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Commission authorizes one-year agreement with North Country Alpine Services for Hickory Hills operations
Summary
To address last season’s operational problems, the commission waived competitive bidding and authorized a one-year professional services agreement with North Country Alpine Services to run Hickory Hills, a move staff says will reduce the city subsidy and improve operations.
The commission voted to waive competitive bidding and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute a one‑year professional services agreement with North Country Alpine Services to operate the city‑owned Hickory Hills Recreation Area.
City Manager Benjamin Marantette said the arrangement was intended to elevate the user experience, improve reliability and reduce the city subsidy. He projected an $83,800 decrease in city funding under the proposed model and said the arrangement includes incentives: the contractor would retain 80% of revenue over an annual baseline of $512,000 to motivate stronger revenue performance.
Parks Director Michelle Hunt told the commission that revenue for the 2025–26 season was about $360,000 and the revenue projection for the coming season is roughly $419,000. Commissioners asked about risks (weather affecting snowmaking), legacy personnel costs if the city fills a manager position instead, and marketing of the lodge and events. Multiple public speakers, including members of the Hickory Hills advisory committee and local ski-club leaders, expressed support for the contract and urged that the city hold the contractor accountable to performance standards.
The motion to waive competitive bidding and execute the agreement passed on a voice vote; staff said the contract will be subject to city manager and city attorney review of substance and form.
