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February 22, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 8

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Council approved two zoning cases and a “resolution of support” for a tax credit development. Do you remember the last “resolution of support” the council approved?

* EDC meets Tuesday for Market Analysis/Strategic Plan consultant.

* P&Z meets Thursday for zoning case at 444 E. Kennedale Parkway

* May 2 Election has three contested races:

Ballot Order:

Mayor – Brian Johnson

Mayor – Thelma Kobeck

Place 2 – James Connor

Place 2 – Bryant Griffith

Place 4 – Ryon Ray

Place 4 – Melissa Barrow

Questionnaires have been sent out. We start publishing responses next week.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday, February 22: Early Voting for Primaries continues 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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.

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

Tuesday, March 17: St. Patrick's Day.

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council met this past Tuesday, February 17, for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3665/files/agenda/10467 . All council members were present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyByZre7mbs .

(4:29) Start of meeting.

(6:36) Public comment. There was one speaker on the first public hearing.

(8:53) Proclamations.

There were five presentations:

1. Mrs. Berta L. Fullwood Proclamation

2. Community Leader of the Year – Lori Glovier

3. Judge Bill Lane Proclamation

4. Black History Month Proclamation (proclamation).

5. Kennedale Community Survey Results (analysis).

About 22:08 they did the survey results.

The two public hearings:

(35:55) 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. There was one speaker in opposition.

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

The ordinance to change zoning was approved, 3-1, with Kobeck in opposition.

(1:14:22) . 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. There was one speaker in support, with objections to some of P&Z's recommendations.

Items for Individual Consideration b. PZ25-20 ordinance. Information starts on page 181 of the packet link above. It was approved, 3-1, with Kobeck in opposition.

The regular session has

(1:35:28) 1. Reports and Announcements, including K. Michels’ certified municipal office designation (staff report) and the financial report (financials).

(1:44:00) 2. Consent agenda.

a. modify the already passed election resolution for an April 21 holiday (San Jacinto Day) (ordinance).

b. January 20 minutes (minutes).

c. February 9 minutes (minutes).

The consent agenda was approved, 4-0.

3. Items for Individual Consideration.

a. PZ25-17 ordinance. Information starts on page 167 of the packet link above. This happened after the public hearing.

b. PZ25-20 ordinance. Information starts on page 181 of the packet link above. This happened after the public hearing.

(1:45:05) c. A “resolution of support” for the purpose of applying for 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’s 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 actually built.

Note also the fine print at the bottom of the developer's letter, “* Development information is preliminary at this time and subject to change.”.] This was approved, 3-1, with Kobeck in opposition.

(1:53:43) d. Interlocal agreement with Kennedale ISD for School Resource Officer (SRO) (ILA). It was approved, 4-0.

(1:57:11) e. water bill termination fee and practice update to match Arlington's fee and practice. Information starts on .pdf page 216 of the packet link above. It was approved, 4-0.

(2:01:11) The executive session includes a discussion of a potential land purchase. They reconvened about 2:48:33 and took no action on executive session items.

[Commentary: We are going to start a little game here called Traditionalist or Little Arlington.

At this week's meeting the council decided, 3-1, to approve PZ25-17, allowing Alta Landing to change zoning from MF (multi-family) to PD (planned development). On the Kennedale Observer grade scorecard, I actually did not give this vote any points. Last month, the former HOA president spoke about the improvements made and being made and was willing to grant the applicant the request. The real problem here was the 2019 staff and 2019 council (J.Altom, C.Pugh, S.Lee, C.Wandell under the leadership of B.Johnson) that removed the 16 units/acre cap on multi-family, then two months later approved this project ADJACENT and TOWERING OVER existing R-2 homes [not even Arlington would do that]. If I could give failing grades to those individuals again, I would. The 2019 council went beyond Little Arlington. One can only hope that members of the 2019 council never decide another zoning case.

Next, the council decided, again 3-1, to approve a super high-density trailer park (PZ25-20). On the Kennedale Observer grade scorecard, I gave this vote only ten points because I can buy into there is not a whole lot that this location could be used for [How about the battery electric station here instead of a super high-density trailer park? Need some out-of-the-box thinking rather than super high-density trailer park.]. Little Arlington for Glover, Michels, and Nevarez; Traditionalist for Kobeck.

Then, the council decided, again 3-1, to approve a resolution of support (costing $500) for “approximately” five acres of low-income townhomes (above allowed density levels). On the Kennedale Observer grade scorecard, I gave this vote only 20 points because it was a resolution of support vote and not the actual zoning case. Little Arlington again for Glover, Michels, and Nevarez; Traditionalist for Kobeck.

You can see where Kennedale is heading...]

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 .

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

Last week the city council met on Tuesday for their February regular meeting.

This Week

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting.

P&Z is scheduled to meet on Thursday for their regular monthly meeting including a public hearing.

Public Hearings

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 this Tuesday, February 24 (agenda).

The highlight of the meeting will be a Market Analysis/Strategic Plan by Jason Claunch, with the consultant group Catalyst Commercial.

Other portions of the meeting include the financial reports (financials), approval of the minutes (Feb 3, 2026 minutes), and an executive session to discuss real property deals.

P&Z

P&Z will meet this Thursday, February 26. They have a public hearing scheduled (packet).

The highlight of the meeting is a public hearing for PZ26-01, 444 E. Kennedale Parkway. They wish to change zoning from OT-4 (Old Town-4) to C-2 (Commercial-2). [information on the case starts on .pdf page 11 of the packet link]

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

Other News

Old-timers will remember today, February 22, as Washington' Birthday (before it was combined with Lincoln's Birthday, February 12 to make Presidents' Day).

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

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Kennedale Observer website:

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Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

1083 Bowman Springs: