Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

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July 12, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 28

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Sturgeon Bark Park opens tomorrow.

* Low-income townhomes on P&Z schedule.

* KKB, Parks Board, and BOA to meet this week.

* Low-income apartments coming to the KISD.

SCHEDULE:

Monday, July 13: Grand Opening Sturgeon Bark Park, 6725 E. Oak Crest Drive, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 16: Board of Adjustment meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 23: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

July xx: Opening of newly remodeled fire station.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The next monthly city council meeting is scheduled for July 21. The agenda should be published this week.

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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.

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Last Week

There were no meetings scheduled last week.

This Week

The Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) plans to meet Tuesday (agenda).

The Parks Board plans to meet Tuesday (agenda).

The Board of Adjustments is scheduled to meet Thursday for a public hearing (agenda , public hearing item).

Public Hearings

On Thursday, July 16, the Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on BOA26-03 regarding a special exemption at 404 E. Kennedale Parkway.

On Tuesday, July 21, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance.

On Tuesday, July 21, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ26-09, amending Article 29 of the Unified Development Code (UDC). This appears to modify the P&Z, regarding number of members, requirements for quorum, and whatever else.

On Tuesday, July 21, 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 Thursday, July 23, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-13, a planned development for townhomes along 509 Corry A Edwards to 506 North Road.

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting will be on Tuesday, July 28.

P&Z

The next P&Z meeting should be scheduled for Thursday, July 23.

Other News....

Low-income Townhomes on P&Z agenda

A public hearing for low-income townhomes (PZ26-13) is scheduled to be on P&Z's agenda for Thursday, July 23. The addresses according to the public notice 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.]

Commentary – Is Kennedale Transparent?

Last week's commentary again showed how Kennedale is NOT transparent. If the community garden has in fact been approved for a different location, as one person has reported to me, what should have happened is there would have been an agenda item on the EDC agenda on the item, where it was discussed, prior to the item being approved. That did not seem to happen. Unfortunately, keeping citizens updated on the facts (transparency) is NOT a priority. I even sent in an open records request for the related documents, and that request was sent back for more clarification because they could NOT find anything and wanted more clarification of what I was seeking. I replied within an hour but have not heard back or received anything from them at the time of this writing.

While on the subject of last week's commentary, on Monday, July 6 someone reported to me the community garden was packed up because it was moving to a different location (still trying to confirm). Someone also wanted me to point out the pickle people got an award and left which again confirms the point of last week's commentary; the Kennedale Community owes a great deal to David Glover, the driving force behind the closing of the MANY loopholes on these EDC Grants.

Questions by people have been asked on social media, and though one council person said he would be glad to answer them, I have still not seen the answers posted. Again, Is Kennedale Transparent?

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/ .

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