Councilman Bill Archer spent several minutes at last night’s City of LaFollette regular monthly meeting receiving updates on projects.     Archer requested progress updates on the Safe Sidewalk Grant.  Lafollette City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries told Archer the city was waiting on TDOT’s final approval before construction can begin. Up next was the proposed Dossett Bridge where the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase has been completed and the project is on track. Archer then inquired about the Downtown Revitalization Grant.  That construction is scheduled to being in June or July. The final inquiry was of a legal nature.  Archer asked what had been found out about the tape recorder that was found under the table in city hall. Jeffries said when he spoke to the TBI investigator, approximately two weeks ago, she had one additional interview to conduct. When the interviews are completed, she will give her findings to the district attorney.

After projects were updated, Archer asked the council if it could explore recruiting a movie theater and/or a bowling alley for LaFollette.  “We need something for our youth to do,” said Archer.

Darryl Chapman will be promoted from a part- time patrol officer to full- time patrol officer effective May 11 at a salary of $32,580.  Eric Sowanick was promoted from part- time fire fighter to full- time fighter effective May 11 at a salary of $29,213.

Councilman Lonnie “Hot Rod” Wilson announced that the fire department’s new fire truck will arrive on Friday.

Ordinance 2019-04 amending the original 2018-19 budget and ordinance 2019-05 a government obligation contract dated April 25, 2019, between Republic National Corporation and the City of LaFollette were approved.

Jeffries updated council about last week’s question from Councilman Ann Thompson. Thompson questioned whether there was a quorum at March’s council meeting. She and Councilman Mark Hoskins were absent, leaving Councilman Lonnie “Hotrod” Wilson, Councilman Bill Archer and Mayor Mike Stanfield in attendance. Jeffries said, according to Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), there was a quorum.  The city charter explains that when the majority of the city council is a quorum.

Ralph Sharp, who lives on West Forrest Street, came before council saying there was meth manufacturing  debris that had been dumped above his house. Sharp continued he had been dealing with this issue for three years. He further alleged that water was running off the debris onto his property. Sharp has been in front of council before complaining about the  debris. Previously, the city had the debris tested by the EPA, and it was negative for meth. The EPA instructed the property owner to bury the debris on site, off North 19th Street. Jeffries told Sharp the city would address the water issue. “We’ve done everything we can to help.  It’s an unfortunate situation. We’re not sure what else we can do” said Jeffries.

Sharp addressed council last September about his 19th Street concerns and about another house on West Walden Street.  HERE is that story from 2018.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/08/2019-6AM)