Item # 4 Alamo Heights Bike Park

Alamo Heights Bike Park

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phil Laney, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of an Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a
Memorandum of Understanding with Alamo Heights Bike Park, Inc. to create the
Alamo Heights Bike Park at 230 Jones Maltsberger
DATE: January 10, 2022
SUMMARY
Discussion and possible action approving an Ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute
a Memorandum of Understanding with Alamo Heights Bike Park, Inc. to create the Alamo Heights
Bike Park at 230 Jones Maltsberger.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As a result of an increase of bike activity on the Hondondo Creek Trails, and the installation of
jump ramps along the trails, the City was asked to explore the creation of an official and separate
Bike Park. Discussion of options for appropriate locations began in June 2020 and continued with
the community group, Alamo Heights Bike Park 501(c)(3), which was created as a result of this
request.
Staff and the Alamo Heights Bike Park (AHBP) board members discussed several locations for a
potential bike park: 1) the northwestern portion of Hondondo Trails, 2) property north of the Bark
Park and south of Corona between St. Luke’s Lane and La Jara/Alamo Heights Boulevard, and 3)
between the Bark Park and the Alamo Heights ISD Baseball Field at the northeast corner of Alamo
Heights Boulevard and Jones Maltsberger Rd.
On February 8, 2021, City Council selected the third location, 230 Jones Maltsberger, located
between the Bark Park and Baseball Field, as the site for the proposed Bike Park. Staff was directed
to work with AHBP to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), property survey, land
cleaning, and any other necessary costs within budget.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary location was sought for use during the winter break
of 2020 while a permanent site and agreement could be reached. At the December 14, 2020 City
Council meeting, a temporary location for the bike park was approved utilizing the parking lot
north of the Bark Park. This temporary location was approved for use through February 8, 2021.
City Council extended the temporary license agreement on February 8, 2021 through March 19,
2021. Since March 19, 2021 there has not been a temporary location in place.

2. The proposed site selected by City Council on February 8, 2021, located at 230 Jones Maltsberger,
sits on land owned by the City of San Antonio and leased to the City. The City of Alamo Heights
originally entered into a Lease Agreement with the City of San Antonio on April 24, 1947 for the
property located in the Olmos Basin area. On November 3, 1987, the City exercised its unilateral
right to extend the term of the Master Lease an additional 40 years to April 30, 2027. The Master
Lease was further extended on March 1, 2018 to extend the lease term to 2058 with possible
extension of the lease to February 28, 2098. On September 20, 2021, approval was granted by the
City of San Antonio to improve the designated property to construct a Bike Park.
The City has been engaged in due diligence proceedings since City Council selected the site of the
proposed Bike Park in February 2021. The following actions have been taken:
Ensured the ability of AHBP to secure and cover the expenses associated with liability
coverage for the first year of operations,
Surveyed the selected property and identified metes and bounds, and
Coordinated with the City of San Antonio for permission to use the site for recreational
purposes and obtained permits to clear portions of the property to make natural surface
trails.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under consideration would allow for Alamo
Heights Bike Park to create a Bike Park at 230 Jones Maltsberger, between the Bark Park and the
Alamo Heights ISD Baseball Field at the northeast corner of Alamo Heights Boulevard and Jones
Maltsberger Rd. The Bike Park may contain features intended to provide bicycle users with skill
development and recreational opportunities, including natural surface trails with no jumps, ramps,
berms or constructed riding features.
The MOU would be in effect for a 10 year term, with renewal periods thereafter. The MOU defines
three (3) stages of development for the Bike Park, contingent on funding raised by AHBP:
1.The first stage is immediate access to the property for bike access, to allow users to ride
and determine best placement of trails and natural features.
2.The second stage is the creation of the natural surface trails for bike use with no jumps,
ramps, berms or constructed riding features.
3.The third stage is proposed to be development and improvement of additional trails and
features, and possible expansion into land adjacent to the property. Expansion or
modification to the property or the natural trails would require an amendment to this MOU.
Future development of the Bike Park, to include possible construction of jumps, ramps, berms or
constructed riding features, or any other expansion or addition of Bike Park facilities, would
require an amendment to this MOU.
The MOU provides that the Bike Park’s hours of operation shall be between dawn to dusk with no
use allowed after dusk. The Bike Park’s operations shall be compatible with the quiet use and
enjoyment of adjacent landowner’s rights. The perimeter of the Bike Park may be marked either
by the existing fence of the adjacent Bark Park, or by a future fence of split-rail or similar materials
that will be submitted to the City for approval.

3. AHBP’s responsibilities will include the design and maintenance of all projects and the general
premises, which must comply with City requirements and, if necessary, City of San Antonio
requirements. In order to create the initial trail system, the City has agreed to fund the removal of
organic debris in accordance with the City of San Antonio’s tree preservation ordinance.
AHBP shall pay all charges for electricity, natural gas, water, sewer and other utilities provided to
the Bike Park. The City agrees to provide Solid Waste pickup on a regular weekly schedule from
designated collection sites.
POLICY ANALYSIS
The Ordinance to allow the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with AHBP
to create a Bike Park is consistent with the City’s efforts to provide quality recreational services
to the citizens of Alamo Heights and the City of San Antonio per the terms of the City’s lease
agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
This Ordinance will have no fiscal impact on the City of Alamo Heights. Improvements to the site,
including expenses incurred by the City, will be within amounts budgeted in the FY 2022 Adopted
Budget.
COORDINATION
Staff coordinated with the City Attorney and City Manager to review the proposed insurance
obtained by AHBP and the Memorandum of Understanding.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Ordinance
Attachment B – Memorandum of Understanding with AHBP
_______________________
Phil Laney
Assistant City Manager
______________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager