OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - January 27, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 27, 2026
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:27

Transcript — Verbatim
3:29

Good evening, everybody.

3:31

We're going to go ahead and get short on the road.

3:33

Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting.

3:36

Today is January twenty-seventh.

3:39

We're already through the month of January.

3:42

We're not going to belabor this meeting because everybody wants to hurry up and get out here and fight the roads to get home safely.

3:50

So with that being said, I'm going to ask Father Samuel Maul from St.

3:55

Maria Garetti Catholic Church to please come forward and give us an invocation.

4:00

Please stand if you're able to guess we won't do a rosary, then your Honor.

4:49

Amen.

5:00

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

5:04

One nation under God and invisible with liberty and justice for all.

5:10

Honor the Texas flag.

5:12

I pledge allegiance to the Texas under God.

5:17

One and indivisible.

5:19

Thank you.

5:20

You may be seated.

5:22

Mr.

5:22

Buskin, Speaker Guidelines, and General Decorum, please.

5:26

Thank you, Mayor.

5:27

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.

5:38

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 may be removed from the council chambers.

5:57

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.

6:04

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.

6:10

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

6:15

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

6:21

Speakers and supporter opposition of the item will be given three minutes each to make their statements.

6:26

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

6:29

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

6:33

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.

6:42

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

6:45

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

6:49

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

6:53

Thank you, Mr.

6:53

Buskin.

6:54

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

6:57

Thank you, Mayor.

6:57

We have two appointments to boards and commissions.

6:59

To the Arlington Housing Authority Board, Simone Lance, place four.

7:03

To the Arlington Parks and Recreation Board, Blake Davidson, place one.

7:07

Thank you, sir.

7:08

I have a motion from Councilmember Odom Wesley, a second from Council Member Member Peel.

7:13

Please cast your vote.

7:16

The motion passes.

7:18

Mr.

7:18

Buskin, consideration of items from the executive session, please.

7:23

Thank you, Mayor.

7:23

We have one item for consideration from executive session 6.1, a resolution determining the necessity of acquiring a sanitary sewer easement consisting of 6,429 square feet and a temporary construction easement consisting of 6,956 square feet on property otherwise known as 1901 Northeast Greenoaks Boulevard, Arlington, Texas, for the public use of sewer improvements for the Shadow Drive Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement Project.

7:49

Thank you, sir.

7:50

Do we have any speakers and supporter opposition of this item?

7:53

No, sir.

7:54

We do not.

7:55

Thank you.

7:55

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

7:59

Please cast your vote.

8:04

And the motion passes.

8:05

Consideration of minutes, Mr.

8:07

Buskin.

8:07

Thank you, Mayor.

8:08

Minutes for consideration this evening or the afternoon and evening meetings from January 6, 2026.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use█████████████████████████████████33%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Boards and Commissions███████7%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Elections████4%
Public Safety████4%
Public Health████4%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – January 27, 2026

The Arlington City Council met on January 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in regular session. The council approved a large consent agenda, conducted public hearings on three zoning cases, authorized a general election and a special election for street maintenance sales tax reauthorization on May 2, 2026, and heard citizen comments on service dog, cheerleader safety, and stormwater issues. All votes passed unanimously (9-0).

Consent Calendar

  • Appointments (5.1): Simone Lance to Housing Authority and Blake Davidson to Parks and Recreation Board (Resolution 26-012 and 26-013). Approved.
  • Executive Session Item (6.1): Resolution of necessity for sanitary sewer easement (6,429 sq ft) and temporary construction easement (6,956 sq ft) for Shadow Drive Sewer Main Replacement at 1901 NE Green Oaks Blvd (Resolution 26-014). Approved.
  • Minutes (7.1): Approved minutes from January 6, 2026 afternoon and evening meetings.
  • Consent Agenda Items (8.1-8.20, 8.22-8.33): Approved as a block after pulling item 8.21. Key items include:
    • Annual contracts for duty ammunition ($164,404), training ammunition ($193,855), fire alarm maintenance ($150,000), electrical testing for water utilities ($274,950), water utility repair services ($700,000).
    • Renewals: mowing code violation properties ($102,525), grounds mowing ($181,209.80), janitorial services for parks ($822,468), medical services agreement ($425,000).
    • Three-year paramedic/phlebotomy contract for APD jail ($839,029).
    • Purchase of 10 NoTraffic detection systems ($235,000).
    • Milestone video management system installation ($360,000) and moving services for City Tower ($160,000, retroactive to Oct 1, 2025).
    • Amendment to fire inspection reporting contract (Brycer LP, $435,284).
    • Zoning PD24-27 (301 E Randol Mill): Final reading – changed to Entertainment District Overlay Planned Development for RM-12 uses (Ordinance 26-002).
    • School zone and one-way street revisions (Ordinance 26-003).
    • Fire code amendment requiring third-party compliance reporting and fee (Ordinance 26-004).
    • Fee resolution for Brycer LP reporting system (Resolution 26-015).
    • Adoption of City's Jurisdictional Annex to Tarrant County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (Resolution 26-016).
    • Development Plan for Viridian C2A Townhomes (Resolution 26-017) – one speaker in support.
    • First Amendment to Use Agreement with Verizon Wireless at River Legacy Park (Resolution 26-019).
    • Temporary license agreement with AT&T/Cingular at 1200 Ballpark Way (Resolution 26-020).
    • Fifth Amended MOU with Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Association (Resolution 26-021).
    • CARES Act CDBG reprogramming and subrecipient contract amendments with Arlington Charities and Water From the Rock (Resolutions 26-022 through 26-025).
    • Multiple grant applications: Juvenile Justice & Youth Diversion (TIPS $200,000 and Discover Mentoring $80,000), Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences ($250,000), Criminal Justice Grant ($150,000 for 3D laser scanner), Peace Officer Mental Health ($100,000 for Mindbase platform), General Victim Assistance ($335,778.11), Violence Against Women Justice (IPV detective $114,827 and Human Trafficking detective $150,000) – Resolutions 26-026 through 26-033.
  • Item 8.21 (FY2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant Awards): Pulled by Councilmember Gonzalez to confirm all funded projects, including a pickleball court proposed by an HOA, are publicly accessible. Staff confirmed. Approved unanimously (Resolution 26-018).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Citizen Participation (Section XIII): Four speakers:
    • Vanessa Strength: Expressed anger over lack of police follow-up regarding her stolen service dog (over two months). Requested help.
    • Chris Wood: Called on the city to request the Dallas Cowboys remove jump splits from cheerleader routines, citing injury risks and potential loss of fan loyalty and revenue.
    • Alberto Vasquez (homeowner, Prestonwood West): Asked for city guidance on stormwater drainage erosion, arguing the water is municipally generated and the HOA cannot mitigate velocity from upstream city infrastructure.
    • Stephen Daniels (homeowner, Prestonwood Estates): Noted 40% of homeowners are on fixed income; the waterway no longer serves as an amenity but as a stormwater release system that residents cannot fix alone.
  • Public Hearing for Zoning PD25-19 (2504 S Cooper): Thomas Mast (building owner) and Hazhar Sindy (business owner) spoke in support, describing the use as aesthetic customization (wraps, dent repair, wheels) done entirely indoors. No opposition speakers.
  • Public Hearing for Zoning PD24-28 (5920 Matlock): No public speakers.
  • Public Hearing for Zoning SUP25-8 (3409 Shorewood): Applicant requested continuance; no speakers. Continued to February 10, 2026.

Discussion Items

  • Zoning PD25-19 (2504 S Cooper): The applicant sought a Planned Development to allow auto repair garage (major) limited to aesthetic and customization work at the former Kellymore/Furniture More location. Council discussed parking (vehicles to be kept indoors or in rear lot; no stacking out front). Councilmember Gonzalez clarified no car sales (only wheels). The two existing non-conforming pole signs were already removed. Landscaping planned. First reading approved.
  • Zoning PD24-28 (5920 Matlock): Applicant requested change from Office Commercial to PD for RM-12 townhomes (24 units, reduced from 29) and Office Commercial uses with at least 8,500 sq ft retail. Councilmember Gonzalez noted previous neighbor concerns about tree removal and a potential cut-through street; applicant confirmed cut-through eliminated and “junk trees” will be removed. Motion included stipulation to prohibit short-term rentals. First reading approved.
  • Election Ordinances:
    • General Election (12.1): City Secretary Busken presented an amended ordinance reflecting that April 21, 2026 is a state holiday with no early voting. Election for Mayor, Council districts 3,4,5, and at-large 8; possible runoff June 13. First reading approved.
    • Street Maintenance Sales Tax Reauthorization (12.2): Public Works Director Brooks explained the 1/4-cent tax, first approved in 2002, generates $25-30 million annually (~90% of street maintenance budget). It expires December 31, 2026; May 2, 2026 is the last uniform election date to meet Comptroller timeline. First reading approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved all items except 8.21, which was later approved after discussion. (9-0)
  • Zoning PD25-19 (2504 S Cooper): Approved first reading. (9-0)
  • Zoning PD24-28 (5920 Matlock): Approved first reading with prohibition of short-term rentals. (9-0)
  • Zoning SUP25-8 (3409 Shorewood): Continued to February 10, 2026 Council meeting. (9-0)
  • General Election Ordinance: Approved first reading. (9-0)
  • Street Maintenance Sales Tax Special Election Ordinance: Approved first reading. (9-0)
  • Appointments: Approved (9-0)
  • Sewer Easement Necessity Resolution: Approved (9-0)
  • Minutes: Approved (9-0)
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. We're going to go ahead and get short on the road. Welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting. Today is January twenty-seventh. We're already through the month of January. We're not going to belabor this meeting because everybody wants to hurry up and get out here and fight the roads to get home safely. So with that being said, I'm going to ask Father Samuel Maul from St. Maria Garetti Catholic Church to please come forward and give us an invocation. Please stand if you're able to guess we won't do a rosary, then your Honor. Amen. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and invisible with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas under God. One and indivisible. Thank you. You may be seated. 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 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. Do we have any appointments to boards or commissions this evening? Thank you, Mayor. We have two appointments to boards and commissions. To the Arlington Housing Authority Board, Simone Lance, place four. To the Arlington Parks and Recreation Board, Blake Davidson, place one. Thank you, sir. I have a motion from Councilmember Odom Wesley, a second from Council Member Member Peel. Please cast your vote. The motion passes. Mr. Buskin, consideration of items from the executive session, please. Thank you, Mayor. We have one item for consideration from executive session 6.1, a resolution determining the necessity of acquiring a sanitary sewer easement consisting of 6,429 square feet and a temporary construction easement consisting of 6,956 square feet on property otherwise known as 1901 Northeast Greenoaks Boulevard, Arlington, Texas, for the public use of sewer improvements for the Shadow Drive Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement Project. Thank you, sir. Do we have any speakers and supporter opposition of this item?

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