NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday August 13th, 2025 Acme Twp Hall
Board present: Tim Reicha, Mike Walters, Kim White, Brian Pugh, Heath Day, Tim Jenema, Tom White and Steve Mentzer
Board absent: Chad Jordan and Chad Schut
Guests: None
Mission statement —-----> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
Tim R called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm
July meeting minutes were approved online.
Financials:
General fund stood at $15,794.35
Kim noted that there was not a great deal of activity in July.
Another note was that the well for the water pump, located at the Supply road trailhead has been fully funded. This expense will be noted in the August financials.
Kim also noted that there were some nice improvements made to Club Express. We are now able to take in-person payment through Club Express.
Grants:
Another grant opportunity was noted. The Grand Traverse(GT) county Marijuana revenue grant. The window for applications was determined to be between September 2nd and October 1st.
Tim J will reach out to GT County to obtain the application forms.
Chapter reports:
TimBarn:
Several board members had attended the Trailblazing Tomorrow kickoff at Stone Hound Brewery. The public fundraising event, a collaboration with TART ran from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. It was noted that the turnout was strong. $34,000 was raised.
TCTN:
Tom gave an update on the Greilick property. A presentation on new trails was made over a month ago. Area neighbors are divided on the impact these will make within the City property. For the County property a 3 ish mile loop is planned that connects to the VST from the North and to state land/BRT/Muncie Lake trails to the South.
Tom also attended the Festival foundation Iceman planning meeting on August 13th regarding 2025 Iceman course planning. Next steps are to work with the DNR for very slight course modifications to improve racer safety.
Shop rides:
Chad S is looking to organize an NMMBA Ambassador day at the VST. He is looking at an August 30th, 2025 date. A Saturday.
He would need a few NMMBA board members to volunteer for a few hours. Tom, Kim and Steve have stated they could lend a hand.
Hickory Hills:
A MOU has been signed with the City of Traverse City.
Commons Trails:
A MTB subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th.
No updates were submitted from either Winter Trails, Cadillac Pathway nor LMB/MMBA. There is no meeting scheduled until September.
Bike Leelanau:
Chad J was absent but Steve had received an email from Tom Mayhew, who is heading up trail development at Northport’s Braman Hill.
1) The trail has an initial pin flag trail roughed out.
2) We have a tentative contract with Youth Works, a program of Child and family services that teaches green collar work skills to youth.
3) We will hopefully have a crew working on the trail in September.
4) Some tree clearing and brush removal will start before then by volunteers.
5) I will also be reaching out to youth in the Northport high school for potential volunteers.
Lastly anyone interested in volunteering will be welcome
Tom (aka TJ ) Mayhew
Glacial Hills:
Update on the latest work bee.
We had nine volunteers report for workday this morning.
Trees were cleared (no Jeeps were damaged in the process), long stuff around the Vandermark trailhead was trimmed, some washed away trail was repaired, and the maintenance trailer was washed and prettied up for the Rubber Ducky Parade on Saturday (watch for us as we will be handing out candy).
Old Business:
Joint staff position with TART. Nothing new to report.
TCTF:
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Communication
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Posters; if I have printed at Kwik Print can anyone help by picking up and getting posted at sponsors and other community locations? Steve and Heath to cover this.
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Awards/podiums
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Race Awards
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Race backdrop ordered
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Create a kids race plan. 2.5 mile course planned and mapped, maybe add ½ mile course in Timber/Rileys from Norte Balance Bike course area
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Course marking plan and forerunning Fri night/Sat morning: need help. See Tom for various duties.
Board Health discussion:
As noted in last month’s minutes, Tim R had met with Megan Motil, founder of Parallel Solutions to discuss options as it pertains to our board's health.
Further discussion went over different options offered and the costs attached.
More discussion is needed and once we define our needs and a solution, it would be a good template for future boards to go by and should help formalize a strategic plan.
Lastly Tom, after 41 years, will officially retire from leading Monday night rides from the VST after this season. He is looking for someone to take up the reins. NMMBA board will continue to discuss leading this long standing community ride.
Thank you cards have been handed out to all the board members to send/give out where needed.
With that the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
The next scheduled board meeting will be Wednesday, September 10th, 2025.
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary