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Cookeville City Council ratifies appointments, approves $200,000 playground resurfacing authorization
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Cookeville City Council unanimously ratified appointments to a public building authority and a county equalization board, approved two ordinances on second reading and authorized the city manager to enter a contract (not to exceed $200,000) to resurface the Heart of the City playground.
The Cookeville City Council on April 16 ratified several appointments, approved two ordinances on second and final reading, passed a consent agenda of procurement items and authorized the city manager to enter a contract not to exceed $200,000 to resurface the Heart of the City playground in Dogwood Park.
At the meeting, staff member Mills told the council that three terms on the Public Building Authority will expire in May and recommended reappointing Nelson Forrester and Steve Copeland and appointing Susan Luna Hazelwood to replace Connie Albright. "I would respectfully request your ratification of my reappointment of Mr. Forrester and Mr. Copeland and my appointment of Ms. Luna Hazelwood," Mills said. Councilman Walker moved to ratify; Councilman Gilbert seconded, and the motion carried 5–0.
Mills also recommended reappointing Mark McKinley as the city’s representative to the Putnam County Board of Equalization, the panel that hears appeals of property assessments. The council approved that reappointment by unanimous vote.
On zoning matters, planner Ward reported no changes since first reading and recommended approval of Ordinance O260304, a rezoning of a property on Boyd Ferris Road (tax map 83, parcel 57) to RS‑5 single‑family residential. Ward gave the same recommendation for Ordinance O260305, amendments to the official street map. Both ordinances were approved on second and final reading by a 5–0 vote.
The council approved a consent agenda of purchases that included two police pursuit vehicles (statewide contract #209), vehicle emergency response equipment (contract #202), a bulk ice‑melting salt purchase (contract #507; Contract ID 66848) and a commitment to purchase one side‑load sanitation truck in fiscal year 2026–27 to lock in price. The consent agenda passed 5–0.
The meeting’s primary item of new business was a parks project. McDonald outlined a plan to install ForeverLawn artificial turf over the existing poured‑in‑place rubber surfacing at the Heart of the City playground, which opened in 2015 and now needs major surface work. McDonald said the city would use Sourcewell contract pricing and hire local firm Recreational Concepts; he asked the council to authorize the city manager to sign a contract not to exceed $200,000, which would include materials, installation and a 5% contingency. "What we're asking tonight is to allow the city manager to sign a contract with Recreational Concepts ... and commit to the expenditure for the project not to exceed $200,000," McDonald said.
McDonald said ForeverLawn would avoid removing the existing rubber surface, speed installation and reduce surface temperatures by as much as 10 degrees during summer months. If approved, staff plans to close the playground the day after Labor Day and keep it closed for roughly four to six weeks to complete the installation. Councilman Baji moved approval; Vice Mayor Eldridge seconded, and the authorization passed 5–0.
During the non‑agenda public‑comment period, resident Montana Chambers told the council she opposes officials using office to advance personal beliefs. "I do not want to vote for a candidate to tell me what they personally believe," Chambers said, adding that elected officials should carry out the public will within the limits of their office.
The council closed the meeting after brief announcements, including a notice about the National Day of Prayer event scheduled for May 7.
Votes at a glance: PBA appointments (ratified: Nelson Forrester and Steve Copeland; appointed: Susan Luna Hazelwood) — approved 5–0; Putnam County Board of Equalization representative (Mark McKinley) — approved 5–0; Ordinance O260304 (rezoning) — approved 5–0; Ordinance O260305 (street map amendments) — approved 5–0; Consent agenda (vehicles, equipment, salt, truck commitment) — approved 5–0; Authorization to enter playground surfacing contract (not to exceed $200,000) — approved 5–0.
Next steps: Staff may proceed with contract execution and scheduling; the playground closure is planned for the period after Labor Day to allow a 4–6 week installation window.
