Ridge Cemetery Association
Regular MeetingFremont, NE · December 11, 2019
Minutes
RIDGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, INC. BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2019 – 12:00 P.M.
A meeting of the Ridge Cemetery Association, Inc. Board was held on December 11, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
in the 2nd floor conference room at 400 East Military Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska. The meeting was
preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and the agenda displayed in the Municipal
Building. The meeting was open to the public. A continually current copy of the agenda was available
for public inspection at the office of the City Administrator, 400 East Military Avenue. The agenda was
distributed to the Ridge Cemetery Association, Inc. Board on December 6, 2019 and posted, along with
the supporting documents, on the City’s website. A copy of the open meeting law is posted continually
for public inspection.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed Board Members Beam, Marsh, McGillick, Manhart and Thietje present; Lamme absent;
5 present, 1 absent. Others in attendance included Brian Newton, City Administrator; Kim Koski,
Director of Parks & Recreation, Susan Jacobus, City Council Representative. Others absent, Dian
Christensen Hillis, Park Board Representative.
SECRETARY REPORT
Moved by Member McGillick and seconded by Member Thietje to approve the Secretary Report.
Ayes: Thietje, Beam, Marsh, McGillick and Manhart. Motion carried 5-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT
McGillick presented the Treasurer’s Report.
Beginning Balance: $14,891.14
Income: 4.89 Interest
Expense: 23.00 Nebraska Secretary of State Filing Fee
Ending Balance: $14,873.03
Moved by Member Marsh and seconded by Beam to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
Ayes: Thietje, Beam, Marsh, McGillick and Manhart. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Phone App for finding graves – research is still being conducted and new information will be
reported as it becomes available.
b. Small stone straightening project – Beam is in contact with St. Patrick’s Church for possible
summer work project. This could also be used for future Eagle Scout project.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Keno Grant – The Ridge Cemetery Association was awarded a Keno Grant in the amount of
$3,500.00. Moved by Member Thietje and seconded by Member McGillick to accept and match
the grant. Ayes: Thietje, Beam, Marsh, McGillick and Manhart. Motion carried 5-0.
b. Number of burials in a single plot – Hively explained that currently policy allows for two (2)
cremations urns to be buried in an 8’ or 10’ grave, along with a traditional burial. The cost
associated for the additional urns to be placed in a grave is the opening/closing fee. Hively
suggested a third cremation be allowed to be buried in an 8’ or 10’ grave for a Right of Burial
fee. The Right of Burial fee would be the same as the cost of an 8’ or 10’ grave, plus
opening/closing fees. Moved by Member Marsh and seconded by Member Beam to approve
and add the Right of Burial fee to the Master Fee Schedule for City Council’s final approval.
Ayes: Thietje, Beam, Marsh, McGillick and Manhart. Motion carried 5-0.
CEMETERY SEXTON UPDATE (NO BOARD ACTION IS REQUESTED)
a. Hively gave update.
DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION UPDATE (NO BOARD ACTION IS REQUESTED)
a. Koski gave update.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Member McGillick and seconded by Member Beam to adjourn at 12:40 p.m.
Ayes: Thietje, Beam, Marsh, McGillick and Manhart. Motion carried 5-0.
Agenda
RIDGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, INC.
BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 12:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Conference Room, 400 E Military
1. Call the Meeting to Order
a. Roll call vote.
b. Public meeting law posted.
c. Meeting notice publicized December 7, 2019 in Fremont Tribune.
2. Secretary Report – Kim Beam minutes of September 11, 2019 Meeting.
3. Treasurer’s Report-Norma Jeanne Keisler-McGillick
4. Old Business
a. Phone App for finding graves
b. Small stone straightening project
5. New Business
a. Keno Grant – Koski submitted a KENO grant application on behalf of the Ridge Cemetery
Association for $5,000 to continue the stone/monument straightening project at Ridge
Cemetery. The Ridge Cemetery Association was awarded $3,500. The Board needs to
decide if they want to accept this award and match amount.
b. Number of burials in a single plot – Jeff Hively
6. Jeff Hively Report
a. Grave/Niche Sales
b. Funerals/Burials
c. Turf Maintenance
d. New Roof for Shop
e. Future grave development
7. Kim Koski Report
a. Capital Improvement Items
b. Future meeting dates: March 11, June 10, Sept 9, Dec 8, 2020
8. Adjourn Meeting
NEXT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020, AT 12:00 NOON 2ND FLOOR, 400 E MILITARY
AVENUE.
Agenda posted at the Municipal Building and distributed to the Mayor, City Council and Ridge Cemetery Board
on December 6, 2019. The official current copy is available at City Hall, 400 E Military, Parks and Recreation
Office. A copy of the Open Meeting Law is posted for review by the public.
RIDGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, INC.
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
ROLL CALL PRESENT: NORMA JEANNE MCGILLICK
JIM MANHART
KIM BEAM
JOANNE THIETJE
NICK LAMME
PAUL MARSH
JEFF HIVELY
KEVIN BLOEMKER
NATE SCHWANKE FOR KIM KOSKI
BRIAN NEWTON
ABSENT: DIAN HILLIS
The Ridge Cemetery Association Board met on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Noon in the 2 nd Floor
Conference Room at 400 E. Military, Fremont, NE. Nick Lamme, President, presiding. Public meeting
notice was placed and posted in the paper by Kim Koski.
The minutes of the June 12, 2019 meeting were approved today and received by email by some
members. Thietje made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Manhart. Manhart, Thietje,
McGillick, Beam and Lamme voted yes to approve the minutes. Marsh did not vote.
McGillick presented the Treasurer’s Report. As of September 11, 2019, the Ridge Cemetery Association
bank balance was $14,891.14. Interest of $12.73 was received. Report will be filed.
OLD BUSINESS
Boy Scout Headstone Straightening Project status. Jeff had contacted the new leader and it was left
that they know we are looking for help. McGillick mentioned that we need a commitment. Beam
suggested that we move on and contact St. Pat’s for their summer project month that is hosted every
year. Beam will follow up with St. Pat’s.
Fremont Monument Headstone Straightening Project status. Bloemker sent a letter to Kim Koski
asking for $10,000 payment from Keno fund. Bloemker provided before and after photos of the
headstones. Koski replied that the City needs an invoice. Bloemker will provide an invoice and in the
future will provide digital photos. Marsh made a motion to provide a check to the City for $5,000
matching funds. Thietje seconded. Manhart, Thietje, McGillick, Beam, Lamme and Marsh voted yes to
provide the funding. McGillick to write a check to the City for $5,000.
Bloemker provided photos and information on broken stones at the cemetery. Fremont Monument
repaired a marble stone. There are several others that need repaired. Bloemker asked the Board for
$1,000 to fix these stones during the winter months. Thietje made a motion to provide up to $1,000 to
Fremont Monument for repairing broken stones, McGillick seconded. All in favor and voting yes were
Manhart, Thietje, McGillick, Beam, Lamme and Marsh.
Cemetery directories/funds for kiosk. No additional information was provided by Beam, however,
Newton mentioned that Koski had put $40,000 in the budget for a kiosk and it was approved at the City
Council meeting. Marsh made note it may be better to have an app on a smart phone rather than a
physical piece of equipment that will require maintenance and repairs. Newton/Koski to research
further and provide information at our December meeting.
Cemetery office. Capital budget was approved last night for the 2021-2022 to demo the house and
build a new office.
Lamme’s office has paid the Nebraska Secretary of State filing fee. McGillick to write a check for $23 to
reimburse Lamme’s office. This is a bi-annual fee.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Officers. This is supposed to be held in May per bylaws, however we do not meet in May.
The following officers were elected:
President Jim Manhart
V. President Kim Beam
Secretary Kim Koski
Treasurer Norma Jeanne McGillick
Joanne made a motion to elect the above officers. Marsh seconded. Manhart, Thietje, McGillick, Beam,
Lamme and Marsh voted yes to approve.
JEFF HIVELY REPORT
Hively reported there were 9 funerals, 7 full and 2 ashes and six 8’ grave sales.
September/October he will be fertilizing the cemetery. Working on 6 small areas where it was 100%
weeds. Sprayed round-up and burned it off. Will plant seed soon and hope it works. Did not use
sprinklers much this year.
Jeff will attend Cemetery Association conference in Kearney in October.
Cemetery looks great! Still issues with moles.
Kim Koski Report by Nate Schwanke
Keno application due October 1, 2019. Budget approved for the following:
2019-2020 Roof (Shop)
2020-2021 Kiosk ($40,000)
2021-2022 New Office ($170,000)
Bloemker would still like to purchase several “family” lots in the new section. Hively to get with the
Engineers on roads, irrigation and budget for this section. Bloemker suggested to open a portion of this
area close to the existing roads. Memorial cemetery is expanding.
Manhart motioned to adjourn the meeting, Marsh seconded. Meeting adjourned at 12:50pm.
Submitted by,
Kim Beam
Secretary
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