MEETING MINUTES

Cemetery Board of Trustees

August 27, 2001 – 7:00 pm – City Hall

ROLL CALL – Members Present:  Chairwoman Olson, Trustee Robertson, Trustee Dougherty.

Excused:  Trustee Knapp, Trustee Grzywacz.

Also Present:  Mark Hammar

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – It was moved by Trustee Robertson and seconded by Trustee Dougherty to approve the meeting minutes of May 29, 2001 as written.

                                                                                                                                                                MOTION PASSED

OLD BUSINESS – Chairwoman Olson commented on the fine efforts of the Department of Municipal Services in keeping plastic hooks and other prohibited items from being placed on crypt and niche fronts.  She also commended the cemetery staff on maintaining the grounds at Riverside Cemetery.

Chairwoman Olson also opened discussion on the issue of permitting shepherd hooks on graves.  She spoke of her recent experience at Parkview Cemetery in Livonia where, effective October 1, 2001, shepherd hooks will be prohibited. Chairwoman Olson stated that since in-ground plantings and urns are currently allowed as means for planting flowers at Riverside Cemetery,  permitting shepherd hooks for the placement of one or more potted plants is “overkill”.  She also believes it will become a maintenance issue for crews. After some discussion, it was moved by Trustee Robertson and seconded by Trustee Dougherty to prohibit the placement of shepherd hooks on all gravesites effective April 1, 2002.

                                                                                                MOTION PASSED

NEW BUSINESS -  Chairperson Olson accepted nominations for Chairperson of the Cemetery Board of Trustees for the term of September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.  Trustee Dougherty nominated Loretta Olson for Chairperson and it was seconded by Trustee Robertson.  Voting was unanimous in favor of re-election of Loretta Olson to serve another one (1) year term as Chairperson of the Cemetery Board of Trustees.

The Board addressed the request of the Mester family to allow the placement of a cameo photo plaque on the crypt front of Catherine Mester.  Administration informed the Board that only one cameo plaque currently exists on the Daniel Krueger and that the size the Mester family is requesting is the same size as the Krueger cameo plaque.  Furthermore, the proposed plaque is unobtrusive among the bronze nameplate and flower vase on the crypt front.  Installation of the cameo plaque will be done by Cemetery Staff.   After some discussion, it was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Robertson to permit the placement of the specified size of cameo photo plaque on the Catherine Mester crypt front. 

                                                                                      MOTION PASSED

STAFF REPORT – Administration informed the Board of Trustees that the new vases for crypt fronts was recently received and that installation will take place shortly.  It was also noted that a new Memorial Brick has been installed in the brick walkway around the flagpole in Block K, and a second brick is currently on order.

CORRESPONDENCE – Chairwoman Olson commented on the inclusion of newspaper articles concerning area cemeteries in each agenda packet.  Trustee Robertson echoed those sentiments.  Administration noted that these articles help to inform the Board of Trustees of current practices and trends within the cemetery industry so that operations at Riverside may remain current and effective.

ADJOURNMENT -  It was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Robertson to adjourn the meeting of the Cemetery Board of Trustees at 7:20 pm.

                                                                   MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Respectfully Submitted,

Mark A. Hammar, Asst. Director

Department of Municipal Services