Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met October 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Authority Members Present

for Roll Call: Linda Daley

Connie Frank

Steve Kerr, Chairman

Pat Powers

Bob Manning, Vice Chairman

Jim Stuttle, Treasurer

Absent from Roll Call: Becky Doubleday, Secretary

Kate Pastucha (arrived at 4:10 pm)

Matt Ryan (arrived at 4:33 pm)

Also In Attendance: Mark Matuszak, General Manager

Monica Jones, Staff

Bob Hoffer

Bruce Brown

Cindy Bertino

Interested Citizen

Chairman Steve Kerr called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Springdale Cemetery meeting room in the Volunteer and Maintenance Building on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. A roll call of Authority members was taken and Chairman Kerr announced there was a quorum and asked all in attendance to please stand and join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval Of September 19, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes:

Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2017 regular meeting. Ms. Daley seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comment:

None.

Chairman Kerr reported Mr. Rucker emailed the Savanna update out to everyone.

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.

• 91 burials for the year – off by 11 (or 12% decrease) from last year. Burials for the month – 10 total – 8 full/2 cremains.

• OSF request – they have 30 cremains that need interred. One idea is the use of a crypt in the mausoleum where they could inter several cremains and allow one open/close every year. They are not interested in the scattering garden. A proposal has been sent to them. Ms. Daley will check with the State regarding indigent burials and will talk with the Illinois Healthcare Family Services on behalf of the Cemetery.

• Was approached by a local family to purchase a number of grave sites for their family in Middle Valley West. A more detailed report will be made later.

• Meeting with Abdul regarding the Muslim area switch and the Green Haven area that was cleared out for natural burials. He will invite those interested in natural burials to come back out and take a look at the area.

• Reduced grounds staff for the next several months.

• The bollard at the Perry entrance is missing. Apparently, it was stolen in broad daylight.

• Prairie Folklore theatre performances the last two weekends were a huge success.

• The Foundation fall newsletter will be sent out soon.

• A Veteran’s Day program is being scheduled for Sunday, November 12, 2017.

• Sewer problems persist because of a connection being loose. It has finally been resolved.

• Staff has completed several special projects, including priming and painting the Gazebo in Gazebo Gardens.

• Met with Lisa Ruby of Ruby & Assoc., the new Foundation consultant. The fundraising efforts will continue.

Report Of Officers:

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Stuttle reported on checks written in September and reviewed the financial reports with the Authority.

Approval Of Checks Written: Mr. Manning made a motion to receive and file the September 2017 check register and checks written in the amount of $23,324.10. Ms. Frank seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Approval Of Financial Report:

Mr. Manning made a motion to receive and file the September 2017 financial statements. Ms. Frank seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ms. Daley left the meeting at 4:29 pm.

Mr. Ryan arrived at 4:33 pm.

Chairman Kerr announced a draft of the 2018 budget will be emailed out to you all in advance of the November Authority meeting. A discussion will be held and the proposed budget will posted for public viewing for 30 days. A final vote will be taken at the December, 2017 meeting.

Report Of Committee Chairs:

Investment/Finance:

No Report.

Monument Restoration:

No report.

Historic Preservation Foundation:

None

Unfinished Business::

Mark reported delinquent accounts will be reviewed and certified letters to those in default will be sent out soon.

Mr. Stuttle reported as of September 30, 2017, Steve Cantrell has recorded 55,139 graves for Find-a-Grave, with 41,354 being photographed.

Mr. Stuttle was contacted by Mike Rucker regarding the scattering of his wife’s cremains and will make a donation to the cemetery with a Caterpillar match up to $14,000 to assist with improvements in the Scattering Garden. The Foundation has also put aside some funds for the Scattering Garden renovation.

Mr. Manning suggested that Mark speak with Corporate Counsel regarding the disposal of what is left of the concrete lion and lamb.

New Business: Bob Hoffer, Bruce Brown and Cindy Bertino made a presentation regarding the Civil War Monument that was recently discovered at Detweiller Marina. They will contact the 101st Airborne Division and others for financial help and for volunteers to assist in the project. According to Ms. Bertino, the Women’s Club, Peoria Historical Society and the DAR will also contribute to the project.

Ms. Frank left the meeting at 5:13 pm.

Mr. Hoffer also made a brief report regarding Moffit Cemetery and the remains interred at the site.

Mr. Brown reported the ceremony for Veteran’s Day on Sunday, November 12 will be titled, “The Veteran Family; Remembrance. Dedication. Celebration.” He encouraged everyone to attend.

Public Comment: None.

Executive Session: None.

Motion To Adjourn:

Motion was made by Mr. Manning to adjourn. Mr. Stuttle seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12192017-472