HomeMy WebLinkAboutCemetary Commission Minutes 04.11.2000CEMETERY BOARD MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 11TM
5:00 P.M. CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Norman Orr, Chairman
Jo Meccage
Lee Barndt
Larry McCann
Dick Fritzler
Bruce Lefler
Cathy Gabrian
Bruce Lefler
This meeting was called to discuss the cemetery fees. Cathy called several communities
regarding their fees and how things are handled within their cemeteries. This information
was distributed to the committee.
Discussion followed regarding this information. It was stated that 25% of our lot fee
goes into a perpetual care fund, 35% to the general fund, and 40% to a capital projects
fund for sale of cemetery plots. It was stated that a city resident contributes to the
cemetery budget through their taxes every year where a non-resident does not. Based on
this information, the members felt the fee for a non-resident should be substantially
higher.
Motion by Lloyd Shay, seconded by Lee Bamdt to increase our resident lot price to $300.
Motion carded.
Motion by Dick Fritzler, seconded by Jo Meccage to increase our non-resident lot price
to $450. Motion carried.
Norman Orr had to leave at this time.
In regard to the opening/closing fee, Lee explai.ned this fee is strictly for the labor and
machinery costs involved in opening and closing the grave. Discussion followed
regarding the different ways used to cover a grave and the time and costs involved.
At this time, we cover the grave but do not tamp or soak the grave and we have to deal
with settling problems for several years: Each spring the caretaker has to refill the grave
with dirt and replant grass seed.
According to the comparison sheet, many other communities tamp and/or soak the graves
to get them to settle and some recycle the sod while others buy new sod to finish off the
graves. Much discussion followed regarding the time involved in implementing different
techniques. Bruce stated that he is so busy in the summer just trying to keep the cemetery
watered and mowed that he questions where he would find the time to implement a more
time consuming process.
It was suggested that different techniques could be tried. Larry stated that a tamper
mounted on the backhoe would be ideal but they are expensive and this would have to go
through the budget process. We do have a hand Wacker Packer and Bruce will
experiment with this and see how long it take and if it requires two people to handle this
machine. We are very limited in regard to soaking a grave as we water out of the Cove
Ditch. Because of our irrigation limitations, Bruce questions whether we would be able
to use sod.
Motion by Dick Fritzler, seconded by Cathy Gabrian to charge $200 for a full burial
opening/closing on weekdays, $275 on Saturdays, $125 for a cremation opening/closing
on weekdays, and $175 on a Saturday. Motion carried.
Motion by Jo Meccage, seconded by Lloyd Shay to raise our disinterment fee for a full
burial to $300 and set the fee for disinterment of cremains at $225. Motion carried.
Discussion followed regarding whether or not we should require an outer burial container
for cremains. It was decided that instead of having a requirement, we will require a
disclaimer form that will hold the City harmless from any claims associated with a
disinterment.
Motion by Lloyd Shay, seconded by Dick Fritzler that we do not have a regulation for
outer burial container of cremains but that parties wanting to disinter a relative sign a
disclaimer form. Motion carried.
It was suggested that Cathy include a statement on the bottom of the sheet that she gives
individuals when they purchase a lot that all activities of the cemetery are governed by
set regulations.
Dick said he would like a report back on how the different techniques are working in
regard to closing a grave.
The meeting adjoumed at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Gabrian
Secretary