Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes November 19, 2019 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room. Attending: Director Stephanie Warwick, City Attorney Trey Smith, Chairwoman/Commissioner Mindy Hudson, Commissioner/Secretary Rebecca Howell, and Commissioner Cindy Hlass Absent: City Finance Director Robin Johnson, Vice-Chairman/Commissioner David Lee, Commissioner Cecelia Slone, Commissioner Kenneth Startup, City Council Liaison Phyllis Carruth, City Council Liaison Justin Keller, Mayor Richard Harris, and visitor Sean Ingram from The Courier Chairwoman Hudson welcomed everybody and opened the Cemetery meeting at 5:37 p.m. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to review and approve the minutes from the October 15, 2019, Cemetery Regular Meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Hlass and seconded by Secretary Howell. The minutes were unanimously approved. The Second Order of Business was a presentation of the October 2019 Financial Report by Director Warwick. Balances at 10/31/19 were Bank OZK C.D. $149,600.83 and Bank account (Russellville Fund 24) $74,456.17. As shown on the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, October revenues were $400.09 and total expenditures $6,836.75. Cemetery Perpetual Care of $193.41 was transferred to the Bank OZK trust account. The other deposit in the Bank OZK trust account was monthly interest of $206.80. Director Warwick also explained the Genworth annual statement for the period October 21, 2018 – October 21, 2019. This is the other trust account for Oakland. The beginning contract value of $109,124.97 received interest income of $5,183.44, for an ending contract value of $114,308.41. The Third Order of Business was not addressed. Director Warwick and Commission members did not have any concerns from the public. The Fourth Order of Business was an overview from the day’s activities of the Colors of Autumn Fall event for Oakland. Director Warwick reported that the event was a success, and she hopes to have another workshop at other Decoration Days. Hopefully, next year’s event can be on the same day as Fall Fest. For the future, we want to have more activities. The turnout for our Colors of Autumn Fall event included numerous volunteers, and all areas were repaired. A girls’ volleyball team from a local private school picked up trash across the entire cemetery. Two self- guided tours were available and were enhanced by seventeen new signs highlighting persons of historical significance. The Fifth Order of Business was a continued discussion for strategic planting of trees and shrubs within the cemetery and along the north line border and along Detroit Ave (west line). Chair Hudson asked if we should do trees this time and for a second stage do shrubs and fencing. Director Warwick shared her design for placing four Sugar Maple trees, one Japanese Maple, and one Willow Oak in the cemetery – the maple trees near the drives along 8th Street, and the willow oak in the area where the huge oak stood before it was taken down by winds. Chair Hudson stressed the need for an approval from the Commission members. She made a motion to give authority to Director Warwick to move forward to get an estimate on four Sugar Maples, one Japanese Maple, and one Willow Oak, and if it’s under $2,000.00, then to go forward with the project. Should there be a necessity to change the type of plantings due to the lack of availability, so long as they are near to what has been chosen, the Director may make such changes but to also inform the Commissioners of the same. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hlass. Regarding the Hlass plot area, the broken wall is beautifully cut away and footing is poured. The second layer may be finished now. We appreciate Public Works for their excellent work on this difficult project and will keep them in mind for future work. New Business: The First Order of New Business was a reminder from Director Warwick that our Commission may start the coming new year down one member. Members are picked by the Mayor and approved by City Council. Director Warwick suggested that the Commissioners think of who they know who would be interested in serving on the Board, and to have them attend the December meeting. Chairwoman Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at about 6:05 p.m.