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December 14, 2025 – Volume 8 Number 50

HIGHLIGHTS:

* City council to meet Tuesday – Alta Landing Apartments public hearing and vote, and $1,180,000 design contract for the Little School Road extension among the agenda items.

* Our analysis of the “Investigation Report” continues – Wandell Investigation Files.

SCHEDULE:

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

Monday, December 22: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 23: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 25: Merry Christmas.

Thursday, January 1: Happy New Year.

Tuesday, January 13: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 13: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

…..

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council did not meet last week. Their next scheduled meeting is this Tuesday, December 16. That agenda contains a public hearing for the Alta Landing Apartments and a regular session (an executive session is always possible, but there are no specific executive session items listed). The agenda packet can be found at https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3573/files/agenda/10404 .

The public hearing for the Alta Landing Apartments information can be found starting on page 4 of the packet link above. The apartments, similar to last year, are requesting a planned development (PD) instead of the current multi-family (MF) [they do not conform with current MF standards today].

The regular session includes reports and announcements, two consent agenda items, and eight items for individual consideration.

The reports and announcements includes the financial reports (monthly report , capital staff report , capital adjustments).

The consent agenda has two items, the November minutes and an Interlocal agreement (ILA) with the Fort Worth Transit Authority for 2026 (ILA , FY2025 ridership).

There are eight items for individual consideration.

1. The zoning for the Alta Landings Apartments public hearing (starting on page 74 of the packet link above).

2. Casting their ballot [of up to eight votes] for the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP) Board [of 14 candidates] (the ballot).

3. Kennedale Fire Department Contract to provide Fire and EMS services to Tarrant County ESD#1 (information starts at page 111 of the above packet link).

4. Consider a Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols for the Conceptual Design on the N. Little School Road Extension Project (Phase I). This is for $1,180,000 ($535,000 Basic Services Fee and $645,000 Special Services Fee). The Special Services Fee covers topograghic survey, subsurface utility engineering, traffic analysis, geotechnical investigation, hydrology and hydraulic analysis, permitting, and design contingency. (information starts at page 131 of the above packet link)

5. Consider utility improvements under the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Arlington for $180,000 (information starts at page 157 of the above packet link).

6. Consider a $361,922 contract with Freese and Nichols regarding updates/repairs of the above ground water storage tank at 500 Gail Drive (information starts at page 167 of the above packet link).

7. Consider an update to Purchasing Policy Manual (information starts at page 187 of the above packet link).

8. Appointment to the Animals Service Committee (staff report). Staff's recommendation is to appoint a council member tonight and a citizen representative in January.

* * * * *

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. Unfortunately, I have not found it on the website. I had also made a public information request (PIR) for a copy and on Wednesday (November 5) I DID finally receive a copy.

WOW!!! There is enough there to keep coverage of this for months.

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

Wandell Investigation Files

The Investigation Report has an Evidence section describing what was studied as evidence on pages 3-5, including documents reviewed. The end part of that list included:

6. Others.

Chad Wandell's investigation files on Mayor Horton, Councilman Gary, and Councilwoman Kobeck. Mr. Wandell's file includes financial reports, social media posts, and campaign marketing materials. Mr. Wandell also created an excel spreadsheet detailing and comparing each individual's campaign finance expenditures and contributions.

I found it interesting that Mr. Wandell keeps “investigation files” that were used for the [commentary: “witch hunt”] investigation. I am not at all surprised that he would align himself with Mr. Griffith and Mr. Nevarez.

Mr. Wandell was part of the 2019 council (with Mr. Altom, Mr. Pugh, and Ms. Lee) that voted to approve the removal of any density limit on apartments and approved the zoning for the Hammack Creek Apartments and the Alta Landing Apartments.

[The Hammack Creek Apartments were approved with straight UV (Urban Village) zoning meaning, unlike a PD (planned development), all the visions/promises made at a previous meeting were no longer enforceable, they only had to live just by UV rules.

The Alta Landing Apartments built directly adjacent and approximately 14 feet above large-lot homes and backyards in Steeplechase and have been a cause of many headaches.]

* * * * *

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.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Last Week

There were no meetings scheduled last week. Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) and the Parks Board did not meet.

This Week

This week the city council meets on Tuesday. The P&Z meeting originally scheduled for this Thursday has been rescheduled to Monday, December 22.

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, December 16, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-17 to change the zoning from MF (multi-family) to a planned development at 3100 Joplin Road.

On Monday, December 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ25-19 to change the zoning from C-1 (restricted commercial) to C-2 (general commercial) at 708 Corey A. Edwards.

On Monday, December 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ25-20 to change the zoning from R-1 (large lot single-family residential) to a PD (planned development) at 4365 & 4431 Dick Price Road.

On Monday, December 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ25-21 to change the zoning from C-2 (general commercial) to I (Industrial) at 7205 Hudson Village Creek Road.

On Monday, December 22, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ25-22 to change the zoning from OT-4 to a PD (planned development) at 429 W. Kennedale Parkway.

???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ25-15 at 836 Valley Lane for replats.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting should be on December 23.

P&Z

The next P&Z meeting was rescheduled from Thursday, December 18 to Monday, December 22. They have four zoning cases to be heard.

Other News....

City Requested Survey

The city is requesting residents fill out a survey regarding the direction of Kennedale. That survey can be found at: https://cityofkennedale.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5308ca6f11d2fa835adf3d237&id=ee447c3108&e=2cfe933c92 .

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