City Council - Regular Meeting

I would like to recognize our chaplain of the day, Pastor Wade C. Bryant of Future Grace Baptist Church, invited by Councilman Smiley. Pastor Bryant, if you will please lead us in prayer.

Let us pray. Father God, it is in the name of Jesus the Christ that I stand here today at this city council meeting to invoke prayer for this body. There's a story about a man named Jonah that cried by reason of his affliction unto God. And God heard him out of the belly of a fish. He said, I cried and God heard him. We come today to cry in this city council meeting that we will lift up the voices of the collective and we will see why we need to cry. and seeing the need in Memphis, and seeing the richness of our city, the diversity of our cultures, the vast intellectual reservoirs that has been divinely crafted and shaped out of struggle and triumph. The uniqueness of our sound, the allure of the river Mississippi, has positioned us to stand in these difficult times. In these times, we will not just stand, But we will as citizens and elected officials and leaders and representatives use our voices to cry. Cry for justice. Cry for righteousness. Cry for parity, inclusion, and representation. Cry for human rights. Cry for human authenticity. We will cry that Our humanity will be the litmus test for the allocations of resources and conduct by our leaders and citizens of Memphis. We encourage our council and our citizens to always look toward heaven. Lift up your eyes unto the hills from which cometh your help, because your help will come from the Lord. Your help will come from the Lord, which made the heavens and the earth. We pray today that your relationship as city council person one to the other will be one of inclusion and cooperation, that you will find common ground and work to do the best for this city that sits on the Mississippi, that you will allow bygones to be bygones, You will allow things that's old to be passed away. And words say that behold, all things will become new. We ask you today to set your hearts and allow each person that's in your mind and in your sight and in your districts and in this city. Venerate those that need venerating. Lift up those that know not how and why they are in the positions that they are in. Leave no child, man, woman, man, father, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, or grandparent. Leave no one behind. Every strike of your gavel, make it a good one. Each time you open these chambers, open these chambers to cry for the righteousness of this great city. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you for that beautiful prayer. Councilman Smiley, you are recognized at this time.

Madam Chair, be it hereby known that Pastor Wade Bryant, in recognition of life and 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 by the Memphis City Council. And it's hereby entitled to all the honors. rights and privileges and prerogatives appertaining to that office and to display of this certificate given under this seal to the great city of Memphis, Chairwoman Jennifer Washington, presented by myself, Councilman J.B. Smiles. Pastor Brian, first slide. There is something else. Don't want you to leave empty-handed.

Thank you so much, Pastor Bryant. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the roll.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Council Members Canale, Carlisle, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Logan, Spinoza, Smiley, Walker?

Present.

Warren?

Present.

White?

Present.

Chairwoman Swearengin-Washington?

Present. Madam Chair, you have a quorum. Thank you. I believe Vice Chair Carlisle has read the minutes.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I've read the minutes from the prior meeting and see them to be in order and move to their adoption.

It has been moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, second by Councilman Warren. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Connelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Ford, yes. Smiley, yes. Please show Councilmember Logan as voting yes on the minutes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Please show Councilmember Cooper-Sutton as voting yes on the minutes. Warren, yes. Chairwoman Swearengin-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Welcome to the August 4th, 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 has meeting agendas available upfront as well as comment request cards for members of the public wishing to be heard on a 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 not here to speak on a specific item, you can note that your request to give a general comment card at the end of the meeting. As chair, I will only recognize citizens that properly registered to speak by submitting a completed comment request card at the Sergeant at Arms. Members of the audience and persons addressing the council will not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory, personal, slanderous, or profane comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. The chair of the council may maintain order by giving any persons who are in violation of the stated rules of decorum a warning to cease any violative conduct in order to leave the council chambers or by giving an order for security personnel to remove any disruptive person in the council chambers who refuses to leave voluntarily. These rules are posted on the door as you enter the chamber and as you pick up comment cards. We will now begin with our presentations. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number one.

Item number one is a resolution honoring Patricia Ann Rogers for her steadfast dedication and commitment to fighting blight in Memphis. This resolution is sponsored by Chairwoman Swearengin Washington.

And if Ms. Rogers guests, you're welcome to join us. Anybody who has an email. know that you will receive a correspondence from Patricia Rogers. But that's because she cares about her community. She has a standard of excellence. We appreciate her advocacy, her love for the greater Memphis community, and we want to honor her and give her her flowers. And we have your beautiful picture up there because we are honoring your outstanding service. On behalf of the Memphis City Council, we would like to share this resolution with you. Whereas Patricia Ann Rogers, a native of Brownsville, Tennessee, is the daughter of matriarch Elma B. Rogers, a retired school teacher. and the late Walter Rogers, Sr., a respected businessman, and has carried the values of family, faith, and hard work with her throughout a lifetime of service. Whereas a 1977 graduate of Haywood High School, Patricia Ann Rogers earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 from the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Memphis State University with a concentration in public relations and a minor in sociology, laying the foundation for a distinguished professional career. She inherited her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen from her father and her brother, the founders of Rogers Funeral Home in native Brownsville, and has built upon a legacy of more than 30 years of public relations. She is a graduate also of LeMoyne-Owen College, and she has worked with Felix Way Advertising before founding Patricia A. Rogers Public Relations in 2009, where she serves today as president and chief executive officer. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Patricia Ann Rogers has given herself generously to the city of Memphis, fighting blight, cleaning up neighborhoods, and championing the causes of the underprivileged and the underserved, believing as she does that every Memphian deserves to live on a clean and dignified street. Whereas a faithful missionary at Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ under the pastor of Pastor Renardo Dion Ward, she has been grounded in her civic work, in her faith. Serving her community with compassion, humility, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Having recently celebrated her 68th birthday. I'm about to look at your ID. You don't look 68. Patricia Ann Rogers has chosen not to rest, but to double her efforts by launching a citywide public relations campaign entitled Join the Fight Against Urban Blight. Together we can keep Memphis clean. rallying her fellow citizens to take pride in ownership in our beautiful city. Whereas through her advocacy, her professional excellence, her faith, and her tireless labor on behalf of clean and thriving neighborhoods, Patricia Ann Rogers has demonstrated that a single person determined for the citizens can change the face of a community. and she has inspired countless Memphians to join her in the work. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the chairwoman, Jana Swearengen Washington, and the entire Memphis City Council do hereby recognize and honor Patricia Ann Rogers for her dedication, her commitment to keeping Memphis clean, Be it further resolved that the council commends Patricia Ann Rogers for her leadership in her fight against urban blight, for her service to the underprivileged and underserved, and for calling upon every Memphian to share in the responsibility of keeping our city clean and beautiful. given by my hand under the great seal of the city of Memphis this fourth day of August, 2026, Janice Warrington Washington, Chairwoman of the Memphis City Council, District 4, and the entire Memphis City Council. Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you and God bless you, Council Chairwoman Janice Waringen-Washington, for recognizing my community service and mission to fight blight and to help clean up Memphis and make our city beautiful again. I am truly humbled and I'm elated at the same time. It has really been a privilege to work closely and collaboratively with you to identify and address issues not only in your District 4, but in neighborhoods across this city. Your leadership and your commitment to serving your constituents and residents have made a significant difference and impact. I want to acknowledge the honorable Mayor Paul Young for inspiring me and others to own our block. Councilman Ford Canale and Councilman Chase Carlisle, I want to thank you for assisting me in neighborhood cleanups in Parkway Village on Knight Arnold Road and Councilman Road in the past. Receiving this resolution and I'm closing is a tremendous honor. It inspires me to continue our community service and renewed purpose and dedication to work together. I appreciate members of my family, my niece, my great-nephew who is a senior at Memphis Middle Tennessee State University, and Reverend Robert Rogers. His father started Rogers Funeral Home. I'm so proud of them. And I want to acknowledge my 94-year-old mother who is watching online with other family members across the nation. And last but not least, Pastor Diane Young, my emotional fitness therapist. And believe me, I needed to work things together in this city. I want to thank her for her encouragement, and I just love her. So with that being said, thank you so much. We'll take a picture.

Yes. Madam Comptroller, if you'll share this item, moved by Springs and Washington, seconded by Ford, and passed by Acquisition.

Thank you.

Madam Comptroller, if you'll call item number two.

Thank you. Item number two is a resolution approving the honorary street name change on East Street between Stage Road and Fairhaven Lane for Pastor Leon Jones Jr. District one, Super District nine. This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Logan.

Good afternoon, everyone, colleagues. Pastor Jones and family, would you all come on down? And others that are here with you, please stand. Absolutely. That's how he rose. Colleagues, I am thrilled. In keeping with the same manner of service, I am thrilled to honor Pastor Leon Jones. And I just want to say... before I reread the resolution, that this is a pastor that actually exemplifies, and I'm sure others, but from homelessness to forklift drivers and things like that is amazing. And they drive a bus and go pick up homeless people out of the woods and have helped them get birth certificates, identification, jobs, and home. When you drive down the street, you'll say, yeah, he deserved that one. And I can attest to that. He does. And he continues to do so. Absolutely. And so I'm going to read this for your hearing, Pastor. 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 Pastor Leon Leonard Jones Jr., thought I didn't know, is certainly befitting of this great honor. Whereas Pastor Leon Jones was born in Somerville, Tennessee, and In November 1967, to his deceased parents, the late Leon Jones Sr. and Diane Marshall Jones, coming from an humble background, he grew up in the projects of Clementine Apartments in South Memphis. and moved to Smoky City in North Memphis. Pastor Jones graduated from Northside High School in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a veteran in the United States Navy aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. He currently resides in Memphis with his wife, three children, and two grandchildren. I'm sorry, wife Juanita, three children, and two grandchildren. Whereas Pastor Leon Jones earned his Bachelor of Theology, received two master degrees in ministry and Christian studies, and received his doctorate in Christian counseling, he worked 20 years for St. Joseph and Baptist Hospitals, in which he held various positions. The last position he held in the hospital was coordinator of cardiac pulmonary rehab. His last corporate job was director of enrollment and adjunct professor of church planting in Union University. Whereas Pastor Leon Jones is a church planter, a senior pastor for the Dwelling Place Church in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as Mason. He is also an active member of the Southern Baptist Convention. Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the Mid-South Baptist Association, which is also duly aligned with the National Baptist Convention. He is currently a missionary to the countries of... He was the first African-American police chaplain of Collierville Police Department, served as the youngest president of the NAACP chapter in Collierville, and was awarded Leadership Award from the Memphis Clergy Police Academy. The founder of Light at Night, he instituted Dwell Well, which has acquired 20 partnerships to serve the community, including but not limited to the Mid-South Food Bank, And he's also served those right from his parking lot at the Dwelling Place Church. Just imagine serving 450 people from your parking lot over the years. Lastly, he partnered with the international entity entitled Sin Relief to bring compassion to the city of Memphis, and that is the national organization. Whereas in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the city of Memphis, the Memphis City Council desires to honor Pastor Leon Jones Jr. legacy with a lasting tribute that will continue to inspire future generations. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Memphis City Council that East Street between Stage Road and Fairhaven Lane will be declared Pastor Leon Jones Jr. Street in honor of his exceptional contributions to the city of Memphis and the community of Raleigh. Be it further resolved that the city engineer is requested to affix suitable signs designated I'm designating this public road given by my hand under the great seal of the city of Memphis this fourth day of August 2026. Rhonda Logan, City Council, Memphis City Council District 1. And I would love to have my colleagues say a few words regarding Pastor and then for you to speak.

Thank you. I met you a couple years ago, and you still have that same demeanor, that same welcoming smile, and just an abundance of love for your community. I've been watching you for years here in Memphis. before I actually had an opportunity to meet you. And so when Councilwoman Logan, and I found out that she was giving this and honoring you, I saw it befitting to share, not growing up in Memphis, but being here for 30 years, you are just a bright light that shines through this city and through your community. And so I wanted you to know, that I have been watching you for quite some time, and I am just so elated to know you and to share this great honor on this day with you and your wife and your family and friends and the city of Memphis.

Thank you. Well, thank you so much, Councilwoman Logan. She's just a wonderful person and leader in our community. I have been fortunate to work with the herds and mayors and governors and county commission and everybody, it takes all of us to build our city and our citizens. I'm so grateful for my wife of 30 years and my daughter Jasmine here with me and our children and grandchildren who never complains when I'm gone all the time helping somebody, but I still try to take care of them. But I'm so grateful to our church, The Dwelling Place, We serve food to a half a million people, and I cannot do that by myself. And so I'm so grateful to them, all of them that are here that follow me as I follow Christ. And so grateful to my commissioners and everybody, J.D. and Ilana Sutton. Thank you so much for the work you do and the kind words. But I do thank everybody. This is such an honor. I get a whole bunch of honors, but this one is for the record. So I'm grateful for that. And I guess, you know, being from the projects myself, I never thought I would be sitting here. And many in here today have never been in here. So I'm grateful that they've had the opportunity to see where decisions are made and where the people that we elect make those decisions to better our lives. My closing statement is the worst shape to be in is loss. And ain't nobody looking for you. And so through our efforts, we're looking. Bless you.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please show that item approved by acclamation. Madam Chair. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number three.

Item number three is a resolution honoring Corhonda Huda Brown Dawson. This resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Cooper Sutton. It was held from July 7th.

Madam Comptroller, will you please note that item number two was same night minutes.

Thank you. Yes. Yes. That's okay.

We can say it. It'll be recorded. Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton, you are recognized. Thank you, Chairwoman. This is an honor. When I saw you, a scuba diver. So there's a little history with Karanda and I. Well, we started playing tennis together, and I don't know what happened to Karanda, but now I do know what happened. She went to start swimming in a scuba diver. And so we became friends, and her baby, she was so little, and she's an adult now. I mean, just beautiful. But I just saw it fit to honor you because this is such an amazing accomplishment, especially as an African-American woman, to accomplish something so huge and something that I would never, ever, ever do. And where is Councilwoman Logan? And Councilwoman Logan is sharing... this resolution with me to give honor to you. Well, thank you, guys. Okay. Whereas Karanda Huda-Brown Dawson is an accomplished entrepreneur, licensed occupational therapist, world record-holding explorer, and visionary leader whose life work is dedicated to helping individuals rediscover balance, healing, and joy through transformative experiences. And whereas Karonda Dawson made history as the first African American woman to scuba dive in every ocean in the world. And earned a Guinness World Record title for the fastest person. Fastest person. Let me make sure you understand that. Fastest person to scuba dive all seven continents. demonstrating extraordinary courage, perseverance, and determination. And whereas following a difficult period in her life, Karonda Dawson chose to embrace personal growth by challenging herself to learn new skills, beginning with a simple introductory scuba diving class that ultimately transformed her life and inspired a global journey of exploitation and self-discovery. And whereas through her philosophy that the darkest of disappointment can be heavy, but learning new things sparks small victories that light the way forward, Karonda Dawson encourages others to embrace curiosity as a pathway to healing, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Whereas as the founder of Curated Life, Karonda Dawson has created a movement that inspires individuals to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world through intentional travel, wellness experience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. And whereas through her motivational speaking, educational programs, and advocacy, Karonda Dawson continues to inspire people across the globe to pursue purpose over fear, experience over possessions, and personal growth over limitations, proving that confidence and healing begin the moment one chooses to keep moving forward. And whereas Karanda Dawson's remarkable accomplishments serve as an inspiration to women, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, adventurers, and future generations, demonstrating that resilience, courage, and curiosity can transform adversity into extraordinary achievement.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Memphis City Council hereby recognizes and honors Karonda Hood Brown Dawson for her groundbreaking accomplishment and for inspiring countless individuals to embrace a purpose way of living. Be it further resolved that on this day, the Memphis City Council extends its sincere appreciation and congratulations to Karonda Dawson for her outstanding leadership and wishes her continued success as she empowers communities around the world. Given by my hand and under the great seal of the city of Memphis, this fourth day of August, 2026 Yolanda Cooper Sutton, Memphis City Council and Councilwoman Rhonda Logan, Memphis City Council.

Thank you so much.

Yes, we're going to give her a moment to say something. Yes.

I'd like to say to the city council, thank you all for honoring me as a daughter of this great city and somewhere where I've kept Memphis with me. So even in Antarctica, I went from Antarctica. The overall record was 19 days. I completed in 11 days, 23 hours and 40 minutes, taking almost a week off of the old record, starting in Antarctica, went from Antarctica to Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro to California, Lisbon, Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal, to Tangier, Morocco, Tangier, Morocco, to Dubai, Dubai to Sydney, Sydney to LA, where both of my beautiful daughters, who are also scuba divers, met me for that final cross of the finish line. And I can't say... that I want to always represent Memphis. And having started at the Davis Thomas YMCA in Whitehaven, yes, for the Whitehaven folks, and being a lifeguard at the old fairgrounds pool, you know, I want, yeah, at the old fairgrounds pool, I was a lifeguard there. And those kids were hard-headed, but loving children. But I just want to say thank you guys so much because Memphis is always with me everywhere I've gone, and I've traveled the world twice. As a matter of fact, during that particular run, I traveled the entire globe twice in less than 354 days. So it is... My proud honor just to be before you all and to be a representation of all of what Memphis can be. As a business owner, I was the youngest person to receive a certificate of need by the Health Care Facilities Commission when I first started business 28 years ago. So, you know, trailblazing is what Memphians do. Much love. Thank you.

Thank you. Congratulations again.

This is for you.

Congratulations.

you

Madam Comptroller, if you will please show that item being approved by acclamation. Thank you, Madam Chair. That moves us to our zoning cases. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number four.

Item number four is a resolution pursuant to Chapter 9.6 of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a special use permit at the subject property located at 3778 Old Waverly Cove. This resolution is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is SUP 25-36.

All right, Councilman Spinoza, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee met recommends approval and I so move. We do have everybody here for presentation if anybody wants to see it.

Okay, that item has been moved by Councilman Spinoza, second by Board Canale. We're ready for our presentation.

You'll make sure her mic is on. Good afternoon. All right, good afternoon. Chloe Christian with DPD. I'll be giving a brief presentation on this item. The case number is SUP 2025-036. The applicant, Lou Katzerman, is here with us today, and the property is located at 3778 Old Waverly Cove. This is a special use permit request to allow a 130-foot monopole tree-style cell tower, and it's located in Council District 2. Here's a location map of the property and a city map. We did mail out public notices and we did not receive any comments of opposition or support, any concern at all with this item. The property is an underlying zoned R10. However, there is a planned development overlay to allow apartments at the subject property. And as you can see on the land use map, the existing land use is multifamily. Here are some photos of the subject property. The cell tower would be located to the rear of this existing parking lot for the apartments. This is the site plan that was submitted by the applicant of the cell tower. You can see the proposed elevation there. It is the tree-style cell tower. Here's an additional survey that was submitted. So in conclusion, the applicant's proposing to erect a 130-foot monopole tree-style cell tower, and we do find that the cell tower is in compliance with the requirements of the Unified Development Code. As a part of the, if approved, the applicant would be required to submit a final plat review to re-record that existing plat to show the location of the cell tower. But in conclusion, we do not find that this request would cause any detriment to the public good, nor impair the intent of the Unified Development Code. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you. I don't see any counsel in the queue. So Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, seven, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller.

Thank you very much.

If you will please call item number five. Oh, now we're moving to the consent agenda, items five through 11 with same night minutes on items eight, nine, 10, and 11. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the consent agenda.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Item number five is an ordinance to amend ordinance number 5856, that establish rules and regulations relating to the operation and regulation of short-term rentals in Memphis by amending Section 8 compliance to detailed enforcement of short-term rentals reported as a public nuisance. Up for first reading, Ordinance Number 5980 is sponsored by Councilman Spinoza. Item number six is a zoning ordinance amending ordinance number 5367 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Memphis, Tennessee, adopted on August 10th, 2010 as amended, known as the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code to authorize a zoning use district reclassification for land located on 2021 Berryhill Road by taking the land out of the conservation agriculture use district and including it in the residential single family use district. Up for first reading, this ordinance is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is Z26-05, ordinance number 5981. Item number seven is also up for first reading, a joint ordinance to amend the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code adopted by the City of Memphis on August 10th, 2010, and by Shelby County on August 9th, 2010, to establish a procedure for replacing the zoning map. Up for first reading, this ordinance is sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. The case number is ZTA 26-02. The ordinance number is 5979, and this was held from July 21st. Item number eight in our engineering division is a resolution approving the engineering plans for intersection of A.W. Willis Avenue at North 4th Street and accepting bond as security. There is a request for same night minutes. The contract number is 5499. Item number nine is a resolution accepting public improvements for Walnut Green plan development phase one, county and releasing the bond. There is a request for same night minutes. The contract number is CR5460. Item number 10 is a resolution accepting public improvements for Phillips Farms planned development area 2A phase one and releasing the bond. There is a request for same night minutes. That contract number is 5477. Item number 11 is a resolution accepting public improvements for 272 North Bellevue Residential and releasing bond. There's also a request for same night minutes. That contract number is 5478. Madam Chairwoman, that concludes our consent agenda items.

Thank you so much. Vice Chair Carlisle, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I've moved items.

All right. It has been moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, second by Councilman Spinoza. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Kennelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen. Washington, yes.

Councilwoman Cooper-Sidon? Yes.

What is actually going on with A.W. Willis North 4th Street? What is the plans for this? Because it's over a million dollars to secure a bond for this engineering project. Yeah.

Yeah.

All right, so, ma'am.

All right, so what item number, Council Member Sutton?

That's item number eight.

All right, without objection, I move to divide the question and remove item number eight from the consent agenda.

Thank you.

And then so if I believe Madam Comptroller, that means we're back to the main motion, which is just the consent agenda sans item eight. Is that correct? No, no, no. We're just gonna vote on the consent agenda without item eight.

Oh, without eight.

Without eight. And so that's the vote. So we would put that vote back up or do we wanna re-vote just for clarity's sake? Let's do that.

Thank you, Vice Chair.

Okay, we're gonna revote on the consent agenda minus item number eight. It's been moved by Carlisle, second by Dr. Warren.

Kennelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Please show Councilmember Cooper-Sutton as voting on this item, and also Chairwoman Swervington-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Now we're gonna move to item number eight.

Item number eight should display momentarily. It is a resolution approving the engineering plans for intersection of A.W. Willis Avenue at North Ford Street and accepting bond as security. There is a request for same night minutes. That contract number again is 5499.

Vice Chair Carlisle, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll move it to the floor for discussion.

Okay, it's been moved by Carlisle, second by Dr. Warren.

Is someone here from the administration that can speak to this item? The city engineer would be, anybody from the city engineer's office? Great. I think what I would, real quick, let me help out here, not seeing anything. I think I would talk... if you cannot speak specifically to this project, what the typical order of operations is in this instance and why it's an ordinary course of business for your division. Would be, if it's not, then you're gonna have to highlight why it might be not ordinary and that might be a problem here. So that'd be my, I think what the councilwoman's gonna look for.

Yeah. Okay, so Greg Dodson, Division of Engineering, 125 North Main Street. Y'all here to talk? Oh, yeah, with St. Jude. Okay, I'm sure they will be able to share a little bit more. What I do understand is that in regards to the ongoing work at St. Jude and the towers that are being erected, this project involves the intersection improvements that are needed to accommodate that development. But I will definitely yield the floor to you guys.

Hi, Robert Torek, Kimley Horn & Associates. It is a traffic signal that will be installed at the intersection in accordance with that ongoing construction on the St. Jude property.

So would it be fair to say that when you filed your plans to improve the site, part of the city engineer's requirement was to pay for the cost in the installation of this light as a matter of public safety? Yes. Okay, I thought that might be the case. So that's a good explanation. Yeah.

Yeah.

Whether they're paying for it or I'm paying for it, I wanted to get an explanation of what was happening. And I appreciate that. Thank you. Oversight on my part. I missed that one. So thank you. And it's good to know that you're paying for it and not the same.

All right. With that being said, if you will please, Madam Comptroller, prepare the screen for item number eight.

Kennelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper-Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call the fiscal consent agenda with item number 12 being same night minutes.

Thank you. Item number 12 should display momentarily. It is a resolution authorizing FY27 sponsorships. for Memphis Parks programming in the amount of $200,000. All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the administration, and there is a request for same night minutes. And that concludes our fiscal consent agenda items.

Vice Chair Carlisle, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Fiscal consent agenda has been read. I'll move it to the floor.

All right, it has been moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, second by Councilman Spinoza. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper-Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearengin-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, will you please call our add-on agenda items with same night minutes, items 17 through 19, beginning with item number 17.

Item number 17 on our add-on agenda is a resolution to appropriate the sum of $13,672,960 funded by G.O. Bonds, chargeable to the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program, CIP budget, for the Southwest Twin Redevelopment Project. CD01104, District 6, Super District 8. This resolution is sponsored by the administration, and there is a request for same night minutes.

Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair. Committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.

All right, it's been moved by Councilwoman Logan. It's not on my screen. It's not showing on my screen. And second by Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 18.

Item number 18 is a resolution approving proposed consolidated plan, plan year 26, fiscal year 27, annual action plan and appropriating federal entitlement bonds to the plan year 26, fiscal year 27, housing and community development budget. All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the administration. There is a request for same night minutes.

Councilwoman Logan, you're recognized. Yes, ma'am. The committee met, recommended approval, and I so move. It's not showing on my screen.

It's been moved by Councilwoman Logan, second by Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper-Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Please show Councilmember Logan as voting yes on this item. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes. That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call. Excuse me. Could you please show Councilmember White as voting yes on the last item, please.

Mayera. That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 19.

Item number 19 is a resolution supporting the installation of a public art mural at the Alliance Healthcare Services Children and Youth Crisis Wellness Center, District 5, Super District 9. This resolution is sponsored by Councilman Canale. There is a request for same night minutes.

Councilman Spinoza, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee recommends approval. Thank you, Councilman Canale. And I so move.

All right, it's been moved by Spinoza, second by Ford Canale. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote. Spinoza and Ford Canale.

Thank you.

Kennelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper-Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Warren, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearengin-Washington, yes.

That item passes. That moves us to our regular agenda items, items 13 through 16. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 13.

Item number 13 is a referendum ordinance to amend the Charter of the City of Memphis, same being Chapter 11 of the Acts of 1879 as amended pursuant to provisions of Article 9 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee Home Rule Amendment so as to establish lobbyist registration and disclosure requirements and to submit the proposed referendum ordinance to the qualified voters of the city of Memphis at the next state general election. Up for third and final reading, ordinance number 5977 is sponsored by Councilman Carlisle. This was held from July 21st. Councilwoman White, you're recognized.

Thank you, this matter came down without recommendation.

Okay, it has been moved by Councilwoman White. if you'll move it electronically, second by Councilman Spinoza. We do have one card. Miss Moses.

Greetings, Pamela Moses. I'm here because, first, I would like to say that I think it's good for change. Change is good. It's something we can all embrace. But what I don't understand is our charter is 147 years old, and y'all want to make amendments. But the main thing of the charter is homebrewing. So night before last, I was coming from Park Avenue in Collierville, where I'm campaigning, and I was headed home, and I saw a car wrapped around a pole. I saw another car that was crashed, and I saw about 10 state troopers. And I couldn't figure out what had happened, so I had to get out and be nosy and find out. And all I know is that there was a chase going And I believe those people died because there's no way possible that they could have lived with a pole. being knocked down. Now, one of my constituents, there was a young man that hit a pole, or actually a car hit him and he hit a pole, and they kept going and they had him as responsible for paying for that pole, and those poles can go as much as $25,000. So my thing is, if we're gonna make some amendments, When is this city council or this government going to get a backbone and stop being yellow? We have MPD and we have the sheriff. The task force may be good, but it's also very bad. And somebody's got to pay for that poll. And whoever died, they're not coming back. So I asked the city council to please make an amendment to regain some control of this municipality, which I hope to represent one day. something needs to be done. So put that on the ballot. Thank you.

Thank you. Vice Chair Carlisle, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to be here when this item takes a vote. I would just ask that you put this on the ballot and allow people to speak. I think that governments, especially large city governments all over the country are starting to look at that lobbyist registry and all sorts of transparency opportunities. And I think for us, this is just low hanging fruit and something I think should have been done a long time ago. But it's really not about what I think. We're just asking the voters to say, hey, we want the council to form this. And so I ask for your support to put it on the ballot. Thank you.

Okay, I don't see any other council in the queue to speak. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen. Oh, there is a question. Wait just a moment. Yes. Councilwoman Cooper said.

When would this be proposed to be on the ballot?

This November.

Because we need to really explain to the constituents what this is because we don't want them to be ignorant to it. So it will be on the ballot this November?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Madam Comptroller, if you'll please prepare the screen. Thank you. Councilmembers, please cast your votes for this item. this referendum item, thank you. Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 14.

Item number 14 is a referendum ordinance to amend the charter of the city of Memphis saying being chapter 11 of the acts of 1879 as amended pursuant to the provisions of article nine, section nine of the constitution of the state of Tennessee home rule amendment to authorize the creation by ordinance of uniform administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals that may affect the employment status of civil service employees. For third and final reading, ordinance number 5978 is sponsored by Councilman Carlisle. This was also held from July 21st.

All right, we have some cards. Councilwoman White, you're recognized. Thank you. This came down without recommendation. Okay. It's been moved by Councilwoman White, second by Vice Chair Carlisle. Okay. Attorney Wade? We'll do the cards first? Okay. Casey McLeon? I'm sorry, I can't read it.

Good evening, City Council. My name is Casey McCoon. I'm here to ask some questions about the Civil Service Referendum Ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carlisle. I keep asking myself one question, and that is why now? Just months ago, this council opened a path for library workers to finally receive civil service protections through their own referendum. That was a hard-won victory for workers who have been fighting for basic job security and rights here in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Now, right as the measure is headed for voters in November, this council is considering a separate, vague referendum about civil service, administrative procedures, and disposition of appeals. Is it a coincidence that this appears right as library workers are asking voters for protection? If voters see two civil service measures on the same ballot, how are they supposed to know which one protects workers and which one might actually undermine those same protections? Please explain the timing and give us some clarity on what this referendum ordinance is meant to do before November. Thank you.

I mean, I'll respond to that directly. I apologize. I thought I was very clear when that referendum was passed that I was going to come with something specifically like this. So I apologize if I wasn't specific. I just want to answer.

All right, Chelsea. Chilshire.

Good evening, council members. My name is Chelsea Cheshire, and I am here about item 14, the civil service referendum ordinance on tonight's agenda. Across this country, we've seen a troubling trend. Civil service protections that took generations to build are being weakened or dismantled through administrative language that sounds harmless to the average layperson until it is too late. This is itself part of a larger trend towards deregulation where administrative efficiency has been used as an excuse for illegally cutting funding for necessary government programs, slashing our social safety net, and gutting protections for the people while enabling corruption. Now, here in Memphis, we have an ordinance that would let this council create administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals affecting civil service employees without properly outlining those procedures or offering an explanation for why this is necessary. My legal background indicates to me that this ordinance would attempt to sidestep necessary procedures already in place and take away due process from our civil servants. Without due process, there is no justice system, only a legal system, one that gets twisted in ways that I cannot stomach. Are you about to tell our city employees that the protections this city has long defended are now up for revision by ordinance with no clear explanation of what's changing or why? that they, like career civil servants at the national level, may be stripped of protections and reclassified so they can be fired at will, causing them to fear for their livelihoods? I don't think this council wants to be remembered as the one that weakened legal protections for workers and opened the door for corruption. So I'm asking you vote no or provide detailed explanation of how the new procedures will differ from those already in place. Thank you for your time. Please protect our civil servants.

Thank you. Jameson Harrington. Remember, no clapping. It's thumbs up and thumbs down, please. Jameson Harrington.

I withdraw my comment.

Okay.

Mazie Hazard.

Good evening council members. My name is Maisie Hazard and I'm here about the civil service referendum ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carlisle. I'll be honest, I don't fully understand what this ordinance does and that's exactly the problem. The language talks about uniform administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals that may affect the employment status of civil service employees. That's incredibly vague and For something that can change how thousands of city workers are protected, it should not be vague. When elected officials pass unclear ordinances without clear public explanation, it erodes trust and it makes people wonder what's being hidden. Memphis workers and voters deserve transparency, not confusion. So please either vote no on this ordinance or be clear with us and explain exactly what this means. Please give us clarity. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. And last, Denise Ewell.

Good evening, my name is Denise Yule. Do I need to do my address? No? Okay. All right, so hello, council members. I would also like to address a civil service referendum ordinance sponsored by Councilman Carlisle. As currently written, I struggle to understand the purpose of this referendum ordinance, and I'm here to ask for clarity. Government workers need protections in order to do their jobs well without fear of political retaliation or politically motivated decisions. Would this referendum give politicians even more power over our government workers? Yes. How would this impact our city's civil service system and the way appeals or grievance processes work? Is someone trying to end civil service protections altogether? Or undermine the progress Memphis has made through the sanitation workers' struggle? Would this referendum threaten the independence of the civil service board? And why is this being pushed forward now, right as library workers are fighting for these exact civil service protections in their jobs? We're seeing civil service protections weakened or dismantled in other places around the country, often through vague administrative language just like this, and often as a step toward reducing the public workforce or opening the door to privatization. Memphis does not want that. We want strong public services, public libraries and other services run by protected civil servants who can do their jobs without political interference. So I'm asking you, is this referendum a step toward making it easier to shrink our civil service workforce or weaken these protections? Please vote no. Thank you for listening and please protect our civil servants.

Thank you for your comments. Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized. Oh, you sure can. Attorney Wade.

I was interested to hear the comments tonight. And I would like to ask the speakers if any of them know what the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act is. Raise your hand if you know. They don't. Okay, let me explain. The Tennessee Supreme Court rules that any time that a municipal government has a proceeding that affects the employment rights of its employees, it must give them adequate due process. The Supreme Court said that the process that they believe is due and accurate is the Tennessee Administrative Procedures Act. That is an act which allows employees protections. It gives them the right to counsel. It gives them the right to a process where, just like a trial, it also has appeal rights to chancellery court. This has been used in the state for disciplinary actions against teachers in universities, doctors in state-owned hospitals. It is for the protection of employees, not to their detriment. Just because we put something on the books, they believe automatically we're trying to attack them. This is for their protection. What our civil service charter provision now provides is that you have a hearing before the civil service commission. It doesn't spell out what that process is. It doesn't spell out what that procedure is. It doesn't lay out a game plan, a framework that the proponents, the employer, and the employee know exactly what the rules of the game are. It is to level the playing field, not to dislevel it. They do not understand that this is for their protection and that the Supreme Court has mandated that we do it to protect employees, not to hurt them. So that's why this is important. And why do we do it now? We only get to amend our charter once every two years. This is something that we use for pension appeals, OJI appeals, right now. These things are handled the same way, and they go to Chancery Court if an employee or the employee is disadvantaged. We have been doing this forever. The county uses it. They've been using it for decades. Nobody is hurt by this amendment, contrary to what they believe in. And I understand you're down because you don't even understand what the Uniform Procedures Act is. So I'm just saying, that's the problem.

Dude, crazy, crazy work.

Wait a minute now. We'll have order.

So with respect to the summary that you gave, could you say specifically about what exactly this ordinance does?

Okay. Right now, this ordinance, right now we do not have an approval. process for how we have administrative law judges hear these cases. We do not have a process for how they are appointed. And we do not have a process that implements these rules, that spells them out, which you would do by ordinance. That's all we're doing is conforming our actions to what the Supreme Court says we have to do.

And, Counselor, I would add to that. The reason is that the processes we've heard from HR is broken. It can take up to two years to clear a case. And, like, that's problematic for both employee and employer. And to the point, it's bilateral. Like, that's the point. I don't know what's going on with all this. like extra stuff. This is something we've been talking about as a problem. And so we're bringing forth, again, just a solution. And transparency, it's going to be, it's been, it was held, so it's been public for four weeks, or four meetings. And it's going to be on the ballot in November. So it'll be out in the public between the time it's ratified, published in the paper. And I have a sneaking suspicion I know what's going to happen on some of the ballots that you put out into the marketplace and what the recommendation is going to be on this. But The point is, I think I've always come to the table in good faith, and that's all I'm doing here. We have a problem with the current system. It doesn't work well. And so this is to basically say, hey, we want to spell out the rules for a timetable and a process. Yeah, I always struggle to see the issue here, but I yield the floor.

Councilwoman Walker, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So I would like a clarification. Well, we, a few months ago, passed the ordinance to put the option for you all to be civil servant employees on the ballot. I supported that. I'm a former misplaced employee. I supported that with reservation because all of the library employees did not know about this. So it's a few months later and you all are here today. You're wanting info. and a clarification on what is before you, this agenda item. But what confuses me is you want info and clarification on this, but there are still currently library employees who don't know about this. the civil servant service resolution that we voted on a few months ago. So are we selectively saying that we want information and clarification when it comes to certain things? And then when it comes to certain other things, info and clarification is not important. And I close again, there are still employees who don't know about this. Thank you.

Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen for the vote.

Canale, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, no. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes.

White, yes. This item passes. All right, Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 15.

Item number 15 is a resolution authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of a financing lease in an amount not to exceed $7,100,000 relating to the acquisition of various solid waste vehicles and to approve certain other matters relating thereto. All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the administration. Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee may recommend. Oh, hold up. I think Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton's in the queue. Okay.

Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton.

Thank you, Chair. The word in here, certain other matters relating thereto. I mean, the vehicle prop, various solid waste vehicles, I have no problem. But what does that certain other matters relating thereto mean? Incidental cost, insurances, and all that good stuff. Okay, here, thank you. Thank you, director.

Back in town, he's ready to talk to the council.

I was excited to speak to y'all. Phillip Davis, solid waste director.

The way you walked down, we saw the eagerness.

Yeah, it's my birthday.

Well, happy birthday. Happy birthday.

Please go home. I'm 28. You're on to O. Again, Phil Davis, always director. It's really probably a better question for finance because I think that wording is put in there for closing costs, insurance, things like that. But yeah, it's kind of the all-encompassing language that allows them the latitude to pay some closing costs to the attorneys and the bank related to that.

Okay, thank you, because I got a text message from a, someone's watching online, and they wanted to know, so we wanted to put it on record to clarify what that is. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Madam Comptroller, if you will please prepare the screen. Item number 15 moved by Smiley, seconded by Spinoza.

Kennelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. Madam Comptroller, if you will please call item number 16.

Thank you. Item number 16 is a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2027 CIP budget by allocating and appropriating $7,100,000 for the purchase of various vehicles and equipment through incurrence of indebtedness via the execution of a master equipment lease. All council districts, this resolution is sponsored by the administration.

Councilman Smiley, you're recognized.

Committee recommended approval. And I already moved.

All right, it's been moved by. Councilman Smiley, second by Councilwoman Logan. There are no council members in the queue to speak. Madam Comptroller, please prepare the screen for the vote.

Thank you. Connelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper, Sutton, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Smiley, yes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. White, yes. Chairwoman's marriage in Washington, yes.

That item passes. All right, that brings us to our same-night-minute items.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Our same nine minutes are items two, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, and I submit.

All right. It has been moved by Vice Chair Carlisle, second by Councilman Spinoza. Council, please vote.

Here are your same-night-minute votes. Connelly, yes. Carlisle, yes. Cooper-Sudden, yes. Ford, yes. Logan, yes. Please show Smiley is voting yes on the same-night-minutes. Spinoza, yes. Walker, yes. Chairwoman Swearingen-Washington, yes.

That item passes. We will now move to our general comment cards. We'll start with Janice Davis and then Reverend Gordon Myers. If you'll please put two minutes on the screen. Good evening, everyone.

Good evening. He's going to pull up a picture for me on the screen so y'all can see it.

No.

Okay.

We're not going to do pictures.

Okay, okay. That's fine.

Thank you.

Okay. I was bus driver for Memphis Area Transit Authority, and I had spoke last time when y'all had a meeting, and I just want to let y'all know that They didn't follow, when they terminated me, they didn't follow the procedures that they're supposed to on a job. Also, Miss Susie, the human resource manager, Thomas Davidson, he was the director and the safety manager. Okay, they filled out documents. They had filled out documents saying I had killed somebody, which I did not. So they went to the unemployment office. The unemployment office, they tried to deny my unemployment, but the lawyers from the unemployment office They told Matter that they was wrong with everything they had done to me. I do have documents. Ms. Breonna Owens, she had my documents. She gave them to Ms. Chief. I'm sort of nervous, y'all. Excuse me. Ms. Chief Gibson in room 336. She had all my documents, and they have everything on it. about what I'm telling you, about what I'm saying. They did a lot, and I'm just overwhelmed. I'm sorry, y'all. I'm about to sort of break down from the way I was treated. I'm going to sit down. Thank y'all.

I'm going to sit down.

But I would like for y'all to just hear me, because I was mistreated. Yes. really mistreated. If you ever been on a bus, the brakes just constantly go. Just go. Without no warning, I could not stop. Somebody hit the back of the bus. That's not my fault. The mechanics were even certified. They put all of us in jeopardy.

Thank you for your comments. Thank you. Chief Gibson does have your documents and they are investigating. So there is a follow-up that's going on as we speak. Reverend Gordon Myers and then Reagan Murray.

Gordon Myers, 11167 Orville Cove, Arlington, Tennessee. Thank you for the opportunity. Jesus told a parable about a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people, and a widow who kept coming before him saying, grant me justice. At first he refused, but later said to himself, though I have no fear of God and no respect for people, yet this widow keeps bothering, I will grant her justice before she wears me out.

Here we go again.

It would seem a self-evident principle of justice that the water and air upon which all our lives depend should be sustained, protected, and accessible to all. not sacrificed for the benefit of few. While XAI's promised water reuse facility is put on hold, they continue to draw almost a million gallons a day from the public resource of the Memphis Sand Aquifer in order to prioritize construction of yet another facility, which will draw on even more public resources. They pay 19 cents per 100 gallons of water. I pay 32 cents for the same water in Arlington as do the people of Westwood and Boxtown and all the communities proximate to XAI sites. These communities also pay an additional surcharge on their hearts, lungs, and lifespan just for the privilege of having XAI as a neighbor. Elon Musk just announced his intention to spend $120 million to put his thumb on the scales of our midterm elections. One would think that if he has the spare cash to play kingmaker, his first priority should be to fulfill his obligations to the people of Memphis. Thank you.

Thank you so much for coming. Reagan Murray and then Lucy Chambliss.

I'm Reagan, and I'm a licensed mental health professional in Memphis. Can you all hear me okay? I've never done this before. Okay. I'm here because I've seen multiple reports of the Memphis Unsafe Task Force and HSI responding to mental health calls in the community, which is very concerning for me because, one, we all know that that's not an evidence-based practice, and, two, the city still refuses to acknowledge their cooperation with the Unsafe Task Force. The Memphis Unsafe Task Force and National Guard has already killed four people that we know of, including Tyron Johnson, Alphonso Ivey, Darren Pegram, and Jonah Neal. Jonah was experiencing a mental health crisis, and within minutes of the Unsafe Task Force's arrival, he had been shot and killed. HSI recently responded to a mental health call where they busted someone's door down, handcuffed them, and searched their home without a warrant prior to taking them to a local crisis center. MPD has a crisis intervention team, so I'm wondering where they were when all this was going down. I want to share some quick statistics just to illustrate how easily any of us could be in this situation. In Tennessee, one in five children and over 1.4 million adults experience mental illness in any given year. 3.2 million Tennesseans live in a community that does not have adequate access to mental health care. And 17.9% of Miffians specifically report having poor mental health. So that's a lot of y'all's constituents. Y'all not even looking when we're talking to y'all. People with mental illness are up to 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter. So I ask, would our tax dollars not be better spent to improve our own city's crisis response networks instead of paying federal agents to come in and abuse and or murder Memphians? Who are my clients supposed to call in their time of need when they don't know if it's going to be an untrained federal agent or an actual mental health professional at their door? and how many more Memphis families must be harmed before y'all decide to stand up and do something? Who authorized the unsafe task force to respond to these types of calls when we all know, like I stated, this is not an evidence-based practice that supports positive outcomes for our community? Do better.

Thank you so much. Glenda Hicks. Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Lucy, you first. Lucy.

Reagan stole everything I was going to say, so now I have to freestyle. I apologize in advance. People were making comments about y'all finally not being up there snacking during the meeting, but I think that maybe y'all should be snacking because y'all are cranky tonight and kind of rude. I know everybody isn't about to retire like Attorney Wade, but come on now. We're your constituents. You can tone it down a bit when you speak to us. So I'm here about HSI responding to mental health calls. I do want to, for the probably only time in my life, acknowledge something great that this administration has done. Starting in July, when you call 911, you get the option of police, fire, ambulance, or mental health. And if you ask for mental health, Normally, an EMT paramedic and a social worker respond. Now, I understand that there are some exceptions if someone has a weapon or if they are considered violent that you all have chosen to continue sending the police. And that's a topic we can take up another day. We're way behind the trend on changing the way that we respond to mental health calls. But to have HSI responding, like you guys made this decision, this administration made this decision because we understand that the presence of a uniformed officer and a weapon is an immediate escalation. So why are we allowing HSI to respond? Who made that call? Who thought that that was a good idea? So my ask of you tonight, oh, dang, I got more time than I thought. I'm going to say something else. My ask of you tonight is to not spend 13 million more dollars on the police in Southwest Memphis building this new complex until we get some answers about how the police are operating right now. Chief Davis called this partnership a recalibration of the way that we think about our city. Why are we thinking of our most vulnerable citizens are mentally ill as disposable? South Memphis doesn't even have grocery stores. And I understand the MPD likes to feed our citizens bullets, but that's not a healthy diet. And that's not what we need. We need answers. And I'm asking you to make the chief accountable to the cities because there are a lot of people with a lot of questions. Chief among them, Darren Pegram's family, Jonah Neal's family, Tyron Johnson's family, and Alfonso Ivey's family.

Thank you so much. Glenda Hicks, thumbs up, thumbs down. Glenda Hicks and then Rihanna Watson.

Good afternoon. Glenda Hicks, co-founder 21st Century Memphis or Bust. So just want to ask a question or put a question on your mind. Mr. Smiley. Thank you. Question. How many of you know that your constituents have faith in you? How many of you, council members, know that your constituents believe that you are truly their voice, that you truly speak for them, that you truly have their best interests at heart? I am here today requesting that this body course correct. I was out of town when you all approved this sewer rate increase and have read over it. And please correct me if I'm wrong, but I understood that a portion of this rate increase goes in effect or went in effect as of August 1. Then as of 2028, there is another increase that is to go in effect. And I humbly asked you all. What are you doing to your citizens? We have had people literally leave Memphis because of the over financial burdening that they're receiving in taxes. And taxes cover what? And then solid waste and then sewer and then storm water and then street light, which your taxes are supposed to cover. And we get all of these additional fees. Then you all have the audacity to go and jack it up. Unacceptable. Are we trying to literally, someone said, allow Memphis to become a welfare city? We have got to do better.

This is not working.

Good afternoon, council members. Good afternoon. My name is Rhiannon Watson. I'm the advocacy coordinator for Protect Our Aquifer. A lot of people in the city are trying to understand what's happening with these data centers. And right now, it feels like the public is always finding out after the fact. On July 31st, we learned that a fourth data center, MiniHard, has already been built, or had already been built, excuse me, with only local documentation showing $659 million building permit for March. We still do not know how much water that facility is using. or how much Colossus II is using, but we know what may be coming next. What we do know is that Colossus I drew about 840,520 gallons per day from the Memphis Sand Aquifer in February of 2026 during a winter month when cooling demand is lower. For residents, this is not just about numbers on a page, it's about whether the water beneath our feet is being protected, whether our air and health are being considered, and whether people have a real voice in the decisions that shape our neighborhoods for years to come. Memphis is under national and global spotlight because of the speed at which these data centers are being established. Excuse me, I lost my place. We have the opportunity to show that growth can happen responsibly, but it requires more than promises. So what I'm asking is that this council advocate for space XAI leadership to appear publicly and provide a clear timeline for the water reuse facility. Full disclosure of water use across all four of these facilities and honest information about the cumulative environmental impact of its rapid expansion. So not just the water, but the air as well. Memphians should not have to piece together basic facts from these permits, press statements, and social media posts. We deserve transparency.

Thank you so much. Brandy Price and then Teal Wright.

Hello, my name is Brandy Price. I come here to say that, one, it seems like tonight the spirit of Nathan Betheforz is still here alive today, living through y'all right here, right now, because that shows the amount of care that y'all actually care about y'all citizens. The spirit of the man who came to Memphis to say, burn them, burn them all into the crib, lives through y'all right now, through the decisions y'all are making right now when it comes to allowing citizens this cancer that's XAI to pollute our air and steal the water from our feet. When I look back at history and look at the social standards and all what has repeated before, I see what's going on now, how slowly our water is being drained, how other majority black cities' water have been drained, and it's looking like they're setting up a disaster so they can come in and, like, hunt each and every one of us down. Because, like, what do you think life is going to be like when the water in your city turns brown, the world's cleanest water turns brown? How do you think people are going to react to that? How do you think... Do we not understand that people... Most crime is out of desperation? It seems like with the unsafe task force coming in, answering mental health calls as though there's a freaking SWAT team. I've seen this myself in my own eyes. They're like literally coming in to answer a mental health crisis as a SWAT team. It seems like they're ready to set up Memphis as a student center. Like literally just a way to get rid of and criminalize black people here in Memphis. Like what is... Growth. Unstopped growth. That's cancer. And XAI, to meet their data standards, like, it's physically not able. You're not able to meet those standards and answer the rules of thermodynamics. Like, you have to constantly grow and constantly seek out new sources to keep your systems down. After a while, your computer ship is going to just start melting on itself, and they're going to have to constantly ask for more, more, more. You people are a cancer.

Thank you so much for coming now. We will have Teal Wright at this time.

Greetings, Council. My name is Teal Wright. And just in solidarity with these fine folks behind me, please protect Memphis Water and Memphis Air. I'll start there. Thank you. Let me also say I'm here today representing Ecpe Abioto and Genius Unlimited, as well as the Glenview Edgewood Manor Neighborhood Association. And we are having a celebration in Glenview on September the 26th with the Glenview Community Roots Festival. I just want to share a little bit about this festival with you all. We had our first one in 2024. Let's see. So this time we have four pillars that we'll be celebrating with our festival. And they are Culture, honoring Glenview's history, residence, and legacy through music, storytelling, and community recognition. Literacy, artist talks and book engagement, including Ekpay's book, Don't Touch a Gun, reinforcing learning, identity, and expression. Wellness, a youth gun safety and community forum focused on safety, mindfulness, and prevention through education dialogue. also economic empowerment, supporting local vendors, discussing restorative economics, and continuing to introduce you to entrepreneurship and community-based economic participation. What to expect? There'll be a pop-up art exhibit featuring Glenview and South Memphis artists, a guided walking tour of Glenview, live music, poetry, and cultural performances, youth activities, arts and crafts, and family engagement. We will also honor important Memphis freedom fighters and sites through cultural storytelling and reflection. That includes Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Claiborne Temple, Zion Cemetery, I'm coming to you to share that we need your support with this festival. We have raised about $3,600 so far. We have a goal of $20,000. We believe in fair pay for artists and creatives that are putting on this festival, as well as giving our neighbors in Glenview a sound festival to celebrate the neighborhood and the culture and the history of that neighborhood. You can reach me at tillthecreator at gmail.com, also through Ekpay's sites. Thank you. Thank you.

Can someone get our information? All right, Chuck Thomas.

Thank you, Madam Chairman. I'm Chuck Thomas. I reside at 5983 Macon Cove, 38134. I've represented AT&T as a top officer over the last 17 years. Recently, I retired. I went to work for Southwest Tennessee Community College. I was so impressed with this college when I served as a top officer for AT&T. I'd like to invite you to Legislative Day. It's gonna be August the 13th, next Thursday. The president of TVA, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, came to visit Southwest. He was so impressed, he's sponsoring Legislative Day. I've sent you an invite. I'd hope that you certainly return. But a couple of things about Southwest I'd like for you to understand. Number one, we have free tuition at the school. We have over 150 academic programs. We're 50% cheaper than most colleges. We're the second largest community college in the state. We have 8,000 students. I'm sorry. We have an aviation program. We're the only community college in the state with an aviation program, the only community college in the state with a mortuary science program. We have four locations, and 95% of our students are placed in jobs that they're studied for. But most importantly, we have the most tenured college president in West Tennessee. That's Dr. Tracy Hall. So at one o'clock on August the 13th, next Thursday, we'd love to invite you to the Macon Cove campus in the Born Bloom Library to attend legislative day. Thank you for the great work that this council does. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you on behalf of our students. Tuition is free for all the students. For all students. And most importantly, we have the Tennessee Reconnect program. So if you're over the age of 23 and you want to go back to school and you haven't received an associate's degree and you're looking for a workforce certificate, come to Southwest. It's an amazing college with four locations in the greater Memphis area. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Thank you for that great information. All right, that concludes our general comments. I will entertain a motion to adjourn. It's been moved by Councilman Ford Canale, second by Vice Chair Carlisle. Everyone have a safe evening. Thank you all so much for coming down.