The issue of finding ways to establish a harmonious relationship between the Town of Mono and the Mono Nordic Ski Club was on the table at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The club has been operating and maintaining ski trails on town property that includes the Klondyke Gravel Pit for 26 years. The town recently expanded its gravel extraction to accommodate major road work projects and the result has been a popular trail being severed and fenced off for public safety reasons.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mono Council received a report from acting CAO Mark Early, recommending a request for proposal (RFP) on providing a compromise solution that would be viable for both the club and the town.

Mr. Early mentioned in the report that fencing off a portion of the pit has led to three summer walking trails, which are also winter ski trails, being cut off. He proposed how they could be relinked.

“The town currently has a contractor available to clear a link between the two deadended walking trails,” he wrote. “The walking trail would be located south of the fenced excavation area and can be used during the current anticipated operation.”

Mr. Early said funds to construct this looping walking trail are available through the town’s parkland reserves and is expected to be “a minor expenditure,” he wrote.

“By constructing this formal summer walking trail link south of the fenced boundary, three of the ski trails interrupted, or disrupted, by the new fencing limits can also be linked.”

To ensure that both the town and the ski club be able to plan for the years ahead, Mr. Early recommended working to achieve a long-term lease agreement with the club.

As well, there will be a May 19 meeting between the town and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to discuss possible trail closures, unrelated to the club’s ski trails, in adjoining Monora Park; which the CVC owns and leases to the town.

The club’s trail system passes through both the Klondyke and Monora Park properties, and one of the purposes of the May 19 meeting will be to discuss a trails strategy that would likely affect the club.

Therefore, Mr. Early has also recommended that town staff work toward updating the current lease agreement between the town and the CVC.

As well, an annual aggregate pit report has been recommended, in addition to a management plan for the Monora/Klondyke property and a long-term, progressive rehabilitation and operation plan for aggregate licence.

In the RFP proposal, Mr. Early requested council’s direction as to whether an appraisal of the Klondyke property proceed and whether preparation for a public meeting on the topic should also continue.

Tuesday night, council answered yes to both questions with a consensus that the public meeting, likely to be held in late June, cannot be productive without an accurate appraisal of the pit property and a proper analysis of future gravel.

Ultimately, three motions were passed.

Public Works will be directed to proceed with the recreational trail link in accordance Mr. Early’s proposal. The with Mr. Early’s proposal. The second says council will receive the RFP, as well as further information that will be presented at the May 26 council meeting by Councillor Bob Shirley. Finally, council passed a motion to proceed with the appraisal.