Memphis City Council Meeting – October 20, 2026

The Memphis City Council met on October 20, 2026, at 9:45 AM to address a full agenda including resolutions honoring community members, land-use approvals, fiscal items, and several high-profile ordinances. Key debates centered on a proposed data center moratorium (item 19), an alternative data center regulation ordinance (item 18), a resolution calling for the removal of ICE and the National Guard (item 32), and a lease for the Pipkin Building to Bluff City Pickleball (item 26). Public testimony was extensive, with dozens of residents speaking on these issues.

Consent Calendar

• October 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously.
• Resolutions honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, Leslie Smith, and Lieutenant Marvin Wiggins: All passed by acclamation.
• Planning & Development Items 5-8: Special use permit and planned developments at 1288 Sycamore View Rd., 1470 N. Germantown Pkwy., zero Austin P. Hwy., and 2604 Covington Pike all approved. Councilwoman Logan recused from item 7.
• MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 11-16): Approved, including contracts for water main replacement, data analysis, and lighting.
• Add-on Items 34-37: Approved with same-night minutes, including a fund transfer for Westwood Pool improvements ($43,224.45), additional grant funds from U.S. Marshals Service ($105,528.10), a downtown command project amendment ($319,000), and a Memphis Zoo pervious pavement grant ($500,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 26 – Pipkin Building Pickleball Lease: Multiple speakers opposed the lease, arguing the building is a vital community space used for roller derby, flea markets, emergency response, and more. They cited low rent ($4,000/month for 27,000 sq. ft.) and the park director's acknowledgement that the tenant expects to make zero profit. Supporters of the lease were not present to speak.
• Item 32 – ICE and National Guard Removal: Over 20 public speakers shared emotional testimonies about family separations, fear in immigrant communities, and four deaths attributed to the task force (Tyron Johnson, Jonah Neal, Darren Pigram, Alphonso Ivy). Speakers included children, religious leaders, veterans, and organizers, who called the operation "fascist" and demanded an end to occupation.
• Item 18 & 19 – Data Center Ordinances: A large crowd urged passage of the 18-month moratorium (item 19). Speakers cited health impacts (asthma, cancer), threats to the Memphis Sand aquifer (100% of drinking water), noise pollution, and the failure of earlier promises to deliver community benefits. Many criticized the substitute ordinance (item 18) as a rushed, non-transparent alternative that lacked community input.

Discussion Items

• Item 26 – Pickleball Lease (Pipkin Building): After public comment, Parks Director Justice Bolden defended the lease, noting $500,000 in tenant improvements, $280,000 in rent, and similar utility contributions over the lease life. He stated roller derby would receive space at community centers and the new Sports & Event Center at a 84% subsidy. The lease passed 7-4 (Canale, Logan, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman yes; Carlisle, Green, Spinoza no; Easter Thomas recused).
• Item 32 – ICE and National Guard Removal: Council sponsors Easter Thomas, Smiley, and Green argued the task force is terrorizing communities and has not improved safety (crime was already at a 25-year low). Councilwoman Logan supported removal of ICE but opposed removing the National Guard, citing constituent praise for crime reduction. After further public testimony, the resolution passed (vote not explicitly recorded but appears to have passed).
• Item 18 – Data Center Development Regulations (Councilman Warren’s Substitute): This ordinance amends the Unified Development Code to regulate large-scale data centers, prohibiting evaporative cooling, requiring closed-loop systems, and mandating public disclosure. Councilwoman Green and others argued it was introduced at the last minute without proper review. After debate, item 18 passed 7-5 (Canale, Carlisle, Ford, Logan, Spinoza, Warren, White yes; Easter Thomas, Green, Smiley, Walker, Chairwoman no).
• Item 19 – 18-Month Data Center Moratorium (Councilman Smiley and Green’s Ordinance): Called for a pause on new data center applications to allow community engagement, expert studies, and development of protective regulations. Supporters said it was the community's demand; opponents said it was redundant with item 18. The vote was tied 6-6 (Easter Thomas, Ford, Green, Smiley, Walker, Chairwoman yes; Canale, Carlisle, Logan, Spinoza, Warren, White no), so the motion failed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 26 (Pipkin Lease): Approved 7-4. A 7-year lease with one 7-year renewal option for Bluff City Pickleball at 940 Early Maxwell Blvd.
• Item 32 (ICE/National Guard Removal): Passed. Council calls for removal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Tennessee National Guard from the Memphis Safe Task Force.
• Item 18 (Data Center Regulations): Passed 7-5. Establishes new land-use rules for data centers, effective immediately, including cooling restrictions and disclosure requirements.
• Item 19 (Data Center Moratorium): Failed 6-6. The 18-month pause was not adopted.
• Items Held: Item 17 (strategic data center district ordinance) held to next meeting; Item 20 (blight remediation ordinance) held to November 10; Item 29 (Mid-South Coliseum pre-development) held two weeks; Item 33 (data center standards resolution) held to next meeting.
• All other regular agenda items: Approved or passed as noted.