July 27, 2026 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND
5:30 p.m. July 27,2026
MEETING
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Jones and invocation was led by Mayor Pro
Tem Sonnier.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
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 - Tex.
Gov't Code, Section 551.071, including: Pending litigation/arbitration with former City Manager,
Chris Duque Mediation Settlement(private attorney teleconference).
RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 6:10 p.m. by Mayor Darby.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones that the
City accept the proposed settlement as presented by counsel, subject to review and approval of the
final agreement in the Duque arbitration. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones and Sonnier.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Ortiz.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Jolei Shipley, 8765 Holmes Rd., requested that agenda packet pages be numbered and expressed
concern about the consent agenda process.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier to approve
the Consent Agenda Item "1 through 4" as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,and Sonnier.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Ortiz.
1. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2026 regular
meeting, July 6, 2026 Budget Workshop and July 8, 2026 Budget Workshop.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve the June 2026 Departmental Reports.
Minutes continued, July 27, 2026
3. Consideration and possible action to approve the May 2026 Tax Assessor Collection
Report.
4. Consideration and possible action to approve the May 2026 Financial Report.
REGULAR MEETING
NEW BUSINESS
1. City Manager Manny De La Rosa provided comprehensive progress reports on multiple
public works and engineering projects throughout the city. He discussed updates on the
water infrastructure projects, sanitary sewer infrastructure projects, drainage
improvements, and street improvements.
David Wedgeworth, 712 Carriage Lane, addressed the council regarding engineering
project schedules and progress tracking. Mr. Wedgeworth performed comparisons of
Westwood's schedules from the previous month to the current month and stated the water
clarifier was at 13% completion last month and remained at 13% this month. He noted
that equipment pricing had increased and reports show that Westwood is behind schedule.
Jolei Shipley expressed concern that the sewer system report with addresses of properties
showing infiltration within their yards has not been addressed yet and no property owners
have been notified of the issues.
Tim Windberg, 912 Circle Dr., addressed council with questions about sewer line
replacements. Councilman Sonnier confirmed that replacements would not use clay pipe.
2. Police Chief Rod Carrot congratulated Assist. Police Chief Andy Arnold on completing
the Law Enforcement Command Operations Program (LECOP) for the Texas Police
Chiefs Association.
3. Michael Mitchell, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, presented the Consumer Confidence
Report 2025. The report listed all required analytes including chloramine levels, chlorine
residual levels for the year, lead and copper levels, and other required parameters. No
questions were asked by Councilmembers or citizens.
4. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sonnier to
appoint Johnny Bijeaux to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term of two years,
beginning July 1, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,and Sonnier.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Ortiz.
5. A motion was made by Councilmember Stratton and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier
to separate and postpone the City Hall/Police Department flagpole spotlight mounting
upgrade until the number of lights to be used is clarified and also to separate and postpone
the street lighting upgrade along Boston Avenue until additional bids are obtained. These
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Minutes continued, July 27, 2026
items were postponed until the August loth or August 24th meeting, depending on the
timeline for obtaining quotes. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,and Sonnier.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Ortiz.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
approve the two remaining budget amendment items in the amendment Ordinance No.2026-
12, amending the fiscal year 2025-26 Senior Citizen Center budget for ceiling light upgrade
and Public Works Department budget for network switch upgrade. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,and Sonnier.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Ortiz.
Tim Windberg commented on the flagpole lighting project, suggesting the city consider
solar lights for flagpoles.
ADJOURN
There being no further business,Mayor Darby adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
fey P. arby, Mayor
City of Nederland, Texas
ATTEST:
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Joni 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 4/
Curtis Stratton Council Member—Ward I �✓
Britton Jones Council Member—Ward II
Randy Sonnier Council Member—Ward III
Jeff Ortiz Council Member—Ward IV
Manny De La Rosa City Manager
Joni Underwood City Clerk
Richard Hughes City Attorney
Heather Stucker Director of Finance
Rod Carroll Police Chief
Terry Morton Fire Chief
Fred Bell Director of Public Works �1
Jacob Pitts Interim Building Official
Molli Hall Librarian
Stephanie Gaspard Human Resources Director
Toby Latiolais Parks Director
m c 1 ttel MIA-did/ Wo4i f f r.�
r P. arby, Mayor
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Joni Un,;f-rwood,City Clerk
7-27-26
Date
CITIZEN COMMENTS SIGN-IN SHEET
NAME ADDRESS Non-agenda Specific
issue agenda item
) 0161
1,244
ON Ups
t� KATE CARROLL Mailing•P.O.Box 2112•Beaumont,Texas 77704-2112
Ttk
Jefferson CountyPhysical Address•l149 Pearl•Beaumont,Texas 77741
Tax Assessor Collector Phone:409-835-8516•Fax:409-835-8589
SEX ,
Chief Deputy Operations—Michelle Farnie Chief Deputy Finance—Cindy Savant,P.C.C.
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
I, Kate Carroll, the Tax Assessor-Collector of Jefferson County, Texas and also, by
contract or statute, the Tax Assessor-Collector for CITY OF NEDERLAND, affirm,
under oath, that this amount $98,659.27, represents all taxes collected for CITY OF
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NEDERLAND during the month of May 2026.
arya-
Kate Carroll
•
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-12
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEDERLAND,TEXAS AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-
2026 BUDGET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET AND
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND.
WHEREAS,the City Council previously approved Ordinance No. 2025-16 which adopted
the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 City Budget;and,
WHEREAS,the City Council deems it necessary to amend the current budget to increase
expenditures as set out in Attachment"A"attached hereto;and,
WHEREAS,the 2025-2026 City budget states "That any unencumbered funds remaining
on hand at the end of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 shall be construed with and
classified with Miscellaneous revenue anticipated during the fiscal year beginning October 1,
2025 and ending September 30,2026,and such funds are hereby appropriated as a City Council
Contingency Account for purposes approved by the City Council;and,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,
TEXAS:
THAT the budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 is amended to allow for increases in
expenditures as set out in Attachment"A."
THAT all ordinances and parts.of ordinances in conflict herewith are expressly repealed.
THAT,this being an ordinance not requiring publication,it shall take effect and be in force
from and after its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEDERLAND AT A
REGULAR MEETING THIS THE 27th DAY OF JULY,2026.
Jeffr y P. Darby,May r
City of Nederland,Te as
ATTEST:
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Joni Unq,erwood,City Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM: .� NE,D '
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Richard D.Hughes,City ttfr" )1.4.l-
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BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT—ATTACHMENT A
GENERAL FUND
Amend the General Fund by increasing expenditure line items as detailed below:
Increase 01-9000-6371 $4,488
For the purchase of an LED ceiling light upgrade at the Nederland Senior Citizen Center.
Increase 01-3000-6315 $2,490
For the purchase of a replacement POE network switch for Nederland Public Works. Current
switch is failing and out of warranty.
2