Lafayette — The City Council authorized the release of $85,680 from the Ballfield Rehabilitation Sinking Fund to complete immediate infield rehabilitation at Buckeye Fields.

John Warshaw, Recreation Manager, briefed the council on options after a prior capital approval to make ballfields compliant with the California Fair Play Act. Warshaw said full conversion to synthetic infields would require engineering, design and a paused drainage/patio package and that "the project, total will exceed about $1,200,000" when all components are included. Given funding constraints, staff proposed a near‑term, one‑time rehabilitation package across the four fields to fix grading, address turf transitions, replace sod and renovate infield mixes.

Staff said $140,000 currently exists in the ball rehabilitation account and requested authorization to release $85,680 (the staff figure includes a 5% contingency) to complete the work ahead of the 2026 season. Councilmember (Speaker 2) moved the authorization; Councilmember (Speaker 6) seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Councilmembers stressed the rehabilitation is intended to buy time while staff and consultants study the feasibility and funding plan for a larger synthetic‑turf project that would require separate design, bidding and additional funding.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the rehabilitation scope described in the staff report and coordinate with user groups for ongoing maintenance as outlined in the report.