Montana Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
Return to MMSAC Minutes page
Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2004
10:00 AM – 2:10 PM
Library Conference Room
MSU-Northern
300 West 11th Street
Havre, Montana
1. Call to Order
Chairman Dal Smilie called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Present at the meeting were MMSAC members Ladd Paulson, Anita Drews-Oppedahl, Michele Hand, Ken Conrad, and Dal Smilie. Also present were Michele Calvert from the MMRS Office at MSU-Northern; Ray Paige, Off-Highway Education Coordinator from the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks; David Huff, Traffic Education Specialist from the Office of Public Instruction; RiderCoaches Trevor Mikkelson, Joe Mullikin, Bob Shampo, and Kevin Rokey; and Alex Capdeville, Chuck Jensen, Cheri Jimeno, Janice Brady, and Sandy Jappe from MSU-Northern.
2. Minutes of October 18, 2003 Meeting
The minutes of the meeting of October 18, 2003 were approved.
3. Doug Tyrrell’s Resignation
Alex Capdeville, MSU-Northern Chancellor welcomed everyone to campus. He informed everyone that Doug Tyrrell has resigned as Director of Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety effective July 31, 2004 and that Michele Calvert has been appointed as Interim Director effective August 1, 2004. A search for Director will be conducted between now and June 30, 2005 to fill the position. The input from MMSAC members will be taken into consideration.
Concerns were addressed on the search process. Dal commented that he feels Michele Calvert can handle the job as Director and is able to complete these duties. The question was addressed as to if a director was needed to be hired or if possibly other ways could be looked at in filling the position such as having the additional funding put into the Motorcycle Safety Program and having the instructors help out additionally with job duties. Discussion was held and it was concluded that MSU-Northern will determine the needs to the program when conducting the search process. The program is here to serve the students to operate motorcycles safely at the least cost possible.
4. Cooperation with Surrounding States
Discussion was held regarding working with surrounding states. The group feels that this is a good idea particularly in rural areas but that much works needs to be done. Michele C. will be looked at to make contacts in this area to adjoining states. Issues concerning other states completion cards, testing, and military issues were brought up.
5. Discussion of Mr. Shada’s Report
Mr. Shada’s Report was discussed concerning its policies with the relationship to the university. It was mentioned that no huge policy changes would be made without the input of the advisory board. Chuck J. reported that this accident has been the most significant accident claimed so far for workman’s compensation. He also ensured that MSU-Northern is doing everything it can to make sure something like this does not occur in the future by accepting responsibility for administering the program and managing it responsibly, reinforcing policies and through communication.
6. Budget/Financial Report
Michele C. handed out the 2002-2004 Training Season Analysis handout, which was reviewed and discussed.
7. Scooters in the BRC
It was discussed that scooter school is currently being developed. A major problem with scooter training is that there is no consistency in scooters. It could possibly be a separate school or incorporated with the BRC. Instructors wishing to teach scooter school would have to be certified separately from the BRC or ERC training and certain requirements would need to be met. Michele C. mentioned that one BRC class this year did contain one scooter student who was made aware that if the scooter did not fit the curriculum that a bike would need to be used. The scooter did not work well in the class.
8. Dirtbike School
Ray Paige discussed the possibility of including a dirtbike school with the motorcycle program and incorporating these classes with the BRC and ERC classes. Dal mentioned to have Michele C. work with Ray on pursuing dirtbike school. Funding for this must be looked at first.
9. Training Report
Michele C. went over training numbers for the 2004 season. Currently, 1,040 females and 479 males for a total of 1,519 students have registered to take a motorcycle safety class. Right now, 187 classes are scheduled. Michele commented that the classes are filling slower now but she is hoping registration will pick up in August. Dal would like a report printed showing information on students taking classes -- the registered site (city) as well as where the students reside. Discussion was also held on the new Team Oregon curriculum.
10. Group Reports
Michele C. discussed how she would be managing the job duties as Director. She will be looking for assistance from the instructors to help her with moving the motorcycles and trailers and allowing dealerships to perform maintenance on the bikes. Each site is a different situation and she will look at this. She attended the Traffic Ed Conference that was held April 25-27 in Great Falls. She also attended Malmstrom Safety Day in May in Great Falls. The Montana State Fair is coming up in August and Motorcycle Safety information will be available to anyone interested.
Dal discussed his attendance at the International Policy Conference in Europe, which he really enjoyed.
Michele H. discussed e-mails that she has been receiving about numerous bills. She also discussed a bill regarding riding scooters.
Discussion was also held on Forest Service roads.
11. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 pm.
