Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes December 15, 2015 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met on Tuesday, December 15, 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 Patricia Petray, Commissioner Anna Fields, Commissioner Donna Eubanks, Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, Mayor Randy Horton, and visitor Sean Ingram from the Courier. Absent: Commissioner Rebecca Howell 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 November 17, 2015, Cemetery Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee to accept the minutes, and Commissioner Eubanks seconded the motion, which was unanimously passed. The Second Order of Business was the monthly financial report given by Finance Director McKaughan. As of November 30, there is $29,879.26 in the bank. More lots were sold this year than last year, bringing in an income of $7,500. The previous year showed earnings of $1,500 from lots. There were no questions for the Director, and so he concluded his report. The Third Order of Business was the monthly Overall Operations Report given by Director Warwick. She informed the commission that the foundation has been poured for the Columbarium. The Columbarium itself is due to be delivered as early as Wednesday of next week. After the installation of this, the sidewalk will be the next part of the project. Director Warwick said the city workers are doing a great job. There will be some cleanup and light trimming done on the trees in the new area. When the new road is completed, regular lots will be sold in the new addition. For now, only niches in the Columbarium will be sold. She hopes that by spring the whole area will be open. The Fourth Order of Business was a look at new estimates for a “Dumpster Corral.” Commissioners were given three new estimates to consider for a smaller size corral than ones considered earlier, including additional possibilities for steel posts and chain-link fencing. Chairman Steuber asked if there were any motions for a change from last month as far as the materials to be used for the fencing. The Commissioners decided to stay with the decision made in November for using treated pine rails and posts and cedar pickets for a three-sided corral around the dumpster only. The new estimate currently is $346.91, with city employees doing the work. New Business: Chairman Steuber asked for any new business. Director Warwick asked the commissioners to consider what projects should be looked into for next year. Commissioner Fields brought into discussion the ongoing work on a plot log that was begun around 1946. She and a number of other volunteers worked collecting information on numerous cemeteries around the area. There was a book completed in 1981 that is available in the library as well as other information about cemeteries collected since then. She brought to everyone's attention that Johnson County has a museum, which contains much historical information. Commissioner Fields suggested that it would be good to consider a similar museum for Pope County. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.