August 25, 2025 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND
6:00 p.m. August 25,2025
1. MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz at the Nederland City
Office Building, 207 N. 12th Street,Nederland, Texas. See attached for quorum.
The following statement was posted:
"PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.07, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY LICENSE
HOLDER WITH AN OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUN), A PERSON LICENSED
UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN
LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A HANDGUN
THAT IS CARRIED OPENLY."
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation and Pledges of Allegiance were led by Pastor Ardell.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Keith Bass, 2415 Avenue H, commented on transparency,requesting more information be
shared about city procedures and supervisors'reports. He suggested council members visit
city departments to get employee feedback. Mr. Bass also discussed employee pay and
transferring employees to different departments.
4. REGULAR AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
postpone agenda items J, K, 0 and P. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
a. Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz read a proclamation recognizing Fire Chief Terry Morton for 40
years of service to the City of Nederland and proclaiming August 25, 2025 as Terry
Morton Day.
Minutes continued, August 25, 2025
b. A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Sonnier to approve the Minutes of August 11, 2025 as presented. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
c. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember Duplant
to approve the July 2025 Departmental reports as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
d. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember Duplant
to approve the Tax Assessor Collection report. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
e. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Duplant to approve the closure of Boston Avenue between 15th Street and 17th Street
and all intersections on Saturday, October 18th for the"Monsters in the Park" event.
MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
f. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones
to approve the closure of Boston Avenue between 13th Street and 17th Street and all
intersections on Tuesday, October 7th for the National Night Out event and the
Nederland Fire Department Open House. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
g. A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Jones to receive the quarterly Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund financial report from the
Nederland Chamber of Commerce. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
h. A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Jones to authorize the submission of a Motiva First Responder Grant application.
MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
2
Minutes continued, August 25, 2025
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
i. Angela Fanette, 1016 N. 31st St., requested that a social media campaign be
implemented to educate the public regarding the city's infrastructure. She also
requested the city designate a general email for citizens to report problems or issues and
for the city to consider adjustments to water/sewer bills for residents who cannot utilize
the city services.
j. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
postpone agenda items 4.J - Discussion and possible action to approve an engineering
agreement with Westwood for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation - Western
Section project. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
k. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
postpone agenda items 4.K - Discussion and possible action to approve an agreement
with Novus Wood Group for greenwaste disposal. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
1. A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Sonnier to engage Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics, LLC for the July 4th Fireworks
Extravaganza event. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
m. Steve Jordan of Schaumburg and Polk provided an update on smoke testing of the city's
sewer system. Testing is about 60% complete,with 967 leaks found on private service
lines and 503 leaks on municipal lines so far. Testing is expected to be completed by the
end of September.
Jolei Shipley, 8765 Holmes Rd., asked if residents had been notified of identified sewer
leaks. Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz requested Schaumburg&Polk provide the city with a list
of identified leaks so that residents could be notified. Councilmember Sonnier
suggested attaching a photo of the leak with the letter.
n. Cheryl Dowden,Interim City Manager, gave an update on the ditch digging progress.
The pipe flushing is 85-90%complete with approximately 10 streets remaining. The
project should be finished in September.
Keith Bass asked the city to reexamine the completed areas as some of the ditches
haven't been properly blown out and are not draining.
3
Minutes continued, August 25, 2025
Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz stated that the general email to utilize for submitting complaints
or issues within the city is cityinfo@ci.nederland.tx.us
o. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
postpone agenda items 4.o - Receive an update regarding construction projects from the
Public Works Department. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
p. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
postpone agenda items 4.p - Discussion and possible action amending the Nederland
City Council Policy on City Council Meetings. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
q. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember
Sonnier to amend Section 2.03.01 of the City of Nederland's Employee Handbook
regarding tattoos. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
r. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing was called to order at 6:48 by
Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz for the purpose of discussing and receiving comments regarding
the proposed City of Nederland Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget.
Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz suggested the `Maintenance Worker' position be changed to
`Assistant Public Works Director.' Councilmember Duplant suggested the title of
"Project Manager.' Cheryl Dowden explained the process for changing the position
title and stated she would confer with Human Resources on this issue. Councilmember
Sonnier requested that this agenda item be brought back at the next council meeting.
Ms. Dowden stated the city can proceed with the budget as is and amend the budget for
this change.
Keith Bass, 2415 Avenue E, commented on the need for additional public works
leadership positions and competitive pay for city employees.
There being no further questions and/or comments the Public Hearing was
adjourned and the regular meeting was reconvened at 6:56 by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz.
A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Jones to postpone budget approval until the September 8, 2025 meeting. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
4
Minutes continued, August 25, 2025
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The regular meeting was recessed at 6:58 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz for the purpose of
conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code,Personnel—
Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.074,Deliberations regarding candidates for City
Manager.
6. RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 7:21 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz.
7. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
extend an employment offer to Jack Harper for the position of City Manager, pending HR
review and contract negotiations. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby
8. ADJOURN
There being no further business a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz to adjourn the
meeting at 7:23 p.m.
0114//44\
Jef •rtiz,Mayor Pro Tern
of Nederland, Texas
ATTEST:
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Joni Underwood, City ClerkNEDe /
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CITY OF NEDERLAND
COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET
NAME TITLE PRESENT ABSENT
Jeffrey P. Darby Mayor
Bret Duplant Council Member—Ward I ✓
Britton Jones Council Member—Ward
Randy Sonnier Council Member—Ward III ✓
Jeff Ortiz Council Member—Ward IV ✓
Cheryl Dowden Interim City Manager ►�
Joni Underwood City Clerk ✓
.ridy Howkrd -tiorney ✓
Chris Leavins City Attorney
Heather Stucker Director of Finance ✓
Rod Carroll Police Chief
Terry Morton Fire Chief
-Reber-Weems Director of Public Works
George Wheeler Building Official V
Jacob Pitts Inspections Adm.Secretary
Molli Hall Librarian
Stephanie Gaspard Human Resources Director ✓
Toby Latiolais Parks Director ✓
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s,e. :, . Z-FF Jt`-l�iy (\f -i" P •_ env.
tAlikAAMI9d
JoniWiden/mod, City Clerk
8-25-25
Date
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KATE cARKILL.
TAX•ASSESSORGOLLECTOR
-4, .--7,-- -.• - *
JEFFERSON COUNTY,TEXAS
-STAM OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF .i.bF.FERSON ,
I,Kate Cgroll,the Tax Assessor-Collector of Jefferson Coupty,Texas and also,
by.contract ot statute,. the. Tax sor-Collector for -CITY OF NEDEItLA1ND,
affirm, under oath, that this amount $6.3,005 Alt- represents all taxes collected for
.ernt•OF NEIIERLAND during the month of Silly
cre.,,amx
Kate'Carroll
MAILING ADDRESS.4 P.O. Box 21 12*BEAUIVIONT,TEXAS 777042112
PHYSICAL ADDRESS 'i•1 149 PEARL • BEAUIVIONT,TEXAS 77701
PHONE:409-835-8516 • FAx:409-;835,8589