Cemetery Board

City of Roswell Cemetery Board Tuesday, January 20, 2015 South Park Cemetery Conference Room Committee Member Present: Jake Trujillo, President Jack Ferguson, Vice President Rita Kane-Doerhoefer, Secretary Tommy Weathers, Member Jim Bloodhart, Member Committee Members Absent: None Staff Present: Tim Williams, Parks and Recreation Director Ruben Esquivel, Grounds Supervisor Dena Flores, Cemetery Bookkeeper Other Eleceted Officials Present: Juan Oropesa Others Present: Randal Seyler Tabitha Deporto The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by President, Jake Trujillo. Committee members Trujillo, Ferguson, Kane-Doerhoefer, Weathers, and Bloodhart were present. Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the amended agenda as presented. Mr. Bloodhart was the second. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Ms. Kane-Doerhoefer moved to approve the October 21, 2014 minutes. Mr. Weathers was the second. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Public Participation on Agenda Items: None Sexton’s Report: Grounds Supervisor, Ruben Esquivel, reported for the month of October 2014 there were twenty-six internments at South Park Cemetery, and a three at the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery. For the month of November, there were twenty-seven internments at South Park Cemetery, and two at the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery. For the month of December, 2014, there were twenty-seven interments at South Park Cemetery and three interments at the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery. As of January 20, 2015, there were a total of thirteen interments at South Park Cemetery, and zero at the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery. Mr. Weathers asked if any help had been given to the cemetery with regards to extra personnel or any new equipment. Mr. Esquivel answered that the cemetery had not been given any extra staff nor had the cemetery received any new equipment. Mr. Esquivel informed the board that South Park Cemetery had been placed under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department, and that the grounds maintainers, and laborers were currently helping with the Main Street Project. Tim Williams, Parks and Recreation Director, commented that several of his departments which include; parks, recreation, zoo, the golf course, and now South Park Cemetery, have been brought together to work as a team. Mr. Williams stated that a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was being worked on to bring South Park Cemetery and the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery closer together. Mr. Williams also added that a master plan was in the works for the future of the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery. Mr. Bloodhart added that a new gazebo would serve as the committal location for the VA Cemetery, along with many other exciting future additions to the cemetery. A discussion ensued that if the cemetery was under parks and recreation, the why does the Cemetery Board report to the Buildings and Land Committee. It was stated that the City Council would need to make the decision to move the board under a different committee. Bookkeeper’s Report: Ms. Flores reported for the month of October, 2014 there had been eighteen spaces sold, two new contracts, and four contracts paid-off. For the month of November, 2014, there were twelve spaces sold, one new contract, and three contracts paid off and in December, 2014, there were two spaces sold, three new contracts, and two contracts paid off. As of January 20, 2015, the cemetery had a total of three spaces sold, one new contract, and four contracts paid-off. Regular Items: A) Voting on the updated By-Laws which reference the new ordinance Ms. Kane-Doerhoefer made the motion to approve the By-Laws as written as of January 20, 2015. Mr. Ferguson was the second. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Old Business: None New Business: A) Discussion as to who will be attending the Buildings and Lands meeting scheduled for January 26, 2015 to present the committee with the updated By-Laws, and to discuss the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery Rules and Regulations There was a discussion regarding the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery Rules and Regulations. It was stated that the Cemetery Board had done everything that was asked of them by Mayor Kintigh. Mr. Weathers voiced his frustrations about not being included with the plans that had already been made at the veteran’s cemetery. It was stated that a meeting needed to be scheduled with the Buildings and Lands Committee so that the rules and regulations could be discussed. It was also suggested that the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery Board should be given the task of rewriting the rules and regulations. Mr. Williams stated that he would present the updated By-Laws to the Buildings and Lands Committee, and that he would speak with the committee to see what else needs to be done regarding the rewriting of the rules and regulations for the veteran’s cemetery. Mr. Trujillo stated that he would be present at that meeting as well. Public Participation on Non-Agenda Items: Mr. Williams informed the Cemetery Board that Mr. Kirk, who was previously the Cemetery Sexton, had been transferred to the Parks and Recreation Department as a Parks and Recreation Superintendent. A comment was made stating that state statute reads that every cemetery in a city must have a Cemetery Sexton. Mr. Williams stated he was the acting Cemetery Sexton at the moment. Mr. Bloodhart stated that the plan was to follow the National Veteran’s Cemetery Rules and Regulations with the exception of the General Douglas McBride Veteran’s Cemetery allowing National Guard Members to be buried at the veteran’s cemetery. Also discussed was the possibility of making a section of the veteran’s cemetery for cremated remains of service animals as long as a DD214 was provided. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting will be held February 17, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.