The Daily Memphian City Council Scorecard looks at a committee vote this past week on whether to send $2.6 million to the council grants program or the city’s bus system. 

The Shelby County Health Department reported 192 new coronavirus cases and 12 new coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday.

On “Behind The Headlines,” Greater Memphis Chamber President Beverly Robertson and Economic Development Chief Ted Townsend talked about a new round of PILOT reform discussions, “resiliency” and the local economy’s comeback from the COVID pandemic.

Lawsuit claims city “improperly denied” reporter access to decisive bodycam recordings

One City Council member wanted to lock in $2.6 million for the community grants after the amount took a cut in the current city budget because of the pandemic’s impact. But another proposed doing away with the grants and sending the money to the city’s bus system. 

The council can’t fire Shelby County Health Director Alisa Haushalter, but council member Chase Carlisle will propose the resolution at Tuesday’s council meeting. There could be more calls Friday, when Haushalter and County Mayor Lee Harris speak at a special meeting of the Shelby County Commission.

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.