Grand Mesa Nordic Council (GMNC)

Board Meeting

July 15, 2026

Zoom

Board Members Present: Abe Herman, Marguerite Tuthill, Tom Ela, Christine Noel, Dan Tille, Susie Attaway, Marilyn Kastens, and Tom Scillaci 

Staff Present: Christie Aschwanden

Guests: No guests were in attendance

Abe Herman called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm.

• Public Comment Period. No guests were in attendance to make public comments.

• Approval of Minutes from Last Board Meeting. After a few minor changes, the June 17, 2026, Board Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously.

• Executive Director (ED) Report. Christie provided her written ED report in the Board packet and, as planned, did not present it to the board. A few general comments were made instead:

1. Abe will put the draft Search & Rescue Memorandum of Understanding on the GMNC Google Share drive for folks to review.
2. Christie mentioned that GMNC may be able to build a few trails this year (those not near the logging work), but this is still “to be determined.” 

• Skyway Station Policy and Operations Document. Abe went over the “group norms” for tonight’s meeting to ensure that everyone would be heard. For instance, he asked participants to not interrupt the speaker, but instead, raise their hand. Led adeptly by Abe, the Board discussed numerous topics concerning Skyway Station:

1. Should the Skyway Station Operations Plan be one or two documents? After discussion, the Board agreed that two would be more appropriate, as policies would be separated from procedures. For example, a document on policies could provide liability coverage for some of Christie’s actions dealing with Skyway Station. Policies would need to be approved by the Board before being changed, whereas procedures could be changed without approval of the Board. Abe has already prepared a draft “Skyway Station Governing Policies,” which was then reviewed by the Board. 
2. What does it mean for a volunteer to be trained and authorized? Who should be trained and authorized? For example, should volunteers who handle cash be trained and authorized? Would background checks be needed? The Board decided that Christie, as ED, could make these determinations. 
3. How much money are GMNC staff allowed to spend without Board authorization? Abe could find no documents regulating expenditures in the Google Share drive; that is, he found no official policy for GMNC spending. The Board decided to add a policy concerning Skyway Station expenditures to the Governing Policies document, as follows:

• Budgeted expenses: ED may execute without additional approval.
• Unbudgeted expenses up to $2,500: ED may authorize.
• Unbudgeted expenses between $2,500 – $6,000: Executive Committee approval required.
• Capital expenditures and contracts above $6,000: Full Board approval required regardless of budget status.
• Emergency expenditures: The ED may authorize emergency repairs up to $7,000 to protect life safety or prevent material damage to the building.

1. How often should the computerized access log be reviewed by staff? The Board thought quarterly would be appropriate.
2. Who would be allowed access to the security camera feeds? How long should video data be retained? The Board determined that policies need to be made to address these questions. It was suggested that someone look up best management practices of other boards to find out what they do. Someone suggested retaining video data for 30 days.
3. Can we share video with anyone? The Board recommended that (1) the ED could decide who can review it internally, and (2) the Executive Committee should decide who can review it externally.
4. Shall the ED be the one to approve uses of Skyway Station outside of posted public hours? The Board thought that this would be appropriate. Once approval is given, the ED can also deny or revoke that approval based on safety, weather, staffing, permit, or other operational concerns.
5. Should alcohol use be allowed at Skyway Station? The Board had mixed views but eventually decided to ask an attorney about GMNC’s liability if alcohol were used. Hence, this issue is “to be determined” (TBD).
6. What prohibited uses need to be added to the current list of disallowed uses? The Board suggested adding the following:

• No ski waxing or scraping.
• No amplified sound equipment.
• No animals inside the building except ADA-approved service animals.

1. What would a group or person need to provide the ED to “rent” or use the space? At first, the Board considered not allowing non-GMNC members to rent or use the space, that membership would be required. But then, the Board questioned if the USFS permit would allow GMNC to deny usage based on membership. This issue needs to be discussed with USFS; hence, TBD.
2. The Board discussed signage around the building. Does the USFS logo need to be on the signs? This is another TBD issue.
3. Should a First Aid Kit be available for public use in the Community Space? The Board thought “no,” but thought one should be available in the locked storage area.
4. Abe volunteered to update the “Skyway Station Governance Policies” document based on the Board’s review, and Christie decided she would prepare a procedures document.

• Strategic Planning Scheduling. The Board decided to hold its Strategic Planning Session on Sunday, September 20, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at Skyway Station.

• Next Board Meeting. The next regular Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 19, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom.

The Board adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Kastens, GMNC Secretary