Council moves to restore motocross at Optimist Park

City council members voted unanimously Monday to have the city attorney draw up an agreement to bring motocross racing back to Optimist Park

The decision, however, did not come without much discussion and deliberation.

The proposed agreement was first introduced by council president Mark Russell after he was contacted last week by the owners of Pleasant Valley Cycle Park, LLC, in Kuna, about the possibility of promoting several motocross races at Optimist Park this summer.

Mark Campbell, owner of Pleasant Valley, was on-hand to make the proposal to council himself.

"I came down here last week basically just to see what was going on," he said. "We have a lot of riders from Mountain Home who come up to Kuna to ride."

"They have been asking me to come down here and see what could be done to get racing back at Optimist Park."

While in town Campbell contacted Russell, who informed him that the previous promoter had indeed announced that he would not be working with the city this upcoming season.

"When I was inquiring about event promotions at the park, Mr. Russell informed me that Optimist Park is currently without an event promoter," Campbell said, "I then became extremely excited about the possibility of bringing something like this back to Mountain Home."

Russell had the item added to this week's council agenda and said he would push, "to get it approved."

"We hope to have racing in May," he said. "We have never been against racing at Optimist Park. As long as there is proper insurance coverage."

In his letter to the city, Campbell promised to operate with a $2 million liability insurance policy, the same one he holds for events he promotes at his track in Kuna.

Insurance was not the only requirement for the proposal to be considered.

"We also have to always be sure we don't violate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)," Russell said. "We will have to work around the Marathon Cheese construction."

At the meeting Monday night, Campbell presented his proposal to the rest of the council.

Campbell proposed to lease the motocross facility for $1,000 for the 2006 season. He also promised the city five percent from all racing profits netted.

Campbell plans to run two or three weekend races in addition to weekly practices on Wednesday and Friday nights.

"There is no doubt that this sport is growing in our area," he said. "It's getting bigger and bigger every year."

"We need to accommodate that."

Campbell also touched on the out-of-town business that is generated from racing events in Mountain Home.

"We average just about 300 riders per race, plus family members," he said. "That's over 1,000 people who will spending their money locally on food, hotels, etc."

Parks and recreation director Stan Franks also mentioned Optimist Park in his April 2006 report to the council.

"We appreciate out-of-town business (Campbell) being interested in our community," he stated. "But would obviously give local businesses preference since they employ local people, pay local taxes and spend their money locally."

Franks' letter further mentioned a long-term plan for the park and stated that the parks and rec board wanted to review the new ordinance concerning motorized vehicles on city property before any new activities or operators are considered.

"If the council would really like to consider bringing in this out-of-town operator, the board and the department would like to have time to investigate this operator's history," he stated.

"We would also have to go through the conditional use process before the track could be operated."

Council member Rich Urquidi asked Russell about both the conditional use permit and the proposed motorized vehicle ordinance.

Russell said that he didn't think they were needed in this instance.

"What's the difference between this and the mud bogs?" Urquidi asked. "Why are you pushing this through now after you were the one calling for the ordinance and the permit in the first place?"

Russell replied, "The mud bogs simply would have impeded Marathon's construction. This does not."

Council member Alain Isaac then made reference to the ever-present MOU.

"The MOU said the mud bogs were gone," she said.

"I don't think that it did," said Urquidi.

Russell then mentioned the insurance issue.

"The only requirement for racing in May was the $2 million dollar insurance policy," he said. "Also, the mud bogs can always be added back onto the agenda if you so request it, Councilman Urquidi."

"I might just do that," Urquidi responded. "Seeing as how I was the only one who voted for it in the first place."

After the argument subsided, members of the community were allowed to approach the council and voice their opinion on the matter.

At least a half dozen residents approached the council one by one to show their support for Campbell and for motocross racing at Optimist Park.

One man mentioned that he has three daughters who love to race while another said his daughter was a state champion and was proud to be from Mountain Home.

An airman from the base spoke about the joy he and other airmen experience while racing at Optimist Park while yet another father said he didn't care who ended up running the track, he just wanted a place for his boy to ride.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get it open," he said.

Police Chief Tom Berry noted "We have already had complaints about kids riding around the streets, and on the edge of town," he said. "If kids have bikes, they're going to ride them and this problem will only get worse if we don't provide them a suitable place."

"It will create more headaches for me and more headaches for you."

Isaac had one final comment before the council voted on the proposed agreement.

"I have heard people for the last four years talk about how important this track is to our community," she said. "We should assume that nothing has changed and that all of what we are hearing still applies today."

The council then thanked Campbell and everyone who spoke for their time before unanimously voting to allow city attorney Jay Friedly to draft up an agreement for review at the next council meeting.

In closing, Campbell also promised to restore the racing facility to a safe, working condition, but that time was not a luxury they had.

"Time is somewhat of an issue," he said. "The sooner the better. That way I can get things on the right track and hopefully bring back this sport to the fine people of Mountain Home."

He then thanked the council for hearing his proposal and said he looked forward to working with them in the future.

The agreement will be discussed further at the next scheduled council meeting.