City Clerk Appointed, Police Officers Promoted at Minden Council Meeting

For the second month in a row, it was a rather routine meeting for the Minden City Council. The council did not agree on approving minutes from the previous meetings in October, however. The minutes passed on a 3-2 vote on the regular session minutes and two special session meetings in October, with Council Members Tommy Davis, Wayne Edwards, and Pam Bloxom voting for and Terika Walker and Vincen Bradford voting against on all three.

In other business, the council approved:

• Appointment of Debra Smith as City Clerk, with a term expiring December 31, 2022.
• Promoted several Minden City police officers, including: Lieutenant Jonathan Morgan to the rank of Captain; Police Officer Anthony Miller to the rank of Officer First Class; Police Officer Jason Smith to rank of Officer First Class; Police Officer Brandon S. Griffith to Officer First Class; and Police Officer Michael Griffith to the rank of Officer First Class. All votes were unanimous with the exception of the vote on Brandon S. Griffith and Michael Griffith, which was 4-1 with Councilwoman Terika Walker the lone no vote.
• Final plat for the lot split of property belonging to CRC Rental Properties, LLC located on Lot #63 in Deerfield Subdivision.
• Adoption of resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute agreement with the LA DOTD for improvements at the Minden Airport on Sate Project No. H.014533-Obstruction Removal-Phase II.
• During the Police Report, Chief Steve Cropper reported for September: 39 auto accidents worked, 653 calls serviced, 152 reports, 105 citations issued, and 54 warrants served. Cropper was asked by Councilwoman Terika Walker since the alcohol permits had been issued if there had been any increase in alcohol related citations. Cropper said that there has been an increase in DWI citations issued since it has gone into effect, but did not have an exact number. Cropper said that he would have a more accurate number at the December meeting.

During council comments, each council member took time to remind citizens to vote on Tuesday. Councilman Vincen Bradford congratulated Debra Smith on her appointment as City Clerk. Newly appointed councilman Tommy Davis thanked the council for allowing him to serve in the interim period and stated that First Baptist Church of Minden Sanctuary would be open from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday for citizen’s to pray for our city, state and nation. Councilwoman Pam Bloxom stated that the First United Methodist Church in Minden would also have their sanctuary open for prayer on Tuesday from dawn to dusk for prayer.  Mayor Terry Gardner echoed the call to vote on Tuesday and also encouraged citizens to shop local with the upcoming Main to Main and Bricktown Celebration events coming up. Gardner stated that the last sales tax report showed a 28.41% increase over the previous year.

The final regular meeting of the Minden City Council for 2020 is set for Monday, December 7^th.