November 18, 2024 Newsletter
November 18, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 47
Highlights:
* The city council approves yet another TIRZ, number 50.
* City council meets Tuesday.
* AISD meets Thursday.
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, November 19: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, November 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.)
Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, December 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, December 12: 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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council met last Tuesday, November 12 for a full slate of meetings. Council member Piel did not appear to be present. They will meet again this Tuesday, November 19.
The first of two committee meetings is at 11:00am. The afternoon session begins at 1:00pm and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:00pm. The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings – Last Week
The Finance and Audit Committee met to discuss the FY2024 Audit kickoff (presentation).
The Municipal Policy Committee met to continue the unfinished structures discussion (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee met and went into executive session to consider offers of incentives for business prospects (agenda).
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Afternoon Meeting – Last Week
The afternoon meeting started with Council Member Piel not present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4974?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(3:31) Start of meeting. They went into executive session which included two negotiated settlements for the sidewalk project (633 W. Division Street and 806 E. Division Street), a discussion regarding security at city facilities, and offers of incentives for business prospects.
(1:51:55) The one work session item was charter amendments (presentation). Staff are giving the council the option of discussing pay increases for the mayor and council. About 2:01:06 they started council comments/questions. Dr. Odom-Wesley wants to take council pay out of the hands of voters and put it in control of the council. The mayor agreed. They are going to look at some options in the future. [The Arlington Spectator hopes voters strongly oppose.] The council also discussed generalizing the use of male pronouns.
[James Hartley has a story on the potential council pay charter amendment. The story in the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/13/arlington-leaders-consider-asking-voters-to-alter-council-pay-rules-after-45-years-without-change-2/ .]
(2:26:31) The three informal staff reports:
1. Commercial Signage Improvement Program Update (presentation).
2. Housing Rehabilitation Program Annual Update (staff report).
3. Leveraging Technology (newsletter).
(2:30:20) Committee meeetings.
(2:41:26) Appointments and evening agenda items. There is an attachment regarding the 18 ICISC (International Corridor Implementation Steering Committee (attachment).
(2:43:02) Future agenda items. An update on the World Cup planning was requested.
Evening Meeting – Last Week
The evening meeting included appointments, two executive session items (one of the two had been previously tabled), minutes, 23 consent agenda items, one public hearing to generate a reinvestment zone (TIRZ), and a tabled order from the last meeting that appeared in that meeting’s minutes. Council Member Piel was not present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4975?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(7:35) Start of meeting. Water art awards were given.
(18:17) 18 appointments, proceeding with the first (previously tabled) executive item, two executive session items, and minutes were approved with four 8-0 votes.
(22:03) 23 consent agenda items. None were pulled for separate consideration or discussion. They were approved, 8-0.
(24:23) The public hearing was to generate yet another reinvestment zone, number 50 (staff report). This was for 1521 N. Cooper Street for which they will approve a tax abatement at the next meeting. There were no speakers or discussions. It was approved, 8-0.
(25:08) The tabled minute order from the last meeting was for the $640,000 professional services consultant contract for the new comprehensive plan (staff report). It was removed from the table, 8-0, and approved, 8-0.
(26:08) Citizen participation. There were three speakers. The first spoke of the post oak trees that have been lost at Randol Mill Nature Preserve. The next two spoke on the homeless population.
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Committee Meetings – Coming Week
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:00am and spend 30 minutes on event day parking in the Entertainment District (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee is to meet in executive session (so don't rush to get there – you are not invited) at 11:45am and spend an hour on offers of incentives for business prospects. Hold onto your wallets.
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Afternoon Meeting – Coming Week
The afternoon meeting is scheduled to start at 1:00pm and go into executive session. The executive session agenda only contains one item, offers of incentives for business prospects.
The open portion of the meeting will start no earlier than 2:00pm. That portion of the agenda includes two work session, and three informal staff reports, and a charter amendment discussion.
The two work session items are:
1. Comprehensive Plan Update (presentation).
2. Inaugural Economic Development Annual Report (presentation).
The three informal staff reports are:
1. Summary of property tax transactions (list).
2. Arlington Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Program Annual Report (presentation).
3. Champion Great Neighborhoods (newsletter).
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Evening Meeting – Coming Week
The agenda for the 6:30pm meeting includes 32 consent agenda items, three public hearings, and a resolution for another tax abatement agreement.
The first public hearing is the Safe Streets Arlington plan (presentation).
The second public hearing is for zoning case PD24-32 to change the zoning from Village on the Green (VG) to Planned Development (PD) for Office Commercial (OC) uses limited to Cemetery plus Mortuary, Crematory, Funeral Chapel and accessory uses (staff report). This is for 74.399 acres at 8213-8339 Business Highway US-287.
The third public hearing is for a tax abatement policy (staff report). No changes are being made.
The tax abatement agreement is for Texas Trust Credit Union at 1521 N. Cooper Street (staff report). It is a 75% tax abatement for ten years.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC board met this past Wednesday (packet). The agenda included standing reports, two action items, an executive session, and the director's report.
The action items were related. The first modifies the E-space agreement for the west side of Arlington Airport to allow for a manager at risk contract for construction and the second is the manager at risk contract. The second action item wording states not to exceed $57,996, while the staff report only shows $45,996.
The executive session included offers of incentives for business prospects and deliberation regarding real property.
Deal Fell Through???
The online October 11 Star-Telegram had a public notice for a public hearing to be held at the October 15 meeting. That evening when the agenda was posted there was no public hearing. The November 19 meeting now has NO public hearings. Did the deal fall through? This was for a performance agreement with Parkway Lamar Partners regarding improvements for the Whole Foods Market for $310,000. Is Whole Foods Market leaving? Or was it too easy and now they are seeking a bigger deal?
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will hold a public hearing on the Arlington Safe Streets plan.
On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-32 on 74.399 acres at 8213-8401 Business Highway US-287. They wish for a planned development for office commercial for a cemetery, crematory, and funeral chapel.
On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will consider a tax abatement for Texas Trust Credit Union, 1521 N. Cooper Street.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed capital improvements of the 2025 Citizen Bond Committee.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD21-9 on 0.743 acres at 108 Hosack Street. They wish for a planned development RM-12. It is currently zoned RM-12 and MF-22.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-10 on 9.792 acres at 300 East Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [more apartments].
On Tuesday, December 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD16-3R1 on 1.806 acres at 1211 W. Harris Road. They wish to add “flex” to the current PD options.
On Tuesday, December 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-21 on 1.210 acres at 1531/1537 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to add a planned development with neighborhood commercial “NC”.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-5 on 0.459 acres at 901 W. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development of higher density RMF-22. The previous PD has expired.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street. They wish for a communication tower.
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD23-37 on 5.390 acres at 1600 E. Pioneer Parkway. They wish for a planned development for mixed use with 48 apartments.
???, the Economic Development Corporation Board will have a public hearing for $310,000 for a performance agreement with Parkway Lamar Partners regarding improvements for the Whole Foods Market.
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-23 for community commercial with a package liquor store (2574 sq. ft.) at 2425 N.E. Green Oaks Boulevard.
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, November 13. The agenda packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=KcI5Ae88 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4979?view_id=10&redirect=true .
(3:03) They started with a public hearing on the Arlington Safe Streets plan (the plan). It was approved, 8-0.
(10:12) Zoning case public hearing #1 was for PD24-21 for a planned development on 1.210 acres at 1531/1537 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to add a plan development with neighborhood commercial “NC” (staff report). There is neighborhood opposition. One speaker in support; six speakers in opposition. It was approved, 8-0.
(1:23:41) Zoning case public hearing #2 was for PD16-3R1 on 1.806 acres at 1211 W. Harris Road. They wish to add “flex” to the current PD options (staff report). There were no public speakers. It was approved, 7-0-1, one abstention.
(1:34:07) Zoning case public hearing #3 was for PD24-5 on 0.459 acres at 901 W. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development of higher density RMF-22 (staff report). The previous PD has expired. This will be continued at the January 8 meeting (approved, 8-0).
(2:15:59) Zoning case public hearing #4 was for PD24-32 on 74.399 acres at 8213-8339 Business Highway US-287. They wish for a planned development for office commercial for a cemetery, crematory, and funeral chapel (staff report). This was approved, 6-1-1.
(2:55:48) Zoning case public hearing #5 was for SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street. They wish for a communication tower (staff report). This will be continued at the January 8 meeting (approved, 8-0).
The final zoning case public hearing is for PD24-10 on 9.792 acres at 300 East Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [more apartments]. This case will be heard/continued on December 4.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board will meet this coming Thursday, November 21. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
Last week we reported on the November 7 meeting where the evaluation method/form for the superintendent was approved. Drew Shaw has a story in the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report on that approval: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/12/heres-how-arlington-isd-trustees-will-grade-superintendents-first-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 $0.812800
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
This Dallas Morning News article by Talia Richman includes a table of teachers salaries: https://linkst.dallasnews.com/click/37453808.141842/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFsbGFzbmV3cy5jb20vbmV3cy9lZHVjYXRpb24vMjAyNC8xMS8xMi9ob3ctbXVjaC1kby10ZWFjaGVycy1tYWtlLWluLW5vcnRoLXRleGFzLz9zYWlsdGhydV9pZD02MjY4MTI3OTRmNzU3ZjY0YmFlM2NhZGY/626812794f757f64bae3cadfB77e4f4f7 . [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, creating ISD inflation.]
Measuring Transformation
The AISD want transformation. They have a plan to measure it. The following is an article by Drew Shaw for the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/01/arlington-isd-officials-want-district-transformation-heres-how-they-plan-to-measure-it/ .
Press Box
Other News
TAD Board Candidates
Cities, school boards, and other taxing entities in Tarrant County will be voting over the next month for TAD Board representatives. This article by Emily Wolf of the Fort Worth Report gives some information on the 14 candidates. The top 5 vote totals get the appointments. https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/03/reappraisal-plan-takes-center-stage-as-tarrant-appraisal-district-board-members-are-selected/ .
The AISD voted at last week's meeting. The City of Arlington will do so at some point in the near future.
Veterans Day Celebration
Shorthorn reporters Pedro Malkomes, Orlando Torres and James Ward supplied a story on the new Veterans Day Parade at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/arlington-honors-service-sacrifice-with-inaugural-texas-veterans-day-parade/article_9aa4b846-a094-11ef-aaa6-3735b952a72a.html . There was also a story/report by Erin Jones of CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/arlington-texas-veterans-day-parade/?utm_source=Fort+Worth+Report&utm_campaign=26a9dca095-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_13_07_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-26a9dca095-534080711&mc_cid=26a9dca095&mc_eid=026783244a .
Arlington Bowie and the Bible
“... a legal representative said officials had found that adjustments to the school’s practices were needed.” The following link is an article by Drew Shaw of the Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/06/arlington-isd-corrects-football-staff-for-teaching-about-the-bible-during-school-hours/ .
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.
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
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