New Braunfels City Council Special Session: October 19, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council held a special session on October 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with Mayor Michael French presiding. Councilmembers present: Capizi, Edwards, Spratley, Lebowski, Shaw, and French. Councilmember Carter arrived later. The session opened with an invocation and pledges, followed by three proclamations (Chamber of Commerce Week, Woktober, Unplug Texas Day). The consent agenda (Items A and B) was approved unanimously. A workshop on the downtown managed parking program consumed most of the evening, followed by briefings on proposed data center regulations, the state of New Braunfels Utilities, and the FY 2026 third-quarter financial report. Council then entered executive session to discuss personnel matters and returned to approve a 5% salary increase for Municipal Court Judge Rosa Mara.

Proclamations

• Chamber of Commerce Week (October 19–23, 2026): Recognized the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and its 1,400 members, including 200 new members this year. A representative thanked council for the recognition.
• Woktober (Pedestrian Safety Month): Elizabeth DuPont, transportation planner, noted that in 2025 five pedestrians were killed and 27 seriously injured in traffic crashes in the Alamo area. The proclamation urged drivers and pedestrians to share the road safely, supporting Vision Zero goals.
• Unplug Texas Day (October 21, 2026): Encouraged residents to disconnect from screens and enjoy outdoor activities. An event at Landa Park from 4–7 PM will feature food trucks, games, a DJ, and a bubble party.

Consent Calendar

• Items A and B were approved by unanimous vote (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Capizi, seconded by Councilmember Edwards).

Discussion: Downtown Managed Parking Program (Workshop)

• Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director, presented the one-year review. The program manages 245 on-street spaces among 1,000 publicly available downtown spaces. Key metrics: 44% of sessions are free (first hour), 56% paid; compliance 94%; over 500 registered employee parking users; average daily sessions increasing; turnover ranges from 2–5 per day.
• Revenue totaled $638,000 in gross fees; after expenses, about 60% is reinvested in downtown improvements (e.g., ADA spaces increased from 2 to 12, landscaping, pedestrian upgrades).
• Both the Parking Revenue Committee and the Downtown Board recommended no changes to the program at this time.
• Staff recommended limited deployment of four pay stations ($9,000 each) to address concerns about QR-code-only payment. Council debated this, with some members suggesting a barcode tag system, two-hour free parking, or reduced enforcement hours. No consensus to alter the program.
• Councilmember Carter requested exploring an account-based barcode system for frequent users; staff agreed to examine it.
• Councilmember Lebowski asked for better lighting in dark areas downtown, particularly Segin Street between San Antonio Street and the plaza.

Public Comments & Testimony (Downtown Parking)

• David Warren (Resident, District 5): He attended parking committee workshops and believes the system works but needs tweaks, such as two hours free and using revenue for a downtown police officer.
• Linda McLean (Brauntex Theatre): Expressed strong sustained support for paid parking; noted the theater welcomes 32,000 patrons yearly and that parking had been a concern prior to the program. Patrons appreciate the improved availability.
• Jennifer Wilson (ETJ Resident & Business Owner): Supported the program, stating it encourages turnover and that first-hour free is reasonable.
• Cameron Corzine (Cowboys and Cadillacs Owner): Opposed the current system, citing business loss, hassle for customers, and lack of loading zones for events. He requested a preloaded payment option.
• Shana Corzine (Multiple Downtown Businesses): Reported a "war" between businesses with private lots and those without; her retail sales dropped since program began. She criticized reinvestment priorities (sidewalks, trash cans) and urged free weekends/later start times.
• James Schultz (Faust Hotel): Supported the program; hotel has 500 restaurant/bar guests daily and relies on employee parking off-site and customer turnover.
• Dean Yeager (Santa's Sleigh Christmas Shop): Favored keeping the program, noting parking turnover improved dramatically compared to pre-program conditions.
• Peter Landerman (Three Downtown Businesses): Voiced strong support; business is up across his ice cream, bakery, and toy stores, and he believes second-time users find the system easy.
• Clarissa DeSanto (Downtown Association President): Urged council to keep the program and use data for improvements. Emphasized that accessibility parking and disabled veteran exemptions were not provided before.
• April Ryan (Resident & Business Owner): Supported the program, pointing out that paid parking generates sales tax revenue and has funded ADA compliance. She argued that the city had previously failed to enforce time limits.
• Christie Miller (Downtown Business Manager): Criticized division among businesses and lack of maintenance; asked council to spend more time talking with downtown workers.

(No public comments were offered on the data center, MBU, or financial report items.)

Discussion: Data Center Regulations

• Christopher Looney, Neighborhood and Community Planning Director, presented a draft code amendment requiring data centers to obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) in heavy industrial (M-2) districts. The SUP process includes public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Draft conditions include: 500‑foot setback from residential/sensitive uses; noise limit of 55 dB at property line; closed‑loop cooling systems; tree planting (1 tree every 15 feet); and landscaping buffers. Utilities must provide letters of approval.
• Council members proposed stricter provisions. Councilmember Edwards suggested 1,000‑foot setback, 25‑foot building setbacks, and requiring utilities to prove no impact on city’s 50‑year water/electric plan. Councilmember Shaw called for light and vibration studies. Councilmember Lebowski sought protection of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Councilmember Spratley requested dark‑sky compliance. Councilmember Carter raised concerns about fire and explosion risks, terrorism, and the burden on public safety. Mayor French and others favored requiring non‑evaporative cooling systems and developer‑funded electric infrastructure.
• Several members noted that an SUP already gives council discretion to impose conditions. Staff will incorporate feedback and present a final ordinance for first reading on November 9, 2026.

Discussion: New Braunfels Utilities (MBU) State of the Utility

• Ryan Kelso, MBU Division Director, presented FY26 results. The utility achieved top‑10% reliability statewide (48.72 minutes average outage per year; ranked 6th of 72 entities). The $263 million CIP (93% of $283M budget) was spent on electric, water, and wastewater projects.
• Rates: Residential electric bill (1,000 kWh) is around $145 (12.1¢/kWh), among the lowest in Texas. Water remains very competitive; wastewater is higher due to aging infrastructure investment.
• Power Stabilization Fund stands at $66 million (target $95M by FY28). Transfers to the city total $197 million since 2000, with an additional $89.1 million forecast through 2031.
• Conservation programs have saved customers 10–30% on energy bills; utility‑bill assistance provides $500,000 annually.
• No council action was taken.

Discussion: FY 2026 Third Quarter Financial Report

• Becky Wiatr, Assistant Director of Finance, reported as of June 30, 2026 (75% of fiscal year). General fund property tax collections at 103.5% of budget (will adjust after July transfer to TIRZ). Sales tax revenues increased 29% (3% excluding HD Supply).
• Expenditures: Fire, police, HR, and city attorney departments are on track to exceed budget, requiring year‑end budget amendments. Fund balances for enterprise funds (airport, solid waste, golf, civic center) are healthy.
• Upcoming budget amendments will be presented on November 23, 2026. No council action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Items A and B approved unanimously.
• Downtown Parking: No changes adopted; staff instructed to evaluate a barcode tag account system and consider other modifications raised by council. The recommendation for four pay stations will be revisited after further analysis.
• Data Center Ordinance: Draft ordinance to be revised with council’s suggested amendments (increased setbacks, stricter noise limits, safety and utility studies, dark‑sky provisions) and brought back for first reading on November 9, 2026.
• Executive Session Action: Council approved a 5% salary increase for Municipal Court Judge Rosa Mara, raising her annual salary to $170,317 (motion by Councilmember Shaw, seconded by Councilmember Lebowski; unanimous vote).
• The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.