Participants race in the 2009 North Coast Challenge, one of 11 road races held in the city of Westlake last year. (West Life file photo)

Westlake police suggest race fee
By Kevin Kelley
Westlake
Published March 3, 2010

Citing a growing number of fundraising road races in the city last year, the Westlake Police Department is asking City Council to consider legislation to limit the number of races and impose fees on sponsoring organizations.

Council members will consider the issue at a Finance Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. March 9.

In a Feb. 10 letter written to Mayor Dennis Clough and forwarded to council members, Police Chief Richard Walling said more race organizers are coming to Westlake for a specific reason — the lack of a permit fee.

“Information from the professional race management community indicates that Westlake is being targeted for fundraising races because there are no costs associated to the races’ organizers or those who benefit from them,” the police chief wrote. “Instead, the city of Westlake absorbs these expenses.”

In 2007 and 2008, four races each year took place in the city, Walling noted. But in 2009, that number jumped to 11. The city has thus far received seven parade/race permits for 2010, the police chief added.

The growing number of races has put a strain on police manpower to oversee the races and required traffic detours, Walling said.

“Current economic conditions require that every expenditure of public funds be closely scrutinized and that reasonable cost-reducing measures be employed when assisting private entities with tax revenue support of their fundraising events,” the police chief’s letter stated.

Walling’s letter also noted “discontent” expressed at auxiliary police meetings over their being asked to volunteer for races that mainly benefit organizations headquartered outside of Westlake.

Capt. Guy Turner, who supervises the Westlake Police auxiliary, said the growing number of races is taking a toll on the volunteers, who number 23.

“We’re starting to ask a lot of them,” Turner told West Life.

Turner said the typical road race requires four to five paid officers and 11 volunteer auxiliary police to control traffic during a race.

“They may be worthy causes,” Turner said of fundraising races, “but they’re also costing the citizens money.”

Turner said he has researched municipal regulations on running races in communities from Oregon to nearby Rocky River. They vary widely, Turner said, but most require the organizer to hold a $1 million insurance policy that names the city as an insured party.

Police also want more notice to prepare for upcoming races, Turner said. The current city code requires a race permit be obtained no more than five days before an event.

Turner said many cities require race organizers to supply a certain number of race marshals to direct lead runners. At times, Westlake police have been in the position of directing races, Turner said.

“It’s happened where we’ve given them bad directions,” he noted.

Police will also ask council to consider limiting race times to weekend mornings, Turner said. Race organizers should also be required to post a monetary bond from which the municipality’s expenses, such as police overtime and traffic rerouting signage, can be deducted, he said.

Police, as well as council members, have received several complaints from residents and businesses about disruptions during the races.

Ward 5 Councilman Ken Brady received complaints last year from two or three residents of the Savannah Estates development after they couldn’t exit their driveways because of the races. Some races that begin and end at Crocker Park go through the development, just west of the retail and residential center.

“It’s very nice to have the races in the community,” Brady told West Life. “But what’s a reasonable number?”

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