OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - September 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:19

Transcript — Verbatim
2:53

Well, good evening, everybody.

2:55

Somebody's awfully popular tonight.

2:59

Thank you all for coming out.

3:01

We're gonna go ahead and call the Arlington City Council session to order.

3:06

I want to recognize Mayor Jeff Williams and his bride, Karen Williams back here.

3:12

Thank you for being here, sir.

3:17

And I'm gonna invite Mr.

3:19

Lewis Torres from Revived Zoe Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation.

3:25

Will y'all please rise with us?

3:32

Father, thank you so much for today.

3:34

Thank you for this great city for this great council, Lord.

3:38

Thank you that you lead us.

3:40

Thank you that you're gonna lead this meeting.

3:55

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:00

But Jock has been doing great things for decades here in the city of Arlington.

5:08

Whereas Jock Bethune, an Arlington resident for over five decades, has been a shining example of servant leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our community.

5:25

And whereas he has humbly and consistently uplifted others through volunteerism, and whereas Jockley proudly volunteered during the nineteen ninety-five MLB All-Star Game, representing Arlington with honor and hospitality on the national stage.

5:48

And whereas Jock has served as a board board member for Dance Theater of Arlington, champion artistic expression and helping young dancers flourish through creativity and culture.

6:03

And whereas Jock has enjoyed the congenial fellowship his involvement in the Arlington Senior Men's Club, and whereas as a proud Rotary Club of Arlington member, he has embodied their motto, service above self, building bridges of goodwill locally and abroad.

6:29

Whereas Jock has played a key role in Sister Cities of Arlington promoting global unity, cultural exchange, and international friendship.

6:42

And whereas Jock has been an engaged member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, further demonstrating his commitment to civil leadership, community progress, and economic vitality in our city.

6:59

And whereas, as a devoted member of First Christian Church, Jock's faith and service has helped strengthen his congregation and community.

7:11

Whereas Jock Bethun's life of service is a living testimony to the power of love, community, and humble leadership, qualities that have made him a treasured and respected figure in Arlington.

7:31

Now therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, do hereby proclaim September 2nd, 2025 as Jock Bethune Day.

7:59

Let me tell y'all something.

8:02

I've known Jock for years.

8:12

Every time we appear somewhere, he'll hug my neck and say I love you.

8:19

That's his character, and I wish I could say he loved me best because he says it to me all the time, but I know he tells everybody he loves me.

8:33

But brother, just so everybody knows I love you too, and I know all these folks do.

8:40

So God bless you.

8:51

I love you all for being here.

8:52

I mean, this is every one of you from all different parts of my life, whether it's Arlington, American Airlines, all sorts of other parts of my life.

9:00

Um, I'm just so blessed with having each and every one of you in my life, and I mean that very sincerely, and I want to thank this group of people.

9:11

These are really volunteers, except for trade.

9:17

But they spend so much of their life for the people of Arlington.

9:24

I want to thank each and every one of you for being here.

9:28

And just thank you all.

9:31

And Karina says we're going to have a get together at J.

9:34

Gilligan's afterwards, so come and join us.

9:37

I would love to see and spend more time with each and every one of you.

9:41

Thank you.

9:42

Thank you.

9:43

Love you.

9:44

Thank you.

10:14

We still love you.

10:15

We still love you.

10:28

Well, we still love y'all for even though you're all leaving us now, okay?

10:36

Oh, man.

10:36

Come on.

10:38

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

10:38

Of course.

10:41

We'll do it here real fast.

10:42

Oh, I don't know if that's what a particular meeting or the question is.

11:25

Oh yeah.

11:28

So if you go up the front door to the left, turn left.

11:40

Sure, can you just like five things happening?

12:15

We're gonna let them clear out this one.

13:47

I think we're close enough now.

13:49

Let's go ahead and go through speaker guidelines and general decorum, please.

13:54

Thank you, Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Racial Equity█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Procedural██████████████████19%
Community Engagement█████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Affordable Housing████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Pending Litigation██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - September 2, 2025

The Arlington City Council met on September 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included a special proclamation, a large consent agenda, public hearings, and first readings of three ordinances. Key actions included adoption of green building standards, amendments to the Unity Council, and a controversial suspension of the Anti-Discrimination Chapter to comply with federal grant requirements, preserving $65 million in funding. Councilmember Boxall was absent.

Special Presentations

  • Mayor Ross proclaimed September 2, 2025, as Jock Bethune Day in recognition of his decades of community service and volunteerism.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved all 26 consent agenda items except Item 6.18 (Professional Services Contract for Relocation Assistance Consulting Services with CVR Associates, Inc., $492,320), which was tabled via a motion by Councilmember Odom-Wesley (seconded by Councilmember Pham) passed 8-0. Key approved items include:
    • Umpire officiating services contract ($66,000)
    • Concrete repair services ($418,385)
    • Elevator maintenance ($150,000)
    • Mosquito control services renewal ($150,000)
    • Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant filter and backwash improvements construction ($48,041,100)
    • Roof replacement at City Office Tower ($497,000)
    • Settlement with Atmos Energy Corp. (final reading ordinance)
    • Zoning cases PD25-09 (The Knox on Watson) and SUP25-05 (2306 Park Run Drive)
    • Tarrant County 9-1-1 District FY 2026 budget
    • Interlocal agreements for Texas Rangers Parking Lot H improvements and UTA RAPID project modification
    • Cemetery operations contract with M.E. Wade Family Funeral Home

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 9.1 (Green Building Standards): No public speakers.
  • Item 10.1 (Unity Council Amendment): Three speakers.
    • Dr. Jason Shelton (Chair of Unity Council) spoke in support, highlighting over 80 recommendations and the council’s accomplishments.
    • DeeJay Johannessen (CEO, Help Center for LGBT Health) spoke in support, emphasizing the proactive approach.
    • Kennedy Jones spoke in opposition, arguing the ordinance unjustly yields to federal pressure.
    • One non-speaker registered in opposition.
  • Item 10.2 (Suspension of Anti-Discrimination Chapter): Twelve speakers registered (1 support, 11 opposition).
    • Trevor McCullough (Fort Worth resident, student) spoke in support, praising the city’s fiscal responsibility.
    • Cyndi Golden (Unity Council member) opposed, citing the council’s work on health, ADA, and veterans.
    • Roger DeFrang (resident) opposed, arguing diversity occurred naturally.
    • Catherine Godby (resident) opposed, calling the suspension morally wrong.
    • Jane Collins (resident) opposed, urging civil disobedience.
    • DeeJay Johannessen (second appearance) opposed, noting no other Texas city suspended anti-discrimination ordinances.
    • David Runnels (resident) opposed, emphasizing moral conviction over funding.
    • Carol Raburn (retired engineer, resident) opposed, warning against opening doors to discrimination.
    • Timothy Szwech (resident) opposed, urging the council not to give in.
    • Kennedy Jones (second appearance) opposed, citing examples of Columbia vs. Harvard.
    • Jo Anna Cardoza (Arlington LULAC Council) opposed, sharing personal history and calling for intentional inclusion.
    • Four non-speakers registered in opposition.

Discussion Items

  • Item 9.1 – Green Building Performance Standards for Multi-family and Mixed-use Developments:
    • Rick Ripley, Building Official, presented the ordinance to adopt green building standards to improve sustainability, health, and longevity. No public comment. Passed first reading unanimously (8-0).
  • Item 10.1 – Amendment to Unity Council Section 3.09:
    • Troy Williams, Chief Equity Officer, presented the ordinance to align the Unity Council with state/federal mandates and council priorities. Councilmember Odom-Wesley highlighted the council’s national recognition. Mayor Ross expressed personal conflict but emphasized his oath to uphold the law. Passed 7-1 (Councilmember Hunter opposed).
  • Item 10.2 – Suspension of Anti-Discrimination Chapter:
    • Elizabeth Kaylor, Assistant City Attorney, introduced the temporary suspension. City Manager Trey Yelverton explained the risk: $65 million in federal grants (housing, CDBG, transportation, police/fire grants) required compliance with new federal prohibitions on DEI activities. He outlined future steps: redesign of Chief Equity Officer role to Community Development Director, broadening of MWBE policy, and temporary suspension of anti-discrimination and MWBE policies. Councilmember Odom-Wesley spoke passionately against the suspension, calling it a reversal of civil rights progress. Mayor Ross again cited his oath and the need to protect city finances.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 6.18 – Relocation Assistance Services Contract (CVR Associates): Tabled (8-0).
  • Item 9.1 – Green Building Standards: Approved first reading (8-0).
  • Item 10.1 – Unity Council Amendment: Approved first reading (7-1; Hunter nay).
  • Item 10.2 – Suspension of Anti-Discrimination Chapter:
    • Motion to table (by Councilmember Odom-Wesley, seconded by Councilmember Hunter) failed (2-6; Hunter and Odom-Wesley ayes; Ross, Galante, Gonzalez, Piel, Pham, Hogg nays).
    • Motion to approve (by Councilmember Piel, seconded by Councilmember Galante) passed (6-2; Ross, Galante, Gonzalez, Piel, Pham, Hogg ayes; Hunter, Odom-Wesley nays).
  • Citizen Participation: One speaker (Cheryl Bean, candidate for Texas House) addressed general topics.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, everybody. Somebody's awfully popular tonight. Thank you all for coming out. We're gonna go ahead and call the Arlington City Council session to order. I want to recognize Mayor Jeff Williams and his bride, Karen Williams back here. Thank you for being here, sir. And I'm gonna invite Mr. Lewis Torres from Revived Zoe Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation. Will y'all please rise with us? Father, thank you so much for today. Thank you for this great city for this great council, Lord. Thank you that you lead us. Thank you that you're gonna lead this meeting. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. But Jock has been doing great things for decades here in the city of Arlington. Whereas Jock Bethune, an Arlington resident for over five decades, has been a shining example of servant leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our community. And whereas he has humbly and consistently uplifted others through volunteerism, and whereas Jockley proudly volunteered during the nineteen ninety-five MLB All-Star Game, representing Arlington with honor and hospitality on the national stage. And whereas Jock has served as a board board member for Dance Theater of Arlington, champion artistic expression and helping young dancers flourish through creativity and culture. And whereas Jock has enjoyed the congenial fellowship his involvement in the Arlington Senior Men's Club, and whereas as a proud Rotary Club of Arlington member, he has embodied their motto, service above self, building bridges of goodwill locally and abroad. Whereas Jock has played a key role in Sister Cities of Arlington promoting global unity, cultural exchange, and international friendship. And whereas Jock has been an engaged member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, further demonstrating his commitment to civil leadership, community progress, and economic vitality in our city. And whereas, as a devoted member of First Christian Church, Jock's faith and service has helped strengthen his congregation and community. Whereas Jock Bethun's life of service is a living testimony to the power of love, community, and humble leadership, qualities that have made him a treasured and respected figure in Arlington. Now therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, do hereby proclaim September 2nd, 2025 as Jock Bethune Day. Let me tell y'all something. I've known Jock for years. Every time we appear somewhere, he'll hug my neck and say I love you. That's his character, and I wish I could say he loved me best because he says it to me all the time, but I know he tells everybody he loves me. But brother, just so everybody knows I love you too, and I know all these folks do. So God bless you. I love you all for being here. I mean, this is every one of you from all different parts of my life, whether it's Arlington, American Airlines, all sorts of other parts of my life. Um, I'm just so blessed with having each and every one of you in my life, and I mean that very sincerely, and I want to thank this group of people. These are really volunteers, except for trade. But they spend so much of their life for the people of Arlington. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here. And just thank you all. And Karina says we're going to have a get together at J. Gilligan's afterwards, so come and join us. I would love to see and spend more time with each and every one of you. Thank you. Thank you. Love you. Thank you. We still love you. We still love you. Well, we still love y'all for even though you're all leaving us now, okay? Oh, man. Come on. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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