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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2006 � � MINUTES OF LEBANON CEMETERY ADVISORY COMIVIITTEE MEETING October 17,2006-2:00 p.m. Apple Valley Municipal Center COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Wilton Anderson, Dave Kemp,Alan Kohls,Paula Moore,Gary Wagner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Harvey,Hany Wolter OTHERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Nea1 Heuer Public Works Superintendent Mike Glewwe Public Works Assistant Jean Bryant Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. Verbal role was taken. APPROVAL OF AGENDA � MOTION: of Kohls, seconded by Kemp, approving the agenda for today's meeting as written. Ayes- 5 -Nays- 0. AUDIENCE—For Items Not on This Agenda Ms. Nancy Anderson requested the flowers at Pilot Knob Road and County Road 42 be raised next year so they are more visible. Mr. Glewwe said that would be done. APPROVAL OF 1VIINUTES '' MOTION: of Kemp, seconded by Wagner, approving the minutes of the July 18,2006, j meeting, as written. Ayes-5 -Nays-0. � NEW/CONTINUED BUSINESS Activity Report Ms. Bryant reviewed the Lebanon Cemetery Activity Report for third quarter. There were 21 lot/niche sales in the third quarter: 15 to residents and 6 to non-residents; there was 1 single niche sa1e; 16 sales were preneed and 5 were at need. There were 9 burials: 5 traditional and 4 cremations. Looking at the year through fhe tllird quarter, there were 46 sales: 34 resident and 12 nonresident, 28 preneed and 18 at need. Burials total 29: 14 traditional and 15 cremains. There were 20 transfers. Mr. Heuer noted one of the City Council's goals is to have more sales to residents than nonresidents. The sales ratio is 3 to 1 with 75 percent af sales to residents. � • • Maintenance and Grounds Mr. Glewwe reported cemete maintenance consisted of re ular mowin waterin of I �' g g, g , trees and flowers, weeding and trimming the plantings, and the removal of unapproved memorials on a monthly basis. Topdressing and hydroseeding were performed on the settled graves. Concrete curb was installed by a11 of the catch basins because the blacktop was settling. Also,repairs were made to the fence near the main entrance which was damaged when a vehicle struck it. Some assistance was given to complete the Firefighters Memorial. Mr. Glewwe said crews will be wrapping trees and pulling out the annual flowers yet this fa11. Chair Anderson stated he has asked the Code Enforcement officer to remove signs found on the corner of County Road 42 and Pilot Knob Road. He has already talked to the Board of Realtors about their signs. Any committee member seeing a sign there can report it or take it down. Committee Member Kohls commented the new curbing looks very nice. Approval of Ordinance Mr. Heuer referred to a copy of the ordinance included in the packet. The ordinance was adopted by the City Council on September 14. The ordinance adds "memorials"to section 92.18 allowing the Cemetery Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the City Council to adopt regulations regarding memorials permitted within the cemetery. Hours of operation were changed to one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Previously it was 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Staff does not want people in the cemetery after dark,and it is dark by 5:00 p.m. in winter months. The new hours work year around. Cemetery Regulations Mr. Heuer said the cemetery regulations are ready to go to the City Council to accept the amendments. As the committee previously reviewed the changes, Mr. Heuer pointed out the major revisions: The Cremation Boulder is a new possibility for cremation. Memorial Bench was added as people want to put them in common areas, and this section provides for evaluation of benches. Looking at alterna.tives to make better use of the cemetery space, staff proposes allowing up to three burials on a single traditional lot. Mr. Heuer stated this should be looked at again in the future to maximize cemetery space and extend the number of years in which there will be lots available. The Columbaria section clearly outlines what is expected for the new columbaria ' vases. I The Disinter section sets requirements for disinterment to avoid legal complications. 0 � , Questions were raised on disinterment regulations. Mr. Heuer explained the authorized person must give permission, and there must be a permit from the State of Minnesota. If there are objections, we also need a court order. Committee Member Moore asked what constitutes an authorized person. Committee Member Kemp stated we need permission from the lot owner and the next of kin. In certain circumstances, there may be two authorized persons. (He suggested a correction in Section VI.A. adding "(s)" after "Authorized Person.") Title of the lot must be established. Discussion ensued on the laws regarding title of cemetery lots. There are five different laws which need to be followed depending upon the date of death. Lot purchasers should be informed of the laws at the time of purchase. Committee Member Kohis suggested adding "or easels" after "stakes" in Section V.B.l). The other committee members concurred. Chair Anderson recommended staff take the cemetery regulations to the City Council to request adoption. MOTION: of Kohls, seconded by Wagner,to approve the recommendation. Ayes - 5 - Nays-0. . Ms. Bryant handed out brochures that are given to purchasers of lots or niches. The brochures summarize the cemetery regulations regarding monuments and markers, and plants and decorations. Committee Member Kemp suggested also handing out lot title information so the purchaser is aware of descendency laws and can'plan so lots descend to the intended people. Unauthorized Cremains Ms. Bryant reminded members that at the July meeting the committee requested staff come up with options for handling unauthorized cremains found at the cemetery so the committee could decide upon steps for staff to take. The phrase"unauthorized cremains"was clarified as meaning any cremains left at the cemetery without staff's knowledge. Staff presented possible options and procedures. Committee members noted that gathering the ashes is important as is recording information regarding the ashes. MOTION: by Kemp, seconded by Wagner, to follow this procedure when City sta.ff finds unauthorized cremains on a grave: 1. Gather the ashes in a container. 2. Contact the family on whose lot the ashes were found and let them know that unauthorized scattering is not permitted. They can make arrangements to properly inurn the cremains or they can come and collect the ashes. 3. If nothing is done after one year, staff will select a place, bury the ashes,and record the location and other information. 4. If the family comes later a,nd wants to place a marker, they need to purchase the grave and then may have a marker placed on the grave. • • � The ensuing discussion included placing unauthorized cremains in a lot, not allowing markers for them, and having a scattering garden. Members agreed the method used should not be an attractive alternative and should use the least desirable area of the cemetery. The number of unauthorized cremains is expected to be very sma11. Committee members emphasized the need to identify unauthorized cremains whenever possible and to document them. Committee Member Wagner left the meeting at 3:00 pm. Vote was taken on the motion: Ayes-4 -Nays -0. MAC Conference Update Ms. Bryant reported on the annual convention of the Minnesota Association of Cemeteries (MAC) that Committee Member Kemp, N1r. Glewwe, and she attended. Ms. Bryant thought it an excellent convention. The theme was "How to Thrive in a Changing Death Care Industry." Presenter Bob Ash, of Life Lessons Seminars, opened the sessions with "Change is Inevitable, Growth is Optional." He stressed the importance of doing what is right and knowing that change is difficult. Communication is vital, particularly listening. Commit to the change and be bold. Da1e Anderson, M.D., spoke on the connection between health and acting happy, as actars do. Body chemistries can be measured; the body's pharmacy can hea1. A happy, fun act enhances physical and social success. Gary O'Sullivan, of Gary O'Sullivan Company, presented "Principles for Business Survival in a Changing World." He believes service will make the difference, and it needs to be fast and offer choices. The key is to have the right people working for the business. The business needs to have core values and principles that stay even during change. When values are clear,decisions are easy. MAC members led discussion on cremation memorialization and the role of cemeterians. They stated the majority of people want a place to go to remember loved ones. Also, genealogy searchers often refer to cemetery records. If ashes are spread or buried outside of a cemetery; loved ones may not be able to always go to that place, and there will be no record of the deceased. The session on Cemetery Law stressed the importance of knowing and following the laws. Committee Member Kemp was the presenter of Rules and Regulations, which emphasized the need for clear rules and regulations. Mr. Glewwe added the sessions focused on being a good person and a good supervisor, and provided helpful information on running a cemetery. Committee Member Kemp thanked Mr. Heuer and the City for allowing Ms. Bryant and Mr. Glewwe to attend the convention; it shows the City's commitment to running a class cemetery. • � Other Business Donation Accepted Committee Member Kohls recently donated $20 to the cemetery beautification fund. He stated this,�was in memory and honor of Fred Uitenbogerd who mentored him. Mr. Uitenbogerd contributed much to his church and to the cemetery. Chair Anderson thanked Committee Member Kohls for his donation. Volunteers Acknowledged Chair Anderson pointed out the article acknowledging the cemetery volunteers that was published in the City News. Firefighter Memorial Photos Photos in the packet were taken at the Firefighters Memorial dedication on September 10. Committee members attending mentioned the meaningful ceremony, how many people were in attendance,and how nice it is to have a city cemetery. ADJOURN MOTION: of Moore, seconded by Kemp,to adjourn the meeting. Ayes-4 -Nays- 0. The meeting was adjourned at 3:28 p.m.