Downtown Board

FINAL - MINUTES OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS DOWNTOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pat Butler called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Pat Butler, Michael Agnese, Matt Gandrud, Dani Hensley, Robin Jeffers, David Kneuper, Paul Schaefer, and Chris Snider (8:38 AM). Absent: Jon Dalton, Angie Martinez, and Jenny Wilson 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) Approval of the February 21, 2023 regular meeting and February 28, 2023 shared meeting minutes Dani Hensley motioned to approve the minutes from the February 21, 2023 regular meeting and February 28, 2023 shared meeting. Robin Jeffers seconded the motion which was approved unanimously. 4. CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATIONS None This time is for citizens to address the Board on issues and items of concerns not on this agenda. There will be no Board action at this time. 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION A) Presentation and update on wayfinding within the City of New Braunfels Chair Butler introduced this item. Carly Farmer, Transportation and Capital Improvements Engineer, presented a PowerPoint providing updates on the locations of the new downtown wayfinding signage, per the Board's request at the last meeting. Ms. Farmer indicated signage will direct people to the Children's Museum, Sophienburg Museum, Civic & Convention Center, Comal River, Schlitterbahn, Comal County Courthouse, Landa Park, Wurstfest, as well as public parking lots at Seguin & Bridge and Coll & Tuesday, April 18, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting  Castell streets. Ms. Farmer shared the signs for Phases 1 and 2 have been fabricated, and sign supports are in production. The Downtown signs will be installed primarily on Seguin Ave. and San Antonio Street with completion scheduled for late-summer 2023. B) Presentation and discussion on Downtown Board Bylaws Chair Butler introduced this item. Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director presented a PowerPoint offering an overview of the Downtown Board Bylaws with a focus on sections which may require review and modification. Mr. Jewell summarized the Board's Bylaw history and outlined four sections of the Bylaws which may require addressing. First is Section 3.1 Appointments. At present, the Bylaws hold four spots for representatives from community organizations, five spots for Downtown property/business owners, and two at-large spots. Staff asked the Board to consider allowing City Council to appoint additional at-large members when applicants from the representatives above are not available. In addition, staff asked the board to consider reducing the membership from 11 members to nine in order to meet a quorum more easily and to mirror other city board membership sizes. Second is Section 3.2 Qualifications. At present, the Bylaws indicate when a member's representation, employment, or affiliation changes a resignation is assumed. Staff asked the board to consider if the status quo is the preferred outcome or if the member could continue their term as at-large. Third is Section 3.5 Attendance. At present, the Bylaws state when members have three consecutive or four unexcused absences, a resignation is assumed and that excused absences shall be determined by a majority vote of a quorum of the board. Staff asked the Board to consider striking the word "unexcused" to alleviate cumbersome record-keeping. Fourth is Section 5.1 Date, Time and Place of Meetings. At present, the Bylaws indicate the meeting frequency as monthly with the meeting occurring on the third Tuesday at 8:30am. Staff asked the Board to consider meeting less frequently - either every other month or quarterly. Tuesday, April 18, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting  Mr. Jewell answered questions from the board. Staff will compile the Board's recommendations and provide proposed Bylaw changes, for review and possible adoption, at the May 16, 2023 regular scheduled meeting. C) Discussion and possible action creating a Downtown Parking Committee Chair Butler introduced this item and reminded everyone of the parking committee suggestion at the February 28, 2023 joint workshop with the TIRZ Board. Mr. Jewell and Chair Butler facilitated a discussion about the creation of a Parking Committee. Current Bylaws allow standing committees with delineated duties and special committees with annual specific purposes or activities. The Board discussed membership size and identified the committee purpose as reviewing and recommending changes to parking policy and related expenditures, but not taking any formal action. The committee itself would formalize its purpose, members, and meeting details. Robin Jeffers motioned to create a Parking Committee with up to five members as a special committee of the Downtown Board. Matt Gandrud seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Chair Butler appointed Dani Hensley and Matt Gandrud as the Downtown Board representatives on this committee and instructed them to recruit additional members, schedule their meetings, and bring updates back to the Downtown Board. 6. GENERAL DOWNTOWN UPDATES Chair Butler introduced this item. Greg Malatek, Public Works Director, provided an update on the retaining wall at the Landa underpass. Significant rain in 2021 caused the wall to begin leaning and TxDOT responded by closing the sidewalk. Some slow downs have occurred and initial plans to repair the retaining wall have been projected out markedly. The City directed the repair to start January 1, 2024 with road closures and work to be performed at night. Mr. Malatek also shared that Wurstfest plans to shut the road down for pedestrian traffic as they did in 2022. Mr. Malatek answered questions from the Board. Matthew Eckmann, Public Works Assistant Director, addressed the Tuesday, April 18, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting  issue of large roll-off dumpsters appearing in parking spots downtown. He updated that the dumpsters previously on San Antonio Street are now on Castell Ave. There are plans to begin citing the dumpsters if attempts at compromise or positive communication between neighboring businesses fails. Mr. Eckmann also provided that the owner of the dumpsters may be contacted to remove the receptacles from downtown if no progress is made. Mr. Eckmann answered questions from the Board. Staff will invite Mr. Malatek and Mr. Eckmann to the Downtown Board meeting on May 16, 2023 so updates may be provided about this matter. Mandi Scott, Economic and Community Development Coordinator, provided updates about several Downtown matters including the upcoming Wein & Saengerfest event scheduled for May 6, 2023 with new elements to the event, a larger event footprint, scheduled road closures, the continuation of last year's shuttle service from City Hall, and a new VIP section. Ms. Scott shared updates to the Castell project with a completion slated for May/June, the installation of 25 solar-powered trash compactors starting April 27th, upcoming plans for Coll Street drainage improvements and downtown right of way enhancements, as well as continued departmental parking-related work. Ms. Scott answered questions from the Board. 7. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING -Updates from Mr. Malatek & Mr. Eckmann regarding dumpsters downtown -Review of proposed changes to the Bylaws -LDO discussion with Transportation & Capital Improvement Department 8. ADJOURNMENT Chair Butler adjourned the meeting at 9:55 AM. By: ______________________________ PAT BUTLER, CHAIR Tuesday, April 18, 2023 New Braunfels Downtown Board Regular Meeting