December 9, 2024 Newsletter
December 9, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 50
Highlights:
* City council meets on Tuesday.
* EDC board meets on Wednesday.
* AISD board meets on Thursday.
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:
Tuesday, December 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, noon, 2:15pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, December 11: EDC (Economic Development Corporation) Board meeting, 2nd Floor – CVB Auditorium, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road, 4:30pm.
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.)
Saturday, December 14: Interlochen Christmas Lights event begins.
Saturday, December 14: Holiday of Lights Parade and events. Downtown, 2:00pm – 9:00pm (parade about 6:00pm, tree lighting about 7:00pm).
Tuesday, December 17: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, December 25: Christmas.
Wednesday, January 1: Happy New Year.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council did not meet last week. Their next meeting is this Tuesday, December 10. There is one committee meeting at noon. The afternoon session begins at 12:45pm and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 2:15pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
May 2025 Bond
I was under the impression this bond was to total about $180 million and all for streets. The 2025 Citizen Bond Committee came up with $198 million, of which only $137 million is for streets. The other pieces include $49 million for public safety [we are already funding a big item in north Arlington] and $12 million total in three smaller pieces for Parks, Libraries, and City Hall.
This is being presented to P&Z: https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3004280/CBC_Recommendation_to_Council_Exhibit_A.pdf .
Committee Meeting
The Municipal Policy Committee has their meeting at noon. Their agenda has them spending 30 minutes on a proposed boarding homes ordinance (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 12:45pm. They are then expected to go into executive session to discuss:
1. Acquisition or exchange of property relative to an Oncor substation.
2. The lease of city-owned property located at 1200 Ballpark Way.
3. and 4. Two acquisitions of portions of properties along Division Street for the sidewalk project.
5. The termination of pipeline license agreement.
6. Offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 2:15pm. That portion of the agenda includes three work session items, an informal staff report, a possible discussion on charter amendments, and a possible discussion on the TAD board election.
Work session #1 is tree preservation and mitigation (presentation).
Work session #2 is an update on the 2026 FIFA World Cup (presentation1, presentation2).
Work session #3 addresses energy efficiency (presentation).
The informal staff report is related to the Enhance Regional Mobility (newsletter).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm meeting includes three executive session items, 26 consent agenda items, one zoning case public hearing, and two ordinances.
Consent agenda 8.25 is to cast their votes for TAD Board representatives (staff report). They will probably determine their votes during a discussion at the afternoon meeting.
Consent agenda 8.26 is to approve the 2026 council meeting schedule (staff report).
The zoning case public hearing is for PD16-3R1 to change the Planned Development (PD) to allow for Flex uses at 1211 West Harris Road (staff report).
The ordinances have to do with amending Nuisance Chapter (unfinished structures) and Transportation Chapter (removing NEVs and pedi-cabs for hire). Staff reports: (ordinance1, ordinance2).
# # # # # # # # # # # #
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The next EDC Board meeting will be this Wednesday, December 11, on the second floor of the CVB Auditorium, at the CVB building, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road. The agenda packet can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/december-11,-2024.pdf . That agenda includes approving the minutes, standard reports, four action items, an executive session, and the director's update.
The minutes reflect there were only five of the board members at the last meeting. [Attendance at the EDC Board meetings has NOT been very good.]
It also expressed that the need for this early December meeting was because the board tabled the construction manager at risk for pre-construction contract for the E-space agreement and that needs to be approved by the city council by its December 17 meeting.
Also stated in the minutes was the delay of the office construction completion date; it is now looking like mid-January.
The first of the four action items is the manager at risk for pre-construction contract (staff report starts on .pdf page 11 of the above packet link). The contract is for $57,996.
The second action item is for a contract modification for the professional services contract for the E-space architect for $4,035,250 for Phase II (staff report starts on .pdf page 95 of the above packet link). [I did NOT understand why, but noted they were really proud of their 46% on the WMBE goal on subcontractors.]
The third action item is for a contract modification for the E-space project manager for Phase II for $360,000 (staff report starts on .pdf page 113 of the above packet link). [I again did NOT understand why.]
The fourth action item is an amendment to a performance agreement at Eden Road and Cooper Street. The original amount to the EDC was 3,407,000 for the extension of Eden Road and drainage improvements. The developer still wants the money and the improvements but is changing the plan. The staff report starts on .pdf page 124 of the above packet link.
Deal Fell Through???
The online October 11 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 and December 11 meetings had 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 Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed capital improvements of the 2025 Citizen Bond Committee.
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]. If approved this will go to the city council on January 7.
On Wednesday, December 4, 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. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-8 on 6.26 acres at 7005 Calendar Road. They wish to change the current residential estate (RE) zoning to residential single-family 7.2 (RS-7.2). If approved this will go to the city council on January 7.
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. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-29 on 1.629 acres at 2809 N.W. Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish for a planned development for community commercial with a car wash. If approved this will go to the city council on January 7.
On Tuesday, December 10, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, December 17, the city council 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”.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-17 on 1.832 acres at 2007 N.W. Green Oaks Boulevard for a planned development for community commercial (CC) including a wireless communications tower. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-19 on 1.802 acres at 401 E. Rogers Street for a planned development for residential medium density (RM-12, usually town homes). If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-30 on 5.195 acres at 7708 Cooper Street for a planned development for residential single-family 5 (RS-5). Since this is a PD, it suggests that they do not meet all the standards; the lots are probably smaller than allowed by RS-5. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-31 on 0.940 acres at 347 N. Bowen Road for a planned development for light industrial including automotive repair (major). If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-33 on 0.322 acres at 525 S. Bowen Road for a planned development for residential medium-density (RM-12). Since this is a PD, it suggests that they do not meet all the standards; the lots are probably smaller than allowed by RM-12. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, December 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP24-8 on 5.406 acres at 2020 S. Watson Road. They wish for a special use permit for gas well drilling. If approved this will go to the city council on January 28.
On Wednesday, January 8, 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.
On Wednesday, January 8, 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.
???, the Economic Development Corporation Board will hold 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 met this past Wednesday, December 4. However, at the time of this writing, they had not posted the main meeting on their website. Hopefully I will be able to provide a report next week. The agenda can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=ryU6AWrb . The 2025 Citizen Bond Committee (recommendations).
Zoning case public hearing #1 was for PD24-10 (300 E Stephens Street). They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [324 more apartments (down from 331)] on 9.782 acres (staff report). They wish for three gigantic four-story buildings with nine deviations.
Zoning case public hearing #2 was for PD24-37 (1600 E. Pioneer Parkway). They wish for a planned development for mixed use with 48 apartments (staff report). Back in September we had to listen to chair friend, Sue Phillips, go on “forever” supporting this.
Zoning case public hearing #3 was for ZA24-8 (7005 Calendar Road). They wish to change the current residential estate (RE) zoning to residential single-family 7.2 (RS-7.2) on 6.26 acres (staff report).
Zoning case public hearing #4 was for PD24-9 (108 Hosack Street). They wish for a planned development of RM-12 on 0.743 acres (staff report). There are five deviations.
Zoning case public hearing #5 was for PD24-29 (2809 N.W. Green Oaks Boulevard). They wish for a planned development for community commercial with a car wash on 1.629 acres (staff report).
Their next meeting will be Wednesday, December 18.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board is scheduled to meet this Thursday, December 12. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
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, creating ISD inflation.]
Press Box
Other News
Interlochen Christmas Lights
The “official” Interlochen Christmas Lights event begins Saturday, December 14 and goes through Wednesday, December 25. This has the Arlington Police controlling the traffic flow throughout the event.
Arlington's Holiday of Lights Parade
The Susan Schrock's article from Arlington's Office of Communications: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/holiday_lights_parade_2024 .
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:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
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