Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - December 17, 2024
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - December 17, 2024
The Arlington City Council held a regular meeting on December 17, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered a range of routine approvals, public hearings, and several key development and grant resolutions. All nine council members were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved 14 minute orders, 2 ordinances, and 18 resolutions via consent agenda, with the exception of Item 8.29 (Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Membership), which was tabled by a motion from Councilmember Gonzalez (seconded by Councilmember Hogg) and passed 9-0. Items approved include:
- Annual requirements contracts for IT temporary personnel ($1,250,000), traffic pavement markings ($142,897), office paper ($60,000), veterinary services ($76,000), plastic meter boxes ($622,794), ammunition ($132,450), and a six-month fuel contract ($1,255,000).
- Sole source purchase of CAD maintenance software ($588,209.47) and eDiscovery software solution ($1,010,225).
- Roof replacement engineering ($63,050), Harvest Hills drainage modification ($93,500), third-party administrator renewal ($578,944), and SWAT building renovations ($250,000).
- Final reading of nuisance and transportation chapter amendments.
- Resolutions for opioid litigation settlement, multiple grants (NCTCOG Transit, FEMA firefighter trucks and cancer screenings, NEH documentary, TPWD trails, TxDOT airport maintenance, NCTCOG Dynamic Direct Route), Urban Design Center interlocal amendment, E-Space pre-construction services ($57,996), project manager ($360,000), and architect ($4,035,250), on-demand rideshare contract renewal ($20,791,648.32), and four economic development agreement updates.
Public Hearings
- New School Zone for Newman International Academy: Public hearing opened at 6:40 PM. Keith Brooks (Public Works Director) presented the proposal for a school zone on Gibbins Road between Hallmark Drive and West Randol Mill Road. No public speakers. Hearing closed at 6:40 PM. Council approved first reading of the ordinance (9-0).
- Zoning Case PD24-21 (1537 and 1531 W. Randol Mill Road and 1109 N. Fielder Road): Public hearing opened at 6:41 PM. The applicant (Clark Johnson, JF Holdings) proposed a Planned Development for a Chipotle restaurant with a drive-through (42 interior seats, small outdoor patio). The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 8-0. One speaker (Coy Garrett, representing the seller) appeared in support; three others registered support. One speaker (Patrick Kelly, a nearby resident) appeared in opposition, citing traffic congestion and safety concerns. Two individuals registered as neutral. Hearing closed at 6:57 PM. Council approved first reading of the zoning change (9-0).
Discussion Items
- TIRZ Chapter 380 Grant Agreement – Pershing Development, LLC (Balfour Lofts): Clay Mansell (Economic Development Coordinator) presented the resolution authorizing the agreement. One speaker (Edward Manuel) appeared in support. Councilmember Odom-Wesley questioned the fee waivers; staff clarified that building permit fees of approximately $43,000 and plan review fees of about $15,000 would be exempted, with additional demo/impact/tap fees estimated at $150,000 total. Council approved the resolution (9-0).
- Consideration to Call a Public Hearing – Zoning Case PD24-10 (300 East Stephens Street): This item was an appeal of a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation of denial (4-5 vote) for a Planned Development for 324 multifamily units and co-working space. The applicant (Nikki Moore, JPI) requested council to call a public hearing. Councilmember Boxall supported the appeal, citing new evidence from E-Space development. Councilmember Hogg and Hunter indicated they would not support the project itself, but the motion was to call the hearing. Council voted 6-3 to approve the resolution calling a public hearing as soon as practicable. Voting aye: Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, Odom-Wesley. Voting nay: Councilmembers Hunter, Piel, Hogg. (Resolution 24-358)
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items approved except Item 8.29 (tabled).
- First reading of school zone ordinance for Newman International Academy approved.
- First reading of zoning change for Chipotle at Randol Mill and Fielder approved.
- TIRZ Chapter 380 grant agreement for Balfour Lofts approved.
- Public hearing called for zoning case PD24-10 (300 East Stephens Street) on a 6-3 vote.
- Citizen participation: One speaker addressed concerns about homeless outreach programs and police accountability, mentioning a planned YouTube channel.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:11 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Arlington City Council. I'm going to invite Pastor Breg Key from the Renewed Life Church to please come forward and lead us with an invocation. Please stand if you can. So let's pray. So, Father God, just thank you so much for the blessings that you've given us for helping us through this year. We just ask that your joy just permeate throughout all the citizens of this town, and that Lord, you just let your presence be here and through all the decisions. And we thank you for those that are on this council. Touch those that aren't feeling well, and just uh let your presence be felt in Jesus' name. Amen. Please join us with the pledge of allegiance. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas one state under God, one and individual. Thank you. You may be seated. Mr. Buskin, speaker guidelines and general decorum, please. Thank you, Mayor. The City of Arlington fully embraces the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where people of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the community, and where equitable treatment and outcomes prevail. We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for attendance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility. Any person making personal, profane, hostile, slanderous or threatening remarks, who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or are calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the mayor and the city council or while attending the city council meeting may be removed from the council chambers. All speakers shall address the city council and not the audience or city staff and shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public. For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record. Speakers may not use music videos, other forms of media signs or props. During public hearings for zoning cases, the applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given five minutes to make a presentation. Speakers and supporter opposition of the item will be given three minutes each to make their statements. The applicant will then be given three minutes for any rebuttal. For all other items on the agenda, speakers will be given three minutes to speak. If multiple speakers plan to provide the same or similar comments, the speakers may, if they so desire, designate one or more individuals to provide public comment on behalf of the group. A bell will signal the end of each speaker's time. In consideration of other speakers, please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bell. We ask that you address your comments to the mayor and council. Thank you, Mr. Buskin. Uh any appointments to boards and commissions this evening. Yes, sir. We have seven appointments to boards and commissions. The Arlington Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, Michael Jacobson, Moji Haddad, John Whitley, Gerald Alley, Paul Corson, Joelin Masongo, and Robin Barrera. Thank you, sir. Do we have uh anybody speaking on any of these items? No, sir, we do not. Thank you. I get a motion and a second, please. I have a motion from Councilmember Odom Wesley, a second from Councilmember Peel. Please cast your vote. And the motion passes. Mr. Buskin, consideration of items from the executive session, please.
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