Council adopts amended small-business enterprise ordinance after stakeholder negotiations

The Memphis City Council on May 12 approved Ordinance 5959, an amended city code change to the Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Program aimed at boosting local contracting opportunities for small firms.

Councilman Ford Canali moved the ordinance and said staff and outside stakeholders worked for months to reconcile competing concerns so the city could “push this item forward together.” Cheryl Hearn, a city deputy involved in drafting the ordinance, told the council the text was the product of extended engagement and that staff believe the final document reflects the objectives of all parties. "We believe that we have come up with a document that reflects all parties' objectives," Hearn said.

Rick Bennett, an attorney who identified himself as representing associate builders and contractors, thanked the council and city staff for negotiating with the industry. "The vast majority of the folks that do business with this city are small contractors," Bennett said, adding that the association was pleased its members' concerns were heard.

One resident, Pamela Moses, asked whether passage of the ordinance would restore a small-business entrepreneurship center closed under Mayor Paul Young. City staff responded that once the ordinance is finalized the administration will work with the department that will house the program to restart related services, and that the ordinance was a prerequisite to moving those steps forward.

The council voted in favor of the ordinance; the item passed on the recorded voice vote after committee recommendation and floor motion.

The action moves the ordinance into implementation under the department designated by the administration; council members said they planned to follow up on program rollout and staffing to ensure the ordinance produces the intended opportunities for Memphis small businesses.