Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – June 24, 2025
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Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – June 24, 2025
The Arlington City Council held a regular meeting on June 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, appointments to boards and commissions, approval of a large consent agenda (65 items), public hearings on several zoning and land use items, and citizen participation. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Special Presentations
- Patrice Read, representing Just Serve City, recognized Mayor Jim Ross and the City of Arlington as the newest Just Serve City.
- Mayor Ross recognized the inaugural graduating class of Arlington Water Utilities University (completed May 14, 2025) and commended staff for launching the program. Alex Whiteway, Director of Water Utilities, accepted the recognition and announced that applications for the next class will open July 1, 2025.
- Mayor Ross recognized the 60th anniversary of the Arlington Independence Day Parade. Kevin Donovan and members of the parade committee accepted the proclamation.
- Mayor Ross proclaimed July 2025 as Disability Pride Month, accepted by Donna Mack from the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.
Consent Calendar
- Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Resolution Nos. 25-146 through 25-155): Approved 9-0 for 60 appointments across 10 boards and commissions, including Animal Services, Building Code Board of Appeals, Emergency Physicians Advisory Board, Housing Authority, Library Board, Landmark Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Unity Council, and Zoning Board of Adjustments.
- Approval of Minutes (June 10, 2025, Afternoon and Evening): Approved 9-0.
- Consent Agenda (Minute Orders 7.1–7.40, Ordinances 7.41–7.45, Resolutions 7.46–7.65): Approved 9-0 en bloc. Key items included:
- Rejection of bids for soft body armor (Project 25-0226) and Milestone VMS maintenance (Project 25-0173).
- Annual contracts for ballfield lamp repair ($55,110), fire alarm monitoring ($70,000), street sweeping ($294,324), towing ($78,277), Milestone VMS maintenance ($750,000), telephone/internet ($250,000), and others.
- Contracts for construction: North Police Sub-Station and Crime Lab ($20,638,830), Al Rollins Neighborhood Park ($1,817,570), Hooper Park sewer main relocation ($2,649,726), and others.
- Ordinances on final reading: Administration Chapter updates (Ordinance 25-046), Arlington Cemetery Ordinance (25-047), and zoning changes for Slaughter Street (PD24-03, Ordinance 25-048), East Bardin Road (PD24-25, Ordinance 25-049), and East Arkansas Lane (PD25-05, Ordinance 25-050).
- Resolutions authorizing grant applications (USDOT Safe Streets up to $10M, TPWD $750K, FEMA FP&S $1.5M), emergency sewer repair ($132,220), tax-exempt loan for Arlington Baptist University, lease agreements at the airport, and election of Mayor Pro Tempore and Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore (Resolution 25-168).
Public Hearings – Discussion Items
- 10.1 – Impact Fee Program Update (Resolution 25-179): Staff recommended no update to land use assumptions or impact fees due to ongoing comprehensive plan (Innovate Arlington) and form-based code projects. Public hearing opened and closed with no public comment. Approved 9-0.
- 10.2 – Oncor Electric Substation at Dr. Robert Cluck Linear Park (Resolution 25-180): Staff presented justification under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. One speaker registered in support (Seth Sampson). Public hearing closed; approved 9-0 to convey 6.190 acres of surface rights for an electric substation.
- 10.3 & 10.4 – Anthem Zoning (PD24-40) and Alternate Sign Plan (PD24-40-ASP): Applicant requested continuance to August 26, 2025. Motion to continue approved 9-0.
- 10.5 – Zoning Case PD25-03 (4300 New York Ave. – BMW Dealership): Request to rezone 13 acres from Industrial Manufacturing/Community Commercial to Planned Development for Community Commercial plus Motor Vehicle Sales (new). Staff and applicant (Nikki Moore) presented. Applicant agreed to limit PD to new car sales. One speaker in support (Bradley Johnson). Public hearing closed; approved 9-0 on first reading (with amendment to strike masonry requirement and use updated Exhibit B).
- 10.6 – Specific Use Permit SUP25-02 (319 Matlock Meadow Drive – Secondary Living Unit): Applicant Fabiola Chavez requested a permit for a secondary living unit for her mother. No other speakers. Approved 8-1 on first reading (Councilmember Hogg opposed).
- 10.7 – Development Plan DP25-01 (2601 W. Randol Mill Road – 360-unit multi-family): Request for development plan approval on 23.28 acres zoned RMF-22 with max 16 units/acre. Applicant OHT Partners (Howell Beaver) presented. Two speakers in support (Josh Steigerman, David Desatnick); seven speakers in opposition (Bob Woelfel, Ralph Sobel, Ethel Posadas, Gloria Bender, Alison Schenk, Laurie Jagielski, Charlie Parker). Neighbors expressed concerns about traffic, density, privacy, and compatibility with single-family homes. Applicant noted changes: 70% tree preservation, eight-foot fence, relocated trash compactor, and commitment to traffic impact analysis. Councilmember Boxall asked about left-turn lanes; applicant agreed to consider restrictions. After public hearing closed, motion to approve passed 6-3 (Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, Odom-Wesley in favor; Councilmembers Hunter, Piel, Hogg opposed). First reading approved.
Public Comments & Testimony (Citizen Participation)
- Budget and Employee Benefits Comments: Brett Warman (Arlington Municipal Trolman Association) and Jesse Minton (Arlington Police Association) spoke in unified opposition to proposed FY2026 budget balancing strategies, including shifting insurance premium cost share to 85-15, reductions in 401k matching, sick leave sell-back suspension, and overtime changes. They urged the council to consider alternative funding sources (e.g., Arlington Tomorrow Foundation fund) and stated that cuts to employee benefits send a message that employees are not valued. Jimmy Studer (Firefighters Association), Fabiola Delgado (Amigos y Azul), and Shardae Spencer (African American Peace Officers Association) were also present in support.
- Other Comment: Patrick Kelly spoke about maintenance issues at Randol Mill Park Nature Preserve, requesting better mowing and invasive species removal.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda and all routine items approved unanimously (9-0).
- Impact fee program update resolution approved (9-0).
- Oncor substation land conveyance approved (9-0).
- Anthem zoning and sign plan continued to August 26, 2025.
- BMW dealership zoning (PD25-03) approved on first reading (9-0) with amendment limiting use to new car sales and striking masonry requirement.
- Secondary living unit SUP (SUP25-02) approved on first reading (8-1).
- Multi-family development plan (DP25-01) approved on first reading (6-3); conditions include traffic impact analysis, eight-foot fence, and continued coordination with neighbors.
- Council heard concerns from employee associations regarding budget cuts; no immediate action taken.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
I didn't think that we would bring it. Yeah, you can you can always have a call. There's stuff on there about people called us and building change. Right. Oh, that worked pretty well. Y'all are quiet now. You know, Arlington has one of the most robust entertainment districts in the southwest United States. We have a thriving downtown area with restaurants and shops. We have a beautiful international corridor, and y'all can't find anything better to do but to come sit at a city council meeting. Actually, I do appreciate y'all's involvement. It it speaks a lot of the community to see people turn out and support their causes, and we do appreciate that, and it does mean something to myself and to council up here. Good evening, Council. Thank you for the opportunity to pray and welcome City of Arlington to this meeting. May I pray for you? Please. Absolutely. So, Father God, we just come in the name of Jesus. We pray for wisdom and guidance and understanding. We pray for discernment. We pray for peace over this meeting. We pray for every heart that has come to the table that it's not about winning or losing. It's about f truth. It's about safety. It's about our city. It's about our children and our families and what is right. So Father, we just thank you for your covering here tonight. And we and again we place every agenda item before you. Amen. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I played it. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I love it. One state, under God, one to be indivisible. Please be seated. I'd like to invite Patrice Reed to come up here and join me. There you are. Normally I start with doing something, but we're gonna let Miss Reed do it here. Mayor Ross caught me unaware last time, giving me a chance to say something, so I wrote down so I wouldn't add lib anything silly. I represent Just Serve. Just Serve is a global service initiative and free online platform promoting service and linking individuals who want to volunteer with service opportunities near them, simplifying the work of finding where and who to serve. The advisory council for Just Serve includes CEOs and presidents of charitable organizations like Rotary International, Catholic Relief Services, Med Global, National Voad, and the National Commander of the Salvation Army. As is the case with these charitable organizations, the focus of Just Serve is volunteer service. With over a million registered users, the JustServe.org website and app help individuals search out volunteer needs where they live, serving with any organization that wants to use this free resource. The Just Serve City program, in conjunction with the free Just Serve Volunteer Platform, strives to partner with and recognize cities for their efforts with promoting community service, the Just Serve City Award honors cities in our nation and across the world that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteering and have made a significant impact in their community. The current list of Just Serve Cities is growing and includes cities like Los Angeles, California, Houston, Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, Mesa, Arizona, Louisville, Kentucky, as well as a familiar neighboring city, Dalworthington Gardens. Just Serve is a capstone partner of National League of Cities. And in November, at their city summit meeting, all current Just Serve Cities will be recognized. Arlington also has the incredible opportunity next year to be a host for nine matches at ATT Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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