September 16, 2024 Newsletter
September 16, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 38
Highlights:
* City Council to meet on Tuesday, agenda includes another espace deadline extension.
* P&Z to have public hearing for neighborhood mixed-use and 44 more apartments on Wednesday.
* AISD to meet Thursday.
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:
Tuesday, September 17: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, September 18: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:30pm.)
Thursday, September 19: 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.)
Thursday, September 19: Arlington Safe Streets Public meeting, George W. Hawks Downtown Library, 6:00 – 7:30pm.
Wednesday, October 2: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, October 3: 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, October 8: 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 approved a budget with a tax rate increase of $.01 [a penny]. The public hearings on the budget and tax rate were last Tuesday, September 10. The story by Kailey Broussard of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/09/11/arlington-city-council-approves-budget-with-first-tax-rate-hike-in-20-years/ . The second and final reading is this Tuesday, September 17.
They will also meet this coming Tuesday, September 17, for a full slate of meetings. The only committee meeting is at 11:00am. The afternoon meeting starts in executive session at 12:15pm with the open portion of the meeting to start no sooner than 2:30pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
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Evening Meeting
The agenda for the evening meeting included six public hearings, two ordinances, one resolution, and citizen participation. Council member Hogg attended virtually. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4938?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(17:45) Start of meeting. Two members of the citizen bond committee resigned, and two replacements were named.
There were six public hearings:
(22:20) 1. Arlington Tourism PID (Public Improvement District) boundaries (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(23:13) 2. Arlington Tourism PID assessment plan (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(23:53) 3. Lamar Boulevard PID assessment plan and roll (staff report). There were two speakers with questions. It was approved, 9-0.
(28:18) 4. Downtown BID (Business Improvement District) assessment plan and boundaries (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(29:28) 5. Adoption of the budget (staff report). There was one speaker in opposition. It was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel in opposition.
(34:26) 6. Levying an ad valorem tax (staff report). This was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel in opposition.
The two ordinances were::
(37:17) 1. An ordinance for the ratification of a tax increase (staff report). It was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel in opposition.
(38:36) 2. An ordinance for the new higher water/sewer rates (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(40:00) The resolution was to raise the trash/recycling rate (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(41:11) Citizen Participation saw three speakers. The first speaker was a representative of a police association. The second speaker pointed out that all the increases were above the inflation rate. The third speaker spoke on homelessness.
Commitee Meeting – Coming Week
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 11:00am. They are expected to spend an hour on the housing tax credit application process (presentation).
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Afternoon Meeting – Coming Week
The afternoon meeting is scheduled to open at 12:15pm. and go into executive session. The executive session agenda has: 1) a legal discussion of change orders, 2) the possible use of eminent domain for sidewalks along Division Street, and 3) offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes three work session items, five informal staff reports, and a discussion of potential TAD board nominations.
The three work session items:
1. Texas Health Resources update (no presentation available at the time of this writing).
2. Comprehensive plan element: Lake Arlington (presentation).
3. Fiber installation and permitting update (presentation).
The five informal staff reports:
1. Charter amendment (staff report).
2. Special event parking ordinance (staff report).
3. Park lighting (staff report).
4. Invest in our economy (newsletter).
5. Support our youth and families (newsletter).
The TAD board nomination must be made by October 15. Each taxing entity is allowed to nominate up to five. (no presentation available).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes ten ordinances (first or final readings), 57 consent agenda items, and four public hearings.
The ten ordinances pertain to 1) Industrial Waste and Water Pollution Control Ordinance Amendment (staff report), 2) Right-of-Way Abandonment of a Portion of South Elm Street (staff report), 3) Youth Programs Standards of Care (staff report), 4) Updated Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, and Levy of Assessments (staff report), 5) Updated Downtown Business Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, Setting the Assessment Rate, and Levying the Assessments (staff report), 6) Updated Lamar Boulevard Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, and Levy of Assessments (staff report), 7) Adoption of the FY 2025 Operating Budget (staff report), 8) Levying Taxes for Fiscal Year 2025 (staff report), 9) Ratification of Tax Increase in FY 2025 Operating Budget (staff report), and 10) Water and Wastewater Rates Adjustment / Water and Sewer Chapter Ordinance Amendments (staff report).
Consent agenda item #31 cancels many meetings in 2025. The charter calls for meetings every Tuesday, but gives them the option to cancel meetings, and they do (staff report).
Consent agenda items #32 and #33 are approving the federal and state legislative agendas (federal , state)
Consent agenda item #34 is approving the fourth amendment to the APFFA meet and confer agreement (staff report).
Consent agenda item #38 is approving the Arlington Entertainment Area Management District appointments (staff report).
Consent agenda item #39 is approving the second modification (extending once agreed upon dates) for the EDC/espace, Inc., deal (staff report).
Consent agenda item #40 is accepting the EDC (Economic Development Corporation) budget (staff report).
Public hearing #1 is for Zoning Case PD24-22 (100, 120, 150, and 200 East Stephens Street) where they wish for a planned development for light industrial (staff report).
Public hearing #2 is for Zoning Case PD24-13 (1601 East Bardin Road) where they wish for a planned development for light industrial (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for Zoning Case PD24-15 (7700 South Watson – Timberview High School) where they wish for a communication tower (staff report).
Public hearing #4 is for PD24-18 (2760 East Abram Street) where they wish for a car wash (staff report).
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Unity Council
Here is a link to an article by O.K. Carter that appeared in the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/09/03/arlingtons-unity-council-now-a-permanent-fixture-in-search-of-a-more-equitable-city .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC board met this past Tuesday, September 10. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/september-10,-2024.pdf .
The agenda included two action items, two executive session items, and a staffing update.
The first action item was to approve the FY2025 budget.
The second action item was to make a second amendment to the espace master agreement.
The two executive session items included negotiating offers of incentives to business prospects and real property negotiations.
Arlington’s EDC is easily the largest sales tax supported EDC in the state. This gives spending addicted politicians greater than $20 million annually with which to fund their buddies.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-22 on almost 7 acres at 100/120/150/200 E. Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development for light industrial.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-13 on 3.547 acres at 1601 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development for light industrial.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-15 at 7700 S. Watson Road. They wish for a wireless tower.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-18 on 1.846 acres at 2760 E. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development for a car wash.
On Wednesday, September 18, 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. If this passes it will go to the city council on October 22.
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-7 to change the zoning from RE (residential estate) to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 3.864 acres at 805 Mansfield Webb Road.
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-6 to change the zoning from CC (community commercial) to flex hybrid on 2.99 acres at 2926 S. Cooper Street.
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-15 on 168.550 acres at 7700 S. Watson Road. They wish for a planned development for office commercial with a wireless communication tower.
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet this Wednesday, September 18. There are two zoning case public hearings on the agenda. The first one is continued indefinitely meaning only the second case will have a public hearing. The agenda packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=I2o4AeSU .
That public hearing is for PD23-37 (1600 East Pioneer Parkway) (staff report). They wish to change community commercial to neighborhood mixed use to allow for commercial and 44 apartments.
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AISD School Board
The next AISD Board meeting is this Thursday, September 19. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
Though the AISD School Board voted against the TAD budget, it was in the minority. An article by Emily Wolf for the Fort Worth Report at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/09/09/tarrant-appraisal-district-budget-passes-despite-protest-votes-from-school-districts .
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 $0.824900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.790400
3. Mansfield ISD $0.789200
3. Birdville ISD $0.789200
3. Everman ISD $0.789200
Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates
1. HEB ISD $0.921100
2. Burleson ISD $0.924700
3. Carroll ISD $1.002500
4. Azle ISD $1.025000
5. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400
6. Keller ISD $1.087500
7. Northwest ISD $1.090200
8. Everman ISD $1.094146
9. Arlington ISD $1.115600
10. Lewisville $1.130100
AISD Underperforms on STAAR
The Arlington Report story as reported by The Fort Worth Report written by Dang Le: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/06/21/arlington-isd-still-lags-behind-in-staar-heres-a-breakdown-of-results .
Mr. Le states that, “No grade or subject saw over 45% of students meet grade level.” Couple that with the fact that the AISD has the highest paid teachers [for several years, and yet test scores are not even close], and the question becomes when is the real problem going to be fixed?
Press Box
Other News
Safe Streets Survey and Meeting
Arlington will conduct a public meeting and also has posted an online survey (survey link). The public meeting will be this Thursday at the downtown library from 6:00-7:30pm. The article by Susan Schrock of the city: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/safe_streets_arlington_sept_meeting .
UTA West
UTA has agreed to develop a western Fort Worth campus deal. The story by James Ward of The Shorthorn staff: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/fort-worth-forms-4-million-deal-to-support-uta-west-campus/article_34550f2e-67c2-11ef-911b-2f76a3c7cba7.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.
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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