New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting - November 10, 2025

The New Braunfels City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025, at City Hall (550 Landa Street). Mayor Neal Linnartz presided, and present were Councilmembers Toni Carter, Michael Capizzi, D. Lee Edwards, Mary Ann Labowski, and Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence Spradley. Councilmember April Ryan was absent. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. and adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The Council had convened in executive session at 5:00 p.m. to discuss matters related to the City Attorney; no action was taken on this item in open session.

Proclamations

• Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month (November 2025): Proclamation accepted by representatives from Breakthrough T1D.
• National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (November 16–22, 2025): Proclamation accepted by representatives from NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, and other agencies. The proclamation noted that over 7,000 people per month receive food assistance, over six million pounds of food are distributed annually, and a minimum of 700 people face homelessness in the community annually, a number that has doubled in the last four years.
• Geography Awareness Week / GIS Day (November 17–21, 2025): Proclamation accepted by the City of New Braunfels GIS department.

Consent Calendar

The Council approved the consent agenda with a single motion (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Spradley, second by Councilmember Labowski), passing 6–0. The following items were approved:

• Approval of the October 27, 2025, regular and executive session meeting minutes.
• Appointment of Christopher Willis to the Heritage Commission.
• Purchase of vehicles from Bluebonnet Motors Ford and Lake Country Chevrolet for various city departments and declaration of replaced units as surplus.
• Purchase of a chassis and EMS body remounting for the Fire Department from Frazer and surplus declaration.
• Expenditure of up to $90,000 for right-of-way acquisition for the Oak Run Intersection Improvements Project.
• Authorization of a Memorandum of Understanding with Brownsville Independent School District for the sale of city surplus vehicles.
• Interlocal Agreement with Comal County for a special tree lighting system in downtown.
• A resolution approving an expenditure of up to $250,000 from the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) to the SPARK Small Business Center for an economic development program.
• First reading of an ordinance to annex approximately 8.7 acres (Lots 1R, 2R, and 3, Block 81, Mayfair - Parcel EA-3) for limited purposes.
• First reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 14 (International Building Code and International Residential Code) pertaining to fence regulations.
• Second and final reading of an ordinance creating Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Four – Zipp Park (TIRZ 4).
• Second and final reading of an ordinance rezoning approximately 0.75 acres at 160 FM 1863 from APD to C-1A.
• Second and final reading of an ordinance rezoning approximately 0.4 acres at 1731 Kuehler Avenue from R-3 to R-3 with a Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental.

Citizens Communications

Three members of the public addressed the Council on items not on the printed agenda:

• Jim Holster (Resident): Presented SNAP (food stamp) data for New Braunfels for October 2025, reporting 4,488 households (9,727 recipients) received a total of $1,630,795 in benefits, with an average monthly benefit of $367. He urged the Council to consider the ongoing need in the community.
• Danielle Edwards (Resident): Presented a petition signed by 2,142 verified New Braunfels residents requesting that city taxpayers be granted a three-hour free downtown parking permit, similar to the river access permit. She asked the Council to place the item on an upcoming agenda for immediate action rather than tabling it.
• Cody Akeroyd (Resident and plaintiff in a civil case against the city): Alleged that city prosecutors have been serving without lawful oaths of office and that required anti-bribery statements are missing from city records, arguing this invalidates municipal court fines and fees. He stated he is preparing to file an additional federal lawsuit seeking $8 million in damages and organizing a class action on behalf of citizens, while remaining open to a lawful resolution.

Discussion Items

Item 2A: Public Hearing and First Reading — Fence Regulations (Zoning Code) Christopher Looney, Planning Director, presented the proposed amendment to Chapter 144-5.3 of the City’s Code of Ordinances (zoning regulations). He explained that this item works concurrently with the building code amendment approved on the consent agenda. If adopted, fence permits would only be required for fences over seven feet tall, those enclosing swimming pools, those in drainage easements, or those in flood zones. No public testimony was offered. The Council voted unanimously to approve the first reading (motion by Councilmember Capizzi, second by Councilmember Labowski).

Item 2B: Comal Appraisal District Board of Directors Vote Gayle Wilkinson, City Secretary, reported that the city is allotted 495 votes for a seat on the Comal Appraisal District Board. After brief discussion, the Council voted unanimously to cast all 495 votes for candidate Case Brown (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Spradley, second by Councilmember Labowski).

Item 2C: Guadalupe Appraisal District Board of Directors Vote Ms. Wilkinson reported that the city is allotted 53 votes for seats on the Guadalupe Appraisal District Board. The Council voted unanimously to cast all 53 votes for incumbent Letticia Sever (motion by Councilmember Edwards, second by Mayor Pro Tem Spradley).

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda, encompassing routine purchases, property acquisitions, interlocal agreements, development incentives (SPARK funding, TIRZ 4 designation), and zoning changes, was approved unanimously.
• The Council adopted a first reading of concurrent building and zoning code amendments intended to significantly reduce permitting requirements for fences.
• The Council directed the City’s weighted votes in the Comal Appraisal District Board election to Case Brown and in the Guadalupe Appraisal District Board election to Letticia Sever.
• The Council convened in executive session at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the appointment, evaluation, or removal of the City Attorney. No formal action was taken in open session following the executive session.