March 31, 2025 Newsletter
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.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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 .
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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/ .
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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 4 – Wilbanks (i), April Williams Moore.
Place 5 – Chapa (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
( 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 .
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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.]
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
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:
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