During the January Minden City Council meeting, the mayor and council handled various matters of city business, including the election of a new Mayor Pro Tempore, a new police hire, an increase in the cost of trash pickup services, and the appeal of a zoning variance made by the Minden Planning Commission in December.
The meeting began with the election of the Mayor Pro Tempore for 2025. Mayor Nick Cox recommended City Councilman Buddy Myles of District A to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the upcoming year. Four votes were cast in favor of the motion, with Councilman Myles abstaining from the vote.
Shortly afterward, the council granted Councilman Myles signatory power to sign checks. This ensures that, if he needs to fulfill the role of mayor, he will be able to facilitate the duties of the position.
Next, the council voted to approve a slight price increase for residents’ and businesses’ trash pickup services. The mayor explained that these increases were the result of a stipulation in their contract, which raises the cost of trash pickup in the city by 3.5% annually. The price increases for residents and businesses were implemented to ensure the city does not lose money facilitating these services.
“Every year, our trash contract has a 3.5% increase. Looking at the numbers… we have one major objective: we don’t want the city to lose money on that contract,” said Mayor Cox. These changes will increase the cost for residents from $17 to $17.50. Apartment complexes, which currently pay $15.50, will see their rate rise to $16.50, and businesses will pay $23, up from $22. The council members approved this motion, with District C Councilwoman Latasha Anderson Mitchell abstaining.
The city council also unanimously approved Minden Police Chief Jared McIver’s recommendation to hire Cody James as a full-time police officer in the Minden Police Department, contingent upon his completion of the relevant tests. Chief McIver stated that this hire ensures the department will continue to be fully staffed.
Near the end of the meeting, the council approved an appeal regarding a zoning variance granted by the Minden Planning Commission last month.
“On December 5, 2024, the Minden Planning Commission voted to grant a zoning variance for property located at 901 Park Highway,” said Mayor Cox.
A letter appealing the decision was received on December 19, prompted by District D Councilman Michael Roy after he received a list of signatures from residents in the area requesting the appeal.
“I think the main concern — and I’ve expressed this to Ms. Jones — is that the planning commission gave an open-ended variance for that piece of property. So, we need to bring it back and have a good set of plans and so forth, so that the residents and the city know exactly what’s going to be put there before anything actually takes place,” said Councilman Roy.
The appeal was approved, sending the matter back to the planning commission for its February meeting.
The Minden City Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 PM at the Minden Civic Center. Meetings are open to the public. For those who wish to view the meeting live or later, it is live-streamed on the City of Minden’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, titled “City of Minden – Feels Like Home.”