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2026-02-24 - 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".

  • The February 3 meeting was called out of recess and adjourned at 4:30 PM, then the February 24 regular meeting ran from 4:31 to 7:15 PM with all 13 members at roll call.
  • Three contested ordinances passed on third and final reading: the library civil service charter referendum (10-1), the correctional facilities zoning rules (10-0, White recused) and MLGW contract limits (10-1).
  • The downtown parking garage program finally passed 9-0 after 14 earlier holds; Carlisle recused because of a potential financial interest.
  • The ICE and CBP resolution passed as amended with 7 ayes, 1 nay (Spinosa) and 3 abstentions.
  • Large capital moves: $7,041,500 from the Innovation Corridor BRT project and $1,200,000 more for MATA's operations facility, $523,231 for the MATA bus facility, and $2,119,055.40 for Morningside drainage.
  • $148,519.80 moved to Westwood pool repairs; 15 vacant parcels transferred to Mow-to-Own.
  • Six board and director appointments approved, including a new Library Services Director.
  • Held: Small Business Enterprise ordinance, blight remediation ordinance and the Parks ad hoc committee report (all to March 24), labor arbitration ordinance (March 24), Hyde Square renaming and East Shelby Drive planned development (March 3).
  • Public comment on the library, correctional facilities and MLGW ordinances and a general comment period.

Library Staff Civil Service Charter Amendment

  • Referendum ordinance 5966 to amend Article 34, Section 250 of the Home Rule Charter so that Memphis and Shelby County Public Library employees may have civil service status. Heard first at Smiley's request. Six public speakers (listed on the issue page; one is listed twice). Approved on third and final reading 10-1, with Carlisle opposed. The ordinance is styled a referendum ordinance; the minutes give no election date.
    • Motion Smiley, second Green. Ayes (10): Canale, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Spinosa, Smiley, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Nays (1): Carlisle. Did not cast a vote: Logan, White.

Correctional Facilities Zoning Ordinance

  • Ordinance 5958 revising the Unified Development Code for correctional facilities (detention centers, jails and prisons), sponsors Easter-Thomas and Green. Four public speakers. White recused herself because of her employment. Approved on third and final reading 10-0.
    • Motion Spinosa, second Green. Ayes (10): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Recused: White. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.

Kirby Gate Planned Development

  • Planned development at 6450 Kirby Gate (case PD 25-15), held from 1/27 and 2/3. Approved as amended 11-0.
    • Motion Spinosa, second Green. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton. Absent: Smiley.

East Shelby Drive Planned Development

  • Planned development at 3021 East Shelby Drive (PD 25-02), held from 12/16, 1/27 and 2/3. Spinosa moved, without objection, to hold it until March 3.

Westwood Pool funding transfer

  • Resolution to allocate, appropriate and transfer $148,519.80 from eight completed Accelerate Memphis parks projects (PKA1000, PKA1101, PKA1201, PKA1501, PKA2401, PKA3301, PKA4101 and PKA2201) to PK04020 Westwood Pool Repairs (District 6). Approved 11-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Spinosa. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton. Absent: Smiley.

Memphis Area Transit Authority Funding

  • Resolution transferring and appropriating $7,041,500 in general obligation bond funds from CIP project GA03028 (Innovation Corridor BRT), moving $74,303.52 from GA03027 (Central Station) to GA03023 (MATA New Operations and Maintenance Facility), and appropriating a further $1,200,000 for GA03023. Approved 11-0.
    • Motion Ford, second Warren. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Spinosa. Absent: Smiley.
  • Resolution appropriating $523,231 in general obligation bond funds for CIP project GA03032, MATA Bus Facility. Approved 12-0.
    • Motion Ford, second Warren. Ayes (12): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Absent: Smiley.

Federal Immigration Enforcement Resolution

  • Resolution calling for an end to what it calls lawless ICE and CBP surges across the country and calling on Congress to withhold funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security without meaningful guardrails (sponsors Easter-Thomas, Green, Smiley, Walker and Warren). Approved as amended, 7 ayes to 1 nay with three abstentions.
    • Motion White, second Warren. Ayes (7): Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Nays (1): Spinosa. Abstained: Canale, Cooper-Sutton, Logan. Did not cast a vote: Carlisle. Absent: Smiley.

Council Board Appointments

  • Memphis Board of Ethics: reappointment of Scott McCormick and James Crone approved 11-0.
    • Motion White, second Spinosa. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • Library Services Director: appointment of Eric D. Harris approved 11-0.
    • Motion White, second Warren. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • MLGW Board: reappointment of Cheryl Pesce approved 11-0.
    • Motion White, second Cooper-Sutton. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • Stormwater Board: appointment of Brian Waldron approved 11-0 (the minutes give no affiliation).
    • Motion White, second Canale. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • Memphis Board of Ethics: appointment of Nicholas Thompson approved 9-0.
    • Motion White, second Spinosa. Ayes (9): Canale, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • MLGW fiscal consent items 8 to 15 approved 11-0: WorkOtter project portfolio software scope change (contract 12390, $20,020); Engineered Sealing Components purchase orders for horizontal LED luminaires ($361,038.08) and concrete post tops ($190,838.60); Bell and Howell utility bill insertion system and lease (contract 12599, $734,820); 12-month extension of ATG Supply control cable purchase order ($1,643,300); Bridgewater Consulting Group revenue and meter services support, emergency scope increase (contract 12594, $350,000); Leap Five dba Matter public and employee education campaign (contract 12596, $475,000); annual salary of $171,204.80 for the new Director of Internal Audit.
    • Motion Walker, second Cooper-Sutton. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.

Hyde Square Street Renaming

  • Ordinance 5968 on third and final reading. City Attorney Allan Wade asked, without objection, that it be held until March 3.

Labor Arbitration Impasse Ordinance

  • Ordinance 5969 on third and final reading. Carlisle moved, without objection, to hold it until March 24.

MLGW Contract Authority Limits

  • Ordinance 5967 limiting the contracts and salaries or compensation at MLGW that require Council approval (sponsors Canale and Spinosa). Two public speakers. Approved on third and final reading 10-1, with Cooper-Sutton opposed.
    • Motion Walker, second Spinosa. Ayes (10): Canale, Carlisle, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Nays (1): Cooper-Sutton. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.

Mow-to-Own Vacant Parcel Transfer

  • Resolution approving the transfer of 15 city-owned vacant parcels to the Mow-to-Own program (Districts 3, 4, 6 and 7; sponsored by the Administration). Approved 10-0.
    • Motion Canale, second Spinosa. Ayes (10): Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Canale, White. Absent: Smiley. (The minutes list Canale as not casting a vote although he or she made or seconded the motion; recorded as printed.)

Downtown Parking Garage Safety Program

  • Ordinance 5943 establishing the Downtown Parking Garage Revitalization and Safety Program, held since June. Carlisle stated a recusal because of a potential financial interest. Approved on third and final reading 9-0 after being held at 14 earlier meetings.
    • Motion Canale, second Spinosa. Ayes (9): Canale, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Recused: Carlisle. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton, White. Absent: Smiley.

Drainage Coverline Fund Transfers

  • Resolution transferring $2,119,055.40 from Drainage - St Coverline (ST03205) to Morningside Drain Improvement (ST02032) for drainage upgrades in the Morningside Place neighborhood (District 5). Approved 10-0.
    • Motion Canale, second Spinosa. Ayes (10): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton, White. Absent: Smiley.

Small Business Enterprise Program Ordinance

  • Ordinance 5959 on third and final reading held at the sponsor's request until March 24.

Blight remediation ordinance (Ordinance 5950)

  • Ordinance 5950 on third and final reading held at a request until March 24 (sponsors Green, Spinosa and White).

Parks Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations

  • Resolution accepting the Parks and Environment Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations held at a request until March 24.

Other business

  • February 3 minutes 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.
  • Presentation for Black History Month and presentation of the City Council Humanitarian Award to Ms. Chandler.
  • FY2026 operating budget amendment (sponsor Ford; fiscal consent add-on) approved 11-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Spinosa. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton. Absent: Smiley.
  • Resolution allocating $45,000 in FY26 Council Community Grant Program funds approved 11-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Spinosa. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton. Absent: Smiley.
  • Resolution appropriating $125,000 in general obligation bond funds for CIP project GA03001, Service Vehicles, approved 10-0.
    • Motion Ford, second Warren. Ayes (10): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton, Spinosa. Absent: Smiley.
  • Consent agenda items 5 to 7 approved 11-0: engineering plans for the St. Jude East Gate and road project on Gene Logan Boulevard (CR-5491), the intersection of 7th Street and A.W. Willis Avenue (CR-5492) and TCAT Memphis Phase 2 (CR-5493), each accepting bonds as security.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Spinosa. Ayes (11): Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Easter-Thomas. Absent: Smiley.
  • Resolution allocating $8,000 in FY26 Council Community Grant Program funds (sponsor Smiley) approved 10-0.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Warren. Ayes (10): Canale, Carlisle, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Cooper-Sutton, White. Absent: Smiley.
  • Same-night minutes approved for items 5, 6, 7, 15, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39.
    • Motion Carlisle, second Canale. Ayes (9): Canale, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearengen-Washington. Did not cast a vote: Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Logan. Absent: Smiley. (The minutes list Carlisle as not casting a vote although he or she made or seconded the motion; recorded as printed.)

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