September 28, 2026 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND
5:30 p.m. September 28,2026
1. MEETING
The Invocation was led by Councilman Ortiz.
The Pledges of Allegiance were led by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier.
2. PRESENTATION
Steve Jordan of Schaumburg & Polk presented findings from the citywide sanitary sewer system
study. Mr. Jordan reported that 2,784 defects were found within the system, with approximately
58 percent on the private service side and 42 percent on the municipal side.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Allan Nation with Adaptive Sports for Kids invited the council and public to the organization's
fifth annual fishing tournament at Doornbos Park on October 3rd at 10:00 AM.
Jacquelyn Toups expressed concern about language on the agenda requiring citizens to sign in and
the three-minute limit for speaking.
Bob Klinger commented that executive sessions need to be held at the end of council meetings
instead of the beginning of meetings.
Laura Smith expressed her concern regarding negative comments posted on social media
regarding our city.
Keith Esmond spoke about an incident at his home involving the Nederland Police Department.
He also raised a concern about a flooding issue at his mother's property.
David Wedgeworth commented on the timing of the engineering reports from the City Manager.
4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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.
Councilmember Jones moved to remove Item 4.e (Public Works Engineering Progress Reports for
Minutes continued, September 28,2026
the period ending August 2026) from the consent agenda for regular discussion.
Councilmember Stratton moved to remove Item 4.b (August 2026 Departmental Reports) from the
consent agenda for regular discussion.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember Jones to
approve the remaining Consent Agenda Items "a, c, and d" as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
a. Approve the minutes of the September 14, 2026 regular meeting.
c. Accept the July 2026 Tax Assessor Collection Report.
d. Accept the July 2026 Financial Reports.
5. REGULAR MEETING
NEW BUSINESS
a. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to approve the closure of Boston Avenue from 15th Street to 17th Street for the
Nederland Chamber of Commerce's 20th Annual Trunk-R-Treat on Saturday, October
31, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This request also includes having a fire truck
placed at 15th Street and having police presence, if possible. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
b. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember Ortiz
to approve a request to host Relay for Life of the Greater Golden Triangle on Boston
Avenue on April 10, 2027 from 2:00 p.m.to 10:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
c. A motion was made by Councilmember Stratton and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to change the regular meeting scheduled for the fourth Monday in November and
December to the first Monday in November and December due to Thanksgiving and
Christmas Holiday. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
d. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to approve the City of Nederland entering into a contract for fireworks display
for the July 4,2027 event. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones, Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
2
Minutes continued, September 28, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Sonnier noted that the event grows each year,with people parking on
every side street. He suggested looking into designated golf cart parking similar to
what Port Neches does, as many people arrive on golf carts.
e. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember
Stratton to authorize the dissolution of the Nederland Fire Department's Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) agency designation and transferring the
TCOLE appointment of the Fire Department's licensed peace officer/arson
investigators to the Nederland Police Departiuent. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
f. Discussion was held regarding amending the Wage and Classification Plan for 2026-
2027. Ms. Gaspard, Human Resources Director, requested council approve
amendments to the wage and position plan for 2026-2027 to reflect the city's 2026
salary survey recommendations and to remove outdated provisions. The plan updates
certification pay as recommended by the salary survey company and modifies acting
status pay,which is paid,when an employee performs a higher-level position.
Councilmember Jones questioned why only certain certifications were recommended for
increases while others have not been increased for 7.5 to 26 years
Councilmember Ortiz stated he wanted to make sure that all employees are
compensated equally in the different departments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Stratton and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Sonnier to postpone consideration until the February 8, 2027 meeting to allow staff
time to conduct a more in-depth study into the Wage and Classification Plan for 2026-
2027. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,and Sonnier.
NOES: Mayor Darby, Councilmember Ortiz.
g. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember Ortiz
to amend the equipment replacement fund budget for $5,600.00 for increased costs of
safety equipment for two purchased police vehicles. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
h. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Sonnier and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to amend Ordinance 2025-16 Fiscal Year 2025-2026 City Budget with
amendment Ordinance No. 2026-18, year-end budget amendments. MOTION
CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
Heather Stucker, Finance Director, noted that City Hall Department appeared twice on
the list inadvertently for$117,000 under the same line item(01-1907-6744)and it is only
3
Minutes continued, September 28, 2026
intended to be listed once.
i. A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember
Stratton to approve Ordinance No. 2026-19 declaring certain utility accounts as
uncollectible at fiscal year-end. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby, Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
j. Councilmember Stratton nominated David Wedgeworth for the Ward I EDC board
position. Mr. Wedgeworth was present and accepted the nomination. All voted on the
appointment of David Wedgeworth to the EDC board, with term beginning October 1,
2026. David Wedgeworth was appointed unanimously.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
Councilmember Ortiz nominated Pam Berry for the Ward IV EDC board position.
All voted on the appointment of Pam Berry to the EDC board, with term beginning
October 1, 2026. Pam Berry was appointed unanimously.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
k. Discussion was held regarding declaring surplus the City Hall's 2015 Generac 150 kW
natural gas generator and authorizing its disposal through the Rene' Bates Auction site.
Jolei Shipley suggested determining the value of the generator and setting a minimum
bid.
Councilmember Stratton suggested selling the generator outright through the city before
utilizing the auction house and requested this item be placed on the next council agenda
for consideration. Councilmember Jones, who had made the original motion,withdrew
his motion. Councilmember Ortiz,who had seconded, agreed to the withdrawal. The
item will be placed on the next council agenda with consideration of selling the
generator through the city before using an auction house.
Item 4.e was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed as a regular item on the agenda.
4.e The City Manager stated that the Public Works Engineering Progress Reports for
the period ending August 2026 are already posted on the city website under Public
Works, Infrastructure Progress Reports. They are also included in the agenda
packets with all attachments available on the city website.
A motion was made by Councilmember Jones and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to accept the Public Works engineering progress reports for the period ending
August 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier,and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
4
Minutes continued, September 28, 2026
Item 4.b was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed as a regular item on the agenda.
4.b Councilmember Stratton requested the departmental reports show information
regarding the number of water meters being changed out. City Manager De La
Rosa responded that he is working on this request and should have it completed by
the end of the week. Councilmember Ortiz requested this report include data going
back to May 2025.
Susan Toney requested the animal control report show breakdowns of the type of
animal calls.
A motion was made by Councilmember Stratton and seconded by Councilmember
Ortiz to accept the August 2026 Departmental Reports. MOTION CARRIED.
AYES: Mayor Darby,Councilmembers Stratton,Jones,Sonnier, and Ortiz.
NOES: None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The regular meeting was recessed at 7:54 p.m. by Mayor Darby for the purpose of
conducting an Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Personnel Matters,
Section 551.04(a)(1): Police Chief Rod Carroll evaluation; Consultation with Attorney —Section
551.071(b): Hodgson Road.
RECONVENE
The regular meeting was reconvened at 9:09 p.m. by Mayor Darby. No further action was taken
on this item.
ADJOURN
There being no further business Mayor Darby adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
f y rby,Mayor
City of Nederland, Texas
ATTEST:
Joni Underwood, City Clerk 49;•.
••••4(..43/
City of Nederland, Texas • T `9
5
CITY OF NEDERLAND
COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET
NAME TITLE PRESENT ABSENT
Jeffrey P. Darby Mayor
Curtis Stratton Council Member—Ward I
Britton Jones Council Member—Ward II
Randy Sonnier Council Member—Ward III
Jeff Ortiz Council Member—Ward IV �1
Manny De La Rosa City Manager
Joni Underwood City Clerk
Richard Hughes City Attorney ✓
Heather Stucker Director of Finance ✓
Rod Carroll Police Chief V
Terry Morton Fire Chief ✓.
Fred Bell Director of Public Works
Jacob Pitts Building Official
Molli Hall Librarian
Stephanie Gaspard Human Resources Director V
Toby Latiolais Parks Director V
Jeffrey P. rby, Mayor
QVVIk. 0A
Joni Unde ood, City Clerk r'
9-28-26
Date
ORDINANCE NO.2026-18
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 of the City of Nederland deems it necessary to amend the
current budget to increase revenues and expenditures as set out in Attachment "A" attached
hereto;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
revenues and 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 28th DAY OF SEPTEMBER,2026.
Jeffrey P. arby,Mayor
City of Nederland,Texas
ATTEST:
4,8 t1ittelatio,'
Joni 'nderwood,City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Richard D.Hughes,City Attorney `�`.,
BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT—ATTACHMENT A
GENERAL FUND
Amend the General Fund by appropriating unencumbered funds remaining at September 30,
2025,in the amount of$521,600 and increase line items as detailed below:
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Increase 01-1200-6313 Legal Services $100,000
Increase 01-1200-6314 Legal Settlements $10,000
Provide funds for legal services and settlements not anticipated when FY25-26 budget was
approved.
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
Increase 01-1300-6110 Salaries&Wages $130,000
Increase 01-1300-6115 Extra Help $80,000
Increase 01-1300-6333 Training&Travel $29,000
Increase 01-1300-6393 Contractual Services $50,000
Provide funds for payout of leave for previous city manager,advisor to city manager,and
expenses related to interim city manager for travel and recruitment of new city manager not
anticipated when FY25-26 budget was approved.
CITY HALL DEPARTMENT
Increase 01-1900-6744 Miscellaneous Equipment $117,000
Provide funds for city hall generator not anticipated when FY25-26 budgetwas approved.
NON DEPARTMENTAL
Amend the General Fundby increasing expenditure line items as detailed below:
Increase 01-9000-6908 Transfer to Equipment Replacement Fund-General . $5,600
To transfer funds from the general fund to the equipment replacement fund—general for -
increased costs for safety equipment purchased for two new Police vehicles.
EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND-GENERAL
Amend the Equipment Replacement Fund—General by increasing revenue and expenditure line
items as detailed below:
Increase 34-0000-4910 Transfer In $5;600 -
Increase 34-0000-6742 Motor Vehicles $5,600
Increased costs for safety equipment needed for two new Police vehicles purchased this year.
COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND
Amend the Court Technology Fund by appropriating unencumbered funds remaining at
September 30,2025,in the amount of$4,500 and increase line item as detailed below:
NON DEPARTMENTAL
Increase 22-0000-6315 Computer System $4,500
Provide funds for higher than anticipated computer system renewal expense.
WATER&SEWER FUND
Amend the Water&Sewer Fund by appropriating unencumbered funds remaining at September
30,2025,in the amount of$42,000 and increase line item as detailed below:
WATER TREATMENT PLANT DEPARTMENT
Increase 50-6000-6256 Chemicals&Insecticides $42,000
Provide funds for purchase of chemicals due to purchased water quality requiring higher levels
of chemicals for treatment.
SSES PROJECT FUND
Amend the SSES Project Fund by appropriating unencumbered funds remaining at September
30,2025,in the amount of$371,000and increase line item as detailed below:
Increase 53-00006310 Engineering Fees $16,000
Increase 53-0000-6393 Contractual Services $355,000
Provide funds for city wide sewer study project carried forward from 2024-2025.
ORDINANCE NO.2026-19
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING UTILITY ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE WRITE-OFFS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$8,700.04 AS SHOWN IN ATTACHMENT"A"FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 9-30-26 IN THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS.
WHEREAS, Generally Accepted Accounting Practices require that uncollectible
accounts receivable be written off to reflect accurate revenues;and,
WHEREAS, based on auditor recommendations it is desirable to present
uncollectible accounts to be charged off,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NEDERLAND,TEXAS:
Section 1. The City of Nederland's book of accounts of the Utility Billing &
Collections Department is hereby corrected to reflect the following write-offs for fiscal
year 2025-26 in the amount of$8,700.04 as set forth in Attachment"A."
Section 2.Write-offs affected by this Ordinance are for accounting purposes only
and are not to be construed as a release or forgiveness of indebtedness by the City. This
provision shall in no way be construed to waive or discharge or dispense with the continued
application of Section 106-32 of the Code of Ordinances concerning the accounts hereby
affected.
THAT this being an ordinance not requiring publication,it shall be effective from
and after its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEDERLAND AT A REGULAR MEETING THIS THE 28th day of September A.D.,
2026.
4
ey P. arby,Mayor
City of Nederland,Texas
ATTEST'19
Joni Under +tod,City Clerk ,
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7.
City of Nederland,Texas
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OP
APPROVED AS TO FORM:,044
Richard D.Hughes,Crt Attomey
City of Nederland,Texas
ATTACHMENTA
CITY OF NEDERLAND
ACCOUNTS TO BE WRITTEN OFF FOR FYE 2025-2026
Account Number Amount
01;0400-03-0 $ 44.49
01-1370-01-0 192.46
01-1650-04-0 249.49
02-0270-22-0 86.84
02-0830-08-0 41.15
02-0990-14-0 21.87
03-0920-01-0 40.20
03-0920-02-0 130.46
03-0970-25-0 107.88
03-1360-00-0 70.51
03-1650-02-0 35.93
04-0510-03-0 179.98
04-0670-06-0 34.24
04-1350-14-0 505.37
05-3290-05-0 259.60
05-4045-07-0 14.03
06-1370-07-0 137.85
06-2940-02-0 334.83
07-1420-07-0 149.86
08-1160-04-0 106.44
09-0010-07-0 53.06
11-1590-08-0 39.49
11-1605-10-0 36.91
11-1625-06-0 45.31
11-2190-06-0 164.14
13-0950-39-0 211.36
13-1050-06-0 63.85
13-1160-24-0 409.62
13-1470-02-0 48.44
13-1510-02-0 129.42
13-2090-22-0 44.47
14-2135-06-0 39.49
14-2261-01-0 100.92
15-1600-05-0 28.19
15-2310-03-0 111.82
15-2450-07-0 168.03
15-2620-13-0 55.11
15-2750-00-0 41.95
15-2800-16-0 71.86
Account Number Amount
15-2915-00-0 55.90
16-1340-28-0 257.31
16-1460-12-0 14.57
16-1470-09-0 23.74
16-2670-03-0 269.49
17-0540-01-0 91.44
17-0861-27-0 237.66
17-0930-03-0 195.14
17-1120-17-0 35.34
17-1520-02-0 33.57
17-1620-21-0 70.21
18-0300-19-0 32.85
18-0310-03-0 56.10
18-0830-02-0 185.25
18-1040-06-0 138.74
18-1930-06-0 21.78
18-2540-04-0 138.74
18-2790-01-0 112.92
19-1010-26-0 36.99
20-1720-01-0 58.55
20-2100-15-0 89.82
22-0470-00-0 347.98
22-2712-02-0 1,354.71
22-2800-00-0 141.06
23-1090-08-0 11.12
23-1355-02-0 41.79
24-0453-01-0 40.35
TOTAL $ 8,700.04