Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes February 16, 2016 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor in the Council Chambers Conference Room. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairman Garland Steuber, Commissioner/Secretary Mindy Hudson, Commissioner Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Anna Fields, City Council Liaison Eric Westcott, Mayor Randy Horton, and visitor Sean Ingram from the Courier. Absent: Commissioner Patricia Petray, Commissioner Donna Eubanks, Vice-Chairman/Commissioner David Lee, Finance Director Jerry McKaughan. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Garland Steuber. New Business: Chairman Steuber requested the commission begin with New Business to elect this year's officers. Commissioner Anna Fields stated that she was happy with the current officers and wondered if they would like to serve another year. Chairman Steuber and Secretary Hudson each stated they would be glad for someone else to serve but did not decline to serve again. Commissioner Fields nominated Garland Steuber as Chairman and the vote was unanimous for his appointment. Vice-Chairman Lee and Secretary Hudson were each also nominated and unanimously voted to retain their positions for 2016. Old Business: The First Order of Business was considering the minutes from the December 15, 2015, Cemetery Regular Meeting for approval, which was delayed from last month. Secretary Hudson made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Commissioner Fields. The motion passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business was to approve the minutes from the January meeting. Commissioner Fields made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion, which then passed unanimously. The Third Order of Business was the monthly financial report. City Finance Director McKaughan was absent. Mayor Horton looked over the report with the Commissioners. There is a $40,000 increase shown which is from the city contribution for cemetery maintenance. The Schwab account reflects the general market trend at this time. There was some further discussion and sharing of information about the general running costs of the cemetery for the benefit of new liaison Westcott. He asked whether parents who lose babies are charged for burial and if there was a way to help relieve their financial burden. After discussion was concluded, Secretary Hudson made a motion to accept the financial report. Commissioner Fields seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Fourth Order of Business was the Director Warwick's monthly Overall Operations Report. 1. Operations were normal for the month. 2. Several large limbs that had fallen were removed from the grounds. 3. Two unofficial days for cleanup were held by Director Warwick and volunteers. She proposes that we hold an official cleanup/beautification in early May to prepare for Mother's Day and Memorial/Decoration Day. Director Warwick will have a plan prepared for the March meeting for the commissioners to consider. Secretary Hudson asked for an update on the status of the new section. Director Warwick responded that we were waiting for our turn on the list of city projects. Spaces cannot be sold in the new area until further work is completed. There was also discussion of a screen of bushes being planted to shield the sight of the metal buildings on the other side of the creek from the cemetery. Chairman Steuber asked about the removal of the discarded headstone that is under the catalpa tree on Drive 4. This is an item from earlier discussions. New Liaison Westcott volunteered to look at the stone and consider what could be done to move it. Director Warwick said we could consider reusing the stone, if the current inscription could be replaced so this could be utilized as the monument for Russellville's first Mayor Battenfield. This concluded the operations report and general discussion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM.