Fairview Cemetery Advisory Board

FAIRVIEW CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES April 30, 2024 MINUTES OF FAIRVIEW CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING April 30, 2024 The Fairview Cemetery Advisory Board met in a regularly scheduled meeting on April 30, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 1311 Chestnut Street, Bastrop, Texas. Members present were Bryan Whitten, Mary Williams, Robbie Sanders, Carol Kysar, and Cheryl Long. City Council Liaison Plunkett and Darren Kesselus were absent. City Staff in attendance were John Eddleton, Director of Public Works, Edi Mcilwain, Chief Financial Officer, Elisha Perkins, Project Manager Coordinator, Tom Turk, Engineer, Elizabeth Wick, Project Manager, and Cheryl Renfro, Finance Coordinator. Lynn Kysar was also in attendance. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. with a quorum being present. 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. 3. PRESENTATION There were no presentations. 4. ITEMS FOR INDIVDUAL CONSIDERATION 4A. Consider action to approve the minutes from the Cemetery Advisory Board meeting of February 6, 2024. Board Member Long made the motion to approve the February 6, 2024, minutes with the addition of Goldenrod Street as one that needed repairs, in addition to Block 8, which was seconded by Board Member Williams. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. 4B. Review, discussion, and possible action to name two (2) new streets in Block 9. Staff advised that with the development in Block 9, two (2) new streets would need to be named. A list of current and possible names was reviewed and discussed. A motion was made to name the new streets "Forget-Me-Not" and "Iris" by Board Member Whitten and seconded by Board Member Williams. The motion was unanimously approved. 4C. Consider action to schedule future meetings of the Fairview Cemetery Advisory Board. FAIRVIEW CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES April 30, 2024 Staff suggested Tuesday, July 16th, for the next regular meeting and the special meeting with the architect to be determined. July 16th was accepted by all as a satisfactory date. 4D. Review, discuss and consider possible action on the Cemetery Ordinance as it relates to burial requirements. Finance Coordinator Renfro reminded the group that natural burials had been discussed in a previous meeting and these types of interments are becoming more common. She advised that there is no law requiring a casket or grave liner and the Ordinance references only a "container." There was discussion about what constitutes a "container." A motion was made to follow state law regarding burial requirements by Board Member Whitten, which was seconded by Board Member Long. The motion was unanimously approved. 5. REPORTS 5A. Update on general maintenance in the cemetery. Director of Public Works Eddleton reported that an additional shed had been moved to the cemetery to house the ATV used to transport soil around the cemetery. The donated fence has also been received and stored at the cemetery until a location is chosen. Board Chair Sanders suggested that the fence be used around the Columbarium unit. Mr. Turk was called back into the meeting to pass on the idea about using the fence for the Columbarium. There was discussion about the condition of the donated fence. Director Eddleton advised that street repairs will be performed in-house in the fall. He advised that the sheds will be painted in the coming months. He also asked if signs could be placed at the entrances to the cemetery outlining the rules. The rules are already outlined in the Cemetery Ordinance, but staff believes enforcement would be supported by posting the rules. Board Member Long suggested printing the information in Spanish as well as English. A motion was made to add a sign of prohibited activities was made by Board Member Williams and seconded by Board Member Whitten. The motion was unanimously approved. There was discussion about incorporating the CCC-type stone in the sign supports. 5B. Receive update on Block 9 development. Project Manager Elizabeth Wick introduced herself and gave a quick update and overview on the status of the Block 9 development project. There was discussion about the total number of niches that will be available. FAIRVIEW CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES April 30, 2024 There was discussion about the design of the columbarium structure. Board Members Whitten and Long have requested this language be included in the minutes: Board Member Kysar stated that Board Members Whitten and Long were acting like jerks and announced her intention to leave the meeting. Board Member Kysar left the meeting at 5:53 pm. Ms. Wick reviewed the options for making changes or updates to the design and advised that she and the team will work with Mr. Luck on the feedback provided at this meeting. She assured the Board that they will work to improve communication on this project. Elizabeth Wick, Elisha Perkins, and Tom Turk left the meeting at 5:55 pm. SC. Invitation for input from Board Members related to issues for possible inclusion on the next meeting agenda. Board Chair Sanders gave an update on the platting process on the lots in front of the Cemetery and was pleased to report that City staff asked the appraisal district to remove the boundary lines between the parcels owned by the City. Board Chair Sanders asked that an update be included at the next regularly scheduled meeting as well as an update on the tract of land owned by the Rangel family. She also gave a recap of a meeting she and Board Member Long had with the City Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Finance Coordinator. Board Member Whitten asked for information related to attendance, specifically lack of attendance. There was discussion about if Board Member Kysar resigned from the Board. City staff agreed to follow-up with Ms. Kysar regarding a formal resignation. There was discussion about requirements for possible new members of the Advisory Board. 6. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:38 PM. APPROVED: ATTESTED: �