HomeMy WebLinkAboutCemetary Commission Minutes 11.10.2015 Cemetery Commission Meeting 11/10/2015
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.
Members present:
Ken Olson
Tom Nelson
Wallace Hall
Mark Mace
Others Present: Kurt Markegard
Vacancies(One open position to fill for Lee Barndt who resigned)
Veteran request for wife burial prior to the veteran in the Laurel Cemetery Veterans section.
The commission felt we should allow for this burial as we have allowed for this request in the past. Kurt
said The VA would not allow for the stone to be re cut. Ken Olson stated that he thought we should
lobby the VA on this issue.We are looking into this.There was some discussion on this. We then found
the "Policy and Procedures"for the City of Laurel Cemetery. It was noted that section 5-C deals with this
issue.A motion was made by Ken Olson seconded by Wallace Hall and passed unanimously by the
commission to have the city attorney look at our recommendation to amend section 5-c and forward to
the City Council for approval.The recommendation was for 5-C to read as follows:
"The cremains of the veterans spouse are allowed to be buried on the veteran's grave after the veteran
is buried. In such case that the veterans spouse is to be buried first the veteran/family,must sign an
agreement acknowledging that the veteran/family MUST purchase a VA approved stone for the spouse
and that the veteran MUST be buried in the same lot upon his passing at which time the spouses stone
will be pulled and destroyed in accordance with the VA's rules and a new stone placed to mark the
grave. Both the veteran and the spouse must be cremated to be buried in the same lot."
The commission wanted to have the Mayor direct the CAO to meet with the city attorney to look into
drafting a document that must be signed by the veteran or their power of attorney stating that they
must comply with the section 5-C when requesting a spouse be buried prior to the veteran.
The commission would like to have the results of this request presented at the next commission meeting
after review and or document drafting by the city attorney prior to forwarding their recommendation to
the City Council.
Kurt updated the commission on the trees that needed to be removed.They are gone and he just needs
to grind the stumps.
Kurt updated the commission on the Paupers graves and said that they were all marked but one had a
misspelling and needed to be replaced and they will get that done as soon as they can.
Kurt updated the commission on the culvert that runs from the National Veterans Cemetery onto our
cemetery property. He is working with Tim Miller of the Yellowstone County on resolving that issue and
will provide further updates when he has those available.
The Commission adjourned at 6:25 pm.