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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/2001 Special Meeting . � MINUTES OF LEBANON CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING September 5,2001 -3:00 p.m. Apple Valley City Aall COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Wilt Anderson, Ranee Hadley, Gary Humphrey, Reid Koepp,John Raiche, and Gary Wagner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: David Kemp OTHERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Neal Heuer, Administrative Assistant to the City Administrator Andy Pederson, Public Works Supervisor Pat Flanders, and Public Works Administrative Manager Pamela Gackstetter Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Raiche, seconded by Koepp, approving the agenda for today's meeting as written. Motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON RIBBON CUTTING/DEDICATION CEREMONY Staff presented the Committee with a draft program for the Ribbon Cutting/Dedication Ceremony to be held on September 13, 2001, at 5:30 p.m., at the Lebanon Cemetery. Mr. Pederson and Ms. Gackstetter provided an update regarding the events planned for the ceremony. Committee Member Humphrey joined the meeting at 3:15 p.m. Chair Anderson requested a podium and speakers be made available for the ceremony. Committee Member Hadley requested chairs also be made available. Committee Member Humphrey asked that Dennis Miranowski be extended an invitation if he had not already been invited. EXPANSION AREA Andy Pederson said that it has come to his attention that the City Council would like to know the Committee's position relative to expanding the cemetery. With the realization the adjacent land will not be vacant forever, ascertaining the Committee's opinion as to whether or not the City should pursue the purchase of additional land is a time sensitive matter. With that,Mr. Pederson encouraged the Committee to share its thoughts and opinions. � • Committee Member Humphrey said he believed a study had been done in the past relative to the appropriate size of a cemetery for a community the size of Apple Valley, and suggested staff locate the study for review. He also reminded the Committee that Math Fischer required the former Association to reclaim the unused lots in the historic portion of the cemetery prior to his agreeing to sell the eight additional acres purchased by the City of Apple Valley. The Committee discussed a variety of issues including past sales, original capacity projections, median age, and projected population growth. It recognized recent interest generated due to improvements and the fact that Apple Valley's residents are getting older. The Committee questioned what impacts marketing may have and if lot sales will continue to build momentum. It also accepted the thought that a larger cemetery becomes better known,thereby helping to market itself. Chair Anderson commended the City Council for looking ahead, because once the land is gone,the option to expand will not exist. Council Member Raiche suggested the City Council explore the idea of purchasing additional property realizing that the cost for property will be higher in the future. He further cited that the latest reports indicate Apple Valley's senior population is up 11 percent. Committee Member Humphrey said he would like to see the old reports as confirmation, but believes the cemetery should probably be expanded by another 10 acres. Committee Member Wagner said it is his understanding that cremation burials account for approximately 30 percent of current burials. He also pointed out that Fort Snelling has estimated it will be filled to capacity in 2024. Committee Member Hadley stated she was in favor of expanding the cemetery and shared Chair Anderson's concern that at the point the cemetery is land-locked, it is too late to consider expansion. MOTION: of Humphrey, seconded by Hadley, recommending that the City Council expand the Lebanon Cemetery of Apple Valley. The Cemetery Advisory Committee further recommends that a study be conducted and then reviewed by the Committee in order to ascertain the appropriate size of the expansion. Committee Member Wagner said there are approximately 1,000 traditional grave lots to an acre. Should the City Council not wish to purchase additional land, lawn crypts or a mausoleum may be viable alternatives. The Committee continued to discuss various thoughts and questioned how burial trends might impact sales and alter capacity projections. The Committee agreed on the importance of investigating the matter while options remain. Vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously. PAGE 2 y ` � � Mr. Pederson reminded the Committee that its next meeting will be held in the new Municipal Center located at 7100— 147�'Street. Committee Member Raiche wanted to thank Mr. Flanders and the Streets crew for the nice job they have done in cleaning up they cemetery grounds. Mr. Flanders said he will be sure to share the compliment with his staff. Ms. Gackstetter presented a sample of the columbarium niche plate staff chose, as authorized by the Committee. The new sample was manufactured using a black oxidization versus brown. The Committee agreed that the color of the new plaque complimented the granite and was a good choice. ADJOURN MOTION: of Wagner, seconded by Hadley, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned. Approved: PAGE 3