DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — The Denham Springs City Council covered infrastructure funding, flood mitigation, and a class rating update from the Fire Department during the first of its two monthly meetings on the evening of June 9, 2026, capped by a surprise political announcement from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
As the council began opening reports from its city services, Bill Lawson, vice-president of the Planning and Zoning Commission, gave an update from the commission's last meeting along with a surprise announcement.
According to Lawson, the Planning and Zoning Commission had only one item on the agenda at its last meeting, a sign variance for Roberts United Methodist Church, which was ultimately tabled without action. The church applying for the variance will need to finish its negotiations with Entergy and secure the proper no-contention letters before the commission reviews the request again. Lawson said he doesn't "think [the negotiations] will be a problem" and that "they should be able to resolve that next month."
Lawson also told the council that he plans to seek a seat on the city council this coming fall, jokingly telling members to "get ready."
A representative of the Denham Springs Fire Department then presented his report with the news that the department's recent annual report found it had maintained a class 3 rating overall and "actually moved up just a little bit" in standing.
Following these announcements, the council voted unanimously to approve a pay application in the amount of $23,075 to L. King Company, LLC, for the Traveling Bridge Sand Filter Rehab project.
"The project is nearing completion," a representative of the project told the council. "They did a start-up today and tomorrow morning they're gonna do their training, so they're getting very close."
The council also unanimously authorized the application of a Flood Mitigation Assistance grant in the amount of $2,017,226 for the completion of ten property elevations in Denham Springs. The match to the funds will be covered by the homeowners, depending on the percentage of funds received, such as 100%, 90%, or 75%.
While the individual properties included in the application were not named, the council expressed interest in helping start the elevation process for the property owners.
"It's just amazing how we continue to get these homes that want to participate in the program, and thank goodness we're able to help them do that," Mayor Gerard Landry added.
The council then unanimously approved Landry to enter into a maintenance agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for mowing and litter pickup. The measure simply renews a contract that has been in place for the last couple of years, according to Landry.
To close out the meeting, the council unanimously approved a rate change for United Health Care Life Insurance. The rate will rise from $12 to $12.50 per employee, an increase Councilwoman Lori Lamm-Williams described as "not too bad."
The council also mentioned that at 10 a.m. on June 24, it will hold a celebration event for America's 250th anniversary by planting a tree at the old First Baptist Church at the corner of Centerville and River Road. The Sons of the American Revolution will be in attendance with a commemorative plaque for the tree, and all are invited to witness this moment of history.
