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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/1999 , . � � � MINUTES OF LEBANON CEMETERY MEETING October 19, 1999 - 2:00 p.m. Apple Valley City Hall COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Wilt Anderson, David Kemp, Reid Koepp, David Quarberg, and Gary Wagner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Math Fischer and John Raiche OTHERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Dennis Miranowski, Assistant Public Works Director Neal Heuer, Assistant to the City Administrator Charles Grawe, Public Works Supervisor Pat Flanders, Public Works Intern Andy Pederson, and Margaret Gillard. Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Wagner, approving the agenda for today's meeting as written. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF NIINUTES MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Wagner, approving the minutes of the July 20, 1999, meeting, as written. Motion passed unanimously. Chair Anderson indicated he spoke with Dennis Anderson at Dakota County regarding public assistance burials. Mr. Anderson indicated that a meeting will take place on November 9, 1999, at the Dakota County Western Services Center in ` Room L139 to discuss public assistance burials. If changes are necessary, the County Board will hear the issue. Dennis Miranowski requested Andy Pederson contact Dennis Anderson to find out mare information and a time for the meeting. NEW BUSINESS Phasing Plan Andy Pederson presented the six phases of the cemetery expansion plan. Mr. Pederson highlighted the details of each phase. Committee Member Koepp asked what type of utilities would be installed. Neal Heuer said that water, sanitary, and storm utilities are currently being installed. Mr. Heuer updated the committee � � as to the location of the various utilities. Mr. Heuer stated utility work is scheduled to be completed by October 28. Dakota Electric does not currently run electricity to the cemetery site. Mr. Heuer stated the electrical plan for the site included power to the corner sign, entryways, flag pole area, mausoleum, and maintenance building. Dennis Miranowski raised staff concerns over the grading plan that is presently being executed. Neal Heuer stated 16 monument/markers in the southeast corner will have to be raised approximately one foot in height. This work would take place sometime in November, weather permitting. NLr. Heuer stated that attempts would be made by City staff to contact families; and that the gravestones will be secured on site during the operations. Committee Member Quarberg asked about the possibility of a right-turn only lane on County Road 42. Dennis Miranowski stated that no plans were being made for a right-turn only lane due to the fact that there is not enough space within the County Road 42 right of way. Mr. Miranowski stated that the future 1515` Street entrance is ultimately envisioned to be the main entrance and that the Pilot Knob Road maintenance entrance could be utilized in the meantime. Andy Pederson stated that the interior expansion road will likely be installed in early November and seeding the entire expansion area this year is dependent on the weather. Committee Member Koepp asked why the pond was not being developed earlier, possibly as part of phase two. Dennis Miranowski responded that he would rather create a pool in lieu of a pond, but that would require more money. Placing the pond/pool into the future allows the City to generate the revenue needed to fund the project. Committee Member Wagner stated that this phasing plan would probably be reevaluated every five years after additional revenue is received. Andy Pederson stated that this phasing plan is being examined for the long term. Mr. Pederson stated that many things could change. Based on current projections, this is how the City determined each of the objectives of the Master Development Plan could be achieved in a first- class manner. Committee Member Kemp agreed that it would be good to reevaluate the phasing plan every five years. Committee Member Quarberg asked if the City has received more cemetery inquires. Andy Pederson indicated that the cemetery has received increased interest, as the expansion has become more visible to the public. Fee Structure Andy Pederson outlined the basic objectives of the proposed rate structure and overviewed the four rate distinctions: (1) Resident with marker as a base rate; (2) Non-resident with marker as the base rate plus $150; (3) Resident with monument as the base rate plus $150; and (4)Non-resident with monument is most expensive with the base rate plus $300. Mr. Pederson indicated that Lebanon Cemetery currently has the unique feature of residendnon-resident rate distinctions of $150. In addition,Mr. Pederson proposed the creation of a new $150 distinction between markers and monuments to cover the increased maintenance costs associated with monuments. 2 � � Mr. Pederson presented the proposed rate structure for traditional lawn burials, which included six tiers based on the desirability of the location. Committee Member Kemp suggested being very careful on how the types of lots are warded in a brochure. Mr. Pederson indicated that the word "privilege"be added to read"resident with marker privileges"to avoid any confusion. Mr. Pederson presented the three-tiered rate stnzcture for cremation lawn burials and the two multi-tiered rate structure for columbariums. Committee Member Kemp stated that he didn't know of any niches that actually fit two urns, and also stated that niche prices above the head are lower than at the heart and eye level, which are considered most desirable. Chair Anderson requested reworking the columbarium rate structure to reflect Committee Member Kemp's comments. Committee Member Wagner suggested providing funeral homes with information on m�imum urn size for columbariums. Mr. Pederson suggested that as part of the marketing plan, which will soon be developed, some type of information folder could possibly be put together for funeral homes as well as the general public. Mr. Pederson then explained the proposed fee structure stating the primary goal was to cover the expenses the cemetery would incur. Mr. Pederson indicated that the cemetery currently has three opening fees far traditional lawn burials: frost, non-frost, and grave marking fees, while the � proposed fee of$550 would be one all-inclusive fee. Committee Member Wagner asked is the City will dig graves in the future. Dennis Miranowski stated that he did not foresee the City digging graves anytime soon. Committee Member Kemp suggested that the City may want to exceed costs for additional revenue for maintenance. Mr. Pederson presented the lawn cremation opening fees and stated the City currently charges two cremation burial opening fees, an urn grave digging fee, and a grave marking fee. NIr. Pederson stated that the proposed fee of$275 would be one all-inclusive fee. NIr. Pederson presented the monument location fee and stated that the fee was not being based on size, but rather a proposed straight fee of $100. Committee Member Kemp stated that other cemeteries pour monument foundations. Mr. Pederson indicated that Lebanon Cemetery may appear low in comparison to other cemeteries, but factors and services that other cemeteries provide must also be examined. Mr. Pederson also presented the proposed marker location fee of $75. Mr. Pederson stated the City will be adding a fee associated with columbariums. A columbarium niche opening fee of$275 would be included into the fee structure. Mr. Pederson added that the possibility exists for a another fee far the purchase and/or engraving of a plaque to be adopted depending on the type of columbarium selected. Mr. Pederson presented the weekend/holiday fee and stated that currently confusion exists over when the fee should be charged. A clarification in the language would be made to state that any activity occurring on the weekend would incur the proposed$250 fee. 3 � � . Mr. Pederson stated that the rate and fee proposal that was being proposed is to be viewed as a master plan. Mr. Pederson stated that City staff is requesting approval for phase one development rates and the revisions to the fee structure be acted upon by the Committee and be presented to the City Council. Committee Member Kemp recommended that an additional $75 be added to the cost of cremation opening fees for a concrete enclosure. Committee Member Kemp stated that the City can buy them in quantity and stare them on site. Committee Member Kemp also suggested changing the ordinance to prevent multiple burials in a single lot. Mr. Pederson indicated staff has had preliminary discussions on this issue and would further investigate it. Committee Member Kemp requested that this item be placed on the next agenda. Committee Member Koepp asked how the markers and monuments would be located within the areas. Mr. Pederson stated the design and lot layouts are currently being developed and would maximize areas for mowing and maintenance. MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Koepp, to accept the proposed rate and fee structure as proposed with the following two changes: (1) add $75 fee to the lawn cremation burials and provide a vault for cremains, and (2) restructure columbarium rates so that the heart and eye level niches are most expensive and those niche levels above the eye be decreased. Motion passed unanimously. � Established Date Andy Pederson stated that confusion exists over the establishment date of Lebanon Cemetery. Mr. Pederson stated that the current signage and the purchase of the original site occurred in December 1863, while the purchase of the existing site occurred in February 1864. Mr. Pederson requested the Committee provide direction for which establishment date should be utilized in the future. Committee Member Kemp noted that at least one cemetery has moved several times but uses the original date of establishment from the original site. MOTION: of Anderson, seconded by Koepp, to use 1863 as the year of establishment for the cemetery. Motion passed unanimously. Construction Update Andy Pederson showed the committee a photograph of the fence. Committee Member Kemp raised concern about the liability of pickets on the top of the fence in the event of injury. Dennis Miranowski stated that this design provides the best character and meets City Ordinance. Mr. Pederson also showed the Committee a rendering of the sign to be located at the corner of Pilot Knob Road and County Road 42 as well as a rendering of the entrance column for the expansion area. 4 1 y � � � OLD BUSINESS Cemetery Logo Dennis Miranowski stated that a logo has not been developed at this time. Mr. Miranowski showed a logo of a tree at the existing site that the cemetery architects have proposed. Mr. Miranowski indicated the logo would be used for future marketing, cemetery letterhead, and business cards. Andy Pederson stated that staff has not had time to begin work on the cemetery logo, but would soon become a priority as staff begins to market the cemetery. Mr. Miranowski requested that if the committee has any ideas or would like to help design the loga to contact Andy Pederson or Pam Gackstetter. Committee Member Koepp raised the idea of having a logo with an inscription such as the established date. Chair Anderson encouraged committee Members to contact City staff regarding the development of the cemetery logo. Brochure Andy Pederson stated that a brochure has been examined very briefly due to the fact that other cemetery activities were placed on a higher priority. Mr. Pederson indicated that these items were being considered as Old Business because they were discussed at the last Committee meeting and ` staff would soon begin development of these items. Landscape Beautification Fund Andy Pederson stated that the landscape beautification fund has been preliminarily examined and further work would be completed in the near future. Mr. Pederson indicated that staff would continue to work on these three items. ADJOURN MOTION: of Quarberg, seconded by Koepp, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed _ unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. 5