October 21, 2024 Newsletter
October 21, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 43
Highlights:
* City council meets on Tuesday. Several 380 agreements to be approved.
* Early voting starts.
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:
Monday, October 21: Start of Early Voting, 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Tuesday, October 22: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 9:45am, 3:00pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, October 31: Halloween.
Friday, November 1: End of Early Voting.
Sunday, November 3: End of Day Light Savings Time, fall back an hour (extra hour), 2:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 5: National Election Day.
Tuesday, November 7: 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, November 11: Veterans Day.
Tuesday, November 12: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, November 13: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, November 19: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, 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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council meeting will meet this Tuesday, October 22.
Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee will meet at 9:45am and spend an hour and 45 minutes discussing tree mitigation and preservation (45 minutes, presentation), potential charter amendments (30 minutes, presentation), and unfinished structures (30 minutes, presentation).
The Finance and Audit Committee will meet at 11:45am and spend 30 minutes on the electricity contract renewal (no presentation available).
The quasi-committee, the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 12:30pm. Their agenda is basically one item, to consider a resolution to sell bonds to finance the project for the benefit of Campbell Place, LP and related matters (agenda). They plan to provide 145 units of reduced cost senior housing.
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:15pm and will go into executive session. The open portion of the meeting will begin no sooner that 3:00pm. The agenda can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=rkQ5AWi6 .
The executive session portion of the agenda includes the use of eminent domain for the item on the evening agenda, three real property issues (1. lease of property at 1901 Lakewood Drive, 2. leasing of city-owned property at 1200 Ballpark Way, and 3. discuss the potential purchase of property relative to a traffic management center), and the always expensive offers of incentives to business prospects.
The agenda for the open portion of the meeting includes two work session items.
The two work session items are:
1. an update on the airport/fix based operator, (presentation) and
2. an overview of the Safe Streets Arlington plan (presentation).
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Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting can be found at: https://arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=s0Q5AXW6 . That agenda includes 39 consent agenda items, one zoning case public hearing, and two 380 agreement resolutions.
Consent agenda item #15 is the construction contract for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive expansion not to exceed $17,025,278.50 (staff report).
Consent agenda item #30 is the EDC agreement with Salcomp Manufacturing that was modified to the correct amount and approved by the EDC last Tuesday (staff report). The total grant amount should not exceed $1,890,000.
Consent agenda item #31 is a 380 agreement with Friends of Levitt Pavilion (staff report). Evidently a portion of their required fund raising for the Levitt Pavilion was a loan, which they are now having trouble paying. The city is “hoping” to be paid back.
Consent agenda item #39 is a settlement agreement with a vendor for $251,174.51 (staff report).
The zoning case public hearing is for ZA24-7 to change the current RE (residential estate) 3.864 acres at 805 Mansfield Webb Road. They wish for NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning (staff report). [Lance Murray wrote a story on this item after P&Z's approval for the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/09/24/arlington-commissioners-approve-plans-for-retail-shopping-center-at-former-mosque-site/ .]
The first 380 agreement resolution is with Arlington Baptist University (staff report). The city is to give away $40,000 to defray the cost of a building demolition and improvements to a water well to have them build a $700,000 123-space parking lot.
The second 380 agreement resolution is with Debbie at 360, LLC (staff report). The city is providing a one-time grant of $350,000 to assure the agreed upon deceleration lanes get built [The claim is there are major drainage and utility issues with the property.]
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC met this past Tuesday, October 15. The agenda packet can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/october-15,-2024.pdf .
The agenda included four action items:
1. M4 Reality Advisors (good buddy) is getting $211,200 ($17,600/month).
2. [my understanding] SBL Architecture is getting a $64,500 architecture design contract for the space at the old ballpark, of which only $12,880.41 needs to be paid as they have already received the rest.
3. Contract modification #1 for the construction contract for the relocation of the office at 1717 E. Randol Mill Road for another $32,307.
4. Reapprove the Salcomp Manufacturing performance agreement for $1,876,622. It was discovered that the contract amount listed was different.
We suspect/believe all items were approved. Most are on the city council's agenda for this Tuesday.
Arlington’s EDC is easily the largest sales tax supported EDC in the state. This gives spending addicted politicians greater than $20 million annually with which to fund their buddies.
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, October 22, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-7 to change the zoning from RE (residential estate) to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 3.864 acres at 805 Mansfield Webb Road.
On Tuesday, November 19, the city council will consider a tax abatement for Texas Trust Credit Union, 1521 N. Cooper Street. There is no information on the size of the tax abatement.
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.
???, 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.
???, 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 RM-12. The previous PD has expired.
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-23 on 56.345 acres at 8301 Business Highway US-287. They wish for a planned development for office commercial.
???, 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, October 16. There were two zoning case public hearings on the agenda. The packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=TR05AYvj . Both cases were continued.
(2:57) The first public hearing was for PD21-9 at 108 Hosack Street where they wish for PD based on RM-12 (staff report). The applicant asked for a continuance until December 4. That continuance was approved, 9-0.
(3:40) The second public hearing was for PD24-23 where they wish for a package liquor store (2574 sq. ft.) at 2425 N.E. Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). There was strong citizen opposition. The applicant asked for a continuance. There were three speakers in opposition. The continuance was approved, 9-0.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Tuesday, October 15 for a meeting. The agenda packet can be found at: https://www.aisd.net/wp-content/files/2024.10.15-Regular-Meeting-Agenda-Complete.pdf . They started with a budget workshop that can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=232QlbY9L1w . The regular meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix0fUQotqWQ&t=4s . All trustees were present.
(2:08) There were no speakers for open forum on agenda items.
(2:18) Recognitions. Mr. Hill (transportation) and Mr. Lewis (food services) were recognized.
(5:13) Appointments. The one appointment was approved, 7-0.
Arkelia Cannon – Assistant Principal at Atherton Elementary
There are four reports:
(9:21) A. Finance and Academic Committee Report.
(11:22) B. Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Report. Superintendent Dr. Smith has not seen such a program that has been successful.
(46:51) C. Drug and Alcohol Education Program Report, and
(1:15:49) D. International Baccalaureate (IB) Programming Report.
The two action items are:
(1:39:09) 2024-2025 District Key Progress Measures. They discussed, made slight adjustments, and approved, 7-0.
(2:13:20) 2024-2025 Campus Improvement Performance Objectives.
(2:22:09) Consent agenda. Nothing pulled. Nothing discussed. It was approved, 7-0.
(2:22:42) Open forum for non-agenda items. There was one speaker wanting help passing a state bill regarding conflict deflating.
(2:27:52) End of meeting reports.
The Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report posted a story by Drew Shaw on the October 3 meeting when they approved student goals: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/10/15/arlington-isd-sets-2025-student-performance-goals-trustees-worry-some-are-unrealistic .
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 $0.824900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.790400
3. Mansfield ISD $0.789200
3. Birdville ISD $0.789200
3. Everman ISD $0.789200
Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates
1. HEB ISD $0.921100
2. Burleson ISD $0.924700
3. Carroll ISD $1.002500
4. Azle ISD $1.025000
5. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400
6. Keller ISD $1.087500
7. Northwest ISD $1.090200
8. Everman ISD $1.094146
9. Arlington ISD $1.115600
10. Lewisville $1.130100
AISD Underperforms on STAAR
The Arlington Report story as reported by The Fort Worth Report written by Dang Le: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/06/21/arlington-isd-still-lags-behind-in-staar-heres-a-breakdown-of-results .
Mr. Le states that, “No grade or subject saw over 45% of students meet grade level.” Couple that with the fact that the AISD has the highest paid teachers [for several years now, and yet test scores are not even close], and the question becomes when is the real problem going to be fixed?
Press Box
Other News
Arlington Gran Prix
The city is really excited by this. I see it as more of a potential inconvenience. The city story: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/indycar_grand_prix .
HELPFUL CONTACTS
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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:
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