The change was made due to shrinking public participation in virtual meetings, a strain on staff resources and to align with Open Meetings Act regulations, according to city officials.
On June 30, Gov. Greg Abbott approved Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to lift the open meeting law suspensions that had been suspended in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Through the suspension, governmental bodies were able to utilize virtual platforms to conduct meetings during the pandemic, and many entities offered both in-person and virtual options for the public to participate in meetings.
Following the governor’s approval, all open meeting requirements resumed Sept. 1, and entities wishing to utilize virtual tools must comply with open meetings laws and guidelines.
New Braunfels City Council meetings and several other public meetings will continue to be streamed live to the city website, Spectrum Channel 21 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.
Recordings of each meeting are posted online following their conclusion.
