Gallatin County, MT - June 20, 2007

June 20, 2007


	Gallatin County DUI Task Force Minutes June 20, 2007 Al Stiff Professional Building 2^nd Floor meeting room 5:30 to 7:00 PM Members: Bob Larson, Chairperson Stephen Scott, Vice Chair, Secretary Susan Wordal, City Prosecutor’s Office Shanda Smith, Citizen Volunteer Hal Richardson, Bozeman PD Force Tolar, MSU PD Christina Crow, Citizen Volunteer Becky Johnson, Citizen Volunteer Jenna Caplette, Coordinator Guests Heidi Donaldson, MSU Health Promotion, Community Alcohol Coalition Kezia Vernon, Cat Cab MSU Absent: E. J. Clark, Belgrade PD Alex Fuller, Sheriff’s Office Matthew Lowy, County Attorney’s Office Jonathan Cook, Three Forks Marshall’s Office Jeff McRae Manhattan PD Cherie Lofton, MHP Minutes from May 16, 2007 Susan motioned to approve the minutes from May 16, 2007. Shanda seconded the motion. Approved. New Business Introductions and updates Hal Richardson described a DUI traffic stop that was covered in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. The individual who was stopped refused to cooperate and the case is still pending. A discussion was held about funding misdemeanor probation. Susan explained to Task Force members that misdemeanor probation needs more, and permanent funding. A grant for this program would not be beneficial, as it would only cover one year. In this conversation it was also noted that BAC levels are not always written on citations, which makes it difficult for processing statistics. Hal and Force noted that this information is not printed on the citations they use. Contacting Court Services regarding testing Pre-Trial inmates was also discussed. Other Business Officers The following nominations for officers were reviewed by Task Force Members; Stephen Scott: Chairperson Christina Crow: Vice-Chair/Secretary Force Tolar: Treasurer Susan motioned to accept these nominations. Shanda seconded the motion. All members voted in favor to accept the nominations of new officers. Motion carried. Fiscal 2008 Plan Copies of the 2008 plan were passed out to all members, reviewed and discussed. Susan motioned to approve. Christina seconded. All members voted in favor to accept the 2008 Fiscal Plan. Motion carried. Marketing Signage along the Madison River Copies of sign choices and pricing were distributed to the Task Force Members. Discussion was held. Large sign was chosen with DUI Task Force logo and website included. Cherie Lofton has sign placement planned. Susan motioned to purchase four signs at $145.00 per sign, for a total of $580.00. Force seconded the motion. All members approved the purchase of four signs. Motion carried. July 4^th Shanda brought several samples of posters we can use for July 4^th campaign. After review of the posters a selection was made for “Don’t celebrate our freedom in handcuffs”. The poster has a picture of an officer placing and individual under arrest with fireworks in the background. The Task Force will print 100 copies of the poster and Minor in Possession Community Service youth will post them around town. County Fair Advertising Discussion was held as to if we should purchase advertising in the brochure that is given to all fair entrants. It was the general consensus of the group that since alcohol is sold at the fair it would not be the best tool for marketing. Instead Jenna will find out if we can place posters we already have at the fair that clearly state our mission. Finances Stephen Scott is preparing a grant request with the State Highway Traffic Safety Bureau to purchase four Visual Trial systems. Each system will consist of a computer, projector, and software. The systems will be used by the County and City Prosecuting Attorneys for DUI Trials. The approximate cost will be $12,000.00. The grant is to be submitted by June 30, 2007. Mini-Grants ADSGC has withdrawn their request for a mini-grant. Kezia Vernon from ASMSU Cat Cab-Streamline has asked for $3000.00 for the 2007-2008 year to cover costs of running bus service Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 9:30 PM to 2:30 AM. Susan moved to approve this $1000 additional on top of the $2000 already in the Task Force budget. That $1000 would be paid from either or both of the 2007/2008 fiscal year, depending on what remains in the Task Force budget. Stephen seconded the motion. All members were in favor. Motion carried. Heidi Donaldson from Community Outreach, MSU Health Promotion (Community Alcohol Coalition) has applied for a mini-grant in the amount of $1650.00 for the printing of brochures and mailing expense. The brochure will addresses ways community members can best respond to DUI and other alcohol-related problems. For example, what should a citizen do if they come across a possible drunk driver, or how to handle a large party complaint. This will increase campus and community awareness of how to best respond to alcohol-related harm. 11,000 brochures will be distributed throughout the community via water bills and on campus. The brochure will educate community members on the appropriate steps to take when encountering a drunk driver and other alcohol related problems. Susan motioned to authorize as the budget allows in either or each of the 2007/2008 fiscal years. Stephen seconded. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.