Cemetery Commission

BAXTER CEMETERY COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM “A Growing Community” Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN CALL TO ORDER The quarterly meeting of the Baxter Cemetery Commission was called to order at 4:08 p.m. by Vice Chair Robert Ehrich. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners John Cremers, Robert Ehrich, and Council Liaison/Mayor Darrel Olson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Jeanette Ruff. STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Brad Chapulis and Administrative Assistant Mary Haugen. OTHERS PRESENT: None. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve the Cemetery Commission Minutes from April 29, 2024 MOTION by Commissioner Cremers, seconded by Council Liaison Olson to approve the Cemetery Commission minutes from April 29, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 2. Commission Status Update from City Administrator Chapulis City Administrator Chapulis reviewed the City of Baxter code that states commissioners have 3-year consecutive term limits. Mr. Chapulis would like the commissioners to return to this process as it states in the city code and there currently are two vacancies on the Cemetery Commission. The commissioner appointments need to be staggered so the City does not have more than 50% of the commission terms up for reappointment in any given year. If there are no applicants that want to be on the Cemetery Commission the city code says current commissioners can serve until a new replacement is selected. When a commissioner reaches their term limit, there must be a hiatus for one year prior to applying for reappointment. Mr. Chapulis asked the commissioners for volunteers for what term limit that can be up for reappointment. Commissioner Cremers volunteered for a two-year appointment. Commissioner Ehrich volunteered for a one-year appointment. Mr. Chapulis thanked the commissioners for their time, dedication, and commitment to the Cemetery Commission. 9/11/2024 Cemetery Commission Minutes Page 2 3. Approve keeping the existing Rights of Burial to one full burial + one cremation or two cremations on one grave site as per past practice. MOTION by Commissioner Cremers, seconded by Council Liaison Olson to table the discussion until the full commission is available. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 4. Floral Displays Commissioner Cremers explained that several family members had contacted him and expressed concern over missing floral arrangements and shepherd hooks from the cemetery. He inquired about the removal of items and when this occurs. Ms. Haugen stated that both the cemetery regulations and signage reflect that no artificial flowers are permitted in the cemetery from or after June 15th in any year. Should the families want to keep the arrangements they need to pick them up before June 15th, the city does not store or hold any florals or objects placed on the lot. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) address the removal of decorations. Items that are removed include any ground mounted artificial flowers and wreathes, any arrangements that are on shepherd hooks and/or plant stands are not removed unless they are unsightly (faded, torn or damaged). The use of glass or china jars, tin cans or other unapproved containers on Cemetery grounds is prohibited and is subject to immediate removal. Ms. Haugen had also received complaints about missing arrangements and stands. Parks staff assisted with the removals this year and Parks & Trails Supervisor Hondl stated that staff removed items following the SOP’s. Ms. Haugen had asked to have some increased patrols by the cemetery due to this issue. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Cremers, seconded by Commissioner Ehrich to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Motion unanimously approved. Approved by: Respectfully submitted: _______________________ ___________________________ Rober Ehrich Mary Haugen Vice Chair Administrative Assistant