May 19, 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:

Tuesday, May 20: Economic Development Corporation Board meeting, City Hall 3^rd floor, 101 W. Abram Street, 4:00pm.

Wednesday, May 21: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 3:15pm.)

Wednesday, May 21: AISD Board meeting strategic planning workshop, AISD Administration Building Room 401, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 5:00pm.

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day holiday.

Tuesday, May 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Wednesday, June 4: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Thursday, June 5: 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.)

Tuesday, June 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Saturday, June 14: Flag Day.

Sunday, June 15: Fathers Day.

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council met this past Tuesday, May 13. Council Member Galante was absent from the evening meeting. He also was not present for the open portion of the afternoon meeting. They will meet again on Tuesday, May 27.

Committee Meetings

The Municipal Policy Committee met to discuss the Arlington Cemetery ordinance (presentation , ordinance). It will come to the full council on May 27. The first reading of the ordinance would be June 10. James Hartley of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/08/arlington-cemetery-can-sell-plots-again-after-30-years-first-the-city-needs-new-rules-guidelines-2 .

The Economic Development Committee met to discuss four items in the open session, then considered an offer of incentives for business prospects in the executive session.

1. Founders Arena (presentation).

2. Arlington Home Improvement Incentive Program and Historic Property Investment (presentation).

3. Arlington Business Certification Program (presentation).

4. ABeam sponsorship program for Japan Summit (presentation). The Economic Development Corporation approved funds for this deal at their April meeting.

Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5114?view_id=9&redirect=true .

(5:10) Start of meeting. They went into executive session. The executive session agenda included:

1. Discussion of Legal Issues Relative to Short-Term Rentals

2. Discussion Regarding the Purchase of Property located at 9535 North Holland Road

3. Discussion Regarding the Possible Purchase, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property for Eligible Projects of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation

4. Discussion Regarding the Acquisition of Property Relative to Affordable Housing

5. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.

They reconvened. The open portion agenda included four work session items, five informal staff reports, external committee reports, and a legislative update. Mr. Galante was not present for the open portion of the afternoon meeting.

The four work session items:

(2:03:06) 1. Fleet Management (presentation). It looks like they may start leasing some of their vehicles. [They will have a pilot program with 32 vehicles.] $100 million investment. About 2:19:22 it was opened up to the council for comments/questions.

(2:24:30) 2. Unfinished Structures (presentation). The proposed modifications would be effective January 1, 2025. About 2:31:52 it was opened up to the council for comments/questions.

(2:35:28) 3. Council Priority - Enhance Regional Mobility (presentation , attachment). In my opinion based on the score card as part of the presentation, it would appear some improvement is needed.

(2:44:42) 4. Council Priority - Invest in Our Economy (presentation).

(2:51:17) The five informal staff reports:

1. Animal Breeding and Retail Pet Sales (staff report).

2. 2024 Cost of Living Index (COLI) Annual Report (staff report , attachment). The attachment is interesting for statistical-type people.

3. Micromobility Pilot Program Update (staff report) – if the program is expanded it should be small pieces, and NOT the entire entertainment district.

4. Required Public Infrastructure Improvements (staff report).

5. Transportation Chapter Amendment – Special Event Pick-up and Drop-off (staff report).

(3:00:36) Committee reports.

(3:14:37) Appointments. There was one appointment.

(3:14:44) External committee reports. [UGH: We are facing a large deficit, and the mayor is taking the police chief to Chicago for a mayor's round table. He flies into Washington, D.C. for another trip.]

(3:27:20) Legislative update (staff report , table). SB840 would allow any commercial property within Arlington to be torn down and redeveloped into multi-family or mixed-use without any approval required from the city.

(3:32:13) Evening agenda items.

(3:43:17) Future agenda items. Ms. Boxall wants a report on reducing speed on Mesquite and Center and a crosswalk at Main and Center. Dr. Odom-Wesley wants a report on possible transportation from other centers to the ACTIV center. The mayor is seeking information regarding potential gerrymandering of the county's districts. [again, I am compelled to comment regarding the large budget deficit...] James Hartley of the Arlington Report has an article on the mayor's request at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/14/arlington-mayor-instructs-city-to-investigate-legality-of-ongoing-tarrant-redistricting-efforts-2 .

Evening Meeting

The evening agenda had one appointment, three sets of minutes, 29 consent agenda items, four public hearings (three were zoning cases), an ordinance for appointing municipal judges, two resolutions for canvassing the election results, and a request for a public hearing on a case that failed P&Z. Council Member Galante was absent. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5115?view_id=9&redirect=true .

(2:18) Start of meeting.

(11:57) Appointments, minutes, consent agenda. No discussion on any of the items. They passed with three 8-0 votes. Consent agenda item 7.28 was a contract with Sister Cities Arlington (staff report). The city is going to give up to $50,000 in reimbursements. There was some discussion during the afternoon meeting – evening agenda items.

(16:13) Public hearing #1 was for the annual update to the UDC (Unified Development Code) (staff report). It was approved, 8-0.

(19:34) Public hearing #2 was for ZA25-1 at 2598 NW Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). They are requesting limited office (LO) zoning. It was approved, 8-0.

(22:54) Public hearing #3 was for ZA25-2 at 3000 S. Cooper Street (staff report). They wish for flex hybrid (FH) zoning. It was approved, 8-0.

(24:28) Public hearing #4 was for zoning case ZA24-11 at 5101/5321 S. Collins Street (at Green Oaks Boulevard). They wish to change to office commercial. Trinity River Authority is expanding (staff report). It was approved, 8-0.

(25:57) An ordinance for appointing the judges (staff report). It was approved, 8-0.

(26:35) There were two resolution items for canvassing the election results (charter staff report , bonds staff report). The two resolutions were approved with two 8-0 votes.

(28:16) PD24-37 had failed P&Z and was requesting a public hearing (staff report). The zone allowing STRs (Short-term rentals) is drawn down Center Street; the applicant feels it is very unfair, not allowing him to do STRs while across the street they can. They both must put up with the issues of traffic on Center Street. The motion to approve FAILED, 0-8.

(35:43) Citizen participation saw two speakers. The first complimented police on solving an issue in the neighborhood. The second speaker was reporting repeated vandalism at Vandergriff Park.

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

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

The EDC Board will meet this Tuesday, May 20. Their agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/may-20,-2025.pdf .

The agenda includes:

Minutes: (April 14 , April 21).

Standing reports: (financial , industry snapshot , real estate). The financial statements show a very inefficient operation; 24.4% of projected expenditures are for operations.

Open session:

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Program (presentation).

Arlington Accelerator Strategy (presentation).

Action item: Lease of office and welcome center from ACVB (staff report , resolution/lease).

Executive Directors Report (presentation).

Executive session:

Section 551.087, Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations

Section 551.072, Deliberation Regarding Real Property

Upcoming Public Hearings

On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on DP25-1 at 2601 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish for a development plan on the 23.28 acres zoned RMF-22 (22 unit/acre maximum). If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.

On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-28 at 5920 Matlock Road. They wish for a planned development on the 3.165 acres for RM-12 (usually townhomes) and office. It is currently zoned all office commercial. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.

On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-3 at 4300 New York Avenue, 1700 E. Interstate 20 Highway, and 1601 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development on the 13.327 acres for auto sales, new. It is currently zoned for PD-LI, a planned development for light industrial. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.

On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-5 at 901 E. Arkansas Lane. They wish for a planned development allowing an auto service center. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 10.

On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-2 at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive. They wish for a secondary living unit. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.

On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing for PD25-2 at 721 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to convert community commercial “CC” to a planned development for CC with a package liquor store.

On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-3 at 201/205 Slaughter Street. They wish for a planned development for cottage community on the 1.27 acres.

On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-25 at 1700 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development for RM12 (usually town homes) on 6.29 acres.

???, the city council 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.

P&Z Commission

The P&Z commission will meet this Wednesday, May 21. The agenda includes five zoning case public hearings. The agenda packet 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/may-21-2025-regular-session-agenda.pdf .

Public hearing #1 is for a development plan, DP25-1, of the 23.28 acres at 2601 Randol Mill Road (staff report). It is zoned for apartments (RMF-22) with a maximum density of 22 units/acre. They are proposing the development plan be 13 three-story buildings containing 360 units.

Public hearing #2 is for a planned development, PD24-28, of the 3.165 acres at 5920 Matlock Road (staff report). [The staff report link results in a download instead of opening a document.] They wish to convert office commercial (OC) to townhomes (RMF-12) and OC. They are proposing 29 two-story townhomes in six groupings (four of the groupings contain six units). There are six deviations listed.

Public hearing #3 is for a planned development, PD25-3, of the 13.327 acres at 4300 New York Avenue (staff report). They wish to change the zoning from a PD-LI (light industrial) to a PD-CC (community commercial) with vehicle sales. They wish to develop a pre-owned car center.

Public hearing #4 is for a planned development, PD25-5, of the 0.514 acres at 901 E. Arkansas Lane (staff report). [The staff report link results in a download instead of opening a document.] They wish to allow for an auto service center.

Public hearing #5 is for a specific use permit, SUP25-2, for a secondary living unit at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive (staff report). [The staff report link does not work, unless they somehow fix it???]

AISD School Board

School Board Meeting

The AISD School Board met this past Wednesday morning, May 14, for an election processing meeting. Only three members were present (Chapa, Mike, and Haynes). The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmHTfQOXrs .

Their only action item, to canvass the election results, was approved, 3-0.

They also met this past Thursday, May 15, for a regular meeting. All board members were present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKp4CfCy_XU .

(:05) Start of meeting. This included the oaths of office for Mr. Wilbanks and Mr. Chapa.

There was to be a budget workshop. I have not found the video for that.

(10:18) Reconvened in open session.

(14:00) Recognitions (Gates Scholars and Teacher Appreciation Week).

(28:29) No speakers on agenda items. There was one speaker on non-agenda items discussing a TAD error.

(32:39) They went into executive session for:

A. Personnel, including; New Hires, Retirements, Resignations, Leaves of Absence, Dismissals, Terminations, Non-Renewals, Non-Extensions, and Evaluation

B. Consult Attorney Regarding Potential and Pending Litigation

C. Deliberate the Appointment and Duties of Public Officers

D. Superintendent Formative Evaluation

(33:27) Election of officers. The current officials were renominated to the same positions. It was approved, 7-0.

President – Justin Chapa

Vice President – Sarah McMurrough

Secretary – Brooklyn Richardson

Committee and Staff Reports

(34:57) Professional Learning Plan Report. It was opened to board comments/questions about 45:10.

(48:16) Governance Committee Report.

(50:15) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. It was approved, 7-0.

(50:52) End of meeting reports.

Ms. Richardson presented the Board Brief review of the meeting at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7hSYnZsHg0 .

They have a strategic planning development workshop scheduled for this coming Wednesday, May 21.

Their next regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5.

TEA Accountability Data:

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, thus creating ISD inflation.]

Other News

Redistricting Townhall

Saturday, May 17, saw a townhall meeting regarding Tarrant County's redistricting its four county commissioners positions. KERA's Miranda Suarez's article: https://www.keranews.org/government/2025-05-17/tarrant-county-redistricting-arlington-alisa-simmons?_amp=true .

High-speed Rail Not Moving at High Speed

David Montgomery of the Fort Worth Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/12/texas-high-speed-rail-not-moving-anywhere-anytime-soon-amid-lawmaker-opposition .

Outside Housing Finance Corporations

Andrea Lucia did do a report for CBS-11 on Arlington receiving a restraining order stopping Pecos Housing Finance Corporation from issuing any more Arlington deals at: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/arlington-wins-restraining-order-small-town-cost-millions/ . [Commentary: It is bad enough when our city screws the taxpayers [we have to make up what the recipient gets discounted] on lopsided deals, but to have a distant city make us pay more should be illegal.]

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

Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html

City Council grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html