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Council approves $643,800 contract for police shooting-range containment system over split vote
Summary
San Marcos City Council approved a $643,800 contract with Action Target to install a total containment bullet trap at the police range. Council deliberated on health, safety and procurement timing; the final vote was 5-2.
San Marcos City Council approved Resolution 2025-02R, awarding a contract to Action Target to install a total containment bullet containment system at the San Marcos Police Department shooting range for $643,800. The roll-call vote on the contract was 5-2.
The police chief and staff presented the purchase as a safety and environmental upgrade aimed at reducing airborne lead dust and preventing projectiles and lead fragments from reaching staff and surrounding property. The vendor described the system as an engineered steel containment trap that captures projectiles and uses a patented dust-collection system. Aaron Ludwig, the vendor representative, told council the recovered lead is recyclable and would be purchased on market terms.
"When you shoot the sand, it becomes occupied. If you continue to shoot the occupied sand, these things are coming back at you," the police chief said, describing ricocheted fragments and dust that have struck staff. The chief and vendors said the trap will capture rounds and lead fragments into drums for safe removal; vendor representatives said the recovered lead has resale value.
Council discussion focused on procurement timing, how the project fits into the city's capital improvement plan and whether site improvements needed to install the system were sequenced correctly. Staff said site work and driving-track reconstruction are planned in the same overall project and that purchasing the containment system now would lock in current pricing and avoid possible tariff-driven cost increases. Councilmember Rodriguez and others asked for clearer public-earmarking and participatory budgeting information; supporters said the system had been contemplated for years and funding was already authorized in the CIP.
The motion to approve carried 5-2. The council directed staff to return with site-construction documents and contract details for installation and disposal procedures for recovered lead.
Ending: Staff said the containment system is modular and can be relocated if the department moves; they also noted revenues from recycled lead would be modest and that the bulk of the $800,000 project budget covers site work and related improvements.
