NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 Acme Twp Hall
Board present: Kim White, Mike Walters, Tim Reicha, Tom White, Brian Pugh, Chad Schut, Tim Jenema, Margarete Wanley, Chuck Hathaway, Heath Day(called in), Michele Andrews(called in) and Steve Mentzer.
Board absent: Chad Jordan
Guests: Alex Primeau, John Roe, Andrew Farron and 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 6:35pm.
March meeting minutes were approved online.
Public Comment:
Michele called in from her home and touched on a few issues regarding the Cadillac Pathway(CP).
She asked to be reinstated as the CP representative.
Also, she gave an update as to the CP.
She intends to stay involved through the West Side trail build which has begun. She discussed other projects but intended to file a more detailed report for these minutes.
Alex Primeau was in attendance as he is interested in joining the board and showed willingness to learn the Treasurer’s position.
He gave a brief background. Long time NMMBA member and has volunteered time with Norte as well. Embraces all cycling interests. Gravel, road, mountain, etc.
Andrew Farron was also in attendance. He is on both the Commons and Hickory Hills advisory boards. And has been working with NMMBA on both trail projects.
Trevor Schmitz, former owner of Einstein Cycles, was also in attendance.
He indicated he was willing to assist in Information Technology(IT) issues.
There was no report submitted regarding the Financials and also no report on outstanding(upcoming) Grants.
TimBarn:
A groundbreaking date has been set. It will be Thursday, May 14th at 4 pm.
TCTN:
Brian led this discussion.
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The Michigan DNR just awarded NMMBA a “Partnership Match Program Application” grant for $20K for the VST-B wayfinding project.
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A 2026 grant application for $5K was submitted on March 31 to the Cherry Capital Cycling Club for a solar lighting project at the Supply Rd. VST pavilion.
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In the very near future Amy and Mario Kennedy will send out a sign-up sheet to the NMMBA board and enthusiastic volunteers for the “NMMBA Awareness and Membership Recruitment Days at the VST Supply Rd. Trailhead” that will start in May.
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As soon as the weather gets a little warmer, we will begin installing the benches around the pavilion fire pit area and set the fire ring in place.
As to the $20,000 Partnership Match Program Grant, Brian mentioned how helpful the MIDNR’s Scott Slavin was in securing this.
Brian also mentioned a need to promote the VST- Wayfinding & trail proposal.
He intended to reach out to the DNR for marketing tools and ideas.
Membership and Grooming Badge Support:
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New 2026 member stickers and velcro bands have been purchased and delivered.
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Rachel Decker is no longer able to do membership duties. Need a new person to fill the void ASAP.
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Kwik Print has been approached to see if they could mail out stickers and bands until a new merch director takes over.
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Tim R will submit an expense report to the board.
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Membership numbers stand at 294 currently.
New platforms to coordinate memberships, fundraising and events will be explored. These include Wild Apricot, Neon One and Membership Works.
Merchandise Committee:
Chad J is heading this up.
Shop/Community Rides:
Tom, Chuck and Chad S all contributed to this discussion.
Some details they outlined.
Rides will be held every Monday night at the VST Singletrack. These are community rides so all skill levels are invited.
Posters and other promotional material will be produced and put in all the bike shops. Events will be added to the NMMBA calendar on the website.
The website would alert all to any changes or cancellations.
Potlucks would be another idea to add. Also team tents may be put up.
Even talk of a podcast was brought up.
Rides are slated to begin in May.
Hickory Hills:
Commons:
Andrew also led this discussion.
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Agreement for NMMBA to oversee Phase I (single trail rebuild) has been provided to the Garfield Township Supervisor. Chris Remy pushed the Parks Commission to proceed at their meeting on Monday. Today, Steve Hannon (Planning) has requested a meeting with Andrew Farron, Tim Pulliam, Rachael Roe, Mike Walters, Garfield legal advisor and others (need to schedule). Phase II for 2027 still progressing, $300k contribution from Parks and Rec to be finalized at June budget meeting.
Vasa Bike Park:
Tim J led this discussion.
Tim indicated he will apply for the Grant when that window opens on April 24th. Also anxious to start the Spring work bees.
Winter Trails:
John updated the board on the repair issues and estimates to the 2017 sled that was damaged. It has been determined that it is best to repair the sled as opposed to replacing it.
John also touched on maintenance funds for each Chapter based on percentage of badge sales. The first year would be based on zip codes.
It was suggested that the TC Winter Grooming committee become a part of TCTN. Discussed were budgets, communications, etc.
It was noted that it might be best to streamline these groups so they can better work together and mimic what our other chapters do.
John will produce a document outlining the changes to winter chapters.
LMB/MMBA:
John also updated the board as to what is happening with these organizations.
He noted that there will be an outdoor summit, hosted by the DNR at Timber Ridge September 28 - Oct 1, 2026.
Thursday will be a meet and greet followed by meetings being held on that Friday the 2nd. There will be time allotted for each chapter to speak and also guided rides will be offered. The MMBA meeting will be held at Timber Ridge on October 1st & 2nd, 2026. John will line up someone to speak from NMMBA on our projects, arrange ride leaders and see if we can get beer donated.
Cadillac Pathway:
Michele submitted this update.
Trust Fund Grant:
Missaukee County applied for and was awarded the DNR Trust Fund Grant. With those funds we now have a wide ADA accessible trail that takes you to the Clam River, a complete paved parking lot, bollards in front of the pavilion, and an information kiosk. The kiosk is empty right now, but we will be looking to fill it up with a new mapping system and other information items over the next year.
West Side Trail Build:
The DNR obtained funds to build the west side trail in approximately 2020. It has taken several years of them working through the process to use these funds. In the fall last year the project went out to bid and was awarded to the lowest bidder – DJ McQuestion. The project is being managed by the DNR working with MDOT (state using federal monies).
Over the last few weeks the trail has been flagged and the contractor on Monday April 6th started with tree removal for the path.
There were no new updates from either Bike Leelanau or Glacial Hills.
Old Business:
Staff position.
The board reviewed the job description for the part-time coordinator position.
It was earlier determined that this person would be an employee and not an independent contractor. And would be paid hourly up to 25 hours per week. Hourly compensation discussion mentioned a range of $25 - $30 dollars per hour.
Tim R to handle this going forward.
TCTF:
Mike will step in as race director for this year's race/tour.
Steve to gather insurance certificates for the event.
Brian/Steve to seek out food vendors.
Heath/Chuck will handle volunteer duties, etc.
As noted last month, John handles the course layout.
Margarete will reach out to previous years sponsors for interest in this year's event.
The race, which is part of the MORC series, will be capped at 500 entrants.
MSB:
Mike will have a final meeting with Chris Remy regarding this year's Mud, Sweat and Beers. The ski club will take care of marking the courses.
New Business:
Treasurer’s position.
As noted, Alex was in attendance because he is interested in the Treasurer’s position. He has not committed but will be at future meetings.
Other candidates will be given equal consideration.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at the Acme Twp Hall.
With that the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary