LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – At Tuesday’s regular meeting of the LaFollette City Council, Councilman Mark Hoskins told council  a meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15, 10 am,  at the TDOT engineering building, on Stiner Highway east of LaFollette, pertaining to construction of a new downtown viaduct.   The viaduct also known as the city’s main bridge crossing Big Creek carries the bulk of traffic coming through downtown LaFollette. Hoskins encouraged downtown business owners to attend the meeting.

Carey Binkley appeared before council last night to address an ongoing drainage issue near his property on West Walden Street.  LaFollette City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries said he had spoken with Public Works Director Jim Mullens about the issue. After several minutes of discussion, it was decided the city would install a catch basin to address the issue.

Two ordinances and one resolution were discussed. Ordinance 2019-03 amending the City of LaFollette Fire Protection Fund and Distribution of Funds had its final reading. First reading of Ordinance 2019-04 approval of rezoning a section of property located between North 4th Street and North 6th Street, across East Central Avenue from Dr. Isber’s office, from R-2 (residential) to C-1 (commercial) was completed.  Pharmacist Bob Fannon of Riggs Drug La Follette has requested the change to build a drug store on the property. A Public Hearing, final reading, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, at 1 pm, at City Hall on Ordinance 2019-04.  Resolution 2019-10 amending the 2019-20 budget was completed as well.

The council appointed Tammy Milner to the Beautification Board. Matt Paul was appointed to serve on the City’s 911 Board.

Beer permits for the Quick Shop and Zoyal Market were also on the agenda.  The permit for the Quick Shop, the former Kenny’s Pioneer in east LaFollette, was approved.  However, the permit for the Zoyal Market was postponed.  Jeffries said that there was a church next door to the Zoyal Market, but it was forced out due to the June flood and the owner of the market wanted to apply for the beer permit as a result.  It was noted by Councilmember Ann Thompson that a church, Mercy Church of God, is now in the vacated spot and had services last Sunday.  The Beer Board voted to wait on a legal opinion from MTAS, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, before taking up the Zoyal Market’s application again. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/07/2019-6AM)