Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on August 4, 2026, beginning with a prayer and pledges. The council adopted minutes from the previous meeting and then proceeded to honor several individuals, voted on consent and regular agenda items, and heard public comments on a range of issues including data center water usage, mental health crisis response, and civil service protections.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–11 (except 8): Passed unanimously. Included first reading of ordinances on short-term rental enforcement, zoning reclassification for 2021 Berry Hill Road, and a zoning map amendment procedure; and resolutions accepting engineering plans and bonds for various developments (Walnut Green, Phillips Farms, 272 North Bellevue).
• Item 12: Fiscal consent – Resolution authorizing $200,000 in FY27 sponsorships for Memphis Parks programming. Passed unanimously.
• Items 17–19 (Add‑on): Resolution appropriating $13,672,960 in GO bonds for the Southwest Twin Redevelopment Project; resolution approving the FY27 consolidated plan and annual action plan for federal entitlement funds; resolution supporting a public art mural at Alliance Health Care Services’ Children and Youth Crisis Wellness Center. All passed unanimously.

Recognitions and Resolutions

• Item 1: Resolution honoring Patricia Ann Rogers for her dedication to fighting blight in Memphis. Adopted.
• Item 2: Resolution approving honorary street name change to “Pastor Leon Jones Junior Street” on East Street between Stage Road and Fairhaven Lane. Adopted by acclamation.
• Item 3: Resolution honoring Caronda Hootabrown Dawson, the first African American woman to scuba dive in every ocean and the fastest person to do so (11 days, 23 hours, 40 minutes). Adopted by acclamation.
• Item 4: Special use permit for a 130‑foot monopole tree‑style cell tower at 3778 Old Waverly Cove (in R‑10 zone with apartment overlay). No public opposition received. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 13 (Lobbyist Registration Referendum): Pamela Moses spoke in favor of amending the charter to require lobbyist registration, but asked the council to also address accountability for the Memphis Unite Task Force and recent vehicle chases.
• On Item 14 (Civil Service Referendum): Five speakers (Casey McCoon, Chelsea Cheshire, Maisie Hazard, Denise Yule) expressed confusion and concern that the vaguely worded ordinance could weaken civil service protections, especially as library workers are seeking such protections in a separate referendum. They requested clarity. Council Attorney Wade and Councilman Carlisle explained that the measure is intended to conform to the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act as required by state Supreme Court, to establish transparent procedures for employee appeals and grievances. Councilwoman Walker noted that many library employees were uninformed about the earlier referendum on their own civil service status.
• General Public Comments (after agenda items):
  • Janice Davis: Alleged unfair termination from MATA and document tampering; asked for investigation.
  • Reverend Gordon Myers: Criticized XAI’s water use (nearly 1 million gallons/day from the Memphis Sand Aquifer at $0.19/100 gallons) and lack of promised water reuse facility; called for accountability.
  • Reagan Murray: Raised concerns about the Memphis Unite Task Force and HSI responding to mental health crises, citing four fatalities (Tyron Johnson, Alfonso Ivey, Darren Pegram, Joan O’Neill) and that MPD’s Crisis Intervention Team should handle such calls. Provided statistics: 1 in 5 children and 1.4 million adults in TN experience mental illness annually; people with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during police encounters.
  • Lucy Changless: Praised the new 911 option for mental health response but questioned why HSI is still responding; asked the council to withhold $13 million for a new police complex in Southwest Memphis until answers are provided.
  • Glenda Hicks: Criticized the sewer rate increase (effective August 1, 2026, with another in 2028) as an overburden on residents already facing multiple fees.
  • Rhiannon Watson (Protect Our Aquifer): Demanded transparency from XAI/SpaceX on water usage (Colossus 1 drew 840,520 gallons/day in February 2026; a fourth data center already built without public disclosure) and a clear timeline for the water reuse facility.
  • Brandy Price: Accused the council of ignoring citizens and allowing XAI to pollute air/water, comparing to historical injustices.
  • Teal Wright: Announced the Glenview Community Roots Festival on September 26, 2026, seeking $20,000 in support (raised $3,600 so far).
  • Chuck Thomas (Southwest Tennessee Community College): Invited council to Legislative Day on August 13, 2026, highlighting free tuition, 150 programs, 8,000 students, and high job placement.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 (AW Willis/North 4th Street Intersection): Councilwoman Cooper Sutton requested explanation after removing it from consent. City engineering and Kimley‑Horn representatives clarified that the $7.1 million bond secures installation of a traffic signal required for the St. Jude development, with the developer covering the cost. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 (Lobbyist Registration Referendum): Councilman Carlisle sponsored the measure to place on the November 2026 ballot a charter amendment requiring lobbyist registration and disclosure. A single public comment supported the idea but asked for broader reforms. Approved 11‑0.
• Item 14 (Civil Service Referendum): After extensive public testimony and council discussion, council clarified the amendment would align Memphis procedures with the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, establishing clear rules for employee appeals (including right to counsel, hearing process, and chancery court review) to address current delays (up to two years). Councilman Smiley voted no. Approved 10‑1 (Smiley dissenting).
• Item 15 (Solid Waste Vehicles Lease): Resolution authorizing a lease up to $7.1 million for various solid waste vehicles. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton inquired about “certain other matters” language; it covers closing costs and insurance. Approved unanimously.
• Item 16 (CIP Budget Amendment for Vehicles): Companion to Item 15, allocating $7.1 million through a master equipment lease. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved by acclamation: Resolutions honoring Patricia Ann Rogers, Pastor Leon Jones Jr., and Caronda Hootabrown Dawson.
• Approved unanimously: Special use permit for cell tower; consent agenda items (excluding Item 8); fiscal consent; all add‑on items; Items 8, 13, 15, 16.
• Approved 10‑1 (Smiley opposed): Item 14 (Civil Service Referendum) to be placed on the November 2026 ballot.
• Item 8 was removed from consent, discussed, and approved with clarification that the developer pays.
• General comment cards were received on MATA termination, XAI water use, mental health crisis response, sewer rates, and community events. The council took no immediate action but noted investigations and requests.