New Braunfels City Council meetings will return to the Council Chambers at City Hall on May 11 at 6 p.m. Recent meetings were held online due to concerns around the coronavirus.

Following an update on the city's response to COVID-19 by City Manager Rober Camareno, Anne Miller will present an update from the 175th Anniversary Committee.

New Braunfels Director of Economic and Community Development Jeff Jewell will then present the results of the COVID-19 Business Response Survey.

On the consent agenda, notable items are as follows:
  • A) Approval of a contract with Dodson House Moving/Gator Inc. for the demolition/abatement of a building located at 1614 North I-35 for a project cost of $36,677 as part of the 2019 Bond Program.
  • B) Approval of a contract with CINTAS Corporation to provide fire extinguisher inspections, fire alarm inspections and monitoring services, fire sprinkler inspections, fire suppression system inspections, and any related equipment repairs on equipment located at various city facilities. The anticipated annual expenditure will by $70,000 and an additional 20% contingency is requested as well.
  • F) Approval of a resolution recommended by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation to the city of New Braunfels for a project expenditure of up to $410,000 for a building improvement for the Central Texas Technology Center.
  • G) Approval of a contract with Texas Chiller Systems for the replacement of the HVAC system at the Central Texas Technology Center, and approval for the City Manager to approve all project expenditures up to $246,955, which includes a $25,000 contingency. The cost will be split down the middle with the city of Seguin, whose investment is limited to $150,000. This contract is included in the Item F expenditure seeking approval.
Notable individual items to be considered by City Council are as follows:
  • A) Discuss and consider a request to consent to the creation of the 136.33 acre J-O Ranch Municipal Utility District within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction within Comal County.
  • D) Discuss and consider approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance regarding the proposed rezoning of approximately 24.54 acres located on the north side of N. Conrads Lane between Black Cloud Drive and the Union Pacific Rail Road, from “R-1A-6.6” Single Family District to “R-1A-5.5” Single-Family Residential District. The applicant indicated an intent to develop lots with a minimum width of 50 feet and five-foot side setbacks, according to city documents.
  • E) Discuss and consider approval of a resolution to temporarily reduce sidewalk café annual use fees and annual sidewalk use license agreement fees in the Downtown area to a flat rate because of the economic impact of the coronavirus. Annual license fees would be dropped to $20 and temporary waivers would be issued for cafe and license application fees. There would be an approximately $2,145 decrease in fee collections, according to the city.
  • F) Discuss and consider approval of a resolution establishing an e-commerce grant program for downtown businesses as authorized under Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code. The program would provide one-time grants of up to $2,000 to local businesses for the initial set-up costs and first year subscription to an e-commerce provider of their choosing. Up to $20,000 would be allocated from Wein and Saengerfest event costs and authorization for further funds could be sought with authorization.
  • G) Discuss and consider approval of a pilot program to utilize and evaluate reverse angle parking on Playground Drive in Landa Park.
City Council will meet in an executive session to discuss a lawsuit between the city, Yantis Company and Carowest Land. The lawsuit is part of an ongoing legal battle and centers on a competitive bid contract the city awarded to Yantis, allegedly violating the Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Local Government Chapter 252 in the process.

Another lawsuit pertaining to city facilities is also scheduled for discussion.