LaFollette’s flower beds to go; planning commission revamped

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The long debated flower beds in the City of LaFollette are going to be removed. At last week’s workshop incoming Mayor Cliff Jennings requested the item be placed on the meeting agenda for discussion.

Tuesday afternoon at the regular monthly meeting LaFollette City Administrator Stan Foust reported to the mayor and the council that the beds could be removed without any penalties from the state. A grant was used to put the flower beds in and the council had expressed concern that they would have to pay the grant back if they removed the beds. Councilman Wayne Kitts stated that he would like to see the removal of the beds starting as soon as today, Jennings expressed the same sentiment.

In other administrative matters, Kitts was appointed as vice mayor and Councilman Charles “Chuck” Queener was appointed to the E911 board. The council approved hiring a community planner for the LaFollette Planning Commission for $6,000, this is a prorated amount for the remaining fiscal year. The city was awarded a $325,000 50-50 matching grant to build an amphitheater, but due to rising cost of construction materials the price tag on the project is now around $1 million dollars. The council approved declining the grant funds Tuesday and decided to solicit bids for the materials and labor for the construction of a stage, restrooms and concession building in the rear parking lot of the municipal building.

Foust announced the city has received a CDBG grant for $630,000. The grant will be used to remodel the old jail for a new police dispatch center and to purchase a first responder truck for the fire department.

In personnel matters, the promotion of Vickie Comer to a full-time police dispatcher at a salary of $29,120 effective Dec. 17, Frankie Dople to a full-time animal control officer, he is transferring from the public works department and promoting Quinton Busher to a full-time sanitation worker at a salary of $28,601.04 effective Dec. 17 were all approved.

The police department received on bid for a police canine from Integrity Canine, LLC for $13,500, the dog will cost $8,500 and training will be $5,000, the bid was approved.

The council approved a bid of $65,500 to JCR Construction for the construction of a 60 X 100 metal building on the tennis court at South Fifth Street.

Three resolutions were approved, Resolution 2022-25, Resolution 2022-26 both amending the 2022-23 building and Resolution 2022-27 hiring a community planner for the LaFollette Regional Planning Commission for projects funded in whole or part with funds provided by federal highway or Tennessee Department of Transportation. Ordinance 2022-14 had a first reading last night, the ordinance amends the 2022-23 fiscal budget for the electric fund and water/sewer fund for LaFollette Utility Board.

As the meeting ended Jennings welcomed Matt Grodeman, Melanie Nance, Lynn Letner and Stephanie Grimm to the planning commission.

The beer board approved 21 beer license renewals. License were approved for The Back Door Café, Campbell Tobacco and Beer, Corner Market, Dolgen Corp/Dollar General Store, El Charro Mexican Grill, El Pubelito, Family Dollar Store, Food City, Food Lion, GPM Southeast/Bread Box, LaFollette Shell Gas Station, Los Rifles, LLC, Main Street Tobacco and Beer, Murphy Oil, Ninja Grill and Sushi, Quick Shop, Quick Stop, Sideline Grille, LLC, Tobacco Mercantile #3, Walgreen Co., and Weigel’s Stores Inc. One new beer license was granted to CVS Pharmacy due to a change in management. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/07/2022-6AM)