May 12, 2025 Newsletter
May 12, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 19
Highlights:
* City Council meets Tuesday.
* AISD meets Wednesday to canvass election results and Thursday for regular meeting.
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, May 13: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 11:00am, 3:45pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, May 14: AISD Board meeting to canvass the election results, 9:00am.
Thursday, May 15: 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.)
Wednesday, May 21: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Wednesday, May 21: 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, May 26: Memorial Day holiday.
Tuesday, May 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, June 4: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Thursday, June 5: 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, June 10: 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 will meet this coming Tuesday, May 13. The first of two committee meetings will be at 11:00am. The afternoon session begins at 1:30pm and will go into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:45pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
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Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee will meet at 11:00am and is expected to spend 45 minutes on the Arlington Cemetery ordinance (presentation , ordinance).
The Economic Development Committee will meet at noon and discuss four items in open session, then consider an offer of incentives for business prospects in executive session.
1. Founders Arena (presentation).
2. Arlington Home Improvement Incentive Program and Historic Property Investment (presentation).
3. Arlington Business Certification Program (presentation).
4. ABean sponsorship program for Japan Summit (presentation). The Economic Development Corporation approved funds for this deal at their April meeting.
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:30pm and goes into executive session. The executive session agenda includes:
1. Discussion of Legal Issues Relative to Short-Term Rentals
2. Discussion Regarding the Purchase of Property located at 9535 North Holland Road
3. Discussion Regarding the Possible Purchase, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property for Eligible Projects of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation
4. Discussion Regarding the Acquisition of Property Relative to Affordable Housing
5. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will occur no sooner than 3:45pm. The open portion agenda includes four work session items, five informal staff reports, external committee reports, and a legislative update.
The four work session items:
1. Fleet Management (presentation). It looks like they may start leasing some of their vehicles.
2. Unfinished Structures (presentation). The proposed modifications would be effective January 1, 2025.
3. Council Priority - Enhance Regional Mobility (presentation , attachment). In my opinion the score card as part of the presentation does not look very good.
4. Council Priority - Invest in Our Economy (presentation).
The five informal staff reports:
1. Animal Breeding and Retail Pet Sales (staff report)
2. 2024 Cost of Living Index (COLI) Annual Report (staff report , attachment). The attachment is interesting for statistics-type people.
3. Micromobility Pilot Program Update (staff report)
4. Required Public Infrastructure Improvements (staff report)
5. Transportation Chapter Amendment – Special Event Pick-up and Drop-off (staff report).
Evening Meeting
The 6:30pm evening agenda item has one appointment, three sets of minutes, 29 consent agenda items, four public hearings (three are zoning cases), an ordinance for appointing municipal judges, two resolutions for canvassing the election results, and a request for a public hearing on a case that failed P&Z.
Consent agenda item 7.28 is a contract with Sister Cities Arlington (staff report). The city is going to give up to $50,000 in reimbursements.
Public hearing #1 is for the annual update to the UDC (Unified Development Code) (staff report).
Public hearing #2 is for ZA25-1 at 2598 NW Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). They are requesting limited office (LO) zoning.
Public hearing #3 is for ZA25-2 at 3000 S. Cooper Street (staff report). They wish for flex hybrid (FH) zoning.
Public hearing #4 is for zoning case ZA24-11 at 5101/5321 S. Collins Street (at Green Oaks Boulevard). They wish to change to office commercial. Trinity River Authority is expanding (staff report).
An ordinance for appointing the judges (staff report).
There are two resolution items for canvassing the election results (charter staff report , bonds staff report).
PD24-37 had failed P&Z and is requesting a public hearing (staff report). The zone allowing STRs (Short-term rentals) is drawn down Center Street; the applicant feels is very unfair, not allowing him to do STRs while across the street they can. They both must put up with the issues of traffic on Center Street.
Election Results
Voters approved more than $200 million more in bonds and all charter amendments. None of the results were really close. The closest was Proposition D with FOR 6,434 and AGAINST 4,911 (56.7%-43.3%).
James Hartley of the Arlington Report did write an article on the $200 million bond election at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/05/arlington-voters-approve-200-million-in-bonds-with-major-focus-on-streets-public-safety .
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know when their next meeting will be. Our best guess is May 20.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on the annual UDC (Unified Development Code) updates.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council 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.
On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-28 at 5920 Matlock Road. They wish for a planned development on the 3.165 acres for RM-12 (usually townhomes) and office. It is currently zoned all office commercial. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.
On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-3 at 4300 New York Avenue, 1700 E. Interstate 20 Highway, and 1601 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development on the 13.327 acres for auto sales, new. It is currently zoned for PD-LI, a planned development for light industrial. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.
On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-5 at 901 E. Arkansas Lane. They wish for a planned development allowing an auto service center. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.
On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-2 at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive. They wish for a secondary living. If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.
On Wednesday, May 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on DP25-1 at 2601 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish for a development plan on the 23.28 acres zoned RMF-22 (22 unit/acre maximum). If this passes P&Z it will go to the city council on June 24.
On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.
On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.
On Tuesday, May 27, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-3 at 201/205 Slaughter Street. They wish for a planned development for cottage community on the 1.27 acres.
On Tuesday, June 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-25 at 1700 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development for RM12 (usually town homes) on 6.29 acres.
???, the city council 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.
P&Z Commission
The P&Z commission met this past Wednesday, May 7. The agenda included three zoning case public hearings and can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/planning-and-development-services/documents/planning-amp-development-boards-amp-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/posted-agenda/may-7-2025/may-7-2025-regular-session-agenda.pdf . It can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5109?view_id=10&redirect=true .
(2:47) Public hearing #1 was PD25-2 for a package liquor store at 721 SW Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). There were no public speakers. It was approved, 6-3.
(20:50) Public hearing #2 was for PD24-3 at 201 and 205 Slaughter Street (staff report). On the 1.27 acres they wish to build a 30-unit cottage community for STRs (short-term rentals). There were no opposition speakers. It was approved, 9-0.
(1:02:25) Public hearing #3 was for PD24-25 at 1700 E. Bardin Road (staff report). They wish to change the zoning from commercial and office to RM-12, for 42 townhomes. There were two neighborhood speakers. It was approved, 6-3.
The next P&Z meeting will be on Wednesday, May 21.
AISD School Board
School Board Meeting
The AISD School Board will meet this Wednesday, May 14, for an election processing meeting.
They will also meet on this Thursday, May 15, for a regular meeting. That agenda should be posted on Monday.
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
Outside Housing Finance Corporations
Andrea Lucia did do a report for CBS-11 on Arlington receiving a restraining order stopping Pecos Housing Finance Corporation from issuing any more Arlington deals at: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/arlington-wins-restraining-order-small-town-cost-millions/ . [Commentary: It is bad enough when our city screws the taxpayers [we have to make up what the recipient gets discounted] on lopsided deals, but to have a distant city make us pay more should be illegal.]
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