Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Arlington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 101 W. Abram Street, Arlington, Texas. Mayor Jim Ross presided; all nine council members were present. After an invocation by Executive Pastor Oles Mironyuk of Lake Church, the Council approved the September 29, 2026 meeting minutes and the entire consent agenda, conducted two public hearings, and approved first reading of the Youth Programs Standards of Care ordinance. No appointments to boards and commissions were made. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

Special Presentations

• Mayor Ross proclaimed October 2026 as Crime Prevention Month; Sergeant Vince Pewitt of the Arlington Police Department accepted the proclamation.
• Mayor Ross proclaimed October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month; Chief Information Security Officer Bryce Carter and Information Technology staff accepted the proclamation. The proclamation also noted that Arlington Water Utilities was the only water system in Texas to receive the 2026 Water System Security Program Award.
• Mayor Ross recognized former University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Jennifer Cowley and presented her with the Key to the City. Her tenure highlights cited during the presentation included record UTA enrollment of 42,710 students in fall 2025, the Blaze Forward tuition initiative for qualifying Texas families earning less than $100,000 annually, the RISE 100 faculty hiring initiative, and UTA community partnerships.

Consent Agenda

• Councilmember R. Gonzalez moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember L. Pham; the motion passed 9-0 with no items withdrawn and no speakers registered on consent items.
• The consent agenda included 11 minute orders, two ordinances on final reading, and six resolutions. Contracts and actions included: renewal of the animal services medical supplies contract with MWI Veterinary Supply Co. ($186,302); renewal of freeway mowing with Lawn Patrol Service, Inc. ($332,232); traffic control signs and materials with Vulcan Signs ($101,168); hot-mix asphaltic concrete with three vendors (total not to exceed $2,100,000); stormwater CCTV services with Halff Associates ($249,128); potable water storage tank inspections and cleaning with US Underwater ($256,750); Commvault cloud cyber resilience software ($186,493); engineering services for 2026 Drainage Improvements and Maintenance with LJB Inc. ($326,760); additional Workday ERP software modules over four years ($1,676,582); orthopedic care services with Regenexx ($255,500); and rejection of all proposals for vertical turbine pump maintenance and repair.
• Final-reading ordinances approved: Ordinance 26-056, a Specific Use Permit for a Secondary Living Unit at 2401 Havenwood Drive; and Ordinance 26-057, zoning case PD26-08 at 7204 Mitchell Parkway for Residential Estate uses plus an Electric Utility Substation.
• Resolutions approved authorized RFP procurement for LED lighting improvements at six athletic complexes, demolition/abatement/site preparation at 1220 West Division Street, re-roofing/window/fire alarm system replacement at the East Police Sub-Station, the North Texas Anti-Gang Center interlocal agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding with the ATF for participation in a Violent Crime Task Force, and a professional services contract with M.E. Wade Family Funeral Home for Arlington Cemetery operations retroactive to September 3, 2026.

Public Hearings: Zoning Cases First Reading

Zoning Case PD26-15 (6203 Tempest Drive)

• The public hearing opened at 6:54 p.m. and closed at 7:02 p.m. Applicant Cindy McCoy, an Arlington resident, described a hardship request: after her husband’s accident and multiple surgeries, the couple converted their garage into a fully accessible bathroom and bedroom without a permit. City staff explained that garage conversions normally are allowed only for dwellings built before 1984; the home was built in 1985, so a Planned Development approval was required. She also asked for retroactive permits so inspections could begin.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, with a stipulation that the exterior door be removed from the front garage elevation, which the applicant agreed to do. Councilmember M. Galante asked what would happen if the request were denied, and staff replied the completed work would have to be returned to its original condition.
• Councilmember R. Gonzalez expressed support and asked staff to look into other, similar garage conversions in the area. The first-reading motion carried 8-1, with Councilmember Galante voting no.

Zoning Case PD26-10 (7201 and 7205 US 287 Highway)

• The public hearing opened at 7:03 p.m. and closed at 7:08 p.m. Jordan Bishop of Texas Surveying and Engineering, representing the applicant, presented the request to change zoning from Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) to Planned Development for limited Light Industrial uses plus Auto Repair Garage, Major, with a Development Plan.
• The proposal includes two commercial buildings for vehicle powder coating and paint/dent repair, with all work inside enclosed buildings and no outdoor storage or display. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval with several Light Industrial uses excluded. Councilmember J. Shelton said he was supportive and asked about existing electrical lines and a rear grassy area; the applicant’s team said they would coordinate with the utility provider and planned picnic tables for employees in the rear area.
• The first-reading motion carried 8-1, with Councilmember B. Garcia-Dumas voting no.

First Reading: Youth Programs Standards of Care

• Dr. Venera Flores-Stafford, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation, and Culture, presented the proposed ordinance adopting the City of Arlington Youth Programs Standards of Care, covering staffing ratios, minimum staff qualifications, facility/health/safety standards, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for municipal youth recreation programs. She stated the program uses a state exception for municipal licensing and that neither the state nor staff had proposed changes this year.
• Councilmember M. Galante moved to approve first reading, seconded by Councilmember N. Hunter; the motion passed 9-0.

Citizen Participation

• Maryam Haydar, an Arlington resident for about 20 years, urged the Council to pass a resolution supporting the release of an Arlington resident she identified as Yacoub and said was detained by ICE. She argued the city should advocate for its residents and cited a similar resolution passed in Paterson, New Jersey.
• Saida Saeed, a candidate for Tarrant County Appraisal District Board of Directors, Place 1, asked taxpayers for support in the election and said the appraisal district’s job is to enforce the property tax code.
• Craig Chinchilla Jr., a local business owner, encouraged the Council to continue reinvesting in existing parks and neighborhood infrastructure, and said the original master plan for High Oak Park was never fully completed because of past budget constraints.
• One pre-registered speaker, Tracy Anders, did not come forward when called.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of the September 29, 2026 afternoon and evening meetings were approved 9-0.
• The 19-item consent agenda was approved 9-0.
• Zoning Case PD26-15 (6203 Tempest Drive) approved on first reading, 8-1, with Councilmember Galante voting no.
• Zoning Case PD26-10 (7201 and 7205 US 287 Highway) approved on first reading, 8-1, with Councilmember Garcia-Dumas voting no.
• Youth Programs Standards of Care ordinance approved on first reading, 9-0.
• Each first-reading item will return for final reading.