New rules of the game in Nederland
Published 9:08 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2017
- David Ball/The News A proclamation was read at the Monday afternoon meeting of the Nederland City Council recognizing the Mid-County Senior Babe Ruth team for winning the world series in Washington last month.
By David Ball
NEDERLAND — There will be a new way eight-liners operate within the city of Nederland.
The Nederland City Council passed an ordinance at their regular meeting on Monday afternoon to amend and provide zoning regulations of gaming rooms.
The ordinance reads the city council desires to regulate game rooms and gaming machines to prevent the illegal operation of amusement gaming machines — more commonly known as eight-liners — in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of both citizens and visitors to Nederland.
“The city finds that the unrestricted operation of certain game room businesses may be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare by contributing to the decline of residential and commercial neighborhoods and the growth of criminal activity,” it read.
A game room business may be located no closer than 1,000 feet from an existing game room business.
The law also establishes limits on proximity to schools, hospitals and churches, establishes parking guidelines and lighting guidelines.
The council also approved an action to condemn and demolish a dilapidated structure at 2423 Nederland Ave. 60 days from Monday if no improvements are made to the property. Waleed Khan said he wants to develop a convenience store there.
The city has been dealing with the property for four years.
Jesse Branick, city attorney, told Khan he has 60 days to file an injunction and an appeal.
“Get a loan or do something quickly,” Branick said. “A significant lien can be placed against your property which could be very costly. Vagrants go in there. Kids are playing inside and it’s a dangerous situation. You’ve got to do something. I would advise you to get legal counsel ASAP.”
A change order and a final payment were approved to go to Hayden Paving of Houston. City Manager Chris Duque said the payment was reduced by $25,200 for a final payment of $146,340. Hayden Paving was awarded the bid on June 12 and they completed the job ahead of schedule for the 2017 asphalt street rehabilitation project. Those streets are: Atlanta Street from 17th Street to 21st Street and 20th Street from Canal Street to Helena Avenue.
Bids will be opened at the meeting on Oct. 31 and an award announced at the Nov. 13 meeting for the Nederland Avenue — 12th Street drainage project. Duque estimates construction to start mid-December.
Two 2018 Ford Explorers SUVs were purchased for the Nederland Police Department via the BuyBoard for a total of $51,245.
A 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck was purchased for the Nederland Fire Department for $42,875 via the BuyBoard. Duque said all vehicles were bought from Silsbee Ford because Philpott Ford does not participate in the BuyBoard program.
Lastly, the city council approved a temporary waiver of Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library non-resident fees for Nederland ISD students who reside outside the city limits.
The waiver is due to Tropical Storm Harvey. The fee is $10 for the 2017-2018 school year. The waiver is applicable only for students who may have been displaced.
