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

1. 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.
2. Tax Abatement Reinvestment Zone No. 117 – Celestica LLC – Approved (11-0) for two electronics manufacturing facilities in Denton County.
3. 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).
4. Tourism Public Improvement District No. 18 Expansion – Approved (11-0) to include three additional hotels, adopt revised budget/service plan, and levy assessments.
5. 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.