The Arlington City Council convened in regular session on June 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and proclamations declaring June 2024 as National Homeownership Month and July 2024 as Parks and Recreation Month. Mayor Jim Ross presided, with Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, Piel, Boxall, and Pham present; Councilmembers Hogg and Odom-Wesley were absent.
All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (7-0). This included:
Council approved 52 appointments to various boards and commissions (7-0) with Councilmember Pham voting no. The appointment of Melodie Morris to the Library Board was continued to the next meeting (motion by Mayor Ross, second by Councilmember Piel, passed 7-0 with Councilmember Pham voting no).
Public hearing opened and closed with no public comments. Council approved first reading (7-0) to rezone 2.203 acres from Planned Development (PD) to Office Commercial (OC) for additional office development.
Public hearing: Applicant Imran Rajwani presented plans for an assisted living facility with 10 care villas (total 160 beds) and a community building. Two individuals registered in support. Council approved first reading (7-0) to rezone to Planned Development for RMF-22 (assisted living) and Community Commercial.
Applicant requested a continuance. Council granted continuance to the August 6, 2024 meeting (motion by Councilmember Galante, second by Councilmember Piel, passed 7-0).
Public hearing: Parks Director James Orloski presented a request to apply for a $1.5 million grant to renovate LZ Odom Athletic Center, with $3 million in local bond funds. No public comments. Council approved the resolution (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-181)
Public hearing: James Orloski presented a request to apply for a $750,000 grant for development of Al Rollins Park (2.4 acres), with $150,000 in local funds. No public comments. Council approved the resolution (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-182)
Public hearing opened at 7:55 p.m. and closed at 8:27 p.m. Ten speakers appeared in opposition (Rogelio Meixueiro, Caleb Wood, Emily Nichols, Ranjana Bhandari, Rita Beving, David Griggs, Lon Burnam, Andrew Brandt, Ingrid Kelley, Lydia Tesfaye); 14 non-speakers registered in opposition. Ten non-speakers registered in support. Leslie Garvis (TotalEnergies) supported the permits, stating the drill zone was redrawn to achieve a 604-foot setback from the nearest resident and that the company follows TCEQ regulations and voluntary leak detection. Opponents cited health risks (asthma, cancer, heart disease), methane emissions, inadequate setbacks, and urged delay or denial. Councilmembers Boxall and Gonzalez noted that the city is using its available authority under HB40 and has forwarded Livable Arlington’s reports to TCEQ. Council approved the resolution authorizing issuance of the five gas well permits (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-183)
City Manager Trey Yelverton presented a 15-year retention and expansion agreement providing up to $7 million for Ikon Technologies, which has 116 employees and annual revenues of $30 million. The company expects to grow to 266 jobs and $150 million in revenue. Philanthropic commitments of $1.5 million over 15 years were included. Council approved the resolution (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-184)
Trey Yelverton presented a development agreement for a $54 million, 145-room boutique hotel at 900-908 East Division Street. The City will provide a $3 million grant for demolition and site prep, plus annual grants of up to $1 million for 10 years and performance rebates. The hotel aims to open by July 2026 for the FIFA World Cup. The historic Caravan sign will be preserved. Council approved the resolution (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-185)
Marty Wieder (AEDC Executive Director) presented a Chapter 380 agreement for an interest buy-down program providing zero-interest loans (up to $100,000 each) to 22 small businesses, with a total loan pool of $1.1 million. The City’s cost is $300,000, with an estimated economic impact of $15.4 million. Council approved the resolution (7-0). (Resolution No. 24-186)
Three speakers addressed the council: Bradley Shaw requested traffic safety improvements; Eugenia Krause and Dan Rock alleged harassment and stalking; an additional speaker advocated for more recycling drop-off locations and expansion of the multi-family recycling ordinance. Council took no action.
Neptunly pleased to Benji Molina sending the hometown team to the World Series. Texas Rangers. And Adrian Beltray becoming Mr. Three Thousand the same day Pudge was inducted to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. It's America's pastime for a reason. There's something magical about baseball that no other sport can replicate. And that love starts at a young age. On a diamond like this one, kids learning the fundamentals and dreaming one day, they can become the next Beltra, Hudge, Nolan, or young. But before the Rangers legends we know and love, a different type of legend was born. A man in a suit with a can do spirit that now runs through the DNA of this city. This is the journey to baseball town. And so we couldn't help but be overjoyed. Boom. That all changed. And I could hear that damn Tom Vandergriff. Everybody. So then you you meet the guy, the most down to earth, humble. Just he would almost he would blush if you praised him. And I was 20 when he left office. So my entire childhood and teenage years were all spent with the father who was the mayor of Arlington. It was just, I thought it was his job. In fact, it really was his job. The family was involved in the car business, but my grandfather, his father ran it, and it that's who he was. He was personified being the mayor. Truly one of the happiest decisions I ever made was to offer myself to work for the city of Arlington. Growing up with my dad was pretty dynamic, I would say. I mean, my dad was always working, always very busy. And uh he was very focused on what he wanted to achieve for for Arlington. When I was born, Arlington was a very small town. It was around 7,000 people. By the time I graduated from high school, it was closer to 70,000. But it was very small. Well, good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Council session. Today is June twenty-fifth. Uh, we're going to go ahead and call the City Council meeting to order, and I'm gonna invite Miss Renee Fowler from the Triumph Worship Center to come forward and lead us in an invocation, please. Please stand for the invocation. Good evening. If we could bow in a moment of prayer. Heavenly Father, we gather with our grateful hearts tonight, seeking your guidance and wisdom for this city council meeting. We thank you for the vibrant community of Arlington and the many blessings that you have given us. We ask God tonight that you would bless our leaders, our mayor, council members, and all public servants, grant them wisdom, integrity, and compassion to make decisions that serve the common good and reflect your justice and equity. Help them to listen to the needs of the community, to act with transparency and fairness, and to foster unity and cooperation among all residents. We lift up our city's businesses and workers, prosper their efforts, fostering economic growth and opportunity for all that live here. We ask, oh God, that you would protect our police, our firefighters, and emergency responders, and we ask that you give them strength and courage as they serve and safeguard our communities. We ask you, O God, to bless our educators and students. May our schools be places of learning and inspiration, shaping the future leaders of our community with knowledge and wisdom. We also pray for our health care workers and those providing the social services that are so needed here. Grant them all compassion and endurance as they care for those in need. We even ask, oh God, for you to protect our entertainment district and all who work here and visit here. May it be a place of joy, safety, and enrichment, enhancing the cultural and social life of our city.