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RIVER PLAN BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY FOR ADOPTION
City Council will be considering the River Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations at a Special City Council Meeting.
Goal #1 – Establish River Management Operations as Revenue Neutral or Profitable
Raise the River Management Fee collected by outfitters from $1.25 to $1.50 per person.
Wristbands would be issued by the outfitter for monitoring purposes, not enforcement.
Charge a River Management Fee of $5.00 for all private tubers entering the river across City
property. Park users with other uses besides tubing would not pay the River Management Fee.
Wristbands would be issued for monitoring purposes and an additional River Management Fee
would not be charged for tubers opting for a second tube trip if wearing a wristband. River
Management Fees would be collected April –October.
• A Season Pass, not to exceed $20 in price.

Goal #2 – Improve Safety for Police, Other City Staff, Tourists and Residents
Redesign Last Tuber’s Exit. Short term priority should focus on lowering the landing platform to
below water level to facilitate safe and efficient exiting of the river, taking into account fluctuating
river flows.

Goal #3 – Improve Parking and Traffic Flow
Utilize Landa Plaza as a centralized parking location. Way-finding signage should be installed
directing tourists from IH 35 to the parking locations. Infrastructure at this location to facilitate
operations would need to be added. Outfitter participation and logistics would need to be
determined. A parking fee at this location should be charged.
• Charge parking fee at Prince Solms Park for existing parking spaces located on concrete.

Goal #4 – Implement a Marketing Strategy to Inform Citizens and Tubers about Changes
• Development of specific marketing efforts pending final City Council action on recommendations.
The River Ad Hoc Committee will work with the Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors
Bureau in development of a simple marketing plan that is positive in tone.
• Behavioral expectations should be a component of the overall Marketing program.

Full recommendations can be found starting on page 113 of the Council Packet at the link below.
http://www.ci.new-braunfels.tx.us/archives/37/December%2012%20final%20packet.pdf

BROCKMAN, TETRAULT, WILLIAMS ADDED TO HALL OF HONOR
At today’s regularly scheduled Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting, three individuals were inducted into the Hall of Honor. Inductees are Rusty Brockman, Bonnie Tetrault and Barry Williams. Their photos will be put on permanent display in Honors Hall for future generations to follow their example and each will receive further recognition at the Chamber’s annual banquet next January. All three will be featured on an “Inside the Chamber” radio program to air December 21. Congratulations, Rusty, Bonnie and Barry!

BOARD ADOPTS 2012 PLAN OF ACTION
A major item of business each December at the closing Board of Directors meeting of the year is consideration and adoption of a plan of action for the following year. This is a requirement in the Chamber of Commerce by-laws and the plan adopted today includes strategies and goals generated from the Board planning retreat held November 17 with input from the all-member Chamber poll last September. The Plan of Action will be included in the special Chamber program magazine distributed at the annual banquet next January 27 and 2011 Chair of the Board Corey Hall and incoming Chair of the Board Tobin Hoffmann will be joining Chamber President Michael Meek on the “Inside the Chamber” Show that will air December 28 as they review that plan. Tune in.

TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO KEYNOTE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker at the closing luncheon for the 46th Texas Legislative Conference set for March 23, 2012 in the Civic Convention Center. Abbott’s remarks will follow four consecutive panels on “hot” topics of the day including higher education challenges for Texas, a media review of the primary results, a panel on the federal government vs. Texas jobs, and a panel on water solutions for Texas. A special website is up and running on the conference that can be accessed at www.txlegislativeconference.com . Prior to his election last year as the 50th Attorney General of Texas, Abbott served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court. The previous evening on Thursday, March 22 noted economist Ray Perryman will be honored as the 2012 Texan of the Year and will be introduced by legendary political satirist Mark Russell.

FOUR EARN COATS – THREE SELECTED FOR 2012 EFFORT
Congratulations to Aja Edwards Patino of D. Lee Edwards Realty, Al Kaufmann of NBU, Jeff Lindley of the Lindley Company and Judge Charles Stephens for completing their work and earning Blue Coat membership. These four will be presented with their coats at the Chamber’s annual banquet on January 27, 2012. At the annual meeting of the Chamber Blue Coats held in Honors Hall December 6, prospective Blue Coats for next year were announced and they are Brannon Brooke of TCOR Insurance Management, Robin Jeffers of J & R Gymnastics and Darrin Toney of Alarm Automation. Congratulations, all!

FINAL “MIXER” FOR YEAR THIS THURSDAY
The final business after hours “mixer” for 2011 is set for this Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Alarm Automation in downtown New Braunfels. The cash drawing is up to $1,050 and will be given away if a member is present and their name is drawn. Average attendance in 2011 at “mixers” has been between 300 and 350. The 2012 “mixer” schedule has been set and all dates have been confirmed. New membership cards for 2012 along with the “mixer” schedule will be mailed to Chamber of Commerce members later this month. “Mixers” have been reserved through 2014 already!

HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP GATHERS WEDNESDAY
The Mayor’s Higher Education Task Force will meet for the final time this year this Wednesday beginning at 7:45 am in Honors Hall. Task Force Chair Terry Robinson will preside at her final meeting as chair of the group. Kudos to Terry for providing great leadership and energy as this task force got off the ground and accomplished much this year. Wednesday the Task Force will set quarterly meetings for 2012, get an update on the Central Texas Technology Center’s status, and address recommendations approved by the City Council recently as well next steps to achieve a university center program and to appoint a new task force chair. The Task Force is composed of twenty-five diverse members of the city and county who are dedicated to providing quality higher education opportunities to be offered locally to citizens.

GOOD TIME TO JOIN JOB – WEALTH CREATION EFFORT
The Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation is a 501c3 not for profit formed in 2004 to add time, talent and treasure from the private sector to the area’s economic development efforts. The Foundation has experienced a 60% growth in membership this year and it’s not too late for you to join the team also. Dues are 100% tax deductible and meetings are held quarterly with presentations on topics of interest. A new membership video was produced recently along with a revised application form. The annual meeting for the GNBEDF has been set for Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the McKenna Events Center.

BANQUET INVITATIONS OUT – GET YOUR SEAT NOW!
Invitations to the 93rd annual Chamber banquet were mailed last week. Every Chamber member should have received an invitation with details of the event by now. The theme for the banquet is “Business Leading the Way!” with keynote speaker Bob Goshen. The banquet is set for Friday, January 27 beginning at 6:00 pm with a social/networking time in the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center. Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm and the program will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. An “after party” will take place immediately following the banquet with The Harleys performing. The after party event this year is free to all banquet attendees. For ticket information go to www.nbcham.org/banquet .

Helpful Links:

Welcome New Members

“Mixer” Schedule

Calendar of Events

Member-To-Member Discounts

Ribbon Cuttings

Officers/Directors/Staff

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The Week Ahead:

Monday:

6:00 pm – City Council

Tuesday:

Leadership New Braunfels Class Day

11:45 am – New Braunfels Manufacturers Association

12:00 – Executive Committee – Frost Bank

4:30 pm – Ribbon Cutting at The Body Shoppe

Wednesday:

9:00 am – RAP Council

12:00 pm – EDF Officers

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm - "Inside the Chamber" Radio Show

Thursday:

7:30 am – Business-Education Partnership Committee

5:30 – 7:30 pm – Business After Hours “Mixer” – Alarm Automation

6:30 pm – 4B Board

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You can tell when you are on the road to success. It’s uphill all the way.”

Paul Harvey, Bits and Pieces on Leadership December 2011