City of Oak Creek

Minutes, Small Claims Committee

Tuesday, May 27, 2003,  9:00 a.m.

  1. This meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2003, in the Mayor’s office at Oak Creek City Hall, 8640 S. Howell Ave.
  2. Roll Call: 
  3. Present were: Alderman Dimity Grabowski and City Clerk Beverly Buretta.  Mayor Dick Bolender was excused.

    Also present was Weed Commissioner Brent Conley.

  4. Review of Claims
    1. Claim in the amount of $440.00 for damage by a City vehicle to the building at        9030 S. 5th Ave. (Barbara Shafton, owner).
    2. No representative appeared on behalf of Ms. Shafton.  Prior to the meeting, the Committee members received copies of the police report, a copy of a bill for repairs to damage, and a memo from Tom Mann of CVMIC, the City’s insurance carrier, recommending that this claim be settled for the amount requested. 

      It was moved by B. Buretta, seconded by D. Grabowski, to approve settlement of the claim in the amount of $440.00, subject to receipt of a release from the claimant.  Both voted aye.

    3. Request of Alan Kaminski, 8846 S. Chicago Rd., contesting the amount of his weed-cutting charges.
    4. No representative appeared on behalf of Mr. Kaminski.  Weed Commissioner Brent Conley was present to provide his comments.   Prior to the meeting, the Committee members reviewed Mr. Kaminski’s letter, received on April 29th, in which he said he believed that a certain amount of the area cut by the City was not on his land, and that he wanted the bill to be changed to cover only his property.  Mr. Conley said that Mr. Kaminski’s property is fairly large, with approximately one acre that was cut.   He explained that often when cutting large parcels he may drive onto adjoining parcels in order to turn or maneuver the mower, as he did in this case, but that he charged Mr. Kaminski only for time spent actually cutting on his property.  Mr. Conley did no cutting on those adjoining parcels.

      With no evidence to contradict the explanation, it was moved by B. Buretta, seconded by D. Grabowski, to deny the request for reduction of the $118.80 billed for weed-cutting at 8846 S. Chicago Rd.  Both voted aye.

  5. Adjournment

    B. Buretta, seconded by D. Grabowski, moved to adjourn at 9:20 a.m.  Both voted aye.