District 5 Council Member· June 2026 - May 2028
Michael Niebuhr
Galveston
About
Michael Niebuhr's campaign platform centered on the management of Galveston's growth and the improvement of city infrastructure. His priorities focused on addressing the developmental needs of District 5 to support the city's evolving landscape.
Campaign promises (1)
- developmentThe candidate focused their campaign platform on addressing issues related to urban growth and local infrastructure.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 2:59
- Avg per meeting
- 1:30
- Segments
- 39
Want every word Niebuhr has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Niebuhr said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Planned Unit Development for Office Use at 1301 Market
Installation of fire sprinkler and alarm systems will add costs for the new owner, and the change could affect street parking availability on Market.
City Board and Committee Appointments
Internal board organization does not have an immediate direct financial impact.
Land Development Code Amendment for Fences and Walls
None directly to the city, though it affects property design costs for custom homeowners.
Arts Grant Panelist Selection
Indirectly affects the proper distribution of grant funds through peer review.
Galveston Economic Development Partnership Funding Increase
The base contract under consideration provides $50,000 to GEDP, plus $50,000 more if an additional staff member is hired; amendments could alter that.
HCV Program Payment Standards and Utility Allowances for 2027
The calculation changes could increase or decrease individual retirement benefit amounts for affected officers.
South Shore Pump Station and Drainage Project Funding
Allocation of over $5.5 million in bond funds to infrastructure construction.
Draft Airport Hazard Zoning Ordinance
Impacts property development rights and municipal regulatory oversight surrounding the airport facility.
Major Tourism Events: Sail250 and FIFA World Cup 2026
Expected to increase local hospitality and tourism revenues significantly.
Proposed Charter Amendments for 2027 Election
Cost of adding propositions to the election ballot.
Homelessness Outreach Partnership and Enforcement (HOPE) Initiative
Initial operating allowance of $12,000 requested for supplies.
Loan Transfer and Collateral Assignment
Loan activity affects plan cash flows and members' account balances.
CDBG-DR Disaster Recovery Subgrants and Infrastructure Projects
Grant funding is provided via Texas General Land Office CDBG-DR contracts.
Heritage Tourism and Local Event Updates
Supports ongoing tourism marketing and event sponsorships.
Side Setback Variance for Elevated A/C Platform in Bermuda Beach
None for the city; prevents costly structural reconfiguration for the homeowner.
Evaluation of Inactive Sister City Partnerships
Impact is limited to administrative costs and budgeted line items managed by the city secretary's office.
Teichman Road Minor Subdivision Plat
Potential increase in property tax base from new residential lots.
Avenue P Street Closure Near Hotel Galvez
Historic District Property Alteration at 1401 Winnie
The project represents a private investment converting two underused historic buildings into a restaurant, though no public cost figures were given.
Business Incentive Grant Program
Unknown until the program parameters are set.
Decisions during term (248)
Recorded while Niebuhr was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
26P-051 Anderson Ways Road/8 Mile Road Abandonment — Recommended Approval
26P-052 Minor Plat, 8509 Teichman Road — Approved
Approval of October 6, 2026 Minutes
Election of Chairperson
Election of Vice-Chairperson
Approval of Minutes
Case 26Z-011 Variance Request
Adjournment
Election of Chairperson
Election of Vice-Chairperson
Deferral of Right-of-Way Abandonment (26P-051)
Deferral of Fences and Walls Text Amendment (26ZA-003)
Approval of Minutes
September 22, 2026 - Workshop
September 22, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Adjournment
Election of Sarah Moore Click as Chairperson
Election of Christian Bourgeois as Vice-Chairperson
Approval of September 21, 2026 meeting minutes
Certificate of Appropriateness 26LC-025 — 1401 Winnie / Avenue G
Voting record (10)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
that the property tax rate be adopted at a tax rate of $0.416273 which is equivalent to the no-new-revenue tax rate
Adoption of Tax Rate Ordinance No. 26-043
Council Member Brown moved to approve the budget as presented.
FY 2027 Annual Budget Adoption
keeping the in-person interviews for the Wharves Board and Planning Commission
eliminate in-person interviews and instead allow Council members to submit questions for applicants through staff, with clear communication to the public about the changed process
Keep In-Person Interviews for Wharves Board and Planning Commission
Voted against retaining live interviews.
Eliminate In-Person Interviews and Allow Staff-Submitted Questions
Supported eliminating live interviews.