PRESENTER: Presenter
Jordan Matney, Deputy City Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend Article I, Section 86-3 (b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to close the Faust Street Bridge right of way on both sides of the Guadalupe River to public access.
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DEPARTMENT: City Administration
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The area around Faust Street Bridge is a public safety concern for first responders, City staff, and the public. Very little of the property that people visit belongs to the City, meaning it cannot be managed and maintained like City owned property. The River Fund has expenses to maintain the Faust Street Bridge area for litter and trash cleanup and Police overtime. The litter and trash concerns have been so problematic that an additional $13,000 was expensed from the River Fund this year to provide additional clean up services. A closure of the right of way access to the public is needed to preserve the good government, order and security of the municipality and its inhabitants and visitors.
ISSUE:
There is a large increase in the amount of trash and litter collected, calls for service from first responders, and citations written at this location. The area that people congregate at is not a park, but the bridge right of way is being used as the access point. There are no public bathrooms and no improved access points. The City spends money to clean up and watch over an area that is not owned by the City, and therefore has no revenue generation to offset the expenses.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Currently the City uses the River Activities Fund to pay for clean-up costs and staff costs to monitor the Faust Street Bridge area, even though the area being monitored is not City property. In FY 2024, the City’s trash and litter contract had to be amended by $13,000 in order to have the area serviced by the contractor. A new fence will need to be installed at the estimated one-time cost of $24,000 which will be funded from the River Activities Fund.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
To prioritize safety, on October 8, 2024, the River Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously recommended to close public access to the right of way below the Faust Street Bridge. City staff also recommends closing the right of way to public access at the Faust Street Bridge due to public and staff safety concerns.