And welcome to the Four City Council meeting.

I will call us to order.

Tonight's invocation will be provided by Reverend Michael Bell from the Greater Saint Stephen's Baptist Church.

Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the presentation of the color guard and pledges of allegiance.

Let us pray.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears.

Thou who has brought us thus far along the way.

Thou who has by thy might let us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray.

Holy one of justice, we stand in this chamber, mindful that public service is a sacred trust.

You have carried communities through struggle through division through seasons when hope seemed fragile and voices seemed small.

Yet here we are, still standing, still seeking, still believing that right is stronger than wrong.

You have walked with people who had no vote, no voice, no seat at the table.

You have made a way out of nowhere.

You have turned lynching trees into liberation movement.

You have taken whispered prayers and made them thunder in the streets.

And if you did it before, you can do it again.

So I ask you, Eternal, to trouble this room with holy courage.

Remind those who sit in seats of decision that authority without accountability becomes arrogance, power without compassion becomes cruelty, and law without respect for the dignity and worth of all humanity is worthless.

Let them legislate with memory and govern with imagination, seeing not just what is but what ought to be.

And if they're tempted to bow to power, remind them there is a higher power.

If they are tempted to bend toward injustice, bend them back toward righteousness.

If they forget who they serve, remind them they serve a people, and above all the people.

So God of our weary years steady their resolve.

God of our silent tears amplify the cries of those unheard.

God who led us into the light.

Do not let this city drift back into the shadow.

And when history records what happened in this room, may it be said that they chose courage over comfort, conscience over convenience, and justice over power.

In the name of the God who liberates and sustains, the God of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we pray.

A meen Asha.

The presentation of the colors will be by the Tremble Tech Junior R O T C Color Guard.

Texas Lag.

Delegion is to be.

Ring with the harmies of liberty.

Let our rejoice sing as the skies.

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.

Full of the hope that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising song of our new day gun.

Let us march on Victory One.

Next will be a special presentation of the of a recognition for excellence in small business growth and financial empowerment for the Fort Worth City, Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce.

Councilmember Chris Nettles.

The work and the effort that the Black Chamber is doing.

The City of Fort Worth's special recognition, whereas small businesses are a vital deliverer of economic growth, job creation, and neighborhood vitalization throughout the city of Fort Worth.

Whereas the city of Fort Worth committed to fostering a strong, inclusive and relentless small business economic system through a small business development program and strategies partnership.

Whereas the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of Fort Worth, plays a critical role in providing financial education, mentoring, and access to capital opportunities for small businesses across the city of Fort Worth.

Whereas the Fort Way Black Chamber has implemented empathful access to capital initiatives that strengthen the business, reading confidence and long-term emerging in growth and entrepreneurship.

Whereas one such initiative, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the power to compete, small business growth and development initiative is a two-part program that provides targeting businesses, coaching, followed by a public facing business and small showcase, enabling participation, entrepreneurs, and increasing visibility.

I'm not going to read the next five paragraphs.

Okay, because we are a lot to do today.

So now therefore, be it reserved and proclamated that the mayor and the city council, Fort Worth hereby does recognize and commend the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Prosperity Bank for their leadership, partnership, and continued dedication to advocacy, small business development, and access to capital in the city of Fort Worth, presented on this 10th day of February 2026.

Can we give the Black Chamber around the plause?

We'll have Michelle come with speaker on behalf of the chamber.

Good evening.

To Mayor Parker and Constable Nettles and all of our council members, executive team, and to the Fort Worth Metropolitan Board, staff chambers and our community partners.

We would like to thank you for the recognition for the work that we're doing with small business development and access to capital, along with our other partners, the Fort Worth Chamber and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber.

Thank you for the opportunity, and we look forward to going forward to continue to build businesses in this community so that we can see growth in every area of this city.

Thank you.

We'll go out front picture.

Yes.

I also want to acknowledge Judge Glenn Lewis with us today.

The honorable.

Thank you.

Let's get everyone condensed just a little bit.

Okay.

We'll hear on three.

One, two, three.

All right, on three, one, two, three.

Next will be a presentation of a recognition for Kirk Franklin, Life and Legacy.

And Council, I know that we have three of our council members who are present tonight's recognition to Mr.

Franklin, Councilmember Nettles, Councilmember Peoples, and Councilmember Hall.

Keep going.

Okay.

We're going to move to the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officer Association, Councilmember Hall.

And I think if the Marshals may need to let Mr.

Franklin in, if you don't mind doing that.

Thank you very much.

Keep going.

Yeah.

The fire marshal is doing his job.

We want you, we want to see you on the screen.

So yeah, let's spread out.

Okay.

The teacher and me.

I'm always being so bossy.

All right.

All right.

I want to thank the Black the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officers Association for being here tonight.

Where the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officers Association has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public safety, professional excellence, and community service, working diligently to strengthen trust, mentorship, and engagement throughout the city of Fort Worth.

And whereas the members of the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officers Association have distinguished themselves through leadership, integrity, and a shared dedication to serving and protecting residents while also uplifting and supporting one another as a unified and purpose-driven organization.

And whereas the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officers Association serves as a beacon of strength and unity, honoring the hard work, sacrifice, and legacy of Black Law Enforcement Officers and fostering a spirit of fellowship that reflects the values of family, service, and community.

And whereas during Black History Month, the City of Fort Worth recognizes the importance of honoring individuals and organizations whose service, perseverance, and leadership have made a lasting impact on our city and have inspired future generations to pursue lives of purpose and public service.

Now, therefore, on behalf of the City of Fort Worth, we recognize and commend the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officers Association for its meaningful contributions to the community and express our sincere appreciation for the organization's continued service, leadership, and commitment to the residents of Fort Worth.

Presented on this 10th day of February 2026.

Thank you for your service.

So again, we are grateful.

We thank God for placing the putting the right people in the right places.

Thank you.

Okay.

Right.

All right, big smile on three one, two, three.

All right, great.

Thank you.

Did Mr.

Franklin make it into the chamber?

I don't think so, Mayor, but his assistant is here.

And so I'm going to ask Trish to come down, and also his father is here.

And so I'm going to ask you to come down, if you don't mind.

Okay.

Okay.

She's Mayor, she says he's running behind about 10 minutes.

Can we move on with the presentation and then do it, or you want to do it now?

Oh, that'd be fine.

Okay, all this way, of course.

Absolutely.

All right, then we'll we'll wait for him.

Okay, thank you.

So I'll just tell you Kirk Franklin is a Fort Worth icon and a legend, and we want to award him.

So thank you, Mayor for.

Thank you.

Counselor Peoples.

Mayor Pro Tem Flores.

Our next step is distinguished service recognition for Fort Worth PD's KAPA's longest active member.

Good evening, Mayor Council.

I'm going to be joined here by a few people.

I'd like to say that I am very pleased and privileged this evening to recognize a special person, Pastor Randy Hardesty, for his distinguished service as the longest active member of Fort Worth Clergy, or we're PD clergy, that is, and police alliance, and the police and clergy alliance.

That's quite you know a an accomplishment, I think, and worthy of our recognition.

So without further ado, I will read the special recognition.

The Office of Council District 2 proudly presents this distinguished service recognition to Pastor Randy Hardesty in honor of his 20 years of dedicated service as a longest serving active member of the Fort Worth Police Department's clergy and police alliance, known as Kappa.

Now known as the Police and Clergy Coalition.

Since completing the CAP Academy in 2005 at the Fort Worth Police and Fire Training Center, Pastor Hardesty has faithfully served as a trusted partner to Fort Worth Police Department.

He responds to call out citywide, participates in ride-alongs, and provides calm compassion support to citizens and officers during times of crises at any hour, day or night.

Currently serving as in the West Division Kappa leader, Pastor Hardesty was recognized in 2024 for most call outs, reflecting his exceptional commitment and availability.

The services built long-lasting relationships with officers, command staff, and the community.

During the hurricane Katrina relief efforts, Pastor Hardesty was entrusted with overseeing operations at the Amon Carter Center prior to the arrival of the Red Cross, alongside his wife, Lola, and network of volunteers.

He worked tirelessly to meet the physical and spiritual needs of evacuees.

Uniting faith leaders and law enforcement to support citizens, prevent escalation in crisis crisis situations, and strengthen the Fort Worth community through partnerships and compassion.

So it's my pleasure now to present the spectacle of recognition to you.

Pastor Hortz.

Thank you all very much.

And if you'd like to say a few words, the mic is yours.

I I'm blessed to be able to serve God in a city that recognizes the need for love and kindness and compassion.

And uh I hold that as one of my highest honors in ministry and and appreciative.

This is not just for me, but for all these Kappa guys and these officers and command staff.

It's a it's a it's a group thing, and none of us can do it without each other.

I'm blessed of God, and I thank you for this, of course.

It's my pleasure.

And you have a wonderful team here with you today.

Thank you for all being here.

Thank you.

Thank you, Lola.

And uh, I'm told that uh you're in need of a couple of agriculture.

You can debate who gets a silver and who gets the gold, right?

Ladies first, which one do you want?

Okay.

There you go.

All right, so thank you.

So why don't we take a moment and go up there and take it?

You got it.

All right.

All right.

Let's make our way up there and get fun.

Yeah.

Smartly slowers.

It doesn't work.

It takes a minute.

So it's honestly Michael Better just do that.

Thank you.

Absolutely.

Let her go first.

All right.

Everybody right here.

Step back.

And then what are we here?

Smile on three.

One, two, three.

Council, I know that each of us are used to closing meetings in individuals' honor, and we usually wait and do that at the end of the night.

And I decided that we were going to move that dedication up this evening because I wanted so many of these beautiful faces here tonight to be here.

Um, I know there are many members of the audience, including members on this dais that are incredibly sad to close tonight's um meeting in honor of our dear friend and former mayor pro temp, Miss Gina Bivens.

I think we all can agree that she was a true light in the world and would tell you exactly what she thought at all times.

But to me, she was one of the greatest examples of living life in a way that leaves the world better than she found it.

She was passionate and she had a deep love for all of Fort Worth, but especially for District Five and for Historic Stop Six.

She was an incredibly hard worker and had a positive impact throughout all of our community.

And I think all of us, I know I am personally made better because of her mentorship and her friendship.

Each of us could speak for hours, but because we have incredible city staff, Cam and the team have put together a beautiful video that's just a few minutes long that I hope that you will enjoy as much as I did in viewing it.

God bless you, Gina, and tonight's meeting truly is being closed in your honor, if you don't mind playing the video.

Within a couple of decades, we will be right about 12 million people.

Fort Worth is so attractive and welcoming.

I was blessed with a wide range of supporters.

It was a wonderful experience.

And when you take in that type of you know collaboration, you're bound to gain knowledge and wisdom.

And with that mayor price, I'm ready to go to work.

We can see the need as governmental entities to work together and coordinate to let people understand.

Hey, there's a big old world coming at you, Fort Worth.

Are you ready for it?

Do you want them?

Well, help shape that vision.

Don Babers and I would have coffee every night at 10 30.

We'd be on the phone, plotting strategy, and how to bring housing to Stop Six, Texas.

We have our principals in District 5, and I'm very proud to represent this district.

Make a motion to elect the grand dame of our city council, Tina Bivens.

Behind closed doors.

I know they call me the old broad.

I know they do.

It's my honor council to put forward a motion to vote here.

Start your vote.

Congratulations, Gina.

Motion passes.

Thank you.

I'm very passionate about engagement.

This is the first time we've had the ODYA drum line at the brand new city hall.

So I want you to enjoy the rhythm, if you will.

I have no rhythm, so I've been told all my life.

And so the challenge becomes real for us.

How do we get these young people to realize we're gonna help you, young person, plan your city?

My vision now that I'm on social security, my vision is to get in my backyard and plant my mustard grooms, carrots, beets, and onions, and potatoes.

I had a reporter call me, asked me why I changed zoning in stop six.

He said, Do you think it was worth it?

I tell him, drive around, you tell me.

See y'all later.

The only thing I can tell you is I'm really glad to be leaving.

I've been here 12 years.

I'm packing my stuff right now.

Bye, y'all.

I'm out of here.

Thank y'all for letting us do that.

I thought it was very appropriate that you all got to see that wonderful video in a tribute to Miss Gina.

They have not announced um services for Mayor Tim Bivens, but we'll make sure that this dais tells the world about it and to celebrate her beautiful life.

Um with that, I'm gonna turn back to Councilmember Peoples.

Is it appropriate time or do we take a break before we do?

Okay, so here's the hard part though.

Um, we have how many students downstairs?

Do we know how many families?

55.

So I think the break was meant to switch out people to let all the families come in because we're at fire capacity.

So we're gonna probably take more like seven, and I don't know how to do that exactly because we're gonna we don't have enough space to let families in.

Make it work.

Okay.

Yes, thank you so much.

Okay, we're gonna take a five-minute break.

Let's see if everybody starts to get here.

I mean, we're gonna let families know to come cue outside.

And if we'd love to have you, but we just have to get these students in here, all 55 to do the citizens' oath.

Okay, so take a five-minute break.

Thank you.

For business, and we're gonna next item will be the presentation of the Fort Worth Sister Cities International Youth Ambassadors Oath Ceremony.

So, Mayor Parker and Council, thank you for having us here tonight and for recognizing the importance of global connections in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Sister Cities is the only nonprofit solely dedicated to cultivating global connections that enrich the Fort Worth community.

We live our mission by creating meaningful people to people experiences focused on cross-cultural understanding.

Our vision is to serve as Fort Worth's leading advocate and resource for international relationships and as an ambassador for peaceful engagement.

We're excited to be here this evening and to have the oath of citizen diplomacy administered to the Fort Worth students who will be representing our city to the world this spring and summer.

We have 56 student ambassadors who will be traveling to France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Eswatini in the spring and summer of 2026.

International exchanges give students possibly their first opportunity to travel, which is almost always described as life-changing.

Through these experiences, the students gain important life skills, including cultural intelligence, global problem solving, leadership, and resilience.

I would like to present the 2026 ambassadors, delegation and associate delegation leaders.

These participants were selected through a strenuous application process and represent many Fort Worth ISD schools as well as private schools.

And we are happy to say that because of the generosity of the community, we were able to provide nearly $25,000 in scholarships, enabling these students and teachers to participate.

As I call your name, leaders, will you and your students please raise your hands so we know who you are and where you are going?

Horish and scholars to Nagaoka, Japan, delegation leaders, Nicole Erickson, Terrant County College, and Ruby Roy, University of Texas at Arlington.

Delegates, raise your hand if you're your Harsh and Scholars going to Japan.

Great.

Reggio Emilia, Italy, delegation leaders, Monica Procno, Tarrant County College, and Brian Waddell, Texas Academy of Biomedical Science.

Everyone, raise your hand if you're going to Reggio.

Neems, France, Gregory Gross, All Saints Episcopal School, and Alexis Gross, All Saints Episcopal Middle School.

Raise your hands if you're going with them to NEM.

Free Air Germany, delegation leaders James Gleason, Tarrant County College, and Elizabeth Coons, Anetta Elementary.

If you're going to Neen, I mean Trier, I'm sorry, raise your hand.

A second group going to Nagaoka, Japan this summer.

And the delegation leaders are Rachel Hexworth from Fort Worth ISD's District Homebound Program.

Megan Johnson, who is working with us at Fort Worth Sister Cities International as an associate delegated delegation leader, and Maria Kastrutta from the University of North Texas.

So if you are going to Japan this summer, please raise your hand.

And finally, Mabani Eswatini.

Delegation leaders are Courtney Upp from Stewart Elementary, Brandi Sapp from DOS Inc., who's an associate delegation leader, and Alicia Flores from Southern Methodist University.

If you're going to Eswatini to Mabani, raise your hand.

Again, Mayor, thank you.

And I invite you to administer the oath of citizen diplomacy to these folks.

Excellent.

Before I read the oath, congratulations to each of you for being chosen.

As Cindy articulated, this really will be a life-changing opportunity for you.

And on behalf of the Fort Worth City Council and our community, we're so thankful that you're taking reasonable risk to travel across the globe on behalf of the city of Fort Worth to share what our community is all about, but importantly, bring other learnings back home to our community to make us that much stronger, as now the 10th or 11th largest city in the country, depending on the day.

With that, I'd like you to all raise your right hand and you will repeat after me.

I state your name.

Appointed by Mayor Parker and the Forest City Council.

And the Fort Worth Sister Cities program.

I am committed to do this for my city, my country, and my world.

Let this be so.

Go forth and have a wonderful trip.

Thank you.

Now stay right there.

We're gonna take a few pictures and then we'll orderly get out of here before our meeting starts.

Sound good?

Okay.

Anyone else need guns?

All right, we've got a lot of people.

All right.

Let's all look here on three.

One, two, three.

Take a couple more.

One, two, three.

Okay.

Looks great, guys.

Good luck for all the freaking all home, all right?

So, Mayor, as the students are leaving, I just wanted to congratulate the students from Fort Worth ISD, because you need to understand that the governor's own education agency ranked two Fort Worth ISD schools, biomedical science and the young woman's leadership academy as two of the highest rated schools in Tarrack County.

So welcome, you are the best of the best.

Thank you to the families and students for attending tonight.

We really do appreciate you coming.

As we transition, we still do have one very important recognition, which will be presented this evening by Councilmember Peoples.

And I think maybe Councilmember Nettles and Council More Hall will also join us, but it's not every day that you have a Fort Worth native and a 20-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer to be in our midst.

With that, Councilmember Peoples, I'm going to turn the microphone over to you to recognize our very own Kirk Franklin.

So I know you travel all over the world, and so just getting you here to Fort Worth, getting you home is extraordinary.

And we are grateful.

But I wanted to make sure, along with Councilman uh Chris Nettles and Councilmember Dr.

Mia Hall, that we showed you how much we love you.

And so I am going to read it all, Mayor.

I am.

And so whereas Kirk Franklin is a native son of Fort Worth, Texas, and is a 20-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and music icon.

So you can read it with me.

You know I can't see.

Okay.

Kirk matriculated through the public school system in Fort Worth and proudly remains one of its most famous residents.

Whereas at the age of 11, Kirk Franklin joined Matt Rose Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and became music director of the church adult choir.

Do you remember that?

I think so.

Okay.

During Kirk's teen years, he studied music with the famous Jewel Kelly and the singing chaparrales at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School and ultimately became a pianist for the choir.

And whereas at the age of 15, Kirk Franklin co-founded a gospel group, The Umble Hearts, which recorded one of Kirk's compositions every day with Jesus.

You remember that?

I think so.

Okay.

As a result, Kirk was enlisted to lead the DFW Mass Choir in a recording of his hit song.

And at the age of 20, Kirk would lead the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention.

And now whereas in 1996, graduate, Kirk Franklin's song, Joy, was recorded by Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass choir with production by Houston and Mervyn Warren.

The composition was included on the best selling gospel album of all time soundtrack to the preacher's wife.

Whereas Kirk Franklin's commitment to nurturing talent and uplifting communities is evident through initiatives like Camp Lotus, where he mentors aspiring artists and his support of charitable organizations like Compassion International and St.

Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Where Kirk Franklin remains a trailblazer whose impact transcends music.

He is known as one of the most impactful and innovative figures in modern music, whether on stage, in the studio, or through storytelling, he continues to inspire millions with a message rooted in faith, love, and resilience.

Therefore, be it resolved that the city of Fort Worth, Texas, is proud to honor, celebrate, and recognize Kirk Franklin as a pivotal black history figure in the modern gospel music.

It is presented on this tenth day of February 2026, signed by Deborah Peeples, Mia Hall, and Councilman Chris Snells.

Congratulations, Mr.

Kirk Franklin.

Please.

I think you have your videographer here.

Oh well, I first of all it is an honor to be here.

And this is a very nice building, isn't it?

For something.

And I'm just very appreciative to be from Fort Worth.

I still spend most of my time in Fort Worth.

Um I got up this morning.

I normally walk by the Trinity River every morning.

And I love being from Fort Worth.

I was adopted when I was four by a 64-year-old woman who who didn't have a graduate, she didn't have a diploma.

And we would we would recycle cans and newspapers right off of Lancaster in the 70s.

And uh we were part of the Goodfellows event when they would raise um food and money for kids during Christmas.

Um we would we would get my Easter clothes from the Salvation Army on Lancaster.

So I'm deep Fort Worth, deep Fort Worth.

I mean, everything from the Tandy Center and Jolly Times Kating Ring, you know, stripping the cox learners, you know.

I'm I'm I mean, I love Fort Worth.

I'm I mean Fort Worth is my home, and there's another place I'd rather be.

And I have to be honest with you, if I can be honest before I leave, I really want to say to all of you with with with great humility, I have to be honest, it was a moment that I got a little sensitive, you know, because I can cry real easily.

I'm not gonna cry on here, but I got a real sensitive, is because I was in a grocery store a couple of years ago, and uh I saw a magazine, the Fort Worth magazine, and my good friend, he's a good friend, he's very talented, Leon.

Yes.

Leon was on the cover of uh the Fourth magazine, and the title said Fort Worth Son.

And I said, wait a minute, I'm older than him.

You know, and I got like real sensitive in the store.

I just fell out in the middle of Kroger.

I just fell out.

No, I'm playing out to really fall out, but um that this is really this is really kind of y'all because um I love Fort Worth.

And this is a beautiful moment to remind me that Fort Worth loves me.

Thank you.

I'm gonna go and take okay.

So we're gonna go and take a picture, and mayor, come on down.

So I mean mail, come down, friends, anybody.

Okay, I don't want her to go.

Squeezed in just a little bit.

Okay.

All right.

One, two, three.

Looks good.

Sorry.

No, you can only do that.

Council.

There are no items to be withdrawn or continued.

So next mayor will be the consent speakers, and we have two.

Thank you.

Just a second.

Here we go.

Our first speaker is Chris Wood, followed by Adrian Smith.

I'm Chris Wood.

I approve of the acceptance of grant funding from various pet focused organizations, including Pet Smart Charities, to support the city of Fort Worth Animal Shelters.

This agenda item is about improving quality of life in our community.

Owning a pet is very appealing to many people due to the multiple benefits.

There are physical health benefits, such as increased exercise walking a dog, mental and emotional benefits, such as the release of oxytocin, the love hormone when petting a pet, and improved cognitive function, as shown in older adults who own pets.

At the same time, these benefits only last when pet ownership is approached responsibly.

Pets are a long-term commitment that involves financial, emotional, and medical responsibilities.

They also allow shelters to expand education on spaying and neutering, behavioral training, ongoing pet health care, and abandonment prevention.

And a twenty one percent reduction in animal intake compared to twenty twenty-four.

Innovative field programs, such as leaving field kennel cards in neighborhoods where strays are picked up, resulting in more pets being reunited with their families.

These outcomes demonstrate that grant funding is not only well managed, but highly effective.

Continued support from pet focused organizations will allow this world, this work to expand and ensure Fort Worth remains a leader in responsible animal care.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Adrian Smith.

Mr.

Smith available.

Not council.

Yes, here he is.

Adrian Smith, District Six, I am one with the people.

Council, that's the conclusion of our speakers for the consent agenda.

I can entertain a motion.

Got a motion and a second.

Is there any other discussion?

If not, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next will be upcoming in uh events.

Mayor, I believe we have one.

Okay, Councilor Martinez.

Apologize.

Oh, can you hear me?

Okay, we have our citizenship workshop uh next Saturday, February 21st.

Um, so we will have uh information on natural the naturalization process uh presented by the law firm of Jaime Barron.

We will also have the Consul General of Mexico, Luis Rodriguez Pusia talking about dual citizenship for those born abroad, and opam will be there to provide uh the community explanation of what the department does and um their rights uh when interacting with police department.

So I hope you can join us at the Carrillo Event Center on Friday, February, I mean Saturday, February 21st from 10 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

Thank you.

Mayor, that gets us to the non-consent speakers.

Thank you.

Our first speaker is Richard Gladden, followed by Bob Willoughby.

Which speaker, this one or that one?

This one, the longer microphone there.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Uh good evening.

Um it's been a while since I've been to a Fort Worth City Council meeting, but it's this has certainly been an interesting and entertaining one.

Um my name, first of all, is Richard Gladden.

I'm an attorney.

And it's my understanding, or it's been brought to my attention that the City Council of Fort Worth is considering adopting a what's known as a sex offender residency restriction ordinance.

Um I've been practicing law in this area, specifically concerning what we call soros for about 25 years.

Uh I've looked at the most recent draft that you have, and I'm here to point out that you've got a two primary legal problems with this ordinance.

One is that under Texas law, district court judges have exclusive authority to determine where people on probation reside.

You don't have an exception, like 33 other cities do in Texas that recognize that fact.

Um, your the presentations you've had, I've reviewed them, and your legal staff has not brought that to your attention, is that your ordinance would be invalid under Article 11, Section 5A of the Texas Constitution, because it seeks to override an order of a district judge who has that exclusive authority with regard to people who are on parole, likewise, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has exclusive authority on determining where people on parole reside.

Once again, your legal staff has overlooked that and the fact that your ordinance is void if it doesn't provide an exemption for those two categories of people.

On top of that, and actually I've made some copies.

Here's a list of the 33 cities that I found just without too much effort.

If I could hand this out, which way would I go?

You just hand it right over here to Miss Goodall.

Thank you.

The Texas legislature enacted something known as the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

There's a case that went to the Texas Supreme Court called Bar versus City of Senton, where the City of Sentin sought to bar people who were in transitional homes in Centon that were religiously based.

They found that that ordinance to restrict offenders from living in those homes and receiving religious instruction and support as parolees violated state law.

And so I sent us a demand letter or a notice of claim by certified mail yesterday.

The council or the city secretary will get that.

Thank you, Mr.

Gladden.

And uh I look forward to a lawsuit.

I hope you don't have to be able to do that.

Our next speaker is Mr.

Bob Willoughby.

Thank you.

Bob Willoughby, followed by Sean Braun.

Mr.

Willoughby, you can get started.

Thank you.

My time over there, I need to start it quick on it.

Uh there we go.

See, we gotta put this up on the screen so people know what we're talking about.

We used to have it on every every item.

They put it on the screen so everybody could see what we're talking about.

And you took it away, Maddie.

So people don't know what we're talking about.

Anyway, this is an ordinance, and it says in a proposal amend the existing charter.

When I called the city on Friday, which you can do that now because the agenda comes out on Thursday night because of me.

It used to come out on Friday night.

You couldn't call it on Monday.

It comes out on Thursday nights.

Our council should have done it.

Anyway, I called Friday to see what this was.

No answer from community engagement.

I call it Monday, no answer for community engagement.

Okay.

No answer.

We don't know what it's about.

But I'll tell you what, if you want to amend the charter, here's what you instead of putting a raise on there for yourself, put these items on there.

The recall petition, 50% won.

What that means is if you get elected with 2,000 votes, 1,000 signatures plus one could remove you from office.

That'll make you accountable to the people.

We have no safeguards.

You took them away.

You took away our rights to speak.

You're taking them, and this is a joke.

But anyway, that's one.

That needs to be changed so that we can hold people accountable easier.

Not your 20% that's unreasonable.

Term limits.

We need that on the ballot.

You're gonna put a raise on the ballot for yourself, put term limits on it.

Let's see how we feel about that.

Three two-year terms is enough.

Step down for one, and then you come back after that as far as my concern.

Campaign content, oh, definitely campaign.

Let's that put it in the POA buying candidates.

Two million dollars to Matty Parker and your campaign fund.

That's why you're not gonna run again.

You got paid off, so you're not gonna run again.

I know that.

But while you're here, won't you do something good before you leave?

Make God smile, do something good.

Put this stuff on the on the ballot and let people decide out here, not you.

You became dictators of what you are, and I don't like it.

But anyway, this we never got no answers, or we don't know what they're opposing.

We have no idea.

They didn't answer.

Community engagement is another thing.

It's over and paid that we don't need like other uh programs you have going on.

It's cost us a lot of freaking money for nothing.

We need adults up here.

We need transparency and we need honesty, and we won't have it until you're gone, Maddie.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Sean Braun, followed by Edward Puckett.

Good evening.

My name is Sean Braun.

I'm a resident of Terrent County.

I submitted a brief evidence um-based uh handout for the record for you for everyone to look at that addresses residency restrictions, looking at how they do not reduce any risk to the community and often undermine any uh potential risk that the um city council may um may be aware of.

Um I wanted to let everybody know that I've devoted the last 30 years of my career to the prevention of sexual abuse, specifically childhood sexual abuse.

I am a licensed in the state of Texas as a sex offender treatment provider.

And I am a current member and past president of the Texas chapter for the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse.

The last 25 years I've committed to providing treatment to sex offenders in the community.

I wanted to point out um some things in the um proposed ordinance which are inaccurate and possibly misleading.

One of the things that is indicated in the ordinance is that um sex offenders are a high risk, unfortunately, even though you may hear that, that's untrue.

People that committed sexual offenses are actually one of the groups that have the lowest recidivism rates, ranging anywhere from about 13 to 14 percent.

And all other crimes range from anywhere from about 20 to 50 percent.

In Texas, actually, research has shown us that the recidivism rate for sex offenders is actually even about half that.

Another thing that you indicated was that this ordinance is required to reduce opportunities for contact between registered sex offenders and children.

Um this is based on the false assumption that proximity to locations such as schools and parks is a reason for people committing sexual offenses.

That's actually untrue.

Also 85 to 90% of all sexual crimes are committed by people that the children are acquainted with.

Um family members, acquaintances.

Um in the ordinance, it indicated that this is to protect the community and protect the children.

And research has shown us over and over again that this is actually not a way to protect the children.

And in fact, ways to do that are uh encouraging and supporting treatment for people that commit sexual offenses, encouraging family and friends to be involved in that treatment and supervision of people that have committed sexual offenses, and encouraging agencies that are working towards helping offenders in housing, employment, and those are the things that actually decrease uh a person's risk to reoffend sexually.

Thank you.

Edward Puckett, followed by Ann Zeta.

Good evening, Mayor Parker, Council members.

It's really good to be here.

I I feel privileged and honored to be standing in the same spot that just a little while ago, Kurt Franklin was standing in.

And in a place where the name of Jesus is invoked openly.

And the chaplain for Fort Worth states that mercy and kindness is a regular quality of this council.

My name is Jerry Puckett.

I'm a Fort Worth resident and a housing provider.

I'm the managing partner of a faith-based residential ministry operating within this city under the Sun Outreach.

I'm here tonight to talk about standards, how they're applied, and when discretion is exercised.

Since the agenda for this ordinance was posted, the language has changed materially.

These changes did not clarify compliance.

They followed good faith questions about how compliance could even be determined.

As of tonight, there's still no authoritative map, no operational guidance, and no clear method for providers, parole officers, or residents to verify compliance, even though the ordinance purports immediate enforcement.

Scheduled to occur within days.

Those placements were approved under existing state supervision.

Treatment frameworks that this city has historically relied on.

Yet the ordinance provides no mechanism to reconcile those approvals with municipal enforcement.

Only penalties after the fact.

Slow down.

Because once this ordinance passes, it won't be theoretical.

It will be enforced or misenforced against people who are trying to comply.

Thank you very much.

Anne Zeta, followed by EJ Carrion.

So again, this evening, I signed up for two items and have to choose between the two because we lumped together all the consent agenda items.

I will quickly say that I do support an increase in council pay that is on the charter proposal.

But I will spend the bulk of my time talking about the affordable housing proposition that is on the bond.

Community design Fort Worth's board sent a letter in full support of inclusion of proposition D, affordable housing improvements on this proposal for the 2026 bend and bond, and we commend the city council for hosting a lot of community engagement about this and hearing strongly.

Public support, those voiced both by public housing, I mean, both by housing advocates and everyday residents.

The message is clear.

But we also want to highlight the fact that this is still too little for what is needed in Fort Worth.

And I will remind many of you were on the council when you adopted this strategic plan for housing affordability, which pointed out that there is a need for a hundred million dollars in five years, and this was adopted in 2023.

So we are quickly approaching that five year mark.

And even 10 million dollars is not going to get us close to what we need in order to do this.

I do appreciate that during your work session, the discussion that you had.

I'm fluctuating back and forth a little bit between the um charter amendments and the bond, that it was discussed whether or not a change to the quorum would be implemented.

And I appreciate Councilwoman People's comments about how the citizens of Fort Worth expect all of you to show up every day for your jobs.

But I also know that it's a hard job to do in the amount that you are paid today, and that it requires that you have jobs outside of your city council jobs.

So if we're going to expect you to spend full time on this job, we need to have that reflected in the compensation that you are given.

Also, it allows a more broad, diverse group of people to serve the community, making the people who serve us on this dais actually reflect the community of Fort Worth.

So I appreciate you considering both of those things.

Appreciate the increase that you made to the amount in the bond for affordable housing.

Hope that you will continue to do that.

And for those of you who were not on the council when this was adopted in 2023, I encourage you to check it out, and we'd be happy.

Community design Fort Worth would be happy to meet with any of you to discuss further implementation of the things that are in it because it will help us address the housing crisis that we see in Fort Worth.

Thank you.

All right.

Our next speaker is EJ Kerrion, followed by Tere Kennedy.

All righty.

So I'm going to start with the good news around the salaries.

You guys deserve a pay raise.

$50,000 for you guys and $60,000 for the mayor is still not enough where you still have to have a second job.

We are a world-class city.

We deserve world-class salaries and perspectives.

I was just at the county commissioner's court where they have a $215,000 salary plus a car allowance, and their budget is not even a third of yours.

So I am gun-ho on everything you guys need to do to make sure we make this for all working people can be able to operate and run this city.

So now I'm going to go into my concerns in the charter, and it's really specific on one of the amendments for you city manager Jay Chapa.

It says I read it in the Fort Worth report.

It said one amendment seeks to give the city manager the power to create, abolish, and consolidate departments without a council vote, as long as those areas are not required by a city charter.

And if you go back to what Gina Bivin said, rest in peace said on the video y'all said, there's a big whole world coming to you, Fort Worth.

And she also said passionate about engagement.

And so I just wanted to make sure I brought this up to the public because what I've been seeing over the last year in Fort Worth, you know, from the Latinos on the city council, is that we're, you know, we went from last month, Carlos Flores went to vote to minimize public comments.

We had Manny Ramirez just vote to be the swing vote to minimize the amount of time we get a county commissioner's court, and I'd be afraid of our first Latino city manager Jake Chapa is looking to pit consolidation so that when something like DEI shows up again, he doesn't have to listen to the people.

And I ask you for whatever amendments you and your staff start pitting in on these charters and on and on these votes.

Is that when you see a room full of black people on Black History Month, are these amendments here to make sure that they serve them?

Because we have a problem where Latinos are trying to be connected to white proximity.

And the real power is in black and brown coalition building with white progressives who also understand the movement that's here in Fort Worth.

So I'm gonna go into since I have 30 seconds is the bond.

Uh affordable housing, we're laughable compared to all the other cities our size.

Um, also, Macy Hill, you had about art.

You want to take art out of the budget.

Um, I think you know, for someone who has the museum district in your district, it must be nice to be that selfish.

But for someone who lives in District 11, these budgets that we put in the city is probably the only art me and my residents get to see.

So those are all that I have to say today.

Our next speaker is Terray Kennedy, followed by Corbin Frederick.

Hello, my name is Tore Kennedy.

I'm the property manager of Palladium Fort Oracle.

Mr.

Kennedy, if you don't mind getting the microphone, thank you very much.

Yes, ma'am.

Good evening.

My name is Terray.

Um, Mayor and Council, and I'm the property manager of a Palladium Fort Ort in District 7, and I'm your neighbor.

I live right here in District 7 too.

I'm here tonight to talk about what's actually happening on the ground in our community.

Now we stay pretty much filled at our property.

97 97% occupancy as of yesterday, but the number that really tells the story is our waiting list.

Right now I've got 228 families just waiting for a door to open.

Think about that.

We've only got 150 apartments at my community, but I have enough people knocking on the door to fill that building nearly three times over.

The 90 units at Palladium Legacy Drive won't just be new apartments.

They are a lifeline for 90 of those families who are just looking for a fair shot to live in a neighborhood they live and call home.

We do more than just hand over a key.

We're hosting after-school art classes for the kids, financial classes to help folks get ahead and even bring in health clinics for flu shots.

We're looking out for our people, plain and simple.

But you don't have to take my word for it.

I brought a few notes from neighbors in District 7 who want to tell you how having a high quality place to call home has changed things for them.

There, Councilmember Hill, I can tell you firsthand how much of a difference quality housing makes before I moved to Palladium Fort Worth.

I was commuting over an hour each way just to get to work.

I was exhausted and getting home late to my kids every single night.

Since finding a place in this area, my life has completely changed.

I'm only 10 to 15 minutes from work now, which means I get to be home with my children.

My kids are in a good school where they can succeed.

I have money left over for things like groceries and doctor's appointments and the occasional movies.

Living here has been a total godsend for us.

I want other families to have the same chance I did to live in a safe, convenient area without struggling to get groceries.

I really hope you will vote to approve Pellanium Legacy project.

Thank you for your time in representing our neighborhood.

And this is 2023.

E.

Henderson Drive, Fort Worth, Texas.

And then I have one more.

I am writing you today as both a resident of District 7 and an employee at Walmart right there on White Settlement Road in Legacy Drive.

I wanted to tell you firsthand how much a project like this would mean to people like me.

Right now, so many who work in retail and grocery stores in the district have to commute from far away because the rents around here are just too high.

When you work a long shift on your feet, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour and more in traffic just to get a place you can afford.

Please vote yes on Palladium Legacy Apartments.

Thank you for listening to the people who work hard to make District Seven a great place to live.

And this is from Elizabeth Downey at 9533 Palladium Way.

Thank you so much.

Corbin Frederick, followed by Carla Palmares.

Good evening, Marin Council.

My name is Corbin Frederick, and I'm here representing the ownership of the Palladium Legacy Drive mixed income community.

And I am speaking in support of the subject property.

As a commercial real estate broker actively working in this market and having sold several hundred acres in the direct area, I wanted to offer a boots on the ground perspective on this specific five-acre tract.

Because of its mid-block positioning, this site has proven to be a challenging prospect for neighborhood commercial or retail, which is the current zoning.

This property has been actively marketed for several years without any real viable commercial or retail interest.

Despite efforts to attract a range of commercial users, the most viable long-term interest has been high quality multifamily development.

Additionally, traditional commercial uses would likely exacerbate existing traffic concerns with the adjacent elementary school.

This residential project is thoughtfully designed to be compatible with the surrounding area.

This project directly addresses Fort Worth's growing need for diverse housing options with approximately 90 units at varying income levels rather than the 180 units Senate Bill 840 allows for by right today.

This development helps ensure that teachers, healthcare workers, and other essential members of our workforce can afford to live in the city that they serve.

This is not just another apartment community, it's a practical practical housing solution that aligns with the city's goals for responsible growth.

It's also important to acknowledge the current condition of the property.

Over time, it has experienced recurring homeless encampments and multiple code-related issues.

This development would eliminate those challenges entirely and replace them with a well-managed and maintained productive community asset.

It was imperative to the landowner that we didn't just find a buyer but a partner who would be a credit to the neighborhood.

We evaluated numerous groups over the past couple years in Palladium clearly stood apart.

They hold and manage their communities long term, and they maintain a level of quality that we felt was non-negotiable for this location in the community.

They developed and still manage five properties in Fort Worth and many more in the Metroplex and across the state.

Palladium has shown a willingness to be a collaborative neighbor.

They have committed to help mitigate traffic impacts related to the nearby elementary school, an issue many, if not all commercial developers would avoid altogether.

In closing, approving this resolution of support represents an investment in both Fort Worth's people and its future.

This project converts a difficult underutilized site into a meaningful community asset.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Our next speaker is Carla Palmares, followed by Thomas Hugh.

It's Carla here.

No.

Okay.

Thomas Hughes.

Huss.

You're gonna you're gonna fix me, right, Thomas.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor Thomas Hooth here.

City Council members, staff.

Attainable housing.

Palladium owns five properties within our great city of Fort Worth.

Palladium Fain Street, Councilmember Jeanette Martinez, District 11.

Palladium Fort Worth, Councilmember Macy Hill, District 7.

I think that was approved before you were put on council.

Palladium Oak Grove, Councilmember Elizabeth Beck, District 9.

Palladium East Berry Street, Councilmember Chris Snettles, District 8.

Palladium City Skyline, Councilmember Jeanette Martinez, District 11.

What was a common theme in what I just read?

We put our name on every property that we own.

This is not Oaks at Greenleaf.

It's Palladium.

All across the state, 40 assets, they're all named Palladium.

The other thing, all of our five properties are in four different council districts.

They're not in one district or two districts, they're in four different districts.

Palladium Legacy Drive will be a 90 unit.

That's it.

90 units.

We're talking 90 units for our families who need high quality living.

On January 13th of this year, I sent a letter to assistant superintendent David Bitters about Palladium's commitment to the school drop-off pick off pickup staging area improvements at Steam Academy.

They've got an issue.

The neighborhood has an issue with the parking, with the staging between pickup and drop-off time.

The cars are lined up down Legacy Drive.

We put our heads together and spent a lot of money on this and said we can help solve this.

Palladium will fund up to $650,000 to build this off-site staging area.

The staging area will be for 52 vehicles.

Ease congestion and pickup drop-off on legacy drive.

The school is on board with this.

This is unheard of in the development community, and we are not property tax exempt.

Please vote yes on Palladium Legacy Drive resolution of support to get to the next level.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Kelly Parma, followed by Kim Parker.

Good evening.

Good evening, Council.

Good evening, Mayor Parker.

My name is Kelly Parm.

I'm with Lee Engineering in Dallas, and I am a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas, and my firm prepared the traffic study that was done for the existing conditions on Legacy Drive as part of the Palladium Legacy development.

I want to speak regarding the traffic and queuing issue that occurs at North Elementary School STEAM Academy during the arrival and dismissal times, which is a solvable problem.

As part of our on-site observations during both school arrival and dismissal periods, the longest route queues are observed during the afternoon peak pickup period.

Approximately 60 vehicles extending it extending nearly 2,000 feet along Legacy Drive and White Settlement Road.

This obviously creates frustrations for neighbors and more importantly, safety concerns for students, parents, and through traffic.

Our analysis showed that this congestion is existing and primarily driven by a lack of on-site vehicle storage at the school during the dismissal period.

When vehicles spill onto legacy and white settlement, the system does not recover until the dismissal period ends.

A couple of potential potential solutions were evaluated.

One of those was installing a right turn lane.

Doing so does not exactly solve the problem, and it simply allows traffic to bypass the queue while the queue itself remains and extends out of the right turn lane into the adjacent through lane.

The solution that many meaningfully reduces the off-site congestion is providing additional stacking capacity on the school property.

Based on observed conditions and available land, the approximately 52 vehicles on the school property would more than likely eliminate any queuing on light settlement and substantially shorten any remaining potential queues on Legacy Drive.

What makes this solution different is that palladium has voluntarily committed to help fix has voluntarily committed to help fix this existing problem.

Stated another way, as mentioned previously, Palladium has agreed to fully fund and construct a new on-site school pickup and drop-off staging area on a portion of the North Elementary site, which will provide space for more than 50 vehicles at no cost to the city or the school district.

There is a defined plan and a clear timeline tied to project delivery.

In closing, I will I will say that during the school dismissal time, which occurs around 310, uh, peak times for apartments is about 5 p.m.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Kim Parker, followed by Donna Vaness.

Good evening, Mayor Parker, Council members.

I'm Kim Parker, executive director of Palladium USA.

Over the last nine years, Palladium has invested 218 million into the city of Fort Worth.

You heard about our five properties.

We don't just build here, we're long-term stakeholders.

We never take our reputation here or our success in the city of Fort Worth for granted, which is why we approach every project with a community-first mindset.

When we first began our outreach, we heard about this unbearable traffic congestion during drop-off and pickup at North Elementary.

We heard it from Council Member Hill.

We heard it from the ISD.

We heard it from the neighborhood.

And we realized very quickly that if we're to lease up high quality housing, that we'd better come up with a solution to this problem.

Otherwise, we're not going to be able to have residents that want to live there if that continues to be a problem.

You heard about the plan from our traffic engineer.

We're committed to funding and constructing this dedicated school drop-off.

And what I passed out is our commitment letter to assistant superintendent David Bitters outlining the project.

Project cost and scope.

This is in conversations that we've had, that he's rarely seen a private developer step up with this level of financial commitment to infrastructure.

Our plan provides stacking for more than 52 vehicles.

Councilmember Hill was very transparent with us from the very beginning.

She said this site has a tough road ahead.

No pun intended.

But we believe rather than walking away from a problematic situation, we should fix it.

We're ready to do the work, and I respectfully ask for your support.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Donna Van Nass, followed by Kent De Cardenas.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

I'm Donna Van S, president of Housing Channel, a nonprofit partner of the City of Fort Worth for over 30 years.

I want to thank you for considering prioritizing resources in the upcoming bond election toward the deepening issue of housing affordability that will not only benefit our workforce, but the city as a whole.

As I've spoken many times before, um, I feel that this crisis is an economic issue, not just a housing issue.

Housing and quality of life are the key factors in attracting new businesses, jobs, talent, and a city with a lack of affordable housing cannot sustain positive growth and prosperity.

The shortage of affordable housing will not only cost our city and lower wages and productivity, but households with constrained opportunities to increase their own wealth, cause slow and stagnant economic activity, and the overall health and well-being of the city will suffer.

I know it's not readily thought of this way, but economists contend that housing is economic infrastructure for a city.

It's one of the primary inputs that determines whether growth happens and if it continues.

As Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, this distinction matters more than ever.

When housing is not prioritized and is treated more as a downstream issue, a few things happen.

Employers struggle to attract and retain workers.

Commute times lengthen and labor markets fragment.

Infrastructure costs rise faster than the tax-based productivity.

Young talent leaves for places where life is easier and where they can buy a home.

This is not a housing problem.

It's an economic development problem.

An investment in affordable housing is an investment in stability, economic mobility, and long-term prosperity for working families.

We create affordable housing options, we support local businesses, attract employers, and keep our city competitive for years to come.

A bond allocation will allow us to accelerate housing production, preserve existing affordable homes, and ensure that as Fort Worth grows, it grows for everyone and not just those at the top of the market.

I urge you to maintain a commitment to funding for affordable housing in the upcoming bond package so that working families who keep our city running can have the opportunity to live in the city that they call home.

Thank you for your leadership and your service to our community and for your consideration.

Thank you.

Kent DeCardenas, followed by Ann Lott.

Madam Mayor, City Council, uh, Manager Choppa, uh, thank you for letting me speak this today.

Uh, first of all, thank you for uh reinstating the amount of times that the public can come and address you.

I really appreciate that.

Uh and totally separate from that.

Uh, I fully support uh a pay raise for everybody up there.

Uh, like EJ said, I think it should be more.

Uh, we are, if if we are going to be the Fort Worth that uh I think you guys fully support, we need to support you guys.

Uh the same way that you guys want to support the working uh class people of the city.

I mean, everybody needs to have a living wage, and and your job is very, very important to that.

Um, moving beyond the uh or the opposite side of you guys getting a pay increase.

I'd like to speak to the amendment to the charter that would give more power to the city manager.

I know that Fort Worth is a uh council manager style of government.

Umlike a management of a corporation with a board of trustees that hires a manager and lets them handle things.

Uh uh city is a uh corporation for the for living.

The people of the city, it is it is their lives that are on the line here.

Um and having a responsive management system uh is is key to that.

So I'm very hesitant to uh any sort of amendment that that turns power over to the manager.

I know that this is being addressed as a streamlining of the system that is already there.

Uh that just makes things cleaner.

Uh I would say if we're going to address the uh fix the charter uh to address that matter of cleaning it up, I would suggest moving it the other way and having to be more responsive to the city council having more of a say on what uh programs uh that are instated and run by the government.

Thank you.

Ann Lott, followed by David Rodriguez.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Ann Lott, and I am the executive director of the inclusive communities project, a fair housing organization serving the Dallas Fort Worth area.

I'm here this evening to speak in support of Palladium Legacy Drive, included in agenda item 26-018.

The inclusive communities project is a nonprofit that works to increase the availability of affordable housing in higher opportunity areas in Dallas Fort Worth.

And to accomplish our mission, we address impediments to fair housing and challenge barriers that prevent lower income families from moving into higher opportunity areas.

Concentrated poverty is a major impediment to fair housing, creating cycles of generational poverty.

And the city's most recent analysis of impediments to fair housing choice recognizes the high concentrations of low income minority families in areas surrounding federally assisted housing and low-income housing tax credit projects, also known as LITEC developments, as an impediment to fair housing choice.

And to address this concern, the city states in its plan that it will lobby the Texas legislature to amend the LITEC funding criteria to incentivize the siting of developments outside of high poverty and racially concentrated census tracts.

The inclusive communities project wholeheartedly supports this goal, and that is exactly why we support this project.

This proposed development is located in a census tract with a poverty rate of 1.66% and a minority concentration well below HUD standard.

It is also in proximity to public transit, retail, health care, and employment opportunities.

You've been asked to support a number of LITEC projects this year, and I'm sure all of them are really good projects and worthy of your support, but no other project is located in an area with such a low poverty rate.

And I'm here tonight because affordable housing in low poverty areas is usually very strongly opposed by any homeowner within a five to 10 mile radius.

And it seems to be the one thing that brings every neighborhood together.

But I am urging you to muster that holy courage spoken of in the invocation and not to succumb to any NIMBY.

Support of this project will not only help you meet your objectives as stated in your AI, but it will also feel the 19,230 unit affordable housing gap identified in your consolidated plan.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you.

David Rodriguez, followed by Mac McCurry.

Good evening.

Again, I'll echo much of the same uh rhetoric as a lot of people up here as have already stated, um, especially considering the fact that uh the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court got to reduce their workload a whole another time again, and they still get paid their 200,000 dollars.

And at least y'all made the decision a month ago to bring back those public comments.

So I do appreciate that.

Um I also disagree with Jay Champa being able to being able to hire, fire, create, dissolve um organizations at will.

Um the American dream where the the American idea of democracy was supposed to be a government for the people by the people, and unfortunately, over the past year, it seems that in Tarrant County and in Fort Worth, and especially at the federal level, that it's starting to become a government for the few by one powerful person.

So and again, uh go ahead and echo statements as far as uh public housing or having more affordable housing, despite the fact that I am privileged enough to be a homeowner.

Um, my line of work does require me to interact a lot with people who just don't have that privilege.

And again, the same ideas that have been ran as far as the big platforms of uh populism, right?

Supposed to be lowering groceries, lowering the cost of housing, increasing the wages, trying to make everything better, and there hasn't been any tangible change, at least from the federal level that I've seen.

So I think, especially here on the city level, if y'all can approve this and start making changes towards actually bettering the lives of your citizens as every single person states has why do you want to run for city council?

Why do you think you should be city council?

Everyone says, I want to serve the people, I want to do this, I want to do that.

Well, here's a tangible step that y'all can support and take to show the people that you actually have actions and not words.

Thank you for your time.

MacCurry will be followed by Andrew Torrey.

Uh good evening, Madam Mayor and Council members.

My name is Mac McCurry, and I'm here as a registered citizen.

I'm also speaking uh for Texas Voices.

We're an organization that gives a voice to registered citizens.

I'm here to speak against the residency and restrictions.

Uh, there are quite a few talking points that I can cite on this.

Uh Mr.

Braun brought some of those up that were very succinct.

Uh I first met Mr.

Braun 23 years ago when I was a client of his.

Uh, their organization does great work with persons that are on the registry.

So one of his citations that he mentioned was that uh the risk of higher recidivism rate.

Uh that is just completely false.

And he spoke to that, and there are numerous studies that can dispute any facts that uh y'all may have come to just recently.

The other speaker mentioned affordable housing, and that is one thing that uh that everybody suffers and uh strides to get.

The NIMBY that's not in my backyard, that is exactly what this is about.

Is you know, we do not want somebody on the registry living on our street or in our neighborhood.

The fact is that in Texas there are almost a hundred thousand persons on the registry.

Uh the city of Fort Worth, I'm not sure exactly how many of the registered citizens are, but when a registered person needs to reside in the area, oftentimes the uh the opportunities are just not there.

If a registered person is already living, and then according to the verbiage in this uh ordinance as it's proposed, that that person will be grandfathered in.

Not only is it that person, but their family as well.

There's a family behind every registered person.

So if that person needs to move, they would not be able to move given that this ordinance and 1,500 feet.

So 1501 is okay.

So you can see that just if you draw circles and bubbles, that you know, what is that do?

So uh thank you for your time, and I'll hope you that y'all uh think about this ordinance.

Good night.

Andrew Tori, followed by Mindy Tackett.

Good evening.

My name is Andrew Torre, and I'm a proud resident of Council District 5.

I'm here this evening to speak on two of the proposed charter amendments to the city council, proposition G and Proposition M.

The amendment that I am most enthusiastic about is Proposition G, as I strongly believe elected officials from the local level to the federal level deserve a livable salary for the job they are elected to do.

Being an elected official is a full-time job, and that job should not be limited to those who are independently wealthy.

True representation comes only when people from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to hold positions of power.

At a time when the mayor of Dallas and the Dallas City Council members are earning 80,000 and 60,000 respectively, we should not have to live in a city in which working or middle class citizens have to consider whether they can secure a second job before running for elected office.

I would actually like to see this proposition go further and have the base salary index to inflation.

That way the salary keeps up with the cost of living.

I believe we should do that for the minimum wage, and it should be done in this case as well.

And I support amending the language of proposition G to include an index to inflation.

Now, regarding proposition M, although I can understand the argument for allowing for more control and decision making over departments, the city manager oversees.

And proposition M would give too much power to one unelected official.

We've all witnessed the damage done when an executive branch of our government decides to eliminate government departments it doesn't like, such as the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or USAID.

I don't believe it's wise to give the voters of the city an opportunity to allow something similar to happen in the city of Fort Worth.

So with uh I suppose I urge this council to reject this proposition and remove it from the proposal.

So with that said, and in conclusion, I support this council bringing proposition G to a vote before the citizens of the city, but I hope you will leave proposition M behind.

Thank you.

Mindy Tackett, followed by Chris Tackett.

Good evening.

Twenty years ago, Fort Worth decided 25,000 when it was enough to pay a city council member.

Today, that's not a salary, it's a barrier.

Our council members serve nearly nearly a million residents, and for this full-time job, we pay them poverty rate wages.

Let me put this into perspective.

Dallas pays their council $60,000 a year.

Austin pays $83,000, and Phoenix just approved $77,000.

But Fort Worth, we're dead last among major cities, Texas major cities.

The fifth largest city in Texas, one of the fastest growing in America, and we are paying our leaders less than a living wage.

And that's the heart of the issue is consistency.

If we believe in living wages for our residents, we cannot exempt the people leading that charge.

We cannot champion economic justice while practicing economic hypocrisy.

This isn't about rewarding politicians.

It's about removing barriers to public service.

Right now, only people who don't need the money can afford to serve.

We're excluding teachers, nurses, small business owners, and working parents from leadership because they cannot work full-time for part-time pay.

We're telling working class Fort Worth, your voice matters, but only if you're wealthy enough to serve basically for free.

And perhaps more importantly, what's the right way to calculate and approve future pay increases?

One thing is clear, this authority shouldn't rest in the hands of the city manager.

We need a better mechanism, one with proper accountability and checks and balances.

In addition to that, I just want to echo what's been said tonight about affordable housing.

Um, I hope that all of you might take Anne up on what she offered to sit down and go over the proposal that was put forth several years ago.

Um, if we're gonna be a world class city, we need to make sure people can afford to live in our world class city.

Thank you very much.

Chris Tackett, followed by Adrian Smith.

So Fort Worth, whoa, wow, that was a lot.

Let me move that back.

Fort Worth, it's the 11th largest city in America, over a million residents, and a multi-billion dollar budget and responsibilities and oversight that rival Fortune 500 companies and boards.

Yet we pay our council members a poverty level wage while expecting full-time hours.

The result, only the people who have the means can afford to serve.

Those who best understand our communities simply cannot take a massive pay cut to represent us.

The current proposal is an improvement, but it's only a partial solution.

We should be tying compensation to what Fort Worth families actually earn.

We've got the HUD area median income that's updated every year by the government.

We should be indexing council pay to that.

I would put forth that council members should be at 70% of that HUD area median income.

The mayor should be at 80%.

What does that translate to in real dollars for council members?

That would be 75,000 a year.

For the mayor, it would be 85,000.

By creating that linkage, we don't have to have this dialogue every year.

It indexes every time that updates.

And that's so important because look, if Fort Worth families do better, the council does better.

If Fort Worth families are struggling, you'll all struggle too.

That makes sense.

And this the this proposal isn't about making anybody rich.

It is about making council accessible.

So a middle class resident can serve without choosing between their mortgage and representing their neighbors.

That's essential.

But better pay is really only half of the equation we should be talking about.

What good is accessibility in elections if they're only winnable by those who can raise six figures from their wealthy donors?

We should have campaign finance contribution limits.

When a single developer can write a check that drowns out thousands of small donors, it's not democracy.

That's an auction.

So a teacher who gives $25 has the same voice as a developer today who's writing checks for 25,000.

The reforms should be linked.

This should be something campaign finance could go in place immediately, but raises for council.

You should never vote yourself a raise.

Those should not go into effect until after the next election.

That way we are giving everyone the chance to serve.

And it's this next generation of leaders taking over.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Adrian Smith, followed by Stephen Bryant.

Adrian Smith, District 6, I am one with the people.

What are individuals who have handouts page eight of 11, 8 of 14, item one is what I'm speaking to.

The city of Fort World once again seeks to change an ordinance in the name of what's best for the city.

This, however, is far from the truth, given past ordinance changes that were established to marginalize, marginalize even further groups or individuals who some within our city feel don't have a place.

But I'm not for doing it at the expense of someone's personal bias, political posturing, or ideal of self-importance.

A simple Google search provides all the information necessary regarding sexual offenders which reside within our city limits.

Something that's required of the individuals who identify as such.

With two shown as noncompliant.

One who is currently incarcerated in the Titus County jail.

The other individual listed as abscondit.

The individuals listed include both sexes, various ages, and offenders lit offenders' levels from low to high.

Did you really think this out before considering further restricting individuals from having a place within society?

Hopefully, we will hear from every every individual on the diet as to why or why not they support this ordinance change.

This is about individuals' livelihoods being affected, regardless of if you feel some type of way regarding their past decision making.

And we know the law enforced, the strongest voice on this particular ordinance change was you, Mr.

Lawrence Dorf.

So I ask you, sir, because you all, for the people who don't know, one simple vote, all of this gets passed.

So how about we pull this, Mr.

Larsdorf, and let's hear from each of you regarding why you feel this ordinance should be changed.

You had the power to do it.

All it requires is you to bring it up, somebody to agree with you, and we can hear from each of you.

I think that's that's being considerate.

Stephen Bryant, followed by Scott Johnston.

Good evening.

Good evening, everyone.

I'm Stephen Bryant.

I didn't write notes this time, so um wish me luck.

So um I want to echo everything that's been said about the proposition G.

Um, I do also believe that you guys deserve a living wage.

Um I think that's something that hasn't been touched on yet, is um people aren't really in, I would say the right minds doing their job if in the back of their head they're thinking about, you know, uh, is my kid gonna be able to pay that doctor's bill?

Am I gonna be able to put food on the table?

Am I able to afford rents or my mortgage, whatever that kind of stuff?

Um, as someone who's representing your district and the city, I would very much love to see that you don't have to think about that kind of stuff, and you can just hone in, lock in on everything you need to do for the city.

Um, also something that I haven't seen brought up yet is the proposition J with the annual budget.

Um, the only thing that's been um that had has a strike through on it, is it says the budget shall not be adopted in the same meeting as the public hearing.

Now, the sentence prior to that says public hearings on the manager's proposed budget shall be held, and notice of such hearings shall be provided in accordance with applicable state law.

However, no less than one public hearing shall be held on the budget following notice of such hearing.

So when I saw that that was struck through, I was just like genuinely curious.

Um does that mean you guys are able to bring up a public hearing and just say, hey, this is the budget, and then vote on it right away.

Um if so, I think that's like no.

I would like, I would I would prefer if we get some you know, uh feedback.

Thank you.

Um, also um the when it comes to the city attorney talking about what to put on the ballot for um the propositions.

Um I know it was recommended to have kind of like a one or two sentence kind of thing.

Um, but I actually want to echo what y'all were saying in the in the work session.

Um, if I mean there is a lot of government distrust, obviously, I mean, with everything going on.

Um, and so I would I would take this opportunity and challenge you guys to you know, maybe have that page that says, hey, this is this is originally what it says.

Like, for example, like right here, um, amendment number four proposition J.

Like you can I can read the whole thing, it's one paragraph, and I can see clearly where it's been striked through what the original text before it says, and then what's it what is what's underlines of what you guys put in.

So I don't know, I'd say take a chance on it and see if it doesn't work, then just don't do it again, you know.

Thanks, guys.

Our next speaker is Scott Johnston, followed by Anitra Blaken.

Mayor and Council, my name is Scott Johnston.

I am the former director of new name ministries.

Um we operated a facility that provided stable housing uh structure and accountability and uh proximity to support for offenders coming out of prison.

Uh we were we offered uh this for 20 years here in Fort Worth.

Um we were shut down because of um back up New Name Ministries not shut down because of crime and violence or misconduct.

We were shut down because of zoning interpretations, um administrative changes and misclassifications.

The residents who lived in Fort Worth uh because of these zoning interpretations.

Um they were working and attending church and receiving treatment and following their supervised plans, which and they were displaced because they were not afforded an opportunity to continue living in those homes.

Um they posed a risk because the system changed the rules on them.

Some of these men ended up homeless.

Some of them had their supervision disrupted, others lost their jobs, and that was hard.

That was work that was hard to secure.

Every one of them experienced deep and fear, deep fear and confusion because they had done what they were asked to do, but it wasn't enough.

Residency restrictions sound like a safety measure.

They're not.

On the ground, they destroy the very stability that keeps communities safe.

When men lose housing, men and women, they don't dispare disappear.

They become harder to monitor.

Every parole officer in this city can tell you that.

I've watched productive compliant residents re-enter re-enter crisis stages because of a zoning letter.

If the Fort Worth, if Fort Worth wants safety, real safety, it must choose strategies that work.

Residency restrictions do not work.

They have failed everywhere, they've been tried, and they have already failed here.

Consider the people that are involved and make a decision informed by what actually protects the community.

Thank you.

Anitra Blaken, followed by Wesley Kirk.

Good evening, Mayor and Council, men and women.

How are you?

Um I am a public artist, and I've been a public artist for about 30 years now.

Uh I'm here in support of fully funding and maintaining the funding of the uh public art component of the bond package.

And that's one percent of uh streets and uh all other propositions at 2%.

Um I just want to say that we have a lot in common with palladium and those other individuals who believe in quality.

Uh what we do is all about quality and social impact.

Uh, I myself uh have done uh several uh projects, uh including Dallas Fort Worth Airport, the Como Master Plan, and just recently Alliance Um Park in uh near Roanoke.

Um what my process is about is uh bringing the value, and I think all of my partners uh about bringing the value to um Fort Worth uh economically, socially, and um uh culturally.

And like Gina wants to do, she was always about bringing culture to uh stop six, and uh I was always there to oblige.

Um my last project involved bringing several communities together and having them reach in and have a dialogue, which they would not otherwise do.

And in that particular case, I would say that public art does help to humanize, it helps to energize, and um, I should say it is also accessible to everyone.

Um, so I hope that you will continue to fund us.

Thank you.

Wesley Kirk will be followed by Jamie Perkins.

All right, got a lot of bullet points.

Let's see how far I get.

Um, during a recent work session, when you all discussed possibly reducing public art, I want to thank all of the council members who spoke up in favor of public art and why it's so essential to the city, and I echo everything that was just said.

Um I also understand the frustrations that some council members have about uh public art, and I want to stress that a lot of that problem comes from the way the state law is written, where it ties our hands.

Charles Lauersdorf and I had this conversation about where it can go, what it can be made of, how long it lasts.

And one thing that I would hope that y'all would see is that we have a potential if we invested in public art in more ways than just the bond.

That doesn't tie the public art, uh, Fort Worth Public Arts hands in how that money can be used, and then we can start to see more of the results that we really want to see.

Um thank you for being art advocates, and I hope more of you will speak up in favor of that.

I also want to thank um Elizabeth Beck for first proposing affordable housing on the bond and all the council members who who helped increase that number.

But it's also um a drop in the bucket compared to what the city needs and what other cities are doing.

Denton is one-sixth of our size, and they have a $15 million bond for affordable housing.

And I hope that in the future we always look at affordable housing at the very beginning of the bond process and understand how crucial it is for the citizens of Fort Worth.

Um, I also want to talk about city council pay.

I believe you should be paid a full-time wage to do what should be a full-time job.

You shouldn't have to have multiple jobs just to survive.

You wouldn't shouldn't have to risk losing your house or or the safety of your family to do your livelihood of your family to do this job.

We shouldn't introduce conflicts of interest for multiple jobs.

My proposal is that we should tie city council pay to the average city staff pay.

I think that's a number that should be very easy to figure out.

It has um cost of living increases built into it.

It's literally impossible to manipulate that number without benefiting all of the employees of the city of Fort Worth.

And um, in regard to the power of the city manager to create and abolish departments without a say from the council.

I mean, just imagine the getting rid of the diversity and inclusion department without a council say.

Um, I know that we can trust Jay Choppa to not abuse that, but we should be setting the rules and the laws in in preparation for a bad faith actor.

If we have someone come along who doesn't um follow the trust of the council, we need to be prepared to not let them uh make things worse.

And also, it's another tool in your your tool belt.

I mean, if if we go through with this, then the only way y'all can do to stop a city manager going rogue is to fire them.

And there should be more tools in your tool belt, and that's why I think the council being able to make those decisions is crucial.

And I also want to talk about the city council budget.

It should be a separate meeting from when it the public first hears those final numbers so that the public's input can meaningfully uh affect what those final numbers are before the vote.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Jamie Perkins, followed by Claudia Avala Claudia.

Good evening, mayor and council.

My name is Jaime, and I'm here tonight to speak in favor of the 2026 bond and to urge you to be bolder with it and also to speak against the proposed charter amendments as currently written.

I support the bond because Fort Worth needs serious investment.

This is the 11th largest city in the count in the country, yet it continues to fall behind when it comes to meeting basic needs.

A bond of this size should reflect the scale of the challenges being faced, most especially housing.

I strongly support including affordable housing in this bond, but it cannot be a symbolic line item.

Fort Worth's housing crisis is not theoretical.

It's pushing working families, teachers, city employees, and service workers further and further from the communities they serve.

If you are asking voters to approve an $800 million plus bond, affordable housing must be treated as a central priority, not an afterthought.

The same is true for arts funding.

The arts are not a luxury, they are a part of what makes a city livable and economically resilient.

Cities that invest in culture attract talent, tourism, and long-term growth.

Please invest more into these crucial areas.

These investments belong in the core of the bond because they are core to its city's future.

So, yes, pass a bond, but strengthen it.

Be ambitious, match the scale of the investment to the scale of the need.

Turning to the charter amendments, I am opposed to them as written.

I support raising city council pay.

Public service should not be limited to people who can afford to take a financial hit.

If we want representation that reflects working people, compensation matters.

It should be done structuredly, uh responsibly and following some of the vice of previous speakers.

Uh, however, that positive change is uh outweighed uh by the proposal that uh concentrate too much power in the city manager's office, allowing one office to abolish departments, remove directors, or approve major contracts without meaningful council oversight, reduces accountability.

Weakening public hearings and reducing transparency around essential services does not strengthen government.

I urge you to strengthen the bond by prioritizing housing and the arts and to reject these charter amendments in favor of proposals that expand accountability rather than consolidate power.

Thanks.

Claudia Avala followed by David Martinez.

David Martinez, followed by Alexander Montalvo.

Good evening.

I didn't know I was gonna speak with the opposition of this size for against the ordinance to expand distance to protect children.

I can't even speak about other things because this is the most important thing because as we grow, what city we're gonna go?

Are we gonna be a sanctuary city for pedophiles?

Is that the city that y'all want?

Because that's not the city I want.

You know, I have grandchildren on the way, and I don't want them to be raised in a city that promotes this and says, oh, we need to respect their boundaries.

No, what about our boundaries?

What about our boundaries that says no, you won't go after our children?

We you won't go after our women.

And this is not just happening to little girls.

We in Carter Park, there's boys out there too getting taken advantage of.

You know, if you if you want to fight this, you can go over there to Car Park or you know those motels.

I'm gonna tell you something.

This is it disgusts me that some of you even had the guts to come up here and stand with them.

You know, that's why I don't march with some of y'all because some of y'all march with the crazies that go over here and say, oh, uh, you know, they have rights too, and they're no, no, it's that's that's sick.

That's sick.

We know what they are, and they're gonna start a church.

You're gonna hide behind God and say, oh, we're a church, we're forgiven.

You know, I confess my sins.

I'm a pedophile, whoa, I'm gonna be like that.

So now I'm gonna get money, and I'm gonna be tax exempt because you're a sex offender.

That makes you superior to us now.

Because you go hide behind God, you want to confess your sins, and all of a sudden it's all forgiven.

And you can come and move in and you can be in my backyard and you could do all that stuff.

No, that's not how it works.

That's that's not how it works at all.

Remember, some of y'all said we're on stolen land.

Well, guess what?

I'm a Native American, and I'm gonna tell you something.

What the Apache do to people that hurt our women and children, we kill them.

So I'm gonna tell you that right now.

So um y'all don't want that conversation.

But here's the thing, I'm gonna tell you something.

It is, I didn't know there was gonna be so many of y'all.

And when you see here, you clapping, like it's y'all some righteousness, oh, we're we're here for the people.

That's that's no.

I've been fighting against this for so long.

And this we're gonna use this as a tool.

That's why Sheriff Weyburn is going to use AI to track down these pedophiles and these sex offenders.

We're gonna use, we're gonna use AI technology, and we'll be able to find you.

So it's no longer you talk to any CPS worker and you ask them what they deal with and why they get burnt out, and then they had to come over here and then deal with this and see people cheering this on.

It's it's sick.

Some of you need help.

Really, some of y'all really need to get help because that that's bizarre that you're up here applauding that for sex offenders.

Alexander Montavo.

All right, I'm here to talk about the Charter Amendment for raising the pay for city council.

I definitely support raising the pay for city council, but I don't think y'all should be getting the raise.

I think the raise should be for the folks who are elected after the 2027 election, and that's who y'all should make this raise for.

And if y'all earn y'all's seat back, then fantastic, you get a raise with it too.

But clearly, since the 2025 election, y'all have made a mess of so many things in this city.

So that does not warrant a raise for this current city council.

Now, how we maintain those raises are going to be really important.

And I agree with what Chris's proposal was.

I I think we need to tie it so that we're not voting on this every time.

The reason it failed last time is because y'all wanted to have the power to be able to give yourself future raises.

If that pops up again, it's gonna kill this amendment.

So hopefully that's not gonna get sneaked into this uh particular charter amendment.

But we do need better talent that are leading our city because what we have been seeing.

I mean, we had Kerry Moon with his, you know, DWI.

We've got Michael Crane just having his.

We need people who are going to be responsible who live out their lives day in and day out, doing good work, are the best of us, but can also afford to be in city council.

We don't need privileged people who live a different kind of lifestyle that the everyday working family has no idea what that lifestyle is, and aspen or whatever Michael Crane does with all the money that he uses taxpayer dollars for.

So we need leaders who live in Fort Worth and who are part of our community that can actually get this job done for the people, and our current setup is not giving us the best talent, clearly.

So the other thing I want to speak to is the power grab that uh Jay Choppa that you're after with these amendments.

See, here's why I have a big problem with this is because the Latino community has a couple problems right now with representation.

One, we are underrepresented with people in power in the city of Fort Worth and Terrant County, but we also have misrepresentation, meaning the folks who are brown and Latino aren't doing anything for our community.

So for you to then not go through a hiring process to now want this power to get rid of departments all on your own is not something I trust because the Fort Worth Way establishment that you have been connected to is not something that's for our community.

So we got to do better than that, and we need to keep you in check.

And we need new Latino leadership because this isn't cutting it.

Council at the conclusion of our speakers, we can move to changes in memberships on boards and commissions.

Our first is 25-5768.

Councilmember Crane.

Uh yes, Mayor, let me hear you, and now we can't try again.

Can you hear me now?

Yes, sir.

Here it is.

Okay, ready.

Request for consideration to appoint the following individual to the board below with the partial term effective February 10th, 2026, and ending October 1st 2027.

Allison Fitzgerald Parcel term community development council.

Okay.

Any other discussion?

Please vote.

Mayor, who made the second councilmember crane?

I mean, nettles.

Motion carries.

Councilmember Blailock, 265769.

Mayor and Council, I request your consideration to appoint the following individual to the board below with the partial term effective, February 10th, 2026, and ending October 1st, 2026.

Laura Kelly, the City Plan Commission.

Got a motion, a second by councilmember Beck.

Council, please vote.

Laura, thank you for volunteering.

Motion carries.

Next is resolution 26-5764.

Can entertain a motion, Councilman Martinez.

Um, just I want to say again, thank you to staff for working on this uh resolution.

I motion to approve a motion and a second council, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is 20 26-5781.

Got a motion and a second council, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is 26-5721.

Councilmember Larsdorf, but I believe Councilmember Beck also had um let me let Council Member Beck go first.

Um I appreciate uh some of the comments that we got today on this particular um ordinance.

I think it's uh one that is incredibly important to our city, and let me be clear it's one that I support.

Um, but there was a point that was raised this evening that gives me pause for concern, and that is the ability to have an ex uh the legal requirement to have an exception so that the um ordinance will withstand any potential lawsuit.

And so it is uh the lawyer and me would like to see us continue this particular item until we can have legal fully vetted.

Um but I want to be clear to those in the room that came to speak uh uh against this ordinance.

This is not a crack in the door.

Um you don't have an ally in defeating this particular ordinance here.

It's simply um me wanting to make sure that we're doing our job to protect our city and to protect our residents.

And so um with that, I'm gonna move to continue this until um the next council meeting.

Got a motion to continue, Councilman Larsdorf.

Can I hear you?

Okay, there we go.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um to councilwoman Beck's point, though, just I guess a question for city attorney.

Um, if we did go ahead and vote on tonight and we need to make any legal changes to the um or the language, uh, would that would we be able to do that?

With another vote.

Yeah, you could always come back.

Can you hear me?

You could always come back and amend it.

Of course, our preference would be to make sure that um we have the legality squared away from the beginning.

I believe we do, but I want to make sure that we've answered all the questions, and of course, I can't provide legal advice on the dias.

Correct.

Okay.

Um so can I go ahead and make my motion then?

I've got actually first I've got a motion on the floor.

I think I did have a second by council member Hall.

So at this point, we got a vote on this motion first, and then if it doesn't pass, and you can make another motion.

Do I have that right?

Yeah, yes.

Okay.

So I've got a I've got a motion on the floor from Councilmember Beck, and then I've got a second from Councilmember Hall.

Yeah, he can make a second.

Which one is it?

Okay, then you can make a substitute motion.

Okay, I would like to uh to make a substitute motion to go ahead and move to approve this ordinance with the following change.

Increase the minimum distance that sex vendors may reside from 1500 feet to 2,000 feet from where children commonly gather.

Okay, we got a substitute motion on the floor.

Do I have a second?

I have no second.

So the motion substitute motion fails.

So I'm back to the original motion, Councilmember Beck made to continue this item to make a few constitutional changes that were raised tonight.

We've got a second on the floor, Councilmember Hall.

Any other discussion, Council?

Mayor.

Yes, Councilmember Martinez and Councilmember Beck.

So I just uh sorry, I'm gonna turn you off.

There you go.

Oh no, you're okay.

Um when we bring it back, I'd like you to bring it back with Councilman Lausdorf's amendment that it's at the 2,000 feet instead of the 1500.

Okay.

Councilman Martinez asked how long we're gonna continue the item.

Is there a preference from legal?

The next meeting.

Okay, so two weeks from now.

Okay.

Got a motion on the floor.

Any other discussion before we vote?

Okay, council, please vote.

Motion to continue carries.

Next is 26-5765.

I've got a motion on the floor and a second.

Um before we vote, I just want to make a really important clarifying remark that last session the Texas legislature added a requirement that every city bond proposition begin with an all-cap statement as follows that will state this is a tax increase.

It is very important to voters and to those in this room tonight here to know that the city of Fort Worth has designed its bond program to work within the existing tax rate and without any tax increase in the tax rate projected to be needed now or in the future to repay these bonds if the voters approve them in May.

So while we cannot change ballot proposition language that the state has authorized, we can assure our taxpayers and our voters that voting for the bond in May in Fort Worth will mean no tax increase in the city of Fort Worth.

So we apologize for any confusion caused.

We did not cause it.

Um with that, I do have a motion and a second on the floor.

Is there any other discussion?

Councilmember Nettles.

Uh we are voting for the chart election and the proposition on this one.

The charter's a second vote.

It's actually 5766.

Okay, so on the proposition, I just want to give um can we articulate the proposition point uh of M.

On the charter.

Can we do that in the next item?

Yes, sir.

Yes, so we'll vote on the bond first.

Let me say something about the bond.

Uh I really appreciate that we was able to get to 10 uh million for the housing bond, and I look forward to the next opportunity that we can add more to the housing bond and appreciate the opportunity to keep arts uh intact as well.

Thank you.

Any other discussion by council?

If not, I've got a motion and a second.

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next will be 26-5766.

Councilman Nettles, I'll turn to you first if you had some questions for staff.

Uh yes.

So uh as it relates to uh the uh charter election, I wanted to address a couple of uh concerns that some of the residents made about the index pay, which I also support.

Uh I do want to uh tell people we did try that uh a few years back and it did not pass.

I think because of uh explaining uh information to the community.

And so I uh think we're at a good spot now and we can revisit this at a later time to increase because I do believe that this should be a pay where uh someone will have to make two jobs and uh and ought to be representation.

I do want to ask uh legal to address some of the issues with M.

I think the way it was articulated as well as the way the Fort World Report reported on it, is kind of has made it confusing to what we're actually voting on.

And if we can just kind of explain that piece of addressing issue M and some of the other ones, because I think city attorney, if if I'm not if you can correct me, uh these are cleanup items that we're trying to do to uh support our charter, and it's not necessarily giving the city manager free will to do whatever he wants to do.

Yes, that's right.

So with proposition M, um that one is so you may recall when Gavin did his presentation.

There are six departments that are mandated by the charter.

Those would not be changed.

So that uh includes police, fire, um, finance, public works, public health, and uh water.

So those would always stay in place.

This is just really aligning the the charter with the the power and the authority that the city manager already has over personnel.

Um we have uh had multiple times over the years where uh things get moved around, uh departments get renamed, and those are really um administrative functions that end up having to come to council.

And so again, this is a cleanup item uh that we feel um would not be expanding any power, and it would just be aligning that with the authority that the city manager all already has.

Did you want me to speak to any other propositions as well?

Uh Jay.

Jay is uh then that's the department head.

Yes.

Yeah, so basically we're just making sure that all of the top city jobs are treated the same and basically keeping things simple by not having extra hearings.

Um the city manager already has the ability to uh again the same thing, has the authority and the responsibility in the charter to manage personnel.

Um the hearing, an extra hearing in front of council doesn't provide due process.

Um it really just creates a no-win situation because the council is not allowed also by charter to interfere with the city manager's um personnel actions.

Now I will say obviously they employ the city manager, and if they're not happy with the decisions that he makes, they can deal with it in that manner.

Um but council interference with uh his employees is prohibited.

Um it also, of course, and I mentioned this in in work session before, it creates issues for us in litigation.

Um it creates confusion.

We have had this happen in the past, and this is an item that we believe, again, is not expanding any powers, but rather aligning what's in there with the authority and the power that the city manager already has.

Thank you for the explanation.

I see the star telegram is here, I'm not sure the forward report is here, but we really want uh to make sure the information is accurate when it's put out because when it's not, it gives the assumption that we're doing something to empower the city manager.

Uh I would never vote to empower any one person over uh this council.

Uh the second thing I'll add about the proposition, they are all single votes.

So you can literally vote for one proposition, not vote for the next.

And so it's important that you understand what those propositions actually are.

So thank you for the explanation tonight, Leanne.

Any other questions for Leanne or staff um regarding the charter election?

No.

And I think an important note I know the city manager's office will be working with each council district as well on additional communication education for the community over the course of the next several months.

Move for approval.

Motion and a second council.

Any other discussion?

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is MNC 26-0078.

We have a few speakers on this item.

Councilmember Nettles, our first is Harrison Smith, followed by Preston Pittman.

Mayor, um, I think City staff was going to present uh Cody Wittenberg is is available.

Good evening, Cody Wittenberg Environmental Services Director.

Before we move into speaker comments, I just have a statement I need to read into the record for TCQ process, and then I'll have a few slides just to offer a little more context.

So the purpose of today's public hearing is to receive comments on establishing a municipal setting designation MSD 035A South Freeway, located at 5921 and 5933 South Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas, 76134 in Council District 8.

The proposed property consists of approximately 57.5 acres and is owned by Bear Holdings LLC.

The property is currently zoned I Light Industrial.

The subject property was historically used for dumping of iron slag, foundry sand and bag dust, which are believed to have contributed to the groundwater impacts.

The heavy metals identified in the groundwater are arsenic, lead, and manganese.

The groundwater is shallow, perched, and discontinuous, occurring at a depth of approximately 14 feet below the ground surface.

A public meeting was held on January 8th, 2026 at 6 p.m.

at the Highland Hills Community Center in Fort Worth.

In advance of the public meeting in today's public hearing, written notice was sent to property owners and municipalities within one half mile of the MSD boundary and to owners and public water supply utilities with groundwater supply wells within five miles of the proposed MSD boundary.

Just a few slides to offer you a little more context on this particular proposal.

So a municipal setting designation, I'm going to call that an MSD, but immediately setting designation really is a deed restriction for the use of groundwater.

It prohibits the use of groundwater for drinking water, potable water type uses.

It also allows redevelopment without the full burden of cost for a full groundwater cleanup, provides regulatory oversight through state approved process.

Again, this is a state uh process.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality governs this particular program.

And we are one step in that process.

So in order for any community or any development to move forward with an MSD, it first has to go to the local government for a resolution in support of that.

At that time, then the developer takes that resolution if approved and completes their application with the TCQ for TCQ to make those evaluations.

It also supports economic development, so sort of like a tool to continue to provide environmental oversight and to keep communities moving forward.

To date, the city of Fort Worth has approved about 34, or not about actually 34 of these.

And here you can see that it is laid out throughout the city just with this particular map, much of it around the central city project as well.

Whenever we were able to move forward with that public meeting a couple of weeks ago and a few weeks ago, and also a meeting with the community last week, we did hear several of the concerns that the community has brought forward nearby in the Highland Hills area.

Historic misuse and dumping of the property, a desire for non-industrial use and really a prefer a preference for a grocery store or a residential use, some other use besides industrial, a lack of trust for just past site conditions and really wanting to keep the property clean, concern for the construction phase of the project if it moves forward.

So we're with dust and active construction site moving around, the uh environmental health concerns related to that, and then just really another need uh conversation around uh public amenities such as the Highland Hills Community Center and others.

And we were able to try to come up with some ways to move this forward cohesively, uh working to again moving into the TCQ, making sure that we have oversight.

So we we as city staff have contracted with uh Free City Nichols, the local engineering firm to help provide some added support and an oversight.

We also want to point out that there is an opportunity to uh donate 14 acres adjacent to create maybe a buffer zone between the residential community and this industrial development.

We also want to just point out that um we have some through FreeSyncles, we have the ability to really lean into some active confirmation testing and some oversight throughout the construction of the project if it moves forward, really looking into those dust controls, making sure that stormwater regulations are followed, and then also really looking at all of those areas within this facility that have some sort of contamination to make sure that anything that the TCQ comes up with as a part of a cleanup plan is adhered and followed too carefully.

Just want to point out another thing is that the the zone this is not a zoning action.

The the zoning is already consistent with with the industrial use and the project can move forward with or without an MSD.

Again, the MSD is just controlling the use of groundwater at this particular site.

If the MSD is not approved on the right side, then the developer will still have to continue with the TCEQ's voluntary cleanup program, develop a cleanup action plan with those groundwater controls in place and to move that forward.

If the MSD is approved, again, they still have to maintain the voluntary cleanup program components, but those those uh pathways for groundwater ingestion go away.

And uh the developers also offered some other components.

And uh the developers also offered some other components uh again, the donation of 14 acres in a few months, working with the city to allow this independent testing to move forward, working to make sure that all of the site mitigations that the TCQ will come up with with the developer and their agents are followed and allowing us as the city staff or our agents, FreeSyncols to independently monitor that, and then really with that green space donation, potentially find some additional opportunities to leverage some funds throughout the development process.

In closing with the independent testing, I just want to echo that again.

There are kind of three phases to construction sites before construction, during construction, and after construction.

And again, working with Free St.

Nichols to really build that trust and that independent voice of oversight.

Uh, we would really propose that the FreeSyncles company really does a deep dive into all the MSD documents and any cleanup action plan that TCQ develops then during construction.

Again, that third-party independent oversight would be offered to ensure adherence to any cleanup plans and not ensuring uh not ensure ensuring that there's no disturbance of the clay line pits moving forward.

And then after construction, even once the facility uh was constructed and moving forward, we would still want independent confirmation testing for a couple of years.

Just to kind of show you some of those other opportunity areas that we see here.

You can see much of the Highland Hills neighborhood in yellow.

That is that A5 residential zoning, and then the the purple color is that light industrial zoning.

And you can see that the community has a lot of industrial zoning that's active.

But again, this item does not change the zoning of this particular case.

I would also point out there's the uh the yellow corridor along the right side of the property is that area that would create that buffer zone between the uh the MSD property and the residential neighborhood.

So, with that, just a quick oversight of what that could look like.

Here you can see this green space, which is potentially uh has the opportunity to be donated about 460 feet, another thousand feet from the back of the property is proposed by the developer site plan.

And just to show you a rendering of what this warehouse could look like, you can see that on the right side would be the uh the buffer zone for the neighborhood.

So in closing, we have tonight's public hearing, and then we will work to consider uh continue conversations with the developer and the community based on the outcome.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dr.

Wittenberg.

Any other questions, Councillor Nettles for Cody this time?

Yeah, I just have one question.

Uh I don't know if it was on the slide, but the other destination, the other MSDs as in the city of Fort Wart.

Yeah, absolutely.

We would bring these.

It was the lap is it.

So here you can just see the this the map of the city and the centralized area, that large blue color.

That is really much of the central city.

And then you can see most of the other uh blue blue polygons or property boundaries throughout, and this particular uh property is on the south part of 35 there at Lou B20, and uh in highlighted in yellow and circle in yellow.

Just off the top, uh, can you tell us what some of those areas?

I think one of them is the um Trinity River.

Absolutely.

So the the Panther Island Trinity River areas is largely included in that, and we have an entire list that we can provide to everyone.

Absolutely.

Okay.

Thank you, Cody.

Our first speaker is Harrison Smith, followed by Preston Pittman.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

My name is Harrison Smith, and I'm here on behalf of Bear Holdings, the applicant.

Um before I before I begin, I just want to join you guys in honoring uh councilmember Gina Bibbins, her long service and dedication to the city.

Uh leaves a legacy that won't be forgotten.

And so our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all of you who have had privilege to serve alongside her.

Uh, on behalf of Bear Holdings, I want to thank the city staff for their work on this project.

I especially want to thank the residents who have engaged with us over the last several months.

Those conversations, sometimes supportive and sometimes challenging, have directly shaped the steps that we have taken.

Uh tonight instead of focusing on the details of MSD, uh, which uh the city has already city staff has already covered.

Thank you, Cody.

Uh, I want to talk about something a little bit more personal.

Uh, bearish commitment to being a good neighbor and what we've done to demonstrate that commitment.

I want to acknowledge that this property has been a source of frustration for the residents for a long time.

They've had to deal with illegal dumping, debris, uh, trespassers, dust, and just a general sense that the land wasn't being responsibly managed.

We have heard that clearly, and we understand the hesitation and where where the mistrust may come from.

But we want you to know that the team controlling this land is going to take care of it, care for the community around it, and follow through on what is said.

That's our commitment.

And over the last several months, we've tried to show these through concrete actions.

After engaging with the community about uh about the property, we began completing debris, uh clearing debris, removing dunk materials, and putting measures in place to deter unauthorized access, even on property that wasn't under our responsibility.

As recent as yesterday, I was out on the property with Bear cleaning and securing the site.

And I promise you, no one was more surprised to see an attorney out there actually doing physical labor than me myself.

But we know that past misuse wasn't Bear's cause or the neighbors' responsibility, and we are committed to maintaining the site to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood.

The community asked for reassurance that the land is being uh handled safely, and in response, um we've uh completed extensive additional testing, including 25 uh deciding samples since the last uh last meeting.

We've worked directly with the city and TCEQ to ensure that every data point is reviewed and verified and moving forward again.

As Cody mentioned, we have the third party uh inspectors.

We want the neighborhood to have confidence, not just our words, but the oversight behind our actions, including a soil management plan that addresses uh some of the issues and details.

One of the clearest messages from the residents was the desire for the buffer, which you've shown, and so in direct feedback to that, we've engaged the city with the 14 acres on the east side.

It's not required, it's not something we're compelled to do, it's just something that we've chosen to do.

We think that's right.

We'll continue to listen and be the kind of landowner people want to have next door.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Preston Pittman, followed by Jerome Johnson.

Mayor Preston's gonna yield this time.

Thank you.

Jerome Johnson, followed by Letitia Wilburn.

Mayor Parker, Councilman Nettles, and the other council members.

Good evening.

My name is Jerome Johnson, president of the Highland Hills Neighborhood Association.

And when I originally bought this t-shirt back in 2020, it was to represent my frustration with the murder of George Floyd.

But tonight I'm wearing this t-shirt because this is our community statement.

I can't breathe.

We can't breathe.

We're surrounded by pollution, noise, and traffic.

So we're against this MSD simply because we're against anything that's connected to industrial development.

Our community is in a crisis related to our health, well-being, and safety.

We oppose any proposal or resolution that is connected to industrial development.

We already are surrounded, as you saw on the map earlier.

We have development to the west, to the east, and to the south, and there are still more developments on the table being proposed.

And the only reason I believe we don't have development to the north is because I-20 is right there.

So we're surrounded by pollution.

Every day in the morning and the afternoon, in the evening, there's traffic backups on I-20 as well as I-35, which is right there too.

So we're surrounded, and we're sick and tired of being sick and tired.

We've been doing this a long time.

And this Black History Month, when I think about Highland Hills, I think about one of my favorite movies, The Color Purple.

And Miss Sophia said, All my life I've had to fight.

And that's Highland Hills.

All our lives we've had to fight.

We've been fighting this fight for decades.

We are sick and tired of coming down here telling you that we're sick and tired, but we're going to keep coming because nobody seems to listen.

So, City of Fort Worth, do something and protect our community.

Do the right thing and stop all this development that's industrial.

We have to breathe.

There are people here that have lived in Highland Hills way longer than I've been alive, and I'm 58 years old.

So it's time to do the right thing and protect our community.

As a matter of fact, we would love to request a moratorium on all industrial development within one mile radius of our community.

We're boxed in.

We're tired of the Fort Worth way where we go along to get along.

We're not going to do it anymore.

We're going to keep fighting this fight, and we'll do it by any means necessary, whether that's civil disobedience, boycotting, standing in the middle of the road, slowing down traffic.

We will do what we have to do until the city of Fort Worth protects our community and does something to help us out.

Thank you.

Hi, uh, my condolences to you all in the loss of Gina Pivens.

But I just wanted to say that uh Echo High Stop Six Environmental Coalition of Communities, Fort Worth Environmental Coalitions of Communities.

We stand with Highland Hills community.

My I'm looking at myself.

I got lipstick from my mask.

But my community is one of the most polluted communities in the entire United States with some of the highest cancer rates within the entire United States.

This is verified, and I am connected.

My community is connected to this community.

And whatever happens there comes on over to my community.

Y'all have people on city staff that have master's degrees, PhDs, and y'all act like y'all don't understand, and it's y'all's job to understand this, that this pollution doesn't stay in one spot.

Where they live is connected to where I live, and I am affected by that as well.

My community is affected by that as well.

And like Jerome, I have on a t-shirt that says, if you are silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it.

And that's what's happening in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is going to have a black eye.

Fort Worth.

And I'm doing studies.

Y'all are among some of the most racist zoning, some of the most redline zoning.

Y'all are actually killing people and acting like people are supposed to like it and enjoy it.

Y'all know that what y'all are doing is hurting and killing people.

Not only are y'all doing that a few miles from where y'all put in this, it's where y'all want to put that data center.

And just think you got all these communities connected.

Holland Hills, Echo Heights, where y'all want to put this data center.

What's gonna happen when all of that stuff collide in an area that's already highly polluted?

What happens?

Y'all have PhDs and master's degrees.

This is y'all's job.

What happens when all of this starts killing more people, babies, children?

It affects children's learning abilities, all this pollution.

Y'all need to stop what y'all are doing and thinking, stop trying to make ways for these businesses to come and make y'all money.

Because making y'all's money is costing us our lives and our money to pay for funerals and medical bills.

So y'all need to look past y'all's pocketbooks and start looking at people because y'all PhDs, y'all should know better.

And I hope y'all are sometime held accountable.

Our next speaker is Malik Austin, followed by Adrian Smith.

Well, uh, I I thought we was a little bit too old to be playing cowboys and innings with a little stick horse.

I'm 56.

Well, is Brother Johnson?

Oh, I'm sorry, Mary.

Hello, how y'all doing, counsel?

Let's look into the reality.

Austin Glid Manganese is something you don't expose yourself to no human life.

I was there when Elton Woodard drowned at that site.

Our community has been traumatized.

We're talking about 1979.

And we was prohibited right today.

Google Earth.

I drive by that site all the time on that same address.

Today I seen weed controlled people.

I hadn't seen this young man.

Uh, we've been battling with this for over a year.

This is my last meeting was the first time I seen this young man.

It's been going over a year.

Mayor, I gave you the data.

And extreme public safety.

How many of y'all have read 800 pages of this?

What Mr.

Cody has?

No one up here.

Uh I excuse uh Miss Peoples and Ms.

Hall, they wasn't here.

But Mayor, you was here.

Okay.

76.

Uh Solid Waste Manager person is, it's already been identified what they were doing.

Texas Steel was doing the illegal dumping.

When you have these type of contaminants, you left our candium, Cody, you left our zinc, Cody.

So you left out two more that we discussed last time.

But when you have all these together, it changes its state.

You did not talk about hydrogen sulfate two.

It's a deadly gas.

When you go to excavate and move all this and disturb this, if you're gonna do it right, 3181 of VCP, the voluntary cleaning program has not yet been approved.

Her name is Miss Vitaly.

Miss Vitali.

She's over remediation.

But they won't go down 14 feet and recoup and remove this stuff.

Did you notify Alcan?

That's 1.5, less than 1.5 miles.

Did you notify Alcal?

Laboratories.

No, you didn't.

You kept them out the loop.

So we can't move forward to all the testing.

If you have an operation, you just don't have no one doctor.

You have denied us access to see the materials that you tested with.

No timestamps, no videos.

I sunk information in what they supposed to have when they came back.

They have nothing, and they have yet to be approved for VCP 3181 as reported.

This has been going on for too long.

If you're gonna do it, do it right.

So you have to deny it because it's too risky.

We're talking about extreme public health safety.

There's no warning signs, there's anything up there to protect the people Holland Hills.

Mr.

Smith will be followed by Abricia Marie.

To the great people of the Holland Hills community know that I stand with you.

Um it's crazy, y'all.

You know, when whenever they want to convince us, they send someone who looks like us.

Let them sink in.

Whenever they want to convince us, they always send someone who looks like us.

It's amazing that the developers come in and out of this space on a weekly basis, and whenever they get what they want, they hog butt.

But when does it when does the community's voice matter?

Council representatives when they are willing to come out to these meetings and say, hey, we're against this.

We are against this, we are against this.

When does it matter not to continue to defer these particular topics as if, well, we'll figure out a way around it.

There's no way around people's health.

There's no way around it.

Once once once bad things start happening, happening to individuals' health, the only other option they usually give us is what?

Pills, popping pills, and we know that don't work because all pills have side effects.

So I want to say to the Holly Hills community, you have a option at your disposal that no one has utilized, and it can be utilized.

We don't have to wait to you don't have to wait to 2027.

Recall is the option.

If the council member of your district does not listen to you, recall them.

Don't wait to 2027.

It doesn't take much to recall an individual.

It takes more to recall a mayor because it's a citywide thing, but for your particular council member, recall the individual.

Don't wait to 2027.

You had that option.

Stop playing with our livelihoods.

Okay, our livelihoods are not for sale.

Okay.

And let me ask the question to this mayor and counsel.

Why hasn't anyone else wanted to develop on that particular plot of land?

We know developers come in and out of this space on a weekly basis.

Why hasn't anyone else wanted to develop there?

Thank you for your presentation, Mr.

Cody.

But we know presentations are on for face values, just it just serves a purpose to try to convince those who haven't been doing their homework that this is the proper thing to do.

I truly think Mr.

Crane, you are a developer, so you understand the X's and O's.

Hopefully, sir, your consideration will be given.

Hopefully, we get your support on this.

Um vote no against this particular agenda item.

And again, whenever they want to convince us, they send someone who looks like us.

Thank you.

Followed by Gina Byrd.

No.

Thank you, Gina.

Gina, we'll be followed by Crystal Walmack.

Good evening.

My name is Gina Bird.

I'm here on behalf of NAACP.

I am the environmental climate and justice program coordinator and the committee chair.

I was recently invited to the meeting on Thursday last week with the held with public uh safety public hearing.

And what was disclosed was um they had several chances to develop a meeting with these people, and they just started this year on the 8th and the 24th.

It's been a whole year since this was dismissed in 2024, where we, the community members have not seen any justification of the samples that they've taken or the environmental studies that they've done.

Cody did mention that there was arsenic, lead, as well as magnesium, magganese.

I'm sorry.

Now let me speak to that as a former uh instructor at Texas AM for hazardous materials.

That was my job.

I'm still certified as a compliance safety and health official.

So I have that credential.

I study has mat.

Okay.

So let me tell you what arsenic, lead, and maganese does when it's put together.

Okay, that is a very, very bad neurotransmitter.

So it causes extreme brain damage.

It shuts down a central nervous system, it causes cardiovascular health disease.

For children, it is the worst, those three combinations.

One, two, and three.

All of those are highly hazardous toxics.

Okay, and they are regulated, regulated by several 40 CFR, 29 CFR, OSHA EPA.

Now, what we're asking is to do the legitimate study on that ground because once you dig into that ground, what will happen when you dig into that dirt?

We don't know.

But the pollution, think about that.

In that quadrant of death, you saw the maps there.

When that gets interrupted, that plume is gonna come down.

And that's why he said we can't breathe.

Think about once they disturb that land, the dust comes up, and that's what's falling down.

You're inhaling arsenic.

You're inhaling lead, you're inhaling those things.

Those are also combustible dust.

Okay, so if they're doing construction, they're gonna have to be mindful of explosions, things like that.

All three of those are carcinogens.

We know what carcinogens are, cancer-causing agents.

Okay, so when we think about pollution, think about that.

And we want to guarantee that they've done these studies before because that is a requirement under your state statute.

30 TAC 350, that's the Texas risk reduction program.

They have to comply with those by law, federal law, and I have several other federal requirements that does have to be adhered to before they dig on a prior landfill, which that was.

Okay.

So all of these are governed by federal laws, and we're just asking them to do that study so we can see it.

We want to add input, and it wouldn't be in the best interest of the public health to approve this because they want to limit those restrictions.

They want to limit those and uh start producing.

So we are in um, we don't want it.

We thank you.

Our next speaker is Crystal Walmack.

Go to the Senate podium, please.

Good afternoon.

My name is Crystal Walmack.

I've lived in Highland Hills for over 30 years.

And the man that came to speak from that uh Blair Holdings, they came to talk to us.

They presented nothing new.

The only new thing is they sent the black guy out to talk to us.

So the other thing is um they want to be good neighbors until recently there was no cleaning up done over there, so that's not how a good neighbor goes.

If I did what they've been doing, I'd have tickets, y'all send somebody out to my house.

Um, we're already surrounded by warehouses, and tomorrow there's a zoning meeting to rezone some of the area to potentially add more warehouses.

There's uh some talk of some affordable housing.

Okay, I'm all right with that, but I'm sick of the warehouses, and I live at the end of the neighborhood, so I didn't get a notice about this, but I got one about the zoning.

I don't want more cars and trucks at my back window when I'm trying to sleep.

Right now, when the interstate's having issues, our street is flooded.

You can't, I can't even I live on the corner and I can't get out of my street to get down on Oak Grove to leave because of the traffic that comes anytime I-35 is overfilled or I-20.

The um the other thing I wanted to say is those 14 acres, I see that as kind of a bribe.

If they give it to the city council, then maybe y'all go ahead and let them do whatever they want to do.

That's the way I see it.

One of our neighbors talked about having maybe a well or something in her yard that has some of these items in it or or minerals.

I've not heard anything from Blair Holdings or the neighbor about anybody looking into it.

I'm really kind of sick of this.

In fact, across we have low-income housing, we have affordable housing by income.

It's like you're just trying to POW everybody who's at 80% of the medium income or below in our neighborhood.

You know, just like when you have people in this, they don't have opportunity to learn anything from each other, but stuff we already know.

So I'm highly opposed to it, and I'm really sick of the way uh the warehouses.

And that's all I have to say.

Thank you.

Councilman Nettles, that's the conclusion of our speakers on this item.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Um there's a couple of things that I did hear.

I don't know if we articulated someone as uh staff.

Uh I think it was about providing results of the testing uh before work is done.

Can we talk to that?

So I want to kind of deal with just factual things.

Absolutely.

So we know that there's an active conversation between the developer and the TCEQ as they work through this voluntary cleanup application process.

And we do know the TCQ has requested more data specifically for soils and for groundwater, and that and that testing has not been completed and has not been those results have not been submitted back to the TCQ.

Typically, the MSD consideration is a part of that process of that back and forth between the developer and the applicant, the owner, and uh and the TCQ, the state, to to gather more information to really understand what cleanup activities need to occur at the site.

So with the next document that would typically be produced and is in the works probably between TCQ and the developer is what's called an affected property assessment report.

And so that additional data needs to come forward for the TCQ to continue those conversations.

This particular MSD component is only to restrict that groundwater, and it's only a resolution to ask the TCQ to go a little bit further.

So we would typically expect for TCQ to continue to review that data to continue to work with the developer to develop that remediation action plan and to keep things moving.

As far as the results, we can certainly make those available, and I think that's why we're really uh an advocate for having this third party vendor through Frieza Nichols come in and do a full assessment of the entire application process through all of the documents and then try to find a way to really make sure all of this data is readily available for anyone that wants to review it.

So the freeze and nickels uh component will kind of uh uh take into effect, having results given to the city council and to the community as they come in.

Absolutely.

This would be a vendor paid by the city of Fort Worth.

So we want to try to build that trust independent, third party, not paid by the developer.

Absolutely.

Um do we know if I don't know if you can answer all legal.

Um if this is approved today and TCEQ uh find that there were issues with the saw that was submitted to them, uh, if it would stop the process.

So TCQ ultimately has to make the decision to grant the MSD or not to grant the MSD.

So we are again, we're just one piece of this process.

We would complete the developer's application to continue those dialogue with uh with the TCEQ.

So theoretically, yes, if the TCQ found an issue with this, they would potentially withhold the MSD.

That's correct.

Okay.

And you currently or the city has been in works with TCEQ to provide or have a sit-down conversation with the developer and the neighborhood community, uh, as well as the city staff.

Absolutely.

We would we would we we heard the community that we would that they would like to have a conversation, sort of a a charade if you will, for everyone to come together to include representatives from TCQ, the developer, the city, and all other parties to come through and really have a conversation to comb through the data to come through the application and what have you.

At this time, we still believe that we can move that forward and we would like to to do that in in March or April or as soon as we can get that scheduled.

I guess my last question is for legal, and I think I asked us, but I'm gonna ask it again on a diet.

To the to the question of providing the testing before anything is done on the site.

Do we have any uh legal right to add that into the approval of this uh motion today?

I think somebody's coming.

I know TCEQ will have the final say, but do we have any ranks to hold it to the developer?

So Kevin Andrews is assistant city attorney.

So if the question is whether or not you can include the requirement to test in the in the motion, what we what we've included is that we will is that the city will do it.

If TCEQ finds that additional things are required, then that'll that will be part of that'll be part of what they need to do.

However, in this case, if they don't, then that would be it.

And then the city would city's responsibility uh per the motion would uh would step in.

Is that answer your question?

No.

I'm sorry.

the requirement to test in the in the motion what we what we've included is that we will is that the city will do it if TCEQ finds that additional things are required then that'll that will be part of that'll be part of what they need to do however in this case if they don't then that would be it and then the city would city's responsibility uh per the motion would uh would step in is that answer your question no I'm sorry let me let me try to ask again okay I'm sorry I know this is difficult um the community is asking for uh results to be given to them prior to the development starting are we allowed to add that into the motion to require that um that the developer are freeza nickels or TCQ to be given to the community prior to development starting I believe you can okay I want to add that into um the bundle of freedom the next question thank you so much um I don't know if we have uh anybody here that can discuss the permit or the NEZ opportunities at this on this site mayor no sorry you can't speak I'm so sorry ma'am let us continue the conversation DJ thank you I don't feel dirty grammar yes sir councilman all right just um uh um a broad question about the the permanent and the NAZ opportunities that are associated with this this property or this land uh so basically this property is located in an NEZ um and in an NEZ basically it is a uh area designated in the city of Fort Worth where development fees can be waived and tax abatements can be a process that they could go to as well okay um I know that the the city staff and others want to continue a conversation as it relates to permitting uh the location if this MSD is approved and so that things can be supported to the neighborhood association or the neighborhood community center or area all at once so I just want you to provide that this is in an NZ opportunity zone thank you um mayor I've been battling with this uh decision for quite some time and I think a couple of things that is factual as well as when it was denied the last time uh one of the things that the community asked for was for a site plan and um in addition to no more uh warehouses and so when the site plan was not readily available or the developer did not agree to provide that site plan it gave me tremendous pause to move forward uh with this development because I think it's important that the community should know how far it is from uh their neighborhood or from their backyard uh the second thing is that there are certain requirements that are made upon uh filing for MSD or zoning request or a permit in the city of Fort Worth once you apply there are certain days that public hearing notices should be given out and I know that I think they reapplied in November and the process started then so for some that are asking the question about not responding to the community in the year uh it was basically off the table until they reapplied and so one of the things that the neighborhood talked about um is uh the the dust in the air and I think we want to add the Adrian while I'm talking you're not talking okay um about the dust mitigation in the air to provide safety uh for our neighborhoods and so um one of the things that really give me tremendous pause in this uh um is that the developer can continue to build without this MSD this MSD stands as opportunity to prevent any drinking water any opportunity to be using any water and the pollution within the grounds the second thing it allows the city to require additional safety measures to this community now what I do want to look at in the very next future is how we change the zoning to around Holland Hills that is not in the active project because I think it's important that Holland Hill should be protected from any other future zoning mechanism but where we are today as I would call is a rock in between a hard place denying this MSD with further hurt the community then it would protect the community approving this MSD with restrictions will give more safety to this community and with that I'm going to move to approve MSC 26-0078 with the following revisions amend the MZ to include the follow city staff will monitor the developer compliance with all applicable laws including legal illegal dumping grading storm water protection and site maintenance city staff will directly work with the developer and Holland Hills neighborhood association

And with that, I'm going to move to approve MSC 26-0078 with the following revisions.

Amend the MSZ to include the following.

City staff will monitor the developer compliance with all applicable laws, including legal, illegal dumping, grading, storm water protection, and site maintenance.

City staff will directly work with the developer and Holland Hills Neighborhood Association to address issues as they arise.

City staff will provide quarterly or semi-annual updates on status and results of testing to Holland Hills Neighborhood Association during the construction and for two years after completion.

City staff will convene a round table with community representatives, the developer and TCEQ to support transparency, explain the testing process, and anticipate the results and ensure access to information and the opportunity to speak.

These steps will ensure transparency building and understanding the keep residents informed throughout the process, as well as the city will change the date, public hearing date to today, clarify the developer continue obligations, including saw contamination, investing and response, authorizing the city to perform additional groundwater testing for up to two years of the grading certificate is issued.

The city will further require testing to be proven and reported back to the city council and to the community before any progress can happen on a development site.

That's my motion.

It is also further that uh the city will work to have the 14 acres donated to the city count to the city of Fort Work.

Thank you, Councilman Nell's.

I got a motion and a second.

Councilman Martinez.

Councilman Nettles, you could probably answer this.

So is it my understanding that the developer will move forward with this project with even if this motion fails or passes?

You can ask the developer that.

There was a question from for Harrison.

Just a minute, Mr.

Mr.

Harry, Mr.

Smith, if you could come up to the front, please.

I got more information.

Not you, Adrian.

Sorry.

The other Mr.

Smith.

Appreciate your enthusiasm.

Harrison, the question again, Commons Member Martinez.

Yes, uh, if this motion fails, uh, will the project move forward?

I mean, you have the the zoning that allows it.

So I just wanted to hear from the developer if you would move forward.

We will continue with the project, yes, ma'am.

Councilmember Peoples.

So I want to first of all thank my learned uh council member Chris Nettles for trying to make a silk purse out of a Sal's ear.

And if you if you oh you understand that, but for most of my 73 years, I have chosen to live in communities of color because that's the work I do, and I believe you have to be there.

But it is a documented fact that communities of color and poor communities become dumping grounds for facilities that other people don't want.

And so I know that you're between the rock and hard place, um, Councilmember Nettles, and I know what you are trying to do, but I think if we as a city government are going to show all of our residents that we care, we've got to stand up sometimes to some of this industrial dumping.

I live in a community where we are plagued by industrial dumping and surrounded by it.

And so while I respect you and I know what you're trying to do, unfortunately, I am going to have to vote no on this.

Councilmember Hall.

Try one more time.

I don't know why this always happens, but yeah.

There we go.

Okay.

So Councilman Nettles like Councilman Peoples, I understand that you are very much in between a rock and a hard spot.

And I have to say that I find this to be very, very complicated.

I've been here for a very short time, and this is a lot to um dissect and distill.

And I even still find some challenges in completely understanding it.

But I I want to make sure if there was an opportunity, if you could explain this more in layman's terms, I think that a lot has been said this evening.

I think the zoning piece is a piece that you could lift up.

The the um the development by right is a piece that can be lifted.

I think the um explaining perhaps the protections that you're trying to safeguard by the amended motion that you've made or the the um I don't know the additional stipulations.

I'm just saying, is there a way for you to explain that in layman's terms so people understand the rock and the heart spot that you're in and the safeguards that you're trying to curate um because of the rock and the heart space that we're in.

Um I share similar concerns and I actually have apprehensions and fears um about development in my own district um and the zoning implications or lack thereof in some places.

And so if you could explain this, I think where it's more digestible.

Um I just think that people will be more comfortable with your motion and understand what you're stating.

So that's that's my request.

Okay.

Council Rebecca.

Yeah.

I guess there seems to be confusion, even though we discussed this in executive session.

So I'd like to maybe clear up some of this confusion.

Um so I'm clear before we vote.

We've heard the developer say that whether we do this MSD or not, they will continue with the project, correct?

So if we vote against this today, it does not matter in regards to that project that you're trying to stop because that project will continue to go forward.

Is that correct?

We can get it to the doing.

Is that correctly?

So the MSD provides a way for us to mandate testing on that site that didn't otherwise would we would that testing happen without the MSD process?

And I guess that's a question for Cody.

That should happen.

So it's a two components.

So we do know that there is additional testing required by TCQ, and that is going to continue regardless of the decision to to approve or deny the MSD.

We also have the opportunity if the MSD moves forward or the city and its consultants, again, Free Cas and Nichols to step in and to provide that that extra guard or that extra oversight for this particular project.

So if the MSD does not go in place, what oversight do we have?

Only what the TCQ provides.

Okay, thank you.

That's all the questions I had.

And Cody, before you sit down, question for you.

Um it's my understanding that the MSD solely prohibits use of the groundwater for potable purposes, correct?

Absolutely.

So if we were not to approve the MSD, what could then in turn happen in use of the groundwater?

With respect to the groundwater, we would expect for again the TCQ to continue review of the application, and we would expect for TCQ to set a remediation plan around the groundwater piece as well as the soil piece, which will continue anyway.

So we would expect the developer to probably have to continue to sample groundwater for uh several years into the future as as they continue to move their project forward.

So technically speaking, you may not love this, but in some ways, this MSD's designation provided by the state for city governments like ourselves is largely redundant for a process that they're gonna undertake at TCUQ as well.

That's correct.

Yes, okay.

I don't have any other questions.

Any other questions for Dr.

Whitenberg?

Councilman Nettles.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just addressed a few things.

Um I think it's important that when you apply, you come to be on city council, that you individually have to your homework.

And reading the MSD is strictly restricting the groundwater use.

This is not about zoning.

This is not about trying to stop your environmental, it's about a process that we have to go through.

And so to have an emotional clap back of I'm standing with the neighborhood is a cute commercial piece, but it's not a piece that actually supports this community.

And so I respectfully disagree uh with uh councilman peoples and um and with uh Mia Hall.

I think that there was at least a vote that I didn't support affordable housing, but I took your leadership on it and I supported you in that vote because that was your district.

And so I will welcome both of you to come to Holland Hills meeting every first Thursday and sit with Holland Hills and continue to discuss how we can better help Holland Hills, but to come on the dies and just shit on uh this diet with different things about what's really not what we're talking about today.

We're talking about an MSD that is gonna help support us to figure out what is happening on this groundwater instead of allowing them to do whatever they want to do with us having any say so.

And so that's why I made the motion.

We talked about an executive session.

If you had questions, then I don't think nobody did.

So that's what my motion is.

I've got a motion, Councilmember Hall, and then I think Councilmember Crane has a question or comment.

Councilmember Hall.

I don't know why.

There we go.

I want to clarify since there is some confusion, apparently.

I didn't think that the information presented tonight was simplified enough for the general public to understand.

There was an enormous amount of information that was provided.

There is a lot of vernacular which can is considered common on this diet that may not be common to the citizens in this gallery.

So when I said that I agreed with councilwoman peoples, my agreement with her is about the exploitation of marginalized communities.

Not necessarily that I agreed with her votes, but that I agreed with the position and the protections that we have been denied as black and brown people in this country.

Now I do want to lift up the protections and the effort that you have taken to protect this community.

And I was giving you the opportunity to make sure that you put that forward and lifted it up so that the people in this room understood the advocacy and the effort that you put in.

So you misunderstand me.

But perhaps you understand now.

Councilmember Crane.

I just had a question.

Uh I don't know if Harrison needs to answer it.

Maybe Chris already.

You gotta tell the truth, bro.

They're gonna move forward.

You know why?

You're hard to hear, Michael.

Just second.

It's on record part of green space.

Is that correct?

So you would suppress information.

Try that again, Michael.

Sorry, can you hear me?

Yeah.

I just wanted to uh clarify as part of this deal.

I beg your pardon.

There's 14 acres being donated for green space.

Is that correct?

Is a buffer?

Yes, that is correct.

Okay, and they wouldn't be under any obligation to do that if they just move forward without if this doesn't fail.

That's correct.

Okay, I just wanted to put that out there that I appreciate that.

And I appreciate them working with uh councilman nettles and uh city staff on all this.

And I don't know if there's a second already, but I will second it.

I see there is a second, but uh I'll be supporting those.

Okay, councilmember Nettles.

Did you have something else?

Uh yes, Mayor.

Uh, just lastly, I want to as well acknowledge that we all have to support our communities, and that there is issues that are happening in our black communities, and that is a a further issue that we need to take in our planning and in our zoning, not individual motions or cases that need to be a citywide thing that we do as it relates to Holland Hills, Echo Heights, and any other neighborhood that experience.

I too have not stepped away from the community.

I support those efforts tonight.

My vote is simply to make sure that there's added protection to a neighborhood who has received such damage to them.

And so I look forward to voting on that tonight.

That's a conclusion.

I believe councilmember nettles has a motion on the floor, seconded by councilmember back.

Any other discussion, council?

If not, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is MNC 26-0117.

Councilmember Blaylock.

I'm gonna give it just a second, let the conversation maybe cease for a minute.

Councilmember Blaylock, but there we go.

Carlos, we have to hit it one more time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-184.

Council Nettles, we have two speakers on this item.

Bob Riley followed by Latisha Wilburn.

Thank you.

I'm Bob Raleigh for Half Associates.

This is coming back to you.

It was continued last month.

It's a 42-acre site.

Um that is uh presently um agricultural, and we're asking for it to be light industrial and the proposed use of the property as a data center and supportive facilities for our data center.

This is on the east side of uh England England Drive across from Forest Hill and to the further to the east is Village Creek and our city's Southeast Landfill.

If you look at this exhibit, uh the highlighted area is showing the area that we're asking for the rezoning in the butts uh existing K zoning to the north that's in Fort Worth, as well as to the northeast or northwest is a uh comprehensive plan for Forest Hill indicates that to be a line industrial.

Um would like to highlight here that we after our continuance last month, we did have a conference call between Black Mountain and the City of Everman and Forest Hill over their mayors and the city manager to do an overview of the project.

Um we're asking today to just uh for recommendation or a favorable recommendation uh from AGT uh light industrial.

If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer.

Thank you, Mr.

Riley, Councilmember Nettles.

Our next speaker is Letitia Welburn.

Letitia, you're up.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, I'm just gonna say I am uh in opposition to this because this is a data center that is actually next to a landfill, a trash land field.

Now those should not even be close together.

I'm not an environmental expert, and even I did research and understand enough that they shouldn't even be close together, not to mention these things create so much pollution.

These data center people, they they should have met with my community, which is next door to Forrest Hill.

They should meet with Arlington because Allington Lake is right there, and what comes from that data center is going to affect Arlington and that lake.

They should meet with Mansfield, Kennedale, they should meet with all areas that are going to be affected.

Highland Hills, everybody they should meet with this area.

Also, because it's close to a landfill, there's not a gases that's gonna be used.

What happens if there's a catastrophic explosion?

What about forever chemicals?

Fort Worth, y'all file a lawsuit about forever chemicals.

This data center is going to bring more in Arlington Lake, which is a water supply for all it is right there.

Now allington, the city of Orlington, they take care of their side of the lake.

Fort Worth trashes the side of Arlington Lake.

Um not only that the pollution, the noise, the council risk is going to be higher, and there's just so many things that can be wrong.

And there's just so many things that can be wrong putting this in an area where y'all just approved a deal for groundwater that's already had problems with it.

Y'all just approved that, and now y'all want to put a data center in an area that is already highly polluted.

I think that it's going to be my mission to put the city of Fort Worth on the map with Flint, Michigan, Milwaukee, Chicago, LA, all of these other areas that are highly polluted communities.

It is my goal, it is my mission to add that to my uh bucket list before I die.

I want what Fort Worth is doing to be a black eye.

Y'all know that y'all should not be put in a data center by a landfill of all things.

That is totally inappropriate, it's totally unhealthy.

And I'm gonna sit down because I'm gonna speak on the rest on the other part, but y'all killing people.

Y'all need to start paying for food.

Sorry, Chris, there you go.

Thank you.

I just wish people stopped with the misinformation.

We're not killing people.

Now, can I ask somebody uh uh is zoning or the representation?

Now, this is the land that we have already approved for uh the original data center, I guess back in August, and this is just additional lots that's on the same land.

Is that correct or not?

This uh site is adjoining some of the property that we've already uh rezoned uh that started back in January of last year.

This is actually the fifth uh zoning case as we've acquired and got the option to purchase additional property.

So it uh presently we are at uh four a little over 450 acres.

This would be in addition to that it's additional to what how many acres?

Uh presently we have had zoning cases that uh have accumulated uh 450 acres for this proposed uh data center complex uh campus right.

So what do you have the uh the map of the entire campus?

I think there are some have it in the next in the next zoning case.

Well, it's already on the computer, so can we pull up the next slide?

Well the one that shows the entire site is uh associated with case uh DC 25205.

Is this not the site?

I think you're asking I understand your question correctly.

You are asking what we have already rezoned, and from my understanding, this is a part of the original request that we have approved, but you're having to rezone each parcel of land.

So, where is the the total map of the land that we're trying to use for this campus that you guys have requested?

This uh exhibit that's up here.

Uh the property that's associated with 184 zoning case is highlighted in the top right corner.

It's crosshatch.

It's along Angular Avenue.

The case that's uh 205, which is the last one on your docket, is the uh property that's at the south east corner of the site.

Everything that's in the uh green is uh either PD or straight zoning, and everything that's in the uh blue is a PD with development standards with a site plan required, and it does show preliminarily where the floodplain is on this map.

What are you trying to rezone?

Top right is uh case number 184 that's cross-hatch 42 acres.

Okay, and you guys met with the city of Everman and uh Forest Hill last week at your uh last month when you continue this case to make sure that they understood what our scope and right now I received notification for from both well from Everman that they were okay with moving forward on this site.

I think Jeanette has some questions.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you.

I just wanted to clarify this is a new piece uh of land that we're trying to rezone today, right?

Yes, we had uh made application for this, I believe back in October.

We went to zoning in December, and then we uh uh came to council in January, and there was Councilmember Nettles uh request to continue it until this month.

And so what which one is the one we approved in the last meeting?

You have approved five different zoning cases.

Those green ones, uh yes, you've already approved all those green ones.

Uh huh.

Everything's already been approved for zoning, with the exception of the cross-hatch one at the very top right, and bottom, and the one that's uh subject to uh zoning hearing this evening uh written down at the bottom right.

Okay, councilman nettles.

I I I know you already continued this, but I respectfully request that you consider continuing again.

I know we requested uh briefing um uh for council on data centers.

I just don't feel comfortable supporting this zoning case because I don't know enough about data centers and how concentration of those centers would impact our infrastructure and resources.

Councilmember Nettles.

Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and agree with that.

I I'm uh I don't know if it's because it's nine o'clock the hot hill, I don't got confused too.

So um I I'm gonna continue it uh for for um uh for two weeks, and then what I need what I need to know is what I what I what I need to know is the land that we are approving, uh what's already approved of those buildings are there gonna be additional buildings added to those lands, or are those lands needed to actually build what we have already approved.

And so I need real clarity of what the whole complex is gonna look like, the um how many buildings um before we approve these last two lots.

We'll get that to you.

Okay, Council Rebecca.

I just um I'm gonna get this new system uh before I'm off council.

Uh just to for point of clarification, because um I heard councilwoman martinez say that she wants uh we had requested the data center information and she won't be comfortable taking that vote until we get that report and then councilman nettles uh two weeks.

Two weeks, yeah.

So are we gonna get that report in two weeks, or do we need to have a discussion about that real quick?

The current timing according to our city managers that that report would come to us on March 3rd.

So we so come you may next audience March 10th.

So continue this to March 10th.

Okay, okay.

I'll second that motion.

Okay, I've got a marsh Martian.

Um Martian has landed a motion and a second.

Any other discussion from council?

If not, okay.

Motion to continue.

Let's vote.

Motion passes.

Next is ZC-25-111.

Councilmember Nettles, one speaker on this item.

Randy Williams, Councilmember Nettles.

Did you want to speak first?

Oh yeah.

Okay.

Good evening.

Mayor, Councilmembers.

My name is Roger Battle, Pastor Battle, and I'm requesting a zoning change at uh 3168 North Glen Garden Drive, Glen Garden Baptist Church, uh from a zone B, which is a two-family resident, and E, which neighborhood commercial to a CF and added a um uh conditional use permit uh for lodging.

Councilmember Nettles.

All right, thank you.

I move to approve.

Got a motion of second council, please vote.

I didn't speak.

I'm ready.

I only had one speaker on this item, Mr.

Williams.

I'm ready to will you?

That's not ready.

I'm ready to go.

Well, I called Randy Williams.

I don't know how that would happen.

Who are you, sir?

I'm past the battle.

That was the docket on the ZC 25-111.

We're all confused because it's nine o'clock.

Well, tell you what, we're gonna pause for a minute.

Mr.

Williams, come on down.

Since you're Mr.

Williams, we can straighten this out.

Good evening, Mayor, Council members, and staff.

My name is Randy Williams, and I live in the area.

I'm here today to express my concerns about the zoning of class CZ 2511.

First, I want to acknowledge the positive intentions behind the project according to the applicant's materials.

The site is currently housing individuals who are abused, neglected, or in need of temporary assistance.

I respect that mission and I support efforts to help vulnerable people.

However, I believe this particular zoning request creates more long-term risk for the neighborhood than benefits.

Are you licensed to care for these individuals?

Um it's a church.

Then I see the people that are staying in the back.

And every Sunday, I mean every Saturday, there's a garage sale in the front of the church.

Um I don't know what is going on there.

My first concern is the broad nature of the proposed community facility zoning.

While the application is framed around lodging house with two-year limit, the district allows a wide range of institutional uses far beyond what is being discussed today.

Once the zoning changes, future owners or even the current owners could request additional use uses without the neighborhood having predictable safeguards.

I'm concerned that approving this request opens the door to higher intensity uses that are not compatible with the residential surroundings.

Second, the request includes developmental waivers for setback encroachments and front yard fencing.

Third, the lodging house introduces potential impacts related to safety, traffic, and parking.

Finally, I'm concerned about the lack of clear enforceable operations plans.

In closing, I ask the council to either deny the zoning or request or to postpone it until more clearly defined uh tightly controlled people.

Thank you, Mr.

Williams.

Thank you.

Okay, Councilmember Nettles.

Yes.

Uh Mr.

Williams, I what I can do for you because I have worked with um Pastor on this for a little bit over a year, and we can get a meeting set up with you and I, my staff in the past, so you can have understand exactly what's happened at the location.

But we have worked with Cole to make sure things were cleaned up in that area for the lodging for the residents who are gonna be there, as well as some of the legal uh activity that's over there that's happening.

So I will my staff will meet with you with you before you leave to get your information so we can sit with you to get uh more clarity on this zoning case.

Thank you for coming up to speak for the community.

My motion stands as it is.

Okay, gonna motion a second council continue to vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-144.

Ray Ojeski, Councilmember Peoples.

Only if there's opposition, there is none as right now.

So Councilmember Peoples.

Saying I don't want to um offend any member of council.

I think we work together well, but there will be disagreements.

But one of the things that I am passionate about is zoning and making sure that the communities that I represent and communities around the city of Fort Worth aren't the recipients of things that they don't want.

So I didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings tonight.

I was just speaking my truth.

Having said that, I will tell you that every zoning case that comes up in District 5.

I meet with the people that are asking for the zoning cases, and I bring my staff in, and we make them meet with the neighborhood associations.

Mr.

OJeski does that.

And so I am grateful to you for doing that.

We were able to meet with this uh applicant and suggest refinements to his original plan.

They agreed to that and put that in there.

And so I am recommending approval of this item.

Councilmember Peoples has a motion on the floor.

I heard a second down here, Council Beck.

Any other discussion?

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-178.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, so in regards to ZC251 zoning I've an amended motion.

So I'd like to motion to approve as amended.

Plan development district.

Oh, wait, was there a speaker?

Only if there's opposition, to which my knowledge there is none.

So plan development district for all uses in ER neighborhood commercial restricted with common exterior entry for building tenants and add a conditional use permit for mobile food vendor, potentially hazardous site plan included.

Got a motion to second, council.

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-193.

Councilman Martinez, if you see speakers on this item, our first is um Mitch Middlebrooks or Mick Middlebrook, followed by Pastor McKinley Jackson.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council.

My name is Michael Middlebrooks, and I'm the CEO and president of Three River CDO.

Mr.

Miller Brooks, we pull that microphone a little bit closer.

I can hear you.

Thank you, sir.

That's perfect.

My name is Michael Middlebrooks, and I'm the CEO and president of Three River CDO, operate a truck driving school located at 4000 East Barrie in Fort Worth.

Over the past three years, our program has successfully placed uh more than 450 men and women into the truck driving career.

Um we provide CDL training for drop and job placement.

Um we also provide an additional six months of on-the-job training uh when necessary.

Our program is offered um at low cost to participants and it's designed to be um a direct service to the community.

The training takes place during normal business hours on the campus.

Um students practice the backing and other maneuvers before exiting the direct before exiting directly onto Barrie Street and providing um and proceeding to Highway 287.

We do not operate during um, we do not operate our training routes in residential neighborhoods.

Uh Barrie Street is a major commercial throughfair, and that's been used for um and has been used intentional intentionally to minimize the neighborhood disruption while providing real world, real world driving experiences.

Additionally, uh we were awarded a grant um targeting zip codes 76105-104 and 119 zip codes to support the um youth pursuing a career path in trucking.

Um student population includes diverse group of African Americans, Hispanics, and others who benefit directly from the incentive.

My team and I respectfully requested support in allowing the program to continue for two years in District 11 at 4000 East Barry.

We're committed to helping our community growing, reducing unemployment, providing a meaningful career and opportunity for the residents.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you.

Pastor McKinley Jackson, followed by Kelly Bullard.

Good evening, Mayor, and to the diocese.

Um I'm here to speak on behalf of the uh CDL trucking school, which is housed on our campus.

Um let me just say that it provides uh for people another opportunity and chance at life.

Um this particular um school uh helps provide what we've been trying to do down through the years that's help our community in this area.

You have uh a large concentration of people who have felonies that are returning home uh from prison.

This school provides uh through federal grants opportunities for people who need another chance to go to school for free and to be able to uh have employment.

Uh and I think that's that's wonderful.

It's also been um approved by the state.

They couldn't even do what they do if the state did not already approve uh them being there.

So it's already state approved.

They already have federal funding uh to be able to uh help people who are in need to go to school and then guarantee them jobs.

Now, I'll say this and then I'll be in my seat uh because uh uh Casman Nell has already said I was gonna talk about, but you gonna yeah.

But um, in addition to that, this erroneous uh rumors that it's waking up the neighborhood uh uh is just false.

I'm on the campus every day.

I don't even hear the trucks.

Uh they're not loud.

Uh and then there are an access of about 40, 50,000 cars that pass up and down Bear Street, that part of Barry Street every day.

Uh, so it's not waking up people in the neighborhood.

They're not tearing up streets because they're not carrying loads.

And so I'm asking that you would uh approve this zoning change so that we can continue to do what we do in our neighborhood, and that's help people uh with with another chance.

Thank you.

Kelly Bullard, followed by Tommy Perker.

I'm Kelly Bullard.

Um, good evening, City Council members and mayor.

Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to speak today.

I'm here to show my support for Mr.

Middlebrook's and the Three Rivers CDL Trekking Program.

We're located at 4000 East Berry Street.

I'm a former graduate of the program, and I've been consistently impressed and truly inspired by both the program itself and the dedication Mr.

Middlebrook's brings to each student.

His teaching makes you feel as though you're the only student in the program.

You receive his full attention and support.

Because of this experience, I've made the decision to set aside my trucking career and join Three Rivers as an employee.

When I first entered the program, I only had a dream.

Now that I have completed it, I have a future ahead.

It's changing life daily, just as it changed mine.

Thank you.

Tommy Parker, followed by Harold Graves.

Uh program approval.

Um I've known Micah for 30 years as his barber.

And um I've witnessed um remarkable um transformation of him coming a successful business owner.

And um he's uh he's an outstanding person.

He um Fort Worth, he's a tax tax player here in Fort Worth, and uh he truly um helps people change their lives.

Um this program really helps people, anybody involved in it, uh, individuals, families.

Um it's really uh a life-changing situation for them.

So um I just uh respectably ask that you approve the program and um thank you for your time.

And uh thank you for your service here at Fort Worth.

Thank you, sir.

Harold Graves, followed by Roger Hudson.

Uh good evening, councilman, councilwoman, mayor.

My name is Harold Graves, and I'm here today to show my support for Mr.

Meadowbrook and Three River CDAL truck truck driving program.

I'm here.

Um I am where I am today because of the time and effort, Mr.

Meadowbrook and Three Rivers Truck Program took to teach me the trade of truck driving and how safety is most important in this field of work.

I wasn't just a student.

I was treated like I was one of the only people there.

Mr.

Meadowbrook would open three rivers on Saturdays to teach if we needed the extra time.

This program has very has a very personal approach, and because of that, I am a graduate and the owner and CEO of HLG and associates LLC.

I thank you for your time this evening and for allowing me the opportunity to speak.

Thank you.

Roger Hudson, followed by Alex Leos.

Good evening, Mayor Parker, Council members.

My name is Roger Hudson.

I'm with Community Link Mission.

We are a food bank.

We distribute food in North Fort Worth.

Five different zip codes.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak with you today.

I'm here to express my support and share the positive impact at the CDL program at Three Rivers CDL trucking located at 4000 East Bury Street in Fort Worth is had.

With what we do at Community Link, uh we run several trucks.

We go around to businesses.

These are commercial vehicles, large commercial vehicles.

We go around to businesses, we pick up uh donations from businesses, churches, uh Terran Area Food Bank and other food bank organizations.

Uh Mayor Parker has been to our place.

I've met her before.

It's good to see you again.

Uh I personally can completed this program.

We currently have an employee in the program.

Uh we there's also been three uh previous employ uh employees of community link that have gone through the program.

We used to have grant money uh that was available to us that when somebody uh would come to us in need seeking a career change, we would send them through the program.

So we're very familiar with with uh the CDL program.

Uh helps to build lasting careers and uh Mr.

Middlebrook and the three rivers CDL program are a true blessing to Tarran County uh to the residents who seek the meaningful employment and a stable career.

Uh God bless United States, God bless Texas, God bless Fort Worth.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Alex Leos.

Alex Councilman Martinez, it's a conclusion of our speakers on this item.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, so I did speak to Mr.

Metalbrooks, and um, you know, I had some concerns, but after speaking to him and understanding that this is only a temporary uh location.

Um, and I know that uh three rivers CDLs uh looking for a permanent uh location.

I am okay with this two-year cup.

So I motion to approve ZC25193.

Got a motion a second, council, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-196.

Councilmember Crane.

Approve.

Motion a second, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-197.

Councilmember Flores.

Motion a second, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-198.

Councilmember Martinez.

We have two speakers or only stopped to my knowledge.

There is none.

Motion a second, please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is Z C 25-200.

Councilman Blaylock.

Motion to approve.

Motion a second, please vote.

Me and Charlie.

Motion carries.

Next is Z C 25-201.

Councilmember Blaylock.

Motion to approve.

Motion and a second.

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-202.

Council.

Council motion and a second.

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC 25-203.

Counselor Martinez.

We have two speakers on this item.

The first is Mary Nell Poole, followed by Richard Rossetti.

Good evening, Council.

Oh, sorry.

Good evening, Council.

Mary Nell Poole, a town site.

Uh, this is uh this case is located on Hempill Street.

As you can see from this aerial, the site is adjacent to an active railroad track that sees approximately 20 trains a day.

There's a water burger and a church below it, and a door dart delivery service and vacant building above.

There are two gas stations, one which has a Lisa's chicken, a carpet cleaning service, and a Mexican restaurant, and the new pop-up vendors and food truck, which you just uh uh venue, which you just approved a few minutes ago, is directly across the street.

Next slide.

This site is a former 9100 square foot Dollar General store that closed due to low sales, theft, and laundering.

A hundred and fifty thousand dollars in air conditioning equipment has been stripped and stolen from the building since it's been closed.

The landscaping has died, and homeless people congregate there.

Next slide.

My client proposes to renovate the existing building into a regional tire store center, offering light automobile services related to tire services and sales, such as mounting, balancing, alignments, brake replacement, oil changes, et cetera.

There's no transmission or body work conducted on site.

There will be no change to the existing site floor plan.

The business will also provide eight to twelve new salaried positions, hopefully from the surrounding neighborhood.

These are not minimum wage jobs.

We are quite requesting a PDE with light automotive added as an additional use.

We are also excluding liquor, package store, convenience store, and gas station as future uses on the site.

The project will follow our requirements of e-commercial, including landscaping, lighting, and signs.

There will be no outdoor storage, and all services are conducted within the service bay areas.

I understand there is concern with adding an automotive use on hemp hill.

However, all automotive uses are lumped into one category no matter their intensity.

This is such this use is much more retail oriented in nature with its come and go traffic.

Approving the zoning request will provide the opportunity to repurpose a 9100 square foot building to a use that is sustainable, will improve the street, provide new jobs for people living in the area, and help keep the homeless population away from this area with an active business.

If not this, how long will this 9100 square foot building set and deteriorate looking for a new user?

My client is eager to become an active participant and sponsor for of the community.

Councilman Martinez, our next speaker is Richard Rossetti.

Mayor Parker, uh Council.

My name is Richard Ruchetti.

I currently live at uh 2100 block of hempill.

And I'm also serving as the uh development uh head the the chair of the development committee for the hemp hill corridor uh development collaborative regarding the conversion of this of this retail of this retail format, and it was formally the dollar general, it was an anchor property under E.

We're hoping that it will continue to be an anchor property and continued retail under E, serving the community and the neighborhood for many many years.

Um the encroachment of auto sales, auto shops, auto repair.

When an auto shop, once it's in, it continues to deteriorate and act as uh deterrent against the development of that block.

The hempill corridor is a for future use, a long-term mixed use neighborhood connector.

The neighborhoods, the citizens around Hemp Hill Corridor are looking for neighborhood supporting retail, neighborhood supporting businesses.

And our concern is the continuation of auto encroachment and auto sales and auto repair into the corridor.

With the neighborhoods and the citizens around the corridor, we are looking to bring in businesses that support the communities that support sales that support commerce, but any time there's auto that's introduced into a block or an area, it brings more auto and deters other mixed-use residential operations.

The Hempel Collaborative heard the applicant's presentation.

It was discussed.

And it still opposes the rezoning of this permit to auto sales and auto repair.

We know once the property is rezoned, it's not necessarily the current applicant, but what happens next.

Once the building is converted to auto sales, I mean to auto repair, it will continue to be auto repair and auto-related businesses until it is completely torn down.

We ask that you not approve this rezoning request.

Thank you.

Council Martinez is a conclusion of our speakers on this item.

Mayor and Council, um, I ask that you please indulge me in um bringing up Ricardo Avite.

I know he had issues with uh signing up to speak.

So if Ricardo, you could be very brief.

Thank you, Councilwoman Martinez, and thank you, Mayor and Council for the opportunity to speak.

Hemp Hill Street is unique and that it runs through both District 9 and District 11.

I also want to be clear at the outset.

This is not opposition to a particular business, nor is it about competition or preferences.

This is a concern about zoning consistency, corridor policy alignment, and whether the administrative record is complete before council amends the zoning map.

Rezoning is a legislative act that should be supported by findings that the change is consistent and adopted planning policy compatible with surrounding development and in the long-term public interest.

Hemp Hill Street is a corridor where the city made deliberate investments to reduce lanes, calm traffic, and prioritize pedestrian safety across districts 9 and 11.

Those investments were based on corridor-level transportation and safety planning intended to support a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use environment.

The requested rezoning introduces an automotive service use, a vehicle intensive land use, yet there is no discussion on record explaining how that use was evaluated against the safety and transportation assumptions underlying the Hemp Hill Corridor redesign.

Excuse me, a public information request seeking confirmation of whether the corridor studies evaluated the impact of additional auto service uses and whether those findings inform staff's recommendations.

As of today, that information has not been provided.

Without that analysis, the record does not demonstrate that this zoning change has been reconciled with the city's adoptive infrastructure and safety framework.

Moreover, the record is incomplete.

Short-term vacancy should not determine long-term zoning policy.

Zoning decisions establish corridor direction for decades, and they should be grounded in adopted planning principles rather than temporary site conditions.

There's also a precedent issue.

A car lot across the street was denied two years ago based on not compatibility concerns.

Approving this request without distinguishing that decision creates inconsistency in how the corridor is governed.

Thank you.

So I want to preface my motion by providing a better understanding of my position.

Um so I begin by looking at the section of Hempel in District 11 within a two-mile stretch.

Um the number that I will provide will increase if we looked at a greater section like going into district nine within this two-mile stretch of hemp hill between Morningside and seminary.

There are 23.

23 automotive related businesses.

This includes businesses such as tire shops, car lots, parts, tent, body, and repair shops.

I don't know about you, but I along with the surrounding neighborhood feel that this is too much.

I do not appreciate the mentality that only automotive is interested or would be successful on hemp hill.

The neighborhood worked hard to remove this type of zoning to bring in commercial that would benefit the neighborhood.

A perfect example is as previously expressed, the empty car lot across the street.

That will now be a third space for the surrounding community.

And while there are challenges on Hempo, I can assure you that things are getting better, and we continue to address those issues alongside the community and city staff.

This would be a step backwards, and I therefore cannot support this zoning case in motion.

It's denial with prejudice.

Next is ZC-25-204.

Councilman Martinez, we have three speakers on this item.

They appear to all be four.

Motion carries.

Next is ZC-25-205.

Councilman Nettables, is it your intention to also continue this case until February?

The companion case, the one earlier.

Correct.

Motion to approve uh for 30.

I'm sorry, most to uh continue for 30 days.

No, thank you.

Got a motion.

Is it 30 days or until the March to the next zoning meeting, March the 10th?

First 10th.

Got a motion of second council, please vote.

Oh, you want me to vote?

There we go.

Motion to continue passes.

Next is MNC 26-018.

And council, before we take action, I was asked to read into the record a correction to the MNC that notes that the palladium legacy drive project does not target seniors 55 and over and does not plan to be tax exempt.

Thank you.

Now, Councilmember Larsdorf, were you separate?

Did you have a motion to separate the items or Councilmember Hill?

You both do.

Okay, Councilmember Hill.

Uh well, first of all, Kim and Thomas, thank you so much for staying with us for the long haul.

I appreciate it.

Um I appreciate the conversations you've had with the neighborhood associations, especially with Chapel Creek, Tejos Trails, and Vista West, along with White Settlement ISD.

Um in this case, I really do feel like I need to do what's right for the neighborhood, North Elementary and the um Harmony Charter School, which really has not been mentioned at all and this evening, but they are significantly going to be impacted as well as North Elementary.

Um these are situated along Academy, Legacy, and White Settlement Settlement Road.

Uh again, as I said, I appreciate Palladium trying to find a queuing solution for North Elementary, but it it also requires North Elementary to give up some of the recess space too.

And I think that needs to be noted.

In this case, I'm gonna side with the neighborhood.

Um I am gonna read a substitute motion.

Um I move to approve MNC 26-008.

Sorry, 0118 with the following challenge change.

Y'all, it's been a long night.

I'm gonna start over.

I move to approve MNC 26-0118 with the following change.

Remove references to Palladium Legacy Drive, meaning the development will not receive a resolution of support from the city.

Got a motion on the floor, Councilmore Larsdorf.

Um try your mic one more time.

There we go.

Is your green light on on your mic?

Okay.

Well, I'm totally confused because does he have a different motion than Macy?

Okay.

So how does that work?

And what is he reading?

For what her substitute is.

We can make a friendly amendment to hers.

Yeah, this is very confusing.

You've got a motion on the floor.

Time out.

I just want to I want Charlie to read what he's gonna do, and we're gonna go through this again.

What are you trying to do, Councilmember Larsdorf?

Hill's motion by also removing references to Thompson from MNC 26 0118.

Thank you.

So he has a motion to amend Councilmember Hill's motion.

Does that make perfect sense to everybody on the dais?

Great.

Yes, Councilmember Nettles.

So I have a substitute motion.

It's okay.

Um so I move to approve the MNC with the exemption of the property A, which is Palladium Legacy Drive, and exemption proper uh property B, which is Thomson, to be voted on separately.

So the motion that I have allows us to vote for all the ones that we're going to approve in one motion and vote separately for uh district seven and district four.

Okay.

Just second, I'm like testing my rules here.

Ready?

So I have a motion on the floor with substitute motion.

Do I have a second to the substitute motion from Councilmember Larsdorf?

Okay.

Okay, that's what I'm asking.

So there's no second, right?

So then Councilmember Nettles is requesting that we separate the vote for D7 and D4.

Works works for me, so that would be a second.

So we're gonna vote to do.

Do we have to vote to do that first?

Okay, fun.

Got a motion, a second.

We're voting just to separate the items.

Thank you.

Yes.

Okay, motion carries.

Why don't we vote first on all of the housing tax credit applications for the following districts?

Yep.

Move for approval.

Thank you.

For clarity, that's C D two, C D three, C D five, C D six, and C D eight.

Correct.

Okay.

A motion and a second.

We can vote.

Yep, Councilmember Flores.

Is it all right if I say something?

Of course.

I want to take the opportunity to uh give appreciation to the applicant and our team for making the uh necessary outreach efforts in the neighborhood.

I know it wasn't.

Get a little closer to the microphone, Carlos.

I know it wasn't easy to get everybody, you know, there, you know, or even virtually.

But uh you did make concerted efforts and I recognize that.

And uh for those listening in, the Irma Park uh proposal is in uh CD2 and it's planned to have 65 one bedroom units and 19 two bedroom units, and uh the higher count on the one bedroom units uh serves the purpose of limiting uh the resident mix as families and other large households typically prefer uh the you know mix of two and three bedroom units and the parking ratio and I know parking came up more than once is you know a you know 1.1 you know for each resident, so it exceeds that property will continue to be income restricted through the land use restriction agreement uh known as Lura for a minimum of 30 years, and with this agreement, the property must maintain the income and age restrictions that are designated on the housing tax credit award and according to Lira.

Additionally, the developer will pursue 9% housing tax credits uh for a 15-year extension period for a total of 45 years, as they agree to when we uh discuss this subsequently.

This ensures long-term ownership uh and ensures the intended use goes forward.

Uh at my request, the developer will also pursue a local historic designation, and that's in addition to the national historic designation that they were uh pursuing.

Uh pursuing a local uh designation preserves the historic character and structure of uh this significant uh historical building.

It's uh currently a vacant church.

They'll be coordinating with the city's historic preservation department and our development services uh department.

On average, I want everyone to know that the housing in the North Side area is 76 years old, and a lot of that is legacy home ownership.

That is, it passes on uh from one generation to the next.

And in doing so, you know, the houses typically don't grow with family needs.

So one uh need that is very prevalent in the area is the need for quality senior housing.

Uh that way they uh can keep their loved ones or elderly uh folks nearby.

And so currently one does not use, so senior housing is an option that's uh needed.

Uh the property is vacant insecure right now, however, homeless people and vagrants do come on to the property, and this is uh a continuing uh problem.

Uh adaptive reuse of the property will help alleviate this long term uh to the benefit of the neighborhood.

And then I have a personal message for you know, Megan Abbey, Alice Himena, and Reggie.

Uh my expectations and the expectations, you know, the neighborhood uh of this north side areas for your team to exceed standards, how you develop this property and how you proceed to deliver on the project.

The neighborhood place trust in Sagebrook.

So if I do your best to execute accordingly, thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Flores.

We do have a motion and a second on the floor.

Any other discussion from council?

If not, please vote.

Motion carries.

Now let's go back and vote on the tax application that pertains to council district four.

Councilmember Larsdorf.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh another gentleman from Sphinx.

Uh, thank you for coming out tonight and staying sticking with us this long.

Um, my only issue with this particular uh application was believe there's some issues around the notification, not necessarily the process, but the timeline the what we're getting from our residents, not necessarily not necessarily opposition to the project itself, just from what they perceive to be the lack of uh proper notification as far as timeline goes and only having a couple days to prepare for that meeting.

Um also had an issue with uh one of the requests being to only invite the surrounding communities that are directly around it rather than anyone who wanted to come out um and be there.

So what I just ask is uh for Speaks to maybe we can go back to the drawing board and do better on reaching out to all the communities who want to be a part of that discussion uh and understanding that multifamily could be built at this location by right.

Should you decide to move forward that uh without the house housing tax credits, should you not receive those uh you know you're certainly welcome to it.

Um regardless, we look forward to continue this conversation and bringing the neighborhoods in in a more timely timely manner.

So with that, uh I move to deny.

Got a motion to deny of a second council and a motion and a second, please vote.

Motion carries council member.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hill.

I don't even know how to pick this.

Um I just move to deny MNC 26 that dash 0118 as it pertains to district seven.

Second, can we have a motion a second?

Please vote.

Motion carries.

Next is MNC 26-0119.

Councilmember Nettles.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Thank you.

All right.

I move that the Fort Worth City Council adopt a resolution authorizing use of the power of eminent domain to acquire 0.5018 acres of land and permanent easement and approximately 1.3336 acres for a temporary easement from real property owned by a card property 2001 LLC.

This subject property is located at 11300 South Freeway in the Phillips James East survey of tracks um 1232, track one B, City of Fort Worth, Terrank County, Texas.

The land right is the subject property are needed for the water transmission main improvements on the south side to water transmission main project, the property interest to be acquired and described by meter met it and bounds and dispicted by surveys exempt attached to the mayor and council communication.

Mayor that concludes all of the action items and gets us to public comment.

Okay, council.

Our first speaker is Mindy Tackett, followed by Thomas Hamilton.

Hello again.

Um I know it's late, so I'm gonna be brief.

Um I spent all day over at County Commissioner's Court, and um one of the things that they voted to do today was to accept a grant um that would expand ice in Terrant County, and I want to urge this council to speak up and push back.

I know that y'all are city council.

I know you're not county commissioners, but we are still part of Terrant County, and it needs to be on your radar.

Um the expansion of this partnership with ice sh puts everyone in this county, including people in Fort Worth at risk.

Um the costs will be wrongful detention, constitutional violations, and litigation, and that directly impacts Fort Worth residents.

Um we all know ICE is not operating in a legal manner.

To be blunt, they are actively kidnapping and murdering people on the streets.

I'm sorry, I'm not asking for you to input Bob Thanks.

Um I also want to challenge us in another way.

Latino heritage is something that for the last couple of weeks, people have been at the stock show celebrating.

Many of you here on the STIS have participated in that.

Um the stock yards, uh Latino Heritage as a cornerstone of the business that happens down there.

Uh Sasha Bass puts on a lot of um events downtown.

And I just am curious how if we have an expansion of ice activity, people being chased down and harassed in this city and this county.

How is that gonna impact all of those things and those people, the communities that this city says we embrace and celebrate?

So anyway, I am encouraging each of you to use your position and your privilege from this DIS to please speak up and please not sit back and just watch these things happen at the county level.

I appreciate your time.

Thomas Hamilton, will be followed by Bob Willoughby.

Madam Mayor and Council.

Last time I came here, I told y'all about some activities that was going on near my home.

I had to call the police five different times, and no one came.

Outside these chamber doors.

Interim Chief Aldridge told me.

He promised it would never happen again.

It happened the very next weekend.

It has escalated because I'm part of Code Blue, and everybody knows that.

They've came into my yard, turned my water spigots on in the middle of the night.

The father wants to play road rage games with his lifted truck versus my motorcycle.

I've reported this.

Been going on way too long.

They raised four wheelers and side by sides up and down the street, blast their music.

And I'm getting the brunt of it because I call it in.

The other morning was the awesome on the cake on the fourth, 6 a.m.

There was a prowler outside my home.

I called it in.

They said that I told them it was a guy, a male in a blue hoodie.

They said if I couldn't give them a better description and a direction of travel, they weren't gonna send anyone.

I don't know what to do except come to y'all.

I'm fully prepared to quit code blue because I'm not getting any recognition.

What I want from uh councilwoman martinez, tell me you're gonna fix it.

Or you can have my code blue badge right now.

Do you have an answer?

That's not good enough.

Tell me you're gonna fix it.

Sounds like it's an issue.

I have actually emailed the chief with the video of the prowler.

And and every one of these individuals I've talked to told me they're gonna increase patrols in my area.

If they would have done that, it seems like even by accident, they would have found somebody by now.

You know what I'm saying?

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Bob Willoughby, followed by Chris Wood.

You're here, yes.

Okay.

Let's uh go ahead and play the video.

Maddie.

Will you you and City Council has just got to stop playing games and put this agenda back to where it's was before pre-Maddie Parker years?

That's all.

We've got to hit the reset button and put it back.

The thing about it is what you just did was not for the people but for yourself.

You remove the comment meetings and you put us back on the agenda, but at the bottom of the agenda.

And like I say, move your announcements to the bott below the people.

That's where it should be.

When we have the right people sitting up there, they'll they'll do that.

You'll put the uh council's announcements at the bottom of the agenda, right below us where you got us.

And actually, you should put us on top.

Just like at the school board, we're on top, and all the cities around us, councils on top.

And this is where the whole thing started.

There was no problem with our agenda.

No one complaining, but here's what you do.

You go through this, and we spend more time having to fight with you to try to get back what you took from us than we do working on issues about the city, and this is ridiculous.

Uh but by tonight, um you write taking away the citizen presentation of speaking, uh, is harmful.

You need to resign, you need to step down, you need to go on.

You don't, you know, that's what you need.

That's the best thing you can do for this city is resign.

And uh, but if we're gonna have to fight inch by inch to get it back, then we'll fight inch by inch, but at the same time, the most easiest thing that people can do is tell you to hit the reset button because there's so much you took from us, and that will put it back.

Now that that you know putting us on the bottom, you ask for a raise.

You want more money.

That's that's that's uh ridiculous.

Really is and um, you know, I just I just can't believe how you treat the people and turn around and ask for a raise, really.

And Chris, that video about you.

Now, before you got up there, you were with us.

You were out here, you were with us.

But once you got up there and you were with us for just a little bit, you stood up back then, but then they control you.

The puppet masters control you, the people that control y'all.

We don't.

The the basses and the developers and all that's got money, they they control you.

We don't.

It's silly when I hear people come down here and ask you for stuff like you're gonna do it, and you can't do it.

If you were decent, Maddie, you would resign.

There's a material world and a spiritual world.

You live in a material world, you do.

You people do, not in a spiritual world, material.

That's all you care about.

You don't care about people, rights or anything like take us from the bottom and put us on top.

That's not hard to do.

That shows respect for the people.

You have no respect, you do not deserve no raise.

Chris Wood followed by George Childs.

I'm Chris Wood.

By golly, I support a pay raise for Fort Worth City Council.

Please include a yearly cost of living increase.

I agree with this pay increase because of results, fairness, and the long-term strength of our local democracy.

First, since the summer of 2024, and I'll spare you the spreadsheet.

Police data shows Fort Worth has experienced a 14% decrease in overall crime and a 15% decrease in violent crime.

These statistics do not erase the pain of recent violent incidents.

But this overall progress matters.

No single group can claim full credit.

Yet city council leadership plays an important role in creating safer communities.

The response of council members to recent incidents shows the necessary dedication to help bring violent crime to an end.

Second, Fort Worth City Council members are among the lowest paid elected fish officials compared to other major Texas cities.

Dallas Council members earn more than double, and Austin Council members earn more than five times what Fort Worth Council members are currently paid.

My goodness, that is a significant gap for a city of Fort Worth's size.