Promotions and paving topped Tuesday’s City of La Follette agenda

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Promotions and paving were on the agenda at yesterday afternoon’s LaFollette City Council meeting along with a violation coming before the Beer Board.

The police department had seven promotions on the agenda beginning with promoting Charles Duff to a full-time captain at a salary of $45,372.08, Matthew Forsyth to a full -time lieutenant at a salary of $41,715.44, Melisa Phillips to a full- time sergeant at a salary of $38,800.11, Mallory Campbell to a full- time patrol officer at a salary of $35,596.91,Katherine Walden to a full- time dispatcher at a salary of $25,708.80 and Tracy Fernandez to a full- time dispatcher at a salary of $25,708.80. All promotions will be effective Oct. 8, 2022.

The council agreed to changing the base salary on full time dispatchers from $25,708.80 to $29,120.00. That includes Barbara Frazier, Monica Gibson, Jessica Hutson, Jennifer Spradlin, Katherine Walden, and Tracy Fernandez effective Oct. 8,2022.

The fire department had four promotions with Andrew Carroll being elevated to captain at a salary of $38,623.96. Next was the promotion of Jeff Fugate to full- time lieutenant at a salary of $36,606.57, Robert McLeay and Jordan Jones to full- time fire fighter at a salary of $31,077.47 effective Oct. 8, 2022.

Public Works Director Casey Boshears stated at last week’s workshop the Gradall could be traded in for $7,500 and put toward the purchase of a new message board. The difference would be $12,000. The council approved the trade toward the purchase.

Two ordinances and two resolutions were approved yesterday afternoon. Ordinance 2022-13 amending Title 20 adding Chapter 4 Displaying American Flag will have a final reading. Ordinance 2022-05- Amending section 11 of zoning ordinance for City of LaFollette to address short term rentals in zone R-1 and R-2 will be ratified. City Administrator Stan Foust explained this needed to pass with the planning commission first and then be voted on by the council. Resolution 2022-21 amending the 2022-23 budget to cover the message board balance and the new lock system for the municipal building. Resolution 2022-22 for ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds received for LUB for water, sewer and storm water needs.

Street paving has been a recurrent topic at council meetings. Tuesday it appeared there could be an end in sight for the issue. Council agreed to allocate funds from one of the city’s certificates of deposit for $2.6 million that matures in November for the paving. Streets to be paved are Myers Lane, Bluff Road, South 14th St. from SR 9 to Beech St, South 13th St. from Rose Hill to Loop Rd, beginning at the railroad tracks at W. Central Ave. to North 17th St. to the intersection of West Ave., the entirety of West Ave., Oak Street and the entrance to Ivydell.

After the council meeting the beer board listened as Lt. Matthew Forsyth detailed the recent violation notice of the Quick Shop Market, formerly Kenny’s Pioneer, located at 1708 East Central Avenue. One of the owners spoke and told the beer board she was sorry for what had occurred. Forsyth reported that the business has put steps in place so this will not occur again. Since this was the first violation for the business, a $500 fine was imposed. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/05/2022-6AM)