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.