Public Meetings - Memphis, Tennessee

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.

The Memphis City Council convened its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included recognitions, a public hearing, approval of consent agendas, resolutions on a mayoral veto, fiscal adjustments, and public comments on public transit and police accountability. Recognitions and Proclamations - Councilwoman Logan presented a resolution honoring Mason Todd for developing an AI-powered health application to assist low-income families in accessing healthcare resources. - Councilman Canale sponsored a resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Representatives from Alliance Healthcare noted that 43 of their 45 beds were full over the weekend and 13 individuals walked in from crisis on the streets. - Councilwoman Cooper Sutton sponsored a resolution to honorarily designate a portion of Horn Lake Road as Reverend Doctor Gerald Rayborn Sr. Drive. - Councilwoman White sponsored a resolution recognizing Peyton Gibson, Carter Holmes, and Ty Miller for winning national recognition in the 2026 C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition for their documentary "The Pursuit" on immigration reform and DACA recipients. Public Hearing - Item 4 (SUP 26-03): Resolution approving a special use permit at 2342 Frazier Boulevard. Councilwoman Easter Thomas initially withheld her vote but after discussions with the applicant, she supported the project, citing the developer's standard of compliance. The resolution passed unanimously. Consent Calendar - Items 5-11 (ordinances and resolutions including a tourism development zone, street name change, engineering plans, etc.) were approved unanimously. - Item 12: Acceptance of a $90,692.98 donation from the LOE's Bishop Irrevocable Trust for the Memphis Animal Shelter for heartworm treatment and adoption subsidies, approved unanimously. - Items 13-27: MLGW fiscal consent agenda (contract awards, scope changes, purchase orders totaling millions) approved unanimously. - Item 31: Resolution to accept $1,303,991 in additional grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice through the U.S. Marshals Service, approved unanimously. Resolutions on Mayoral Veto and Impasse - Item 32: Resolution allowing the mayor's veto of Ordinance 5969 to stand and establishing an impasse ordinance review committee. Passed with 11 yes votes. - Item 33: Resolution to schedule an impasse presentation before the full council for the ASME labor union on June 8, 2026. Passed with 10 yes, 1 abstention. Regular Agenda Items - Item 28 was withdrawn by Councilwoman Easter Thomas. - Item 29: Resolution to amend the FY 2026 general fund operating budget by $575,000 for the Memphis Parks Division. Approved unanimously. - Item 30: Resolution for a third quarter budget neutral adjustment. The item was held for two weeks due to a request for further explanation. Public Comments and Testimony - Multiple speakers from Better Transit for a Better Memphis (Dorothy Connor, Marley Uniguez, Susan Neely Barnes, Ron Davis) urged the council to increase city investment in public transit from $32 million to $52 million for the next fiscal year. They cited economic benefits, ridership growth from 40,000 to 50,000 daily riders after fare-free travel, and the need to catch up with peer cities. - Transit advocates Cynthia Bailey, Johnny Mosley, and Sammy Hunter criticized MATA service cuts and management, requesting more oversight and a timeline for new buses. They highlighted that route adjustments were made without a full board, which they argued violates the city charter. - Jessica Miller of Indivisible Memphis raised concerns about excessive force by Memphis Police Department and the lack of timeline for completing the internal investigation into the No Kings event. She noted that two people had been killed by law enforcement in the past two weeks. Key Outcomes - All consent agenda items and resolutions on the mayoral veto and impasse were approved. - The special use permit at 2342 Frazier Boulevard (Item 4) was approved. - Item 28 was withdrawn. - Item 30 was held for two weeks. - Council members Easter Thomas and Cooper Sutton committed to following up on MATA concerns, with Sutton already conducting unannounced bus rides to assess service. - The council adjourned after public comments.

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on May 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations honoring teachers and law enforcement personnel, passage of the Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Program ordinance on third and final reading, approval of a 50-year ground lease for affordable housing at Historic Melrose School, and adoption of a resolution opposing the redrawn U.S. Congressional District 9 map. Numerous consent agenda items and add-on resolutions were approved, along with public comments on fiber optic infrastructure, immigration enforcement, and historic park restoration. Consent Calendar - Resolution accepting public improvements for Gardens of Gray's Creek, Phase 3 [CR5397] and releasing a $82,500.00 bond. Approved with same-night minutes. - Resolution accepting public improvements for Shady Grove Median Enhancement [CR5438] and releasing a $2,321,700.00 performance bond. Approved with same-night minutes. - General Ordinance (First Reading) – Tax Levy Appropriation for FY 2026-2027 (Ordinance No. 5971). Approved on first reading. - Honorary Street Name Change – Bullington Avenue to James A. Bridges, Sr. Avenue. Added to consent agenda and approved. - Fiscal Consent – In-Kind Donation from Bluff City Cluster of The Links, Incorporated (four TVs and gaming systems valued at $2,800.00) for Hickory Hill Community Center. Approved. Presentations & Resolutions - Teacher Appreciation Week Recognition: Councilwoman Easter-Thomas sponsored a resolution honoring May 4–8, 2026 as Teacher Appreciation Week and recognizing 18 nominated educators. Approved by acclamation. - ALS Awareness Month: A resolution designating May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month was held until May 26, 2026. - Honoring Lieutenant Stacey Lee: Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington sponsored a resolution recognizing Lieutenant Stacey Lee of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for her promotion and leadership. Approved by acclamation. - C-SPAN National Documentary Competition Winners: A resolution honoring Paytn Gibson, Carter Holmes, and Ty Miller was held until May 26, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - Pamela Moses spoke on the Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Program, asking whether it would revive the closed small business entrepreneurial center. She was told the ordinance must pass first before other steps are taken. - Glenda Hicks (on Item 13) expressed concern about senior housing at Melrose School, asking whether multi-use development would respect seniors' need for quiet and serenity. Director Cash clarified that the upper two floors will be 100% senior housing with elevator access, and adjacent units are separate. - Alexa Pouncy complained about property damage and lack of communication from Congruics, the contractor laying fiber optics in her low-income neighborhood. She was advised to email documentation to the administration. - Leandre Key presented Keystone Energy Foundation's goal of providing free or low-cost electricity to Memphis residents using private donations and IRS credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. Time expired; he was asked to follow up. - Rev. Dr. Lassimba Gray requested an ordinance to restore the Church Park Auditorium, noting the city's repeated removal of Robert R. Church Sr.'s legacy and a 56-year-old unfulfilled promise. He estimated $20 million is needed and asked for a June 18th deadline (Church's 187th birthday). Council directed him to speak with Chief Adams and Parks Director Bowden. - James Clark, owner of a Beale Street business, supported restoring the auditorium to revive traffic on Beale Street, citing recent closures of Ghost River and Coyote Ugly. - Brianna Byrd (Vets for the 901) read a statement opposing the Memphis Safe Task Force, ICE operations, and the National Guard presence, alleging 94% of arrests are non-white and calling for an end to cooperation. - Ron Painter, a Vietnam veteran, seconded Byrd's comments and opposed both the ICE/National Guard deployment and the congressional redistricting, calling it an attack on black communities. Discussion Items - Ordinance No. 5959 – Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Program (Third and Final Reading): Councilman Canale explained the long-held item was carefully negotiated with stakeholders (ABC, city legal, administration). Attorney Rick Bennett (ABC) praised the collaborative process. Public comment from Pamela Moses. The ordinance was adopted as amended, with all council members voting yes. - Resolution Requesting Funding for Budget Management Software (Item 12): Councilman Spinosa sponsored a resolution asking the Administration to include funding in FY2026 operating budget for software to improve budget transparency. Approved unanimously. - Option to Enter 50-Year Ground Lease for Historic Melrose School Affordable Housing (Item 13): Councilwoman Logan moved approval. Speakers included local resident supporting the project and Glenda Hicks raising senior concerns. Director Cash clarified the project includes 51 affordable units for households at 80% AMI or below, with the upper two floors reserved for seniors. Approved (majority yes; Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton noted but voted yes after raising concerns about fire safety and credit checks). - Resolution Opposing Congressional Map Splitting U.S. Congressional District 9 (Item 15): Councilman Smiley spoke passionately against the gerrymandered map passed in a rushed special session, calling it a reinstitution of Jim Crow. Multiple council members expressed outrage. Public comment from Glenda Hicks (urging proactive action) and Pamela Moses (demanding a lawsuit). The resolution condemns the map and the legislators who supported it. Approved unanimously (with Councilmembers Walker and White voting yes per roll call). - Various Add-On Resolutions (Items 17–20): All approved unanimously: - Item 17: Swap $230,000 in Accelerate Memphis funds (Sea Isle Fitness) with CIP funds (Galloway Golf Course Repairs) to meet spending deadlines. - Item 18: Transfer $500,000 from Bridge Repair Coverline to Gayoso Bayou Drainage System (Districts 6 & 7). - Item 19: Transfer $800,000 from Bridge Repair Coverline to Knight Arnold/Johns Creek Bridge Project (District 4). - Item 20: Reduce $80,000 from THSO grant funds for police overtime and equipment. Key Outcomes - Ordinance No. 5959 (Small Business Enterprise Program) adopted as amended (unanimous). - Melrose School Ground Lease option approved (unanimous; 11 yes, 0 no). Developer must exercise option by December 31, 2026, and begin vertical construction within 24 months of lease execution. - Resolution opposing Congressional District 9 map adopted (unanimous). The Council vehemently opposes the new map and condemns state legislators who supported it. - Budget Management Software resolution adopted (unanimous), requesting Administration include funding in FY2026 budget. - All consent items and add-on resolutions approved (unanimous), including bond releases, fund transfers, street name change, appointments, and grant reduction. - Same-night minutes approved for items 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. - Meeting adjourned after public comment period.

The Memphis City Council convened on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included several resolutions, zoning cases, presentations, and a discussion on the Parks and Environment Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations. Key actions included the approval of a rezoning, a special use permit, fiscal consent items, and the acceptance of the Compensation Task Force recommendations, while the Parks resolution failed to pass. Consent Calendar - Item 5: Approved a resolution accepting and appropriating $9,150.00 from the Tennessee Historical Commission for Memphis Landmarks Commissioner, staff, and neighborhood representative training. The city provided a matching amount of $6,100.00. Public Comments & Testimony - Leona Venezia: Speaking for a third consecutive meeting, Ms. Venezia called for transparency regarding the investigation into MPD's response to the March 28th "No Kings Rally and March." She noted Chief CJ Davis was questioned in a closed committee meeting earlier in the day and expressed that the community needs accountability for police conduct, including an incident where an MPD employee posted a protester's home address on the department's public Facebook page. - Dexter Ellsbury: Announced the formation of the "Memphis Covenant," a mandate for radical transparency. He detailed personal experiences including an alleged unlawful detention on April 13, 2026, and a physical assault during a pretextual stop on April 22, 2026. He called for reforms to ensure police accountability. - Scooter Moore: Representative of Scooter's Barbecue, invited council members to Court Square for a free barbecue event. He raised concerns about city ordinances affecting food truck operations, specifically regarding restrictions on times and places for business, and requested further dialogue with city officials. Discussion Items - Item 3 (SUP 26-02): A resolution granting a special use permit for vehicle sales at 3568 Lamar Avenue. Councilwoman Walker reported visiting the property and described it as a quality project with concierge car service that aligns with improvements along the Highway 78 corridor. The Land Use Control Board (LUCB) and Division of Planning and Development (DPD) recommended approval with conditions. Approved unanimously. - Item 4 (Zoning Ordinance - Third & Final Reading): Ordinance to rezone +/- 3.3 acres at Tully Street and Woodlawn Street from Residential Urban-1 (RU-1) to Mixed Use (MU). DPD recommended approval. Approved unanimously. - Item 16 (Parks and Environment Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations): A resolution to adopt nine recommendations for managing city park leases and management agreements, including requiring program descriptions, quarterly financial reports, a 5-year lease term preference, and a compliance manager role. Councilman Warren moved to table, citing concerns from non-profits about fundraising challenges under short leases. Councilman Carlisle and Chief Legal Officer Tannera Gibson clarified that the resolution is non-binding and the 5-year preference includes language allowing longer terms. Speakers from the Children's Museum and Metal Museum testified that a 5-year lease would hinder capital campaigns and major projects. The motion to table failed 7-5. On the main motion, the resolution failed with 5 yeas and 7 nays. - Item 17 (Compensation Task Force Recommendations): Resolution to accept recommendations from the City Employee Compensation Task Force, including job classification reviews, targeted salary adjustments, overtime management, improved communication, and a recurring task force. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Item 3: Special use permit for vehicle sales at 3568 Lamar Avenue (SUP 26-02) passed unanimously. - Item 4: Rezoning at Tully and Woodlawn Streets (Z26-01) to Mixed Use, third and final reading, passed unanimously. - Item 5: Fiscal Consent – Acceptance of $9,150 grant from Tennessee Historical Commission for Landmarks training, passed unanimously. - Items 6-13: MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda approved unanimously, including eight resolutions for bucket trucks ($550,854.00), trash removal services ($461,421.31), environmental site investigation ($996,250.00), substation construction and maintenance ($12,000,000.00), Allen Pumping Station engineering and inspection ($6,035,491.00), physical archive storage ($9,503.30), pickup trucks ($1,263,999.80), and electric vehicle charging equipment ratification ($885,647.71). - Item 16: Resolution to accept Parks and Environment Ad Hoc Committee recommendations failed (5 yeas, 7 nays). - Item 17: Resolution to accept Compensation Task Force recommendations passed unanimously. - Item 14: Ordinance to rename Monroe Avenue between Front Street and Riverside Drive as Hyde Square was tabled without objection. - Item 15: Ordinance regarding the Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Program was held until May 12, 2026.

On April 21, 2026, the Memphis City Council held a special called meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The sole agenda item was the presentation of Mayor Paul Young's Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by the mayor's detailed budget presentation and public comments. No council votes or deliberations occurred; the meeting adjourned after public testimony. Public Comments & Testimony - Liana Venezia (Step Ahead Foundation) asked about the status of the Memphis Ambassador Program (MAP) for youth, inquiring whether it remains funded or is being replaced. - Amber Sherman expressed that the budget lacked funding for youth mental health services, requested $2 million for that purpose, and urged the council to amend the budget. - Sandra Barrett (self-identified U.S. military veteran) criticized Memphis Police Department actions at the "No Kings 3" protest, describing those actions as fascist and calling for accountability beyond paid suspensions. She referenced Tyree Nichols and stated that police officers displayed “characteristics we have served against.” - Jason Montoya (Indivisible Memphis, safety marshal at No Kings 3) demanded release of unedited body camera footage and further disciplinary measures, calling the suspension with pay a “slap in the face.” - Dennis Lynch (SHARE Club, Better Transit for Better Memphis) argued that transit funding has been underfunded for years at $30 million, calling for an increase of $20–$30 million to improve service frequency, operator pay, and infrastructure. He noted Memphis transit budget is half that of comparable cities. - Jessica Miller stated that budgets are moral documents and criticized increases for the city attorney's office (16%) while the city is under the Kendrick consent decree. She questioned why funding for legal defense is rising while housing, fire services, and compliance systems are cut, and expressed concerns about immigration enforcement transparency. - LJ Abraham yielded time to Luci Chambliss, who described being kicked and assaulted by police at the No Kings protest, stated she no longer feels safe around uniformed officers, and criticized continued police funding while schools and infrastructure crumble. She referenced federal judge remarks about MPD infiltration. - LeAndre Key (South Memphis resident) proposed an actionable plan to revitalize the city's economy, recalling past attractions (FedEx World Hub, Mid-South Fair, Pyramid events) and arguing that lifelong Memphians have suffered economic betrayal. Discussion Items Mayor Paul Young presented the FY2027 budget, which was developed over several months with University of Memphis revenue estimates and division-level scrutiny. Key points: - Total proposed operating budget: $897 million, with 72% ($652 million) allocated to personnel. - Employee compensation: 2% across-the-board increase for all city employees, with union agreements reached for all but one union. - Public safety, anti-blight, and infrastructure: 88% of personnel spending goes to Fire, Police, Community Enhancement, Public Works, and Engineering. - Crime reduction: 40% reduction in serious crime over two years (a goal set for four years). The mayor showed charts comparing monthly serious crimes from 2023 (highest) to 2026 (lowest). - Key FY26 achievements: 600+ tons of debris collected, 86,000 bags of trash, 25,000 tires, 1,700 expungements, 326 driver’s license reinstatements, 95% of emergency calls answered within 20 seconds, 1,800 summer jobs, 800 housing units delivered. - Strategic investments: $3 million for Housing Trust Fund (up from $2.65 million), $1.5 million for opportunity youth workforce training, 3,000 summer jobs planned, $825,000 increase for Office of Creative and Cultural Economy, $10 million in federal housing funds. - Revenue changes: Additional $15 million from new XAI facility (total $26 million), auto registration fees reset to actual collection levels. - Capital budget: $106 million for CIP, including $36 million for critical neighborhood infrastructure, $20 million for paving/potholes, design for Glenview pool, new library in Parkway Village, police station at Southwest Twin, upgrades to parks and community centers, and $7 million for early childhood education. - Fiscal discipline: The budget is balanced with zero contribution from reserves; FY25 ended $1.9 million under, FY26 expected $2 million surplus. No tax increase proposed. - Cost pressures addressed: $150 million in pressures evaluated, $38.2 million in division requests reviewed; unfilled vacancy funding was removed across departments to balance without eliminating positions. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal actions were taken. The mayor's proposed budget was presented and public comments were received. The council will conduct further deliberation in subsequent meetings as part of the budget season. The budget books were delivered to council offices. - Adjournment was moved by Councilman Canale and seconded by Vice Chair Carlisle.

The Memphis City Council convened on April 14, 2026, holding committee sessions from 8:30 a.m. and the regular council meeting at 4:00 p.m. The agenda included a contentious liquor license appeal, routine land use approvals, significant financial resolutions for infrastructure and the arts, and extensive public testimony regarding Memphis Police Department conduct during a peaceful protest. Consent Calendar - Item 1 (Honorary Street Name): Approved by acclamation, naming Decatur Street between Vollintine Avenue and Jackson Avenue as "Gladys Ann Hunter Sawyer Street." - Items 3–6 (Land Use): Approved planned development at 0 IKEA Way (PD 26-01), alley vacation for Litty Place (SAC 25-06), special use permit for vehicle sales at 3575 Emerald Street (SUP 26-01), and special use permit for a childcare center at 4180 Elliston Road (SUP 26-05). - Zoning Ordinance Z 26-01 (Consent Agenda): Approved on second reading, rezoning roughly 3.3 acres on Tully and Woodlawn Streets from Residential Urban-1 (RU-1) to Mixed Use (MU). - Fiscal Consent (Items 8 & 20): Approved amending the FY2026 Operating Budget, transferring funds from Community Initiatives Grants for Nonprofits to Miscellaneous Professional Services for BLP Film Studios, the Gregory and Kimberly Price Foundation, and Reaching Back. - Item 9 (Convention Center Commission): Approved appointments of Kyle Veazey and reappointment of Calvin Anderson. - Item 14 (EDGE Board): Approved appointment of Ed Stephens, III. Public Comments & Testimony - Scooter Moore (Food Truck Vendor): Expressed confusion over outdated and conflicting versions of the food truck ordinance provided by city officials and requested a committee hearing to clarify the regulations. - Sakita Johnson (Former City Court Clerk): Stated she was wrongfully terminated by Mayor Paul Young and city court judges on April 8, 2026, and formally requested her right to appeal the decision to the council as provided by the city charter. - MPD Accountability (Majority of Speakers): A dozen citizens provided detailed testimony on the MPD response to the March 28 "No Kings" protest. Speakers alleged officers used excessive force—including pepper spray and tackling—against peaceful protesters and volunteer safety marshals without warning. Specific claims included an organizer receiving threats after MPD leaked her personal information, a woman reporting she was kicked in her already-broken leg and arrested without charge, safety marshals tackled while directing the crowd, and officers bearing patches of an extremist group. Speakers demanded public identification of officers, preservation of all footage, an independent investigation, officer terminations and pension revocation. Many referenced the 2024 DOJ pattern-or-practice report and criticized the silence of Mayor Young and Chief CJ Davis. - Environmental Justice: Sarah Houston stated xAI has indefinitely paused the water reuse facility, threatening the Memphis aquifer. She requested the council hold a public hearing and review reversion clauses in the 2025 land sale agreement. - Dr. Kimberly Owens Pearson & Joy Brook Fairfield: Drew historical parallels to the 1968 sanitation strike, criticized the administration's silence, and urged the council to reject the Trump administration's disavowal of the DOJ findings. Discussion Items - Item 2: Appeal of Quince Liquor 2, LLC: The appellant argued the Alcohol Commission's 2023 approval of the same location created an equitable estoppel and presented homeowner letters of support. The commission countered the property lies within 200 feet of R-6 residential zoning, explicitly violating city code. Council Attorney Wade provided a legal opinion that the council’s role is a non-discretionary review of the code, stating a prior governmental mistake does not create an estoppel, and equitable arguments must be directed to chancery court. - xAI Water Facility Pause: Councilwoman Jerri Green confirmed ongoing discussions with MLGW, the Chamber, and the Mayor’s office. She committed to contacting xAI/SpaceX's representatives to demand project timelines before her committee. - Council Rules of Procedure (Item 19): The council approved an amendment formally updating the standing committee list. Key Outcomes - Item 2 (Quince Liquor Appeal): Denied. The appeal was denied by a vote of 5-4 with 1 abstention, upholding the Alcohol Commission’s decision based on the 200-foot residential proximity rule. - Item 16 (Minutes Reconsideration): Failed. A motion to remove an item from the March 24, 2026, minutes for reconsideration failed on a 5-5 tie vote. - Item 13 (Historic Melrose School Ground Lease): Held. Held until the next regular meeting (scheduled for July 7 per pending list) to provide the administration time to supply additional information. Councilwoman Walker expressed concerns about senior residents living in the proposed development. - MPD Oversight: Councilwoman Green requested the Public Safety Committee chair place Chief CJ Davis on the next agenda to address the March 28 incident. Councilman Smiley noted Ordinance 5852 (enacted after Tyre Nichols) may allow council access to body-cam footage, pending state preemption review. - Financial & Admin Items (15, 17, 18, 19): All approved. - Item 15: Transfer of $375,980 for design modifications to the Fire S&L Building Seismic Repair project. - Item 17: Transfer of $6,000,000 from the Harbor Docks Project to the Monroe Plaza Infrastructure Project for the Memphis Brooks Museum, funded by state grants. - Item 18: Interlocal agreement with MATA establishing a temporary bridge line of credit not to exceed $13,000,000 to address federal reimbursement timing gaps. - Item 19: Amendment to the Council Rules of Procedure.

The Memphis City Council met on March 24, 2026, to consider a variety of resolutions, ordinances, and public comments. Key actions included honoring a retiring police lieutenant, designating a donation awareness day, approving an honorary street name, adopting an amended arbitration ordinance, and holding a blight remediation ordinance. The council also approved multiple fiscal and MLGW consent items, and heard public testimony on police transparency, transit, and electoral participation. Consent Calendar - Item 2: Resolution honoring Lieutenant Evertina Halfacre on her retirement after 39 years of service with the Memphis Police Department – approved by acclamation. - Item 3: Resolution designating April 10, 2026, as Blue and Green Day in Memphis to promote organ and tissue donation – approved by acclamation. - Item 4: Resolution approving an honorary street name change on South Parkway East between Oakland and South Barksdale for Frank James Banks – approved by acclamation. - Items 7 (Zoning): Ordinance amending the Unified Development Code to rezone land on Tully Street and Woodlawn Street from residential urban to mixed-use district – approved unanimously. - Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 8, 9, 33, 34, 35): Resolutions accepting grant funds and amending the FY2026 operating budget – approved unanimously. - MLGW Fiscal Consent (Items 10–14): Resolutions for purchase orders, contract renewals, and a salary approval for MLGW – approved unanimously. - Add-On Items (24–32): Resolutions transferred construction funds, allocated parks project funds, directed community grant funds, addressed short-term rental enforcement, adopted the Hello Hyde Park Small Area Plan, appointed a member to the Public Art Oversight Review Committee, requested immigration enforcement not be staged at schools and churches (including daycares and city-owned properties as amended), and amended the FY2026 operating budget – all approved unanimously. - Item 15: Appointment of Judith Johnson and Olivia Wall to the Landmarks Commission – approved unanimously. - Item 21: Resolution approving the sale of city-owned parcels at 369 and 371 North Main Street to ALSAC/St. Jude at a corrected higher price matching the city’s original cost – approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Alexa Pouncy: Demanded the release of body camera footage of Officer Torres Molina involved in the fatal traffic stop of Donnell Maxwell, citing a lack of transparency from the mayor’s office. - Amber Sherman: Expressed frustration over the lack of response from council members to her emails and urged the council to use its power to request the release of the same body camera footage. She noted that over 80% of comments on her video about the officer described aggressive behavior. - Dennis Lynch (Sherra Club, Better Transit for Better Memphis): Urged the council to provide more funding for MATA (transit), called for continued investigation into XAI/data center pollution issues, and provided voter registration information for upcoming elections. - Michael Wilson (son of Lajanese Trannon): Described his five-month struggle to obtain full body camera footage from the Memphis Police Department regarding an incident involving his mother. He reported viewing only 10 seconds of edited footage, learning that an officer photographed his mother’s body with her personal phone then attempted to delete the images. The Internal Affairs complaint was not sustained. He filed a federal complaint that morning and asked the council to mandate full release of body camera footage. He stated that Deputy Mayor Antonio Adams had not followed up despite a promise. - Joe Kent (Taxpayer Justice Institute): Reported that his email communications with council members had been illegally blocked, asking the council to investigate and resolve the issue. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton confirmed she had to give him her personal email because his government emails were being rejected, and she requested a technical investigation. Discussion Items - Item 16: Ordinance to Amend Article 8, Sections 2370 – Arbitration of Labor Disputes (Third and Final Reading): This ordinance aimed to establish a procedure for arbitrating economic items between the city and employee associations. Councilman Smiley introduced an amendment to the substitute ordinance, replacing the three-person arbitration panel with a single mediator and adding language that each bargaining unit within an association could submit separate proposals unless otherwise agreed. Attorney Wade explained that the charter requires an arbitration process, and the amendment aimed to streamline the process. Councilwoman White supported the original version, calling it more succinct. After debate, the council voted on Smiley’s amendment. Vote on Smiley’s amendment: 7–3 (Yes: Canale, Ford, Smiley, Spinoza, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearing Washington; No: Cooper Sutton, Logan, White). The amendment passed, and the ordinance as amended was adopted. Public comment from Jayani Webster (CWA) sought clarity on language regarding recognition of employee associations; Attorney Wade confirmed the ordinance does not hinder new bargaining units. - Item 18: Ordinance on Blight Remediation and Neighborhood Improvement (Third and Final Reading): Councilman Canale moved to hold the item until after the budget process, specifically until the second meeting in July. The council agreed to hold it without objection. Key Outcomes - Item 16 (Arbitration Ordinance): Adopted as amended by Councilman Smiley’s substitute, creating a single-mediator process for economic impasses and permitting separate bargaining unit proposals. - Item 18 (Blight Remediation): Held until after the FY2026 budget is completed (second meeting in July). - All other regular agenda and consent items: Approved unanimously. - Public Comments: The council acknowledged the requests for transparency and agreed to investigate the email blocking issue raised by Joe Kent. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton offered to assist with the email problem. - Meeting adjourned at the conclusion of public comments.

The Memphis City Council met on March 3, 2026, to conduct a regular meeting that included presentations, zoning cases, a major arbitration ordinance debate, multiple consent agendas, and public comments. The meeting began with a prayer by Dr. Noel Hutchinson and the adoption of the February 24 minutes. Consent Calendar - Minutes of February 24, 2026 – Approved unanimously (all members present voted yes). - Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 8–14) – Approved by acclamation. These included accepting additional grant funds from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for senior centers (Hickory Hill, Frazier Raleigh, Ruth Tate, McWert, Orange Mound, Josephine K. Lewis) and a $95,000 grant from the ASPCA for Memphis Animal Services. All had same-night minute requests. - MLGW Fiscal Consent Agenda (Items 15–25) – Approved by voice vote. Included contracts for electric distribution construction, trucks, janitorial services, insurance renewals, and new director salary positions. - Consent Agenda Item 7 – Resolution approving engineering plans for Howard Soil Estate Subdivision lots 102-111 with security in lieu of bond – Approved. - Add-On Items 34 & 35 – Resolution to amend FY26 CIP budget for Memphis Zoo compost project ($395,000 federal grant) and resolution establishing budget hearing rules – Both approved. Presentations - Resolution Honoring Marion LaTroy A. Williams (Item 1) – Sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. The resolution recognized Mr. Williams’ lifetime advocacy for housing justice, property tax reform, and civil rights. Approved by acclamation. - Memphis Youth City Council Presentation (Item 2) – Chairwoman Destiny Davenport and Vice Chair Jordan Coley presented the council’s work, including community service events, a youth advocacy day in Nashville, and policy recommendations on youth health/wellness and student representation on the school board. Council members praised the group and encouraged continued engagement. Public Comments & Testimony - Chief Andre Matthews – Representing Hyde Park CDC and Family Farmers Cooperative. Requested an investigation into leftover 2022 Recovery Act funds for the North Memphis Food Desert, alleging the plan was “hijacked” by the District 7 representative. Asked council to release funds to support local growers and farmers. - Dr. Marilyn Ann Wright Andrews – Pre-K teacher and site director at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Raised concerns about County Mayor Lee Harris not signing an $8.5 million grant for First 8 (pre-K) since September 2025. Asked if the deadline had passed and if her job was secure. Council explained the city had appropriated its share; the hold-up is with the county mayor. - Annika Easley – Student at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Criticized MATA bus transportation as unreliable, causing hours-long delays. Asked when extra funding would be implemented and recommended council members ride the buses daily to understand the struggles. - Joseph Kent – Citizen and transit advocate. Questioned MATA’s budget and a 68% increase in claimed passenger miles with only 19% ridership increase. Recommended a $5 million annual operating increase after correcting mileage anomalies. Discussion Items - Ordinance on Arbitration of Labor Disputes (Item 27) – Third and final reading of Ordinance 5969. Councilman Smiley proposed a substitute ordinance that would use a single arbitrator (selected by council from nominees by administration and employee associations) and a brief-based hearing. After debate, Councilman Spinoza motioned to hold the item until the next meeting to allow employee associations time to review. The hold passed unanimously (with Councilwoman White voting yes despite earlier agreement to move forward). The substitute ordinance as amended was included in the hold. - Zoning Case – 3021 East Shelby Drive (Item 6) – Plan development for outdoor vehicle/equipment storage on a former landfill. Councilwoman Walker opposed, citing concerns from four neighborhood associations and previous industrial encroachments. Director Ragsdale explained conditions requiring TDEC and Public Works approval for landfill remediation. After extensive discussion and a request from Councilman Warren for additional buffer, the vote was 7-3-1 (Canale, Ford, Smiley, Spinoza, Warren, White, Swearington Washington in favor; Carlisle, Cooper Sutton, Walker opposed; Logan abstained). Approved. - Zoning Cases 4 & 5 – Special use permits at 6250 Summer Ave and 1333 Fairfax St – Both approved unanimously with committee recommendations. Key Outcomes - Items Held – Items 3 and 26 held until April 28, 2026; Items 30 and 31 held until March 24, 2026; Item 28 held until May 26, 2026. - Item 27 Held – The arbitration ordinance (as amended by substitute) was held to the next regular council meeting (March 24, 2026) for further review by employee associations. - Zoning Approvals – Items 4, 5, and 6 all passed. Item 6 included conditions requiring landfill remediation approval. - Consent Agendas – All fiscal, MLGW, and general consent items approved. - Same-Night Minutes – Approved for items 7–14, 24, 34, and 35. - Public Comment Responses – Council directed speakers to county government for issues involving county mayor and MATA, and encouraged citizen engagement with county commissioners. Adjournment Meeting adjourned by motion.

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on February 24, 2026, presided over by Chairwoman Janet Swearing Washington. The meeting opened with a prayer and invocation by Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein of Temple Israel, followed by roll call and approval of the February 3, 2026 minutes. The council heard presentations, debated multiple ordinances, and voted on a range of fiscal and policy items. Key actions included advancing a referendum to grant civil service status to library workers, tightening zoning for correctional facilities, and approving a resolution critical of federal immigration enforcement. Presentations & Recognitions - Councilwoman Green presented a proclamation honoring Rabbi Greenstein as Chaplain of the Day. - Allison Smith delivered a spoken word piece on Black history and resilience. - The council awarded the 2025 Humanitarian Award to Christy Chandler, founder of the Young Actors Guild. Highlights included: over 41,000 children served since 1991, a 98% college graduation rate among alumni, and the transformation of a historic firehouse in Orange Mound into a creative arts hub. Public Comments & Testimony - Library workers (Item 22): Emiline Rogers, Alexandra Farmer, and others spoke in support of granting civil service status to library employees. They reported 70% support among the roughly 250–300 non‑managerial library workers and stated that they have systematically contacted every eligible employee. Speakers emphasized that workers are afraid of retaliation without civil service protections and that the current appointed status leaves them vulnerable. - Andrea Bell (Item 23): Opposed the zoning amendment for correctional facilities, arguing it would allow a jail in New Chicago despite community opposition. She referenced the Department of Justice investigation into MPD after the death of Tyre Nichols. - Dr. Carnita Atwater (Item 23): Presented 12,000 signatures opposing the jail in New Chicago and criticized the ordinance as a “back‑door” effort, noting that the county commission had already rejected the jail. - Glenda Hicks (Item 21): Requested that the council not raise MLGW’s contract and salary thresholds, citing the need for public oversight and transparency. - General public comments: Alexandria Salisbury described failures by Memphis Animal Services (MAS) to respond to a case of a neglected dog in Sherwood Forest, reporting that the animal had no food, water, or shelter during the ice storm. Timothy Vance complained about an abandoned house on his street that has been on fire and remains unremediated despite years of code enforcement complaints. Joe Kent criticized MATA’s management and alleged inflated contracts at MLGW. Discussion Items - Item 22 – Library Worker Civil Service Referendum: Councilman Smiley moved to hear the item despite it being held. The ordinance would amend the city charter to allow library employees to obtain civil service status. After extensive public testimony, Councilman Carlisle argued civil service is an “archaic mechanism” and expressed concern about the cumbersome re‑application process. The city attorney confirmed that under the charter, employees would have to reapply and undergo competitive examinations. Councilwoman Walker raised concerns about whether all employees had been informed of this requirement. The motion passed 11–1 (Carlisle dissenting). - Item 23 – Correctional Facility Zoning: Councilwoman Easter Thomas and Green co‑sponsored an amendment to the Unified Development Code requiring special use approval for any new detention center, jail, or prison within city limits. The intent was to prevent a jail from being built by right in New Chicago or Shelby Farms. Opponents argued the city should not interfere with county decisions and that the community had already rejected the jail. The council voted unanimously (10–0, Councilwoman White recused) to adopt the amendment. - Item 21 – MLGW Contract and Salary Limits: President Doug McGowan presented an ordinance to raise the contract threshold from $150,000 to $500,000 and the hiring salary limit from $120,000 to $180,000. He noted this would reduce items coming to council by about 4% (one to two items per meeting) and improve procurement speed for smaller vendors, especially those in the sheltered market. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton expressed concern about reduced oversight, but McGowan confirmed that MLGW’s board still reviews contracts over $250,000. The measure passed 10–1 (Cooper Sutton dissenting). - Item 36 – Resolution on ICE and CBP Surges: Councilwoman Easter Thomas introduced a resolution calling for an end to “lawless” ICE and CBP enforcement actions and urging Congress to withhold funding for DHS without guardrails. An amendment by Councilman Warren added language to reconsider previously approved funding for ICE/CBP. The resolution passed with votes: 10 in favor, 1 opposed (Spinoza), 2 abstentions (Canale, Logan), and 1 abstention (Cooper Sutton). - Other items: The council approved an engineering plans consent agenda (items 5–7), MLGW fiscal consent items (8–15), board appointments (items 16–18, 37–38), and a drainage improvement fund transfer (item 29). Item 19 (street renaming) was held, item 20 (arbitration impasse) was held to March 24, 2026, and item 4 (zoning case) was held to the next committee meeting. Item 26 (downtown parking garage program) passed with Vice Chair Carlisle recused. Key Outcomes - Item 22 passed (11–1): The referendum to grant civil service status to library workers will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. - Item 23 passed (10–0, 1 recusal): Correctional facilities now require special use permit approval from the City Council, giving communities a voice in siting decisions. - Item 21 passed (10–1): MLGW’s contract threshold raised to $500,000 and salary limit to $180,000, reducing the number of routine contracts that require council review. - Item 36 passed (10–1, 3 abstentions): The council adopted a resolution opposing aggressive federal immigration enforcement and calling for congressional funding restraints. - Item 20 held to March 24, 2026: The arbitration impasse ordinance was postponed. - Item 19 held without objection: The Monroe Avenue street renaming was deferred. - Consent items and appointments all approved as recommended. Next Steps - The library worker referendum ordinance will proceed to the ballot for the next available election. - The city attorney’s office will prepare a notice to all library employees regarding the re‑application process if the referendum passes. - The council will take up the held items (item 4, item 20, item 19) at future meetings.