May 26, 2025 Newsletter

Home ============ Teachers' Salaries ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers ============ June 9, 2025 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ================ June 2, 2025 Newsletter ============ May 26, 2025 Newsletter ============ May 19, 2025 Newsletter ============ May 12, 2025 Newsletter =========== ================ Jim Ross, Mayor ============= Mauricio Galante, District1 ============= Raul Gonzalez, District2 ============= Nikkie Hunter, District3 ============= Andrew Piel, District4 ============= Rebecca Boxall, District5 ============= Long Pham, District6 ============= Bowie Hogg, District7 ============== Barbara Odom-Wesley, District8 ============= Sarah McMurrough, AISDPlace1 ============= Melody Fowler, AISDPlace2 ============= Larry Mike, AISDPlace3 ============= David Wilbanks, AISDPlace4 ========== Justin Chapa, AISDPlace5 ============= Brooklyn Richardson, AISDPlace6 ============= Leanne Haynes, AISDPlace7 ============= Fact Sheet - November 8, 2022 Election ============ ++++++++++++ ============= Kennedale Observer Homepage =========== Kennedale Senior Tax Freeze ============== Kennedale City CouncilGrades ========== Texas Open Meetings Act Violations??? ============== The Bridge ============== Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter ============ Prior to That Newsletter ================ Kennedale June 7 Runoff Election ================= Amanda Hollins, Candidate for Kennedale Place 3 ============ Ken Michels, Kennedale Place 3 ==============P3 Brad Horton, Kennedale Mayor ============ David Glover, Kennedale Place 1 ============= Thelma Kobeck, Kennedale Place 2 =========== Chris Gary, Kennedale Place 4 =========== Jeff Nevarez, Kennedale Place 5 ============ Kennedale City Council Compare ========== 1083 Bowman Springs Road Kennedale ============ What to Know About the Texas Raceway Project ================ Kennedale EDC MMA contract information ==============

May 26, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 21

Highlights:

* Council has Tarrant County redistricting resolution on the agenda for Tuesday.

* Have a happy and safe Memorial Day.

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

AISD Board grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html

Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_14.html

Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers

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

Tuesday, June 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.)

Tuesday, June 24: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council will meet this Tuesday, May 27. The only committee meeting is at 11:15am. The afternoon meeting starts at 1:15pm and goes into executive session. The open portion will start no sooner than 2:30pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.

They met last Tuesday, May 20, acting as the Board of the Arlington Tomorrow Fund. That meeting's agenda: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/4/arlington-tomorrow-foundation/documents/agendas/arlington-tomorrow-foundation-board-agenda.pdf .

Committee Meetings

The Economic Development Committee meets at 11:15am for about 30 minutes. The first half of the meeting is in open session where they will receive an update on the Economic Development Corporation Welcome Center. The second half of the meeting is in executive session where they will discuss offers of incentives for business prospects.

The quasi committee, the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation, is scheduled to meet at noon. That agenda includes a legislative update on accessory dwelling units and an introduction of proposed partnership for a development located at 2502 Burney
Oaks Lane.

Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon meeting begins at 1:15pm and goes into executive session to discuss:

1. Legal issues relative to redistricting.

2. Legal Discussion Regarding Construction Manager-at-Risk Contract for the ACTIV.

3. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.

The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes four work session items, three informal staff reports, external agencies' reports, and a legislative update.

The four work session items:

1. 2025 Capital Budget Development (presentation).

2. Arlington Cemetery ordinance (presentation).

3. Form-based code pilot project (presentation). [Commentary: Unlike Council Member Boxall, I am not a big fan of form-based zoning. In my opinion what happens is the businesses that move in require more parking than what is there and this begins to affect the neighbors and the neighborhood.]

4. Council priority - building unity (presentation). [Commentary: What I found most interesting was .pdf page 6, while discussing changes if DEI elimination laws pass, where it stated, “Rethinking the roles/titles (Chief Equity Officer and the Unity Council)” rather than just plain dissolving – we are looking at a large deficit... Also, on .pdf page 6 was a table of grant office update statistics – It is very easy to see why the president is freezing a bunch of funding...]

The three informal staff reports:

1. Administrative Chapter Updates (staff report). Basically, staff will update the administrative chapter of the Code of Ordinances to match the charter changes approved by the voters on May 3. The first reading will be June 10.

2. Adjustments to Planning & Development Services’ Fee Schedule (staff report , fee table). [Commentary: Basically, whenever they do one of their deals it usually comes with waived permit fees. So, everyone else that does not get a “deal” has to pay a little more to make up the difference.]

3. Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan and Sidewalk Master Plan Update (staff report).

Evening Meeting

The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes 36 consent agenda items, four public hearings (the first two dealing with Anthem – the old Lincoln Square are being continued until June 10), three ordinances, and a resolution.

Consent agenda item 6.36 is regarding the pool deck at the ACTIV (staff report). Evidently, there is some type of issue affecting the drainage that needs correcting, costing $643,586. This will start the contract changes necessary to begin addressing that. Since this was a GMP (guarantee maximum price?) project the city may not be on the hook for the full price. The amount is being negotiated.

Four public hearings:

Public hearings #1 and #2 are for PD24-40 and PD24-40-ASP which is Anthem, the old Lincoln Square redevelopment and the associate alternate sign plan (ASP). These two public hearings will be continued until June 10.

Public hearing #3 is for zoning case PD25-2 at 721 Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). They wish to allow for a liquor store in the shopping center. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has a story on this item when it passed P&Z at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/13/proposal-to-build-new-liquor-store-in-south-arlington-gets-ok-from-zoning-commissioners .

Public hearing #4 is for zoning case PD24-36 at 901 E. Debbie Lane (staff report). They wish to build a self-storage facility at that location.

The three ordinances are regarding:

1. Right-of-way abandonment of portion of Bob Duncan Drive (staff report).

2. Parks and Recreation Chapter amendment (staff report).

3. Transportation Chapter amendment (staff report).

The resolution is regarding Tarrant County's redistricting of the county commissioners precincts (staff report , resolution). “A resolution approving the submission of public comments to Tarrant County urging heightened civic engagement and more thorough analysis regarding the proposed maps for the Redistricting of Tarrant County Commissioner Precincts.”

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

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

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

The agenda included:

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

We do not know the date of the next meeting. Best guess: June 17.

Upcoming Public Hearings

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, May 27, 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.

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.

On Tuesday, June 10, 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.

On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, June 24, the city council 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).

On Tuesday, June 24, the city council 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.

On Tuesday, June 24, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-2 at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive. They wish for a secondary living unit.

On Wednesday, July 16, 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.

P&Z Commission

The P&Z commission met this past Wednesday, May 21. The agenda included 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 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5125?view_id=10&redirect=true .

(4:04) Public hearing #1 was for a development plan, DP25-1, of the 23.28 acres at 2601 Randol Mill Road (staff report). It was zoned for apartments (RMF-22) with a maximum density of 22 units/acre. They proposed that the development plan be for 13 three-story buildings containing 360 units. There were about 20 speakers in opposition. It was approved, 5-3.

(3:00) (2:45:10) This case was announced not to be heard at the meeting but was continued until July 16. Public hearing #2 was for a planned development, PD24-28, of the 3.165 acres at 5920 Matlock Road (staff report). [The staff report linked results in a download instead of opening a document.] They wished to convert office commercial (OC) to townhomes (RMF-12) and OC. They proposed 29 two-story townhomes in six groupings (four of the groupings contain six units). There are six deviations listed. The continuance was voted on during the later time, and approved, 8-0.

(2:25:41) Public hearing #3 was for a planned development, PD25-3, of the 13.327 acres at 4300 New York Avenue (staff report). They wished to change the zoning from a PD-LI (light industrial) to a PD-CC (community commercial) with vehicle sales. They wished to develop a pre-owned car center. It was approved, 7-0-1.

(2:46:34) Public hearing #4 was for a planned development, PD25-5, of the 0.514 acres at 901 E. Arkansas Lane (staff report). [The staff report linked results in a download instead of opening a document.] They wished to allow for an auto service center. It was approved, 7-0-1.

(3:04:32) Public hearing #5 was for a specific use permit, SUP25-2, for a secondary living unit at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive (staff report). [The staff report link did not work, unless they somehow fixed it???]. It was approved 6-2.

AISD School Board

School Board Meeting

They had a strategic planning development workshop this past Wednesday, May 21. It may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_QicEzj11Q .

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