LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Monday afternoon brought a light agenda to the LaFollette City Council workshop.

First on the agenda was a discussion on resetting the monthly meeting to May 10 from May 3. Manuel Mesa from the Campbell County Culture Coalition was present to discuss placing Gnome houses made by high school students along the Big Creek Walking Trail. Each house will have a QR code that can be scanned for information about the area. Some of the houses have stories that go with them and can be accessed through the QR code.

In department business, the council will vote on accepting a bid for a rescue combi tool for the fire department from Safe Industries for $14,827 and approval of promoting Cheyenne White to full- time patrol officer with the police department at a salary of $30,430.40 effective May 21. The fire hall is in need of seven new recliners. Fire Chief Jimmy Pack reported he had priced seven commercial recliners from Firehouse Furniture for $9,500, but he will need to get two additional quotes before the council can move forward.

At the May monthly meeting, the council will have a final reading on Ordinance 2022-06 abandoning a portion of an unopened street located within South Ninth Street in the City of LaFollette; Ordinance 2022-07 and Ordinance 2022-08 amending the personnel policy on recommendations from comptroller’s office has a first reading. The ordinances are in response to recommendations made in last year’s comptrollers report. In the ordinance it defines use of municipal time, facilities, etc. The ordinance also includes a number and online contact to report suspected violations of the ordinance.

Plans for work on the railroad bridge, to be named in honor of longtime airport manager Bert Loupe on Dossett Road, continue moving forward, but the next step will require a survey of the CSX rails. This survey will cost an additional $11,000 with the city paying for half and the county paying for the other half.

Bids should be submitted by May 5 for a 60 X 10 metal building for the recreation department. Acceptance of bids will done at the next meeting.

In final business, a replacement for the finance director has been found. Blake Arnold has accepted the position pending the council’s vote. The position was vacated last month by Terry Sweat who retired after 31 years on the job. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/26/2022-6AM)

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