Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Fort Worth City Council held a regular meeting on September 29, 2026, beginning at approximately 1:00 PM. The meeting included special presentations, approval of consent and non-consent agenda items, extensive public comment, and a lengthy zoning hearing. Key actions included approval of a fire collective bargaining agreement, a tax abatement for Harding, and a controversial zoning change for the historic Roy Pope site.
Note: Several council members participated via video conference. The meeting was originally scheduled for 7:00 PM but called to order in the afternoon per the transcript.
Yeah. I don't know if it's a good thing. It's I think stand there. That's like where the war is. Oh wait a minute. I want something that's to their point. Yeah, because I think there's a point. I don't know very much about it. Okay. Oh, yeah. I was going to tell you when you're getting lunch, but I was too hungry. Oh, thank you. Good afternoon, and welcome to the city council meeting. Before Mayor Parker calls the meeting to order, we ask that you please be seated and silence all electronic devices. City council meetings are conducted for the official business of the city council and to receive input from residents. Members of the public attending meetings shall observe rules of decorum and shall not engage in conduct that interferes with the ability of those present to observe or to participate in the meeting without disruption or fear of intimidation, threats or hostility. An individual engaging in disruptive conduct may be removed from the chamber and could be arrested for disruption of a meeting. Speakers who engage in disruptive conduct could have their mic muted and may be removed from the chamber and arrested for a disruption of a meeting. Today we pray and ask for clarity and in their discussions, courage in their decision, and unity in their purpose. May every voice be heard with respect, every concern be weighed with care, and every choice be made for the common good of all who call this city home. We pray that you grant the mayor and this council patience when opinions differ, humility when they are challenged, and steadfast commitment to the values that bind us together as neighbors. We pray as they deliberate. May their actions reflect not only the needs of today, but also the hope of tomorrow, building a community that is safe, vibrant, and welcoming for generations to come. Father, we thank you with gratitude for the privilege to serve and for the trust placed in them by those they represent. We pray and ask it all in Jesus' mighty name. Thank God. Amen. Our first items will be special presentations. The first being presentation of a recognition celebrating four years of the Terrant County Maternal and Infant Health Coalition. Council, as I get started, I'm gonna ask all of these amazing partners that are sitting behind me to stand with me at the microphone, please. If you start to make your way forward, that'd be great. It's hard to believe that today marks a four-year anniversary of our work here in Tarrant County with the Tarrant County Maternal and Infant Health Coalition. All of these fearless leaders to my right and to my left and behind me helped us address a very important issue in our community. We had a very simple but mighty goal to address the maternal mortality crisis in Fort Worth and to ensure that more vulnerable mothers and babies continue to thrive in our community. What started as a candid conversation among several of us here today began to grow among our care providers, our stakeholders, our hospital leaders, our clinicians, all around the table in Fort Worth to help us better identify challenges, talk directly with affected mothers, and improve care by sharing resources and breaking barriers. In 2024, our coalition helped spur the creation of the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator, or MHA, which now spans partners in healthcare systems across Dallas and Tarrant Counties, a region of five million people that delivers more babies each year than 30 U.S. states. The MHA has seen tremendous success, and for that I'm incredibly grateful. One year in, well, specifically our goal was this to cut severe maternal complications by 20% on average over three years. One year in, severe complications are down by 10%. Notably, the Texas legislature and our own philanthropic community helped ensure the coalition has never slowed down when federal funding was cut. This last session, we fought hard behind the scenes for writer Housewriter 77, helping us secure four million dollars and local philanthropy continue to step up. And I'm very proud to share with this council we have raised nearly 25 million dollars towards this work. This recognition is not about any of us here. It's about the moms and babies across our community, because we all agree that the way you care for all most vulnerable is a reflection of who we are as a city. And make no mistake, for Texas is absolutely leading the way in this work, not just across Texas, but across this country. But what's what's amazing is when we started, my first few phone calls were to Rose Bradshaw, who many of you know well, who leads the North Texas Community Foundation, and my friend Dr.