December 8, 2025 Newsletter
December 8, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 49
Highlights:
* The city council is to meet on Tuesday, again to vote on the discrimination ordinance.
* P&Z met Wednesday; the 252 apartments failed.
* Money for homeless housing being proposed – see comments at the end of Committee Meetings section.
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:
Tuesday, December 9: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 10:30am, 3:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, December 11: Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting, Convention and Visitors Bureau Boardroom, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road, 4:00pm.
Thursday, December 11: 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 13: The “official” beginning of 50th Annual Interlochen Holiday Lights, 6:00pm – 10:00pm. Enter Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road.
Saturday, December 13: Holiday Lights Festival, Downtown Library and Levitt Pavillion area, 2:00pm-9:00pm, parade at 6:00pm, tree lighting at 7:00pm.
Tuesday, December 16: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, December 17: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, December 25: Merry Christmas.
Thursday, January 1: Happy New Year.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The next scheduled city council meeting is this Tuesday, December 9. The first of two committee meetings is at 10:30am. The afternoon session begins at 1:15pm but goes into executive session first. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee meeting is scheduled to last for 30 minutes, beginning at 10:30am. They plan to discuss a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) update. There will be some discussion regarding a special provision of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG, federal funds). [presentation].
The Municipal Policy Committee will meet at 11:15am for 60 minutes to discuss Honorary Naming. They will be considering naming items in Veterans Park after Clete McAlister. They will also be looking for other naming opportunities for Kim Brimer, Persis Forster, and Ronnie Goines. [presentation].
The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 12:30pm for an executive session discussion regarding purchasing properties related to affordable housing. [agenda]
[related? The City of Arlington proposes to use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds toward the acquisition and demolition of an existing two-story, 81,205-square-foot dilapidated motel structure at 1220 W. Division Street built in 1965 and comprising 72 rooms. Following demolition, the city
intends to construct a newly built permanent supportive housing community consisting of a minimum of 70 units. The new development will provide safe, service-enriched housing for chronically homeless individuals, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The total project investment is estimated at $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources. The primary objective is to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing and promote long-term housing stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This project directly supports the City's strategic goals to reduce homelessness and enhance community well-being.] There are too many executive session discussions going on and I have NOT been able to get many of the details... This would mean at minimum that $3.8 million of CDBG-HOME federal funds will be used on this rather than on something else. HOME funds, generally speaking, give discounts to residents in need, paying portions of their rents.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:15pm. They will open and go into executive session to discuss:
2.1. Discussion of Prestonwood Estates West Home Owners Association, et al. v. City of Arlington, Texas Lawsuit;
2.2. Discussion Regarding the Acquisition of Property Relative to Affordable Housing;
2.3. Discussion Regarding West Pioneer Parkway Water Main Improvements (City Limit to West Green Oaks Boulevard);
2.4. Discussion Regarding Division Street TxDOT Sidewalk Project (Cooper Street to Collins Street);
2.5. Discussion Regarding Main Street (Cooper Street to Davis Drive) Water and Sanitary Sewer Improvements; and
2.6. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm and includes two work session items, committee updates, council members on external committees, and evening and future agenda items.
The two work session items:
1. Tarrant Appraisal District Board Appointments (presentation). They get to decide on how their 91 votes will be cast on the current cast of four candidates. They will also potentially discuss any nominees for the vacant place resulting from a resignation [nominee action will probably occur at next week's meeting].
2. Council Priority - Preserve Financial Stability and Resilience (presentation).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes 21 consent agenda items, one public hearing (a second public hearing originally scheduled for this week will be heard next week), a resolution to cast the TAD Board votes, and two ordinances.
Consent agenda item 7.12 is negotiating an electricity deal not to exceed $75,000,000 (staff report).
Consent agenda item 7.17 is naming nominations for the TAD Board of Director's vacancy, which may be removed and a decision made next week (December 16). (staff report)
Consent agenda item 7.18 has them buying the 3.728 acre property (3901 W. Mayfield Road) for $345,700 (staff report).
Zoning case PD25-10 (7819 and 7827 south Cooper Street) is the case for which the applicant has requested a continuance until the December 16, 2025, council meeting.
Zoning Case PD25-15 (1119 Dan Gould Drive) is a planned development to build townhomes (staff report).
The TAD Board casting of votes resolution (staff report).
The first ordinance is to modify the animal ordinance (staff report). The second ordinance is the delayed vote on the anti-discrimination ordinance which would supersede the September ordinance which suspended application and enforcement of the old anti-discrimination ordinance chapter (staff report). The new ordinance rewrite does not include the LGBTQ portion which has upset that segment of the population.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The next EDC Board meeting will be this Thursday at 4:00pm. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/12-11-25-agenda.pdf .
There are no action items on the agenda. The agenda does include Small Business Initiatives Update (presentation), Town North Update (presentation), Film Initiative Update (presentation), and the Executive Director's Report (presentation).
[Commentary: looking at the presentations, there is nothing there that excites me, or makes me happy we used that last 1/4-cent of sales tax for this. We have had so many anti-taxpayer people on the city council. This 1/4-cent as taxpayer relief would have given the taxpayer so much more...]
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, December 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-15, 1119 Dan Gould. They wish to change the 0.654 acres from residential estate (RE) to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes).
On Tuesday, December 16, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-10, 7819/7827 South Cooper Street. They wish to change the 9.622 acres from light industrial and flex hybrid to a planned development for RS-5 (small lot single family).
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-28, 5920 S. Matlock Road on 3.165 acres. They wish to change from office commercial (OC) to a PD-RMF-12 (usually townhomes). If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-19, 2504 S. Cooper Street on 1.177 acres. They wish to change from community commercial (CC) to a PD-CC plus auto repair, major. If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-8, 3409 Shorewood Court on 3.165 acres. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property. If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
Possibly on Wednesday, December 17, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-14, 1112 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-CC uses plus a package liquor store. If approved, it might go to city council on January 6.
On Tuesday, January 6, the city council will hold a public hearing for fare adjustments for Handitran and On-Demand public rideshare services. They wish to increase Handitran fees from $2 to $3 per person per trip. They wish to increase On-Demand fees from $3-$5 to $3-$8 per person per trip, based on distance traveled. Details at: www.arlingtontx.gov/handitran and www.arlingtontx.gov/ondemand .
On Tuesday, January 6, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-27, 301 E Randol Mill Road. They wish to change the 0.233 acres from single family residential RM-12 (usually townhomes).
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, December 3. There were three zoning case public hearings. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5299 .
(2:34) Public hearing #1 was for PD24-7, 301 E Randol Mill Road. The applicant proposed to subdivide the 0.233 acres into three lots for townhomes. There are seven deviations. (staff report). There were no speakers in opposition. It was approved, 8-0.
(31:02) Public hearing #2 was for PD25-14, 1112 N. Collins Street. The applicant proposed a planned development for community commercial (CC) plus package liquor store on 0.901 acres. (staff report). The applicant was not present and asked for a continuance, approved, 7-1.
(32:17) Public hearing #3 was for PD25-16, 6001 & 6004 U.S. Highway 287. The applicant proposed a planned development of 252 apartments (RMF-22) on the 14.65 acres. There are six deviations. (staff report). There were six speakers in opposition. [Commentary: About 1:52:00 it is obvious Dr. Nunez has no idea how to count, calling a 2015 plan decades old...] The motion to approve FAILED, 3-4.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Wednesday for an executive session agenda to discuss the superintendent evaluation. They are scheduled to meet this Thursday, December 11 for a regular meeting. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
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The AISD enrollment is expected to fall below 50,000 students at some point, maybe as early as the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has a story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/arlington-isds-enrollment-projected-to-drop-below-50000-next-year/ .
The AISD will NOT be posting the ten commandments for now. An article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/05/arlington-isd-agrees-not-to-post-ten-commandments-amid-lawsuit/ .
The AISD Board and Superintendent have established written goals, including student improvement on the STAAR testing. The Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/arlington-isd-school-board-sets-goals-and-expectations-for-new-school-year/ .
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 $0.802200
2. Birdville ISD $0.786900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
2. Lewisville ISD $0.786900
2. Mansfield ISD $0.786900
Teacher Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, thus creating ISD inflation.]
Other News
50th Annual Interlochen Holiday Lights
The “official” beginning of the 50th Annual Interlochen begins Saturday, December 13 and runs through December 25, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. You may enter the displays from Randol Mill Road at Westwood Drive. CBS News: https://share.google/nlHuHg2vtJUnlt73x .
Downtown Lighting Festival
The Downtown Lighting Festival will be Saturday, December 13 with events from 2:00pm – 9:00pm. The parade is at 6:00pm. The tree lighting is about 7:00pm. The Susan Schrock, City's Office of Communication article and events schedule is at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/November/Celebrate-the-21st-Annual-Holiday-Lights-Parade-in-Arlington-Dec.-13 .
Texas Christkindl Market
Texas Christkindl Market is open 11:00am – 8:00pm through Tuesday, December 23. The event is at 1650 E. Randol Mill Road.
3rd Party CodeRed Security Breach
The city's former third-party mass notification system, CodeRed, has suffered a data breach. Residents that had a sign-on with CodeRed may want to change the passwords of other accounts that shared the same password as their CodeRed account. There is an article by Isabella Rodriguez of hoodline.com at: https://hoodline.com/2025/12/arlington-warns-residents-of-codered-data-breach-urges-cybersecurity-measures/ .
Running for Election – May 2026
Mayor Ross, Ms. Hunter (District 3) and Ms. Boxall (District 5) have also announced they are running for reelection.
Andrew Piel (District 4) and Barbara Odom-Wesley (District 8) have term-limited out and are NOT eligible to run for a city council district [they are eligible to run for mayor].
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article of those that have announced on planning to run for city council and school board at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/heres-who-has-announced-for-arlington-city-school-elections/ .
Flying Taxis – Later vs. Sooner
Over a year ago the mayor was projecting flying taxis for the World Cup next year. Well, not so fast. James Hartley has an update article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/01/failure-to-launch-dont-expect-to-take-flying-taxis-to-the-world-cup-after-arlingtons-plan-delayed/ .
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.
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 .......... - dwilban.aisd@gmail.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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