The Cookeville City Council approved a six-month lease extension for Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue to continue operating a spay and neuter clinic at 180 Miller Road.
City Manager James Mills said the city assumed the existing lease in January after purchasing the property, which houses the Major Michael Shipley Spay Neuter Clinic. The Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Control Board recommended the extension through December 31, 2024, for a payment of $9,000.
“The board recommended that the six-month lease instead of an annual lease to allow the Animal Shelter Director and representatives from Wags and Whiskers an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of an MOU where the lease payment could possibly be reduced in exchange for services provided to the animal shelter,” Mills said. “If an MOU can be agreed upon, then its provisions would be incorporated into a longer lease and considered for approval, and I’ll be bringing it back to you in December.”
Mills said the original lease expired in February and was previously extended through June under the same terms. The new agreement requires the $9,000 payment to be made on the date the lease is signed.
“And I’d request your approval of the six-month lease to Wags and Whiskers for the property located at 180 Miller Road,” Mills said.
The council also approved several equipment purchases for the Public Works Department, including a 2027 Mack front-load garbage truck for $373,224.31. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the commitment locks in the price for the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.
“This will replace an aging 2010 front-load truck that will be surplus once we get this one in to offset the cost,” Elrod said. “This will put our next oldest front-load truck at a 2019 model and that will keep our fleet age down to seven years, which is our goal in all of our fleet, but we’ll get our front-load fleet to that.”
The city also committed to purchasing a Vermeer horizontal grinder for $740,638.76 to replace a machine lost in a fire at the Jackson Street mulch site. Councilman Ali Bagci said an insurance claim will cover $253,000 of the cost, with the remainder split between the city and Putnam County.
“The county pays for half of the equipment, we own it, but they we we grind for the county,” Bagci said. “That’s our agreement.”
In other business, the council approved a five-year renewal of an operations and maintenance agreement with Tennessee Tech. Electric Department Director Carl Haney said the agreement allows the city to assist with the university’s underground electric system.
“Per the agreement, any cost of that work BTU reimburses us at 100 percent,” Haney said. “The existing agreement expires June 2nd of this year.”
The council also authorized the sale of 27.4 acres in the Highlands Business Park to the Hollingsworth Company for $1,054,900. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the company plans to build a facility for Project Green, a special purpose vehicle fabrication project expected to create 168 jobs.
“The project represents a strong economic development opportunity for the community through new investment, job creation, and continued growth within our business park,” Ward said. “I recommend approval of the property sale and authorization for the City Manager to execute the purchase sell agreement with the Hollingsworth Company subject to final revisions to the agreement approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney.”