Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – March 4, 2025

At its regular meeting on March 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, the Arlington City Council approved a consent agenda (with one item pulled for public comment), held public hearings and voted on six zoning cases, and gave first reading to an ordinance amending the Wrecker Operations Chapter. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Consent Calendar

• 7.1 Renewal of Annual Requirements Contract for Motor Maintenance for Water Utilities with Brandon and Clark, Inc. in the estimated amount of $169,147.
• 7.2 Three-Year Sole Source Contract for Software Support and Maintenance for the INCODE Court Case Management System with Tyler Technologies, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $748,239.
• 7.3 Downtown Arlington Farmers Market License Agreement with Four Seasons Markets, LLC. (Pulled for public comment, then approved.)
• 7.4 Acceptance of North Central Texas Council of Governments Work Zone Data Exchange Grant in the amount not to exceed $375,000.
• 7.5 Application for and acceptance of Office of the Governor FY2026 Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Program Grant for $950,003 for replacement body armor plates for 442 patrol police officers.
• 7.6 Application for and acceptance of Office of the Governor FY2026 First Responder Mental Health Program Grant for $46,702.20 for the Mindbase wellness platform.
• 7.7 Ratification of freezing the Part-Time, Seasonal, Temporary Deferred Income Plan (PST-DIP) and replacing it with the 457 PTS Plan; and approval to terminate the PST-DIP.
• 7.8 Authorization of Request for Proposal procurement method for Electricity Supply Services.
• 7.9 Participation in Texas SmartBuy Membership Program.
• 7.10 Contingent Fee Based Professional Services Contract for Financial Advisor Services with Hilltop Securities Inc.
• 7.11 Two-Year Contingent Fee Contract for Legal Services for Disclosure Counsel with West & Associates, LLP.
• 7.12 Consent to Collateral Assignment Agreement between InterBank and Division Hotel Management, LLC for a boutique hotel at 900 and 908 East Division Street.

All consent items except 7.3 were approved unanimously (9-0). Item 7.3 was approved separately after public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7.3 (Farmers Market): Nancy Tice, president of the Arlington Historical Society, expressed overall support for the farmers market while noting a small concern about scheduling with planned events. Garrett Martin, vice president of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, spoke in favor.
• Zoning Case PD24-30 (7708 S Cooper St): Supporters: Gary Knott (developer, 65-year Arlington resident) and Blaine Cook (real estate broker). Opponents: Regina Miranda, Mario Miranda, Gloria Smith, and Matthew Smith – citing concerns about density, lack of fit with surrounding neighborhood, traffic, and drainage.
• Zoning Case PD24-39 (1501 Mansfield Webb Rd): Opponents: Janice Nix and Khurram Arien – concerned about increased traffic on two-lane roads (Mansfield Webb and Collins) and infrastructure capacity.
• Zoning Case PD24-35 (5510 Matlock Rd): One registered supporter (no speakers at podium).
• Zoning Case ZA24-10 (2015 Loyd Dr): No public opposition.
• Zoning Case PD24-24 (712 E Randol Mill Rd & 701 Slaughter St): One registered supporter.
• Zoning Case PD24-34 (1918 & 1922 S Cooper St): No public speakers.
• Ordinance 11.1 (Wrecker Operations): David McClelland (former first responder, 21 years) opposed the amendment, citing ambiguous “reasonable time” language and officer safety concerns. James Bennett (owner of an Arlington wrecker service) requested further dialogue with city staff and pointed out costs associated with cancellation of police-initiated tows—1,254 cancellations in the previous year costing $63 each. He supported the right of citizens to call their own wrecker but asked for collaboration on safety standards.
• Citizen Participation: Mary Owens (Rainforest Arlington) advocated for preservation of old-growth trees and raised concerns about sidewalk safety, noting individuals can loiter on sidewalks without recourse.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Case PD24-30: The applicant, Nikki Moore, presented revised plans including a new name (“The Preserve at Wanda Way”), one-story floor plans at least 1,500 sq ft, and commitment to 100% brick on rear facades facing Cooper Street. Staff noted the proposal does not conform with the land use goals for rural residential but is a less intensive use than the current commercial zoning. Council debated deviations from the UDC, lot sizes, and street improvements on Wanda Way. Motion carried 7-2.
• Zoning Case PD24-39: The applicant, Bryan Holland, presented a 46-unit townhome development at 8.6 units per acre with over 24% open space. Councilmember Hunter expressed concerns about traffic on Collins Street and Mansfield Webb Road. Applicant noted the project is a downzone from commercial, reducing traffic compared to potential retail use. Motion carried 7-2.
• Zoning Case PD24-35: Alan Seivally presented a 125-foot cell tower at Rush Creek Baptist Church with Verizon as anchor tenant and potential second carrier. No discussion or opposition. Unanimous approval.
• Zoning Case ZA24-10: Jennybeth Guzman requested rezoning from Residential Estate to RS-5 to build a single-family home on a 7,500 sq ft lot. Unanimous approval.
• Zoning Case PD24-24: Jonathan Vinson presented a plan to convert 20 three-bedroom units into studios and two-bedroom units, adding 20 units total, with landscape upgrades. Councilmember Boxall asked about short-term rentals; applicant confirmed they are prohibited and enforced. Unanimous approval.
• Zoning Case PD24-34: Seth Sampson presented expansion of an electrical substation with masonry screen wall and landscaping limitations due to utility lines. Councilmember Boxall encouraged attractive landscaping; applicant agreed to work with staff. Unanimous approval.
• Ordinance 11.1 (Wrecker Operations): Deputy Police Chief Leo Daniels presented the ordinance amendment. Council discussed “reasonable time” for wrecker response, officer discretion, and cost implications for wrecker companies. Councilmember Boxall emphasized officer safety and situational discretion. Councilmember Galante questioned cancellation costs. James Bennett provided data on cancellations. The amendment was approved 8-1 with Councilmember Hunter dissenting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda Items (except 7.3) unanimously (9-0).
• Approved Item 7.3 (Farmers Market License Agreement) unanimously (9-0) after public comment.
• Approved Zoning Case PD24-30 (7708 S Cooper St) on first reading by a vote of 7-2 (Mayor Ross, Galante, Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, Hogg, Odom-Wesley in favor; Hunter, Piel opposed).
• Approved Zoning Case PD24-39 (1501 Mansfield Webb Rd) on first reading by a vote of 7-2 (same split).
• Approved Zoning Case PD24-35 (5510 Matlock Rd) on first reading unanimously (9-0).
• Approved Zoning Case ZA24-10 (2015 Loyd Dr) on first reading unanimously (9-0).
• Approved Zoning Case PD24-24 (712 E Randol Mill Rd & 701 Slaughter St) on first reading unanimously (9-0).
• Approved Zoning Case PD24-34 (1918 & 1922 S Cooper St) on first reading unanimously (9-0).
• Approved First Reading of Ordinance 11.1 (Wrecker Operations Chapter amendment) by a vote of 8-1 (Hunter nay). Mayor directed police department to meet with wrecker industry stakeholders to address concerns.
• Next Steps: Zoning cases will be subject to second reading at a future meeting. The wrecker ordinance will also come back for second reading.