November 17, 2024 – Volume 7 Number 46

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Tax Freeze missing; It will be discussed at Tuesday's city council meeting.

* Public hearing for Alta Landing Apartments PD also on the council's agenda.

* Wildcats won their Round 1 playoff game; They will face powerhouse Celina in Round 2.

 

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, November 19: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 26: EDC Board meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving. City offices will also be closed on Friday the 29^th.

Saturday, November 30: Hometown Christmas Celebration, 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 10: KKB meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 10: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

…..

 

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

Kennedale Observer city council grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

City Council Comparison (May2021-May2023 vs. May2019-May2021):

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_77.html

 

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council will meet this Tuesday, November 19 for its regularly scheduled monthly city council meeting. The agenda (packet) includes a presentation on lead in the city's water, a city manager's report with at least four updates, a public hearing, consent agenda, five individual consideration items, and an executive session.

The presentation regarding lead in the city's water can be found on .pdf page 5 of the packet link above.

The city manager's report is to include an update on:

1. Property Tax Freeze for Residential Homestead Property Owners who are Disabled or Sixty-Five (65) Years of Age or Older Ordinance Update. [A copy of the June 2023 ordinance is on .pdf page 27 of the packet link above.]

2. Business Licenses Update. [The staff report is on .pdf page 30 of the packet link above.] They are going forward with starting to implement the item. They will be eliminating the charge for the license.

3. MyGov Software Update. [The staff report is on .pdf page 31 of the packet link above.]

4. Tyler Technologies Software Update. [The staff report is on .pdf page 32 of the packet link above.] The anticipated go live date is June 2025.

Financial reports start on .pdf page 33 of the packet link above.

The finance department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). [The staff report starts on .pdf page 54 of the packet link above.]

The public hearing is for the change of zoning for Alta Landing Apartments from MF (multi-family) to a PD (planned development). [The staff report starts on .pdf page 61 of the packet link above.]

The only consent agenda item is the minutes from October's meeting. [The minutes start on .pdf page 136 of the packet link above.]

The five individual consideration items are:

1. (Action Item) Discuss and take action to update the City of Kennedale Nuisance Ordinance providing additional regulations for outdoor lighting. [The staff report starts on .pdf page 141 of the packet link above.]

2. (Action Item) Discuss and take action on a 380 Agreement with Southwest Ambulance. [The agreement starts on .pdf page 148 of the packet link above.] They will be building a facility worth at least $2.2 million, and the city will be rebating them 50% of the city property tax for ten years.

3. (Action Item) Discuss and take action on a resurfacing project for the Kennedale TownCenter Playground. [The staff report starts on .pdf page 202 of the packet link above.] The bid included in the packet is for $27,561.42

4. (Action Item) Discuss and take action on a Resolution to cast the City of Kennedale's final ballot for appointments to the Tarrant Appraisal District's Board of Directors. [The staff report starts on .pdf page 207 of the packet link above.] Kennedale can cast five votes. The packet includes bios on the 14 candidates.

5. (Discussion Only) Discuss a potential Flood Study. [No information available in the packet.]

The executive session includes annual board appointment discussions and the city manager.

 

Tax Freeze Missing

Back in June of 2023 the city council approved a senior tax freeze. These would be applicable for the city portion of property taxes where properties have a homestead exemption, and the owner is 65 or older. The KISD, the county, and Tarrant County College also have senior tax freezes.

Apparently, this did not happen for Kennedale residents. So, what happened or did not happen?

TAD (Tarrant Appraisal District) claims it was NOT notified until earlier this month, which if true, would seem to put the blame on the city, probably communication between the city manager, TAD, city secretary, and finance department. The city manager would seem to be ultimately responsible.

What will happen? That is yet to be determined. There is an update to be given at Tuesday's city council meeting.

 

Last Week

the KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) had their meeting (packet) last Tuesday. It can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wp5iegEETU .

(2:36) Start of meeting.

The Parks Board did not make quorum (agenda). Tape of the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga-fvlExxYc .

The Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday was cancelled.

 

This Week

This week the city council will meet on Tuesday.

 

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will hold a public hearing for PZ24-10 to change the Alta Landing Apartments, 3100 Joplin Road, to a PD.

???, the board of appeals will hold a public hearing for BBA24-01 for the demolition of a single-family house at 6713 Lindale Road. This was originally scheduled for November 14, but the meeting was cancelled.

???, the board of appeals will hold a public hearing for BBA24-02 for the demolition of a single-family house at 110 Caylebaite Street. This was originally scheduled for November 14, but the meeting was cancelled.

 

EDC

The next EDC (Economic Development Corporation) board meeting should be Tuesday, November 26.

 

P&Z

P&Z's next regular meeting might be moved as the regular meeting date would be on Thanksgiving.

 

Other News....

Wildcats Football

The Wildcats won their Round 1 playoff game vs. Fort Worth Southwest by a score of 25-8. Next up is Celina (winner of their Round 1 playoff game, 75-0).

 

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2024) for the county. Kennedale is now the fifth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2024TaxRates.pdf ].

Top ten of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.7796050

3. Forest Hill 0.7240940

4. Blue Mound 0.7220330

5. Kennedale 0.7061900

6. White Settlement 0.6798160

7. River Oaks 0.6758270

8. Fort Worth 0.6725000

9. Burleson 0.6627000

10. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

 

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Kennedale Observer website:

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Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

Old Texas Raceway property project:

http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/whats_new.html

 

City Council Comparison (May 2021-May 2023 vs. May 2019-May 2021):

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_77.html

 

 

The City of Kennedale website: www.cityofkennedale.com

 

Mayor and City Council Emails:

Mayor – Brad Horton BHorton@cityofkennedale.com

Place-1 David Glover DGlover@cityofkennedale.com

Place-2 Thelma Kobeck TKobeck@cityofkennedale.com

Place-3 Kenneth Michels KMichels@cityofkennedale.com

Place-4 Chris Gary CGary1@cityofkennedale.com

Place-5 Jeff Nevarez JNevarez@cityofkennedale.com

 

 

Recordings of City Council meetings can be viewed at:

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a2pjrnxZ5XrbsXcoLOP4Q?view_as=subscriber].

 

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