Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes October 18, 2022 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met for the regular meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. Attending in Person: Director Stephanie Warwick, Chairperson/Commissioner Mindy Hudson, Commissioner/Secretary Rebecca Howell, Commissioner Mary Schwartz, and visitor Walter Hudson Attending via Phone: City Attorney Trey Smith Attending via Google Meets: Commissioner Cindy Hlass Absent: City Finance Director Robin Johnson, Liaison Phyllis Carruth, Mayor Richard Harris, Debi Headley from the Mayor’s Office, and visitor Sean Ingram from The Courier Chair Mindy Hudson welcomed attendees to the October Cemetery Regular Meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Old Business: The First Order of Business was to review and approve the minutes from the September 20, 2022, Cemetery Regular Meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Schwartz and seconded by Secretary Howell. The minutes were unanimously approved. The Second Order of Business was a presentation of the September 2022 Financial Report by Commissioner Schwartz. Cash balances for September 30, 2022 were: Russellville Oakland Cemetery operating account $80,387.93 and Bank OZK perpetual care trust account $155,651.89. As shown on the September Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, the only revenue was interest income of $232.33. Included in expenditures was $1,200.00 in the cemetery improvements account, and Director Warwick noted that this was actually the annual payment for our Grave Discover software (online database). Commissioner Schwartz suggested moving this to another account, such as utilities or office supplies. Income for the nine months of 2022 looks good at $19,714.02. However, $16,000.00 of mowing is still to be paid in 2022. The Third Order of Business was updates for the Fall Conservation Workshop by Arkansas Cemetery Preservation. Director Warwick described the activities and schedule for Saturday, October 22, at Russellville Oakland Cemetery. The Fourth Order of Business is tabled to November. This will be a discussion concerning adding cameras/deer cameras to the cemetery. Also, two street lights may be needed in the new addition. The Fifth Order of Business was an open floor to the Public to address concerns/suggestions, and there was one visitor in attendance. Discussion centered around vandalism in the cemetery, including a few overturned headstones, one broken bench, and one bench with graffiti on it. Director Warwick advises that it will cost $100.00 plus installation to replace the broken bench, and, possibly, the graffiti can be removed with a cleaning product. Director Warwick also described the upcoming process for the new mowing contract: (1) put out for bid for contract, (2) discussion with Finance Director, and (3) helpful requirement for bidders to meet with Director Warwick on Nov. 2 to walk the cemetery. Bids will be opened on Nov. 8 by Finance Director and then go to Finance Committee and City Council. Director Warwick will continue speaking to city employees to see if Oakland might be included with city mowing projects. Chair Hudson closed with these words to Director Warwick, “Thank you for all this information and I appreciate everything you do.” New Business: The First Order of New Business was a discussion about moving the December Cemetery Regular Meeting to the second Tuesday in December, the reason being the busy holiday season. Secretary Howell made the motion to move the meeting to Tuesday, December 13, and Commissioner Schwartz seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Chair Hudson thanked all for attending and adjourned the meeting at about 6:10 p.m.