Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes November 17, 2015 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met on Tuesday, November 17, 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, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairman Garland Steuber, Vice- Chairman/Commissioner David Lee, Commissioner/Secretary Mindy Hudson, Commissioner Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Donna Eubanks, Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, Mayor Randy Horton, and visitor Sean Ingram from the Courier. Absent: Commissioner Patricia Petray, Commissioner Anna Fields and City Liaison Robert Wiley. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Garland Steuber.. Old Business: The First Order of Business was approving the minutes from the October 20, 2015, Cemetery Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Donna Eubanks to accept the minutes as read. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business was the monthly financial report given by Finance Director McKaughan. Mowing was the big expense for the month at $2,383.47. The Total Liabilities and Fund balance is $28,733.91. The Schwab account has already recovered from market losses. The Finance Director will probably move $3,000 from the Schwab account, since we can take the interest. The Financial report was concluded. The Third Order of Business was the Overall Operations Report given by Director Warwick. She stated that there was not much to report this month. Her office has almost finished updating the city databases. There are about thirty-three graves with unverified information, but these will be checked into further. The plot log [hard copy] will then be up to date. The photos of the headstones project is ongoing. Director Warwick would like to eventually have a pamphlet of the graves of local and historical interest which would include persons such as veterans, founding fathers, and others. Any interesting stories of everyday citizens could also be included. Another idea she brought up was for memorial stones, perhaps in the new area or near the flag. The collecting of memorable historical information about the cemetery was also discussed. The report was concluded. The Fourth Order of Business was a continuation of the discussion of a “Dumpster Cove.” This would be built after the road is built for the new addition. David Lee made a motion for the fence to be made of pine posts and cedar pickets. Commissioner Eubanks seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. After discussion, it was decided to modify the first plan, with only the dumpster being fenced and not the dirt pile. The new size and new cost estimate will be presented next month. The Fifth Order of Business was the request for naming the new addition of the cemetery, brought up at the October meeting by Mr. Wiley. Chairman Steuber stated that the decision for a name had been made two months earlier, and we should now move forward. The discussion was concluded with the vote in September standing. New Business: The First Order of New Business was to talk about the term ending dates for City Liaisons Garland Steuber and Robert Wiley. Mr. Wiley was absent. Chairman Steuber reminded everyone that the members of the City Council choose which committees they wish to be on, which is partly decided by seniority. Mr. Steuber was urged to return to the cemetery commission. The Second Order of New Business was an item not on the agenda. Director Warwick asked for approval of an ordinance amending Ordinance 2208. This is needed to make some necessary corrections. The new ordinance will be sent on to the City Council next month. The Commissioners were told that we need to record deeds for better record keeping. Commissioner Eubanks made a motion to accept the new ordinance. Commissioner David Lee seconded the motion, which passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.