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Nederland city council met April 28 in a special meeting to discuss various topics related to the departure of the current City Manager Chris Duque, including interviewing candidates and other regulations involving upcoming deadlines.  Duque is set to resign April 30.

A city council meeting was not originally scheduled for April 28, but was called by the council to host a special meeting to meet in executive session and review candidates for City Manager and discuss a grievance filed by Duque. The grievance pertained to severance payment following resignation. 

The council stated that they would follow the city’s separation personnel policy in regards to Duques’ departure. 

“It means that (Duque) will get the same separation as any other employee that leaves the City of Nederland,” said Councilmember Bret Duplant. “That’s the summary, that means he’s not being treated any differently than any other city employee. That’s as far as I can go.”

Mayor Albanese stated that they are still calculating the amount owed to Duque. The meeting attendees were not pleased with that answer, asking what they had just spent an hour discussing behind closed doors.

“We gotta go back to the city clerk and look at time sheets, how much vacation to this date and everything else, when you look at that, how much sick leave and all that has to be accrued,” said Councilmember Randy Sonnier. “So that’s not a number I can sit here and give you today. I would if I could, I can’t give it to you today, though.”

The meeting marks the final time Mayor Don Albanese and potentially other council members as the May 3 election approaches. The meeting held at the Bob Henson Building, due to Nederland City Hall being occupied by early voting, was once again packed by constituents voicing frustration with the current state of the city. 

Citizens repeatedly criticized items on the agenda, asking if this was something that needed to a special meeting to called for such as the new computer software for city contractors. Frustrations were also directed towards the continued rainwater sewage issues the city has been facing for some time now. 

The next city council meeting is slated for after the election where a new Mayor will be sworn in as Albanese has been termed out of office and two city council seats are up for election. Election day for the city of Nederland is slated for May 3.