City Council - Regular Meeting

Sergeant at Arms, please call our September 15th, 2026 council meeting to order. The chaplain for today is Pastor Dwayne Hunt of Abundant Grace Fellowship. He was invited by Councilwoman White. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance after the prayer.

Pastor Hunt, if you'll come back to the front. Thank you so much for that beautiful prayer. Councilwoman White, you are recognized at this time.

Thank you again, Pastor Hunt. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the roll.

Thank you. I believe Councilman Ford-Canale has reviewed the minutes.

Yes, Madam Chair, thank you. I have reviewed the meeting minutes from September 1, 2026, find them to be in order, and move for their adoption.

It has been moved by Councilman Canale, second by Councilman Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screens for the vote to approve the minutes for the September 1st, 2026 meeting.

That item passes. Welcome to the September 15th, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council. Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure that the public has the full opportunity to be heard and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times. The Sergeant at Arms Officer Young has meeting agendas available up front as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on the specific item. All those wishing to speak on an item must turn in their comment card to the sergeant at arms before the item is called. If you are

Councilwoman Logan, you are recognized at this time.

Madam Comptroller, if you would show that vote by acclamation.

Madam Comptroller, before you call the next item, on behalf of the Memphis City Council, we have a person behind the scene who's always supportive, always has a standard of excellence. She's ready to serve. She sounds like someone on the news media. when she is pronouncing words for the city council. We want to let her know that we love her, we acknowledge her, we appreciate her, and that person is none other than Mrs. Valerie Snipes. We celebrate Ms. Snipes and this is just part one of your celebration, Ms. Snipes. Thank you for your standard of excellence. Let's give her a hand again.

Yes, ma'am. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number two.

Councilman Edmund Ford Sr., you are recognized at this time.

While they're coming down, I just want to say a few things. Today is the best day ever. It's my wife's birthday.

She's 21 years old. 21. All right. They don't get no older than that. Yeah, we've been married for 48 years, been together 52 years. That's not too bad. Congratulations. Not only that, I got my brother right here to read all of this. My eyes are bothering me. I'm going through a few things right now. My oldest sister passed. So I got to leave in the morning and go to New York. Hopefully I can bring her back to Memphis. My other sister, Joyce, she's not doing well either. She's in the hospital. So I'm going through a few changes with my family right now. So I need everybody to just pray for us,

Whereas when worthy circumstances arise, the Memphis City Council has seen fit to name certain public roads to honor citizens who have served the city of Memphis, and Elsie and Jesse Ford Sr. are undoubtedly such individuals. And whereas after marrying Elsie Irby, Jesse Ford Sr. purchased a small piece of land next door to where he was born on Travis Road. After obtaining a job as a carman with Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, he committed to building his home. It took four years and three children before they could move in. But finally, Elsie and Jesse Ford Sr. had the American dream, a home a

They had some of the best hamburgers, fish, malts, and all. I went to Mitchell Road School, but now when lunchtime came around, that's where we gathered. Then we went back to school. We wasn't supposed to have been leaving school, but we did to just go get that food, okay? And I just want to thank y'all. And we grew up together. all of us, but his mom, dad, the whole family, they were like one. And that's a good thing to say. I'm number 15. I got to go deal with my part of the family, but they were like one. God is good all the time when you just want everybody. And when mama was sick, everyth

Madam Comptroller, if you will please call that item being approved by acclamation. Madam Comptroller, please call item number 34.

Councilwoman Walker, you are recognized at this time.

Congratulations. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call, will you please show that item number 34 is approved by acclamation with same night minutes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the consent agenda items six through 13 with same night minutes on items 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Councilman Canale, you are recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll move the consent agenda to the floor for its discussion and further adoption.

All right, there are no counsel in the queue to speak. It has been moved by Councilman Ford Canale, second by Councilman Spinoza. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote on the consent agenda.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the fiscal consent agenda, items 14 through 15, with same night minutes on items 14 and 15.

Thank you, Madam Comptroller. Councilman Ford-Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move the fiscal consent agenda to the floor for discussion and further adoption.

It has been moved by Councilman Gannelli, second by Councilman Warren. There aren't any council members in the queue to speak. Adam Comptroller, if you would please prepare the screen for the vote for the consent agenda.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, we will please call the Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Fiscal Consent Agenda item.

Thank you, Madam Comptroller. Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.

It has been moved by Councilwoman Walker, second by Councilman Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen to vote for the MLGW fiscal consent agenda.

That item passes. That moves us to our planning and development items, items four and five. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number four.

Councilman Spinoza, you're recognized at this time.

Okay. That item was moved by Councilman Spinoza, second by Councilman Warren. Are there any council members that would like to see the presentation again? Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote for item number four.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number five.

This item has been moved by Councilman Spinoza, second by Councilman Dr. Warren. There are no council members in the queue to speak. Is there anyone that would like to see the presentation again? Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for item number five.

That item passes. That will take us to our add-on agenda items in same night minutes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 29.

It has been moved by Councilwoman Logan, seconded by Councilman Dr. Warren. There are no council members in the queue to speak. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen to vote for item number 29.

This item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 30.

We're excited to complete these needed repairs. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.

It's been moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman Canale. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, please call item number 31.

Councilwoman White, you're recognized. Councilman Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.

It has been moved by Councilman Canale, seconded by Councilman Dr. Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 32.

This item has been moved by Councilman Spinoza, second by Councilman Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, please call item number 33.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.

It has been moved by Councilman Canale, seconded by Councilman Spinoza. There are no council members in the queue. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen. Council, please cast your vote for item number 33.

That item passes. That moves us to our regular agenda items, items 26 through 28. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 26.

Councilman Spinoza, you are recognized. And then we have Councilman Warren in the queue.

Okay, we have a motion to hold. Can we get a second? All right. All those in favor? Any opposed to holding? Without objection, any opposed to holding? All right, that item will be held until October 6th.

All right. Noted. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 27.

Councilwoman White, you're recognized. Item number 28.

So we're holding item 27 until October 20th.

Okay, without objection. Any opposed of holding that to October 20th? Okay, that item will be held until October 20th. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 28.

Attorney Wade, would you like to give us some insight on this, please?

All right. Councilman Canale, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met, recommended putting these three on the ballot. And with that, I move it to the floor.

All right. It has been moved by Councilman Canale, second by Councilman Dr. Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

That item passes. That brings us to our same night minute items. Councilman Canale, if you would please read the same nine-minute items into the record for us.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Those items will be 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. And with that, I move it to the floor, Madam Chair.

It's been moved by Councilman Port Canale, seconded by Councilman Dr. Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screens to vote for the same minute items.

That item passes. Attorney Wade, you're recognized at this time.

Thank you, Attorney Wade. Well, that moves us to our comment cards. First on our comment cards is Ms. Glenda Hicks and then Kashawn Pearson. After Mr. Pearson, Maria Osega, okay. Thank you, Ms. Hicks.

Thank you so much. Kashawn Pearson and then Maria Osega. After that, Reverend Keith Caldwell.

Thumbs up, thumbs down. Thank you. I see some people cooperating so nicely. Maria. Yes. Osega. Osega. Thank you.

Reverend Keith Caldwell, and then Lucci Chambliss.

Lucci Chambliss and then Tracy Woods and Brandy Price.

Tracy Woods. Then Brandy Price. And then Jessica Miller.

We're not gonna talk about the mayor, thank you. She has a right. What do you say about the council? Thank you so much. Your time has expired. We will now have Jessica Miller. Brandi Price, go ahead, and then Jessica Miller. Yes, because you were disruptive, and if you keep talking, you're going to be escorted out. Thank you so much. Brandi Price, you're up.

Ms. Miller. And then Christine Fox and Joy Fairfield.

Thank you so much, Ms. Miller. Christine Fox and Joy Fairfield and then Eunice Garcia.

Joy Fairfield. And then we will have Eunice Garcia. And then Reagan Murray and Carrie Yacomini. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm sorry, go ahead and repeat that.

Thank you, thank you. And that was the focus and the purpose for the entire meeting this morning, to make sure that we have some regulations in place. Eunice Garcia, Joy Fairfield.

Joy Fairfield and Reagan Murray. Okay, Reagan Murray.

We don't want to do any insulting comments. For the mayors, please.

Thank you. Karen Yagomeni and then Ricky Lewis.

Thank you. Ricky Lewis and then Michael Harris. After Michael Harris, Sarah Hody.

You said giving contracts to his friend. Who is his friend? I know who he is, but who is his friend? You said they're giving contracts to his friend. I'm looking at it, but... So every... So everything that you have highlighted, you're suggesting that these are his friends?

Are these text messages or emails? What is this? Email. Okay.

Can I also make one note? We don't approve the contracts of MLGW. Our authority over MLGW is limited to setting the salaries of... the individuals who work there, and also with the rate-making body as it relates to how MLGW conducts business on a day-to-day basis. That's up to the MLGW board. We don't have that authority. Our authority is limited by charter. Rate-making body is one. And then the second thing is set the salaries of those individuals who work there. over, I forget, what's the, I think it's like $200,000. Anybody over $200,000, we said. That's the authority of the city council. I

All right, Ricky Lewis and Michael Harris. Oh, that was Ricky Lewis. Michael Harris and then Sarah Holding.

Gisela Guerrero and Marta Lopez, and then Dexter Britt.

Dexter Britt, and then Makisha Allen and Sarah Houston. Just a moment, Councilwoman Cooper-Sudden.

Councilwoman Easter-Thomas, you're recognized.

I'm trying to see where Summer was. Is Summer still here?

All right. Dexter Britt and Makisha Allen.

Thank you. Malkisha Allen, Sarah Houston, Charmin Murley, and we'll end with, we don't have a last name. Erica, you get the last name on here.

That was not his parent. Cedric, thank you. We will now have Sarah Houston, Charmin Murley, and then Miss Erica. Thank you. Out, out. Sarah Houston, Sharman Murley. Okay, she's not here. Okay.

Thank you. That concludes our comment cards. We will entertain a motion to adjourn. It's been moved by Smiley, seconded by Ford Canale. Thank you. The meeting is adjourned. Everyone have a safe evening. Thank you for coming out.

You don't have a card, but you can go ahead and tell us your name. I did have a card. Well, I don't have your card, but we are going to allow you the time to speak.

Thank you so much for coming and sharing.