Grand Mesa Nordic Council

Board Meeting

October 14, 2025

Zoom

Board members present: Tom Ela, Abe Herman, Susie Attaway, Marguerite Tuthill, Marilyn Kastens, John Traylor, Christine Noel, and Nike VanArsdale

Board members not present: Ben Graves 

Staff present: Christie Aschwanden and Beth Klein

Guests: John Rankin, Dan Tille

Abe Herman called the meeting to order at 6:02pm.

1. 30 min Public Comment Period. John Rankin asked whether our reserve funds would be used to cover the Skyway Station. Abe clarified no reserves are being used for skyway station but the reserve funds may provide an interfund loan. The board has reserved funds for purchasing a new cat.

1. Minutes. Tom moved and John seconded to approve the September minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

1. Skyway Station Construction Progress Report. Dan provided an update on Skyway Station construction progress. A recent photo of progress was included in the board packet. Board and guests asked a couple questions on the process and different parts of the building being worked on at the moment.

1. Fundraising Progress Report. Dan provided an update on Skyway Station fundraising progress. The Committee is getting very close to achieving the full fundraising goal.

1. Monthly Financials & Treasurer’s Report. Christine provided the monthly financials report that was included in the Board packet. She is thrilled with the status of the organization’s financials at this point in the year. John will compile and share the investment report with the Board in a couple weeks.

1. Executive Director Report. Christie provided her written report in the Board packet. She reviewed highlights of the following:

Operations Team Meeting – Christie met with the Ops Team this morning and is feeling confident in the team for the coming season. The Team is getting machines ready for the coming snow.

Grants Update – Delta County did purchase a fuel cube for GMNC. Cristee-Meade is working on getting it delivered. Christie has been working on multiple grant submissions.

New Trails Project – Christie is working on getting a meeting with USFS to discuss the new trails project and move the project forward. She needs this meeting to occur to finalize the proposal submission.

Staffing Update – Christie is interviewing intern candidates and is optimistic she will find a good fit.

Web Update – Christie is working on updating the GMNC webpage. It’s an involved project but it should be ready to be published in a few weeks.

1. Board Discussion: Sponsored Snow Reports. Christie introduced her idea to use local businesses to sponsor the report. However, she recommends an annual sponsor to decrease the admin burden on the Ops Team. It would be a banner on the webpage. The Board asked questions and discussed potential sponsorship costs, pros and cons, etc. Christie will continue exploring this and decide how she would like to proceed.

1. Board Discussion: GORP Act Sign-on Letter. Abe took a temperature check of the Board regarding signing on to the GORP Act letter. Tom motioned for GMNC to sign the GORP letter, Susie seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

1. Other Business. 

Board Meeting Scheduling – Christine requested the Board set upcoming meeting dates. Meeting will still be 6-8p. The winter meetings will all be via Zoom.

• November 19
• December 17
• January 21
• February 18

Abe Update – Abe shared he is accepting the Executive Director role of Friends of Youth and Nature.

The Board adjourned at 7:29pm. The Board will next meet on November 19 via Zoom.

Respectfully submitted,

Marguerite Tuthill

Secretary