HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-12 Community Alcohol Coalition MinutesCommunity Alcohol Coalition: November 13, 2012
In attendance: Jenny, Carson, Ken, Dave, Tanner, Chad, Matt
Called to order: 4:35 p.m.
The group discussed the recent meeting of a new
community drug coalition. Ken had attended and explained this is a continuation of past conversations started several years ago following the visit of a national drug expert. Ken explained
the group is still very early in the organizational stage. There was also a recent public presentation held by local law officials about drug use. Both Jenny and Ken agree that alcohol
should be included in these conversations. Ken will continue to participate in these meetings and suggest that alcohol be included.
Jenny raised a newly formed “Good Neighbor” advisory
committee recommendation from the ASMSU president. Mention of this appeared in a recent Chronicle article. The group’s intention is to educate both students and the community about what
it means to be a college student in Bozeman, while fostering positive relationships between students and residents. Jenny described past CAC measures related to promoting good relationships
with neighbors related to loud parties. The CAC created door-hangers providing tips and relevant numbers to call; these were distributed around neighborhoods that include large number
of college students. Carson suggested inviting (City Neighborhood staff) and Chelsea Schmidt (University Business and Community Relations) to a future CAC meeting. Matt indicated he
would be attending an upcoming meeting with these individuals and ASMSU and would bring past CAC activities to the table. He feels the group should be focusing on alcohol-related issues
among neighbors.
Matt gave a brief overview of a new “Presidential Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention.” This was announced on campus in October and Jenny discussed this at the
October CAC meeting, indicating that community members would have an opportunity to be involved in some way. This Commission is expected to complete a report consisting of recommendations
to MSU leadership by next spring. Issues to be addressed include tailgating, provision of alcohol in the stadium, neighborhood issues, law enforcement concerns, etc. Matt reported that
the campus president had not yet moved forward with the effort so he has no updates.
Jenny asked Dave to report on the nuisance party ordinance. The past CAC law enforcement member
had indicated that there were reporting problems associated with the ordinance that might warrant review. Overall, Dave feels this is, in fact, working and is being well-utilized by
BPD. Staffing issues persist within BPD, but once these are resolved he expects more time for “quality of life” efforts, which would included more follow-up measures related to problem
parties: contacting landlords, attending homeowner’s meetings to discuss handling of parties, addressing litter and other issues. An officer is expected to be identified to focus on
these efforts. Matt reported that his office is seeing more off-campus offenders, and he is willing to continue doing so as part of the campuses effort to support local law enforcement.
Next
meeting will be December 11. There will be no January meeting.