Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026
Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026
The Arlington City Council met on February 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered a wide range of items including consent agenda approvals, public hearings for secondary living unit permits, and a highly debated first reading of an amended Anti-Discrimination ordinance. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved 27 items from the consent agenda (items 7.1-7.27), including contracts for printing services ($500,000), TeamSideline software ($9,000 plus transaction fees), irrigation relocation ($400,000), water meters ($3,607,441), sewer cleaner ($583,086), boring equipment ($675,882), engineering services ($300,000), drainage improvements ($2,213,736), Traffic Management Center construction ($2,500,000), 2026 Roadway Reclamation Program ($2,037,945), rescinding and re-awarding a contract for dynamic message signs ($1,845,901.35), rejecting bids for water treatment plant improvements, a change order for storm drain repairs ($40,883.51), zoning cases PD24-28 and PD25-19, ordinances for the May 2, 2026 General Election and Special Election for street maintenance sales tax reauthorization, an interlocal agreement with AISD for juvenile processing cameras, design-build authorization for HVAC replacement, body-worn camera grant application ($19,000), fire mutual aid vehicle grant agreement, two BUILD grant applications ($25,000,000 for capital projects and $17,000,000 for planning), the Arlington Baptist University Chapter 380 agreement, housing finance and property acquisition for affordable housing ($2,850,000), relocation assistance consulting ($24,000), and the Arlington Entertainment Area Management District Board appointments (continued to February 24, 2026).
- Item 7.28 (appointments to the Arlington Entertainment Area Management District Board) was continued to the February 24, 2026 meeting by a 9-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 11.1 (Anti-Discrimination Chapter): Fourteen speakers registered in opposition and one in support. Speakers in opposition included: Melanie Campbell-Carter (speaking as a member of the Tarrant County League of Women Voters) argued the proposed ordinance is an abdication of support, as it removes investigation and enforcement. Keegan Dees (a transgender Arlington resident) stated the ordinance is "incredibly insulting" and expressed distrust in state/federal protections. Nathan Smith requested the city put a disclaimer on tourist materials if the ordinance passes. Chris Hoffman (Louisville, Texas) urged the council to protect all people equally. Mark Clasby asked the council to "go back to the drawing board" for stronger protections. Jennifer Davis said the ordinance leaves LGBTQ youth vulnerable. DeeJay Johannessen (CEO of Help Center for LGBT Health) detailed the removal of local enforcement mechanisms and said the city will not investigate, advocate, or enforce. Melissa Brown cited the murder of Matthew Shepard to argue why protections are needed. Whitney Rodrigue asked the council to invite the community in before proposing solutions. Kay Christlieb urged restoring the original ordinance. Eason Bertone called the ordinance a "compromise" that strips rights. Clayton Waters argued the original ordinance was lawful and enforceable. Brittany Garcia-Dumas called the ordinance an "abdication of duty." Sarah Hissin urged council to be honest about motivations and not misuse vulnerable populations to justify harm.
- Item 10.1 (SUP25-09): Martin Franco, the applicant, appeared in support, stating the secondary living unit is for his elderly parents and has no rental purpose. Three non-speakers registered in support.
- Item 10.3 (SUP25-08): Miranda Lamb, the homeowner, spoke in support, stating the unit is for her retired father and will eventually house her brother who has developmental delays.
- Item 12.1 (Anti-Discrimination Resolution): Two speakers in opposition: DeeJay Johannessen said the resolution "rings hollow" after stripping civil rights. Rojo Meixueiro shared personal experiences of discrimination and urged policies with actual protections. Two non-speakers registered in support, 13 non-speakers in opposition.
- Citizen Participation: Vanessa Strength spoke about her service dog not being returned and alleged discrimination.
Discussion Items
- Anti-Discrimination Chapter (Item 11.1): The council debated the first reading of an ordinance rescinding the temporary suspension and adopting an amended Anti-Discrimination chapter. Speakers in opposition argued the original ordinance had no enforcement, while supporters countered that it provided a process and moral weight. Councilmember Boxall stated there were "no enforcement mechanisms in the original ordinance." Councilmember Hogg said he views the ordinance as a "governance fail" and believes a resolution is the appropriate vehicle. Mayor Ross urged support as a compromise, saying "something is better than nothing."
- Anti-Discrimination Resolution (Item 12.1): The council considered a resolution condemning discrimination, bias, and hate. Some speakers noted it lacks enforcement but supported the value statement.
- Zoning Cases: Public hearings were held for SUP25-09 (1012 Gaye Lane) and SUP25-08 (3409 Shorewood Court), both for secondary living units. The case for 1112 North Collins Street (PD25-14) was continued to March 10, 2026, at staff's request.
Key Outcomes
- Item 7.1-7.27 (Consent Agenda): Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Item 7.28 (Entertainment District Board Appointments): Continued to February 24, 2026, by a 9-0 vote.
- Item 10.1 (SUP25-09): First reading approved (9-0).
- Item 10.2 (PD25-14): Continued to March 10, 2026, by a 9-0 vote.
- Item 10.3 (SUP25-08): First reading approved (9-0).
- Item 11.1 (Anti-Discrimination Chapter): First reading approved by a vote of 7-2 (Mayor Ross, Galante, Gonzalez, Piel, Boxall, Pham, Odom-Wesley voted aye; Hunter and Hogg voted nay).
- Item 12.1 (Anti-Discrimination Resolution): Adopted unanimously (9-0) as Resolution No. 26-044.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, welcome to the Arlington City Council meeting on February tenth, twenty twenty-six. I'm gonna ask Father Joseph Francis with Saint Alban's Church to please come forward and lead us in an invocation. If you can, please stand for the invocation. Bless our nation and especially the city of Arlington, with honorable industry, sound learning and pure conduct. And do with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy name we entrust the authority of government, especially our mayor, and the members of this city council, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail, all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God with Liberty and Justice. One state, under God, one and individual. Thank you. You may be seated. Mr. Buskin, uh Speaker Guidelines, 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 appointment to boards or commissions this evening? No, sir. 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 January 27th, 2026. Thank you, sir. Consider uh council members, do y'all? Do you all have any corrections or additions? Seeing none, Mr. Buskin. Any speakers on this item? No, sir, no speakers on this item. I have a motion and a second. I have a motion from Councilmember Odom Wesley. A second from Council Member Pham. Please cast your vote. The motion passes.
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