Montana Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
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Meeting Minutes - Draft
May 12, 2005
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Scott Hart Building
Helena, Montana
Members Present: Dal Smilie, Chairman, Michele Hand, Ken Conrad, Anita Drews-Oppedahl
Also Present: Michele Calvert - Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety, Eric Albright - RiderCoach nominee to MMSAC
1. Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 1:10 pm by Chairman Dal Smilie
2. Minutes of the November 16, 2004 meeting
The minutes were approved.
3. Old Business
A. Cooperation with Surrounding States
Michele has been in contact with North Dakota regarding offering cooperative classes. All conversations have been very positive. She has given them the dates & is waiting to hear back if it will work.
B. Director Position
Discussed interim position. Group invites MSU-Northern to contact any of the committee to talk about making the position permanent, which they are supportive.
4. New Business
A. Introduction of New Member
Eric Albright was introduced as the new Instructor representative to the board that the current RC corps nominated. The BOR will vote on it at the next regular meeting. Ken Conrad was thanked for his service.
B. 2005 Legislature
Discussion was held on the various bills that effected the program. Graduated Driver Licensing, no motorcycle endorsement for quads, motorized non-standard vehicle (pocket rockets), ethanol, and visibility of MC Safe fee. All in all, the program is OK.
C. Trike Class
Question was raised to have a trike class in Montana. Michele C will contact the Evergreen Safety Council to find out more information.
D. Rider’s Edge
Yellowstone Harley-Davidson has decided to start a Rider’s Edge program. Michele has been in contact with them & the corporate office as to procedures and regulations. They are planning their first class in July.
E. Financial Status
Michele passed out the average cost per student - which remains around $170 per BRC student.
A fund still remains as the transfer will happen as the appropriation amount needs to be supplemented.
F. Program Update
Michele informed the group that registrations are going well. There are currently over 900 students registered. Most locations are filling into July or August. Five ERC’s were cancelled due to lack of enrollment. RiderCoach observations are going well. Four classes have been observed. There are 12 people signed up for RCP in June (3 Billings, 3 Great Falls, 3 Kalispell, 1 Havre, 1 Bozeman, 1 Missoula). Update went well with the new format. Trevor & Michele presented information in 2 breakout sessions at the Drivers Ed Conference in Billings. Malmstrom Safety Day is May 18th & we will be participating. Trevor & Michele will be providing training to the Driver Examiners on May 25th. Michele has been invited to attend the DOT planning meeting on June 8th in Helena. Montana has also been asked to host an SMSA Conference. The RiderCoaches were supportive as was MSU-Northern. The potential year is 2008. This group was also supportive.
G. MSF/Idaho Issue - NHTSA Best Practices
Discussion was held.
5. Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm
