Cookeville Councilman Met With Attorneys On Mayor’s CRMC Hiring
Cookeville City Council Member Charles Womack said he has spoken to attorneys about the hiring of Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton by Cookeville Regional. Womack said the meeting happened about a month ago. “I’ve been going to bring this for about a month,” Womack said. “We had a legal meeting a month ago, and I talked […]
City Council Moves Quarry Public Hearing
Cookeville City Council will postpone the public hearing and first reading on the proposed Spring Street quarry redistricting until October 15. The land sits at 1940 East Spring Street, near the Interstate 40 interchange. City Manager James Mills said the council will not have a quorum for the Thursday ordinance reading with both Mayor Ricky […]
Cookevile Councilman Wants Both Sides of Panhandling Heard
A public hearing for Cookeville’s proposed panhandling ordinance will take place this Thursday. Cookeville City Councilman Charles Womack said his concern is not with the panhandling ordinance as it exists. City Councilmember Charles Womack said a lack of public comment was the reason for voting no during the first reading of the ordinance. “I think […]
Cookeville Council Approves Social Work Contract
Cookeville City Council approved a contract with UCHRA Thursday night to provide social work assistance to Cookeville Police. The pilot program will provide on-call service for police 24/7. The SAS program team will provide assistance with housing, mental health services, substance abuse, and other needs for people needing help. “We need a service with social […]
Public Hearing Set On Commerce/Panhandling Ordinance
Cookeville residents will get the chance to sound off on a proposed panhandling ordinance as Cookeville City Council approved a revised measure Thursday night. The ordinance passed 3-2 with council members Mark Miller and Charles Womack voting against the ordinance. Council will host a public hearing at the next meeting September 17 as the ordinance […]
Councilman Wants Social Services Funding for Cookeville Panhandling
Councilman Charles Womack said he feels rushing to criminalize panhandling in Cookeville is premature. Cookeville City Council did not vote on a panhandling ordinance on Thursday night. Womack said he hopes City Manager James Mills will negotiate a way to use social services, instead of law enforcement. “I’m hoping that Mr. Mills is able to […]
Police Station Construction Numbers Approved
Cookeville City Council approved three resolutions Thursday night to begin construction on a new police station to be completed by November, 2021. “This is a great step for Cookeville,” Council Member Eric Walker said. The council approved the $13.66 million construction costs for the facility. Council also accepted the budget for the furniture and fixtures. […]
Cookeville Passes Resolution Supporting Police
Cookeville City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday night supporting the city’s police department. “(The council) continues to have full faith and confidence in the law enforcement agencies providing service to the citizens of Cookeville,” Mayor Ricky Shelton read from the resolution. “(We) recognizes that professional law enforcement is NOT synonymous with those individuals that […]
Cookeville City Council Prepares For Budget Work
Cookeville City Council members will take the first steps toward a new fiscal year budget Monday with the first of two days of work sessions. Council Member Mark Miller said he believes the council should take a strong, conservative approach. “We need to continue allowing our essential services to function normally,” Miller said. “Some of […]
