Cookeville council approves series of contracts, rezoning measures and park projects

The Cookeville City Council voted to approve a package of contracts, purchases and first‑reading ordinances at its meeting, authorizing traffic‑management equipment, professional engineering services, park amenities and several rezoning and mapping changes.

The council approved a purchase of five Curex Vision AI systems for intersection detection — a smart city traffic platform intended to optimize signal coordination across corridors — for $77,693, a budgeted item that city staff said is expected to be installed at five intersections in the Jefferson or Willow corridors. The council also approved professional and construction contracts and purchases that included engineering for City Hall electrical service replacement, a consultant for substation projects, a lagoon clean‑out renewal, a waterline change order and contracts for GPS and forward‑facing cameras for city vehicles.

Why it matters: the approvals cover near‑term capital work and tools the city says will improve operations (traffic signal timing and vehicle routing) and add recreational amenities at Cane Creek Park. Several items will require construction, installation and coordination with state agencies and outside vendors before their benefits are realized.

Most consequential operational items

- Traffic detection system: Public Works recommended buying five Curex Vision AI units — cameras, server/software and accessories — through the BuyBoard cooperative at a total cost of $77,693. Staff said the system uses cameras and AI to count and classify turning and through movements and to provide corridor‑level analytics that can be shared with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The council approved the purchase 4‑0. City staff said lead time for delivery is six to eight weeks.

- City Hall electrical engineering: The council authorized an engineering agreement with Moffett Loftus Engineering for design, bidding and construction administration to replace the building’s main electrical service; the contract amount is $14,500 and was approved 4‑0. City staff reported the building’s switchgear and breakers are original and failed during generator testing.

- Vehicle GPS and cameras: The council approved a statewide contract with Samsara to provide GPS hardware for 235 vehicles and forward‑facing dash cameras for 42 vehicles (excluding the police department, which maintains a separate system). The multi‑year contract includes an initial partial‑year payment of $13,038.91 and annual costs of $46,778.40…