And we have joining us virtually, Councilmember Raul Gonzalez and our mayor, Jim Ross.

Thank you, Dr.

Odom Wesley.

I appreciate that.

Good evening, everybody.

Um, joining you from Osaka, Japan, out here making some wonderful connections and talking about business growth in Arlington and how we can get more growth coming out of the wonderful country of Japan.

Uh with that, I'm gonna invite Reverend Christian Wharton to come forward from Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church to give us an invocation, please.

Please rise.

Thank you, Mayor Ross, City Council.

May we pray together.

Source of all wisdom and compassion, we gather this evening as neighbors, coming alongside one another and working for the well-being of each and every person in Arlington.

We give you thanks for the gifts and perspectives that each person who speaks tonight will bring, and for the passion that moves people to speak, for the willingness to serve the common good.

We know that tonight's work carries weight and that choices made here touch real lives in tender places, for those choices can lead us toward mending and flourishing or toward harm, and so we ask this evening for a steadying spirit to rest upon this room.

May pride not cloud our vision, and may cynicism not close our hearts.

Grant that our conviction would be tempered with compassion, and that we would have a collective imagination, creative enough to seek solutions that will enable every person in this city to flourish.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

I pledge allegiance to the Texas.

One state of state under God.

One and indivisible.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Dr.

Odom Wesley, would you mind handling the proclamation for the national night out, please?

We have Chief Al Jones, Chief of Police joining me.

This proclamation is from the Office of the Mayor.

Whereas the National Association of Town Watch is sponsoring National Night Out, a nationwide crime and drug prevention program on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.

And whereas this 42nd annual National Night Out will provide Arlington neighborhoods with the opportunity to promote and raise awareness of crime prevention programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit, and build police community partnerships.

And whereas community residents play a vital role in assisting the Arlington Police Department through joint crime, drug, and violence prevention efforts in the city and will support National Night Out with the variety of neighborhood celebrations.

And whereas residents can significantly contribute to reducing crime by staying vigilant in their communities and encouraging others to do the same, and by being aware of their surroundings and reporting any suspicious activities.

And whereas the National Association of Town Watch has ranked the City of Arlington number one for cities with a population of 300,000 or more for the past three consecutive years.

And we're striving to maintain that same distinction this year.

Therefore, on behalf of our mayor, Jim Ross, we do hereby proclaim October 7th, 2025 as National Night Out.

Let's celebrate accordingly.

Thank you.

I do.

Okay.

Thank you, uh Mayor.

Uh Mayor Pro Temp and City Council.

Uh, this means so much to us that you are taking the time to honor us as we go into this celebration of National Night Out.

National Night Out is not just a community program.

It's really about the neighborhoods, the city leadership, the police department coming together to make Arlington much stronger and much better.

As the mayor pro temp said, we've have come out number one for the last three years of uh with the National Night Out, and that's truly awesome feat for our city.

Think about this.

Last year we had over 150 events across our city.

That is truly, truly great.

That tells me that our community is engaged with the police department.

And the only way we're going to continue to make Arlington safe is if we have neighborhoods, businesses, civic leaders, and leadership working together, hand in hand.

So that's why this day is so important.

So what I'm going to ask each and every one of you to come out and celebrate with us on October 7th, because it's not just about this award.

It's really about strengthening our community and making us much better and making us or trying to make us the safest city in this country.

So again, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief Jones.

Truly appreciate it.

Uh, if y'all weren't aware that Smart Asset 2025 recently acknowledged Arlington as the seventh safest large city in the country, and that's a credit to all of the tremendous men and women in blue here in Arlington.

So thank you so much for that.

Mr.

Buskin, speaker guidelines and general decorum, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for attendance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility.

Any person making personal profane, hostile, slanderous, or threatening remarks who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or are calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the mayor and the city council or while attending the city council meeting may be removed from the council chambers.

All speakers shall address the city council and not the audience or city staff and shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public.

For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record.

Speakers may not use music, videos, other forms of media, signs, or props.

During public hearings for zoning cases, the applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given five minutes to make a presentation.

Speakers in support or opposition of the item will be given three minutes each to make their statements.

The applicant will then be given three minutes for any rebuttal.

For all other items on the agenda, speakers will be given three minutes to speak.

If multiple speakers plan to provide the same or similar comments, those speakers may, if they so desire, designate one or more individuals to provide public comment on behalf of the group.

A bell will signal the end of each speaker's time.

In consideration of other speakers, please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bell.

We ask that you address your comments to the mayor and council thank you, Mr.

Buskin.

Do we have any appointments to boards or commissions this evening?

Thank you, Mayor.

We have 24 appointments to boards and commissions.

To the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, effective October 1st, 2025.

Holly Potter Harvey, place one, Carrie Lindstrom, place two, Brittany Garcia DuMaz, place three, Bowie Hogg, place four, Christian Berryman, place five, Bridget Davis, place six, Rebecca Boxhall, place nine, Stephen Cummings, place 11, Brandon Demings, place 13, Valerie Landry, place 18, John Hall, place 19, Michael Jacobson, place 20, Maggie Campbell, place 21, Trey Yelverton, place 23, Carrie Parker Berry, place 24, Brent Durod, place 25.

To the Arlington Higher Education Finance Corporation, effective October 1st, 2025.

Sharon Newkirk, place one, William Temple, place four, Kenneth Woods, place five, Edward Smith, place six.

To the Greater Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation, effective October 1st, 2025.

Sharon Newkirk, place one, William Temple, place four, Kenneth Woods, place five, Edward Smith, place six.

Thank you, Mayor.

This concludes the appointments to boards and commissions this evening.

Thank you, Mr.

Buskin.

Do we have any speakers on any of these appointments?

No, sir.

We do not.

Thank you.

Can I have a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Pham and a second from Councilmember Galante.

Thank you.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

Yes.

And the motion passes.

Mr.

Buskin, consideration of minutes, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Minutes for consideration this evening or the afternoon and evening meetings from August 26, 2025 and September 2nd, 2025.

Thank you, sir.

Council, do y'all have any additions or corrections?

Seeing none.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers on these items?

No, sir.

No speakers on these items.

Thank you, sir.

Can I get a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, you have a m a motion from Councilmember Galante and a second from Councilmember Odom Wesley.

Thank you, sir.

Council members, please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

Yes.

I couldn't see the numbers there, Mr.

Buskin.

I'm assuming that motion passed.

Yes, sir.

It passed unanimously.

Thank you, sir.

We're going to move on down to 7.1.

Ms.

Devin Waters, please.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Devin Waters, Budget Manager.

Tonight before you, I have the final reading of the ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2026 operating budget as proposed on August 5th and as modified and said ordinance.

I'm available to have to take any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers on this item?

Yes, sir.

We have one speaker in opposition, Larry McFarland.

Mr.

McFarland.

Thank you, Mayor and Council.

I'd like to speak with you on 7.1, the adoption of fiscal year 2026 operating budget.

After a review of the proposed 2026 budget, I urge you to vote no on this proposal and demand the revised budget that reflects actual cost increases and not just a blank check.

Any budget proposal that does not mirror overall inflation is just robbing the taxpayers that already have to work four months out of the year just to pay all these taxes from the geographical monopolies.

Now it is a huge improvement over the last few years because those were three and four times the rate of inflation.

But even this budget, which is double the rate of inflation, still just seems crazy.

I mean, when we eliminate one position from one department, and the budget falls by $300,000, it's clearly time to get someone other than government officials to build a budget.

I would encourage you to please fact check me on that by reviewing page 139 of the budget.

Now I'm certain each and every one of you has compared the fiscal year 2026 budget to the fiscal year 25 budget to the 24 budget, and you've probably arrived at similar conclusions to mine after reviewing inflation factors for those years.

Now I, along with an army of citizens, urge you to vote no on this proposal and demand a revised budget that reflects the rate of inflation and not simply a blank check.

Thank you, sir.

Any other speakers, Mr.

Buskin?

No, sir.

No additional speakers on this item.

Thank you, sir.

Can I get a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Galante and a second from Councilmember Pham.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am also a yes.

And the motion passes.

7.2, Ms.

Waters.

Good evening again.

Devin Waters, budget manager.

Um this is the second and final reading of an ordinance levying the taxes to support the fiscal year 2026 operating budget.

The advalorum tax rate is set at 62.98 cents per 100 of assessed valuation, 18.52 cents for the interest and sinking fund, and 44.46 cents for the general fund.

Under Texas Tax Code Section 206.05, because the proposed tax rate exceeds the no-new net revenue rate, at least 60 percent of the governing body must vote in favor of the ordinance adopting the rate.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers on this item?

Yes, sir.

We have one speaker in opposition, Larry McFarland.

Mr.

McFarland.

Mayor and Council, thank you for letting me speak on 7.2 living taxes for fiscal year 26.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal and demand a proposal that reflects the no new revenue rate.

Now here's a quote from the city staff.

This tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year's tax rate.

The tax rate will effectively be raised by 9.6%.

Woo-hoo.

Let me read that slower.

This tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year's tax rate.

The tax rate will effectively be raised by 9.6 percent.

So the tax rate is going up, is it five times inflation?

Maybe somewhere close to that.

Oh my goodness.

And all the spin about how great the exemptions are, how embarrassing it must be for government to try to spin exemptions is a great idea.

I mean, really, if you look at the facts, all the exemptions are just a band-aid to the government's inability to accurately define a tax rate.

We all know that's what it is.

I mean, trying to make taxpayers believe in exemption is a great idea.

I mean, it takes me back.

It reminds me of that John Mellancant song.

You remember that one?

The simple-minded and the uninformed can be easily led astray.

I do.

A 9.6 percent increase in a period of 2 percent inflation, rising property valuations, millions of dollars in new taxable property additions.

The only right answer here is the no new revenue rate.

Anything else is governmental failure at its finest.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal and demand a proposal that reflects the no new revenue rate.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, any other speakers on this item?

No, sir.

No additional speakers on this item.

Thank you.

I'm going to recognize Councilmember Dr.

Odom Wesley for the motion.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 62 and 98 100th of a cent per 100 valuation, which is effectively a 4.8 percent increase in the tax rate.

Thank you, Dr.

Odom Wesley.

Can I have a second, please, Mr.

Buskin?

Mayor, we have a second from Councilmember Fam.

Thank you.

Please cast your votes.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am a yes.

And the motion passes.

7.3, Ms.

Waters.

Good evening again.

This is the last time, I promise.

Tonight, this is the final reading of an ordinance ratifying the property tax rate increase reflected in the operating budget for fiscal year 2026, beginning October 1st, 2025, and ending September 30th, 2026.

In accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 102.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Waters.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers on this item, please?

Yes, sir.

We have one speaker in opposition to this item, Larry McFarland.

Mr.

McFarland.

Mayor and Council.

Thank you for allowing me to speak on 7.3, the ratification of the tax increase for fiscal year 2026.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal.

And yes, I do know what Texas Local Government Code Section 10207 says.

And based on the prior vote, I I can see where this is going.

But at some point, there needs to be someone in the crowd of the parade saying the Emperor has no clothes.

Maybe it's that time now.

Now I do commend the definition on this 7.3 by classifying it as a tax increase.

So rather than trying to spin it as something else, we can call it what it is, so that's good.

But I do recommend a vote of no on this item as many of the citizens in Arlington do as well.

Well, okay, all except for the ones that are directly benefiting from this new tax increase, because I'm sure those people are over the mood.

I mean, I can hear them now, 10% more money.

Woo!

Heck yeah.

You may also want to check the comments from the other taxpayers who are actually paying for this on your city Facebook post, because those people are not as generous when describing this tax increase.

Maybe you should listen to them.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin.

Any other speakers?

No, sir.

No additional speakers.

Thank you.

Can I have a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, you have a motion from Councilmember Pham and a second from Councilmember Galante.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am a yes.

And the motion passes.

Mr.

Buskin, consideration of consent agenda, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The consent agenda this evening contains 30 minute orders, eight ordinances, and thirty-four resolutions.

The minute orders seek to authorize one through five annual requirements contracts for crack sealing services for breakaway signposts for the purchase and delivery of fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides, calcium hypochlorite tablets, and sodium bisulfate tablets, and for bollard maintenance and repair.

Six and seven annual contracts for the sole source purchase of incident record management system software and electronic health record software for the fire department and for the support and maintenance subscription for the remedy force software.

Eight contract for documents scanning services.

11 through 14, purchase of a replacement vehicle for the police department of equipment upfit parts and installation for six police department vehicles of duty ammunition for the Arlington Police Department and of standard duty equipment for the police department.

15 six month requirements contract for equipment and operations supplies for the fire department.

16 construction contract for an aircraft apron at the Arlington Municipal Airport.

17 modification to the engineering services contract for the aircraft parking apron at the Arlington Municipal Airport.

18 modification of the annual requirements contract for professional merchant payment processing services.

19 and 20, three year revenue contracts for inspection testing and maintenance report system for the fire department and for audio, visual and rigging services for the Esports Stadium Arlington and Expo Center.

21, three year contract for a Microsoft Enterprise License with server and cloud enrollment.

22 4-year lease agreement of personal computers and related equipment.

23, 5 year contract for forensic storage solution and related services.

24, design contract for Esports Stadium Arlington and Expo Center Roof Replacement.

25, fiscal year 2026, Texas Reeds Grant, TXR-26001, 1000 books before kindergarten program.

26, second extension of the ambulance contract and contingent lease agreement and ambulance rate adjustment.

27 renewal of professional services contract for administration of the Texas Event Trust Fund and Major Event Reimbursement Program.

28 and 29 professional services contracts for blue chip program consulting services and for the conceptual design and planning services for the City of Arlington Entertainment District Pedestrian Bridges and Related Infrastructure.

30 fiscal year 2026, Arlington Historical Society contract for services.

The ordinances seek to authorize 31 water and wastewater rates adjustment and water and sewer chapter ordinance amendments.

32 municipal court school crossing guard program court cost adjustment.

33 construction chapter amendment adoption of green building performance standards for multifamily and mixed use developments.

34 zoning case PD 24-40 anthem.

35 zoning case PD 24-40-ASP anthem.

36 updated downtown business improvement district service and assessment plan and roll, setting the assessment rate and levying the assessments.

37 updated Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Roll and Levy of Assessments.

38 Updated Lamar Boulevard Public Improvement District Service Assessment Plan and Roll and Levy of Assessments.

The resolutions seek to authorize 39 boards and commissions policy statement.

40 City Council rules for public comment.

41 temporary suspension of the the City of Arlington Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Program.

42.

Approve a resolution increasing the City Council approval threshold for contracts and adopting a revised procurement policy.

43 updates to City of Arlington policy statement for Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Policy, Arlington Business Certification Program.

44, 2026, City Council Meeting Calendar.

45, adoption of the debt and disclosure policy.

46, adoption of investment policy, fiscal year 26.

47, professional services contract for architectural services for the Arlington Economic Development Corporation Welcome Center.

48, Third Amendment to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau Incorporated Professional Services Contract.

49, Southeast Tarrant County Human Services Building Lease Renewal United Way.

50 Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.

51 First Amendment to the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation Economic Services Contract.

52, Arlington Urban Design Center Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the University of Texas at Arlington.

53, Division Street Tech Project Sidewalk Project, Cooper Street to Collins Street, Hawari Auto Sales, LLC and Thomas W.

Campbell.

54 fee resolution for Arlington Cemetery.

55, Arlington Economic Development Corporation Budget.

56, Water Utilities Fees for Services.

57, Public Works Department After Hours Inspection Fee Rate Change.

63, Arlington Independent School District, Hometown Recruiting Officer.

64, Arlington Independent School District, School Resource Officers.

65, Interlocal Agreement between the City of Arlington on behalf of the Arlington Fire Department, Arlington Independent School District, and Terrant County College District.

Includes joint funding for the AISD Fire Academy Lieutenant.

66 modification and renewal of the requirements contract for record services for police directed pools.

67 A and B solid waste recycling and Arlington Landfill Gate Rate Adjustments.

69 fee adjustment authorization for planning and development services departments fee schedule.

70 fee adjustment authorization related to fire permit fees.

71 Fourth Amendment to the Lincoln Square Master Development Agreement.

Thank you, Mayor.

This concludes the consent agenda for this evening.

And Council, I note that uh Fire Chief Stidham submitted a memo today that contains some revised documents regarding agenda item 8.7.

Uh item 8.7 is still on the consent agenda, and there's nothing you need to do.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware of those additional documents before voting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Buskin, do we have any speakers on any of the items as they appear on the consent agenda?

Yes, sir.

We have speakers in opposition to items 8.16 and 8.40.

Our first speaker in opposition on 8.16 is Larry McFarland.

Mayor and Council, thank you for allowing me to speak on a point one six.

Apparently, I made the mistake of reading the documentation on this.

No fied of this contract.

So 1,438 companies were notified that Arlington wanted to spend a big bucket of money.

Now, apparently they were notified because they have some skills in I don't know, poor and concrete, which I guess is a very specific skill.

But now a 10 million dollar project to pour concrete.

So some really rich guys can park some really expensive airplanes.

And a single proposal was received when 1,438 vendors were notified.

I mean, as long as you don't look at the facts, it's probably great.

But is anything about that seem odd to you?

It's 10 million dollars up for grabs, 10 million dollars.

Over a thousand companies, apparently with qualifications, were notified, and yet we only got one proposal.

Now, was that proposal written so narrowly that only a single company would qualify?

I think we've all seen that before.

Or maybe wait, was the staff document inaccurate?

Maybe some additional digits were missing.

Maybe maybe we didn't just receive one proposal.

Maybe we received I don't know, maybe eleven.

Or maybe it was a hundred and eleven.

Maybe they missed a couple of thirds.

Or maybe, I don't know, maybe they got a thousand one hundred and eleven proposals back, but surely not one.

With all the construction companies in the DFW area, I have a hard time believing that only a single company thought it was worth their time to apply for this gig.

Ten million dollars.

It's unclear exactly what's going on with this massive expenditure, but it does seem like it warrants external review.

Thanks, sir.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin.

Thank you, Mayor.

Our next speaker is in opposition to item 8.40.

Mr.

McFarland.

Mr.

McFarland, come on back up.

Mayor and Council.

Thank you for allowing me to address version item 8.4.

The City Council rules for public comment.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal and demand a rewrite that reflects consistent requirements for addressing the council.

Demanding in person 30 minutes prior to start time pre-meeting registration for items on the posted agenda, and yet demanding pre-registration online with a 90 minutes prior to start time pre-meeting registration cutoff for participant participation.

I mean it just it almost smells like suppression.

Now, while I do understand the need to make voters, you know, jump through hoops to address elected officials in order to show them who's boss, because that's necessary.

The distinct difference in demands of citizens to communicate publicly with public officials is well, it's nuts.

I mean, if your staff are too busy to record any and all the speakers at this meeting, I mean it's okay to throw your hand up and say, hey Larry, we need help.

We need help to record all these thousands of speakers that show up to these public meetings.

Because I'm happy to help with that.

And I know it's thousands of people that want to speak.

Trying to stifle citizen participation comments to the council, demanding early cutoff, it's wrong.

Implementing pragmatic solutions, like making the requirements the same.

For bizarro city requirements is really not that hard.

I urge you to vote no on this proposal and to demand a rewrite that reflects consistent requirements for citizens addressing the council, regardless of whether the topic is on or off the agenda.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, any other speakers on the items on the consent agenda?

Mayor, that concludes our speakers on the consent agenda.

We did have two non-speakers in support on item 8.36.

And I believe councilmember Odom Wesley was wanting to speak on the consent agenda.

Thank you.

We'll recognize Councilmember Odin Wesley.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

I need to pull items 8.41 and 8.43 for a separate vote.

Very well.

8.41 and 8.43 will be pulled for separate consideration.

Any other people wishing to speak on the consent agenda, Mr.

Buskin?

No, sir.

Thank you.

For the remaining items on the consent agenda, can I have a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Boxall and a second from Councilmember Pham.

Thank you.

Please cast your vote.

Mayor Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am also yes.

And the motion passes.

We're going to go back to 8.41, and I'll recognize Councilmember Odom Wesley.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to reiterate the continuing need for a minority and women-owned business enterprise program.

As long as we have disparities, as long as the playing field is not equal, then we need to continue this program.

I I do not support a temporary suspension.

Thank you, ma'am.

Any other council members, Mr.

Buskin needing to be heard on this?

I I don't see any, sir.

Thank you, sir.

With that on 8.41, can I have a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Hogg and a second from Councilmember Boxall.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

Yes.

The motion passes.

Mr.

We're going to now move on to 8.43.

Recognize Councilmember Odom Wesley.

Thank you, Mayor.

This causes us to fail to recognize businesses that are certified as historically underutilized.

They are not recognized as certifications, would not be considered in qualifying for contracts with the city.

And based upon all the other issues we have with disparities, I think it's important that we continue to elevate and give equal opportunity to minority owned firms.

Thank you, ma'am.

You know, I don't think any of us are excited about some of the changes that we are having to make in light of some of the executive orders and requirements of municipalities.

I'm gonna have to vote yes on this because I feel like the greater need of Arlington right now is to maintain our financial security and ensure that we comport with the Federal requirements on there as much as I completely agree with Dr.

Odom Wesley's viewpoint on the importance of this.

I think the greater need is to ensure our financial stability.

And with that, unless Mr.

Buskin, you have other speakers that I can't see.

No, sir, I do not.

Okay.

Can I get a motion and a second on 8.43, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Hogg and a second from Councilmember Galante.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I am a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am also a yes.

And the motion passes.

We're going to move on down to 11.1.

Mr.

Brooks.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Uh Keith Brooks, Director of Public Works.

I'm here to present an update of our flood damage prevention ordinance.

The flood damage prevention ordinance outlines requirements associated with the development and construction of the special flood hazard area.

It incorporates the city's ordinances and mandatory federal requirements for managing flood risk and provides enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with flood regulations.

Adoption of this ordinance is required for the city's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, which enables citizens, uh residents and businesses to purchase federally backed flood insurance policies.

The ordinance updates are required for the city to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System, a voluntary program that recognizes communities that adopts regulations and practices exceeding minimum federal standards to reduce flood risks.

Arlington's Class 5 rating recognizes these efforts and provides a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums for all policy holders in the city.

The updates of the to the flood damage prevention ordinance generally includes establishing a requirement that all machinery and equipment servicing new substantially improved or substantially damaged buildings be elevated two feet above the fully urbanized base flood elevation.

It also establishes uh requirements for flood flood proofing critical life safety safety systems and non-residential buildings when elevation is not feasible.

And then last, uh it has clarifying language in Article 5 to ensure a consistency with Federal requirements and the city's permitting regulations.

At this time, I will answer any questions you might have.

Thank you, Mr.

Brooks.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers or questions from council on this?

No, sir.

No speakers on this item.

Thank you, sir.

Can I get a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, we have a motion from Councilmember Odin Wesley and a second from Councilmember Boxall.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I am also a yes.

And the motion passes.

We're going to move on down to 11.2, Dr.

Veneira, Flora, Stafford.

So you you have a stand in tonight.

Good evening, Mayor and members of City Council.

My name is Michael DeBrecht, Assistant Director in Parks and Recreation.

This evening I bring a resolution for consideration for our annual youth standards of care.

The use standards of care refers to an exception for licensing requirements that the state grants to two municipalities for children's programs like summer camps.

The state legislature did make some changes to summer camp requirements in this recent special session.

However, those changes that did not affect our standard operating procedures or the youth standards of care.

In your packet, you will find the details, and with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers or questions from council?

No, sir.

No speakers on this item.

Thank you, sir.

Can I get a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, you have a motion from Councilmember Hogg and a second from Councilmember Boxall.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

Yes.

And the motion passes.

We'll move on down to 11.3.

It's my understanding that council has agreed to continue 11.3 until October 14th.

However, I want to make sure that if we have any speakers that have shown up tonight that wish to be heard, that we give them an opportunity.

So, Mr.

Buskin, are there any speakers there on 11.3?

Yes, sir.

We had two speakers in opposition to item 11.3.

Our first speaker is Nathan Smith.

Mr.

Smith.

Always.

He Mr.

Smith has said that he'd like to waive his uh speaking this evening, Mayor.

Thank you, sir.

And next speaker then.

Our next speaker is Asia Fernandez Evans.

Ms.

Fernandez Evans.

Hi, thank you, Council and Council members.

I just wanted to say that I am a UTA alumni.

Um I'm a Texas social worker and I own my own private practice.

And I think that when we are talking about anti-discrimination laws pertaining to anyone, but particularly to the LGBTQ community, that we are considering how these things will impact their mental health, their well-being, and their livelihood.

Um to other people and to society as a whole if we kind of just accept and kind of back down to that.

So thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, any other speakers on this one?

Mayor, that concludes our speakers on this item.

We did have one non-speaker in opposition.

Thank you, sir.

So item 11.3 will be continued until October 14th City Council meeting.

We'll move on down to 12.1.

Ms.

Lisa Sidbury.

Thank you, Mayor.

Agenda item 12.1 is the SUP 25-03 elementel.

It's a request for a specific use permit for an upscale hotel on property zone airport overlay community commercial on approximately 2.33 acres at 4560 Watchwing Drive, generally located north of East Bardin Road and east of South Collins Street.

The applicant is proposing an upscale hotel in a five-story structure with 107 rooms.

They're equipped with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, cooktop, sink, and a business workspace area.

Common amenities include 3,000 square foot lobby area, 661 square foot of meeting space, an 880 square foot fitness center, a food preparation breakfast area that will provide a continental breakfast, guest laundry area, and an outdoor pool and lounging area with grills, fireplaces, and a water feature.

The applicant has updated the east elevation facing waxwing drive by providing three larger windows to meet the planning and throning commission stipulation relating to creating a storefront appearance.

Additionally, they have also updated their landscape plan with increased landscaping along East Barton Road to soften the buffer between the site and the residential usage across East Barton Road, as well as providing two additional rows of layered shrubs at the confluence of East Barton Road and Waxwing Drive that attract Monarch Butterflies to further enhance that corner.

The applicant is Josh Steiger with Graham Associates.

The owner is DPG Partners, representative by Mike Dowry and Con Real, represented by Gerald Alley, who are here to present their case tonight.

Thank you.

Good evening, Council.

Good evening there.

Mayor, I know you're from another side of the world, but glad you're here to join us.

I'm Gerald Alley, president, CEO of Conreal.

As most of you know, I know most of you, and I'm proud to say I'm an Arletton citizens, been here for about 40 years, and proud to have another product here in Arlington to upgrade to hospitality opportunity here in Arlington.

We come together as an organization that has performed not on multiple sites, multiple hotels, but we come together as a team.

Okay.

Briefly, my background experience in this is not only in owning and operating a hotel, but also building hotels.

So we're proud to say we keep in that continuality going.

As you can see at the top, these are some projects we've done that have led Arletton's growth in the last few years, but even before that, Mike Daughtery, Jack Dottery, were long-term friends, started in Alton long before.

The Cowboys Stadiums, long before Howlands, long before a lot of things.

We started building great products.

And one of the things we're most proud of is all our products are first-class products within the space and a budget we have.

And we believe all of them, not only in the entertainment district, but also all of Arleton should be supported.

We believe this hotel, along with the growth that's going in South Arlington, will support the growth that you all supported, not only in the airport, but in the other areas around it, including shopping.

We're proud to say this is a product that will be very competitive in the marketplace and lead with good real par values and bring a good product to the city.

All and I like to bring Mike Daughtery up to finish the presentation.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Gerald.

Thank you, Council.

Uh, thank you, Mayor.

Uh my name is Mike Dorothy Worth DPG Partners.

As Gerald said, we've been uh invested in Arlington, our company DPG for 20 years in 2005.

Uh we started to develop the 16, I'm sorry, 13 and a half acres at I-20 and Collins, uh, bordered by Bardin Road and Waxwing.

And uh our first hotel that DPG developed was the Hampton and Suites there on that south corner.

We also developed the homewood suites.

We also developed uh uh with a doctor's group, the Retina I Institute Clinic, uh I Clinic there on the corner in the Navy Federal Credit Union.

Uh this is the remaining two acres on that site.

Uh, just real quickly, um, and I'll just tell you about the brand, and then we'll be happy to answer any questions.

But the brand that we chose.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I tried to advance the slide, but I'll do it quickly here.

Is an element hotel.

Uh, this element was originally designed by Weston Hotels.

It's part of the Marriott Hotels family.

Um, this is a rendering from the east elevation from uh waxwing.

And then uh just a little bit about element.

It is an upscale hotel by the Smith Travel Research and the Star Chain Scales.

We were allowed, I believe, by the new rules of the round hotels to develop a upper mid-scale hotel.

It was Gerald came to me and we were trying to determine what to do.

He said, Mike, it's got to be upscale.

It's got and so we moved up a level to the upscale hotel category, which is the same category as our homewood suites, which we developed and operated there.

DPG Partners is not only a developer owner, but we also uh we build them, and Gerald's with his company Conreal.

Uh has we've been partners on multiple projects, but we also operate the hotels.

We do not third-party manage, we we run our own properties and have for 20 plus years.

Uh it's uh Element Hotel was also highest guest satisfaction according to JD Powers in 2024 and the upscale extended stay home uh segment, which competes with residents in and homewood suites.

We picked as we're looking at that corner.

We knew we had been very successful with that homewood.

That zip code 76018 has the highest occupancy for the last two years in all of Arlington.

That includes the entertainment district, that includes the other zip codes throughout Arlington.

Our homewood has been usually the third or fourth highest performing hotel from a rev par perspective, Gerald mentioned, which is a calculation of occupancy percent times the average daily rate yields a rev par.

So we knew that would be very successful.

We serviced a lot of businesses along the I-20 corridor.

We also drew a lot of customers from the Grand Prairie area, and we're really excited about this project, and we're happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, are there any questions from council or any other speakers on this?

Yes, sir.

I see a request to speak from Councilmember Boxall.

We'll recognize Councilmember Rebecca Boxell.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr.

Dockerty, is that correct?

Uh Darty.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Um, well, um this the look of this hotel is just very ubiquitous and indistinct to me.

It doesn't really read as anything special.

It looks like welcome to anywhere USA to me.

Um I was really hoping for something that was a little bit more Arlington-centric.

But to put that aside, I would like to focus more on your west elevation.

Your west elevation is the one that will be visible from Bardon and from people arriving to our airport.

And that is the least interesting and frankly stark side of your building.

And um, I would request that you do something to improve the the look of that one, especially at the top.

Now you're not right on the corner, so we can hope that something will be built on the corner that will cover up most of the view of the back side of your hotel.

However, the top part, especially where it meets the sky, will be very visible, and it's just very stark and bland.

And I just can't, I can't in good faith vote for this because it's just uh it's not what it's not what I expect from, especially an upscale hotel.

And I'm sure it's very I'm sure it's very nice inside and all the amenities are nice, but from the exterior, it's just it's just too bland and stark for me.

I appreciate that uh councilman boxwell uh boxel, I apologize.

Uh what we tried to do with the hotel, it is it is a very contemporary, more modern hotel look.

Uh it what we added on it was quite a bit of masonry over and above what's required.

We added a wood look to give a variation and articulation difference between the wood, the stucco, and the stone.

And we put that on all corners.

Uh it's on this corner, it's also on the on the left of the screen.

That's what faces Bardin Road.

This is what faces back towards I-20 on this corner.

Yeah, so yes, ma'am.

It's still very flat and one-dimensional.

But can we go to the elevation of the west elevation?

Because I just want to focus on the west elevation right now.

Okay.

I'll uh try to get to it here.

Yes, this faces west, and then behind us to the west is the there's a large drainage ditch between us and Collins.

And then there's a retail strip center before the drainage ditch is the homewood suites we developed, and then the then the drainage ditch, and then the retail and then Collins.

Okay.

Um just reads as very utilitarian, especially on this side in particular, the west side.

And again, this is the side that we will see that most people will see.

Most people will not be driving down wax wing, which is your main entrance and your the basically the front of your building.

Quite a bit of the visibility will be on the uh other corner facing back towards I-20 uh as people come down the service road, if I can on here.

So what we tried to do is have different colors, different variations.

I appreciate that.

It's slightly it's slightly better on that side with the different colors and different materials.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh I I respect your opinion, but we really thought that this is an attractive hotel project.

Okay, thank you very much.

Yes, ma'am.

Just to that point, we have an architect that does quite a few hotels around the country, and he took great effort to bring aesthetics to the front of this.

And like he said, it it's a personal thing, but we wanted to present a contemporary look, especially because of the growth that's around Airport.

This is when we come in from different areas.

The Element Hotel is a class hotel, and you go in Dallas and Houston, they're leading to marketing, contemporary design.

So contemporary is sort of a personal.

It's not really contemporary design that I'm concerned with.

I'm fine with contemporary design.

It's just that that western facade, it it just looks like it looks like the back of your building, which it is the back of your building, basically.

Um and unfortunately, that's the side that's gonna be facing uh our airport.

Thank you for your comments.

Uh Mr.

Buskin, are there any other speakers on this?

Yes, sir.

Uh Councilmember Galante and Council Member Hog have both requested to speak, and I believe Councilmember Gonzalez is also requested to speak.

Thank you.

We'll recognize Councilmember Galante.

Well, thank you for investing in Arlington.

Me a champion of the uh tourism industry in Arlington.

I believe this hotel is um unique design in a new and attract and you'll uh type of uh guests, correct?

And as you see and you understand uh what uh the the guests in the area, so you're seeing a difference in uh young professionals that come around that will be catered to that location, correct?

Correct.

Okay, and um what are the um the the equifa equo-friendly features and sustainability uh that you incorporated on this project um to show that it you know the you know for the team of the hotel that the Echo Hotel is terrible to be sir uh the Element Hotel was designed to be a echo-friendly hotel.

It is not lead certified, let me be clear.

But we do a lot of design of making sure that it's uh uh good to the environment.

It's we use a lot of recycled materials and it's it's a very prominent brand.

There are five hotels and five element brand hotels in DFW currently.

Uh this will be the sixth one, two in Las Calinas, uh one of them down by uh Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas, and then one recently was built uh about four years ago or so by uh UT Southwestern and and Love Field, and it was recognized by real estate council as top development of the year.

So it's an attractive hotel uh from a guest standpoint.

It's desired by guests, and we built it.

We also when we built our homewood suites next door, and Gerald built his Hilton Garden Inn.

If Gerald added things that weren't required, hip roof, and certain, you know, we we we're very proud of it.

We have a lot of uh pride of ownership because we own them, we operate them, and when we built our homewood, we built some things that added a lot of differences in the uh the variation of the uh roof line and different things.

We added outside pieces on it that made that looked very nice to go with the area.

So we we're making very every effort we can to make sure it's something you'll be proud of because we're investing our money and we're proud of it.

Okay, I appreciate you guys having the vision uh uh to tackle a different niche and to grow the the pool of guests, different gas from different uh walks of life to come to Arlington.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hogg.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh thank you guys for bringing this hotel.

I'm a Marriott Loyalist, and I probably stay 75 nights a year and uh more than I'd like to in hotels.

Um I wish I didn't have to stay that much.

I've stayed in elements many a times, and and they are um they're nice.

They're they're fine, they're good, simple, easy business travel, um, nothing elegant but good and stable and clean is what we always go for.

Uh Mr.

Dodger, I'm glad you listened to Gerald, because upscale is what is allowed, upper mid scale would require some extra approvements, uh approvals.

So um good job on listening to him.

He knows his business from where it is, because I don't know if you would have been so lucky on a vote um tonight with uh with an upper mid scale on that.

When you look at elements development plans and the development offerings, they talk a lot about how you can really customize your development.

It's not a cookie cutter box of a hotel.

Of course, they have design, some design standards, but really they want you to kind of customize each one.

Um could you talk me through a little bit of what y'all did to go above the minimum within this and also a little bit um Ms.

Boxall knows I'm really big on what we're doing outside of the landscaping and that to sustain the outside look of that.

Um could you talk me to the through those two things, please?

Yeah, yes, sir.

Um one thing we did, and we're proud of the entry of the hotel.

This is the um as you come in past the lobby and the entry, this is all glass, two stories of glass that looks out over an outdoor living area and patio, uh be grills, and it would be just a nice, very nice spa type experience out there for an upscale hotel.

Um and so we've added extra windows along that back side to look out that pool and patio area.

I'm just gonna try and see which slide.

Um see if I can jump down to it.

This is the pool and patio area where we added extra windows on that west side.

Um there there is stucco to uh Councilman Boxall's point uh that I I see her point, but we've also added some metal articulation to show some variants in there.

We've added some different colors on the on the stucco and on the stone and on the wood look on the elements on the corners of it.

So we've added that area as well.

The interior, uh we tried to customize and make it a spa-like feel on the inside of the guest rooms, and I'll try to give you one room.

This is a typical guest room and suite and kind of a large shower bathroom and a small, like clean and neat feel.

It's it's there's not a tremendous amount of artwork.

It's kind of more modern and clean lines and clean uh looks and wood floors.

Uh that center suite is called a commons suite.

It's built for uh it is something that we've added to this.

It's not typically been in a element uh till now, and we're we're doing one of the first ones.

It's a large uh gathering for like if you had a uh uh a reunion with a family with four or five rooms, they're connected to this common suite area so that they can come.

And we had a lot of families and and groups that were coming, so we thought that was attractive for South Arlington.

And we were very successful with that with our homewood.

Additional um, one of the things we thought about, even though we planned this hotel prior to e space, we looked at the market of the e-space professionals coming in and where they're coming from.

They are for me with very contemporary looks, and it also has about a 60% uh uh extended stay capability because they're gonna be working a lot to try to get it off the ground.

They spend maybe three or four days inside the hotel.

But it also encourages them to go out to the house and do this.

So the market potential for being a great service hotel to meet the market, not only generally, but also from the other developments coming around, it really supports that area.

And I think we did spend a lot of time, and we will continue to spend a lot of times.

We are in uh conceptual drawings right now, but we have interior designers going to be work very thoroughly and trying to make sure every piece of this hotel will represent what we want it to be.

And from doing the Hilton Garden Hotel back in 09, it was an innovative thing.

It was a little different from the ones we had it and we modified to get better things as we looked at it, and it it just got refreshed again.

We spent about they spent about six million dollars in it right beside our office.

So we believe this is gonna be the hotel of the future, especially in that quad area, it's gonna be the lead hotel.

In the inside, I I do think it looks, especially the the pool area.

Sometimes that's the worst looking part of these hotels.

So I do think it looks nice.

Is there a like some of these like a lofts and those have bars down in the bottom and food provide for at nighttime and then talk me through the landscaping?

That's all I need to know.

Uh we we did not do a bar for due to the size of the hotel and what our experience was with the homewood.

We will have managers reception, beer and wine receptions as well.

It's complimentary and for guests that are of our hotels and our our Marriott Reward customers.

So come on in.

But on the from the landscaping perspective.

Every night looks great.

All right.

Yes, free.

It's free too.

From a landscaping perspective, we we had over uh we we had exceeded the city requirements prior to going to P and Z with that back pool and patio area.

It's um I just did some work on my backyard, and it's it is kind of I would just as soon live in my backyard as I would anywhere in the world.

And I think our guests want that same experience.

And so uh we have this uh trellis and covered area, we have a uh fire pit area, then we have a large buffer of greenery and grass and flowers that are buffed up, and then we did totally had no problem with it, added additional two layers of shrubbery and additional trees along Barden Road because it it it is that entry point from the uh uh from the airport as people head in that way.

Yes, perfect.

Thank you.

And and I think with Ms.

Boxhall's comment, I think it's just it's a little boxy on that side of Wexway.

I think it's a little bit, and listen, I in the first admit, I I do not know what design sometimes looks the best.

I rely on my colleague um to do that.

Otherwise, I think it's a really nice hotel.

I think I've done a good job, especially on the inside and upgrading on that.

And I do think it will have a high occupancy rate, which is what we really want out of each of these hotels.

Thank you.

Just on a note, um, it's going to probably generate about six hundred thousand dollars in hot tax and tourism tax to the city.

Another thing we're really proud of, these kinds of hotel is to drive uh, I would say I guess not only to spend the night but go out to the Highlands and other places and spend more money to generate better opportunities.

So it's going to be accommodating the city very well, and the guests are going to have a great experience in that.

And I wanted to talk a little bit briefly about the glass.

That hotel is typically a straight-line hotel.

We turned it into an L to give that coziness feel of it, and the glass thing is just an awesome event.

Once you see it up, you'll see that's really what we're doing.

It's not square or line, it's got an L-shaped like the garden in it and the homewood suite as well.

Thank you.

We're gonna recognize Councilmember Gonzalez.

Yes, thank you, gentlemen, for bringing up more business to Arlington.

We really do appreciate it.

Uh we love people that do business in Arlington.

Um, you know, we're we're excited about another hotel bringing more uh visitors to the city.

Um I I I also when I first saw it, I was um kind of not happy the way it looked, but uh it's not this hotel, it's the all the elements, they all look like that.

But I did notice you made that L.

So that is different than most of the other elements that because most elements that I've seen throughout the country, they're just one long rete building.

Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

Uh one of our first meetings with Arlington, and uh we we heard that comment.

If you could make it uh an L-shape, which adds a little cost, but it adds a little square footage too, so we tried to incorporate that.

And it also works really nicely around the outdoor living area.

So, yes, sir, we added the L shape on there.

And you know, when that when I when you see when things get older and everything else and it rains and uh you know the rust starts coming off the windows and stuff like that.

That's my concern when I see that road off of Bard and all that all the little corners of things that are there.

What's it going to look like when it starts raining and you know, dripping the the different color water, whatever it is, rust?

And so I I you know I I wish it was a little more detailed to the to that side because uh like I said, after after time, um that stuff starts looking kind of you know run down, so but like I said, that when I saw that I was kind of disappointed uh that I was hoping it was gonna be different uh than most elements.

So thank you again though for bringing this to Arlington.

Thank thank you, sir.

Council Member Hunter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um this happens to be in my district, and you know, I want to say thank you guys for considering District 3 Southeast Arlington as we continue to grow and make improvements to the airport.

We will continue to have more people come in on that side of town.

So I think it's great to have an additional hotel there.

Um and I am going to support you guys tonight.

So thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, are there any other speakers on this?

Yes, sir.

We do have one additional speaker in support of this item, Brent Durard.

Mr.

Durad, do you have something to add Mr.

Mayor?

I assume that means uh be quick, and I I promise I will.

Uh Mr.

Mayor, um again, uh Madam Mayor Pro Tem members of the council, I'm Brent D.

Rod, President and CEO of the Arlington Convention of Visitors Bureau.

I'm here tonight to uh speak in favor of this project as we take a look at um again, just uh you know quality hotels, especially an upscale uh chain scale hotel is defined by SDR, I think would be really welcome, uh especially in South Arlington and the applicant uh made the point that again uh you know some of the highest occupancies in the city uh are in South Arlington, and I certainly think that the uh community uh would uh would benefit from this as well, uh certainly in addition to just the uh the hotel um uh sales tax uh and and and other revenues that would come in from this as well.

Uh so Arlington has uh 8,400 hotel rooms uh out of the 125,000 hotel rooms in the Metro Plex.

So we really only have about six percent of the inventory.

Uh where I'm going with this is I think any time that we can add uh an upscale hotel in Arlington, it's going to benefit us in a big way.

Uh, when we take a look at a lot of the big events that we host here in Arlington, uh, and we take a look at the place or data and we see how many uh visitors that we export uh to hotels in other cities uh any time we get this opportunity to add uh an upscale hotel.

Uh I would certainly uh encourage you to consider it.

Uh thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

And I guess I did sound like I wanted you to hurry up, but I didn't intend for it to be like that.

So any other speakers on this, Mr.

Buskin.

No, sir.

No additional speakers on this item.

Well, thank you.

I personally, I think the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I think this would be a beautiful project down here at the airport, and I'm happy to be supportive of it.

Uh with that, I'm gonna close the public hearing call for a motion in a second, please.

Mayor, you have a motion from Councilmember Hunter and a second from Councilmember Galante.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I believe you're muted, sir.

Um yes.

And the motion passes.

Uh 12.2, Ms.

Sarah Stubblefield.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'm Sarah Stubblefield, a manager in our Office of Strategic Initiatives.

Um tonight's public hearing is to declare plots abandoned in the Arlington Cemetery.

And I did want to give a brief presentation to kind of explain all the steps we went to to get here and why tonight's action is necessary to continue.

The Arlington Cemetery was first established in 1883.

It was largely volunteer owned or maintained and led until the mid-1990s when the city took ownership in 1995.

We basically provided basic maintenance out there and interred folks as they um needed to be interred and with ownership existing before the city took ownership.

And that was pretty much our role until HB 2371 was passed in 2023.

HB 2371 allowed the sale of burial plots, which was previously prohibited since the city took over this cemetery by the process of abandonment.

Um it allows us to sell plots under certain conditions.

The first two of being municipality has to have owned and maintained the cemetery for 25 years, and that the sale will not endanger the public health safety or welfare of the public.

There's a couple of other things that have to happen before we were able to open for sales, and we've been kind of systematically going through those since this bill was passed in September of 2023.

In June of 2024, we conducted ground penetrating radar to identify any unmarked graves that may be out at the cemetery.

In April of 2025, we re-platted the property to establish individual grave sites that could be sold when sales were opened.

In May of 2025, this city council approved the Arlington Cemetery ordinance to establish the process of operations and sales at the cemetery.

In June and August, we conducted community outreach and opened a wait list for those who may be interested in purchasing when we did open for sales.

Coming closer to today on September 2nd, you approved a operator contract with Wade Funeral Home to manage our day-to-day operations at the cemetery.

Earlier tonight on the consent agenda, you approved a fee schedule to recoup some city costs for operations at the cemetery.

And of course, this abandonment action for the council is tonight.

From here, with your approval, we will continue some of our administrative processes, set up things like websites, forms, um, all those good things to be able to actually open sales, which we're targeting for October of this year.

I haven't had a chance to brief the council on our community outreach efforts.

I know this is a something that as it kind of got out into the community, may have perked some ears.

Um, those were the legal requirements.

However, we did want to make sure we did substantial communication and outreach, and so we reached out to many of our historical organizations.

Um, 12 to be exact.

We reached out to the 10 largest assisted care facilities in Arlington to make sure some of our older residents were made aware of this process.

Our grants management team sent it out on their list there, and our Office of Communications helped us with articles and social media posts.

We also um worked with a publication called Senior Riffic for the first time to try and get um the word out to some folks who pick up their news at the grocery store at their local doctor's office through that publication.

And we did get some good news um outreach from KERA, MBC, the business price, and WFAA.

As a result of those efforts, we received 42 inquiries about the cemetery and abandonment.

Many of people were concerned about their spaces in Parkdale, which is not a part of the Arlington cemetery, and so we were able to alleviate those fears.

Um we've received documentation from seven new family plots consisting of 54 graves that we were able to take off the list that's on your consideration for tonight.

And we also received significant um interest in being on the wait list to buy at the Arlington Cemetery.

In fact, about 93 grave sites have been reserved through the wait list system.

The abandonment requ is a requirement of HB 2371.

Um, it also includes an appeals process for the court, which must be filed within 10 days.

However, we want to make it clear to the public that if you um later find some documentation about plots in the cemetery, the city is um gonna make every effort to try to find the same number of plots in a suitable location for those families as a part of the good faith effort and opening this up as a public service.

And so tonight the action of the council will be to declare 1,158 plots with no known documentation of ownership to be considered abandoned, unowned, and available for sale per state law.

Um that's on this map, all of the green and white little spots you see there, those that are orange or purple or pink, I believe, um, those are not included in tonight's agenda as those are family plots or or otherwise occupied.

And with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers or questions from council?

No, sir, no speakers on this item.

Thank you, sir.

I'm gonna close the public hearing, call for a motion and a second, please.

Mayor, you have a motion from Councilmember Odin Wesley and a second from Council Member Hunter.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

Yes.

And the motion passes 13.1, Mr.

Ethan Close.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'm Ethan Close, City Treasurer.

Tonight in front of you is the issuance and sale for Arlington Economic Development Corp revenue bonds.

This is to help with the structure for e-space down at the airport.

This is a parameters ordinance for roughly 70 million dollars worth of bonds that will be sold on a competitive market on September 30th.

If you have any questions, I'm here to answer them.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, any speakers on this item?

No, sir.

No speakers on this item.

Thank you, sir.

Can I have a motion and a second, please?

Mayor, you have a motion from Councilmember Hogg and a second from Councilmember Galante.

Thank you, sir.

Please cast your vote.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm a yes.

Councilmember Gonzalez, your vote, please.

I'm also a yes.

And the motion passes.

Items number 14.1 and 14.2 have been tabled.

Mr.

Buskin, are there any speakers that came in tonight wishing to address either of those two items?

Yes, sir.

We do have one speaker in opposition on item 4 14.1, Larry McFarland.

Mr.

McFarland, would you like to be heard tonight on 14.1, please?

Yes, Mr.

Mayor, I would.

Thank you.

I'd like to address the Mr.

Mayor and the council on the fielder square redevelopment.

I'm sure you guys remember what Fielder Square was in the 70s.

You were probably there or had friends who were there.

I really can't believe that the city is even talking about buying out a multifamily house situation for 33 million dollars because I don't know.

We don't like the property, brings bad actors.

I don't know.

But good gosh, 33 million dollars.

That's a ton of money, boys and girls.

Are the code enforcement people too busy to do something about this place?

Is that what it is?

I mean, I know it's been a hot spot on the APD list for years, but I mean, are they too busy?

33 million bucks, that'll buy you a lot of police time.

Now I know the city got rid of a bunch of undesirable houses so we could put a football stadium in for the benefit of a single person.

I mean, that's that's great.

But I can't see us getting rid of a whole bunch of houses to put in another football stadium.

I mean the land's too small.

Should the city just buy out all the strip clubs because they bring bad actors?

I don't know.

Is that what we're doing?

Is the city starting on a binge of buying out all the multifamily housing that we don't like?

Are we building more multifamily housing pretty much on every corner so we can buy them out in 10 years?

I don't know, it's just it's nuts.

Is the city too blind to see what kind of problems these things bring?

Oh my goodness.

You know, a wise man once said, follow the money.

So if you follow the money on this one, I'm sure it'll take us somewhere.

To sum it all up, this is a plan to buy out this property is it's just it's crazy.

And the city's infatuation with this whole multifamily housing thing that does nothing but bring property values down.

Well, I'm telling you, it's just baffling.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, any other speakers on 14.1 or 14.2.

No, sir.

No additional speakers.

Thank you.

We're gonna move on down to citizen participation.

Mr.

Buskin.

Thank you, Mayor.

Citizen participation gives the public an opportunity to make comments or address concerns regarding matters related to city business or affairs that are in the scope of the authority of the city council and which are not posted on the evening agenda.

However, please understand that the mayor and council are not permitted by law to respond to, discuss or address the comment at this time as these items are not included on the posted council agenda for this evening.

The mayor and council may only ask clarifying questions and or direct staff to take appropriate action.

Speakers who have pre-registered will be given two minutes to make their comments, except that if 26 or more speakers have pre-registered, each speaker will be given one minute to make their comments.

Mayor, we have five speakers this evening.

Our first speaker is Jeanette Shepherd.

After Miss Shepherd is Carol Smalley.

Good evening, Mayor.

My name is Jeanette Shepherd, and I came here today.

I want to take a moment for Charlie Kirk.

I'm brave enough to come here.

Distraught, disappointed.

There's somebody in your city that's been beaten, battered, raped, abused, and there's been eight officers at this person's home.

Yet no warrant's been made.

If this was your mother, your father, your sister, your grandmother, your little niece or your little granddaughter.

And there's a 12-foot shoe print on the back of this person's back, and this man is still free in your city.

So I would like to know, as a council, what you're gonna do for the report writing, and for how long it takes for a victim of crime that's been beaten, raped, held down against her will, and this man is still free in your city.

I just spoke to the chief just now, and I told him that I want justice for this person.

This person deserves respect.

We pay taxes for protection.

We have a system that has policies and procedures that are supposed to be handled properly.

When somebody shows up at a resident, and the first thing when the officer sees blood marks, what are you supposed to do?

You file a warrant and you find out and you investigate.

But the investigation team at the city of Arlington has said there's no evidence.

I got pictures right here.

13-foot shoe print.

Okay, I'm sorry, but I just want y'all to know that if you'd like to talk to me after this and speak to me personally about what I want to do for the domestic violence individuals that are in the city.

Policies and procedures.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin.

Our next speaker is Carol Smalley.

After Miss Smalley is Larry McFarland.

Carol Smalley here of North Arlington.

Thank you for letting me come.

I've never been here before.

We have an issue with some semi-trucks parking on the road next to our condominium.

They park there, they leave the trucks for three or four days.

I've talked to the police, that's why I'm here today.

They said my issue is now a city issue.

They will put violations on the trucks, but they can't do anything about them because the trucks belong to out of state.

So they'll find them $34, and then they never pay the fine, and the trucks still sit there.

The reason I'm here is because they block a stop sign where the condominium people are coming out of their conduct.

We've already had one wreck, and several have almost been hit because the people coming down the road cannot see the stop sign.

So they don't stop.

So we, as the condominiums do not have a stop sign, and we cannot see around the trucks to notice if anyone is coming.

This is in the uh 2000 block of.

It's called Maritz, but I think you guys have it as Winton Road and Hardwheel Drive.

But this is becoming a serious issue because somebody is going to get seriously hurt here.

And we don't know where else to go.

Or what else to do?

Since I talked to the police today and they said they have no, even though there are seven signs posted, no parking, no stopping, no standing.

And they park on top of the signs.

Maybe you can help us out.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin.

Our next speaker is Larry McFarland.

After Mr.

McFarland is Eric Crowell.

Mayor and Council, thank you for letting me address this under the citizen participation component.

I tell you, man, it's it's either magic or random circumstance.

One day after I spoke to the city council about my public information request, R1640636101923, the APD records division added two videos to my request from three and a half years ago.

So yes.

Now the videos were not what I requested, but it seems like somebody made a phone call and APD actually delivered something.

So I mean that's pretty sweet.

And I appreciate that one phone call, but if I could maybe just get one more phone call to actually add the stuff that I requested, gosh, I would really appreciate that.

Now I know there used to be a saying that said, if you see something, say something.

I know we don't do that anymore because if you do that, it's called cyberbullying.

But theoretically, if we were going to speak truth, the records department is where we need to just cut all the cost and automate all that body worn video from the police units.

Everybody have access to them.

Bam, just like that.

No more requests.

I mean, think how simple that would be.

It's an opportunity for improvement.

And if you followed my recommendations, this department, you're gonna say about three million dollars a year.

And in 10 years, who knows you could buy another field or square.

Thanks, sir.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin.

Our next speaker is Eric Cryl.

After Mr.

Crowell is Sayeda Sayed.

I'm a candidate for the Tad Board of Directors.

I was nominated by the conservation districts of Tarrant County, one of which is Viridian, and I'm just going around to say hello.

As you are aware, Tad instituted a market value freeze until 2027 on all existing residential properties.

Now that we have some data, I'd like to speak about its effects.

Overall, cities saw taxable value rise by 5%.

This is mostly achieved by the rise in value of commercial property.

Arlington's commercial real estate shot up about 870 million.

I prepared a packet that I'll be emailing to each of you.

But one of the biggest takeaways shows that the market value of your average home here declined 11,000.

However, with a freeze in place, you'd expect that number to remain the same.

So the question is why isn't it?

And the answer is protest.

They were up 8%.

Homeowners who protested saw substantial reductions.

This tells us property values are going down across the county.

Now why do I point all this out?

If you remember, the reappraisal plan was instituted to provide tax relief.

However, in the current market, the freeze is going to cost taxpayers more than if Tad would have stayed on yearly appraisals.

When this was debated last year, signs were already showing and sales were beginning to show reduced values and high interest rates had yet to really take hold.

Oh, this should have served as an indicator to slow down, but the board didn't.

And basically they locked home values at the top of the market for three years.

I understand Tad's desire to provide tax relief to citizens.

It's something all cities and should strive to achieve through efficiency and sound planning.

However, tax relief is not Tad's responsibility.

That's done through the tax rate.

What Tad did was to insert itself into your budget, but your budget's between you and your taxpayers, not you and Tad.

Tad's simply there to value the property.

I understand when values are declining, it's hard to do your budgeting, but that's what you signed up for.

That's your job.

It's not Tad's job.

Tad's role is to make it easier for you during your budget process and yearly appraisals would ensure the most accurate data.

In the pack, it'll be a copy of my resume.

I appreciate your consideration.

And I'm the one that brought in all the conservation districts that's new in the packet this year.

Thank you, sir.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin.

Our next speaker is Sayeda Saed.

Good evening, Council, and good morning, Mayor.

Uh he's in Japan, so it's morning there.

Uh I am Sayada Said, and I'm the one running for TAD.

Uh since January of 2025, I have attended all the TED entity uh meeting, and those are the closed door meetings.

And I represented the city of Colyville, Crowley, Benbrook, Haltham City, Richland Hills, Grapevine, Haslet, Azel, Lakeside, White Settlement, Grand Prairie, Fovert ISD, Arlington ISD, and our Everman ISD.

I'm the only candidate has the appraisal review board experience.

Since the July of 2024, the appointment of appraisal review board members is the responsibility of the TAD board of directors.

Uh for uh TED going onward is to adopt and implement taxes property tax code and not only have uniform and equal appraisals, but uniform and equal treatment to all taxing entities and taxpayers as well.

The accuracy and integrity of your tax role is my first priority.

Uh your city has 91 votes.

Uh Mr.

Claus did really good uh presentation, but he missed something about uh the eligibility of uh TED Board of Director.

He will present you in the next meeting.

Uh we have 21 ISDs and 42 cities in Trent County out of five cities, and one school district has zero votes.

Eleven cities has ele uh one vote this time.

So please uh choose your uh nomination and uh TAD vote of director, your votes uh wisely this time because uh entities giving vote to people for 45 years, and we are and this mass.

Hope to get your nomination.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, are there any other speakers tonight?

No, sir.

That concludes our speakers for citizen participation.

Thank you.

Council, do y'all have any announcements for tonight?

Mr.

Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, for the record, I'm not in Japan.

I was in the hospital for the last five days being treated for uh double pneumonia, uh bacterial, and I'm home being treated, so just wanted to let the people know that uh I am at home recouping and doing my city council duties at home.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir, and get well, my friend.

Uh any other announcements from council, Mr.

Buskin.

I can't tell.

The only person I can really see is Mr.

Gonzalez.

Yes, sir.

Councilmember Odin Wesley's announcement.

Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

I just want to announce to our our public that on this Saturday, September the 20th, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zathe Omega graduate chapter, and Zeta Mu undergraduate chapters are hosting a day at City Hall.

We'll be covering citizen engagement, the role of municipal government, and most importantly, how everybody can get involved and participate.

It is sponsored by the sorority, but it's open to the public.

So on Saturday, September 20th, one o'clock, right here in City Hall in the Council Chambers, and you're welcome to join us.

Thank you.

Mr.

Buskin announcements, please.

Mayor, I believe Councilmember Hunter also has an announcement.

I'm sorry, Councilmember Hunter.

Thank you.

I just thought I do this weekend.

I'm having a non-profit tea party um to um recognize the Arlington Women's Shelter Safe Haven.

Um if anyone wants to come in to be at Bentham Plaza at noon.

And um we are asking for donations for um the Arlington Women's Shelter.

So thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Anyone else on council?

Thank you, Mr.

Buskin.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to remind our residents, Arlington City Council evening meetings are rebroadcast on Sundays at 6 p.m.

and on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 6 30 a.m.

The council's afternoon work sessions are rebroadcast on Sundays at 1 p.m., Wednesdays at 1 30 p.m.

and on Saturdays at 6 p.m.

You can also watch the meetings online anytime at www.arlington tx.gov.

Thank you, Mr.

Buskin.

Thank you all for your participation tonight.

With that, City Council is adjourned.