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Council approves $539,080 for artificial turf at police training building after resident concerns
Summary
Following public comments questioning the timing and bond context, Midlothian’s council voted 6–0 to authorize up to $539,080 from the Midlothian Community Development Corporation for 30,000 sq. ft. of artificial turf at the police training building.
The Midlothian City Council approved a resolution on June 9 authorizing the Midlothian Community Development Corporation to expend up to $539,080 for artificial turf at the Midlothian Police Department training building.
Two residents had asked the council to remove the item from the consent agenda to allow fuller discussion of cost-benefit analysis and bond timing. Jim Bronson told the council he wanted more information before the vote: "I feel like we can all go home. We had a great meeting. But, I just wanted to request one item on the consent agenda be removed… I'd like to see some discussion of item C… for the installation of artificial turf at the Midlothian Training Building." Lisa Healy said the bond committee is considering more than $3,000,000 to rehab the building and asked why the city would invest in turf if the building might be unusable without that rehab.
Chief Gautam Smith and staff explained the turf purchase is intended to create a secure, all-weather training and fitness surface adjacent to the building. Chief Smith said the area is "30,000 square feet" and that turf would allow on-site fitness testing, Citizen Police Academy and junior police academy activities. He told the council the turf installation is not contingent on the larger $3,000,000 interior rehabilitation and described the turf as a way to make the outside training area usable in all weather.
Councilwoman Hammond moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Reno seconded. The council approved the expenditure 6–0 by voice vote.
