Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025
The Arlington City Council held a regular meeting on January 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Mayor Jim Ross presided, with Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, Boxall, Pham, Hogg, and Odom-Wesley present; Councilmember Piel was absent. The meeting included special presentations, approval of the consent agenda, multiple public hearings on zoning and gas well permits, and ordinances for bond issuance and a special election.
Special Presentations
- Mayor Ross proclaimed January 28, 2025, as "Lady Patriots Day" in honor of the Arlington Baptist University volleyball team's NCAA Division II national championship victory on November 23, 2024. Coach Kristi McDaniel accepted the proclamation.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved the minutes from January 7, 2025, afternoon and evening meetings (8-0).
- Consent Agenda: Approved all 23 items unanimously (8-0), including:
- Fire Department contracts: equipment and supplies (8-month, $150,000), bunker gear cleaning/repair (annual, $123,826).
- Renewals: traffic signal heads ($183,826), janitorial services ($822,468), linear parks grounds maintenance ($247,891).
- Architectural contracts: Elzie Odom Athletic Center renovations ($405,000), N.L. Robinson Park design ($254,662).
- Sole source satellite leak detection ($215,000), ADA and Sidewalk Master Plan engineering ($1,100,000), City Office Tower change order ($582,874.92), stop loss insurance ($54,274).
- Zoning ordinances (final reading): PD24-29 (2809 NW Green Oaks Blvd, car wash), PD23-37 (1600 E Pioneer Pkwy, mixed-use).
- Resolutions: RFP for grounds maintenance, Retirement Committee bylaws and appointments, grant applications (Bloomberg Asphalt Art $100k, RAISE Park Row $25M, RAISE Railroad Crossing $6M, Sid Richardson $200k), TxDOT Advance Funding Agreement, Tarrant County interlocal agreements (Randol Mill, Debbie Lane, Center Street), UFL promotional agreement (one individual registered opposition, but no comments were made), AEDC budget amendment.
Public Hearings: Zoning Cases
- Continuances: PD24-17 (2007 NW Green Oaks Blvd, telecom tower) and PD24-30 (7708 S Cooper St, Wanda Way Cottages) continued to Feb 4, 2025; PD24-9 (108 Hosack St) continued to Feb 25, 2025.
- ZA24-8 (7001-7011 Calender Rd): Rezoning from Residential Estate to RS-7.2 on 6.26 acres for 25 single-family lots. Public hearing opened at 6:42 p.m. and closed at 6:46 p.m. Two individuals registered opposition but did not speak. Trevor Truss (applicant) noted neighbors’ concerns were addressed. Approved unanimously (8-0).
Public Hearing: Maverick Drill Site (SUP24-8)
- Case: Specific Use Permit for gas well drilling at 2020 South Watson Road, a 5.406-acre site, to drill 10 wells. Public hearing opened at 6:47 p.m. and closed at 8:06 p.m.
- Support: Dean Foreman (Texas Oil & Gas Association) and 20 registered supporters. Applicant Leslie Garvis (TotalEnergies) cited 1,700 mineral interest owners, 700 within one mile, and compliance with setbacks.
- Opposition: 58 individuals registered opposition; 38 spoke, including representatives from Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Sunrise Tarrant County, and residents of the Mother’s Heart Learning Center. They cited health risks (childhood asthma, leukemia), proximity to daycare and schools, environmental racism, and questioned house Bill 40 constraints.
- Outcome: Approved first reading unanimously (8-0). The council noted HB 40 limits authority but allowed above-ground regulation.
Public Hearing: Zoning Cases (continued)
- PD24-10 (300 E Stephens St): Rezoning to multifamily (324 units, 33 units/acre). Public hearing opened at 8:07 p.m., closed at 8:25 p.m. Support from Nikki Moore (JPI) and two registered supporters; no opposition speakers. Approved 6-2 (Mayor Ross and Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, Odom-Wesley in favor; Hunter and Hogg opposed).
- PD24-31 (2421-2423 W Division St, 347 N Bowen Rd): PD for Light Industrial plus auto repair garage major with design improvements. Public hearing opened 8:25 p.m., closed 8:32 p.m. One supporter registered. Approved unanimously (8-0).
- PD24-33 (525 S Bowen Rd): PD for RM-12 with 4 townhome units. Public hearing opened 8:33 p.m., closed 8:41 p.m. Three supporters spoke. Approved with amendment to allow reduced landscape buffer. Unanimous (8-0).
- PD24-19 (410 E Rogers St): PD for RM-12 with 18 townhome units. Public hearing opened 8:42 p.m., closed 8:49 p.m. Four supporters registered. Approved with amendments on masonry and fencing. Unanimous (8-0).
Ordinances
- 11.1: Approved first and final reading of ordinance issuing $16,585,000 Water and Wastewater System Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 (TWDB). Unanimous (8-0).
- 11.2: Approved first reading of ordinance ordering a May 3, 2025 special election for seven charter amendments. Unanimous (8-0).
Citizen Participation
- Three citizens spoke on non-agenda items:
- Kim Feil (District 1): Concerns about neighborhood association representation and request to include bird flu protocol information in water bills.
- Julie Lemaux (Graham Square): Request for renovation program for Woodland West neighborhood.
- No council response or action taken.
Announcements
- City Secretary reminded about meeting rebroadcast times and online availability. Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting. Looks like we have a full house tonight, so we're going to go ahead and get this show on the road, Mr. Burgeon. How are you, sir? Will y'all please stand for an invocation with Jim Burgeon from Mission Arlington? Thank you. Let's pray together. Father, we have so much to thank you for tonight. Your grace and your mercy, and that we can even come into your presence and that you care about what's on our hearts, and that you listen and give us direction. I especially want to thank you for this city council for the men and women who serve here, but all throughout our city. And God, I ask you for wisdom and for strength and guidance, and for your provision and protection for everyone. Lord, I thank you for our city for the unity we have, and I pray your continued blessings on us as a people. And I pray this in your name. Amen. Amen. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. UTA is incredible. But we have the Arlington Baptist University here with us tonight. So Coach McDaniel, President McDaniel, where where are y'all? Are you gonna you gonna bring these young ladies up here? Y'all girls get up here. Let me tell y'all a little bit about these folks here. Y'all gotta get behind me. This is the Arlington Baptist University Lady Patriots volleyball team, but it's not just their volleyball team. And you'll see why in just a minute. And whereas ABU made history on November twenty-third, twenty twenty-four, winning its first NCAA division two women's volleyball national championship in Joplin, Missouri. That's pretty cool, huh? And whereas the title was won against Greenville, South Carolina, South Carolina's Bob Jones University, the reigning champion six times in a row until ABU stomped them good. That doesn't say that, but that's what I'm saying. Until ABU beat them. Whereas the historic win capped an outstanding 19 and three season for the Patriots, a team that includes two seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, and eleven freshmen. Y'all gonna be good for a while, aren't you? And whereas Coach Christy McDaniel has had 14 seasons as the ABU volleyball coach with 27 total wins. And whereas Coach McDaniel and her team will be remembered for their determination, teamwork, and grit on the national stage. Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, Mayor of the City of Arlington, do hereby proclaim January 28th, 2025 as Lady Patriots Day. Y'all give it up for the Lady Patriots. I'm gonna jump in here with y'all. I wasn't prepared for a speech, but my girls, I guess, asked me to do it. No, what we went and did was it was quite amazing. They knew it, and especially the seniors that are on this team, they've had to play Bob Jones University every year, one way or another. Last year it was in the semifinal, the year before that was our last time to be in the national championship. Um, and then yes, so on. So they everyone knows about Bob Jones. So now everyone knows about Arlington Baptist University. So, yes, I'm I'm proud of these girls, and um absolutely our our motto through that tournament was um to God be the glory.
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