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May 17, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 20

HIGHLIGHTS:

* The new council members were sworn in.

* The new council meets Tuesday, including a bond presentation.

SCHEDULE:

Monday, May 18: Primaries Runoff Early Voting Begins.

Tuesday, May 19: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, May 22: Primaries Runoff Early Voting Ends.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Holiday.

Tuesday, May 26: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 26: Primaries Runoff Election Day, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 28: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: Fathers' Day.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Wednesday, May 13 for canvassing the election results and swearing in of new council members. That meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-LrCscdlqw . The meeting starts about 13:37. Council Member Nevarez was absent.

The next regular meeting of the city council will be this Tuesday, May 19. The agenda packet for the meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3668/files/agenda/10594 . The agenda includes public comment, presentations, the regular session, and an executive session.

The regular session has three items for individual consideration, two consent agenda items (April 21 minutes , May 13 minutes), and reports and announcements (financials).

Items for individual consideration:

1. Appointment and swearing in of Municipal Judge Monroe Solomon III.

2. Bond Issuance presentation (no information given, best guess these will be revenue bonds based on water/sewer revenue).

3. Outdoor Weather Warning System (staff report , LAWS proposal , LAWS info).

4. YMCA Contract (removed; it was on the originally posted agenda).

In the executive session they plan to discuss a potential land purchase.

# # # # # # # # # # #

Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21 meeting. Council Member Kobeck came out of executive session and made the motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and release the investigation report to the public. That motion was approved, 4-0.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted it to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

Previous Analysis:

Results: The evidence does NOT confirm…

See the November 9, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Witch Hunt?

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part I

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part II

See the November 23, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Was the Investigation Hi-jacked by the city attorney and city manager?

See the November 30, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Pay to Play Scandal

See the December 7, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Wandell Investigation Files

See the December 14, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Lack of Accountability/Afraid to Speak

See the December 21, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

See the January 4, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Chamber Vote

See the January 11, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Hiring Austin Degenhart

See the January 18, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

City Manager has Favorites?

See the January 25, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Our Commentary

See the February 1, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

“No Shame” Griffith

See the February 15, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

# # # # # # # # # # #

Last Week

The mayor and two council members were sworn in on Wednesday. We are now back to an all male council.

The EDC Board met on Monday. They approved the Pavlik and Associates Action Plan and Market Analysis contract.

KKB (agenda) and the Parks Board (agenda) met on Tuesday evening. Neither meeting was recorded on Youtube.

This Week

The city council meets for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Public Hearings

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-04, amending the sign ordinance. This will go before the city council on June 16.

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-05, a replat of 5400 High Ridge Road. This will go before the city council on June 16.

On May 28, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-06, a replat of 600 W. Kennedale Parkway. This will go before the city council on June 16. [The Kennedale EDC owns the land and is selling it to the developer for a greatly reduced price, $25,000.]

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #795 to prohibit the exposure of children to illegal drugs.

On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing for ordinance #796 for adopting speed limits on certain roadways.

EDC

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board met this past Monday, May 11. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3828/files/agenda/10551 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnxtlOQCK0 .

(15:07) Start of meeting. The reports and announcements section has the monthly financials (financials), the EDC Annual Report (presentation) and Town Center development update (no presentation available). There was some discussion of some of the past grants.

There are six individual items for separate consideration.

(43:12) 1. Pavlik and Associates Strategic Action Plan and Market Analysis contract (contract). The contract was approved.

(1:20:28) items 2-5.

2. Policy review and requirements for applicable real estate acquisitions.

3. Environmental Site Assessment.

4. Cost responsibility.

5. Independent property appraisal.

(1:49:49) 6. 9-11 Memorial (25^th anniversary).

P&Z

The next meeting is Thursday, May 28.

Other News....

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2025) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the eighth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2025TaxRates.pdf ].

Top eleven of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)

1. Everman 1.0260800

2. Sansom Park 0.8457840

3. Blue Mound 0.8138000

4. River Oaks 0.7439910

5. Burleson 0.7218000

6. White Settlement 0.7147780

7. Forest Hill 0.7004660

8. Kennedale 0.6961900

9. Pelican Bay 0.6762930

10. Fort Worth 0.6700000

11. Grand Prairie 0.6600000