Oakland Cemetery Commission

Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission Minutes February 21, 2023 The Russellville Oakland Cemetery Commission met Tuesday February 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. The meeting was called to order by Commission Chair, Mindy Hudson. She welcomed everyone and congratulated Jami Mullen for being approved by the City Council as a new commissioner. Those present: Chair Mindy Hudson, Vice Chair Mary Schwartz, Secretary Jami Mullen, Commissioners Cindy Hlass and Walter Hudson, Director Stephanie Warwick, Assistant Tish French. Attending via Google Meets: City Attorney Trey Smith Old Business: The First Order of Business was to review the January 2023 minutes. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Walter Hudson with a second by Commissioner Schwartz. The vote was unanimous to approve. The Second Order of Business was the presentation of the January 2023 Financial Report by Commissioner Schwartz as prepared by City Finance Director, Robin Johnson. $69,000 was transferred to account under contract labor. The commissioners discussed inviting Robin to attend a future meeting to explain how funds from the trust account could possibly be used for proposed special projects such as cameras, lighting, fencing / gates. The Third Order of Business was to open the floor to public concerns. No members of public were present. New Business: The First Order of New Business: Director Warwick opened discussion regarding the consideration of raising the number of seated commissioners from 5 to 7. We will need to request an amendment to the Cemetery Code and or a Resolution by the City Council to formally move forward. Commissioners discussed possibly creating a range of not less than 5, not to exceed 9 commissioners. The motion was made by Commissioner Schwartz to prepare a resolution to change the number of Commissioners to a range of not less than 5, not to exceed 9. If a number must be set it will be set at 7 Commissioners. The second was made by Commissioner Walter Hudson. Motion was approved. Director Warwick will meet with City Attorney Trey Smith to create the resolution. The Second Order of New Business: Commissioner Mindy Hudson opened the floor for proposed projects. Commissioner Walter Hudson discussed tree plantings. Willow Oak seedlings will be going in. There are shrubs and a Teddy Bear Magnolia that have died and will need to be removed. Director Warwick shared that the two (2) concrete benches in the Memorial Garden that were broken by vandalism, have been removed. We will look at placing two smaller metal benches in the Memorial Garden area as a future project. This item of discussion is from Old Business, but relative to the Garden Benches: There will be a six (6’) foot powder coated metal bench installed in the Mary Rye Campbell Addition in the coming months once the correction is made to the concrete slab already in place. This slab is just short of the length needed to properly secure the metal bench. Commissioner Mindy Hudson requested information on cameras for the cemetery. Director Warwick is preparing a presentation for the commissioners with hopes to implement the camera project in phases. Commissioner Hlass would like to have consideration given to a Halloween event. Director Warwick shared that the River Valley Arts Center is currently working on a fall tour event at Oakland Cemetery. Commission Chair Mindy Hudson opened discussion for a spring Decoration / Cleanup Day. After much discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Walter Hudson to set Saturday April 22, 2023 from 9.am. to 3 p.m. as the Spring Decoration Day. Second was made by Commissioner Hlass. Motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. by Commission Chair Mindy Hudson. Submitted: Commission Secretary, Jami Mullen