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Board pauses Jobson Park contract to get artificial‑turf cost estimates
Summary
After public comments and wide council discussion about water, maintenance and use, the 4B board voted to delay final approval and directed staff and the engineer to provide short-turn cost estimates for infield and full-field synthetic turf options; that motion passed 6–0.
Council and 4B members spent substantial time weighing artificial turf versus natural grass after staff presented the low bids and maintenance estimates. Speakers raised tradeoffs including water use, maintenance hours and long‑term replacement costs. A consultant warned that synthetic turf requires different subsurface drainage, different fencing and could trigger a rebid because some bidders did not price turf; the consultant estimated an incremental cost in the ballpark of $2 million for infield and outfield turf, but stressed vendor variability and competitive pressures.
Public commenters urged turf for durability and increased hours of play; board members raised concerns about design spend already incurred and the time needed to re‑engineer the project. After debate, the board voted to delay final authorization while staff and the engineering team provide approximate cost opinions for infield and full‑field turf options. Meeting minutes show the motion to seek turf cost estimates passed 6–0. The board instructed staff to return with those numbers quickly so members could make an informed choice without assuming the low bid baseline would hold if the design is changed.
