City Council - Regular Meeting

Sergeant-at-Arms, please call our March 3rd, 2026 council meeting to order. I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Dr. Noel Hutchinson from Kingdom Fellowship Baptist Church, invited by Councilwoman Walker. Dr. Hutchinson, please lead us in prayer. May we pray. Oh Lord, who is able to sit high and yet look low, call upon you on behalf of the 6,010 residents of this city. You have allowed these representatives elected by our populace to transact the important affairs of the city on behalf of their constituents. Give them great wisdom and concern for every citizen from the least to the greatest. May every decision be selfless and empowering for every corner and hamlet of these great environments. As we close while we respect every religion, I pray in the mighty, marvelous, magnificent and matchless name of Jesus the Christ. Amen. To the flag of the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all.

Thank you for that beautiful prayer. Councilwoman Walker, you are recognized at this time. Dr. Hutcherson, I want to thank you for everything that you do for this city as if it were your home, but it is now your home for the past 31 years. And you and your lovely wife Rebecca with um South City CDC and just so many things that you do through the church. Um, just thank you again for pouring into Memphis, the city of Memphis, Tennessee, by the city council. Greetings. Be it hereby known that Dr. No Hutchinson in recognition of a life exemplary qualities, outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been appointed chaplain of the day of the Memphis City Council, and is hereby entitled to all honors, privileges, and prerogatives appertaining to the office and to the display of this certificate given under this seal on the 3rd day of March 2026 signed Janice Weren Washington chairman and presented by yours truly Pearl Evil

Walker City Council District 3. Thank you again. Thank you,

madame controller. Please call the role. Thank you. Council member Canali, Carlilele, Cooper, Sutton, Easter, Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Smiley, Spinosa, Walker, Warren, White, Chairwoman Swearington, Washington, present. You have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Controller. I believe Vice Chairman Carlile has read the minutes. You're recognized, vice chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I reviewed the minutes and find them to be in order, and I move for the adoption of the February 24th, 2026 meeting minutes. Madam Controller, if I could have the motion button.

Thank you, Madam Control. Thank you. It has been moved by Vice Chairman Carlile. It has been seconded by Councilwoman Logan. Madame Controller, will you please prepare the screens for a vote to approve the minutes of the February 24th, 2026 meeting? Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Bossa, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearington Washington, yes. Please show Council Member Cooper Sutton as voting yes on the minutes. That item passes. Welcome to the March 3rd, 2026 regular meeting of the Memphis City Council. Meetings of the council shall be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure the public has the full opportunity to be heard and the deliberate process of the council is retained at all times due to the declarations of a state of emergency by the president of the United States, the governor of Tennessee, and the mayor of Memphis relating Oh, okay. I had to read that part. I think that was when we had our virtual. Okay. So, we'll move on. We just want to make sure that everyone um knows that we will have an orderly meeting. There has been a model of the size signs that are that have been permitted in case you have that. And with that, we'll go on and move on with

our meeting. Our holes are items number three and number 26. They will be held until April 28th, 2026. Items 30 and 31 will be held until March 24, 2026. Item 28 will be held until May 26, 2026. We will start with our presentations. Madame controller, will you please call item number one. Thank you. Item number one is a resolution honoring Marian Lroy A. Williams. This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. Thank you, Mr. Williams. This is in honor of you and I will read the resolution aloud. It says, "Whereas Marian Lroy A. Williams is a seasoned political strategist, distinguished community leader, publisher, entrepreneur, and housing justice advocate whose life and work are deeply rooted in Memphis and whose influence spans civic, economics, political, and cultural spares. And whereas born in 1951 in Hartsville, South Carolina, he is the son of Marian Robert Alexander Williams and Olive Alexander Williams, the grandson of Dr. Harriet Meyers Williams and one of the first black physicians in South Carolina and the cousin of Congressman James Clayon refle reflecting a proud legacy of public service and whereas

demonstrating extraordinary promise early in life. Marian Lroy Williams graduated high school at age 15 and pursued professional athletics with the Minnesota Twins organization and later within the New York Yankees organization, early experience in elite professional arenas. And whereas he made history as the first black male student at Coker College and continued extensive studies in journalism, business, accounting, parallegal studies, and law including academic experiences at Princeton University during his historic transition to co-education where he advocated for inclusion and equity and where is for more than four decades Marian Lroy A. Williams has been a leading and advocate for housing justice and property tax reform in Tennessee. Saving thousands of homes and businesses from tax sales, reversing Rome for Caesars, preserving 29 city of Memphis jobs by preventing a 8 million contract that would eliminate those positions and protecting vulnerable residents from displacement. And whereas throughout his life he has remained steadfast in his commitment to civil rights, economic empowerment, fair housing, equitable education, and accountable governance, investing in blackowned businesses, and supporting institutions such as Lemon on College and numerous community organizations across the mids south. And whereas Mary and Lroy Williams enduring legacy of courage, vision, and service, continue to inspire future generations to pursue justice, leadership, and

community advancement with purpose. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Memphis City Council hereby honors and commends Marian L. Troy A. Williams for his extraordinary lifetime of leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and service to the people of Memphis and beyond. Given by my hand under the great seal of the city of Memphis this third day of March 2026, Yolanda Cooper Sutton, Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton, Memphis City Council. Would you like your family to come up with you? Would you like your family to come up so you take a picture? Family, come on up.

Miss Williams, you have shortcomings.

I just want to say that um two daughters graduated from Harvard University. I fought for the rights of women in 1969. The first 15 women showed up at Princeton University March 15, 1969. And in fact, it was 17. Four blacks and 13 whites. They had to go back because we didn't have a dorm for them. But later um March the 18th they was able to seat um four black women and 13 whites which also led to Tony Morrison and Con West being able to enter into Princeton University. Thank you so much. I thank this council for what it has done. It has made my day uh after my daughter uh Dr. Lenel Alexander Williams and um for all of that and for all what you've done. I want to just say thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Family, come on up behind them. Family, come on up behind them for a picture. All right. Come on. The family, you get up there, son. All right.

Madam Controller, please show that approved by acclamation. If you Please call item number two. Presentation number two.

Item number two is a presentation from the Memphis Youth City Council. Good afternoon everyone. We are pleased to welcome the Memphis Youth City Council who will be sharing a presentation with us today. I am excited to see what they have been working hard on. Their efforts provides a valuable perspective on the ideas and concerns of young people in our community. We look forward to learning from their insights and celebrating their contributions. Let's give them a warm welcome.

Good afternoon, council. On behalf of Director Harris, the office of youth services, my name is Dara Hall and I am the program advisor and coordinator for the Memphis Youth City Council. Thank you. Thank you y'all. Thank you. As someone who's had the privilege of serving this city um and serving in a capacity across many divisions, it is a true honor to stand before you today, returning back to the city, working for our incredible office of youth services and working with this amazing group. I want to give Miss Brookman a special thank you for working with me to get this meeting to get the kids here to present. And so um oh, also one other acknowledgement. Uh, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge former councilman Dick Brittnam in the audience because he um when he served on the city council in 2007, he is the one who established the resolution to create the Memphis Youth City Council. So, we would not be here without him. So, that's the power of legacy. So, and without further ado, I am proud to present to you the Memphis Youth City Council. Thank you, Miss Hall. Greetings, council members. My name is Destiny Davenport and I proudly serve as the chairwoman of this lovely council. Standing behind me, the Memphis Youth City Council. I serve as the youth representative for District 5, which is represented by Councilman Phip Spinosa and I am a junior at Bartlet High School. This is my second year serving on the council and my first year serving as chair. I would like to start by thanking director Brian Harris, program coordinator Dara Hall, and the entire office of youth services for their dedication to amplifying the young voices of our beautiful city. The Memphis Youth City Council was created to give the youth in the city of Memphis a voice. We make it our duty to be the point of contact between young people locally and our city government. We have made it our mission to promote youth service, leadership, and

engagement. We have done so thanks to new programming from Miss Hall by participating in serving in service events, learning about city government, and most recently creating our own policy recommendations. We complete monthly service activi monthly community service activities. In September, we attended the Orange Mound community cleanup. In October, we created self-care packages and provided food for those in need in partnership with Friends for All. In November, we participated in the free pet vaccine giveaway hosted by chairwoman swearing in Washington. And most recently, we completed a day of service on Martin Luther King Day at the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab Rehabilitation Center. Giving back to our community has been one of the most important elements of serving on this council. Our biggest accomplishment this year has been attending the Student Storm the Hill Youth Advocacy Day in Nashville, Tennessee. On this occasion, we toured the state capital and learned more about our state's history and government. Most importantly, thanks to our program coordinator, Miss Daryl Hall, we had the opportunity to meet with two senators and two state representatives to learn more about how about to learn more about how to go about creating policy and change in our city. This past Saturday at the youth voice summit hosted by Bridges USA, we used the tips that our state legislature gave us and implemented them into our policy recommendations which vice chairwoman Kohley will tell you about shortly. Again, I would like to thank you council members as well as your staff for your time and dedication. I now present to you Vice Chairwoman Jordan Kohley. Thank you. Thank you, Chairwoman Davenport. Good afternoon, council members and Memphis members of the city council staff. I am Jordan Kohley and I proudly serve as the first year vice chair of the Memphis UC

Council. I am a junior at Germantown High School and I am honored to represent district 2 alongside council member Jerry Green and super district 9 position 2 alongside council member Ford Canali. Before I begin, I would like to sincerely thank Director Harris, the Office of Youth Services, and our Memphis Youth City Council Program Coordinator Coordinator, Miss Daryl Hall, for their leadership and commitment to creating spaces where young people are not only heard, but empowered. The success of this program is a direct reflection of their dedication. We do not take that lightly. I am proud to serve on the Memphis Sous City Council because I believe youth leadership is not optional. It is essential. Serving on this council and also serving youth through the Shelby County Youth Council has shown me that young people are not waiting for change. We are preparing to lead it. At the recent Youth Voice Summit, students across Memphis gathered with courage and clarity. It was more than an event. It was a movement of young people identifying real issues, presenting real solutions. Students spoke boldly about what they want to see improved in their schools and communities. They did not just point at problems. They developed recommendations and stood behind them. As a council, our youth recommendation focuses on strengthening youth health and wellness, particularly increasing access to comprehensive and accurate sexual health information. Students consistently share that access to trusted age appropriate information leads to safer choices, stronger confidence, and better outcomes. When youth are informed, they are empowered. In addition to these recommendations, the Memphis Sous City Council has also created and distributed a citywide youth health and wellness survey to gather direct input from young people across

Memphis. This survey asked students about their access to health care, mental health resources, sexual health education, trusted adults in their lives and the types of support they believe will make a real difference. We did this because advocacy which should not be based on assumptions. It should be informed by the lived experiences of youth. By collecting this data, we are ensuring that our recommendation reflect inu reflecting what students are actually asking for and not what they think they should need. In addition, the policy recommendation I shared at the youth voice summit calls for the appointment of four high school student representatives to the school board with full voting power. Students are directly impacted by school board decisions every single day. If policy should shape our classrooms, our safety, and our future, then our representation should be more than symbolic. It should be structural. Moving forward, only having a voice to have a vote creates accountability, transparency, and trust within our education system. I am incredibly proud proud of this Memphis City Council. We are thoughtful, committed, and intentional about the work we are doing. We are not here to simply observe government in action. We are here to participate it and strengthen it. Thank you to the Memphis City Council and staff for your time, for listening, and for continuing to recognize the power of youth leadership in this city. And another special thanks to our program coordinator for the Memphis City Council, Miss Darra Hall. Thank you. At this time, I would like to invite the remaining fellow members of the Memphis City Council to introduce themselves. Thank you.

Greetings, council members. My name is Journey Jones and I am a junior at White Station High School. I proudly represent District 2. I am proud to serve on Memphis City Council because my fellow council members motivate me to do my best and to serve my community. I am continuously growing because of this council and I'm incredibly proud and pleased at this program to make an impact on my city with these people. Thank you for for your time. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Maline Campbell and I am sen a senior at the middle college high school. I proudly represent district 3. I am proud to serve on the Memphis Youth City Council because it gives me an opportunity to represent and tackle the issues that my youth face in the city dayto-day. Thank you. Good evening, council members. My name is Desire Futrell and I am a senior at Westwood High School. I proudly represent District 6 represented by Councilman Edmond Ford, Senior, and I am proud to work on the Memphis City Council because I have the opportunity to help teach our youth more about civic educ education and give back to our community through doing so. Thank you all for your time and listening. Good afternoon, council members. My name is Andreas Ramov and I am a junior at East High School. I represent District 7, currently represented by Councilwoman Michael and Easter Thomas and I am currently running to represent Super District 9 position one on the Memphis City Council. I am proud to serve on the Memphis City Coun on the Memphis Youth City Council because I get to connect with youth and

youth community leaders that focus on making Memphis a model city for the rest of the world. Thank you very much. Good afternoon, council members, city leaders, and guests. My name is Lauren Phillips, and I am a sophomore at Houston High School, proudly representing Super District 8, position one under Councilman JB Smiley. I serve as the legal analyst on the Memphis Youth City Council and it is truly an honor to represent the youth in my district. Through the Memphis City Council, my fellow council members and I are committed to making sure young people have a real voice in the decisions that impact our city. We work together to share ideas and create solutions that help make Memphis better for our youth. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for listening to my colleagues and I today. Good afternoon, council members. My name is Jaylen Goodman and I am a current junior at White Station High School. I serve on the Memphis UCD Council representing Super District 8 position 2, which is represented by none other than Councilwoman Janica White. I am excited for the opportunity to serve on the Memphis City Council to connect with youth minds across the city of Memphis that are critical and fundamental towards the future of our city as well as connecting with elected officials who are supportive and can put youth ideas that are abstract into action. Thank you council members for your time and I'd like to warmly welcome my fellow council member Zion Duran to the mic. Greetings, council members. I am Zion Duran and I'm a current junior at the

Sville Charter School in South Memphis, Tennessee. This is my second year serving on the Memphis Youth City Council and I represent DI Super District 8 position 3, which is represented currently by Yolanda Cooper Sutton. I am proud to serve on the Memphis Youth City Council because I'm able to meet with my state representatives, my state senators, my county commissioners, and my city council members to work towards creating long lasting policy to build towards a better Memphis that centers youth input. Thank you so much for your time, and I'd like to welcome my colleague, Gabriella Spencer. Thank you so much.

Good evening, council members. My name is Gabrielle Spencer. I am a freshman attending Germantown High School and I am a representative of Super District 9 position 3 represented by Dr. Jeff War. I am proud to serve on the youth youth youth city council because we get a chance to advocate and be the voice for the youth. Thank you for your time. Thank you members so much and we will get someone representing district one because council woman Logan is heartbroken over here. I just want you to know that.

We'll make sure everybody gets to meet with them too. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the Memphis City Council before you leave.

Hold on. Before they leave though, I do want to say this. I attended the youth summit on Saturday and when I tell you great job to everyone who participated and put that on, it was I mean it was just a sight of excellence and it was such a great use of my time to come out and hear you all. You all, I mean, you all nailed it, killed it, and I cannot wait for us to engage you all even more because your voices do matter. And we are so proud of you all for stepping up and telling us what it is that you need and agreeing to represent the constituents in our district. So, thank you all and we are just proud. Thank you, Councilwoman Logan. You're recognized.

Thank you, Chair. I just also wanted to commend you all for uh your presence. Commend you all for stepping up and taking on this role and being interested and inquisitive about public service. U really looking forward to seeing the gifts that you all have that you're going to be able to give to our city. And I'm even more excited to see a representative from District One among me. You all continue to do the what you're doing and pursue excellence. You are great. God bless. Thank you. Council Logan, Counciloman, a sudden you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair. You all did an amazing, phenomenal job Saturday. I was there and what really blew my mind was the jail exhibit that was presented and how for the juveniles and how small that box. I was uh Representative Pearson was trying to get me to go over there and get it and I was like, "No, I'll just watch it from a distance." But your work, your effort, I mean, just everything you did and your policies and the things that you want to see happen in this city. I just don't want to sit here and just clap and say good job, but your policy and what the things that you were saying that you want to see happen in this city because you're the future. You should be connecting with your council members trying to get these policies implemented and so your voices can be heard because what you all are living is real. So, thank you so much. And to your wonderful leader here, just amazing. It takes a lot of energy to deal with young people and you're doing an amazing job. So, thank you. Thank you. And you all can come up here quickly and stand behind your representative. We'll get a quick picture if you can come up here quickly and stand behind your representative. And then we'll move on to impass discussion number 27. Whatever. The Camera.

There we go. All right, we're counting down. 10 9 8 7 6 Five. Five. Four. Three. I'm ready. Two and one. Madame Controller, will you please call item number 27?

Item number 27 is an ordinance to amend article 8, section 2-370 of the code of ordinances relative to arbitration of labor disputes and past procedures and preservation of charter powers of city council. Up for third and final reading. Ordinance number 5969 is sponsored by the Memphis City Council. This item was held from February 24th. Councilwoman White, you are recognized at this time. Yeah, this item came down with no recommendation. Okay. Can I get a motion? Motion.

Move it. It's been moved by Councilman White. Councilwoman White, please forgive me. It has been seconded by Councilman Dr. Warren. All right, Councilwoman Councilman Smiley, you are recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madame Chair. This item we talked about quite um at length in the committee meetings and also uh previous council meetings. Um there's something currently being passed around. It is the uh proposed um substitute ordinance. I do not have a copy of it. I left it in my office. Um the proposed substitute ordinance that we talked about in the committee meeting. Essentially what happens in this uh proposed substitute ordinance which is different from the previous ordinance that was passed around around is instead of three arbitrators um hearing um the bargaining units in the city present in more like of a a more formal hearing setting, the arbitrator will one arbitrator will be selected um selected by uh the council. Um the administration will present one arbitrator to us. The the the bargaining units were present arbitrator. Um although they present an arbitrator, the council is no longer b is not bound by the nomination um of the arbitrator by the city administration and employee of the employee association. That means the council can either choose one of the arbitrators uh put forth by the employee association or the city administration or choose a different arbitrator. Um and that arbitrator will essentially uh hear it on brief. What that means is the the employee associations and the uh city administration will present any information they have and to to the arbitrator and arbitrator would then make a decision based off the written documentation. At that point in time, the arbitrator would then present the his or her findings to the chair of the Memphis City Council. the chair, members, city council will then distribute to the council members. And then at some point in time, I think either the second or third meeting, the city council will then um based on the

information we have, based on our own uh knowledge as well, we'll make a decision um to either accept the arbitrator's decision or take a different course. um this is much more cost effective than the the previous um ordinance that we're current currently changing right now. I do also think it gives us a way to have an independent party take a look at the information determine if we're taking action um that is in the best interest of the city of Memphis and the people who call this place home. Uh, I think I captured pretty much everything that's different from what we talked about upstairs, but everything I think I did a pretty good job of capturing everything. Um I know there's no one here um from the Yeah, there's no one here um from the employee associations, but I do I think I have to make a motion to

So I want to I want to move to substitute um what you see in front of you um is the new um ordinance to amend article um a second.

Okay, got a second from Carlile. Hopefully that objection. So, we have cards. Um, at at the end of the cards, I'm probably going to I'm going to make a motion to to hold this. This is something that kind of happened on the fly. Um, in the terms of attorney Wade and I having a pretty good debate. Uh, and I say debate meaning I respect his his legal opinion. Um, and I always like a good argument. He made a pretty good one today. Um, I think this is um what I believe to be fair, but in order to be fair, we it's my belief we do need to give the employee associations an opportunity to to take a look at, you know, what we came up with in committee meeting. But I'm out the queue for now, but I will be getting back in the queue to make a motion to hold until the next council meeting with the caveat that um that proposal will be done with same night minutes.

All right, we're going to hear our card and then I'll come back to um the queue. Mr. Nibbi, are you here at this time?

If you'll just state your name and then you may proceed.

Okay. Nquis Nibbi with IBW Local 474. Good evening, council. First of all, I'd like to say when the associations come down here, we come down here with the with the intent of what our our people want, which is also your constituents, your your the people who vote for you. Okay? I don't see why we have to rush into getting a new ordinance right now. We've we've sent out letters. We've asked to form a committee and work with the city on doing this. This is the fourth draft of this in less than a month and I think we're really rushing when we need to really sit down and take a look how we can make this better. Everybody agreed that the process was skewed last year and for us to just rush in and pencil this stuff. We really need to sit down and take a look at this and so we can really better the process for years to come. We don't want to just rush into something and then we get into this. Oh, there's another problem. You know, I think this document or this ordinance needs to be highly scrutinized by the by representatives from the association and representatives from the cities like it's always been done when the ordinance has been changed. And so, I'm asking for the council to form a committee on this ordinance so we can sit down at the table. This stuff has just been throwed at us. We got the new one at 10:00 this morning and then we just not getting this one at 4:00 today. And I understand you giving us two weeks to look at it, but I think we really need to spend some more time because this is very important uh something that we're fixing to change. So, like I say, I I beg the com I beg the council to consider creating a a

committee on this and let's work together to make it better for all of us. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Councilman Carlile, you are recognized in this time. Vice Chair Carlile.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh I mean, I I can go for a hold. I see a bunch of technical issues and I guess what I would go back to is like if you want to do the to make everybody feel better. Fine. But again, you're going to run into technical issues for everybody to feel better about it. When and this is really kind of a rhetorical, but it's really a question to each member before we move forward with the hold or not is like if you're not likely to change your stance, the best thing that you can do is lay the ground rules out there early so that people have enough time to get familiar with them. And by the way, they're not changing significantly. I think literally at the end of the day, it's some calendar appointments that have changed. and moving to an arbitrator for mediation which I don't even think they actually go to mediation most of the time and so I just to the body I'm not trying necessarily to cram this down anybody's throat but I don't see these overall like I I've asked many times for people to articulate the changes and the response will be well we just got it and it's like that's not true you said you've had it for four weeks you've been doing it for 25 years attorney Wade has listed out the things that have and have not changed so my point to this body is is we have a document that starts the process on March 24th. But that's the same day we're trying to approve it. If you're not likely to change your position, I'm not sure we need to hold it. However, I will give difference to the member because he's I get where he's coming from. But man, I'm just I really worry about that that kind of technicality hanging out there. If if nobody's really willing to change their position. If you guys are just going to give two weeks just to give two weeks any the three weeks the best. Again, most businesses just want the information so that they know the environment they're dealing with. That's all. So anyway, I'll I'll yield with those comments. I like where we're headed. I would just This is going to be our process. They participate in it. So if you like the process, what are you going to change about it? So why wait? That's all. I guess that's my my point. Um, but again, I'm not going to sit here

and say we have to do this right now if y'all don't want to. I just I think we probably should. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair. Councilman Warren, you are recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I was going to speak in favor of of the hold until I heard Councilman Carlile's excellent argument. Um, I think that we can always pull this in three weeks and we can add amendments. we heard and I think all of us need to remember how badly flawed we think the current process is. Last year all our choices are are to approve or disapprove and we still have to come up with the hard budget choices at the end. So I think having an arbitrator because what we really want is none of this to go to impass. We want people to negotiate and come up with a fair thing based on the city's budget and what's fair for employees. And we don't want it to have to come to us every year like, you know, somehow we're a gravy train or somehow we're the mean people just saying no. So we I mean I don't think we want that. We want a balanced budget. So this is a good process to get there. I'd say let's vote and put this out, let people have three weeks to read it, and then bring it back to us uh with changes and we can pull it from the minutes, we can make the changes, and we can read it in. We're going to need something for this budget process and I don't think we need to delay because what we've been doing hasn't been working for us. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Attorney Wade Care to weigh in.

I I've worked with Smiley. Not hard to do. But essentially what we have here is is what the uh association they gave comments. We asked for comments. They provided comments contrary to the speaker's um point and essentially they like the fact that we were requiring uh the administration to provide them with economic data in advance. That's something that hadn't happened. They also suggested that uh they would have preferred that we eliminate the committee uh meetings and and in essence push everything to the to the end which is what this amendment does. So with all substantive um effect we've done exactly what they said they liked and I don't know what else we can do or what else y'all will do or what else they want us to do. I think all the dates uh line up. Um it requires the administration to give the data by the 24th of March. Uh it requires the mayor requires the administr the associations to accept or reject tenatively three days later. It requires the mayor to present his budget by the 14th. It requires an impass notice by the 17th. requires um selection of the arbitrator by the 28th, requires them to submit their submissions by May 8th, and the arbitrator submit to you by June 5, 4 days before your uh but your final vote. So, I think all the dates line up. I don't know what more I can do to make it change, but it's up to you how you want to proceed.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized at this time. Thank you. Um, excellent points by Councilman Carile and Attorney Wade. You know, um, couple things. So, one, I know there's dates in here and just like we can address the dates, I think we can address the dates in here. That's that's one thing. Two, here's ultimately where I I I come down on this particular. So, first of all, I like it. Let me be clear. I like I like this particular piece of legislation. I think it accomplishes the goals that we wanted to accomplish as a body. But here's the one thing I don't like about where we are now. So, we're here. There's some discussion about a potential hole upstairs, and we didn't really say whether we're going to do one way or the other, but as I look out here, the people who are going to be impacted by this particular piece of legislation, there have a few people here. Everyone is not here an opportunity. Whether they read it or not, they have it. They will have it in one week. And if if it comes back to some changes, we can vote on it then. I I just don't think we should be voting on it now since they are not here to have something to say. We got one card and we all know that if they was here, we get significantly more cars. You just give them opportunity to say something. And if we going to change our position, that's one way other. But one thing I'm still debating about u as it relates to this piece is um the effective date. I'm not sure if the effective date should be right now or the effective date should be um the next fiscal year particularly there because there already is a process in place um and to echo the sentiments of Mr. Nib nibi is we can continue going down that same path or we can change the dates on this particular um ordinance to to match up so that we can ultimately have a new process that clearly defines the dates in which something happened or we can be more flexible saying the ordinance says this and just allow some

leeway with with the particular dates in the orders. I don't know. But what I do know is the people here, this impacts the folks who gonna be in the the negotiations and and making the arguments that I hear that are here. So my position is still to hold. But you know, um it's the will of the body. I'm going to vote for a hold and I hope I hope we all vote for a hold just because we shouldn't be pushing it down. Um and give people opportunity to see the new piece of legislation. There's some in my belief is minor changes, but it could be substantive changes to somebody else. So that's just my position. Councilwoman White, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chairwoman. Um, I'll admit that this is a lesson for me to probably start keeping my mouth shut because earlier today at committee, um, I'm actually for the ordinance as written and would be happy to vote on it today, but earlier afterwards u during the committee, I did state that there was some things that they sent me. I agreed to review them um, and consider them. And I also told them that I thought that this matter would be held per councilman Smiley's request. So I wouldn't be able to vote yes just because I spoke out of turn and I do not see those people who were so eagerly wanting to speak earlier um today. I don't see them here and I just feel like that's going to be an issue down the line and I want to be um council person of of my word. And so, um, as much as I want to move forward today, and I will say that I do want this to be in effect this year. I don't want it to be pushed down the road, but I did make those comments earlier, and I need to to be true to what it is that I said.

Thank you, Councilwoman White. Councilman Spinosa, you're recognized. Councilwoman White just nailed it. I feel the exact same way. We left committee. I thought there was going to be a hold. And it's funny, Councilman Carlile, I totally agree. Like I I know what you're saying. Like procedurally it makes sense to us because we sit in these chairs, but for me and attorney Wade, I love what you put together and and yeah, I mean, I'm about to call the question, but I think that it is a bad just a little bit of a bad look for us to rush into it uh today. So, I will uh I'm going to call the question on the hold. Did I I think I officially made the motion to hold. I'll make the motion. Motion to hold. Yeah.

All right. Second if we haven't already done that formally. My My apologies if I haven't. All right, it has been uh we have a motion to hold by Councilman Spinosa, seconded by Councilman Smiley. Without objection, if you will please prepare the screen,

we're gonna vote. Madam Chair, yes. Vote is to hold. Correct. Yes. Correct. And point of one more point of information, madam chair, if I may. And to the maker of the motion, that's a hold for the following meeting. Yes, sir. Yeah. A hold till next council meeting. It's three three weeks. The point of information. Thank you. Will we be able to say we're going to hold uh with the idea that we will do same night minutes next meeting? Yes. I said that should be in the motion.

Madam, one more point of clarification. We're holding the item as amended. Correct. We we we approved the amend the amendment with that. Okay. As amended. As amended by Councilman Smiley, which good good job there, Councilman Smiley. All right. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes.

Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Please show council member White as voting yes on this item. Warren, yes. Walker, yes. Chairwoman, Washington. Yes, that item passes. Please show Cooper Sutton is voting yes on this item as well. Madam Chair, thank you. That item passes. We will now move to our zoning cases 4 through six. Madame Controller, if you will please start with item number four.

Item number four is a resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 six of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a special use permit at the subject property located at 6250 Summer Avenue. This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is SUP25-20. Councilman Spinosa, you are recognized at this time. Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee met recommended approval on this item. Um, unless anyone wants to speak on this, I'll move the motion. If you'll move electronically, please.

Can I get a second? That item has been moved by Councilman Spinosa. It has been second by Councilman Ford. I have Councilman Canal in the for Canali. I'm sorry, I didn't say your entire name. Ford Canali. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Ragdale, I just want to make sure that the what we talked about in committee was memorialized in what we're voting on as far as the number of cars on the lot, the fencing, security measures, it's all there. Just a second, please go ahead.

Brett Ragdell with the Division of Planning Development. Uh, yes. Uh, Council McNal, that is included. All right, Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen. Council Mosa, did you have something you want to add? Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for asking that question. Uh, Councilman McN. So, moving forward, uh, Brett, let's get together on on something that we can do just so all the council members know. We talked about the last committee meeting, but maybe put an asterct to it or something like that so that, you know, if a council member makes an amendment or a change like that, we know beforehand just to like I knew that because we talked about it and I failed, you know, we failed to communicate that to him. So, there's something we can work on together.

Thank you for refining your committee. We appreciate that. Councilman Spinosa, please cast your vote. Council Canal, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Fort. Yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Warren, yes. Walker, yes. Chairwoman Swearington, Washington, yes. That item passes. Madame Comproller, will you please call item number five?

Item number five is a resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 six of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a special use permit at the subject property located at 1333 Fairfax Street. This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is SUP25-13. Councilman Spinosa, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee met recommended approval on this item and I remember the applicant being very happy. Uh and I so move

that item has been moved by Councilman Spinosa. It has been second by Councilman Dr. Warren. Madame Controller, will you please prepare the screen for that item number five? Canal. Yes. Carile. Yes. Cooper Sutton. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Warren. Yes. Walker. Yes. White. Yes. Chairwoman swearington Washington. Yes. That item passes. Madame controller. Please call item number six.

Item number six is a resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 six of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a plan development at the subject property located at 3021 East Shelby Drive. This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. This was held from February 24th. The case number is PD25-02. Thank you, Madam Controller. Councilman Spinosa, you are recognized at this time.

Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, committee actually met on this and it came out of committee with an approval on December the second and that's when the fund began. So, it went back and forth. Uh, and here we are today. The expectation today, council members, is that we're going to hear from Brett and he and the applicant have agreed on things, but again, it came out of committee with the positive recommendation. So, I'll move it as such. He's just going to have some amendments that they've made to read for the record. All right, that item has been moved by Councilman Spinosa, seconded by Council, Councilman Dr. Warren. Chief, no director Ragdale, we're in your hands at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Chief would do just well, but I'll have to say Chief Zena gave me a compliment earlier, so I'll have to give him one as well. So, which I wasn't able to correct on the record of committee, but I will do that here. Uh so this was as uh council spinosa said sitt down with a favor recommendation and afterward we were talking with the applicant and there were some items that they wanted to uh make adjustments to and we uh initially had some things that we had not agreed to but we have met and we've come to an agreement u mainly on the uses. We were never opposed to the uses, but this is on a former landfill, which is why we were not opposed to the uses for uh outdoor vehicle equipment storage, but the landfill, there were some issues that the city public works had that they wanted to make sure we had conditions to protect the city uh for f future use. So, we've included those conditions that will require public works and tde approval. And so, the applicant has agreed to that. We've agreed agreed to those changes. So, uh, I believe that, uh, Clay has passed out the amended resolution. Uh, these are the conditions that require TEK and public works approval here on the screen as and you have the handout. And then we modified u the uses and and had a couple of additional uses on that that are also included and shown here. Um, then some of this was just some clean up on some signage language just to make sure it was clear. Uh and then other than that, we did amend the site plan. Just to make it clear, there are two areas, area A and area B. Um and so that's included in the resolution as well, the amended resolution. Um and with that, I'm happy to answer your questions.

We appreciate that collaboration in the in-depth planning of both sides prior to you all coming to the meeting. Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized at this time. Good morning. I mean, thank you, Madam Chair. I wish Um, Mr. Ragsdale, so with these um conditions, how do you know that they're going to be fulfilled? What guarantee do we have that they're going to be fulfilled?

So, we have um this is rather lengthy, but uh the the first condition is that no additional permit shall be issued until the existing construction of the vehicle storage facility has been permitted, inspected, and approved. So, u that will and they're not currently using it. So, we would have that process where we would get that uh permitted and approved. And the second one is is lengthy, but uh it requires uh approval from public works and TEC for to make sure that the remediation of the landfill is accomplished in uh accordance with their requirements. And so it would not be used until those two things are satisfied.

Do you have any details on the land remediation? What all would be involved with that? I don't. I know that uh director uh Davis was here a couple weeks ago discussing some of the cost and uh some cost share. They are working on that now. Uh this is actually somewhat adjacent to it, but was still part of it. So this is um not in the the heart of that landfill. So it it could vary and uh we don't have that specific information right now.

Okay. Thank you for that information and thank you for the work that you all have done on this. But I still cannot approve this project. I am speaking on behalf of four neighborhood associations and beyond who collectively represent at least 10,000 households. and they have communicated with me and my members surrounding this. Um I'm looking at seven items here to include this. Just a bit of history for context. Um actually members, this is the problem. This area never should have been approved for residential and there are a lot of things going on in a residential community around a residential community that should not be taking place. I cannot support this and I'm like I say I'm speaking on behalf of the various communities around this area. Oak Haven, Red Oaks, Watchful Eye, Thistlewood, White Haven Hills, East Haven. I would like to uphold the original recommendation from L from LUCB and DB DPD. And for a bit of history, and I won't go long, Madam Chair, we have the Homestead community that's backed up to Old Dominion. And I know that took place before us, and I'm not blaming any particular body or administration, but the Homestead community. These people, their backyards are flooded to the point where they have dug trenches around their backyard. We can't help them. It seems like we can't help them and Old Dominion won't

help them. Dirt has been blown on the rooftops of these houses. Roofs that they have had to replace with their own money. There never should have been residential there or homestead, excuse me, or Old Dominion should not have been approved. We had a a dropy yard to try to come on Shelby Drive last year. You all did support me in not supporting that. Then we had the development at Red Oaks. We did support them. Zodiac Community, United Housing, that was last year. We did not support them. Now we have the Shelby Railard. Um, and I have two two more letters, two more letters for two more public meetings coming up for two more things trying to come to this area. But Airways on the west, Winchester on the north, Get Well on the east, Homes Road on the south, and also the collash trucks come through this neighborhood. Originally, they were saying that they that the collash trucks weren't going through any residential neighborhoods. The collash trucks also come through this neighborhood. We have and I asked you about how do you know that they're going to comply with the recommendations because we have some integrity and accountability issues with this situation. There was it was stated in a Memphis 3.0 meeting last year that they were going to build a police substation. Citizens do not build police substations. Okay.

No, no public statement has been issued to retract that, to apologize, to make it clear on what they should have been saying in lie of that. Um, and I did want to make another point about Homestead. I have interact um, Councilman Smiley and Councilwoman Cooper Sutton have interacted in interacted with the Homestead community, so they know what that's about. Um, I felt it was disingenuous to meet with the representative of the applicant and and she tried to pitch me on two other projects during that same meeting. Um, and I could just go on and on, but we do have concerns about the traffic, concerns about the emissions, and I'm just here on behalf of the constituents doing what I was elected to do. And like I said, like I said, colleagues, I just don't know if they ever should have allowed residential in this area, but I will not be voting for this. Thank you, Madam Chair. I yield the floor.

Thank you, Councilman Horali. You are recognized at this time. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, let me get this straight. This was a former landfill and it's currently what? Brett Rex DPD. It's currently vacant. So, it's vacant property uh adjacent to the applicants. We have any photos of the property?

Yes. So, this is the condition that it was in. Now they have done some the work that we're talking about would be required to be permitted but this is the applicant's property here and this is the location the landfill was in this area here. So it is um it was vacant property currently it was being developed and this is what we would have permitted but it's not being used. So, um the request is to use it for outdoor vehicle and equipment storage, which um for a land a former landfill, there are very few uses that would be allowed and and um something we would support, but this is one that uh we do feel like for that the the condition of the land that that is something that would be

So, realistically, what could or would go there if we vote this down. Just so that I know that we vote this down and it doesn't just turn into a blighted property which actually becomes worse for the neighborhood than what this would be. So right now it is zoned R8 residential uh single family which that's an outdated building single family home. You're not going to do that here. So it would have to be a planned development, but it would be something that would be in the industrial kind of use category. So something similar to um to this.

Okay. I don't know. Thank you, sir. So it could be like a gas station or something. uh it would have to come before you for that, but that would be uh potential uh along Shelby Drive. But I think, you know, you have all of the additional land. It's a it's a a large parcel that would, you know, be used for something with that size. It's probably more, you know, in the industrial but an industrial business. Correct.

Okay. All right. Councilwoman Logan. Thank you, Chair. I just had a question and for clarity, this looks like it's is all of that zone R six R six R8. Is that residential? Correct. That's what it's currently zoned. That's our second. But is this a landfield? It was. That's just the historic zoning. So, it's it's never the zoning hasn't ever been changed to we are proposing reszoning this area that would allow uh the uses that would be compatible with the landfill for for all of this area and our comprehensive resoning that we uh discussed today at committee. So, um so it won't be residential anymore.

Correct. Okay. But it's residential areas around it. Counciloman Walker said there are some there's some residential across the street and then uh down Shelby Drive past Chiloma. There is residential. Was that landfill before?

Right. Uh there is some residential here as well, but this was the former Jackson Pit. So it's been it was a landfill for many years and 40s and 50s I believe. And uh so that's what this property so it hasn't been used as a landfill but it still has that uh that condition. Okay. So, why are we doing anything with it until it's zone property so it can be used properly?

Well, and so that's why they've filed for a plan development that would um if it's approved allow them to use this portion for something other than what it's zoned. Um and so that's typically if you don't have the correct zoning, you can either apply for a reasonzoning or a plan development. and reszonings don't allow you to do any conditions or anything. So, a plan development again, we were concerned about just reszoning and allowing this without those protections for the remediation of the landfill. And so, that's why we were uh working with them to try to get those conditions included so the city would be protected uh and have that ability to remediate the landfill before and get that approved before it can actually be used. I'm I'm really confused. But let me ask you this. Why aren't we

Why aren't you all coming before us to get that reszone like before we start letting other people come for other things? Because right now someone could come for um a neighborhood or some houses because it's all right. They would have to do a subdivision uh and uh you know they would have to get approval for that as well. Would you you would deny them because it's the landfill. Correct. Yes, we would not support that because of the the landfill and they use

Okay. Well, thank you for answering my question. I bet we I think we getting a carpet for the horse. We need to fix the fix the zoning before we start trying to do the other. But that's that's all I have. Thank you, Councilman for Canali. You're recognized. Oh, Councilwoman Walker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'd like to offer some comments on the residential. So, this map that you're looking at, if it was, I guess, pulled back to make the area larger, then you would see all this residential. But as as you stated um sir, so there's a church across the street, the driver testing station, a mobile home park, and when you go east to Chiloma, from Chilah to GitHale, there is residential on both on on the south side on both sides, especially the south side, the south side of Shelby Drive, the residential goes all the way almost to um Holmes Road. And if you take Chula

south is residential on both sides. Make the right on Homes is residential on the south side. That's the Zodiac community. And then if you go to the east side of Chiloma is residential all the way to Winchester. Oak Haven High School is over there. Um at that intersection we have thriving businesses, beauty shops, barber shops, corn store. Um I did say Oak Haven High Churches. And so this map does not reflect what's all in that community. And that's that's the point that that's the point that I wanted to make. Thank you. I yield the floor. Thank you, Councilman Canali.

Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. So, I want to get this straight. When we do our comprehensive reasonzoning, this will be allowed by right and we won't be able to condition it. So you're saying it's better to do it as a PD and be able to condition it than once we do the comprehensive reszoning and then this is allowed to be done by right with no conditioning. Uh yes that's correct. So what we are reszoning it too. I have to check, but it would allow this by right. And I will say just to clarify for Councilwoman Logan, all the PDs that you do see, the underlying zoning is something different. And that's why they're coming before you because they're the zoning is something different that they want to do. And so for a PD to have a different use than what's allowed with the underlying zoning is typical. And so

so for the neighborhood's sake, it would be better to do something now that can be conditioned than wait till the zoning changes and we cannot condition it and they can do this by right with zero conditions. That is correct. Thank you, sir. Councilman Warren.

Yes, Madam Chair. Um, as we look at this, it's a it's a landfield, which is not some place that people normally build houses, so it's probably not going to be that. And we had asked these people to make a fence that was 10 ft tall, so it would blot out any of the storage that would be on the landfill. And they agreed to do it around their entire property. Um, I think that, you know, it makes sense for us to get some taxable income off the property. And if we can have them build a fence and put landscaping, and I'm going to suggest that in order to do this, I would want them to take that front part that's facing Tula and facing the mobile home park and have them put a 30-foot buffer with trees that are going to grow and bushes that are going to grow. So, that's completely hidden from uh hidden from any of the surrounding neighborhood to make them feel like they're not going to have to be looking at something. I know they got the fence, but I think they're going to need to put in a little bit more based on the number of residents that are objecting to this. And if all you're doing is storing something there that's not going to be, you know, a bad industrial use on top of a landfill and that would help. So, I'd like to see if the applicant would be willing to take some of that street property and the property next to that nice mobile home park and figure out how they can go ahead and maybe add some buffer there of plants uh and uh etc. to give, you know, along with the fence to give them, you know, a visual block from the trailers.

Thank you, Councilman. To my understanding, they had already agreed to put trees up. Well, 10 foot fence, but I don't think they agreed to have that buffer of trees that would be, you know, behind it to sort of give it because 10 foot is one thing. Take a tree that's going to grow 12, 14, 16, 18 foot. Space them. Then you get a real visual blockage, you're not going to see anything back there. Miss Reeves.

Miss Reeves, what would you like to say? Cindy Rays, that's our consulting 5909 Shelby Oaks Drive, Sweetite 200. It's not a 10 foot It's not a 10ft fence. It's a sixoot fence, but the property slopes downward. And what we've done is we have we've put up the panels. They're not installed. And we've gone along Shelby Drive, and you cannot see into that lot from Shelby Drive. And we do have landscaping. Um Brett, I'm not sure how wide that is. Correct. So we do have uh shrubs uh and boulders which is continuing what they have. So they have shrubs, boulders and additional trees along this frontage here along with the fence as Miss Reeves stated

and the property does not go to Tuloma. It's just this area right here. Um Tula is probably a good 500 ft away. Can you show that picture with the fence you just went by quickly? Yeah, Brett, that fence is a six foot fence. And as you can see, you cannot see into the property from that fence. Yeah, but it's not a there's not a huge uh 20 foot or 14 foot trailer in there either.

And we're not going to be putting trailers up to that fence line. The our site plan, Brett, if you'll pull that up. Our site plan intentionally puts the trailers and the outdoor storage, the vehicles, the RVs, whatever we put there, equipment that is intentionally pushed back so that it goes down the slope. And you do not see that any of that from Shelby Drive. So, it's sloping up to Shelby Drive, not slopes up to Shelby Drive and it slopes down to Jackson Pit Road. Thank you. Thank you. That's me. Uh, Council Car, you're recognized.

I'm going to move the previous question and I said I'd say that I think either we're going to hold it and people are going to deal with it, we're going to dispose of it. So, let's just dispose of it one way or the other. That's just my Sorry. I want to be respectful though, however, to the member. I'll withdraw the motion. Thank you, Madam Chair. I say we go ahead and call a question. Go for the vote. I'm in the queue. So, I just I had a cl I just need clarity on something. Call with a question for this item.

But there are two people in But I'm in the But I have something else to say based on something that has been said since I spoke the last time. There are two people in the queue. Before that, let let's go to our card. Miss Hicks, I'm sorry. You did have a card.

Good afternoon. To state your name.

Glenda Hicks. I am a former 10 let's say over a decade ago I lived in the East Haven subdivision so I'm very very familiar with the area and Jackson Pit and all the issues going back in the dead end of Jackson Pit per your Memphis 3.0 O plan. They have basically destroyed that subdivision entrance and egress and egresses because they've narrowed the lanes. It's already a hightra area with Amazon being built back at homes road into. So now you want to farther in congest the area by allowing this. you all just uh dismissed some other uh rail yard or storage facility which was going to in indeed cause farther congestion in the area. You have Shelby Drive is a massively busy area in that between Getwell and uh Sweeney Road. All of that is a very, very busy traffic area. And what you all did with this Memphis 3.0 to narrow those lanes is utterly ridiculous. And now you want to add more congestion in the area. This is an absolute no. This is disrespectful to those that live in the neighborhood, the homeowners, and you all need to vote this down. It's a no-brainer. You wouldn't want it in your neighborhood. East Haven was once the county and a very nice neighborhood. It was annexed by the city and now you all just want to

destroy it. This should not be approved. Follow the the recommendation and rejected which was the original recommendation. Thank you so much. Councilwoman Walker. Go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Um three items quickly about the in regard to the sloping. I've been to the property colleagues. I've been to the property. I've walked on the property. I don't think that sloping is going to be to the degree that is that is um being presented where you won't see the ve the vehicles and the equipment. Um Jackson Pit, I was talking about the multiple projects and and meetings for two coming up. I forgot Jackson Pit. That's this Thursday. We having a meeting about Jackson Pit this Thursday. So um and then finally um can someone share what percentage of the project has been completed already?

I apologize. Councilwoman Walker speaking with Miss Reed. What percentage of the project has been completed for this request? Um so it has had uh the fill. There's gravel field has been in installed and they have these containers which are going to be the stalls for the equipment and then the fencing and that's what has been completed to date. So they have not used it to date but that that is what has been completed. So they they have been working on this project that has not been approved.

Correct. Thank you. I yield the floor. Counciloman Logan, go ahead. Quickly, I just needed clarity. We our custom is to follow the single member district or the community's recommendation and I dare not um speak to that part. My question is understanding that the it's zone and I just need clarity. It's zone for residential, correct? It's a landfill. So, you're going to rightsize that by reszoning it for industrial or whatever landfields are supposed to be.

Correct. Oh, and I think that the community does understand that it never it may not have residential. You don't put in a landfill. So, they're trying to correct the zoning that was misszzone previously by having a landfill as residential. So, the neighbors that and the communities that live there, it should never have been a residential or it shouldn't be residential. So them fixing that is why it's going to when they fix it, it's going to by right be a place where this development could be. So you'll see more of those once it's reszoned, but it needs to be reszoned because it's a landfill and I just needed clarity for my understanding. Is that correct?

That is correct. And one thing to add, I mean, this is close to the airport as well. Well, as you get away from the airport, you know, residential is more um, you know, allowed. So, that's another issue of this property. It it is uh, you know, in close proximity to the airport. Okay. Thank you.

All right. It has been moved by Councilman Spinosa, seconded by Councilman Dr. Warren. Please prepare the screen for the vote. Council, please vote at this time. Canali, yes. Carile, no. Cooper, Sutton, no. Logan, abstain. Spinosa, yes. Warren, no. Walker, no. Chairwoman Swington Washington, no. Please show council member Smiley as voting yes on this item. And please show council member White as voting yes.

42. Mr. Also, please. Did you say it?

Can you repeat that again? You want the recount of the vote? Hold on. that point of point of information. Hold on. I have uh Canali as yes. Spinosa as yes. So we're doing Washington is yes. Council member Ford as yes. Pardon me. Council member White has abstained and council member Cooper Sutton has voted yes. Cooper. Madam Chair, Madam Chair, just a moment. Please let us count that up, please. Just

I I have a question, too, cuz I'm totally confused right now. We're trying to get a count. Just one second. Canali is yes. Carell is no. Cooper Sutton is no Yes. Logan abstained. Smiley. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Warren. No. Warren. Yes. Walker. No. White. Abstain.

Okay. White. Yes. Washington. Yes. But hold on. But we have before we get there. Hold on. Yeah, that is seven votes. That's seven in the affirmative then. Yes. Then that seven passes under our chart. That's the zoning case. You if you want to that item passes. Madam controller, will you please call the fiscal consent agenda items 8 through 14?

Thank you. Item number eight on our fiscal consent agenda is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $8,857 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Hickory Hill Community Center District 3 Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis Parks. There is a request for same night minutes. Item number nine is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $8,857 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Frasier Raleigh Senior Center District 1 Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis Parks. There is a request for same night minutes. Item number 10 is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $5,000 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Ruth Tate Senior Center District 6 Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis Parks. There is a request for same night minutes. Item number 11 is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $8,857 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for McWarter Senior Center District 1 Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis Parks. There's a request for same night minutes. Item number 12 is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $8,857 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Orange Mound Senior Center, District 4, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis

Parks. There is a request for same night minutes. Item number 13 is a resolution accepting additional grant funds of $8,857 from Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for Josephine K. Lewis Senior Center, District 7, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by Memphis Parks. There is a request for same night minutes. Our final item is number 14. A resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $95,000 from the American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals for the benefit of Memphis Animal Services all council districts. This resolution is sponsored by the executive division and there is a request for same night minutes. Madam Chair, that concludes your fiscal consent agenda items.

Thank you, Madam Controller. Vice Chair Carlile, you are recognized at this time. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Uh, I move the fiscal consent agenda to the floor if I can have it on the screen. Madame Controller, let's get it on the board. Yes, ma'am. There you go. Let's get on the board. One moment. There you go. Got it. And I So,

thank you. That item has been moved by Vice Chair Carlile, second by Councilman Spinosa. Madame Comproller, will you please prepare the screen to vote for the fiscal consent consent agenda? Canali yes. Carile yes. Please show council member Ford as voting yes on the agenda. Logan yes. Spinosa yes. Warren yes. White yes. Chairwoman swearing Washington yes. That item passes. Madam controller, please call the MLGW fiscal consent items. Items 15 through 25. Thank you. Item number 15 is Let's get it on the board. Is a resolution awarding contract number 12592, electric distribution, transmission construction, and maintenance to Davis H. Elliot Construction Company, Inc. in the funded amount of 56,833,920. Item number 16 is a resolution awarding purchase order for a 15tonon digger Derek truck to Global Rental Company, Inc. in the amount of $369,740. Item number 17 is a resolution awarding purchase order for class 8 cab and chassis trucks to Rush Truck Centers of

Tennessee, Inc. in the amount of 1,111,332. Item number 18 is a resolution ratifying the emergency award of contract number 12636 Fast Charge Tennessee Network Emergency with JMM Farm and Company LLC in the funded amount of $294,000. Item number 19 is a resolution approving the scope expansion, renewal, and increase to contract number 12339, janitorial services to Mason's Professional Cleaning Services LLC, to expand the scope, renew, and increase the current contract in the funded amount of 1,854,4109. Item number 20 is a resolution approving the ratification and renewal to contract number 12289 independent claims adjuster services with Horton and Associates of Memphis to ratify and renew the current contract in the funded amount of $15,000. Item number 21 is a resolution approving renewal to contract number 12418 combined medical and pharmacy with Sigma Health and Life Insurance to renew the current contract in the funded amount of 1,94,512 for administration fees. Item number 22 is a resolution approving the renewal to contract number 12427 dental insurance coverage with Sigma Health and Life Insurance Company to renew the current contract in the funded amount of 5,775 5,747,756.

Item number 23 is a resolution approving the ratification and renewal to contract number 12583, Commercial Auto Insurance for Out of Travel with Pete Mitchell and Associates, Inc. to ratify and renew the current contract in the funded amount of $238,14. Item number 24 is a resolution for approval of annual salary in the amount of $168,000 for the new hire position of director billing and payment services. There is a request for same night minutes for this item. Item number 25, our final item is a resolution for approval of annual salary in the amount of 234,76960 for the position of vice president of corporate safety. Madame Chair, that concludes your MLGW items.

Thank you, Madame Controller. Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized at this time. Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met with a favorable recommendation and I so move.

That item has been moved by Councilwoman Walker, second by Councilman Spinosa. Madame Controller, please prepare the screen for the MLGW fiscal consent agenda. Items. Council members, please cast your votes for this item. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Please show Council Member Ford as voting yes on this item. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. And Chairwoman swearing in Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madame Controller, please go to item number seven on the consent agenda. Thank you. We have one item to present for your vote. Item number seven is a resolution approving the engineering plans for lots 102 through 111 Howard Soul Estate subdivision and accepting security in lie of bond. There is a request for say night minutes. The contract number is CR-5494. That concludes your items. Madam Chair,

Vice Chair Carile, you're recognized at this time. Thank you, Madam Chairman. The consent agenda. Nice move.

It has been moved by Vice Chair Carile, second by Councilman Spinosa. Madam Controller, please prepare the screen for the vote. Please cast your votes for this item. Canali. Yes. Carile. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Yes. Voting. Yes. Right. Okay. Let's get everybody on then. Carl Canali, yes. Carlile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Spinosa, yes. Chairwoman Swearington Washington, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Now I have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Yeses, ma'am. That item passes. We're now going to do our add-ons and same nightm minute items 34 and 35. Madam Controller, please call item number 34. Item number 34 on our add-ons is a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2026 CIP budget to accept and appropriate $395,000 in federal grant funds from the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Compost and Food Waste

Reduction Agreement to the Memphis Zoological Society for the implementation of the Memphis Zoo Compost and Food Waste Reduction Project District 5 Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by the administration and there is a request for same night minutes. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee membed by Councilman Ford Canali. Madame Controller, please prepare the screen for item number 34. Yes. Canali. Yes. Carile. Yes. Cooper Sutton. Yes. Ford. Yes. Logan. Yes. Smiley. Yes. Spinosa. Yes. Chairwoman swearing Washington. Yes.

That item passes. Madam controller, please call item number 35. Item number 35 is a resolution to establish rules of procedure for Memphis City Council fiscal year 2027 budget hearings all council districts. This resolution is sponsored by Councilman Carile and there is a request for same night minutes. Let's get that on the board. Vice Chair Carle, you are recognized at this time. It has been properly moved by Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met recommends approval and I so move.

Okay. Thank you. This displayed now, council member. It has been properly moved by Vice Chair Carile, seconded by Councilman Smiley. Madame Controller, please prepare the screen. Canal, yes. Carile, yes. Cooper Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Swearing Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madame controller, please call the regular agenda items. Items 29, 32, and 33. Starting with 29. Thank you. Item number 29 is a resolution to appropriate $250,000 in GEO bonds for FY26 Convention Center CIP project number GS261000 District 7, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by the finance division.

Councilman Smiley, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee may recommend approval and I so move. It has been properly moved by Councilman Smiley. Has been second by Councilman Vice Chair Carile. Madame Controller, please prepare the screen for item 29. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinosa, yes. Right. Yes. Chairwoman swaring Washington. Yes.

That item passes. Madame Controller, please call item number 32. Item number 32 is a resolution to approve a cost sharing agreement between the city of Memphis and Shelby County government regarding environmental response activity cost associated with the Jackson Pit consent order and oversight cost incurred by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. District 3, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by the administration. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized at this time.

I just appreciate being recognized so consistent. Committee being rec. Can I get a second? All right. It has been properly moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman Spinosa, and we also have Councilwoman White in the queue. Thank you, Chairwoman. I'm recusing from this matter as I represent the Shelby County Commission. Madame Controller, would you please show that Councilwoman White is recusing herself? Yes, ma'am. I will do that.

All right. Please prepare the screen for the vote. Council, if you'll please vote at this time. Canali, yes. Carile, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Venosa, yes. White, recused. Chairwoman Swington Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madame Controller, if you will please call item number 33. Please call item number 33. Item number 33 is a resolution authorizing the reallocation of current FY26 solid waste budget funds to support second quarter cleanup efforts all council districts. This resolution is sponsored by the administration. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee may recommend approval and I move.

It has been properly moved by Councilman Smiley, second by Councilman for Canali. Madam Controller, please prepare the screen. Canali yes. Carile yes. Ford yes. Please show council member Logan as voting yes on this item. Smiley yes. No say yes. Chairwoman swearing in Washington. Yes.

That item passes. That brings us to our same night minutes. Vice Chairman Carlile, would you please read the same night minutes into record for us? Yes, ma'am. The same night minute items are items 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 and 24. And I have moved and 34 and 35. Thank you former chairman Canali. Uh and I so move we're not doing a items 30 and 31 were held. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. For clarification, would you call those items one more time, vice chair?

Absolutely. Uh to reiterate for the record, the same minute items are items 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and items 34 and 35 of tonight's add-on agenda. And I so move.

The same night minutes have been moved by Vice Chair Carile, second by Councilman Ford Canali. Madame Controller, if you will please prepare the screen. Canali. Yes. Carile. Yes. Ford, yes. Bossa, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swaren, Washington, yes.

More votes. Please show Cooper Sutton as voting yes. And Council Member Smiley is voting yes on this item as well. And Logan and Smiley is voting yes on this item. That item passes. That brings us to our saying our comment cards. Our first comment card is from Chief Andre Matthews. If you please come down. Just state your name and you may proceed.

Chief Andre Matthews. Greetings all great council members for the city of Memphis. I'm Chief Andre Matthews at 2115 Stovall Avenue District 7. Chief representative of the Hide Park CDC, the Oakoba CDC, and Family Farmers Cooperative. I'm requesting an investigation of federal funds left over from the 2022 recovery act and North Memphis Food Desert. Uh we tried to contact the secretary of uh Miss Thomas and I see she's not here today. We wanted uh to ask her to sponsor a bill to if she wasn't going to release those funds then get us another sponsor bill that would help our farmers so we can feed the people. the food desert plan and corner store grocery store plan was hijacked and stolen by the district 7 representative. Uh and since 2008 we spent many years developing a plan to feed the people of Memphis and help local growers and farmers. The people want local grown fresh produce from our farmers. The growers and farmers need the business and support. The country is at war. Many Memphis residents are on snap. We saw what happened last year when they cut it temporarily. Helping farmers is food security in Memphis. We need our your help to support our farmers. Food is related to healthy families and healthy communities. Will you help our farmers? Can we be transparent? We have been hijacked. We are hurting and we have to pay mortgages on our farms and on our equipment. We are requesting an update for the remaining funds left over from 2022. We are requesting half the

North Memphis Food Desert funds be turned over to the original intended growers of North Memphis and let us go to work. We have 150 year history in Memphis growing food. Family Farmers Co-op. Thank you so much. Thank you. We appreciate you coming down. We will now hear from Dr. Marilyn Anne Wright Andrews.

Thank you. All right. Good afternoon, Marilyn and Wright Andrews. Doctor Salutation um 517 Bubbling Creek Lane, Millington 38053. I'm employed with Southwest Tennessee Community College making campus. Um my uh statement and it will end with a question starts with Lee Harris has refused to sign the first eight $8.5 million grant and has held it since September. First aid serves 97 classrooms. I am a pre-K teacher and I'm also defined as the first aid site director for Southwest Tennessee Community College Monstanding grants such as TEKA Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance has recently lost their funding after 25 or more years in service. The site to which I am employed operates under three federal grants including first aid. My classroom has received a lesser amount in first aid funding because we were defined as receiving wraparound services such as mental health and behavioral health services. In comparison uh to privatelyowned classrooms that received an approximate 180,000 we received 150,000 in uh grant funds. Um we do receive services through Porter Leaf. However, those are received through a statement and not at one time. However, since we are a higher education institution, um my classroom does train teachers within the classroom. Can we make sure that funding is secured? I am in I am an educator first. However, I'm also the cook, the janitor, the social worker, everybody. So, yes, I need a pay raise in addition to making sure that my class is supplied with supplies that adequ ad adequately support the training of educators in my classroom. My primary question is the deadline to

which um Lee Harris has on signing the grant has it passed and will I have job security come August and can we ensure that the funding will be secured long term seeing that early childhood education programs and grants are consistently in question. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'd like to share that the city council did pass their part to fund prek. So that's going to be on the county side with the commissioners. Yes, ma'am. I just wanted to share that the city council did do their part of funding the prek program.

So the money that you're talking about is on the county side with the commissioners. Correct? Yes. I mean, do you all not have anything? No, we don't have jurisdiction with their We've paid our part. We just have to get them to pay theirs. Yeah. So, so hold on real quick. So, so hold on. There are two there are two different funding agreements. One from the city, one from the county, and they're funded into a joint count to a fiscal agent, which is I think Porter Lee. The c the city has appropriated the money and the mayor has signed the contract and wired that funding. The county commission has appropriated that money to the best of my knowledge on their side and the mayor has not signed the funding agreement. So your grievance is going to be with specifically the county mayor's office.

So there's no there's no push back on this end. So what you all are saying is once once you've done your part quote unquote then there's nothing else that you can do, right? Yes, ma'am. They have to do their part. They have to the county So the only thing that you're asking for, the only thing that you're really asking for is that the the county fund its side of this deal. The county commission has appropriated the money. the money is being held up by the county mayor who will not authorize the contract to transfer the money that you were worried about. So your grievance, your complaint is with the county mayor. This body and this administration has appropriated and funded that money and wired the cash to the account.

So which I understand that my one of my questions I asked four questions. One of my questions was has he has the deadline passed for him to sign? I don't have that information. So we don't want to answer that. So, we're blindsidingly pushing $8.5 million over to a county mayor, but we don't know when the deadline is for him to sign that. I'm going to get Let's get his information to me. You go over there to the county. You go to the county commissioners. One thing good right now, they trying to get reelected. Okay? You go there just because ma'am, he can't run no more. Should have signed it a long time ago. Yes. September.

I don't want to say what I want to say about him. But what you need to do, you get everybody that you can and you go right in front of all them county commissioners. And I don't like them either cuz hey, they wish you watching. But if numbers make a difference and if you go down there, you make them because they can bring it back up. They can override the mayor within 10 days. It'll automatically be if they have enough vote. That's what you need to do with the county. But hey, but you need to get who all you can to go down there and sit and let them see y'all. Okay.

Yeah. And y'all can always go over that mayor. One thing about the county that's different from the city, the commissioners run thing, not the county mayor, he don't have to sign nothing, but they know how to make it where is, hey, after 10 days, if you don't, if they got enough vote, that's why you have to have people to go down there. Okay. And right now, I hear I hear you and I understand, but I also feel as though I don't need a a group of people. I can go myself. I am a mother first and so I can represent myself and speak for myself. So, I do appreciate the direction of going to the county commissioner. They are trying to run for reelection right now. Okay. They're trying to run for re-election, but we're also trying to eat. So, you know,

trying to run, they may listen to you. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. We appreciate it, too. Um, Ana Easley. Anukica. Anukica. Oh, forgive me. Anukica Easley, come on down. Just state your name and then you may proceed. Hi,

we have another mic over there. Good evening everybody and thank you for allowing me to speak to uh everybody on the behalf of students for Southwest Tennessee Community College. My name is Anuka Eplay and my concern is the transportation the system. I'm my main question is how long how often are you guys going to push the transportation agenda off to the side for another how many times have you guys been pushing it back? It is ridiculous because you guys need to know what is going on with the transportation system. It is a complete mess because I'm one of the riders. I have been stuck for hours trying to get get to uh to and from wherever I need to go or like business or uh school and church. And sometimes I can't get anywhere in time because of the bus transportation. And you guys have approved for the uh for extra funding, but how how and when will the extra funding be implemented to the

transportation system? because it needs to be the buses the transportation needs to be more reliable versus what it is now. And I'm also recommending y'all, every one of you guys, to catch the buses, use the buses every single day to see, to feel the struggles, what we go through every single day of waiting outside, whether it's cold, hot, rain, or snow, to wait for the buses for hours. Please don't just do it one day. Do it every day. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming down and sharing those concerns. We will now have Mr. Kent. Come on down. Joseph Kent 5111 Flamingo. Me don't think that MATA knows how many people are riding the buses on their individual routes. Um, and I have no idea what Innovate Memphis has been doing to watch MATA implode. Joe Ken 511 Flamingo if I didn't say that. So while working for the institute, I made an error in my calculation regarding mATA budget sizing based on the 2024 federal transit database. To avoid people thinking I was an idiot, I quickly publicly corrected the the error recalculation based on the study design. uh an operating budget. Average miles per cost resulted in uh with free bus

and trolley fair a $22 million increase to the budget trolley trans uh on demand everything before any routes are cut. Upon that finding, I then discovered a major anomaly in the federal transit database that drove the enormous $22 million ask, and that was a in a 68% increase in total passenger bus miles when passenger traffic only increased by 19%. This $20 million bus passenger miles claim needs investigation. Uh in fact the claim drives an average bus trip length of 7.7 miles uh upon which is up which is up from 5.6 which is more than on demand at 7.1 miles and on demand comes directly to your front door unlike a fixed bus route. Also, average trip length exceeded other cities with larger service areas and why MATA's bus service area did not expand at all. All that to say, after correcting my $22 million blog, uh I really believe that if this is this mileage thing is addressed and right sized, you're going to be about you're going to need about five million more dollars for transit per year operating. That's what I think. Anyway, and then uh the reason Mata failed was because she, you know, got ripped off the technology and didn't buy buses. Thanks. Bye.

Thank you so much, Mr. Kent. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Madam Chair, I move to adjourn. All right. It's been properly moved by vice chair, second by Councilman