Don Wood, owner and operator of ATFAB Industries, asked to purchase land in the Lafayette Industrial Park. ATFAB Industries is an innovative steward of reclaimable resources. This company has been working with the city for several months collecting the cardboard that was normally hauled off by the city.
Wood would like to construct a building in the industrial park in an effort to locate his operation closer to the residents of the city of Lafayette.
Wood presented a packet to the Lafayette City Council, outlining his expansion proposal. Based on current levels, ATFAB Industries will process and market over 90 tons of corrugated cardboard per month, according to Wood. Recent growth has brought about the need for facility expansion, Wood reported.
Don Wood continued by saying, once in operation the material recovery facility will be capable of processing all common recyclables including paper, plastics, ferrous and nonferrous metals, cardboard, and glass. The long term plan that Wood presented is to receive a solid waste permit so that eventually they can process Class 1 Solid Waste to recover recyclables before the waste is sent to the landfill.
ATFAB hopes to be up and running within six months of the land purchase. Wood informed the council that his company currently has enough volume of recyclables to justify phase one. The council approved Wood's proposed purchase the land and plan to proceed with each phase.
City Moratorium Extended
In other business, the council received an update on the moratorium placed on the city. Mayor Bill Wells informed the members that the city had received an extension from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010.
Jeff Roark, wastewater superientendent, informed the council that he is continuing to work toward repairing and making the necessary requirements placed on them by the state. He explained that unfortunately the city was going to have to spend money to continue testing the areas.
He informed the council that the department was in great need of a new television system. The current system is approximately 10 to 12 years old and the camera can get stuck while trying to navigate the waste water pipes.
Roark requested permission at this time to advertise for flow monitors and to purchase a smoke tester. He is currently looking to purchase eleven monitors at an estimated cost of $3,500 each. The council approved both requests. Roark stated that he would look to purchase the TV system sometime later this year with money from the 2007-2008 budget.
Police Department Safety Grants Received
Police Chief Jerry Dallas and Captain Phil Russell informed the council that the police department had applied for and received two... Government Safety grants. The first grant was in the amount of $5,000. The second grant was for $58,375. Captain Russell requested permission to take approximately $7,845 of the $58,000 and purchase a radar trailer. This trailer is the type that is well known to drivers in Tennessee. It is a white speed trailer that will tell the driver's speed and flash a red warning number if they are driving over the speed limit. The council approved the department's request.
City Park Restroom Construction
The construction for the restrooms at Lafayette City Park will begin soon. Clark Construction submitted the low bid at $39,850. This bid was somewhat higher than first expected but the bid will now include extra concrete. This construction was part of a matching grant the city received.
The park will also soon see new playground. Kids Zone submitted the lowest bid at $26,292.66. These new additions are made with a city park grant that was approximately $88,000. Mayor Wells informed the council that some of the remaining money will be used toward the construction of a basketball court. The council has not yet advertised for bids for this construction.
Personnel Positions Approved
Several personnel positions were discussed. The council authorized the adding of an Assistant Superintendent, at a level IX, to the wastewater department. Roark, the superintendent, stated that with the work that is being required by the state there is an additional amount of paper work needed and the department needed another set of hands. This new position would handle a lot of work that the department currently has to take outside the city causing the city to have more expenses. The council approved this request.
The council also approved the mayor's request to hire a replacement for retiring Assistant Recorder, Julia Cothron. This job is to be filled by April or May of this year.
In the water department the council authorized the adding of an assistant chief water plant operator at a level VIII. They also approved the promotion of Chris Meador to the assistant superintendent at the water treatment plant.
The next meeting of the Lafayette City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6th, at 7 p.m.
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