March 31, 2025 Newsletter

Home  ============ Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers ============ Teachers' Salaries ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ March 31, 2025 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ================ May 3, 2025 Election ================ David Wilbanks, AISDPlace4 ============= April Williams Moore, Candidate for ==AISDPlace4==== Justin Chapa, AISDPlace5 ================ March 24, 2025 Newsletter ============ March 17, 2025 Newsletter ============ March 10, 2025 Newsletter =========== March 3, 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 ============= Brooklyn Richardson, AISDPlace6 ============= Leanne Haynes, AISDPlace7 ============= Fact Sheet - November 8, 2022 Election ============ ++++++++++++  ============= Kennedale Observer Homepage =========== Kennedale Missing Senior Tax Freeze ============== Kennedale City CouncilGrades ========== Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter ============ Prior to That Newsletter ================ Bobby Goff, Candidate for Kennedale Place 1 ============= David Glover, Kennedale Place 1 ==============P1 Ryon Ray, Candidate for Kennedale Place 3 ============= Amanda Hollins, Candidate for Kennedale Place 3 ============ Ken Michels, Kennedale Place 3 ==============P3 Jeff Nevarez, Kennedale Place 5 ============ James Connor, Candidate for Kennedale Place 5 ============ Megan Burns, Candidate for Kennedale Place 5 ===============P5 Brad Horton, Kennedale Mayor ============ Thelma Kobeck, Kennedale Place 2 =========== Chris Gary, Kennedale Place 4 =========== Kennedale City Council Compare ========== 1083 Bowman Springs Road Kennedale ============ What to Know About the Texas Raceway Project ================ Kennedale EDC MMA contract information ==============



 

March 31, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 13

 

Highlights:

* Several potentially controversial cases at P&Z on Wednesday.

* AISD to meet on Thursday.

* Various Comprehensive Plan Workshops around town.

 

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, April 1: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Southeast Library, 900 Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Tuesday, April 2: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 3:00pm.)

Thursday, April 3: 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, April 3: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Southwest Library, 3311 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Thursday, April 3 – Saturday, April 5: Shakespeare Live, Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram Street.

Saturday, April 5: City Shred and Electronic Recycle Day, southeast corner of Mitchell Street and S. Cooper Street, 8:00am – noon.

Tuesday, April 8: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Tuesday, April 15: Federal Income Tax deadline.

Tuesday, April 16: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Thursday, April 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.)

Sunday, April 20: Easter.

Tuesday, April 22: 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 meet this past week. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8.

 

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Committee Meetings

The Finance and Audit Committee met on the FY2024 outside audit and final financial reports (presentation , audit report , financial report). They received a clean audit, unmodified.

The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met on the Plan Year 2025 and Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 (presentation).

The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met at 10:45am (agenda). Their agenda included retaining a law firm and an introduction to a new proposed development at 1801 E. Arkansas Lane for 279 affordable housing apartment units. It was approved, but the vote was not unanimous.

 

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Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon meeting (agenda) started with Ms. Boxall not in attendance. The afternoon meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5082?view_id=9&redirect=true .

(4:30) Start of meeting. They went into executive session to discuss seven items. The scariest item (even more so than the offers of incentives to business prospects) was the discussion regarding the acquisition of property relative to affordable housing.

They reconvened for the open portion of the meeting. Ms. Boxall was in attendance for the open portion. The two work session items:

(4:35:54) 1. APD Use of Force annual report (presentation). There were six incidents that met the FBI criteria/definition. About 4:56:40 the meeting was opened to questions/comments by the council.

(5:04:58) 2. UDC annual updates (presentation). About 5:44:08 the meeting was opened to questions/comments by the council.

(5:45:30) Committee reports.

(5:51:41) The city council discussed external meetings discussions.

(5:58:54) Legislative update.

(6:02:45) Evening agenda items.

(6:03:18) Future agenda items. Ms. Boxall was asking for information about a possible city ordinance regarding animal breeding.

 

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Evening Meeting

The agenda for the evening meeting included 47 consent agenda items, two zoning case public hearings, and two considerations for giving a public hearing to cases that did not pass at P&Z. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5083?view_id=9&redirect=true .

(1:46) Start of meeting. Ms. Boxall and Mr. Piel were absent.

(12:23) Two appointments and the minutes were approved with two 7-0 votes.

(13:26) The 47 consent agenda items included several payments for people not wanting to freely give up space for sidewalks and an intersection improvement project. Consent agenda #43 is the fourth amendment for the pay-what-you-like restaurant at 200 N. Cooper Street (staff report). [At least this amendment is not costing us dollars. As usual, developers need more time. They currently are open with a temporary CO.] No items were discussed or pulled. The consent agenda was approved, 8-0. Ms. Boxall had joined the meeting.

(18:01) Public hearing #1 was for PD24-9 at 108 Hosack Street for a planned development of RM-12 (staff report). There were no public speakers. It was approved, 8-0.

(25:16) Public hearing #2 was for Z06-40R2/B06-40R2 to include the National Medal of Honor Museum within the Glorypark boundaries (staff report). There were no public speakers. It was approved, 8-0.

(26:31) The two cases requesting a public hearing were PD24-23 at 2425 Northeast Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report) and PD18-13R1 at 101 S. Center Street (staff report). The first item saw no applicant and no speakers. It failed, 0-8. The second item had the applicant, who had obviously sold his item prior to the meeting. It was approved, 8-0.

(31:15) Citizen participation. There was one speaker. He pointed out major city/council deficiencies.

 

Election information

The city election has NO candidates, only propositions. There are five bond propositions and seven charter amendments.

Early voting will be Tuesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.

The Arlington's Office of Communications stories on the 2025 Bond Election and Charter Amendments by Susan Schrock: (bond) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-Residents-to-Vote-on-Proposed-200.8-Million-Bond-Program

(charter amendments) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-to-Hold-City-Charter-Special-Election-on-May-3-2025 .

 

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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

We do not know the date of the next EDC Board meeting.

 

Upcoming Public Hearings

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z 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. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-37 to allow for short-term rentals (STR) use at 1218 N. Center Street. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-11 for “straight” office commercial at 5101/5321 S. Collins Street. It is currently zoned for a planned development office commercial and residential estate. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-1 for “straight” limited office zoning at 2598 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard. It is currently zoned for RS-7.2. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 2, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-2 for “straight” flex hybrid zoning at 3000 S. Cooper Street. It is currently zoned for community commercial. If approved this would go to the city council on May 13.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP24-10 for a telecommunications tower greater than 100 feet at 2350 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard.

On Tuesday, April 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-1 for a planned development for light industrial at 7505 US Business Highway 287.

On Wednesday, April 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on the annual UDC (Unified Development Code) updates. If approved, it should go to the city council on May 13.

On Wednesday, April 16, P&Z 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on May 27.

On Tuesday, April 22, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD18-13R1 at 101 S. Center Street. They wish to remove the live-work units’ requirement.

On Wednesday, May 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-25 at 1700 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development or RM12 (usually town homes) on 6.29 acres.

???, 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.

 

P&Z Commission

P&Z will meet this Wednesday, April 2. The full agenda can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/38a898bcf8bdfe97dda9f1638bef08a60.pdf . There are five zoning case public hearings to be heard.

Public hearing #1 is for PD24-36 at 8101 S. Collins Street (staff report). They wish to build a self-storage facility on this 5.06 acres.

Public hearing #2 is for PD24-37 at 1218 N. Center Street (staff report). They wish to build a single-family house and allow for STR (short-term rentals) on this 0.224 acres.

Public hearing #3 is for ZA24-11 at 5101 S. Collins Street (staff report). They wish for office commercial (OC) zoning on the 16.57 acres.

Public hearing #4 is for ZA25-1 at 2598 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). They wish to change RS-7.2 to LO (limited office) on 2.415 acres. Per the Unified Development Code (UDC), the Limited Office (LO) district is intended for small-scale, low-intensity professional office uses near or adjacent to residential neighborhoods.

Public hearing #5 is for ZA25-2 at 3000 S. Cooper Street (staff report). They wish to change from community commercial (CC) to flex hybrid (FH) on 0.927 acres.

 

AISD School Board

School Board Meeting

The next AISD School Board meeting is this Thursday, April 3, for a regular meeting. The agenda should be posted on Monday, March 31.

 

Lawsuit Moves Forward

On Thursday, January 30, Federal Judge Reed O'Connor, threw out five parts, but allowed the other four items to move forward on the lawsuit against the Arlington Independent School District. Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has the article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/31/federal-judge-allows-lawsuit-against-arlington-isd-to-move-forward-dismisses-parts/ .

 

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Filings for May 3 Election

Voters will get to vote for AISD Places 4 (Wilbanks) and 5 (Chapa). Early voting will be Tuesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.

Ballot order:

Place 4Wilbanks (i), April Williams Moore.

Place 5Chapa (i).

 

Question 5: If you receive an e-mail from a constituent on an AISD issue and the constituent logically laid out and well documented the issue, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take?

 

Place 4

Wilbanks (i)

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_88.html )

Did not respond.

 

April Williams Moore

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_9.html )

If community members attempt to contact me, I will respond promptly. Currently, our board allows the district to set the vision and priorities, which has led to our current situation. My opponent has failed to challenge the previous superintendent's poor decisions over the past six years. Now, Dr. Smith is having to make unpopular decisions, such as expanding class sizes this year and implementing last year’s layoffs, to correct past mistakes.

Our board should provide oversight for our community. We should engage with the community to develop a vision for our schools and establish priorities, which we will then ask the superintendent to implement on the board’s behalf.

Where has my opponent's leadership and accessibility been for the past six years?

 

Place 5

Chapa (i)

( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_89.html )

Did not respond.

 

The Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw on the candidates: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/11/qa-these-candidates-want-to-be-on-arlington-isd-school-board-here-are-their-priorities .

 

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TEA Accountability Data:

2023 STAAR Performance

2022 Accountability

2021 Accountability

2019 Accountability

 

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.]

 

 

Other News

Shakespeare Live this coming weekend

This Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5, you can catch Shakespeare Live at the Levitt Pavilion for free. The City's Office of Communications article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Shakespeare-LIVE-Brings-Classic-Theatre-to-Levitt-Pavilion-Arlington .

 

City Shred and Electronic Recycle Day

On Saturday, April 5, the city will host a shred and electronic recycling day at the southeast corner of Mitchell Street and S. Cooper Street. The City's Office of Communications article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Free-Paper-Shredding-and-Electronics-Recycling-Event-April-5-2025 .

 

National Medal of Honor Museum Opening

The Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report's Drew Shaw's story: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/25/national-medal-of-honor-museum-welcomes-veterans-arlington-residents-in-opening-ceremony

Kim Roberts of The Texan has an article on the opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum: https://thetexan.news/texas-local-news/national-medal-of-honor-museum-opens-in-arlington/article_a8e0156b-7214-45c0-af35-64fdc326a9ea.html?vgo_ee=mYndCxv%2FEKxGkh5zDkqPJMMyUwpyuZHqIRoY9t9NYczeEN6MkRpN%3AQ%2BO7JdIYRsxqN6q%2BUUP2zs99Wvw6Igqe

UTA Shorthorn's Hannah Garcia on the National Medal of Honor opening: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/national-medal-of-honor-museum-officially-opens-to-public-hosts-ceremony/article_8b16b2c4-090f-4953-81fe-caeec3d0b02e.html

 

ACTIV is Now Open

The city's Office of Communications Susan Schrock's article on the facility: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/ACTIV-Arlington%E2%80%99s-Recreation-Center-for-Ages-50-Plus-Now-Open .

 

City's Comprehensive Plan Survey

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.arlingtonlistens.com%2Fembeds%2Fprojects%2F24736%2Fsurvey-tools%2F24985/1/0100019594d41096-7891b03e-6c9d-423e-a279-25e90f731178-000000/GczC2Br9ZD22V7d061o_eChNqUwBTeYxlEJfx_cfhVA=396

 

City Launches New Website

On March 12 the city launched a new website. I know it caught me by surprise. It left me scrambling to fix some links to communications articles. The UTA's Shorthorn's staff writer, James Ward's article can be found at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city-of-arlington-launches-new-updated-website/article_2f8b3f12-047e-4a15-9693-9399b1107893.html . The city's welcome to the new website article: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/March/Welcome-to-the-New-City-of-Arlington-Website .

 

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:

2023 STAAR Performance

2022 Accountability

2021 Accountability

2019 Accountability

 

ARC Political Watch Committee Reports

includes coverage of Mansfield ISD and national, state, county, & city

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jPy7MXPo6Obwb3Dbu_6rIApKxC85_dgtfXglA-TVCN4/edit?pli=1#heading=h.rubf4ztg5jdb

 

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