Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter

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February 15, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 7

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Council meets Tuesday with two public hearings and a resolution of “support” for a tax credit development. Do you remember the last resolution of “support” the council approved?

* Best guess: The city's May ballot will have three contested races, Mayor, Place 2, and Place 4 (awaiting confirmation from the city secretary).

Filings:

Mayor – Brian Johnson

Mayor – Thelma Kobeck

Place 2 – Bryant Griffith

Place 2 – James Connor-not on the city website

Place 4 – Melissa Barrow

Place 4 – Ryon Ray

SCHEDULE:

Monday, February 16: Presidents' Day holiday. City offices are closed.

Tuesday, February 17: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 17: Start of Early Voting for Primaries, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday.

Tuesday, February 24: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 26: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, February 27: End of Early Voting for Primaries 7:00 a.m. = 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 3: Primaries Voting Day, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met quickly on this past Monday, February 9 (packet). All council members were present. The main action item for the evening was passing a resolution for a police grant application for radios (R643). The video may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrIrEZUXE6w .

This week the city council will meet for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3665/files/agenda/10467 .

The agenda includes public comment, presentations, two continued public hearings, a regular session, and an executive session.

There are five presentations:

1. Mrs. Berta L. Fullwood Proclamation

2. Community Leader of the Year – Lori Glover

3. Judge Bill Lane Proclamation

4. Black History Month Proclamation (proclamation).

5. Kennedale Community Survey Results (analysis).

The two public hearings:

1. PZ25-17 (3100 Joplin Road). They wish to change from a multi-family (MF) zoning to a planned development (PD) to avoid compliance issues. Information starts on page 57 of the packet link above.

2. PZ25-20 (4365 S. Dick Price Road). They wish to change from large lot residential to a planned development for mixed use with several very small businesses and a high-density trailer park. Information starts on page 98 of the packet link above.

The regular session has

1. Reports and Announcements, including K. Michels certified municipal office designation (staff report) and the financial report (financials).

2. Consent agenda.

a. modify the already passed election resolution for an April 21 holiday (??? - I have no idea what holiday is April 21) (ordinance).

b. January 20 minutes (minutes).

c. February 9 minutes (minutes).

3. Items for Individual Consideration.

a. PZ25-17 ordinance. Information starts on page 167 of the packet link above.

b. PZ25-20 ordinance. Information starts on page 181 of the packet link above.

c. A resolution of “support” for the purpose of tax credits for a housing development at 509 Corey A Edwards Boulevard and 506 North Road. Information starts on page 193 of the packet link above. According to the applicant letter they wish to build approximately 60 [townhome] units on the “approximate” 5 acres.

[Commentary: How many people remember the last time the city approved a resolution of “support”? It was February 19, 2019 and it turned out to be the [disaster known as] Hammack Creek Apartments. Then Mayor Johnson broke the 2-2 tie and approved the “support” vote. What was being suggested at the time of that “support” vote was extremely different than what was built.

The wording of “approximate” 5 acres may also be a problem. Kennedale requires planned developments to be at least five acres. I believe the current density standard would not allow the development to be built unless it was a planned development. Note also the fine print at the bottom of the developer's letter, “* Development information is preliminary at this time and subject to change.”.]

d. Interlocal agreement with Kennedale ISD for School Resource Officer (SRO) (ILA).

e. water bill termination fee and practice update to match Arlington's fee and practice. Information starts on page 216 of the packet link above.

The executive session includes a discussion of a potential land purchase. Expect the council to come out of executive session and approve the city manager to negotiate a deal and purchase land.

* * * * *

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.

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 .

“No Shame” Griffith

Amazingly “No Shame” Griffith has filed to run for a city council position. One can only hope citizens don't listen to this person and his supporters.

In the last paragraph of page 1 and ending on page 2 states, “On or about April 28, 2025, Griffith submitted a written complaint to the City alleging misconduct by Councilman Gary, Councilwoman Thelma Kobeck, and Mayor Brad Horton. According to Griffith, Griffith observed what he called a lack of accountability amongst public officials. Griffith claims he observed that people were afraid to speak up against these officials. Griffith had previously filed complaints with the Texas Ethics Commission ("TEC") with some of the same or similar allegations, but Griffith reported he was "disappointed" about how the TEC handled his complaint. Griffith's complaint allegations are as follows...”

So, Mr. Griffith has filed complaints with the TEC, the organization in charge of complaints, rules, and compliance of campaign finance reports. The TEC requires campaign finance reports to be filed twice a year, plus two additional filings when involved with an election.

Mr. Griffith had a campaign finance report due on July 15, 2024. Check his original filing of that report (before a correction) and in the upper right corner for when it was filed with the city: https://www.cityofkennedale.com/DocumentCenter/View/8132 , January 23, 2025, more than six months late.

Mr. Griffith had a campaign finance report due on January 15, 2025. Again check the upper right corner for when it was filed with the city: https://www.cityofkennedale.com/DocumentCenter/View/8131 , January 23, 2025, past the deadline.

Mr. Griffith had a campaign finance report due on July 15, 2025. Again check the upper right corner for when it was filed with the city: https://www.cityofkennedale.com/DocumentCenter/View/8953/Persons-Bryan-Griffith--Campaign-Finance-Report_Redacted , upper right corner says August 11, 2025, almost a full month late.

So how did Mr. Griffith do on his latest campaign finance report due January 15, 2026? https://www.cityofkennedale.com/DocumentCenter/View/9084/Persons-Griffith--Campaign-Finance-Report-Jan-filing_Redacted , upper right corner says January 16, 2026, only 1 day late, “great” by “Griff” standards.

Again, in that paragraph of the investigation report, “Griffith observed what he called a lack of accountability amongst public officials.” All he has to do is look in the mirror if he wants to see a lack of accountability. Hundreds of area candidates file timely campaign finance reports every year, no problem, but that would appear to a major problem for Mr. Accountability …

If the guy had any integrity, he would never have entered the race. If the guy had any integrity he would drop out, but ...

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.

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

Last Week

Last week the city council met on Monday and concluded their business in less than 15 minutes.

The Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB) (agenda) and the parks board (agenda) met on Tuesday. I could find neither meeting on youtube.com .

This Week

The city council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting.

The library board is scheduled to meet on Thursday (agenda).

Public Hearings

On Tuesday, February 17, 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 Tuesday, February 17, the city council 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 Thursday, February 26, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PZ26-01 to change the zoning from Old Town-4 to General Commercial-2 at 444 E. Kennedale Parkway. This will go in front of the city council on March 17.

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting will be Tuesday, February 24.

P&Z

P&Z will probably meet again on Thursday, February 26. They have a public hearing scheduled.

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