New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting Summary - January 27, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council held a regular meeting on January 27, 2026. The council passed a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement to fund an early childhood education initiative, approved multiple rezoning requests, and appointed boards to three Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones. Several items were approved with split votes, with Councilmember Toni Carter dissenting on three agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the January 12, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Interlocal Agreement with Comal County for space at the Church Hill Annex.
• Appointment of Kelly Minor to the Civil Service Commission.
• Multiple appointments to city boards and committees.
• Agreements for mental health support services, sidewalk escrow, and a Simulcast project with LCRA.
• Expenditures and resolutions related to the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC).
• Issuance of bids for several capital improvement projects.
• A settlement agreement with Yantis Company and other firms.
• An ordinance amendment for the Roadway Impact Fee Advisory Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cody Ackeroyd (Resident): Raised concerns about the constitutional compliance of the municipal court system, citing missing oaths of office and missing evidence. He urged the council to conduct an internal audit and called on citizens to participate in the upcoming elections.
• Item 2A – Early Matters New Braunfels (Supporters):
  • Cordell Bunch (Resident): Expressed strong support for the early childhood initiative, drawing on personal experience with childcare shortages.
  • Rusty Brockman (District 4 Resident): Voiced support for the program as a critical resource for small business owners in the childcare sector.
  • Kathleen Krueger (Former Councilmember): Expressed support, emphasizing the science of early childhood development.
  • Alice Jewell (CEO, McKenna Foundation): Expressed support, highlighting the foundation's history of successful public-private community initiatives.

Discussion Items

• Chapter 380 Agreement with Early Matters New Braunfels (Item 2A): Mike Crowley (Chamber of Commerce) and Mark Larson (Early Matters SA) presented a $300,000, three-year agreement to fund an executive director to improve childcare access and quality. Council questioned them on the Texas Rising Star rating system, provider oversight, and the hiring process. The agreement was framed as an economic and workforce development strategy.
• Rezoning for Telecommunications Tower (Item 2B): A request to rezone 0.1 acres on Alyssa Way to allow a 150-foot cell tower on fire department property. Council discussed stealth tower requirements.
• Rezoning for Resort Commercial (Item 2C): Second reading of a request to rezone approximately 6 acres on Gruene Road to C-4A (Resort Commercial District).
• Rezoning for Short-Term Rental (Item 2D): Second reading of a request to rezone 0.2 acres at 385 West Faust Street to allow a short-term rental.
• Appointment of TIRZ Boards (Items 2E, 2F, 2G): Appointments of initial Boards of Directors for TIRZ #2 (River Mill), TIRZ #4 (Zipp Park), and TIRZ #5 (West End). The West End appointment (Item 2G) sparked debate when Councilmember Carter objected to the nomination of Andres Campos, arguing the ad hoc committee's selection did not fairly represent District 1. Mayor Pro Tem Spradley and other councilmembers defended the selection.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 2A (Early Matters Agreement): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 2B (Telecom Tower SUP): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 2C (Gruene Road Rezone): Approved (6-1). Councilmember Carter opposed.
• Item 2D (Faust Street STR): Approved (6-1). Councilmember Carter opposed.
• Item 2E (River Mill TIRZ Board): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 2F (Zipp Park TIRZ Board): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 2G (West End TIRZ Board): Approved (6-1). Councilmember Carter opposed.