Council struggles with motocross agreement

Many racing enthusiasts offered their support to White Knuckle Racing as the City Council struggled with contract details related to operation of the Optimist Park Motocross Track this year at the regular Council meeting Monday evening.

A final draft agreement detailed requirements and conditions set forth by the city for operation of the track and addressed several historically contentious issues concerning noise, use of city equipment for maintenance of the track and water consumption.

The city will require that White Knuckle Racing use a sound meter, supplied by the city, to measure sound generated by motorcycles at the track. The operator will need to take a sound decibel reading at the edge of Optimist Park during all practices and races, abiding by the city's sound ordinance at all times, recording the decibel reading each night that the track is operating, and submitting a record to the city clerk each month.

A provision of the contract prohibits use of "any city equipment, personnel or other resources in the maintenance or operation of the motocross track."

Regarding utilities, the city was going to require that White Knuckle Racing purchase and install a water meter and pay for water usage at the park.

Stan Franks, city Parks and Recreation Director, pointed out that unlike other city owned facilities operated by contractors, such as the subsidized golf course and airport , the city was requiring this contractor to pay for water usage at the park and restricting use of city equipment to maintain the track.

Councilman Tom Rist agreed. "The city does pay for all utilities at the golf course as well as maintaining the greens. The airport is federally regulated and city tax money is provided for operation of the airport."

Council President Alain Isaac pointed out that the motocross track presents a greater liability concern for the city and suggested that perhaps the other contractor who submitted a bid for operation of the track would be more willing to support the contract requirements.

"They (White Knuckle Racing) can take or not take the contract," Isaac challenged.

Tag Hawks, owner of White Knuckle Racing, was asked to comment on the water and equipment issue in the contract, although he had not received a copy of the draft agreement.

He noted that installing a water meter to track water usage and not having access to city owned equipment "will be a challenge."

Councilman Rich Urquidi requested that the requirement to install the water meter and charge for water usage be removed from the contract.

The council set a date of April 9 to finalize the agreement.