LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Last night the mayor and city council met in the regular monthly workshop with a busy agenda. 

LaFollette City attorney Reid Troutman has been working on several ordinances. The first ordinance in process pertains to locking dumpsters. Brush is next up and should be finished by the May workshop as short term rentals in the city are also being discussed, Troutman has been discussing this ordinance with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). The first ordinance finished pertains to burn permits. Open burning now requires a permit. The ordinance outlines that burning should be between 7 am and dusk. All fires must be completely extinguished by dusk and never be left unattended. Piles are to not to exceed eight feet by eight feet and be no more than four feet high. Finally, no stumps can be burned in the city.

Debra Pemberton with Spay Campbell County was attendance requesting an annual donation of $1,500 be added to the city’s annual budget. She also requested council to donate from any monies they desired to from their discretionary funds.

Councilman Mark Hoskins expressed his concerns about bicycles being ridden on city streets and sidewalks. He stated that nothing is being done safety-wise by the bicyclists. Police Chief Bill Rhoel shared that his department is looking at laws and ordinances to start dealing with the issue. Hoskins requested the city look at hiring contract labor to address two upcoming projects that the street department does not have the manpower to complete at this point. The first project is cleaning out the draining ditches, the next project is the ADA compliance on Beech Street that needs to be performed after paving. The council will discuss putting the projects out for bids at its monthly meeting next Tuesday.

Three police officers are on the upcoming agenda for promotions. The first two are Danielle Gilbert and Matthew Forsyth to Detective Sergeant effective May 8, 2021, at a salary of $36,057.47, the third promotion will be Charles Duff to full Staff Sergeant effective May 8, 2021, at a salary of $36,057.47.

Ordinance 2021-01 abandoning a portion of an unopened street located within North Fourteenth Street of the city and Ordinance 2021-02 adopting and enacting a comprehensive codification and revision of the ordinance of the City of LaFollette municipal code will have a final reading.

The fire department has 18 old air packs it wants to declare as surplus to White Oak and Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Departments.

Interim City Administrator Stan Foust voiced a concern about trip hazards at the city ballfields. Recreation Director Johnny Byrge and Public Works Director Casey Boshears will look at addressing the issues.  

The regular monthly meeting for May is Tuesday, May 4, at 5:30 pm, at city hall. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/27/2021-6AM)

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