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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/25x Amended Cemetery Board MinutesCemetery Board Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2025 Present: Constance Patterson, Vera Carter, John Seagle, Todd Bruce, Marcie Worrell Absent: Mayor Collins Staff Present: Jackie Morris, Finance Director, Austin Painter, Project Engineer, Olivia Hale, Clerk of Council Meeting Called to Order Mr. Painter called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and asked for a roll call. The roll was taken by Ms. Hale and a quorum was determined with five members present at the time of the roll call. Approval of Minutes Mr. Bruce requested that the minutes be sent to the board before the meeting for review. Mr. Bruce asked about meeting with Mr. Painter about a new location to dump the dirt at the cemeteries. Mr. Painter stated Mr. Phillipi met with Ms. Worrell at the cemeteries Oakwood Cemetery and there have been new locations identified for both cemeteries. The motion was made by Mr. Bruce and seconded by Ms. Patterson to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Collins joined the meeting at 6:09 p.m. Financial Report Ms. Morris first reported on the checking account with the National Bank of Blacksburg from January 1st through March 31st, the beginning balance as of January 1st of $8,374.85. With three plots sold, one cremation, four casket burials, and three monuments brought the revenue to $1,463.62. There was also a transfer of $50,000 which came from one of the investment accounts, which brought the checking account balance to $59,838.47, and an expenditure of $50,000 to pay for the GIS software, which left the checking account balance as of March 31st at $9,838.47. She reported next on the CD investment account, that the beginning balance was $339,825.55 with an interest of $3,782.53 for three months, leaving the balance as of March 31st at $343,608.08. Lastly, she reported on the investment account from the checking account, with a beginning balance of $167,503.28 and a total interest earned of $1,520.29. There was one expenditure of the transfer of $50,000, which left the balance as of March 31st at $119,023.57. Code Change Recommendations Mr. Painter reported at the previous meeting, that the board went through each code section that is within the Town’s code of ordinances and made recommendations to each section. The main sections the board recommended to change were the external objects and decorations, with the following exceptions being removed on the following dates; early May to prep for Memorial Day, early August to prep for Labor Day, and early November to close out the season. Those exceptions that it notes are the only objects or decorations that will remain; one metal base fits to the headstone and its contents within. Ms. Worrell recommended adding a date between November and May to remove Christmas decorations and she also stated that there are a lot of concrete fixtures already in both cemeteries and they would need to change that to a metal one if the changes were adopted. Mr. Painter stated they could amend that wording to eliminate the material restriction and just recommend a fixed base. This recommendation would be for the base ordinance and the next step would be looking at the list of rules and regulations that are given to the plot purchasers. The motion was made by Ms. Worrell and seconded by Ms. Carter to approve town staff to move forward with finalizing the code recommendation language with the Town Attorney and proposing the agreed upon code change recommendation to the Town Manager and Town Council and that’s to include the three dates and the fixed base and content within them. Public Comment Period No speakers were present. Board Comments Ms. Carter asked if the County Sheriff’s Department could close the gates at Pinehurst since the Town Police Department is no longer locking and unlocking the gates. Mr. Painter stated a conversation would be held with the Town Manager as it was his understanding that it was less about the time spent opening and closing the gates and the money allocation, but more so that we’re able to now control the cemeteries easier with the gates being open, as well as knowing and planning for it, as an emergency by taking our crews off and not closing it and not patrolling it. Ms. Carter asked that it be patrolled and locked, like Oakhurst, more in the summertime as it becomes a hot spot. Ms. Worrell commented that Oakhurst isn’t locked either. Ms. Carter retracted her request and stated there were three new dents in the gate, she wasn’t sure if a deer or an automobile caused them and the lights were out at the gate. Mr. Painter stated he would report them to Public Works. Mr. Seagle asked that the gates be painted at Oakwood. Ms. Carter asked how long they should leave funds in the bank account before increasing the amount in it. Ms. Morris stated there is no certain balance that has to be in the account to maintain it. Mr. Seagle asked about cutting down trees. Mr. Painter stated if trees are removed it was because they were a safety hazard and needed to be removed. Mr. Seagle asked about the broken headstones. Mr. Painter stated it’s up to the person who owns it as it’s private property, however the ones that are causing additional damage the town will address it. Mr. Bruce asked for Public Works to adjust their mower decks. Scheduling for Future Council Meeting August 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.