Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Memphis City Council convened on July 21, 2026, for a regular meeting. The agenda included routine consent items, several appointments, a major alcohol‑licensing appeal, and public testimony on transit, public safety, and civil service protections. The council voted to hold two referendum ordinances and denied an appeal that would have overturned the Alcohol Commission’s approval of a liquor store.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from July 7, 2026 – Adopted unanimously (all present voting yes, with Councilmember Carlisle not voting).
• Items 3 and 4 (Consent Agenda) – Item 3 (UDC amendment for zoning map replacement) was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilman Spinoza for further committee review; item 4 (supplemental agreement for Selfville Memphis East Homes Road) was approved without objection.

MLGW Fiscal Consent Items

• Items 6–10 (increased contract for paving, LNG tank painting, software renewal, roof replacement, telematics contract) were all approved by a unanimous vote (Councilman Ford’s vote recorded as yes).

Regular Agenda Items

• Item 11 – Pension system amendment (third reading) – Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 – Sewer fee increase (third reading) – Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 – Referendum ordinance on lobbyist registration (third reading) – Held until the August 4, 2026 meeting because the sponsor was absent.
• Item 14 – Referendum ordinance on civil service appeal procedures (third reading) – Held until the August 4, 2026 meeting after discussion; Councilman Smiley moved to hold.
• Item 15 – Held until September 15, 2026 (previously announced).

Appointments

• Item 16 – Art Davis as Chief Financial Officer – Approved unanimously. Mr. Davis spoke of bringing transparency to the finance division.
• Item 17 – Chris Winton as Chief Administrative Officer – Approved unanimously. Mr. Winton committed to delivering more for the city.
• Item 18 – Airport Authority appointments (Belinda Anderson, Pamela Clary, Damar Roberts) – Approved unanimously.
• Item 19 – Resolution accepting $581,840 in federal surface transportation block grant funds for the Memphis Airport Plow Boulevard Access Road – Approved unanimously.
• Item 20 – Resolution appointing Art Davis as MATAS Fiscal Trustee (replacing Walter Person) – Approved unanimously.

Alcohol Commission Appeal – Major Discussion

Item 2 – Appeal of Romanus Corporation (Busters, D Wine, Liquor Depot) regarding Ethan Edwards’ liquor store at 870 South White Station Road

• Background: The appellants challenged the Alcohol Commission’s approval, arguing the store violates the 1,500‑foot proximity rule (Ordinance 4‑5) because it is within 1,500 feet of Woodland Presbyterian Church and School. The first application was voided for Open Meetings Act violations; a second application was approved after site modifications.
• Appellants’ Position (Robert Spence): The survey submitted with the second application is fraudulent because it measures through a private parking lot instead of from the front door to the street (White Station). The claimed private drive does not meet the UDC definition of a private street. The store fronts on White Station, so the measurement must start on that street.
• Appellee’s Position (Judge Bernice Donald, Mark Job): The measurement correctly follows the ordinance’s definition of a private passageway in a multi‑establishment commercial area of over two acres. The survey (Reeves survey) shows 1,559.37 feet, meeting the 1,500‑foot requirement. The same methodology was used by Busters for its own second store. Mr. Edwards has invested $1.262 million, employs 26 full‑time and 4 part‑time workers (70% city residents), and has paid $661,596 in wages.
• Council Discussion: Council Attorney Wade clarified that the only issue is whether the application meets the distance requirement. Standing and competition arguments are irrelevant. The controlling ordinance is Section 4‑5 of the 1985 City Code, not the UDC. Councilman Warren asked about modifications to the site; Councilman Spinoza noted the “swerve line” used in the survey.
• Vote: The motion to approve the appeal (i.e., to overturn the Alcohol Commission) failed. Votes: Easter Thomas (abstain), Ford (abstain), Green (no), Smiley (no), Spinoza (yes), Warren (no), White (no), Chairwoman Swearingin Washington (no), Walker (no). The appeal was denied, allowing the liquor store to remain open.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Bailey (community advocate) – Expressed disappointment with MATA bus service, stating that promised improvements have not materialized and that the council has not responded to a list of issues submitted in May.
• Lucy Chambliss – Called for answers about killings by federal task forces in Memphis (eight nationwide this year, half in Memphis). Questioned why DEA, HSI, and military personnel were involved in local law enforcement operations.
• Sammy Hunter (co‑chair, Memphis Bus Rider Union) – Reported bus riders waiting two to three hours, criticized the halt of 20 used buses from Kentucky, and said 12 new buses promised for June have not arrived. Councilman Ford countered that nine new buses have arrived, three more are due this week, and that the used buses were not wanted.
• Ricky Lewis – Alleged that MLGW contracts are being awarded to friends of senior VP Timothy Davis, citing a $5 million contract with a company run by a 30‑year acquaintance. He called for an investigation.
• Johnny Mosley – Asked the Transportation Committee to schedule a meeting to address bus rider issues, referencing the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike.
• Andrew Guthrie – Expressed concern that the held civil service referendum (Item 14) could undermine civil service protections, asking the council to protect public servants.
• Brianna Byrd – Questioned the motivation behind the civil service referendum, comparing it to federal “DOGE” actions, and asked for clarification on what uniform administrative procedures would entail.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimously): Minutes of July 7, 2026; MLGW fiscal consent items (6–10); Ordinance 5974 (pension amendment); Ordinance 5975 (sewer fee increase); CFO appointment (Art Davis); CAO appointment (Chris Winton); Airport Authority appointments; TDOT grant acceptance; MATAS fiscal trustee appointment; same‑night minute items.
• Held: Item 3 (UDC amendment) – held for committee review; Item 13 (lobbyist registration referendum) – held to August 4, 2026; Item 14 (civil service referendum) – held to August 4, 2026; Item 15 – held to September 15, 2026.
• Denied: Appeal of the Alcohol Commission’s approval of Ethan Edwards’ liquor store (Item 2). The MAC decision stands; the store may continue operating.
• Next Steps: The council will revisit the two held referendum ordinances at the August 4, 2026 meeting. The Transportation Committee may schedule a hearing on MATA issues following public testimony.