PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend Article I, Section 86-3 (b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to include a park closure time to the City Tube Chute Park during the peak use season.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For the last two river seasons the City of New Braunfels has closed the City Tube Chute Park at 7:00 pm on summer weekends by order of the Police Chief. The City Tube Chute Park is operated by City staff starting the first weekend in May through Labor Day. The proposed ordinance change is to add permanent weekend hours for the City Tube Chute Park to close at 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Independence Day from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. July 3rd when it is on a Monday and July 5th when it is on a Friday have been included to accommodate long holiday weekends when we have had more visitation historically. The goal of this change is to have the hours set in the code of ordinances to alleviate changes from year to year and possible confusion.
The prosed revision is not a closure of the Comal River and is only a closure of the City Tube Chute Park property. Visitors participating in water recreation will still have the ability to portage around the Tube Chute, even though the park is closed. The expectation is that the visitor will return to the river after they portage and continue their trip downstream.
ISSUE:
The New Braunfels Police Department has identified a trend of concerning behavior and incidences occurring at the City Tube Chute Park after admissions ceased to be charged and there was limited staff presence. This ordinance revision is proposed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of visitors and City infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no identified fiscal impact due to this revision because the closure is happening after admissions to the park have been closed.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
The River Advisory Committee reviewed the proposed ordinance changes on February 15, 2024, and unanimously recommended the proposed ordinance for approval.
City staff recommends the ordinance revision for approval.