Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met September 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Authority:

Authority Members Present for Roll Call: Linda Daley

Becky Doubleday, Secretary

Pat Powers

Bob Manning, Vice Chairman

Matt Ryan

Jim Stuttle, Treasurer

Absent from Roll Call: Connie Frank

Steve Kerr, Chairman

Also In Attendance: Mark Matuszak, General Manager

Monica Jones, Staff

Kate Pastucha, Peoria County

Kirsten Sheets

Interested Citizens

In Chairman Steve Kerr’s absence, Vice-Chairman Bob 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, September 19, 2017. A roll call of Authority members was taken and Vice-Chairman Manning announced there was a quorum and asked all in attendance to please stand and join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Matuszak introduced Kate Pastucha to the Authority Board who was recently appointed by Peoria County to replace Mr. Madison. Vice-Chairman Manning welcomed Ms. Pastucha.

Approval Of August 15, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes:

Ms. Doubleday made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2017 regular meeting. Ms. Daley seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comment:

Kirsten Sheets, 1503 N. 2nd Street, Chillicothe, IL, stated she was being considered as a Peoria County appointee.

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 – 12 total – 5 full/7 cremains.

• Sales of grave sites continues to increase.

• FYI – approached by Axion regarding the yearly service contract renewal that is being considered at $980 per month. There were no service calls for 2016 but the recommendation is to remain at the current level.

• On September 1 an incident occurred in the office when an elderly couple was conducting some business in the family room. The wife, who had severe Alzheimers, was having trouble bending down to sit in a chair when her husband got tired of waiting on her and forcibly pushed her down into her chair whereby the chair was ultimately propelled into the wall of markers that are used for samples. A marker fell off the wall and onto her shoulders. 911 was called and an ambulance came and took her to Methodist Hospital. We have heard nothing further.

• The City Attorney was called to answer some questions regarding an executor of a will who is claiming ownership of gravesites.

• We have approximately $7,000 in delinquent accounts. We are moving forward to contact these customers for a resolution.

• There are still problems with the sewer pumping up the hill to Prospect Road. We have recently discovered when the electricity was installed for the Verizon cell tower a sewer tile was damaged. We thought the problem was fixed and submitted a bill for $6,000, which was reimbursed (for the repairs). Problems persisted and a plumbing contractor was finally able to pinpoint where the tile was broken. The broken tile is on Prospect and the cost is $9,700 to fix. I will contact the City Attorney regarding the damages and costs.

• Earlier this year I requested approval to draw $50,000 from our capital fund for the second phase of the entrance to include landscaping, irrigation and electrical. However, the Foundation funded the entrance project in its entirety. I would now like approval to spend approximately $44,000 from capital funds for other entrance projects to include a contemplation bench, public art and gathering areas.

• Working on various projects since grass mowing has slowed down. Renewed interest in natural burials again. The tone is to have natural burials in a designated place. We will clear out the area known as Green Haven.

• The September 10 Illinois Valley Striders Run went very well and we have received a check for $500 from them.

• The concept for development of a Scattering Garden is underway. Several firms have been contacted and I have one drawing to show you with columns and benches. It looks like the cost will be between $25,000 and $100,000.

• A Civil War Monument that was originally to be placed at Springdale has been discovered at Detweiller Marina. The “shaft” is missing but the quarry that supplied the material is still in operation. They can replicate both the shaft and the eagle to fully restore the monument. I met with Fred Stuber and he has presented it to the Foundation Board and they think it’s a great idea to restore. A good location to place the monument would be as you drive into the cemetery around the first bend to the left. The Foundation has agreed to participate but will not completely fund the project.

• Disposition of the lion and lamb statues that were previously located in front of the office is in question. It will take a board resolution to either give them away or dispose of them properly. We will do some research on who owns them.

• During the month there have been several marketing opportunities. Nice feedback from “Know the Pros.”

• The Pekin pet cemetery problem that aired on WMBD regarding the burial of 17 cremated pets has been taken care of. We were able to assist and the cremains have been buried in Whispering Woods.

• Approached by the Universalist Unitarian Church for a tour and visit of the cemetery.

• Article in IBI about the fall tours for Prairie Folklore Theatre. Nice article with Springdale included.

• Status update on records preservation – we have a gentleman who is willing to do the project. I have no cost yet.

Mr. Manning inquired about the Screaming Pumpkin race. According to Ms. Pastucha the race is cancelled for 2017.

Report Of Officers:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Stuttle reported on checks written in August and reviewed the financial reports with the Authority.

Approval Of Checks Written:

Ms. Daley made a motion to receive and file the August 2017 check register and checks written in the amount of $29,479.43. Mr. Ryan seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Approval Of Financial Report:

Ms. Daley made a motion to receive and file the August 2017 financial statements. Ms. Doubleday seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Report Of Committee Chairs:

Investment/Finance:

No Report.

Monument Restoration:

No Report.

Historic Preservation Foundation:

Ms. Powers reported they are getting back on track with fundraising. The Board felt positive about having the Civil War monument restored and moved to Springdale. She also reported they have two additional board members but did not have their names.

Unfinished Business:

None.

New Business:

Public Comment:

None.

Executive Session:

None.

Motion To Adjourn:

Motion was made by Ms. Pastucha to adjourn. Ms. Powers seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:58 pm.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/download?path=%2Fcountyboard%2FCommittee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2017%2FNovember%2F28+-+Joint+Budget+and+Executive+Budget+and+Regular%2FJoint+Budget+and+Exec+Agenda+11-28-17.pdf