October 17, 2025 SPECIAL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NEDERLAND
4:30 p.m. October 17,2025
1. MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m.by Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby at the Nederland City
Hall,207N 121 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The regular meeting was recessed at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby 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 Interim
City Manager.
3. RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 5:28 p.m. by Mayor Jeffrey P. Darby.
4. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
approve an agreement with Texas First for the hiring of Bruce Mills as Interim City
Manager, pending legal review. Details will be finalized and a potential start date will be
November 3, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant.
5. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz to
approve Resolution 2025-16, Appointment of Fire Chief Terry Morton as Assistant City
Manager, which will begin October 19,2025. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant.
6. ADJOURN
There being no further business Mayor Jeffrey P.Darby adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
Minutes continued, October 17, 2025
//
Jef`f- Dar'Ay,Mayor
City of Nederland,Texas
ATTEST:
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Joiji Underwood, City Clerk
City of Nederland, Texas
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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 II .k
Randy Sonnier Council Member-Ward III
Jeff Ortiz Council Member-Ward IV
Cheryl Dowden Interim City Manager
Joni Underwood City Clerk
Scth4y I-I-owarat /
' City Attorney J
•G�1t11 �cavu�
Heather Stucker Director of Finance f
Rod Carroll Police Chief
Terry Morton Fire Chief J
Director of Public Works
George Wheeler Building Official
Jacob Pitts Inspections Adm.Secretary /
Molli Hall Librarian
Stephanie Gaspard Human Resources Director I
Toby Latiolais Parks Director
J P. Dar• , Mayor
Joni U gerwood, City Clerk
10-17-25
Date
RESOLUTION NO.2025-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS DESIGNATING AND
APPOINTING THE FIRE CHIEF AS ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO PERFORM
NECESSARY CITY MANAGER FUNCTIONS DURING THE ABSENCE OR
VACANCY OF THE CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, among other things,the City Manager is the chief administrative officer
of the City of Nederland,Texas (the "City"), is responsible for the efficient administration of
all of the affairs of the City,and has the powers and duties set forth in Section 5.03 of the City
Charter;
WHEREAS, Section 5.04 of the City Charter provides that the City Council may
appoint any qualified person to perform the duties of City Manager in the event of his
disability;
WHEREAS, at times, the City Manager has been absent and/or the position has been
vacant and necessary acts could not be performed;
WHEREAS,for good and proper order of the City,the City Council determined that it
is in the best interest of the City to designate and appoint an Assistant City Manager to allow
for the performance of necessary acts only when the City Manager is absent or the position is
vacant;
WEHREAS,because the position will not customarily require responsibility or actions
while the City Manager's position is filled and there is not an extended absence, the City
Council desires to designate and appoint the Fire Chief as the Assistant City Manager to
perform necessary functions during the absence or vacancy of the City Manager;
WHEREAS,the Assistant City Manager shall only perform the necessary functions of
the City Manager during the City Manager's absence or the vacancy of the City Manager
position;and
WHEREAS,the City Council affirmatively finds that the designation and appointment
of the Fire Chief as the Assistant City Manager,and to only act in the absence or vacancy of the
City Manager,is for a valid public purpose and is in the best interest of the City and its citizens.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council for the City that:
1. Adoption of Recitals. The City finds that the recitals set forth above are incorporated
herein for all purposes and are found to be true and correct.
2. Designation and Appointment. While the Fire Chief shall continue to perform and be
responsible for his or her duties as Fire Chief,the Fire Chief is hereby designated and
appointed to the Assistant City Manager position to only act in the absence or vacancy of
the City Manager.
3. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this resolution is
passed is open to the public and that public notice of the time,place and purpose of said
meeting was given as required by law.
4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
PASSED and APPROVED this 17th day of October,2025.
CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS
4J1/ ,r
e fr '. t arby,Mayor
Resolution page I
ATTEST:
Joni' nderwood,City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Christoph r D.Leavins,City Attorney
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Resolution Page 2