Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024
The Arlington City Council met on September 17, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledges, followed by proclamations declaring September 17–23, 2024 as Constitution Week and September 17, 2024 as Liz Levitt Hirsch Day. The council approved appointments to multiple boards and commissions, authorized the use of eminent domain for sidewalk improvements on Division Street, and approved minutes from previous meetings. Major actions included first readings of ordinances on industrial waste, right-of-way abandonment, youth programs standards, and four zoning cases; final readings of the FY 2025 operating budget, property tax levy, tax increase ratification, water/wastewater rates, and three public improvement district assessments; and unanimous passage of a 57-item consent agenda. Councilmembers Hunter and Piel voted against the budget, tax levy, and tax ratification; all other items passed 9–0. Public comment included opposition to the budget/tax package and concerns about public transit, diabetes awareness, and a library board appointment.
Consent Calendar
- Minute Orders (9.1–9.28): Approved, including insurance renewals ($1,477,278), e-learning platform ($114,983), merchant services ($175,000), auditing services ($252,500), grounds maintenance ($152,429), bollard maintenance ($222,525), mill & overlay ($11,000,000), software support ($96,939), umpire services ($66,000), calcium hypochlorite tablets ($129,600), mosquito control ($150,000), security guard services ($1,081,605), intergovernmental consulting ($180,000), federal legislative consulting ($135,500), supplemental vehicle services ($5,342,400), employee advocacy plan ($268,315), ClearRisk software ($146,917), articulated boom lift ($60,781), fire bunker gear ($322,672), street maintenance equipment ($146,467), Green Oaks green screen ($209,128.93), Event Trust Fund administration ($90,000), police forensic lab testing ($716,000), Blue Chip consulting ($66,000), TASER products ($3,666,121), LeadsOnline subscription ($285,164), ERP software modification ($227,046), and time clocks ($128,701).
- Ordinances (9.29–9.30): Final reading of a municipal setting designation at 408 113th Street and a construction chapter amendment for unpermitted structures. Adopted.
- Resolutions (9.31–9.57): Approved, including 2025 City Council meeting calendar, 2025–2026 federal and state legislative agendas, MOU with Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Association, Viridian Management District refunding bonds, UTA interlocal for downtown management, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation contract, Entertainment Area Management District appointments, espace Inc. master agreement amendment, AEDC budget, Tarrant County 9-1-1 District budget, bank depository extension, investment policy, debt/disclosure policy, LOGIC and TexPool participation, pretreatment program endorsement, Kennedale water/wastewater interlocal, water utilities fees, solid waste/recycling/landfill rate adjustments, parking fees, airport hangar/tie-down rates, multi-family inspection fees, CAPER report, ACVB contract amendment, Tarrant County transportation bond program (Randol Mill Road, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Center Street, Debbie Lane), and RFP procurement method for VoIP replacement.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Larry McFarland (opposition): Spoke against the FY 2025 operating budget (8.7), tax levy (8.8), and tax increase ratification (8.9), urging a “no” vote and a “no new revenue” rate. Also opposed consent items 9.25 (TASER contract) and 9.27 (ERP software modification), calling them excessive and questioning oversight.
- Melanie McDonald and Jeff Wood (support): Registered in support of zoning case PD24-13 (1601 East Bardin Road).
- Angela Whitman (public comment): Urged the city to recognize November as Diabetes Awareness Month; Mayor Ross confirmed a proclamation for November 15, 2024.
- Sarah Hisson (public comment): Expressed concerns about a recent appointee to the Library Advisory Board, citing past remarks perceived as anti-LGBTQ+ and asked for monitoring of professionalism.
- James Allen (public comment): Advocated for improved public transit, debunking common arguments about crime and homelessness.
- Resident (no name given, 400 Central Park Drive): Asked for help with parking notices on her vehicle after a family death; city staff promised follow-up.
Discussion Items
- Eminent Domain (6.1): Approved resolution authorizing condemnation of fee simple title for sidewalks on Division Street (Cooper to Collins) with 9 ayes.
- Industrial Waste Ordinance (8.1): First reading passed 9–0, repealing and replacing the chapter for updated requirements.
- Right-of-Way Abandonment (8.2): First reading passed 9–0 for a portion of South Elm Street to facilitate All Star Legacy Park improvements.
- Youth Programs Standards of Care (8.3): First reading passed 9–0, adopting staffing, safety, and enforcement standards for municipal youth recreation.
- Tourism, Downtown, and Lamar PIDs (8.4–8.6): Final readings passed 9–0, adopting FY2025 assessment rolls and levies.
- FY 2025 Operating Budget (8.7): Final reading passed 7–2 (Hunter and Piel dissenting). The budget was presented with no changes since August 6.
- Property Tax Levy (8.8): Final reading passed 7–2, setting a rate of $0.5998 per $100 valuation (a 4.2% increase).
- Tax Increase Ratification (8.9): Final reading passed 7–2, ratifying the increase reflected in the budget.
- Water/Wastewater Rates (8.10): Final reading passed 9–0, amending rates effective October 1, 2024.
- Zoning Case PD24-22 (100–200 East Stephens Street): First reading passed 9–0 with a stipulation allowing the developer to choose between a masonry fence or wrought iron with masonry columns on the south property line. Applicant presented a 6.91-acre planned development for limited light industrial uses (three buildings <50,000 sq ft each).
- Zoning Case PD24-13 (1601 East Bardin Road): First reading passed 9–0 for a ~3.5-acre planned development for limited light industrial uses (one building <50,000 sq ft). Applicant held a neighborhood meeting with no opposition.
- Zoning Case PD24-15 (7700 South Watson): First reading passed 9–0 for a 0.036-acre telecommunications tower (105 ft) at Timberview High School, with landscaping and opaque door stipulations.
- Zoning Case PD24-18 (2760 East Abram Street): First reading passed 9–0 for a planned development allowing a car wash with a development plan, including a deviation from the specific use permit standard for screening.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: All consent agenda items (57 items), including contracts, purchases, policy adoptions, and interlocal agreements (9–0).
- Approved: Use of eminent domain for Division Street sidewalk project (9–0).
- Approved: First readings of ordinances on industrial waste, right-of-way abandonment, youth programs standards, and four zoning cases (each 9–0).
- Approved: Final readings of three PID assessment plans (9–0), FY 2025 budget and related tax ordinances (7–2), and water/wastewater rate adjustment (9–0).
- Vote Tally (8.7, 8.8, 8.9): Ayes: Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, Hogg, Odom-Wesley. Nays: Councilmembers Hunter and Piel.
- Additional Directives: City staff to follow up with a resident regarding parking notices and with Angela Whitman on a Diabetes Awareness Month proclamation.
Meeting Transcript
I'm a Met Soprano. And it always happened. My dad played the organ in our church growing up. And my mom too, you know, she sang in the choir growing up. Both my parents are from Ghana, and the choral music tradition is um very much a part of the culture. My first recital ever in my life was at Carnegie Hall when I was nine years old. I always say I didn't understand the magnitude of that. And the rest, I guess, is history, as they say. So thank you, Mrs. Riteggy, and um here I am. So I got my degree in vocal performance. Looking back, I'm so glad that I stayed here because a lot of my first professional opportunities were here in the DFW. I made my Broadway debut in Camelot on Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater, which was amazing and incredibly exciting. But in spite of that, I think the American dream is really whatever you want it to be. So glad to be your partner. Well, good evening, everybody. And welcome to the evening session of the Arlington City Council. I'm going to invite Father Samuel Maul from St. Maria Garetti Church to come forward and lead us in the invocation. Please rise. Amen. Oh God, you who did not create the world to be a waste, but designed it to be lived in, have called us forth to be stewards of your creation. Help us all as citizens of the city, state, and country, to work and together in all things so that we may work together to build up the kingdom of God of you as you have so established for us, that we may do so with wisdom, justice, and charity in all of our actions and decisions. A proclamation tonight, whereas Arlington's Lucretia Council Cochrane chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution have brought to my attention that on September 17th, 2024 marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States by the Constitutional Convention, and whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and the freedoms it gives to our citizens on its memorial anniversary and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion, and whereas public law 915 guarantees issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States designating September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week. Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the city of Arlington, Texas, do hereby ask the citizens of Arlington to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, recognizing that our United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its birth, remembering that lost rights can never be regained and proclaimed September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week. With me tonight are the ladies who are the daughters of the American Revolution. Would y'all please? Thank you so much. Y'all give it up for that. Um, at the two cemeteries on Mary Street, Arlington Cemetery, and Parkdale, where we lay uh wreaths on veterans' graves, over 870 of them. Y'all get over here so we can take a picture. Thank you. Let's come on up. This past weekend, Mr. Elverton and I had the privilege of going out to LA for the celebration of life on Miss Liz Levitt. Miss Levitt was the founder and headed up the Levitt Foundation, which is instrumental and the creation of our Levitt Pavilion across the street over here. They gave a ton of money and were just phenomenal. I didn't even realize until we went for the celebration of life, how much Levitt really truly loved culture and music and art. So tonight we thought it would be only appropriate to do a proclamation in her honor as well. Whereas Levitt Pavilion Arlington, which draws thousands of people downtown for free outdoor concerts and festivals, will celebrate its 16th anniversary next month. And whereas this gym was made possible in part by the vision of Elizabeth Liz Levitt Hirsch, a champion of the arts and community. And whereas Levitt Hirsch passed away from ovarian cancer at age 72 on May 23rd of 2024 at her home in Los Angeles. And whereas known for her gift to connect and inspire people to achieve a shared vision, Levitt Hirsch channeled her lifelong passion for the performing arts into a source of positive social change in towns and cities across America. And whereas in 2001, Levitt Hirsch became active with her family's foundation, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, which sees free counts free concerts and public spaces as essential to equality, healthy and thriving communities, and aim to develop a national network of Levitt venues. And whereas to get the program off the ground, Levitt Hirsch traveled to cities across the country to introduce the Levitt mission to community leaders and identify potential sites. And whereas Levitt Pavilion Arlington celebrated its opening night on October 10th, 2008, with more than 1,800 people in attendance, and its success has continued to grow in the years following. And whereas today, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation giving has grown to support free music in 50 plus towns and cities across America through 650 plus free lever Levitt concert serving more than 800,000 people each year. Now therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington do hereby proclaim September 17th, 2024 as Liz Levitt Hirsch Day. Thank you. Well, that is awesome in the Levitt Foundation, and Liz Levitt would sure be proud.
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