City council should consider the possibility of conflict of interest between one of the applicants who wants to operate the Hiawatha Highlands ski trails and Sault Ste. Marie Conservation Authority, according to an e-mail obtained by The Sault Star.
Brian Anstess, the son-in-law of Conservation Authority trails co-ordinator Deane Greenwood, owns the Heyden Adventure Base Camp, cautions the e-mail written by Ray Boucher. Boucher is an avid skier and former caretaker of Kinsmen Park.
Christine Aasen, Conservation Authority communication officer, said the authority recognizes the potential.
"Because of that conflict, he (Greenwood) has not been involved in the ski trails at all. Only the board, (manager) Linda Whalen and myself have had access to the proposals," Aasen said.
Board chair Ernie Gulyas echoed the statement.
"Deane was meticulous about staying away."
Gulyas said each submission was sealed and the date was stamped on the flap of the envelope when it was received at the Conservation Authority. Gulyas and Ward 4 Coun. Neil DelBianco opened and reviewed the proposals and initialed the corner of each page to guarantee its authenticity.
Boucher warns council the call for proposals to operate the ski trails varies from the agreement the Conservation Authority had with the now defunct STAR.
Under STAR's operation of the trail system, the Conservation Authority charged a $10,000 annual user fee as part of its operating agreement but included nominal office use, snowplowing, bookkeeping and administrative assistance.
STAR did not pay for the use of the land.
"The Conservation Authority was a partner in STAR and we gave in-kind contributions for the use of our land," Boucher said.
The request for proposal before the board, calls for a lease agreement that would see the successful proponent pay the Conservation Authority $10,000 a year for the use of the trails. The Conservation Authority will not provide administrative services.
Three city representatives - Mayor John Rowswell and councillors DelBianco (Ward 4) and Frank Manzo (Ward 6) - sit on the Conservation Authority board. The remaining two positions are held by members of the community.
Some officials fear the upcoming winter season may be in jeopardy if an agreement cannot be reached between an operator and all the landowners.
Aasen said the authority still hopes for a meeting prior to the end of the week to deal with the request for proposal submissions.
The Heyden Adventure Base Camp will operate a seven-day "pilot project" on Conservation Authority lands in August at the Hiawatha Highlands, Fort Creek, Shore Ridges and Mark's Bay.
The summer camp program, geared to youth 10 to 14, involves outdoor activities such as mountain biking, canoeing and survival skills, among other things.
Aasen said the summer camp didn't require a request for proposal because the Conservation Authority didn't actively seek the program. "It was a proposal that was presented to us by Heyden Adventure Base Camp," she said.
Lands used for the summer program are not "leased" to the company, Aasen said. Heyden Adventures has been charged a fee of $100 a day for the use of the Sugar Shack.
