Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes October 21, 2014 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room for the regular monthly meeting. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairman / Alderman Garland Stueber, Commissioner / Secretary Mindy Hudson, Commissioner / Vice-Chairman John Harris, Commissioner Patricia Petray, Commissioner Anna Fields, Commissioner Rebecca Howell, Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, and visitors Laura Bean from the Courier and Greg Harris from All Seasons Lawn Care Service. Absent: Commissioner Donna Eubanks The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Garland Stueber. Introductions were made for new Director, Stephanie Warwick. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to approve the minutes from the September 16, 2014, regular meeting. Commissioner Anna Fields made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Commissioner John Harris. The motion passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business was to review the financial report presented by Finance Director McKaughan. The commissioners were informed that the Genworth investment matured today, and there will be a report about this next month. Mr. McKaughan also presented information about the proposed buget for the Oakland Cemetery for 2015. After review, the commissioners requested that this proposed budget be amended from $35,000 to the previous $40,000 in the amount from the city. The discussion of finances was concluded. The Third Order of Business was an update on the monument repair project. Volunteer Commissioners Fields, Howell, and Hudson have begun a survey. Director Warwick asked that a list of the twenty monuments most in need of attention be compiled and sent to her so that an estimate for repair work could be obtained. Commissioner Hudson agreed to compile a list. The Fourth Order of Business was to discuss the status of the survey for the Oakland Cemetery Boundary Extension. This item was held over to be discussed next month. The Fifth Order of Business was a discussion of a tree on Drive three and one on Drive four that need some trimming to keep branches from scratching vehicles and to clean up other growth beneath each. Commissioner Petray made a motion for Director Warwick to arrange for the trimming. Commissioner Fields seconded that motion. The motion was unanimously passed. New Business: The First Order of New Business was to prepare items for hand off to the City Council for its November 20, 2014 meeting. There was no discussion about this item. The Second Order of New Business was a discussion of the Perpetual Care Permit being placed in a case so that it can be displayed at the cemetery as required. There was some discussion about different possible ways to cover and display this. Commissioner John Harris will look at the flag pole area and at the entrances before our next meeting to see how the permit might be attached. The Third Order of New Business was to discuss lawn care maintenance and the removal of flowers before mowing. The discussion included problems with loose silk flowers being mowed over and the debris left and the overall mowing job being done. The need for the general public to understand the current ordinance for flower placement and removal on and around the graves was brought up by Director Warwick. No flower arrangements are supposed to be on the ground. Greg Harris from the lawn care service stated that his lawn crew will slow down when driving the mowers and will pick up the shredded flowers that are on the ground now. The crew will have to bill, though, for future pick-up. Mr. Harris assured the commission that there will be improvement in the maintenance. Director Warwick mentioned putting in the paper an explanation of the ordinance for flower placement in the cemetery. The rules could also be posted at the cemetery, and the local funeral directors could be notified about these rules. Chairman Stueber feels we should possibly consider changing the ordinance to allow free flower placement. He then suggested we get an estimate from the lawn care service for regular pick up of faded flowers. Mr. Greg Harris agreed to get back to us on this matter. Commissioner John Harris made an official motion to get an estimate on removing flowers on a regular basis as needed. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. There will be more discussion at next month's November 19th meeting. The Fourth Order of New Business was a discussion brought up by Director of items not on the agenda. The commission was informed and updated on several cemetery matters. These included an accident caused by a young man who ran into and damaged the fence along Detroit. He did not receive a ticket, but his insurance is willing to pay for repairing the damage. The estimate for repairs is $700.00. The commissioners felt Director Warwick should proceed with this repair. Pertaining to a matter discussed at previous meetings, the damage done on the 11th Street side of the cemetery was done by a woman with no insurance, so that matter has not yet been resolved. The commission was also told that the a group from Russellville High School will be doing their annual cemetery project on October 28th. Lastly, the monument of names located under the flag pole is knocked over. The Director will have McGee Monuments come to fix this. Chairman Stueber adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.