Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The New Braunfels City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, called to order by Mayor Neal Linnartz at 6:01 p.m. All seven council members were present. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Comal County Judge Sherman Crausey, followed by an invocation and pledges. The agenda included proclamations for Entrepreneurship Week and Career and Technical Education Month, the recognition of Battalion Chief Donnie Obuch's 31-year retirement, a lengthy consent agenda, several traffic and development ordinances, and a highly charged public comment period regarding police funding and crime statistics.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Items included approval of previous meeting minutes; the appointment of Patrick Carreon to the Community Development Advisory Committee; a three-year, $270,900 contract with ESRI; purchase of two police vehicles; a Construction Manager at Risk contract for the Southeast Library Project; a resolution for the creation of the Botanical Farm MUD (~250 acres); multiple grant application authorizations; an ordinance ordering the May 2, 2026 city election; amendments to park hours and historic preservation incentives; and second readings for TIRZ #2, TIRZ #4, and a rezoning at 2212 Alyssa Way.
Citizens Communications:
TIRZ #5 (West End) Board Public Hearing:
Willowbrook Parking Public Hearing:
Youth Program Standards of Care: Presented by Stephanie Chelar. The 2026 standards were adopted unanimously on first reading with no substantive changes.
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Requirements and Fees: Presented by Carly Farmer and Jordan Matney. The first item amended the code to update TIA requirements, including a 2-3 year expiration for studies, adjustments for rural roads, and updated turn lane criteria. The second item adopted a new fee schedule for TIA services to cover both in-house and third-party review costs. Councilmembers voiced a strong preference for in-house reviews to improve efficiency and accountability. Both items were adopted unanimously.
Willowbrook Parking Restriction: Presented by Carly Farmer. This item addressed a gap in the 2024 traffic calming plan for August Field after a raised crosswalk and mini-roundabout were deemed infeasible. The approved ordinance restricts parking on one side of Willowbrook near Timmerman Park to create safer pedestrian crossings and manage traffic flow. Councilmember Carter questioned whether the solution went far enough, and residents noted enforcement and school zone traffic remain ongoing issues. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
Kohlenberg Road Eminent Domain: Presented by Matthew Eckmann. The council voted unanimously to authorize eminent domain proceedings for three parcels owned by Lynn K. Wohlfahrt to advance the bond-funded widening and realignment of Kohlenberg Road. Staff reported negotiations lasting nearly a year with the owner seeking approximately 2.5 times the appraised value. The resolution allows the city to pursue commissioner hearings to determine fair market value.
TIRZ #5 (West End) Board of Directors: Presented by Gayle Wilkinson. This was the second and final reading of the ordinance appointing the initial board. Following extensive public comment, the ordinance was approved 6-1, with Councilmember Carter casting the sole dissenting vote.
Good evening. We've got some seating up front. Feel free to come on in and once we close the doors, we'll get the meeting started. Okay, Mrs. Wilkinson, will you please call role? Yes, sir. Councilmember Carter. Here, Councilmember Capisi. Here. Councilmember Edwards. Here. Mayor Pro Tim Sbradley. Here. Council Member Lebowski. Here. Councilmember Ryan here. And Mayor Leonards. Here, we have a quorum. And before we start with tonight's meeting, I just want to take a moment of silence to recognize Sherman Crausey. He was our our county judge, a friend of mine for over 20 years, and a dedicated public servant who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. So if if you just uh honor him with a moment of silence, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Now I'll invite Councilmember Carter to lead us in the invocation followed by the pledges. We come before you seeking peace, comfort, and guidance. We lift up the family and loved ones of Judge Sherman Crosse, whose sudden passing has deeply affected our community. Please surround the family, loved ones, and friends with your comfort and grant them peace in the days ahead. We thank you for our first responders who courageously acted to protect our children at Canyon Middle School, watch over them and their families, and bless them for their service. We ask your blessing on the city of New Bromfels, its leaders, and its people. Grant us wisdom, unity, and compassion as we serve this community. In your name we pray. Amen. Okay, we get to start the meeting off with a little fun. We're gonna have a couple proclamations and then we're gonna we're gonna do a retirement. So the first one we're gonna do is for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship week. Would anybody here for entrepreneurship week come up and join me? So whereas entrepreneurship is a driving force of innovation, economic growth, and community prosperity, and entrepreneurs play a vital role in creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and enhancing the quality of life for residents in New Bromfels. And whereas the city of New Bromfels is home to a diverse and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, including small businesses, startups, family-owned enterprises, makers, innovators, and lifestyle brands that contribute to the city's unique character, economic resilience, and long-term growth. And whereas the Greater New Bromfels Chamber of Commerce plays a critical role in supporting entrepreneurship through business programming, mentoring, networking, workforce initiatives, and economic development strategies designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain successful businesses. And whereas the chamber's economic development efforts in collaboration with public and private partners help strengthen the local business climate by supporting business attraction, retention, expansion, and innovation while fostering an environment where entrepreneur entrepreneurs can thrive. And whereas entrepreneurship education and career exploitation exploration are essential to developing a strong future workforce and local career and technical education or CTE programs, school districts, post-secondary institutions, and workforce partners help inspire and prepare students to pursue entrepreneurship, innovation, and business ownership as a viable career path. And whereas engaging entrepreneurship through education, workforce development, and community partnerships supports talent development, economic mobility, and long-term prosperity for New Bromfels. And whereas National Entrepreneurship Week provides an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and support entrepreneurs while highlighting programs and partnerships that cultivate innovate innovation and inspire the next generation of business leaders. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Neil Leonards, Mayor of the City of New Bromfels, Texas, hereby proclaim February 14th through 21st, 2026 as entrepreneurship week. Thank you, thank you.