Montana Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
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Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2002
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Cowan Hall Conference Room 210
300 W 11th Street
Havre, Montana
1. Call to Order
Chairman Dal Smilie called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. Present at the meeting were MMSAC members Anita Drews-Oppedahl, Michele Hand, Ken Conrad, and Dal Smilie. Also present were Doug Tyrrell, MMRS Director, Michele Calvert, Program Coordinator, and Sandy Jappe, Administrative Assistant from MSU-Northern.
2. Minutes of March 13, 2002 Meeting
The minutes of the meeting of March 13, 2002 were corrected and not acted upon. Michele H. gave Sandy the corrections to the minutes from the previous last three meetings.
3. Wrap-Up of 2002 Season
3.1 2002 Season Report
Michele C. gave an overview of the 2002 training season numbers and provided detailed handouts about the program performance highlighting the number of classes offered and the number of students trained from 1999 to 2002 along with student outcomes, general information, and military performance. Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety offered 101 classes (down 3% over 2001) and enrolled a record breaking 1129 students (up 22% over 2001). Classes were held in Billings, Bozeman, Conrad, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula.
3.2 Funding
Discussion was held regarding the funding for the 2002 season and Dal was concerned as to whether or not enough money was being taken in to sufficiently operate the program. It was stated that 100% of Doug and Michele C.’s salaries come out of the Motorcycle Safety index, along with 25% of Sandy’s salary. The indirect costs paid to MSU-Northern has increased from $604.17 per month to $1,000 per month. It was commented that the BRC & ERC class tuition would be increased for the 2003 training season. Michele H. requested to receive the number of motorcycle registrations for the last three years.
3.3 Site Issues in Helena and Billings
Discussion was held regarding the training sites in Helena and Billings. Helena would like to use chalk paint instead of permanent paint on their range area, but the Helena site is too new of a site to be permanent at this point. Ken remarked about students not seeing these marks. Doug said that he would get more cones down in Helena. It was mentioned that the pick-up with trailer is in Helena parked at the gravel lot east of the Rocky Mountain Training Services for use.
Ken stated to keep the range standard with the range cards.
4. Summary of SMSA Conference in Boise, ID
Doug, Michele C., and Michele H. attended the SMSA National Traffic Safety Conference held August 15-17 in Boise, Idaho this year. Each person reported on certain things that they enjoyed most about the conference. Such things included very informative breakout sessions, workshops, and demonstrations along with meeting new people. Doug served on the BRC Panel Discussion.
5. Legislature
Discussion was held regarding House Bill 124 and how to keep up-to-date with current actions taking place regarding the bill. Concerns regarding the bill were technical corrections and defenses to the bill. Anyone who receives information on committee work regarding HB 124 should email it to all members and any financial information should be given to Michele C.
6. Grants
Melody Bentz, Grant Writer at MSU-Northern will research and look into sources that could assist the Motorcycle Safety Program. Michele C. will assist her with any supporting materials that she may need.
7. 2003 Training Season
7.1 Planning
Michele C. commented that planning for the upcoming 2003 season is underway. Fourteen new classes for the 2003 season have been added and Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety plans to train approximately 1200 students during the 2003 season.
7.2 Tuition Increase
Michele C. discussed the tuition increase to go into effect for the 2003 training season. The BRC tuition will increase from $110 to $120 and the ERC tuition from $40 to $60. Tuition for Malmstrom personnel wil also increase this season.
7.3 Malstrom Issue
Must be aware that if war occurs, this site for motorcycle safety classes can close down at any time. It was mentioned to look for a new site location in the Great Falls area in case of this happening.
8. Other
8.1 Classes in North Dakota
Discussion was held regarding joint-training options with surrounding states, such as North Dakota. We could advertise to Glendive students to take classes here. Issues were discussed on how registering for these classes at this location would occur.
8.2 Examiners at Each Site
Discussion was held about the possibility of finding a way to have motorcycle safety instructors certified to perform the duties of a driver’s licensing examiner or hiring an examiner to give the written test after each BRC class. Holding these classes would allow for one stop shopping if it was made available to our students to learn the skills, take the riding test, and have an examiner at each location to give the written test. It was discussed that the written test could be administered by the examiner for two hours on Sunday after the class is over, possibly contracted for $50 at each location. Further discussion was held as to if this option would further benefit the program and if other states were doing this along with union issues. Michele C. will look into the cost of this, Anita will look at the work rules, and Doug will check on other sites that are currently doing this.
8.3 Instructor Preparation
Instructor Preparation is scheduled to be held in Great Falls on June 5-8 and June 12-15. Twelve people have been selected to attend from different areas.
9. Member Reports
9.1 Draft Policy/License Plates
Michele H. reported on the Motor Vehicle Standards draft policy and license plates. Discussion was held on these two issues.
9.2 Instructors
Ken reported that communication has improved tremendously. His two major concerns were stand-bys and ranges. Discussion was held.
9.3 Other
Discussion was held regarding the parking lot at MSU-Northern used for safety training for the Havre area. Doug and Michele C. are looking at the option of training students out at the airport.
A Motorcycle Safety Celebration Open House will be held today, November 7, at 2:30 pm in Donaldson Commons for the public to see what Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety is all about and to meet instructors and the advisory board.
10. Next Meeting Date
The Committee discussed meeting again in late April. The Chairman will set the next meeting date.
11. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
