The Fort Worth City Council met on August 25, 2026, to address a full agenda including consent agenda approvals, public hearings, a contentious zoning case for the Black Mountain Data Center, and several community recognitions. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on data center impacts, budget concerns, and other city issues. Key actions included approval of an $11.25 million settlement for the family of Tatiana Jefferson, approval of a site plan amendment for the Black Mountain Data Center with an increased setback, and approval of multiple public improvement districts and board appointments.
Speakers who engage in disruptive conduct could have their mic muted and maybe removed from the chambers and arrested for disruption of a meeting. Disruptive conduct includes yelling, screaming, clapping, or other noise creating acts. For those of you who have requested to speak, when your name is called, please come forward to the center podium. The countdown clock is displayed on the left monitor and we'll indicate how much time is remaining. A bell will sound when you have 30 seconds remaining. Before you begin your comments, please state your name. Thank you. Good morning. I'll call our meeting to order. Turn it back over to Catherine. Today's invocation will be given by Pastor DiMario Lewis. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledges of Allegiance. Shall we bow? Our Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for the city of Fort Worth. We thank you for every leader that stands with us and stands before us. We thank you for our mayor, our city manager, and every city of councilman. And we pray this day that you will continue to give us wisdom to lead, to give courage, to make righteous decisions, and also to give compassion that we may serve the people of this city. That your people have peace, give them clarity of thought in every discussion, unity in every decision, and integrity in every action. Protect our leaders, their families, and everyone in the city of Fort Worth. Bless Fort Worth, and allow us to let everything be done decently and in order. In your name we pray. Amen. And if you all afterwards, if you all are an alumni of the esteemed Prairie View AM University, I would ask you to join us. But whereas Prairie View AM University was established on August 14th, 1876 by the 15th Texas legislator, and it proudly, proudly stands as the second oldest public institution of higher education in the state of Texas, and it's the state's oldest public historically black college and university, or as we affectionately call it, Sarah, and HBCU. And whereas Prairie View AM University was founded by extraordinary leaders and founders, including Matthew Gaines, William Holland, and Walter Burton, whereas Prairie View AM's university university's history is deeply entwined with Fort Worth, because among its distinguished leaders was Isaiah Milligan or I M. Terrell, who led Fort Worth's first public school for African Americans before serving as Prairie View's fifth principal from 1915 to 1918. And whereas the honorable late Rebe Carey, a proud Prairie View alumnus, became the first African American American elected to represent the Fort Worth School Board and later represented Fort Worth's House District 95 in the Texas House of Representative. And there's so much more, because whereas these historical connections underscore Prairie View's lasting impact on the educational, civic, and political legacy of Fort Worth, and over the past 100 years, Prairie View AM University has grown from an initial enrollment of eight, get that, eight students into a globally recognized institution, institution with more than 87,000 thriving alumni. And whereas, true to its enduring motto and core mission, Prairie View AM University consistently excels in producing productive people who lead, serve, and make indelible contributions across Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, and the world, and whereas the year 2026 marks the historical sesquicentennial celebration of Prairie View AM University, offering a momentous occasion to honor its rich legacy of academic excellence, student empowerment, and unyielding path of pride, whereas the Prairie View AM University National Alumni Association, Fort Worth Chapter, is recognized as a partner to 150 years of excellence, purpose, and leadership, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Fort Worth, Texas, hereby recognizes and congratulates Prairie View AM University on its 150th anniversary, commending its profound and lasting impact on higher education and public service. And Madam President, would you please accept this special recognition? Thank you. Thank you, and would be. And would you like so the Prairie View Panthers proudly wear purple and gold? And so, Madam President, would you like to have a few words? Absolutely. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Mayor Parker, thank you so much for providing us with this opportunity to just say a few words and express our gratitude. On behalf of Prairie View AM University, Fort Worth Alumni Chapter, thank you, Councilwoman Deborah Peoples, and the City of Fort Worth leadership for this meaningful resolution recognizing 150 years of Prairie View AM University history. This honor is more than a milestone. It's a celebration of resilience, excellence, and so meaningful in the Panther City to have all of these Panthers here represented today. The purple and gold that you see here extends to different communities within our city. Purple is royal, gold is resilient. Prairie View has opened its doors of opportunity, empowering generations of African Americans and citizens of all races, races, and nationalities to lead, serve, innovate. We are now established as an R2 university based on the number of doctoral degrees conferred, as well as the research that we do to expand mindsets, expand innovations, and become the leaders that are globally competitive and those that are looked for to intern our students and become the leaders that you see not only sitting on your podiums, but that we educate in our schools today. Here in Fort Worth, our alumni chapter has proudly carried this mission forward for more than 60 years, serving students, supporting scholarships, and mentoring future lead future leaders. We honor distinguished alumni in our communities, such as I am Tarrell and Rebe Carey, and so many others that are with us here today. Our commitment to service and leadership is established by their hard work, and we fight tirelessly to continue in their legacy. As we celebrate this hundred and fifty years, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that every generation has the opportunity to lead, learn, vote, and leave a legacy of excellence. We want to thank you again for this incredible recognition.