March 24, 2025 Newsletter

Arlington is a city where citizens are relegated to being spectators, rather than players on the field. The SPECTATOR helps citizens know what is happening on the field. Only a few of the in-house team members are allowed to play ball in Arlington. The SPECTATOR helps citizens understand the game.

GAME SCHEDULE:

Monday, March 24: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Northeast Library, 1905 Brown Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Tuesday, March 25: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 8:30am, 3:15pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Tuesday, March 25: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, East Library and Recreation Center, 1917 New York Avenue, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Wednesday, March 26: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, ACTIV Center, 2061 West Green Oaks Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Tuesday, April 1: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Southeast Library, 900 Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Tuesday, April 2: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Thursday, April 3: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)

Thursday, April 3: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Southwest Library, 3311 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Thursday, April 3 – Saturday, April 5: Shakespeare Live, Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram Street.

Saturday, April 5: City Shred and Electronic Recycle Day, southeast corner of Mitchell Street and S. Cooper Street, 8:00am – noon.

Tuesday, April 8: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Tuesday, April 15: Federal Income Tax deadline.

Tuesday, April 16: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Thursday, April 17: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council did not meet last week. Their next meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, March 25.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Committee Meetings

The Finance and Audit Committee is scheduled to meet at 8:30am and spend about 45 minutes on the FY2024 outside audit and final financial reports (presentation , audit report , financial report).

The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet about 9:30am and spend about an hour on Plan Year 2025 and Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 (presentation).

The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 10:45am (agenda). Their agenda includes retaining a law firm and an introduction to a new proposed development at 1801 Arkansas Lane (it did not specify whether East or West Arkansas Lane).

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon meeting starts at 11:30am (agenda). They will go into executive session to discuss seven items. The scariest (even more so than the offers of incentives to business prospects) is the discussion regarding the acquisition of property relative to affordable housing.

The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:15pm. That agenda includes two work session items, two board appointments, the external meetings reporting, and a legislative update.

The two work session items:

1. APD Use of Force annual report (presentation).

2. UDC annual updates (presentation).

There are NO informal staff reports this week.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Evening Meeting

The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes 47 consent agenda items, two zoning case public hearings, and two considerations for giving a public hearing to cases that did not pass at P&Z.

The consent agenda includes several payments for people not wanting to freely give up space for sidewalks and an intersection improvement project.

Consent agenda #43 is the fourth amendment for the pay-what-you-like restaurant at 200 N. Cooper Street (staff report). At least this amendment is not costing us dollars. As usual, developers need more time. They currently are open with a temporary CO.

Public hearing #1 is for PD24-9 at 108 Hosack Street for a planned development of RM-12 (staff report).

Public hearing #2 is for Z06-40R2/B06-40R2 to include the National Medal of Honor Museum within the Glorypark boundaries (staff report).

The two cases requesting a public hearing are PD24-23 at 2425 Northeast Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report) and PD18-13R1 at 101 S. Center Street (staff report).

Election information

The city election has NO candidates, only propositions. There are five bond propositions and seven charter amendments.

Early voting will be Tuesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.

The Arlington's Office of Communications stories on the 2025 Bond Election and Charter Amendments by Susan Schrock:

(bond) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-Residents-to-Vote-on-Proposed-200.8-Million-Bond-Program

(charter amendments) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-to-Hold-City-Charter-Special-Election-on-May-3-2025 .

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

The EDC Board met this past Tuesday, March 18. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/march-18,-2025.pdf .

February's minutes (minutes).

Financial report (report).

Real Estate report (report).

Eligible industries snap shot (report).

SCORE update (presentation).

Arlington Business Certification program (presentation).

EDC Welcome Center update (presentation).

Foreign Direct Investment Strategy (presentation).

Action Items (all four passed).

1. 4^th amendment to the espace, Inc., master agreement (staff report).

2. Reimbursement agreement with the city regarding the west airport development (staff report).

3. Center Street Gateway 380-agreement (staff report).

4. 2^nd contract modification for office relocation (staff report).

Upcoming Public Hearings

On Tuesday, March 25, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD21-9 on 0.743 acres at 108 Hosack Street. They wish for a planned development RM-12. It is currently zoned RM-12 and MF-22.

On Tuesday, March 25, the city council will hold a public hearing on Z06-40R2/B06-40R2 to expand the Glorypark planned development to include the National Medal of Honor Museum.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-36 for a planned development a) for single-family on minimum 6000 sq. ft. lots, and b) community commercial for self-storage at 901 Debbie Lane. It is currently zoned for a planned development for single-family on at least 7500 square foot lots. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-37 to allow for short-term rentals (STR) use at 1218 Center Street. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-11 for “straight” office commercial at 5101/5321 S. Collins Street. It is currently zoned for a planned development office commercial and residential estate. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-1 for “straight” limited office zoning at 2598 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard. It is currently zoned for RS-7.2. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-2 for “straight” flex hybrid zoning at 3000 S. Cooper Street. It is currently zoned for community commercial. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP24-10 for a telecommunications tower greater than 100 feet at 2350 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-1 for a planned development for light industrial at 7505 US 287 Business Highway.

On Wednesday, May 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-25 for 1700 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development or RM12 (usually town homes) on 6.29 acres.

???, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street for a special use permit for a communications tower.

???, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD18-13R1 at 101 S. Center Street. They wish to remove the live-work units’ requirement.

P&Z Commission

P&Z met this past Wednesday, March 19. The full agenda can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/planning-and-development-services/documents/planning-amp-development-boards-amp-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/posted-agenda/march-19-2025-regular-session-agenda.pdf . The meeting (under five minutes) can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5076?view_id=10&redirect=true .

The public hearing for zoning case PD24-25 (1700 E. Bardin Road) was continued to May 7, leaving no zoning cases to be heard.

AISD School Board

School Board Meeting

The next AISD School Board meeting is Thursday, April 3, for a regular meeting.

AISD Approved Student: Teacher Ratio

After the last regular meeting of the AISD Board, I reported how the board approved student: teacher ratios. Those ratios included an increase at the junior high level, which according to this very good article by the Arlington Report's Drew Shaw, ( https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/04/arlington-isd-cuts-27-junior-high-teaching-positions-through-attrition-increases-class-sizes ) led to the cutting of 27 positions. Mr. Shaw's articles show the statistics that justify the reduction.

Lawsuit Moves Forward

On Thursday, January 30, Federal Judge Reed O'Connor, threw out five parts, but allowed the other four items to move forward on the lawsuit against the Arlington Independent School District. Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has the article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/31/federal-judge-allows-lawsuit-against-arlington-isd-to-move-forward-dismisses-parts/ .

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Filings for May 3 Election

Voters will get to vote for AISD Places 4 (Wilbanks) and 5 (Chapa). Early voting will be Tuesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.

Ballot order:

Place 4 – Wilbanks (i), April Williams Moore.

Place 5 – Chapa (i).

Question 4: The district has performance improvement plans where the goals are for less than 50% of the students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations on the state achievement assessments. Is this acceptable? Why or why not? What are your suggestions regarding student achievement goal plans?

Place 4

Wilbanks (i)

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_88.html )

Did not respond.

April Williams Moore

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_9.html )

The Student Achievement percentage in Arlington is not satisfactory. My opponent has acknowledged that literacy rates are subpar and attempts to shift the focus to National Merit Scholars, which, although commendable, raises the question of whether these students' achievements are attributable to innate ability, supported by their parents, rather than the educational system. The vast majority of our students not only fail to achieve National Merit Scholar status but also demonstrate stagnant growth in fundamental subjects like mathematics and reading.

My opponent, along with six other board members, should provide oversight for the community. The current superintendent is rectifying the poor decisions made by the previous superintendent. How will an additional three years of my opponent's leadership style benefit Arlington's students?

Due to subpar performance, Dr. Smith has requested a curriculum audit, which has not occurred in ten years. Why did my opponent not advocate for the previous superintendent to address student achievement sooner?

Place 5

Chapa (i)

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_89.html )

Did not respond.

The Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw on the candidates: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/11/qa-these-candidates-want-to-be-on-arlington-isd-school-board-here-are-their-priorities .

# # # # # # # # # # # #

TEA Accountability Data:

2023 STAAR Performance

2022 Accountability

2021 Accountability

2019 Accountability

In 2020, the AISD was tied for the highest M&O rate of all the school districts in Tarrant County. Since then, there has been NO tie. The AISD HAS the highest M&O rate in Tarrant County. [school district tax rates]

Top 5 of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs M&O Rates

1. Arlington ISD $0.812800

2. Birdville ISD $0.786900

2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900

2. Godley ISD $0.786900

2. Mansfield ISD $0.786900

Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates [The rest are above $1.1300]

1. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD $0.923300

2. Carroll ISD $0.961700

3. HEB ISD $0.968900

4. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400

5. Keller ISD $1.085200

6. Azle ISD $1.097900

7. Arlington ISD $1.103500

8. Lewisville $1.117800

9. Northwest ISD $1.117900

Teacher Salaries

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, creating ISD inflation.]

Other News

March 25, 2025

On Tuesday, March 25, the National Medal of Honor Museum is scheduled to open. Millions of your taxpayer-owned dollars are at work. Many events are scheduled, starting Saturday, March 22. The City's Office of Communications article can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Enjoy-Fireworks-Drone-Show-at-NHOMHs-Mission-to-Inspire-Spectacular . The Arlington Report, James Hartley and Drew Shaw article: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/20/not-a-war-museum-medal-of-honor-museum-with-focus-on-recipient-life-stories-to-open-in-arlington .

ACTIV to Open Wednesday

The senior activity center is scheduled to open Wednesday, 2:00pm. The city's Office of Communications article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Arlington-Celebrates-ACTIV-Recreation-Center-Opening-on-March-26-2025 .

City Shred and Electronic Recycle Day

On Saturday, April 5, the city will host a shred and electronic recycling day at the southeast corner of Mitchell Street and S. Cooper Street. The City's Office of Communications article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Free-Paper-Shredding-and-Electronics-Recycling-Event-April-5-2025 .

City's Comprehensive Plan Survey

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.arlingtonlistens.com%2Fembeds%2Fprojects%2F24736%2Fsurvey-tools%2F24985/1/0100019594d41096-7891b03e-6c9d-423e-a279-25e90f731178-000000/GczC2Br9ZD22V7d061o_eChNqUwBTeYxlEJfx_cfhVA=396

City Launches New Website

On March 12 the city launched a new website. I know it caught me by surprise. It left me scrambling to fix some links to communications articles. The UTA's Shorthorn's staff writer, James Ward's article can be found at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city-of-arlington-launches-new-updated-website/article_2f8b3f12-047e-4a15-9693-9399b1107893.html . The city's welcome to the new website article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Welcome-to-the-New-City-of-Arlington-Website .

HELPFUL CONTACTS

The Spectator: www.ArlSpectator.mysite.com

to be added/deleted to/from the mailing list e-mail: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com

We can be found on Facebook at ArlSpectator.

Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html

Teachers' Salaries

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html