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 […]
City Seeking Feedback on West End Park
The City of Cookeville is looking for citizen feedback on how to use different areas of West End Park. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the volleyball court and playground are atop the list. There are just under four acres at West End Park the city is looking to re-purpose and enhance. A splash pad […]
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 […]
Cookeville Council To Consider UCHRA Agreement Thursday
Cookeville City Council will consider an agreement with UCHRA to provide social work assistance for those in need. City Manager James Mills said he proposed a five-month pilot program through UCHRA’s Substance Abuse Solutions Program. It would provide assistance 24/7 to Cookeville Police in the areas of mental health, homelessness and substance abuse. The city […]
Cookeville Council To Consider Panhandling Ordinance
Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday on a new ordinance to better control panhandling in the community. The ordinance would prohibit business and individuals conducting commerce on sidewalks. That includes panhandling and selling. The ordinance focuses on the obstruction or blocking of sidewalks and right-of-ways. Police could cite an individual but could not arrest anyone. […]
Cookeville City Hall HVAC Work Underway
Work is well underway on a new HVAC system at Cookeville City Hall. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the project began June 22 and has gone well to this point. He said disruptions to city business has been minimal. “It varies from day-to-day,” Mills said. “I think noise would be the biggest disruption. Although, […]
Cookeville to Require Face Coverings in City Buildings
The City of Cookeville will begin requiring face coverings in all city buildings beginning Tuesday. City Manager James Mills said he hopes the requirement is temporary. “We consider this a temporary measure,” Mills said. “Hopefully the numbers will trend back down and we can go back to close to normal.” Mills said he does not […]
Mills Pleased With Price Tag On Police Station
Cookeville City Council got its first view of the new $15.45 million police station to be built off Neal Street. That includes some $13.6 million in construction costs, well below earlier estimates. City Manager James Mills said architects called the building one of the most efficient buildings they had seen. “Very little wasted space,” Mills […]
Miller Said New Info Led To His Wanting Monument Removed
Just hours after telling a Cookeville City Council Work Session that he was not “for the removal of monuments at all,” Council Member Mark Miller posted to social media Monday questioning whether the confederate monument at Cookeville City Cemetery should be removed. Miller removed the post several hours later. “There is an apparent violation with […]
Cookeville Goes Administrative On Symbols, Signage
The Cookeville City Council will not consider resolutions about confederate symbols on city property or monuments at the city cemetery. Both issues will likely be pursued through administrative means based on council directives to the City Manager. At Monday’s council work session, City Manager James Mills said he could enforce a policy that only a […]
