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2026-01-27 - Memphis City Council

Summary

Built from the official City Council minutes. No video or transcript is posted for this meeting. The minutes record agenda items, motions and votes, not the debate. Vote lists are as printed, including the minutes' practice of listing members as "did not cast a vote".

  • Remote regular meeting, 2:30 to 3:06 PM, all 13 members present, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington presiding; the meeting was then recessed and picked up on February 3.
  • Every recorded vote had all 13 members voting except the Council rules amendment, which passed 11-2 as amended (Smiley and White opposed).
  • Seven items were pushed to February 3 or February 24, including the downtown parking garage program (12 earlier holds), the correctional facilities zoning ordinance and the library civil service referendum.
  • Consent agenda: first reading of the Hyde Square renaming and the labor arbitration ordinance, second reading of the MLGW contract limits, and engineering plans for Main Street Plaza Phase 1.
  • MLGW fiscal consent items 8 to 17 approved, led by a $5,000,000 cable purchase order extension and up to $1,600,000 in instrument transformers.
  • $150,000 approved for emergency repairs to aquatic facilities, community centers and senior centers; $367,793.80 approved for Madeline Circle drainage.
  • Public comments were taken only for agenda items that were not heard.

Council Rules of Procedure Amendments

  • Resolution amending the Council Rules of Procedure (sponsors Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington and Canale) approved as amended, 11-2, with Smiley and White opposed.
    • Motion Canale, second Warren. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Nays (2): Smiley, White.

Council Board Appointments

  • MLGW Board: appointment of Kevin Woods and reappointment of Carl Person approved 13-0. On February 3 the minutes were amended so that Cooper-Sutton is recorded as abstaining on this item.
    • Motion White, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

Hyde Square Street Renaming

  • Ordinance 5968 renaming Monroe Avenue between Front Street and Riverside Drive as Hyde Square approved on first reading as part of the consent agenda (items 4 to 7 and 26).
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

MLGW Contract Authority Limits

  • Ordinance 5967 (MLGW contract and salary limits needing Council approval; sponsors Canale, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington and Spinosa) approved on second reading as part of the consent agenda.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

Labor Arbitration Impasse Ordinance

  • Ordinance 5969 (arbitration of labor disputes, impasse procedures and preservation of Council charter powers) approved on first reading as part of the consent agenda.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.
  • MLGW fiscal consent items 8 to 17 approved 13-0: voltage instrument transformers (Ritz Instrument Transformers and Trench Limited, 60-month purchase orders, not to exceed $1,600,000); AT&T internet service renewal ($84,000); TDW (US) ILI survey increase ($35,186); ATG Supply brackets and transformers ($179,308.70); ratification of a purchase order with Engineered Sealing Components for concrete standards ($92,626.18); B-Four Plied for the Allen Pumping Station aerator re-roof ($305,550.30); 12-month extension of a purchase order with Universal Scaffold and Equipment for medium-voltage EPR cable ($5,000,000); Howard Industries regulators ($208,794); Texenn dba Diligent Delivery Systems courier services ($158,427.01); Korn Ferry survey administration increase ($76,608).
    • Motion Walker, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

Parks Emergency Repair Funding

  • Resolution to transfer $150,000 from the Memphis Parks Coverline (PK24100) to Parks Critical Needs Contingency (PK-TBD) for emergency repairs to aquatic facilities, community centers, senior centers and other assets, to head off critical service disruptions. Approved 13-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

Drainage Coverline Fund Transfers

  • Resolution to transfer $367,793.80 from Drainage - St Coverline (ST03205) to Madeline Drain Improvements (ST02031) to upgrade the drainage system near Madeline Circle (District 7). Approved 13-0.
    • Motion Smiley, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

Parks Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations

  • Resolution to accept the recommendations of the Parks and Environment Ad Hoc Committee (held from 12/16 and 1/13) held at the sponsors' request until February 24.

Kirby Gate Planned Development

  • Planned development at 6450 Kirby Gate (case PD 25-15) held until February 3.

East Shelby Drive Planned Development

  • Planned development at 3021 East Shelby Drive (case PD 25-02), held from 12/16, held until February 3.

Correctional Facilities Zoning Ordinance

  • Ordinance 5958 on third and final reading held until February 3.

Library Staff Civil Service Charter Amendment

  • Referendum ordinance 5966 on third and final reading held until February 3.

Downtown Parking Garage Safety Program

  • Ordinance 5943 on third and final reading (held 12 times since June 10) held until February 3.

Other business

  • Minutes of the January 13, 2026 regular meeting approved.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.
  • Resolution ratifying the Chairwoman's decision to conduct the January 27 meeting remotely (sponsor Carlisle) approved 13-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.
  • Consent agenda also approved engineering plans for Main Street Plaza Phase 1 (contract CR-5490) and acceptance of public improvements for Harmony at Morning Grove, Morning Wood P.D. Phase 4 (CR-5436) with release of its bond. Roll call approved 13-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.
  • Resolution honoring Gina Sweat for her service to the Memphis Fire Department (sponsor Green) held until February 3.
  • Same-night minutes approved for items 6, 7, 24, 25 and 27.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (13): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington.

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