LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – At last night’s City of LaFollette monthly meeting, the mayor and council voted to cancel the annual Christmas Parade due to COVID and concerns for the well-being of the city’s citizens. Watch the meeting HERE.

Four resolutions were passed at the meeting. The first one is Resolution 2020-18 authorizing the City of LaFollette to participate in the Public Entity Partners (Property Conservation Matching Grant Program). This is done yearly. Resolution 2020-19 amending the 2020-21 budget with $30,000 of the resolution being the addition of funds from the National Institute of Justice grant from Iowa State University. Resolution 2020-20 allows the city to apply to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Recreation Education Services Division 2020 public parks and recreation grant cycle. If awarded, the grant will build a proposed amphitheater. Resolution 2020-21 relates to the multimodal access fund program which is designed to assist communities in their efforts to enhance transportation concerns.

Councilman Lonnie “Hot Rod” Wilson made a motion to suspend the rules to discuss several upcoming projects. The first was purchasing two tractors not to exceed more than $250,000 for the public works department. The next project was a new multipurpose use building for the recreation department not to exceed $200,000. Paving on Cumberland Avenue, North Cumberland Avenue to Beech Street, South Avenue and 13th Street, a section of East Gate Lane, Brantley Lane and an unopened street behind Thermador (BSH) not to exceed $175,000 was also presented. Thermador will pay half of the paving costs on the unopened street. The paving of Beech Street is not to exceed $250,000 and the final item was purchasing culverts not to exceed $60,000. The council approved the projects contingent upon receiving the capital outlay note that was recently applied for by the city

The turnout gear bid for the fire department was approved. One bid was received that met the specs of the bids from Emergency Vehicle Specialist for $21,600.

Johnathon Finley with EE Hill and Son Insurance spoke with the council at last week’s workshop about the city employee insurance renewal. Finley looked at Humana and Blue Cross Blue Shield insurances. After some discussion Finley was able to negotiate a five-percent lower rate with Blue Cross Blue Shield and lock in the rate for dental and vision insurance for the next two years. Council approved the Blue Cross Blue Shield policy.

LaFollette City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries reminded council of the upcoming surplus auction on Saturday at 10:30 am at the public works building. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/05/2020-6AM)

Related