January 13, 2025 Newsletter
January 13, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 2
Highlights:
* AISD meets Thursday.
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
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:
Wednesday, January 15: Filing to run for school boards open. Filing runs through Friday, February 14.
Thursday, January 16: 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, January 20: MLK Holiday.
Wednesday, January 22: P&Z meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Tuesday, January 28: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, February 4: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, February 5: P&Z meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Thursday, February 6: 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 week for a full slate of meetings on Tuesday, January 7. All council members were present. They approved two of the zoning cases they heard and continued the other two. Their next meeting is Tuesday, January 28.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee discussed the 2025 Neighborhood Matching Grants Summary (presentation). This meeting was originally scheduled for December but was postponed. There were five grants submitted for a total of $72,565. All five projects are extremely lopsided in the ratio of grant request to total project cost. The five grants would pay for 78.9% of the total program cost of the five projects. [Commentary: This “free” taxpayer money stuff has gotten far, far out of control.] Of the five grants, the committee decided to move forward on three, one will not, and the other may go forward in the future.
The Economic Development Committee met to discuss a foreign direct investment strategy (presentation). The other half of the meeting was held in executive session to discuss offers of incentives for business prospects.
Afternoon Meeting
All council members appeared present. The meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5018?view_id=9&redirect=true
(5:22) They started the meeting and went into executive session for a legal discussion on gas drilling, the three items for approval on the evening agenda (a condemnation for the Division Street sidewalk project, a purchase of 1372 square feet for sidewalks at 621 W. Division Street, and a modification to a pipeline agreement), and the always expensive offers of incentives for business prospects. [Commentary: This Division Street sidewalk project, in part because of the people who refuse to allow the sidewalks on their property, has become extremely expensive. Maybe there should be less of a priority on “downtown sidewalk walkability” and more concern about wasteful spending...]
The open portion of the meeting included a work session item, one informal staff report and a new category for reporting on other organizations that council members are a part of (as Regional Transportation Council and COG (North Central Texas Council of Governments) Executive Board.
(1:51:20) The one work session item was the city's Texas legislative agenda (presentation). Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has already posted an article on the city's legislative agenda at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/25/arlington-city-council-wants-the-texas-legislature-to-focus-on-these-priorities-in-2025/ . One of the items of the AISD legislative agenda is a modification in state funding from “attendance” to “enrollment”. Valorie Munoz of the Texas Scorecard has an article as to how this will cost more at: https://texasscorecard.com/state/experts-warn-enrollment-based-school-funding-would-be-wasted-on-ghost-students/ . Questions/comments on the presentation start about 1:58:20.
(2:10:17) The one informal staff report was on form-based code pilot programs (staff report). James Hartley of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report wrote an article on form-based code possibly being used along Division Street at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/06/arlington-leaders-want-to-reimagine-what-division-street-and-the-rest-of-the-city-could-look-like/ . Council Member Boxall wanted a bigger pilot for all of east Abram Street to Stadium Drive. Council Member Piel wanted a smaller area.
(2:35:24) Committee meetings.
(2:51:14) Bond election discussion. The council decided to add $2.8 million for updates at the River Legacy Science Center.
(3:27:48) Charter amendments. The discussion included scheduling the meeting every week (stated in the charter), then cancelling a bunch of meetings when the calendar is established. There was also discussion on the deputy mayor pro-tem being part of the charter.
(3:36:53) Evening agenda items. No discussion.
(3:37:09) New, other organizations meetings. CVB Board, RTC (Regional Transportation Council), and NCTCOG Board were discussed.
(3:50:53) Future agenda items. Discussion items included liquor stores, pedi-cabs, and housing corporations.
Evening Meeting
All council members were present. The meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5019?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(4:17) Start of meeting. The agenda included three executive session items, two sets of minutes, 14 consent agenda items, and four zoning case public hearings.
(8:38) The mayor accepted a trophy from the Salvation Army for Arlington winning the Mayoral Challenge.
(13:09) The condemnation executive session item, the two other executive session items, and minutes were approved with three 9-0 votes.
(15:57) The consent agenda includes three contract modifications for almost $1.4 million total (staff report#1, staff report#2, staff report#3).
Consent agenda item 8.14 is for modifications to two economic development agreements (staff report). Once again, our city and city council are refusing to hold developers accountable for agreements. The first deal (Prologis) was for an industrial park at 3601 Allen Avenue. It was to have created 150 jobs by the end of last year and now they want to extend that deadline. The deal was originally made with one group in 2020 which then transferred the project to Prologis in 2022. The second deal is the Parks Mall deal which is adding 5 months and a day to a 2026 milestone.
None of the items of the consent agenda were pulled for separate consideration. There was one speaker against item 8.14 (above). The consent agenda was approved, 9-0.
(19:25) Public hearing #1 was for ZA24-8 to change the zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Residential Single-Family-7.2 (RS-7.2) at 7001, 7005, 7007, and 7011 Calender Road (staff report). There had not been any public meetings held by the developer and the neighbors. There was one speaker in opposition. This was continued until January 28, 8-1, with Boxall in opposition.
(32:32) Public hearing #2 was for PD24-29 to change the zoning to Community Commercial (CC) uses, plus a Car Wash, with a Development Plan at 2809 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). This was approved, 9-0.
(37:36) Public hearing #3 was for PD23-37 to change the zoning for Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) uses, with a Development Plan at 1600 East Pioneer Parkway (staff report). Lance Murray of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has already posted an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/30/developers-plan-for-apartments-retail-on-pioneer-parkway-heads-to-arlington-city-council/ . This was approved, 9-0.
(48:02) Public hearing #4 was for PD24-9 to change the zoning to Planned Development for Residential Medium-density 12 (RM-12) uses, with a Development Plan at 108 Hosack Street (staff report). There were several changes by the developer being made. This was continued until January 28, 9-0.
(1:02:50) Citizen Participation. There were three speakers. The first spoke on Shakespeare Live at the Levitt Pavilion on April 3-5. The second spoke on the discovery of two Vandergriff-era plans (1952 and 1959). The third spoke about the homeless, wanting to put up tents somewhere.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date and location of the next board meeting.
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 (October 11) when the agenda was posted there was no public hearing. The November 19 and December 11 meetings had 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? [I have been told the two parties were not able to agree to terms of the deal.]
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, January 22, 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. If approved this will go to the city council on February 25.
On Wednesday, January 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on updates to the UDC (Unified Development Code) for tree preservation and mitigation. If approved this will go to the city council on February 4.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP24-8 on 5.406 acres at 2020 S. Watson Road. They wish for a special use permit for gas well drilling.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-17 on 1.832 acres at 2007 N.W. Green Oaks Boulevard for a planned development for community commercial (CC) including a wireless communications tower.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-19 on 1.802 acres at 401 E. Rogers Street for a planned development for residential medium density (RM-12, usually town homes).
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-30 on 5.195 acres at 7708 Cooper Street for a planned development for residential single-family 5 (RS-5). Since this is a PD, it suggests that they do not meet all the standards; the lots are probably smaller than allowed by RS-5.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-31 on 0.940 acres at 347 N. Bowen Road for a planned development for light industrial including automotive repair (major).
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-33 on 0.322 acres at 525 S. Bowen Road for a planned development for residential medium-density (RM-12). Since this is a PD, it suggests that they do not meet all the standards; the lots are probably smaller than allowed by RM-12.
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-8 on 6.26 acres at 7005 Calendar Road. They wish to change the current residential estate (RE) zoning to residential single-family 7.2 (RS-7.2).
On Tuesday, January 28, the city council 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 Tuesday, February 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street for a special use permit for a communications tower.
On Tuesday, February 4, the city council 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 Tuesday, February 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-26 at 6601 Silo Road. They wish for a change in zoning from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Community Commercial (CC) to Planned Development (PD) for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) plus Recreation/outdoor, uses with a development plan, on approximately 10.64 acres.
On Tuesday, February 4, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-9 on 0.237 acres at 8007 S. Cooper Street. They wish for a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Community Commercial (CC) uses.
On Wednesday, February 5, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-24 on 3.003 acres at 700 E. Randol Mill Road. They wish for a change in zoning from Residential Multi-Family-22 (RMF-22) to Planned Development (PD) for Residential Multi-Family-22 (RMF-22) uses.
???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA24-10 on 0.172 acres at 2015 Loyd Drive. They wish for Residential Single-family (RS-5).
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, January 8. There were four zoning case public hearings to be heard, plus a fifth to be continued on the agenda. The meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5023?view_id=10&redirect=true .
On the agenda, the first hearing was the one to be continued. PD24-24, 700 E. Randol Mill Road will be continued to the February 5 meeting. The continuation was approved, 9-0.
(5:27) Public hearing #1 was for PD24-5 (901 West Abram Street) to amend the zoning of Downtown Neighborhood Overlay-Planned Development (DNO-PD) for Residential Multi-family 22 (RMF-22), on approximately 0.459 acres, formerly known as PD14-20, with approval of a new development plan (staff report). There were three deviations. This was approved, 8-1.
(24:50) Public hearing #2 was for ZA24-10 (2015 Loyd Drive) for a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Residential Single Family (RS-7.2), on approximately 0.172 acres (staff report). It was determined during the work session that this does not meet all the conditions for RS-7.2 and this will need to be renoticed as RS-5.
(26:24) Public hearing #3 was for PD24-26 (6601 and 6881 Silo Road) for approval to Planned Development (PD) for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) plus Recreation/outdoor, uses with a development plan, on approximately 10.64 acres (staff report). This was conditionally approved dependent upon answers to questions about gas venting being available for the city council, 8-0-1, with a recusal. [So they were not willing to approve the zoning without having questions answered about a neighbor's actions – something over which they have no control. If the zoning was denied (or is denied at the council level) there would be a possibility that the city and our tax dollars could have faced a lawsuit.]
(1:15:00) Public hearing #4 was for ZA24-9 (8007 South Cooper Street) a change in zoning from Residential Estate (RE) to Community Commercial (CC) uses on approximately 0.276 acres (staff report). This is being requested so next door can build a parking lot, a replat requiring the zoning on both parcels being the same. This was approved, 9-0.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board is planning to meet this Thursday, January 16. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
Commentary: The AISD has come up with a deficit budget for at least seven years in a row. Now for each of those years (prior to this year), they have ended with a surplus, mainly because of unexpended salaries [They always have open positions they are not paying salaries, and these positions add up to millions year after year.]
School Funding
One of the items of the AISD legislative agenda is a modification in state funding from “attendance” to “enrollment”. Valorie Munoz of the Texas Scorecard has an article as to how this will cost more at: https://texasscorecard.com/state/experts-warn-enrollment-based-school-funding-would-be-wasted-on-ghost-students/ .
There is an article by Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report from last month at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/18/arlington-isd-tries-to-shrink-budget-deficit-stay-on-track-with-spending/ . He has compiled some numbers in that report; some of those numbers are not concerning, but others are very concerning.
When he reports that some percentages of expenditures have been made while some smaller amounts of revenue have been received, that does NOT concern me. That is normal because a great portion of their property tax revenue comes in December and January, which is the middle of their fiscal year. They have a large fund balance to cover that.
However, when it is reported that only half of the projected vacancies are there, I see that as a reason for concern.
Regarding this past budget, it was total foolishness to pass a budget with a 4% salary increase after already being on top of the salary scales the previous year. They just enjoy creating ISD inflation.
I see two reasons why they have so much money to waste. First is that AISD has the highest M&O rate in the county. The second is that Jerry Jones structured a deal with the AISD to pay them yearly (a six-digit figure, NOT a major amount in school financing terms) for the properties being taken off the tax rolls for his stadiums over two decades ago. [Now I personally did not have a problem with them putting those funds in the general fund when they were trying to be competitive without a high-end M&O rate, but since they have gone high M&O, and golden pennies, I feel those Jerry Jones' dollars should go to the debt service, lowering the rate charged to the taxpayers. The state makes up the difference of lower property taxes on the M&O side, so the property tax-free properties are only affecting the debt service portion of the tax rate. The Jones' money should help lower the tax rate on the overtaxed citizens.]
Student Discipline
Drew Shaw of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has a story about teachers and parents wanting changes to the AISD discipline policy with numerous statistics: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/01/arlington-isd-parents-teachers-call-for-student-discipline-policy-reform-heres-why/ .
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
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, creating ISD inflation.]
Press Box
Other News
High-Speed Rail Legal Fight
Apparently, officials seem willing to spend $1 million on potential legal fights to get this baby through. Eric Garcia of the Fort Worth Report has a story on the brewing fight at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/01/06/north-texas-leaders-prepare-to-spend-1m-on-legal-fight-related-to-high-speed-rail-line/ .
The RTC (Regional Transportation Council) is a subgroup of the NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments. They spend federal dollars in the area (I believe in our case it represents 265 city and county governments). So that is $1 million less for other projects.
[Commentary: If someone was ever serious about cutting the federal spending and debt, they need to start reducing funding to ALL of the many councils of governments, both staffing and projects.]
Flying Taxis?
James Hartley of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has a story about the possibility: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/12/30/are-flying-taxis-in-arlington-by-2026-realistic-mayor-jim-ross-says-yes-experts-arent-so-sure-2/ .
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.
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
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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