Good evening and welcome to the city council meeting. Before Mayor Parker calls the meeting to order, we ask that you please be s 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 meeting 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 disruption of a meeting. Disruptive conduct includes yelling, screaming, clapping, or other noise creating event acts. For those of you 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 will 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. Pursuant to the council rules of procedure, when there is more than one hour of testimony, the time will be reduced. Today's each speaker will be given two minutes to speak. >> Thank you, Janette. And good afternoon or evening. Welcome to our city council meeting. I'll call us to order. Tonight's invocation will be provided by Reverend Tama Richardson from McMillan United Methodist Church. Please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the pledges of allegiance. Let's bow for a word of prayer. God, we give you thanks for allowing us to gather in this place to serve the people of this city to hear their concerns. We ask oh God that you give grace and mercy to all those who are elected to represent and serve us. We ask oh God that you will open their ears to hear all the people. Remove the scales from their eyes so they can see all the people. There are people in this city that speak perfect English. There are those who speak broken English and still others who don't speak English at all. But by your Holy Spirit, give their hearts compassion and their bodies of strength to serve all the residents. from 76102 104134119 and many others. God we ask that you may protect them so as they thrive to help uh help each and every person. God may all these things be done to glorify your name in confidence. We declare these things because it is the light of God that surrounds us. The love of God info us. The power of God protects us. The presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is. And where God is, all is well. Amen. >> Amen. Algiance to the flag of the United States of America, >> to the republic it stands, >> nationisible andice. We will begin with special presentations with the first one being a presentation of recognition for Bob's Simple Day. Mr. Simple, come on down. If your family would like to join you, that would be perfectly fine. Sometimes it's appropriate to use this this hall just to remind us how good people can be. And today is all about the goodness of Bob Simple. I am going to read a part of this proclamation, but for those on the council that don't know Bob, you've been a very busy man over your 50-year career, and you've also have this beautiful family over your left shoulder. turn around and look at these awesome people, but they're deserving of more of your time, which is what tonight is really all about. I was honored that Andy Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., reached out, and of course, Bill McCoy, the Fort Region CEO with Bank of Texas, who just wanted to celebrate all of Bob's many accomplishments. Your banking career spans decades, dating back since 1977. A legacy defined by integrity, vision, and beautiful service. But importantly, you've been recognized by this this community for outstanding community service for years. Important roles honored by the Boy Scouts of America Chisum Trail Chapter and named Tarant County Banker of the Year in 2007 by the Tarant County Bankers Association. Many people may not realize you've also been incredibly busy helping enhance downtown Fort Worth, especially on the residential side. Mr. Simple was instrumental in the establishment of Jennings Place, a key contributor to the renaissance of residential development in downtown Fort Worth, where you continue your stewardship of that mixed income community. And for that, we are incredibly thankful. So, council, today for Mr. Simple, we just simply need to say thank you. Thank you for 50 years of amazing service to our community. Thank you for giving back. I see your sons and your grandkids at the ballpark very often, so I know that that community service spirit is still very strong. And importantly today we are just simply designating Bob Simple Day which is January 15 2026 as now therefore in the city of Fort Worth hereby designates this date January 15 2026 as Bob Simple Day in the city of Fort Worth in recognition of your lifelong educa dedication leadership and service to our community. Thank you Bob. >> Thank you very much. >> Of course you can. Well, thank you, mayor. And obviously, a lot of my uh recognition goes to my wife, too, who's been with me for 52 years. 54. We dated a couple of years. But thank you for this award. I'm really humbled by it. And I thank each and every one of you for the time you donate to the city. This is a wonderful city, great place to live and has been for my family to live, to work, to enjoy, to grow. It's been wonderful. So, thank you for your leadership and your time and thank you for this award. >> Appreciate you. Let's take a picture. >> Okay. Next will be a presentation of a rec of recognition honoring the Texas Forge Taekwondo and Teen Forge by Mayor Pro Tim Flores. Mayor and Council, while I get set up over here, I'm going to ask the members of the Taekwondo team to come up on either side of the podium with me, please. >> Carlos, we were really hoping that you were gonna, you know, have a competition yourself. So, I think we're disappointed. >> Hey, I'm out of their league. I took judo. >> Okay. Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Hey, they outnumbered me. That's not fair. All right, mayor and council, for this evening, uh we have, I think, about uh 10 folks that are up here with me representing the Texas Forge Taekwondo Group, which is uh you know, a proud business in the north side on Northwest 25th Street. We have Adelise and Zoe Munos, you know, with me here, and they're going to receive the recognition a little later after I give some words. Also attending are their parents uh Texas Forge instructors and two competition team athletes. One of them who is a US national team member. So I have this presentation here and it reads the Texas forge taekwondo and team forge in recognition of the 2025 USA taekwondo club of excellence award for girls and women development. City of Fort Worth proudly recognizes Texas Forge Taekwondo and Team Forge for receiving the 2025 USA Taekwondo Club of Excellence Award for Girls and Women Development. Founded in 2015 and opened to the public in 2017, Texas Ford Taekwondo is a veteranowned and familyowned martial arts school serving the north side and District 2 communities of Fort Worth. Rooted in respect, education, and character development, the school provides an inclusive and supportive environment for students ages 4 to 10. Uh, empowering individuals of all abilities to grow at their own pace. Mongon's family's taekwondo journey began under the guidance of Grandmaster Mongons Namkun Mas ninth Dan, the world's first woman to earn the rank of ninth Dan and a legendary figure in Taekwondo. Her teachings established a strong foundation of discipline, excellence, and leadership that continues to guide Texas forge today. Following Master Joe Mun's retirement from the US Army, the family returned to Fort Worth and opened a dojang to allow their daughters to continue training and competing at a worldclass level. Texas Fort Taekwondo is a safe and empowering place for girls and women of all ages to build strength, confidence, and resilience. The city proudly recognizes Master Aliss, a four-time world champion and current US national team coach, one of the youngest and few women to earn this distinction. And Master Zoey, founder of Ford Strong Her, a mentorship program dedicated to developing confidence, leadership, and community service among young girls. Guided by the core values and motto, honor, duty, family, Texas forge taekwond do exemplifies excellence, service, and empowerment. City of Fort Worth congratulates you and the distinguished national honor and celebrates your continued impact on our community. So therefore, presented on this 13th day of January, 2026, we have this special recognition for you. Zoe at least. Please send that to you. And you're more than welcome to give some words. Uh, I'd like to take a moment and uh thank uh Councilman Flores for this recognition, the city council, and to uh Mayor Parker. Uh we've been all over the world. I can uh assure you that. Uh competed uh heavily internationally, nationally, whatnot. Uh but we've always called Fort Worth home. Even though I took a little hiatus about 25 years, stationed all over the US, uh Fort Worth has always been my home. And uh we're proud to receive this this honor. Thank you very much. And like a bad dad joke, I say they dare kick ass. So, let's go up to the front and get a picture, please. Council members, mayor, if you'd like to come down and join us, please. >> Yep. Council member Hill, I believe you're next with presentation of recognition for anorex nervosa awareness. I would like to invite the members of the Keller Collegiate Academy to join me. While these ladies are coming up, this group has worked to raise awareness about anorexia by encouraging honest conversations, reducing stigma, and promoting early intervention through outreach interviews, social media. Their organization, a 501c3 named Nourish to Flourish, helps young people build healthier relationships with food and feel comfortable talking about eating disorders. I'm going to read this proclamation and we'll take a quick picture. Is that all right? Okay. Do you all want to say anything? Okay. No. Okay. Whereas anorexia anervosia is a serious psychiatric illness, a crisis affecting communities across the nation characterized by the restriction of energy intake and intense fear of gaining weight and distorted perception of one's body, it carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And whereas approximately 30 million people in the United States are diagnosed with an eating disorder during their lifetime and many individuals suffering from anorexia do not recognize the severity of their condition. And whereas early intervention is proven to save lives, yet harmful stigmas, social media trends, and cultural misconceptions often prevent timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. And whereas anorexia nervosia affects individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, though it is most prevalent among adolescents with nearly 40% of cases diagnosed between the ages of 14 and 19. And whereas Nourish to Flourish, a nonprofit organization founded by students at Keller Collegiate Academy in conjunction with HOSA with Health Occupational Students of America. I remembered that from high school. Uh dedicated to educating communities and raising awareness from anorexia nervosia through open dialogue, professional interviews, outreach efforts, and social media engagement. And whereas in just four months, Nourish to Flourish has reached an estimated audience of more than 30,000 individuals working to break stigmas, promote healthy relationships with food, and empower individuals to speak openly about eating disorders. And whereas Nourish to Flourish remains committed to expanding its impact and continuing its mission to save lives through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Now therefore, the city of Fort Worth does hereby proclaim January the 13, 2026 as Anorexia Awareness Day. Thank you girls for all that you do. and council. Our next item, we have a request to take an item out of order. Um, we're going to take up item 26-5703, which was on page 15 of the agenda. >> Thank you, Janette. And I want to ask Dave Lewis, our parks and recreation director, to come up as well because we're very lucky this evening to have a special guest. Representative Nicole Collier has taken the time to be here tonight um for a very important important reason and I'll let Dave introduce that and then invite Representative Collier up as well. >> Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council. We are very excited on behalf of the park and recreation department to announce that through the leadership of Representative Collier. We have received some additional dollars from the state which doesn't happen through this channel very often through the legislative writers program. It'll be administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. But again, with Representative Collier's leadership, we have additional money to add to the project at Sycamore Park. Very exciting. and it'll add more amenities to the facility immediately that has a master plan that we are currently implementing, but this will help uh speed that process up. We're very excited. >> Thank you, Dave. Representative Collier, thank you again for coming tonight. >> Absolutely. Uh to Mayor Parker, members of the city council, city manager, and city attorney, good evening. Um my name is Nicole Collier. I represent House District 95 and I've been um I was on the appropriations committee in the Texas legislature and one of the things that we look at besides funding a lot of the state agencies that do so many important things is looking at investing in community resources. Uh the Texas State Parks has been around for a 100red years. Uh and so we celebrated our centennial anniversary in 2023. But that is not all that Texas does with in terms of the parks. We make it a point to invest in those resources that create spaces that are inclusive for all people. Our parks are places that are welcoming, that provide the outdoor um resources and health benefits. They are economic boons to our economy. uh they are a boon to our economy and they provide safe spaces, fun places for people in the community to come together. And what I love about our parks is that they're open to all people. And so today, I want to present some funding that has been set aside specifically for Sycamore Park, which is in House District 95. We have a check for $1 million. that we're presenting because we know that the city of Fort Worth >> You're being a good Vanna there, Dave. >> Yeah. Thank you. Understands the importance of having safe spaces for all people. And so I want to thank you so much. I look forward to working with you to create uh the wonderful amenities and hopefully the city can take the money that you were going to use for this and reallocate it for other resources in the in the city. Uh but hopefully this can lessen that burden and be a benefit to all the people in the city of Fort Worth. Thank you. >> Thank you, Representative Collier. I know several of us may want to take a picture if that would be okay. Um and before I come down, you're you work incredibly hard for us in Austin. You also answer any phone call whether it's from TJ who's often in your office with different issues we have. Um I called you numerous times this session and for those that don't know the appropriations committee is a great responsibility but also is a ton of work and you spend countless hours and as a result for Worth benefits. So for that we're incredibly thankful. Mayor, we're ready for a motion on 26-5. >> I'll let Council Member Nettles have the floor. >> I'll try again there, Chris. >> Thank you, Dave, for uh having things ready. Thank you, Nicole, uh for representing us very strong in Austin, TJ, as well. So, I move for approval. >> Motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. Next will be items to be continued or withdrawn by staff. >> Oh, yes, sorry. >> Uh, we went we have one item to to be withdrawn. That's MNC25-1082. Mayor, next will be the con consent agenda speakers and I think we have four. >> Thank you, Janette. Our first is Bob Willoughby, followed by Chris Wood. Well, if you can get up here if you can see it or not. It don't really matter too much. What it is is part of our agenda here. And it's got a part on there where it talks about the CCPD funds match requirements. Now, the problem with the match requirements is that y'all just put that in a few years ago. And if you would have discussed it with the public, we would have said no. No freaking way. Match. That means they get all the money they want as long as someone matches it from these charities that are not trustworthy. Beck, don't look at me so funny. was a fast minute and a half. Um, the funds used to allow only $300,000 which was too much the people they gave it to anyway because they didn't know what they're doing with it. We needed audit on the CCPD funds. If we were to get an audit on these CCDB funds, millions of dollars are given out to see where this money is going. This would be one of the biggest scams in the United States. I grant you be up right with them. But Carlos, you're the chair. You're laughing, but you ran away. You won't take an open question about this. And you're the chair of it. So don't smile. I've asked you about this money. 300,000 a max. These people got over a million dollars. Rodney, an ex-con, a gang member, got $800,000. I saw him at Deborah People's meeting. I got to meet him. He came up and after talking to him, I realized he's not capable to have money. He's not qualified. I've been a business. I work for the Dallas Cowboys 30 years as a contractor. I know business. Also had the Olympics in 96 and 25 consecutive Super Bowls I work. I know business. He doesn't know anything about and you give him $800,000. You're giving us money and we don't know where it's going. So we need an audit. So before you give out any more money, we need a clear transparent audit so we can see. And if we were to get that, which we're working on it, Bill Source right now, our DA is not answering. He's got undisputable evidence on his document. You know what he says? He says, "I'm not going to dispute the evidence of the corruption." He says, "I'm just not going to answer is what he says. That's it. It is corrupt 100%." Our next speaker is Chris Wood, followed by Charlie Price. I'm Chris Wood. I strongly advocate for the acceptance of funds to reimburse overtime for the Fort Worth Police Department Fugitive Unit's participation in the US Marshall Service Violent Offender Task Force. This is not just a budgetary decision. It is a matter of public safety and justice. Fugitives at large threaten the safety of every Fort Worth resident. Research shows that strong task forces deter fugitives from committing violent crimes. They want to remain undetected and they don't want the attention that vicious crimes receive. One captured fugitive complained to his apprehenders, "How did you find me? I haven't been going anywhere or doing anything." This demonstrates the effectiveness of our efforts and the importance of maintaining a powerful fugitive apprehension program. Overtime is unavoidable. Stakeouts and surveillance often extend beyond regular working hours. Reimbursement funds allow our officers to dedicate the needed time and attention to safely apprehend fugitives without straining the city budget. Our task force delivers real results. About onethird of all fugitives are caught and highprofile offenders are even much more likely to be apprehended. Every successful capture brings justice for victims and peace of mind for families. Accepting funds for overtime cost catching fugitives helps keep Fort Worth citizens safe. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Charlie Price, followed by Adrienne Smith, Council and Mayor, and City attorney. And uh Jay, thank you for letting me talk today. I'm talking about a tax exemption on Meridian Apartments and Council Member Flores's district. Uh it's an apartment complex that's undergoing a major renovation and uh my board who are 80% Fort Worthians uh has asked me to be really involved with housing here in the city of Fort Worth. So we're involved as a general partner. So we are asking for a small tax exemption on this piece of property to pay for security upgrades. And it's an inherent right for people to be secure. I know that my house I have green cameras everywhere. Most these folks don't have any. They're low income. They're poor. And we're trying to give them the same the same stuff that most people get at their own house. So, we have to pay for this. And um as a general partner, these guys, these developers are saying, "Hey, you need to go out there and find money for this." So, we're asking for a tax exemption to do this. And it's just not money to put them in initially, but it's also money to continually monitor them, also to upgrade them, put new ones in when we find a area that we can't see on the cameras. Um, it's just an overall thing that we believe in because and what we have done in other apartment complexes, we have cut down police calls by doing this. So, we're asking for this tax exemption and I hope you can basically deny the M andcy that's on the consent agenda right now and uh I appreciate your time. Thanks. >> Our next speaker will be Adrienne Smith. Adrien Smith. I am one with the people. You going to use your time, Adrian? That's fine. You don't have to. Council, that's the conclusion of our consent agenda speakers. Thank you. Thank you. Got a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Please vote. Motion carries. Next will be upcoming and recent events, recognition of citizens, and approval of ceremonial travel if needed. >> Thanks, Janette. Our first up is Council Member Flores and then Council Larsdorf. Okay, great. Can we get the first slide up? Oh, there it is. Okay, wonderful. All right. Had the honor and privilege recently to introducing Israeli ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael Lighter. Congregation Havat Shalom presented his excellency with a special recognition from the mayor's office on behalf of Mayor Parker. Uh next slide, please. Attended the LUAC uh 102 uh chapter to Manudo and breakfast. We have these alternating between Dallas and Fort Worth. Um and the LUAC council, you know, sponsors these and at the Nobelon restaurant there in district 2. It was a good form for several speakers that are seeking uh public office. Next slide, please. All right. Oh, I think we need to back up one. Sorry, I was too quick on the slide changes. Uh there below uh every January, Castleberry Independent School District honors community volunteers on their school boards. Uh the theme for this year is our future is Castleberry. So, I presented the CISD board with a special recognition for January as school board recognition month in Fort Worth. And uh in case you're wondering why we're all wearing sunglasses on one of those bottom uh pics is that they alluded back to an old 80s song uh the future is bright or so bright you got to wear shade. So, hey, their idea it was cool to wear them. So, you know, lots of great stories from students that are aspiring to go to different places in their college career. So, congratulations, CISD. Now, we have announcements. All right. 136 years of legacy and the herd is still leading. So, that's something very impressive. They're more than a boine ambassador for the city. They are an emblem and an iconic one at that. from cattle drives and cow hands to western fashion and rodeo traditions. We're celebrating Fort Worth Stock Show and rodeo and this month it just amps it up to know that we have the herd and so just wanted to uh notate them notate their many years of legacy and representing Fort Worth. So from January 16th February 8th keep in mind this anniversary in Western fashion roundup and that's all I have. Thank you, Carlos. Next up, Council >> Larsdorf. 30day followup with some of the plans that we heard from from the community. So, uh please let come out come out let us know what you want um so we can talk about it in the bond. I believe that's it. >> Thank you Charlie. Council member Peoples >> and council I want to start by highlighting we had a very busy end of the year and start of the year but so the reason I put this up here for those of you who talk a lot about economic development uh you go oh she's highlighting a Chick-fil-A. It's just not any Chick-fil-A. This Chick-fil-A is owned and operated by an amazing, extraordinary woman, Carmensa Meno Moreno, who is an immigrant from South America and started to work at Chick-fil-A many years ago as a cook. She now owns two of the largest grossing Chick-fil-Ass in the area. And she her story is extraordinary. and I wanted to make sure that we highlighted her to show what immigrants can do for our country. So, uh, it's there off Eastchase and 30. So, stop by. Every time I've been by there, there's a line that's out to the street. So, good luck getting some good food. So, the next slide I do is I want to talk about the partnership between church and community. The Potter's House of Fort Worth that resides in district five uh recently did a Christmas toy giveaway for the children of incarcerated uh uh residents of the of the county and they did this in conjunction with the Taran County Sheriff's Office. Uh Mayor Pro Tim Carlos Flores joined me there. I think Mayor Parker you were there earlier. It is probably one of the most meaningful and uh moving events that I've been to this year. And uh to see those children get be able to pick out toys, but to know that many of them were picking out toys for their siblings so that to make sure that they had a great Christmas. So I want to thank the potter's house and the sheriff's department for what they did. Then keeping on the next slide with the vendor with uh economic development there at the corner of um Oakland and uh Interstate 30 is Kittindon Plaza and they recently opened a vendor market for a lot of small businesses in the area and so it was fun to be there and Santa was also there and uh I got to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. And in the next uh slide then um so I want to thank the Rainwater Foundation for doing this. Although it's a picture of me and my sister, the story core is a national project that uh NPR does and the Rainwater Foundation reached out to the community and they interviewed such amazing citizens as Opal Lee and Jared Howard to talk about the new Junth Museum. Bob Ray Sanders and his amazing sister uh Brenda I mean his niece Brenda Sanders wise and so just uh a great group of people. These stories are available for anyone to listen to to hear about uh our community. And then the next thing I wanted to talk about is I want to thank the Fort Worth Police and specifically Commander Antoine Williams for working with me to put together a community conversation in response to uh a very tragic uh incident that happened in District 5 over the holidays. And what we did was we were able to bring the community together to talk about how we address gun violence uh among teens and engage in solutions. It was well attended. We had over 107 uh uh residents who signed up and participated. I want to thank Assistant City Manager William Johnson for being there. Chief Eddie Garcia for being there and uh Councilman Mayor Pro Tim Carlos Flores for being there. Also, Councilwoman Janette Martinez sent her team there to help and there will be more that comes out of it. But we heard from many uh students across the area and they want their voices to be heard. So, we're going to look at putting together a citywide teen summit. So, more on that. Um more on that to come. And then the final thing as a result next slide of that uh community conversation uh we'll be working with the NPO from that district will be hosting a community fellowship breakfast. Many people wanted to know what the next steps were. So I'm inviting you all to come out on Saturday, January the 24th at 10 in the morning. will be at the six on Avenue G in Fort Worth to continue the conversation of how we uh mitigate and end uh teen gun violence not only in district 5 but across the city. And so, Mayor, uh that's all I have, but that's a lot. >> Thank you, Council Member Peoples. Council member Hall. There we go. Thank you, Mayor All right. Um, first up, I wanted to say that I got the pleasure of attending my very first city council retreat on December 19th. Um, it was a great opportunity to learn from my fellow colleagues, learn a lot about each other, our work styles, and um, I look forward to, um, the impact that that session will have um, on our I guess our our dealings here as city council. Next slide. Um, on December 22nd, uh, I had the pleasure of working with the ladies of D6 with, um, the Work onMe, um, nonprofit. They hosted an annual toy drive over in the Crowley community. And so, you'll see us there handing out toys. We had toys for all ages. And, um, it was a great time and and a great way to give back during the holiday season. Next slide. Um, on January 7th, um, I had the pleasure of meeting with Kevin Davies. He's the general manager for Helen Mall. Uh Hen Mall. We all know Hen Mall. I've been shopping at Hen Mall since a little girl, but um for the to discuss the opportunities that we have for retail and commercial development in District 6. So I look forward um I enjoy the conversation. I look forward to the opportunities that we have to partner and collaborate um as we bring u more development to D6. Uh next slide. Um on January 9th, uh I had the pleasure of working with and meeting with Dr. Cap, Dr. Rachel Capua over at Charlton Fort Worth, the official University of District 6. I love that. Um we had a great time um just discussing the many partnerships that Charlton um has created uh not only just with Crowley ISD with Fort Worth ISD the number of students that are coming how the uh campus is growing um some of the infrastructure challenges and how we're going to partner to find solutions but just most importantly how Charleton is one of the oldest um universities uh participating here in Fort Worth and the opportunity that we have to partner um in the D6 community. Next slide. Um, just a few reminders. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo that used to be my life through Junior League, now is also my life through city council. It starts on um the uh 16th and will go through February 7th. This Saturday is the All Western parade. So, it starts 11:00 a.m. down here downtown. I will be there. Hope to see you there. Next slide. Also, this weekend, and it's a busy one, the Greater Fort Worth Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee is presenting the parade. uh the MLK Day parade and rally. Um it will be on Monday, January 19th at 11:00 a.m. Um would love to see you there as well. Next slide. Um the District 6 office uh will be participating in the point in time count on January 22nd, 2026. It's a a time where um we take a census account of those of our neighbors that who are experiencing homelessness in our community. that will start at 5:30. I believe that they're still looking for volunteers. So, if you're interested, um, just reach out. We'd love to give information about that. Next slide. Also, this month is time for our next quarterly town hall meeting for District 6. We'll be hosting it at Charleton State um on Thursday, January 29th at 6 PM. We have special guest Commissioner Rodri Miles joining us who'll be providing an update in a year in review on what's going on in precinct 1. Um, and you'll also hear what's been going on in uh, District 6 and what's come District 6 and what's coming up here in 2026. Next slide. And that is it. Happy New Year, District 6. Thank you so much for your time, >> Council Member Nettles. >> All right, I have a few slides. The first slide is uh Reese Properties Connection annual toy drive giveaway uh awesome event. Next slide please. We went over to Reverend Datress Church where the Fort Worth five Lowe's and Two Fish Outreach annual community Christmas giveaway free haircuts, clothes, bikes, etc. Next slide. Moving quickly, the 74th annual ambassadors of forward debut time presentation. I was joined by other elected officials such as council uh constable Michael Campbell, Deborah Peoples, Alisa Simmons, and Shikina CC Watkins. Next slide. On Saturday, I attended Brenda Wise uh Santa's retirement, a celebration for 17 dedicated years at the museum in District 8. And I believe those are all my slides. >> Council member Beck. Listen, y'all might as well drag a dead horse into the well right here because I am never going to stop beating it. So just shout out to my friend down there on the dis. Thank you for your service. I appreciate it. Next slide. Okay. First up, um, we >> can we go back to that slide, please? We'll just leave that up through my pres. Thanks. I'll just Y'all don't need to see my pictures. We'll just look at Marin Corps the rest of the the rest of the time. Okay. So, we did dedicate a mural on Loaden Street. It actually um one side is district nine, the other side is district 11. So I was joined by uh Councilwoman Martinez as we dedicated that. Um big thanks to the parks department for um being uh having this really great program. Um and the kids of I am Terrell who u developed this mural and painted it. Next slide. Right. So uh holidays in district 9 were lots of fun. As you see, we got to uh meet with several Santaas across the district. They both assured me that I was on the u the nice list. So um I don't know that's what they said. Next slide. Um also the same day, I don't know if I believe them, but they did. Um same day we also had the opportunity to speak um and be part of the red uh the Fred Rouse memorial um ribbon cutting. And that was a really special event. Um if you don't know, there was a gentleman in Fort Worth that was tragically lynched, Mr. Fred Ralph and um his family members and members of the community have really worked hard to make sure that his leg his name and legacy lives on and that we do our part to make sure we're remembering um those parts of our history that make us uncomfortable. So, it was um really an honor to get to be part of that. Next slide. All right, we'll move quickly because you've already heard a lot of these, but this weekend we do have the forward stock show parade starting at 11 a.m. There will be street closures downtown. They begin at 9:00. So, if you're looking to get down there, please be aware of that. Next slide. Um the 19th at 11:00 a.m. um is the MLK Day parade and rally. The rally will be held in Sunday at Square. Next slide. As you heard, uh my colleague, Council Member Hall, speak. Um the point in time count is coming up January 22nd. Check-in starts at 5. It says it goes till um till midnight. I will say um every year I've been done before then. So don't let that uh late night deter you. They still are in need of volunteers. If you have never taken the opportunity to volunteer for this particular project, I would highly encourage you to do so. Um you go out with an NPO and um and you quite literally interact with and count the um homeless members of our community so that we can uh best address the problem. Um next slide. Okay. No regrets with egrets coming up in district 9. So, January 28th at 6 PM at the Southwest Community Center, we will be um hosting a town hall about how to protect your property from the dreaded egrets um that are swarm down on our um city once a year. Next slide. Uh the January 29th at 6 p.m. there will be a virtual meeting um for the South Hills um Cochril um Avenue area water and sewer replacement. Next slide. Okay. And last but not least, uh January 31st from 10 to 12, um the Greenbryer Community Center Health Fair will take place. And that's all I've got. Council member Martinez. Thank you, Mayor. And I apologize. I do have a few slides this evening. So just over the Christmas holiday, our office partnered with Reese Property Connections and LULAC Council 4568 to provide toys for children. And I just I'm so grateful for organizations such as these and groups uh and also all the local groups that come together to bring holiday cheer and joy to our children and families. Next slide. Okay. On January 8th, the great Greater Meetbrook Alliance and Partnering Neighborhood Associations hosted a community conversations with uh Chief Garcia. Thank you, Chief Garcia. I think you're gone, but for being part of the event. I know they really appreciated you spending time with them and answering uh all the questions that evening. Next slide. Awesome. I'd like to request your assistance uh in sharing the Poly Main Street Transformation Strategy Survey with your network. Uh this survey is part of the ongoing effort to support revitalization, economic development, and community engagement within the Polytenic Heights District. Uh the deadline is January 19th and if you have a few minutes I encourage you to complete the survey or feel free to share it and you can find this um on our social media pages if you don't do the QR code now. Next slide please. Uh there are several events coming coming up in District 11. The first one will be the Frostworth Fest on January 17th at Gateway Park. Uh this event will feature a vendor market where you can buy unique items from local artists and craftsmen, food truck corps and karaoke. In the evening there will be glow DJ dance party. This is familyfriendly event so bring your kids, parents and friends. There will be games and activities for everyone. I hope to see you there. Next slide. On January 17th, the Eugene McCrae Community Center is hosting an MLK Day celebration at 10:00 a.m. Uh there is also another uh MLK parade in Fort Worth on the east side. This is in conjunction with the 8th annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade occurring um the same day, the the one in uh Eugene McCrae. The parade and celebration starts at 11:00 am. Uh the parade will kick off at 2026 Amanda Avenue and will follow Remy Miller and down Woolburgger to end at Eugene McCrae Community Center. So it kind of touches district uh it starts at district 5 and then it touches district 8 and 11 down and ends at 11. On January 23rd, Victory Force Community Center will host a midyear back to school event. The purpose of this event is to provide students with a school supply refresh for the spring semester. They'll also have games, uh, food and activities for everyone. Um, they are still accepting donations. So, if you have, if your students have any, uh, supplies that y'all, you know, you purchase too much, if you could please consider donating them to the community center. Next slide. A Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth is hosting an open house on January 26th. You can take a tour of their clinic and learn about volunteer opportunities. Um, a lot of people don't know about this wonderful uh, clinic within Fort Worth. Uh it it's a nonprofit organization that provides free healthc care to uninsured adults who live in 76104, 76110, and 76115 zip codes. They offer checkups, well-women visits, dentistry, and some laboratory and prescription services. If you know anyone who could benefit from their services, please be sure to refer them to the clinic. Uh Victory Forest Community Center is hosting an art show on February 13th. The art show features local high school students whose art tells the story of the African-American experience, achievements, and rich history. This is in partnership with the Aean Carter Museum of American Art and Fort Worth ISD. Next slide. And you've already heard about the MLK parade in downtown Fort Worth uh on Monday. So, we can go to the next slide. And please save the date for the District 11 town hall, which will be taking place on March 28th. Uh the location and time is still to be determined. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Martinez. That's the conclusion of our announcements, council. That gets us to non-consent speakers. Thank you, Janette. Our first speaker is Bob Willoughby, followed by EJ Kerrion. I'll tell you, you cut us down to two minutes and you take all the time in the world you want. It's like us listen to your celebrity show. Um, now this is about it's not up there so no one knows what we're talking about. You're talking about putting back two minutes. I meant putting back uh two meetings for the comment should go away. And here's what happened. When you were placed in office, you were trusted with the power that comes with the office. that has gone to your head and you abused the power that was entrusted to you before 2021. And you, Parker, Mayor Parker, the citizens had four times a month of free speech at council meetings. Since then, you moved it down to two times a month is what you did. And you got away with four years, not much resistant. Then you thought, well, we'll move it down to one more is what we're doing, right? This is what we're talking about right now. You moved it down to one more a month and you got resistance. So now you're going to put back the one is what you're going to vote on the one. But you're still leaving two out. Quit playing games. Put our council agenda back the way it was before you sat in that seat. Mayor Parker, put it all the way back like it was. And if you want to change it, change it with the people, not you. You're too conceited. You people are most self-conceited people I ever seen. We get here, we got to sit and watch five minutes of slideshows up there on the screen. If I was a council member, I wouldn't let you put my picture up there like that. No way. You people think you're And then we got to sit here and watch this thing. I've asked you to move this to the bottom. your announcements to the bottom so that we you get out of here early too because you see no one's here to watch you and let these people go home. They're here for zoning cases. They got to go to work tomorrow. They're not on payroll. And you think they want to watch your show? Well, I'm saying you can keep your show, but put it at the end of the bottom like you had us. The public presentation is not on this agenda. They took it off completely. When Maddie got in here, I asked her to move it to the top like other cities. She did. She moved it to the top right through the roof and right out of the building. No free speech on council meetings. Put it back. That's real simple. That will do so many things. They put the meetings back at 7 o'clock. It just do so many things in one whack. What she's done is unreal. Thank you, Conrad. Mayor >> EJ Kerrion followed by William Winston. >> All right, everyone. Um, so I know I've been coming pretty fierce, uh, pretty ferocious and intense to this council. Uh, I want you to know when that started was my first ever speaking at this council was after the racial gerrymander vote when Tim O'Hare silenced tens of thousands of black and brown voters of Fort Worth where our vote matters less at the county level. And so when I was there in April, what I shared with you guys, I said that if Tarant County is the largest swing county in America from a political perspective with Fort Worth being 47% of the county, we are the front lines. So your seat is the front lines of democracy. And so this intensity comes from seeing that. And that's the importance of how we need to move in this role. And so I'm upset that we're here talking about public comments, the most fundamental basics of democracy when we should be talking about ICE and Magnolia right now. And um Garcia being saying that because Minnesota didn't work with the police, didn't work with ICE is the reason why Renee Good is not here. Things like that, you know, Pete Hexf at Lheed Martin and us have being a war machine. These are the things I would like to be talking to you. But today I'm showing up this these people are showing up to talk to you about public comments. And so with public comments, if that's what we're going to talk about at a basics, we should get our three minutes every time. I would like to request that. I would also like to request that we get to be on the on it first. And if we're going to cut time, I thought actually Bob Willoughy's idea that y'all's presentations get cut to two minutes. I think that would be a good idea so that we can have our three minutes. Um, and so you can hear from us. We're not here to listen to you. Also, a virtual option would be nice as well. And, uh, I also think these clappings, I'm glad you guys are allowing people clapping. And that's kind of some of the basics of what we should do to bring back democracy. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is William Winston, followed by Allison Fitzgerald. I am Father William Winston. Thank you for bringing the possibility of restoring the public comments to your 2026 meetings. This gesture will do a lot to restore our faith in your goodwill. I know the prospect of more public comments. It's more of an act of duty and the attendant respons attendant responsibilities of elected officials than something any of you would happily do. But the restoration of more public comments is important and significant to the community you serve. Throughout the public comments, I would ask that you pay primary attention to what is being said to you, separate and distinct from who is saying it, how they are saying, and what they look like. The heart of these comments is in the words. If you pay attention to the words, you will inescapably feel the emotions, commitments, and hopes of the speakers. As you well know, each of us speakers speak on behalf of a lot of other people in Fort Worth. We are not here alone. Consequently, we I have two specific requests. First, that the allotted time becreased to three minutes. Few people are skilled enough to condense their points, emotions, and hopes into two minutes. Second, that the public comments be at the first part of the agenda. This is important. In the public comments, there will be some points made that will have a direct impact on your deliberations, sometimes in ways that you never expected. Insights and perspectives that you have not considered. And that if you don't have those perspectives as part of your deliberations, you may well make avoidable mistakes that will only play themselves out in a lot of difficult ways. As our city council, we look to you to calm our fears and to consider our disappointments. These are some of the reasons we need to speak to you more often and feel that you hear us. Thank you. >> Allison Fitzgerald will be followed by Jeremy Pope. Good evening. My name is Allison Fitzgerald and I live in District 3. I'm here to encourage you to adopt to the revised calendar that allows for more public speaking opportunities. I was born and raised in Fort Worth and I've raised my family here. I love my city. I volunteer at the Fort Worth Public Library. I visit our amazing local theaters and museums regularly. and I've worked in several local school districts. I believe that I add value to this city. These people add value to our city. I've never wanted to live anywhere else because Fort Worth has always been all that I needed. I'm asking you to return the threeminut time limit on public speaking. Give the citizens time to clearly voice their thoughts and opinions. I'm asking that you put public comments at the beginnings of the meeting. I'm asking that you add back the virtual option of being able to speak at a meeting. I also ask that you allow healthy engagement at these meetings. I have to be honest, at each city council meeting that I have attended, you all look pretty bored, and that's pretty insulting to us. We take the time to craft our comments and we expect you to be engaged with us and I like hearing from the people behind me while I speak. It's encouraging to me. We are here to talk with you about our city, the city that we love and we're deeply invested in. But to be told as soon as the meeting begins that we can be escorted out or arrested merely for showing our support by clapping for someone who is speaking, that makes it seems like y'all really don't care what we have to say. Makes us feel like you don't want to hear from us at all. And that's a dangerous path for our leaders to take. Thank you. Jeremy Pope will be followed by Anne Zeta. >> Never realized how much you could see my bald head when coming down the aisle. My name is Jeremy Pope and I'm a resident of District 5. I'm here because your most important responsibility is to listen to the people you serve. The ceremonies and photos may come with the role, but they are secondary. You cannot represent us if you are unwilling to hear us. Guaranteeing speakers three minutes, no matter how many sign up, is not excessive, though it seems it was tonight. Um, it is the bare minimum, the bare minimum owed to the residents who entrusted you with this responsibility. Listening may not always feel comfortable, but that discomfort is part of leadership. We're also asking that public comment be placed first on the agenda. Many residents cannot sit here for hours. They're balancing work, child care, health concerns, and transportation challenges. Respect for your constituents means respecting the realities of their lives. Those who truly value transparency should speak up when efforts are made to limit or silence public input. That is not a moment for silence. That is a moment for courage. And we are watching for it. And you all do look really bored. Peaceful disagreement is not a threat. A small sign or respectful applause should not create fear or intimidation. People deserve to participate in democracy without feeling punished for it. Virtual options must also be restored. Many can't be here physically. Many who can't be here physically still deserve a voice. It is disappointing we even have to fight for something this basic. But I am hoping you will choose integrity, accountability, and respect for the people of this city. Please do the right thing. Our community is engaged, organized, and we will remember those who honored our voices. Thank you. >> Ann Zeta, followed by Chris Wood. >> I signed up for two items. Am I going to get called up for the second item or do I need to cover both of them in one? Okay, I'm going to leave the public comments that I had because they've been wellstated by by others and I'm going to cut to the power plant historic designation. On behalf of the board of community design Fort Worth, I wanted to mention also that AIA Fort Worth contributed a letter of support for this action. We appreciate the city for moving promptly to designate the former power plant on Panther Island as a local historic landmark. The building currently owned by Tarant County College and offered for sale is an important civic and industrial artifact that merits protection now as Panther Islands redevelopment can include thoughtful public oriented reuse rather than irreversible demolition. Historic designation can be recognized um as a positive and a helpful thing and we should encourage people to be educated and informed about the invaluable opportunities of anchoring the riverfront with this public service of reuse. designation does not preclude redevelopment. It creates conditions of adaptive reuse that retains character while attracting investment in programs that will serve residents and visitors. A clear protected future for the building will enhance Panther Island's identity, strengthen its continuity between Fort Worth's past and future and expand a range of opportunities. I sent a letter to all of you from the board of community design for Worth and I appreciate those of you who um acknowledge that the receipt of that letter and I really appreciate that you have this on the agenda for this evening and hope that you will all vote in favor of it. Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Chris Wood followed by Mindia Whittier. I'm Chris Wood. I support the revised schedule for 2026 city council meetings. The schedule includes a public comment section on each regularly scheduled business meeting and eliminates the current standalone public comment meetings. This revised schedule aligns with the first amendment of the US Constitution where the founding fathers establish the right for citizens to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This means citizens have the right to communicate with government officials and express concerns to them. This is considered a fundamental right to free speech and is a key aspect of a democratic system because council members have been more likely to attend business meetings and less likely to attend standalone public comment meetings. This plan improves the likelihood citizens can directly address a specific council members. Also, I have never seen a business council meeting canceled, but I have seen standalone comment meetings called off. At one point, three straight months, there were no comment meetings due to either cancellation or not even being scheduled. So, this enhanced schedule will help ensure that another gap like this does not occur in the future. In conclusion, the revised schedule aligns with the US Constitution and give citizens ample opportunity to consistently bring issues to city council. If this resolution passes, I am not giving city council a letter grade. If I received a letter grade for every diet that I messed up, I'd have a report card a mile long full of Fs. Instead, if this passes, I give the council a gold star. This star and $3, I'll get you a cup of coffee. Thank you. Mindia Whitiger, followed by Andrew Tori. There are two reasons I support amending council's meeting schedule. By separating public comment into standalone meetings where no meaningful votes are taken, council members could avoid accountability without missing official city business. This structure has provided cover for attendance to be optional. Some of you took full advantage of that. The revised schedule at least restores a more reasonable number of opportunities for the public to provide comment. And I'm calling on you to do even better. The current schedule was just approved in October. Why the sudden change of heart? It's because of another proposal which arose in December for a charter amendment so council members can receive a pay increase. Those of you who voted for the restrictive public comment schedule in October didn't change course because it's the right thing to do. You capitulated because it's the politically expedient thing to do. Having grossly restricted public engagement threatens your campaign to secure votes for a pay increase. So, I'm calling on you to do the right thing in the first place. I'm also calling on you to codify strict parameters under which speaking time can be reduced below three minutes. This should only be done when all other methods have been exhausted to facilitate public comment such as extending meeting times, adding comment periods, or scheduling special public hearings, not for photo ops like Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. Additionally, the presiding officer should not unilaterally reduce speaking time below the established minimum. It should be approved by a majority vote of the council only under emergency conditions and accompanied by a written justification entered into the public record. Restoring comment to more meetings is a step in the right direction, but two-minute limits imposed at the discretion of the mayor are still a barrier. And I will say I agree with Bob Willoughby. Put your presentations limited to two minutes at the bottom of the agenda. Andrew Tory followed by Wesley Kirk. >> Good evening. My name is Andrew Tory and I'm a resident of Council District 5. I'm here today to speak in favor of council proposal 335 brought forth by Councilman Nettles and Crane. To you, Councilman Nettles, in your statement to the Fort Worth report in an article published on January 8th, you stated, "What you've seen is people came out here basically using their time to say, "Give us our right back." And I'd like to say I agree with your usage of the word right in that statement. As I tried to articulate last week when I spoke, I argue that public comments are a form of petitioning one's local government, which is a First Amendment right. And the vote to reduce public comments last fall was an infringement on that right. While I'm pleased to know this proposal has bipartisan support, and I believe it's a good step in the right direction, more progress must be made specifically on the matter of time aotment and ver in a virtual option. You know, it takes effort for citizens of this city to show up to council meetings here in downtown Fort Worth on a Tuesday evening and recite their prepared remarks. And every citizen that does put in the effort should know that the council is going to respect that and guarantee three minutes to speak. Cutting down everybody's time aotment last minute is just a slap in the face to each of us and denigrates the concerns that citizens speak on at these meetings. issues I've heard addressed here, such as gun violence, police brutality, and soil contamination, really do deserve at minimum three minutes to speak on. Also, I'd like to see citizens be able to call into these meetings and address the council virtually. Workingclass families, those with disabilities, or those with unreliable means of transportation in this city should have ample means of petitioning their local government. If council members have an opportunity to attend meetings virtually, then so should citizens have the opportunity to address the council virtually. It should be a two-way street, no double standards. Let's be better and do better in 2026. And let's start by passing council proposal 335. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Wesley Kirk, followed by Jerry Tracy. I want to thank Chris Nettles for leading the charge to fix public comment and Michael Crane for bringing the issue back. And to all the council members who are about to vote in favor of restoring public comments back to what it should be, an opportunity to hear from your constituents. It feels like some of you have looked down on the very idea of public comment as a waste of time, as merely a chance for the rabble rousers to air their later latest grievances. But I trust you know in your hearts that it is far more than that. It is a right in a democracy to address our government. It is a chance for us as residents to bring problems to light and a chance for us to offer solutions, which is what I would like to help do today. During the pandemic, it was finally possible to address the city council virtually, which opened up opportunities for many who have often been left out of the conversation, such as working families, caregivers, those with transportation barriers, those with disabilities. When you took away the virtual option, you took away their access. some of the most vulnerable and hardworking among among us whose voices desperately matter. I urge you to bring back the public options so their voices can be heard again. Another recent barrier has been the sudden and arbitrary limits to people's time. For as long as I've been attending city council meetings, people have always had three minutes to speak. Many spend hours writing their speeches, rehearsing them, rewriting them to fit within the time limit. They take off work, arrange child care, drive long distances, and patiently wait for their turn to speak to each of you, to those here in this room, and to those watching online. When you cut that time, especially with little to no notice, you are telling the residents of Fort Worth that you don't care what they have to say. You don't care what sacrifices they made to be here, that they don't matter, and you don't respect them. I urge you to guarantee three minutes for every individual speaker at council meetings. Putting public comment back at every regular council meeting is a great step towards allowing residents to address concerns, and I commend y'all for that. But it still doesn't fix what's broken. Right now is a golden opportunity for you as a council to make clear the fact that you respect your constituents, that you want us to be included, that you want to hear what we have to say, and make sure that no one takes away that right again. I'm looking forward to see how each of you vote. >> Our next speaker is Jerry Tracy, followed by Mindy Tacket. Good even. This is really quite a microphone. Good evening, Mayor Parker and council members. My name is Jerry Tracy and I am the executive director of a charity 501c3 uh Historic Fort Worth, Inc. Um, since 2005, Historic Fort Worth has been more than concerned about the future of our 1911 Bozart style power plant. Uh, that was the year the smoke stacks were demolished for fear that they were dangerous. uh we sought the advice of a power plant specialist in the northeast of our country who was willing to come down and it just didn't make any sense at that time to the people who owned it and that ownership has changed hands. We look back again in 2012 and appreciate the efforts of Dr. Elizabeth Lden, who brought her Texas Tech architecture students to Fort Worth to scan the power plant and to propose a variety of uses. Also in 2012, John C. Rosado, managing partner of the historic Seahome power plant project in downtown Austin, Texas, accepted an invitation from historic Fort Worth to serve as our Samuel Bitttony lecturer. and he came and spoke on the complexities and benefits of their public private partnership that generated a lot of economic development uh around the power plant. Is that it? >> 30 seconds. >> Yes. >> 30 seconds, please. >> Three seconds. Okay. Well, today we are here to support the city of Fort Worth's work with Tarant County College for a highly significant endangered landmark nomination for the power plant. Lastly, as ready kilowatt TXU's mascot, some of you may remember often said, "Just plug me in and I'm ready." Instead, let's plug in the historic designation. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Mindy Tacket, followed by Pierce Whiteside. Good evening, everybody. Um, I want to say thank you to those on this council who have listened to the public and are taking action to reinstate public comment. I hope you will continue in that spirit by ensuring that every resident is afforded a full three minutes to address this body. There are many important issues that residents look forward to engaging with you on through public comment. One such issue is the need to incre increase compensation for council members to a fair living wage that reflects the responsibilities of this role and allows a broader range of people to serve. I actually do support that because I think more people shouldn't, you know, pay shouldn't be a hindrance and it's much harder for any of us to publicly present uh ideas like that uh if our opportunities to do so are cut. And topics like that can take a full three minutes. Um Ann tonight had to choose, I guess, between her her two things that she wanted to speak on because she only had two minutes. Um that that makes no sense to me. But again, thank you all for your time, your consideration. I urge the council to follow through on its commitment to transparency and public engagement by returning to a broad public comment schedule that serves all residents. Thank you guys. >> Pierce Whiteside will be followed by Steven Bryant. >> Good evening everyone. I'm from uh District 9. First and foremost, I want to say thank you for having us here this evening to express our First Amendment rights. I'm honored to be a part of this democratic process here in my city that I've lived in for my entire life, which is exactly why I'm here today to express the importance of public comments. We're a nation of equals. And I believe that is something our institutions and leaders, y'all, have seemingly lost sight of in these past few tumultuous years. The position that all of you sit in are elected by us, which we are thankful for. You are public servants who are meant to listen to your constituents and make informed decisions about their wants, needs, and in order to pass laws and embolden the freedoms we are privileged to here in the United States. Um most of those freedoms is equal representation and freedom of speech. We as citizens of this great nation are owed a right to express our thoughts and concerns on decisions that are being made that will uh directly affect us. We deserve the freedom to question, criticize, congratulate the laws that are being passed or proposed. Um, people should be able to express their disagreements, their booze, their nays without being threatened to be pulled away for arrest by an officer. Not only is this a common sense decision, but it is constitutionally protected. Furthermore, as a good friend pointed out to me, the act of having the amount of times that we as citizens of Fort Worth are allowed to attend public comments is like ignoring half the phone calls you get from your boss, your landlord, or your mother. Jokes aside, we put you here. We voted for you here. And once again, we're thankful, but you have an important job to do, and that is to represent us. I'm asking for 3 minutes, no more, no less. Um, I feel it is only fair for you to listen to the comments of the people individually for three minutes at the beginning of each session. We take time out of our days to be here. Y'all are servants to us, not royalty. Uh, we're not here to argue with y'all. We are here to have a discussion and work in tandem in order to create a bigger and better Fort Worth. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in this room, knows the city is going places. So, let's work together, council, to make this a better and more free American city. Thank you. >> Steven Bryant, followed by Skyler Thought. >> Good evening. I'm Steven Bryant. I want to personally thank Councilman Nettles and Councilman Crane for championing uh the restoration of public comments and the other council members who also signed on. Having looked over the document, I have a few adjustments I'm proposing under the same guidelines of enhancing efficiency, public engagement, and responsible growth. Every speaker has the full and dedicated three minutes to speak, no matter how many people are signed up to speak. These people made the choice to be here before the council in person, and giving them the whole aotted time shows respect for not only their opinion, but also shows that the council genuinely cares about what their constituents have to say, even if it is nothing more than a complaint. Bring back the virtual option, public comment. Emboldening responsible growth by bringing back the option to share public comments virtually not only saves the speaker time, but also makes speaking before the council more accessible. As the 11th, soon to be the 10th largest city in the nation, it would be a disservice not to give constituents an online option. Especially in a digital world where work meetings are held online and council members himself have been seen attending via video when they could not be physically present. bring public public comments to the front of the agenda instead of the back. In the spirit of enhancing public engagement, more people would be open to willing to speak to the council if they knew that they didn't have to long wait times. If they knew they didn't have long wait times just for their three minutes. Uh I invite you to let them speak first and then stick around for the meeting if they would like to. And number four, if for whatever reason it is necessary to cut time for the speakers, have it be a votebased decision by the attending council members to include the mayor at the beginning of the meeting. This delegates power to all the council members and doing it in front of us gives reasoning that is it is indeed necessary and not arbitrary. In closing and using the same guidelines of the original document, there would be no additional fiscal cost to do these things. It is legal and within the authority of the city council and it would help the city stay more connected to their representatives which is what we all want at the end of the day. Thank you. >> Steven Bryant followed by Skyler Theat. I'm sorry that was Stephen apologies. Skyler Theat followed by Sabrina Ball. >> Good evening. I'm Skyler Tio. It's French. I uh I totally understand. I have spent 20 years of my life living in Plano, Texas, then 10 years of my life living in Dallas, Texas. And I've now been in Fort Worth for one year. And in the year that I've been here, I felt more civic pride for Fort Worth than I ever did for Dallas or Plano. And I I actually never went to a city council meeting in Dallas. And I only went to a city council meeting in Plano to get my citizen citizenship in the nation mayor badge for my Eagle Scout. Um, but I'm here tonight because I love this city already and I have met some amazing people who are very interested in making this city as great as it can be. And if I didn't care about it, I wouldn't have come. And I think it's important that citizens of this city can have the chance to come here and speak at the start of the meeting. I think when you put comment at the end, it it serves to make it seem less important. And I think that it's also important to ensure that people have the right for the full three minutes. If there is a reason why that doesn't happen, I think that that should be voted on and made explicit. And I think a virtual option makes sense for the entire citizenship. Um, a lot of us have a lot of opportunities to be mobile and make it here tonight, but many don't. And I think it's important that those same people have the opportunity to come here as well. And so I thank you for what each of you do on a individual human level. Um, I'm very proud to be from district 2 as well. But I also think that because of that, there's more we can do and that we can uh make this city even better for uh my daughter who loves us as well and will hopefully be up here someday as well. Thank you. Sabrina Ball followed by David Rodriguez. We've been accused of doing this for sound bites. When you force people to compress their concerns into short phrases, that's what you're going to get. Last week, I had to cut a lot of nuance out of my comments to hit two minutes, and I failed. I'm probably going to do it again. It's frustrating. It's a waste of everyone's time. The concerns we bring here as Fort Worth families are warranted and there are facts I couldn't share simply because of time. I know exactly what happens when public comment is constrained because I lived it at Fort Worth ISD. I started making public comment at schoolboard meetings to advocate for very specific needs that directly affected students and families. When our speaking time was cut, meaningful advocacy became impossible. This is already hard. Public comment should not be intimidating by design. I learned from the most practiced public commenters, your friends at Mercy Culture Church, and groups like Patriot Mobile. While families were trying to advocate for classroom needs, those groups flooded the boardroom to fight culture wars like opposing sexed. The result was predictable. The voices of actual students, educators, and families were drowned out. And we saw what happened there. That's the lesson I'm bringing here. When you restrict public comment, you don't elevate civility. You privilege the loudest, most organized interests. And yes, I know that can be me. This should be a place where regular Fort Worth families can hear from one another about what's happening in our city and where they can participate easily. A full 3 minutes, virtual participation, and putting public comment first on the agenda ensures that public square actually functions as one. Some of the issues I care about, I wouldn't know about if I didn't hear it here. That doesn't happen in private appointments. It happens in public. And at the end of the day, we don't want sound bites either. We want a com a community space that values Fort Worth residents. You may not always be comfortable with what we bring here, but if it makes the city more informed, more inclusive, and more accountable, it's worth it. David Rodriguez will be followed by Denise Gordon Rodriguez. I'd like to give a quick thank you to the citizens of Fort Worth for being vocal and undertaking this work to allow the people to have their voice be heard here at city council. And of course, I can give props. So, unless I'm going crazy based on this paper, we have six members who signed that they would advocate for bringing back these public comments. Those are council members Chris Nles, Michael Crane, Deborah Peoples, Carlos Flores, Dr. Mih Hall, and of course, Mayor Mattie Parker. However, I would like to have a comment said by Malcolm X. If you stick a knife in my back 9 in and only pull six inches out, that's not progress. Even if you completely pull the knife out, that's still not progress. Progress is making sure that the wound is healed. So then, and even then, some of you won't admit that the knife is there. So then what does progress look like? So I know Councilman Lawdorf has said when the in the last meeting when this was voted on that all he hears is complaints and no solutions. But I've heard plenty of solutions and I'm just going to reiterate them again. So everyone should get their three minutes. Teachers don't get to decide to kick students out of their classroom when they have are overcapacied or they can't cut back classroom time. Firefighters can't stop taking calls at 1, 2, 3 in the morning whenever they've been running all day. So why should elected officials who it's your job to listen to us? You get to decide that you don't want to work. So again, and of course for those who can't attend the meetings in person, please bring back the virtual meeting. It allows everybody for those who have disabilities, aren't able to come out, scheduling, things like that. So my time is cutting short. So for those of you for the five who chose to not sign up for this, my question to you is why are you pretending that the knife doesn't exist? Our next speaker is Denise Gordon followed by James Smith. Good evening. Um, my name is Denise Gordon, but if I want to go by my full name, it would be Dr. Denise Gorn Diagular which means I kind of represent several worlds. Um I did not come with notes. I will not take all the two minutes even though it should be brought back from the constituents that are behind me. And I really would appreciate having the comments first because uh I just realized it's it's night. The first time I came to a city council meeting, it was during the day, but now that it's night, I'm totally night blind, so I got to drive real slow back to my house. Um, the the questions that have been brought up in the comments, I have enjoyed thoroughly to see the passion that these people, whether they're angry or they're quiet, it's just in extremely enjoyable to see the people of this community. But then when I look at your faces, some of you are nodding off and you and you don't seem to be in tune to what the community has to say. So, um, that's it. I appreciate you listening, but for the people behind me, I think you really need to listen to each one of their comments and think again what they had to say. Our next speaker is James Smith, followed by Charlie Price. Good afternoon, council. My name is James Smith. As I begin my seventh year coming to address you, I want to advise you to revise the council meeting for the citizens. I believe that it was because of the city council listening to the citizens of Fort Worth there was justice for Tatana Jefferson. I applaud those many citizens of Fort Worth that came here in the hundreds to speak to you on behalf of a Tatana Jefferson. You are to listen to the citizens of Fort Worth. Take heed to what the citizens of Fort Worth are telling you and take actions on what you hear when you hear it. I'd like for you to advi to revise the three minute speaking time. My friend George in his 80 years old. He comes down here to speak to you guys. He calls me and rehearses his speech to the minute and then to watch him last week come here and you give him two minutes, he was dis discomboculated. He couldn't do it because he had practiced what he was going to say when he came down here. Speaking of George Charles, he's 80 years old. He rides the bus to these meetings. So, it would be good for you to put the citizens in the front of the meeting so he won't miss his bus going back home. Fort Worth is a great city. I wouldn't be coming down here for seven straight years champion transparency and justice for Jefferson in if I didn't think the city had the capability of being the great city that you say you are. Three minutes. Give us our three minutes. If you have to take something off your agenda to the next meeting, do that. But give the citizens their due justice. Justice for Taton Jefferson and vote in favor of bringing it back. Thank you. >> Charlie Price will be followed by Jeziel Henderson. I think I might be a little confused. time here to talk about MNC25-1124, the tax exemption for Cobblestone uh Manor in East Fort Worth, an elderly property that we are the general partner on. We're the owner. Uh I will tell you that today I got a call from Council Member Peele's office about an issue at the prop apartment project. Guess what I did? I took care of it. I'm your local I'm look your rep. Now, we're here to ask for a small tax exemption to pay for security upgrades at that property, too. Um, it's something about our corporation. We believe in high level of security at all of our properties so everybody can feel safe because we know that low-income elderly folks, if they get robbed, if something happens to them, proportionately, the amount of income they will be spending to replace things or do things is a lot more than anybody else. So when it comes up here in a little bit, I would appreciate you to approve it. Uh in other word, basically turn down this resolution as submitted by staff and approve the tax exemption. Um I did put another card in for something it was about the appointment of and am I supposed to speak about that right now too? Basically it has to do with the uh basically housing solution. You got three board members you're reappointing on the housing and basically right now uh they're costing you a little bit over $11 million in tax revenue. That's just your portion and that's a lot of money. That's basically was nearly your budget shortfall last year. So in in essence, you probably need to postpone that and really have an earnest discussion with them about them taking off properties. Just in the Fort Worth reports the last two, three weeks, they talked about taking a $65 million property off the tax roles. That's probably going to cost you $300,000. And that's revenue y'all could be using for something else. Thanks. >> Our next speaker is Jazelle Henderson followed by Chris Tacket. Henderson. Thank you. Uh Chris Tacket followed by Patrice Jones. Well, Council Member Lowersdorf, you did say you'd never see solutions come out of public comments, and this proposal is a solution that came from public comments. Um, you're not on the the letter. I hope I hope you vote for this resolution tonight. Um, but it makes a lot of sense, right? Bringing back public comments in every single one of our meetings makes sense. Council member Flores, you you spoke when we talked about public comments the first time about how people waiting until the end of the meeting was problematic, right? When it used to be part of every meeting. And the other piece of what I proposed in October that fits the the bulk of what we're talking about today was that the public comments should be at the beginning of the meeting. It lets people plan for what's coming, know what they're doing, and and work through it. And in that spirit, look, the idea that when you sign up for public comments, you should have some sense of where you are in the queue, right? Um, if you're the first one, the 15th one, the 35th one, whatever it is. I mean, when I go to buy tickets and ticket master, it'll tell me I'm number 4,321 in line, and it will continue to reduce until I get to go buy my tickets. The idea that when you sign up for comments, I I know our information is going into a form. we've got some really smart IT people in the city of Fort Worth to be able in your confirmation to let you know this is your 24th so that people have the idea and the ability to know when they need to show up at the beginning of the meeting for their public comments and they know where they'll fall inside that. Um I am fully in favor of this resolution. I would love to see a unanimous vote for this but regardless I am glad people are getting their voices back. Thank you. Our next speaker is Patrice Jones, followed by Jessica Irvin. Well, I didn't write a speech today because I didn't know if I would have three minutes or 90 seconds or two minutes or whatever Mayor Parker decided she would allow her constituents to have. So, it's two minutes. Got like four things to cover. First thing, thank y'all for bringing public comments back up to be restored. I think it's sad that we have to thank you for doing your jobs, but we do appreciate it. I also really want to thank the community for mobilizing around restoring public comments because we know that it was us, the community that really made this happen. So, shout out to the community. Um, I've been working with the family of Kenneth Sauls. Thank you, Michael Crane and Elizabeth Beck for responding to the email I sent on their behalf today. Kenna Saws, his twin baby, Samaria Saws, was mysteriously um she mysteriously died at the hospital a couple like a month after being born and they're not getting any answers from Texas Health Methodist Hospital. So, they have organized a protest that will take place this Saturday at the hospital at 12:00 noon. Community, please come out and support them. Um Mr. Saws is actually going to be coming tonight, so I will be happy to introduce you. Michael Elizabeth, if you want to meet him today, he'll be here in a second. Uh, and then real next 40 seconds for Carlos. Carlos, I cannot believe you had the audacity to come to the community conversation addressing the reduction of gun violence. Not just coming, but for getting on the mic, using a platform you didn't deserve to speak about not throwing money at the problem, which was funding organizations doing the work of prevention to reduce gun violence. Yet you guys continue to pour money into policing. You talked about accountability. We don't hold the for police department accountable. So you mean to tell me you have more energy for holding the community organizations accountable versus the police? Let's defund the police and refund the community and find real solutions. >> Jessica Irvin followed by Steven My name is Jessica Urban from District 5. Um, first of all, I would like to thank y'all for considering uh to bring back the public comments. Uh, but without a doubt, it's frustrating have to fight and vote for rights that we just had last year. Um, I wish this time and energy could have been used to help move our city forward and address time-sensitive needs in our city. Um, and in addition to increasing the amount of uh public comments, I just urge you to bring back the virtual participation option. Um, as a working parent of two young kids, it's extremely difficult for me to make it to these meetings in person. And that is even with many privileges like a vehicle, a flexible work schedule, and local family that can help with child care. As most of us know, child care options are usually around $20 an hour. Many families cannot just drop $60, $90 on child care for the evening, not knowing when they're going to speak, um how much time it's going to take. Um just to make their voice heard. Um if we want to make sure all voices are being heard in our community, we should be sure to provide virtual speaking options for working families, caregivers, individuals with disabilities, um those with transit um barriers, or just they cannot make it for the evening um but still want to have their voice heard. Um, residents who can't attend in person still deserve access to democracy, too. Steven followed by Adrienne Smith. >> Hello, I'm Stephen Katz. Um, sorry. I was supposed to in parenthesis I was going to say how to pronounce it and I meant to do it last time and didn't do it this time. Um, so, uh, I wasn't going to write anything. I was just going to kind of talk off the dome here because I hated the fact that I'm just looking at my phone instead of looking at you guys. You guys are uh, you know, here to hear us all talk, not necessarily look at our phones. We're not here to look here to see you guys look at your phones either. Um, I'm in favor of this. I don't want to take up the whole time. I think Chris, Wesley, Jessica, uh, they can articulate, uh, my position better than I probably can articulate my position on why we should adopt this revised calendar. I spoke last uh October, November when this came up for conversation and public comment how hard it is as a working parent and that last year I kind of had this New Year's resolution to be more involved in city government to kind of stretch my wings a little bit as a father of a young daughter to make some sacrifices a little bit away from home and be more engaged with the city and make sure this is a place that I'm proud to raise a daughter in and future kids. And sometimes I feel proud, sometimes I there's a little bit more that I'm I'm I'm kind of waiting on uh from the city and from others. But I know there's a lot of people here who are trying to make it a better place. Um there's a lot of sacrifices. You guys make a lot of sacrifices. If it comes up for vote to uh pay the council more, I am 100% in favor of that. I don't care if I veinly disagree with some of y'all's positions or we're 100% aligned. Um you guys deserve to be paid more no matter what your position is on any given topic. Um, but I please ask you guys to restore a some sort of virtual option as working parents. It's hard to engage the city. I'll use the last 15 seconds to just shout out uh my councilwoman Elizabeth Beck's office. Every time I've emailed Anthony, he is super quick to respond. So, he deserves a shout out. My counciloman deserves a shout out. Thank you guys very much. Appreciate it. >> Mr. Smith will be followed by Alexander Montalvo. >> So, to council members Hall and Peoples, thank you. Uh you all are the two newest U council members at on DAS and I want to say thank you all because I feel like you all get it. The other four I don't thank because guess what? We shouldn't even be here. There should never have been a change to how we do things here at city hall. So to the other four, you don't get no thanks from me. And for the ones who didn't sign off on it, shame on you. Two, remote speaking. Something that I have been advocating for for months upon months. Restore remote speaking. We sunk $333 million of the taxpayer monies into this her project. So the least you can do is get the people their voices back who cannot attend, who can't come to this $333 million facility. Agenda items versus public comment. Here is the commissioner's court agenda. You know the difference in the commissioner's court agenda and the council's agenda. You can sign up to speak on however many agenda items you choose to. You're given three minutes ready your four against. I signed up for f I signed up for five today. Spoke on all five including public comments. We used to be able to do that but since you took office, Mayor Parker, it doesn't exist anymore. We need to bring that option back to the people, to the collective voices. Don't just limit yourself to public comments. Learn these agenda items. Learning these agenda items where our taxpayer dollars are being spent. Those are those are the things they don't want you to speak on. Why why else do you think we we we're up on another bond election? Because our money is being wasted by way of a vote. No discussion, just vote vote vote. By a show of applause, how many are signed up with the mayor's podcast? Crickets. And in closing, in the words of the late Thomas Tolenasi, we're David, you're a Goliath. Alexander Montalvo followed by David Martinez. So, this is what a full DAS looks like. Look at all these faces. I get to see a person in every single one of these chairs. So, I want to thank the people of Fort Worth because they have been working, organizing talking and fighting for a better city council. And one of those goals is bringing public comments back. So, round of applause to the city of Fort Worth and the people that have been fighting for this. Now people have mentioned this is a good step forward but this isn't everything. We need to make sure that we can speak on every single agenda item so that we can articulate our perspectives, our thoughts, our concerns, our ideas for that particular item. And we need public comments to be at the beginning of the meeting so we have general comments to talk about things that may or may not be on the agenda so that we can push for solutions because we got to talk a lot about public comments in the general public comment space because until today it wasn't on the agenda. So, we need both of those things available to us so that we can do good work in this city on behalf of the communities that we are here to fight and represent. Now, it'd be great if the majority of y'all were on board with this work that is being done, but it's clear that so many of y'all are still struggling. So, it's 2026 Fort Worth. We've got more public comments. We're going to keep showing up. We're going to keep leveraging the people's voice because the people is where the power is. And come May 2027, we're going to be working in partnership with the city council that actually wants to solve things for the people of Fort Worth. So, this is a good step in 2026 for all of us to feel good about. Y'all still need to do better. Let's see what y'all decide. David Martinez. Good evening. First of all, I want to apologize for the last two times me using profanity. I do apologize. Uh it's very important because I am the only Native American voice that comes here to speak. So, I guess it all on my shoulders to represent the rest of the American community in Fort Worth. So, uh, and I do apologize for that. I will not be using or stuff like that again. Um, but I'd like to also tell you something like I I don't like even being the the the person that comes up here to defend the council. It seems like everybody comes and attacks us. This shouldn't be just because we're getting our if we get our minutes back, this shouldn't become a a free-for-all. I mean, just because you're elected officials, they shouldn't take it. And since I'm a girl dad, I when you offend some of the female uh council members, I get aggressive conduct because I I see it as um really it's it's not right. I don't care who you are, you should not be treating women like that. And if you come at the mayor like that, I'm going to be like, well, you know, you ain't right. And so that that that right there we need we still need to conduct ourselves and represent our communities. If we're going to be out here speaking it's it's it's up to us to check ourselves and then for you know for the community the ones that cannot make it we have to remember that we represent them and the people we live our neighbors that can't come here. So that's one of the things I wanted to bring about. But uh on a lighter note why does it have to be on Tuesday? Taco Tuesday is Tuesday. We could have it on Meatloaf Monday. I go to Lubies has meatloaf. They run out by three. So, I'm already gone out of there. But, you know, things like that, you know, I I don't know. I mean, because I I mean, I like tacos. Who don't like tacos? But anyways, I I just wanted to uh leave on a a good note. God bless everybody. Thank you, >> Council. That's the conclusion of our speakers. That gets us uh council to CP-335. Before we have a motion, mayor, I want to read one quick correction into the record on the resolution. The date of the December work session should be December 12 or December 1st, not December 3rd. >> Thank you, Janette. Um, council at this time, as a reminder, in order to take up this item tonight, we'd actually have to do a motion to suspend council rules of procedure section 521 in order to take up the CP. I believe council member Crane wanted to make a motion. >> Yes. Uh, thanks, Mayor. Uh, I make a motion to suspend council rules and procedure section 5.2.1 to allow this CP to be acted upon at this meeting. >> Got a motion and a second. Councel, any other discussion? Please vote. Motion to suspend the rules passes. At this time, I can entertain any discussion or additional motions on CP 335. Council member Nettles. >> Uh yes. Uh I'll just have a few uh comments and discussions. Um want to again thank the citizens of Fort Worth. Those of you who have come out to speak about public engagement. I think it's very important uh because we need to hear from our citizens on every issue that we have coming across this DAS. And so uh it's important to me that we put public comment back in the voting meeting uh when all council is here. I think that was quitly important. I mentioned this. This was an idea that we had during uh October when it was voted down that we put public comment back in the meetings. I do remember the days uh when public comment was part of every meeting every Tuesday. I remember the days sitting on the floor during the SB4 vote to 1:00 in the morning. Uh I remember those days and those days were when the community came out to speak high uh speak their voices for this council to hear and I strongly believe that we all signed up to do this. We signed up to listen to the voices of the people and to represent you and the only way that we can represent the people is by hearing from the people. And so again, I want to uh appreciate also uh Chris Tacket for laying out a platform of ideas for uh public comment. Also uh working with uh Councilman Crane. And so I I I have I've listened to a lot of the concerns tonight. And I will tell you this that I know it's hard to articulate certain things when you're just trying to get one piece of the pie back and that piece of the pie back was to increase the public comment back to twice a month. And so um prior to tonight and prior to last week uh I didn't hear but Chris talk about putting the public comment at the top of the agenda. So that's why you don't see this in this uh CP as well as historically it has never been at the top of the agenda. That is something I'm willing to explore as we continue to move forward uh in discussion over the uh this next couple of months. Uh the second thing uh it was disheartening to have uh time cut. Uh I believe I was not aware that that was part of uh the resolution in the last um resolution we voted on the council meeting. I voted against the whole thing so it didn't matter at all. Um but it was part of the process and procedures and so in a minute I'll have a question for Leanne according to that. But during that vote when we voted when the council voted to adopt the council meetings it gave the right that if there is an hour of speakers that the time must automatically be limited. Uh I don't nec I don't agree with that. I I think that we all should have our three minutes. Um, I have been on the other side, uh, working on speaking to this council and anytime you speak publicly, uh, your nerves is out of whack. You're not sure what to say, but you want to get your point across. So, I always and we always support having three minutes to speak. Um, again, that's not on this this CP, but I'm going to ask a question to Lean about the process and procedures on that. Uh, also, um, I support if that still remains, I do support taking a vote. I don't know if we can I don't know if that's something we can do on the agenda because the agenda the rules have been changed and uh, the agenda has to be set um, weeks in advance. And so that's another question I have for Leanne if she would answer that because one thing I think is important is we can have ideas, but if we can technically not do that, I want you to know that that's something that we cannot do. And so, um, I'm going to leave the floor open before I make a motion, but I I have a question, uh, for Leanne, um, that, um, the reduce of time was a part of the last resolution as a whole. Was that or was it a separate vote? >> It was part of the the vote for to set the schedule for this year. >> Okay. So if that was part of that vote and technically we are replacing that with today's vote, would that replace that as well? >> No, it was a specific change to the rules of procedure uh for the council and so it actually changed those and nothing in this resolution or the CP today would take that away or change it. So it will stay in place. >> Okay. Okay. Um those um I think I had another question for you. >> I just said, let me just repeat because I don't think a lot of people heard. What I said was that um nothing in the CP today will change the v uh the part of the rules or procedure for council that were amended at the last uh vote. So that that is not addressed in the CP. It is just the schedule portion. >> Okay. And I I I want the the council to have a discussion about that. Um I I think we supported um before we had that I think we had the option of having a discussion among if we thought we was going to lose quorum and I think we've done that uh effectively over the years. So I think that's something we can revisit or amend. Uh but I want to hear from the other council before we do that. Uh but again I want to thank my colleagues and I'll also address uh we were at a a time crunch come back from the holidays and so some members did not see the email of the CP. So I think you have a lot of people on this DAS who actually support the CP but was not able to sign it uh for some of the remarks that were uh stated uh on at the monitor today. So those are my initial comments. >> Thank you councilor Martinez. Thank you, mayor. And just also want to reiterate, thank you for everybody who came and spoke today. I do understand um the importance of public comment because we are made aware of issues uh in our communities that you know people don't reach out via email or phone call and so this is another opportunity for those that um aren't aware of how to communicate with us but can look up the schedule. But like everybody else, I want to thank my colleagues, Councilman Nettles and Councilman Crane for working on this CP in collaboration with um interested council members and I really do appreciate the dialogue and the opportunity to contribute towards a consensus and what needless to say I will be supporting tonight's vote. >> Councilor Larsdorf. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um Chris, you're absolutely right. I did say I don't hear a lot of solutions and and I have heard some solutions. Um, I think for for those of us who are we hear and we we see some some new faces every now and then, and I think we can all agree that sometimes we do hear some pretty bad ideas or some pretty outlandish uh comments or even rude or derogatory comments. Um, and I think sometimes those good ideas get lost in there. So, you're right, there are some good solutions out there. And I think it's also important to note that whenever people do come forward with solutions or ideas or their vision of of uh moving forward forward, I think it's important to remember that not all of not everyone agrees with those same visions, but I think it's important that when we can discuss them. Uh but I don't know whatever happened to being able to agree to disagree, do it civily uh and with um just be kind about it. Um, so I hope regardless of what happens tonight that uh as we move forward, we can get back to handling city business things that we actually had the ability to affect here at the city level um and leave the state and national level uh issues uh for them. Um for for those who thought we looked bored up here, I certainly apologize. I mean I I know I'm certainly not bored. Um I actually enjoy my time up here and in fact tonight I had to miss my wife's radiation appointment so I could be here. But I wanted to be here because this is important. Um, and so if somebody's nodding off, then that's we won't even get into that one. I do like the idea about Taco Tuesday and talking about that more. So, uh, Mr. Martinez, thank you. I think that's a grand idea. Um, but I did not I I did get this email in full transparency. I got this email very early on uh before others signed up for it. And at first I was not uh sign on because I thought we made a decision. Let's just, you know, stick to it and move forward. Um, then I think about, you know, uh, Fort Worth residents like Barbara Brewer, um, even Wesley Kirk. Last time he brought up some really valid points about art. Um, so then get some ideas running on what we can do specifically in District 4 to address some of those concerns. Um, and so I'm sure, you know, however this goes forward, there will still be those public comments that are kind of kind of out there, but again, absolutely, everyone's right for those. Uh, but I'm looking forward to hearing those those great issues that we can affect here together um as a team. So, I appreciate it. Thank you, >> Council Member Hill. Um, well, first of all, I I want to publicly state I support hearing from the public. That is our job is to listen to you and it is essential to accountable nonpartisan government. Um, I wanted to highlight a couple data points because I did ask the city secretary for a list of um those that came to public comment over the last 12 months. We had hund I'm sorry 502 speakers sign up. That's 14 hours and 30 minutes if we kind of average out time of speakers. Um if you look at the numbers only 20 of those sorry 20 of those speakers took up seven hours of those times. So we're hearing from a very very small percentage of the Fort Worth population. We have over a million people. That's like 0.005% that actually come to public comment meetings. Um, we got to get more people here. I think it's important for more voices to be heard. We are perpetuating a cycle that serves a very tiny faction of our community at the expense of taxpayer time and the broader public good. My concern is the discussion should be more about responsible governance and ensuring more Fort Worth residents have a real opportunity to be heard. >> Our next speaker is Council Member Flores. >> Thank you, Maddie. First, I want to start off with saying thank you to all of you who've come to share your opinions and positions on this. Uh, tonight we heard a range of comments, both constructive and not so constructive. I think that illustrates part of the challenge in communicating with one another. We all don't communicate the same way and we don't uh go by the same baseline. I get that. Like my colleague Macy, I also spoke to our city secretary and for me my overriding concern was getting city business done. There's something lost in the data that's available. In the past few years, council has been able to achieve and complete more council work. As we tweak our council calendars every year, we're able to realize that because the business of the city is what our charge is. that does include public comment. We still have to get business done. So, according to the city secretary, we thought that this CP could uh still achieve that. So, that earned a a big level of support from me. I think that this CP is reasonable and it goes towards creating more opportunities for public comment. Our rules and procedures do cover the management of time and that is a purview of our mayor who sits at that center seat. The CP does double the amount of public comment that's available and I think that's great opportunity and I and I want everyone to consider this. Okay, as I look out at you, I can see some of the reactions that y'all are having. And so they're varied. I get it. We're all different people. But remember this, effective discourse furthers the goal of communication and understanding. I appreciate those who take the time and make the effort coming here to speak at our council meetings. And so just remember, you know, we can all be, you know, driven by passion. We can all be, you know, settled. We can be angry at times, but it's important to get, you know, our thoughts and ideas across and, you know, endeavor to do that in the most effective way. You know, attacking one another on a personal level doesn't achieve that goal in my humble opinion. Those are my comments. >> Council member Rebeck, >> uh, my first uh, question is to Leanne. I just want to go back and visit the council rules of procedure versus what's um uh before us today on the CP. So the the automatic reduction in the number of minutes for speakers was adopted uh separate and apart from our calendar. Correct. >> It was all in the same resolution but yeah it was two different pieces. >> Okay. Different pieces. So, would it be appropriate today if we wanted to also change that rule of procedure to um require Well, one, can we require a vote on the reduction of minutes? Is that allowed by law without it being on the agenda? Like, is there a procedural way that we could do that? >> Yeah, I think you can um make a motion to add that tonight. >> Okay. >> Had that change. >> Then I will add a motion. I'm going to uh make an a an amended motion to uh amend CP 335 to include that any reduction of the 3minut time limit um be um only allowed by a majority vote of council. And then I I do appreciate um the constructive comments tonight. Um I think it's a reason why public comment is important. Uh the one thing that I heard consistently was and what really struck a chord with me is um not knowing how much time you have to speak and that volatility and what that means to your remarks. I can speak for 60 seconds, 3 minutes, 10 minutes if you give me a time. I'm a professional so are most people up here on this dis. Um so I can see how um suddenly having a three what you have prepared and many people I know I have uh uh know many people who um are very uncomfortable about public speaking. They prepare. They write the remarks. They rehearse them. They know that they have exactly 2 minutes and 58 seconds and they can't say that one word too long or they're going to mess up. And I think that we owe it to those people to have some more consistency. And uh excuse me. And if we're going to reduce that time limit, um we we owe them a reason. Um it shouldn't be just automatic. So I would um ask that all of my council members here uh join me in that uh amendment to this motion so that we can have more transparency in the process of reducing that time. Um thank you. any sorry I want to say that I think tonight's vote is about growth and it's about growth for this council and it's about growth for this city. Um I don't always get everything right the first time. Those sitting to my left and right don't always get right things right the first time. Whether that's a vote we take here on council, a conversation we have with a constituent, um the things we do at home with our fam, you know, the things we say or do with our family and our friends. Um but what makes growth is admitting when you got it wrong and doing the work to get it right. And so tonight, what you see here with this vote is our growth as a council, realizing that we didn't get it right, listening to the voices of the people and doing our best to try to make that right. And so for that reason, um I'd ask for a second for my amendment and um the um for my colleagues to join me in voting for this particular CP. >> So I've got a motion and a second on the alternative motion for CP 335. Um before we vote, is there any other discussion or commentary from the council? No, you can vote. Motion carries. Mayor, we should now take a unless there's another amendment, take a motion on the main motion from Nettles as amended. >> He never made a motion. >> Oh, okay. >> So, what do you need for me to do procedurally >> then? A motion to approve. >> I think mine approved and amended. If hers is approved, then we're Go ahead, Lean. >> Okay. >> Yeah, since Nettles didn't make the motion, only Beck made a motion. So, hers stands. >> Yeah, it approves the CP with the amendment. Someone, >> Council Member Flores, >> some clarity here because my vote was predicated on a proper vote that the council took specific to rules and procedures. Maybe I'm not fully understanding, you know, what just happened, but can you articulate it a little more clear to me? >> So, there was no motion on the floor. So, the only motion on the floor was from Council Member Beck, who was motioning to approve the CP with the amendment to uh have the oneh hour time deal uh only be by council, the full council approval. So, that was it. So, Council Crane, >> I think there was confusion on what we were voting on. So, I think since we have voted, we do have the ability to resend that vote with a vote, right? and then revote again on maybe two motions or Okay. >> Yeah, it'll still be one. Now, I mean, >> if if if people don't want to do that, that's fine. But I just want to make sure everybody that wanted to vote a certain way got to vote a certain way. And what I'm hearing from Carlos is you thought >> he was confused. >> And see, that's part of my confusion right there because >> well, in his defense, if you thought there was a motion on the floor already from Council Member Nettles, that procedurally would have been confusing. I can see that. Yeah. Council member Hall, did you have something? Go ahead. >> Clarifying. So, I got it. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's green. I don't know why. There we go. >> Because I wasn't confused and I now I may be confused. What are we moving forward with? Because I I understood and then I heard you repeat it and then we voted. >> Yeah. So, it's the original CP that was presented to council. >> I'm not confused about that part. I'm confused about part B, which is what we're doing now. >> Right. Well, we're we're discussing because I think there was some confusion by council members as to what they were actually voting upon. And what was voted upon and passed was the original CP that was presented with an additional amendment by council member Beck that pertains to the rules of procedure which changes back to the way we change amount of time allotted um as a council when speakers are beyond one hour. >> Are we amending rules and procedures or are we amending the CP? >> Both. Both. >> That's a two-part We voted for it the same way that we did last year and for clarity, >> right? So it just like when we did the resolution that adopted the schedule for the year and amended the rules of procedure, the amendment essentially did the same thing with this CP which has a resolution attached. So this resolution is the same way with the amendment. It changes the schedule and changes the rules of procedure just as the first resolution did. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense? >> That's clear to me now. Thank you. Okay. Now, as Council Member Crane stated, we can resend the original vote if there was any confusion on the DIS about how you wanted to vote and we can revote. That is not a problem, Carlos. >> That's fine. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, why don't we do that? Why don't we resend the original vote? We're now have more clarity. Any other questions from council members? Allows them to vote as they'd like to. Doesn't hurt anything. >> What do you need, Janette? >> Motion to resent. just need um somebody to remake the motion as council member Beck. >> Council member Beck, please if you don't mind. Thank you. >> So my motion is to approve CP 335 with the following amendment to strike the portion of the rules and procedure that require an automatic reduction of time to two minutes when speakers are over um one hour in time to require a council vote before that change can be made. Motion and a second. Any other discussion discussion among council members? If not, you can vote. Motion carries. We're going to move to 265701, board appointment by district 3. Council member Crane. >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh, mayor request for your consideration to appoint the following individual to the board below with a partial term effective January 13th, 2026 and ending October 1st, 2027. Kley Adams partial term city plan commission. The respective application and resume are available upon request. The original copies will be maintained in the city secretary's office. >> Got a motion and a second. Council, please vote. Try again. >> Motion carries. >> Next is 26-5702. Board appointments from district 7. >> Hill request your consideration to appoint the following individual to the boards below with a partial term effective January 13, 2026 and ending October the 1st, 2027. Katherine Brown, a partial term library advisory board. Respective application and resume are available upon request. The original copies will be maintained in the city secretary's office. >> Motion a second. Please vote. >> Motion carries. >> Next is 26-5697. >> Entertain a motion. Council. >> Thank you. Motion a second. Please vote. >> Motion carries. Next is 26-5698. Motion in a second. Please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is 26-5699. Motion a second. Please vote. Motion carries. Next is 26-5700. Motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. Next is 26-5708 with one correction uh to remove April 21st as an early voting date per Secretary of State's office. >> Can I move to deny this particular If we deny it, does that mean Allan stays? >> Then I will move to approve. >> Motion to approve in a second. Please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC25-1183. >> Thank you. We have one speaker on this. Adrienne Smith not present. Okay. >> Second. >> Motion a second. Please vote. Councel. >> Motion carries. Next is ZC-25-181. Council Martinez, we have one speaker for this item, Manuel Gona. Come to this middle one if you don't mind. Thank you. >> Mayor, he has a group if they are present. >> Um, they are present. May you please stand up? Thank you for being here. >> So, I'm here to speak for the community. I am the Poly Heights South Neighborhood Association's vice president, Anel Gaona. And here we are talking about um proposing a mobile food court on East Berry. I presented a presentation with some 3D images. I'm not sure if it's there. There it is. I think that's the best one we can get. Um, so this is essentially a food court that would benefit for us. Um, because on this side of Barry where we stay, there's really rarely any food options until you cross 287 down on East Berry towards Mitchell Boulevard. And we feel that this would bring a lot of uh value to the east side community. It would make it a upbringing. It'll be an uprise for our community. And I think something valuable for our community to start, you know, fundraisers, kind of what y'all did in your presentations at the start to uh have a place for people to come enjoy some good food, but also give back to the community in many different ways. Um, I'm hoping this project gets approved, not just for my sake, but my family's sake and the whole community and for the city of Fort Worth so it can see some growth and development. finally on that side of Barry and continue to grow and develop in something more valuable, more prestigious. And it will also be something great, I think, for the local schools, local um businesses there, so they can come eat lunch and not always be in a rush. It would offer several different cultural foods. So, I think it's a great idea and I hope you guys do, too. Um, thank you, >> Mr. Shagana. While you're up there, can you speak to um the days and hours of operation that this mobile food >> the mobile food court? I'm planning on having it open Monday through Sunday because of people who work, they need a place to eat lunch quickly, place to get food. And Sun, Saturday, Sunday for people who like to go out and eat, you know, enjoy the day. And the hours of operation will probably be well there'll be from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Will there be music? >> No, there won't be live music. Um, we will keep um respectful to the neighborhood. All the people that showed up um they live around that area. They are they surround that area actually. Um they live in the back street or on Berry Street and they fully have the support of this project. I have their support of the project, but they have my respects to respect their time and the neighborhood. So, I want to keep this place safe, secure, and as respectful for the people around there as possible. >> Well, first, congrats on your election to the uh Poly Heights South uh neighborhood association board, executive board. Um, and so those who are present here today are neighbors that live around the property where this development will take place. >> Yes. Um, thank you. That's it. Um, is there anybody to hear from zoning? I know that this was recommended for denial and I just want to hear why. >> Good evening, council member. So, um there were several waiverss that this particular development was requesting and so that is um what led to staff's um recommendation for denial and that was also in addition to it being so close to single family neighborhoods. >> What um what waiverss were there that caused the concern? So, some of the waiverss that were requested was that it was going to be within 500 ft of the single family residential development. Also, um they were requesting a waiver of the fencing requirement and also a a waiver for parking. >> Fencing on the back end or >> Yes. >> on the sides. >> Fencing in the rear. >> Okay. And so, a waiver for parking. So there will be um how many? >> Yes. So they were wanting to have parking in the supplemental setback and parking is not allowed in the supplemental setback without a waiver. >> Okay. Okay. Um can you uh confirm how many letters of support they received? >> Letters of support. Let's see if we have that listed here. >> Or list of property owners. Sorry, I have to pull that up on another foul. >> Mr. I don't know if you know off the top of your head. What number is that? >> See, support petition. We have a support petition here. >> Ally. Okay, >> I think I have all I need. Thank you so much. Um, so you know, I'm just really excited that the Poly Heights Neighborhood Association, uh, Poly Heights South Neighborhood Association is supportive of this, uh, development and zoning case and, um, we're going to bring some great food to that area and, uh, uh, be adding third spaces here in district 11. So, I motion to approve ZC25181. >> Motion, a second. Council, please vote. is not present. Janette Motion carries. >> Thank you very much. I think you're all doing a great job. >> Thank you. >> City Fort Worth and I love Fort Worth and thank you so much. I just hope to help help to make it hope grow. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Next will be ZC-25-183. >> Council member Bllelock. We have one speaker. Sorry, Luis Gonzalez. No notes. Good evening. My name is Luis Gonzalez. I'm representing Mr. Roman Abundes on this uh this case. Uh I just want to say thank you for uh all the help that's been given to us in uh this uh request. Uh we had a meeting u last week with the HOA and uh the developer that he's he's here right now and they just we explained then what we're doing. They wanted to know more details and the time to uh uh on the process the construction we proposed. Um we started last week um with the cleaning and we got a lot of debris removed and we we still doing it. Um and um I just want to say thank you for the help and then um um I hope that you can um approve us so we can move forward and to comply and bring everything up to code. >> Thank you, sir. Any questions from Council Bl? >> I would like your microphone. There we go. Sorry about that. >> It's easier to talk with the microphone. No, I don't have any questions. Thank you for coming tonight and speaking on it and I wish you all the best of luck with your business. I'm going to move to approve this >> motion and a second. Council, please vote. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Next is ZC-251-184. Council member Nettles. >> Yes, Mayor. I know we have some speakers. Uh I did speak with um those that's speaking tonight other than speaking against. I'm going to continue this case to February the 10th to the zoning case uh meeting. >> Okay. Um thank you. Got a motion to second on those. I'm going to check with speakers first. Our first speaker signed up as Rhett Bennett, followed by Bob Riley. No speaking. Okay. Leticia Wilburn. You'll wait. Okay. I've got a motion and a second to continue the case to February 10th. council and a second by council member Crane. Please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is ZC-25-18. >> Motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. Next is ZC-25-186. >> Council member Hill. >> Um, I'm going to move to approve ZC25186 as a PDE plan development for all uses in e- neighborhood commercial plus tattoo parlor for permanent makeup and hair restoration services only excluding retail smoke shop site plan required. >> Motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. Next is ZC-25-189. Council member Flores >> uh to a PDA A5 plan development for all uses in A5 uh plus office with a development standard for one parking space with a site plan included. >> Motion a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is ZC-25-191. Council member Peoples, we have a few speakers on this item. The first is Joe Trinkle, followed by Dan Hayes. >> Good evening, Mayor and City Council. Thank you for uh for the time tonight. Enjoyed the session so far and I love your city. Uh especially the economic development. I by the way I love the um the time that you spend celebrating the successes of your city in the beginning. I enjoyed that very much. So thank you for that. Um so I'm with Outrigger company that does industrial development um and some and working some retail and we've done other types of projects around the country. U we're here to request your positive decision to return the subject property to its former industrial zoning so that we can invest $80 million of new economic development. $80 million that's worth probably 40 or so Chick-fil-As uh with a lot uh higher paying jobs and and frankly a lot less traffic in the area. Um so there's six reasons why I want to share with you why I think you should vote for this reasonzoning. One is the current zoning urban residential is not really economic vi economically viable as demonstrated um while it is on the demonstrated the past few years. While it is on the lake, it also uh comes with the fact that it is right on um the loop I20 which is undergoing massive reconstruction right now which frankly invites more industrial use and frankly um kind of deters additional um residential development. Uh the second is um the industrial really is the highest and best use which is economically viable for this district. The third is we're actually going to reduce truck traffic because what's there now is a lot of tractor trailers that come off and go down Wilberger Street and park and we're going to put buildings there and we're going to increase the um uh the the uh the tax revenue. So we're going to improve Wilberger Street. We're going to make it safer. We're going to light it up. We're going to make more landscaping. um the neighbors to just to our north almost unanimously support us. And of course, you're going to hear from a lot of vocal objectors who are from different parts of the community. And and very lastly, this project will bring approximately 20 to$25 million of tax revenue over the next decade, most of which will go to the school district. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Dan Hayes, followed by Angela Norwood. >> Good evening. My name is Dan Hayes. I lived in district 11. I oppose the zoning change for this property. The scope of the zoning case affects everyone in East Fort Worth who would enjoy it a lakeside view. East Fort Worth is blessed to include the western shoreline of Lake Arlington. The lake is an important asset for water supply and recreation. The Arlington side of the lake showcases this well with a golf course, two city parks, large homes on heavily wooded lots with private docks down to the water. By contrast, much of the Fort Worth side of the lake includes a power plant, six gas wells, warehouses, vehicle yards, and a small park with a few amenities. The city of Fort Worth has recognized the disrespect for our side of the lake from past short-sighted decisions and has made efforts to claw back some of the land that's become available. If you look at the slide there, you'll see that over 175 acres have been purchased in recent years to begin to patch together something resembling a proper shoreline. Meanwhile, we have this zoning case which runs completely counter to those efforts to enhance our side of the lake. As late as 2016, most of the property in this case was heavily wooded. It was denuted for truck parking, creating the dusty situation that now is being supposedly remedied by reszoning for light industrial and essentially paving it over with buildings in a parking lot. Surely there are better places to put a light manufacturing facility than right on the lake on the shore of the lake. I can't think of a clearer example of an improper land use for lakeside properties. Lakes are to be dreasured in any community and that includes the only large lake in East Fort Worth. Please deny this with prejudice. Our next speaker is Angela Norwood followed by Leticia Wilburn. >> Good evening. My name is Angela Norwood. I am the president of the Carver Heist East. I'm here because I'm very passionate about this area. I grew up in this area and as they said earlier it is a disturbing difference between the Fort Worth lakeside and the lakeside. On the Fort Worth side there are six gas wells, electrical plants and a lot plenty of indust industrial sites. As a nurse it is obvious to me from several researchers that another industrial site adds to air pollution and water contamination for the community. The gas wells creates significant health risk for the community. They add to the environment pollution and they add to reduced property value. The electrical plant and I know that for a fact because I lived on Truman Drive. It is very noisy. It pollutes the air. It potentially involves health risk to the area. Health risk such as asthma, other respiratory diseases and heart issues. It also reduces the home values. As an optimist, I would love to see nicer parks for our community. I would love to see um better of amenities for the community, things that would help to increase the home values over there and reduce the air pollution and the bad water conditions over there. And for these reasons, I am opposing the industrial site. Thank you. Our next speaker is Leticia Wilburn followed by Demetria Williams. >> Hi, good evening Latita Wilbourne. I'm with Echo Height Stop Six Environmental Coalition and Fororth Environmental Coalition of Communities and we're going to ask you to deny this with prejudice. I did go out and look at the location and it's massive. It takes up a whole block and across the street on one side there's residential properties and on the back side there's Arlington Lake and I know the gentleman that spoke he spoke of the construction on 20 well that doesn't give an excuse to continue to industrialize an area that that is already overly industrialized. This is now the opportunity that the city can take to put something positive in East Fort Worth. I looked at a map. All of the good things in Fort Worth are either to the west or to the north. There is nothing in East Fort Worth that is good. There's nothing that you can show to bring people to East Fort Worth and say, "Hey, look at what we have here." because it's all industrialized. So, this is y'all's opportunity to deny this with prejudice and to put something good for the community there. And it is a striking difference between the Arlington side and Fort Worth side. And if you go to the Arlington side and you look across the water, you can actually look and see all the trucks that are currently there. Not to mention the pollution that industrialization causes. And for me, I have a trucking company behind my home, so I am well aware of the consistent and constant noise 24 hours a day. And they always break the rules. Once the companies are there, they make their own rules. And then they ask for more and more and more. And I'm just asking to on behalf of both coalitions to deny with prejudice. Thank you, >> Demetri. Williams. >> Good evening, Mayor and uh council. My name is Demetria Williams and I'm an investment property owner of 19 years and a business owner. All par all all parcels actually within a mile of this said property location. I respectfully urge all of you, city council, to deny the requested zoning change. Industrial buildings are often placed in or near minority and lowincome communities. Companies such as this come in these areas due to the lower land costs in assumption that these communities are willing to accept the negative impacts that come with industrial activities. continually making a less desirable place to live and play and limiting upward growth and mobility. Ah, the quality of life and neighborhood character. Industrial activity brings roundthe-clock impact. Truck and industrial traffic and industrial operation activity. This is not consistent with residential lakefront community. Did I say lakefront? Industrial developments like this near or on lakefront property of this scale raises real questions of potential and uncertain risk involving storm water runoff, air pollution, and large long-term risk of lake water quality. The uncertainty around air quality, water contamination, or soil contamination impacts. On a more personal note, this zoning change can depress property values, discouraging better home uh investments and future limit upward mobility in a neighborhood that deserves reinvestment and respect. I ask council to consider this. Compare this side of Arlington Lake to the other side and there are stark there is a stark difference. 3,000 to 8,000 square foot homes with boat docks and beautiful lake views. owning a little under 22 acres of myself purchased um I'm sorry. >> Thank you, >> Council Member Peoples. That is the conclusion of our speakers this evening on this item >> to speak tonight whether you were for or against. And so, mayor and council, my office heard from many longtime residents to recently moved families and small business owners opposed to this development via email, telephone, and at community events that I attended, including churches through the holidays through today. Many of these residents could not attend in person, but more than 50 reached out to my team and the District 5 office. Some personal comments for our residents range from, "Please take measures to mimic Arlington's approach to the lake instead. Stop degrading the natural area with industrial uses like warehouses, vehicle yards, and gas whales, and stop dumping in our neighborhood." But no one was more persistent or passionate or impactful than an amazing resident who lives across from that site, Joe Ellen Matthews, who came tonight with her service dog, to tell us that she said, "I live here and and I don't want to leave. Joe Ellen, it is your passion and your persistence that and the fact that you live right across from that site that leads me to agree with the zoning commission's denial of this project and to reject industrial proposals that threaten Lake Arlington. I support a high quality of life for all residents and I want you and to know that the 40s something years that you have lived in that site matter to me and matter to the rest of the residents. So, mayor, I move to approve that we approve the denial of this site. Motion to deny and a second. Councel, any other discussion? Please vote. >> Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next will be ZC-25-192. >> Council member Beck. >> Got a motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. Next is MNC25-1124. Council >> member Peoples. >> So I on this we moved it from the last time because I wanted it to um I wanted to give me a chance to visit with everybody. And so I want to move to approve the 50% tax exemption as requested. And so, mayor and council, I support this because it maintains and rehabilitates critical affordable housing stock in District 5. I believe that supporting such projects is essential for the city's long-term health and workforce stability. I have personally visited this community uh and the developer has stated they will work on major improvements that are needed to increase the quality of life for the residents. It's in a great re location with access to bus routes for ease of transportation. It's ADA compliant and it has great access to schools. It's a quality property with a great location. It has access to freeways and the ability to travel to jobs in the metroplex. I believe it's beneficial to the district and the city of Fort Worth and ask that you support it because the housing stock is needed. I support it this year and the vote is only for one year. They have to come back again next year. Therefore, I move to approve the 50% tax exemption as as requested. >> Thank you. Move to approve to deny the denial. Yes, you're moving to deny the denial which ultimately will approve M25124. >> Thank you, mayor. I'm approving to approve to deny the denial which would approve the 50% >> you telling me just to stop. >> No, no, she's good. No, she's good. >> Janette will stand up. >> Which would approve the 50% tax exception as request. >> Yes, we're good. Approve the item. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Got a motion in a second. Council, thank you. Council member Hall, please vote. Oh, Council Block, do you have something? Go ahead. A vote in of yay in support of Deborah. >> Yes, a yay is in support of Deborah's motion. Thank you for clarifying. >> Thank you, mayor. >> No problem. We got it. I think uh Carlos try vote. There we go. Motion approves. Motion carries. Next is MNC 26-0010. Motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC26-000013. >> Motion a second. Please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC 26-0015. >> Second. >> Motion a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC26-000054. >> Council Martinez. There we go. Okay. I move that the Fort City Council adopt the resolution authorizing use of the power of immin imminent domain to acquire.13 acres in permanent water easement and20204 acres for a temporary construction easement from real property owned by DAD USA investment inc. The property is needed for the little fossil creek at Bellnap uh street emergency m 292 project a public use that will enhance sewer service capability. The land rights in the subject property are needed for sure improvements as necessary. The property is located at 5302 East Bellnap Street. Uh being lot one block one of the JW Acres addition an addition to the city of Halton City, Taran County, Texas. Property interest to be acquired is described by meets and bounds and depicted by survey exhibits attached to this mayor and council communication. >> Got a motion council and a motion a second. Please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC26-000056. >> Council member Flores. >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I move that the city of Fort Worth Council assume that City of Fort Worth council adopt the resolution authorizing use power of imminent domain to acquire a fee simple interest in approximately 9.406 acres from real property owned by NRCT Diamond Hill LLC. Property is needed to construct the Lebo channel mitigation project, city project number 103061 or channel and culvert Improvements at Northeast 36th Street in connection with the upper Levo flood mitigation improvements. The property is located at 3601 Dean Road, Fort Worth, Taran County, Texas 76106. Being part of lot 1, Block 1, Diamond Hill, Town Homes Edition, part of the S. Gilmore survey, abstract number 580, Taran County, Texas. Property interest is to be acquired and described by Meets and Bounds and depicted by survey exhibits attached to this mayor and council communication. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Council, please vote. Motion carries. >> Next is MNC26-000058. >> Council member Hill move that the Fort Worth City Council adopt the resolution authorizing use of the power of imminent domain to acquire 6.3268 acres of land in the permanent sanitary sewer easement interest and 2.059 059 acres in temporary construction easement interest from the real property owned by Third Peak LP. The subject property is located at 9770 North Vernet Trail, City of Fort Worth, Tarant County, Texas. And the Jacob Wilcox number two survey abstract number 1725 and the John H. Smallwood survey abstract number 1452, City of Fort Worth, Tarant County, Texas. The land rights in the Cedric property are needed for the Silver Creek lift station, Forest Main, Gravity Main project, and public use that provides transporting wastewater. The property interest to be acquired is described by Meets and Bounds and depicted by the survey exhibits attached to this mayor and council communication. >> Got a motion and a second. Council, please vote. >> Motion carries. >> Mayor, that concludes all of the action items. Okay, that was that was our cue. >> That's that is the clue. >> Okay, that was funny. But I do want to take a pause for just a second because this is important. We are closing the meeting tonight in honor of Frank Moss Senior. Of course, council member Frank Moss senior truly leaves a legacy of deep commitment, not just to district 5, but importantly to the entire city of Fort Worth, our residents, an incredible career of impactful service that built a stronger future for our entire city. Um, as I joked at his beautiful service, he was a glutton for punishment because he served on this das twice. He served in 1998 to 2004 and again from 2007 to 2013. Um he called when when someone called him for service he answered. During his time as a council member he had so many different accomplishments but importantly he championed neighborhood redevelopment revitalization and public safety. Many in this room and on this dis were blessed to call Mr. Moss a friend and a mentor. His impact has truly reached far and wide and Fort Worth is better because of Mr. Frank Ma senior. And to my council members, we will invite the family to come and be recognized in an appropriate time this spring and I'll work with council member people's office to organize that. But I thought this was important tonight to close the meeting in his honor. Of course, meeting is adjourned.