Motocross may return to Mountain Home

Motocross events may return to Optimist Park this next year, based on a recent discussion held during the City Council meeting last Tuesday evening.

Parks and Recreation Director Stan Franks has submitted a draft Request For Proposals (RFP) to the council and anticipates putting the motocross operation contract out for bid in January.

"Since the track has been left idle for more than a year, it will take about 200 hours of dirt work just to make the track usable," Franks said.

"If we get a contract out pretty soon, someone may have time to do the work and prepare for a regular season." Franks commented and added, "but if we wait too long to secure a contract, we may as well wait another year and see what happens with the MOU."

The MOU that Franks is referring to is the Memorandum of Understanding entered into between Marathon Cheese Company and the City of Mountain Home.

As part of the contract to bring Marathon Cheese to Mountain Home, the city agreed to remove the mud bog, dirt track and related seating by October 2005 and used a $50,000 GEM grant from the state to pay for work related closure of those areas.

In addition to those closed activity areas, the city also agreed to "relocate the existing bike track, motor cross tracks and all other existing structures (other than the baseball and softball fields) not later than two years after the company receives their Certificate of Occupancy," which is expected to happen next month.

It is unclear at this point where the city might relocate the park or if they will consider renegotiating the agreement with Marathon Cheese.

The estimated cost to the city to rebuild Optimist Park in a different location could cost more than $5 million dollars.

In other business, council members:

*Went into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition.

*Tabled a recommendatin from the P & Z board to approve annex and zone to R-4 --w Gavin's Crossing.

*Approved Conditional Use Permit amendment to add a pellet mill for Balbach Logging Company.

*Approved with conditions to annex and zone to R-4 -- Echohawk Subdivision.

*Approved with conditions the Preliminary Plat for Rolling Hills #5.

*Postponed variance request from Rupert Phillips until sometime next spring.

*Approved building new tees at golf course.

*Approve one month water/sewer service for Giving Tree location.

*Approved award of bid for crack sealer for Streets Dept.

*Approved request to purchase materials for Public Works Dept.

*Approved request to seek bids for shop improvement for Public Works Dept.

*Discussion of acceptance of Dry Creek #2 Subdivision park dedication.

*Set date for public hearing for building permit fee increase.

*Recommended revision and resubmittal of RFP for Parks & Recreation Dept.

*Tabled decision on request to purchase recreational management software for Parks & Recreation Dept.

*Approved resolution to renew airport hangar land leases.

*Approved resolution to authorize Mayor to sign lease agreement for street equipment.

*Approved modification of agenda for special council meeting scheduled for December 18.

The next regular council meeting will be held on Monday, January 8 at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.