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Record of Proceedings

New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyNew Braunfels, Texas
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:48:20

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:01

Good evening.

0:02

We're going to call this Tuesday, May twenty sixth, twenty twenty-six City Council meeting to order.

Unassigned speaker

0:09

Mrs.

Speaker 1

0:10

Wilkinson, will you please call roll?

Speaker 2

0:12

Councilmember Carter.

0:15

Here, Councilmember Cape.

0:18

Here.

0:18

Councilmember Edwards.

Speaker 3

0:20

Here.

Speaker 2

0:20

Mayor Pro Tim Sbradley.

Speaker 1

0:22

Here.

Speaker 2

0:23

Councilmember Lebowski.

0:24

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Ryan.

0:26

Here.

0:26

And Mayor Leonard.

Speaker 1

0:28

Here we have a quorum, and Councilmember Edwards is going to lead us in the invocation, followed by the pledges.

Speaker 4

0:40

We come before you today as grateful hearts as we pause to honor Vetterson's loss protecting a loving nation and remember the brave men and women who protect our freedoms and keep our nation safe.

0:54

May we have a moment of silence for all that we've lost.

1:05

Now may we also lift up sincerely, thanking the families who lost so much with the commitment of their dedicated loved ones.

1:18

In addition, on this day after Memorial Day, let us not forget our first responders that have given their lives to protect us and our daily service for courage and sacrifice as a living work to protect and care for our community.

1:34

As we begin this city council meeting, we ask for your guidance, wisdom, and understanding.

1:41

Help us listen with respect, speak with kindness, and make decisions that serve the good of our city and all its people.

1:49

Grant us unity and purpose, compassion and leadership, and humility in the service to our city and to you.

1:58

May we never forget those who have sacrificed so much.

2:01

May we honor them by working together in peace, justice, and love.

2:07

With all these things we pray.

2:09

Amen.

Speaker 1

2:58

Okay.

2:59

And administer the oath of office to District Five Council Member Elect Marianne Lebowski.

Speaker 2

5:27

Repeat after me, please.

5:30

I and state your name.

Speaker 5

5:32

I, Mary Ann Ladowski.

Speaker 2

5:34

Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute.

Speaker 5

5:39

That I will faithfully execute

Speaker 2

5:40

the duties of the office,

Speaker 5

5:42

the duties of the office of city council, of city council

Speaker 2

5:48

of the state of Texas, of the state of Texas, and will to the best of my ability

Speaker 5

5:54

and will to the best of my ability

Speaker 2

5:57

preserve, protect, and defend.

Speaker 5

6:00

Preserve, protect and defend

Speaker 2

6:04

the Constitution and laws.

Speaker 5

6:06

The Constitution and Laws

Speaker 2

6:08

of the United States.

Speaker 5

6:14

So help me God.

6:14

So help me God.

6:31

Thank

Unassigned speaker

6:32

you.

Speaker 5

7:16

Good evening.

7:18

And thank you for coming and watching me swear in again for my second term.

7:26

First and first of all, I want to thank God for the strength, the courage, and the wisdom he has given me throughout this journey.

7:49

To my campaign team, David Ozuna, Cassie, Canton,

Unassigned speaker

7:56

and

Speaker 5

7:56

Melba Romero.

7:58

Thank

Unassigned speaker

7:59

you.

Speaker 5

8:07

And tonight belongs to you and to my constituents just as much as it belongs to

Unassigned speaker

8:15

me.

Speaker 5

8:16

And to my husband, thank you for being my rock.

8:20

Your love and support made this possible.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous███████████████████████████27%
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Short-Term Rentals███████████████████19%
Charter Review█████████████13%
Zoning Regulations██████6%
Public Engagement████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Personnel Matters█1%
Community Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included annual election actions, proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approvals, zoning changes for short-term rentals, discussion on a charter review commission, and an executive session followed by the appointment of an interim city attorney firm. Councilmembers present: Toni Carter, Michael Capizzi, D. Lee Edwards, Lawrence Spradley, April Ryan, Mary Ann Labowski, and Mayor Neal Linnartz.

Annual Election Actions

  • Completed and issued the certificate of election to Councilmember-elect Mary Ann Labowski for District 5.
  • Administered the oath of office to Councilmember Labowski, who addressed the audience.

Proclamations

  • Juneteenth: Proclaimed June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth in New Braunfels. George Green accepted and spoke about the history of the celebration.
  • ALS Awareness: Proclaimed May 26, 2026, as ALS Awareness Day. Brian Martelon and his family accepted.
  • Small Business Week & Small Business Person of the Year: Proclaimed May 3–9, 2026, as Small Business Week and recognized Kevin Carroll (Christian Brothers Automotive) as Small Business Person of the Year.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael French (resident): Accused Councilmember Spradley of using AI to manipulate and defame his military record. Stated he is filing a police report and a lawsuit. Called for Mayor and Council to condemn and censure Spradley.
  • Thomas Campbell (resident, recorded as Thomas Candle in official minutes): Discussed charter conflicts with state/federal law (majority threshold, freeholder qualifications for utility boards). Formally requested a charter review commission on the next agenda.
  • Michael Murphy (non-resident): Addressed unity, criticized mayor for calling opponents “naysayers,” noted the mayor lost 990 voters compared to his first election. Called on mayor to disavow a political group’s attacks.
  • Bob King (resident): Criticized the May 11th meeting process for terminating the city attorney, arguing it violated Robert’s Rules and city ordinance. Called on the mayor to apologize or be reprimanded.
  • Richard Zapata (resident, former councilmember): Spoke on Memorial Day, condemned a Facebook post attacking a military member. Supported charter review but urged new blood on the commission. Raised concerns about NBU Water’s social media post mimicking the mayor’s campaign posts.
  • Jim Holster (resident): Criticized the New Braunfels Housing Authority’s creation of a Public Facility Corporation (NBHAPFC) without council appointment, and the lack of disclosure of tax exemptions for the Lyndon Ranch apartment project (303 units).

Consent Calendar

  • Action Items A–F and Ordinances G–H: Approved unanimously.
    • A) Minutes of May 11 and May 18, 2026.
    • B) License agreement with 210 S. Castell, LLC for dumpster enclosure.
    • C & D) Runoff election service agreements with Comal and Guadalupe counties.
    • E) Pedestrian underpass agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Dry Comal Trail.
    • F) Adjustment of citywide FTEs from 902.5 to 907.5.
    • G) First reading: 2026 Amended Service and Assessment Plan for Solms Landing PID.
    • H) Second reading: Amendments to park ordinances (glass, alcohol, sales, bridge safety, fees).

Discussion Items

Short-Term Rental Zoning Changes

  • A) 284 Perryman Street (Maria Chavez): Request to rezone 0.2 acres from C-3 to C-3 SUP for a short-term rental (STR). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions (maintain residential character, comply with site plan). The applicant’s agent spoke in favor, noting the property’s proximity to I-35 and commercial uses. Councilmember Carter opposed, citing a trend of zoning concerns. Public hearing had no speakers. Vote: 6-1 in favor (Carter opposed).
  • B) 1258 West San Antonio Street (Paul Paniagua): Request to rezone 0.3 acres from C-2 to C-2 SUP for a STR. Staff recommended approval with three conditions (residential character, no significant changes, pave off-street parking). Public hearing saw Angela Keller (ETJ) question tax impacts on neighbors. Councilmembers debated impacts on property values and tax burdens. Vote: 5-2 in favor (Carter and Labowski opposed).

Possible Reconsideration of City Attorney Action (May 11)

  • Council considered a motion to reconsider the May 11th decision regarding the city attorney. No motion was made; the item died for lack of motion.

Charter Review Commission Presentation

  • City Manager Robert Camareno presented a draft process for a charter review commission, including:
    • Composition: A 7-member commission (one per council district + one at-large) appointed by council.
    • Application process for transparency.
    • Selection of outside legal counsel via RFP with an ad hoc committee.
    • Timeline targeting a May 2027 election.
  • Council feedback: Support for allowing applications, setting criteria, defining time commitment, and appointing alternates. Some members requested more time to consider the composition. Staff will bring a detailed action item to the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Item 2A (284 Perryman STR): Approved 6-1.
  • Item 2B (1258 W. San Antonio STR): Approved 5-2.
  • Item 2C (Reconsideration of City Attorney): Died for lack of motion.
  • Charter Review Commission: Direction given to staff to return with a formal action item at the next meeting, including draft application and options for commission size.
  • Executive Session: Council convened in closed session at 7:47 PM and reconvened at 8:26 PM.
  • Interim City Attorney Appointment: Motion to appoint Davidson, Troilo, Ream & Garza as the interim attorney firm passed unanimously.
  • Adjournment: 8:26 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We're going to call this Tuesday, May twenty sixth, twenty twenty-six City Council meeting to order. Mrs. Wilkinson, will you please call roll? Councilmember Carter. Here, Councilmember Cape. Here. Councilmember Edwards. Here. Mayor Pro Tim Sbradley. Here. Councilmember Lebowski. Here. Councilmember Ryan. Here. And Mayor Leonard. Here we have a quorum, and Councilmember Edwards is going to lead us in the invocation, followed by the pledges. We come before you today as grateful hearts as we pause to honor Vetterson's loss protecting a loving nation and remember the brave men and women who protect our freedoms and keep our nation safe. May we have a moment of silence for all that we've lost. Now may we also lift up sincerely, thanking the families who lost so much with the commitment of their dedicated loved ones. In addition, on this day after Memorial Day, let us not forget our first responders that have given their lives to protect us and our daily service for courage and sacrifice as a living work to protect and care for our community. As we begin this city council meeting, we ask for your guidance, wisdom, and understanding. Help us listen with respect, speak with kindness, and make decisions that serve the good of our city and all its people. Grant us unity and purpose, compassion and leadership, and humility in the service to our city and to you. May we never forget those who have sacrificed so much. May we honor them by working together in peace, justice, and love. With all these things we pray. Amen. Okay. And administer the oath of office to District Five Council Member Elect Marianne Lebowski. Repeat after me, please. I and state your name. I, Mary Ann Ladowski. Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute. That I will faithfully execute the duties of the office, the duties of the office of city council, of city council of the state of Texas, of the state of Texas, and will to the best of my ability and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend. Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws. The Constitution and Laws of the United States. So help me God. So help me God. Thank you. Good evening. And thank you for coming and watching me swear in again for my second term.

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