Grand Mesa Nordic Council
Board Meeting
November 19, 2024
Zoom
Board members present: Tom Ela, Dan Tille, Susie Attaway, John Traylor, Ben Graves, and Nike VanArsdale
Board members not present: Marguerite Tuthill, Christine Noel
Staff present: Christie Aschwanden, Hailey Coughlin, and Beth Klein
Guests: Jason Fletcher, John Rankin
Dan Tille called the meeting to order at 6:05pm and read the GMNC mission statement.
- 30 min Public Comment Period. Jason Fletcher presented as a new excited member struggling to get signed-up for lessons; Christie was able to assist him with that. John Rankin, a long-time member and very avid nordic skier commented on trail grooming Opening Weekend. He was/is concerned about trash being blown about the trails with the high winds. Christie and Dan explained the variables around early-season grooming and conditions, the need to be cautious with grooming to avoid damaging equipment on trails with thin early-season snow base. The focus has been on packing down the base rather than surface grooming. More snow is needed before extensive grooming can occur without risk of damage (to equipment and trails). Dan added that obstacles like trees, their debris and rocks are still exposed with only 20 inches of base, limiting grooming options. The goal is to balance grooming with preserving the snow conditions until more accumulation allows for safer, more extensive grooming. John Rankin seemed appreciative of this explanation and was thanked for his significant contribution to the Skyway Shelter Project.
- September & October Minutes. Tom motioned and Nike seconded to approve the September and October minutes with the suggested corrections. Motion passed unanimously.
- Monthly Financials. Christine provided the monthly financials from the new accounting system; her report was included in the Board packet. Due to her absence, John reviewed the newly formatted financial reports. Highlights included the efforts of Christine and Beth in developing these reports; as well as the Y-T-D contributions have increased significantly, particularly around sustaining memberships.
- Executive Director Update. Christie provided her written report in the Board packet. She highlighted that the on-line auction fundraiser had exceeded our goal and commended Hailey for her success with it as well as Opening Weekend. Also updated her fund-raising activities towards the Skyway Station and grant funding, particularly the CPW grant submission. It was submitted in September and waiting for a meeting invitation in January 2025. Christie and Hailey to implement fundraising plan for year-end giving, including emails and social media messaging. Christie shared the web-site service move/particulars that are happening. Tom inquired about potential changes to logins and functionality, with Christie responding that no changes were planned currently. Dan shared his positive experience with the new email system and suggested that it could be beneficial for other board members. Dan and John also spoke of the need for a clinic registration.
- Operations Report. Tigran provided his written report in the Board packet. Since he could not attend, Christie reviewed the grooming operations taking place, noting that all trails at Skyway & County Line are open & groomed, with the exception of Summit & Vista Valley, due to water collection on the upper part of the trail. Dan suggested communicating the trail closures to the public through the grooming report and newsletter. She will update the website grooming report to ask that skiers not ski there yet. There is not enough snow at Ward Trailhead to groom just yet. Tigran is to contact Kassbohrer(sp) for load information needed for solar estimates for Skyway Shelter.
- Volunteer Coordinator Report. Hailey provided her written report in the Board packet. The fund-raiser silent auction raised over $9800, exceeding our goal and Opening Weekend garnered close to $1100 in donations & memberships. She is broadcasting upcoming events over social media & traditional outlets. New GMNC swag is now posted on social media. Hailey mentioned plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving Camp and Winterstart Ski Race. There was also a discussion on the use of thermoses for hot chocolate at the tables with Tom suggesting a propane tank set-up. Wilderness Medicine training for ski instructors will be early December as well as Volunteer Training. Hailey also mentioned the implementation for medical training for ski instructors and the possibility of providing ski instructor jackets.
- Board Presence at Volunteer Tables & Events. Hailey would like board members to staff a membership table at the trail heads at least once over the winter for 1.5 hours and provide cookies/baked goods/snacks at these tables. Sign-up on the Google Docs she is creating. Dan is to email Marguerite and Christine about board commitment to membership tables.
- Skyway Station Update. Dan provided an extensive update on the pre-construction work. Dan and Christie are to schedule a meeting with Bill Edwards to present Skyway Station package. Plans are very close to ready for submission to USFS for 60% and possibly 90% approval; submission by mid-December(12/9?) with the public comment approval initiating in January 2025. Cristi Meade stands behind the construction estimates to date. The building redesign is still in progress; the architect and Tate, with Cristi Meade have not yet value engineered the estimate. Dan will follow-up with Jonathan about firm date for complete package from Chamberlain Architects. Skyway “Sled Shed” for the snowcat is estimated to be approximately $270K. The board discussed the possibility of delaying that cat shed construction, as the Skyway Shelter can be built without this initially since the project can have 5 years to achieve completion & the “Sled Shed” can be added on in that 5-yr. timeframe. It was agreed to move forward with the Forest Service approvals. To date, the funds raised/pledged meet the construction costs of the building with $230K remaining to the finish line. Also discussed was increased fundraising efforts once construction begins.
John motioned to adjourn the meeting, Tom seconded. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 7:27pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Susie Attaway
Board Member