The city’s boil advisory is being lifted immediately, according to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division President and CEO J.T. Young. 

City Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen is in charge of accountability for the city. Deputy of accountability is Fire Department Director Gina Sweat.

The advisory could be lifted in stages for parts of the MLGW area, which is most of Shelby County with the exception of Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville and Millington. Even when it is lifted MLGW president and CEO J.T. Young said the utility will still be asking households and businesses to continue conserving water for some period after the full restoration.

The council votes next week on the further use of a PILOT extension fund already being tapped for $62 million for four Downtown parking garages. Meanwhile, one of the banks involved in financing the garages wants some more loan guarantees, which includes a proposed TIF.

The moratorium is a reaction to plans for a smoke shop on McLean Boulevard across from Snowden School in Midtown.

The city is investigating using a large call center at the University of Memphis for phone appointments.

The order doesn’t become effective until it is signed by the mayor.

Legal questions prompt delay of consideration on three measures. 

Opponents of the proposed Byhalia Connection oil pipeline will have to wait a bit longer to see what action the Memphis City Council might take regarding the project. The council’s attorney has requested more time to study the city’s legal options.

State environmental officials are helping in the effort to find leaks and resolve water problems.

The Shelby County Health Department reported 110 new coronavirus cases and zero new coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday.

The Tuesday, Feb. 23, council session also includes final votes on a set of ordinances cracking down on illegal street racing and possibly a continuation of council discussions with MLGW about the city’s water crisis.

No firm timeline has been set for ending the “boil water” notice affecting Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division customers, MLGW officials said Monday, Feb. 22.

A group of smaller utilities that are also part of TVA want to be able to use TVA transmission lines if they break with TVA. MLGW is considering leaving TVA as well and filed along with the city to intervene in the lawsuit, saying the decision could affect its decision to stay or leave.

Potholes are popping up in the aftermath of last week’s ice and snow, but the City of Memphis has a plan in place to handle them. 

Whitehaven’s vaccination site saw an overwhelming response over the weekend. 

When the city’s water system became a crisis last week, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division was several months underway with a five-year $142.4 million overhaul of water system infrastructure. 

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division will suspend service cutoffs for nonpayment until further notice and extend its pandemic payment plan option. The boil water advisory remains in effect.

Long lines marked most of the eight sites the city operated Sunday, Feb. 21, to give families with no or slow-flowing water a case of bottled water per car. 

On The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, city Parks Director Nick Walker says community centers would remain free but with fees for specific programs. He also talks about “open play areas” like David Carnes Park in Whitehaven.

The city’s street plowing operation continues at least through Monday but begins to include less busy streets this weekend. Sun and warmer temperatures will help in the effort. But snow is still the dominant feature of the cityscape.

But a cutoff to large industrial water customers is a possibility if water pressure problems persist, MLGW President and CEO J.T. Young said Friday. Related article: Street clearing effort moves beyond major thoroughfares

All vaccination locations are closed Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21, with the exception of the Southwest Tennessee Community College Whitehaven site.

Low water pressure in Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division’s water grid prompted the utility to issue a rare boil water alert Thursday afternoon.

The EDGE Board approved an “inducement resolution,” and will later vote to authorize issuance of up to $75 million in Tourism Development Zone bonds to help pay for the $125 million Liberty Park.