January 12, 2026 Newsletter

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, January 12: Mayor Town Hall meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:00pm.

Tuesday, January 13: Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting, City Hall 3^rd Floor, 101 W. Abram Street, 4:00pm.

Wednesday, January 14: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 3:30pm.)

Monday, January 19: MLK Holiday.

Wednesday, January 21: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)

Wednesday, January 21: Start of Early Voting for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 8:00am-5:00pm.

Thursday, January 22: 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.)

Tuesday, January 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Tuesday, January 27: End of Early Voting for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.

Saturday, January 31: Election Day for Texas Senate, District 9 Special Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.

Thursday, February 5: 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.)

Wednesday, February 5: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)

Tuesday, February 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Saturday, February 14: Valentine’s Day.

Monday, February 16: President’s Day.

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council met this past Tuesday, January 6. Council Member Piel was absent. They approved the fare increases to Handi-tran and the On-Demand shared ride services.

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Committee Meeting

The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss the 2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant application summary (presentation). There were seven applications submitted, five were eligible, while the other two were incomplete and not eligible. The highest rated project is a pickleball court in the Wildwood Estates, where they are requesting a grant of $24,530 [Arlington taxpayers owned funds] and will put up $11,456 cash match.

Afternoon Meetings

The afternoon meeting (agenda: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/e687417d-312a-4e7e-9cf7-637469b0697c/2026%E2%80%9401%E2%80%9406-Afternoon.pdf ) started and went into executive session. Council Member Piel was not present. The afternoon meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5325 .

(15:18) Start of meeting. They went into executive session. That portion of the agenda included five items:

Legal discussion regarding federal grant – [commentary: This is all about the LGBTQ community having their feelings hurt… and probably some Mayor Ross arm twisting.]

Discussion regarding the purchase of property described as Lot 4-A-1, Forum 303 Addition

Discussion regarding Division Street Sidewalk Project

Discussion of Entertainment District Sidewalk Phase 3 - JCP-1, LTD. - Necessity Resolution; Project No. PWST24016

Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.

(2:27:01) Reconvene. The open portion of the afternoon meeting had three work session items and one informal staff report.

The three work session items:

(2:27:01) 1. Form-based code update (presentation). About 2:53:50 it was opened to the council for additional questions/comments. About 3:03:03 the assistant city attorney warns how this engine set in motion is the whole big thing (this person was the city attorney for P&Z for many, many years).

(3:07:35) 2. Council Priority - Enhance Mobility (presentation). About 3:11:42 it was opened to council members’ questions and comments.

(3:13:35) 3. Street Maintenance Sales Tax Update (presentation). This is up for voter reapproval in May 2026. About 3:29:55 it was opened to council members’ questions and comments.

(3:56:27) The informal staff report was on recycling at multi-family developments and city buildings (staff report).

(3:56:50) Committee meetings.

(3:58:30) Council members on other committees.

(4:02:51) Evening agenda and Future agenda items. They discussed moving from the pass structure to a ride credit bundle system. They also discussed the possibility of a new SB840 permit.

Evening Meeting

The agenda for the evening meeting can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/67ba2796-a1db-4438-8d66-5a793510c099/2026%E2%80%9401%E2%80%9406-Evening.pdf . That agenda included one executive session item, twelve consent agenda items, two public hearings, two ordinances, a consideration of calling a public hearing for a zoning case P&Z denied, and citizen participation. Council Member Piel was absent. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5326 .

(3:37) Start of meeting. The first proclamation was to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The second proclamation was recognition of IMA local attorney.

(16:21) Executive Session item was approved, 8-0. Previous minutes were approved, 8-0.

(17:35) Consent agenda. No items were pulled or discussed. The consent agenda was approved, 8-0.

Consent agenda item 8.9 was for the fifth amendment to the contract regarding the redevelopment of the old Lincoln Square (staff report). The city council is extending another developer deadline, this time for an incentive agreement, from January 31 to April 30.

(19:18) The first public hearing was required for changing the fares for Handi-tran and On-Demand Shared Ride Services, both of which receive federal funding (staff report). Price increases are to take effect on March 2, 2026. There were ten citizen speakers (one supported, nine opposed). It was approved, 7-1, with Hunter in opposition.

[Chris Ward of The Shorthorn has an article on the vote at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/arlington-city-council-votes-7-1-to-increase-handitran-arlington-on-demand-fares/article_58eb6f60-a740-4b96-b0f8-334717eb7d3e.html .

James Hartley of KERA.org News has an article in the Arlington Report at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/07/arlingtons-handitran-on-demand-transit-prices-going-up-after-council-approves-fee-increases/ .]

(54:55) The second public hearing was for zoning case PD24-27 (301 East Randol Mill Road) where they wish to build three townhomes (staff report). There are seven deviations. The zoning was approved, 8-0.

(1:02:58) The two ordinances on the agenda pertained to school zones and one-way travel (staff report) and fees in the fire chapter (staff report). Both ordinances were approved with separate 8-0 votes.

(1:07:01) The consideration of calling for a public hearing had to do with the apartment case on Highway 287 that P&Z denied in December (staff report). The developer is attempting to get their way by threatening SB840 against the city. There were two speakers in opposition. The motion to approve a public hearing FAILED, 4-4, with Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, and Hogg in opposition. [Commentary: Chris Turner is awful… He loves his special interest buddies more than the citizenry. These apartments should go up in his backyard.]

(1:30:12) Citizen Participation. There were nine speakers registered. The first actual speaker spoke against police profiling. The second actual speaker discussed sustainable buildings and plants. The third speaker spoke on the Randol Mill Nature area. The next three speakers spoke on stormwater runoff going through the Prestonwood area.

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Council Leftovers

The City of Arlington proposes to use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds toward the acquisition and demolition of an existing two-story, 81,205-square-foot dilapidated motel structure at 1220 W. Division Street built in 1965 and comprised of 72 rooms. Following demolition, the city intends to construct a newly built permanent supportive housing community consisting of a minimum of 70 units. The new development will provide safe, service-enriched housing for chronically homeless individuals, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The total project investment is estimated at $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources. The primary objective is to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing and promote long-term housing stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This project directly supports the City's strategic goals to reduce homelessness and enhance community well-being.] There are too many executive session discussions going on and I have NOT been able to get many of the details... This would mean at minimum that $3.8 million of CDBG-HOME federal funds will be used on this rather than on something else. HOME funds, generally speaking, give discounts to residents in need, paying portions of their rents.

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

The next EDC Board meeting will be this Tuesday, January 13, at 4:00pm. They will meet at City Hall on the 3^rd floor. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/january-13,-2026.pdf .

Last month’s minutes (December 11).

Standing Finance Reports (not available at the time of this writing).

One action item (staff report). $12,782 for an Asbestos survey on recently bought properties.

Executive Director’s report (presentation).

Executive Session (offers of incentives and real property discussions).

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Upcoming Public Hearings

On Wednesday, January 14, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-14, 1112 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-CC use plus a package liquor store. If approved, it will go to the city council on February 10.

On Wednesday, January 14, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-9, 1012 Gaye Lane. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property. If approved, it will go to the city council on February 10.

On Wednesday, January 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-11, 536 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit for a Tattoo Parlor or Piercing Studio on a property zoned Community Commercial (CC). If approved, it will go to the city council on February 24.

On Wednesday, January 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA25-5, 7415 S. Cooper Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to Flex Hybrid (FH) on 2.02 acres. If approved, it will go to the city council on February 24.

On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-28, 5920 S. Matlock Road on 3.165 acres. They wish to change from office commercial (OC) to a PD-RMF-12 (usually townhomes).

On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-19, 2504 S. Cooper Street on 1.177 acres. They wish to change from community commercial (CC) to a PD-CC plus auto repair, major

On Tuesday, January 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-8, 3409 Shorewood Court on 3.165 acres. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit on the RF-7.2 property.

On ???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-20, 2201 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-RMF-22 multi-family for a senior independent living facility on 3.35 acres.

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P&Z Commission

P&Z will meet this Wednesday, January 14. There are two public hearings on the agenda. The agenda is at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/planning-and-development-services/documents/planning-amp-development-boards-amp-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/posted-agenda/planning-and-zoning-commission-regular-session-01-14-2026-2.pdf .

The first public hearing is for PD25-14 at 1112 N. Collins Street. They wish to modify the zoning from CC (community commercial) to a PD that allows for a liquor store (staff report).

The second public hearing is for SUP25-9 at 1012 Gaye Lane. They wish for a Specific Use Permit to allow for a secondary living unit (staff report).

AISD School Board

The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, January 8. That agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=720935 . The agenda included a work session at 5:00pm on governance (vision development), an executive session, and the open portion of the meeting. The workshop can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9M88kt-2yY . The executive session agenda included:

Personnel,

Potential and Pending litigation, and

The Superintendent’s contract.

The open portion of the meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/E1sDYeW_FRI . All trustees were present.

(48:56) The start of the open portion of the meeting.

(52:35) Recognitions and appointments. Appointments (2) were approved, 7-0.

(1:27:45) Open forum on agenda item. There were nine speakers speaking about Blanton Elementary. Several used translators.

(1:57:42) The four committee and staff reports included a discussion regarding the future use of the Blanton Elementary building, Governance Committee report, Safety and Strategic Plan update report.

(2:02:20) Discussion of the future use of Blanton Elementary (complete with an additional Spanish translation). The Blanton building needs a lot of repairs. Enrollment has been declining, currently at 55% of capacity. Academic scores have been declining. The staff recommendation is closing Blanton Elementary as an elementary school and repurposing the new portion from the 2013 bond package. The district will have a meeting at the school on Wednesday, January 14. The staff wants the board to make a decision by January 31 (for school accountability ratings purposes).

(3:43:45) Governance Committee report.

(3:44:41) Safety and Discipline report (presentation). They took the computer-related complaints out of the old statistics (since the new state law does NOT allow phones). The new state law has probably helped in the other numbers being lower.

(4:04:20) Strategic Plan update report (presentation).

(4:20:38) Open forum for non-agenda items. There were no speakers.

(4:20:50) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. The consent agenda was approved, 7-0.

(4:21:21) End-of-meeting reports.

The board brief of the meeting by Trustee Richardson can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpF2CYOlZZM ,

A Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report explores the possibility of the AISD joining the pay-for-performance teacher program offered by the state. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/07/arlington-isd-considers-texas-pay-for-performance-teacher-program/ .

AISD saw a jump in their accountability scores because of their challenge of some of the STAAR testing results. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/09/arlington-isd-sees-2025-academic-accountability-bump-after-staar-appeal/ . Also an AISD article may be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/updated-district-and-campus-accountability-ratings/ .

There has been a recent Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw about the dismissed David Jarvis lawsuit against the AISD. It can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/31/federal-judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-arlington-isd-about-first-amendment-retaliation/ .

The AISD enrollment is expected to fall below 50,000 students at some point, maybe as early as the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has a story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/arlington-isds-enrollment-projected-to-drop-below-50000-next-year/ .

The AISD will NOT be posting the Ten Commandments for now. An article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/05/arlington-isd-agrees-not-to-post-ten-commandments-amid-lawsuit/ .

The AISD Board and Superintendent have established written goals, including student improvement on the STAAR testing. The Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/arlington-isd-school-board-sets-goals-and-expectations-for-new-school-year/ .

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

Arlington ISD $0.802200
Birdville ISD $0.786900
Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
Lewisville ISD $0.786900
Mansfield ISD $0.786900

Teacher Salaries

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, thus creating ISD inflation.] An article by Jacob Sanchez in the Fort Worth Report confirms that the Arlington ISD pays the highest salaries in Tarrant County [ https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/17/teachers-in-this-tarrant-county-school-district-earn-the-highest-salaries/ ].

Other News

Running for Election – May 2026

Mayor Ross, Ms. Hunter (District 3) and Ms. Boxall (District 5) have also announced they are running for reelection.

Andrew Piel (District 4) and Barbara Odom-Wesley (District 8) have term-limited out and are NOT eligible to run for a city council district [they are eligible to run for mayor].

Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article of those who have announced on planning to run for city council and school board at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/heres-who-has-announced-for-arlington-city-school-elections/ .

HELPFUL CONTACTS

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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: