HomeMy WebLinkAboutCemetary Commission Minutes 02.21.2013 CEMETERY COMMISSION MINUTES
Thursday, February 21, 2013
5:30 P.M. at City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Tom Nelson Dick Fritzler
Ken Olson Scot Stokes
Chuck Rodgers Wally Hall
OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Gabrian Kurt Markegard
Ruth Bathurst
Ruth Bathurst — cemetery donation: Ruth was in attendance and said she has been a member of the
Shrine for 20 years. They have a Yellow Ribbon Committee which donates to projects. They would like
to make a donation to the Yellowstone County Veterans' Cemetery. It was explained to Ruth that this
Commission is only for the Laurel Cemetery. Mayor Olson will find out when the Yellowstone County
cemetery board meets and let Ruth know.
Update on sprinkler system: Kurt received a call from Greg with Great West Engineering, asking where
we are with the sprinkler system and if we want to go forward with any part of it. Phase I is to install a
new 6" line from the pump to the cemetery entrance. Phase II is to install a new sprinkler system in the
cemetery.
The federal government did a request for proposal for water and sewer for the Yellowstone County
Veterans' Cemetery. There would be no sewer but Kurt said it is possible to get city water by running a
line from the reservoir, up Cove Lane and bore under the Cove Ditch to our existing pump. The federal
government has not been forthcoming with information about the cemetery. There should be a joint city -
county meeting soon, where we can talk to the county.
There was discussion regarding water shares and Kurt was not sure the federal government would ever
get their own shares or if they would have to use another city's shares. Another option is for them to
develop their own well site. There is now 3 -phase power to the county pump and close enough for the
city to connect to, when needed.
Tom said we do not have the money to accomplish all we want to do. We can take the four inch line and
tie into a new sprinkler system but Kurt said the big sprinkler heads would require a higher psi and did
not feel it would be possible without doing Phase I.
Kurt said we need to re -bid the project and hopefully get irrigation companies to bid. He suggested
having Ray Cotter run a camera through the four inch water line to determine its condition.
Dick asked about the status of a new reservoir. The Mayor explained the process and said we could start
with a one million gallon tank that can be expanded by adding layers. Mayor said if we get potable water,
we may need to look at a different kind of line.
Tom said we could install the sprinkler system, but not tie into it until we figure out how we are going to
supply the water. The cost of materials will only continue to increase if we wait.
Cathy asked the members if they would still want the same sprinkler system, regardless of whether we use
ditch water or potable water. They agreed on the system we have had designed.
Cemetery Commission
Page 2, February 21 , 2013
Pauper's brave site: Last year the city had the pauper's sections imaged. Metal point markers were put
in the ground. Chuck would like to determine where the rows are, have them marked, correlate the
imaging to the actual graves and eventually mark the graves with a simple concrete stone.
Kurt said there is money in the budget to purchase bronze caps to mark the rows. The crew would have
time in the next two months to work on this.
The Mayor asked Kurt to prepare a project worksheet and identify what we can do and by when. He
would like a progress report on it.
Chuck spoke about the east half of Section A for full burials, fill the drain ditch for additional access to
Section H, and leave the dirt road on north side where it is.
Motion by Wally, seconded by Scot to ask the Public Works department to plot the pauper's section so
we can move forward with identifying graves. Motion carried.
Thistles in cemetery: We have problems and will continue to have problems due to the ditch water.
Mayor Olson said thistles are a problem for people who have open toed shoes and we need to find a way
to mitigate the problem.
Kurt said we have used different applications but the chemicals only allow application twice a year. He is
working on the new budget and will put in a line item for spraying and top dressing. He will check on a
new chemical that is being used on turf. We have problems trying to reestablish grass on graves and we
are adding fertilizer to the dirt. There are straw mats available that help the seed to germinate and grow.
Kurt will check on the price.
The new budget is being worked on and Kurt asked the committee if they have any items they would like
included in the budget. There were no comments.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Gabrian