New Braunfels City Council Special Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council met from 5:00 p.m. to 7:19 p.m. on January 20, 2026, in a Special Regular Meeting. The agenda included adopting modifications to the city's economic development policy, updates on the Ride the Rio transit system, a mental health pilot program, the parks master plan, roadway impact fee and ARPA projects, as well as changes to the Landa Park Aquatic Complex operating dates and park curfew hours.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Collins (Resident): Expressed opposition to lowering the Chapter 380 investment threshold from $10 million to $1 million, stating a concern that smaller businesses have a higher failure rate.
• Clarissa DeSanto (Resident): Expressed full support for the threshold reduction, arguing it encourages small business growth and citing the Burnt Bean restaurant in Seguin as a successful example.
• Eric Reed (Resident): Expressed support for prioritizing natural surface trails in the Parks Master Plan and connecting them to the larger trail network.
• Destin Singleton (Resident, Parks Advisory Board): Expressed support for both the LPAC date change and the park curfew revision, noting they were backed by the Parks Board.

Discussion Items

• Modifications to Chapter 380 Economic Development Program Policy: City Manager Jordan Matney proposed lowering the eligibility threshold from $10 million to $1 million, adding historic preservation incentives, removing the building permit ineligibility clause, and establishing a 20-year payback period. The policy update was presented as a tool to allow city council more flexibility in approving future incentive agreements for specific projects like the Faust Hotel and Early Matters New Braunfels.
• Ride the Rio Transit District Update: Julie Sitton and Via Transportation reported over 10,000 completed rides and a 4.9-star rating in the first two months. Employment was the top use case. Staff noted plans to evaluate expanding service hours and the microtransit zone after collecting six months of operational data.
• Mental Health Support Services Pilot Program: Chief Pablo Flores introduced a proposed Interlocal Agreement with Hill Country MHMR Center to embed mental health professionals in the 911 dispatch center. The program aims to provide faster crisis referrals and de-escalation. Data showed a 26% increase in 911 mental health calls from 2024 to 2025. The agreement is scheduled for formal consideration at the next meeting.
• Systemwide Parks and Recreation Master Plan: Jeff Bransford presented findings from 51,000 public engagement points. Top priorities included trails, fitness/wellness, natural areas, and shade. Challenges identified were aging infrastructure, geographic inequity, and an adult programming deficit. A final action plan is expected in spring 2026.
• Roadway Impact Fee and ARPA Mobility Projects: Garry Ford detailed several infrastructure projects, including intersection improvements (Zip/Old Zip, Post/Green), corridor studies (Barbarossa, Thurfur, Hunter/306), and mobility improvements (Fredericksburg Road, Elizabeth Avenue, San Antonio Street lane reallocation, Comal Avenue traffic calming). Council discussed balancing traffic calming, bike safety, and parking needs with projected growth.
• Landa Park Aquatic Complex & Park Curfew: Ken Wilson proposed delaying LPAC's seasonal opening to Memorial Day weekend to address staffing shortages. He also proposed changing the citywide park curfew from midnight to 10 p.m. to curb vandalism, with exceptions for sports fields and specific parks. The Parks Board supported both proposals.

Key Outcomes

• Chapter 380 Policy Approved (6-1): The council adopted the modifications lowering the threshold to $1 million and adding historic preservation provisions. Councilmember Carter voted in opposition.
• Upcoming Agenda Items: A Chapter 380 agreement for Early Matters New Braunfels will be considered on January 26. An agreement for the Faust Hotel will be considered on February 9.
• Direction on Transit Expansion: Staff will collect at least six months of data before proposing changes to the Ride the Rio service area or hours of operation.
• Direction on LPAC and Park Curfew: Staff was directed to prepare formal ordinance amendments changing the LPAC operating calendar and park curfew hours for council consideration in February.