December 15, 2025 Newsletter
December 15, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 50
Highlights:
* The city council does NOT approve the anti-discrimination ordinance by a 4-5 vote.
* Quick turnaround for the council as they meet again this Tuesday, including $1,000,000 for another lop-sided 380 agreement.
* Money for homeless housing being proposed – see comments in the Council Leftovers section on page 4.
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:
Tuesday, December 16: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, December 17: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 3:00pm.)
Thursday, December 25: Merry Christmas.
Thursday, January 1: Happy New Year.
Tuesday, January 6: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, January 7: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, January 8: 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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council met this past Tuesday, December 9. They did NOT approve an anti-discrimination ordinance by a 4-5 vote. As a result of that, LGBTQ leadership has announced an end to Arlington Pride events. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at [warning: the article has the disgusting picture of the pride flag flying below the City of Arlington flag]: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/12/arlington-pride-2026-suspended-after-anti-discrimination-ordinance-voted-down/ .
They will meet again this Tuesday, December 16. The only committee meeting is at 1:30pm. The afternoon session begins at 2:15pm but goes into executive session first. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
December 9 Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) update. [presentation].
The Municipal Policy Committee met to discuss Honorary Naming. They considered naming an item in Veterans Park after Clete McAlister. The committee selected the trail for naming. They will also be looking for other naming opportunities for Kim Brimer, Persis Forster, and Ronnie Goines. [presentation].
The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met for an executive session discussion regarding purchasing properties related to affordable housing. [agenda]
December 9 Afternoon Meeting
All the council members were present. The afternoon meeting can be viewed at https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5305 .
(6:04) Start of meeting. They went into executive session to discuss:
2.1. Discussion of Prestonwood Estates West Home Owners Association, et al. v. City of Arlington, Texas Lawsuit;
2.2. Discussion Regarding the Acquisition of Property Relative to Affordable Housing;
2.3. Discussion Regarding West Pioneer Parkway Water Main Improvements (City Limit to West Green Oaks Boulevard);
2.4. Discussion Regarding Division Street TxDOT Sidewalk Project (Cooper Street to Collins Street);
2.5. Discussion Regarding Main Street (Cooper Street to Davis Drive) Water and Sanitary Sewer Improvements; and
2.6. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
They reconvened for the open portion of the afternoon meeting.
The two work session items:
(2:21:12) 1. Tarrant Appraisal District Board Appointments (presentation). They got to decide on how their 91 votes will be cast on the current list of four candidates. They also discussed any nominees for the vacant place resulting from a resignation [nominee action will probably occur at next week's meeting]. They decided to divide their votes: Alfred 1; Burgess 53; Crile 33; and Syed 4. They also decided to nominate Ms. Syed for the resignation replacement.
(2:39:29) 2. Council Priority - Preserve Financial Stability and Resilience (presentation). About 2:48:28 it was opened up to council comments/questions.
(2:50:30) Committee meetings.
(3:01:12) External Committees council members are on.
(3:16:48) Evening and future agenda items.
December 9 Evening Meeting
The evening meeting saw all council members in attendance and can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5306 .
(3:49) Start of meeting. They hosted the artwork winners (pre-K through 4th grade) of the annual contest regarding the importance of water.
(13:49) Minutes and 21 consent agenda items. The minutes were approved, 9-0. The mayor pulled consent agenda items 7.17 and 7.20. The rest of the consent agenda was approved, 9-0. They named Ms. Syed as the nomination for the TAD board resignation replacement, approved 9-0. Item 20, the Viridian townhomes development plan, was continued until January 27, at the request of the developer (approved, 9-0).
(19:18) Zoning case PD25-10 (7819 and 7827 south Cooper Street) is the case for which the applicant has requested a continuance until the December 16, 2025, council meeting.
(19:28) Zoning Case PD25-15 (1119 Dan Gould Drive) is a planned development to build townhomes (staff report). Construction costs are being partially subsidized by the Tarrant County Development Corporation [promoting affordable housing]. It was approved, 9-0.
(29:55) The TAD Board casting of votes resolution (staff report). They casted their votes: Alfred 1; Burgess 53; Crile 33; and Syed 4. It was approved, 9-0.
(31:45) The first ordinance was to modify the animal ordinance (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(34:00) The second ordinance was the delayed vote on the anti-discrimination ordinance which would supersede the September ordinance which suspended application and enforcement of the old anti-discrimination ordinance chapter (staff report). There were originally 34 speakers in support and 11 speakers in opposition. The motion to approve, FAILED, 4-5 with Ross, Hunter, Piel, and Odom-Wesley in support. Bowie Hogg's explanation of his vote can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bowiehogg/posts/pfbid0oWWvQP8kAcxxoNKDmdAjdVZqKL5Jqh4hFvA5Ad2Nykskgtt7gTYQxu7i1cgNdN1hl?__cft__[0]=AZaoD_bEt2E2OeYodo7iggonbKuedxeJgna3m4OLpcEv_hU7d88-xzX64l7CmEKYKzi64LfQtQy-G3oXzI8xCfMPJGIyPvosM2K98q-_n0Hq7SgPoc5T3LnXm3RU4qMhy8vOSL3EzUaCsskVXbsV2klal_0htX0WlhTk_U6W3WhQ1d5SuRA-Aefi9MuKP8cmvSOEGpVLZgE8tKoUAoPGT3yV&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R . I pulled this one statement from his comments, “Those protections already exist under state and federal law.” Chris Moss of the Arlington Report and James Hartley of KERA.org have an article in the Arlington Report on the vote: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/09/arlington-council-votes-5-4-against-reinstating-protections-in-anti-discrimination-ordinance/ .
(2:07:00) Citizen participation. There were two speakers registered. The first speaker spoke on the invasion of her neighborhood by business vehicles.
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December 16 Committee Meeting
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 1:30pm (for about 30 minutes) to discuss the multi-family inspections program (presentation).
December 16 Afternoon Meetings
The afternoon meeting will start at about 2:15pm but will go into executive session. The executive session portion of the agenda includes:
1. Discussion of Leonor Artega, et al. v. City of Arlington lawsuit,
2. Discussion Regarding the Purchase of Property Described as Lot 4-A-1, Forum 303 Addition, an Addition to the City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas,
3. Discussion Regarding the Acquisition of Street Right-of-Way and Temporary Construction Easements Related to the Entertainment District Sidewalk Phase 3, Project No PWST24016, and
4. Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 3:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes two work session items, one informal staff report, appointments, and external committees' reports.
The two work session items are:
1. an update on the 2026 World Cup (no presentation available), and
2. council priority – strengthening our neighborhoods (presentation).
The one informal staff report is a Handi-tran update (report).
The appointments are to TIRZ boards (list).
December 16 Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm meeting contains appointments, one executive session item, one set of minutes, 23 consent agenda items, one public hearing, and another lopsided 380-agreement. The agenda can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/4079c86b-02cb-4f6d-a6d7-7476977e5179/2025%E2%80%9412%E2%80%9416-Evening.pdf .
Appointments (list).
Executive session items are for Phase 3 of sidewalks in the entertainment district.
Minutes are for a specially called December 2 executive session meeting (minutes).
Consent agenda item 8.8 is $3,283,415 for Rangers' Parking Lot H, for the purpose of bus parking for the 2026 World Cup (staff report).
The public hearing is for Zoning Case PD25-10 (7819 and 7827 South Cooper Street) for a plan development (PD) for RS-5 small-lot single family homes on 9.622 acres (staff report). There are seven deviations.
The 380 agreement (staff report) has the city providing IHS Real Estate Holdings with $1,000,000 to assist in the purchase of lands in the area of 701 & 715 Ryan Plaza Drive, 700 West Lamar Boulevard, and 1610 North Collins Street.
* * * * * * *
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 comprising 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.
Commentary: Diapers Needed
The leadership of the LGBTQ community has stated that they are canceling Arlington Pride events. Diapers are needed, and maybe a little ointment for that rash.
Actually, what needs to be investigated is how poor of an investment it was having the Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) investing so much of our taxpayer based funds in sponsoring the first “Pride” event.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC Board met this past Thursday. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/12-11-25-agenda.pdf .
There were no action items on the agenda. The agenda did include Small Business Initiatives Update (presentation), Town North Update (presentation), Film Initiative Update (presentation), and the Executive Director's Report (presentation).
[Commentary: looking at the presentations, there is nothing there that excites me, or makes me happy we used that last 1/4-cent of sales tax for this. We have had so many anti-taxpayer people on the city council. This 1/4-cent as taxpayer relief would have given the taxpayer so much more...]
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, December 16, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-10, 7819/7827 South Cooper Street. They wish to change the 9.622 acres from light industrial and flex hybrid to a planned development for RS-5 (small lot single family).
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z 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). If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z 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. If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
On Wednesday, December 17, P&Z 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. If approved by P&Z it will go to council on January 27.
On Tuesday, January 6, the city council will hold a public hearing for fare adjustments for Handitran and On-Demand public rideshare services. They wish to increase Handitran fees from $2 to $3 per person per trip. They wish to increase On-Demand fees from $3-$5 to $3-$8 per person per trip, based on distance traveled. Details at: www.arlingtontx.gov/handitran and www.arlingtontx.gov/ondemand .
On Tuesday, January 6, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-27, 301 E Randol Mill Road. They wish to change the 0.233 acres from single family residential RM-12 (usually townhomes).
???, 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 uses plus a package liquor store.
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet this Wednesday, December 17. There are three zoning case public hearings to be heard.
Public hearing #1 is for PD24-28 (5920 Matlock Road) and townhomes on the 3.165 acres (staff report). They wish to build 24 townhomes.
Public hearing #2 is for Zoning Case PD25-19 (2504 S. Cooper St.) to have a planned development to allow for major auto repair (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for Zoning Case SUP25-8 (3409 Shorewood Ct.) to allow for a secondary living unit (staff report).
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, December 11 for a regular meeting. I was unable to review the meeting before deadlines and will report on it next week. The agenda can be found at https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=717227 .
That agenda started with a workshop on student enrollment trends. Then there was an executive session with two main items, personnel and legal discussions of potential and pending litigation.
The open portion of the agenda included recognitions, open forum on agenda items, appointments, committee and staff reports, consent agenda, open forum on non-agenda items, and end-of-meeting reports.
The Ms. McMurrough Board Brief of the meeting may be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/watch-board-brief-from-december-school-board-meeting/ .
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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 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.]
Other News
50th Annual Interlochen Holiday Lights
The “official” beginning of the 50th Annual Interlochen has started and continues through December 25, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. You may enter the displays from Randol Mill Road at Westwood Drive. CBS News: https://share.google/nlHuHg2vtJUnlt73x . Arlington Police information: Enjoy 50th Year of Interlochen Lights in Arlington from Dec. 13-25 | City of Arlington, TX .
Texas Christkindl Market
Texas Christkindl Market continues through Tuesday, December 23, 11:00am – 8:00pm. The event is at 1650 E. Randol Mill Road.
3rd Party CodeRed Security Breach
The city's former third-party mass notification system, CodeRed, has suffered a data breach. Residents that had a sign-on with CodeRed may want to change the passwords of other accounts that shared the same password as their CodeRed account. There is an article by Isabella Rodriguez of hoodline.com at: https://hoodline.com/2025/12/arlington-warns-residents-of-codered-data-breach-urges-cybersecurity-measures/ .
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 that 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/ .
Flying Taxis – Later vs. Sooner
Over a year ago the mayor was projecting flying taxis for the World Cup next year. Well, not so fast. James Hartley has an update article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/01/failure-to-launch-dont-expect-to-take-flying-taxis-to-the-world-cup-after-arlingtons-plan-delayed/ .
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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