audubon Clubhouse development sponsored by Tennessee Golf Foundation.
  • Item 21: Authorized $28 million interfund loan from Storm Water Fund to Sewer Fund for sanitary sewer capital improvements (ARPA/SRF‑related). Two abstentions (Cooper‑Sutton, White).
  • Item 22: Authorized $9 million interfund loan from Debt Service Fund to Sewer Fund for same purpose. Two abstentions (Cooper‑Sutton, White).
  • Item 23: Approved Downtown Memphis Commission’s FY27 budget (total $9,004,247), with $2,667,510 for Public Safety, $1,312,666 for Beautification, $1,118,468 for Community Planning, $1,903,532 for Marketing & Events, and $2,002,071 for other expenses.

Items Held/Dropped:

• Item 15 (FY27 budget ordinance – third reading) held until June 23, 2026.
• Item 17 (Tax bills for state‑assessed properties) held until June 23, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and most regular items passed unanimously with no recorded “no” votes.
• Paid Parental Leave – Council passed a resolution requesting Mayor Paul Young to issue an executive order establishing paid parental leave (six weeks) for eligible city employees.
• Budget Adjustments – The FY26 Q3 neutral adjustment (reallocating $2.1 million to Fire Services) and two interfund loans for sewer capital ($28 million and $9 million) were approved, each with two abstentions.
• Audubon Park Splash Pad received an additional $940,721 in capital funds to cover increased construction costs (low bid $2,096,207 plus contingency).
• Downtown Memphis Commission’s FY27 budget of approximately $9 million was approved.
• Same‑Night Minutes were approved for items 4, 5, 7, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 to expedite project starts and state approval.
• Public Engagement – Numerous residents called for more transit investment, police accountability, and continued pre‑K funding. Council acknowledged housing funds and agreed to schedule an XAI update at the next committee meeting.