September 6, 2006
Best Western Kelly Inn, St Cloud
I. Call to Order
A. Chapter chair, Al Weigel, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
II. Introduction were made and it determined we had a quorum.
III. Installation of new officers.
- Jon Jackels moved from Vice President to President, as per chapter guidelines.
- Dan Sather was elected as Vice President, Al Weigel as Secretary and Gary Clark as Treasurer
IV. 2006 "How To" generated a check for ****** which gave a balance of ***** in the Northland
checking account.
V. Karin Lowe reviewed the goals and priorities of National ATSSA.
- Safe Routes to School Program will be unveiled at midyear and booklets handed out explaining
the program
- Encouraged everyone to go to the website for new programs and information.
VI. DOT update-
- Craig stated NCHRP 350 compliance is going pretty well except for some issues with the "H"
Stands
- Jon stated MNDOT is going away from the ATSSA supervisor course. MNDOT will have a MNDOT
specific 3-day traingin course, with the main objective to save money. Bill is open to getting
input from us on how to handle the situation. A task force consisting of Al Weigel, Jay
Blanchard and Tim Marthe was put together to offer input.
VII. Strategic Plan
- It was discussed that due to the number of events as well as the income this Chapter
generates, a need to have goals and a good strategic plan was necessary.
- The Chapter currently has a memo of understanding with Minnesota County Engineering
Association (MCEA) and should move forward to expand our working relations with other
organizations on common goals that we hold.
Several suggestions that were brought up include:
- Pay the dues/host a new member.
- Create our own chapter website, not just a page on National's website, and have our
own wen master to be able to make timely changes to the site as we see fit.
- Develop a system or procedure to make new members feel welcome as well as a method
for better membership communication.
It was noted that one of the chapters has a quarterly news letter that goes out to its
members.
- A membership committee was formed to promote better communication, more one-on-one
for new member recruits as well as ideas for information sharing. The committee consists of:
1. Rick Shomion - Chair
2. Lori Mettert
3. Dave Sather
4. Emily Fischer
5. Dean Erickson
VIII. There was discussion of combining our June "How To" meeting and the September Chapter
meeting into a 2-day meeting the end of July. Gary, Chad, Rick, Jon & John will work on the
planning of the combined July meeting for 2007.
IX. The committee discussed the possibility of having a booth at the December Association of
Minnesota Counties (AMC). It was decided to fund up to $700 to have a booth on December
4th and 5th in Rochester and National would ship their booth to us if needed.
X. The group discussed the option of buying a booth as opposed to utilizing National's. It was
decided to provide up to $1,000 to the membership group to put toward the purchase of a
booth.
XI. Discussion of the Chapter's strategic direction was brought up. Concern was raised over the
fact that public education was important and the Chapter doesn't seem to be focusing much
on public education. There were feelings that the Chapter needs to stay focused and not
diverge from "Hard Safety" solutions as opposed to "Soft Safety" such as driver education,
etc. Several items were brought forward as issues the group needs to stay focused on, such
as:
1. Keep working on our "How To" Conference
2. Increase membership and communications
3. Working with government officials.
4. Informing elected officials.
5. Getting a booth, becoming more involved, and advertising.
6. Working with ND and SD DOT to get them more involved with the Chapter.
XII. The 2007 "How To" was discussed. Some members did not like the 8:00 am meeting and
would like to go back to the 10:00 am meeting to allow members the ability to drive the
morning of the meeting.
- The group discussed the need for space to set up a booth at the "How To". It was
suggested that we put a ticket in the "How To" bag that attendees could present at our
booth to get a coffee mug with our logo, website, etc. This would be a great way to get
people more exposed to the Chapter.
XIII. Poster Contest. Challenge was put out to everyone to do at least one presentation at a
school of their choice. The format is the same as last year and all information can obtained on
the website. Rick noted he combined the 1/2 hour video presentation "Snow Plow Cool"
which went over very well. The group agreed to purchase 50 calendars for members to use
for presentation purposes to leave with the school when promoting the calendar contest.
There is also a free activity coloring book available to be downloaded, printed, and given out
to school children. This is available in both the ATSSA and MNDOT website. February 15th is
the deadline to send the posters to National to be considered for the 2008 calendars.
XIV. Bi-annual Striping Conference - October 30 & 31, 2006.
- The Chapter has been giving financial assistance in the past. National ATSSA will be the
clearinghouse to collect the $20 registration fee. The Chapter will sponsor the event
at a cost of approximately $1,500.
XV. New Business - By-Laws
- Issues
1. Transportation officials have 1 vote - it should be stated that the "agency" not
all "officails" have 1 vote.
2. Procedures for electing officials.
3. Officers Authority?
a. Need for Board Members
4. Quorum - 25% - dpes it need to be 10%?
- It was noted the Chapter originally had its own By-Laws outside of National's. There used
be language in the old By-Laws which pertained to officers having the ability to make
certain decisions and some guidelines for authority.
- A task force consisting of Ken Russell and Al Weigel was formed to review By-Law concerns.
XVI. The next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2007, in conjunction with our "How To" Convention.
The Minnesota Workzone Safety Committee will also meet in conjunction with the conference.
XVII. Meeting Adjourned.