New Braunfels City Council will use a Sept. 30 special workshop to review its license-plate-camera program, a proposed economic-development expenditure of up to $1.2 million, code changes and residential solid-waste rates.
Residents could see later changes to surveillance safeguards, trash bills, parking rules, sidewalk obligations, drainage reviews and shuttle loading zones, but the Sept. 30 agenda schedules discussion and possible direction rather than final adoption of those policies.
The special meeting is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 550 Landa Street. The official agenda asks people who need accessibility accommodations to contact the City Secretary’s Office at least two workdays before the meeting.
License-plate cameras and privacy safeguards
Police staff will present the citywide automated license-plate-reader program for council feedback, including staff-described rules for access, search justifications, audits and 30-day data retention.
According to the Police Department’s item record, fixed cameras capture plate images, timestamps and general vehicle descriptions and compare plates with hotlists. Staff says officers must confirm a match before acting. The department describes monthly internal audits, quarterly independent audits and restricted access under a written policy.
City staff lists approximately $2.29 million in combined grant and matching funds across fiscal years 2024 through 2027, including about $132,371 in required city matching money. Staff recommends continuing the program while asking council for feedback on stronger safeguards and the program’s future configuration.
A three-year startup accelerator proposal
The gBETA proposal lists $375,000 a year for two cohorts annually over three years.
Multiplying the listed annual price by three produces $1.125 million, which is $75,000 below the agenda’s authorization ceiling. Council’s discussion could clarify how the ceiling relates to the proposed payment schedule, office-space reductions and any annual investment by the New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation.
The proposed program would employ a full-time worker based in New Braunfels, maintain a city office, hold two startup cohorts each year and organize networking, educational and showcase events. Staff says no action is required at this workshop; the item is a presentation on a proposed expenditure.
Readers can compare the proposal with Comal.News’ recent coverage of New Braunfels Economic Development Corp. sales-tax revenue.
Parking, sidewalks and drainage
Council will consider possible direction on rules for parking vehicles on unimproved surfaces, an escrow-fee alternative to sidewalk construction in specified circumstances, and drainage-plan requirements for single-family and duplex projects.
Staff’s parking concept would define approved surfaces and materials, restrict parking and vehicle storage on vacant lots and require screening in some cases. Larger improved parking surfaces could also face engineering and drainage requirements.
For sidewalks, qualifying properties could pay an escrow fee instead of building the segment required at permitting. The city says those collections would have to fund sidewalks and curb ramps within a specified area of the development.
The drainage concept would require single-family and duplex projects to submit grading and drainage plans with a building permit or show that the work follows an approved master drainage plan and the city’s design manual. Staff may return with code amendments after receiving council direction.
Shuttles, pedicabs and carriages
Council may direct staff on later changes to the vehicle-for-hire code covering pedicabs, general shuttles and horse-drawn carriages.
Staff proposes adding requirements for general-shuttle routes, stops and loading zones in public rights of way. The presentation also asks whether the city should revise or remove provisions allowing pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages and says a later proposal could modify permit fees.
Residential trash rates
Staff will update council on proposed residential solid-waste rate modifications that grew out of direction given at the July 17, 2026, summer retreat.
The city’s item record says proposed ordinance amendments will return at an upcoming council meeting. That later proposal should establish the rate schedule, effective date and household bill consequences before any ordinance is adopted.
Proclamation and closed session
The agenda also lists a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, as National Night Out in New Braunfels.
Council may enter executive session to deliberate employment terms for the interim city attorney under the personnel provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The agenda says any final action or vote on the item would occur in open session.
What happens next
Council direction at the workshop could send policy and ordinance changes back for later votes; the post-meeting action record will show what moved forward.
Residents can use the meeting-detail page to check for agenda revisions and, after the meeting, any posted actions or minutes. Those records will distinguish workshop discussion and direction from later ordinances, contracts or spending approvals.