Council tables $2.33 million turf plan for Municipal Athletic Complex after questions on contract and warranty

An ordinance that would authorize a letter of intent with GeoSurfaces to install artificial turf at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) fields 1 through 6 in an amount of $2,330,000 was tabled after council members said they needed more detailed contract and revenue information.

Parks and recreation director Bill Kane told the council that bids were solicited from multiple vendors and that GeoSurfaces’ proposal, at roughly $2.33 million, included a 12‑year warranty compared with 8‑year warranties offered by other bidders. “Even though they are the high bid at 2.3 million, it is a 12 year warranty as opposed to 8 years. So per year, it’s actually the cheapest,” Kane said. He also said the recommended product includes temperature‑reduction properties and requires little routine grooming or replacement pieces in high‑traffic areas.

Why it matters: the project is intended to reduce heat on playing surfaces, lower routine maintenance, and put the fields on a schedule to be ready for the 2026 season. Council members raised contractual and disclosure issues before committing. City staff said the item on the agenda was a letter of intent (not a binding contract) and that a formal contract would follow; council members asked that the letter of intent be attached to the bill for the next meeting.

Speakers at the meeting included two people representing bidders. James Beaver identified himself as vice president of Geosurfaces Midwest and spoke in favor of the turf installation. Brian Goggins, president of local Burn and Jones Construction, also spoke during public comment in support of the turf project but said his firm’s bid was substantially lower than the apparent award amount and asked the council to review warranty terms and bid paperwork. “We are a local contractor … and we believe we should get the job,” Goggins said.

Parks staff described technical distinctions among bids: standard artificial turf products often include black crumb rubber that increases surface temperature and require periodic grooming and replenishment of infill. Kane said the GeoSurfaces product proposed to the city has properties to reduce surface temperature and would require fewer ongoing maintenance purchases and grooming operations.

Council action and next steps: councilmember Weshi moved and councilmember Suttell seconded a motion to table bill 64‑90; the motion carried. Staff said they will attach the letter of intent to the bill for the next reading and provide additional contract details, warranty language, and requested one‑page revenue/expense projections for concession and game‑day impacts prior to the next meeting.

The item will return to the council for further consideration; no binding contract was executed at the April 2 meeting.