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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 7, 2026

BodyMemphis, Tennessee

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, July 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 50:30

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:07

Sergeant at arms, if you will please call our July 7th, 2026 Council meeting to order.

0:21

All right, please.

0:23

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Theodas Cochrane Jr.

0:30

of Trinity All Nations Church, invited by Councilwoman Easter Thomas.

0:37

Pastor Cochrane Jr., please lead us in prayer.

0:43

Shall we pray?

0:44

Our God and our Father, the maker and creator of all things.

0:48

We come at this opportune time, first of all, to say thank you.

0:51

Thank you for another day, another chance, another opportunity you've given to us to get it right.

0:56

I pray now that we acknowledge you for this council because you said in all the ways that we acknowledge you.

1:02

You will direct our path.

1:03

I pray for our city.

1:04

I pray for our nation.

1:06

I pray for the people of God everywhere.

1:08

Heal our land that we need to be healed in every corner, every aspect.

1:11

You're able to do exceedingly abundantly.

1:14

Above, we can even ask a thing.

1:16

We put it all in your hand.

1:17

Even the city of Memphis is in your hands, and you're able to work it out.

1:22

It's in Jesus' name I pray.

1:23

Amen.

1:25

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:28

Our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:42

You may be seated.

1:49

Councilwoman Easter Thomas, you are recognized.

1:59

Thank you, Chair.

2:03

Colleagues, I am glad to bring one of the pillar ministers in District 7, Pastor Theodus Cochrane, and as he celebrates his 27th pastoral anniversary as well.

2:17

Um, I'd just like to read for Trinity All Nations Church that is in the Hyde Park area of District 7.

2:25

By the city council, be it hereby known that Pastor Theodus Cochrane Jr., 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, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate given under this seal, 7th day of July, Janice Wearing Washington Chair, presented by Michael and Easter Thomas, District 7th City Council.

3:02

Thank you for coming and joining us today.

3:25

Councilman Canale, I I think you have read the minutes.

3:29

Roll call.

3:33

After our roll call.

3:35

Thank you, madam chair.

3:37

Councilmember Canale.

3:41

Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Minosa, Walker, Juarren, White, Chairwoman Swearington Washington.

4:04

Present.

4:04

Madam Chair, you have a quorum.

4:06

Thank you.

4:08

Councilman Canale.

4:10

Yes, madam chair.

4:11

Thank you.

4:11

I have reviewed the meeting minutes from the June 23rd, 2026 meeting.

4:16

I find them to be in order, and I move for their adoption.

4:21

All right.

4:21

It's been moved by Councilman Poor Canale.

4:24

Second by Councilman Spinoza.

4:26

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

4:39

Council members canale, yes.

4:41

Cooper Sutton, yes.

4:42

Easter Thomas, yes, Ford, yes.

4:45

Logan, yes, Smiley, yes.

4:47

Spinoza, yes, Warren, yes.

4:50

White, yes.

4:51

Chairwoman Swearington, Washington, yes.

4:55

That item passes.

5:00

Welcome to the July 7th, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council.

5:04

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

5:16

Our council staff has meeting agendas available up front.

5:21

Phoebe, 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.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural████████████████████████████████████████████44%

Public Safety██████████████14%

Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%

Arts And Culture█████████9%

Youth Programs█████5%

Environmental Protection████4%

Racial Equity███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on July 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included a prayer, approval of minutes, a presentation honoring Grammy-nominated artist Sherry Moon, consideration of a special use permit, a consent agenda, an amended resolution for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art project, approval of grant funds and community grant program amendments, and public comments on various issues including MATA, the National Guard, data centers, sewer fees, and MLGW.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the minutes from the June 23, 2026 meeting.
Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved en bloc (second reading ordinances and a resolution for Brooks Museum – later removed from consent). The consent agenda was adopted unanimously.

Presentations & Recognitions

Resolution Honoring Sherry Moon (Snook Nook): Councilwoman Easter Thomas presented a resolution honoring Sherry Moon, a Grammy-nominated children's music artist from Memphis. Ms. Moon addressed the council, emphasizing the importance of investing in children and supporting the arts. The resolution was accepted.

Discussion Items

Item 3 – Special Use Permit (2465 Millbrook Avenue): Councilman Spinoza moved approval with a favorable recommendation. The permit was approved unanimously.
Item 8 – Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Supplemental Agreement: Councilman Canale proposed an amendment to include the phrase "or as amended by the developer and the city engineer" in the contract. After discussion clarifying that Monroe Avenue will not be closed but expanded for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and that other elements (stoplight, walkway) remain unchanged, the council voted unanimously to approve the item as amended.

Same Night Minutes

Item 11 – Grant Funds ($591,000) from Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs: Approved unanimously.
Item 12 – Community Grant Program for FY27: Approved unanimously.
Item 13 – Amendment to Community Grant Program: Approved unanimously.
A motion to approve same night minutes for items 8, 11, 12, and 13 passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Janice Brody Davis: Former MATA bus driver alleged wrongful termination and misplaced accident records. She asked the council to hear her concerns about MATA's handling of her case.
Lucy Chamberless: Expressed outrage over the killing of Tyron Johnson by the National Guard, criticized the council for divesting from community resources and overfunding police, and urged the council to pressure MPD to disarm soldiers in the city.
Wanicia Hyman: Raised concerns about data centers in the Memphis area, particularly regarding water usage and coolant chemicals (antifreeze). Called for city attorneys to obtain access to NDAs and for laws preventing the Greater Memphis Chamber from signing agreements without public input.
Glenda Hicks: Civil rights attorney shared experiences from Jackson, Mississippi's water crisis, urging the council to prevent similar issues in Memphis by ensuring community voice in water policy.
LG Cossett: Opposed a sewer fee increase (item 5, already passed on consent), argued that property taxes had already increased and that sewer funds were mismanaged. Also spoke on indigenous rights and requested the council send a letter to the governor regarding the Racial Integrity Act.
Martina X: Alleged that MLGW failed to follow verification procedures when allowing an estranged individual to establish utility service at her home, leading to loss of her home and legal issues. Demanded a council investigation into MLGW and CEO accountability.
Nehemiah Hardaway: Advocated for customers and employees fired from MLGW, urged the council to investigate the utility's practices and show concern for common citizens.

Key Outcomes

All items requiring a vote were approved unanimously (items 3, 4–7, 8 as amended, 11, 12, 13, and same night minutes).
The council accepted an amendment to the Brooks Museum contract to allow plan modifications by the developer and city engineer.
No additional actions were taken on public comment topics; the meeting was adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Sergeant at arms, if you will please call our July 7th, 2026 Council meeting to order. All right, please. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Theodas Cochrane Jr. of Trinity All Nations Church, invited by Councilwoman Easter Thomas. Pastor Cochrane Jr., please lead us in prayer. Shall we pray? Our God and our Father, the maker and creator of all things. We come at this opportune time, first of all, to say thank you. Thank you for another day, another chance, another opportunity you've given to us to get it right. I pray now that we acknowledge you for this council because you said in all the ways that we acknowledge you. You will direct our path. I pray for our city. I pray for our nation. I pray for the people of God everywhere. Heal our land that we need to be healed in every corner, every aspect. You're able to do exceedingly abundantly. Above, we can even ask a thing. We put it all in your hand. Even the city of Memphis is in your hands, and you're able to work it out. It's in Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Councilwoman Easter Thomas, you are recognized. Thank you, Chair. Colleagues, I am glad to bring one of the pillar ministers in District 7, Pastor Theodus Cochrane, and as he celebrates his 27th pastoral anniversary as well. Um, I'd just like to read for Trinity All Nations Church that is in the Hyde Park area of District 7. By the city council, be it hereby known that Pastor Theodus Cochrane Jr., 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, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate given under this seal, 7th day of July, Janice Wearing Washington Chair, presented by Michael and Easter Thomas, District 7th City Council. Thank you for coming and joining us today. Councilman Canale, I I think you have read the minutes. Roll call. After our roll call. Thank you, madam chair. Councilmember Canale. Cooper Sutton, Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Minosa, Walker, Juarren, White, Chairwoman Swearington Washington. Present. Madam Chair, you have a quorum. Thank you. Councilman Canale. Yes, madam chair. Thank you. I have reviewed the meeting minutes from the June 23rd, 2026 meeting. I find them to be in order, and I move for their adoption. All right. It's been moved by Councilman Poor Canale. Second by Councilman Spinoza. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Council members canale, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes.

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