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Gallatin County DUI Task Force
Members
Force Tolar, Sheriff’s Office
Hal Richardson, Bozeman PD
Jeremy Ewan, MSU PD
Cherie Lofton, MHP, Chair
Shanda Smith, citizen member, City/County Health
Stephen Scott, citizen member
Jeff McRae, Manhattan PD
Bob Larson, citizen member
Susan Wordal, City Attorney’s Office
Jason Karls, ADSGC
Robert Larson, citizen member
Jenna Caplette, Coordinator
Guests:
Tom Schwartz, NPS
Constantine Vorobetz, GCSO/Misdemeanor Probation
Terry Dutro, Bozeman Deaconess
Richard Monahan, First West Insurance
Mark Allen, KMMS Radio, Gap West Broadcasting
Richard Gale, Community Alcohol Coalition
Introductions
Public Comment: Richard Gale shared an interesting article from Silverbow County on installing boots on vehicles. He wondered who pays for them.
Minutes from January: Motion to approve January minutes by Susan, Stephen second. Minutes approved.
New Business
- Jenna showed two portfolios, one with resources about the DUI Task Force, including by-laws and the legislation that created Task Forces, an expense report and the meeting agenda. Another that shows this year’s marketing projects. Both were suggested by Susan.
- Membership drive: Jenna introduced visitors to the meeting who are considering membership, Richard Monahan from First West Insurance, Mark Allen from KMMS radio and Terry Dutro from Bozeman Deaconess. Terry shared a book she finds useful for leading change, “Influencer, The Power to Change Anything,” and offered to buy it for any Task Force members who would like a copy. She gave Jenna a copy.
- Guest speaker: Constantine Vorobetz presented his experience of the use of interlocks in misdemeanor probation. There are problems with interlock use. He prefers the SCRAM device, used by Court Services. Misdemeanor probation itself requires no drinking for offenders and monitors that with random checks. It has a caseload of 60 to 70 offenders. Constantine would like a fuller case load and needs support from the judges in terms of sentencing offenders to misdemeanor probation. He also needs additional funding for overtime for staff to do checks.
- Task Force Chair: Cherie is willing to continue as chair. Bob made a motion to approve, unanimous approval.
- Updates from Jenna
- Hopa Mountain Board Training, March 26, 27. Only $35. Jenna would like to see members attend in order to have a common basis for improving how the Task Force works together.
- March 12th, call with NHTSA to answer their questions about the Task Force.
- April 14, 15, State DUI Task Force meeting in Helena. The state will pay for two to attend. Jenna suggested if anyone else would want to attend that the Task Force could pay their expenses. The more who can attend, the better.
- Shared photo of food “baskets” distributed on New Year’s Eve to Belgrade PD, Law and Justice Center, MSU PD, and 911. Cost just under $100 and came out of budget for food for meetings.
- Permission to move ahead on requesting a volunteer from RSVP, tabled.
- Agenda from Missoula DUI Task Force meeting. This Task Force meets quarterly and makes their meetings more of an event, with good media coverage. They even serve lunch for members.
- Swimming Upstream Awards. Jenna requested help for set up and clean up.
- Needs stats from Three Forks in order to finish 2009 DUI citation totals for the county.
- Requested each member fill out three things they most like that the Task force has done in the past year and three things that would be useful that haven’t been done.
- Bob presented on the Super Bowl pizza flyers. He gave 125 to each of four businesses. Jenna sent out a press released to the Chronicle with DUI arrest stats from Bozeman PD for the Super Bowl Weekend, thanking the participating businesses. She was not able to get Belgrade stats and will send a release without those. Also Tweeted an appreciation message over several days. Many local media are followers on Twitter.
- St Patrick’s Day advertising. The group approved $250 for a campaign similar to that approved for Super Bowl. Jenna reminded the group that over the past year, the investment in ads in The Bozone have been outside the budgets for these special ad campaigns.
Finances
- Jenna passed out the county’s January expenditure summary report. The budget is looking good in all categories. All expenses are also entered in to Quickbooks in order to generate more detailed and up-to-date reports. Getting Quickbooks required special permission from the county. It is not to be used for reconciling. It does allow us to access several years of data entry.
- Mini-grants
- Jenna requested approval of $1700 for Scott Lanzon to attend the Lifesavers Conference in Philadelphia. His registration for the conference was approved at a prior meeting. He has agreed to present on what he learned at the April 21st meeting. Jason moved for approval, Stephen seconded. Unanimous approval.
- Mini-grant for safety checks for the National Park Service. In the past the checks have netted about one impaired driving each, along with several other traffic violations. Request for $3000 will be used for 4 safety checks to be held on Highway 191 within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. Press releases are sent out a couple days before each check to alert the public. Mini-grant approved, unanimous.
- Mini-grants for the Community Mediation Center and Adolescent Resource Center tabled until the ability to work on underage alcohol issues is clearly given by the County Attorney. Jenna said the County Attorney has given permission for these projects. The Task Force requested clear confirmation of that.
- Bob Larson wants to know if we can fund an after prom party. What are the parameters of the Task Force’s ability to fund projects related to the prevention of underage drinking?
- In regards to the opportunity to fund compliance checks though a grant from the state, there was also concern about the Task Force’s ability to move forward with that project pending firm approval from the County Attorney. Jenna said she has that approval but the Task Force requested clear confirmation from the County Attorney.
Cherie announced a request for the Task Force to hold an executive session meeting. She will be in touch with members to arrange that.
7:10 PM, Bob motioned to adjourn.
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