November 25, 2024
November 25, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 48
Highlights:
* The city council decides NOT to move forward on gender neutralizing the charter, and NOT to remove council pay from the charter.
* Council approves the Texas Trust Credit Union 75% tax abatement deal and the Arlington Safe Streets plan.
* AISD approves [and is really proud of] their legislative agenda.
* Happy Thanksgiving.
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:
Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, December 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, December 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, December 12: 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.)
Saturday, December 14: Interlochen Christmas Lights event begins.
Tuesday, December 17: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, December 25: Christmas.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council met last Tuesday, November 19 for a full slate of meetings. All council members appeared present.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss the issue of parking during events in the entertainment district (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee met in executive session to discuss offers of incentives for business prospects.
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting saw all council members present. The afternoon meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4985?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(1:53) Start of meeting. They went into executive session. The executive session agenda only contained one item, offers of incentives for business prospects.
(29:59) They reconvened for the open portion of the meeting. That portion of the agenda included two work sessions, three informal staff reports, and a charter amendment discussion.
The two work session items were:
(29:59) 1. Comprehensive Plan Update (presentation). The consultant firm, MIG, conducted the presentation. They spotlighted the downtown plan. They are looking at completion occurring in the fourth quarter of 2026. At 1:08:45 they started council's comments/questions.
(1:53:04) 2. Inaugural Economic Development Annual Report (presentation). At 2:04:33 they started the council's comments/questions.
(2:09:07) The three informal staff reports were:
1. Summary of property tax transactions (list).
2. Arlington Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Program Annual Report (presentation).
3. Champion Great Neighborhoods (newsletter).
(2:10:03) Committee meetings.
(2:12:48) Appointments (one appointment) and TAD board election discussion (presentation is not available). There was one board appointment. The city has 211 votes to cast among the 14 candidates.
(2:20:53) Charter amendment discussion. (presentation is not available). There were five items on the list. Then there were the two potential new ones brought up at the previous meeting. The first of the two, to gender neutralize the charter met much opposition from the council members because of potential controversy. The second potential new item had to do with removing the citizens from controlling the mayor and council's salaries. This item also met much opposition from the council members because of the potential controversy. [Side note: there was several references of next year's budget having an $11 million deficit.]
[James Hartley of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report wrote a story on this agenda item at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/20/proposed-changes-to-arlington-council-pay-male-only-charter-language-wont-move-forward-2/ .]
(2:50:57) Evening agenda items. There was some discussion on Item 7.2, which was about the food vendor at E-sports Stadium, which has had several complaints regarding the quality. More discussion on Item 10.2 regarding a zoning case public hearing. There was concern about trees being removed.
(3:07:30) Future agenda items. Nothing discussed.
Evening Meeting
The evening meeting included 33 consent agenda items, three public hearings, and a resolution for another tax abatement agreement. All council members were present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4986?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(3:13) Start of meeting.
(6:14) Appointment and minutes. Two 9-0 votes approved the two items.
(7:12) Consent agenda. Nothing pulled. No speakers. No discussion. It was approved, 9-0.
(10:15) The first public hearing was for the Safe Streets Arlington plan (presentation). There were four speakers in support. This was approved, 9-0.
(31:15) The second public hearing was for zoning case PD24-32 to change the zoning from Village on the Green (VG) to Planned Development (PD) for Office Commercial (OC) uses limited to Cemetery plus Mortuary, Crematory, Funeral Chapel and accessory uses (staff report). This is for 74.399 acres at 8213-8339 Business Highway US-287. This was approved, 9-0.
(42:31) The third public hearing was for a tax abatement policy (staff report). No changes are being made. This was approved, 9-0.
(43:22) The tax abatement agreement was for Texas Trust Credit Union at 1521 N. Cooper Street (staff report). It is a 75% tax abatement for ten years. This was approved, 9-0.
[Lance Murray of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report has an article on this subject at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/11/21/texas-trust-credit-union-announces-move-to-interstate-30-tower-in-arlington/ .]
(44:43) Citizen participation. The only speaker spoke of November being Diabetes Prevention Month and the mayor being so “hot”.
(48:15) Announcements. The mayor congratulated Dr. Odom-Wesley for being elected to the board of directors of the National League of Cities.
[Sarah Simmons of the UTA Shorthorn has an article on the evening meeting at: Arlington City Council approves veteran support, transportation safety initiatives | News | theshorthorn.com .]
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We are not sure of the next 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 when the agenda was posted there was no public hearing. The November 19 meeting now has 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?
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed capital improvements of the 2025 Citizen Bond Committee.
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.
On Wednesday, December 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-10 on 9.792 acres at 300 East Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development of RMF-22 [more apartments].
On Tuesday, December 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD16-3R1 on 1.806 acres at 1211 W. Harris Road. They wish to add “flex” to the current PD options.
On Tuesday, December 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-21 on 1.210 acres at 1531/1537 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to add a planned development with neighborhood commercial “NC”.
On Wednesday, January 8, 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 of higher density RMF-22. The previous PD has expired.
On Wednesday, January 8, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP24-9 on 0.521 acres at 3007 E. Abram Street. They wish for a communication tower.
???, 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.
???, the Economic Development Corporation Board will hold 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
The next P&Z meeting will be on Wednesday, December 4.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, November 21. The meeting started with a workshop (viewable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmN2d0sUk6s) on District Priority - Academic Growth - Early Literacy Update
The regular meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmwUq3ByXZ8 . Board Member Haynes was not present. Board Member Richardson attended virtually.
The executive session included:
1. Personnel, including: New Hires, Retirements, Resignations, Leaves of Absence, Dismissals, Terminations, Non-Renewals, Non-Extensions, and Evaluation,
2. Consult Attorney Regarding Potential and Pending Litigation,
3. Duties of Public Officers a. Board Self Reflection, and
4. Discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.
(2:31) There were no citizen speakers for open forum on agenda items.
Committee and staff reports.
(3:00) 1. Finance and Academics Committee report by Mrs. Richardson.
(4:28) 2. Governance Committee report by Ms. McMurrough (legislative agenda).
(5:24) 3. Fall Demographer Report - Zonda Education. AISD enrollment is expected to continue to decrease, settling around 50,000 students.
(34:24) 4. TRS Active Care Report presented by Holly Stambaugh. If a school district opts out of TRS, they cannot get back in until five years later. She came with the employee survey results. Staff recommended modeling this year so next fall a true comparison can be made. At 57:36 the board is asked for questions/comments.
(1:29:11) 5. 2019 Bond Update Report by Kelly Horn. At 1:45:09 they open it up to board members' questions/comments.
Two action items.
(1:48:05) 1. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report – Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024. At 2:01:39 the board is to ask questions/comments. It was approved, 6-0.
(2:12:36) 2. 89th Texas Legislature - Arlington ISD Legislative Agenda (legislative agenda). There were a few adjustments, such as changing the order of some of the priorities with votes that passed. The final modified agenda was approved, 6-0.
(2:54:01) Six consent agenda items. Nothing was removed or discussed. It was approved, 6-0.
(2:54:36) Open forum for non-agenda items. The one person registered was not present.
(2:55:02) End of meeting reports.
The Board Brief of the meeting by Mr. Chappa can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMqD_j6iXM8 .
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
This Dallas Morning News article by Talia Richman includes a table of teachers’ salaries: https://linkst.dallasnews.com/click/37453808.141842/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFsbGFzbmV3cy5jb20vbmV3cy9lZHVjYXRpb24vMjAyNC8xMS8xMi9ob3ctbXVjaC1kby10ZWFjaGVycy1tYWtlLWluLW5vcnRoLXRleGFzLz9zYWlsdGhydV9pZD02MjY4MTI3OTRmNzU3ZjY0YmFlM2NhZGY/626812794f757f64bae3cadfB77e4f4f7 . [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, creating ISD inflation.]
Press Box
Other News
Interlochen Christmas Lights
The “official” Interlochen Christmas Lights event begins Saturday, December 14 and goes through Wednesday, December 25. This has the Arlington Police controlling the traffic flow throughout the event.
Head Scratcher
So, there are many companies moving from California to Texas, but then there is Dickies, which has been in Fort Worth for 102 years, going to California.
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.
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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