January 6, 2025 Newsletter
January 6, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 1
Highlights:
* City council meets Tuesday.
* P&Z meets Wednesday.
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
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, January 7: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 10:45am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, January 8: P&Z meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 2:00pm.)
Thursday, January 16: 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.)
Monday, January 20: MLK Holiday.
Wednesday, January 22: P&Z meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Tuesday, January 28: 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 did not meet last week. Their next meeting is this Tuesday, January 7. The first of two committee meetings is at 10:45am. The afternoon meeting begins at 12:45pm and they will go into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 2:30pm. The evening meeting starts at 6:30pm.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee start their meeting at 10:45am. They are expected to spend 30 minutes on the 2025 Neighborhood Matching Grants Summary (presentation). This meeting was originally scheduled for December, but was postponed. There were five grants submitted for a total of $72,565. All five projects are extremely lopsided in the ratio of grant request to total project cost. The five grants would pay for 78.9% of the total program cost of the five projects. [Commentary: This “free” taxpayer money stuff has gotten far, far out of control.] The timeline portion of the presentation has this being approved by the council on January 7, but it is NOT on the evening agenda.
The Economic Development Committee meets at 11:30am for about an hour. About half of the committee meeting is open to the public where they discuss a foreign direct investment strategy (presentation). The other half is in executive session to discuss offers of incentives for business prospects.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting is scheduled to start at 12:45pm and goes into executive session. The executive session portion of the agenda includes a legal discussion on gas drilling, the three items for approval on the evening agenda (a condemnation for the Division Street sidewalk project, a purchase of 1372 square feet for sidewalks at 621 W. Division Street, and a modification to a pipeline agreement), and the always expensive offers of incentives for business prospects. [Commentary: This Division Street sidewalk project, in part because of the people who refuse to allow the sidewalks on their property, has become extremely expensive. Maybe there should be less of a priority on “downtown sidewalk walkability” and more concern on wasteful spending...]
The open portion of the meeting includes a work session item, one informal staff report and a new category for reporting on other organizations that council members are a part of (as Regional Transportation Council and COG (North Central Texas Council of Governments) Executive Board.
The one work session item is the city's Texas legislative agenda (presentation). Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has already posted an article on the city's legislative agenda at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/25/arlington-city-council-wants-the-texas-legislature-to-focus-on-these-priorities-in-2025/ .
The one informal staff report is on form-based code pilot programs (staff report).
# # # # # # # # # # # #
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes three executive session items, two sets of minutes, 14 consent agenda items, and four zoning case public hearings.
The consent agenda includes three contract modifications for almost $1.4 million total (staff report#1, staff report#2, staff report#3).
Consent agenda item 8.14 is for modifications to two economic development agreements (staff report). Once again, our city and city council are refusing to hold developers accountable for agreements. The first deal (Prologis) was for an industrial park at 3601 Allen Avenue. It was to have created 150 jobs by the end of last year and now they want to extend that deadline. The deal was originally made with one group in 2020 which then transferred the project to Prologis in 2022. The second deal is the Parks Mall deal which is adding 5 months and a day to a 2026 milestone.
Public hearing #1 is for ZA24-8 to change the zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Residential Single-Family-7.2 (RS-7.2) at 7001, 7005, 7007, and 7011 Calender Road (staff report).
Public hearing #2 is for PD24-29 to change the zoning to Community Commercial (CC) uses, plus a Car Wash, with a Development Plan at 2809 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for PD23-37 to change the zoning for Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) uses, with a Development Plan at 1600 East Pioneer Parkway (staff report). Lance Murray of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has already posted an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/30/developers-plan-for-apartments-retail-on-pioneer-parkway-heads-to-arlington-city-council/ .
Public hearing #4 is for PD24-9 to change the zoning to Planned Development for Residential Medium-density 12 (RM-12) uses, with a Development Plan at 108 Hosack Street (staff report).
# # # # # # # # # # # #
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date and location of the next board meeting.
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 (October 11) 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 Tuesday, January 7, the city council 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).
On Tuesday, January 7, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, January 7, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, January 7, 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 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. If approved this will go to the city council on February 4.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-10 on 0.172 acres at 2015 Loyd Drive. They wish for Residential Single-family (RS-7.2). If approved this will go to the city council on February 25.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-26 at 6601 Silo Road. They wish for a change in zoning from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Community Commercial (CC) to Planned Development (PD) for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) plus Recreation/outdoor, uses with a development plan, on approximately 10.64 acres. If approved this will go to the city council on February 4.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-9 on 0.237 acres at 8007 S. Cooper Street. They wish for a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Community Commercial (CC) uses. If approved this will go to the city council on February 4.
On Wednesday, January 22, 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. If approved this will go to the city council on February 25.
On Wednesday, January 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on updates to the UDC (Unified Development Code) for tree preservation and mitigation. If approved this will go to the city council on February 4.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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).
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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).
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, February 4, 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.
On Wednesday, February 5, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-24 on 3.003 acres at 700 E. Randol Mill Road. They wish for a change in zoning from Residential Multi-Family-22 (RMF-22) to Planned Development (PD) for Residential Multi-Family-22 (RMF-22) uses.
???, 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 Commission
P&Z will next meet this Wednesday, January 8. There are four zoning case public hearings to be heard, plus a fifth to be continued on the agenda.
On the agenda, the first hearing is the one to be continued. PD24-24, 700 E. Randol Mill Road will be continued to the February 5 meeting.
Public hearing #1 is for PD24-5 (901 West Abram Street) to amend the zoning of Downtown Neighborhood Overlay-Planned Development (DNO-PD) for Residential Multi-family 22 (RMF-22), on approximately 0.459 acres, formerly known as PD14-20, with approval of a new development plan (staff report). There are two deviations.
Public hearing #2 is for ZA24-10 (2015 Loyd Drive) for a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Residential Single Family (RS-7.2), on approximately 0.172 acres (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for PD24-26 (6601 and 6881 Silo Road) for approval to Planned Development (PD) for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) plus Recreation/outdoor, uses with a development plan, on approximately 10.64 acres (staff report).
Public hearing #4 is for ZA24-9 (8007 South Cooper Street) a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Community Commercial (CC) uses on approximately 0.276 acres (staff report).
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board is planning to meet on Thursday, January 16.
Commentary: The AISD has come up with a deficit budget for at least seven years in a row. Now for each of those years, they have ended with a surplus, mainly because of unexpended salaries [They always have open positions they are not paying salaries, and these positions add up to millions year after year.]
There is an article by Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report from last month at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/18/arlington-isd-tries-to-shrink-budget-deficit-stay-on-track-with-spending/ . He has compiled some numbers in that report; some of those numbers are not concerning, but others are very concerning.
When he reports that some percentages of expenditures have been made while some smaller amounts of revenue have been received, that does NOT concern me. That is normal because a great portion of their property tax revenue comes in December and January, the middle of their fiscal year. They have a large fund balance to cover that.
However, when it is reported that only half of the projected vacancies are there, I see that as a reason for concern.
Regarding this past budget, it was total foolishness to pass a budget with a 4% salary increase after already being on top of the salary scales the previous year. They just enjoy creating ISD inflation.
I see two reasons why they have so much money to waste. First is that AISD has the highest M&O rate in the county. The second is that Jerry Jones structured a deal with the AISD to pay them yearly (a six-digit figure, NOT a major amount in school financing terms) for the properties being taken off the tax rolls for his stadiums over two decades ago. [Now I personally did not have a problem with them putting those funds in the general fund when they were trying to be competitive without a high-end M&O rate, but since they have gone high M&O, and golden pennies, I feel those Jerry Jones' dollars should go to the debt service, lowering the rate charged to the taxpayers. The state makes up the difference of lower property taxes on the M&O side, so the property tax-free properties are only affecting the debt service portion of the tax rate. The Jones' money should help lower the tax rate on the overtaxed citizens.]
Student Discipline
Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has a story about teachers and parents wanting changes to the AISD discipline policy with numerous statistics: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/01/arlington-isd-parents-teachers-call-for-student-discipline-policy-reform-heres-why/ .
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
Flying Taxis?
James Hartley of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has a story about the possibility: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/30/are-flying-taxis-in-arlington-by-2026-realistic-mayor-jim-ross-says-yes-experts-arent-so-sure-2/ .
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
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
To be added to/deleted from our mailing list please e-mail your request to: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com