At last night’s City of LaFollette Council meeting, local businessman Johnny Letner appealed to council about the planning commission’s decision on Sept. 27.  Letner requested a variance from the planning commission to move his used car lot to 202 West Avenue from the red caboose on the four-lane in LaFollette. He occupied the caboose for 15 years until he was told to move by CSX Railroad, which owns the land.  WATCH the meeting here.    The West Avenue property, across from West La Follette Baptist Church,  is zoned as C3 which allows grocery stores, drug stores, barber and beauty shops, laundry and dry-cleaning pick up stations, doctors and dentist offices, established for the convenience of the neighborhood. Prohibited uses are manufacturing uses or any commercial or other use not specifically permitted or permissible on approval by the board of zoning appeals, according to city codes.  After a lengthy discussion, council agreed to give Letner 30-days to move his business from West Avenue. During the discussion, it was pointed out that Letner moved his car lot to the current location after he was denied the variance on Sept. 27.

City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries recognized the hard work of the city employees at the Big Creek Fall ATV Festival. As part of the recognition, names from each person participating were placed in a drawing for a $100 gift certificate for a pair of boots. The winners were Eddie Parker, recreation department; Mandy Rodriguez, front office; Casey Boshears, street department; Jimmy Pack, fire department and Noah Riggs, police department.

The fire department recently received bids for air packs. Fire Chief Charles Eldridge told council during the workshop that he wanted to go with the highest bid from Scott. He pointed out that the higher bid had cameras on the side of the helmet that would help free up hands when using a fire hose versus having to hold a camera in one hand and a fire hose in the other. City Attorney Reid Troutman said the higher bid could be accepted due to safety concerns with the camera systems.  Council agreed to award the bid to Scott.

Shane Tielman was promoted from a part time police officer to a full-time police officer at a salary of $29,437.40 effective Nov. 10. He has been with the department for four and a half months.

Four resolutions were passed at last night’s meeting. Resolution 2018-24 authorizes the City of LaFollette to participate in the TML Risk Management Pool Property Conservation Matching Grant Program. Resolution 2018-25 amending the 2018-19 budget is where $603,500 of revenue was added and expenditures totaling $603,500. Resolution 2018-26 selected GRW Engineers to provide assistance in the implementing of the city’s fiscal year 2019 Transportation Alternatives Program. Resolution 2018-27 selected Community Development Partners to provide assistance in the administration of the city’s fiscal year 2019 Transportation Alternatives Program. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/14/2018-6AM)

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