Tennessee Record
Memphis
JSJ

JB Smiley Jr.

Council Member2020-2027

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2027.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
16
Total speaking time
43:41
Avg per meeting
2:44
Segments
772

Want every word Smiley has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Smiley said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical↑Oct 2026[160]

Data Center Regulation and Moratorium

Multi-million dollar investments and utility commitments are at stake for the city's power and water grids.

critical↑Aug 2026[108]

Data Center Moratorium and Regulations

Potential impact on municipal economic development and utility capacity, with estimated environmental damages cited by advocacy groups exceeding $30 million annually.

high↑Jul 2026[76]

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Concerns

While this meeting itself doesn't cost extra, it could pave the way for new federal grants and funding to help fight crime in our city.

critical→Sep 2026[56]

Immigration Enforcement and Community Impact

Unknown

medium↑Mar 2026[31]

Voter Registration and Election Preparedness

medium↑Oct 2026[30]

lawsuit

Taxpayers are likely on the hook for mounting legal defense fees as the city fights this First Amendment lawsuit.

high→Jan 2026[26]

Pension Fund Performance and Benefit Payouts

Impacts the long-term obligations and fund balance of the city pension system.

high↑Feb 2026[25]

Enforcement of Historic District Guidelines on Unpermitted Changes

Involves major private insurance-backed reconstruction costs for a single-family dwelling.

medium↑Oct 2026[25]

school district takeover

State-level intervention could shuffle how education dollars are spent, potentially shifting funding priorities and taxpayer resources across the district.

critical↑Jan 2026[22]

Police Accountability and Transparency

Increases in funding for the city attorney's office and police operations were highlighted by public speakers.

critical↑Mar 2026[21]

Telecommunications Expansion in Residential Zones

Potential negative impact on nearby residential property values if approved.

high↑Feb 2026[19]

Residential Infill and Lot Widths in Midtown

Encourages private capital investment and property value growth in disinvested historic pockets.

high↑Oct 2026[18]

Summer Avenue Car Wash Proposal

Generates commercial property tax revenue by redeveloping a defunct restaurant site.

high↑Feb 2026[18]

Civil Service Protections and Proposed Referendum

Potential administrative restructuring costs.

medium↑Oct 2026[17]

community empowerment

It could unlock new financial strategies and resources to help local families grow their wealth.

high↑May 2026[17]

Opposition to Congressional District 9 Map Splitting

high↑Apr 2026[16]

Park Lease Guidelines and Nonprofit Asset Oversight

The lease generates approximately $280,000 in rent and $500,000 in facility improvements over its lifespan.

high↓Mar 2026[14]

Historic Demolition Request at 1813 Linden Avenue

Demolition costs and future site redevelopment costs for the church property.

critical↓May 2026[13]

Public Transit Funding and MATA Operations

City funding and state/federal grants allocated for transit operations.

high↓Aug 2026[13]

Cordova Residential Growth and Infrastructure Strain

Impacts surrounding home equity and property values in established Cordova neighborhoods.

Decisions during term (622)

Recorded while Jr. was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

Voting record (67)

60 yes6 no1 abstained

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted noOct 20, 2026

Approval of Data Center Development Standards Ordinance (Item 18)

Voted noOct 6, 2026

Hold Ordinances 19, 20, 21, and 31 (Data Center Moratorium)

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Ford SECOND: Easter-Thomas

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Spinosa

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Spinosa

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Walker SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Spinosa

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Spinosa

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Logan SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Walker SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Smiley SECOND: Canale

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Spinosa SECOND: Warren

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Canale SECOND: Spinosa

Voted yesSep 15, 2026

MOTION: Walker SECOND: Ford

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Approval of Minutes

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Approval of the Minutes of the regular meeting on August 18, 2026

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

RESOLUTION APPROVING AN HONORARY STREET NAME CHANGE ON UNION AVENUE BETWEEN DUNLAP STREET AND MANASSAS STREET FOR SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR LEE HARRIS

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

CONSENT AGENDA – Items #4- #9, #23, and #25-#26

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

FISCAL CONSENT AGENDA – Item #10

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Approval of Same Night Minutes for Items #1, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, & #24

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FY27 ALLOCATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000.00), IN CIP PROJECT NUMBER GA01028 – MUD ISLAND AMPHITHEATER

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FY27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FROM CIP PROJECT NUMBER IT01006 TO CIP PROJECT NUMBER IT01007

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Honorary Street Name Change for Mayor Lee Harris

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Consent Agenda

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

Donation Acceptance from 100 Club of Memphis

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

CIP Allocation - Mud Island Amphitheater

Voted yesSep 1, 2026

CIP Budget Transfer for Operational Infrastructure Fix

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE HONORARY STREET NAME CHANGE ON EAST STREET BETWEEN STAGE ROAD AND FAIRHAVEN LANE FOR PASTOR LEON JONES, JR.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

REFERENDUM ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MEMPHIS... SO AS TO ESTABLISH LOBBYIST REGISTRATION AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

Voted noAug 4, 2026

Referendum Ordinance on Civil Service Employee Appeals Procedures

Voted noAug 4, 2026

REFERENDUM ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MEMPHIS... TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION BY ORDINANCE OF UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPOSITION OF APPEALS THAT MAY AFFECT T

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FY 27 SPONSORSHIPS FOR MEMPHIS PARKS PROGRAMMING IN THE AMOUNT OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00).

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

Approval of the Minutes of the regular meeting on July 21, 2026

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION HONORING PATRICIA ANN ROGERS FOR HER STEADFAST DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING BLIGHT IN MEMPHIS.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION HONORING CORHONDA “HOODA BROWN” DAWSON.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 9.6 OF THE MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE APPROVING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AT THE SUBJECT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3778 OLD WAVERLY COVE.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

CONSENT AGENDA – Items #5, #6, #7, #9, #10 and #11 were acted upon by one motion.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ENGINEERING PLANS FOR INTERSECTION OF A. W. WILLIS AVENUE AT NORTH FOURTH STREET AND ACCEPTING BOND AS SECURITY.

AbstainedAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $13,672,960.00 FUNDED BY G.O. BONDS CHARGEABLE TO THE FY2027 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET FOR THE SOUTHWEST TWIN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, CD01104.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED PLAN PY26/FY27 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND APPROPRIATING FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT FUNDS TO THE PY26/FY27 HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUDGET.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

Approval of Same Night Minutes for Items #2, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #17, #18, & #19 from tonight's meeting.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE INSTALLATION OF A PUBLIC ART MURAL AT THE ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE SERVICES CHILDREN AND YOUTH CRISIS WELLNESS CENTER.

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF A FINANCING LEASE IN AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($7,100,000.00), RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION O

Voted yesAug 4, 2026

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 CIP BUDGET BY ALLOCATING AND APPROPRIATING SEVEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($7,100,000.00) FOR THE PURCHASE OF VARIOUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

Voted noJul 21, 2026

Appeal of Romulus Corporation (Memphis Alcohol Commission Matter)

I believe that the way that Edwards addressed the survey, it violates the spirit of the ordinance. However, I don't think this council should be in the business of putting folks out of business. I'm going to vote no, and that's my reason why.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Resolution 29: AFSCME Total Economic Package Impasse Vote