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Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks & Recreation Commission <br />October 3, 2005 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />effect of having more people come. First of all, the Safety Director said that there is nothing <br />wrong with the pool that a new pool couldn’t take care of. He asked about an addition to the <br />pool in the form of a zero depth pool so that people with young children can enjoy the pool. <br />Also, whether a few slides could be put in place should be talked about getting ready for next <br />year. Mr. DiSalvo said ages five and under swims are averaging less than $.50 a day, so the <br />younger swimmers are not being attracted. Mr. Kelley said that last year the wading pool was <br />closed, so the five and unders were eliminated. Mr. DiSalvo said that the Rec is not offering a <br />facility to attract younger children and families. Mr. DiSalvo asked if there were any other <br />questions on the subject. There were none. <br /> <br />Volunteer Coaching Incident <br />Mr. DiSalvo said that there was an incident regarding a coach who volunteers and coaches in the <br />third and fourth grade flag football league. Chris (Wetmore) had some issues with this person last <br />year. Mr. Wetmore said that he should maintain calm. The coach apparently takes the matter <br />very seriously. Chris informed Mr. DiSalvo that a parent on the opposing team contacted Chris <br />about the coach yelling at children crying from his verbal actions. This has been from the <br />beginning of the season until today. Parents from the coach’s team contacted Chris stating that <br />the coach is too rough on the kids in the program, and they don’t see it as proper conduct <br />befitting of a coach. Chris has already contacted the coach, stating that he needs to take a step <br />back, that it’s for the kids and, if anything else happens, he would be asked to resign his volunteer <br />position as coach. Last Saturday the coach was ejected from the game for arguing with the <br />referees, literally carrying on in front of the families and kids. Today Chris received three calls <br />complaining about the behavior of the coach. The Rec Center had no choice but to dismiss him <br />from his duties as volunteer coach, that his conduct was inappropriate and not befitting to the kids <br />and parents. Matters have settled down. Mr. DiSalvo wrote him that he would not be permitted <br />to coach or assist in any way with the flag football program for the ’05 season. Any future <br />participating in the program would first be reviewed by the members of the Rec Commission <br />before any decision is made to allow him back in the flag football program as a volunteer coach or <br />any other related position. That was done not for intimidation; it is not to be tolerated. This is <br />two years with the same behavior from the coach. Fortunately he agreed that he will drop his <br />equipment off. Arrangements have been made for the other coaches to take over. Unfortunately, <br />little things like this happen. A lot of our programs depend on volunteer coaches, but in certain <br />cases such as this, that was the action that was taken. The Commissioner did not believe the <br />coach was a North Olmsted resident; he is a Parma resident, but the mother of his child lives in <br />North Olmsted with the child. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelley and Mr. Baxter agreed that the right thing was done. Mr. Kelley asked if there was <br />any type of screening that could be done for the coaches. Ms. Drenski said that there are some <br />programs that can be put into place; however, it’s very hard to get volunteer coaches. At least <br />the Rec can do a better job providing information that they will sign off on – that they will abide <br />Page 5 <br /> <br />