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Council approves limited turf study after heated debate; contract to focus on El Camino options
Summary
Council voted 6-1 to approve a consultant contract (not to exceed $160,000) to study athletic-field options; staff narrowed the scope and will prioritize analysis for El Camino Park while continuing to replace two Mayfield synthetic fields this year.
After more than two hours of public comment and council debate, the City Council on April 21 approved a contract authorization with Lloyd Sports & Engineering to conduct a study of athletic-field options, with the council limiting the consultant—s work to a focused scope and authorizing staff to negotiate a final contract not to exceed $160,000.
Council discussion centered on whether the city needed an outside study at all, given recent literature reviews by Santa Clara County and staff—s own analysis for the Mayfield replacement project. Supporters of the study argued that rapidly evolving products, hybrid turf options and new infill materials require outside technical expertise; opponents urged relying on existing reports, city staff analysis and lower-cost options.
Kristen O—Kane, Community Services Director, told council the original proposal (about $233,000) had been reduced to roughly $161,000 by shifting community engagement and some maintenance analysis to city staff and by using the county—s recent literature review for baseline environmental and health research.
The revised scope directs the consultant to evaluate a limited set of alternatives for El Camino Park (the next city-managed field scheduled for replacement), including: upgraded synthetic turf with low- or no-PFAS materials and non-toxic infill options, hybrid turf systems that combine natural grass and synthetic reinforcement, and best-practice natural-grass rebuilds with improved drainage and organic maintenance practices. Staff emphasized that the Mayfield project (two synthetic fields) will continue as planned in 2025; those construction contracts are expected to come to council in June.
Public commenters were split. Youth sports organizers and field users argued artificial turf is essential to sustain high-use sports programs year-round. Environmental and public-health advocates urged the city to avoid new plastic turf fields and to prioritize organically managed grass or other low-plastic alternatives, citing life-cycle and end-of-life disposal concerns.
The council ultimately approved the authorization to negotiate and execute a contract focused on El Camino Park analysis up to $160,000; the roll-call vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed. Some councilmembers requested that the scope explicitly include hybrid turf options, PFAS verification of any proposed product, and detailed cost and hours-of-use comparisons for each alternative. Staff will return with a signed contract and a deliverable schedule, then present findings to council and the Parks & Recreation Commission.
