NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 Acme Twp Hall
Board present: Tim Reicha, Mike Walters, Brian Pugh, Heath Day, Tom White, Tim Jenema, Chad Jordan, Chad Schut and Steve Mentzer
Board absent: Kim White
Guest(s): John Roe
Mission statement —---> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
Tim R opened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
May meeting minutes were approved online.
There was no public comment.
Financials:
Kim was absent but had provided the board with the current financial documents.
The first order of business was to approve the tax document 2024 990-EZ.
This document was the return of an organization(NMMBA) exempt from income tax.
Tim R made a motion to approve the 2024 form 990-EZ as presented.
Brian provided the 2nd and it was followed with a unanimous vote.
General fund stood at $16,948.99
Kim also brought up the fact that Club Express now has an app. Will make it easier to process credit cards. Next month, we as administrators will be able to take in person payments.
John brought up the fact that grooming badges are currently being sold as merchandise. When in fact they should be considered a donation. Like annual memberships. John to look into it further.
Donations made to NMMBA in Darek Purgiel’s name have now reached $3500.00. Will reach out to Darek’s family to see how these donations will be directed.
Timber Ridge logo to be added to the TCTF race plates
Grants:
Still awaiting results of the Grand Traverse Band(GTB) 2% grant submitted by John Chase.
Also Tim R completed the pre-application of a $30,000 grant with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation(GTRCF) by the June 6th deadline. The final decision will be made by June 23rd. If we can proceed, we will formally apply for these funds. If awarded, these funds will be used to offset the operational costs associated with our joint staff position salary.
Chapter Reports:
TimBarn:
John stated that major donor outreach is still in progress.
Current funds raised now total $631,300.00. John is hoping this number is at $1,300,000.00 by August. Total funds estimated to be needed total $1,854,500.00. The next meeting of the fundraising committee will be held on Thursday, July 17th.
A fundraising kickoff will be held at Stone Hound Brewing on Wednesday, August 13th from 4:30 pm - 6:30 p.m.
TCTN:
Earl Gervais is working to bring Gary Vernon, a principal in the Walton Foundation, to Traverse City in July. Earl would like to raise the necessary funds to bring Gary to TC. The amount needed is $3000.
Tim R stated that he and Brian Beauchamp of TART will be meeting with Earl next week to discuss. The question was, do we want to help with travel expenses? More to follow.
Brian let the board know that the bike rack, wheel chock and bike repair station will be installed at VST Supply Rd on June 12th.
Also a plan on drilling/installation of the well pump, also located at the VST Supply Rd trailhead will be completed by the end of June.
Also, 90 cedar posts have been picked up from Kalkaska DNR which will be used for trail crossing signs.
Brian also made note that he is working on the fabrication of a cedar log frame that will display a large format winter/summer trail map sign. This will be located next to the VST trailhead archway.
The DNR kiosk platen for staple attachments will be completed by the end of June. Next DNR/TART/NMMBA meeting tentatively slated for Monday, June 30th.
And lastly, Brian has had discussion with members of the McLain/Stone Hound race team as to relocating the Dan Morley memorial plaque.
Tom let the board know of discussions/talks he has had with Scott Slavin of the DNR. They talked about a trail restoration proposal for Sand Lakes.
This section will be used for 2025’s Iceman Cometh race, but the intention is to improve the trail for all users throughout the year which is the intention of NMMBA and the Iceman organizers.
Also discussed were the Cadillac Pathway(CP) maintenance plan and other Iceman re-routes.
No new information on the trail proposal Backcountry VST submitted earlier this year. Another meeting is planned. Tom feels the end is nearing.
Also on tap is a meeting regarding the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee. This is scheduled for Thursday, June 19th.
Another discussion centered around the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. A Fall meeting is scheduled with all user groups.
Finally a group has proposed an equestrian trail that services the Williamsburg area. For safety reasons, this group wants these trails for horse travel and pedestrian use only. No bikes! The DNR will determine next steps, NMMBA to assist as needed. Meeting date to be determined.
Shop Rides:
Chad had added these notes.
More to follow.
Hickory Hills:
Chad J let the board know that a MOU has been presented to the city of Traverse City for their signature.
Vasa Bike Park:
Tim J let the board know that the grants applied for are still under consideration.
Also Tim is getting quotes on a load of stone for the VBP.
Bike Leelanau:
Chad J wanted to remind all that every Tuesday from 5 pm to 7 pm a work bee is held at Palmer Woods.
Glacial Hills:
We held a special June 7th Saturday workday today and we had 9 volunteers out on the trails this morning. The group rode out to the furthest intersection in Neverland and spent a couple of hours trimming back the overgrowth. Thank you to this awesome group for their work today!
LMB/MMBA:
John did not attend the June meeting as it was basically a catch up meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be in September.
Commons:
Tim R to meet with Chris Remy and Tim Pulliam.
Winter Trails:
There were no new updates.
Cadillac Pathway:
No report submitted.
Old Business:
Joint staff position w/TART.
Tim R has had continuing discussions with Julie Clark and will follow up at the end of the month.
Tim suggested that past presidents will help comprise a committee to oversee and manage the staff person.
Tim also suggested that we will revisit board member roles and overall board health and size as we prepare to bring on the staff person.
There was further discussion as to other boards and how they spread their boards' roles and functions.
TCTF:
As of this meeting, registrations stood at 50 participants.
Other items regarding TCTF were
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Communication
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Awards/podiums
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Create a kids race plan. 2.5 mile course planned, maybe ad ½ mile course in Timber/Rileys from Norte Balance Bike course area
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Stone Hound communication and MLCC application to sell beer.
There was no new business to discuss.
Open forum:
Discussion was about what assistance could be given to volunteer Joe Wendel following his surgery.
With that, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 at the Acme Twp Hall.
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary