Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes August 15, 2017 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairwoman/Commissioner Mindy Hudson, Commissioner Patricia Petray, Commissioner Cecelia Slone, City Council Liaison Mark Tripp, City Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, and City Council Liaison Eric Westcott Absent: Vice-Chairman/Commissioner David Lee, Commissioner/Secretary Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Cindy Hlass, 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 July 18, 2017 Cemetery Regular Meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Liaison Westcott and seconded by Commissioner Slone. The minutes were unanimously approved. The Second Order of Business was a presentation of the Financial Report by Finance Director McKaughan. Account balances are as follows: Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $58,398.09 as of July 31, 2017 The Schwab Report shows a starting value of $136,033.84, with an ending value on July 31, 2017 of $137,913.71. The S&P closed up 320 points and if projections continue on this trend, by term end in October 2017, value will be up by 12%. Currently we have a gain of 5.44% Commissioner Westcott initiated a discussion concerning the budget and fees currently charged by the cemetery. Currently the fee for a traditional plot is $750. Of that price 20% is turned over to the state cemetery board. The current administrative and processing fees for each transaction is $27. Commissioner Westcott asked Director Warwick to provide a breakdown of the work involved and time spent for the purchase of plots. This is in connection to a proposal to re- evaluate the fees and expenses of the cemetery’s budget. Upon completion of the discussion, a motion was made to accept the report as read. It was seconded and 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. A Traffic Counter had been placed on Drive #3 of the cemetery, but the finally tally had not been submitted as of this meeting. Director Warwick will forward that tally as soon as it is received from Public Works Department. The Fifth Order of Business: Submission of estimates for at risk trees needing to be removed and certain large dead branches. Chairperson Hudson requested that this item be moved to the next scheduled meeting of the Cemetery Board in September 2017, as to allow more time for the Commissioners to inspect the trees in question along the creek on the west side of the cemetery. The Commissioners agreed and the item will be placed for discussion in September 2017. New Business: There were no new items. Following a motion to adjourn, it was seconded by Commissioner Petray. Chairwoman Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at about 6:10 p.m.