November 24, 2025 Newsletter
November 24, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 47
Highlights:
* Happy Thanksgiving.
* City Council delays vote to rescind anti-DEI ordinance from September and reinstate anti-discrimination policies.
* Council approves $3.8 million 380-agreement for the southwest corner of Division Street and Collins Street.
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:
Thursday, November 27: Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 28: City offices closed.
Wednesday, December 3: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, December 9: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
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.)
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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council met last Tuesday, November 18. The council delayed the first reading of the discrimination ordinance, now until December 9.
Committee Meetings
The Finance and Audit committee met to discuss the audits (presentation).
The Municipal Policy committee did not meet. They were expected to spend an hour discussing Honorary Naming (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5292 . Council Members Piel, Hogg, and Odom-Wesley were absent.
(5:03) Start of meeting. They went into executive session. The executive session agenda included:
- Discussion Regarding the Purchase of Property Described as Lot 4-A-1, Forum 303 Addition, an Addition to the City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas.
- Discussion Regarding the Possible Sale, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property located at 1707 and 1708 New York Avenue.
- All Cash Contract of Sale – Constellation Handley Power LLC – 6201 Lake Arlington Drive, Arlington Texas.
- All Cash Contract of Sale with Arlington Cattle & Pecan Company, Inc. and The Estate of Cecil Frederick Turner, Deceased – 3901 West Mayfield Road.
- Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
(2:41:02) They reconvened in open session. Council members Piel and Hogg were now present. That portion of the agenda had three work session items, one informal staff report, the external committees report, and evening and future agenda items.
The three work session items:
(2:41:11) 1. The annual report on safe streets (presentation). About 2:54:22 it was opened to the council for comments/questions.
(3:02:02) 2. FY26 Capital Budget (presentation). There were three projects that came up quicker than plans had allowed funds (water purification, a land purchase, and fire vehicles).
(3:04:54) 3. TAD Board discussion (presentation).
(3:12:59) The informal staff report as regarding the Anthem (developer of the old Lincoln Square project) Public Improvement District (PID) (staff report).
(3:13:29) Committee reports.
(3:14:55) External committee meetings.
(3:34:48) Evening and future agenda items.
Evening Meeting
The evening meeting agenda had 35 consent agenda items, a public hearing, a vote on the anti-discrimination ordinance, and a proposed 380-agreement. Council Member Odom-Wesley was absent. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5293 .
(3:30) Start of meeting. Mayor Ross gave a tribute to former Mayor Odom, who passed away Monday. Minutes were approved, 8-0. The consent agenda was approved, 8-0.
(13:01) he public hearing was for the Tourism Public Improvement District (PID) (staff report). This extends the current PID for another 12 years (the first approval was in September 2016 for ten years). It was approved, 8-0.
(14:47) They took the next item out of order. The proposed 380-agreement (staff report) is for the southwest corner of Division Street and Collins Street for a mixed-use project that includes a hotel, food hall, retail and restaurants, multifamily housing, and structured parking (the “Project”). Two remaining tracts are needed to complete site control for the Project.
The $3,800,000 grant is for the purchase of those two remaining properties and is to be paid back [i.e., a loan] during construction. The plan calls for construction to begin within 60 months (5 years). It was approved, 8-0.
(16:27) The anti-discrimination ordinance (staff report) was to rescind Ordinance No. 25-068 and reinstate the "Anti-Discrimination" Chapter. [Ordinance No. 25-068 (September 2025) suspended the enforcement of the Anti-Discrimination Chapter of code]. The number of speakers at the start was one in support and 15 in opposition. A motion to continue until December 9 was approved, 8-0. James Ward of UTA’s Shorthorn has an article on the subject at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/arlington-city-council-delays-vote-on-lgbtq-protections-until-dec-9/article_561e4b5f-2921-457b-b74a-7ce555c609a9.html .
[Related: Chris Moss has an article in the Arlington Report on the media advertising blitz that has been generated as a result of the anticipation of this yet-to-happen vote https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/17/media-blitz-opposes-removal-of-lgbtq-protections-in-arlington/ .]
There were no speakers for citizen participation.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Next EDC meeting, maybe December 2?
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, December 3, P&Z 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). If approved, it will go to city council on January 6.
On Wednesday, December 3, 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 will go to city council on January 6.
On Wednesday, December 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-16, 6001/6004 U.S. Highway 287 & 6016 Myers Road. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial)/NC (neighborhood commercial), and MF-22 (multi-family to a PD-MF-22 uses on 14.65 acres. If approved, it will go to city council on January 6.
On Tuesday, December 9, 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 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, 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 .
P&Z Commission
The next P&Z meeting should be on Wednesday, December 3.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, November 20. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=712626 . The agenda included an executive session (personnel, potential and pending litigation, and the superintendent summary evaluation), recognitions, an appointment, open forum for agenda items, eight committee and staff reports, three action items, the consent agenda, open forum for non-agenda items, and the end of meeting reports. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZmnZjb8QF4 . All board members were present.
(12:20) They reconvened in open session.
(27:20) The appointment:
Ryan Hunt – Lamar High Assistant Principal
(42:00) There was one speaker for open forum for non-agenda items.
(47:15) There were three speakers on agenda items. Only one speaker was present. About 3:34:51 the second speaker, a candidate, spoke on the TAD Board votes to be cast.
There were eight committee and staff reports.
(50:39) 1. Finance and Academics Committee Report. They received/reviewed the Campus Needs Index Report (one of the later reports).
(51:39) 2. Governance Committee Report. They reviewed the early view of the calendar for the next school year.
(52:11) 3. Delinquent Tax Collection Report. They wanted to obtain a higher collection rate and reduce the outstanding amount.
(1:08:08) 4. Capital Needs Steering Committee (CNSC) Report.
(1:11:10) 5. Fall Demographer Report. There were 2,026 more leavers than newcomers this past year. About 1:30:07 they opened it up to board questions/comments. [commentary: I found it ironic that Ms. Fowler was talking about affordable housing. Her husband and she constantly encourage the raising of taxes (also a factor in affordability) on multiple issues.]
(1:55:03) 6. Priority Update - Campus Needs Index Report. About 2:04:05 it was opened to board comments/questions. They cannot afford but are considering 1:1 take home computers to students.
(2:06:33) 7. Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Active Care Report. Active Care is the health insurance program for retirees. Currently costs far exceed the premiums collected. About 2:21:55 it was opened to board comments/questions.
(2:53:24) 8. District Vision Statement Report. About 2:58:40 it was opened to board comments/questions.
There were three action items.
(3:38:48) Consider Approval of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The start turned out to be more of an audit report. It was approved, 7-0.
(3:51:24) Cast Votes for Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors. Staff’s recommendation is 130 votes for Eric Crile and 30 votes for Wendy Burgess. The motion was made to cast all 160 votes to Eric Crile. It was approved, 7-0.
(3:59:44) Approval of the Targeted Improvement Plans (TIP) and Turnaround Plans (TAP). About 4:11:48 it is opened to board comments/questions. It was approved, 7-0.
(4:57:33) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. It was approved, 7-0.
(4:58:11) End of meeting reports.
Mr. Chappa gave a board brief of the meeting at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yvcaO_a0p8 .
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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
- Arlington ISD $0.802200
- Birdville ISD $0.786900
- Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
- Lewisville ISD $0.786900
- 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
Former Arlington Mayor Dies
Former Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom passed away on Monday, November 17. The city story by Susan Schrock (Office of Communications): https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/November/Remembering-Former-Arlington-Mayor-and-City-Councilman-Elzie-Odom . The article in The Shorthorn by Leslie Orozco, Taylor Sansom and James Ward, The Shorthorn staff: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/arlington-s-first-black-mayor-elzie-odom-dies-at-96/article_273ea673-bd4c-4952-aab8-e71f9b6e8c9c.html . An article by Chris Moss as it appeared in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/17/elzie-odom-arlingtons-first-black-mayor-dies-at-96/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%93%BA%20Media%20blitz%20opposing%20LGBTQ%20protections%20removal%20sweeps%20city&utm_campaign=Arlington%20Report%202025-11-20 .
Running for Reelection – May 2026
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article telling us of Mayor Ross’ announcement of running for reelection. That article is at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/22/arlington-mayor-jim-ross-announces-reelection-bid/ .
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].
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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