LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Security cameras could soon be coming to downtown LaFollette. Yesterday afternoon the City of LaFollette met for the monthly workshop. The council will vote on whether to move forward with purchasing and installing cameras throughout the city at next week’s monthly meeting.  The cameras will be located at Seargeant Park, Freeman Corner, in the parking lot behind city hall, the breezeway beside the Bowman Jewelry Building, the alley between the Royal Lunch and Lindsay’s Furniture, Central and N. Tennessee, Beech Street and S. Tennessee Avenue.

The council discussed applying for the Blue Cross Healthy Place Grant, there is not a match on the grant. Recreation Director Johnny Byrge discussed the best place to put the playground would be at the skatepark. Byrge said the skatepark is rarely used. Several options of what to do with the skatepark were discussed.

Next up was a discussion on what the council wanted to do with Freeman Corner. The area has been plagued with problems over the past few years, the most recent left damage to the large rock in the park. As the discussion ended, council members agreed to take some time to think about possible options for the area.

Hank Hamblin spoke to the council about having a Haunted House at 201 W. Central Avenue. He would like to close a portion of Depot Street down during the event.  City Administrator Stan Foust told Hamblin he needed to speak with the fire chief first before the council could do anything.

Mayor Cliff Jennings would like the city to lease property from TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) near the old water plant for primitive camp sites. Jennings, Foust and City Attorney Reid Troutman will work with TWRA to see if they are willing to lease the property to them.

The police department will have two items to be voted on at the monthly meeting. First is amending the Use of Force Policy and Procedures for the LaFollette Police Department pertaining to Tazers. Next was promoting Isiah Lloyd to full- time patrol officer at a salary of $36, 663.78.

Public works will have three items on the agenda for approval beginning with approval to reallocate $10,000 from capital outlay note from wet weather conveyance to other street projects. Acceptance of bid from Rogers Group $46,232 for the new street at Brantley Lane and Old Jacksboro Hwy. The council discussed rubbish in the city and the problems they have encountered recently. Foust suggested the council needs to change or clarify the ordinance.

Two resolutions and three ordinances will be on the agenda next week for approval. Resolution 2023-14 for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation and Resolution 2023-15 authorizing the City of LaFollette to participate in the PEP Risk Management Pool (Safety Partners) property conservation matching grant program. Funds from the grant could be used toward the purchase of cameras. Ordinance 2023-11 amending the City of LaFollette court fees will have a final reading. Ordinance 2023-12 and Ordinance 2023-13 abandoning a portion of a unopened streets within the City of LaFollette.

The recreation department would like to reallocate $65,000 for sewer and HVAC at the new building located on the old tennis courts at 5th and Depot Streets. The council will vote on this at the next meeting Tues., Sept. 5. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/29/2023-6AM)

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