February 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND
5:30 p.m. February 9,2026
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.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Darby moved the first of two executive sessions to the beginning of the meeting.
The regular meeting was recessed at 5:31 p.m. by Mayor Darby for the purpose of
conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Consultation
with Attorney, Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, regarding the forensic
audit.
6. RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 6:15 p.m. by Mayor Darby. He announced the
Executive Session was held for informational purposes only and no action is necessary.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Robert Klinger of 1140 Kent Avenue addressed the council regarding building rules and
ordinances. He stated the established building rules and ordinances previously approved by
city council should not be up for debate or deviation. He specifically discussed concerns
about multifamily housing and rental properties and requested that the council consider a
moratorium on duplexes.
Jackie Toups, 613 N. 14th Street, questioned the process for reviewing city manager
applications, stating there was a conflict of interest with HR personnel reviewing
Minutes continued, February 9, 2026
applications for their future boss. She expressed concern about the proposed salary range
of$161,000 to $219,000 for the city manager position. She also requested the
establishment of a citizen committee or advisory panel to help select the city manager.
Keith Bass, 2415 Avenue E, discussed neighborhood safety concerns,particularly regarding
speed limits. He stated 30mph in a residential neighborhood is too high of a speed limit.
He requested another speed study and suggested reducing residential speed limits to 20-25
mph. Bass also proposed quarterly town hall meetings on Saturdays to accommodate
citizens who cannot attend evening meetings.
L
David Wedgworth, 712 Carriage Lane, inquired about the status of final reports received
from Schaumburg & Polk.
Jolie Shipley, 8765 Homes Road, addressed several concerns, including the lack of
response to citizen comments and the failure to place recurring issues on council agendas.
She mentioned specific issues including the moratorium on duplexes, Schaumburg &Polk
contract approval, city manager applications, code enforcement problems, and the lack of a
master plan for the city.
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.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Sonnier to
approve the Consent Agenda Item,"a"as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant
a. Minutes—February 2, 2026 regular meeting
8. REGULAR AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
a. The Nederland Little Dribblers have made other arrangements and their usage of the
Nederland Recreation Center is no longer needed.
b. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
approve the Nederland Chamber of Commerce's Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund financial
report as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant
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Minutes continued, February 9, 2026
Jolei Shipley questioned whether all hotels and short-term rentals were properly
reporting and paying the required taxes. She noted concerns about the Mid Jeff
Hospital property and requested an audit of hotel/motel tax compliance.
c. Charlie Hallmark, 614 N. 26th St., presented their ongoing drainage concerns. Charlie
Hallmark explained that after the city performed sewer line work in 2015, a new
drainage problem was created in the easement behind their property. He stated the
water now pools and does not drain properly. The Hallmarks presented photographs
showing standing water in the easement and expressed frustration with years of
unfulfilled promises from city staff. Charlie Hallmark stated they were promised and
assured that the issue would be resolved but as of now,has not.
Craig Devillier, 606 N. 26th Street,the Hallmarks' neighbor, corroborated their account,
confirming that flooding began in 2015 after the city's sewer work and that his property
is also affected.
Interim City Manager Bruce Mills provided background on the issue, noting that the
subdivision was originally platted for front drainage, not rear drainage, and
recommended that water should be directed to the front of properties as designed.
Council members discussed potential solutions, including connecting to the DD7
drainage ditch. The Mayor indicated this would be followed up on promptly.
d. Interim City Manager, Bruce Mills, stated the city's current sidewalk ordinance needs to
be revised and will continue research work on this. This item will be brought back to
council at a later date with more information and recommendations.
e. Item 8.e, Request for Proposals for Windstorm Insurance, was postponed until the
February 23rd meeting so that proposals can be reviewed and recommendations made.
f. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz
to approve Change Order No. 1, final payment of$78,532.00 and release of retainage
for the 2024 Waterline Project. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant
g. A motion was made by Councilmember Sonnier and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz
to approve the Order of General Election for the City of Nederland's May 2026 general
election. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Duplant
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Darby moved the second of two executive sessions to the end of the meeting.
3
Minutes continued, February 9, 2026
The regular meeting was recessed at 7:31 p.m. by Mayor Darby for the purpose of
conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, 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 Police Chief.
6. RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:07 p.m. by Mayor Darby. He announced the
Executive Session was held for informational purposes only and no action is necessary.
10. ADJOURN
There being no further business Mayor Darby adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
44(/ ,//
e'frey r. Darby, Mayor
City of Nederland,Texas
ATTEST:
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Jonif nderwood, 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 ✓
Randy Sonnier Council Member—Ward III ' V
Jeff Ortiz Council Member—Ward IV ✓
Bruce Mills Interim City Manager
Joni Underwood City Clerk �✓
Richard Hughes City Attorney ✓
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
Toby Latiolais Parks Director
Taylor Shelton Assist.to the City Manager
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J "Pio'r.y, 'yor
QdjitiL Ungieliktiaq
JoniOnderwood,City Clerk
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