Tag Archives: City Manager James Mills

Cookeville will extend its agreement with UCHRA’s Substance Abuse Solutions program to provide social work assistance to the homeless. City Council Thursday unanimously approved the extension of the program through June. The pilot program began last summer as an attempt to provide help to a growing homeless population. City Manager James Mills said 149 clients have been assisted through the ... Read More »

Cookeville is asking residents to consider their options for property tax payments before coming to city hall. City Manager James Mills said due to COVID they would ask residents to consider mail, using a drop box or drive-thru and online services. Mills said he hopes city hall can have fewer restrictions in the future, but residents play a role in ... Read More »

A consultant will soon begin negotiating the right of way acquisitions needed to begin Cookeville’s Interstate Drive sidewalk project. City Manager James Mills said negotiations will start in the next few weeks, so the project can hopefully move towards the final design and construction phases. Mills said the main reason this project is moving slow is the red tape involved ... Read More »

A pilot program between Cookeville and UCHRA’s Substance Abuse Solutions test program will expire in January. City Manager James Mills said an extension is worth considering. Mills said the city is satisfied with the program allowing Cookeville police to do more policing, and less social work. “Yeah, I definitely think it’s something we’ll consider if UCHRA-SAS is agreeable to it,” ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager James Mills received a 4.76 on his annual assessment from city council members. City Attorney Dan Rader said Mills’ composite score is graded on a one-to-five scale, with five being best. Rader called it an exceptional performance. “We all know Cookeville was confronted with some very serious things that nobody could have anticipated such as the tornado ... Read More »

Cookeville is taking proposals to upgrade its Council Chamber’s audio, video and streaming capabilities. City Administrator James Mills said replacing the 15 year old A/V system is needed because of anticipation that meetings will need to be electronic as the pandemic continues. Mills said the $50,000 project will address complaints residents have while watching the Cookeville City Council online. “Especially ... Read More »

Cookeville is already getting money back from FEMA to help offset the costs of the March 3rd Tornado. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the news that federal money already coming in was a surprise and called it a year ahead of schedule. Mills said this is going to have a large effect on the city’s after accumulating an over ... Read More »

Cane Creek Park will expand by more than 31 acres after Cookeville City Council approved a $350,000 land purchase Thursday night. City Manager James Mills presented the property off of Buffalo Valley Road to the city council. He said the land owner reached out to the city to gauge interest in the land. Mills said the land owner’s desire was ... Read More »

Several neighbors have complained about what could be further violations of Cookeville’s zoning ordinances at the quarry site along Spring Street and Interstate 40. Cookeville Planning Director Jon Ward will ask City Council Thursday night for permission to spend up to $20,000 more in legal costs on the issue. Ward said the city codes department will investigate the complaints. “At ... Read More »

The replacement of Cookeville City Hall’s HVAC system is complete. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the only steps left are the clean up and training employees on how to use the thermostats. Mills said the project is on schedule. “We’ve completely replaced the existing HVAC system in city hall,” Mills said. “Much of which was as old as the ... Read More »