The Midlothian City Council on Tuesday night said farewell to one of its councilmembers in its first meeting since the May 4 election.

Mayor Justin Coffman and councilmembers honored outgoing councilmember Ed Gardner, who was defeated by Ross Weaver in the Place 5 council race. Weaver was sworn in on Monday morning following a special meeting in which the votes were canvassed, but was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Anyone who’s walked a mile in the shoes of elected service knows it takes great sacrifice and great time commitment to serve in this capacity,” Coffman said.

Gardner was elected in 2023 to fill Coffman’s unexpired term after Coffman was elected mayor.

“It was an incredible year that I got to spend on the council,” Gardner said. “Everybody that sits up here is doing it for the right reason. All of you have the heart of servants and are here doing what you think is right. Even though we don’t always agree on everything, I think that’s healthy and dialogue is encouraged.”

Each councilmember had kind words for Gardner.

“Intergrity and character have always been strong with Ed,” councilmember Anna Hammonds said. “Even if we didn’t see eye to eye, I knew deep inside there was a soft heart of wanting the right thing.”

Added Mayor Pro Tem Clark Wickliffe: “One of the things I like about Ed is he’s a get-to-it kind of person. He didn’t beat around the bush, and I appreciate that. I’ve served with many different personalities, but one thing I’ve always liked about Ed is when there was a disagreement, it was truly just about the idea or position of the other person. It wasn’t personal.”

Coffman presented Gardner with a street sign and a framed copy of the “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance that Gardner helped pass.

One other race remains undecided, as Place 6 councilmember Hud Hartson will face Wayne Shuffield in a June 15 runoff.

Other items

• Mayor Coffman issued a pair of proclamations designating National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, and National Public Works Week.
• The approved consent agenda included previous meeting minutes; a resolution providing for a runoff for Place 6 on the City Council; a resolution approving voting members of Midlothian Municipal Management District No. 2; and the purchase and upfit of two Toyota Tundra trucks.
• A specific-use permit was approved for a secondary dwelling at 1141 Apple Court.
• Councilmembers authorized a preliminary agreement with Tyler Technologies for software upgrades in a total amount of $154,858.
• Changes were made to the city’s Historic Advisory Board ordinance, establishing requirements for membership and reclassifying non-voting members to voting members.
• A development agreement for the property located at 301 West Main Street was extended by 18 months to Aug. 15, 2025.
• The city’s master fee schedule was amended to add certain fees for parkland dedication and development.
• Following an executive session, no public action was taken.