Gallatin County DUI Task Force
Members
Stephen Scott, Chair
Alex Fuller, GCSO
Bob Larson, Citizen Volunteer
Jeff McRae, Manhattan PD
Becky Johnson, Citizen Volunteer, ADSGC
Cheri Lofton, MHP
Thomas Bonnell, MSU PD
Hal Richardson, Bozeman PD
Christina Crow, Citizen Volunteer
Jenna Caplette, Coordinator
Guests
Kezia Vernon, Director ASMSU Community Outreach
Absences
Susan Wordal, City Attorney
Shanda Smith
January Round table meeting approved: Jeff McRae motion; Cheri Lofton second. Motion passed.
Introductions, Announcements
The Task Force website seems to show up high in searches for DUI Task Forces. The PIRE is doing a research project for NHTSA on DUI Task Forces and ours was one of the first they found. Jenna put them in touch with the state, and then recently did a telephone interview with them about our work. They are looking for five Task Forces to profile for their study.
Other people find our website who are looking to set up DUI Task Forces and Jenna connects them with people at the state.
New Business
Discuss updating bylaw membership details to remove Three Forks MHP membership position and adding a permanent voting position for an ASMSU representative. Bob Larson motion, Jeff McRae second. Motion passed.
Swimming Upstream Awards Nominations distributed, suggestions invited.
Ed Blackman, the county fiscal officer, helped Jenna compile graphic charts to illustrate April/May 2006 DUI research data. Jenna distributed charts and asked for input on possible text to accompany them when posted to the website. She was particularly interested in the number of offenders who pled guilty – unusual in itself – then ended up in contempt of court because they did not enroll in ACT. The group discussed how that might happen, including sentencing guidelines, statutes, and their effectiveness and practical application.
Stephen briefly discussed the Bozeman Chronicle Guest Editorial he is writing that will use 2007 arrest statistics and support Late night Streamline service and the benefit to the community and ease of labor for police/MHP officers.
New Statewide Task Force Association is being formed. The association will address policy issues. Their first meeting will be in Great Falls in March. The date for that meeting is pending. Lonie Hutchinson, the Missoula DUI Task Force Coordinator, is in charge of coordinating things for state Task Forces now.
Donate trailer from Bronco to Road Department, Jeff McRae motion; Cheri Lofton second. Motion passed.
Hal Richardson talked with the group about an arrest he made of an offender with 18 DUI prior DUIs. The offender has accumulated violations throughout the U.S., was a revoked and habitual offender out on parole for a 10 year sentencing in MT. Stephen would like to see us have information on multiple offenders in the state. .
Old Business
Marketing report
Bob Larsen contacted pizza companies about how the Super bowl pizza box toppers promotion went. He was not able to get feedback about how the promotion went, or if they got feedback from their customers. The promotion was clearly valuable in terms of the press coverage it received, both from the Chronicle and Channel 7 News.
The group discussed a St. Patrick’s Day marketing effort as well. Jenna presented on an opportunity to market with Obvious Ads. We could place our ads in bars. Stephen would like to have us include a pitch for use of Late Night Streamline.
We also discussed creating posters for St. Patrick's Day. Kezia thought the Late Night Streamline might be able to run on St. Patrick's Day and we could use their logo/graphic to promote the bus system on those posters.
Bob Larson motioned to allot $400 on Obvious Advertising, Cheri Lofton seconded. Motion passed. No action was taken on the St. Patrick's Day posters.
Jenna presented on a spring group ad opportunity with Bozeman Daily Chronicle. The opportunity will include 6 ads over the course of the year at $20 each. Jeff McRae motioned to . approve, Bob Larson seconded, motion passed.
Cherie said the river take out sings are approved and will be posted soon. The problem with our signs was the color and format.
Need new secretary for meeting note taking, and a new treasurer. Kezia currently taking the notes. Tabled for discussion at the next meeting.
Stephen Scott commented on pursuing state-wide essay contest. Potentially meeting with local high schools for promoting essay contest their with a scholarship opportunity. Christina is quite interested in this project and she and Stephen will discuss how to move forward with it. The award could be given at the 2009 Swimming Upstream Awards and the winning essays published in the Upstream program. This topic will stay on the agenda until we have a firm plan.
Finances
Jenna handed out an updated budget and mini grant fund spreadsheet. The group will need to reconsider their original fiscal 2008 budget, especially to increase the budget for marketing. The funds are there in the Task Force account to accommodate those changes and we do not need formal action with the county to make those kinds of changes, as long as we stay within the total budget allowance.
Jenna reported that a formal sublease with MADD sublease is complete.
The DUI Task Force “surprise” funds from the unclaimed funds check in the amount of $9744
has been deposited in our account. Jenna suggested the group consider helping to fund compliance checks county wide. She'll do research on what that might cost.
Jenna introduced the possibility that the Task Force may need to purchase it's own laptop computer – mostly for adhering to county policy about computer use. A laptop with a four year warranty purchased through the county would cost a maximum of $2,000. There are some other possible solutions that would not require that purchase and the topic is being pursued within the county IT Department. A firm proposal will be made at the March meeting.
Jenna also told the group that it would be good to consider a conference beside the MADD Conference. She wonders if she will get continued value from attending the MADD Conference and she suggested the Task Force revisit the value of the National Lifesavers Conference held each spring.
Promotional bookmark for the SO. Discussion of the best message to try tabled for the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned 7 PM.
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