In attendance: ROADSIDE RESPONDERS ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INC. MEETING MINUTES for JUNE 25, 2016 1 5 pm Sandman Inn, Saskatoon Harv Britton Harv s Autobody, Rosthern Brad Stratychuk, Wilf Vansteelandt, Jackie Klotz Brad s Towing, Saskatoon Stephen Andreas Dark Knight Towing, Davidson Dan Wenzel - Wenzel Motors, Major Len Reibin Kevlen Towing, Kamsack Doug Steppler Bears Towing & Recover, Moose Jaw Scott Brown Scotty s Towing, Melville Mel Leveque Eagle Towing, Melfort Geoff Roller Astro Towing, Saskatoon Evan McMillan, Meghan Butter-Jones Reliable Towing, Warman John Buhnai Action Towing & Recover, Lloydminster John Medinski Lakeland Towing, Prince Albert Terry and Jason from Commercial Trucks, Regina Harv started out the meeting with introductions of everyone and thanking Commercial Truck for setting up a booth at the meeting and providing everyone with binders catering to the towing industry and gloves. The meeting will stick to it s agenda to get through everything and the objection is to get the association up and running. Brad offered information on what has been happening the last 2 years. There were struggles with getting a name for the association as nothing could be used with the name towing or Saskatchewan in the same sentence. 4 different names were applied for and in May 2016 Roadside Responders Association of Saskatchewan Inc. was accepted. We will now move forward and the future plans include working to professionalize the industry. There will be strength in numbers in dealing with the government. Brad apologized to everyone for the fact that everything seems to be going under the name Brad s Towing but that is due to the fact that the association had no name. Now that there is one he is making sure that the name Roadside Responders Association of Saskatchewan Inc. will be used. John from Action Towing thanked Brad for taking on the job of getting everything organized. Dan from Wenzel Motors commented that now that everything is settled it is time to plow a new trail for the association. Brad also commented that Jeff Sipes is working on a new website with the new name.
What the Board is looking for is guidance from all of the members and ideas of what the association can do to help them. Weight Exemptions Brought to discussion was the fact that in the early 80 s Tow Trucks could register for what they weigh not what they can weigh. We had a letter from Bruce Kush, then vehicle registration manager for SGI and Tow Trucks were OK to operate over our registered weight as they could not take into account what we were towing. As long as our axle weights were legal, we were fine to register at our Tare weight. As of June 2014 it was announced that all Tow Trucks have to be registered for what they CAN weigh, including what you re towing. Most drivers ignored this and carried the letter from the 80 s stating this rule. Dave from Vista Towing was issued a ticket and fought it. The case was argued and SGI went ahead and reversed it. It has been approved and is now in legislation. An email from Curtis Mead, Director of Vehicle Registration Policy & Permit Services from SGI was handed out explaining that the exemption of weight on any vehicle being towed was approved in principle and is with SGI s legal area. John from Action Towing has different rules to abide by with his trucks working in Alberta as well. They are allowed to travel without permits. He recommends to be aware of different city regulations when travelling. Tow Truck Safeties The subject of safeties on all trucks was brought up. Regina has Tow Truck Safeties and all trucks are required to pass inspection. Saskatoon had this in place for about 6 years but no longer does this. Recertification was also brought up. John from Action Towing does this once a year in Alberta and it costs him about $4500 / year. The association will look into getting more information on this. Survey Results The survey that was handed out to all towing companies earlier this year was very well received. SGI was very pleased with the results. There were 167 survey s returned and SGI was very pleased to see that there were lots that had an opinion on what they would like to see happen. A handout was given out explaining all that the survey brought to attention and one of the big end results is that approval has been issued for Red/Amber Tow lights. There has been a deadline of July 15 th given to other emergency responders to disagree to this. If no response it will go ahead and be sent to regulatory drafting and we may see changes by the New Year!
SGI commented that they were very pleased to have an association to work with to get this accomplished. Harv commented on SGI Harv has been in contact with a Kieren Dallas from SGI and it has been noted that Kieren loves the idea of working with an association. Working together has been approved by 150 % with other associations (ie Auto Body Association). Steven (Dark Knight Towing) asked if everyone personally has to ask for rates. Harv commented that as an association we will work on rates together BUT you may personally send it to SGI and tell them what you would like. Doug (Bears Towing) commented that SGI will not listen to an individual but we need to work as an association. Dan (Wenzel Motors) has no issues getting what he asks for. He explained that if you explain clearly what you are charging that you will get paid. Brad suggested We should get a survey done from all towers across Saskatchewan as to what SGI pays in different areas. Mel from Eagle Towing was asked to do this and he agreed. This is something we will look at for the next meeting. We cannot all charge the same towing fee across the province as this is not legal. (Competitions act) Roadside Companies Mel (Eagle Towing) suggested that you tell the company what you want and they will usually raise the rate. (this was his experience in dealing with some roadside plans.) Recognition for flagging Doug (Bears Towing) would like to see recognition of transport and have towers get certified for flagging. Flaggers would be paid by the company doing the hiring not be put on the bill. John (Action Towing) mentioned that there is a flagging course. OH & S Brad (Brad s Towing) commented that SGI will pay $30/hr for swampers to attend the scene of an accident. Flagging crews receive considerably more. Harv (Harv s Autobody) charges $150/hr for his truck to block the scene
Harv Commented that the most important issue at hand is to get the Association up and running. We will also get all of the SGI rates worked out. A PRESENTATION FROM TERRY AND JASON OF COMMERCIAL TRUCKS WITH HANDOUTS. Coffee and Tea were supplied by them during the meeting!! BREAK Motion on the floor to accept the last minutes. Dan motioned to accept minutes. All in favour and carried forward. Membership Fees were decided at $250.00 per year starting June 2016. One membership equals one vote. Accepted by Scott of Scotty s Towing, Second by John (Action Towing). All in favour. The present board of directors was voted in until October of 2016. We will hold a meeting on September 24 th, 2016 to vote on board. Time and venue TBA Harv motioned, Mel second, all in favour. A Bank account for the Association was suggested to be set up at either Affinity Credit Union or RBC in Saskatoon. Dan suggested seeing who doesn t charge fees. A motion for two signatures of either the President or Vice President and the Secretary was brought forward by Brad and second by Geoff (Astro Towing) Affinity Credit Union was decided upon for the bank account. Harv motioned and Dan was second. All in favour. Brad and Tiara (secretary) will take care of getting this set up. By-Laws This is something we have to work through. By-laws will be sent to all whom join association. They can be read over and then brought back signed in September. Mel (Eagle Towing) made motion to By-Laws being emailed to members and Harv Second. What do members want from the association : Safety & Education, OH&S
Rates Consistent Education Lighting figured out- will it be regulated or be able to be used by anyone (the cowboy) Get all of our info out to SGI, CAA, RCMP, POLICE To be present with SGI MSA (this is paid for through Worker s Comp so use them) CSA stickers Safety & Awareness Safety & Lighting Public Service Announcements Hope for more members and to work together Safety OH & S ( you can take the course and train your staff) Safety & Education never ending More ground to stand on with Association Set up email as Roadside Responder Look at rates every second December Harv made motion to adjourn meeting. All in favour!! Jackie (Brad s Towing) was taking association payments and will send out invoices to those that requested one. Two paid on site. Thank you!