Arlington City Council Special Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Arlington City Council convened in a special meeting on March 24, 2026, beginning at 1:15 p.m. with an executive session (1:17–2:50 p.m.) to discuss legal, real property, and economic development matters. The work session reconvened at 3:06 p.m. and included presentations on the 2025 Annual Use of Force Report, the 2024 Socioeconomic Profile, and the Form-Based Code update. Committees reported on the FY2025 audit, homeless shelter capacity, Handitran operations, and more. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Executive Session

• 2.1 Entertainment District Sidewalk Phase 3 – ARSHIA, INC. Condemnation Resolution – Discussion of a 4,003 sq ft right-of-way easement at 415 North Collins Street for street right-of-way improvements.
• 2.2 Main Street (Cooper to Davis) Water & Sanitary Sewer Improvements Settlement with Flores Commercial Estates LLC – Discussion of a 3,170 sq ft sanitary sewer easement at 1140 West Main Street.
• 2.3 Discussion Regarding the Possible Purchase, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property for Affordable Housing – Closed session.
• 2.4 Offers of Incentives to Business Prospects – Closed session under Section 551.087.

Discussion Items

3.1 2025 Annual Use of Force Report

• Chief Al Jones and Dr. Jaya B. Davis (UT Arlington) presented the report. Key statistics: officers worked nearly 253,000 calls for service (4.5% increase from 2024), with force used in 1,094 incidents (0.43% of calls). Use of force decreased 11% from 2024 despite more calls. 64% of subjects were Arlington residents; 8% were unhoused. The department reported one incident to the FBI (discharge of firearm). Dr. Davis noted that while calls have risen 17.5% since 2021, use of force as a percentage of calls fell to 0.43% in 2025, similar to 2021 levels. She cautioned it is too early to determine if this is a trend. Councilmembers discussed the correlation between compliance and use of force, community engagement efforts, and the value of de-escalation training.

3.2 2024 Socioeconomic Profile

• Sarah Stubblefield, Planning Manager, presented data from the American Community Survey. Arlington is the 51st largest U.S. city (397,742 residents, up 3,400 since 2020). Median household income is $75,000 (adjusted for inflation). Poverty rate decreased 1.3% since 2020; child poverty fell 4% to 17.7%, but senior poverty increased 2%. Home sale price in 2024 was $363,295. Housing units increased by 7,200 (2,000 owner-occupied, 5,200 renter-occupied). Employment: 5% more residents working in Arlington; 13.1% work from home (up from 5.7% in 2020). Top 10 employers represent 48,000 jobs.

3.3 Form-Based Code

• Tarani Devi Palma, Principal Planner, and Jayashree Narayana (Livable Plans and Codes) presented the final draft of the Unified Development Code amendment for downtown Arlington. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on March 4, 2026 (8 in support, 4 in opposition). Key features: reduced code from 275 pages to 80 pages; four subdistricts (Traditional Neighborhood, Urban Neighborhood, Corridor Mixed Use, Core); density bonus program (up to 100 dwelling units per acre by right with conditions); smaller parking requirements; shared street concepts on West Front and East Main Streets; and a downtown beautification fund. Councilmember Peel noted the code simplifies development, making it “simpler, easier, faster.” Gincy Thoppil, Planning Director, added that the code reduces the need for planned development rezonings and provides predictability for residents about future development.

4.2 Informational Update on Arlington’s Smoking Ordinance

• Council reached consensus to consider proposed updates to the smoking ordinance at a future meeting. The draft ordinance (redlined) was included in the agenda.

4.3 Finance and Audit – FY2025 Year End Audit & FY26 Q1 Budget Analysis

• Councilmember Raul Gonzalez reported (substituting for Councilmember Hunter). The FY2025 audit received an unmodified clean opinion with zero material weaknesses. The city’s pension (TMRS) is 99.75% funded, among the strongest in Texas. Arlington earned all six transparency stars from the Texas Comptroller and maintains AAA bond ratings from S&P. The city closed FY2025 without using reserves, ending above target. The FY2026 first quarter is on track; general fund projected to close in the black.

4.4 Community and Neighborhood Development Committee

• Councilmember Rebecca Boxall reported: (1) Multi-family inspection public transparency – staff presented scoring systems used by other cities; the committee will next discuss the International Property Maintenance Code. (2) Homeless update – additional 75 shelter beds are needed; estimated cost to set up a standalone 75-bed shelter is $1.2–$1.3 million per year. The committee is exploring encouraging Arlington Life Shelter to return to full capacity (155 beds) and engaging faith communities. A cold weather shelter at Nations Church sheltered 72 people at peak. Debris from encampments has decreased due to quicker response.

4.5 Transportation and Municipal Infrastructure Committee – Handitran Update

• Councilmember Gonzalez reported: fare changes implemented smoothly; a new caregiver app allows tracking rides. Proposed policy updates: require Handitran status renewal every two years (no cost); move from 14-day to 7-day booking window to reduce late cancellations. Outstanding client balances: 800+ riders owed $65,000 total; 444 active riders owe $31,000. The committee recommended forgiving all past debt and moving forward. Discussion on reducing the service boundary (currently 1.5 miles beyond city limits) and potentially asking neighboring cities to contribute financially.

4.9 Council External Committee and Training Reports

• A. Partnership Home Continuum of Care Board – Councilmember Odom-Wesley reported: HUD funding uncertainty due to withheld funds; a major policy shift away from “housing first” is expected, requiring homeless individuals to participate in programs before receiving housing assistance. The agency is gearing up to meet new requirements.
• B. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) – Councilmember Gonzalez reported: RTC approved funding for pedestrian connections, traffic signal improvements, and the 2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program. Also reinitiated the McKinney passenger rail corridor study. Discussion on legal representation for RTC after COG general counsel withdrew.
• C. RTC Transit Vision Subcommittee – Received presentations from DART, Trinity Metro, and DCTA; all three committed to supporting regional high-capacity transit. No transit legislation will be pursued in 2027.
• D. National League of Cities Congressional City Conference – Councilmembers Odom-Wesley, Gonzalez, and Pham attended. They met with representatives to discuss federal priorities: reauthorization of the BASIC Act, World Cup funding (which was released on Friday, March 21, $650 million nationwide, $51 million to Dallas area), support for the Road to Housing Act, opposition to HR 2289 (telecommunications policy), and CDBG funding. Councilmember Odom-Wesley also noted a board discussion on political violence and a resolution on dignity and civility.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus to bring smoking ordinance updates to a future meeting.
• Recommendation to forgive all past Handitran debt (approximately $65,000) and proceed with policy updates; committee will continue discussion on service boundary reduction.
• Finance and Audit: Formal acceptance of the FY2025 audit and FY2026 Q1 budget report; no action required.
• Future agenda items requested:
  • Councilmember Pham: Review of city ordinances regarding parking of certain vehicles (tractor-trailers) and wrecker operations.
  • Councilmember Gonzalez: Potential update to door-to-door solicitation regulations.
  • Councilmember Odom-Wesley: Report on the Grand Prix event.
• Evening agenda: Item 8.13 will be pulled from consent and continued indefinitely at staff request.
• No appointments to boards and commissions were made at this meeting.