Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes November 16, 2021 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. Attending in Person: Director Stephanie Warwick, Chairperson/Commissioner Mindy Hudson, Vice Chairperson/Commissioner Kenneth Startup, Commissioner/Secretary Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Cindy Hlass, and Commissioner Mary Schwartz Attending via Phone: City Attorney Trey Smith Attending via Google Meets: None Absent: City Finance Director Robin Johnson, City Council Liaison Phyllis Carruth, Mayor Richard Harris, Debi Headley from the Mayor’s Office, and visitor Sean Ingram from The Courier Chairperson Hudson thanked everyone for being at the Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Regular Meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to review and approve the minutes from the October 19, 2021, Cemetery Regular Meeting. A correction to the minutes was made, that being the 9/30/21 operating account cash balance. The balance sheet amount was actually $76,742.47 but the 9/30/21 bank statement balance of $80,143.90 was shown in the minutes. The motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Commissioner Schwartz and seconded by Vice Chair Startup. The minutes were unanimously approved. The Second Order of Business was a presentation of the October 2021 Financial Report by Commissioner Schwartz. Cash balances for October 31, 2021 were: Russellville Oakland Cemetery operating account $74,515.67 and Bank OZK perpetual care trust account $154,251.33. On the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, Commissioner Schwartz explained various numbers in the October column, including two lot sales for $1,500.00 and a $60.00 grounds maintenance charge. A question was left over from last month as to the $13,385.16 in September cemetery improvements account. The amounts were $10,082.46 for the new Memorial Addition roadway and $3,302.70 to Magee Monument Co. for repairs to the damaged gravestones along Detroit Avenue. Since there is $6,580.00 left in grounds maintenance budget, Director Warwick plans to order American flags that will be placed in the cemetery on special occasions. Also, Vice Chair Startup asked about a $30.00 check from operation account to trust account, and Director Warwick will check on this. The Third Order of Business was a debriefing/ update of the 2021 November Workshop & Tours held 11/7/2021. Chair Hudson thanked Director Warwick for another successful workshop. Thanks were expressed to Vice Chair Startup for clearing an area of overgrown plants. Walter Hudson, a volunteer, also worked in this area, and his help is always much appreciated. Rocks were fixed for one family’s plot. There were seven visitors in the cemetery besides Commissioners. In hopes of gaining more attendance from the public at cemetery events, our Commission plans to look into more activities, some of which have been popular in the past and some of which will be new. Director Warwick reported that the Cemetery Code allows us to clean private gravestones, and she has learned of a new product that is very good. Hopefully, some future workshops will focus on Commissioners and community members working on cleaning stones. Too, both Director Warwick and Chairperson Hudson want to emphasize history and education in order to pull people into the cemetery. Connections of people helping in our cemetery may come about in these three ways: (1) workshops, (2) events, and (3) Memorial Day and other holidays, in the opinion of Director Warwick. The Fourth Order of Business was a continued open discussion to amend the name of the new addition of the cemetery. The suggestion is to name it “Campbell Addition”, in honor of the cemetery’s benefactor, Mary (Rye) Campbell. If approved, this item can be taken to City Council by our Liaison, Phyllis Carruth, for approval. Vice Chair Startup made the motion to change the name of Memorial Addition to Mary Rye Campbell Addition in order to honor a benefactor. Commissioner Schwartz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Dedication may be in April. “We have done a lot this year,” noted Chairperson Hudson. The Fifth Order of Business was an open floor to the Public to address concerns/suggestions, and there were no visitors in attendance. New Business: The First Order of New Business was a discussion about the Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Cemetery Regular Meeting, which will feature Holiday snacks following a shorter meeting. This will be our last meeting for the year, and a nice note to end the year for works well performed. “Thank you for sticking through,” said our director. The meeting will be held in the 1st Floor Conference Room, and guests are invited. Chairperson Hudson thanked all for attending and adjourned the meeting at about 6:15 p.m. after a motion by Vice Chair Startup.