2026-09-15 - Memphis City Council

24:45Sergeant-at-Arms, please call our

24:47September 15th, 2026 council meeting to

24:50order.

24:57All right.

24:59>> The chaplain for today is Pastor Dwayne

25:02Hunt of Abundant Grace Fellowship. He

25:06was invited by Councilwoman White.

25:08Please remain standing for the pledge of

25:11allegiance after the prayer.

25:22Good, good father, we thank you for the

25:25blessing of this new day and the

25:27opportunity to serve you and to do your

25:29work by serving the people of this great

25:32city. Bless each member of this council,

25:35their staff and every support personnel.

25:39And help us to remember that we are most

25:41like you and your son Jesus when we are

25:44serving others. We also thank you and

25:48ask you to bless their families who

25:51although often unseen support and

25:54sacrifice.

25:56Faithful father, let this prayer be more

25:58than ceremonial.

26:00Let it truly invoke your presence into

26:03this great hall. Keep each member of

26:06this council aware of your presence as

26:08they exercise their responsibilities.

26:12Keep them ever aware that you require

26:14them to act justly, to show mercy, and

26:18to listen. Listen to you. Listen to one

26:22another and listen to their

26:24constituency.

26:26Remove every tendency to self-interest.

26:30Give them wisdom, discernment,

26:33understanding, and good judgment so that

26:36they will make good and honorable

26:38decisions.

26:39So that we will live in a blessed and

26:42exalted city. That your econ that our

26:45economy will be strong and fair. That

26:48our homes and streets will be safe. That

26:52your poor will be protected with

26:54justice. And that our children and young

26:57people will have a bright tomorrow.

27:00And we come together against crime,

27:02poverty, hopelessness, ignorance, and

27:04intolerance.

27:06[snorts] Bless Memphis. And we pray for

27:09one Memphis because when we are one,

27:12nothing can be withheld from us. All of

27:16this we pray in the name of Jesus

27:18Christ. Amen.

27:23>> I aliance to the flag of the United

27:27States of America and to the stands one

27:33indivisibley

27:35andice for all.

27:46Pastor Hunt, if you'll come back to the

27:47front.

27:49Thank you so much for that beautiful

27:50prayer. Councilwoman White, you're

27:53recognized at this time.

27:58>> Thank you so much, Madam Chairwoman. I

28:00say that I did a great job picking

28:02Pastor Hunt today. That you did.

28:04>> Yeah, that was a prayer. It was so much

28:06needed. Thank you. I'm going to save

28:08that one to to my my little list of

28:11prayers. Thank you so much and thank you

28:13for the sacrifice of serving in the way

28:15that you do to your church, to our

28:17community. We really appreciate you and

28:19thank you for serving as our chaplain

28:21for the day.

28:22>> Yes, sir.

28:23>> Thank you.

28:31>> Have a great day.

28:35Thank you again, Pastor Hunt.

28:38Madame Comproller, if you will please

28:40call the role.

28:41>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Council members

28:43Canali

28:44>> here,

28:45>> Carlilele,

28:47Cooper, Sutton,

28:50>> Easter, Thomas,

28:52>> Ford,

28:54>> Green,

28:56>> Logan,

28:57>> Smiley,

29:00Spinosa,

29:02>> Walker,

29:04>> Warren,

29:05>> White,

29:07>> Chairwoman Swingington, Washington,

29:09>> present.

29:09>> Madam Chair, you have a quorum.

29:12Thank you.

29:14I believe Councilman Ford Canali has

29:17reviewed the minutes.

29:20>> Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you. I have

29:22reviewed the meeting minutes from

29:24September 1, 2026, find them to be in

29:27order and move for their adoption.

29:30>> It has been moved by Councilman Canali,

29:33second by Councilman Warren. Madame

29:35controller, if you will please prepare

29:37the screens for the vote to approve the

29:40minutes for the September 1st, 2026

29:43meeting.

29:54Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

29:57Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

30:01Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Warren, yes.

30:04White. Yes. Chairwoman swearing in

30:07Washington. Yes.

30:09>> That item passes. Welcome to the

30:12September 15, 2026

30:15regular meeting of the Memphis City

30:17Council. Meetings of the council shall

30:20be conducted in an orderly manner to

30:22ensure that the public has the full

30:25opportunity to be heard and the

30:27deliberate process of the council is

30:30retained at all times. The

30:32Sergeant-at-Arms,

30:35Officer Young, has meeting agendas

30:38available up front as well as comment

30:41request cards for members of the public

30:43wishing to be heard on the specific

30:45item. All those wishing to speak on an

30:48item must turn in their comment card to

30:52the sergeant at arms before the item is

30:55called. If you are not here to speak on

30:59a specific item, you can note that your

31:02request to give general comment at the

31:05end of the meeting. As chair, I will

31:08only recognize citizens of Memphis that

31:12properly registered to speak by

31:14submitting a completed comment request

31:18card to the sergeant at arms. Members of

31:22the audience and persons addressing the

31:25council will not be permitted to engage

31:28in gossip, make defamatory, personal,

31:32slanderous or profane comments or abuse

31:37abusive or vulgar language. The chair of

31:40the council may maintain order by giving

31:43any persons who are in violation of the

31:46stated rules of decorum a warning to

31:49cease any violative conduct or an order

31:53to leave the council chambers or by

31:56giving an order for security personnel

31:58to remove any disruptive person in the

32:01council chambers who refuses to leave

32:04voluntarily. These rules are also posted

32:07on the doors as you enter the chamber as

32:10you pick up comment cards. Holes will be

32:13item number three and item number 25.

32:18Items three and 25 will be held until

32:21October 6, 2026.

32:25Presentations 1, 2, 34 with items 2 and

32:3034 with same night minutes. If you will

32:33please call our presentations.

32:35>> Item number one is a resolution honoring

32:38Mr. Leon Lynn in recognition of his

32:41100th birthday. This resolution is

32:44sponsored by Councilwoman Logan.

32:47>> Councilwoman Logan, you are recognized

32:50at this time.

32:59Good [clears throat] colleagues. Good

33:00afternoon. Oh, I'm sorry. There's some

33:02device here. I'm going to ask Mr. Leon

33:07Lyn and his family if they would come

33:08down as we recognize him. I am so

33:10excited to present this award.

33:13Colleagues, when you think of hometown

33:15hero, he Mr. Lynn personifies this um

33:19that term and you know as a little girl

33:22I grew up in this community. He was such

33:25a pillar in the community and he is one

33:28of the grand people, grandfathers,

33:31grandmothers in our community that was

33:33an example and really kind of helped

33:37spark in me community service and

33:39engagement and understanding what that

33:40was for. So I am so honored and grateful

33:43my grandparents are not here any longer.

33:46He they all were in the same grade and

33:49age. And so I'm just honored to be able

33:52to share in his 100th birthday. If you

33:56all want to come on down, y'all can join

33:58us down here. Let's give him a hand.

34:01Thank you.

34:07So I'm going to read the resolution into

34:10your hearing. Where Memphis City Council

34:12resolution whereas Mr. Leon Lynn is a

34:15lifelong builder, community servant,

34:18musician, and man of faith whose

34:20remarkable life and contributions are

34:22being celebrated on the occasion of his

34:25100th birthday. And whereas Mr. Leon

34:27Liam was born in 1926

34:30and raised in the historic black

34:32community of Brunswick in Arlington,

34:34Tennessee. He was shaped by a family

34:37deep deeply rooted in faith, hard work,

34:40and community service. His father worked

34:43as a commercial painter and his mother

34:45Natalie Griffin was an influential

34:48community member who played an important

34:50role in helping establish New Rights

34:52African Methodist Episcopal Church, a

34:55congregation that would remain central

34:57to the Lynn family's legacy for

35:00generations. And whereas Mr. Leon Lynn

35:03began at just six years old. He sang in

35:06church and community groups, later

35:08performing with a quartet as a young man

35:11and developing a lifelong love for music

35:13and playing the organ. As a young man,

35:16Mr. Lynn learned the trade of

35:18brickmasonry and dreamed of becoming a

35:20farmer. However, the racial barriers and

35:23discrimination faced by black farmers

35:25during the era led him to seek

35:28opportunities elsewhere. Determined to

35:30build a better future for his family, he

35:33relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where he

35:36spent approximately 10 years working on

35:38a major construction project,

35:41including the historic Cabrini Green

35:44housing development. And whereas Mr.

35:46Leon Lean returned to Tennessee,

35:49continued a distinguished career as a

35:51master brickmason, helping construct

35:53homes, schools, churches, and businesses

35:57throughout the Memphis area. His

35:59craftsmanship helped shape communities

36:01across the region, leaving a lasting

36:03physical legacy that still stands today.

36:06Among his most cherished accomplishments

36:09was helping build New Rights African

36:11Methodist Episcopal Church alongside his

36:14children, family members, and fellow

36:17craftsmen. The church stands not only as

36:19a place of worship, but also as a

36:22testament to the dedication of a family

36:24committed to serving its community

36:26through faith and hard work. And whereas

36:29Mr. Leon Lynn's commitment to

36:32strengthening future generations

36:34extended beyond construction. Together

36:37with his son James Lynn and

36:38daughter-in-law Dorothy Lynn, he helped

36:41establish Little Hands Learning Academy,

36:43an institution that has served thousands

36:46of children and families throughout the

36:47community. Today, Mr. Lynn remains

36:50actively involved in New Rights Ame

36:53Church and continues to inspire those

36:55around him through his faith, wisdom,

36:57and vitality. And now therefore, be it

37:01resolved that the Memphis City Council

37:03hereby recognizes and honors Mr. Leon

37:06Lean for 100 years of extraordinary

37:10contributions to his family, his church,

37:13and the communities of Arlington and

37:16Memphis and beyond. His life stands as a

37:19testament to the enduring power of

37:22faith, hard work, service, and love. Be

37:26it further resolved that on this day the

37:29Memphis City Council extends its sincere

37:32appreciation to Mr. Leon Lynn for his

37:35outstanding contributions and service to

37:39the Memphis community and in honor of

37:41his 100th birthday. Given by my hand

37:44under the great seal of the city of

37:46Memphis this 15th day of September,

37:48Ronda Logan, Memphis City Council,

37:50District 1. Thanking I so move

37:54[screaming]

37:58something to say

38:06[clears throat]

38:09I'm not a great speaker

38:12all my life I believe in doing not

38:14talking.

38:16So, I'm just thankful to be here and I

38:19thank you all for what you've done for

38:22me today. And from now on, you are my

38:27city.

38:28[laughter]

38:36>> Madame Controller, if you would show

38:38that I vote my acclamation.

38:40>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madame

38:42Controller, before you call the next

38:44item, on behalf of the Memphis City

38:47Council, we have a person behind the

38:49scene who's always supportive, always

38:52has a standard of excellence. She's

38:56ready to serve. She sounds like someone

38:59on the news media when she is

39:01pronouncing words for the city council.

39:04We want to let her know that we love

39:06her, we acknowledge her, we appreciate

39:10her. And that person is none other than

39:14Mrs. Valerie Snipes.

39:40We celebrate Miss Snipes and this is

39:42just part one of your celebration, Miss

39:45Snipes. Thank you for your standard of

39:48excellence. Let's give her a hand again.

39:53I love you all so much. We love you

39:56more.

39:58Thank you, Alan Wade, for your unkind

40:01words.

40:04>> Are we ready for number two?

40:06>> Yes, ma'am. Madame Comproller, if you

40:08will please call item number two. Item

40:11number two is a resolution approving an

40:14honorary street name change on Travis

40:16Road between Peebles Road and King

40:19Avenue for Elsie and Jesse Ford senior

40:23in recognition of their lifelong

40:25commitment to the city of Memphis.

40:28District 6, Super District 8. This

40:31resolution is sponsored by Councilman

40:33Ford Senior and there is a request for

40:35same night minutes. Councilman Edmund

40:38Ford, Senior, you are recognized at this

40:41time.

40:55bigger

40:58level.

41:05While they're coming down, I just want

41:07to say a few things. Today is the best

41:10day ever. It's my wife's birthday.

41:14>> Happy birthday.

41:19>> She's 21 years old.

41:2321.

41:24>> All right.

41:24>> You know, they don't get no older than

41:25that.

41:27>> Yeah. We've been married for 48 years,

41:29been together 52 years. That's not too

41:31bad.

41:32>> Yeah.

41:32>> Congratulations.

41:37>> Not only that,

41:41I got my brother right here to read all

41:43of this. My eyes are bothering me. I'm

41:46going through a few things right now. My

41:48oldest sister passed,

41:50so I got to leave in the morning, go to

41:52New York. Hopefully, I can bring her

41:55back to Memphis. My other sister,

41:57George, she's not doing well either.

41:59She's in the hospital. So, I'm going

42:02through a few changes with my family

42:04right now. So, I need everybody to just

42:06pray for us. Okay. Thank you. All right.

42:11Uh,

42:13come on. I'm going let you read it off.

42:16Okay.

42:19Whereas when worthy circumstances arise,

42:21the Memphis City Council has seen fit to

42:24name certain public roads to honor

42:26citizens who have served the city of

42:27Memphis. And Elsie and Jesse Ford Senior

42:31are undoubtedly such individuals. And

42:34whereas after marrying Elsie Herby,

42:36Jesse Ford senior purchased a small

42:38piece of land next door to where he was

42:41born on Travis Road. After obtaining a

42:44job as a carman with Illinois Central

42:46Gulf Railroad, he committed to building

42:48his home. It took four years and three

42:51children before they could move in. But

42:53finally, Elsie and Jesse Ford Senior had

42:56the American dream, a home and a family.

43:00And whereas Elsie and Jesse Ford senior

43:02raised their five children in Walker

43:03Homes West Junction with love and faith

43:07in God, they worshiped at their

43:09neighborhood church, New Zion Missionary

43:11Baptist Church. Elsie and Jesse Ford

43:14senior set forth to fulfill voids in

43:16this Shelby County neighborhood with

43:18little or no city services. with all the

43:21attributes other more more sought after

43:23neighborhoods had. These circum these

43:26were circumstances that they knew they

43:28could improve to make their community

43:29just as good as or even better than

43:32others. And whereas Elsie and Jesse Ford

43:35Senior were strong and faithful workers,

43:38Jesse Ford Senior worked as a plumber

43:40every day before going to his regular

43:42job. And he was the first black member

43:45of the Shelby County Plumbing Board. He

43:48assisted in connecting hundreds of homes

43:49from Walker Homes to Lake View Gardens

43:52to the new sewer system for little or no

43:54compensation. Elsie Ford recognized the

43:57importance of supporting other community

43:59endeavors by assisting in gathering

44:01census information, working as a valued

44:04school crossing guard for the Shelby

44:05County Sheriff's Department and

44:07diligently serving as PTA president at

44:10Ford Road Elementary School for more

44:12than 10 years. And whereas Elsie and

44:15Jesse Ford Senior purchased and

44:16renovated many properties from owners

44:19who were migrating to less diverse

44:20areas, one property was transformed into

44:23a burger and barbecue shop known as Mel

44:27Jess Malt Shop. A place where local

44:30residents could afford to gather, enjoy

44:32a good meal, and create lasting memories

44:35in a community that might otherwise

44:37never have been graced with fast food

44:39franchise.

44:41And whereas if it had not been for Elsie

44:43and Jesse Ford Senior's faith in God and

44:46their love for their beloved Walker

44:47Holmes, these achievements may have

44:49never come to fruition, this loving

44:51couple remain together in their home

44:53until their deaths, hers in 2017 and his

44:57in 2023.

44:58Now therefore be it resolved by the

45:00Memphis City Council that Travis Road

45:02between People's Road and King Avenue be

45:05declared Elsie and Jesse Ford Senior

45:08Road in honor of their remarkable life

45:11and numerous accomp accomplishments on

45:14behalf of the city of Memphis.

45:16Be it further resolved that the city

45:18engineers requested to affix suitable

45:19signs so designating this public road

45:22given by Edmund Ford senior's hand under

45:25the great seal of the city of Memphis

45:27this 15th day of September 2026.

45:32They had some of the best hamburgers,

45:35fish, malts and all. We went I went to

45:39Mitchell Road School. But now when

45:42lunchtime came around, that's where we

45:44gathered.

45:46Then we went back to school. We weren't

45:48supposed to been leaving school, but we

45:50did to just go get that food. Okay? And

45:53I just want to thank y'all. And we grew

45:56up together, all of us. But his mom,

45:59dad, the whole family, they were like

46:03one.

46:06>> [snorts]

46:06>> And that's a good thing to say.

46:09I'm number 15. I got to go deal with my

46:12part of the family. But they were like

46:15one. God is good all the time when

46:18you're just one. Everybody. And when

46:21mama was sick, everything else. Hey, you

46:24know, nursing homes, all this, that, and

46:26the other way where you put them. Oh,

46:28no. Y'all took care of mama to the end.

46:31Dad and all. And you know what? That's

46:33what we have to sometime kind of do.

46:36Take care of our family. And y'all

46:39deserve this street named after mom and

46:41father. Hey, and it's just good to see

46:44y'all. And then when we put it up, the

46:47rest of the family will be there. Thank

46:49you all so much. Okay. Thank you.

46:59Madame Controller, if you will please

47:01call that item being approved by

47:02acclamation.

47:04Madame controller, please call item

47:06number 34.

47:09Item number 34 is a presentation

47:11honoring the 31st annual stone awards.

47:16This resolution is sponsored by

47:17Councilwoman Walker and there is a

47:19request for same night minutes.

47:30Councilwoman Walker, you are recognized

47:34at this time.

47:43Thank you, Madam Chair.

47:54>> [clears throat]

47:58>> You can say

48:02>> what is he?

48:27Mr. Campbell Stanley.

48:31This is a very amazing man full of

48:34creativity. He has poured into this

48:36city, the Midsouth, the greater South

48:39and a portion of the Midwest for a few

48:42decades now. Um he's very passionate

48:46with his concern and care for the

48:50community.

48:52One time he lived on the streets. He

48:54chose to be homeless for two weeks to

48:58get a personal insight as to what that

49:00was like to just give you an insight to

49:03his character and how deeply committed

49:06he is. And it's just with great pride

49:09and pleasure that I'm presenting this

49:12resolution today to you and the whole

49:14organization, many of whom are not here

49:16today, but I know you all represent a

49:19mighty, mighty organization. And I have

49:21to acknowledge my friend here, Em

49:23Superstar Brown. I know y'all remember

49:25him from the radio. You old heads in the

49:27room. All right.

49:31Memphis City Council resolution. Whereas

49:34the Memphis City Council deems it

49:36fitting to recognize and celebrate those

49:39whose courage, sacrifice, and leadership

49:43helped advance the civil rights movement

49:45and secure greater justice, equality,

49:49and voting rights for generations of

49:51Americans. And whereas the 31st annual

49:55Stone Awards commemorates significant

49:58civil rights watershed moments with

50:02special recognition of the Voting Rights

50:04Act of 1965

50:06and those whose leadership and sacrifice

50:10helped advance voting rights in the

50:12United States. And whereas the 31st

50:15annual Stone Awards will take place on

50:18Sunday, October 10th, 2026 in Memphis,

50:22Tennessee, commemorating the sacrifices

50:25made in the pursuit of justice while

50:26bringing the historical gap between

50:29bridging the historical gap between

50:31younger generations and the civil rights

50:34pioneers who shape this history. And

50:37whereas the 31st annual Stone Awards

50:40draws upon Selma's central role in the

50:441965

50:45voting rights movement, including Bloody

50:48Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery

50:51marches while connecting the histories

50:54of Selma, Tulsa, and Memphis

50:58in the continued pursuit of racial

51:01justice, equity, and progress. And

51:04whereas the 31st annual Stone Awards

51:07serve as both a remembrance of the past

51:11and a call to the future generations to

51:14continue the work of justice, service,

51:16and community building stone by stone.

51:20And whereas the Memphis City Council

51:23proudly recognizes the MA Mustard Seeds,

51:27MA and Nine Mustard Seeds Foundation,

51:32House of Mimsy Museum, Memphis Footman.

51:38These are the subsidies, y'all. and the

51:4131st annual Stone Awards

51:45for commemorating and connecting

51:48historical

51:50remembrance with education, empowerment,

51:53and community engagement.

51:56Now therefore, it be resolved that the

51:58Memphis City Council hereby honors and

52:00commends the 31st annual prestigious

52:04Stone Awards

52:07and the two stone to Selma Ma and Nan

52:12civil rights leaders and four foot

52:15soldiers recognition for its continued

52:19commitment to preserving civil rights

52:22history, honoring those who helped shape

52:24it and inspiring ing future generations

52:27to carry forward pursuit of justice,

52:32quality, equality, and opportunity.

52:36Be it therefore resolve that the Memphis

52:38City Council proudly honors following

52:4331st annual Stone Awards honores in

52:47recognition of their contributions,

52:50sacrifices, leadership, and legacies.

52:54and they are the honorable Cheyenne Webb

52:58Christianberg, Mr. Chaplain Smith, Mr.

53:02Avarett Woodson, Mr. George James, Diane

53:06Harris, Doris T. Cox, Roosevelt Gby,

53:10Bernard Lafayette Jr., Tommy Jones,

53:14Regginal E. Moore, Charles E. Malden,

53:17Call to Men Memphis, legendary Ruth

53:20Anthony Brown, legendary Carrington,

53:24Commissioner Henry E. Brooks, the late

53:27John Pearly Pedway,

53:30and also postumously Clawudette Calvin,

53:35Mr. and Mrs. Margaret Jones Moore, Bobby

53:40Papa Eden, Senior.

53:42>> That's awesome. Wall Street

53:45>> and the Honorable Myron Lowry given by

53:49my hand

53:50and under this great seal of the city of

53:53Memphis on this 15th day of September

53:572026 signed yours truly, Pearl Evil

53:59Walker, Memphis City Councilwoman,

54:02District 3. Congratulations

54:03[clears throat] and may God continue

54:08to bless each and every one of you.

54:11>> Congratulations

54:16We got to get a

54:20madam controller, if you will, will

54:21please call. Will you please show that

54:24item number 34 is approved by

54:27acclamation with same night minutes.

54:31>> Madame controller, if you will please

54:33call the consent agenda items 6 through

54:3613 with same night minutes on items 10,

54:3911, 12, and 13. Our

54:54consent agenda begins with item number

54:56six, which is up for second reading.

54:58Ordinance number 5983 is sponsored by

55:02the administration. Item number seven is

55:04also up for second reading. Ordinance

55:07number 5984

55:09is also sponsored by the administration.

55:12Item number eight, up for second

55:15reading. Ordinance number 5985

55:19is sponsored by Councilman Spinosa. Item

55:22number nine is also up for second

55:25reading. Ordinance number 5986 is

55:28sponsored by Councilman Warren. Item

55:31number 10 in our engineering division is

55:34a resolution approving the final plat

55:37for the Woodlands Plan development phase

55:402 PD 2021-010

55:44and accepting bond as security. There is

55:47a request for same night minutes. The

55:49contract number is 5501.

55:53Item number 11 is a resolution approving

55:57the engineering plans for the one and

55:59accepting bond as security. There is a

56:02request for same night minutes. The

56:04contract number is 5502.

56:08Item number 12 is a resolution accepting

56:11public improvements for Northside High

56:15School development and releasing bond.

56:18There is a request for same night

56:20minutes. The contract number is CR-5458.

56:24Item number 13 is a resolution accepting

56:29cancellation of Dexter Grove subdivision

56:332024-00001

56:35and releasing bond. There is a request

56:38for Saint night minutes. The contract

56:40number is CR5485.

56:43Item that concludes our consent agenda.

56:46Agenda items number 13. Councilman

56:48Canali, you are recognized at this time.

56:51>> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll move the

56:54consent agenda to the floor for its

56:56discussion and further adoption.

56:59>> All right. There are no council in the

57:00queue to speak. It has been moved by

57:02Councilman Ford Canali, second by

57:04Councilman Spinosa. Madame Comproller,

57:07if you will please prepare the screen

57:08for the vote on the consent agenda.

57:23Canali. Yes. Cooper Sutton. Yes. Easter

57:26Thomas. Yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

57:30Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

57:35Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

57:38Swaren Washington, yes.

57:41>> That item passes. Madame controller, if

57:44you will please call the fiscal consent

57:46agenda, items 14 through 15 with same

57:50night minutes on items 14 and 15. Thank

57:53you. It should display momentarily. Item

57:56number 14 is a resolution to accept and

58:00appropriate grant funding in the amount

58:02of $88,800

58:05from the state of Tennessee for

58:07inservice EM training. All council

58:11districts, this resolution is sponsored

58:13by the administration. There is a

58:15request for same night minutes. Item

58:18number 15 is a resolution to accept and

58:21appropriate grant funding in the amount

58:24of 1,223,200

58:28from the state of Tennessee for

58:30inservice training. All council

58:33districts, this resolution is sponsored

58:35by the administration and there is a

58:37request for same night minutes. Madam

58:39Chair, that concludes our fiscal consent

58:41agenda. Thank you, Madame Controller.

58:44Councilman Ford Canali, you're

58:46recognized.

58:47>> Thank you, Madam Chair. I move the

58:48fiscal consent agenda to the floor for

58:50discussion and further adoption.

58:52>> It has been moved by Councilman Canali,

58:54second by Councilman Warren. There

58:57aren't any council members in the queue

58:58to speak. Madame Comproller, if you will

59:01please prepare the screen for the vote

59:03for the consent agenda.

59:19Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

59:22Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

59:26Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

59:31Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

59:33swearing in Washington, yes. That item

59:36passes. Madame controller, if you will

59:39please call the Memphis Light, Gas and

59:42Water fiscal consent agenda items.

59:44>> Thank you. That would take us to item

59:47number 16 on our agenda, a resolution

59:50approving the renewal and increase

59:53contract number 12302,

59:56substation engineering services

59:58protection with Fiser and Arnold, Inc.

1:00:01to renew and increase the current

1:00:03contract in the funded not to exceed

1:00:05amount of $1 million.

1:00:07>> [clears throat]

1:00:08>> Item number 17 is a resolution approving

1:00:11payment deposit of an invoice from

1:00:13Tennessee Department of Transportation

1:00:16for the Lamar phase 3 US78 Reigns Road

1:00:20Perkins Road interchange to SR1 176

1:00:25Getwell Road in the amount of

1:00:273,831,45263

1:00:33to relocate MLGW Electric Distribution

1:00:37facilities. There is a request for same

1:00:39night minutes for this item number 17.

1:00:42Item number 18 is a resolution approving

1:00:45the scope expansion increase and

1:00:48extension change number two to contract

1:00:51number 12621

1:00:54best strategic placement with GDS

1:00:56Associates Inc. to expand the scope,

1:00:59increase, and extend the current

1:01:02contract in the funded amount of

1:01:04$420,000.

1:01:07Item number 19 is a resolution approving

1:01:10payment deposit of an invoice from

1:01:13Tennessee Department of Transportation

1:01:15for the Lamar phase 3 US78 Rains Road,

1:01:18Perkins Road interchange to SR176

1:01:22Getwell Road in the amount of $716,454

1:01:29to relocate MLGW gas distribution

1:01:33facilities. There is a request for same

1:01:35night minutes. Item number 20 is a

1:01:38resolution approving scope expansion and

1:01:41increase to contract number 10927

1:01:44perpetual licensing agreement with

1:01:47precisely software incorporated

1:01:50previously Pittney Bose Software

1:01:52Incorporated to expand the scope and

1:01:55increase the contract value in the

1:01:57funded amount of $118,358.

1:02:02Item number 21 is a resolution approving

1:02:05the extension and increase to contract

1:02:08number 12552

1:02:11Gartner Advisory Services with Gartner

1:02:14Inc. to extend and increase the contract

1:02:18in the funded amount of $233,740.

1:02:24Item number 22 is a resolution awarding

1:02:27a purchase order for CN7500

1:02:31KVA transformers to NextGen Power Inc.

1:02:35in the amount of $740,600.

1:02:39Item number 23 is a resolution approving

1:02:42the increase and extension to contract

1:02:45number 12103,

1:02:47workers compensation stop loss brokering

1:02:51with Willis Towers Watson of Tennessee,

1:02:53Inc. to increase and extend the current

1:02:56contract in the funded amount of

1:02:58$418,66.

1:03:01And our final item number 24 is a

1:03:03resolution approving the increase and

1:03:06extension to contract number 12314

1:03:10broker of record for cyber insurance and

1:03:14other insurance coverages with Willis

1:03:16Towers Watson Southeast Incorporated to

1:03:19increase and extend the current contract

1:03:22in the funded amount of $252,000.

1:03:26Madam Chair, that concludes our MLGW

1:03:28[clears throat] fiscal consent items.

1:03:30Thank you, Madam Controller.

1:03:32Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.

1:03:36[crying]

1:03:37>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee

1:03:39met with a favorable recommendation, and

1:03:41I so move.

1:03:46It has been moved by Councilwoman

1:03:48Walker, second by Councilman Warren.

1:03:52Madame Controller, if you will please

1:03:53prepare the screen to vote for the MLGW

1:03:57fiscal consent agenda.

1:04:06Canali. Yes. Cooper Sutton. Yes. Easter

1:04:09Thomas. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes.

1:04:12Smiley. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Walker. Yes.

1:04:15Warren. Yes. White. Yes. Chairwoman

1:04:19Washington. Yes. That item. That item

1:04:22passes. That moves us to our planning

1:04:25and development items. Items four and

1:04:28five. Madam Controller, if you will

1:04:30please call item number four.

1:04:35>> Item number four is a resolution

1:04:37pursuant to chapter 9.6 of the Memphis

1:04:40and Shelby County Unified Development

1:04:42Code approving a plan development at the

1:04:44subject property located at 795

1:04:48Tanglewood Street. This resolution is

1:04:50sponsored by the Division of Planning

1:04:52and Development. The case number is

1:04:54PD26-07.

1:04:57Councilman Spinosa, you're recognized at

1:05:00this time.

1:05:01>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, this item

1:05:03came downstairs with a favorable

1:05:04recommendation and also move. Also,

1:05:07we've got people present if any council

1:05:09member wants to see a presentation.

1:05:11>> Okay, that item was moved by Councilman

1:05:15Spinosa, second by Councilman Warren.

1:05:18Are there any council members that would

1:05:19like to see the presentation again?

1:05:23Madame Controller, if you will please

1:05:25prepare the screen for the vote for item

1:05:27number four.

1:05:40>> Canali, yes. Easter Thomas, yes. Ford,

1:05:44yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker,

1:05:47yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

1:05:50Swearing in Washington. Yes. Please show

1:05:53council member Cooper Sutton as voting

1:05:55yes on this item.

1:05:58>> That item.

1:05:59>> Please also show Council Member Rhonda

1:06:01Logan as voting yes on this item. That's

1:06:03Cooper Sutton and Ronda Logan.

1:06:05>> That item passes. Madame Controller, if

1:06:07you will please call item number five.

1:06:14>> Item number five is a resolution

1:06:16pursuant to chapter 9.6 six of the

1:06:18Memphis and Shelby County Unified

1:06:20Development Code approving a special use

1:06:22permit at the subject property located

1:06:25at 525 and 529

1:06:28South Main Street. This resolution is

1:06:31sponsored by the Division of Planning

1:06:32and Development. The case number is

1:06:35SUP26-09.

1:06:39Councilman Spinosa, you're recognized.

1:06:42>> Thank you, Madam Chair. This item came

1:06:43downstairs with a favorable

1:06:44recommendation and I so move.

1:06:47>> This item has been moved by Councilman

1:06:49Spinosa, second by Councilman Dr.

1:06:51Warren. There are no council members in

1:06:54the queue to speak. Is there anyone that

1:06:56would like to see the presentation

1:06:57again?

1:06:59Madame Control, if you will please

1:07:00prepare the screen for item number five.

1:07:11Canali. Yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

1:07:14Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

1:07:17Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

1:07:21Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

1:07:23Swagen Washington, yes.

1:07:28>> That item passes.

1:07:31That would take us to our add-on agenda

1:07:33items and same night minutes.

1:07:36Madame Controller, if you will please

1:07:38call item number 29.

1:07:51Item number 29 on our add-ons is a

1:07:54resolution to appropriate the sum of

1:07:58$950,000

1:08:00funded by GEO bonds chargeable to the

1:08:02FY2027

1:08:04capital improvement program CIP budget

1:08:08for middle inome housing infrastructure.

1:08:10CD01108.

1:08:13All council districts, this resolution

1:08:15is sponsored by the administration.

1:08:17There is a request for same night

1:08:19minutes. This is item number 29.

1:08:22>> Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.

1:08:24>> Thank you, chair. And committee may

1:08:26recommended approval and I don't.

1:08:30>> It has been moved by Councilwoman Logan,

1:08:32second by Councilman Dr. Warren.

1:08:38There are no council members in the

1:08:39queue to speak. Madame controller, if

1:08:41you will please prepare the screen to

1:08:43vote for item number 29.

1:08:55Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

1:08:58Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

1:09:01Smiley, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes.

1:09:04White, yes. Chairwoman Swingington

1:09:07Washington. Yes.

1:09:09>> This item passes. Madame controller, if

1:09:12you will please call item number 30.

1:09:16Item number [clears throat] 30 is a

1:09:18resolution to transfer and appropriate

1:09:20$800,000

1:09:22from Winchester Perkins project number

1:09:26PW1025

1:09:28to Knight Arnold John's Creek Bridge

1:09:31project number PW02039

1:09:35to fund the construction of the Knight

1:09:37Arnold Bridge repair over John's Creek

1:09:40District 4 Super District 8. This

1:09:44resolution is sponsored by the

1:09:45administration. There is a request for

1:09:47same night minutes. Item number 13.

1:09:51>> We're excited to complete these needed

1:09:53repairs. Councilman Smiley, you're

1:09:55recognized at this time.

1:09:57>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee

1:09:59met recommended approval and I salute.

1:10:02>> It's been moved by Councilman Smiley,

1:10:04second by Councilman Canali. Madame

1:10:07Controller, if you will please prepare

1:10:08the screen for the vote.

1:10:31Canali, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Easter

1:10:34Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

1:10:37Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

1:10:41Warren, yes. Chairwoman swearing

1:10:43Washington, yes.

1:10:45>> That item passes. Madame controller,

1:10:47please call item number 31.

1:10:53Item number 31 is a resolution to

1:10:56allocate and appropriate 2,388,000

1:11:00in city council community grant funds to

1:11:03nonprofit agencies for fiscal year 27

1:11:08all council districts. This resolution

1:11:11is sponsored by the Memphis City Council

1:11:13and there is a request for same night

1:11:15minutes.

1:11:16>> Councilwoman White, you're recognized.

1:11:19Council Councilman Canali, you're

1:11:21recognized.

1:11:22>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee

1:11:24met recommended approval and I so moved.

1:11:28>> It has been moved by Councilman Canali,

1:11:30second by Councilman Dr. Warren. Madam

1:11:32Controller, if you will please prepare

1:11:33the screen for the vote.

1:11:44Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

1:11:47Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

1:11:50Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

1:11:53Warren, yes. Chairwoman Swearing,

1:11:56Washington, yes.

1:11:58That item passes. Madame Controller, if

1:12:00you will please call item number 32.

1:12:06Item number 32 is a resolution approving

1:12:09an honorary street name change between

1:12:11Popular Avenue and Walker Avenue on

1:12:14Patterson Street for MS8 in recognition

1:12:18of their courage to advance the promise

1:12:21of equal education within the city of

1:12:23Memphis District 5 Super District 9.

1:12:26This resolution is sponsored by

1:12:28Councilman Spinosa. There is a request

1:12:30for same night minutes.

1:12:32Councilman Spinosa, you're recognized.

1:12:34>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee Met

1:12:36recommends approval and I so move.

1:12:40>> This item has been moved by Councilman

1:12:42Spinosa, second by Councilman Warren.

1:12:45Madame Control, if you will please

1:12:46prepare the screen.

1:12:59Canali. Yes. Cooper Sutton. Yes. Easter

1:13:02Thomas. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes.

1:13:05Smiley. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Walker. Yes.

1:13:08Warren. Yes. Chairwoman swearing

1:13:11Washington. Yes.

1:13:14>> That item passes. Madame controller,

1:13:17please call item number 33.

1:13:21>> Madam chair, we did we uh we recognized

1:13:24the stone awards. We did our

1:13:26presentations earlier.

1:13:27>> 34.

1:13:30Oh, excuse me.

1:13:33>> Item number 33 is a resolution to accept

1:13:36safe streets and roads for all SS4A

1:13:40grant funds, authorize their required

1:13:42local match, and establish funding for

1:13:44the execution of demonstration and

1:13:48implementation projects. All council

1:13:50districts. This resolution is sponsored

1:13:53by the administration. There is a

1:13:54request for same night minutes.

1:13:56>> Councilman Canal, you're recognized.

1:13:58>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee

1:14:00met recommended approval and I so moved.

1:14:03>> It has been moved by Councilman Canali,

1:14:05second by Councilman Spinosa. There are

1:14:08no council members in the queue. Madam

1:14:09Controller, if you will please prepare

1:14:11the screen. Council, please cast your

1:14:14vote for item number 33.

1:14:23Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Easter

1:14:26Thomas, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes.

1:14:29Riley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes.

1:14:32Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

1:14:36Swaren, Washington, yes.

1:14:39That item passes. That moves us to our

1:14:41regular agenda items, items 26 through

1:14:4428. Madame controller, if you will

1:14:46please call item number 26.

1:14:55Item number 26 is an ordinance to amend

1:14:59ordinance number 5856

1:15:02that establish rules and regulations

1:15:05relating to the operation and regulation

1:15:08of short-term rentals in Memphis by

1:15:11amending section 8 compliance to detail

1:15:15enforcement of short-term rentals

1:15:18reported as a public nuisance. Up for

1:15:20third and final reading. Ordinance

1:15:22number 5980

1:15:24is sponsored by Councilman Spinosa. This

1:15:26was held from September 1st.

1:15:29Councilman Spinosa,

1:15:31you are recognized. And then we have

1:15:33Councilman Warren in the queue.

1:15:35>> Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, we're

1:15:37holding everything else today. I figure

1:15:38we might as well hold uh hold this till

1:15:41October 6. Uh a lot of work, a lot of

1:15:44times gone into this. Uh, everyone

1:15:46should have, kidding aside, everyone

1:15:48should have the cleanest, most updated

1:15:51copy. I believe we just handed them out,

1:15:53Gia, or we sent them or we're about to

1:15:55send them. Okay, so I would uh, Madam

1:15:57Chair, request a hold without objection

1:16:00for October the 6th. Thank you.

1:16:03>> Okay, we have a motion to hold. Can we

1:16:04get a second?

1:16:06>> All right,

1:16:08all those in favor? Any opposed of

1:16:11holding?

1:16:12>> Without objection. Any opposed to

1:16:14holding? All right. [clears throat] That

1:16:16item will be held until October 6

1:16:19>> and the updated document should be

1:16:21circulating now. So,

1:16:22>> Madam Chair,

1:16:23>> yes, sir.

1:16:24>> I was going to ask, could I be a

1:16:25co-sponsor of that?

1:16:28>> All right. Noted.

1:16:33>> Madame Controller, if you will please

1:16:34call item number 27.

1:16:42Item number 27 is an ordinance to amend

1:16:45the Memphis Code of Ordinances to amend,

1:16:47consolidate, and adopt ordinances

1:16:50relative to blight remediation and

1:16:52neighborhood improvement. Up for third

1:16:54and final reading, Ordinance number 5950

1:16:58is sponsored by council members Green,

1:17:00Spinosa, and White. This was held from

1:17:03July 21st.

1:17:07Councilwoman

1:17:08White, you're recognized

1:17:12for item number 28.

1:17:14>> I think we're going to hold that one as

1:17:16well.

1:17:17>> Okay. But probably farther out than

1:17:20October 6.

1:17:22>> Yeah. Can we do two sessions? So, what

1:17:24would that be after that one?

1:17:29>> October 20th. Thank you everyone for

1:17:31your assistance.

1:17:33So, we're holding item 27 until October

1:17:3620th.

1:17:38>> We want to do the STR one first and then

1:17:40we'll do the comprehensive one second.

1:17:44>> Okay, that objection. Any opposed of

1:17:48holding that to October 20th?

1:17:51Okay, that item will be held until

1:17:53October 20th. Madame Controller, if you

1:17:56will please call item number 28.

1:18:04Item number 28 is a resolution accepting

1:18:07proof of publication of referendum

1:18:09ordinance numbers 5966,

1:18:135977,

1:18:15and 5978.

1:18:17All council districts, this resolution

1:18:20is sponsored by the Memphis City

1:18:21Council.

1:18:25Councilman Oh, not councilman. Attorney

1:18:28Wade, would you like to give us some

1:18:29insight on this, please?

1:18:32>> Uh, yes, ma'am. Uh, this is a

1:18:35housekeeping item. Um, these items were

1:18:38all passed by us, submitted to the

1:18:41voters, and approved. Uh, this

1:18:45resolution merely spreads on our

1:18:47records. The results, uh, the certified

1:18:51results showing that all of them passed

1:18:53the, uh, vote. So we will have a record

1:18:56that they were done. Typically you have

1:18:59to go to the uh election commission's

1:19:01website to find out if those referend

1:19:03pass but this will put it in our records

1:19:05where it needs to be.

1:19:09>> All right Councilman Canali you're

1:19:12recognized.

1:19:13>> Thank you madam chair. The committee met

1:19:15recommended putting these three on the

1:19:18ballot. And with that I move to the

1:19:19floor.

1:19:21>> All right. It has been moved by

1:19:22Councilman Canali, second by Councilman

1:19:24Dr. Warren.

1:19:27Madam Controller, if you will please

1:19:28prepare the screen for the vote.

1:19:42Canali, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford,

1:19:45yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa,

1:19:48yes. Walker, yes. Warren. Yes. White.

1:19:52Yes. Chairwoman swaring Washington. Yes.

1:19:56>> That item passes. That brings us to our

1:19:59same night minute items.

1:20:02>> Councilman Canali, if you would please

1:20:04read the same nightm minute items into

1:20:06the record for us.

1:20:07>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Those items will

1:20:08be 2 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 19 29 30 31 32

1:20:2133 and 34. And with that, I move it to

1:20:25the floor. Madam Chair,

1:20:28>> it's been moved by Councilman Ford

1:20:29Canali, second by Councilman Dr. Warren.

1:20:32Madame controller, if you will please

1:20:34prepare the screens to vote for the same

1:20:36night minute items.

1:20:50Canali, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Ford,

1:20:53yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker,

1:20:56yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman

1:20:59swearing, Washington, yes.

1:21:03That item passes. Attorney Wade, you're

1:21:05recognized at this time.

1:21:08>> Thank you, Madam Chairman. Uh,

1:21:11outside the normal scope of our normal

1:21:14activities, we received an alcohol

1:21:16appeal and a request for an expedited

1:21:19hearing due to various reasons. Um, it

1:21:24was my recommendation that we hear it on

1:21:26the record without argument. And I have

1:21:29a complete copy of the record and it's

1:21:31all been submitted to each of you and

1:21:34each of you will make your own

1:21:35individual deliberations and vote and

1:21:37provide them to me and I will pass them

1:21:39on to the parties and I will give this

1:21:42to Miss Snipes to add to the record.

1:21:46>> Thank you, Attorney Wade.

1:21:51>> Well, that moves us to our comment

1:21:54cards.

1:21:58First on our comment cards was Miss

1:22:00Glenda Hicks and then Kashan Pearson

1:22:11after Mr. Pearson. Maria Oija

1:22:16Oga. Okay.

1:22:19Thank you, Miss Hicks.

1:22:20>> Good afternoon, Glenda Hicks.

1:22:24>> Good afternoon.

1:22:31Good. Okay. Good afternoon, Glenda

1:22:34Hicks, co-founder, 21st Century Memphis

1:22:38Orbust.

1:22:39I had entered a comment card for item

1:22:44number 30. And um my reason for doing

1:22:48that was because I listened in earlier

1:22:51today in committee session and certainly

1:22:55the conversations [clears throat]

1:22:56that occurred between council members

1:23:00concerned me because I understand that

1:23:03that 800,000

1:23:07uh was initially slided for or set

1:23:11approved allocated for a project that

1:23:14was nowhere near ready to go forth. So

1:23:19that concerned me that money had been

1:23:22set aside for a project that obviously

1:23:25occurred in someone's head, but there

1:23:27had not been any preparation for the

1:23:31utilization of those monies and I'm very

1:23:34concerned that we do we as a council do

1:23:37business in that manner. Um so of course

1:23:40the monies move for an urgent need. So,

1:23:45I'm concerned as to how we operate and

1:23:47I've expressed this before in terms of

1:23:50your procedural operations and how you

1:23:53all come forth on the day and discuss

1:23:56crucial business matters, make decisions

1:24:00seemingly on the spot for very crucial

1:24:05occurrences [clears throat] that impact

1:24:07the citizens of Memphis. So once again,

1:24:10I ask that you all would review your

1:24:13procedures on how you have committee

1:24:16sessions and minimal time to discuss

1:24:20very crucial matters. And also I must

1:24:23admit there is grave concern on another

1:24:26matter with all the congestion that is

1:24:29taking place at Holmes Road in Tul

1:24:32because [clears throat] of XAI. That was

1:24:35a consideration that you all obviously

1:24:38did not give thought to because the

1:24:41school is impacted the student.

1:24:48>> Thank you so much,

1:24:50>> Kashan Pearson and then Maria.

1:24:57>> After that, Reverend Keith Caldwell.

1:25:14I'm Keshan Pearson,

1:25:16the executive director of Memphis

1:25:18Community Against Pollution. I'm here

1:25:20because I want you all to protect our

1:25:23air.

1:25:25Yes. I'm here because

1:25:29it is time for us to build an ark. The

1:25:31rain is coming. June 5th of 2024,

1:25:36a statement was made by Protect Our

1:25:37Aquafer, Young Gifted, and Green and

1:25:39Memphis Community Against Pollution

1:25:40because the rain is coming.

1:25:43Now people are finally listening because

1:25:46Elon Musk, Sam Alman, and other tech

1:25:50oligarchs are talking about a AI

1:25:51slowdown. But we have been here yelling

1:25:54to you for over two years that the rain

1:25:58is coming. We are paying the cost every

1:26:02single day

1:26:04for every turbine that they erect. In

1:26:07South Haven, there are over 50 methane

1:26:09gas turbines operating at this exact

1:26:11moment, contributing to the loss of life

1:26:14prematurely, as well as a degradation of

1:26:17our air quality. And we are here looking

1:26:20at air pollution studies by our own

1:26:23universities to dissuade the concerns

1:26:25and minimize the pain that people feel

1:26:28every single day.

1:26:29We need you to protect our air, protect

1:26:33our future, and doing so by passing the

1:26:37moratorum for the city of Memphis. It is

1:26:40past time to step up to the plate. It is

1:26:43past time to do something about a manic

1:26:47billionaire who sees Memphis as nothing

1:26:50else but a stepping stones.

1:26:53>> [clears throat]

1:26:53>> The last thing I want to leave you with

1:26:56is we have to address what ICE is doing

1:27:00in our communities. We have lost too

1:27:03many lives to death because they were

1:27:06murdered. Black men were murdered and

1:27:10our neighbors have been taken from us.

1:27:14We cannot be idle or silent as this

1:27:17current administration in the White

1:27:19House tries to take over our city. Thank

1:27:22you.

1:27:24>> Thumbs up. Thumbs down.

1:27:32>> Thank you. I see some people cooperating

1:27:35so nicely. Maria.

1:27:38>> Yes.

1:27:39>> Oh, say hi.

1:27:40>> O. Yes, ma'am.

1:27:44>> All right. It's my time started.

1:27:48>> All right. Well, good afternoon, city

1:27:50council, Memphis City Council. My name

1:27:51is Maria Oa. My address is 1000 South

1:27:54Cooper. And if you didn't know, today is

1:27:57the first day of Hispanic Heritage

1:27:59Month. So, happy Hispanic Heritage

1:28:01Month. And I'm here today as a proud

1:28:04daughter of Mexican immigrants. My

1:28:06family moved to Memphis in 1997, and

1:28:09I've been raised in Memphis and have

1:28:11grown to love this city, the people, and

1:28:14the culture. And I'm here today because

1:28:1615 days ago, ICE conducted the largest

1:28:20raid in Memphis history in the heart of

1:28:23Berlair.

1:28:24They took 121 people, leaving over 40

1:28:28children behind without their parents.

1:28:31Some children's parents have already

1:28:33been sent back to their home country.

1:28:36We have now been left scrambling to pick

1:28:38up the pieces, trying to figure out how

1:28:41to support the children that have been

1:28:42left behind. Memphis City Council, as

1:28:46you plan to honor Hispanic Heritage

1:28:48Month and all the great contributions we

1:28:50have made to this city, I urge you to

1:28:53take a strong stance against ICE

1:28:55presence in our city. I urge you to take

1:28:58a stance against the unsafe task force

1:29:01and that you push MPD to stop

1:29:03collaboration with ICE. I do understand

1:29:06that this body has limited powers to do

1:29:09what I'm asking. But as elected

1:29:11officials, as representatives of our

1:29:14community, as parents and caretakers, I

1:29:18urge you to see the negative impact that

1:29:20ICE is having here in Memphis. We

1:29:23Memphians are going to have to deal with

1:29:24these repercussions of these children

1:29:26being left behind.

1:29:28Some children were lucky enough to be

1:29:30left with some family members. Other

1:29:33children were left with babysitters. and

1:29:35are still with babysitters since August

1:29:3730th.

1:29:39We are about to hit one year since the

1:29:42sitting president sent the task force

1:29:45here. And rather than truly reducing and

1:29:48solving crime, they've inflicted more

1:29:50pain and harm on our community. Please

1:29:52take a stance against ICE in the task

1:29:54force in Memphis. Thank you. Thank you,

1:30:04>> Reverend Keith Cwell. And then Luchi

1:30:06Chamblas.

1:30:08>> My name is Reverend Keith Caldwell, uh,

1:30:10584 East McLemore. And I'm the president

1:30:12of Micah Memphis Interfaith Coalition

1:30:14for Action and Hope. And what I'm

1:30:17standing here today as a person of faith

1:30:19to say that we are in a crisis with what

1:30:21ICE is doing to our Latinx siblings. We

1:30:25want to just say we are more than 58

1:30:27organizations, churches, synagogues,

1:30:30mosque, people of goodwill, labor

1:30:33unions, and we know that what is

1:30:35happening here in Memphis is the testing

1:30:37ground for people having their civil

1:30:40liberties eroded. They came to Memphis

1:30:43to do it because it's a majority black

1:30:45city and to see if we can get away with

1:30:48it in Memphis. We were exported across

1:30:50the nation and we say no. We know that

1:30:53Memphis is a great city. It gets a bad

1:30:57rap and yet we are always coming back

1:31:00up. And what we can do is stand against

1:31:03this kind of totalitarianism

1:31:06that is happening. And what ICE is doing

1:31:08and abducting our people and requiring

1:31:12that they have papers on them is

1:31:14hauntingly familiar as a black person to

1:31:17have freedom papers.

1:31:20And I know you know what I'm talking

1:31:21about. So, we just want to make sure

1:31:23that we stand in solidarity because when

1:31:26America gets a cold, black folks get the

1:31:28flu. So, we'll be next. Thank you,

1:31:38Luchi Chainless. And then Tracy Woods

1:31:40and Brandy Price.

1:31:50Hey guys,

1:31:52Luchi Chamblas

1:31:5538104.

1:31:58[clears throat]

1:31:59Early last month when Dr. Hazes was

1:32:01killed, it seems like every elected

1:32:03official in the county was clamoring

1:32:05over themselves to condemn that killing

1:32:07on the news. Dr. Dr. Hazlet was

1:32:09venerated and celebrated and mourned by

1:32:12every office in this city in this county

1:32:14and a lot of state officials too. What

1:32:17happened to Dr. Hazlet was tragic and

1:32:19the response was appropriate entirely

1:32:21approp appropriate.

1:32:23A few weeks ago during the first

1:32:25committee meeting when we were

1:32:26discussing the moratorium tensions were

1:32:28high as I heard they were today.

1:32:32A community organizer spoke out of turn

1:32:34and was immediately threatened with

1:32:36being kicked out by Commissioner Warren.

1:32:40Just a few minutes later though, Dr.

1:32:41Pearson also spoke out of turn. And

1:32:44instead of threatening to kick her out,

1:32:45Councilman Warren rushed from his seat

1:32:47to sit next to her and share his copy of

1:32:49the alternate ordinance with her.

1:32:53He was very respectful, bordering on

1:32:56brown-nosing.

1:32:57And Dr. Pearson was owed that respect.

1:32:59I'm not arguing against that.

1:33:02But you all have made it very clear

1:33:06who this city cares about and who they

1:33:08don't care about. We don't need another

1:33:10pickle ball court, but we do need the

1:33:12only roller derby roller derby team that

1:33:15we have. One that has been operating in

1:33:17a way that is not cost prohibitive to

1:33:19any Memphian for two decades now.

1:33:22Boxtown, Westwood, South Memphis, they

1:33:24don't need more pollution. They need

1:33:26more resources. Our immigrant brothers

1:33:29and sisters don't need their families

1:33:30torn apart. They need to be left alone

1:33:32to keep working, going to school, going

1:33:34to church, and raising their families.

1:33:37If Memphis invested in its people, in

1:33:40its poor people, that is, like it does

1:33:43billionaires and other wealthy people,

1:33:45we would still be a powerhouse.

1:33:47Historically, Memphis is one of the most

1:33:49important cities in the entire country.

1:33:52From the influence on culture to the

1:33:54influence on civil rights to the

1:33:55influence on academia and medicine, the

1:33:58talent and intellect that Memphis led

1:34:00this country with just a few decades ago

1:34:02hasn't disappeared. It's just had a wall

1:34:05of poverty built around it.

1:34:09>> Tracy Woods,

1:34:12then Brandy Price,

1:34:15and then Jessica Miller.

1:34:18>> Hello. So I sent you all two orders. I

1:34:21really don't know how it goes. Audience,

1:34:23then it turns a resolution

1:34:26about the overgrown hedges. If your

1:34:28fence is six feet, that's how tall your

1:34:30hedges should be, I think. And if my

1:34:33limbs hit your your yard, I'm

1:34:36responsible. It's my tree. Um, I need

1:34:38you all to change the ordinance on it

1:34:40because they're using the act of God.

1:34:42But if they keep the trim line, you

1:34:45know, off my fence, the act of God

1:34:48wouldn't affect me. And one of the um

1:34:52I see we just giving street names to

1:34:55anyone. I was hoping to see Miss Green

1:34:58here so she can ask answer the question

1:35:00as to what made her think Lee Harris

1:35:03deserved a street name. You You just

1:35:06giving him away. He had to pay. He had

1:35:10to borrow one.

1:35:12Uh, and we're not going to talk about

1:35:14the mayor. Thank you.

1:35:16>> She has a right.

1:35:22>> What do we say about the council?

1:35:29>> Thank you so much. Your time has

1:35:31expired. We will now have Jessica

1:35:34Miller.

1:35:54Brandy Price. Go ahead. And then Jessica

1:35:57Miller.

1:36:12Wow.

1:36:13>> Yes. Because you were disruptive and if

1:36:15you keep talking, you're going to be

1:36:16escorted out. Thank you so much. Brandy

1:36:20Price, you're up.

1:36:27Hello.

1:36:29You can hear me.

1:36:31Brandy Price at 38109. I just want to

1:36:34say God is good all the time.

1:36:38And God, nobody knows mercy like God

1:36:40know how to give mercy. And but at the

1:36:43same time, no one knows how to dispense

1:36:45cruelty like men know how to dispense

1:36:48cruelty.

1:36:49I say that because we're now in an era

1:36:52where the UN has given up on climate

1:36:55change and has retreated and in the

1:36:59meanwhile we're in a we're at

1:37:01[clears throat] a deficit for water

1:37:04and all the while people are here to

1:37:06talk about their families

1:37:07[clears throat] kidnapped by ICE and the

1:37:09air being destroyed. Um, y'all sit here

1:37:13as though y'all hearts been hardened

1:37:15like the Pharaoh. So, I'm not coming

1:37:17here tonight to speak to hardened

1:37:19hearts. I came here to speak to the

1:37:21people behind me, the youth, the people

1:37:23at home, uh, and the people who realize,

1:37:26hey, they don't work in the office all

1:37:28day. It's getting hot outside. Be real

1:37:31with y'all. And for those who mark the

1:37:33days that it's getting hotter and hotter

1:37:35and hotter, I want y'all to remember

1:37:37today. I want y'all to remember those

1:37:39who hardened their hearts, who uh went

1:37:42against the moratorum, who uh were

1:37:45complicit in the ICE raids. I want y'all

1:37:47to remember them and remember these are

1:37:49the people who stole away your future.

1:37:51They stole away your peace of mind and

1:37:54your your ability to have

1:37:56[clears throat] a safe place to live. So

1:37:58remember these hearts. Don't let them

1:38:00wash away this sin. This is a sin

1:38:03against the people of Memphis and the uh

1:38:06greater people of the globe.

1:38:08So remember these hardened hearts.

1:38:10Remember them, ladies and gentlemen. I

1:38:14It's just really heartbreaking to just

1:38:16realize that hey, there's so much that

1:38:18could be done in the city to bring it

1:38:20back and revitalize it, but they had

1:38:22nothing but [clears throat] profit. So

1:38:25remember this day.

1:38:28So yeah, God is good all the time. God

1:38:33forgives, but men don't.

1:38:38Miss Miller

1:38:41and then Christine Fox and Joy

1:38:43Fairfield.

1:38:47Good evening, city council. Um, I had

1:38:50something prepared, but as I sat here,

1:38:52my name is Jessica Miller. Um, I had

1:38:54something prepared. But as I sat here

1:38:57and listened to resolution after

1:38:58resolution on street names and

1:39:01celebrations, I really wondered if I had

1:39:04ever came before you all and let you

1:39:06know what I've been doing on a daily

1:39:08basis since July of last year. I'm part

1:39:11of the co-founders that co-founded the

1:39:13immigrant pantry through Indivisible

1:39:16Memphis. We've been making deliveries

1:39:18every week to the immigrant community

1:39:21here in Memphis. Last July to September,

1:39:24we averaged eight deliveries a week. As

1:39:26soon as the task force came in, we

1:39:29immediately shot up in our requests. We

1:39:32average now 50 deliveries a week. Since

1:39:35this raid last week, my volunteers, who

1:39:39do not get paid for this work, made 81

1:39:42deliveries to families who have been

1:39:43devastated by ICE and the raid that

1:39:46happened 15 days ago.

1:39:49I just I just wonder if y'all realize

1:39:54the humanitarian crisis that's happening

1:39:57in this city right now. There's children

1:40:01I've stood in front of children that are

1:40:04crying because they're hungry

1:40:05[clears throat] because they've been fed

1:40:07sugar water instead of formula.

1:40:11I've been standing in front of mothers

1:40:12that cry because they don't know what to

1:40:14do.

1:40:16I've emailed every single one of you

1:40:19about the pantry and I truly beg you all

1:40:23to reach out, look through your spam and

1:40:25look through your email boxes and reply

1:40:28back to me because I would love to sit

1:40:30down with you and show you the data.

1:40:32We've collected stories from our

1:40:34volunteers that you could read and it

1:40:38would bring you to your knees to see

1:40:40what is actually happening in the

1:40:41shadows and in the dark in this city

1:40:43that you don't know about. And if you

1:40:46don't know about it, you can't address

1:40:48it. And I really urge y'all, I know you

1:40:51had the chance to make a resolution

1:40:52about the National Guard and it failed,

1:40:54but I really urge y'all to reconsider

1:40:56that.

1:40:58>> Thank you so much, Miss Miller.

1:41:03Christine Fox and Joy Fairfield and then

1:41:06Ununice Garcia.

1:41:11>> Good afternoon, Christine Fox, 38112.

1:41:15I'm here today as a faith leader with

1:41:18Micah and as a 30-year Memphis resident

1:41:20who [clears throat] cares deeply about

1:41:22this community.

1:41:24Yesterday, I spoke before this county

1:41:26commission urging them to take action to

1:41:28begin the process of removing the

1:41:30National Guard from Memphis and Shelby

1:41:32County. And I bring that same sense of

1:41:35urgency to speak to you today. Memphis

1:41:38is increasingly normalizing the militar

1:41:41militarization of public safety and we

1:41:44need to ask ourselves where that path is

1:41:46taking us. We have seen this with the

1:41:48Memphis Unsafe Task Force. We have seen

1:41:51it with the presence of the National

1:41:52Guard and we are seeing it in the

1:41:55continued and growing collaboration

1:41:56between ICE and MPD. When people see

1:42:00armed federal agents entering community

1:42:02spaces as they did on August 30th at the

1:42:05El Coralon nightclub, trust in our

1:42:08government erodess when people fear

1:42:10going to work and school or seeking help

1:42:13for a mental health issue because doing

1:42:15so puts them in the crosshairs of law

1:42:17enforcement. There is a societal

1:42:19breakdown happening. Memphis does not

1:42:22need military personnel on our streets.

1:42:24We need investment in people and

1:42:26communities. We need public safety

1:42:28policy that does not include communities

1:42:31breathing poisoned air or drinking

1:42:32contaminated water. You cannot say that

1:42:35you value Memphis communities while

1:42:37simultaneously exposing those

1:42:40communities to unchecked corporate

1:42:42development and increasingly militarized

1:42:45law enforcement.

1:42:47Some of y'all are out here acting like

1:42:48you don't even live in Memphis. You're

1:42:50allowing billionaires and developers,

1:42:52corrupt politicians and corporations to

1:42:55poison, exploit, and imprison our

1:42:57friends, our families, and co-workers.

1:43:00And for what gain? Corporations can't

1:43:03vote. Elon Musk can't vote in Memphis

1:43:06city elections. Neither can Bill Lee or

1:43:08Donald Trump. But we can. The people who

1:43:12are here in this room tonight can and

1:43:14will vote in local elections. And I

1:43:16guarantee you that we will remember we

1:43:18will remember who spoke out against the

1:43:20militarization of

1:43:25>> Joy Fairfield and then we will have

1:43:27Ununice Garcia and then Reagan Murray

1:43:31and Carrie Yakcommeni. Thank you.

1:43:36>> Thank you.

1:43:38>> Thank you.

1:43:54Street.

1:43:54>> I'm sorry. Go ahead and repeat that.

1:43:56>> Hi, I'm uh Dr. Joy Brook Fairfield. I

1:43:58live at 107 Philadelphia Street. Um uh

1:44:01yeah, hi. I I'm speaking today. I'm a

1:44:03professor at Roads College and I'm a a

1:44:06resident of of of Memphis and I'm

1:44:08concerned about um uh XAI and the

1:44:11various developments of data centers. So

1:44:13I'm here to um support the mortorium and

1:44:16um ask uh for greater transparency. I

1:44:18was doing a little bit of research

1:44:19before I came here just because I'm a

1:44:21professor and I like facts and data. So

1:44:22I was looking over all of the states

1:44:24that have been considering moratoriums

1:44:26um and greater regulations like Maine,

1:44:28like New York, but also states like

1:44:30Texas. And then of course there's 300

1:44:32plus moratoriums in cities and towns

1:44:34across the country and a lot of them are

1:44:35cities and towns a lot like ours um with

1:44:38uh sensible people in positions who have

1:44:41decided they needed to slow down this um

1:44:43the sort of relentless march forward. So

1:44:45I ask us to sort of join those cities um

1:44:48and become some of uh the the the people

1:44:51saying no. I was looking um up some data

1:44:53from my uh undergrad institution. So I

1:44:56was reading the Harvard Gazette and uh

1:44:58the Harvard Gazette has a lot to say um

1:45:01about uh about uh things like

1:45:02moratoriums. I was reading an interview

1:45:04with uh Ben Green who's a professor at

1:45:06University of Michigan School of

1:45:07Information and Public Policy and he

1:45:09says that it seems very clear that there

1:45:11is very little economic development that

1:45:14plays out at the local level when it

1:45:16comes to these data centers. So we know

1:45:19that we need economic development. I I

1:45:21just don't think this is it. I just

1:45:22don't think this is it. Um, he also says

1:45:25that in all of these practices,

1:45:27transparency is the bare minimum. It

1:45:29seems like across the country, these

1:45:31corporations are trying to use people

1:45:33like you. They're trying to get city

1:45:36governments to sort of give them what

1:45:39they want. And I think that you all can

1:45:42be smarter and bolder and braver than

1:45:44that. Um, and that we can ask for, as

1:45:47Ben Green says, the transparency that is

1:45:50the bare minimum. Um he says across the

1:45:52nation so in cities like ours everywhere

1:45:53else the contracts are secretive and

1:45:56when they even make them public there's

1:45:57huge redactions and DAs are being signed

1:46:00everywhere.

1:46:02>> Thank you. Thank you. And that was the

1:46:05focus and the purpose for the entire

1:46:07meeting this morning to make sure that

1:46:09we have some regulations in place.

1:46:12Ununice Garcia Joy Fairfield.

1:46:16>> My name is Ununice Garcia. I am a native

1:46:19Memphian who is deeply concerned with

1:46:20the Memphis city government's complicity

1:46:22and Trump's white supremacist mass

1:46:24deportation agenda. I stand before you

1:46:27as a witness who has listened to

1:46:28approximately 3,000 calls received by

1:46:31Vessendario's 901, a local a local rapid

1:46:34response network for reporting ICE

1:46:36activity. These stories shared by

1:46:38fearful and indignant community members

1:46:41paint an undeniable truth. The Memphis

1:46:43Unsafe Task Force is targeting Hispanic

1:46:45and black communities to criminalize

1:46:48people of color and low-income persons

1:46:50under the guise of making our

1:46:51communities safer. Memphians report

1:46:54being stopped by prejudiced Tennessee

1:46:56state troopers who failed to provide an

1:46:58explanation for why they are being

1:47:00stopped only to then be detained by ICE.

1:47:03And for what? Because of a broken tail

1:47:05light? Is that all it takes to break

1:47:07families apart, violate due process

1:47:09rights, and place [clears throat] human

1:47:11beings into the profitable and vicious

1:47:13deportation machine and Mason,

1:47:15Tennessee, where we are currently seeing

1:47:17human rights violations. Additionally,

1:47:19calls demonstrate the clear overpolicing

1:47:22of Hispanic neighborhoods to the point

1:47:24that the Memphis Unsafe Task Force

1:47:26harasses the same areas on a daily

1:47:28basis, including Summer Avenue, Highland

1:47:31Street, Jackson Avenue, Winchester, and

1:47:33Lamar Avenue to be exact. All of which

1:47:36are areas that constitute black and

1:47:38brown low-incing

1:47:40criminals like they want the public to

1:47:42believe. They are targeting Memphians

1:47:44outside of their homes, schools,

1:47:46restaurants, and clubs. And while it is

1:47:48not wrong to go to a club, it is both

1:47:50immoral and illegal to subject the

1:47:52entire Memphis Hispanic and black

1:47:54community to oppressive authorities. Our

1:47:57communities are actively being

1:47:58traumatized and socially and

1:48:00economically fractured. Let me be clear

1:48:02that every time this government refuses

1:48:04to acknowledge the atrocities happening

1:48:06in our own streets, you are effectively

1:48:08silencing the public's voice. I am

1:48:10asking this government to listen to the

1:48:12people whose calls document what they

1:48:14are experiencing in their own

1:48:15neighborhoods because public safety

1:48:18cannot mean making communities afraid to

1:48:20leave their homes. And for black parents

1:48:22to fear their child be

1:48:27Joy Fairfield and Reagan Murray.

1:48:35>> Okay. Reagan Murray,

1:48:42>> can y'all hear me? Okay. All right. I'm

1:48:45here to voice my disapproval for our

1:48:46city's ongoing cooperation with federal

1:48:49and military occupation despite the harm

1:48:52that it has caused our community. And

1:48:54why are Mayor Paul Young and his police

1:48:56chief getting away with lying to the

1:48:58city about MPD's involvement with the

1:49:00Memphis Task Force?

1:49:01>> Insulting comments

1:49:03for the mayors. Please

1:49:04>> just just go to the

1:49:06Ma'am, I'm asking you a question, but

1:49:08but you're wasting my time.

1:49:10>> We're waiting on answers as

1:49:17confirmed what we've been saying for

1:49:18months, which is that he was shot in the

1:49:20back. I'm trying to figure out why law

1:49:22enforcement is scared of a black man's

1:49:25backside than actual criminals.

1:49:29We're also still waiting on answers as

1:49:31to how the unsafe task force is going to

1:49:34be held accountable for murdering Joanne

1:49:35Neil during his mental health crisis.

1:49:38His most vulnerable time and he was met

1:49:40with violence instead of compassion.

1:49:43Are y'all really okay with this? Can the

1:49:45council members raise your hand if

1:49:46you're okay with what's going on in our

1:49:47city?

1:49:49Nobody. I wish y'all's actions aligned

1:49:52with that. So again, I ask when we all

1:49:55stand up, when something terrible

1:49:57finally happens to somebody that you

1:49:58care about or you deem as important,

1:50:01time is running out and y'all are going

1:50:02down as one of the most sorry city

1:50:04councils we've had. We deserve answers

1:50:06and solutions and freedom of speech.

1:50:09Thank you.

1:50:10>> Thank you,

1:50:12Carrie Yago Mini and then Ricky Lewis.

1:50:20Good evening, council.

1:50:24My name is Carrie Yakamini. I live in

1:50:2638104, uh, Council District 4 and Super

1:50:30District 9. I had a lot to say today,

1:50:32but I think it's changed, and I think

1:50:33that's okay because of what's

1:50:34transpired. And as I sat there in the

1:50:37audience, I noticed that eyes were

1:50:38rolling. Um, council members walked out

1:50:41because they felt disrespected. But the

1:50:43problem is is that it's not a place that

1:50:45we're not speaking from a place of

1:50:46disrespect. We are speaking from a place

1:50:48of hurt. We are speaking from a place of

1:50:50hurt that our neighbors are being

1:50:52killed, that our neighbors are being

1:50:54stolen. And it feels like when we have

1:50:56the flag of our federal government

1:50:58stepping on our backs, that we are

1:51:01looking for someone in this city to

1:51:02trust. And when so many of the city

1:51:05council members are looking at their

1:51:07phones, are looking at their screens,

1:51:09laughing, rolling their eyes, walking

1:51:11out, not hearing us, we don't know who

1:51:13to trust. And we are looking for

1:51:16leadership. And that leadership looks

1:51:19like putting a moratorum and ordinances.

1:51:22There is no reason why we cannot have

1:51:24both because a data center is already in

1:51:26operation and that needs ordinances. But

1:51:29we can stop new ones from forming for a

1:51:31year while we do the studies. And when

1:51:34we need to ask G chat GBT if the air

1:51:37quality is worse, that means that

1:51:40council members have not gone down to

1:51:41the areas that are affected and smelled

1:51:43it for themselves. We are looking for

1:51:46leadership. We are begging for clean

1:51:48water. We are begging for clean air.

1:51:50Because when we have an exodus happening

1:51:52in this city, people are looking for a

1:51:54reason to stay. And people are looking

1:51:56for leadership to stand up for them when

1:51:58they are not afforded the privilege to

1:52:00leave. So I am asking you to please not

1:52:03treat this as we are being offensive to

1:52:05you rather that this is an like a town

1:52:07hall that you can afford us to listen

1:52:09to. Thank you.

1:52:12Thank you, [applause]

1:52:15Ricky Lewis. And then Michael Harris.

1:52:19After M. Michael Harris, Sarah Hodi.

1:52:32>> Good afternoon.

1:52:35My name is Ricky Lewis. I was here uh uh

1:52:39about six weeks ago and talking about

1:52:42black gas water spending and friends of

1:52:46getting uh contracts and I'm giving you

1:52:48some more information of Timothy Davis

1:52:51with a friend that he's been uh friends

1:52:54with for decades uh from California

1:52:58and and the reason is because

1:53:02if we don't watch Memphis like gas and

1:53:05water spending

1:53:07The light bills will go up for the next

1:53:10two or three years and everybody in here

1:53:13is going to be complaining, even the

1:53:15ones out here and the constituents, your

1:53:17constituents,

1:53:20unnecessary spending would have bills to

1:53:23go up and and

1:53:26that's all I have to say. And but you

1:53:28told me last time to go to the the board

1:53:32of Memphis like Gas Water. I did that.

1:53:35And the reason I came here and I'm here

1:53:38now is because the city council signed

1:53:44Oh, sign signed the uh contracts. That's

1:53:47why I came here. Thank you.

1:53:51Who is his friend?

1:53:54>> You said give contract to his friend.

1:53:56Who his friend?

1:53:57>> Uh Timothy Davis.

1:53:58>> I know who he is, but who is his friend?

1:54:00You said they're giving contract to his

1:54:01friend.

1:54:01>> I just gave you

1:54:02>> I'm looking at it.

1:54:04So every so everything that you have

1:54:06highlighted you're suggesting that these

1:54:08his friends.

1:54:09>> Yes. But the the ones in black that

1:54:11that's the ones that he is friends with

1:54:14from California. Uh

1:54:15>> all the text messages or emails. What is

1:54:17this?

1:54:18>> Emails.

1:54:19>> Okay. All right. Thank you.

1:54:20>> And the last one was uh hometown hub $5

1:54:24million.

1:54:25>> Okay. And I also make one note. We don't

1:54:26approve the contracts of MLGW. our

1:54:29authority over MLGW is limited to um

1:54:33setting the salaries of the individuals

1:54:35who work there and also we're the rate

1:54:37making body as relates to um how MLGW

1:54:41conducts business on a day-to-day basis.

1:54:44That's up to the MLGW board. We don't

1:54:46have that authority. Our authority is

1:54:48limited by charter rate making body is

1:54:52one. And then the second thing is set

1:54:56the salaries of those individuals

1:55:01over I forget what's the the the I think

1:55:04it's like $200,000. Anybody over

1:55:06$200,000 we said that's that's a door of

1:55:08the city council. We said by charter

1:55:10>> but your name was on it. That's why I

1:55:13came here and

1:55:15back in the day city council was over

1:55:17the MGW board. That's why I was I

1:55:20remember. Thank you.

1:55:23>> All right. Ricky Lewis and Michael

1:55:25Harris.

1:55:29Oh, that was Ricky Lewis. Michael Harris

1:55:31and then Sarah Holding.

1:55:50>> Good afternoon.

1:55:52>> Good afternoon. Mike Lo Harris 4314 East

1:55:54Veron Square 38116.

1:55:57Madame chair and members of the council.

1:55:59I'm here as a private citizen asking

1:56:01this council to take action on your land

1:56:03bank. On June 23rd, 2026, this council

1:56:07appropriated $400,000 for the agency.

1:56:10Seven days later, the land bank chair

1:56:13emailed staff of a temporary layoff and

1:56:16shutdown of operations, citing lack of

1:56:18funding and no not performance.

1:56:2277 days later, the layoff and shutdown

1:56:26continues with no plan for what comes

1:56:29next. So please, who authorized this

1:56:33shutdown and what is the plan for what

1:56:36the land bank will do next?

1:56:38You see, on June 16th of 2026, my email

1:56:42warned this body that immediate

1:56:44intervention was needed. Prior to that,

1:56:47former chair Kathy Morcauan wrote Mayor

1:56:49Young on September 3rd of 2025

1:56:53expressing her own concern about what

1:56:56was happening to the land bank, saying,

1:56:58and I quote, "It seems almost

1:57:01intentional." End quote. No response was

1:57:04ever received by Miss Cal. So I later

1:57:09shared that email with all of you and

1:57:11with my board. The council has oversight

1:57:13responsibilities of this agency.

1:57:16However, since 2023, council continuity

1:57:20and engagement has been ridiculously

1:57:23inconsistent among our three liaison

1:57:25that have been assigned to us. We've

1:57:27never seen them and they've never cared

1:57:29to participate with us. So, it behooves

1:57:32this council to act and I implore you to

1:57:34do so now. It's been 77 days and Memphis

1:57:38deserves better and I yield.

1:57:47Sarah Holding and then Gella Guerrero

1:57:51and Martha Lopez.

1:57:54Martha Lopez.

1:57:57>> Sarah Holding 38111.

1:58:00This is for a general comment. When a

1:58:03citizen reports city employees

1:58:05falsifying paperwork and harassment, the

1:58:07expectation is the concern would be

1:58:09taken seriously. On August 18th, a

1:58:12falsified code enforcement warning was

1:58:13posted to my door, photographed and

1:58:15removed by the employee. When

1:58:18confronted, I was warned that he would

1:58:20be following up with this warning.

1:58:23The violation, my recycle bin sitting on

1:58:26the street awaiting a missed pickup. It

1:58:28took 10 days and over calls for the

1:58:31mayor to finally get Melanie Neil to

1:58:32email me. In the email, she denies the

1:58:35existence of this piece of paper in my

1:58:37hands and she says I must have been

1:58:39confused about the interaction which she

1:58:42has seen the video of. Her employee made

1:58:44good on his word. He comes to my street

1:58:47multiple times a day or multiple times a

1:58:49week, sits in front of my house and

1:58:51ignores the rusted cars that have sit in

1:58:53my neighbor's house unmoved for seven

1:58:56years. News Channel 3 has video footage

1:58:58from 2019 of these cars still there.

1:59:01Since reporting the harassment, the

1:59:03mayor's office no longer answers my

1:59:05calls.

1:59:06Philip, you sat in this room two weeks

1:59:08ago, took down my number and blocked me

1:59:10as soon as I left this building.

1:59:13The city owns 300 properties and I've

1:59:15been visiting them in my spare time.

1:59:17Common themes: overgrown weeds, tall

1:59:19grass, fallen trees, and trash heaps. On

1:59:22Sunday, I visited 26 locations within a

1:59:255minute drive of each other. None were

1:59:27maintained.

1:59:29There are things that make our city

1:59:30ugly. A recycle bin waiting for a mis

1:59:32pickup is not one of them. False

1:59:34violations and harassment make our city

1:59:37ugly in more than one way. And it's time

1:59:38to clean the city to clean up its own

1:59:40house before making allegations against

1:59:42its citizens. Thank you,

1:59:45>> Gella Guerrero and Marta Lopez. and then

1:59:49Dexter Brit.

1:59:54>> Okay. Uh he said 38105. And I'm going to

1:59:58start uh with this little one.

2:00:01Hi, my name is Scarlet and I'm sad

2:00:04because the ice took my mom and

2:00:08um

2:00:10I just want to say um I'm sad because

2:00:12they take my mom and

2:00:16I hope um my mom is okay over there. I

2:00:20love her and I hope she has a good day

2:00:24over there.

2:00:26>> Honduras.

2:00:28>> How do you feel about that?

2:00:30sad.

2:00:32What do you want to say to your mom?

2:00:34>> I want to say I love her so much. I want

2:00:37to be with her.

2:00:42>> Thank you, Scarlet. Um, my name is Hisa

2:00:45Guerrero. I'm lead organizer with Micah.

2:00:48I was there that evening of the raid on

2:00:50August the 30th.

2:00:52It's a terrifying moment, nothing like

2:00:55we've seen in Memphis before.

2:00:58Um, this raid happened in city council

2:01:01district 5 in super district 9.

2:01:04I wanted to also mention um I don't know

2:01:07if many of y'all know why Hispanic

2:01:10Heritage Month starts on September 15th.

2:01:12It's because it's Independence Day for

2:01:15five Latin American countries. Mexico,

2:01:18Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador,

2:01:21Guatemala, Eosa Rica. It's really

2:01:24difficult to celebrate Independence Day

2:01:26when we don't feel very independent,

2:01:29very free, very liberated in Memphis

2:01:32right now. Um, we are about 14 days away

2:01:35from the one-year anniversary of the

2:01:37Memphis Unsafe Task Force being here in

2:01:39Memphis. Here's the impact in that year.

2:01:43Out of 20,426

2:01:45arrests made, only 37 were for violent

2:01:49arrests.

2:01:50187,838

2:01:53traffic stops, about one for every three

2:01:55Memphians.

2:01:57121 detained by ICE on August 30th, six

2:02:00deaths due to the Memphis Unsafe Task

2:02:03Force. And the cost of the National

2:02:05Guard, if it continues through the end

2:02:06of the year, will be $319 million. And

2:02:10that's the National Guard alone, not the

2:02:12task force, not the agents, not

2:02:15Tennessee Highway Patrol. Thank you.

2:02:18>> Thank you.

2:02:21Mara Lopez and Dexter Brit.

2:02:25>> So, Coun Chairwoman, um I I'm going to

2:02:28need to translate for her unless y'all

2:02:30have a translator.

2:02:31>> No, that'll be fine.

2:02:32>> Okay. So, we we might go a little bit

2:02:35over time just because of translation.

2:02:38>> Okay.

2:02:40>> Marta Lopez.

2:02:42>> My name is Marta Lopez.

2:03:01Um my I am a grandmother. Um two of my

2:03:05daughters were taken during the ICE raid

2:03:06on August 30th and their parents were

2:03:10taken during that time as well. Um all

2:03:12four parents have been taken by ICE

2:03:14since um last year and um I have now uh

2:03:19been left in charge of eight

2:03:21grandchildren.

2:03:34Um, the children need their parents. We

2:03:36need to stop this now because the

2:03:37children have been separated.

2:03:44I have a one-year-old, a four-year-old,

2:03:46a 10year-old

2:03:51that were separated [clears throat] from

2:03:52their parents.

2:03:56>> One of them is now in Honduras.

2:03:59Another one is detained in an ICE

2:04:02detention center.

2:04:07>> And my uh my grandsons have been left um

2:04:11abandoned without their parents.

2:04:19Our Latino community is is suffering

2:04:22from the separation and it's mainly the

2:04:24children that are suffering.

2:04:30You all need to do something so the

2:04:32children are not suffering from this

2:04:34type of separation.

2:04:49Um, I ask that you do something for our

2:04:51community. Um, us, uh, Latinos, we are

2:04:53not criminals and, uh, we're hardworking

2:04:56people and we're, uh, I just ask that

2:04:58you do something for the families and

2:05:00the children.

2:05:04>> We are not [clears throat] criminals.

2:05:06>> Gracias.

2:05:07>> Thank you.

2:05:22Dexter Britt and then Mishha Allen and

2:05:26Sarah Houston

2:05:31>> just a moment. Councilwoman Coopa

2:05:32Sutton.

2:05:34>> Thank you.

2:05:37I wanted to share with um the babies out

2:05:40there um that we hear you about your

2:05:45parents and your mommy. I can't even

2:05:47imagine what that feels like or what

2:05:49that looks like. I am a black woman and

2:05:53my grandmother is 98 years old. So, she

2:05:55grew up in the Jim Crow era and some of

2:05:59her siblings were taken from her from

2:06:01way way back. So that is a trauma that

2:06:05lasts forever. But Councilwoman Dr.

2:06:08Easter Michael Dr. Mikelin Easter and

2:06:10Thomas and myself will be presenting a

2:06:14resolution

2:06:16um asking the task force to exit and

2:06:20leave.

2:06:28and Jazelle and I, we talked about um

2:06:32Hispanic um month and we don't feel it's

2:06:37appropriate to do the resolution for

2:06:40Hispanic month until we do the task

2:06:43force and ask them to leave and then we

2:06:45will do the Hispanic resolution for

2:06:48Hispanic month.

2:06:50And so I wanted those babies to hear

2:06:52that we hear you. We hear your little

2:06:55voices. I can't imagine being separated

2:06:58from my mommy. Um, anyone in my family,

2:07:03I want you to know that I am praying for

2:07:08everything that's happening here. Prayer

2:07:10conquers all. As Brandy said, God is

2:07:13good and God is good all the time and

2:07:15he's merciful and he's merciful to all

2:07:17of us. And so, I wanted to share that

2:07:21with those babies to let them know that

2:07:23we hear you. I'm sorry. Councilman

2:07:26Smiley, did you say something?

2:07:28Bless. So, I wanted to share that with

2:07:30you all to let you know that will be

2:07:32happening at our next council meeting

2:07:34with the approval of our chairwoman and

2:07:36I think that she would be more and this

2:07:38body would be more than happy to be a

2:07:41part and sponsor all of that. So, thank

2:07:44you. Thank you, chair for that

2:07:45opportunity.

2:07:46>> Councilwoman Easter Thomas, you're

2:07:48recognized.

2:07:50>> Thank you, Chair. Um, I just want to

2:07:52echo what my colleague Cooper Sutton so

2:07:54eloquently said. Um, I know sometimes it

2:07:57looks as though folks aren't listening.

2:07:59Um, I think one as I told uh Miss

2:08:02Guerrero that I'm glad she you all came

2:08:05and actually brought the people that you

2:08:07brought and are allowing us to listen um

2:08:10as intently as each of us differently

2:08:13are about the certain things that are

2:08:15going on. Um, I think Miss Miller said

2:08:17that when you don't

2:08:20know things, it's hard to address them

2:08:22because you're not knowing them. Um, so

2:08:24thank you, Cooper Sutton, for agreeing

2:08:26to that and chair for agreeing that that

2:08:29can go on the next meeting. As Cooper

2:08:30Sutton said, uh, hopefully that will be

2:08:32more of a council effort if we can. Um,

2:08:35and also to Miss Miller, um, Miss

2:08:38Miller, right?

2:08:38>> Yes.

2:08:39>> In the pink. Okay. Um, in this budget,

2:08:42Councilwoman Green and I placed monies

2:08:46in the council stabilization fund

2:08:49directly for immigrant food access. Um,

2:08:53I don't see anyone from the city

2:08:56administration in the audience. However,

2:09:00um if we can get your information, I

2:09:03know you told us it's an email, but if I

2:09:04can we can get your information so we we

2:09:07can send it to the city administration

2:09:09to see if if that can be supported by

2:09:11the funds we already approved in this

2:09:14fiscal year's budget. I would appreciate

2:09:17working with you um councilwoman on

2:09:19that. Um the only roadblock that we've

2:09:21had and the reason why we've continued

2:09:23the way we have is because sometimes

2:09:25because of the way funds are allocated

2:09:27understandably with the oversight and

2:09:29everything there's documentation and

2:09:30things that are required that causes an

2:09:33accessibility issue to a lot of the um

2:09:35clients that we serve but I would love

2:09:37to get with you and see if there's

2:09:39something we can work on.

2:09:40>> I think we can at least ask and and

2:09:41request for our mayor administration to

2:09:44help work that out on

2:09:46>> trying to see where Summer was. Is

2:09:48Summer still here? She's at the New

2:09:49Memphis Institute, but we'll get one of

2:09:51her one of our other great analysts to

2:09:53help

2:09:55>> teamwork.

2:09:56>> All right. Dexter Britt and Makisha

2:09:59Allen.

2:10:06>> Uh, my name is Dexter Britt um and 38133

2:10:09area code. Um, thank you, Councilwoman,

2:10:13um, for expressing that uh, connection

2:10:15to to black history. And, um, I know

2:10:19many black Americans know the feeling

2:10:20of, uh, mass individuals, uh, abducting,

2:10:24uh, people, our people, and terrorizing

2:10:27our communities. So, um, I used to teach

2:10:29at Kingsbury High School and, um, I'm

2:10:31currently a co-chair with Micah with the

2:10:34immigration inclusivities committee. Um,

2:10:36and I was there the night of the raid.

2:10:37And I just want to put y'all into what

2:10:39took place, kind of let you see the

2:10:41scene. So, as you arrive, you kind of

2:10:43hear this muddled commotion and lights

2:10:46sporadically flashing. You see ICE agent

2:10:48cars sporadically parked and blocking

2:10:50the street. You then come up and you see

2:10:53a former student who is expressing their

2:10:55frustration uh towards these ICE agents

2:10:58um who have set up a perimeter around

2:10:59the bar. The agents, these agents are

2:11:02wielding zip ties, assault rifles,

2:11:05pistols, mace canisters, smug faces,

2:11:10laughing in the face of the community.

2:11:12You give them a look, this former

2:11:15student saying, "Be careful, right?

2:11:18Because you are concerned for their

2:11:19safety." And they diagnose this look and

2:11:23before you can get a word out, they tell

2:11:24you, "You can't tell me to stop. They

2:11:27have my mom."

2:11:29And they're right. Right? You have never

2:11:32seen yourself in that situation. A

2:11:34situation where you get a call in the

2:11:35middle of the night where your mom is

2:11:37being abducted and driven away to an

2:11:40unknown location.

2:11:42After you sit with that, you begin to

2:11:43take in the scene. Mothers, fathers,

2:11:46sons, daughters, other close family,

2:11:49friends crying out for their family

2:11:51members, yelling their name.

2:11:54Communication,

2:11:55communicating last minute messages,

2:11:58screaming at the agents. Some of what

2:12:00you hear is in a language you don't

2:12:02understand,

2:12:03but the language of pain and heartache

2:12:05need no translation.

2:12:09We implore you to use the levers of

2:12:10power that you do have um and to do

2:12:13those things you are committed to do.

2:12:15Thank you.

2:12:16>> Thank you,

2:12:19Makisha Allen, Sarah Houston,

2:12:23Charmin Merly, and we'll end with have a

2:12:26last name. Erica, you need a last name

2:12:28on here.

2:12:34Malesha Allen 3106.

2:12:38All right. So, I'm a lawyer, right?

2:12:41Licensed attorney. So, I know a little

2:12:43bit about the law. I know that every

2:12:46person inside of the United States has

2:12:49due process rights, no matter if they're

2:12:51a citizen or if they're undocumented or

2:12:54anything in between. So, I know that the

2:12:57Memphis Safe Task Force and ICE violate

2:13:01people's due process rights every single

2:13:04day.

2:13:06I also know that although your power is

2:13:09limited, it is not zero.

2:13:12What's the point of sitting in those

2:13:14chairs if you don't listen to your

2:13:16constituents?

2:13:18You cut off the mic on my neighbor.

2:13:21What she had to say is important.

2:13:24You are subjected to criticism. That's

2:13:28why you were elected.

2:13:30I have another question.

2:13:34What is so important that y'all must

2:13:36talk about it while citizens are

2:13:39talking?

2:13:40Councilman Smiley,

2:13:42Councilman [clears throat] Ford, what's

2:13:44so important?

2:13:47Also, no disrespect, Councilman Ford,

2:13:50but we are using time, energy, and

2:13:53resources to rename a street after your

2:13:56parents. I did not hear anything

2:13:58extraordinary that they did. What about

2:14:01these kids? Parents,

2:14:05energy, and resources to go towards

2:14:07them. You can cut my mic. I don't care.

2:14:09I don't even want to talk to y'all.

2:14:11Y'all, it is up to

2:14:16>> that was not his parent

2:14:22>> Cedric. Thank you.

2:14:24>> We will now have Sarah Houston, Charman

2:14:27Merley, and then Miss Erica.

2:14:31>> Thank you.

2:14:35>> Out. Out.

2:15:06Sarah Houston, Charman Merley.

2:15:22Okay, she's not here.

2:15:25Okay.

2:15:33>> Council Sarah Houston 38103.

2:15:37>> I serve um

2:15:43out.

2:15:53>> Thank you. April C.

2:15:55>> Thanks. Um Sarah Houston 38103. I serve

2:15:58as executive director of Protect Our

2:16:00Aquafer. Um first I just want to mention

2:16:03tomorrow we're going to be delivering a

2:16:05petition with over a thousand signatures

2:16:06to MLGW board. Um this

2:16:17can't say I don't disagree with her. So,

2:16:18you know, keep going.

2:16:20>> Thank you.

2:16:21>> All right. All right. Um, thank you. All

2:16:24right. Tomorrow, tomorrow morning, 8:30

2:16:27in the morning, hope to see y'all. MLGW

2:16:30board meeting, we're delivering a

2:16:31petition with over a thousand signatures

2:16:33because MLGW plans to raise water rates.

2:16:35If you look at our water rate structure,

2:16:37the more industry uses, the cheaper it

2:16:40is per gallon. XAI right now is paying

2:16:4219 cents per hund per 100 gallons. We're

2:16:45paying 32 cents. So, this is an equity

2:16:48issue that we've been thinking about at

2:16:49Protect Aquifer since 2022.

2:16:52And this petition is ahead of the

2:16:55budget. Y'all are going to be seeing the

2:16:56MLGW budget. There's a lot going on. So,

2:16:58are y'all still listening or what's all

2:17:01right? Um, so I want to make y'all aware

2:17:04because y'all are going to be approving

2:17:05the MLGW budget and we need to make sure

2:17:07that these commercial water rate

2:17:09structures are equitable. We do not want

2:17:11to see our residential water rates

2:17:13touched unless we start seeing a

2:17:15progressive water rate structure. I also

2:17:18want to say we support this data center

2:17:20moratorum

2:17:22period and I really urge each one of you

2:17:25to come on as co-sponsors. We have four

2:17:28co-sponsors. If you're going to vote

2:17:29yes, be a co-sponsor. This is something

2:17:32that is so important. Y'all have a lot

2:17:34of really serious issues going on right

2:17:36now. We're talking about some very

2:17:38serious immigration

2:17:40stuff going on right now. Y'all need a

2:17:43pause on data centers. Let's do a study.

2:17:46Y'all heard about air pollution. We

2:17:48could poke holes in that air pollution

2:17:49study all day long. Y'all need to study

2:17:53not just about air, not just about

2:17:55water, about labor, about pilots, about

2:17:57taxes, and about all these different

2:17:59aspects of data center development. So

2:18:02get a pause, think about all these other

2:18:03big issues y'all got to deal with. Let

2:18:05us get to work on a study. Let us get to

2:18:08work on what a good joint ordinance is

2:18:11going to look like. We need the city and

2:18:12the county together on this. We need the

2:18:15whole county regulated. We need to make

2:18:17sure that the city council, the health

2:18:19department, the county commission,

2:18:21everybody's working together on this.

2:18:23Protector Aquafer plans to be there

2:18:24every step of the way, but we need a

2:18:26moratorum. We need a pause and we need

2:18:28you all to work together. Please come on

2:18:30as a co-sponsor. Thank you.

2:18:34>> Thank you.

2:18:37>> We will now have Charmin Merley.

2:18:52Charman Merley uh 38117

2:18:56and

2:18:58I am in awe. I'm humbled

2:19:02and a little embarrassed because uh I

2:19:05have a very simple message and mine is

2:19:08that I'm here tonight to support the

2:19:10moratorum

2:19:12on data centers

2:19:14especially one in South Memphis.

2:19:18Um there is not a data center near my

2:19:22home

2:19:24may never be one.

2:19:26But I'm here to speak out against the

2:19:31extraordinary pollution and exorbitant

2:19:34use of our resources.

2:19:36Not the least of which is our water,

2:19:38which we are abundantly blessed in

2:19:41Memphis. Not every community has

2:19:47the water that we have. And I'm sorry,

2:19:49but it seems like a pure waste to use it

2:19:52on a data center.

2:19:56I

2:19:58support everything that was been said

2:20:01before me much more eloquently than I

2:20:04ever could say it. Um, we have a duty

2:20:07and a privilege of being stewards of

2:20:09this

2:20:11resources that we have

2:20:13and it's my hope that you will approve

2:20:15this moratorum.

2:20:18Thank you for your time.

2:20:20>> Thank you. That concludes our comment

2:20:23card cards. We will entertain a motion

2:20:25to adjurnn. It's been moved by Smiley,

2:20:28second by Ford Canali. Thank you. The

2:20:29meeting is adjourned. Everyone have a

2:20:31safe evening. Thank you for coming out.