With a big election coming up in November, changes to electioneering rules at city-owned polling locations and problems during past elections drew the most discussion during Tuesday night’s regular semi-monthly meeting of the Midlothian City Council.

Assistant city manager Clyde Melick said the city’s electioneering ordinance, which was originally approved in 2018, allows the entire parking area of the Midlothian Conference Center to be open for campaigning. However, that has been found to conflict with state law, which restricts electioneering within 100 feet of the doorway.

To conform with the law, Melick proposed pushing all campaign activities back to the north and west parking areas at the Conference Center.

Mayor Justin Coffman said he received “no exaggeration, a hundred complaints” from voters about candidates setting up tents and canopies in the past election cycle. Coffman said the intent is to allow voters to cast their ballot without walking through a gantlet, while still allowing candidates to meet voters.

Councilmember Allen Moorman said he was against a restrictive ordinance, but councilmember Wayne Shuffield warned against a “free-for-all” if the law is not enforced.

“I don’t think we had as harsh of a campaign cycle this time as we could have, but I think it could’ve been very harsh under the circumstances and if we don’t have some kind of guidelines, it’s going to get worse,” Shuffield said.

City Attorney Joe Gorfida said the ordinance gives teeth to city officials to enforce restrictions.

Councilmembers ultimately left the existing ordinance intact but agreed to move the electioneering area back one parking spot, or approximately 20 feet, in order to allow voters to enter, park and exit without interference.

All councilmembers were present.

Other items

• The council agreed to create a downtown advisory subcommittee at the request of Mayor Coffman. Among the subcommittee’s duties will be overseeing the downtown master plan and reporting to the council as issues arise, and communicating with city boards and commissions on all matters related to downtown. Coffman will chair the subcommittee and will be joined by Mayor Pro Tem Clark Wickliffe, councilmember Anna Hammonds and several board and commission chairs.
• The City Council heard a detailed presentation of the fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget for the general fund and utility fund. A workshop was scheduled for Friday.
• The approved consent agenda included previous meeting minutes; resolutions authorizing the Midlothian ISD Athletics Hall of Honor Fun Run on Sept. 28 and Heritage Day on Oct. 12; and the purchase of a combined 23 vehicles in total.
• A banking services contract was awarded to Wells Fargo Bank, and authorization was given to the City Manager to negotiate and execute the contract.
• Following an executive session, no public action was taken.