New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

The New Braunfels City Council met on October 15, 2025 (as noted in the provided context; the official transcript and minutes reflect a meeting date of October 13, 2025, but the requested date is used here). The meeting included multiple proclamations, a presentation by the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, citizens' comments, a consent agenda with two pulled items, and several individual action items regarding economic development, infrastructure, transit, tax abatement, and the creation of a new Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. All votes were unanimous.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Hill Country Night Sky Month: Mayor Linnartz proclaimed October 2025 as Hill Country Night Sky Month. Michelle Molina accepted on behalf of Comal Friends of the Night Sky and encouraged residents to use dark-sky-friendly lighting (2700K or warmer).
• Texas Native Plant Week: Proclaimed October 19–25, 2025 as Texas Native Plant Week. Representatives from the New Braunfels Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas highlighted school projects, including a native plant garden at Mill Street Gym and an art exhibition with 134 fourth graders from Memorial and Lamar Elementary Schools.
• Unplugged Texas Day: Proclaimed October 21, 2025 as Unplugged Texas Day. Stephanie Sholar (Recreation Manager) announced events including a food truck party in Landa Park from 4–7 p.m.
• ISO Class 1 Fire Rating: State Fire Marshal Debra Knight presented a certificate recognizing the New Braunfels Fire Department for maintaining an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating, noting that only 102 of Texas' 1,800 departments achieve this rating. Chief Lozano credited the department, city leadership, and New Braunfels Utilities for water supply.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rick Myrick (795 Laurel Lane) expressed concern about the high deer population in his neighborhood, citing damage and mess. He urged the city to begin a discussion about reducing the deer population, possibly through relocation.
• Jim Holster (District 3 resident) alerted the council to a New Braunfels Housing Authority (NBHA) meeting on October 16, 2025, regarding the creation of a Public Facility Corporation under Chapter 303 of the Texas Government Code. He claimed this would allow tax exemptions for up to 99 years, diverting school tax dollars to developers, and criticized NBHA's past management. Mayor Linnartz responded that the mayor does not supervise the housing authority and stated the comments contained misinformation.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with two items pulled for individual consideration:

• Approval of September 22, 2025 minutes.
• Transition of TIRZ 1 and TIRZ 3 Advisory Boards from spring-appointed to fall-appointed, extending terms to November 30.
• Nominations for TIRZ 1 and TIRZ 3 chairs.
• Second Amendment to Chapter 380 Agreement with Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC (Aumovio) — pulled.
• Approval of competitive sealed proposals for Golf Course Road parking and biofiltration, Landa Park lot and biofiltration, and Gruene Road/Post Road intersection improvements.
• Expenditure for audio/visual upgrades at the Civic/Convention Center.
• Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Comal County ESD No. 7.
• Acceptance of 15.03-acre tract (Arroyo Verde) and 46-acre tract (Oak Creek) from New Braunfels Parks Foundation.
• Lease agreement for farming on 62.6 acres.
• Resolution for EDC contract with Continental — pulled.
• Resolution for economic development agreement with Continental (up to $300,000).
• Resolution renewing Meet and Confer Agreement with Fire Fighters Association Local 3845 through September 30, 2027.
• First reading of ordinance for limited-purpose annexation of 19.99 acres (Mayfair Parcel E-15).
• Second reading of ordinance correcting property description in Ordinance 2024-90 (Reinvestment Zone 2024-01).
• Second reading of ordinance for short-term rental SUP at 341 North Market Avenue (C-2 SUP).
• Second reading of ordinance for short-term rental SUP at 1160 Dunlap Drive (C-3 SUP).
• Second reading of ordinance amending solid waste commercial rate adjustments.

Discussion Items

F-1 & M-1: Continental Autonomous Mobility Agreements Richard Kelsheimer pulled items F and M, questioning the economic impact. Jeff Jewell (Economic & Community Development Director) explained that the Second Amendment to the Chapter 380 agreement would terminate the existing agreement and roll into a tax abatement agreement. The Second Amendment to the EDC contract modifies employment targets (temporarily reduced due to post-COVID shifts, with payroll exceeding baselines). Kelsheimer raised concerns about giving incentives to a $40 billion company. Jewell responded that the city competes nationally for investment and that the expansion provides net benefits: approximately $5 million in net revenue over 10 years. Both items were approved unanimously.

A: San Antonio/Water Lane Construction Contract Scott McClelland (Assistant Director of Transportation) presented a joint-bid contract with Capital Excavation Company for the 2023 Bond Citywide Streets Program, including sidewalks on San Antonio Street (from Kruger to Loop) and water lane improvements. City cost: $3.3 million, with a 10% contingency of $330,000, plus a $49,000 materials testing contract with ECS Southwest. Total project cost with NBU portion: $6.6 million. Construction expected December 2025 to spring 2027. Approved unanimously.

B: Microtransit Services Contract Julie Sitton (Transit Manager) presented a contract with River North Transit, LLC (subsidiary of Via Transportation) for a door-to-door microtransit system in the New Braunfels Urban Transit District. Service: 7 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week. Soft launch November 18, 2025; full launch January 2026. Funded via ARPA, FTA ($2 million for FY25), and TxDOT ($300,000). Vehicles: minivans, 50% ADA accessible. Approved unanimously.

C: Tax Abatement Agreement with Continental Jeff Jewell presented a public hearing for a 65% abatement on the expansion of Continental's existing facility (additional 65,000 sq ft, 100 jobs, $100 million appraised value). The existing Chapter 380 agreement would dissolve; the city would capture full taxes on the existing ~$150 million investment. Net fiscal impact: approximately $2.5 million in city revenues over 10 years. Approved unanimously.

D: Creation of TIRZ 5 – West End Jeff Jewell presented the first reading of an ordinance creating Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Five – West End (TIRZ 5). Boundaries capture commercially zoned property in the West End; base value ~$92 million. Over 25 years, estimated $4.2 million in incremental tax revenue (conservative, 3% appreciation). The zone can fund streetscape, drainage, public safety, parks, and economic development. Board composition proposed as seven members, 18+, residents of Comal County or property owners in the zone. Councilmember Labowski suggested re-evaluating board composition after initial appointments to include additional stakeholders. Approved unanimously as staff recommended.

E & F: Nominations to Appraisal District Boards Gayle Wilkinson (City Secretary) presented resolutions for nominations to the Guadalupe County Appraisal District Board (4-year term ending 2029) and Comal County Appraisal District Board. No nominations were made; the city retains the ability to vote for existing appointees (Ernesto Rodriguez for Guadalupe, Eric Couch for Comal) in November.

Executive Session

Council convened in executive session at 5:00 p.m. to discuss: appointment of Municipal Court Judge (Section 551.074), economic development negotiations for 'The Neue' and 'Project Maiden' (Section 551.087), and pending litigation regarding right-of-way for the Kohlenberg Road Improvements Project (Section 551.071). No action was taken in open session following executive session.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (except F and M, which were approved individually).
• Items F and M (Continental agreements) were approved unanimously.
• The San Antonio/Water Lane construction contract was awarded to Capital Excavation Company, with authorization for the city manager to execute change orders up to the contingency amount.
• The microtransit contract with River North Transit, LLC was approved.
• A tax abatement agreement with Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC was approved (65% for 10 years on expansion).
• The first reading of an ordinance creating TIRZ 5 – West End was approved unanimously, with staff's recommendations for board composition.
• No nominations were made for the Guadalupe or Comal County Appraisal District boards.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.