Good evening, everybody.

Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting.

Today is November the eighteenth of twenty twenty five.

I'm going to ask for Chaplain Don Coker to come forward from the Arlington fire department to lead us in an invocation.

Please stand if you can.

And Lord, as this uh as this council is continued, Lord, I ask you to bless all the festivities of it.

And all these things I ask in Christ Jesus' name.

Amen.

Amen.

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic which stands one nation under God and the visible and liberty and justice for all.

Honor the Texas flag.

I pledge the Texas one state.

One individual.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Before we begin tonight's meeting, I want to take a moment to recognize the passing of former Arlington Mayor LZ Odom.

Mayor Odom was a dedicated public servant whose leadership, compassion, and steady commitment helped shape our city and to the community we are proud of today.

He served Arlington with integrity and left a legacy that will endure for generations.

On behalf of the city council and the citizens of Arlington, we extend our deepest condolences to the Odom family.

Mayor Mayor Odom's contributions to our city will never be forgotten.

I now ask that you please join me in a moment of silence as we honor Mayor Odom.

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 or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while 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 you have any appointments to boards or commissions this evening?

No, sir.

We have no appointments this evening.

Thank you.

Consideration of minutes, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Minutes for consideration this evening or the afternoon and evening meetings from November 4th, 2025.

Thank you, sir.

Council, do you all have any additions or corrections?

Seeing none, Mr.

Buskin, do we have any speakers on this item?

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you, sir.

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

Please cast your vote.

The motion passes.

Mr.

Buskin, consideration of consent agenda, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The consent agenda this evening contains 22-minute orders, one ordinance, and twelve resolutions.

The minute orders seek to authorize one through seven annual requirements contracts for the purchase, delivery, and planning of trees for landscape bed maintenance and beautification for portable toilet rental and maintenance service for electrical services for water treatment plants and remote sites for access control, maintenance, and related access control systems for commercial wireless services and equipment and for uniforms, alterations, embroidery services, and accessories for the fire department.

Eight renewal of annual requirements contract for health and fitness assessments.

Nine, renewal of the professional services contract for stormwater geographic information systems technical support.

10 through 13, renewal of annual requirements contracts for the purchase of hot mix asphaltic concrete for janitorial services for Arlington Library facilities and other various city-owned buildings and for printing services for water billing and ratification of payment.

14 Engineering Services contract for the Johnson County Special Utility District Treated Wholesale Water Supply Project.

15 and 16 construction contracts for the Mansfield Webb Road, Silo Road to South Collins Street and for Helen Westler Park.

17 and 18, purchase a playground equipment and purchase it and installation of a splash pad at Helen Westler Park.

19 reject all proposals for the golf club's food and beverage operations management.

23 year contract for the support and maintenance subscription for the laserfish software.

21 contract for the assessment and design of a neighborhood community broadband plan in East Arlington.

22 contract for demolition abatement and site preparation services for 409 West Abram Street.

The ordinance seeks to authorize 23 zoning case Z03-56 slash P03-56R1, 915 East Randall Mill Road, Walmart Super Center.

The resolution seek to authorize 24 City of Arlington local marker designation for 1801 South Davis Drive and 1108 and 1110 Linda Lane Lamb House.

25 Arlington Economic Development Corporation contract amendment number three to the construction manager at risk contract for eSpace Manufacturing Facility.

26 10-year renewal of pipeline license agreement 05-659 with Texas Midstream Gas Services LLC at Arlington Landfill.

27 Texas Department of Transportation 2026 Routine Airport Maintenance Program Grant Agreement.

28 through 30, Texas Department of Transportation 2026 Highway Safety Improvement Program Call for Projects.

Roundabouts 31, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Call for Projects.

32, the United States Conference of Mayors, Healthy and Sustainable Communities Awards Program.

33 Interlocal Agreement Amendment between the City of Arlington on behalf of the Arlington Fire Department, Arlington Independent School District, and Tarrant County College District includes joint funding for the AISD Fire Academy Lieutenant.

34, amendment to the Arlington Housing Authority Rehabilitation Policy Manual.

35 approval of Veridian Municipal Management District, unlimited tax road improvement bonds, series 2025.

Thank you, Mayor.

This concludes the consent agenda for this evening.

Thank you, sir.

Do we have any speakers for any of the things that appear on the consent agenda?

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you.

I have a motion from Councilmember Hogg and a second from Council Member Gonzalez.

Please cast your vote.

The motion passes.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'm here before you for the public hearing.

The consideration of a resolution authorized authorizing, excuse me, the Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District and making findings related to the advisibility of the proposed improvements, estimated cost, methods of assessment, and collection service thereof.

The Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District, TPID, was originally established in 2016 for a term of 10 years, expiring in September of 2026.

The TPID boundaries solely include non-contentious hotel properties with 75 rooms or more within the city of Arlington.

At the time of creation, there were 42 separate hotel properties within the TPID boundaries.

Now there are 51 properties within these boundaries.

On September the 26, 2025, a petition was submitted by 34 properties, 68% requesting renewal of the TPID for a term of 12 years beginning in October of 2026 and ending September 2038.

Signatures have been verified and confirmed.

I can now answer any questions that you may have.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mr.

Buskin, do we have any speakers on this item?

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you.

Seeing no questions, I'm going to close the public hearing.

I have a motion from Councilmember Boxell, a second from Councilmember Galante.

Please cast your vote.

And the motion passes.

Mr.

Buskin, I'm going to take the next item out of order.

I'm going to have 12.1, Mr.

Josh Mahill.

Here he comes, Trey.

Josh, you've already used up part of your time.

You have you have six seconds left.

I'll make it quick.

Good evening, Honorable Mayor and members of the City Council.

My name is Josh Mejia, Economic Development Services for the City of Arlington.

It is my pleasure to present for your consideration a resolution authorizing a Chapter 380 agreement between Arlington Center Square LLC and the City of Arlington.

This agreement supports the redevelopment project, currently known as Project Division Street Market, located within tax increment reinvestment zone number one.

Staff recommends approval for the resolution authorizing the Chapter 3D agreement, and I am happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Buskin, do we have any speakers on this item?

No, sir, we do not.

Thank you.

Seeing no questions from Council, I have a motion from Councilmember Hogg, a second from Councilmember Galante.

Please cast your vote.

The motion passes.

Thank you, sir.

Okay, we're going to go back and address agenda item 11.1.

As we approach this agenda item, I want to take a moment to address the community regarding the importance of this item and the context surrounding it.

Recent directives from the Federal and State governments have prompted a comprehensive evaluation of our ordinances.

These valuations are not merely procedural.

They are critical to ensuring that Arlington remains eligible for vital grant funding and avoids potential liability.

It is deeply concerning to see that some misinformation has been circulated, attempting to paint this council in a negative light, suggesting that we are not welcoming to all members of our community.

This portrayal is not only inaccurate, but it's also detrimental to the progress we have made as a city.

I want to emphasize my commitment to inclusivity and representation.

Since being mayor, I have established 13 advisory councils comprising of various community groups that represent numerous voices within Arlington, minority voices within Arlington, including the LBGTQ plus community.

My dedication to serving all communities has been recognized through awards from the LBGTQ plus community, the disabled community, the African American community, Latino community, Asian community, and the Muslim community.

Yet despite this recognition, I find myself facing misleading television advertisements, billboards, and mailers that suggest I, along with members of council, intend to harm the LBGTQ plus community.

This could not be further from the truth.

In fact, today we received word that once again Arlington was given a perfect 100 score on the 2025 human rights campaign municipal equality index.

This campaign examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are in cities and towns across the country.

Arlington is one of only four cities in the entire state of Texas who has received this rating.

I urge everyone to look beyond the misleading narratives and to engage with the facts.

But the impact of misinformation can be wide-ranging, affecting trust, public engagement, policy effectiveness, and overall community cohesion.

Tonight, one of our council members, Dr.

Odom Wesley is unable to be here with us today as her father, Mayor Odom, passed away yesterday.

This matter pending before us is extremely important to all of us on council, including Dr.

Odom Wesley.

Consequently, I will be moving to continue this item to ensure all members of council have an opportunity to be heard.

If the motion to continue passes, this will also provide an opportunity for the city to continue its dialogue with the community to ensure every attempt is made to address community concerns.

I fully understand that many of you came with the intent to address this to address this matter before council, and I fully intend to allow each and every person the opportunity to be heard.

Due to the number of speakers tonight, each person will be given two minutes to speak.

If the motion to continue passes, and you wish to reserve your right to speak until the next council meeting on December 9th, when the issue will be voted on, please advise us when your name is called.

Also, should you wish to simply publicly affirm your support or opposition of the matter without further comment, you may certainly do so when your name is called.

With that being said, Mr.

Buskin, how many people do we have signed up to speak now?

Mayor, we have one speaker in support and 14 speakers in opposition.

Thank you, sir.

Uh, who's our first speaker in support?

Our first speaker in support is Steve Rowe.

Mr.

Rowe.

Please.

After Mr.

Rowe is our first speaker in opposition, Peter Ricca.

Good evening, thank you.

We now see what happens to such lofty goals as diversity, equity, and inclusion when they threaten the receipt of federal grants, which begs the question: if these are such worthwhile endeavors, exactly how worthwhile are they?

Why does the potential loss of $65 million in federal funds create such a dilemma for you?

I don't love the idea that city governments must act in accord with the strings attached to federal funds.

It would be better that you pass a budget that does not require such coercive revenue.

But if you truly care about meeting your budget, you will repeal this ordinance altogether.

State law preempts you from enacting anything already covered by state law, which, as you surely know, deals with labor and employment.

This ordinance invites legal challenge, as evidenced by the language which you've included that suspends any provision that is determined by court order to be preempted by state law.

Legal challenge is sure to come, and you will incur legal costs to be borne by taxpayers, all to uphold an ordinance which has no purpose other than to make it appear that you care about the LGBTQ community.

By now.

Surely you understand the unwinnable prospect of appeasing the Hornet's nest of woke, anti-American, neo-Marxists, you so hope to gain as allies.

Through your virtue signaling actions and your collaboration with groups like the National League of Cities, you have invited the Trojans inside the city walls, and now they point their ire at you.

Watching you try to navigate this minefield which you have created for yourselves is entertaining at least and worth the tens of thousands of dollars I pay each year in local taxes.

You don't have an easy way out, except to act as a steward of our tax dollars.

Be done with the culture war, sir and get on to the business of making our city safe and affordable.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Our next speaker is Peter Ricca.

After Peter Ricca is Stephanie Grinstaff.

Folks, I'm going to caution you now.

When the bell rings, your time is up.

Any disruptions, you'll be removed from the gallery.

You will abide by the rules or you will leave.

We are not going to be here for your own namesake.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you all.

One of the first proponents of public education, Horace Mann said, ignorance breeds monsters to fill up the vacancies of the soul that are unoccupied by the verities of knowledge.

I can agree with you that when the judgment first came out, you must remove these protections.

It's scary.

But let's look at some of the things that has happened.

Donald Trump's administration has lost 142 cases where they have tried to coerce cities and towns and states into spending money.

There's something in the Constitution.

You're not a constitutional lawyer, you're not a constitutional lawyer, you're not a constitutional lawyer.

That's called commandeering.

It's when the federal government attaches strings to coerce local municipalities and states.

A couple of important points.

Because none of you, none of you are constitutional attorneys, I have this check for $80,000 that I don't know how to give to the city without it looking like a bribe.

But if you wish to take this, that is two weeks of a very high dollar constitutional attorney.

The only thing I asked, publish the reports.

I spent, I sent eleven requests to the council members, the ones at large and mine, phone calls, emails, forms submitted through the city.

I called the city secretary and asked her to forward these requests.

None of you did.

None of you answered my requests.

My ignorance and understanding what you need makes me think that you're feckless and cowardly and do not understand.

One more thing.

Marcus Young, seven figures.

I will piss you off and say goodbye to them.

It's here if you want it.

Our next speaker is Stephanie Grinstaff.

After Miss Grindstaff is Claire Skierski.

My name is Stephanie Grinstaff, and I've lived in Arlington two different times by choice.

I could have lived anywhere in the Metroplex, but I chose Arlington along with my husband for our family.

We now have an adult daughter who does not feel safe to come home for the holidays.

I don't even pretend to understand all that this encompasses, but I understand fully what it means to not have my dinner table complete this year or any time.

It's not just the holidays.

That's just what's upon us.

That I have a child that doesn't feel safe to come home.

And we're going to now take it a step further and be the first place in the state of Texas to withdraw these protections.

I can't comprehend that.

And I'm not alone.

And your family hasn't got someone in their family they need to love in this manner, trust me, you probably do.

And they're probably living in fear.

So I urge you to put aside money and think about people's protection and their inalienable rights for basic human rights to be covered.

I can't imagine us not doing that for everybody that lives in Arlington.

And I want to continue to live here.

But honestly, if my child can't come home ever again, I probably won't.

So please take that into consideration as you're making this major decision.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next speaker, Ms.

Buskin.

Our next speaker is Claire Skierski.

After Miss Skiersky is Yesse Martinez.

Well done on pronunciation.

Mayor Ross and Council members.

My name is Claire Skiersky, and I'm a resident of Arlington District 3.

I'm here because I am in opposition to ending protections in the anti-discrimination ordinance for sexual orientation and gender identity.

And I recommend the restoration of the original ordinance.

In my limited time, I want to address the likely consequences of removing protections for a small vulnerable percentage of the population.

Intent is appreciated, but it is not the same as impact.

The fact is, once protections for one group are removed, it's easy to start removing protections for other groups.

What group is next?

Do we really need anti-discrimination protections for women?

Well, gentlemen, ask your female fellow um council members.

What about race?

Well, the council does not exactly mirror our community, it is much closer than some of our neighboring cities.

That's a good thing.

Do we want to open the door to reversing the progress that we've made here?

Like Pandora's box, once cruelty is let out, it's nearly impossible to reverse.

Pardon my mixed metaphor, but at some point the leopards will eat your face.

If the threat of possible loss of anti-discrimination protections for a wider group of people does not concern you, then maybe threat to city coffers will.

A claim has been made that Arlington could lose tens of millions of dollars in grants from the federal government.

Maybe.

But if you move forward with removing protections, what will happen to the 2.8 billion with a B dollar tourism industry?

How many conventions, conferences, vacation goers will decide they don't want to spend their money here because Arlington has gone out of its way to demonstrate its hostility to a vulnerable community.

This is not just speculation.

Fort Lauderdale lost over 90 million dollars in 2023 due to Florida's anti-LGBT QIA plus laws.

In Arlington, we are not talking about state changes, but be by being the first city in the country to do this, it will bring unwanted national attention.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next speaker, Ms.

Our next speaker is Yesse Martinez.

After Miss Martinez is Franya Wilhelm.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

I didn't expect to be this emotional tonight, but I want some words heard.

The LGBTQ community is a vital part of Arlington.

Our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members.

Arlington is a major diversity that welcomes people from all over the world.

To imagine that our residents could be left without protection from discrimination does not reflect the values we say we stand for.

Arlington has long been a welcoming and inclusive community.

Let's keep it that way.

I firmly oppose to ending protections in the anti-discrimination ordinance for sexual orientation and gender identity and demand a restoration of the original ordinance.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next speaker, Mr.

Buskin, good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Franya Wilhelm.

I came to Arlington when I was 26 and have lived here 50 years.

We don't want Arlington's reputation ruined.

We don't want to be the only city to renege on protections for our citizens.

Perhaps a second or third legal opinion would behoove the council in this matter.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Alicia Miller.

After Miss Miller is Ophelia Jameson.

Good evening.

This is the first time I've ever spoken at a city council meeting.

You know, uh my wife and I waited on pens and needles this week to see if our marriage was going to still be legal.

That's the kind of thing we're facing.

That's national.

And now we're here in our own city where we live, where we pay taxes, where we spend our money at restaurants, where we entertain.

And we're up against this.

And like the lady said before, this is a slippery slope.

Call it what you want, but the minute money is hanging over something, and you have to decide, are you going to take the money or are you going to throw people under the bus?

History tells us people are going under the bus.

And we have fought long and hard to get the rights that we do have.

The pride parade is right outside your building every year.

What message are you sending when you're saying, oh, well, we can't risk the money.

You know what?

We risk it every day.

Every single day.

Now, I pass.

Probably wouldn't know I was a lesbian if I was walking down the street.

A lot of people don't.

And they risk harm and discrimination every single day.

And I am asking you, don't become a part of that.

Please.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Ophelia Jameson.

After Miss Jameson is Amanda Rogers.

Hello, Mayor and City Council.

My name is Ophelia Jameson, a resident of District 5.

I'm here to voice my opposition for removing protections for the LGBTQ residents of the city of Arlington.

As a UTA graduate and proud transgender resident of the city since the age of 14.

And I love making Arlington my home into my adult life.

I have found love, family, employment, and almost everything I can want here and make my heart bleed that other LGBTQ LGBTQ members may not find the same things here in Arlington.

As previously mentioned, many cities that have removed LGBTQ protections in the city ordinance as well as other protections for major marginalized people have already faced financial repercussions for it.

And I would like the city to not face the same things.

I love the city of Arlington as if it's my hometown since I was born here.

And I just don't want it to change in that sense.

I want to continue calling this place my home.

I want to continue making friends here.

I want to continue having family here.

I want to home when they raised a child here.

I want to get married here.

I want to potentially just spend my life here as a career individual.

And I don't believe I'd be able to do that if these changes were allowed to be made if I couldn't continue my employment here, and if my potentially queer child could not find the same opportunities I have here.

And if the city were to lose money or any other options like that were to say just go under the bus, it would just lead to over city overall.

Thank you for your time.

I do hope you can say everything and make the right decision.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Amanda Rogers.

After Amanda Rogers is Tammy Carson.

Hello, good evening.

Uh my name is Amanda Rogers.

I'm currently reside in District 2 in Arlington here.

And I understand Arlington was considered LGBTQ's friendly and received a perfect scores from the human rights campaign in 2021 due to the inclusive policies, laws, and services, the representations.

Now we hear we are the LGBTQIA plus community.

We live here, we work here, we pay taxes, and we vote in Arlington, and are questioning if they had made the right decision just four years ago.

Why?

Well, we know why.

Because the people who are sitting in front of me this evening are floating the idea to go against the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of these United States, which states that all persons born have equal protections under the law, not male, not female, all persons.

Arlington has already, in my opinion, pimped out its citizens by once by ridding of its DEI initiative for a 65 million dollar payout.

I will end with this question.

Why are you willing to bend the knee for the fascists in the White House by being a traitor to the oath that you took when you were elected?

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Tammy Carson.

After Miss Carson is Dallas Schwab.

Tammy Carson, uh Arlington resident since 1975.

This is a personal issue to me.

I have family members that will be impacted by these changes.

So I'm asking you to please vote with compassion to protect the vulnerable in our community.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Dallas Schwab.

After Dallas Schwab is Allison Carson.

My name is Dallas.

I live in District 4, and I oppose these changes.

Whatever political calculation is motivating you to entertain these when no other city in the state is doing so.

Remember that the pendulum of presidential power swings back and forth.

The administration that you are afraid of will be gone in three years.

But the citizens of Arlington will still be here.

For as long as you would seek to be our elected leaders, you have a duty to us, and you are failing.

This community and its voters has a long memory.

And I appreciate all those awards that you listed for minority organizations, and I hope they make you feel better.

But remember that we are not stupid, and we can think for ourselves.

Our next speaker is Allison Carson.

After Allison Carson is Irene Jefferson.

Hi, my name is Allison Carson.

I've spoken here a few times, generally over environmental issues.

But this one hits close to home.

I've been here the last few meetings that we've had and postponed this exact topic.

I'm a resident of Arlington.

I was born and raised here, and I have personally been a member of the community as long as I can remember.

In both high school and college, I was both the vice president and secretary of GSA.

Sorry.

While that was a community that I found close to my heart, and I helped foster and help nurture the minds of a dozen different LGBTQ students that I was able to help in my time as the vice president of that organization.

But the DEI programs that were then removed in college while SB17 was enacted, removed that from me.

And with the recent legislation, my marriage to my partner is now in jeopardy.

And the thought that our protections here in the city, our local government is even willing to jeopardize our safety, our willingness to be able to get jobs and find housing here in the city is very, very upsetting.

It's like we are in our 20s, we are trying the best we can.

I work two jobs here in the city just to afford my rent.

And the fact that my ability to apply for housing could be jeopardized just because we are not a straight passing couple.

It's very upsetting, and I urge you to please restore the previous protections you had for our community.

Our next speaker is Irene Jefferson.

After Irene Jefferson is Brigitte Brady.

Every resident deserves fair treatment regardless of background.

My concern today is about clarity, enforcement, and alignment.

When ordinances are amended, rescinded, resigned, or reinstated, it is important for the community to understand exactly what protections remain, what changes and how residents are impacted.

I am asking the council to provide clear guidance to the public about what rights are preserved under this reinstated chapter, how conflicts with state law will be handled, and what accountability mechanisms remain in place.

Strong anti-discrimination protections are only effective when residents understand them and can trust that they are enforced.

My request is that the council moves thoughtfully and transparently before advancing this ordinance so that the community is not left uncertain about their protections or their recourse.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Brigitte Brady.

After Bridget Brady is Electra Garcia.

Good evening.

My name is Bridget Brady.

I appreciate your service, and I wanted to thank you for the things you've done for us.

I've served Arlington as a registered nurse in the emergency room for the last 20 years.

I love my job.

And we will do anything to sustain that heartbeat.

Health care, we get to take care of the life part, right?

The part where we get to pursue happiness.

Discrimination is hate.

It doesn't matter to war two.

These kinds of things have affected the labels change from one demographic to another, but it's still hate.

Humanity and the evolution of humanity is the opposite of that.

It is compassion.

It is unity.

And it fights for the people that it loves.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Electra Garcia.

After Elector Garcia, we have one additional speaker in support, Jonathan Covey.

Hi, all.

My name is Alexa Garcia.

As a proud member of the Arlington community, which I have been a part of for the last 27 years of my life, I'm here to strongly urge you to vote on no on this ordinance that will erase protections for the LGBTQIA community.

I stand before you, a proud transfeminine person.

And who has been a part of this community and proudly call Arlington my hometown?

I went through the AIC school system from Swift to Bailey Junior High to Arlington High School.

And it was within this system that I was able to learn about myself and discover the person you see in front of you today.

And it was at that moment that I became fully aware of the discrimination I would face from strangers as well.

I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into uh the home of my best friend and her mother who opened their home and their hearts to me, but not everyone is so lucky.

Uh far too many people in the LGBTQIA plus community face housing insecurity and discrimination every single day.

Uh I have watched Arlington grow from the construction of the Cowboy Stadium to the first party event at the help center to now hosting one of the biggest pride celebrations in the DFW Metroplex.

Ah while being home to the two major sports stadiums.

I've been consistently impressed by Arlington's commitment to progress and its willingness to welcome people from all walks of life into what we probably call the American Dream Stadium.

Moving forward with this discriminatory ordinance is in which you abandon the LGBTQIA community, returnish that legacy and leave a stain on the reputation of the city of Arlington.

So I ask you today are you willing to sacrifice the LGBTQIA plus community of Arlington to satisfy the demands of a political force that promotes division and fear.

Is that truly who you are?

Prepared to listen to?

Are your morals and character worth the threat of 65 million in potential withheld funds?

The LGBTQI community is part of the city, whether the current administration likes it or not.

We are taxpayers, we are neighbors, we are your friends, your family, your teachers, your doctors, your nurses.

We are women into the fabric of this community.

And if this and if you allow discrimination against us, thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Jonathan Covey.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, members of council.

I didn't expect to speak, but um we uh my name is Jonathan Covey, I'm the policy director for uh Texas Values.

We are a constitutional law legal organization.

We handle um these types of gender identity issues across the state.

And um we wrote a legal memo, which I'm happy to uh email to all of the uh city council members on uh this particular ordinance, and I'll let it do most of the talking, but I will just say that in it we recommend removing the um definitions for sexual orientation and gender identity.

There's a lot of misunderstanding surrounding uh what the law says on this, but um the anti-discrimination ordinance as it was uh in 2021 actually um is now in violation as not compliant with a number of state laws, including uh House Bill 229, which is the uh women's bill of rights, the definition of male and female, also Senate Bill 8 from the second called special session of uh 2025.

This is the uh Privacy Act, which has to do with keeping um men out of women's uh sex-separated spaces.

And then we also have uh non-compliance with um things like um President Trump's executive orders on gender identity as well as a recent federal district court opinion relating to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and I'm happy to forward that information to you as well.

So um we're happy to help in any way, especially if you're um tabling this until December.

Uh, but uh just appreciate you guys taking a look at this and listening to us.

Any other speakers, Mr.

Buskin?

No, sir.

That concludes our speakers.

We also had two non-speakers in support and 17 non-speakers in opposition.

Thank you.

With that, I'm gonna move to continue this agenda item until December 9th council meeting.

And that's for a second.

I have a second from council member Pham.

Please cast your vote.

Could I could I speak just real quick?

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see anybody's names pop up.

Ms.

Mr.

Peel, please.

I just want to uh say that because of the bad information that has been put out there, there's a lot of fear in this room tonight regarding what this ordinance means and what it does.

And I think that that really disturbs all of us up here.

When I voted to enact the ordinance in 2021, it did one thing.

If somebody came to the city and filed a complaint that they were being discriminated against for housing or employment, the city would then call the landlord or the employer and ask them to come down to City Hall and have a discussion about it and try to mediate a solution.

That's all the ordinance does.

It's important to me.

I'll be voting to reenact the ordinance.

But each of you here tonight that lives in mortal fear because of the marketing you have received, the misleading marketing, that somehow, if this were to be done away with your rights under federal law and state law would go away.

That's where the true hammer lies.

I'm an attorney, and I've talked to constitutional lawyers about this.

And none of them, if they had a violation, would sue under the Arlington City ordinance.

They would sue under federal law and under state law.

So I want you to know what happens here with this ordinance isn't going to be determinative of whether or not somebody can discriminate against you, uh, offer housing or employment.

All those rights still remain.

That being said, I support putting the ordinance back.

But one of the other things people have said up here tonight that really I understand because it's emotional, but needs to be clarified.

The federal funds we receive help us support people who are homeless, help us pay rent for people who face loss of their home.

So when all of us up here first started discussing this matter, we felt it was important to balance those issues.

It wasn't out of any disrespect.

It's because without that money, real people would be hurt in the city.

And that's why we did what we did.

Not because we don't love or like you or anybody.

I have people in my family I love deeply who are LBG TQIA.

But we have an oath to balance everything and try to make a decision.

And we did so consistent with that oath.

Everybody up here is trying like hell to do the right thing, and we listen to you.

And we care about this city, and we care about you.

And I promise you, none of us here carries anger in our heart towards anybody who might be discriminated against.

Exactly the opposite.

I know the hearts of all these people up here behind this dais.

We agonize over things like this, and we pray every night we do the right thing in the face of God.

I just think it's important for you to know why we considered that money important and what the ordinance actually does as you go out there, because I don't want you being frightened as much as somebody who has not had your best interest at heart has frightened you.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Mr.

Peel.

I have a motion, a second from Councilmember Pham.

Please cast your vote.

This is to continue this to December the 9th.

The motion passes.

Thank you, Mr.

Busk, and citizen participation, please.

Uh, we have no speakers for citizen participation this evening, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Counsel, do y'all have any announcements tonight?

Seeing none, Mr.

Buskin announcements, sir.

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 WW.arlington tx.gov.

Thank y'all.

With that, the city council meeting is adjourned.

Y'all have a safe ride home.

Weddings and baby showers, birthdays, corporate events, just all those wonderful things.

And so whatever custom design you want, we do the sweet trees.

We do your whole dessert table, the sweet treats as well as the cake and so forth.

That also includes holidays like Valentine's Day.

If you are in need of a last-minute treat for your loved one or just in the mood for some sweets, you can check out what they bake daily from their display.

So sure, scratch bake, wonderful peach cobblers, Lana puddings, grandma's cookies, all those wonderful things, and we have chocolate dip suites as well.