November 11, 2024 Newsletter
November 11, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 46
Highlights:
* Trump wins!
* The city council will meet Tuesday. They are set to approve yet another TIRZ.
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_14.html
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, November 11: Veterans Day.
Tuesday, November 12: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 10:15am, 3:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, November 13: EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting, CVB Board Room, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road, 4:00pm.
Wednesday, November 13: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 2:45pm.)
Tuesday, November 19: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, November 21: 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, November 28: Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, December 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, December 12: 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. They will be meeting this Tuesday, November 12 for a full slate of meetings.
The first of three committee meetings is at 10:15am. The afternoon session begins at 1:00pm and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Finance and Audit Committee is the first of three committee meetings. They expect to begin at 10:15am and spend 45 minutes on the FY2024 Audit kickoff (presentation).
The Municipal Policy Committee is to start their meeting at 11:15am and spend 45 minutes on their continued unfinished structures discussion (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee starts at 12:15pm, but don't rush to get there; You are NOT invited. They will go into executive session and spend 30 minutes on offers of incentives for business prospects (agenda). Hold onto your wallets.
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting is scheduled to start at 1:00pm and go into executive session. The open portion of the meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm.
The executive session portion of the agenda includes two negotiated settlements for the sidewalk project (633 W. Division Street and 806 E. Division Street), a discussion regarding security at city facilities, and offers of incentives for business prospects.
The agenda for the open portion of the afternoon meeting (starting no sooner than 3:30pm) includes one work session item, three informal staff reports, and an attachment under appointments.
The one work session item is charter amendments (presentation). Staff is giving the council the option of discussing pay increases for the mayor and council.
The three informal staff reports:
1. Commercial Signage Improvement Program Update (presentation).
2. Housing Rehabilitation Program Annual Update (staff report).
3. Leveraging Technology (newsletter).
The appointments attachment is regarding ICISC (Internation Corridor Implementation Steering Committee (attachment).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes appointments, two executive session items (one of the two had been previously tabled), minutes, 23 consent agenda items, one public hearing to generate a reinvestment zone (TIRZ), and a tabled order from the last meeting that appeared in that meeting’s minutes.
The public hearing is to generate yet another reinvestment zone, number 50 (staff report). This is for 1521 N. Cooper Street for which they will approve a tax abatement at the next meeting. [Commentary: If we are to believe the city officials who continually tell us that Arlington is a great place for businesses, then why do we continually have to pay the escort service to get people to come to the party and play???].
The tabled minute order from the last meeting was for the $640,000 professional services consultant contract for the new comprehensive plan (staff report).
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC board will meet this Wednesday at the CVB Board Room (1st Floor), 1717 E. Randol Mill Road at 4:00pm (packet). The agenda includes standing reports, two action items, an executive session, and the director's report.
The action items are related. The first modifies the E-space agreement for the west side of Arlington Airport to allow for a manager at risk contract for construction and the second is the manager at risk contract. The second action item wording states not to exceed $57,996, while the staff report only shows $45,996.
The executive session includes offers of incentives for business prospects and deliberation regarding real property.
Deal Fell Through???
The online Star-Telegram had a public notice for a public hearing to be held at the October 15 meeting. That evening when the agenda was posted there was no public hearing. The November 19 meeting now has NO public hearings. Did the deal fall through? This was for a performance agreement with Parkway Lamar Partners regarding improvements for the Whole Foods Market for $310,000. Is Whole Foods Market leaving? Or was it too easy and now they are seeking a bigger deal?
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, November 12, the city council will hold a public hearing for TIRZ #50 (Tax Incremental Reinvestment Zone). [The public notice gives a bunch of legal descriptions, but I believe this is for the property at 1521 N. Cooper Street.]
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on the Arlington Safe Streets plan.
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-21 on 1.210 acres at 1531/1537 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to add a planned development with neighborhood commercial “NC”. If P&Z approves, it will go to the city council on December 17.
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD16-3R1 on 1.806 acres at 1211 W. Harris Road. They wish to add “flex” to the current PD options. If P&Z approves, it will go to the city council on December 10.
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-5 on 0.459 acres at 901 W. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development of higher density RMF-22. The previous PD has expired. If P&Z approves it, this will go to the city council on December 10.
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-32 on 74.399 acres at 8213-8339 Business Highway US-287. They wish for a planned development for office commercial for a cemetery, crematory, and funeral chapel. If P&Z approves, it will go to the city council on November 19.
On Wednesday, November 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street. They wish for a communication tower. If P&Z approves, it will go to the city council on December 17.
On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will consider a tax abatement for Texas Trust Credit Union, 1521 N. Cooper Street. There is no information on the size of the tax abatement.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z 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 Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-10 on 9.792 acres at 300 East Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [more apartments].
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD23-37 on 5.390 acres at 1600 E. Pioneer Parkway. They wish for a planned development for mixed use with 48 apartments.
???, the Economic Development Corporation Board will have a public hearing for $310,000 for a performance agreement with Parkway Lamar Partners regarding improvements for the Whole Foods Market.
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-23 for community commercial with a package liquor store (2574 sq. ft.) at 2425 N.E. Green Oaks Boulevard.
P&Z Commission
P&Z will next meet on this Wednesday, November 13. The agenda packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=KcI5Ae88 .
They will start with a public hearing on the Arlington Safe Streets plan (the plan).
Zoning case public hearing #1 is for PD24-21 for a planned development on 1.210 acres at 1531/1537 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to add a plan development with neighborhood commercial “NC” (staff report).
Zoning case public hearing #2 is for PD16-3R1 on 1.806 acres at 1211 W. Harris Road. They wish to add “flex” to the current PD options (staff report).
Zoning case public hearing #3 is for PD24-5 on 0.459 acres at 901 W. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development of higher density RMF-22 (staff report). The previous PD has expired.
Zoning case public hearing #4 is for PD24-32 on 74.399 acres at 8213-8339 Business Highway US-287. They wish for a planned development for office commercial for a cemetery, crematory, and funeral chapel (staff report).
Zoning case public hearing #5 is for SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street. They wish for a communication tower (staff report).
The final zoning case public hearing is for PD24-10 on 9.792 acres at 300 East Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [more apartments]. This case will be heard/continued on December 4.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met Thursday, November 7. The agenda was posted at: https://www.aisd.net/wp-content/files/2024.11.07-Regular-Meeting-Agenda.pdf . That agenda included a 5:00pm governance workshop, an executive session, four recognitions, four committee and staff reports, an action item, consent agenda, and a Level IV grievance hearing – student appeal.
All board trustees were present. The workshop can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi6hpvnrrv0 . It was a much better quality than some of the other workshops.
The executive session included the following discussion points:
1. Personnel, including new hires, retirements, resignations, leaves of absence, dismissals, terminations, non-renewals, non-extensions, and evaluation,
2. Consult attorney regarding potential and pending litigation,
3. Personally Identifiable Information of Student Discipline Issue, and
4. Duties of Public Officers
a. Board Self Reflection
The board meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnYwVFbIamA .
(2:19) The four recognitions listed:
A. Student Performance by Region 5 Middle School Honor Orchestra,
B. Student of the Month,
C. Community Partner Award of Appreciation, and
D. Risk Management Award
(32:30) Open forum for agenda items. There were two speakers. Both spoke on the TAD Board vote.
(40:32) Open forum for non-agenda items. The first speaker spoke on bus transportation. The next five speakers spoke on the IB program.
The four committee and staff reports listed:
(1:01:18) A. Governance Committee Report. The Superintendent Evaluation Instrument is set for approval in the consent agenda.
(1:02:17) B. Behavior Support Report. They are going to implement a behavior support plan for each campus. They will be building teacher toolkits and moving toward instruction of the whole child. About 1:42:55 it was opened up to the board for discussion and questions.
(2:15:21) C. 2019 Bond Update Report. This was MOVED to the next meeting (November 21).
(2:15:38) D. 2023-2024 Parent Survey Report. About 2:35:00 it was opened up to the board for discussion and questions.
(2:46:10) and (3:11:24) The action item is a possible vote on TAD Board membership. The AISD has 406 of the 5,000 total votes. There are 14 people running. Staff's recommendation was 120 for Gloria Pena, 70 for Phyllis Grissom, 70 for Daryl Davis, 70 for Fred Campos, 67 for Wendy Burgess, and 1 vote each for the remaining nine candidates. Staff's recommendation was approved, 7-0.
(3:11:24) They revisited and clarified their action.
(2:48:59) Consent agenda. Item E, the superintendent's evaluation was pulled for separate consideration. Items A-D were approved, 7-0.
Item E discussion was a possible modification of the weighting of the first three sections regarding student performance, since Dr. Smith has not been here for a year yet. The proposed modification was 50-30-20%. The modification motion failed 3-4. The original was approved, 7-0.
(2:58:48) Open forum for non-agenda items. This was done earlier for most of the speakers who were signed up. The missing speaker was still not present.
(2:59:11) End of meeting reports.
(3:10:11) Level IV Grievance hearing (in executive session). After midnight the board voted 7-0 to confirm the administration decision.
The Trustee Board Brief of the meeting done by Ms. Fowler: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/board-brief-from-the-trustees-meeting-on-nov-7-2024/ .
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
Press Box
Other News
TAD Board Candidates
Cities, school boards, and other taxing entities in Tarrant County will be voting over the next month for TAD Board representatives. This article by Emily Wolf of the Fort Worth Report gives some information on the 14 candidates. The top 5 vote totals get the appointments. https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/03/reappraisal-plan-takes-center-stage-as-tarrant-appraisal-district-board-members-are-selected/ .
The AISD voted at last week's meeting. The City of Arlington will do so at some point in the near future.
Poll Location - Dud
AT&T Stadium was added as an election day voting location and the volume was disappointing. The following link is an article by Drew Shaw of the Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/05/att-stadium-debuts-as-polling-location-on-election-day-voters-campaigners-weigh-in/ .
Arlington Bowie and the Bible
“... a legal representative said officials had found that adjustments to the school’s practices were needed.” The following link is an article by Drew Shaw of the Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/06/arlington-isd-corrects-football-staff-for-teaching-about-the-bible-during-school-hours/ .
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.
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
City of Arlington website: www.arlingtontx.gov
e-mails of mayor and council:
.................... first.last@arlingtontx.gov
mayor = jim.ross
district 1 (north) = mauricio.galante
district 2 (sw) = raul.gonzalez
district 3 (se) = nikkie.hunter
district 4 (west) = andrew.piel
district 5 (central/east) = rebecca.boxall
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = barbara.odom-wesley
AISD website ....................... www.aisd.net
McMurrough............ - sarahforaisd@gmail.com
Fowler ................... - fowler.aisd@gmail.com
Mike .................. - larrymike.aisd@gmail.com
Wilbanks .......... - david@wilbanksforaisd.com
Chapa ...................... - chapa.aisd@gmail.com
Richardson ... - brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com
Haynes ................... - haynes.aisd@gmail.com
TEA Accountability Data:
ARC Political Watch Committee Reports
includes coverage of Mansfield ISD and national, state, county, & city
Texas Legislative Online:
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