[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6050229,"mediaKeyId","3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5","parentId",3492311,"title","New Braunfels council approves first reading of civil parking enforcement ordinance","audioSeconds",1459,"startMs",1793000,"endMs",3252000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5&start=1793&end=3252","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5/thumbnail_1793000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6050229/New-Braunfels/Comal-County/Texas/New-Braunfels-council-approves-first-reading-of-civil-parking-enforcement-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050229-56a5f3b63674c234939d3afaccb22f49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196630&Signature=OAkKgIxkDSb9VEYEAlK3-xjOhCkNiwSbVP~EoCKdW7XvIUnMyptPrIylTUfRnmE7khe-54BDK8z8xK4xIjYmI92iFOss9Kidd2l5G1zubxHz238DhXZEfab-93mu97k3joBN6td8q3bCn~mwoHQbwzURgQ4-EvV9wHAb0RK~MOgxZjXuqQ2UuHbPF0yZKh81x8nWQZY4RNAoWRs3Q18sEXOonEI4GP6COqMc9CuBEQfUO2a5M7n9NOCPZ8hTR63k1U7YnmMLuT3gcbRF5LMvMT9DwTndemfW-cNrqqlCF2hQiqVcCY6LItK9ya~f6wWs1Omm6ufCncazpDJ2VTHsOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Braunfels City","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The New Braunfels City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance on Monday that converts certain paid public-parking violations from criminal citations to civil citations, establishes an administrative hearing process, and authorizes vehicle immobilization for repeat unpaid violations.

City Attorney Val Acevedo said the measure narrows the decriminalization to a handful of parking offenses: failing to pay for a city-owned paid parking space, parking outside a delineated space, and occupying a space meant for another vehicle. Acevedo said the only criminal offense retained is interfering with enforcement, which remains a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine in New Braunfels Municipal Court.

Supporters of the change, led by Jeff Jewell, the city's economic and community development director, said the ordinance implements recommendations from a 2023 operations and management study and is intended to reduce municipal court caseloads while providing a more consumer-friendly process. \"There are multiple benefits to the civil process as proposed. First, it's consumer friendly. It's really less punitive than the criminal process,\" Jewell said.

Under the ordinance as described by Acevedo, the civil fine for an infraction is $100, reduced to $65 if paid within 10 calendar days; unpaid fines after 30 days may incur an additional late fee of up to $65. A person who wishes to contest a citation must request a hearing in writing within 10 calendar days; hearings will be handled by a hearing officer and may be virtual, by email, phone, or in person. A hearing officer's written order may be appealed to municipal court by filing a petition within 30 calendar days of the order being filed with the city secretary.

The ordinance also authorizes the use of an immobilization device (commonly called a \"barnacle\") for a vehicle that has three or more unpaid violations tied to that vehicle in the same calendar year (Jan. 1'Dec. 31). The barnacle includes a QR code to allow payment on-site and contains GPS tracking; immobilized vehicles not cleared within 24 hours may be towed and impounded, with towing and storage fees assessed by the towing provider. Acevedo said Interstate Parking, the city's recently contracted parking vendor, will serve as the parking enforcement agent and the hearing officer may be an employee of the third-party contractor.

Public commenters raised concerns about equity and access, noting that a QR-code payment system and online processes could disadvantage people without smartphones or credit cards. One commenter described similar systems in other towns as \"money generators\" that can disproportionally affect low-income residents. The mayor and staff responded that Interstate will have staff on the ground during the rollout to assist people, and that in-person payment and on-site assistance options will be available.

Mayor Leonards sought to address a broader misconception voiced during public comment: \"The purpose of this program is not a revenue driver. This program is to cause parking spaces to turn over so that we can create additional parking downtown,\" he said. Jewell and staff said the council will receive a more comprehensive presentation on managed downtown parking at an April meeting; town halls are scheduled for May 7 and 8 and the river-access zone parking program will begin in May.

Councilmember Lebowski moved to approve the first reading; Councilmember Ryan seconded. The motion passed unanimously with the mayor and five council members voting in favor.

The ordinance will return for additional readings and implementing ordinances (including specific downtown paid-parking rates and operational details) at later council meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Braunfels City Hall - Council Chambers 6:00 PM 3/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The New Braunfels City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance on Monday that converts certain paid public-parking violations from criminal citations to civil citations, establishes an administrative hearing process, and authorizes vehicle immobilization for repeat unpaid violations.","taxTitle","New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas","taxId",2780,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050219,"City Council accepts FY 2024 audit and approves multiple rezonings and consent items",2517,1476000,3993000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5&start=1476&end=3993","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6050219/New-Braunfels/Comal-County/Texas/City-Council-accepts-FY-2024-audit-and-approves-multiple-rezonings-and-consent-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050219-d034823f5f480379060b3138de226c79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196630&Signature=fWPgP7hkvrBS28-tNTNWh-a6gccOXSL7e3KKM03RWMsEVEyWMEOfS46VyYlmVqMcP2eABsc8LWxGSzrRWsNbuX-8RTYHnrP7VLmA1fC781pKI5Jiw9Aov19QVnrju5loEMFSciyrtu8KLHmfj7cricJy70w16J4kcKs6Rp-UlBfoJcBbd6F6KG-ykbInHOOuYFW9zC7eH5SaibP1Li5FRlDkXitf6~Ek8X69-ZTnkIu32pM--DwEb1-UyXPymr98iwimTGANe6Pgj9OQZOMsNlvhKeOUIGxz~huXpu3RKLqOHRuWcFlswLunpJ0rijS80UU2KY2DxYF-EOgkoDmnTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Braunfels City Council on Monday accepted the city's fiscal year 2024 audit and comprehensive annual financial report, approved the consent agenda, and voted to approve several rezoning and development requests.

Sandy Polis, director of finance, introduced the FY 2024 audit prepared by Crowe LLP and reported a clean (unmodified) opinion. Polis said the general fund ended the year with an ending fund balance of about $37 million, representing about 36 percent of operating expenditures (roughly 3'4 months of operating reserves). An auditor from Crowe LLP reiterated that the unmodified opinion is the highest assurance that financial statements are materially correct.

Councilmember Spradley moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded acceptance of the audit; the motion passed unanimously.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included several first-reading ordinances amending code sections related to passenger and freight loading zones, no-parking zones at Cypress Bend Park, and school zone bounds for Lone Star Early Childhood (first readings only). The consent agenda was approved by a single motion.

On land use actions, the council approved a rezoning of approximately 0.2 acres in the Unicorn Heights Northwest Extension (Block 2, Lot 7) from R2 (single-family and two-family) to C0 (commercial office) at 1156 Magazine Ave to allow expansion of an in-home licensed daycare. Applicant Deanna Timmons said the rezoning would allow the licensed provider to increase state-licensed capacity from the residential cap of 12 children to up to 25, subject to state licensing and building requirements. Councilmember Ryan moved for approval and Councilmember Lebowski seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The council also approved rezoning about 8.5 acres at 3119 IH-35 from split R2/C3 to C1B (general business) to allow development of a truck dealership. The applicant described a site plan placing the dealership near I-35 and detention/drainage area to buffer an adjacent RV park; staff recommended approval based on surrounding commercial zoning and plan compatibility.

Finally, the council approved alternative development standards for a portion of the Veramendi Sector Plan 3 related to a Comal County flowage easement that constrained roads and lots; staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval provided the developer submits updated exhibit maps and a revised development and design control document (DDCD). The applicant said staff had already begun providing the updated DDCD.

All motions on these items carried on unanimous votes at the meeting.","On March 24, 2025 New Braunfels City Council accepted the FY 2024 audit with a clean opinion, approved the consent agenda and several rezoning and development items including a daycare expansion zoning change and a commercial rezoning for a truck dealership; Veramendi alternative development standards were also approved with staff conditions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050224,"Champions Village residents press New Braunfels council to accelerate Mission Valley/Highway 46 traffic signal",251,947000,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5&start=947&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3492311-d2225c24d4ff1b608a81cd7575cbeeb5/thumbnail_947000.jpg","/articles/6050224/New-Braunfels/Comal-County/Texas/Champions-Village-residents-press-New-Braunfels-council-to-accelerate-Mission-ValleyHighway-46-traffic-signal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050224-90deb1f6fb77fb65aa6b0b54fe76cfcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196630&Signature=SzcGRJsrWemD8tx9Z6DO3UU3bh3tOtowbjUg1KcPIZzBljySV6XUBFbAy95Kc3itPqXyU8b1nCOVG-R30Qj9zdTLYYW5DKnxN46-k8b0WVg5oLPlDD-a1aMBbK-avaZW21hSXHGJInT-arDcB42hlde0sC5W2oG7GzBQN8lF5-NBa2w-3FblEzh9cX4fLv9Q2FoBnmvENeuiuv3npjhoJ20orzitAdlF1oM8AkmU1Kthv-g~1BPwK0Lcbo4voDedFgj1GDCYzFwX9ZwznOhDlpBH25Yxx9ENGtCQWXOchrBEoV3RcUjHKGpBmxqCoyatYGpiojX5q0k9seXbzN8vxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents of Champions Village urged the New Braunfels City Council on Monday to accelerate installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Mission Valley and Highway 46 after the timeline for the light was pushed back several times.

Susie Mitchell, HOA president for Champions Village, said residents were told the signal would be installed in 2024, then in March 2025, then April, and that she recently learned the city had moved the Mission Valley signal to the end of a three-signal installation schedule with an anticipated September date. \"Turning left off of Mission Valley onto 46 is super dangerous,\" Mitchell said. \"We hear sirens on 46 on a daily basis. I eventually end up turning right and then having to turn around.\" She said the approved money for the signal is in place and asked council to reconsider the timeline.

Renee Walker Sanchez, a Champions Village resident of six years, said two recent major crashes closed Highway 46 for six and eight hours in the past 30 days and described speeding vehicles that make it difficult to exit the subdivision. \"Some of the people are going 65, 70, 85, 90 miles an hour, and we're barely getting out of our subdivision,\" she said.

Sara Fields, also a Champions Village resident, echoed the same safety concerns and asked council to take their request under consideration. Bentley Pais, a District 1 resident who spoke later in the public-comment period, criticized council members for what he said was a pattern of dismissing constituent concerns and said he would renew his campaign for mayor; his remarks were broader civic criticism rather than specific to the Mission Valley signal.

Council did not take an immediate action on the traffic-signal requests during Monday's meeting. No staff presentation accompanied the public comments, and residents were not given a formal timeline update from staff during the meeting. Council members did not dispute the safety concerns raised by residents but also did not commit to a revised schedule on the record.

The residents said summer camps and increased seasonal traffic at nearby facilities increase the urgency for a signal installation before summer.","Multiple residents of Champions Village told City Council the promised traffic signal at Mission Valley and Highway 46 has been repeatedly delayed and urged council to expedite installation to address safety concerns ahead of summer traffic and camps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Braunfels council approves first reading of civil parking enforcement ordinance

City Council accepts FY 2024 audit and approves multiple rezonings and consent items

Champions Village residents press New Braunfels council to accelerate Mission Valley/Highway 46 traffic signal