OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 13, 2025
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
2:17

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting.

2:22

Tonight is Tuesday, May 13th of 2025.

2:27

We're going to go ahead and call the council meeting to order.

2:30

I'm going to invite Reverend Rico Holland from Forward Life Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation.

2:38

Please rise if you can.

2:46

Good evening, Mayor Ross and all of our council members.

2:50

Let's go to the Lord in prayer.

2:53

Eternal God, our Father, we thank you for this opportunity for us to come together as leaders in our city.

3:00

We gather, Lord God, and we don't take this lightly, for it is a privilege to serve our city.

3:07

We father, we ask you to grant us as leaders with discernment to be fair and just and make decisions that are beneficial to all of our citizens.

3:18

May we lead with integrity, compassion, and courage, and cover our city with peace, prosperity, and protection.

3:27

Help us to see one another, not as opponents, but as fellow image-bearers, created in your image, striving together for the common good of all humanity.

3:37

We commit this meeting to your hands.

3:40

May all that is say it be done to your glory.

3:44

In the mighty, matchless name of Jesus, we pray.

3:47

Amen.

3:48

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:51

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

3:56

And to the Republic for which you stand.

3:58

One nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all.

4:05

Honor the Texas flag.

4:07

I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state under God.

4:12

One and indivisible.

4:13

Thank you, you may be seated.

4:35

Roderick, come on now, bring whoever's with you.

4:39

Come on.

4:52

We're going to do a couple of proclamations tonight.

4:54

The first ones on National Preservation Month.

5:00

Whereas the month of May is designated as National Historic Preservation Month by the United States Congress, a time to celebrate the nation's rich history and heritage.

5:09

And whereas historic preservation is vital for fostering community pride, promoting economic development, and ensuring a sustainable future for our cities and towns.

5:20

And whereas preservation in historic places connects us to our past, informs our present, and inspires our future, and whereas historic preservation provides residents a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richly diverse architectural and cultural heritage that has shaped the city of Arlington's identity.

5:43

And whereas the City of Arlington is proud to promote the rich history of our city through the local marker program, which boasts 52 individual landmarkers and two historic districts.

5:57

And whereas harnessing the power of place is the theme for National Preservation Month 2025, co-sponsored by the Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

6:16

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, Texas, do hereby proclaim May of 2025 as National Preservation Month.

6:26

Thank you, sir.

6:31

I'd like to say a couple words.

6:41

And we appreciate all everyone's support of our organization.

6:45

Thank you very much, Mayor.

6:46

Let's take a quick picture.

6:50

Turn it around so they can see it.

7:01

Thank you.

7:07

Garcilia.

7:10

Did I say it right?

7:13

Craciella.

7:14

Please forgive me.

7:15

Come on up.

7:17

And bring whoever you want to come with you.

7:23

How are y'all?

7:24

Good.

7:24

How are you?

7:25

Good.

7:27

Another proclamation.

7:29

This time we're going to talk about Tourette syndrome awareness.

7:34

Whereas Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive involuntary movements and vocalizations known as ticks, which affect people of all ages, races, and backgrounds.

7:49

And whereas the Tourette syndrome and similar tick disorders affect approximately one in 50 children and adolescents ages five through 14 years of age, with an estimated 200,000 individuals living with a disorder in the United States, and an estimated 650 elementary and middle school students in the Arlington Independent School District.

8:17

An awareness and understanding of the conditions are crucial for supporting those affected by it.

8:24

Whereas individuals living with Tourette syndrome can face unique challenges, including social stigma, discrimination and misunderstanding, and therefore education about the disorder is essential to foster inclusivity, kindness, and acceptance in our communities.

8:43

And whereas a Tourette Syndrome Support Group for Children meets every month at the Northeast Branch of the Arlington Public Library, and whereas Tourette Syndrome Day provides an opportunity to educate the public, raise awareness and show support for individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families, while encouraging respect, empathy, and inclusion for all people, regardless of their neurological differences.

9:16

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, Texas, encourage all residents to support individuals affected by tick disorders and work together to build a community where everyone is valued and do hereby proclaim May 13th this 2025 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day.

9:40

Congratulations, y'all.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Public Safety█████████9%
Public Works██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Mental Health Awareness████4%
Boards and Commissions████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

The Arlington City Council convened on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, unanimous approval of a 29-item consent agenda, four public hearings on zoning and code amendments, appointment of municipal court judges, canvassing of the May 3, 2025 special and bond elections, and a failed motion to call a public hearing for a short-term rental appeal. All votes were 8-0 in favor unless noted. Councilmember Galante was absent.

Special Presentations

  • Mayor Jim Ross proclaimed May 2025 as National Preservation Month, accepted by Rodrick Penson, Chair of the Landmark Preservation Commission.
  • Mayor Ross proclaimed May 13, 2025 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, accepted by Graciela Garcia.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 16 minute orders, 2 ordinances (final reading), and 15 resolutions en bloc, including:
    • Consent to assignment of elevator maintenance contract to Prestige Elevator Services.
    • Annual contracts for grounds maintenance of medians (total $992,203), chiller maintenance ($150,000), automatic door maintenance ($80,000), LED roadway fixtures ($60,000), analog telephone services ($264,000), SmartCover monitoring system ($78,849), and renewal of outdoor emergency siren maintenance ($75,000).
    • Renewal of concrete panel & sidewalk replacement program ($5,349,833.86).
    • Contract modifications for Division Street Sidewalk Enhancement ($172,557.50).
    • Construction contracts: Mitchell Street ($4,830,360.10), Water Utilities South Service Center ($103,090.13).
    • Rejection of all bids for ballfield lamp repair.
    • Tennis court resurfacing ($82,500) and lighting ($278,784).
    • Office furniture for Water Utilities relocation ($375,250).
    • Alternate Sign Plan for National Medal of Honor Museum (1111 AT&T Way) – Ordinance 25-033.
    • Zoning PD18-13R1 at 101 South Center Street – Ordinance 25-034.
    • Resolutions: RFP for stop loss coverage; Optic Group First Amendment to Esports Stadium Agreement; NCTCOG Solid Waste grants (Local up to $189,000, Regional up to $500,000); USTA Tennis Venue Services Grant ($60,000); TDHCA Homeowner Reconstruction Assistance grant; Advance Funding Agreements for Division Street Sidewalk ($8,203,155), 2022 HSIP ($847,651), 2023 HSIP (four intersections totaling $4,976,372); Sister Cities contract; and lease agreements for temporary relocation of City Tower (increase) and Water Utilities (four-year, $2,273,584) to 500 E. Border Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Melissa Adams (Arlington resident) expressed gratitude to police for addressing a neighbor’s engine-revving harassment, noting Lieutenant Jared Ross and Deputy Brian Garcia intervened, improving livability for roughly 25 homes.
  • Timothy Rader (1403 Prentice Street) reported repeated vandalism at Vandagriff Park (ball field #4 and skate park) since December 2024, occurring at least seven times. He requested camera surveillance; the Mayor directed staff to coordinate with parks and police.

Discussion Items

  • 10.1 – Unified Development Code Annual Update: Richard Gertson, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services, presented an ordinance with 27 amendments, including correcting an omission of office as a permitted use in Flex Hybrid district, aligning with boarding home facility code changes, and increasing administrative authority to modify dimensional standards up to 50% (from 15%). No public testimony. Approved 8-0 on first reading.
  • 10.2 – Zoning Case ZA25-1 (2598 NW Green Oaks Blvd): Applicant Gary Nightingale presented plans for an architectural studio and large-format 3D printing business. Change from RS-7.2 to Limited Office (LO). One non-speaker in support. Approved 8-0 on first reading.
  • 10.3 – Zoning Case ZA25-2 (3000 S. Cooper St): Request to change 0.464 acres from Community Commercial (CC) to Flex Hybrid (FH) to allow consolidation with an adjacent Flex Hybrid lot. Applicant David Dowling was present. Approved 8-0 on first reading.
  • 10.4 – Zoning Case ZA24-11 (5101 & 5321 S. Collins St): Request to rezone 16.57 acres to Office Commercial (OC) for Trinity River Authority office. Two non-speakers in support. Approved 8-0 on first reading.
  • 11.1 – Appointment of Municipal Court Judges: Molly Shortall presented an ordinance appointing Presiding Judge, Associate Judges, and part-time Associate Judges for two-year terms beginning June 2, 2025. Approved 8-0 on first reading.
  • 12.1 – Canvassing Special Election (May 3, 2025): City Secretary Alex Busken presented final vote totals for 7 charter amendment propositions. All propositions passed. Total votes cast: 11,598. Approved 8-0 (Resolution 25-119).
  • 12.2 – Canvassing Bond Election (May 3, 2025): Presented final totals for 5 bond propositions (A through E). All passed. Total votes cast: 11,598. Approved 8-0 (Resolution 25-120).
  • 13.1 – Consideration to Call Public Hearing (PD24-37, 1218 N. Center St): Applicant Bill Gladden (72-year resident) requested a public hearing after Planning & Zoning Commission denied his appeal to allow a short-term rental in an area outside the designated short-term rental zone. He argued inconsistency since properties across the street operate vacation rentals. Councilmembers expressed concern about setting a precedent and liability. Motion to call public hearing failed (0 ayes, 8 nays).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved unanimously (8-0).
  • First reading of UDC annual update approved (8-0).
  • First reading of ZA25-1, ZA25-2, ZA24-11 all approved (8-0 each).
  • First reading of Municipal Court Judges appointment approved (8-0).
  • Canvassing of special and bond election results approved (Resolutions 25-119 and 25-120), confirming all 12 propositions passed.
  • Motion to call public hearing for PD24-37 (short-term rental) denied (0-8).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting. Tonight is Tuesday, May 13th of 2025. We're going to go ahead and call the council meeting to order. I'm going to invite Reverend Rico Holland from Forward Life Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation. Please rise if you can. Good evening, Mayor Ross and all of our council members. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Eternal God, our Father, we thank you for this opportunity for us to come together as leaders in our city. We gather, Lord God, and we don't take this lightly, for it is a privilege to serve our city. We father, we ask you to grant us as leaders with discernment to be fair and just and make decisions that are beneficial to all of our citizens. May we lead with integrity, compassion, and courage, and cover our city with peace, prosperity, and protection. Help us to see one another, not as opponents, but as fellow image-bearers, created in your image, striving together for the common good of all humanity. We commit this meeting to your hands. May all that is say it be done to your glory. In the mighty, matchless name of Jesus, we pray. 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 you stand. One nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state under God. One and indivisible. Thank you, you may be seated. Roderick, come on now, bring whoever's with you. Come on. We're going to do a couple of proclamations tonight. The first ones on National Preservation Month. Whereas the month of May is designated as National Historic Preservation Month by the United States Congress, a time to celebrate the nation's rich history and heritage. And whereas historic preservation is vital for fostering community pride, promoting economic development, and ensuring a sustainable future for our cities and towns. And whereas preservation in historic places connects us to our past, informs our present, and inspires our future, and whereas historic preservation provides residents a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richly diverse architectural and cultural heritage that has shaped the city of Arlington's identity. And whereas the City of Arlington is proud to promote the rich history of our city through the local marker program, which boasts 52 individual landmarkers and two historic districts. And whereas harnessing the power of place is the theme for National Preservation Month 2025, co-sponsored by the Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, Texas, do hereby proclaim May of 2025 as National Preservation Month. Thank you, sir. I'd like to say a couple words. And we appreciate all everyone's support of our organization. Thank you very much, Mayor. Let's take a quick picture. Turn it around so they can see it. Thank you. Garcilia. Did I say it right? Craciella. Please forgive me. Come on up. And bring whoever you want to come with you. How are y'all? Good. How are you?

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