City Council Meeting November 5, 2026

At its November 5, 2026 meeting, the Cookeville City Council approved several procurement and capital-project actions. It declared the city’s rights to two billboards in Highlands Business Park surplus and authorized staff to offer each right separately through competitive sealed bids, coordinating the solicitation with Putnam County. The council approved an $18,589.91 amendment to Kimley Horn’s right-of-way acquisition services for the South Willow Avenue/West Jackson Street intersection project; a capped $65,888 amendment for engineering services on the water treatment plant expansion, bringing that contract to $2,132,922; and a purchase agreement for property at 80 Depot needed for the 39 Depot project. The property price was cited as approximately $550,000, with $5,500 due as a deposit; the presentation also referenced a $555,000 purchase amount, and closing costs are additional. Title issues must be resolved before closing.

The council also approved use of a matching grant for security doors at Fire Stations 2 and 3: the $8,150.30 purchase is eligible for a reported $4,750 reimbursement. It authorized contracts for Tennessee Highway Safety Office grants totaling $75,750. On first reading, the council approved an ordinance updating adopted construction codes from the 2018 to the 2024 editions. Members discussed the effect of updated building valuation figures on permit fees and asked staff to consider a phased adjustment before the second reading; the new codes would still take effect. Other public comment addressed surveillance cameras and appointment transparency for boards and commissions, with no related procurement action identified.