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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2005 � • MINUTES OF LEBANON CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING October 18,2005-2:00 p.m. Apple Valley Municipal Center COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Harvey,Dave Kemp, Gary Wagner, Harry Wolter COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Wilt Anderson,Mike Gruber,Paula Moore OTI3ERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Nea1 Heuer City Clerk Pamela Gackstetter Acting Superintendent Mike Glewwe Public Works Assistant Jean Bryant Secretary Harvey called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. A roll ca11 was taken. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Wolter, approving the agenda for today's meeting as written. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Heuer introduced Mike Glewwe. Mr. Glewwe was appointed Acting Public Works Superintendent upon the tragic death of Rod Rippenirop in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Glewwe has 25 years with the City and was a long-time resident of Apple Va11ey. The vacancy is expected to be filled permanently in January. ' S�VEARING IN OF NEW MEMBER City Clerk Pamela Gackstetter swore in Harry Wolter, a new member of the committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Wolter, approving the minutes of the July 19, 2005, meeting,as written. Motion passed unanimously. AUDIENCE—For Items Not on This Agenda-No one was present to speak. NEW/CONTINUED BUSINESS Activity Report Ms. Bryant reviewed the Lebanon Cemetery Activity Report for third quarter. There were . 121ot sales in the third quarter: 9 to residents and 3 to non-residents; there were no niche • � sales; 9 sales were preneed and 3 were at need. There were 5 burials, of which 2 were traditional and 3 were cremations. There were no transfers. Ms. Bryant noted sales were slow compared to third quarter of 2004 when there were 21 lot/niche sales: 15 preneed and 6 at need. Tota1 sales for the year are 42 compared to 48 in 2004. . Maintenance and Grounds Mr. Glewwe stated cemetery maintenance included normal mowing, which is four times a month, and application by TruGreen Chemlawn of liquid fertilizer with broadleaf herbicide to the entire cemetery. After the rain event of October 4 and 5, roughly ten of the newer grave sites had slight to severe settling and needed to be filled and seeded; three monuments/markers needed adjustment. The roads were swept because of Pilot Knob Road construction as well as wash out from the storm. Routine cleanup by volunteers and City staff consisted of pulling weeds and picking up garbage. Consider Change to General Price List Mr. Heuer stated sales of cemetery lots indicate a preference for monument lots. A survey of other cemeteries showed more of a difference between marker and monument lot prices. With that information and the difficult mowing around monuments, staff suggests the price of monument privilege be changed from$150 for a traditional lot and$100 for a cremation lot to $300 for both traditional and cremation lots. The change would be included in the City Clerk's annual price change. Mr. Harvey said$300 is still a good price. Mr. Kemp said Catholic cemeteries experienced ruruung out of monument rows and developed a new area of larger lots with a11 monument � privileged rows. Discussion continued on options the cemetery committee might consider such as more cremation lots, a scattering garden, and two cremains in a cremation lot to extend the life of the cemetery while maintaining revenue flow with the right of second burial fee. . Mr. Wolter asked for clarification of the monument lot price difference. Mr. Heuer explained it is because of demand and maintenance. Areas are also priced based on perceived preference. Lot sales fund future development. Mr. Wolter asked if purchasers have a choice of lots. Mr.�Heuer said that when the City took over the cemetery, it was discussed whether to assign lots. It was decided to not assign them but to open up one area at a time for sales. MOTION: � of Kemp, seconded by Wagner, to raise the Monument Privilege for Traditional and Cremation lots to$300. Approved unanimously. ' MAC Conference Update Ms. Bryant and Mr. Kernp gave a brief suminary of the MAC Conference. The main speaker was Bob Ash who spoke on the value of the Three Musketeers' motto, "All for One, One for All," for a successful arganization. The Hinckley Cemetery and Fire . � • Museum were toured. There were speakers on turf management and tree selection and care. OTHER BUSINESS Pilot Knob Road Closure Update Mr. Heuer stated Pilot Knob Road opened on October 17. He noted the low area in the cemetery was dry after the rain storm. Hopefully, the Pilot Knob Road construction caused that improvement. Update on Firefighters Tribute and Memorial Mr. Heuer said the Fire Fighters Association had hoped for dedication on September 11 but have opted for spring. The memorial needs the addition of the statue, more gravel, and pavers. Newspaper Articles Included in the agenda packet is an article recognizing the cemetery volunteers which was published in the Citv News. ADJOURN MOTION: of Wagner, seconded by Wolter,to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m.