April 20, 2026 Newsletter
April 20, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 16
Highlights:
* City Council has possible Cowboy extension on the agenda Tuesday.
* P&Z approved changing commercial to 170 townhomes at Debbie Lane and Glenn Day Drive.
* Early voting starts Monday (closed Tuesday for state holiday).
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
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.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, April 20: Start of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 8:00am-5:00pm.
Tuesday, April 21: No early voting; state holiday.
Tuesday, April 21: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, April 23: Arlington Housing Finance Corporation online meeting for issuing $55,000,000 bonds regarding 240 apartments at 2104 Worth Street, phoning (877)853-5247 and using access number 802-469-2463, 1:30pm.
Thursday, April 23: 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, April 27: District 5 Town Hall, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:00pm.
Tuesday, April 28: City Council Spring Retreat.
Tuesday, April 28: End of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Saturday, May 2: Municipal and ISD Elections, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, May 5: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council will meet for a full slate of meetings this coming Tuesday, April 21. On the agenda is a Cowboy extension. They will also learn about and approve the latest deal for 240 existing apartments (Mayfield Park).
The one committee meeting is at 9:30am, while the quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation is at 10:00am.
The afternoon meeting begins about 10:45am and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon agenda begins no sooner than 2:30pm.
The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 9:30am for about 15 minutes (presentation). [Cost of the renovations is $21 million. The tax credit loan is for $55 million. The project cost, including acquisition, is listed at $77.5 million. The property value (I assume TAD) is $16.5 million. So, we are going to give a loan of $55 million for $21 million of renovations on a property valued at $16.5 million. This for property that goes market rate in 2030 if nothing happens (but with the new tax credit bonds for acquisition and renovations I would assume that changes).]
The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 10:00am (agenda). Their agenda includes four resolutions regarding the Mayfield Park deal mentioned above.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 10:45am and goes into executive session. The executive session agenda includes:
another sidewalk agreement at 505 E. Division Street
a street easement right-of-way at 1400 Debbie Lane
council appointees performance reviews
offers of incentives for business prospects
The open portion of the afternoon meeting begins no sooner than 2:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes three work session items, one informal staff report, committee reports, board appointments (link), and council external committee reports.
The three work session items are:
1. Police Department Annual Report (presentation , report).
2. Cowboy extension (presentation not available at the time of this writing).
3. Homelessness update (presentation not available at the time of this writing).
The informal staff report of an overview of boards and commissions (staff report , policy statement).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening agenda includes an appointment, two executive session items, minutes, 24 consent agenda items, two resolutions, two public hearings, and three ordinances.
Consent agenda item 8.12 is $264,800 for a “Touch of Time” sculpture (staff report , figA , figB). [What a waste of dollars!!! This is Arlington Tomorrow Foundation funds. Their board is the city council and based on the staff report this was approved on March 31 – it did not say 9-0, however.]
Consent agenda item 8.24 is a resolution of “No objection” for tax credits to the April Housing project discussed above in the committee meeting (staff report).
Resolution 11.1 is to extend the Dallas Cowboys Lease extension (staff report , resolution). Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/16/arlington-could-invest-273-million-to-extend-dallas-cowboys-lease-of-att-stadium/ .
Resolution 11.2 is approving a “General and No Litigation Certificate” regarding the $55 million in bonds discussed above in the committee meeting (staff report).
Public hearing 12.1 is a required public hearing for citizens about the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation and April Housing deal discussed above in the committee meeting.
Public hearing 12.2 is for consideration of a Gas Well Permit at 8380 Glenn Day Drive (staff report).
Ordinances 13.1 (staff report , $142,544,000) and 13.2 (staff report , $103,850,000) are for the issuing of bonds.
Ordinance 13.3 is for modifying the “Major Sports Complex” Chapter of City Code (staff report).
Council Leftovers
RECOMMENDATIONS
Let me ask you a quick question. If a politician does not answer your questions while asking for your vote, what do you think the odds will be of getting answers after they are in office?
MAYOR
I was greatly disappointed in our choices for mayor. I cannot understand Hunter Crow when he speaks. I cannot make that selection. We know what we have in Jim Ross (Arlington Spectator grade of a very low F) and it is very bad. I strongly considered business owner Shaun Mallory and thought about delaying my selection [of the top two favorites] until the runoff, if needed, but then circled back to making a decision now. The stuff you read on social media (Charlie Parker, Joe Bruner) is in my opinion very accurate. Steve Cavender/Jeff Williams is actually worse than Ross. Taxpayers Funds at Risk (http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html), is in my opinion far more likely “stuff” during a Jeff Williams/puppet era.
As painful as it is for me to write, the least awful choice for Mayor is JIM ROSS.
DISTRICT 3
I actually liked both of the choices here, Kelly Burke and Nikkie Hunter. Hunter is the incumbent and has an Arlington Spectator grade of a high D, the highest on the city council. Then she stopped answering the questions [these are softballs].
The recommendation for District 3 is KELLY BURKE.
DISTRICT 4
The incumbent, Andrew Piel, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace his Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. The apartment-loving, wasteful establishment wants Tom Ware. The far left wants Rojo Meixueiro. Easily the best choice for the people is Lisa Ventura.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for District 4 is LISA VENTURA.
DISTRICT 5
The incumbent is Rebecca Boxall. She has an Arlington Spectator grade of a low D. The challenger, Brittney Garcia-Dumas is the far left's choice.
The recommendation for District 5 is REBECCA BOXALL.
DISTRICT 8
The incumbent, Barbara Odom-Wesley, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace her Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. Much like the mayoral race, there is not anything here to like. The far left likes Shelton. Fowler, the wasteful establishment choice, has always wanted to raise taxes.
My District 8 least awful choice is COREY HARRIS.
Also, as part of the city election will be the vote for whether or not to continue with the 1/4-cent sales tax for road repairs.
[Commentary: Early voting is starting.
There has definitely been some feedback, positive and negative, on the selection of Jim Ross for Mayor. Cavender has done nothing to impress me as being anything more than a puppet, with old age. I do not like Ross, but given the choices, he is the least awful choice.
Voters in District 4 (generally considered west Arlington) Lisa Ventura is strongly recommended.
Other better choices are District 5-Rebecca Boxall, and either Kelly Burke or Nikkie Hunter in District 3.]
# # # # # # # # # # # #
The City of Arlington proposes a total project investment of an estimated $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources for 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. So far, they have determined they will use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds. Part of the city/local funds included is $2.85 million of Arlington Housing Finance Corporation funds. Anyone's guess on the specifics of the rest of the funding?
Following demolition, the city intends to construct a new 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 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.
So, has anyone divided that out? $24,000,000 / 70 units = $342,857/unit [cost of a house???].
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The next EDC Board meeting will be this Wednesday, April 22. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/april-22,-2026.pdf .
The agenda includes:
- minutes (March 11)
- standing reports (financial , industrial market)
- project updates
- the one action item
- executive director's report (presentation)
The one action item is to purchase the southwest corner of land of Lamar Boulevard & Collins Street from the city (staff report).
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, April 21, the city council, and Thursday, April 23, the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will be holding a public hearing for the issuance of bonds, not to exceed $55,000,000 regarding 240 apartment units at 2401 Worth Street.
On Tuesday, April 21, the city council will hold a public hearing GW26-001 for a gas well permit at 8380 Glenn Day Drive.
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD21-28R1, at 800 Debbie Lane. They wish to revise the development plan.
On Tuesday, May 5, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-22, at 1120 Debbie Lane. They wish to change community commercial (CC) to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) zoning on 29.850 acres.
On Wednesday, May 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-8, at 2100 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a car wash.
On Wednesday, June 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-17, at 2002 Wynn Terrace. They wish for a planned development for RM-12 zoning for a cottage community on 2.035 acres.
On Wednesday, June 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-21, at 1013 N. Mesquite Street. They wish to change from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) on 0.924 acres.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past this Wednesday, April 15. There were three zoning cases. The agenda can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/5c5a71cc415542cf7356639131d751210.html . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5419 .
(2:23) The first public hearing was for PD14-17 at 2002 Wynn Terrace on 2.035 acres (staff report). They wish for a planned development for a cottage community of 13 homes. There were two speakers in opposition. They requested a CONTINUANCE, that was approved, 9-0.
(52:25) The second public hearing was for PD25-21 at 1013 N. Mesquite Street on 0.924 (staff report). They wish for a planned development for ten townhomes. There was a speaker in opposition. They requested a CONTINUANCE, that was approved, 9-0.
(1:49:44) The third public hearing was for PD25-22 at 1120 Debbie Lane/8380 Glenn Day Drive on 29.850 acres (staff report). They wish to change community commercial to a planned development of two commercial plots and 170 townhomes. This was approved, with modifications, 5-3.
AISD School Board
The next AISD School Board is this Thursday, April 23. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
May 2, 2026 AISD Election
RECOMMENDATIONS
AISD – PLACE 6
This race is between challenger Jan Tyler and incumbent Brooklyn Richardson. Tyler is a former Arlington teacher. Richardson still fails to accept that the AISD has the highest ISD M&O for Tarrant County, no matter what TAD says.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for AISD-Place 6 is JAN TYLER.
AISD – PLACE 7
This race is between incumbent Leanne Haynes and challenger Linton Davis. Three years ago, Davis supported Haynes.
The recommendation for AISD – Place 7 is LINTON DAVIS.
AISD Bond Election
https://www.aisd.net/bond-2026/
[Commentary: I have a great deal of difficulty accepting this bond. AISD has a decreasing student population from 63,000+ to maybe under 50,000 this coming school year. Other districts, in an effort to save money, have closed schools, which makes very logical sense. AISD will be closing its first school (Blanton Elementary) at the end of this school year.
The board went out of its way to add a second (unnamed/unplanned?) elementary school replacement [South Davis Elementary was the first and named school replacement], basically saying, here, raise the tax rate, give us the money and we will decide.
The board claims to make fact-based decisions; however, they seem to be failing. Where are the fact-based decisions on saving the taxpayers’ dollars and being efficient with taxpayers’ funds? Why have they not come up with plans to being more efficient with taxpayers’ funds rather than just raising the tax rate, giving them money, and having no specific plans on a second school replacement.
I say vote NO at least to Proposition A of the AISD Bond package.]
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/ .
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
1. Arlington ISD $0.802200
2. Birdville ISD $0.786900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
2. Lewisville ISD $0.786900
2. 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
Bob Cluck Passing
Susan Schrock of the city's Office of Communications has an article at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2026/April/Remembering-Dr.-Robert-Cluck-Physician-Mayor-and-Public-Servant . Pedro Malkomes of the Shorthorn also has an article at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/robert-cluck-former-arlington-mayor-behind-cowboys-move-to-city-dies-at-87/article_f023f1ae-c573-4d91-ade0-ad7e7041112c.html .
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.
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 .......... - dwilban.aisd@gmail.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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