September 2, 2024 Newsletter
September 2, 2024 – Volume 18 Number 36
Highlights:
* Labor Day holiday, everyone's trash/recycle day is delayed one day for this week.
* City Council to meet on Tuesday.
* AISD to approve their tax rate.
* P&Z to meet on Wednesday.
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:
Monday, September 2: Labor Day.
Tuesday, September 3: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, noon, 2:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, September 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:00pm.)
Thursday, September 5: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 7:00pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, September 10: Budget/Tax Rate Public Hearings City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, September 17: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, September 18: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, September 19: 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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The city council is considering a budget with a tax rate increase of $.01 [a penny]. The public hearings on the budget and the tax rate will be on September 10.
Other Coverage.
The Kailey Broussard of KERAnews.org story: https://www.keranews.org/government/2024-08-14/arlington-city-council-moves-along-one-cent-property-tax-increase-plan .
The city council met on this past Tuesday, August 27 for a full slate of meetings. The council will meet again on this Tuesday, September 3. The one committee meeting begins at noon. The afternoon meeting starts at 1:00pm and will go into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:30pm. The evening meeting will begin at 6:30pm.
Committee Meeting
The Municipal Policy Committee discussed two items: federal and state legislative agendas (presentation) and construction chapter updates (presentation). The legislative agendas concentrated on five areas: housing, transportation, public safety, infrastructure, and maintaining the economy.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4924?view_id=9&redirect=true .
Council Member Hogg did not appear to be present. At some point he attended virtually.
(16:42) Start of meeting. In the executive session portion of the meeting, they were expected to discuss two real property easement issues (to be voted upon in the evening) and the always expensive offers of incentives to business prospects.
In the open portion of the afternoon meeting the agenda included four work session items, five informal staff reports, and potential budget talk.
The four work session items:
(2:34:31) 1. Water conservation presentation by Tarrant Regional Water District (presentation).
(2:46:03) 2. FY2025 Annual audit plan (presentation).
(2:52:00) 3. Single-family housing profile report (presentation).
(3:10:14) 4. Comprehensive plan element: small area and corridor plans (presentation).
(3:30:42) The five informal staff reports:
1. Mobility, access, and transportation insecurity grant for healthy AIM pilot program (staff report).
2. ACTIV - construction and operational update (staff report).
3. FJ 'Red' Kane and informal trails (staff report).
4. Leveraging Technology newsletter (newsletter).
5. Champion Great Neighborhoods newsletter (newsletter).
(3:38:59) Committee meetings.
(4:01:22) Budget information. He went over protest data, growth of the senior tax freeze, impact of exemptions, municipal court, four-person fire staffing,
(5:35:30) Appointments and evening agenda items. One appointment.
(5:37:40) Future agenda items.
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Evening Meeting
The agenda for the evening meeting included 40 consent agenda items, four zoning case public hearings, and an ordinance - first reading. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/4925?view_id=9&redirect=true . Council Member Hogg attended virtually.
(16:22) Start of meeting. The one appointment was approved, 9-0. The two executive session easements were approved with one 9-0 vote. Minutes were approved, 9-0.
(23:36) Consent agenda (40 items). Consent agenda item 32 creates an International Corridor Implementation Steering Committee (staff report). No items were pulled for separate consideration. There were no public speakers. The consent agenda was approved, 9-0.
(28:24) The first public hearing was for SUP24-7 for approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a banquet hall at 333 S. Bowen Road (staff report). There were no citizen speakers. It was approved, 9-0.
(33:06) The second public hearing was for PD24-11 requesting rezoning to a Planned Development for Airport Overlay-General Commercial (APO-PD-GC) for limited General Commercial (GC) uses, plus an Upper Midscale Hotel, with a development plan at 4400 South Collins Street (staff report). There were no citizen speakers. It was approved, 8-1 with Hunter in opposition.
(39:59) The third public hearing was for PD24-14 for a Planned Development (PD) for Office Commercial (OC) uses plus Kennel, Commercial and an outside run, with a development plan at 107 West Randol Mill Road (staff report). There were two speakers in opposition. It was approved, 6-3 with Hunter, Hogg, and Odom-Wesley in opposition.
(1:21:26) The fourth public hearing was for PD24-16 to change the zoning at 500 and 600 South Davis Drive to Planned Development for all Limited Office uses (PD-LO) plus Massage Therapy and General Personal Services (other than listed) uses (staff report). There was one speaker in opposition. It was approved, 9-0.
(1:33:52) The ordinance was for an agreement with Atmos Energy as recommended by the steering committee (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:34:53) Citizen Participation saw five speakers. The first speaker spoke on issues of Turner Warnell Road. The third speaker wanted public transportation, again. The fourth speaker wished for the selling on nonperishable items in the entertainment district. The fifth speaker wanted protection from the illegal trails in the parks.
Committee Meeting – Coming Week
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee is scheduled to meet at noon for about 45 minutes. They are going to discuss Program Year 2023 annual performance and evaluation report (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting – Coming Week
The afternoon meeting is scheduled for noon and will go into their executive agenda, including discussion of real property acquisition in their downtown TIRZ and the always expensive offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 2:30pm. The agenda includes two work session items, two informal staff reports, and potential budget talk.
The two work session items:
1. The economic development strategic plan (as part of their comprehensive plan review) (presentation).
2. UTA update (no presentation at the time of this writing).
The two staff reports:
1. Traffic Safety in Arlington (staff report).
2. Enhance Regional Mobility (newsletter).
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Evening Meeting – Coming Week
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes 16 consent agenda items, a public hearing for a Municipal Setting Designation, and construction chapter ordinance modification.
Consent agenda item 6.6 is $580,485 for a professional services contract for Intelligent Transportation System Evaluation Service (staff report).
Consent agenda items 6.14 and 6.15 is to renew a two-year contract for collection of delinquent taxes and court fines with heavy campaign contributor, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP (taxes , court fees).
Consent agenda item 6.16 is for Council Member Odom-Wesley to serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors (staff report).
The Municipal Setting Designation public hearing (staff report).
The construction chapter ordinance modification (staff report).
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know when their next meeting is. Our best guess is September 24.
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 Wednesday, September 4, P&Z 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. If this passes it will go to the city council on October 8.
On Wednesday, September 4, P&Z 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. If this passes it will go to the city council on October 8.
On Wednesday, September 4, P&Z 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 Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the FY2025 budget.
On Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the FY2025 tax rate of $0.5998.
On Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the Downtown BID assessment.
On Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the Lamar Boulevard PID assessment.
On Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the Tourism PID boundaries.
On Tuesday, September 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on the Tourism PID assessment.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-22 on almost 7 acres at 100/120/150/200 E. Stephens Street. They wish for a planned development for light industrial.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-13 on 3.547 acres at 1601 E. Bardin Road. They wish for a planned development for light industrial.
On Tuesday, September 17, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-18 on 1.846 acres at 2760 E. Abram Street. They wish for a planned development for a car wash.
On Wednesday, September 18, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-7 on 25.5 acres in southeast Arlington. They wish for a planned development based on RS-5 (small lot single-family houses) at 7204 Mitchell Parkway and 7300 Grindstone Court.
On Wednesday, September 18, 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 will meet this Wednesday, September 4. There will be three zoning case public hearings on the agenda.
Public hearing #1 is for straight zoning case ZA24-7 to change the zoning from RE (residential estate) to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 3.864 acres at 805 Mansfield Webb Road (staff report).
Public hearing #2 is for straight zoning case ZA24-6 to change the zoning from CC (community commercial) to flex hybrid on 2.99 acres at 2926 S. Cooper Street (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for zoning case PD24-15 on 168.550 acres at 7700 S. Watson Road (Timberview High School). They wish for a planned development for office commercial with a wireless communication tower (staff report).
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AISD School Board
The AISD board did sneak in a special meeting on Thursday, August 22, at 9:00am. Four members attended in person (Chapa, Haynes, Richardson, and Mike) while three attended virtually (Wilbanks, McMurrough, and Fowler). The agenda included one report and two action items. The meeting was about the new TAD appraisal plan. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A35OgKemTz4 .
(1:42) There was one speaker on agenda items. He hoped the school district and TAD could work together.
(5:57) Report on how the TAD reappraisal plan affects the AISD. About 13:12 they pop on the screen with what appears to be the basis of all their whining. It is titled [I have emphasized the “if”], “What happens IF the state determines local dollars should have been higher?” [with NO explanation of how the state would make such a determination – is that not the reason of appraisal districts? Could this happen today with no TAD changes?]. About 15:33 they pop on a screen with a title, “Impact to Arlington ISD: I&S”. It basically says if the property values are not raising enough the debt service (I&S) portion of the tax rate might raise [because school districts, when they sell their bonds to voters, have estimated large taxable value increases from year to year]. About 16:55 Mr. Mike has a list of questions for which he does NOT have answers. About 21:15 Mr. Chapa throws in his comments/questions. [The board did a lot of whining that the TAD board did not consult them (ISDs), but never mentioned how they (AISD and the other taxing entities) voted to put five members on the board.]
(29:40) Ms. Richardson starts the discussion on the two action items. The first item is to approve a resolution in opposition to the TAD reappraisal plan. The second item is to oppose the TAD proposed budget.
(33:15) Resolution to oppose TAD reappraisal plan was approved, 7-0.
(34:18) Resolution to oppose the TAD proposed budget was approved, 7-0. [Commentary: So, the whiners running the AISD board react by taking away the TAD budget, so they can get hacked again, versus going through the five representatives they put on the TAD board.]
(35:11) There were no speakers on non-agenda items.
Other coverage of this meeting appears in an article by Emily Wolf reporting to the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report at: https://fortworthreport.org/2024/08/22/arlington-joins-fort-worth-in-protest-of-tarrant-reappraisal-plan-budget .
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 5. The agenda includes a governance workshop at 5:00pm, a closed session, an appointment, three reports, two action items, and the consent agenda.
There were no details given on the governance workshop [, but 5:00pm is an awful time].
The closed session includes personnel, potential and pending litigation, discipline of a public-school child under Texas Government Code 551.082, and TEA Docket No. 274-SE-0424.
There is only one appointment scheduled, an assistant principal at Nichols Junior High.
The three reports:
A. Governance Committee Report.
B. Recruitment and Retention Report.
C. District Goals Report.
The two action items:
A. Approve a tax rate. The proposed 2024 is $1.1035 (M&O=$0.8128 + I&S=$0.2907), $0.0121 lower than last year.
B. Consider TEA Docket No. 274-SE-0424. This would approve the mediator's settlement agreement regarding special education funding.
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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 ISD $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
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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