The Memphis City Council Chair's Recap for October 15, 2019

Good morning Memphis!

Your City Council was hard at work again yesterday advancing a positive agenda for Memphis.  We voted on almost fifty items at our full council meeting and as always, the full picture is here. Below are several of the highlights from my perspective.

We don’t Bluff: The Council recognized the amazing work of NBCUniversal in the production of Bluff City Law. The legal drama follows the good fight of a father/daughter legal team, Elijah and Sidney Strait. Richard Ross, Senior Vice President of Production and Tennessee Entertainment Commissioner Bob Raines and many others were present to accept the resolution and a special treat from the Rendezvous and the Vergos family. A lot of wonderful people worked diligently to bring this level of television production to the City of Memphis. Linn Sitler has worked tirelessly on this endeavor. We as city are truly grateful for her leadership.

Celebrating a Hometown Music Artist: After 40 years of delighting fans across the globe, it is indeed an honor to recognize Memphis native Deborah Allen, whose success brings positive recognition to Memphis. A prolific songwriter who has produced hits for Fleetwood Mac, Brooks and Dunn, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Janie Fricke, Conway Twitty, LeAnn Rimes, and Loretta Lynn, Deborah’s versatility and appeal as a singer/songwriter, Deborah was the only country music artist produced by the late international icon Prince. We are so pleased to congratulate and recognize Deborah Allen for forty years in country music.

Supporting our Citizens affected by Breast Cancer: Please join the Council in acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month and supporting Susan G. Komen Memphis Mid-South this October. Memphis has the highest breast cancer mortality rate and in Memphis black women die at a rate twice as high as white women. There is a continuing gap in treatment outcomes for under served populations diagnosed with breast cancer prompting Komen Memphis-Midsouth Mississippi to dedicate its resources to provide funding for breast health services, breast cancer education and outreach for more women and men in need. I encourage you to get involved with this worthy organization. The City of Memphis has partnered with the Greater Memphis Chamber to participate in the 2019 Komen Memphis Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 26, 2019.  Join us!

Pocket Parks: The Council also created a pilot program for pocket parks in the High Point Terrace neighborhood. This community-led effort secured support of 75% of the neighbors to create a street restriction and pocket park where Mimosa meets Highland. This pilot project seeks to create a pavement mural and neighborhood amenity for the High Point Terrace neighborhood, adjacent to the Greenline. The Pocket Park will provide a magnet for Memphians to gather and recreate, improve traffic problems, and increase safety.

Other Action Today:

• Councilman Hedgepeth presented an honorary street name change to University of Memphis President, M. David Rudd. Under the leadership of President Rudd maintaining the University of Memphis’s connection to Memphis through creative programming and establishing the University of Memphis as a premier institution of higher learning and research. 

• Councilman Morgan recognized a Summer Avenue supporter and icon, Dick Simons. Mr. Simons is a proud supporter and investor of Summer Avenue for over 44 years, Dick Simons owns and manages over 150 properties throughout the diverse Berclair neighborhood to uplift his community. 

• Councilmembers-Elect Edmund H. Ford, Sr., J.B. Smiley, Jr., Chase Carlisle, and Dr. Jeff Warren joined us today. It speaks volumes that they are already spending time at Council, building relationships and getting up to speed on the learning curve. 

• Final “Boss’s Day”. I want to thank the Staff for this fun recognition on “Boss’s Day”. I’m not the boss- just a grateful and proud member of this team. You have made my time as Chairman so memorable. Thank you, team. Photo credit: Mayor Jim Strickland. 

   

One Final Note – Residency Requirements: The Council also discussed a referendum to allow public safety employees to reside within two hours of the City. The current policy requires that all newly hired employees reside within Shelby County. This ordinance will be discussed again on November 5, 2019 with input regarding police recruitment and retention. This is always heavily debated issue with good arguments on both side

Thank you as always for believing in Memphis and calling this great city home.

 

 Kemp Conrad

Chairman

Memphis City Council