The parcels have been used for years as ski trails by area residents and school groups in the winter and the trails have been maintained by the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club. But access to the land has been tentative and could be revoked at any time, club members said Monday.

Dan Del Missier, president of the ski club board, said the property is a critical part of the club’s long-term plan and would ensure the trails’ existence in the future.

Other supporters agreed.

“It’s always been a loose end for the ski club,” said David Stutzer. “(If adopted) they know they can develop trails and they’ll know their work won’t be wasted.”

Homer City Manager Walt Wrede said the administration is behind the project and several groups, including the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, the ski club and the city will work out the details if approved by the council.

The city may need a memorandum of agreement with the ski club to maintain the trails, there may be some insurance issues and there is a money component, he said.

Barb Seaman, executive director of KHLT, said the land trust still needs to raise up to $200,000 in the next six months to complete the transfer, although the actual amount has yet to be determined.

“We’re going to have to raise money, but I feel good about the community support,” she said.

The ski club has said it will continue maintenance of the trails and most who testified Monday said the project is a winner.

“That piece (of property) has been in the works for a long time,” said Molly Brann. “You could have 275 acres of park adjacent to Homer. Fifty years from now that would look like a smart idea.”

Public testimony will be taken on this ordinance and a vote by the council is scheduled for Jan. 22.

In other news the council:

• Introduced an ordinance amending the conflict of interest section of Homer City Code. If adopted council members voted not to have a conflict of interest can now participate in discussion as well as vote. Current code states that a person voted not to have a conflict of interest can vote, but cannot participate in discussions.

• Confirmed the re-appointments of Regina Harville as city treasurer and Lisa Vaughn as deputy city treasurer for 2007.

• Authorized the formation of the South Douglas Place Road reconstruction and paving improvement/assessment district.

• Deleted the “joint use library addition” and “Mariner Park fishing hole” projects from the city’s capital improvement plan. There was no discussion Monday on the fishing hole project, but some debate about the joint use library addition project. Council member Beth Wythe said the project should be removed since “neither of the entities (involved) find this necessary.” Council member Doug Stark said there is no reason to take it off the list. The vote to remove passed 4-2 with Stark and council member Mike Heimbuch voting to keep it on the list.

• Added “Mariner Park improvements” to the capital improvement list.

• Authorized the city manager to proceed with the design of the Kachemak Drive Phase II Water and Sewer Project.

• Passed a resolution in support for phase 2 expansion of South Peninsula Hospital and added the project to the Homer CIP list and 2007-2008 Alaska Legislative Priority List.