Problems continue on Cookeville’s Cane Creek Pickleball Project as Cookeville City Council authorized the city manager to negotiate a change order price Thursday night.
Cookeville Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said a test on the proposed pad last week showed issues. The pad did not dry properly following unstable weather over the past several months. Woods said after receiving test results, he requested a change order price from the contractor but has yet to receive a price.
“We looked at possibly putting it on the next council meeting,” Woods said. ” But if we wait till the next council meeting to present the change order, it will likely be a couple of weeks after that and maybe the end of August before Steelhead can mobilize and resume work on the project. We are looking for an opportunity to expedite that process.”
Woods said once the city manager receives a price from the contractor, he can then pull each council member for general agreement on the price, and then meet again on August 7 so that the council may ratify the agreement. Woods said the council’s approval would allow construction on the project to get moving again before late August.
Council Member Eric Walker said the city needs to get the project going.
“I know we had a few setbacks with a very harsh, wet winter,” Walker said. “This is a good solution to getting the project back on track.”
In other business, the council approved to set September 4, 2025, as the date to host the Dodson Branch Road annexation public hearing.
The council approved awarding a bid of an estimated $42,900 for LED Lights. The lights are for the city’s Energy Department.
The council approved to pay an estimated $36,054.83 fee for the record management software for the police department. The council also approved to surplus 57 vehicles from the police department.
The council approved to pay an estimated $1,980 as part of a tariff charge on a shipment of water meters the city approved to purchase back in March.
Two 2025 Ford Super Duty Crew Cab Trucks with PalfingerCrane Bodies and 5025E Cranes for the Water Quality Control Department. The cost for both trucks is an estimated $370,000. Council also approved to purchase a 2025 CAT 305 Mini-Ex with a CAT H65S Hammer, trailer, and associated equipment. The cost for the Mini-Ex is an estimated $114,500.
The council approved to purchase Mack TL3 Brush Truck. The truck will cost an estimated $223,915.
The council approved an estimated $46,778 payment to Samsara to provide GPS and dash cameras. This is the first payment of a three-year contract.
The council appointed Jay Albright to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees.
Douglas Airhart and Sid Bundy were reappointed to the Cookeville Tree Board.
