Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes January 20, 2015 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room on the second floor for the regular monthly meeting. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, assisting the director was Joy Smolinski, Commissioner- Secretary Mindy Hudson, Commissioner Patricia Petray, Commissioner Donna Eubanks, Commissioner Anna Fields, Commissioner Rebecca Howell, new Commissioner David Lee and visitor Laura Bean from the Courier. Absent: City Attorney Trey Smith, Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, Chairman-Alderman Garland Steuber, and Alderman Wiley. The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Director Stephanie Warwick. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to approve the minutes from the December 16, 2014, regular meeting. Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by Commissioner Eubanks. The motion passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business was to review the financial report prepared by Finance Director McKaughan, who was absent. Commissioner Hudson made a motion to approve the report as read and was seconded by Commissioner Petray. The motion passed unanimously. The Third Order of Business concerned updates on current cemetery projects. The display case for the certificate/license has been completed and put into place on the entrance gate along 8th Street in Drive One. Former Commissioner John Harris had this case made and donated the cost. A card of thanks for Mr. Harris that was prepared by Director Warwick was signed by all the commissioners. The next issue discussed was the monument repair project, with an update by Director Warwick. The commissioners were presented with estimates from two companies for repairs for the first list of monuments. McGee Monument presented a better rate for repairs than Steele Standing Monuments. In light of this and the length of time McGee has been in business, the commissioners decided to go with this company. Commissioner David Lee made a motion for Director Warwick to proceed with getting the repairs done on the monuments on the list. Commissioner Fields seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously. The commissioners discussed letting the public know about the monument repair project so that those with family members at the cemetery or others who wish to help with the costs might be alerted. Methods for this communication brought up included a letter to the editor, a radio announcement, and letters to individual families. Any commissioners who wish to help with composing one of these possible announcements for consideration will send the information to Director Warwick. All commissioners were also urged to make new lists of any monuments seen that need to be considered for the repair list. Page 1 of 2  Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes January 20, 2015 There was also some discussion about the ongoing problem of vandalism. Revisiting the idea of finishing the fencing was mentioned. For now, Director Warwick will look into costs for security cameras, and the rest of the discussion was tabled until the next meeting. The Fourth Order of Business was to elect new officers for the commission. This was done by paper ballots with Garland Steuber being chosen for a second year as Chairman, Commissioner David Lee as Vice-Chairman, and Commissioner Mindy Hudson as secretary. The Fifth Order of Business was a discussion of a special plaque to note the grave of Russellville's first Mayor, Joseph Battenfield, by Commissioner Anna Fields on Battenfield's background, as well as that of some of his family members also buried in the area. He was Mayor of Russellville for four terms. All commissioners agreed that this should somehow be noted, but the discussion is ongoing and will continue. New Business: The First Order of New Business was a general discussion of mapping of cemeteries being done by volunteers. The need for a map of sections for Oakland Cemetery was discussed with the flagpole area being mentioned as a possible site for this. The Second Order of New Business was an idea brought up by Director Warwick to consider further expansion of the cemetery near the creek on 11th Street. Director Warwick adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. Page 2 of 2