Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes July 18, 2017 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairwoman/Commissioner Mindy Hudson, Vice Chairman/Commissioner David Lee, Commissioner/Secretary Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Patricia Petray, City Council Liaison Eric Westcott, and visitor Sean Ingram from The Courier. Absent: City Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, Commissioner Cindy Hlass, Commissioner Cecelia Slone, City Council Liaison Mark Tripp, and Mayor Randy Horton. The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Mindy Hudson at 5:30 p.m. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to review and approve the minutes from the June 20, 2017, Cemetery Regular Meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Liaison Westcott and seconded by Commissioner Petray. The minutes were unanimously approved. The Second Order of Business was a presentation of the Financial Report. Finance Director McKaughan was unable to attend. Chairwoman Mindy Hudson read the 6/30/17 account balances, as follows: Schwab $136,033.84 and Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $61,288.09. In looking at Current Month Revenue/Expenditures, the Commissioners and Director discussed the various June expenditures totaling $3,606.20. Director Warwick will talk with the Finance Director about making certain expenditure account names more descriptive, so that Commissioners can more easily remember what is included in each account. Liaison Westcott made a motion to accept the report as read, Secretary Howell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Third Order of Business was not addressed. This had been planned as a time to open the floor to the public to address concerns/suggestions; however, there were no visitors in attendance. The Fourth Order of Business was the monthly Operations Report given by Director Warwick. 1. Overall operations have been normal for the month. 2. There are two dead trees along the creek and another with a branch that needs pruning. Estimated cost is $500 - $800 to cut the two trees, leaving the stumps. Vines need cleaning over the next few weeks. Vice Chairman Lee asked if we need to plant more trees, and Commissioners discussed various locations for trees and bushes. Director Warwick asked Commissioners to suggest future tree plantings. 3. Although the cemetery grounds are often in beautiful form, there are two important issues with mowing. The first issue is that sometimes there is a problem with clumps of grass, and bagging would be a good solution. The second issue is that recently the lawn mowers have moved several markers from their bases. A large headstone was moved from its base but not damaged. Director Warwick has asked the workers to slow down. Generally, the mowing crew responds quickly to problems, but yet the same problems happen again. Liaison Westcott requested that Commissioners look over the current contract at our October or November meeting. 4. The Grave Discover database project is progressing. Photos have been updated and over 2,000 spaces have been pinned, mainly in the western sections of the cemetery. As a result of this work, one can see online if a given space is owned, for sale, unavailable, or occupied. 5. Drive 3 continues to seem like a city street. Placing a chain near the flagpole would cause vehicles to make a "jag," thus slowing them down. Another suggestion was to place one or two counters on Drive 3. Director Warwick will check with the Street Department about the counters. New Business: The First Order of New Business was a request from Director Warwick for a committee to host a 175-year celebration for Oakland Cemetery. Among the activities could be galas and tours. She is also working on obtaining a flag and compiling a list of notable people. Following Vice Chairman Lee's motion to adjourn, seconded by Secretary Howell, Chairwoman Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at about 6:18 p.m.