Grand Mesa Nordic Council

Board Meeting

May 13, 2026

Bill Heddles Recreation Center, Delta, CO

Board members present (in person): Tom Ela, Abe Herman, Susie Attaway, Marguerite Tuthill, Marilyn Kastens, Nike VanArsdale, Ben Graves, and John Traylor (by Zoom)

Board members not present: Christine Noel

Staff present: Christie Aschwanden, Tigran Bailey

Guests: Tom Scilacci, Dan Tille

Abe Herman called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm.

1. 30 min Public Comment Period. The guests made no public comments.

1. Minutes. After a minor correction was made to the spelling of an individual’s name, a motion to approve the April 2026 minutes was passed unanimously.

1. Election of New Board Members. Two new spots on the Board are now available, as John and Nike have completed their terms and will no longer serve. Thank you for your service John and Nike! Dan Tille and Tom Scilacci were nominated to serve one-year terms as new board members. Additionally, current board members Tom Ela and Susie Attaway were re-elected to serve two-year terms. The Board approved these changes unanimously. 

1. Election of New Officers. Abe and Marguerite agreed to share the responsibility of co-chairing the Board, and Marilyn volunteered to take over as secretary. The Board approved these changes unanimously. Abe noted that he and Marguerite would be preparing GMNC policies for issues that are currently not covered by the by-laws.

1. Discussion of Finance Committee Composition. The board agreed to continue with the current membership, which includes Abe, Marguerite, Christine, Susie, and Executive Director Christie, and to add Dan Tille due to his involvement with Skyway Station. Susie raised the idea of keeping outgoing member John Traylor on the committee in an advisory capacity, which John accepted on an as-needed basis. It was clarified that newly elected Secretary Marilyn is not required to attend Finance Committee meetings.

1. Executive Director Update. Christie provided the ED Updater report, which is also on the GMNC Google Drive. She provided an overview of the upcoming annual report, noting that the organization is finishing the year in an excellent financial position. She highlighted Operations Manager Tigran’s successful management of operational expenses during a challenging, low-snow year. Christie also reported on ongoing communications with the Forest Service regarding Phase 1 of the new trail proposals, expecting a formal decision by the end of June. She noted that while potential alignment with a local logging project is being evaluated, it may introduce logistical delays rather than significant cost savings. When asked a question concerning the USFS permit that GMNC holds, Christie explained that GMNC has a Special Use Permit, not a Ski Area Permit (although we are now eligible for one). The Special Use Permit allows GMNC to have trails, operate Skyway Station, and hold events. She added that GMNC cannot charge a fee for someone to rent Skyway Station, (despite this being a potential source of revenue); however, GMNC is allowed to ask for a donation from users. Lastly, she mentioned that GMNC has applied for a property tax exemption for Skyway Station with Mesa County. The address of Skyway Station is 3019 Hwy 65, Mesa, CO.

1. Operations Update. Tigran noted that out of a 147-day season this year, low snow conditions required snowmobile grooming on 83 days and limited snowcat grooming to just 35 days. He reported that the snowmobiles and snowcat are now inside Skyway Station. Most everything from the container has been moved to the new building, although he still needs to move the buggy. He will continue to work on emptying the container while he begins his summer job for Aspen Ski Co. He noted that he would like to purchase a micro-blaster so he can break up large rocks along the trails.

1. Treasurer Report. Abe presented the financial report, a copy of which is on the GMNC Google Drive, on behalf of Treasurer Christine Noel. For the fiscal year, total revenue decreased slightly by 1.6% compared to the prior year, whereas expenditures dropped significantly by nearly 9%. Consequently, net revenue shifted positively from a near break-even amount last year to over $14,000 in the black this year. The balance sheet remains highly robust, reflecting zero debt and more than $2 million in equity, representing a 26% asset growth from last year. CERF donations totaled $6,193 and will be transferred to the CERF Fund, bringing its balance to nearly $30,000. The finance committee recommended increasing the snowcat replacement reserve by the year’s depreciation amount of $13,000, which will need Board approval. Cash and investments total roughly $103,000 in operating checking, $44,000 in a money market account, and approximately $200,000 held in certificates of deposit.

1. Skyway Station Update. Dan reported that GMNC has $20,000 budgeted for summer construction work associated with the Station. Work will include reclamation activities, fence construction around the solar array, sign installation, rock relocations, metal shutter installation on windows, and road base additions to areas above and below the outdoor staircase. The Board evaluated options to address a building fund deficit caused by late-stage code compliance requirements, which placed the project approximately $27,000 over budget. To cover this overage, the Board discussed borrowing $30,000 from the General Fund and moving it to the Skyway Station Building Fund. The Board approved this process unanimously.

1. MCSO SAR License Agreement Review and Discussion. The board reviewed a draft license agreement intended to grant the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (MCSO SAR) year-round access to the Skyway Station for emergency and training operations. The Sheriff’s Office attorney will review the draft agreement to determine if it’s needed. Board members noted that the agreement must explicitly establish that SAR operations cannot interfere with primary GMNC ski season operations. Additionally, the board requested revisions to a clause requiring the GMNC to maintain post-expiration insurance for several years, proposing instead a standard 12-month window, alongside a requirement naming the GMNC as an additional insured party. Operational logistics regarding automated security codes, lock-box keys, and guidelines preventing excessive data usage on the facility’s cellular-backed internet connection will be finalized by the Building Committee before the contract returns to the Board for a final vote.

1. Other Business. The board confirmed its upcoming summer schedule. The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026. The next regular Board of Directors meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on June 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Following these confirmations, the Board adjourned at 7:50 pm. The Board will meet next on June 17, 2026, at 6:00 pm via Zoom.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Kastens

Secretary