City of Belleville Cemetery Board met October 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Mr. Bob Blaies, Board Chairman, called the meeting of the Walnut Hill Cemetery Board to order at 10:30 am.
Emergency Evacuation Instructions:
Mr. Dean Hardt reviewed emergency instructions.
Roll Call:
Board members present: Bob Blaies David Martinson Ralph Schlesinger
Also in Attendance: Dean Hardt, City Treasurer Christy Garritson, Cemetery Clerk
Jason Poole, Director of Public Works John Hartmann, Asst. Director of Public Works
Guests: Bryan Schulz, Zemenick & Walker
Public Comments:
None
Communication:
Mr. Poole received and shared a thank you card from the family of Paul Humes. Mr. Humes was buried at Walnut Hill Cemetery in November 2016.
Minutes:
Mr. Schlesinger motioned to approve the July 18, 2017 meeting minutes. Mr. Martinson seconded the motion. All members present voted “Aye,’ minutes approved.
Quarterly Investment Report:
Mr. Schulz provided the quarterly report to the board for the time frame of June 30, 2017 through September 30, 2017. During the previous quarter, there were investment gains of $991.31. Currently, there is $12,663.47 in cash available in the account. A bond will mature during the 4" quarter of the year, on December 15, 2017, for approximately $25,000.00. Mr. Schulz recommended that this amount be placed in two separate bonds, one for $15,000.00 (to mature in 2024) and another for $10,000.00 (to mature in 2025). Due to the projected purchase of a new mower in spring 2018, Mr. Schlesinger motioned to defer the decision of the bond purchase to the January 16, 2018 Cemetery Board meeting. Mr. Martinson seconded the motion. All members present voted “Aye,” motion passed.
Cemetery Director's Report:
Mr. Poole provided a draft of plans from Mr. Dan Joergensen from the VFW for improvements in the veteran's section of the cemetery, near the Vietnam Memorial. Pavers will be placed to create a walkway and the current flagpole will be replaced with a new one. In addition, Mr. Joergensen stated the VFW will also place memorials for various wars, including the Gulf War.
Mr. Poole also reported that the cemetery laborers put together the rolling tent purchased in May 2017.
Cemetery Board Chairman's Report:
Mr. Blaies had nothing to report.
Cemetery Clerk's Report:
Report on burials, sales, income, & expenses for July 2017 through September 2017: 9 burials; total receivables $6659.00. A spreadsheet was provided showing breakdown for burials, lots & graves, endowed care, foundations, quit claim transfers, internment rights transfers, & genealogy. Mr. Martinson motioned to approve the report. Mr. Schlesinger seconded the motion. All members present approved, voting "Aye,” motion passed.
New Business:
Mr. Martinson nominated Mr. Schlesinger to serve as the Cemetery Board Chairman during 2018. Mr. Blaies seconded the motion. All members voted “Aye.” Mr. Schlesinger appointed as Board Chairman beginning January 2018.
Unfinished Business:
a. Groundhogs: Mr. Poole reported that 41 groundhogs have been trapped since the city implemented the trapping program in July 2017. There are currently 30 traps placed around the cemetery. Trapping will continue until hibernation begins, then resume in spring 2018. Mr. Poole said that produce was donated by local businesses to aid in the trapping. Ms. Garritson will write a thank you letter to those businesses.
b. Storage Garage Roof: Mr. Poole reported that the roof has been repaired.
Miscellaneous Business:
a. Civil War Area Improvements: Mr. David Wildermuth, the member of Hecker Camp and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War planning the improvements to the Civil War section of the cemetery, contacted Ms. Garritson with additional plan details. The plans include landscaping, raising markers and placing a rock base under them to stabilize, clean existing markers, and requesting plaques to place on markers that are illegible and/or worn.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 10:30 am.
Adjournment:
Mr. Schlesinger motioned to adjourn the meeting at 11:32 am. All members voted "Aye,” motion passed.
http://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10172017-1552
Alerts Sign-up