New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting - October 12, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council met on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, presentations on installing the national motto and proposed solid waste rate changes, and deliberations on four individual items, including a charter review commission and an entrepreneurship incubator project. The council convened into executive session at 10:00 PM and reconvened at 10:59 PM, taking no further action before adjourning.

Proclamations

• Living Legends of New Braunfels: Mayor French read proclamations honoring Benno Engel, David Lamon, and Teresa Johnson (not present) as 2026 Living Legends. Engel and Lamon accepted and addressed council.
• R.O.A.D Ready Recognition: Mayor French read a proclamation recognizing the Parks and Solid Waste Departments for completing the Road Ready program. Randy Garza from the TML Risk Pool addressed council.

Consent Calendar

• All items approved unanimously: Councilmember Capizzi motioned, Councilmember Labowski seconded. Items included: approval of meeting minutes (Sept. 28 and 30, 2026); contract amendment with Landscapes Unlimited, LLC for Landa Park Golf Course Bunker Renovation; contract modification with STV, Inc. for Solms Road Improvement design; resolution authorizing City Manager to apply for FY 2027 FAA Contract Tower grant; second reading of ordinance establishing Fire and Police Department positions per Local Gov't Code Chapter 143; second reading of ordinance lowering speed limit in residential areas off Lake Front Avenue.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Green (resident): Expressed frustration with New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) work crews blocking access and showing disrespect. Called for competition in utility services and criticized rewarding poor behavior with committee appointments.
• Angela Keller (resident): Urged council to lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Noted a pattern of items eventually being approved after initial denials. Asked for clear criteria and real weight behind denials.
• Anonymous (Texas Privacy Coalition): Presented a video and argued against the city’s Flock ALPR cameras, stating they track detailed vehicle movements, pose cybersecurity risks, and have minimal impact on crime reduction relative to the number of innocent vehicles logged.
• Rita McNeal (resident): Opposed continued growth and bond measures, citing unsustainable population increases, school district bonds, and construction impacts. Called for slowing approval of housing and developments.
• Bob Moore (ETJ resident, Veramendi): Complained about traffic delays at the 46 and Oak Run Parkway project due to lack of work. City staff noted a gas line issue and promised an update.
• David Warmke (District 5): Recited a song celebrating the retention of a 5-minute public speaking limit after a previous attempt to reduce it to 3 minutes. Encouraged citizen participation.
• On individual items, additional speakers included: Marty Hyles, Steve Ceh, Carrie Issac (State Representative), and Angela Keller spoke in favor of installing “In God We Trust” in council chambers. Julie King, Chase Taylor, David Warmke, and Richard Kelsheimer spoke against the Gener8tor incubator project, raising concerns about contract terms, performance metrics, and the chamber’s transparency. Angela Allen supported a larger charter review commission.

Discussion Items

• Presentation A: Installation of “In God We Trust” Motto in Council Chambers: Councilmember Shaw presented the proposal as a patriotic display of the national motto. After public comments (all supportive), council unanimously voted to proceed with installation on the dais, with a local artisan to construct it.
• Presentation B: Proposed Solid Waste Residential Services Rate Modifications: Jared Werner presented a rate proposal for the first increase since 2010. The rates would go from $17.66 to $20.00 on April 1, 2027, with $2 annual increases through FY 2031. Council discussed recycling contamination, costs, and potential improvements. No action taken; further presentation planned for November 16.
• Item A: NBU Capital Improvement Reimbursement Resolution: Jessica Williams presented a resolution to declare intent to reimburse up to $155 million in capital costs with future bond proceeds. Council unanimously approved.
• Item B: Gener8tor Entrepreneurship Incubator Project: Jonathan Packer and Robert Pieroni presented a proposal for a $1,125,000 EDC-funded multi-year accelerator for 10 startups per cohort. Council members raised concerns about contract details, performance metrics (e.g., 20 jobs in year one), overlap with the Spark program, and high cost. After extensive discussion and public opposition, Councilmember French motioned to postpone to November 9, 2026; unanimously approved.
• Item C: Downtown Board Bylaws Amendment: Jeff Jewell presented the second and final reading of an ordinance updating the Downtown Board’s purpose and bylaws, including removing Texas Main Street program references. Council unanimously approved.
• Item D: Charter Review Commission – Number of Members and Appointments: City Manager Camareno presented. After debate on seven vs. nine members and selection of alternates, Councilmember Capizzi motioned for seven voting members (one per district plus Mayor) and two alternates to be selected from the applicant pool and voted on by council at a future meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
• Installation of “In God We Trust”: Unanimous vote to direct staff to install the motto on the council dais.
• NBU Reimbursement Resolution: Unanimous approval.
• Gener8tor Incubator: Postponed to the November 9, 2026, council meeting for further details and contract negotiations.
• Downtown Board Bylaws: Second and final reading approved unanimously.
• Charter Review Commission: Motion carried for seven voting members (one per district and the Mayor) and two alternates to be selected from the applicant pool and appointed by council vote at a later meeting.
• Executive Session: Council entered closed session at 10:00 PM under Texas Gov’t Code Sections 551.074 and 551.071. Reopened at 10:59 PM; no action taken. Meeting adjourned at 10:59 PM.