La Follette looks at purchasing ice rink, construction trailer

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The LaFollette City Council met Monday afternoon for the monthly workshop. The council talked with Ken Howard about expanding the cameras inside the city. Howard told the council he was having issues getting internet at the intersections. He continued that he had contacted Highland Communications to see if they could assist with the internet issue.

The council spoke with Recreation Director Johnny Byrge about the possibility of the city purchasing an ice rink. Byrge reported the rink would cost about $18,000 with all the equipment, then an additional $25,000 for a shed to cover the rink and then the city would have to have personnel for the rink. Mayor Cliff Jennings asked that Byrge put together a cost packet and bring back to the council at the next workshop. A location for the ice rink is yet to be determined.

Codes Officer Stuart Hurtwitz talked to the council about their concerns of the dilapidated and drug houses in the city. Hurtwitz told the council some of the houses did not have bathrooms, electric and the houses had electric, fire, and building codes violations. He is actively working to post the houses as soon as he finds them to be empty. In his three months as codes officer he has been able to declare somewhere between eight and 10 houses unfit for human habitation.

Tuesday afternoon at the regular monthly meeting, three ordinances will be voted on beginning with an ordinance to stop any additional billboards being erected in the city, next will be an ordinance amending the certified tax rate and finally ordinance approving the 2024-25 budget.

The council will vote on purchasing a 25-ton construction trailer from Ridgeline, Inc. for $44,545. It will take approximately two months for the trailer to be built and delivered. The council will appoint a LaFollette Utility Board Member to replace outgoing member Boyd Henegar.

City Administrator Stan Foust announced the city will have a Friday night food truck event on June 21 behind city hall. The annual fireworks show will be held July 5 at Woodson’s Mall.

Two event permits will be on the agenda for approval beginning with Coolidge Ridge Missionary Baptist Church for prayer meetings in the parking lot behind city hall for the month of June and an event permit for N. Marie Ayers to host three political rallies.

Two budget meetings are scheduled for June 11 and 18, both Tuesdays, at 1 pm. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/04/2024-6AM)

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