NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 @ 6:30pm
TC Mill Works 2351 Aero-Park Ct, Traverse City MI 49686
Board present: Kim White, Steve Mentzer, Chad Jordan, Heath Day, Chuck Hathaway, Margarete Wanley, Alex Primeau, Mike Walters
Board absent: Brian Pugh, Tom White and Tim Reicha
Guests: Cody Sovis, John Roe (NMMBA Operations Administrator), Tim Pulliam, Trevor Schmitz
Mission statement —---> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
Mike called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
June meeting minutes were approved online.
Merchandise Update:
Chad provided a merchandise update and shared the first Samurai Squirrel design and that he is awaiting edits to this. The updated design will be shared via email for the Board to approve. The Board discussed options for a bike shop to sponsor the shirt, perhaps adding the bike shop logo to the sleeve or back, as well as ideas for the Traverse City Trails Fest tee-shirt and the goal to design an Iceman shirt also.
Financials:
Kim provided the Board with financials completed through May; June is still being processed.
The general fund stood at $33,382.08 as of the end of May.
2025 Form 990-EZ was presented for executive committee review and approval via email June 26; will need approval to e-file prior to the November extended due date.
Kim discussed a May 14 PayPal transfer for $80 that was deducted from the general checking account. Kim will dispute this as she has no information that references what this was for, including in the NMMBA PayPal account.
The Board also discussed debit cards, authorized check signers and the need to have a Board resolution for Huntington Bank to add a debit card for Mike Walters.
Operations Admin. Updates:
John Roe discussed getting new/renewed membership packets caught up and sent out to 187 members. John said he would work on merging lists to avoid duplicate entries that occur when some members renew. John also stated that the auto renewal feature was operational again.
Grants:
Tim Pulliam discussed a grant application related to land currently owned by Traverse City Light and Power. This 52-acre parcel is located between the Commons and Hickory Hills.
Chapter Updates:
TCTN:
The following updates were discussed:
The next meeting with Corbin Design for the VST-B trail network wayfinding design and development will be July 13 to approve the concept.
Supply Rd VST Trailhead – the seating area by the fire pit is complete. The board discussed the addition of wood chips and perhaps solar lights also.
Wood chips may be provided by Sunset Tree Service. If they can provide, they will be recognized as an event sponsor.
Currently working with Keen Technical Solutions on the solar lighting plan.
Trail walk was held July 7 at Greilick park to harmonize the connector trail with the disc golf and walking trails.
Weekly meeting proposed with the Brownbridge Advisory Work Group to design trails in newly purchased and closed city property. Exact dates are not yet set up, but preliminary trail design is underway.
Trail Development Proposals:
Colin O’Brien will lead a dedicated workgroup to facilitate the submission of the Wasa (Westwoods) DNR trail development proposal.
Matt Tomlinson, a Lake Ann resident, also reached out with a trail proposal project he has been working on that could align with the current project that is currently in motion. Mike advised him to contact the township, Lake Ann, and the DNR regarding this proposal.
Cadillac:
Michele provided this update.
The trail is mostly complete. Contractors will come out to finish some berm work to the trail. She is also working with the DNR on mapping on the east side.
Bike Leelanau:
Chad indicated that a donation was received and that work was progressing on the Provemont Pond trail. Once that trail is completed it will be added to the NMMBA website.
Progress on Braman Hill is coming along. Still moving forward.
Glacial:
John spoke with Curtis Myers regarding winter grooming. Brooke Ruble is still the NMMBA Rep.
John Roe will develop a budget for Glacial, Cadillac and Palmer Woods, who will do the following for winter trails:
Promote the purchase of grooming badges via our social media accounts and email distribution list
Track NMMBA expenses (e.g. gas purchases) on the shared expense log
Provide timely grooming reports via email to Glacial team for inclusion in the regular grooming reports to badge holders
Evaluate usage of a grooming tracking system
Glacial team may want to use the barn for summer storage of sleds and drags; NMMBA would have them maintained
Maintenance Barn:
Work is progressing; the shell is up.
Vasa Bike Park:
No new updates were submitted
Traverse City Trails Fest:
The following TCTF updates were discussed and John Roe suggested a TCTF committee meeting so progress could be discussed in greater detail rather than taking up so much of the Board meeting for this discussion. No date has been set yet for this meeting.
Sponsorships were updated and Alex Primeau will make some follow-up calls to line up additional sponsors. Kim White did 2026 updates on the budget tab of the workbook.
Liquor License application has been submitted by Brian Pugh
Permits are required from the township, fire department, and county; John Roe and Brian Pugh are handling. The DNR permit has been submitted.
Norte Communication and race partnership management new point person. (Alex)
Rob Meendering scheduled (Heath)
Course Marking signs to be ordered (JR)
Emcee(s) and music? (JR)
Kids course and registration- Alex Primeau will serve as coordinator for this one specifically set to close midnight before the race. The board discussed changes to the age ranges for the kids races and finding a sponsor for the kids’ race.
Kids arrows - animals?
Finish line archway? John Roe to communicate with Raymond to confirm
The Board discussed improvements/recommendations from the 2025 race and concluded to offer beer tokens and hats for volunteers. Chad to talk to Daylight about the hats for the volunteers. Other items to address include a first aid provider(s) on site, race recovery table at finish line, and food trucks.
With registration numbers lower than at this time a year ago, discussion centered on raising those numbers. Maybe provide links to TCTF on other MORC race sites. More to follow.
Winter Trails:
The board discussed our fat bike race involvement for 2027 Vasa events including the low turnout for winter races.
John Roe and Mike Walters need to discuss which trails to be groomed and conclude that DNR approval is not necessary.
Shop/Community Rides:
The MNCR has been a big hit with not only the normal riders but with new faces every week. This past Monday we had four large groups, and lots of smiling faces! The Board discussed having more representation from our bike shops and ideas for a poster that could be at trail and/or bike shops advertising the weekly ride.
LMB/MMBA:
John Roe discussed the upcoming October MMBA meeting which will be held at Timber Ridge. LMB may use the barn for opener and perhaps the NMMBA tent for registration. John will see if Doug Schultz could speak on wayfinding. There are other great topics being planned. The summit will cost $100-150/person.
Commons Bike Park:
The agreement between NMMBA and Garfield Twp for the Phase I trail section rebuild has been reviewed by legal advisors for both parties. NMMBA stakeholders have reviewed and approved the current language. The board shall review the proposed agreement and execute it if approved. MOU needs to be to Garfield Township for their approval by Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Hickory Hills:
The design-build contract is currently out for bids.
Old Business:
Exec Committee to discuss refinement of future Treasurer responsibilities vs engaging in paid accountant services (e.g. payroll administration, tax filing, monthly balance sheet reviews, periodic financial audits and annual budgets
Urgent needs for Club Express?
Board Profile updates to be done this month! The form should be submitted to exec_comm@nmmba.net.
New Business:
TCLP 52 Acre proposal (Tim Pulliam). See Grants.
August 15th Chicken Leg 100 event from Short’s (Logans) Landing – this fundraiser is for the first section of professionally built trail at the Commons. Chad made the following motion: This motion is made to approve the liquor license application for the Chicken Leg 100 event
to be held on August 15th, 2026, from Short’s (Logans) Landing. Heath seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The August Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 @ 6:30pm at TC Mill Works 2351 Aero-Park Ct, Traverse City MI 49686 .
With that the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Submitted by
Margarete Wanley, Secretary