NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, Acme Twp Hall
Board present: Tim Reicha, Heath Day, Kate White, Mike Walters, Chad Jordan, Tim Jenema, Chad Schut, Brian Pugh and Steve Mentzer
Board absent: Tom White and Kim White
There were no guests present.
Mission statement —-> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
March meeting minutes were approved online.
Kate led off the meeting with a safety moment.
Always make sure your bike rack is locked in place whether you are raising or lowering the unit. Not doing so may result in bruising or getting knocked unconscious.
Financials:
Kim was absent but did supply the board with the current financials.
Tim gave a brief update to the merchandise inventory, etc.
He will be meeting with Rachel Decker, NMMBA’s new merch manager.
General fund stood at $20,219.10
Grants:
Kate is finalizing the grant application to the Grand Traverse Band(GTB) for consideration of their 2% grants for the Acme Bike Park.
Application will be submitted by April 23rd, 2025.
TimBarn:
Meetings are still ongoing with TART.
The MOU has been signed and filed with other TimBarn docs in the Google drive.
TCTN:
Tom was absent but filed this report on the Greilick property.
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Greilick Park/Property Update: representatives from NMMBA, GTRLC, East Bay Township, TC Parks, Conservation District, TC Hiking Club, TART and the Frisbee Golf group met on 4/4 to walk/survey the existing trails and discuss future trails. Very preliminarily, there will be two bike trails proposed: a pass through connector that ultimately joins both parcels of Greilick to the Boardman River Trail. The second proposal will be a ski/bike trail that routes around the property perimeter. A perimeter trail for bikes would allow the center portions of the property to remain open for hunting, walking paths and similar uses.
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The next meeting will be 4/11 and will focus on assessing the design of the frisbee golf course. The goal is to get that design set (on the City owned portion of the property) so seeds volunteers can get to work on making the course ready first.
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The MDNR did not want to include the VST Supply Rd. Bike Repair Station in the latest Gift & Acceptance paperwork. A MDNR Cooperative Agreement was written and approved by the MDNR. NMMBA agrees to maintain the unit on a regular basis and will remove it if it is no longer maintained or if the MDNR determines the use to be incompatible with the site. A signed copy of this Cooperative Agreement is stored in the NMMBA google drive in the “Supply Rd/VST” folder.
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The latest MDNR Gift & Acceptance form has been approved by the DNR. This G&A provides NMMBA the authority to install the remaining VST TREE projects including the Bike Rack, Water well hand pump, and the seating area around the DNR fire pit. These improvements will be completed this summer.
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It was also noted the turn time to complete the Gift/Acceptance docs took only 6 days!
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The Grand Traverse County Permit for the VST Supply Rd water well hand pump has been submitted. The target for receiving the approved permit is mid May.
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The 2025 NMMBA “Join Us Membership” Signs have been delivered to the following locations: Suttons Bay Bikes, McLain Cycle Garfield & 8th, Einstein Cycles, City Bike Shop, Brick Wheels, Wild Card Cycle Works, Stone Hound Brewing, Silver Spruce Brewing, TART, and Norte. Need to deliver the last one to Paddles & Pedals.
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The battery boxes for the trail counters have been repaired. Heath to work on a plan for installation of these counters.
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The MDNR has requested NMMBA to install a platen on the new kiosk to enable the stapling of the DNR signs. Doug proposed a design that utilizes a rubber mat material. Rubber mat has been ordered, working with Dan at Great Lakes Stainless(GLS) to find a suitable backing material.
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Trail crossing signs to be installed at all motorized trail crossings this spring on the VST.
Shop rides:
Chad S has continued planning/narrowing ideas and communication with local bike shops.
Hickory Hills:
Had a meeting with the city attorney and a rep from the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee(HHAV) on March 19th to discuss maintenance and signage for the proposed trails.
Vasa Bike Park:
In addition to finalizing the grant application to the GTB, there was some fine tuning to be completed on the Impact 100 grant application as well.
Tim J also noted that a work bee has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. More to follow.
Winter Trails:
Bike Leelanau:
Chad J made note of a work bee slated for April 29th, a Tuesday.
Scheduled work bees going forward will be every Tuesday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Until the snow flies.
Cadillac Pathway:
No report submitted.
Glacial Hills:
On April 26th, at 10am in the Vandermark parking lot, please sign up to participate here. The snow is melting and trails are doing well, we are in the process of clearing lots of trees. Some new trail signs are being created for emergency exit routes and to replace temporaries, these will be installed during spring cleanup day. We will also blaze trails, plant trees and do general trail maintenance. We are also working on some GH products such as water bottles, stickers and hats.
LMB/MMBA:
See last page
2025 membership velcro straps are in and will be distributed to a member invite. To be held on Sunday, April 27th at the VST trailhead on Supply road. Time is from 2 pm until 4 pm.
Discussions are still ongoing with TART in regards to the joint staff position.
John Robert Williams(JRW) is interested in assisting with new design work. A committee consisting of John Roe, Brooke Ruble, JRW, Chad J and Rachel Decker will been formed if they all agree.
No update from the Grayling/Gaylord group was submitted.
MSB course marking and review will take place on April 18th & 19th.
TCTF:
At the March meeting a list of duties and responsibilities was discussed.
These are in the March meeting minutes.
Brian to submit the permit to the DNR by April 25th.
New Business:
Had a request from Cherry Capital Cycling Club (CCCC) to help with the Leelanau Harvest Tour on Saturday, September 20th.
NMMBA will provide 2 10 x 10 tents and support staff for the event.
Aid station to be located in Northport at Haserot Park.
Located at 19 Rose Street, Northport 49670
Times run from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm.
NMMBA had a request for sponsorship for a new Poker run event.
More to follow.
Also had a request to have NMMBA represented at the Paddle Film festival.
Festival is Wednesday, April 25th.
Would run from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
John Roe to attend.
A link to the event: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/grand-traverse-county-mi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM1Nzk3MjI=
With that the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at the Acme Twp. Hall
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary.
MMBA minutes
Minutes Below from April 3 2025 Workgroup Meeting.
Neal Glazebrook opened the meeting at 7:00PM on the platform Google Meet.
In attendance:
Neal Glazebrook: LMB/MMBA
Anne Grofvert: MMMBA and LMB/MMBA COACH
Phillip H: Gaylord area MTB development
Ben Jones: MMMBA Vice President
Steve Trosin: Experience Jackson MTB development
Loren Konkus: MCMBA
Neal: First topic of discussion was about new LMB and MMBA merch and the return of the Frazz jersey. See the links included to check it out.
Neal: Discussed the LMB ride calendars being out and published and shared a link to the digital copy, see links
Neal: Discussed the newly added skills clinics for 2025- links included
Neal: Discussed the MI UP outdoor summit coming up in mid May in MQT for outdoor recreation professionals - links included
Neal: Talks about insurance updates. With main update being that within the current structure of the LMB and who is insuring the LMB. The final answer from HUB/PORTA GRACE and the underwriters we use, all chapters would have to dissolve and be absorbed by the LMB in order for the LMB/MMBA to be able to insure chapters. This would have negative effects for many reasons one of the main ones would the way funding comes in for trails as regional non profits are essential to the funding of trail systems. This is likely not something many chapters want to do and not something we (LMB/MMBA) want to have happen either.
Neal is attending the Int'l Trails Summit and will talk with providers there.
Neal is also working with he Equestrian community and their insurance company to see if their set up and structure will work for the MTB side of things in our state.This set up would be a separate policy for all of the chapters outside of the main LMB policy. Loose parameters would be the LMB/MMBA would process insured chapters memberships and have a agreements in place with he chapter to do so. There would be a chapter membership fee and likely an additional insurance fee annually to make this work. Details forth coming as we get quotes and structure back from some of these providers. Still in discussion and nothing is set in stone, this is just an update.
Neal: Discussed some reminders listed in the links below.
Trail days MDNR form
E-bike 1 year eval period coming soon. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hike-and-bike/ebikes
Ride calendars have been sent out
Trail days MDNR form
Sign up for MMBA WORKGROUP LINK: https://lmb.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/lmb/subscribe.jsp?subscription=363
On Saturday May 3, 2025, the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) is hosting an International Women's MTB Day event at Anderson Nature Park in Lansing, MI, featuring guided rides and skill clinics for riders of all levels.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Event: International Women's MTB Day
Date: Saturday, May 4th, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Anderson Nature Park (3377 Wardell Rd #3301, Lansing, MI 48917)
Organizer: League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB)
Contact: Nicole Cottom and Jamie Lenon
Phillip: In response to all the ice storm damage in his region he brought up statewide trail days and this started a conversation with folks ( Anne G) recommended that due to the damage up there from the ice storms that Phillip and his group in Gaylord show up and help and that would be a great way to entrench the org in the community. This started a bigger discussion of clean up in the region amongst all attended and Neal was tasked with reaching out to set this up. Neal is working with the DNR on a needs assessment and will reach out to this group once late April, May, June, and July trail days are set. Other trails days that are already established are included in the links.
Ben J: Asked about the MDNR e-bike ruling and the 1 year upcoming trail period. He brought up using 1 wheelers as trail maintenance tools and that he was wanting to know if the DNR is looking at letting those devices on the trails.
Neal will meet with the DNR and others and respond to Ben prio to the next MMBA meeting.
Neal:; Talked about LMB advocacy day and the ills that are a part of the day for 2025. He invited the MMBA workgroup out to participate and the invitation is open to anyone who reads these minutes as well. Link included.
Neal: Discussed that the search for the next LMB Executive Director was underway and asked for folks to share the post and /or apply if interested.
Loren: Anne asked about the data Tom Hermann had shared at the previous months meeting that Loren had a hand in tabulating, a conversation ensued about how it works and Loren shared his resources with the group and discussed trail counter and other devices and use tracking he is working on.
Steve T: shared where they stand on progress in the Jackson area and that excitement is high and he has been appointed to committees that are moving forward with trail development.
Anne: shared an update about the MMMBA members meeting and the great event they put on.
Neal: adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM.
TRAIL DAYS ON DNR LANDS:
As discussed in the last meeting we are working with the DNR to send out to their lists and ours, hopefully on a monthly frequency, all trail days and work days that occur on DNR trails. Fill this out with all days your group or chapter is aware of to date, we will resend this monthly as a reminder to get your work days in the list. Please use this for trail work and maintenance and not for event volunteers we are working on another solution for that. Click the button below to access the form.
HAVE OTHERS FROM YOUR REGION/CHAPTER JOIN IN!
Click the button below to add names and emails of folks who you want to be a part of the conversations and the work we are doing. Click the button below to sign them up. Adding them to the list gets them added to the calendar invite for the meetings and part of the email distribution list should we need to call the workgroup to action. So please make sure all folks you want are included in this list. It's super simple, just name and email.
MDNR MEETINGS
Please note: Neal needs info 40 days in advance of these meetings if you need a topic discussed on either of these DNR boards. Reach out to Neal directly to discuss. Email: neal@lmb.org
MTAC Schedule : https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/boards/mtac
NAW Schedule: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/boards/mtac/nonmotorized
NEXT MMBA WORKGROUP MEETING IS @ 7 PM MAY 1 2025 ON GOOGLE MEET
MMBA Workgroup GOOGLE MEET (1st Thurs/Month)
Thursday, May 1 · 7:00 – 8:00pm
Time zone: America/Detroit
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fnk-bkxs-gaf
Or dial: (US) +1 731-434-2615 PIN: 165 998 540#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/fnk-bkxs-gaf?pin=8280268443590
Shred on,
Neal Glazebrook
League of Michigan Bicyclists
LMB- Events Director
MMBA - Workgroup Co - Chair
MTAC - Biking Representative
MDNR - NAW (CHAIR), EBIKE, TRAIL Maintenance, Signage : Committees