Fort Worth City Council Regular Meeting – February 24, 2026

The Fort Worth City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 11:12 a.m. to 11:56 a.m. in the City Council Chamber. Mayor Mattie Parker presided, with eight-year-old Bonnie Bell Hickman serving as Mayor for the Day. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledges, followed by a special presentation recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Week. The council approved a consent agenda of routine items, adopted resolutions and ordinances, conducted two public hearings, and heard public testimony on multiple topics.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent agenda (9-0, with Councilmembers Nettles and Beck absent) after withdrawing two items: M&C 26-0126 (Bonds Ranch Lift Station temporary entry injunctions) and M&C 26-0132 (Forensic Evidence Grant). The approved consent agenda included:

• Authorization to apply for a Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative grant of up to $4,521,282.
• Reallocation of $595,885.19 in residual 2023 Urban Area Security Initiative grant funds.
• Additional funding of $860,000 for the Stockyards Traffic Safety Improvements Project.
• An $90,000 appropriation for the Jennings, Henderson and Main Streets Bridge Railing Rehabilitation Project.
• Vacation of a nine-foot strip of Anderson Boulevard for church expansion.
• Amendment to an agreement with HD Supply Facilities Maintenance for supplies.
• Agreement with Toter, LLC for carts up to $5,100,000.
• Agreement with ACCELA, INC. for development workflow software up to $7,100,000 over five years.
• Purchase and installation of library furniture for the Sendera Springs Branch for $700,000.
• Non-exclusive generator maintenance agreements with a combined annual amount up to $905,000.
• Acquisition of 0.1606 acres at 3205 Pearl Avenue for Marine Creek Linear Park for $65,000.
• Acquisition of 0.420 acres at 2505 Sandage Avenue for Forest Park from St. Stephen Presbyterian Church for $146,156.
• Conveyance of easements to Trinity River Authority for $115,000.
• Change Order No. 1 for the CFA-Morningstar North Offsite Sewer Project.
• Contract for 2024 Water Main Leak Repair for $750,000.
• Memorandum of Understanding with Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association Local 440 regarding firefighter positions.
• Sole source agreement with Qiagen LLC for DNA extraction for up to $183,106.15.
• Ratification of task force agreements with DEA for overtime reimbursements.
• Contracts with Christ's Haven for Children, Rivertree Academy, and Unbound Now for crime prevention programming funded by the Crime Control and Prevention District (total up to $936,000).
• Change in use of CARES Act Community Development Block Grant funds ($143,506) to support Presbyterian Night Shelter's Moving Home Program.
• Amendment to contract with Benevate, LLC for Neighborly Software licenses.
• Contract for 2026 Asphalt Resurfacing Contract 5 for $4,735,024.
• Contract for A.V. Cato Elementary Safe Routes to School Project for $1,547,925.
• Service agreement with Oncor for transformer equipment for Convention Center renovation phase 2 for $2,042,749.55.
• Appropriation for Camp Bowie Boulevard traffic signal project for $524,160.44.
• Contract for Round Six of Council District 9 Street Repair and Reconstruction Program and water/sewer improvements, including $2,000,000 from Southside TIF.
• Advance funding agreement with TxDOT for Meacham Boulevard Project (up to $38,646,188 total, city participation up to $10,159,053).
• Amendment No. 2 for Everman Parkway engineering services for $245,000.
• Contract for concrete pavement joint and crack seal unit-price for up to $750,000.
• Notice of Claims for alleged damages or injuries.

Public Comments & Testimony

Speakers addressed the council before and during the consent agenda and during the general public comment period.

• Bob Willoughby (before consent agenda): Expressed opposition to M&C 26-0124 (Memorandum of Understanding with the Firefighters Association) and M&C 26-0137 (Crime Control and Prevention District funding contracts). He criticized the Firefighters Association and the handling of CCPD funds, alleging corruption.
• Chris Wood (before consent agenda): Spoke in support of M&C 26-0143, the acquisition of land from St. Stephen Presbyterian Church to expand Forest Park, citing benefits for public well-being, mental health, and environmental sustainability.
• Rachael Yates (before consent agenda): Supported M&C 26-0140, funding the Presbyterian Night Shelter's Moving Home Program. She requested information on the council's plans to address rising rent costs and create more affordable housing options.
• Adrian Smith (before consent agenda): Opposed M&C 26-0133, a $7.1 million five-year contract with ACCELA for development software, arguing for shorter trial terms and better vetting of contractors.
• Adrian Smith (after announcements, before ordinance vote): Opposed the proposed sex offender residency ordinance (Item 26-5721). He questioned the need for the change, argued that most registered sex offenders comply with requirements, and challenged council members to justify the ordinance. He also alleged the meeting timing limited public input.
• Gay Sargent (during zoning hearing): Spoke in support of ZC-25-212, a zoning change for property at 6605 Dan Danciger Road from "CF" Community Facilities to "ER" Neighborhood Commercial Restricted.
• Chris Wood (general public comment): Spoke about a personal experience with a stalker and criticized the Fort Worth Police Officers Association (POA) for influencing police accountability, alleging that police union contracts supersede laws and that contributions to politicians secure silence on complaints.
• Bob Willoughby (general public comment): Attempted to play a video, which was not permitted; he alleged the mayor and council suppress information and criticized them for corruption. He also questioned the proposed council pay raise and called for the mayor to step down.
• Carla Courtney (general public comment): Addressed the long waitlist for affordable housing.
• George Chiles (general public comment): Delivered a poetic statement criticizing the mayor's priorities, the police union, and the restriction of speaker time. He warned of electoral consequences in 2027.
• Adrian Smith (general public comment): Commented on the Holocaust Remembrance Week recognition, arguing against giving preference to one group over others. He highlighted the Gaza genocide and asserted that no historical event is more important than others.
• Several other registered speakers (Deloris Phillips, Positive Postman, Erika Cristantielli, James Smith) were not present when called.

Discussion Items

Resolution Revising Strategic Priorities Schedule (26-5818) Councilmember Hill moved adoption of Resolution No. 6270-02-2026, which revises the schedule for reviewing and updating the city's strategic priorities and goals. The motion passed 9-0.

Ordinance Amending Sex Offender Residency Restrictions (26-5721) Councilmember Lauersdorf moved adoption of Ordinance No. 28335-02-2026, which adds a section to Chapter 23 of the city code regulating where certain sex offenders may reside, establishing a 2,000-foot distance requirement. Councilmember Lauersdorf argued the ordinance protects children and noted that 22 states have similar laws. Councilmember Flores supported the balance struck. Councilmember Hall asked staff to clarify that currently residing offenders would be grandfathered and allowed to renew leases. Staff attorney Teteria Coleman Brown confirmed that interpretation. Public testimony was heard (see above). The ordinance passed 9-0.

Public Hearing: Public Improvement District No. 23 – Panther Island (M&C 26-0120) Crystal Hinojosa of the Economic Development Department presented a staff report on establishing PID No. 23 (Panther Island O-PID), including a participation agreement with the Tarrant Regional Water District. No public comments were received. The council closed the hearing and approved the item, adopting Resolution No. 6271-02-2026 (9-0).

Public Hearing: Subdivision Ordinance Amendments (M&C 26-0122) Stephen Murray of the Development Services Department presented a staff report on amendments to Chapter 31 of the Subdivision Ordinance to adopt regulations governing infill developments, rename the Planning and Development Department to the Development Services Department, and update subdivision regulations. No public comments were received. The council closed the hearing and approved the item, adopting Ordinance No. 28336-02-2026 (9-0).

Zoning Hearing: ZC-25-212 (LoHaliva, LLC) The council considered a zoning change for 0.97 acres at 6605 Dan Danciger Road from "CF" Community Facilities to "ER" Neighborhood Commercial Restricted. The Zoning Commission had recommended approval. Councilmember Martinez moved to continue the item to the March 10, 2026 council meeting to allow the applicant to contact the District 9 council office. The motion passed 9-0.

BUILD Grant Application for Railroad Crossing (M&C 26-0154) Councilmember Blaylock moved to authorize applying for a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant of up to $25,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for design and construction of a grade-separated railroad crossing on Heritage Trace Parkway at the BNSF rail lines. Councilmember Blaylock stated the crossing is badly needed. The motion passed, with Appropriation Ordinance No. 28337-02-2026 adopted (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved as amended (9-0), with two items withdrawn.
• Resolution 6270-02-2026 adopted, revising the strategic priorities schedule (9-0).
• Ordinance 28335-02-2026 adopted, establishing sex offender residency restrictions (9-0).
• Resolution 6271-02-2026 adopted, establishing Public Improvement District No. 23 (Panther Island) (9-0).
• Ordinance 28336-02-2026 adopted, amending the Subdivision Ordinance and renaming a department (9-0).
• ZC-25-212 continued to March 10, 2026 (9-0).
• Ordinance 28337-02-2026 adopted, authorizing BUILD grant application for railroad crossing (9-0).
• All votes were 9-0; Councilmembers Nettles and Beck were absent for the votes.