Alderperson Ann Lampe, Del Nirode, Sandra Herte, Marianne Dickmann, Greg Lampe, Jodie Nelson, Janet Fluegel and Douglas Schachtner (Director of Parks & Recreation) were in attendance. Also in attendance was Jim Burgmeier of the Oak Creek Lightning Baseball team and ten players from the team. Absent: Paul Sigler

The Oak Creek Parks & Recreation Commission meeting was held at Oak Creek City Hall in the Common Council Chambers on Thursday, March 14, 2002. Chairperson Del Nirode called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM.

The minutes from the February 14, 2002, meeting was approved on a motion made by Jodie Nelson and seconded by Sandra Herte. All aye; motion carried.

The financial statements and claims for the month of February 2002 were approved on a motion made by Janet Fluegel and seconded by Greg Lampe. All aye; motion carried.

The Director informed the Commission that the Skate Park Committee met on Tuesday, March 12, to discuss setting up a meeting date to access public interest and support for a Skate Park in Oak Creek and to set a tentative agenda for the meeting. The meeting date was tentatively set for May 1 at the Oak Creek Community Center. An information flyer will be distributed to Oak Creek schools, notification in the Oak Creek Pictorial and the reader board in front of City Hall. The intent of the Committee is to target Oak Creek residents only. An informational letter will be sent to those in attendance at the February 14 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting that expressed their interest and support for a Skate Park in Oak Creek.

The Commission is well aware of the Governor’s plan to eliminate state shared revenue for local governments. The Director informed the Commission that the Common Council is holding all CIP/CEP projects unless they are a safety issue or urgent item until a clear direction of the Governor’s proposal is evident.

The Commission reviewed the Recreation Program Report.

Jim Burgmeier, organizer for the Oak Creek Lightning spring baseball team and ten of its members, were in attendance at the Oak Creek Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to discuss liability insurance for the team for spring practice and games. He expressed his concern for the high cost of liability insurance for the spring games. He requested the Commission to consider co-sponsorship of the program or to waive the insurance requirement.

The Director informed the Commission that the City Attorney and the City’s risk management insurance company recommend enforcement of the General Liability Insurance requirement and that co-sponsorship would create additional liability risk for the City.

The Director informed the Commission that he will be receiving information regarding a "Special Event Liability Insurance Program" that may provide third party general liability insurance. He did not know when he would receive the information and/or if it would be applicable to this situation.

It was suggested that the Oak Creek Lightning team contact a service organization to sponsor them for the spring league. They should also try to find out what other "select" teams do for insurance coverage.

The Director will continue to work with the Oak Creek Lightning team in their attempt to acquire adequate general liability insurance coverage for the spring league.

The Director informed the Commission that he will be meeting with the City’s risk management insurance company to review its General Liability Insurance requirements regarding recreational facilities usage.

Jodie Nelson made a motion in favor of waiving permit fees as a good will gesture since the Oak Creek Lightning team had to pay for liability insurance. Seconded by Greg Lampe. All in favor aye, motion carried.

After further discussion, Jodie Nelson requested to reconsider the vote. The Commission then voted in favor of charging for the permit fees.

None

None:

Janet Fluegel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 PM. Seconded by Jodie Nelson. All aye, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Fluegel

Secretary

JF/dl