Arlington City Council Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Arlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. (called to order at 6:32 p.m.) in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered a wide range of items including consent agenda approvals (with the exception of the Anti-Discrimination Chapter), public hearings on the creation of the Anthem Public Improvement District and a tattoo parlor permit, and resolutions for redevelopment agreements, land purchases, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup event agreement. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8.1–8.19, 8.21–8.34 were approved unanimously (9-0) as part of the consent agenda, with the exception of Item 8.20 (Anti-Discrimination Chapter), which was pulled for separate consideration. Key approvals include:
  • 8.1: Annual sole source contract for software support and maintenance for Enforcement Mobile Brazos e-Citation handheld devices with Tyler Technologies, Inc. (Plano, TX) — $154,557.
  • 8.2: Annual requirements contract for hopper loads of gasoline and diesel fuel with Offen Petroleum, LLC (Commerce City, CO) — $111,092.
  • 8.3: Annual requirements contract for transport loads of gasoline and diesel fuel with Tartan Oil, LLC (Knoxville, TN) — $2,656,806.
  • 8.4: Annual requirements contract for traffic signal heads and components with MoboTrex, LLC (Davenport, IA) — $229,945.
  • 8.5: Second and final one-year renewal of annual requirements contract for testing of construction materials and geotechnical services with Team Consultants, Inc. (Dallas, TX) — $1,750,000.
  • 8.6: First of two one-year renewal options for irrigation repairs and system expansion contracts with three vendors (Talia Holdings, LLC; Whitmore and Sons, Inc.; Northeast Service, Inc.) — total $180,000.
  • 8.7: Second and final one-year renewal for fire hydrants contract with ACT Pipe & Supply Inc. (Dallas, TX) — $527,525.
  • 8.8: Second and final one-year renewal for purchase and delivery of caustic soda with Petra Chemical Company, LLC (Dallas, TX) — $1,359,042.
  • 8.9: Second and final one-year renewal for purchase and delivery of anhydrous ammonia and chemicals for Arlington and the City of Kennedale with PVS DX, Inc. (Houston, TX) — $429,808 (Arlington $308,630; Kennedale $121,178).
  • 8.10: Second and final one-year renewal for flocculent polymer with Polydyne, Inc. (Riceboro, GA) — $213,360.
  • 8.11: Second and final one-year renewal for hydrofluorosilicic acid with Pencco, Inc. (San Felipe, TX) — $107,136.
  • 8.12: Second of three one-year renewal options for remittance processing hardware and software solution with RT Lawrence Corporation (Whittier, CA) — $149,471.
  • 8.13: Purchase of 15 vehicles for various city departments from three dealers through TIPS/TAPS — total $586,033.40.
  • 8.14: Six-month requirements contract for LED roadway fixtures and highway high mast lighting with Trastar, Inc. (Richardson, TX) — $250,000.
  • 8.15: Construction contract for improvements and repairs to the 101 Center Parking Garage with Chamberlin Dallas, LLC (Farmers Branch, TX) — $771,941.80.
  • 8.16: Construction contract for improvements to the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center with Sawyers Construction, Inc. (Grand Prairie, TX) — $2,994,590.50.
  • 8.17: Six-year contract for purchase, maintenance, and support of unmanned aircrafts for Law Enforcement Takeoff Program with Motorola Solutions, Inc. (Chicago, IL) — $3,199,960.
  • 8.18: Final reading of ordinance approving Specific Use Permit SUP25-09 for a Secondary Living Unit at 1012 Gaye Lane (RS-7.2 zoning). (One individual registered in support.) Ordinance No. 26-009.
  • 8.19: Final reading of ordinance approving Specific Use Permit SUP25-08 for a Secondary Living Unit at 3409 Shorewood Court (RS-7.2 zoning). Ordinance No. 26-010.
  • 8.21: Resolution authorizing competitive sealed proposal (RFP) procurement method for fleet maintenance services. Resolution No. 26-053.
  • 8.22: Purchase and sale agreement with Constellation Handley Power, LLC for 20.979 acres at 6201 Lake Arlington Drive. Resolution No. 26-054.
  • 8.23: Settlement for sanitary sewer easement (2,238 sq ft) at 1111 West Abram Street for the Main Street (Cooper to Davis) Water & Sanitary Sewer Improvements project. Resolution No. 26-055.
  • 8.24 a & b: Professional services contracts with Terracon Consultants, Inc. for asbestos-containing materials survey in support of the Center Street Gateway Project. Resolutions No. 26-056 and 26-057.
  • 8.25 a–c: Resolutions of support for three Housing Tax Credit proposals to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Heritage at Sublett (2120 W. Sublett Road), The Knox (1421 South Watson Road), and Campbell Place (6608–6710 U.S. 287 Frontage Road). All three resolutions were approved. Resolutions No. 26-058, 26-059, 26-060.
  • 8.26: Application for FY2026 STEP Click It or Ticket grant (TxDOT) — $14,450 for seat belt enforcement in late May/early June 2026. Resolution No. 26-061.
  • 8.27: Application for FY2026 STEP Operation Slowdown grant (TxDOT) — $20,400 for speed enforcement in late July/early August 2026. Resolution No. 26-062.
  • 8.28: Continued participation in Atmos Cities Steering Committee with payment of $0.04 per capita. Resolution No. 26-063.
  • 8.29: Continued participation in Oncor Cities Steering Committee with payment of $0.10 per capita. Resolution No. 26-064.
  • 8.30: Interlocal Agreement with Arlington Independent School District for student rides on Arlington On-Demand Service for the AISD Student Outreach Services Program. Resolution No. 26-065.
  • 8.31: Appointments to the Arlington Entertainment Area Management District Board. Resolution No. 26-066.
  • 8.32: Resolution authorizing limited use and licensing of the City of Arlington 150th Anniversary Commemorative Logo. Resolution No. 26-067.
  • 8.33: Second Amendment to Downtown Arlington Management Corporation Economic Services Contract. Resolution No. 26-068.
  • 8.34 a & b: Amendments to resolutions to reprogram CDBG-COVID funds for lighting of city parks. Resolutions No. 26-069 and 26-070.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 8.20 (Anti-Discrimination Chapter): 15 individuals spoke in opposition, and 21 registered as non-speakers in opposition. Speakers included Leslie Rathbun (Arlington), Tiffany Dragun (Arlington), David Grebel (Arlington, retired pastor and former Community Relations Commission member), Chris Hoffman (Lewisville, representing Justice Network of Tarrant County), Carl Childers (Arlington, retired teacher), Mark Clasby (Arlington, family law attorney), Noel Colpaert (Arlington), Keegan Dees (Arlington, transgender man), Kim Martinez (Arlington), DeeJay Johannessen (Arlington, CEO of the Help Center for LGBTQ Health), Melanie Campbell-Carter (Arlington, League of Women Voters of Tarrant County), Donna Mack (Pantego, chair of Arlington Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities), Michele Mapes (Arlington), JP Cano (Dallas, director for the Help Center), Nathan Smith (Mansfield), and Rojo Meixueiro (Arlington, District 4). All speakers argued that the proposed ordinance was too weak, lacked local enforcement, deferred protections to unreliable state/federal entities, and failed to protect vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. Some speakers highlighted that no other large city has repealed its anti-discrimination protections.
• Item 8.25 (Housing Tax Credit Proposals): Richard Weber (Arlington, 47-year resident) spoke in opposition, arguing that apartments and low-income housing lower the city's average income, increase density (Arlington already has one of the highest densities in North Central Texas), and are not beneficial for Arlington.
• Items 6.2–6.6 (Division Street Sidewalk Project): Donald Turner (Garland, TX) appeared in support of all five resolutions, stating the sidewalks make the area more walkable, less dangerous, and integral for Arlington's form-based code, potentially attracting more restaurants, stores, and a grocery store.
• Item 11.1 (Anthem Public Improvement District): One individual registered in support; Richard Weber (Arlington) spoke in opposition, questioning why the city is getting involved when the same entity owns all five parcels and comparing it to other malls not receiving such support.
• Citizen Participation: Three individuals spoke during the general citizen participation segment:
  • Jimmy Burke addressed homelessness, advocating for solutions that require homeless individuals to take responsibility and for leaders to ask difficult questions.
  • Peter Ricca expressed concerns about the 380 program, alleging he was denied grants twice by the City of Arlington due to his business's association with gay issues, stating the second denial was tied to his SIC code and that he cannot expand in Arlington under anti-DEI ordinances.
  • Richard Weber again criticized the city for approving many apartments, which he believes are harming Arlington, and noted that the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation approved intent to issue $75 million in bonds for more apartments that day.
• Item 8.18 (SUP25-09, 1012 Gaye Lane): One individual registered in support.
• Item 8.33 (Downtown Arlington Management Corp second amendment): One individual registered in opposition.

Discussion Items

• Item 8.20 – Anti-Discrimination Chapter (Final Reading): The final reading of an ordinance rescinding Ordinance No. 25-068 and adopting an amended and restated 'Anti-Discrimination' Chapter. Mayor Ross noted the difficulty of the issue, acknowledged the speakers' concerns, and stated the ordinance was a compromise reached after significant effort by the council, emphasizing that it does not eliminate all protections and that doing nothing would leave Arlington as the only large city to have completely wiped out anti-discrimination protections. Councilmember Hunter raised a point of clarification, stating that the old Fair Housing Ordinance (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity) remains in effect, meaning that if the premise for the change was to protect $55 million in federal housing funds, the action does not achieve that because the risk from HUD remains. He questioned why only the Anti-Discrimination Chapter was addressed if funding risk was the true concern.
• Item 11.1 – Creation of the Anthem Public Improvement District: Lyndsay Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives, presented the proposal for a 28-year PID covering five parcels (approx. 45 acres) to fund maintenance, beautification, marketing, security, and communications as part of the redevelopment of Lincoln Square (now Anthem). The assessment will not exceed $0.80 per $100 of appraised value, with the first three years set at $0. A public hearing was held, and the resolution was approved unanimously.
• Item 11.2 – FY26 Assessment Roll and Levy of Assessments within the Anthem Public Improvement District: First reading of an ordinance adopting the annual Service and Assessment Plan for Fiscal Year 2026, outlining services funded by future assessments (maintenance, beautification, marketing, seasonal events, security). A public hearing was held, and the ordinance passed first reading unanimously.
• Item 11.3 – Zoning Case SUP25-11 (536 West Randol Mill Road): First reading of an ordinance approving a Specific Use Permit for a Tattoo Parlor or Piercing Studio on property zoned Community Commercial (CC) at 536 West Randol Mill Road, within the Town North Shopping Center. Kedar Nigudkar of Dano's Ventures LLC presented, noting the tattoo parlor would occupy two of 55 existing salon suites (totaling 330 sq ft) with no exterior or interior structural changes. He addressed concerns about disruptive behavior, stating that 53 other tenants and a revocable commercial license give him the ability to quickly remove a tenant if issues arise. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about hours of operation and access; the applicant stated the building is typically open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. but artists can access via an app, and he is receptive to setting specific hours. The ordinance passed first reading with a vote of 6-3 (Ayes: Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, Pham, Odom-Wesley; Nays: Councilmembers Piel, Boxall, Hogg).
• Item 12.1 – Anthem Development Agreement: City Manager Trey Yelverton provided an extensive presentation on the redevelopment of Lincoln Square (Anthem), a 472,000 sq ft mall on 46 acres that has lost 30% of its value over the past decade while the surrounding area grew five times faster. The agreement requires a minimum of $100 million in private investment (budgeted at $121 million), with $24.5 million in public infrastructure reimbursement (including underground Oncor power lines, enhanced landscaping, public art, district signage, and site franchise utilities). Key provisions: minimum of 70,000 new gross sales tax paying businesses and 325 full-time equivalent positions on site, a two-mile exclusion zone to prevent cannibalization of existing Arlington businesses, and a 15% city participation in proceeds above an agreed internal rate of return (minus 100 basis points) or a $500,000 amenity contribution. The economic analysis shows an 8.9-year payback. The PID was previously approved to ensure consistent maintenance. Councilmember Boxall questioned the cost breakdown and confidence in the developer; Yelverton expressed confidence in trademark's ability to overperform. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Item 12.2 – All Cash Contract of Sale – IHS Real Estate Holdings, LLC: Resolution authorizing the purchase of approx. 20.383 acres at 700 West Lamar Blvd, 715 and 701 Ryan Plaza Dr, and 1610 North Collins St for $19 million plus closing costs. Lyndsay Mitchell presented, noting the properties are strategically positioned for future commercial, mixed-use, and employment center development. An updated agreement with corrected legal description was provided. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Item 12.3 – Event Agreement – 2026 FIFA World Cup: Deputy City Manager Jennifer Wichmann presented a resolution authorizing execution of an event agreement with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee for the nine matches to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The agreement funds city services including public safety and code compliance. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Items from Executive Session (Items 6.1–6.6): Unanimous approval of resolutions: (6.1) Necessity of water main easements for West Pressure Plane 16-inch Water Main Improvements; (6.2–6.6) Settlements for fee simple ownership of parcels for the Division Street TxDOT Sidewalk Project (Cooper to Collins St): Hawari Auto Sales (301 W Division St, 1,421 sq ft), Thomas Campbell (107 W Division St, 1,358 sq ft), MEI Investments, LP (300 N Elm St, 1,281 sq ft), Arlington Center Square, LLC (712-714 E Division St, 699 sq ft), Patricia J. Flynt et al (510 W Division St, 517 sq ft).
• Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Item 5.1): Approved unanimously: Mark Boyer to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau (Place 8, term ending 9/30/2026); Kevin Lasher to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (Place 10, term ending 6/30/2026).

Key Outcomes

• Anti-Discrimination Chapter (Item 8.20): Passed 6-3. AYES: Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Piel, Boxall, Pham. NAYS: Councilmembers Hunter, Hogg, Odom-Wesley. Ordinance No. 26-011 becomes effective ten days after first publication.
• Tattoo Parlor SUP (Item 11.3): Approved first reading 6-3. AYES: Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Hunter, Pham, Odom-Wesley. NAYS: Councilmembers Piel, Boxall, Hogg.
• All other resolutions and ordinances were approved unanimously (9-0), including:
  • Anthem Public Improvement District creation (Item 11.1)
  • Anthem PID FY26 Assessment Roll (Item 11.2, first reading)
  • Anthem Development Agreement (Item 12.1)
  • All-cash purchase of 20.383 acres from IHS Real Estate Holdings (Item 12.2)
  • 2026 FIFA World Cup Event Agreement (Item 12.3)
  • All consent agenda items except 8.20
• Next Steps: For the Anthem PID, final design package review is expected later in summer 2026, with site work to commence in fall 2026. For the Anthem Development Agreement, the developer must return for final design package approval. The Housing Tax Credit resolution of support items (8.25) will be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The STEP grant applications (Items 8.26 and 8.27) will be submitted to TxDOT. The FIFA World Cup agreement will be executed by the City Manager. Council also set a potential future discussion on the exclusion zone for the Anthem Development Agreement.