April 28, 2025 Newsletter
April 28, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 17
Highlights:
* City council approves Ben Thanh Plaza give-away and the zoning case for 101 S. Center Street.
* AISD School Board meets Thursday.
* Early voting ends Tuesday. Election Day is Saturday.
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:
Monday, April 28: Early Voting continues for Municipal and School Board elections, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, April 29: Early Voting Ends for Municipal and School Board elections, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Thursday, May 1: 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, May 3: Municipal and School Board Election Day, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Wednesday, May 7: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm).
Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day.
Tuesday, May 13: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, May 14: AISD Board meeting to canvass the election results.
Thursday, May 15: 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, May 21: P&Z meeting, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm).
Monday, May 26: Memorial Day holiday.
Tuesday, May 27: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council met this past Tuesday, April 22. All council members were present. They approved the Ben Thanh Plaza corporate welfare deal and the 101 S. Center modification to rezoning (doing away with the work-live requirements). The Anthem zoning modifications public hearing will be continued on May 27.
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Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss the HUD PY2025 action plan and consolidated plan comments (presentation). Amounts are based on last year's funding level and are subject to possible changes.
Fund Orgs Req Amt PrjAwd Amt
ESG 9 $410,591 $290,498
HOME 5 $1,490,572 $1,490,572
CDBG 17 $851,957 $478,660 (public srvcs)
CDBG 6 $2,074,195 (comm dev prjs)
They also discussed the housing needs assessment and analysis of impediments (presentation).
The Municipal Policy Committee met to discuss a parks ordinance update (presentation , revisions) and a cemetery ordinance (presentation).
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5103?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(4:39) After opening, they went into executive session for five items:
1. Discussion regarding the potential sale, lease, or exchange of real property located at 717 West Main Street.
2. Discussion regarding the purchase of property from Arlington Independent School District. [Commentary (100% speculation): I do NOT know, but fear, they are talking about the school district’s large tract of undeveloped land which they would use to produce affordable housing, lowering the value of existing inventory.]
3. Discussion regarding the possible purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property for eligible projects of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation.
4. Discussion of employment of Presiding Municipal Court Judge.
5. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
The agenda for the open portion of the afternoon meeting included two work session items, no informal staff reports, a legislative update, and external committee reports.
The two work session items:
(3:54:38) 1. Tarrant County College – SE Campus update (presentation). They are spending $185 million on campus improvements. About 4:05:48 it was opened to council members for questions/comments.
(4:19:29) 2. 2026 FIFA World Cup update (presentation). About 4:45:30 they opened it up to council members for questions/comments. James Hartley of the Arlington Report did an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/04/23/heres-how-arlington-is-preparing-for-the-beautiful-game-one-year-from-the-fifa-world-cup-2/ .
(4:55:21) Committee reports.
(5:03:42) Legislative update (update , table).
(5:09:42) External committee reports.
(5:17:20) Evening agenda items.
(5:19:07) Future agenda items. Council Member Pham wants the possibility to raise the fine for large vehicle illegal parking. Council Member Gonzalez wants a report on the micromobility progress and possible expansion.
Evening Meeting
The evening meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5104?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(3:18) Start of meeting. A mosque pastoral person gave the opening prayer. Animal essay winners were awarded. Community Development Block Grant nonprofits were recognized. Retiring Judge Milner was also recognized.
(31:31) Minutes were approved, 9-0.
(32:03) The consent agenda saw nothing pulled and no speakers. It was approved, 9-0. Consent agenda item 7.32 gives the city attorney, city auditor, and city manager 2% raises, effective October 2, 2024 (staff report).
Appointee Salary Adjustments
Molly Shortall Current salary: $273,544
City Attorney 2%increase effective 10/2/2024: $279,014.88
Susan Edwards Current salary: $161,207
City Auditor 2%increase effective 10/2/2024: $164,431.14
Trey Yelverton Current salary: $397,601
City Manager 2%increase effective 10/2/2024: $405,553.02
(35:09) The first public hearing was for an alternate sign plan for the National Medal of Honor Museum (staff report). This did not go before P&Z. I saw no public notice in the online newspaper (though most times that is a newspaper issue). It was approved, 9-0.
(36:52) The second public hearing was for PD18-13R1, the apartment complex at 101 S. Center wanting to get rid of the live-work unit requirements on their planned development. (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(43:38) The third and fourth public hearing were for PD24-40 and an alternate sign plan for Anthem, the old Lincoln Square redevelopment (staff report). They wish to remove some of the density items from the development plan which they feel they cannot successfully execute at the current time. A continuation to May 27 was approved with two 9-0 votes (one vote on each item).
(44:36) The EDC resolution called for the taxpayers to pay for 46.4% of the planned improvements at the Ben Thanh Plaza (staff report). This was approved, 8-0-1 with Piel abstaining.
(46:34) Citizen participation saw two speakers. The first speaker proved once again that the two-minute limit is ridiculous.
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Election information
The city election has NO candidates, only propositions. There are five bond propositions and seven charter amendments.
Early voting began on Tuesday, April 22 and continues through Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.
Sample ballot:
The Arlington's Office of Communications stories on the 2025 Bond Election and Charter Amendments by Susan Schrock: (bond) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-Residents-to-Vote-on-Proposed-200.8-Million-Bond-Program
(charter amendments) https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/February/Arlington-to-Hold-City-Charter-Special-Election-on-May-3-2025 .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC Board met this past Monday, April 21. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/april-21,-2025---special-aedc-board-meeting.pdf .
The only agenda item was to use taxpayers' EDC funds of $1,645,000 toward the expected $3,545,000 of improvements (staff report). It was approved by the EDC on Monday, then approved by the council on Tuesday.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, May 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-3 at 201/205 Slaughter Street. They wish for a planned development for cottage community on the 1.27 acres.
On Wednesday, May 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-25 at 1700 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development for RM12 (usually town homes) on 6.29 acres.
On Wednesday, May 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing for PD25-2 at 721 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to convert community commercial “CC” to a planned development for CC with a package liquor store.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on the annual UDC (Unified Development Code) updates.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-11 for “straight” office commercial at 5101/5321 S. Collins Street. It is currently zoned for a planned development office commercial and residential estate.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA25-1 for “straight” limited office zoning at 2598 Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard. It is currently zoned for RS-7.2.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA25-2 for “straight” flex hybrid zoning at 3000 S. Cooper Street. It is currently zoned for community commercial.
On Tuesday, May 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-36 for a planned development a) for single-family on minimum 6000 sq. ft. lots, and b) community commercial for self-storage at 901 Debbie Lane. It is currently zoned for a planned development for single-family on at least 7500 square foot lots.
On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.
On Tuesday, May 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.
P&Z Commission
The next P&Z commission meeting will be on Wednesday, May 7.
AISD School Board
School Board Meeting
The AISD School Board will meet this Thursday, May 1, for a regular meeting. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
Filings for May 3 Election
Voters will get to vote for AISD Places 4 and 5. Early voting began on Tuesday, April 22 and will continue through Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 3.
Ballot order:
Place 4 – Wilbanks (i), April Williams Moore.
Place 5 – Chapa (i).
Prior to the campaign season one of the bigger problems with the AISD Board was communications. The incumbents' responses (lack of) did nothing to improve their image.
Place 4 – I recommend April Williams Moore
( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_88.html )
April Williams Moore
( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_9.html )
Place 5 – I recommend not voting
Chapa (i)
( http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_89.html )
The Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw on the candidates: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/03/11/qa-these-candidates-want-to-be-on-arlington-isd-school-board-here-are-their-priorities .
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.]
Other News
TAD Postcards
TAD has mailed postcards about values not changing for properties that did not change. The Matthew Sgroi of the Fort Worth Report article: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/04/15/tarrant-appraisal-district-mails-2025-property-notices-even-to-homeowners-with-frozen-values/ . [Commentary: He also makes reference to bills potentially changing some of the good accomplished by TAD changes. Taxing entities have abused Tarrant County taxpayers for years, so TAD doing something about it was a good thing. Then comes all the whining about several school districts potentially losing money. Fix the school district problem by fixing the school funding portion of state law that is causing them the issue, not changing the accomplishments of the TAD board for doing what was right. Unfortunately, Chris Turner and Charlie Geren love taxing and the taxing entities and do not care about the citizens they represent...]
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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