November 17, 2025 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND
5:30 p.m. November 17,2025
1. MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.by Mayor Darby 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 Councilmember Sonnier.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
David Stone, a 61-year-old native of Nederland and chairman of the Jefferson County
Texas Alamo Letter Society and president of the Sons of the Republic of Texas,presented
a request for funding support for an Alamo Letter monument project.
The project aims to place a replica of the Alamo bronze letter in every county courthouse
in Texas. Stone reported that his organization has already raised$5,000 for the bronze
plaque,which weighs 203 pounds,but needs an additional $5,000 to $8,000 for a pink
granite monument made from the same material as the Texas Capitol.He emphasized the
importance of a permanent installation,noting concerns about potential damage from
hurricanes or floods if a less substantial material were used.
Stone requested donations from incorporated cities in Jefferson County,with checks to be
made payable to Sons of the Republic of Texas at P.O. Box 8251,Lumberton, Texas
77657. He mentioned that donations are tax-deductible and referenced the website
`alamoletter.com' for more information,though noted that donations must go through their
organization to be designated for Jefferson County.
4. CONSENT AGENDA - All consent agenda items listed are considered to be routine by
the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion
of these items unless a councilmember so requests, in which event the item will be
removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
Minutes continued, November 17, 2025
A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember Sonnier
to approve the Consent Agenda Items "a through d" as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
a. Minutes—November 10, 2025 regular meeting
b. October 2025 Departmental Reports
c. Tax Assessor Collection Report—October 2025
d. Consider action authorizing the closure of 21st Street from Detroit Avenue to Nederland
Avenue, Detroit Avenue from 17th Street to 21' Street, Nederland Ave from 215t Street to
12th Street, 12th Street from Nederland Avenue to Boston Avenue, and Boston Avenue
from 12th Street to 17th Street on Tuesday, December 9th for the Nederland Chamber of
Commerce's Annual Lighted Christmas Parade.
5. REGULAR AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
a. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Jones to postpone taking action on the engineering agreement with Westwood for the
Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Assessment project until the December 8, 2025
council meeting to allow time to receive the requested revisions from the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
b. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Jones to postpone taking action on the engineering agreement with Westwood for the
Centrifuge Rehabilitation project until the December 8, 2025 council meeting to allow
time to receive the requested revisions from the City Attorney. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
c. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing was called to order at 5:43 p.m.
by Mayor Darby for the purpose of discussing and receiving comments regarding the
City's completion and closeout of its Hurricane Harvey Infrastructure Grant.
No comments were received.
There being no further questions and/or comments the Public Hearing was adjourned
and the regular meeting was reconvened at 5:43 p.m. by Mayor Darby.
d. A motion was made by Councilmember Duplant and seconded by Councilmember
Sonnier to approve Resolution No. 2025-20, authorizing the Nederland Police
Department to participate in the 1033 Program regarding federal assets to law
enforcement. MOTION CARRIED.
2
Minutes continued, November 17, 2025
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The regular meeting was recessed at 5:46 p.m.by Mayor Darby for the purpose of
conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Consultation
with Attorney,pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code,regarding
pending or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, and/or on a matter in which the duty
of the attorney to the City Council under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional
Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas
Government Code; and Personnel Matters,pursuant to Section 551.074 of the Texas
Government Code,to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation,reassignment,
duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee,regarding the Interim City
Manager.
7. RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 6:46 p.m. by Mayor Darby. He announced the
Executive Session was held for informational purposes only and no action is necessary.
A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz to
reconsider Item 5.a, an engineering agreement with Westwood for the Wastewater
Treatment Plant Facility Assessment project. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Duplant to
approve the engineering agreement with Westwood for the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Facility Assessment project, in the amount of$66,300, pending legal review. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
reconsider Item 5.b, an engineering agreement with Westwood for the Centrifuge
Rehabilitation project. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Duplant
to approve the engineering agreement with Westwood for the Centrifuge Rehabilitation
project, in the amount of$239,609.20,pending legal review. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Duplant,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
3
Minutes continued, November 17, 2025
The mayor announced that a delegation from the Netherlands would visit Nederland the
following day. The delegation includes the Vice Mayor of Rotterdam,the First Secretary
from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington D.C.,an official from
the Port of Rotterdam,the International Affairs Director from Rotterdam's mayor's office,
and the Director of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Houston. The visit will
include a meeting at city hall, a visit to see the city's windmill, and lunch with community
representatives.
8. Mayor Darby stated the selection of an executive search firm to assist with the recruitment
of a City Manager will be considered at a later date.
9. ADJOURN
There being no further business Mayor Darby adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.
Ali//k/ Ar
P. arby,' ayor
City of 'ederland, Texas
ATTEST:
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Jon Underwood, City Clerk °, ,, ,� • 4(1/
City of Nederland, Texas
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4
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 ✓
Randy Sonnier Council Member-Ward III ✓
Jeff Ortiz Council Member-Ward IV ✓
Bruce Mills Interim City Manager
Joni Underwood • City Clerk ✓
Saod,y Naward
City Attorney I
b1.17TJZ�iQYII17
Heather Stucker Director of Finance
Rod Carroll Police Chief
Terry Morton Fire Chief
Dannie Davis Interim Director of Public Works //
George Wheeler Building Official �✓
Jacob Pitts Inspections Adm.Secretary ✓
Molli Hall Librarian ✓
Stephanie Gaspard Human Resources Director V
Toby Latiolais Parks Director V
olob e cr *t t1ss�64, Works b,r. ✓'
Chary l Do cid ✓
-rot_ 'or Sh&) tin A-ss;s+
4f/
- rey P. arby, Mayor
010114) OAd h&00a(,
Joni L(iderwood, City Clerk
11- 1-1—a-5
Date
'CITIZEN COMMENTS SIGN-IN SHEET
NAME ADDRESS
040 c 4.0
_
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE 1033 PROGRAM
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WHEREAS, the Defense Logistics Agency administers and manages the
1033 Program that allows the transfer of excess Department of Defense
("DOD") property to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies;
WHEREAS, the City of Nederland,Texas (the"City") desires to join and
participate in the 1033 Program administered by the Defense Logistics
Agency;
WHEREAS, once a part of the 1033 Program, the City can review
available excess DOD inventory that is suitable for law enforcement and make
requests for property through the state coordinator;
WHEREAS, the City finds that participation in the 1033 Program will
create opportunities for potentially substantial savings if it is transferred
excess DOD property for use in law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that participation in the 1033 Program
is for a valid public purpose and is in the best interests of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS THAT:
Section I. The City Council finds that the recitals set forth above are
incorporated herein for all purposes and are found to be
true and correct.
Section II. The City is hereby authorized to join and participate in
the 1033 Program administered by the Defense Logistics
Agency. The Interim City Manager, or his successor, is
hereby authorized to execute such documents as are
appropriate and necessary to implement the City's
participation in the 1033 Program.
Section III. 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.
Section IV. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of
Nederland, Texas this the 17TH day of NOVEMBER, 7/9;
4tr6'y . Darby, Mayor
ATTEST:
Qb tt• iliv.of,faurrel
Jori Underwood,City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
C/41.-0 (446VA‘o‘ idr:414fr
Chris Leavins,City Attorney