OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – August 26, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 26, 2025
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 26, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:20:13

Transcript — Verbatim
2:16

Good evening, everybody.

2:17

Welcome to the Arlington City Council.

2:19

We're gonna go ahead and call the council session to order.

2:23

I'm gonna ask Reverend Joseph Francis from Saint Albans Angelican Church to come forward and lead us in the Anglican.

2:34

Did I uh thank you.

2:35

Help y'all help me with the big words sometimes.

2:38

Um forward and and lead us in the invocation, please stand.

2:46

Good evening, and thank you for the invitation to be here.

2:50

Let us pray.

2:53

Oh heavenly Father who sent thy son among us to proclaim the kingdom of God in cities, towns, villages, and lonely places.

3:01

Behold and visit, we beseech thee this community of Arlington, renew the bonds of charity that uphold our civic life, send us honest and able leaders, deliver us from poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with mercy, and at the last bring us to thy holy city, the new Jerusalem, where we shall know perfect unity and peace.

3:38

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

3:41

Amen.

4:36

Get 'em up here now.

4:38

G y'all get up here.

4:45

I have presentations to give to each one of these people.

4:48

It should only take fifteen minutes per person.

5:07

Come on in.

5:07

Y'all keep on company.

5:09

Get on up over here.

5:18

That's pretty cool.

5:22

Folks, I think the folks behind me are responsible for something that we often take for granted.

5:31

And that's when we we turn our water on at our house at our businesses.

5:37

We expect it to be safe and drinkable and clean.

5:42

And we don't put much thought into it.

5:45

It's like breathing, I guess.

5:48

This character standing next to me is Alex Whiteway, who's the director of our water department here in Arlington.

5:55

And the reason why we've brought everybody up here is because Arlington water has been recognized with something pretty incredibly special here in the state of Texas.

6:08

And I want to read something here.

6:10

Arlington Water Utilities received two prestigious awards at the Texas Commission on Environmental Qualities Public Drinking Water Conference in July.

6:23

Those were first the outstanding public drinking water system award.

6:29

And then the second one was the outstanding cross connection control program award.

6:36

Arlington was one of just two public water systems out of 7,000 public water systems in Texas to earn the outstanding public drinking water system award this year.

6:54

Did y'all get that?

6:55

One of two out of seven thousand public water systems.

7:02

It was the sole recipient of the cross connection control program award this year.

7:11

A testament to the department's commitment to public health and water safety.

7:17

According to TCEQ, the outstanding public drinking water system award recognizes overall excellence in all aspects of operating a public water system.

7:32

To be recognized, a PWS must go above and beyond the minimum standards in protecting public health and ensuring reliable operation.

7:44

The extensive application for the outstanding public drinking water system honor requires the utility to show that it exceeds the capacity requirements for water production, storage, and system pressure maintenance.

8:25

And it has had no primary drinking water regulatory violations.

8:33

For those of you who aren't aware of how big Arlington is, we're over 400,000 people.

9:20

So real quick, uh, before we take the picture, um, you know, I want to say thank you to our mayor and council.

9:26

Without y'all's support and believing, you know, in the department, we wouldn't be able to do what we do.

9:32

Um, same thing with our executive leadership, Trey Yelverton, Lemuel Randolph, and Jennifer Whitman.

9:38

We want to thank y'all, you know, for y'all's support.

9:40

Oh, there you go.

9:41

Makes it easy.

9:41

I thought I'd talk loud enough.

9:43

But um, you know, also uh, you know, I just want to say my staff is the best staff anyone could ever have.

9:52

You know, this this team is what makes it possible.

9:55

Um, you know, I always say I'm just one man, without them, I'm nothing.

10:00

And I want uh everyone to know that you have the best utility in the nation, if not the world serving you, and it's all because of the staff that's right here right now, and the ones that couldn't make it.

10:11

They work in the heat, they work in the freezing cold weather.

10:15

They answer calls, sometimes not always happy ones.

10:18

You know, they uh they we run 24 hour ops, so there's no way we can ever say, hey, we're going home for the day.

10:26

We'll give you your water, we'll fix your water main break tomorrow or the next day.

10:29

We can't do that.

10:30

You always have to have water, you always have to have sewer.

10:33

And I just want y'all to know that it's because of this staff and the ones that obviously are out there working in the field right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Zoning and Land Use███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████14%
Economic Development████████████12%
Sports and Recreation███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Homelessness████4%
Public Health███3%
Public Works███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Arlington City Council met on August 26, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, public hearings on zoning and development items, adoption of a $2.5 million Chapter 380 agreement for Shady Valley Country Club, and approval of multiple resolutions advancing the E-Space North American headquarters project. Several items were removed or tabled, including the Fielder Square Redevelopment package.

Special Presentations

  • Mayor Ross recognized the Arlington Water Utilities Department for receiving two Texas Commission on Environmental Quality awards: Outstanding Public Drinking Water System (one of two out of 7,000 systems in Texas) and Outstanding Cross Connection Control Program (sole recipient). The awards were accepted by Director Alex Whiteway and staff.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions

  • Approved appointments to the North Texas Higher Education Authority: Governor Jackson (Place 2), Tony Pompa (Place 4), and Stephanie Shaner (Place 5), terms expiring September 30, 2027. Motion by Councilmember Gonzalez, second by Councilmember Pham; passed 9-0 (Resolution 25-203).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Division Street Sidewalk Project (6.1): Liam Crowley (President of Walkable Arlington) and Donald Turner spoke in support of the eminent domain resolution, citing the need for walkable infrastructure to create a vibrant entertainment district.
  • Zoning Case PD25-09 (The Knox on Watson): No public speakers beyond the applicant. Jake Mooney (JCM Ventures) and Sallie Burchett (Structured Development) presented the 82-unit affordable housing project. Councilmember Boxall questioned the secondary emergency access; the applicant committed to providing it despite fire marshal waiver.
  • Zoning Case SUP25-05 (2306 Park Run Drive): Applicant Tish Nix spoke in favor of a secondary living unit for her aging mother. One individual registered in support; no opposition.
  • Zoning Case PD24-40 (Anthem):
    • Support: Monica Luera (Trademark Property Company).
    • Opposition: Bruce Huidsten (CFO of On Deck Concepts, representing Boomer Jacks) opposed the permissible building area that could affect parking near his restaurant. He requested exclusion of the parking field north of his business. The applicant (Terry Montesi) stated the lease protects parking and they do not plan to build there. Councilmember Boxall noted the currently approved zoning already allows buildings in that area.
  • Shady Valley Golf Corporation Chapter 380 Agreement (13.2):
    • Support: Doug Hafer, Clay Kelley, Wendell Olson, Phillip Choi, Tom McCarty, and Ji Choi (all Arlington residents/members) spoke in favor, citing the club's need for renovation, drainage improvements, economic development benefits, and the name change to Arlington Country Club.
    • Opposition: Chris Dobson questioned the public benefit of $2.5 million for a private club, noting the property value is under $2 million and the limited public access. He also raised concerns about alternative fundraising.
  • Citizen Participation:
    • Chris Dobson spoke on campaign finance ethics (corporate donations from business accounts) and constitutional rights.
    • Mary Owens, Robert Clyde Davis, and Jasmine Hogan addressed homelessness in Arlington, requesting more shelters and services.

Discussion Items

  • Division Street Sidewalk Project – Eminent Domain (6.1): Council authorized condemnation of fee simple title for sidewalks and landscaping along Division Street (Cooper to Collins). Two public speakers supported the project. Motion by Odom-Wesley, second Gonzalez; passed 9-0 (Resolution 25-204).
  • Executive Session Consent Agenda (6.2 & 6.3): Approved settlement for fee acquisition of 550 sq ft (101 W. Division) and award payment of Special Commissioners for 1,358 sq ft (107 W. Division). Both passed 9-0 (Resolutions 25-205, 25-206).
  • Zoning Case PD25-09 – The Knox on Watson (11.1): First reading approved with stipulation that the applicant must provide a secondary emergency access. Vote 7-2 (Councilmembers Piel and Hogg nay). Motion by Boxall, second Galante.
  • Zoning Case SUP25-05 – Secondary Living Unit (11.2): First reading approved unanimously (9-0). Motion by Boxall, second Galante.
  • Zoning Case PD24-40 – Anthem (11.3): First reading approved to revert to PD-EDO-CC with additional permitted uses and revised concept brief. Vote 8-0 (Councilmember Odom-Wesley absent at time of vote). Motion by Piel, second Odom-Wesley.
  • Zoning Case PD24-40-ASP – Alternate Sign Plan (11.4): First reading approved 8-0. Motion by Piel, second Boxall.
  • Gas Well Permit GW25-001 – Arkansas Agape 1H (11.5): Resolution approved 9-0 to authorize one well permit at 3031 E. Arkansas Lane. Five non-speakers in support. Motion by Galante, second Gonzalez (Resolution 25-212).
  • Atmos Energy Rate Settlement (12.1): First reading approved 9-0. The ordinance adopts a negotiated settlement from the Atmos Cities Steering Committee, effective October 1, 2025, including rate adjustments, benchmark for pensions/retiree medical, and reimbursement of ratemaking expenses. Motion by Gonzalez, second Hunter.
  • Temporary Traffic Control Permit (12.2): First reading approved 9-0 adding Section 6.06 to the Streets and Sidewalks chapter to allow permit fees for temporary traffic closures. Motion by Hunter, second Galante.
  • Health and Sanitation Amendments (12.3): First and final reading approved 9-0 aligning food establishment regulations with state law and requiring food sanitation grade posting. (Ordinance 25-063). Motion by Boxall, second Pham.
  • Shady Valley Golf Corporation Chapter 380 Agreement (13.2): Approved 6-3. Councilmembers Gonzalez, Hunter, and Odom-Wesley voted nay. The agreement provides up to $2.5 million from the city for renovation/expansion of club facilities (minimum $8 million capital investment) with publicly accessible amenities (pickleball, tennis, event space), 10-year term, and name change to Arlington Country Club. Motion by Galante, second Hogg (Resolution 25-214).
  • West Airport Development/E-Space (13.3): Five resolutions approved unanimously (9-0) to advance the E-Space North American headquarters at Arlington Municipal Airport. Includes: development agreement and subleases; Chapter 380 agreement for water/sewer utilities ($1.2 million); CMAR contract for civil enabling package ($13,393,013); project manager contract modification ($700,000); architect contract modification ($436,760). Motion by Galante, second Pham (Resolutions 25-215 through 25-219).
  • Fielder Square Redevelopment (13.4): Items a-c (Arlington Tomorrow Foundation amendment, grant agreement, $36,765,560 grant award) were removed from the agenda by motion (Boxall, second Hunter) after a speaker (Chris Dobson) registered opposition. Item d (all-cash purchase of 408 N. Fielder Road) was tabled by motion (Odom-Wesley, second Boxall).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda – Approved as a whole (30 items) without objection. One individual registered in opposition to item 8.22 (UDC Amendments) but did not speak; six registered in support of item 8.23 (Drill Zone) but did not speak. Motion by Galante, second Boxall; passed 9-0.
  • Minutes – Approved for August 5 (afternoon and evening) and August 12, 2025. Motion by Odom-Wesley, second Hunter; passed 9-0.
  • Fee Adjustment Authorization (13.1) – Resolution approved 9-0 for various health services fees in the Planning and Development Department. Motion by Boxall, second Odom-Wesley (Resolution 25-213).
  • Fielder Square – Removal and Tabling – Items a, b, c removed; item d tabled. All council members voted in favor.

Next Steps

  • Staff will bring the final reading for zoning cases PD25-09, SUP25-05, PD24-40, and PD24-40-ASP at a future meeting.
  • E-Space project groundbreaking is slated for early September 2025; vertical construction package expected in November 2025.
  • The temporary traffic control permit fee resolution will be presented to council on September 16, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Arlington City Council. We're gonna go ahead and call the council session to order. I'm gonna ask Reverend Joseph Francis from Saint Albans Angelican Church to come forward and lead us in the Anglican. Did I uh thank you. Help y'all help me with the big words sometimes. Um forward and and lead us in the invocation, please stand. Good evening, and thank you for the invitation to be here. Let us pray. Oh heavenly Father who sent thy son among us to proclaim the kingdom of God in cities, towns, villages, and lonely places. Behold and visit, we beseech thee this community of Arlington, renew the bonds of charity that uphold our civic life, send us honest and able leaders, deliver us from poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with mercy, and at the last bring us to thy holy city, the new Jerusalem, where we shall know perfect unity and peace. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Get 'em up here now. G y'all get up here. I have presentations to give to each one of these people. It should only take fifteen minutes per person. Come on in. Y'all keep on company. Get on up over here. That's pretty cool. Folks, I think the folks behind me are responsible for something that we often take for granted. And that's when we we turn our water on at our house at our businesses. We expect it to be safe and drinkable and clean. And we don't put much thought into it. It's like breathing, I guess. This character standing next to me is Alex Whiteway, who's the director of our water department here in Arlington. And the reason why we've brought everybody up here is because Arlington water has been recognized with something pretty incredibly special here in the state of Texas. And I want to read something here. Arlington Water Utilities received two prestigious awards at the Texas Commission on Environmental Qualities Public Drinking Water Conference in July. Those were first the outstanding public drinking water system award. And then the second one was the outstanding cross connection control program award. Arlington was one of just two public water systems out of 7,000 public water systems in Texas to earn the outstanding public drinking water system award this year. Did y'all get that? One of two out of seven thousand public water systems. It was the sole recipient of the cross connection control program award this year. A testament to the department's commitment to public health and water safety. According to TCEQ, the outstanding public drinking water system award recognizes overall excellence in all aspects of operating a public water system. To be recognized, a PWS must go above and beyond the minimum standards in protecting public health and ensuring reliable operation. The extensive application for the outstanding public drinking water system honor requires the utility to show that it exceeds the capacity requirements for water production, storage, and system pressure maintenance. And it has had no primary drinking water regulatory violations. For those of you who aren't aware of how big Arlington is, we're over 400,000 people. So real quick, uh, before we take the picture, um, you know, I want to say thank you to our mayor and council. Without y'all's support and believing, you know, in the department, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. Um, same thing with our executive leadership, Trey Yelverton, Lemuel Randolph, and Jennifer Whitman. We want to thank y'all, you know, for y'all's support. Oh, there you go. Makes it easy. I thought I'd talk loud enough. But um, you know, also uh, you know, I just want to say my staff is the best staff anyone could ever have.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com