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August 2, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 31

HIGHLIGHTS:

* City Council does NOT adjust bonds for ladder firetruck; will meet this Tuesday, August 4, for more budget talk and modifying townhome regulations.

* Low-income townhomes public hearing for P&Z on Monday, August 10; city council on Tuesday, August 18.

* Low-income apartments coming to the KISD. The Arlington City Council to have their second/final reading on Tuesday.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, August 4: City Council Special meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, August 10: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 11: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 11: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 13: Board of Adjustments meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 25: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 27: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The July monthly city council meeting was rescheduled to this past Monday, July 27. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3915/files/agenda/10740 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCbtf_bPmNw .

(12:28) Start of meeting. The meeting began with a budget workshop (budget letter , budget draft). The proposed budget suggests the general fund will see a decrease in property tax revenue of approximately $133,000, while an increase in total revenue of approximately $425,000. There was no mention of the property tax rate. About 27:37 there was some discussion regarding the ladder firetruck being financed for 15-years (vs. 20-years). Council Member Glover also tried to suggest a 13-year bond. Only Glover was in favor of the 15-year bonds. About 47:30 one of the biggest modifications discussed by the council was to give employees at least a 4% raise (vs. the currently planned 3%, and would really like to give a 5% raise, but would need to come up with further planned cuts). The suggestion would be to cut the city hall and park office improvements to fund that increase.

(1:14:00) After the 6:30 p.m. roll call there was public comment, a presentation section (Turnkey Development Group), a regular session, and an executive session (board appointments). All council members were present. There were approximately 15 members of the public at the meeting, many for the Wilda Turner item.

(1:15:41) There was one couple speaking during public comment.

(1:21:10) The regular session included reports and announcements (financials), consent agenda, and items for individual consideration.

(1:34:16) There were six consent agenda items.

1. June 15 minutes

2. June 16 minutes

3. June 24 minutes

4. replat at 5400 High Ridge Road (staff report)

5. replat at 600 W Kennedale Parkway (staff report)

6. replat at 616 W Kennedale Parkway (staff report)

No items were discussed. The consent agenda was approved, 5-0.

There were five items for individual consideration:

(1:35:42) 1. Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) wishes to rename the butterfly garden to the Wilda Turner Butterfly Garden (staff report). This was approved, 5-0.

(2:01:33) 2. Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (staff report). This was approved, 5-0.

(2:03:17) 3. Department of Justice Grant application (staff report). This was approved, 5-0.

(2:04:38) 4. Fellowship Academy School Resource Officer contract (revised contract). This was approved, 5-0.

(2:07:20) 5. Rehabilitation of Water Storage Tank, 500 Gail Drive (staff report). This is a $1,011,800 project. It was approved, 5-0.

(2:33:00) After returning from executive session the city council took NO action on those items.

The city council will meet again this Tuesday, August 4. That agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3891/files/agenda/10778 .

The meeting starts with a work session with a budget workshop on the FY2026-27 Budget (staff report , workbook draft , capital forecast). This all begins at .pdf page 3 of the packet link above.

Following the budget workshop there will be a call to order, public comment, two public hearings, three items for individual consideration, and an executive session.

The first public hearing is regarding proposed changes to the sign ordinance in the Unified Development Code (UDC). The posted information can be found starting at .pdf page 60 of the above packet link. Staff believes the current ordinance may be too restrictive.

The second public hearing is regarding townhome regulations in the Unified Development Code (UDC). The posted information can be found starting at .pdf page 78 of the above packet link. The advertised changes have to do with parking, garages, and alleys.

The first item of individual consideration, Ordinance 26-799, has to do with the first public hearing and the sign ordinance. The posted information can be found starting at .pdf page 90 of the above packet link.

The second item of individual consideration, Ordinance 26-801, has to do with the second public hearing and townhome regulations. The posted information can be found at .pdf page 98 of the above packet link.

The third item of individual consideration is the proposed YMCA contract (lease).

In executive session they plan to discuss boards and commissions appointment status.

# # # # # # # # # # #

Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21, 2025 meeting. Council Member Kobeck came out of executive session and made the motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and release the investigation report to the public. That motion was approved, 4-0.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted it to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

Previous Analysis:

Results: The evidence does NOT confirm…

See the November 9, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Witch Hunt?

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part I

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part II

See the November 23, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Was the Investigation Hi-jacked by the City Attorney and City Manager?

See the November 30, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Pay to Play Scandal

See the December 7, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Wandell Investigation Files

See the December 14, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Lack of Accountability/Afraid to Speak

See the December 21, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

See the January 4, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Chamber Vote

See the January 11, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Hiring Austin Degenhart

See the January 18, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

City Manager has Favorites?

See the January 25, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Our Commentary

See the February 1, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

“No Shame” Griffith

See the February 15, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Last Week

The city council met on Monday for the rescheduled July meeting.

The EDC met on Tuesday.

This Week

This week the city council meets on Tuesday.

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, August 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance.

On Tuesday, August 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-10, amending Article 3 of the Unified Development Code (UDC). This appears to modify many of the standards for townhomes.

On Monday, August 10, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for townhomes along 509 Corry A Edwards to 506 North Road.

On August 13, the Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on BOA26-03 regarding a special exemption at 404 E. Kennedale Parkway.

On Tuesday, August 18, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for townhomes along 509 Corry A Edwards to 506 North Road.

EDC

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting was held this past Tuesday, July 28. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3781/files/agenda/10739 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQGQZPgGgJw&t=526s .

(8:38) Start of meeting. The agenda includes reports and announcements, consent agenda, and items for individual consideration.

Reports and announcements included:

(9:16) 1. Pavick and Associates marketing and strategic plan.

(15:19) 2. financials.

(17:27) 3. an update on the Town Center development.

There were five items for individual consideration.

(19:27) 1. Grant application – Goldwaite – 705 W. Kennedale Parkway (starts on page 17 of the packet link above). The $25,000 grant was approved, 5-0.

(28:42) 2. EDC property acquisition policy (updated version)

(45:30) 3. Nearly Famous Burgers & Wings (no information given). The city manager wants to discuss in executive session (next month?).

(45:54) 4. YMCA update. YMCA has a board meeting the next day where they are expected to approve the contract.

(46:02) 5. Soda and snack machine (screen shot). The city manager would like to put it at city hall. Profits would be for Hometown Christmas or other EDC events. They voted 5-0 to allow the city manager to move forward.

P&Z

P&Z will meet for a special meeting Monday, August 10 (July 23 agenda). [These low-income townhomes are important.]

Other News....

Zoning Low-income Townhomes

A public hearing for low-income townhomes (PZ26-13) is scheduled to be on P&Z's special meeting agenda for Monday, August 10 and the city council meeting for Tuesday, August 18. According to the public notice, the addresses are 509 Corry A Edwards and 506 North Road [I believe the properties running along the north of Daleview Drive residences then out to North Road.]

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2025) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the eighth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2025TaxRates.pdf ].

Top eleven of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.8457840

3. Blue Mound 0.8138000

4. River Oaks 0.7439910

5. Burleson 0.7218000

6. White Settlement 0.7147780

7. Forest Hill 0.7004660

8. Kennedale 0.6961900

9. Pelican Bay 0.6762930

10. Fort Worth 0.6700000

11. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

KISD Low-Income Apartments

On June 23 the Arlington City Council reconsidered and now has approved low-income apartments along U.S. Highway 287 (approximate address 6700 and others). There should be a second reading of the ordinance on August 4. These apartments will be in the KISD. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article after the item passed P&Z at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/22/affordable-housing-pre-k-development-clears-arlington-zoning-hurdle/ .

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The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

Hammack Creek Apartments Disaster