Prior to that Newsletter

 

January 25, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 4

HIGHLIGHTS:

* City council met and continued Alta Landing and mixed-use items; They approved the British fence company.

* Filing for the May Election has started. Three people have filed so far.

* Our analysis of the “Investigation Report” continues – City Manager has Favorites?

 

Filings:

Mayor – Brian Johnson

Place 4 – Melissa Barrow

Place 4 – Ryon Ray

 

SCHEDULE:

Monday, January 26: Filing for municipal councils and ISD boards continue.

Tuesday, January 27: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 27: Library Advisory Board meeting, 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 5: Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Hearing 5:30pm.

Tuesday, February 10: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

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

Friday, February 13: Filing for municipal councils and ISD boards [with name on the ballot ends].

Saturday, February 14: Valentine’s Day.

Monday, February 16: President’s Day.

Tuesday, February 17: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 26: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

 

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council did meet for their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, January 20. The agenda included four public hearings. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3664/files/agenda/10426 [very large, just short of 500 pages]. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzhEWZALId8 .

(12:34) Start of meeting. Mayor Horton was not present, and the meeting was run by Mayor Pro-tem Michels.

(16:09) Public comment. There was one speaker. Mayor Horton arrived about 18:07.

The four public hearings are for:

(32:18) A. PZ Case 25-17, 3100 Joplin Road, change the zoning from MF (Multi-Family) to a PD (planned development). The 287 Alta Landing Apartments are applying for a PD to become compliant in zoning. There is opposition and I believe a super-majority will be necessary to approve. [Information starts on .pdf page 5 of the above packet link.] [Commentary: This situation is a “mess” created by former city manager G. Campbell, former director M. Daley, and a council of J. Altom, C. Pugh, S. Lee, and C. Wandel. Current city manager, D. Hull also may have played a part by issuing the CO while certain issues were not compliant with building codes.] There was one citizen speaker. They voted, 4-0 to continue.

(42:50) B. PZ Case 25-20, 4365 Dick Price Road, change the zoning from R1 (residential-large lot) to a PD (planned development). [Information starts on .pdf page 44 of the above packet link.] This has been moved to February 17. [Commentary: The information for the case is in the packet even though it is being moved to February. This looks to be a rather important case regarding the future of Kennedale.] They voted, 4-0 to continue.

(47:17) C. PZ Case 25-21, 7205 Hudson Village Creek Road, straight zoning change from C-2 (general commercial) to I (industrial). [Information starts on .pdf page 115 of the above packet link.] No speakers.

(48:21) D. PZ Case 25-22, 429 W. Kennedale Parkway, change the zoning from OT4 (OldTown4) to a PD (planned development). [Information starts on .pdf page 136 of the above packet link.] Something that came out at the P&Z meeting was that the areas of the PD not being used would NEED to come before P&Z and the council before they could be used for a certain activity. No speakers.

The regular session includes:

(49:19) A. Reports and Announcements includes reporting on TxDOT bump outs (report), monthly financials started about 1:10:49 (report), and quarterly investment (report).

(1:17:11) B. Consent Agenda:

1. Calling for the May 2 General Election for Mayor, Place 2, and Place 4 (resolution 642).

2. Approving the December 16 minutes (minutes).

Consent agenda was approved, 4-0.

 

C. Five items for individual consideration:

(1:18:02) 1-2. Ordinances for the four public hearings. (The first two will be considered next month, after continued public hearings.)

(1:20:16) 3. PZ Case 25-21 ordinance, 7205 Hudson Village Creek Road, straight zoning change from C-2 (general commercial) to I (industrial). This was approved, 4-0.

(1:23:57) 4. PZ Case 25-22 ordinance, 429 W. Kennedale Parkway, change the zoning from OT4 (OldTown4) to a PD (planned development). The applicant started at about 1:47:29.

(2:40:54) 5. Fort Worth Contract regarding Dick Price Road renovations (interlocal agreement). Fort Worth with do the reconstruction from the south side of the tracks to Averett Road. It was approved, 4-0.

(3:05:20) The executive session included:

1. deliberation regarding purchase of land.

2. consultation with counsel on the YMCA contract update.

They reconvened about 3:49:59 and took no action on executive session items.

 

* * * * *

 

Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21 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. Unfortunately, I have not found it on the website. I had also made a public information request (PIR) for a copy and on Wednesday (November 5) I DID finally receive a copy.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

City Manager has Favorites?

The Investigation Report also has a Darrell Hull interview section on pages 15-16. In the paragraph that is split between the two pages is Mr. Hull's version of Council Member Gary wanting to remove Hull from his position. It states:

“According to Hull, in January or February of 2025, the City entered into a Chapter 380 agreement with Southwest Ambulance LLC. Because Southwest Ambulance's building did not have water service, a functioning fire suppression system, had not yet poured the concrete for the driveway, and did not have approved doors, Southwest Ambulance did not yet have a certificate of occupancy. Mr. Hull reported Councilman Gary instructed Hull "to make it happen,” which Hull understood was a reference to a certificate of occupancy for the unfinished building. Mr. Hull reported that would not happen. Mr. Hull reported that, about three weeks later, Councilman Gary again inquired about the status of the certificate of occupancy, which the City had not yet issued. Mr. Hull reported that, on the very next day, Councilman Gary returned to Hull's office and stated that once Councilman Gary has the support of four councilmembers, the councilmembers would vote Hull out of the City Manager position. Mr. Hull verbally reported the threat to Mayor Horton, councilman Nevarez, councilman David Glover, and councilman Michels.”

Note the last sentence. He reported the threat [from Place 4 Gary] to Mayor Horton, [Place 5] Nevarez, [Place 1] Glover, and [Place 3] Michels.

Missing is any communication to [Place 2] Kobeck.

 

* * * * *

 

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.

 

# # # # # # # # # # # #

 

Last Week

The city council met last week.

 

This Week

This week the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board will meet on Tuesday.

 

Public Hearings

On Thursday, February 5, there will be the second Hazard Mitigation Plan public hearing.

On Tuesday, February 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-17 to change the zoning from MF (multi-family) to a planned development at 3100 Joplin Road.

On Tuesday, February 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-20 to change the zoning from R-1 (large lot single-family residential) to a PD (planned development) at 4365 & 4431 Dick Price Road.

 

# # # # # # # # # # # #

 

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting will be this Tuesday, January 27. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3597/files/agenda/10431 .

The agenda includes a regular section and an executive session.

The regular section includes reports and announcements (market analysis, strategic plan, and financials), consent agenda (minutes), and an item for individual consideration.

The individual consideration item is a $25,000 grant application from Spirals Gymnastics, 1083 Bowman Springs Road (presentation , application). They wish to build a pool.

[Commentary: The EDC and 1083 Bowman Springs have some history. The city owned the land (as a result of obtaining land to build Bowman Springs) and passed title to the EDC to sell it. When it was sold (former City Manager Bob Hart era), several years after the sale, I searched but never found any council approval. I tried an open records request to see how much it sold for, but they could find no record. Then they got a change of zoning because of some agreement that was produced saying the land would be zoned something else – the zoning should not have been promised by any deal; only the council should have been able to approve any zoning change. See http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_45.html ]

The executive session includes legal discussions regarding consultant CP-2 negotiations and a potential land purchase.

 

P&Z

P&Z will probably meet again on Thursday, February 26.

 

Other News....

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

 

State Costs

Illegal Aliens Cost Texas Hospitals More Than $1 Billion in 2025 (from the January 15, 2026, Texas Minute newsletter)

• According to new data obtained from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the state's hospitals incurred more than $1 billion in health care costs related to illegal aliens during fiscal year 2025.

• Statewide totals show there were 313,742 hospital visits from illegal aliens. Emergency department visits accounted for roughly $230 million, while total inpatient care exceeded $820 million, underscoring that long-term hospitalizations, not emergency treatment alone, are driving much of the cost.

• Although hospitals are required under federal law to deliver the care, unpaid medical costs are ultimately passed along to Texans. Taxpayers absorb the burden through higher insurance rates, public hospital funding, and state health programs.

Brandon Walten’s article in the Texas Scorecard at: https://texasscorecard.com/state/illegal-aliens-cost-texas-hospitals-over-1-billion-in-2025/ .

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

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Kennedale Observer website:

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

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

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

 

The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

 

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

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Kennedale Observer website:

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

 

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

 

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-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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