Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - October 22, 2024

The Arlington City Council held its regular evening meeting on October 22, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 101 West Abram Street. Mayor Jim Ross presided, with all eight councilmembers present (Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, Piel, Boxall, Pham, Hogg, Odom-Wesley). The meeting covered proclamations, appointments, a condemnation resolution, a 39-item consent agenda (with one item tabled), a public hearing for a zoning change, two Chapter 380 economic development agreements, and citizen participation. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

Special Presentations & Proclamations

• October 2024 as National Community Planning Month: Presented by Mayor Ross, accepted by Richard Gertson and city planners.
• October 7, 2024 as Tarrant Regional Water District Day: Presented by Mayor Ross, accepted by Dan Buhman, recognizing TRWD's 100 years of service.
• October 22, 2024 as International Municipal Lawyers Association's Local Government Fellows Day: Presented by Mayor Ross, accepted by Beth Miller Atkinson and Nastasha Anderson, honoring their IMLA Local Government Fellows designation.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions

• Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau: Carri Rutkowski, Place 22, term to 09/30/2026 (Resolution No. 24-290).
• Building Code Board of Appeals: Carry McLain, Place 5, term to 06/30/2025 (Resolution No. 24-291).
• Motion by Councilmember Hogg, seconded by Gonzalez, passed 9-0.

Consent Calendar & Executive Session Item

• Eminent Domain (Item 6.1): Authorized condemnation of an 81,119 sq ft street right-of-way easement and a 2,158 sq ft temporary construction easement on property at 8110 Russell Curry Road (Starpeach Texas, LP) for the 2021 Intersection Improvements (Russell Curry Road to Turner Warnell Road) project. Motion by Odom-Wesley, seconded by Galante, passed 9-0 (Resolution No. 24-292).
• Minutes from October 8, 2024 afternoon and evening meetings were approved 9-0.
• Consent Agenda (Items 8.1-8.25, 8.27-8.39): Approved as a block by a 9-0 vote, including:
  • Annual contracts for portable toilets ($70,495 with Viking Fence), plant purchases (three vendors, total $75,000), animal services medical supplies ($180,876 with MWI Veterinary), solar-powered streetlights ($80,000 with Fonroche Lighting), access control maintenance ($601,032 with Electripro), library materials (six-month, $325,000 total across three vendors), CellHawk phone mapping (five-year, not to exceed $64,454), PEAK software ($91,527 with Granicus).
  • Construction contracts for Phase II Margaret Drive sanitary sewer ($621,540), High Oak Park Playground ($776,538), 2022 Outfall Improvements ($1,463,428.85), and MLK Jr. Drive Extension ($16,966,028.50 with potential bonus to $17,025,278.50).
  • Contract modifications for Johnson Creek dredging ($346,500), UPRR sidewalk crossings ($30,000), and 2022 Mill/Overlay ($36,549.46).
  • Services contracts for Brown Boulevard sidewalk engineering ($140,950), Arlington Municipal Airport engineering ($294,606), food inspection ($56,628 total), IT consulting ($317,234.46 three-year).
  • Purchases of 8 police patrol vehicles ($463,720) and 2 tactical unit upfitting ($61,022), EV charging stations ($50,000).
  • Zoning final reading ZA24-6 (2926 South Cooper Street) to Flex Hybrid (Ordinance No. 24-062).
  • AEDC design contract (retroactive to 2022, total $64,500), AEDC office relocation modification ($32,307), Salcomp Manufacturing performance agreement, Levitt Pavilion Chapter 380 loan ($200,000).
  • Grant agreements with FTA for RAPID, Handitran/On-Demand, Justice Assistance Grant ($116,945), North Texas Anti-Gang Center addendum, interlocal agreements with Tarrant County forensic services ($2.1 million), Fort Worth regional radio ($60,733.20), ECC hazardous waste program ($475,000), and settlement with Texas Materials Group.
• Tabled Item 8.26: Comprehensive Plan Update consulting services contract (with MIG, Inc., not to exceed $640,000) was tabled to the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting by a motion from Councilmember Gonzalez, seconded by Councilmember Galante, passed 9-0.

Public Hearing: Zoning Case ZA24-7 (805 Mansfield Webb Road)

• Public Hearing: Opened at 6:56 p.m. Karam Khalil, the applicant and property owner, presented a proposal to rezone approximately 3.9 acres from Residential Estate (RE) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC). He noted the site has a 14,000 sq ft concrete foundation (abandoned since 2018), a 50-foot gas line easement, and 45% flood zone constraints. His plan includes a brunch restaurant, walking trails connecting to a 150-acre trail system, a playground/dog park, and improvements to align with Arlington's infill development goals. He stated he had door-knocked hundreds of homes and received supportive feedback from the neighborhood HOA.
• Staff Support: Richard Gertson, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services, recommended approval, noting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.
• Public Comment: One individual registered in support; no other speakers. The applicant expressed support for the project. The public hearing closed at 7:03 p.m.
• Council Vote: Motion by Councilmember Boxall, seconded by Galante, passed 9-0 to approve first reading of the ordinance.

Discussion Items: Chapter 380 Agreements

• Arlington Baptist University (Item 12.1): Lyndsay Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives, presented a Chapter 380 Agreement to support university expansion and historic preservation. The city will reimburse up to $15,000 for demolition of a dilapidated structure and $25,000 for water well improvements, and waive permit fees for a parking lot and access road. In return, the university will invest at least $700,000 in construction of a parking lot and lighting on the southern campus by year-end 2024. Councilmembers expressed support for the agreement's dual benefits. Passed 9-0 (Resolution No. 24-305).
• Debbie at 360, LLC (Item 12.2): Ms. Mitchell presented a Chapter 380 Agreement for a commercial development at 1365, 1425, 1525 Debbie Lane and 8224 Webb Ferrell Road. Due to unique drainage issues, the project required specialized water detention infrastructure, increasing costs. The city will provide a $350,000 grant to ensure construction of deceleration lanes; the developer's total capital investment is estimated at $20 million. Councilmembers voiced support for the project's economic development potential. Passed 9-0 (Resolution No. 24-306).

Citizen Participation

• Carl Thrasher spoke on behalf of Symphony Arlington, inviting council to attend upcoming performances and invest in the cultural district.
• Mary Owens advocated for a city-operated homeless camp, citing the lack of shelter and safety concerns for unhoused individuals.
• Vanessa Strength expressed personal struggle with homelessness and safety concerns, requesting designated safe areas for homeless individuals.
• Other speakers (Sarah Ngasi, Marvin Sutton, Tammy Cox, Anthony Moore) did not address the council.

Key Outcomes

• All votes passed unanimously (9-0) except noted motions.
• Item 8.26 (Comprehensive Plan Update contract) was tabled to November 12, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.