Good evening, everybody.

I love it when it's nice and quiet like this, y'all coming in, not a whole lot on the agenda tonight.

Uh welcome.

We're going to go ahead and call the order or Arlington City Council meeting here on October twenty-first, twenty twenty-five.

I'm gonna uh invite Reverend Charles Powell from the Mount Olive Baptist Church to come forward and lead us in an invocation.

Please stand if you can.

Let us pray.

Father, we come tonight on behalf of the city council meeting, asking you riches' blessings on wonderful civil services you have given to us.

We ask that you would uh lighten their minds, that you would uh give them uh the peace that passes all understanding, they would be able to reconcile all of the business of the city of ours.

Thank you for their service, we thank you for their families, and we give you all on and all praise in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Amen.

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Honor the Texas flag.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Cybersecurity is a big issue nowadays.

Everybody is seems to be trying to attack everybody, particularly government agencies.

And this group that you see up here keeps those of us in the city on our toes with ensuring that we do everything in our power to maintain our cyber security.

We're going to do a proclamation here, whereas the City of Arlington recognizes its critical role in identifying and safeguarding its community and staff from cyber threats that pose a substantial risk to our collective security.

And whereas critical sectors of Arlington infrastructure, including but not limited to, financial services, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and public safety systems are increasingly dependent upon data and technology.

And whereas the state of Texas has enhanced its commitment to cybersecurity by establishing the Texas Cyber Command and response to increased cybercrime.

And whereas in collaboration with the state effort, the City of Arlington is dedicated to empowering residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to secure their digital lives, including the four key habits, enabling multi-factor authentication, using strong and unique passwords, recognizing and reporting fishing attempts, and updating software regularly.

And whereas the security of technology and data is a shared responsibility in which everyone has a critical role, and increased awareness of essential cybersecurity hygiene will enhance the security of the City of Arlington's information infrastructure and economy.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, Mayor of the City of Arlington, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as cybersecurity month.

Thank you all so much.

Y'all give it up, give them a crack.

I say a word every day.

Yeah, good evening, everyone.

Thank you, Mayor and uh City Council for the continued support and investment in prioritizing cybersecurity as we uh reflect on this month, just knowing how embedded technology is and everything that we do for the community that we serve and really taking a step back and recognizing just the subset of our team that really kind of works behind the scenes to safeguard our information and our systems to to continue serving the uh great community that we live in here in the American Dream City.

So thank you all.

All right, we'll take a quick picture.

All right, congratulations.

Thank y'all.

All right, John, come on.

You want to bring your friends to our next proclamation.

National Community Planning Month, whereas change is consistent and affects all communities, and community planning helps manage this change by providing better choices for how people live and work.

And whereas planning offers residents meaningful opportunities to shape the future of their community, including through public engagement in innovate Arlington, the city's new comprehensive plan.

And whereas the success of planning depends upon the understanding, support, and involvement of citizens, public officials, and professional planners who are dedicated to excellence in plan development and implementation.

Whereas Arlington continues to grow and thrive, processing thousands of permits and plats each year, six hundred and thirty-seven PLATs and forty, five hundred and ten permits in 2024, while its planners, officials, and community partners work together to guide quality development, advanced transportation policy, and strengthen neighborhoods.

And whereas October is recognized as National Community Planning Month, a time to honor the contributions of the honor of the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission, City Plans, City Planning Staff, and partners, such as the University of Texas at Arlington's College of Architecture Planning and Public Affairs.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, Mayor of the City of Arlington, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as National Community Planning Month.

Thank you all.

Just wanted to say a couple of words.

We're very proud to celebrate the dedicated planners here at the City of Arlington as well as the University of Texas at Arlington who work every day to shape a more vibrant, safe and sustainable future for our community.

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community members who have participated in all planning efforts and want to ensure you your voices are essential to building a better Arlington.

Mayor and Council, thank you for your continued support of all of our vital planning teams, whether that be transportation, strategic initiatives, neighborhoods and corridors, long range, or land development.

Thank you.

All right, thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

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, 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 and supporter 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.

Um we have any appointments to boards or commission this evening.

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you.

Consideration of consent agenda, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The consent agenda this evening contains 16 minute orders, one ordinance, and 11 resolutions.

The minute orders seek to authorize one annual contract for testing services for the Arlington Fire Department, two and three annual requirements contracts for maintenance, repair, and operational supplies, and for the purchase purchase alteration and delivery services of uniforms for the police department.

Four through six renewal of annual requirements contracts for freeway mowing for the purchase purchase and installation of grass sod and for animal services medical supplies.

Seven, three-year contract for the purchase of cartograph solutions software.

Eight three-year professional services contract for franchise fee compliance.

15 construction contract for an access road at the Arlington Municipal Airport.

16 sole source maintenance agreement for the Polaris Integrated Library System Automation Software.

The ordinances seek to authorize 17 mesquite street speed limit amendment.

The resolution seek to authorize 18 updates to the City of Arlington policy state statement for Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Policy, Arlington Business Certification Program.

19 Texas Veterans Commission, Fiscal Year 2027 General Assistance Grant.

20 Texas Veterans Commission Fiscal Year 2027 Housing for Texas Heroes Grant.

21 Texas Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2026 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Impaired Driving Mobilization Grant.

22, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Fiscal Year 25, Paul Coverdale Forensic Science Improvement, Competitive Grants Program.

23, U.S.

Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

24, Office of the Governor, First Responder Mental Health Program.

25 Amendment to Environmental Collection Center, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

26, authorize a competitive seal proposal procurement method for construction improvements and repairs to the 101 Center Parking Garage.

27 interlocal agreement with Tarrant County for the Arlington Airport Access Bridge.

28, Live by Lowe's First Amendment to Convention Center Annex Lease.

Thank you, Mayor.

This concludes the consent agenda for this evening.

Thanks, sir.

Do we have any speakers in support or opposition of any of the items on the consent agenda?

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you.

I have a motion from Councilmember Hog, a second from Councilmember Gonzalez.

Please cast your vote.

Councilmember Pham, your vote, please.

Yes.

Thank you, sir.

And the motion passes.

Mr.

Buskin, citizen participation, please.

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 are 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 had three individuals registered this evening.

Our first speaker is Ed Hartnett.

Mr.

Hartnett.

Mr.

Hartnett.

Next speaker, please.

Our next speaker is John McKnight.

Mr.

McKnight.

Mr.

McKnight.

Next speaker, please.

Our next speaker is Judith Romch Ramsick.

Sorry.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Judy Romchek, and I'm actually speaking for my grandson who who is uh doing a government project and doesn't want to get up here and read this letter, so I will.

So here we go.

My name is Kayla Bromchek, only it's not.

And I'm a high school student.

I live here in Arlington, and I'm writing this letter because I think our city really needs a better transport public transportation system.

Arlington is the largest city in the United States without a traditional fixed route public transit system.

Well, Arlingt the Arlington on Demand Service helps some.

It really doesn't meet the needs of residents who depend on affordable and reliable transportation for work, school, or even to do everyday error errands.

The World Cup is coming to Arlington this summer, and traffic is already a major issue due to regular day-to-day traffic and events like those of the Cowboys, the Rangers, and the special events down in the entertainment district.

A stronger public transportation system with regular bus routes or shuttles could help reduce congestion congestion, minimize damage to our streets and roads, cut down on parking problems, and make it easier for fans, workers, and residents to move safely around the city.

Better transportation wouldn't just help during big events, it would benefit students, seniors, and families year-round.

Expanding our public transportation options options would make Arlington more connected.

Ensuring that everyone can travel to their destination.

Public transportation can make Arlington a city that welcomes guests and supports their residents.

Thank you for your time and for considering considering ways to improve our city.

Sincerely, Caleb Romczyk.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you for bringing this grandson of yours out here.

Uh and let me tell you this: if you can convince him to come see me, you're welcome to bring him into my office, and I'd love to sit down and talk transportation with him.

All right.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You're going to talk about it.

Yeah, well, we got a couple of vacancies coming up.

You're welcome.

You could just pass it right there to the police officer and he'll bring it up there.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, any other speakers?

No, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you all for coming out tonight.

I think this is a record, and City Council meeting is hereby adjourned.

This is just a wonderful opportunity for a student to really begin that networking process in high school.

The students that engage in this process learn so much.

This year we have about 50 business partners.

We're about 175 seniors in high school are placed in the internship experience.

Climbing in Evangelista, huge partner right now.

I've had them in the past, and we have two students that are going there right now.

And you know, they get to hands on assistance, they get to learn how to scribe, they get to learn how to input information, they get to ask the doctors questions whenever they they possibly can.

If you're interested in the medical field, you should really apply for it.

You just have to be willing to take the challenges and do the work that's required in order to best.

I believe you should take advantage of these opportunities that are being given to you by the district.

The kids get to use all their total mind to think outside the box.

I would just encourage any student that wants to get ahead in life to take advantage of this program.

I'm Shauna Limley with the Arlington Fire Department's Office of Emergency Management.

On this episode, I'm here to answer your questions about the Arlington Outdoor Warning Sirens.

What is the outdoor warning siren system?

The Arlington Outdoor Warning Sirens are a system of 53 sirens used to alert the outdoor public of any potential or imminent threats.

The sirens are activated by the Arlington Fire Department's Office of Emergency Management for these conditions.

A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service, report of a tornado from a trained storm spotter, one and a half inch hailer larger, 70 mile per hour winds or higher, or any other outdoor emergency.

What should I do when I hear the outdoor warning sirens?

When you hear the outdoor warning sirens, move indoors to the lowest level and innermost windowless room of your home and