In an effort to avoid more controversy over a "tricky issue," Conservation Authority board chair Ernie Gulyas has agreed with a position put forth by Mayor John Rowswell.
During a special authority meeting called Thursday to deal with the issue of who will operate Hiawatha ski trails this winter, Rowswell said the authority's original call for proposals may have to be scrapped. But before that happens he advised the board to seek legal advice from the city solicitor before proceeding.
Gulyas said, "In my view it's open and shut. I don't want to negotiate responses or change the original RFP (request for proposals). I don't believe it (the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club) should be considered, but since we have a tricky issue here, we can get a legal opinion."
Rowswell, also a board member, called the issue "a delicate situation."
Rowswell said Conservation Authority board members decided by a 4 to 1 vote at their last meeting to seek clarification from the two proponents - the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Heyden Adventure Base Camp - asking if they were prepared to pay the minimum required fee outlined in the proposal to operate the trails.
Rowswell, also a member of the Conservation Authority board, said the ski club response is still not clear; the Heyden Adventure Base Camp says it will pay the $10,000 requested.
"We need the city's legal department to determine whether we can accept this proposal or ask for more," Rowswell said. "It's not that we don't want to accept it. We need a legal opinion."
He said since the issue has arisen, there may be other questions or points the board should have considered in its request for proposals to run the ski trails.
He said, perhaps both should be rejected, and a new call for proposals should be issued.
"Our proposal did not include certain things and we're trying to do the best for this community," he said.
Ward 4 Coun. Neil DelBianco said he wants to ensure the board handles the issue correctly. The Conservation Authority should do whatever it needs to "make it right. If people want to challenge us on it, then so be it."
DelBianco said his decision will be based on the request for proposals and what's best for the community.
Ward 6 Coun. and board member Frank Manzo agreed a legal decision should be sought.
Gulyas stressed the original request for proposals to operate the ski trails had to be fair and "We cannot change what we've already done."
He invited Brian Anstess, proprietor of the Heyden Adventure Base Camp to address the board.
Anstess said he wants to move cross-country skiing to levels it hasn't been in Sault Ste. Marie and think "outside the box."
He told the group he has three groomers and would be able to maintain all 35 km of trail if an agreement can be reached with the other property owners.
Kevin Hogan, president of the Ski Club, was not at the meeting.
He told The Sault Star following the session that he received a message that there would be no decision made at today's meeting and he didn't need to be in attendance. "We're upset that one proponent was asked to address the board but not us," he said.
DelBianco has been charged with establishing a stakeholder's meeting - to be held sometime in the next few weeks - to brainstorm and discuss the issue as a group. It's expected that the meeting won't be held until the city's legal review is completed.
The Conservation Authority owns about 16 km of trail in the Hiawatha Highlands. It is part of a 35-kilometre trail network. The remainder is owned by private landowners, the Kinsmen Club and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
The spring dissolution of the Sault Trails and Recreation (STAR) partnership, which had been caring for the whole network of ski trails has resulted in the Conservation Authority seeking a proponent to operate its trails.
STAR was formed in the late 1980s as a partnership between the city, Kinsmen Club, Sault Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Conservation Authority.
Once the group was dissolved, the ski club obtained STAR's assets.
