There are 255 article(s) tagged Memphis City Council:

• March 2020

  • City Council online meeting features minority-business spending clash

    No one was at City Hall for the meeting which was all on-line except for roll call votes by voice on matters for an institution that has had electronic voting for nearly 40 years.

    By Bill Dries March 25, 2020

  • Memphis City Council goes online only with Tuesday meeting

    The Tuesday council session includes setting aside $2 million in the city budget for pandemic responses like reducing transit fees and better funding the Mid-South Food Bank.

    By Bill Dries March 24, 2020

  • A Viewer’s Guide to Watching the Memphis City Council

    Here is everything you need to know to watch Tuesday's meeting of the Memphis City Council -- a rare online-only session of the city's legislative body during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Bill Dries March 23, 2020

  • Commission’s in-person meeting likely last one for a while

    Changes to state law approved in subcommittee Wednesday will allow bodies like the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council to meet and take votes by conference calls.

    By Bill Dries, Linda A. Moore March 19, 2020

  • Workshops for City Council grants to be rescheduled

    This week was to have been a critical point in the grant process, with grant-writing and administration workshops that are required for getting a grant from the City Council.

    By Bill Dries March 17, 2020

  • City Council: Grants process to remain unchanged ... for now

    For now, the city council will keep its ground rules for dispensing $2.6 million in grant money at $200,000 per council member. But the council continues to battle what is a longer line of organizations seeking a limited amount of money. 

    By Bill Dries, Linda A. Moore March 09, 2020

  • Law banning drivers’ cell phones cruising toward Memphis

    The two city measures reflect larger debates about criminal justice reform and the increasing use of cameras in public settings.

    By Bill Dries March 05, 2020

  • Move to take city residency referendum off ballot fails again

    After coming up short in council committee two weeks ago, a move to take a referendum on residency for police and firefighters off the November ballot died Tuesday, March 3, with a full city council vote.

    By Bill Dries March 04, 2020

  • Strickland wants to use sales tax overage for police and fire retention measures

    Strickland told city council members Tuesday that the referendum isn't binding on the city and that most voters would support such a use of extra revenue beyond a restoration of benefits cut by the city six years ago. The idea is still in the talking stage, with Strickland to take his plan to the council in April when he presents his city budget proposal.

    By Bill Dries March 04, 2020

  • Rape kit backlog grows with discovery of new old kits

    All of the kits from the backlog that first came to light in 2012 have been tested, Memphis Police say. About 6,000 cases in which DNA was found are awaiting investigation.

    By Bill Dries March 03, 2020

  • Strickland to discuss options for restoring police, firefighter benefits

    The tax hike and restoration was approved by city voters in 2019. But there are doubts that the revenue from the extra half-cent is enough to pay for the return of benefits the city cut in 2014. 

    By Bill Dries March 02, 2020

  • Maybe easing grooming standards would help police recruitment

    Three of the six new Memphis City Council members talked about the larger issues on "Behind The Headlines." They are the latest council members in more than a decade to take up the topic of residency.

    By Bill Dries March 02, 2020

  • Behind the Headlines Podcast: Trio of new Memphis City Council members

    Memphis City Council members Rhonda Logan, Chase Carlisle and JB Smiley Jr. discuss their first impressions after four city council meetings and the residency referendum with host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries of The Daily Memphian.

    By Eric Barnes March 01, 2020

• February 2020

  • City Hall ceiling leaks force Council chamber closure

    The city council is using its committee rooms for council sessions in a temporary move that could last through the end of June. City crews are replacing carpet that has mildewed from persistent leaks in recent years.

    By Bill Dries February 25, 2020

  • Residency referendum stays on November ballot and split council vote on Currie

    City Council Scorecard: The two most recent City Council votes we review include a rare committee vote that scuttles plans to rescind the residency referendum. And a former council member encounters some resistance from the council as she goes on the EDGE board.

    By Bill Dries February 21, 2020

  • Looks like voters can decide residency rules for police, firefighters

    A proposal for a broader residency requirement for Memphis police and firefighters will remain on the November ballot citywide. City Council members settled the matter Tuesday after a debate that rolled across the first six weeks of the new council's term of office.

    By Bill Dries February 19, 2020

  • City changes course on management of Fairgrounds commercial development

    M&M Enterprises will develop a smaller part of the 18 acres along Central Avenue that is to be developed commercially. And the city is now the project manager for that part of the Fairgrounds redevelopment.

    By Bill Dries February 18, 2020

  • MLGW in talks to remove payment kiosks from payday lenders

    Memphis Light, Gas and Water President J.T. Young says the utility is exploring ending its contract with a payment kiosk company that includes payment stations at 30 ACE Cash Express outlets.

    By Bill Dries February 18, 2020

  • City Council to review Sheraton Convention Center hotel deal

    The City Council also will review an agreement to take in animals impounded outside the city at Memphis Animal Services.

    By Bill Dries February 18, 2020

  • Civil Service Commission reappointment prompts rare council split vote

    The split vote on the civil service reappointment could be seen again as more of the civil service commissioners reach the end of their three-year terms.

    By Bill Dries February 10, 2020

  • What comes after MLGW rate hike? That’s the topic of discussion

    After winning approval of multi-year rate hikes for gas, water and electric, leaders of the utility division are still talking about efficiencies and accountability with the Memphis City Council members who approved those rate hikes.

    By Bill Dries February 09, 2020

  • Rallings, bridge activist clash at council over police residency

    At stake is a possible move to take a ballot question off the ballot in November that would expand residency requirement for police and firefighters. 

    By Bill Dries February 05, 2020

  • City Council approves delayed Civil Service Commission reappointments

    But the council vote on one of the two commissioners was less than unanimous. Council member Worth Morgan questioned whether appeals to the commission of firings and disciplinary actions are creating a culture City Hall should be avoiding. 

    By Bill Dries February 04, 2020

  • City Council returns to topic of MLGW-TVA relationship

    The city council takes another look Tuesday at the relationship between Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division and the Tennessee Valley Authority. And the residency issue for city employees is back as well.

    By Bill Dries February 04, 2020

• January 2020

  • Churches pause in moment of silence to honor slain children

    Some Memphis area churches paused for a moment of silence Sunday for three children killed in separate shootings last week.

    By Abigail Warren January 31, 2020