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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-16-24CITY OF APPLE VALLEY LEBANON CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE July 16, 2024 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Lebanon Cemetery Advisory Committee of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, held July 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Apple Valley Municipal Center. PRESENT: Nancy Anderson, Tim Anderson, Dave Brueshoff, Alan Kohls, Dave Kurtz, Jan Monro ABSENT: Tanya Grawe City staff members present were: Public Works Director Matt Saam, Streets Superintendent Jeff Lathrop and Cemetery/Public Works Coordinator Wendy Davis 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chair Kohls. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of D. Brueshoff, seconded by T. Anderson approving the agenda for today’s meeting as written. Ayes - 6, Nays - 0 3. AUDIENCE – 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME LIMIT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THIS AGENDA There was no one present to speak. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 16, 2024 MOTION: of T. Anderson, seconded by D. Kurtz approving the minutes of the April 16, 2024, meeting with one correction. An update to the motion of approval of the minutes of the April 16 meeting was changed from N. Anderson to T. Grawe. Ayes - 6, Nays - 0 5. NEW/CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Cemetery Improvements New Columbarium Area –Mr. Saam updated the committee on the new columbarium area. The first phase is substantially complete with a few concrete crack repairs needed. A second columbarium will be ordered for installation dependent on sales later this year or next year. There are funds allocated in the budget to begin the process of designing and installing the water feature. Previously, a private donor has expressed interest in assisting with the water feature as well. Matt Saam is in discussion with the private donor, updates will be provided at a future meeting. B. Boulder Area Mr. Lathrop informed the committee that an additional section of the boulder area in the southwest corner of the cemetery is now open. The new area has 23 additional locations for boulder placement. A retaining wall was also added to the area. C. Cemetery Garage Building Mr. Lathrop stated that staff is working with Oertel Architects for design and installation of a garage building for the cemetery. The garage building will store items needed for cemetery operations. Work on the garage building was expected to begin in 2024, however, this work is delayed until Spring of 2025. D. 2nd Quarter Activity Report MOTION: of J. Monro seconded by D. Kurtz, accepting the Activity Report for First Quarter 2024. Ayes - 6, Nays - 0 E. Discuss Fee Increases for 2025 Mr. Saam discussed the proposed fee increases with the committee. This year is not a year that area cemeteries will be surveyed for pricing comparison, so fee increases will be based on inflation. The expected inflation rate is 3.3 percent. Mr. Saam also provided the cemetery fund balance to committee members. The cemetery fund is at just under $800k. The cemetery has had quite a few large investments, so the cemetery will need to stay at market rate, or the cemetery fund will be depleted. F. Maintenance and Grounds Update Mr. Lathrop informed the committee that the cemetery road and parking lot had chip sealing completed in early summer. Chip sealing adds longevity to the road surface. Restoration, seeding and matting of recent burials took place recently as well. In the next few weeks, weed whipping along the cemetery berm will be completed. G. Review Policy – Dogs Allowed at Cemetery As a review, Mr. Lathrop discussed the current policy of dogs being allowed at the cemetery with signage stating that dogs must be cleaned up after and referencing the City’s leash ordinance. The cemetery has recently had issues with visitors not following the ordinance and causing disruption to burials and other visitors. A question from a committee member was asked on how this ordinance is currently enforced. Staff does reference ordinance signs if a dog is off leash, however, staff is not always present to enforce. Discussion was had by the committee on the issue and the committee suggested monitoring for a quarter and re-evaluating at the next cemetery committee meeting. 6. COMMUNICATIONS/UPDATES 7. OTHER BUSINESS 8. ADJOURN MOTION: of T. Anderson, seconded by N. Anderson to adjourn the meeting. Ayes - 6, Nays - 0 Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________________ Wendy Davis, Cemetery/ Public Works Coordinator Approved by the Cemetery Advisory Committee on 10-16-24