Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met March 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Authority:

Authority Members Present for Roll Call: Becky Doubleday

Steve Kerr, Vice Chairman

Garth Madison

Pat Powers

Bob Manning, Chairman

Matt Ryan

Jim Stuttle, Treasurer

Absent from Roll Call: Connie Frank

Kent Rotherham

Also In Attendance: Mark Matuszak, General Manager

Monica Jones, Staff

Interested Citizens

Chairman Manning called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Springdale Cemetery meeting room in the Volunteer and Maintenance Building on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. A roll call of Authority members was taken and Chairman Manning announced there was a quorum. Chairman Manning asked all in attendance to please stand and join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Febuary 21, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes:

Mr. Stuttle made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2017 regular meeting. Mr. Ryan seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comment:

None.

Request to Hold Illinois Valley Striders Run On September 10, 2017:

Herb Kasube, representing the Illinois Valley Striders, requested approval to hold on run on September 10, 2017 beginning at 7:45 am.

Approval to Hold IVS Run On September 10, 2017:

Ms. Doubleday made a motion to approve the request of the Illinois Valley Striders run on September 10, 2017 beginning at 7:45 am. Mr. Kerr seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

General Manager’s Report:

Mark Matuszak distributed his report (which is attached hereto and made a part of these Minutes) and answered questions from the Authority.

• Burials for the month - 3 total - 3 full/0 cremains.

• Records preservation – met with Foundation Board and was presented a new proposal for a scanning machine. A Foundation member will talk with Chuck Frye to see if this piece of equipment would be beneficial. The Foundation will now be moving forward with this project and preservation of

• Cell Tower update: a new transformer has been installed to accommodate both cemetery and cell tower. Installation should wrap up in the next couple of weeks and be operational soon.

• Roof repairs to west wing of mausoleum: the repairs have been completed. The lowest quote was $3,200.

• Staff injuries/illnesses: One employee slipped on a board and injured his ankle and has now been out several months on worker’s compensation. Another employee had elective surgery on his shoulder.

• Seasonal staff hiring: 8 to 12 work release men will be hired again.

• May 12 – completion date for Prospect Road entrance.

• Hiring a vender for tree removal. There were several dangerous trees throughout the cemetery that needed to be removed.

• Spikes in the savanna reported on a Facebook page. Contact was made to the individual who did the posting and staff was sent up to check out the area. Mike Rucker was also notified and asked to be on the lookout for additional problems with spikes.

• The WTVP interview on February 9 was bumped and should air sometime in April.

• A visual graphic vehicle wrap to conform to the shape of our new F350 is being created and will be beautiful as an advertisement piece.

• Greg Woith recently passed away. He was with the Fuller Center.

Mr. Stuttle was pleased to hear that two crypts, owned by individuals who had no intent to use them, were gifted back to the Foundation. The crypts, at today’s value, are worth $7,600.

Report of Officers:

Treasurer’s Report:

Mr. Stuttle reported on checks written in February and reviewed the financial reports with the Authority.

Approval of Checks Written:

Mr. Madison made a motion to receive and file the February 2017 check register and checks written in the amount of $19,463.52. Mr. Ryan seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Approval of Financial Report:

Mr. Kerr made a motion to receive and file the February 2717 financial statements. Mr. Ryan seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Investment/Finance:

No report.

Report of Committee Chairs:

No report.

Monument Restoration:

Mr. Ryan reported the next project will be the Bastow Petherbridge steps, which will be very costly to restore. These steps are listed on the National Register. Mr. Madison recommended an inventory list be created from the National Register to see what structures and objects remain in the cemetery. Mr. Madison will email a copy of his list. Ms. Powers asked that Jack Gove be included in the email.

Historic Preservation Foundation:

Ms. Powers reported genealogy research is the second most popular hobby in the United States. The majority of cemetery offices and libraries are now online with resources that can be used for records. Ms. Powers also stated volunteers are needed for Soldier’s Hill and if anyone is interested, to let her know. Ms. Powers complemented the staff on keeping all areas of the cemetery and equipment in outstanding condition.

Unfinished Business:

None.

New Business:

Chairman Manning reported CliftonLarsonAllen has proposed a five-year fixed fee schedule for the

Authority to consider. Since 2012, the yearly audit fee has been held at $10,900 per year. The following

proposed fixed fee schedule is requested:

Year; Amount; % Increase:

2016; $10,900; 0

2017; $11,230; 3.03

2018; $11,560; 2.94

2019; $11,900; 2.94

2020; $12,250; 2.94

Motion to Approve Five Year Audit Fee Proposal:

A motion was made by Mr. Stuttle to approve the five-year fixed audit fee schedule as presented. Ms. Doubleday seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Due to inquiries from funeral homes, Mr. Matuszak reported he’s met with each director regarding our position on the disposition/burial of cremated remains left (at funeral homes) and not picked up by family. He will put together a proposal and discuss at a later date.

Mr. Stuttle reported on an article he read where 80% of cremains are taken home by the family and never buried or memorialized. His idea is to create a “Legacy Wall” and allow people who want to scatter ashes elsewhere but have a specific place to memorialize their loved ones. Building a “Peoria Wall of Remembrance” was another suggestion.

Public Comment:

None.

Motion to Adjourn:

Motion was made by Ms. Powers to adjourn the regular meeting. Mr. Madison seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:55 pm.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/download?path=%2Fcountyboard%2FCommittee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2017%2FMay%2F23+-+Executive%2FExecutive+Committee+Agenda+5-23-17.pdf