Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2024
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2024
The Arlington City Council met on August 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included a proclamation, appointments to boards and commissions, approval of a consent agenda with 32 items, public hearings on five zoning cases, first readings of three ordinances, and a discussion on a zoning appeal. Notable votes included the approval of a library board appointment after debate, denial of a cottage community zoning request, denial of a tattoo parlor SUP, and approval of a revised SUP for used vehicle sales.
Special Presentations
- Mayor Jim Ross proclaimed August 2024 as Gun Safety Awareness Month. Dr. Daniel Guzman from Cook Children's Emergency Department accepted the proclamation.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
- Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Board: Elizabeth "Betsy" Eudy, Place 12 (term to 09/30/2024) – approved unanimously (Resolution 24-187).
- Library Board: Sandra Smith, Place 5 (term to 06/30/2025) – approved unanimously (Resolution 24-188).
- Library Board: Melodie Morris, Place 6 (term to 06/30/2026) – approved after a split vote (5 ayes, 3 nays, 1 abstain) (Resolution 24-189). Two citizens spoke in support. Councilmembers expressed concerns about Ms. Morris having previously called for the library director's termination, but after discussion, the motion carried.
Consent Calendar
- All items on the consent agenda (32 items) were approved unanimously. Key items included:
- 28-month electricity supply contract for Sanford Properties with TXU Energy ($200,000).
- Annual requirements contract for water meters (Badger Meter $1,854,000 and Metron Farnier $2,000,000; total $3,854,000).
- One-year contract for road management software with OneNetwork USA ($150,000).
- Annual contract for demolition and abatement services with Intercon Environmental ($400,000).
- Annual contract for traffic parts and ethernet switches with Consolidated Traffic Controls ($157,000).
- Annual contract for boring services with L & M Aerial & Underground ($398,750).
- Annual contract for IT network communications hardware (Redline Networks $450,000 and Netsync $400,000; total $850,000).
- Renewal of contract for communication cable and installation services with Precision Networks ($690,075).
- Purchase of grounds maintenance equipment for golf courses ($175,415).
- Purchase of response vehicle for Police Aviation Unit ($85,391).
- Ratification of sole source repairs to CO2 sensors in downtown parking garage ($84,621).
- Contract for document management software with DocuNav Solutions ($297,528).
- Contract modification for Blue Chip Program consulting services ($10,125).
- Modification of contract for Handitran supplemental taxi services ($605,875).
- Contract modification for Water Administration furniture and office improvements ($9,710).
- Professional services contract for Northeast Branch Library renovations ($88,898).
- Amendment to professional services contract for Active Adult Center ($77,850).
- Two-year contract for secure communications platform for Police Department ($121,785).
- Final reading of zoning changes:
- ZA24-4 (1865 Wimbledon Drive and 5031 Mansfield Road) rezoned to Office Commercial (OC) (Ordinance 24-034).
- PD24-1 (498 Debbie Lane) rezoned to Planned Development for RMF-22 assisted living facility and Community Commercial (Ordinance 24-035).
- Resolutions: Addendum to North Texas Anti-Gang Center Agreement; Substantial Amendment to 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2023-2024 Action Plan (including subrecipient contract with Child Care Associates); MOU with Texas Department of Public Safety; Interlocal Agreement with Tarrant County for concrete panel/sidewalk replacement; Emergency sewer repair (Rush Creek, $75,480); Emergency repair of pedestrian walkway barrier (Baird Farm Road bridge, $252,139); Second Amendment to Lease Agreement with Taste Project; Construction contract for AEDC office relocation ($497,614); Professional services contract for AEDC Welcome Center conceptual design ($106,700); Professional services contract for E-Space architect and engineering team ($691,170); Authorization of RFP procurement method for gasoline/diesel fuel; Amendment to TxDOT Airport Drainage Improvement Grant Agreement.
Public Hearings & Discussion Items
11.1 Zoning Case PD24-11 (Home2Suites Hotel) - Continued
- The applicant requested a continuance to the August 27, 2024 council meeting. The item was continued.
11.2 Zoning Case PD23-26 (Veritas) - Approved
- Applicant sought rezoning to Planned Development for RS-5 (single-family detached) on 5.5 acres at Veritas Way and West Abram Street. The public hearing opened at 7:20 p.m. The applicant, Reginald Rembert, presented the proposal, which included 28 lots, gated community, and compliance with tree ordinance. Two individuals registered in support. The public hearing closed at 7:26 p.m. Councilmember Boxall moved to approve first reading; the motion carried 9-0.
11.3 Zoning Case PD23-39 (Dan Gould) - Denied
- Applicant (Charlie Price, Development Corporation of Tarrant County) sought rezoning to Planned Development for RM-12 cottage community (22 three-bedroom units) on two non-contiguous sites totaling 2 acres. The project would provide permanent supportive housing for families from homeless shelters. One speaker in support and one in opposition (Michael Talambas) appeared. The public hearing opened at 7:26 p.m. and closed at 7:47 p.m. Councilmember Odom-Wesley moved to approve; the motion failed 2-7 (Mayor Ross and Councilmember Odom-Wesley in favor; all others opposed).
11.4 Specific Use Permit SUP24-6 (Arlington Tattoo Shop) - Denied
- Applicant Josh Lenhart sought a SUP for a tattoo parlor at 1700 West Park Row Drive, Suite 114. The applicant described a high-end, appointment-based studio with a perfect track record. One speaker in support. The public hearing opened at 7:48 p.m. and closed at 7:54 p.m. Councilmember Galante moved to approve; the motion failed 4-5 (Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Hunter, Odom-Wesley in favor; Councilmembers Gonzalez, Piel, Boxall, Pham, Hogg opposed).
11.5 Specific Use Permit SUP22-3R1 (2118 East Abram Street) - Approved with Modification
- Applicant Masi Patan sought a revision to the existing SUP for used vehicle sales to remove a restriction tying the SUP to the current owner. The applicant proposed that the SUP transfer with the property, with a two-year grace period for new owners. Nine speakers registered in support. The public hearing opened at 7:55 p.m. and closed at 8:11 p.m. Councilmember Galante moved to approve first reading with the modification to remove Item 10 (tying to owner) and allow the SUP to run with the land. The motion carried 9-0.
12.1 Nuisance Animal Ordinance - First Reading Approved
- Alex Busken, Interim Director of Code Compliance, presented the ordinance adding a new Article IX for public nuisance animals (animal-on-animal attacks). The ordinance provides classification levels, determination process, appeals, noncompliance hearings, and declassification. Councilmember Odom-Wesley moved to approve first reading; the motion carried 9-0.
12.2 Amendment of Traffic and Motor Vehicles Chapter - Park and Ride Facilities - First Reading Approved
- Jana Wentzel, Principal Planner, presented the ordinance adding Section 5.26 to regulate park and ride facilities. Councilmember Gonzalez moved to approve first reading; the motion carried 9-0.
12.3 Ordinance Granting Electric Franchise to Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC - First Reading Approved
- David Johnson, Assistant City Attorney, presented the ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise for 10 years with renewal options. The current franchise expires October 31, 2024. Councilmember Odom-Wesley moved to approve first reading; the motion carried 9-0.
13.1 Zoning Case PD24-10 (300 East Stephens Street) - Remanded to Planning and Zoning Commission
- The applicant (Nikki Moore, representing JPI) appealed a denial by the Planning and Zoning Commission (vote 2-7) for a rezoning to Planned Development for RMF-22 (35 units/acre). The applicant presented new information: environmental noise study, market study, site plan changes (co-working space), and increased masonry. Councilmember Gonzalez moved to remand the case back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for reconsideration; the motion carried 9-0.
Citizen Participation
- James Allen spoke in favor of public transportation in Arlington, citing economic benefits and the need for improved transit options. No other speakers.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments: All three appointments approved, with Melodie Morris to the Library Board passing 5-3-1.
- Consent Agenda: All 32 items approved unanimously.
- Zoning Approvals: PD23-26 (Veritas) approved on first reading (9-0); SUP22-3R1 (2118 East Abram) approved with modification (9-0).
- Zoning Denials: PD23-39 (Dan Gould) denied (2-7); SUP24-6 (Arlington Tattoo Shop) denied (4-5).
- Ordinance First Readings: Nuisance Animal Ordinance, Park and Ride Facilities, and Oncor Electric Franchise all approved (9-0 each).
- Remand: Zoning Case PD24-10 (300 East Stephens Street) remanded to Planning and Zoning Commission (9-0).
- Continuance: PD24-11 (Home2Suites Hotel) continued to August 27, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
That makes sense. Her family owned business opened a storefront off South Cooper Street last September. We do in the back a lot of custom cakes for events such as weddings and baby showers, birthdays, corporate events, just all those wonderful things. And so whatever custom design you want, we do the sweet trees. We do your whole dessert table, the sweet treats as well as the cake and so forth. As an Arlington buoy and UTA graduate, a former Arlington ISD educator and now a business owner in town. She loves to support her community right here in the American Dream City. Hi, I'm Chris Cassidy, the president of the National Medal of Honor Museum, and we're talking to you today from our construction site where the Medal of Honor will be in just two short years. We want to talk about where we've been and where we're going. And to do that, we've got my good friend and trusted partner, Becky Burleson. Becky, great to be with you today. Can you believe it's been a year basically since we broke ground? No, it's been a busy year. Busy year. Didn't look like this one year ago, did it? No. What did it look like? It was a very high dirt mound, and we've been excavating down to the level, building foundation and fabricating structures. And what are we looking at here, Becky? So we are standing right at the edge of what the architect refers to as the rotunda. Rotunda will be the center open uh plaza space that is under the exhibition hall. The whole entire exhibit structure rests on top of these five columns. Tell us about these giant columns. So they are load-bearing pre-cast structural columns that will carry the entire weight of the exhibition hall, about 2,000 tips per column. That's 2,000,000 pounds. And they were fabricated at Gate Precast just south of here in Hillsborough, Texas. Well, it's pretty exciting to be. You and I have looked at this thing for a couple of years now on paper, and you've been a part of many many construction projects in your distinguished career. But for me, this is my first time I've gone from seeing paper drawings to real thing. And it's so exciting, and we're really glad to be doing this with you, Becky. Well, thank you. It's an honor to be part of what you're trying to achieve for the veterans. Thanks again, Becky. Thank you. It's a privilege to be part of the team. Appreciate everything. Well, thanks for tuning in to Forge by Honor where we're chronicling the construction of the National Medal of Honor Museum. We appreciate you tuning in and we appreciate the city of Arlington. AMR is la company Arlington.net. I've been to other countries, and I see how other people live. So the American dream to me is living inside of the United States. Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting. I bet y'all missed us. We haven't been here in a month, right? Most of y'all just came to see our smiling faces, and I really do appreciate that. So I'm gonna invite Pastor Gregory Key from the Renewed Life Church to please come forward and lead us in an invocation. Please stand. So good to be here, Mr. Mayor and Councilwomen and Men.
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