Bike trail doc surprises council

The Sundance Chain Gang Mountain Bike Association has extended its bicycle trails past the edge of White Ranch Park, but who’s on the hook to pay for maintaining it?

This unexpected question arose during Tuesday’s meeting of the Sundance City Council, when City Attorney Mark Hughes presented an agreement document that had been brought to him by Adrian Whitmore of the association.

Surprised to receive it, Hughes asked the council for clarification on what had been agreed to regarding the bike trail.

In July, 2021, the council granted permission for the bike trail that was at that time limited through Sundance White Ranch Park to be extended across city property. Contact was made with the current lessee of the pasture and a verbal agreement was reached.

A motion approving the trail included a friendly amendment to revisit the use of the property every two years. At that time, Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz informed that council that construction of the trail would be handled by Sundance Chain Gang and would not be an expense for the city.

Hughes told the council on Tuesday that the agreement he received from the Sundance Chain Gang needs some additional work, but he will need to know the council’s parameters in order to complete it.

Mayor Paul Brooks stated that the extent of the conversation had been to allow the bike path to be extended onto city property. The trail, he said, has already been built.

“I’m kind of caught off guard that they want a written agreement,” Brooks said. “We agreed to let them build trails and ride their bicycles on our property that is adjacent to the White property, that is my recollection.”

Hughes explained that the one-year renewable agreement contains certain paragraphs that need clarification, such as one that suggests the city will have financial obligations to the trail.

Brooks confirmed that the city did not agree to provide any funding or materials for the trail. Hughes was directed to work on the agreement and, “Clean it up to where you’re comfortable with it.”