Fort Worth City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026
Fort Worth City Council Meeting Summary
Date: May 12, 2026
Meeting Start: 6:05 PM
Meeting Adjournment: 8:15 PM
Location: City Council Chamber, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth City Council convened a regular session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with all 11 council members present. The meeting began with an invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores, pledges of allegiance, and a welcome to new Council Member Chris Jamieson (District 10). The agenda included special recognitions, a consent agenda, multiple public hearings, a zoning hearing with 18 dockets, and public comments. The council voted unanimously (11-0) on all consent and most contested items, with notable decisions on tax abatements, annexation, zoning changes, and a condemnation resolution.
Special Presentations
- 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club – Presented by Kasey Pipes; the tournament will be held May 25–31, 2026, broadcast in over 200 countries, and raised $19 million for Fort Worth charities in 2025.
- Fort Worth ISD Science Fair Winners – 16 students from various elementary schools were recognized for their top-tier projects.
- North Crowley High School Basketball Team – Recognized as 2026 UIL Class 6A Division I State Champions with a 35-3 record; head coach Tommy Brakel also honored for his 28-year career and 828 wins.
- Mental Health Awareness Month – Council Member Beck presented a proclamation; noted 322 suicide deaths in Tarrant County in 2024 (rate of 11.7 per 100,000).
- Professional Cyclist Emily Newsom – Recognized for her elite cycling career (including Tour de France) and community leadership.
- UNT Health College of Nursing Inaugural Graduating Class – Recognized; the program is the first of its kind in Texas, addressing a projected unmet demand of 36,881 nurses by 2026.
- 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Postal Service – Recognized by Council Member Peoples.
- World Apraxia Day – Proclaimed May 2026 as Apraxia Awareness Month by Council Member Crain.
Consent Calendar
All consent items were approved unanimously (11-0) without discussion. Key items included:
- Water Customer Information System Replacement – $1,808,500 appropriation.
- Meacham Airport projects – $1,050,000 for administration building and $2,500,000 for programmable projects.
- Donation of 336 pistols and training – Valued at $300,000 from Fort Worth Police SWAT Support Group.
- TxDOT Signal Maintenance Agreement – $460,503.36 for FY2026.
- Contract amendments – Stryker Sales ($3,508,000 increase), Medline ($2,000,000 increase), and others.
- Fleet and fuel management system – $1,748,660 annually with AssetWorks.
- Customer Information System software – $46,126,377 over five years with Itineris NA and SHI Government Solutions.
- Memorandum of Understanding with Fort Worth Firefighters Association (Local 440) for automatic promotions to Lead Paramedic.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob Willoughby (on consent agenda item M&C 26-0406) – Expressed strong opposition to the collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters union, alleging influence of special interest groups and calling the organization “evil.”
- Conly Brewer (on ZC-25-171) – Asked questions about the impact of small lot housing on neighborhood infrastructure, parking, and insurance.
- Jerome Johnson (on ZC-26-004) – Opposed the rezoning, arguing it was environmental injustice and reminiscent of redlining; urged the council to reject industrial use near Highland Hills.
- Teresa McGee (on ZC-26-027) – Supported rezoning to ER for a professional office building, stating it would rejuvenate the area.
- Lori Murray Boskin (on ZC-26-027) – Opposed commercial encroachment into Arlington Heights, arguing it sets a bad precedent.
- Christopher Cisneros (on ZC-26-027) – Opposed, citing neighborhood integrity.
- Kate Heartsill (on ZC-26-040) – Requested signage for self-storage facility; discussion led to a continuance.
- Public Comment Speakers (non-agenda):
- Conly Brewer – Spoke on property tax burden, arguing city fees effectively increase taxes despite lower rate.
- Jonathan Morgan – Raised confusion about representation for residents in the Ulysses corridor; requested clearer jurisdictional boundaries.
- Adrian Smith – Criticized council for silencing opposition; accused special interests of influencing elections.
- EJ Carrion – Criticized council for delaying the Black Mountain data center vote and for supporting racial gerrymandering.
- David Rodriguez – Called out council for ignoring community movements on environmental and racial justice.
- Jamie P. – Opposed Black Mountain data center, noting growing community resistance.
- Jonathan Demarest – Criticized Council Member Crain for a DWI and questioned his judgment on data center expansion.
Discussion Items
- ZC-26-004 (Amon Carter Estate) – Rezoning from A-5 to AR and PD/I (light industrial) with habitat for humanity. After hearing from applicant (CB Team, Travis Clegg) and opposition (Jerome Johnson), council denied the request (11-0) to align with neighborhood opposition.
- ZC-25-171 (Small Lot Housing Text Amendment) – Approved (11-0) after staff clarified it implements state Senate Bill 15 for parcels ≥5 acres.
- ZC-25-173 (Zoning Notice Procedures) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-008 (Stockyards temporary parking lot) – Approved with 3-year time limit (11-0).
- ZC-26-018 (Neltex, Agricultural to Trinity Lakes Neighborhood) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-027 (Dexter Avenue, B to ER) – Approved with amended language: PD/ER for studios and office spaces only, site plan required (11-0).
- ZC-26-029 (S Retta Street, A-5/CF to ER) – Denied with prejudice (11-0).
- ZC-26-030 (Harmon Road, C/F to F) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-031 (Outpost Fort Worth, recreational vehicle park) – Approved with 3-year time limit (11-0).
- ZC-26-033 (Belzise Terrace, A-5 to B) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-034 (TCU properties, B to CF) – Approved (10-0, Council Member Hill recused).
- ZC-26-035 (Hemphill Street, PD/CR to PD/E) – Approved with amendment for indoor storage and contractor shop, excluding convenience store (11-0).
- ZC-26-036 (South Freeway, ER to A-5) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-037 (Loving Avenue, ER to A-5) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-038 (Crowley ISD, AR to PD/CF) – Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-040 (Signage amendment) – Continued to June 9, 2026, to allow community outreach (11-0).
- ZC-26-041 (Black Mountain Power, PD1420 amendment) – Continued to June 23, 2026, per staff request.
Public Hearings
- Tax Abatement Reinvestment Zone No. 118 – Marand US Holdings – Approved (11-0) for a 10-year tax abatement for aerospace manufacturing facility at 2248 SE Loop 820.
- Tax Abatement Reinvestment Zone No. 117 – Celestica LLC – Approved (11-0) for two electronics manufacturing facilities in Denton County.
- Owner-Initiated Annexation of Mary’s Creek Parcel 01 (52.972 acres) – Approved (11-0) with a municipal services agreement; companion zoning ZC-26-012 (Light Industrial) also approved (11-0).
- Tourism Public Improvement District No. 18 Expansion – Approved (11-0) to include three additional hotels, adopt revised budget/service plan, and levy assessments.
- Walsh Ranch/Quail Valley PID No. 16 Improvement Area No. 4 – Approved (11-0) to levy special assessments and approve reimbursement agreements.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously (11-0) with all 28 items passed.
- Tax Abatements – Two 10-year agreements approved for Marand US Holdings (aerospace) and Celestica (electronics).
- Annexation – Mary’s Creek Parcel 01 annexed and zoned Light Industrial.
- Zoning Decisions:
- Denied Amon Carter rezoning (light industrial/habitat) on neighborhood opposition.
- Approved small lot housing text amendment implementing SB 15.
- Approved several zoning changes with conditions (e.g., Dexter Avenue limited to studio/office).
- Denied one rezoning with prejudice (S Retta Street).
- Condemnation – Authorized eminent domain (Resolution 6313-05-2026) to acquire 1.015 acres for the Bomber Spur Trail (12-foot shared-use path from Calmont Avenue to West Vickery Boulevard).
- Grant Acceptance – Accepted $4,000,000 from HUD for Southeast Downtown Transit Operations and Street Design.
- Public Comments – Heard from 10 speakers on various topics including property taxes, jurisdictional clarity, data center opposition, and allegations of council misconduct.
- Next Steps:
- ZC-26-040 continued to June 9, 2026.
- ZC-26-041 continued to June 23, 2026.
- Black Mountain data center zoning vote expected in June.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Thank you, good evening, and welcome to your Fort City Council meeting. Call us to order. Today's invocation will be provided by Councilmember Flores. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the pledges of allegiance. Good evening, Mary and Council. Let us pray. Almighty God, we beseech you to bless our City Council meeting. Make it a place and a time for civil discourse and respect. We also ask that you bless new councilmember Chris Jameson as he starts his term. Grant him wisdom and patience to serve his district and city. In your name we pray, amen. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty, Justice Raw. Under the Texas flag. Pledge of allegiance to the Texas State. Council, before we move into our special presentations this evening, I'm gonna hand over the microphone to our brand new city council member for Council District 10. Uh Councilmember Chris Jameson. Please give him a round of applause and welcome him to City Council. Chris, we're very proud of you and certainly welcome you and your experience in business here to City Council. And with that, the microphone is yours. Thank you. It's an incredible honor to sit here today and serve the city I love. I do not take this responsibility lightly. One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was the opportunity to meet so many residents of District 10 on front porches at community events and at public locations during early voting and on election day. These conversations mattered. Hearing your concerns, your ideas, your hopes for Fort Worth reminded me what public service is truly about. People, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this campaign, the volunteers, friends, neighbors, donors, and supporters who gave their time, energy, encouragement, and belief in this vision. Campaigns are never one alone, and I'm deeply thankful for every person who stood beside me through this journey. I also want to acknowledge Alicia Ortiz and thank her for a hard-fought campaign and for one and for her deep care and commitment to the community. District 10 is fortunate to have so many people willing to step forward and serve because they genuinely care about the future of our neighborhoods and our city. I'm committed to leading with integrity, listening to our community, and working hard every day to make help make Fort Worth safer, stronger, and prepared for the future. Thank you again for your trust and support. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve. Thank you, Chris. Jeanette, back to you. Our first presentation will be a presentation by the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. Thank you. And I believe we have several representatives from Colonial and Charles Schwab Challenge to present a few things to Council. Gentlemen. Also joined by our tournament executive, Michael Toe, who will help him, and Frank Cordillero, you all know as our CEO at Colonial. This is a very special time for our tournament, but it's even more than that a special time for our city. This is one of the biggest pieces of exposure that our city gets every year. We will be broadcast over the four days of the tournament in over 200 countries. We'll be broadcast in over 30 languages, and every time they see a broadcast, they will see images and hear stories about Fort Worth. So it is a tremendous return on investment for all of us that uh organization now being led by Brian Estridge uh will raise money this year that will go directly into the real magic of what we do is colonial charities here last year alone 19 million dollars uh were raised from our tournament and went back into Fort Worth charities so we are very excited. This is our 80th year of hosting a the PGA event uh at our location. It's May 25th through the 31st. Thank you for letting us join you tonight, and we hope you will join us in two weeks thank you thank you next will be a presentation of a recognition for the Fort Worth ISD Science Fair winners at this time I would like to invite our amazing students that are here this evening recognized as our Fort Worth Independent School District Science Fair winners kids if you want to come on down to the front I'm gonna read a few things and then we're gonna recognize each of you individually for those that weren't aware the Fourth ISD Science Fair is an annual event that brings together students from various schools in our city to showcase all of their scientific projects this fair provides an excellent opportunity for our students to demonstrate their creativity innovation and problem solving skills it also encourages them to pursue careers in scientific fields and we have 16 amazing students joining us today from various elementary schools who all participated in the fair last month and represent the top 10 highest scoring projects earning them the distinction of tier one award winners ladies and gentlemen these are your amazing students please give them a round of applause and of course they would not be here and successful without their amazing teachers um Rocco Williams is the K through 12 science coordinator thank you so much for being here Rocco so I want to give appropriate recognition to each of these students and so I'm gonna read each of their names and their project name which is quite impressive. Congratulations to Miss Paisley where are you Paisley? Awesome next up is Miss Isabella Class with drag time is a project name.
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