September 23, 2024 Newsletter
September 23, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 39
Highlights:
* City Council approves final reading of budget and tax rate increase.
* EDC to approve two corporate welfare projects totaling greater than $6 million.
* P&Z continues public hearing for neighborhood mixed-use and 48 more apartments.
* AISD met last Thursday.
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
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, September 24: EDC Board meeting, City Hall 3rd Floor, 101 W. Abram Street, 4:00pm.
Tuesday, October 1: National Night Out.
Wednesday, October 2: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, October 3: 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.)
Tuesday, October 8: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, October 15: 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.)
Wednesday, October 16: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:30pm.)
Tuesday, October 22: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council approved the final reading of the budget with a tax rate increase of $.01 [a penny]. The city's story by Susan Schrock presents an excellent summary: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/fy25_budget_approved .
They met this past Tuesday, September 17, for a full slate of meetings. The next scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, October 8.
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Committee Meeting
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met and discussed the housing tax credit application process (presentation). The new cycle begins in January.
The quasi-committee, the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met. They approved a MOU of the conversion of 94 units of market housing to affordable housing (agenda).
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4940?view_id=9&redirect=true . All council members appeared present.
(13:35) They opened and went into executive session. The executive session agenda had: 1) a legal discussion of change orders, 2) the possible use of eminent domain for sidewalks along Division Street, and 3) offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the agenda included three work session items, five informal staff reports, and a discussion of potential TAD board nominations.
The three work session items:
(2:30:06) 1. Texas Health Resources update (presentation).
(3:02:03) 2. Comprehensive plan element: Lake Arlington (presentation).
(3:11:53) 3. Fiber installation and permitting update (presentation).
(3:27:04) The five informal staff reports:
1. Charter amendment (staff report).
2. Special event parking ordinance (staff report).
3. Park lighting (staff report).
4. Invest in our economy (newsletter).
5. Support our youth and families (newsletter).
(3:58:04) Committee meetings.
(4:01:07) 39 appointments on agenda for the evening agenda.
(4:01:17) The TAD board nomination must be made by October 15. Each taxing entity is allowed to nominate for the five spots. (no presentation available but was an excellent explanation of the process).
(4:16:55) Evening agenda items.
(4:24:03) Future agenda items. Ms. Boxall wants a local artist committee (it almost sounded like a union???).
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Evening Meeting
The agenda for the evening meeting included ten ordinances (first or final readings), 57 consent agenda items, and four public hearings. All council members were present. The meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4941?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(17:51) Start of the meeting.
(30:46) 39 appointments, executive session item, and minutes were approved by three 9-0 votes.
(34:56) The ten ordinances pertain to 1) Industrial Waste and Water Pollution Control Ordinance Amendment (staff report), 2) Right-of-Way Abandonment of a Portion of South Elm Street (staff report), 3) Youth Programs Standards of Care (staff report), 4) Updated Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, and Levy of Assessments (staff report), 5) Updated Downtown Business Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, Setting the Assessment Rate, and Levying the Assessments (staff report), 6) Updated Lamar Boulevard Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll, and Levy of Assessments (staff report), 7) Adoption of the FY 2025 Operating Budget (staff report), 8) Levying Taxes for Fiscal Year 2025 (staff report), 9) Ratification of Tax Increase in FY 2025 Operating Budget (staff report), and 10) Water and Wastewater Rates Adjustment / Water and Sewer Chapter Ordinance Amendments (staff report). All were approved by ten separate votes. The first three items were approved with three 9-0 votes. Items 4, 5, and 6 were approved with one 9-0 vote. Item 7, the budget, was approved with one speaker opposed, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel opposed. Item 8, the levying of taxes, was approved with one speaker opposed, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel opposed. Item 9, the ratification of the tax increase, was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Piel opposed. Item 10 was approved, 9-0.
(52:50) 57 consent agenda items. No items were pulled or discussed. There was one speaker opposed to item 9.25, the five-year, sole source contract with TASER (staff report). There was one speaker opposed to item 9.27, the second modification to the four-year ERP contract (the total modifications of both modifications are 26.65% of the original contract) (staff report). The consent agenda was approved, 9-0.
(1:03:32) Public hearing #1 was for Zoning Case PD24-22 (100, 120, 150, and 200 East Stephens Street) where they wish for a planned development for light industrial (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:18:14) Public hearing #2 was for Zoning Case PD24-13 (1601 East Bardin Road) where they wish for a planned development for light industrial (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:26:41) Public hearing #3 was for Zoning Case PD24-15 (7700 South Watson – Timberview High School) where they wish for a communication tower (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:32:34) Public hearing #4 was for PD24-18 (2760 East Abram Street) where they wish for a car wash (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:43:08) There were four speakers for citizen participation. The first spoke of getting notices on her parked vehicle. The second spoke against a publicized library board appointment. The third spoke in favor of public transportation. The fourth spoke on diabetes awareness.
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
They will be meeting this Tuesday to hold two public hearings for corporate welfare deals for greater than $6 million. The full agenda includes four action items and two executive session items (packet).
The four action items include:
1. An interlocal agreement for cooperative purchasing with OMNIA Partners.
2. Purchase and installation of office furniture through the OMNIA agreement ($73,007).
3. The Salcomp Manufacturing performance agreement ($1,876,622). They have committed to establishing their U.S. Headquarters in Arlington by December 31, 2024, and having 154 full-time jobs created and maintained by June 30, 2025. The deal expires on December 31, 2030. They will complete facility improvements by December 31, 2025. The facility will maintain 500 jobs throughout and add 150 jobs by December 31, 2028.
4. The Mozee, Inc., performance agreement ($4,179,102). The agreement is for ten years. They are to establish their Arlington headquarters by December 31, 2024. They are to have a majority of their jobs at the premises by January 31, 2025. They will construct at least $2 million of facility improvements. They will create 50 jobs on premises by the end of the first year. They will have 75 jobs on premises by the end of the second year. (jobs to have an average salary of at least $100,000). They should have at least six vehicles being manufactured at any given time during the agreement.
Arlington’s EDC is easily the largest sales tax supported EDC in the state. This gives spending addicted politicians greater than $20 million annually with which to fund their buddies.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-7 to change the zoning from RE (residential estate) to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 3.864 acres at 805 Mansfield Webb Road.
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA24-6 to change the zoning from CC (community commercial) to flex hybrid on 2.99 acres at 2926 S. Cooper Street.
On Tuesday, October 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-15 on 168.550 acres at 7700 S. Watson Road. They wish for a planned development for office commercial with a wireless communication tower.
On Wednesday, October 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD23-37 on 5.390 acres at 1600 E. Pioneer Parkway. They wish for a planned development for mixed use.
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, September 18. There were two zoning case public hearings on the agenda. The first one is continued indefinitely meaning only the second case will have a public hearing. The agenda packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=I2o4AeSU .
(3:51) That public hearing was for PD23-37 (1600 East Pioneer Parkway) (staff report). They wish to change community commercial to neighborhood mixed use to allow for commercial and 48 apartments. The public hearing was continued to October 16. The developer is working very hard to please the commission.
AISD School Board
The AISD Board met this past Thursday, September 19. The agenda packet (packet). The meeting may be viewed at: https://youtu.be/hmqjKBDT6KE . All board members were present.
The agenda began with an Academic Progress Workshop that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/zj8vz1hwEAE .
They went into executive session to discuss personnel, pending and potential litigation, and “duties of public officers” [highly questionable executive session topic].
When they returned to open session:
(1:37) Public hearing on FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas). There are 21 indicators and the AISD is scored on 19 of the 21. The AISD score 100% (A=superior achievement). No public speakers
(11:29) No speakers on open forum on agenda items.
Reports:
(11:42) Finance and Academics committee report. 2014 attendance peeked and has been declining since.
(16:33) Policy updates (through the governance committee). Legal policy updates are because of law changes. At about {19:50) were two pages of local changes.
Action item:
(23:50) District Priorities Adoption. This was a very long discussion. Dr. Smith had grouped the priorities into five main categories, Academic Growth, Culture, Safety and Discipline, Engagement, and Resources. A great portion of the discussion was around “marketing”. A motion to approve calling the one category engagement and marketing failed 2-5 with Chappa and Haynes in support. A motion to approve that parents are included in “culture” and calling the one category engagement and marketing passed, 7-0.
(1:07:04) Consent agenda. No items removed or discussed. The consent agenda was approved, 7-0.
(1:07:39) There were two speakers present for non-agenda items. The first speaker spoke on the TAD board and its actions. He wished for a nomination to the TAD board. The second speaker also discussed the TAD election process. She already has been nominated.
(1:14:33) End of meeting reports.
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 $0.824900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.790400
3. Mansfield ISD $0.789200
3. Birdville ISD $0.789200
3. Everman ISD $0.789200
Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates
1. HEB ISD $0.921100
2. Burleson ISD $0.924700
3. Carroll ISD $1.002500
4. Azle ISD $1.025000
5. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400
6. Keller ISD $1.087500
7. Northwest ISD $1.090200
8. Everman ISD $1.094146
9. Arlington ISD $1.115600
10. Lewisville $1.130100
AISD Underperforms on STAAR
The Arlington Report story as reported by The Fort Worth Report written by Dang Le: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/06/21/arlington-isd-still-lags-behind-in-staar-heres-a-breakdown-of-results .
Mr. Le states that, “No grade or subject saw over 45% of students meet grade level.” Couple that with the fact that the AISD has the highest paid teachers [for several years, and yet test scores are not even close], and the question becomes when is the real problem going to be fixed?
Press Box
Other News
UTA West
UTA has agreed to develop a western Fort Worth campus deal. The story by James Ward of The Shorthorn staff: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/fort-worth-forms-4-million-deal-to-support-uta-west-campus/article_34550f2e-67c2-11ef-911b-2f76a3c7cba7.html .
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.
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 .......... - david@wilbanksforaisd.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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