Public Meetings - New Braunfels, Texas

The New Braunfels City Council held an executive session on Monday, August 24, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. All seven councilmembers were present (Councilmember Carter arrived at 5:04 PM). The council convened into closed session at 5:02 PM to discuss pending litigation and personnel matters related to the appointment and employment of the City Attorney and City Manager. No action was taken in open session, and the meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM. Discussion Items - Litigation (Cause No. 2026CV0238): The council deliberated pending/contemplated litigation, settlement offers, and privileged client information concerning the case City of New Braunfels v. Lynn K. Wohlfahrt, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071. - Personnel Matters: The council deliberated the appointment and employment of a City Attorney and City Manager, including candidate search and selection, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074. Key Outcomes - The council did not reconvene into open session after the executive session, and no votes or formal actions were taken at this time. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.

The New Braunfels City Council held a special meeting on August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss the FY2027 Proposed Budget and Plan of Municipal Services, review tax rate scenarios, and approve a proposed tax rate. The council also received an update on the charter review committee process. The meeting included public comment and ended with the adoption of a motion setting the proposed tax rate at the no-new-revenue rate. Public Comments & Testimony - David Warmke (District 5) spoke during the budget workshop, noting the complexity of the budget and highlighting that approximately $2.6 million in potential revenue is diverted to five Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs) and about $13.5 million in sales tax is diverted to 4B economic development. He suggested these diversions, while originally intended to spur growth, may now be working against the general fund and require serious review. Discussion Items - FY2027 Proposed Budget and Plan of Municipal Services (Item 1A): City Manager Robert Camareno, Jordan Matney, and Assistant City Manager Jared Werner presented the third and final budget workshop. They reviewed enterprise funds (airport, golf course, civic center, solid waste) and provided two scenarios at the no-new-revenue tax rate. Scenario 1 included a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees, funding for police, fire, streets, school resource officers, and other initiatives. Scenario 2 explored a 3.5% COLA but required reductions in street concrete funding and crack sealer replacement. Council debated the scenarios, with some members advocating for the no-new-revenue rate to avoid overburdening taxpayers and others expressing concern about unmet needs, such as $3.37 million in mandatory police and fire expenditures. The council did not vote on the specific scenarios but focused on the tax rate vote. - Proposed 2026 Tax Rate (Item 1B): The council discussed and voted on a proposed tax rate. The no-new-revenue rate, calculated at $0.415613 per $100 of assessed valuation, was presented as the maximum rate that could later be adopted. The council heard from staff that the current rate ($0.408936) is below the no-new-revenue rate due to declining property values and a new state law exempting business personal property. After public comment, Mayor Pro Tem Capizzi moved to approve the rate, seconded by Councilmember Labowski. - Charter Review Committee (Item 2A): City Manager Camareno presented an update on the charter review process, including a request for qualifications for outside legal counsel. He proposed a 7-member committee (one from each council district plus one at-large appointed by the mayor) with an application process. Council discussed the size of the committee; there was consensus that 7 might be too small, and many members favored 9 members (6 district representatives and 3 at-large) with potential alternates. No formal vote was taken on the composition; staff will send the draft application to council for review before launching. Key Outcomes - Tax Rate Approval: The council voted unanimously (7-0, with Councilmember Carter arriving late at 5:02 PM) to set the proposed property tax rate at $0.415613 per $100 of assessed valuation, with $0.193921 allocated to debt service and $0.221692 for operations and maintenance. This is the no-new-revenue rate and serves as the ceiling for final adoption. The public hearing on the tax rate and budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and final adoption will occur on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM, both at City Hall. - Charter Review Committee Next Steps: The council plans to review the draft application and finalize the committee size and selection process. Staff will launch the application after receiving council feedback, with a timeline aiming for committee appointments in late September or October 2026, and a potential May 2027 election for any charter amendments.

The New Braunfels City Council held a special budget workshop on August 18, 2026, to review the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget and discuss the 2026 Tax Rate. Department heads presented strategic goals and performance metrics. City Manager Robert Camareno and Assistant City Manager Jared Werner led the presentations, highlighting updated sales tax revenue projections and three budget scenarios aligning with council priorities in police, fire, streets, and employee compensation. Synopsis of Departmental Presentations & Council Deliberations - Transportation & Construction Services (Gary Ford): Presented goals including permit process improvements, ADA transition plan adoption, and the successful launch of a citywide microtransit system exceeding 50,000 rides. - Communications & Community Engagement (David Ferguson): Noted significant growth in media interest and social media following. Councilmember Carter inquired about the geographic breakdown of social media followers and the need for an additional staff member. - Economic & Community Development (Jeff Jewell): Discussed the downtown facade grant program (4:1 private-to-public investment), Civic Center operations (100k visitors annually), and the New Braunfels National Airport. Extensive council discussion centered on the airport's self-sustaining enterprise fund model, FAA grant funding, air traffic control hours, nighttime security, fire response capabilities (CFR 139 requirements), and the need for future growth forecasts. - Finance (Sandy Paulos): Announced the development of a public finance workshop for citizens and highlighted results from internal audits. Sales tax data showed significant contributions from HD Supply (wholesale industry) and the retail industry. - Fire Department (Chief Ruy Lozano): Highlighted a renegotiated ESD 7 contract increasing the annual payment to $3.9M. Requested four additional civilian fire inspectors to address over 5,260 commercial occupancies, noting two fires where inspections were missing. Reported that the Mobile Integrated Health program reduced super-utilizer calls by over 70%. - Human Resources (Becca Miears): Reported a positive trend in full-time employee turnover (7.9% year-to-date, down from 10.32% the previous year). The leading reason for separation remains compensation and advancement opportunities, accounting for 43% of separations year-to-date. - Information Technology (Tony Gonzalez): Stated cybersecurity metrics are below the industry average for the first time across all 12 months. Implemented a new network refresh strategy (20% per year) to avoid large capital expenditures. Requested a cybersecurity administrator position. - Library (Cole Johnson): Outlined a five-year goal to increase digital circulation by 50%. Detailed plans for the new Walnut Branch, including a playground and focus on digital collections. Council discussed staffing levels and workforce training programs for the public. - Neighborhood & Community Planning (Christopher Looney): Updated council on the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) adoption process and the Envision New Braunfels comprehensive plan update. Council expressed strong interest in developing a code compliance strategic plan and moving toward more proactive, equitable enforcement of city ordinances. - Parks & Recreation (Ken Wilson): Highlighted the need to update the park development impact fee ($2,038 per home), which has not been revised since 2021. Council supported reviewing fee structures. The operation of the downtown fountain during drought restrictions was discussed. - Police Department (Chief Osbaldo Flores): Announced the department will exceed its authorized sworn strength (173 officers) for the first time. Presented a reorganization plan including a power shift for patrol. Response times for priority 3 calls rose 53%, and priority 4 calls rose 72%. Discussed the need for 4 additional School Resource Officers (SROs), a real-time crime center, and support staff to handle rising calls for service. - Public Works (Matt Eckmann): Reported that recycling contamination is at a 10-year low (26.9%). Requested a dedicated roadway striping crew and additional funding for right-of-way beautification. - Convention & Visitors Bureau (Tanya Pence & Jonathan Packer): Presented the economic impact of tourism ($1.3B, 16k jobs, $31.7M directly to the city budget). The CVB is funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax. Council discussed the effectiveness of marketing expenditures and requested benchmarking administration costs against similar cities. Tax Rate Scenarios & Budget Discussion - Updated Revenue: Jared Werner announced an additional $385,000 in recurring revenue and $237,000 in one-time revenue due to higher-than-expected June sales tax collections. - Scenario 1 (No New Revenue Rate): Proposes a 0.67 cent tax increase, providing $1.47M in new funding. This scenario funds a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase from 2.5% to 3%, 2 fire inspectors, 2 SROs, a legal assistant, a criminal investigator, a street crack sealer, $300k in additional concrete/ADA street work, and a contingency for the Humane Society. - Scenario 2 (One Cent Increase): Increases the COLA to 3.5% while funding the same items as Scenario 1. - Scenario 3 (Voter Approval Rate - 1.6 cent increase): Funds a 3.5% COLA, 4 fire inspectors, full street/ADA request ($400k), a cybersecurity administrator, a second MIH paramedic, and a second detective. - Council Direction: Councilmembers largely expressed support for moving forward with Scenario 1 (No New Revenue Rate) as the proposed tax rate ceiling, allowing flexibility to refine specific initiatives before final adoption. Key Outcomes - No Vote on Tax Rate: The council postponed the vote on the Proposed 2026 Tax Rate (Item B) to the following scheduled meeting. - Future Dates Announced: - Public Hearing on the tax rate and Proposed Budget: Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM. - Adoption of the FY 2027 Proposed Budget and 2026 Tax Rate: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM. - The meeting adjourned at 10:06 PM.

The New Braunfels City Council held a Special Regular Meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The meeting featured workshops on the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget and tax rate, an update on the Westside Community Center, and a presentation on the 2026 Roadway Impact Fee Study. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Public Comments & Testimony - Budget & Tax Rate: Larry Lane, a resident of District 2, commented on TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and TURS (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) diversions of revenue away from the general fund. He cautioned against overly frequent pavement striping and advocated for prioritizing pavement, pipes, and police over other city projects, stating that the city is entering a period where rising values can no longer mask budget challenges. - Budget & Tax Rate: An unidentified resident noted that approximately $2.5 billion in property value is not contributing to the general fund due to frozen values and TURS. The resident argued that these diversions should be scrutinized before raising taxes on citizens. - Westside Community Center: Larry Lane asked whether third-party instructor-led classes would be subject to the new membership fee structure. Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney confirmed the goal is to transition to a membership model but that the city will work with individuals to ensure continued access. Discussion Items - Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Rate Workshop: - City Manager Robert Camareno and Budget Director Jared Werner presented the first of three budget workshops. The budget is built on the current tax rate of 40.89 cents, which is below the no new revenue rate. - Property values saw the lowest growth since 2011 ($126.5M decline in existing values), driven by market normalization, increased protests, and the implementation of House Bill 9 (removing $182M in taxable value). General fund revenues are expected to grow 5.9% ($6.6M), driven largely by sales taxes (including HD Supply) and franchise fees. - Key expenditure increases included a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees, a 25% increase in health insurance contributions and premiums (breaking a 9-year streak), and funding for the Zip Family Sports Park. The budget includes 17.5 new full-time equivalent positions. - Councilmember Carter expressed strong support for a tax rate increase, warning of a deepening structural deficit in public safety staffing (Police, Fire, SROs). She questioned the strategic plan's influence on budget allocations and advocated for exploring fully insured health plans instead of the self-insured model. - Councilmember Spradley highlighted specific unfunded requests (legal assistant, cybersecurity manager, SROs, fire inspectors) and stated the current 0.4089 rate would not be sufficient to meet the city's needs. - Councilmember Edwards discussed the softening housing market and stressed prioritizing streets, personnel, and public safety. He questioned potential bond project delays and explored alternative funding sources for specific projects. - Mayor Pro Tem Capizzi requested specific funding scenarios aligning different tax rate options with proposed initiatives. - Councilmembers Shaw and Labowski voiced support for a legal assistant, cybersecurity, SROs, and ADA improvements. Shaw specifically inquired about the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) coordinator position. - Westside Community Center Update: - Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney presented the transition of the Westside Community Center from the Library to the Parks & Recreation Department to expand fitness and programming. A proposed $10/month membership model was introduced, with a scholarship program to ensure access. The official rollout is planned for January 2027. - 2026 Roadway Impact Fee Study: - Brenadette Faust (TCS) and Pete Kelly (Kimley-Horn) presented the required five-year update to the Roadway Impact Fee study. Recent changes to state law were highlighted, including extended public review periods, a 2/3 council vote requirement, and a mandate for an independent external financial audit. - Councilmember Spradley questioned the limitations placed on the city by state law, such as the service area fund restriction and the five-year update requirement, expressing concern over diminishing local control over impact fees. Key Outcomes - Budget & Tax Rate: No formal action taken. Council directed staff to return with detailed spending scenarios based on a 1-cent increase, the No New Revenue rate, and the Voter Approval Rate. The public hearing was set for September 10, 2026, with adoption on September 14, 2026. - Westside Community Center: No action taken. - Roadway Impact Fee: No action taken. The adoption schedule was outlined for September through November.

The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) held its regular meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 5:02 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. President Shane Hines presided. Present directors: Hines, Tera Thompson, Cory Elrod, and Larry Hammonds; absent: Kristen Carden, Don Austin, and Atanacio Campos. The meeting included a Treasurer's Report, adoption of the FY 2026-2027 budget, approval of an annual services contract with the City, discussion of a proposed acquisition of 6.7 acres on Gruene Road, a Quarterly Advisory Report from the Chamber, and an Executive Session on five confidential economic development projects. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (June 18, 2026): Director Thompson motioned, Director Elrod seconded, and the board unanimously approved the minutes of the previous regular meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - Budget Adoption: - Debbie Flum (citizen) requested a copy of the presentation materials. - Angela Keller (citizen) questioned the use of a Certificate of Obligation (CO) for EDC funding, arguing it is a loan backed by taxpayers and asking why the EDC, as its own entity funded by sales tax, needs such debt. Staff (Jared Werner) explained that the CO is a financing strategy to preserve cash reserves for future projects and that the EDC's debt is backed by the city's full faith and credit. Manager Jeff Jewell noted that without long-term financing, the volume of projects would be impossible. Discussion included comparisons to a mortgage (Elrod). - Bob King (resident) asked whether the CO is recourse only to sales taxes or also to property taxes. Werner clarified that the city's full faith and credit backs the CO, meaning property taxes would cover a default, though it has never happened. - David Warmke (District 5) asked about the "Other" revenue line item (balloon payment from ASA Properties in FY 2027), which Werner confirmed. - Annual Services Contract: - David Warmke (District 5) confirmed that the EDC has no employees and contracts all administrative services with the City. - Bob King (resident) asked for a breakout of the 74.7% "Planning & Infrastructure" expenditures in the pie chart. Staff explained that business recruitment and expansion costs are separate, and infrastructure includes large community projects. Director Elrod added that development fees ensure projects pay for themselves. - Jim Holster (District 3) inquired about the workforce study partnership with Seguin EDC and RWEA; staff clarified it is not related to the college and is a regional workforce effort. - Laurie Roe (resident) asked how purchased land (e.g., NBU building) is classified; staff responded that it would likely fall under planning/infrastructure until transferred. - Gruene Road Acquisition: - Tiffany Kelly (District 4 resident, living near the site) noted the proposed price ($4.6M for 6.7 acres) is $686,000/acre and argued the market may have softened, suggesting renegotiation. She expressed support for the project but urged cost savings. President Hines agreed to have staff review the price. - Debbie Flum (citizen) opposed the acquisition, stating the city has held the original 16 acres for 10 years with no return, and called it a poor use of funds. She also questioned why the city would pay $4.6M when the appraisal was $4.37M. - Bob King (resident) opposed, calling the original $3.5M investment a non-performing asset and the proposed $4.6M additional expenditure "pouring good money after bad." He warned against land speculation and increased risk to taxpayers. - Laurie Roe (resident) asked about community input, noting that concepts have been discussed but residents have not been polled. President Hines and Jeff Jewell assured that a public process would occur before any development plan. Discussion Items - Treasurer's Report (August 2026): Jared Werner, Assistant City Manager, presented sales tax data. Gross collections in May increased 18.7%, but net growth without HD Supply was 1.6% (due to a revived partnership beginning November 2025). Revenue projections through FY 2030 were updated. Current commitments: expenditures totaling $20.8M for FY 2027 were presented, including shifts for projects such as the Alamo Colleges initiative and Union Pacific Railroad. The proposed budget includes $9.4 million in new Certificate of Obligation debt (Series 2026) for the Call Street drainage and road project, payable over 20 years. Fund balance projections were reviewed. - FY 2026-2027 Budget Adoption: Werner presented the recommended Operating Fund budget (same as the City Council budget presented August 11). The board opened public comment, then unanimously adopted the budget. - Annual Services Contract with City: Jeff Jewell, Director of Economic & Community Development, presented the contract for administrative, professional, and asset management services at $455,386 (same as prior year). He highlighted FY 2026 accomplishments: 16 items approved totaling $9.8M, overhaul of the EDC website, continuation of transparency star status, and ongoing projects (Castell Avenue, airport improvements, downtown parking, etc.). The board unanimously approved the contract after public comment. - Rescheduling September 2026 Meeting: Staff presented two potential dates: September 10 and September 24. Director Hammonds and others needed time to adjust schedules, so the board agreed to decide later via email. - Proposed Project Expenditure - Acquisition of 6.7 Acres on Gruene Road: Jeff Jewell provided background on the "Gruene 16" property (16 acres owned since 2016 for HD Supply expansion, now idle). The proposal is to acquire five adjacent parcels (6.7 acres) to expand the site for strategic development (potential concepts: visitation, creativity, local focus). The existing purchase contract (entered May 2025) is for $4.6M, supported by a $4.37M appraisal. Three options: cancel, extend the feasibility period to January 2027 (cost $5,000 per 90 days), or proceed to acquisition (public hearing in September, council action in October). Directors expressed support for acquiring the land, noting it protects the initial investment and allows community control. Consensus was to extend the option and plan to vote on purchase at the September meeting. - Quarterly Advisory Report: Jonathan Packer, President & CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber, presented the report covering six strategic priorities. Highlights: 81 job creation leads in the quarter (84% manufacturing), 19 became active projects; five sites under site readiness; workforce initiatives (child care director, job fairs, $137,500 in scholarships); advocacy for State Highway 46 corridor (not in TxDOT 10-year plan); lobbying for a hotel project designation to allow state tax investment; and legislative updates on education and child care. The board discussed the use of code names for projects (explained by Packer and Hines as necessary for confidential negotiations under state law). - Executive Session: The board adjourned to closed session at 6:19 PM to deliberate economic development negotiations for five projects: Gruene 16, Project Shoot, Project Thread, Project Casa, and Project Sherpa. No action was taken, and the board returned to open session at 6:45 PM. Key Outcomes - Approved: Minutes of June 18, 2026 (unanimous). - Approved: FY 2026-2027 budget (motion by Hammonds, second by Thompson; unanimous). - Approved: Annual services contract with the City of New Braunfels for $455,386 (motion by Elrod, second by Hammonds; unanimous). n- No action taken: Rescheduling of September meeting; board will decide later. n- Direction given: For Gruene Road acquisition, extend the feasibility period and bring a purchase proposal to the September meeting for a vote. n- No action taken in Executive Session: Confidential deliberations concluded without decisions. n- Adjournment: 6:50 PM.

The New Braunfels City Council held a special budget work session on August 11, 2026, at 5:04 p.m. The primary purpose of the meeting was to receive a presentation from the City Manager on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and the 2026 tax rate, and to formally schedule the required public hearings. All seven council members were present; Mayor Michael French attended via videoconference. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Discussion Items - Presentation on FY 2027 Proposed Budget and 2026 Tax Rates: City Manager Robert Camareno delivered a comprehensive presentation on the proposed $305 million budget, which represents an increase of $27 million over the adopted FY 2026 budget. Key highlights of the presentation included: - Tax Rate: The proposed property tax rate remains flat at $0.408936 per $100 valuation. This rate is below both the No-New-Revenue tax rate of $0.415613 and the Voter Approval tax rate of $0.4250. - Property Values and Tax Impact: Median taxable home values have decreased in both Comal County (from $287,080 to $281,180) and Guadalupe County (from $246,910 to $237,372). Under the proposed rate, the median homeowner in Comal County would see a $24 annual decrease, and in Guadalupe County a $39 annual decrease. The No-New-Revenue rate would generate an additional $845,000 in revenue, while the Voter Approval rate would generate an additional $2 million. - Revenue and Expenditures: The general fund budget is proposed at $118.5 million in revenues. Revenue growth is driven by sales tax collections, while property tax revenue is projected to remain flat. The budget includes a 2.5% cost of living adjustment and step increases for eligible sworn personnel, marking the first health insurance premium increase for employees in nine years. - Strategic Initiatives: $12.1 million in initiatives aligned with the city's strategic plan were funded, including an in-house street striping crew, expanded traffic calming measures, new positions, and continued funding for 12 firefighters previously covered by a federal grant. - Council Policy Discussion: A significant portion of the discussion centered on the long-term fiscal strategy. Councilmember Toni Carter argued that maintaining a flat tax rate since 2014, despite a cumulative 41% inflation rate, has led to stressed services and underfunded departments. She expressed a willingness to consider a public vote on a tax rate increase to address infrastructure deficits, stating that "not having a tax rate increase is a good thing" is a potentially misleading narrative when needs are unmet. Councilmember Lawrence Spradley cautioned about the cumulative burden on middle-class residents, citing recent increases in solid waste and electric utility rates, and emphasized the need for a careful balancing act. Councilmember Nikki Shaw agreed that the council should take the tax rate discussion seriously while appreciating the city's fiscal discipline. Key Outcomes - Public Hearings Scheduled: The council unanimously approved setting the public hearings on the proposed tax rate and FY 2027 Budget for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The motion was made by Councilmember Spradley and seconded by Councilmember Labowski. - Adoption Timeline: The final adoption of the FY 2027 Budget and 2026 Tax Rate is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026. - Upcoming Workshops: Detailed budget workshops are scheduled for August 17, 18, and 19 to delve into departmental budgets and further discuss the tax rate implications.

The New Braunfels City Council held a regular meeting on August 10, 2026, lasting from 6:00 PM to 11:40 PM. Major actions included a contentious consent agenda, the first reading of stricter drought surcharges and water rates, the denial of a major park fee appeal from Lennar Corporation, and significant public comment on police surveillance and animal shelter funding. Consent Calendar - Procedure Dispute: Mayor French attempted to pull Items B-F from the consent agenda. Councilmember Spradley objected. A two-thirds majority vote (5 of 7) required to remove the items failed (3 in favor, 4 opposed). Items B-F remained on the consent agenda but were discussed individually before voting. - Item A: Approved the July 27, 2026 meeting minutes with a correction. - Item B (Fire Trucks): Authorized the purchase of a pumper truck and an aerial truck, pricing locked until Oct 2026 subject to CPI. - Item C (Routine Expenditures): Approved contract expenditures for FY2026, including an additional $652,000 for aviation fuel costs offset by higher sales revenue. - Item D (Budget Amendment): Approved a $946,000 budget amendment for the Cemetery Improvement Fund, Child Safety Fund, Facilities Maintenance Fund (PD sewer repairs), CDBG, and EAHCP Fund. - Item E (Humane Society): Approved a one-year contract for FY2027 with the Humane Society for approximately $1.4 million (a 13% increase). - Item F (Airport Grant): Authorized applying for an Airport Infrastructure Grant for pavement rehabilitation. - Item G: Approved a 10-year historic rehabilitation tax incentive for 941 Lee Street. Public Comments & Testimony - Tribute to Wayne Rudolph: Citizens David Warmke, Jim Holster, and George Green honored the late Dr. Wayne Rudolph, a prominent community activist, advocating for a room in City Hall to be named in his memory. - ALPRs & Privacy: A speaker from the Texas Privacy Coalition and resident Eli Isbill opposed the city's use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by Flock Safety, citing Fourth Amendment violations, a lack of transparency, and the recent termination of a similar contract by Guadalupe County. - Transparency: Angela Keller urged the council to provide full transparency in its decision-making processes. - Police HQ Investigation: Lee Brown criticized the city for pulling the Police Department Headquarters presentation from the agenda and questioned the transparency of an independent investigation into the project. - Humane Society: Stephanie Maddox, Nicole Bodelay, and others described severe overcrowding, critical maintenance needs, and low staff pay at the shelter, urging a funding increase beyond the proposed 13%. - Divine Way Parking: Multiple residents from Dove Crossing and Fayette Drive described a dangerous intersection where a child was recently hit by a car, blaming sight-line obstructions caused by parked vehicles and high speeds. - Drought Plan: Lee Brown spoke in support of the drought surcharges, arguing the cost should fall on the highest water users rather than the general rate base. Discussion Items - Divine Way Parking Ordinance (Unanimous): Garry Ford (Transportation Director) recommended against a full parking ban, advocating instead for a 20-foot restricted zone and a traffic study. Following emotional public testimony about safety, the council unanimously approved an amendment for no parking within 60 feet on all four corners of Fayette Drive and Divine Way and directed staff to initiate a traffic calming study. - Drought Surcharges / Water Rates (First Reading, Passed 4-3): Ryan Kelso (NBU) proposed major updates to the drought contingency plan, including triggers for new Stage 4 and 5 surcharges, an increase in surcharges from $1/$2 to $4.18/$4.89 per 1,000 gallons, and a reduction in the usage threshold from 7,500 to 6,000 gallons. An amendment to delay the billing until October 2027 failed (6-1). The original ordinance passed its first reading 4-3, with Councilmembers Carter and Shaw and Mayor French dissenting. - Lennar Corporation Park Fee Appeal (Denied Unanimously): Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney presented the appeal against the denial of a $2 million park fee reimbursement for the Navarro Subdivision. The developer's request for a postponement was denied. Staff detailed non-compliance with the parkland ordinance (drainage easements, non-contiguous land, failure to plat park first). The council unanimously denied the appeal. - Rezoning for Short-Term Rental (256 E. Austin St., Passed 4-3): The second reading to rezone the property from R-2 to C-O SUP for a short-term rental passed 4-3, with Councilmembers Carter, Shaw, and Mayor French opposing. - Gruene Area Multimodal Improvements (Unanimous): Council approved a resolution from the EDC for a $1.4 million project expenditure and a $1.36 million contract with Pape-Dawson Engineers for final design of the Gruene Multimodal Improvements Project. Key Outcomes - Divine Way Safety: No parking within 60 feet of the intersection of Fayette and Divine. Traffic calming study ordered. - Drought Plan: First reading of stricter drought surcharges and water rate structure approved (4-3). - Lennar Appeal: Denied unaminously. Developer must pay full park fees. - Short-Term Rental: Approved for 256 East Austin Street (4-3). - Gruene Project: Design contract and funding approved. - Executive Session: Council met in closed session to discuss personnel matters (City Attorney and City Manager) and real estate (Connections Lease). No action was taken in open session following the executive session.

The New Braunfels City Council convened an executive session on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 5:01 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Capizzi called the meeting to order. Seven council members were present; Councilmember Shaw arrived at 5:11 p.m. Mayor French participated via videoconferencing. The council retired into closed session at 5:03 p.m. to discuss two agenda items, reconvened into open session at 5:38 p.m., and took no action before adjourning at 5:38 p.m. Executive Session Items - Item A: Deliberation on the appointment and employment of a City Attorney and City Manager, including matters related to the search and selection of candidates, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters). - Item B: Deliberation on the purchase, exchange, lease, contract terms, due diligence, or value of real property related to the Connections Lease, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.072. Key Outcomes - No action was taken following the executive session. - The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.

The New Braunfels Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The Commission considered three public hearing items, all resulting in recommendations to the City Council. The meeting was attended by six commissioners (Chair Sonier, Vice Chair Allsup, Commissioners Rudy, Mathis, Allen, and Henry) and staff from the Neighborhood and Community Planning Department. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the July 7, 2026 regular meeting. Citizens' Communications - No members of the public addressed the Commission on non-agenda items. Item A: Home Occupation Ordinance Amendments (ORD26-228) - Staff Presentation: Assistant Planner Colton Barker presented proposed amendments to align the city's home occupation ordinance with House Bill 2464 and Chapter 229 of the Texas Local Government Code. State law now requires cities to regulate only the impacts of home-based businesses (traffic, noise, visibility) rather than the type of business. The proposed ordinance removes use-specific lists and adopts the state's four criteria for a "no-impact home-based business." The city retains authority to regulate operational impacts. - Discussion: Commissioner Rudy asked about delivery trucks. Barker explained that visibility and traffic criteria address such impacts. Commissioner Brasier (noted in agenda but absent? Actually not in roll call; transcript shows only 6 members present) recommended the definition of "no-impact home-based business" track the state definition exactly, per legal advice. - Public Hearing: No public testimony was offered. - Motion: A motion was made to recommend the ordinance to City Council with the amendment to track the state's definition exactly. The motion passed unanimously (6-0). Item B: Mayfair Development and Design Control Document Amendments (PZ26-0199) - Staff Presentation: Principal Planner Matt Greene presented the amendments requested by Thad Rutherford (Southstar at Mayfair Developer, LLC). Changes include updating administrative processes, revising signage (Part G), definitions (Part H), and allowing public facilities in any designated land use area (previously mapped). Staff noted notifications sent to 322 property owners, with 2 responses in favor and 1 opposed. - Applicant Presentation: The applicant explained that the public facility flexibility (e.g., schools, fire stations, utilities) avoids needing to amend the DDCD for each location change. Park acreage commitments (approximately 331 acres) remain unchanged; reporting will shift from sector plans to plats for accuracy. Height requirements are not affected. - Discussion: Commissioners asked about the impact on residents who purchased based on the original master plan. The applicant stated that public facilities (especially utilities) are unlikely to be placed in residential areas, and schools/fire stations will be sited collaboratively. Commissioners generally supported flexibility for schools and emergency services. Commissioner Allen expressed concern about removing approval checks and balances, but staff clarified that sector plan and plat approvals still apply. - Public Hearing: One resident (Angela Keller, ETJ) asked if the amendments give unlimited change authority. Staff clarified that only the proposed changes in the redline document are being considered. - Motion: A motion to approve carried with 5 ayes and 1 abstention (Commissioner Allen abstained). Item C: Rezone at 2009 South Walnut Avenue (PZ26-0216) - Staff Presentation: Planner Mary Level presented the request by Patrick W. Christensen (on behalf of Karma Enterprises NB LLC) to rezone 2.7 acres from APD SUP (Agricultural/Pre-development with a Special Use Permit limiting specific uses) to C-1A (Neighborhood Business District). The property contains an 18,000 sq ft commercial retail building, currently underutilized. The existing SUP (approved 2016) restricted uses to office, ice cream shop, dance studio, and pizza takeout. C-1A would allow additional neighborhood-serving uses like sit-down restaurants, health clubs, and pet stores. Staff noted 3 written opposition responses (no comments, representing 4% of notified area). The site has 75-foot buffers to adjacent residential. - Applicant Presentation: Christensen stated the ownership group (doctors) has struggled to lease the property due to overly restrictive SUP conditions. They seek standard base zoning to attract tenants; no physical modifications are planned. - Discussion: Commissioner Nolte (noted in agenda but not in roll call; only 6 members voted) asked about the history of restrictions. Staff recalled that neighbors were concerned before construction. Commissioners noted that all four corners of the intersection are zoned C-1, and the area is underserved for neighborhood commercial. Commissioner Henry, a resident of the area, supported the change to provide more amenities and noted a liquor store already exists next door. - Public Hearing: No public testimony was offered. - Motion: A motion to approve passed with 5 ayes and 1 nay (Commissioner Allen opposed, citing respect for the written opposition). Key Outcomes - ORD26-228: Recommended to City Council (unanimous) with an amendment to track the state definition of "no-impact home-based business" exactly. - PZ26-0199: Recommended to City Council (5-0-1, Allen abstaining) to approve the Mayfair DDCD amendments. - PZ26-0216: Recommended to City Council (5-1, Allen opposed) to rezone 2009 South Walnut Avenue from APD SUP to C-1A. - All three recommendations will be considered by the City Council at future meetings (August 24, 2026, for the Mayfair item).