What A Tease...An Oceanfront California MX Track

The north coast is beautiful and the old GP mill has been closed for years. Yes, there could be a great MX facility built but chances of that happening are slim to none. There is lots of land going unused and the city has never come up with a workable plan to develop it. I doubt this goes anywhere but we can dream!

Fort Bragg City Council prioritizes motocross and a pump track

This gate off Highway 20 leads to the most likely area where recreation will be developed by the Fort Bragg on the property off Summers Lane. (Photo by Michelle Blackwell

The Fort Bragg City Council Meeting on February 9th was a long and drawn-out affair, with Mayor Godeke at one point stopping the meeting for a vote to continue past 10 pm. And while many weighty subjects were covered, including a public hearing on fee increases across all departments, including the CV Starr Center, and a recycled water study report, the packed Town Hall was there because of a completely different type of recreation.

The agenda included a review of a recreation survey regarding the 400-plus acres the city purchased from the recreation district off Summers Lane. The council’s task was to determine what types of recreation would get into the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for review. Anything not in the EIR at the outset could trigger the need for further EIR supplements in the future, which would likely be an expensive and insurmountable barrier.

Local motocross and pump track enthusiasts were there in mass to promote the continued use of the site for their recreational needs. At least sixteen members of the public spoke in favor of motocross, and another handful also supported the pump track. A pump track is for non-motorized dirt bikes and includes a physically demanding and partially elevated loop track.

According to several speakers, the property was used by motocross enthusiasts for decades without a legal permit. It was at one-point private property before coming into the City’s hands. The City plans to build three water storage reservoirs on the site. The site includes sensitive pygmy forest and cypress trees, but it also sports miles of trails and backs up to the Humane Society and private property.

While most of the site is not slated for development, an approximately 4-acre portion near Highway 20 has been heavily disturbed and is the likeliest location for recreational amenities. The motocross enthusiasts are asking for 20 acres for their sport. They point out that the existing trails were created by them and also emphasize the need for activities for youth in the area. One young supporter, Deacon, age 7, talked about how much fun he has riding his motorized bike. While others pointed out that the closest legal track is in Marysville, CA, and that there are no legal places to ride along the northern California Coast. Several supporters mentioned the financial boon to the city, presumably from usage fees and tourism dollars. The council was unanimous in its support for motocross and a pump track. The council also asked that the EIR review the addition of flush toilets, an event space, a picnic area, and a small pond for miniature boats. Walking trails, interpretive signage, parking, and installing electricity will also be considered. Councilmember Peters did have some reservations about options that would introduce water to the area, suggesting that too much water would negatively impact the pygmy forest. While this was a small win for the motocross and pump track supporters, it remains to be seen if the EIR will support recreation activities.

The city also heard from its consultant about developing a recycled water program. Four types of recycled water treatment were considered. The least expensive recycled water has traditionally been used for irrigation, because it requires less treatment than drinking water. However, it didn’t pass the cost-benefit test in Fort Bragg because there is insufficient need for irrigated spaces within the city, and the few that exist are spread far apart. The cost of plumbing to those spaces would outweigh the benefit. Albin-Smith asked if they had included the mill site in their calculations. The consultant said they only considered existing facilities.

The other three options were variations on treating wastewater and introducing it back into the public water supply. The most cost-effective option includes treating the water at the wastewater plant with a series of high-tech processes to render it safe, and then storing and mixing it with other water sources before sending it to the water treatment plant for final treatment and distribution. The estimated cost for the project was approximately $56 million, and it could potentially provide water for about 2400 homes. Recycled water is often touted as a good source of supplemental water during drought, but in this scenario, it appeared to be intended for year-round usage. The option would require new training and certifications for staff. The studied project includes pumping the water back up hill to mix it with the water in the existing and future Summers Lane Reservoirs. No action was taken on the report. The study was paid for with grant funds from the State of California.

During a hearing on increasing city fees, various department heads discussed the types of fees they charge for services and recommended increases, primarily based on the cost of service. While most of it was non-controversial, the recommended changes to fees at the CV Starr center drew multiple public comments and created an extended discussion amongst the council. Some of the changes proposed were to simplify the fee schedule. CV Starr eliminated the family rate and planned to have just three categories: Youth, Adult, and Senior/Disabled Adult. The CV Starr Center wanted to increase the Senior/Disabled Adult rate by 44%, while the youth rate went up 11%. In the end, the council decided the Youth/Senior and Disabled Adult rate increases should be the same.

The second annual Blues Festival was formally announced and includes the addition of a large tent performance space on the Noyo Headlands, as well as shows at Town Hall, Tall Guy, the Skunk Train’s Glen Blair space, and Bainbridge Park. Coastal residents are encouraged to sign up early if they want tickets.

During public comment, a resident asked the city to look into installing water catchment systems on public buildings for water supply collection and to install EV chargers at the CV Starr Center.

Mayor Godeke announced that all parties have asked the courts for a 90-day stay to provide time for a settlement discussion about the mill site. The city is also putting out a survey this month on the mill site. City planner, Sarah McCormick, announced that the underground work for the Broadband project in the downtown is nearly complete, with a single crossing on Alder left to do. She also said that the city is in discussions with the contractors regarding the 3-million-dollar budget overage and that they understand it’s serious and are working on a solution. Chief Swift announced that the City of Santa Rosa has sent staff to Fort Bragg to train local officers on policing gangs. He also commended two Fort Bragg officers for their efforts in saving a resident.

Under consent, the city authorized a contract with Nichol’s Consulting Engineers for approximately $82,000 for the stormwater asset management plan. Accepted the certification of completion for two projects at the wastewater treatment plant. The city also plans a hearing in the near future to vacate various right-of-way. A map of the proposed property is available on the city website under the council agenda for the February 9th meeting.