Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2009 MINUTES OF LEBANON CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING October 20, 2009 - 2:00 p.m. Apple Valley Municipal Center COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Nancy Anderson, Dave Kemp, Alan Kohls, Paula Moore, Gary Wagner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: David Brueshoff, Bob Harvey OTHERS PRESENT: Public Works Superintendent Mike Glewwe Cemetery/Public Works Coordinatar Jean Bryant Ranee Hadley Chair Kohls called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Moore, approving the agenda for today's meeting as written. Motion passed unanimously. AUDIENCE —10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME LIMIT FOR ITEMS NOT ON TffiS AGENDA Chair Kohls asked members to sign the Thank-You cards to cemetery volunteers. He read the article from the City newsletter thanking them. He then read the resolution accepting $155 from Charles and Kelly McKown in memory of Rhoda Peterson. Chair Kohls introduced Ranee Hadley, a former Committee member who has recently moved back to the area. Ms. Hadley said she saw many cemeteries where she had lived that were not mowed or taken care of. She said how beautiful Lebanon Cemetery looks as it is well kept. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 21, 2009 MOTION: of Wagner, seconded by Kemp, approving the minutes of the July 21, 2009, meeting. Motion passed unanimously. NEW/CONTINUED BUSINESS Activity Report Ms. Bryant reviewed the Lebanon Cemetery Activity Report for third quarter. There were 8 lot sales in the third quarter: 5 to residents and 3 to non-residents; 5 sales were preneed and 3 were at need. There were 2 boulder sales (doubles) and 2 niche sales (doubles). There were 6 burials, of which 4 were traditional and 2 were cremations. There were 3 transfers of lots and no returns of lots to the Cemetery. Maintenance and Grounds Mr. Glewwe said maintenance this quarter consisted of regular mowing, watering trees and flowers, weeding and trimming the plantings; and removing unapproved memorials on a monthly basis. Topdressing and hydroseeding was performed on the new graves and the areas that did not survive the drought. Fall fertilizer and broadleaf herbicide were applied. Preparations for winter include pulling the flowers and tilling the beds, and wrapping the trees. Columbaria Landscaping Update Mr. Glewwe reported the columbaria landscaping is complete and the drain tile has been installed. Committee members commented on how attractive the site is and asked if staff has received feedback from families and visitors. Mr. Glewwe said quite a few people visited while work was in progress and responded favorably to the improvements. 2010 Meeting Schedule Chair Kohls presented the 2010 meeting schedule of January 19, April 20, July 20, and October 19. Committee Members had no objections to the dates. MOTION: of Wagner, seconded by Moore, approving the 2010 Meeting Schedule of January 19, April 20, July 20, and October 19. Motion passed unanimously. Donation Received Chair Kohls expressed thanks for the donation from the McKowns. Such donations help with the plantings at the cemetery. MAC Convention Report Ms. Bryant reported on the recent Minnesota Association of Cemeteries convention which she attended. Also attending were Mr. Glewwe and Committee Member Kemp. , Following is the summary of the presentations. Green Burial — Joe Sehee of the Green Burial Council Responding to changing consumer demand for more eco-friendly options. Avoid use of formaldehyde, steel concrete, hardwood. Reduce toxins and use burial costs to fund conservation. Green Burial Council efforts: Ecological/ partnerships/legislative support to protect "green burial" idea Considerations for cemeteries - much research, studies, partnerships, grants. Emerald Ash Borer — Jim Ostvi� of Ostvig Tree St. Paul had 60 trees where EAB was evident — from firewood sold 3 years ago by Lowes, Home Depot, Menards that came from Detroit. Hennepin & Ramsey Counties are quarantined — no wood may leave the county. Control will be with cities, as with Dutch elm and oak wilt. Treatment is available. He likes Tree-age, an injection treatment. So far it lasts 2 years and is almost 100% effective. It does wound the tree. Creative Listenin� — Jeff Adamson of Comedvsportz uad Cities Communication is affected by our pre-determination of the message and its value. We need to set that aside. Trust your first idea and move forward. Say "Yes! And..." If you're operating at your best and are stressed out, lower your expectations. Leading the Wav During Difficult Times — Bob Ash of Life Lessons Difficulty is no excuse See possibilities Continue to be "new and improved" Changing your thinking leads to changing your life Believe in yourself Work at it Be truthful Integrity — focus on what is right, not who is right Serve people Open your heart to others Laughter is the shortest distance between two people (Victor Borge) Take the leap even if you don't know how to do it Cremation Trends — Kevin Waterston, Cremation Society of Minnesota Statistics — MN Dept of Health: in 2008, 44.6% cremation rate. Rate has gone up each year since 1961 when it was 1.8%. Dakota County had a 2008 rate of 50%. Cremation Assoc of North America (CANA) report on cremated remains disposition: 40.7% delivered to cemetery 35.8% taken home (later to cemetery, scattered, or kept at home) 17.8% scattered as directed, not in cemetery 5.7% not picked up CANA estimates by 2015, 59% of deaths will be cremations. States with low migration rates have fewer cremations. Grave Site Turf Establishment — Larrv Vetter, Twin Citv Seed Company In choosing turf, need to decide: Quality needed, Purpose, Management level desired Reported on testing done at Resurrection Cemetery. Committee Member Kemp reported on the testing. Thirty test plots were planted with different mixtures of seed, starter fertilizer, and hydro gel. The results did not satisfy Mr. Vetter. Next year, another 20 plots will be seeded to test more mixtures. The goal is to develop a mixture that is drought tolerant and doesn't need much watering to become established. The mixture would be distributed in packets containing enough to cover one grave. Ms. Bryant's report continued: Promoting Your Cemetery Panel presented some marketing ideas: Have professional brochure. Deliver some to funeral homes. Have a web site with information and to search records. Tours and brochures on history of cemetery and graves; symbolism on gravestones. Have a sense of the community and its needs. Serve the people with gatherings to help them on holidays. Host seminars on what happens when someone dies — reps from hospice, funeral home, cemetery. Information in City newsletter and on web site. Location and appearance of cemetery. Reserve lots near burial and follow up with family on purchasing. Wreath sale. OTHER BUSINESS Fa112009 City News Article Chair Kohls directed attention to the two articles published in the Fall City News: Volunteers and Pre-Planning Arrangements. He commented on the value of having articles about the cemetery so people are aware the City has a cemetery. ADJOURN MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Moore, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m. Approved: January 19, 2010