HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-11 Community Alcohol Coalition Minutes.docxMinutes: Community Alcohol Coalition
February 8, 2011
Members present: Jenny Haubenreiser, Rick Gale, Glenn Puffer, Dustin Pitman, Dave McManis (for Marty Kent), Becky Franks
Public comment: none
Welcome: The group welcomed Dave McManis, a Lieutenant with Bozeman Police. He will be filling in for Marty Kent as a law enforcement representative.
Special presentations:
Legislative update: Jenny brought in the latest updates from the state legislative session, including HB 20, which will allow counties to enact social host laws. A county-wide social
host policy was determined to be a stronger as this would encompass a broader area. At present, the bill passed the house 90 to 10, and is about to be transmitted to the second chamber.
Other bills of interest include HB 50 (civil action against bars for dram shop liability), HB 106 (24/7 sobriety project for multiple offenders) and SB 29 (mandatory server training,
which has been a CAC priority). The CAC will continue to follow bills that would have local significance.
The law enforcement members present discussed enforcement issues related to alcohol: the sheriff officers are more likely to respond to outdoor drinking events, such as keggers at Hyalite,
Bridger Canyon and other popular locales. They do not see many house parties, although BPD officers do. Related to college students, DUI is the primary issue for sheriff officers; house
parties and DUI are issues for the police department.
Rick reported that the Belgrade Youth Forum was moving forward with a plan to create a community coalition to address drug use (as recommended by Robert Stutman during his recent consultation
visit). They are looking for an influential community leader to serve as a leader in the hopes of engaging wider participation.
The group discussed a variety of ideas re: CAC priorities. The discussion focused mostly on law enforcement strategies and what other coalitions are doing to address community alcohol
issues. The group discussed stronger involvement from the high school as a needed element since high school and college student alcohol use remain a significant concern. Other issues
include compliance checkpoints and compliance checks for retails stores selling to a young person without an ID.
New Business: CAC members were reminded to complete the on-line ethics training.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Next meeting will be March 8, 2011.