PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and Consider Changes to Ordinance 86-16 to Allow Vessels Access to the Last Public Exit
Header
DISCUSSION:
Sec. 86-16 currently prohibits a Vessel from accessing the “Last Tuber’s Exit” adjacent to Garden Street and Union Avenue between May 1st and October 1st on weekends and holidays.
This ordinance was put into place before improvements to the Last Public Exit were made when there was a larger volume of tubers floating with heavy oversized coolers. The stairs would be crowded with a tremendous amount of people. The ordinance was made to deter additional congestion that would occur with the presence of vessels such as kayaks and paddleboards.
Over the past few river seasons, there has been a decrease in congestion at the Last Public Exit. Staff have had conversations with paddleboarders and kayakers over the years who have voiced their frustration with not being able to use the Last Public Exit on specific days and times of the week.
Since 2024, the Comal River has been designated a National Water Trail and part of that designation was wanting residents and visitors to recreate throughout the entire year and partake in other forms of water recreation besides tubing. Paddleboarding and kayaking is a desirable form of tourism, often resulting in litter collection. Staff would like to consider an amendment to this ordinance to be more inviting paddleboarding and kayaking instead of prioritizing tubing over other forms of recreation.
Between mid-May and Labor Day, the Park Rangers we approached by 42 vessel users wanting to access the Last Public Exit on the weekends and holidays in 2026.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends an ordinance change to allow vessel access to the Last Public Exit.