Arlington City Council Regular Meeting Recap - May 27, 2025
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting Recap – May 27, 2025
The Arlington City Council convened for a regular meeting on May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, unanimous approval of a 36-item consent agenda, public hearings on four zoning cases, first readings of three ordinances, and a resolution on Tarrant County redistricting. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Minute Orders (7.1–7.20): Approved collectively, including contracts for vending services (Affordable Vending Services, LLC, 15% commission), license plate recognition software (Motorola Solutions, $52,560), electrical supplies (Graybar Electric, $600,000), water pipe (Core & Main, $597,550), gate valves (BenMark Supply, $621,788), liquid oxygen (Airgas USA, $690,300), granular activated carbon (Calgon Carbon, $1,103,600), and renewals for fill materials, filter media, ozone generators, generator maintenance, soil stabilizer and pipe sealer. Also approved purchases of traffic signal cabinets ($150,000), payment for Oncor pole contacts ($60,645.21), modification for traffic signal poles ($350,000 increase to $850,000 total), auto body shop repair services ($450,000), artist wall décor for ACTIV ($75,000), SmartRay X-Ray machine for Fire Department ($75,000), and construction contracts for Northeast Branch Library renovation ($741,400) and Collins elevated storage tank rehabilitation ($5,998,282).
- Ordinances on Final Reading (7.21–7.25): Approved unanimously, including appointment of Municipal Court Judges (Ordinance 25-035), Unified Development Code Annual Update (Ordinance 25-036), zoning changes: ZA25-1 (2598 NW Green Oaks Blvd to Limited Office, Ordinance 25-037), ZA25-2 (3000 S Cooper St to Flex Hybrid, Ordinance 25-038), ZA24-11 (5101 & 5321 S Collins St to Office Commercial, Ordinance 25-039).
- Resolutions (7.26–7.36): Approved unanimously, including HUD Consolidated Plan PY2025-2029 and PY2025 Action Plan (Resolutions 25-121 through 25-124), Advance Funding Agreement for AT&T Way feasibility study ($4,027,343, Resolution 25-125), annual FTA and TxDOT grant agreements (Resolution 25-126), Cottonwood Creek sanitary sewer easement (Resolution 25-127), AEDC lease of office/welcome center (Resolution 25-128), Chapter 380 Economic Development Policy amendments for Historic Property Improvement and Arlington Business Certification (Resolution 25-129, one non-speaker in support), ditch improvements drainage easement (Resolution 25-130), purchase of 14.925 acres at 9535 N Holland Road (Resolution 25-131), two sidewalk project property acquisitions (Resolutions 25-132 and 25-133), and construction change directive for ACTIV natatorium pool deck (Resolution 25-134).
Public Hearings: Consideration of Ordinances – First Reading
- 10.1 Zoning Case PD24-40 (Anthem) and 10.2 Zoning Case PD24-40-ASP (Alternate Sign Plan): Both continued to the June 10, 2025 council meeting at the applicant's request.
- 10.3 Zoning Case PD25-2 (721 SW Green Oaks Boulevard): The applicant, Navi Becker (representing Surrender Baker), requested zoning change from Community Commercial (CC) to Planned Development (PD) for CC plus a package liquor store in an existing building (approx. 2,400 sq ft liquor store with 800 sq ft restaurant/drive-through). The applicant highlighted family ownership and improved customer service compared to larger competitors. Councilmember Hogg noted a saturation of liquor stores within three miles and opposition from Cornerstone Baptist Church. Councilmember Gonzalez expressed pride in the applicant's efforts but could not support due to saturation. Mayor Ross supported, saying he would "bet on you." Councilmember Boxall also noted opposition. The motion to approve first reading (by Councilmember Pham, seconded by Galante) failed 1–8 (only Mayor Ross in favor). The zoning change was denied.
- 10.4 Zoning Case PD24-36 (901 Debbie Lane): The applicant, Bill Dahlstrom (representing Johnson Development), proposed a climate-controlled two-story self-storage facility with 992 units on 5.06 acres owned by South Point Baptist Church. The site is constrained by easements, reducing developable area to under 3 acres. The plan includes over 140 trees, 200 shrubs, a masonry wall, and a native plant zero-scape area as recommended by Planning & Zoning. Councilmember Hunter engaged in prior discussions to improve the design. The public hearing closed with one non-speaking supporter. Motion to approve first reading (by Councilmember Galante, seconded by Hunter) passed 8–1 (Councilmember Boxall opposed).
Discussion Items (Consideration of Ordinances – First Reading)
- 11.1 Right-of-Way Abandonment (Bob Duncan Drive): Keith Brooks, Public Works Director, presented an ordinance to vacate a portion of Bob Duncan Drive (275 feet south of Harrison Avenue) to eliminate foot traffic toward railroad tracks. The right-of-way was donated at no cost; no objections from abutters or utilities. Motion to approve first reading (by Councilmember Odom-Wesley, seconded by Gonzalez) passed 8–1 (Councilmember Boxall opposed).
- 11.2 Amendments to Parks and Recreation Chapter: James Orloski, Parks Director, presented a comprehensive update after a review by the Parks and Recreation Board. The revisions aim to: 1) clarify administrative provisions, 2) comply with state law (weapons, alcohol, noise, lemonade law), and 3) reduce negative activities (e.g., prohibiting shopping carts, clarifying public nuisance animals in dog parks). The Parks Board approved on March 13, 2025; Municipal Policy Committee reviewed on April 22, 2025. Motion to approve first reading (by Councilmember Odom-Wesley, seconded by Pham) passed 9–0.
- 11.3 Transportation Chapter Amendment: Lemuel Randolph, Deputy City Manager, presented an ordinance updating Section 5.18 regarding pick-up and drop-off restrictions during special events at AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and Choctaw Stadium. The amendment clarifies prohibited areas for on-demand vehicles and trolley services during events. Motion to approve first reading (by Councilmember Galante, seconded by Gonzalez) passed 9–0.
Consideration of Resolutions
- 12.1 Tarrant County 2025 Redistricting: City Attorney Molly Shortall presented a resolution to submit public comments urging heightened civic engagement and more thorough analysis of proposed commissioner precinct maps. Three public speakers (Sarah Hissin, Paul Hissin, Laura Farnell) spoke in support, citing concerns about lack of data, rushed process, and potential disenfranchisement of Arlington voters. No speakers opposed; one speaker intended opposition but spoke in favor of the resolution. Council debated: Councilmember Boxall voted yes because "the proposal is anomalous." Councilmember Hogg voted no, arguing the city should stay out of partisan redistricting and let courts decide. Mayor Ross countered that the city's legal experts found the process may not comply with Texas law, and he supported the resolution to uphold his oath. Motion to approve (by Councilmember Pham, seconded by Odom-Wesley) passed 8–1 (Councilmember Hogg opposed). Resolution No. 25-135 adopted.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: All 36 items approved unanimously.
- Denied: Zoning Case PD25-2 (package liquor store at 721 SW Green Oaks Blvd) – first reading failed 1–8.
- Approved: Zoning Case PD24-36 (self-storage at 901 Debbie Lane) – first reading passed 8–1.
- Continued: Zoning Cases PD24-40 (Anthem) and PD24-40-ASP (Alternate Sign Plan) to June 10, 2025.
- First Readings Passed: Right-of-Way abandonment (8–1), Parks & Recreation Chapter amendments (9–0), Transportation Chapter amendment (9–0). All will proceed to final reading.
- Resolution on Tarrant County Redistricting: Passed 8–1, authorizing submission of public comments to Tarrant County urging more analysis and civic engagement.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting. It is May twenty seventh, twenty twenty-five at six thirty, and that means it's time to get started. So welcome. I'm going to invite Pastor Jason Nix from the Resurrection Global Methodist Church to come forward. Right up here at the podium, sir. Come forward and lead us in an invocation if you're able to please stand. Thank you. Would you pray with me? God, we come to you tonight and we thank you for your goodness and your mercy. I ask that you would give us wisdom. You would give this council in this room all participating. Uh just clarity of vision uh to the bigger picture of what it is to be uh in unity together as the city, uh as all sorts of people, all sorts of different tribes, nations, and tongues come together in the city of Arlington. And I ask that you would give us courage to step forward in the direction that you give us tonight. We thank you for your goodness. We thank you for your kindness, we thank you for your mercy. Amen. Amen. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge us to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which one nation. I'm under God with liberty and justice for all. One and indivisible. Thank you. You may be seated. Sharon Granado. Who you bring in with you? Everybody. Come on, ladies. We're going to start the night off with a wonderful proclamation. Whereas the mission of the Arlington Public Library is built around has built a bridge from curiosity to opportunity for a vibrant Arlington. And whereas public libraries play a critical role in providing a bridge for students' education and academic skills over the summer months. And whereas Arlington Public Library is committed to supporting effort in the community and the Arlington School District to raise the students' reading levels to prevent summer reading loss. And whereas, whereas I should remember never to leave my glasses at home when I'm doing this. Whereas the Arlington, I heard that Arlington Public Library provides an annual summer reading program, Discover Summer, which encourages participants of all ages to embrace their love of reading and stay engaged in learning throughout the summer. And whereas the library offers more than 400 programs during June and July for all ages, featuring music, science, animals, crafts, games, and much more. And whereas adults who read during the summer set a good example for children, improve memory, learn new things, and enhance well-being. Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the city of Arlington, encourage all residents to explore all that the Arlington Public Library provides to support reading by participating in the summer reading program and do hereby proclaim June 1st to July 31st as Discover Summer. Congratulations, y'all. Thank you. Who's going to say a word? Thank you. Just lower this a lot. But I really want to encourage our community to come out and participate this summer. We have a lot of great things planned. And this is the amazing team that's making it all happen. Arlington is a community of readers. And read what? Read. To really encourage all of Arlington to bask in the joy of reading. Thank you.
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