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NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

July 10, 2024

Where/When: 6:30 pm, Acme Township Hall

Wifi login:AcmeGuest2024

Attendees: Tom White, Steve Mentzer, Heath Day, Mike Walters, Tim Reicha, Chad Schut, Chad Jordan, Tim Jenema, Brooke Ruble, Michele Andrews, Kim White, Kate White, Brian Pugh

Guest: 

Absent:  

Mission statement → It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.

Standing Agenda Items:

• June Meeting minutes were approved by email.

• Public Comments: 3 minute time limit

• Financial discussion

  • Interest earning account chat

  • Need for receipt of purchases for EVERYTHING (even chapter account funds)

• Grants:  

  • Did not advance to next round of Impact 100 grant process with TART for 2025 Bartlett trailhead improvement/Vasa Bike Park project 

  • LMB trailblazer grants are being reviewed, John Roe may reach out to provide follow up questions from grant award committee

• Chapter Reports/requests

  • TCTN:

    • DNR has approved the installation of a series of split rail fences at entrance of VST to manage bike traffic entering the parking lot

    • NMMBA has installed the new DNR kiosk.  DNR to install the pay station next to the kiosk.

    • DNR has loaned NMMBA/TCTN 6 TRAFx trail counter units.  Need a person to place/manage units, collect and analyze data, and maintain the units.

    • Need a volunteer to help Pugh with 2024 TCTF awards.  Specifically collecting rocks and finding source to drill holes.

    • Review the VMBA velcro strap yearly membership tags that are mounted on bike.

    • Pavilion to be delivered at the end of August 2024.  Will need to remove a few trees, grade area, drill pier holes, set forms, and find a flat work contractor to pour and finish slab.

    • Changing room items to complete:  metal roof needs to be installed, paint structure, and procure 2 benches.  Current expenditure is $5.6K with an estimate total of $8K

    • TCTN committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday July 23rd at 6:00 PM.  Any suggestions for location?

• TCTF Updates

  • Tom Young, Norte Race Team coach has offered to help with course prep. tom@norteyouthcycling.org

  • Trail Marking and maintenance crew

    
    

• Shop rides: First shop/NMMBA ride of the summer was July 1 at the VST featuring CIty Bike Shop.  Board Member and CIty Bike Shop.   Final count of riders, 61 total.  Board members present were Kate White, Mike Walters, Tom White and Chad Schut. Post-ride festivities included some cold beverages, brats and skillet green beans-bacon-mushrooms.   I chatted with the group about what NMMBA has accomplished over the last couple of years: expanded parking lot, new pit-toilet, changing rooms and future pavilion.  Tom discussed the backcountry mapping of marked and unmarked singletrack and its significance.  Kate discussed the importance of membership and availability to become a member at the event using the QR Code.  Demographics: majority of riders were CBS affiliated.  A few from Intrepid Cycling.  Some non-shop affiliated riders.  Jorden Wakeley, Kyan Olshove and Heather Compton were present to spice up the sport-level ride. Ha!  All in all, it was a successful awareness and communication campaign.  Many thanks to Tom for gathering the CBS team and providing refreshments and presence of board members.  

The next Shop Ride will be the middle to end  of July.  In the process of confirming bike shops/cycling companies.  

• Commons:6/26Met with Commons committee to walk the proposed parking lot - main trail connector. Quotes for machine built MTB trail builder are being bid with hand shaped finishing to be by NMMBA/Commons MTB groups. GFA to meet for GIS surveying 7/16.

• Hickory Hills:  

• Vasa Bike Park:  

• NMMBA Winter trails committee update: Trail improvements are being made at monthly trail bees to improve safety and improve fun on the main WST.  

• Bike Leelanau

• Cadillac Pathway Update:

• Glacial Hills

  • 430 volunteer hours of trail maintenance work to date

  • 289 volunteer hours of invasive team work to date

  • Work continues on emergency services signage for two tracks 

  • The new website is live! (Personally, would love anyone’s feedback on it) 

  • New additional parking at Vandermark is getting a lot of use

  • Working on a plan for additional parking for Orchard Hills lot to take place this fall or spring 2025. 

  • Patrick + Paul have full access to the new Bank Acct now - thank you Kim + Tim! This gives us much better visibility. Paul will be keeping a google spreadsheet for this account here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FG6Ka0z9inDLJ-FER62kBcwC1NYWIgTSy09WRbxG9F0/edit?usp=sharing

Old Business:

• Primal team store finalized; merch ordered to hit MOQ and to sell at TCTF/Iceman Expo

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• Sock order from DeFeet received; currently in storage unit

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New Business:

• TC Area/GTC trail alliance 

  • Brian and Tim were invited and attended introductory meeting, Monday, July 8 at the TART office

  • Included CCCC, TART, TCTC,LMB  and Norte (not present), discussed adding Leelanau and GT Regional Land Conservancy, and possibly Groundwork

  • Goals are advocacy and communication streamlined across like minded orgs to impact positive non motorized safety and connections

  • NMMBA interested in staying involved?

    • Who for executive committee and/or working committee (member or board member

  • Could NMMBA help with seed funding (initial expenditure  ideas; communication, outreach, and education)

  • Visioning Statement related to alliance

August Board of Directors meeting: Wednesday, August 13, 6:30pm, Acme Township Office