HomeMy WebLinkAboutCemetary Commission Minutes 08.16.2004CEMETERY COMMISSION MINUTES
August 16, 2004
5:30 P.M. CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dick Fritzler, Chairman
Lloyd Shay
Jo Meccage
Steve Klotz
John Oakes
Mark Mace
Chuck Rodgers
Cathy Gabrian
Lee Bamdt
Dan Dart
The minutes of the Cemetery Commission of July 29, 2004 were presented and
reviewed. Motion by Chuck, seconded by Jo to approve the minutes. Motion carried.
Dick asked the committee for input in what they would like to see happen with
the cemetery in the future.
Lee stated that landscaping is important for the look of the cemetery, to get away
from that "dry-land look" that we now have. He would like to see curved roads and trees
planted where they will not interfere with the graves.
Discussion followed and many concerns were brought forward. The following is
a list of needs that were identified.
--Landscaping
--Tree nursery
--Weeds
--Walking paths
--Information signs
--Entrances/exits
--Roads, curbs & gutters
--Irrigation
-Drainage/fill on new acreage
--Parking
--Cremation/burial sites
--Storage
Steve explained the need for fill dirt and grade and drainage issues. A
temporary road was built on the north side of the existing cemetery to allow the city to
dump excess fill dirt that we have fi.om projects around town. This road could eventually
provide a good base for a permanent road. Lee stated that our roads are a nice width and
two cars can pass easily. It works well for funerals.
Discussion followed regarding curb and gutter in the cemetery. If you have curb
and gutter, you have to have a place for it to drain away. In the areas where there is no
curb and gutter, it just drains offinto the grass, which has not been a problem here since
everything is so dry. Steve stated that when millings are used for the road, they never
compact as tightly as new road constmation and the road actually absorbs some of the
moisture.
Discussion followed regarding whether the city needs a professional cemetery
plan or whether we can do it ourselves. Mark said things need to be done in phases and
Dick felt it needs to be a systematic plan. Cathy spoke in favor of the long-term plan and
said it is essential to know the placement of roads and sections, with regard to the
drainage issues and then tie it together with our current cemetery. At that point, we can
determine the best use for the remaining sections in our current cemetery.
It was stated that if the city eventually gets a professional long term cemetery
plan, it is essential that the plan be followed. Regardless of changing city personnel,
commissions, and councils; a commitment needs to be made to follow the plan.
The question was asked about how we would proceed in going out for bid. It was
stated that the commission gives input, information is gathered from a community survey
and it is ail put together in a draft form. The draft is worked on and eventually becomes a
final draft that goes to the council for their consideration.
Mark said that it is essential to have a cemetery plan in place if we were ever to
apply for grants. He feels that if we get a plan, we need to then make a large conceptual
drawing of it that can be posted by the shop building so the public can see what is
planned. He feels this could eventually generate donations or endowments to help make
it a reality.
Sprinklers and water issues were discussed. It was felt that the system
Rockvaie uses is probably the most cost efficient and will work best with ditch water.
Lee stated that both Powell and Casper use this type system. In regard to watering, Steve
said things are so dry by the time we get water that we play catch-up all summer. Dan
feels it is essential that we maintain our grass and not lose it to drought. More discussion
regarding the possibility of using wells as a backup to the ditch water and installing a
holding tank.
Short term goals were discussed regarding the existing cemetery. It was felt that
roads around the existing cemetery could be built and that a sprinkler system could be
installed without effecting long term goals. Discussion regarding the use of our city crew
to do the work. Steve said the chailenge is how do you justify taking street crew away
i~om their regular jobs of patching streets to work in the cemetery.
Chuck has visited other cemeteries and he passed around pictures showing
fountains and other features. Lee stated that some cemeteries have a flag pole or
gazebo area where the committal service is held, instead of by an open grave. It was
stated that these types of features could be accomplished by donations, group projects or
endowments. A suggestion was made that a brochure could be handed out with
information about intended features and the endowment opportunities available.
Dick asked Steve to present a plan at the next meeting, showing the layout of the
roads that would be needed to access all our sections in the current cemetery and an
estimated cost. Lee and Chuck volunteered to contact the Williams brothers and set up a
meeting with them to get information about a sprinkler system.
Lee offered the suggestion that we may contact one of the colleges and see if
there is a student who would want to take on the design as a college project.
Dick commented that we have two sample mission statements and he would like
everyone to look them over. We will address them at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Oabrian
Deputy Clerk