The Minden City Council addressed several key items during its latest meeting, including the appointment of a mayor pro tempore for 2026, approval of a long-anticipated water infrastructure project, and a decision on a zoning appeal involving a proposed cemetery.
One of the first items on the agenda was to elect a mayor pro tempore for 2026. Essentially, this position has the capacity to act as mayor in extreme circumstances when the current sitting mayor cannot.
Councilman Andy Pendergrass of District E made a motion to elect Councilman Buddy Myles of District A for the position, with a second by Councilwoman Latasha Mitchell of District C. This motion passed with four votes from the council, and Myles abstaining. Soon after that motion was approved, the council also voted to authorize signatory powers to sign checks to Councilman Myles.
Later in the meeting, the council unanimously voted to approve awarding the bid for the city’s two-million-gallon ground storage tank to Don M. Barron Contractor, Inc. Through the council and mayor’s continued efforts in pushing the city’s needs in front of the eyes of the decision makers in Baton Rouge, this water storage tank that was originally designed and had been put forth to the State of Louisiana for support in 2009 will finally be under construction soon.
This water tank will double the storage capacity for fresh water in the city. Mayor Nick Cox also went on to say that the project will take a year to complete. “It’s going to be a long process, but it’s a move in the right direction for our infrastructure,” said Mayor Cox.
Near the end of the meeting, the council was tasked with deciding to uphold, overturn, or remand a decision made by the Minden Planning Commission last month.
On December 4 at the Minden Planning Commission’s meeting, St. Rest Baptist Church presented its request to the Minden Planning Commission for a zoning variance for property located at 1397 Sheppard Street. The variance was requested in order to allow for the establishment of a cemetery.
A resident of the community, Glenda Allums, was present to oppose the request, citing reasons such as potential safety concerns related to increased traffic, the impact it would have on herself and her neighbours, and the potential decrease in property values in the area.
The motion was denied by the Minden Planning Commission; however, a letter requesting an appeal of that decision was received by the Minden City Council in mid-December. Ultimately, four of the councilmen voted to overturn the decision, with Councilman Myles abstaining.
Minden City Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 6 PM at the Minden Civic Center. Meetings are open to the public and, for those who cannot attend in person, are also livestreamed on the City of Minden’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, both titled “City of Minden.”