Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Cemetery, Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee met March 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members of the Cemetery & Parks Committee met in person on March 18, 2025 at 5:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Cemetery & Parks Committee members present at the meeting in the Council Chambers: Chairman Tim White, Alderperson Bredeman, Alderperson Connor

Others in attendance in the Council Chamber: Mayor Hughes, Clerk Jill Byrnes, Superintendent Shawn Sutherland

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

PURPOSE:

BUDGET REVIEW 24-25:

Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee of the current budget percentages.

Cemetery: 53.2%

Parks: 78.8%

Both within the budget guidelines of 83.3%

BUDGET REVIEW 25-26:

Chairman T. White announced all requests have been submitted for the 25-26 budget which will be discussed at the upcoming Budget Workshop scheduled for Saturday March 29, 2025.

SEASONAL WORKERS:

Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee that three of his previous seasonal employees, Chad, Matt and Chuck would be returning on Thursday March 19, 2025. One of the three new candidates for seasonal employment did not pass the IWIRC pre-employment testing, leaving two positions open. Superintendent Sutherland is seeking approval from the Committee to move forward on potential hiring of 2 new applicants, Tom Wigand, and Bryson Goines. The consensus of the Committee was to move this agenda item to Council for approval.

DISCUSSION - CURRENT AVAILABLE PLOTS/LOTS - CEMETERY:

Clerk Byrnes informed the Committee that to date there are still 62 available grave spaces in the cemetery. This is discussed further under the agenda item: Time Line - Open New Section.

DISCUSSION-TIME LINE - OPEN NEW SECTION – CEMETERY:

Chairman T. White began the discussion regarding potentially if/when to open Sections 38, 39 & 40. Mayor Hughes placed a call to City Engineer Horton to confirm that Sections 38, 39 and 40 have been pinned but not yet opened. City Engineer Horton did confirm with Mayor Hughes that Sections 38, 39 & 40 have been pinned. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to leave Sections 38, 39 & 40 closed due to the availability of current grave spaces.

DISCUSSION - ROADS FOR NEW CEMETERY:

Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee that he had spoken with City Engineer Horton, and suggested the City hire Fehr Graham to perform a study on road placement to determine best placement of roads and least amount of grave spaces lost due to adding roads. Updates will be discussed in the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

DISCUSSION - BEAUTIFY CITY PARKS:

Chairman T. White informed the Committee that he hopes to have a drawing to present at the upcoming Budget Workshop of his vision to beautify both City and Cutright Parks. Updates will be discussed at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

PRIORITY 2 PROJECT - CEMETERY KIOSK:

Chairman T. White discussed options to replace the current Cemetery Rules sign. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to exclude any electronic kiosk option to replace the sign. Superintendent Sutherland stated there is $10,000.00 in the 25-26 budget as a Priority One Project. The consensus of the Committee was to investigate covered sign options to include landscaping and possible addition of benches. Alderperson Connor will report back with updates at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

PURCHASE CHRISTMAS DÉCOR - CEMETERY:

Alderperson Connor reported to the Committee that she would like to replace the existing Cemetery Christmas wreaths and bows with a total of 18 updated 4ft commercial grade large wreaths not to exceed $1,800.00, payable from General Fund - Tree City Line Item. Alderperson Bredeman suggested that any discarded Christmas décor from both the Cemetery and City be used for decorating the Nikolausmarkt. The consensus of the Committee was to move this agenda item to Council for approval.

TREE CARVING DESIGN - EAGLE LANDING:

This agenda item is discussed in Shademakers update for Walnut Street carvings not Eagle Landing.

SHADEMAKERS UPDATE:

Alderperson Connor reported to the Committee she had been in contact with Tim Gill, Stump Carver regarding two trees on Walnut Street for potential carvings and sealcoating of existing carvings throughout the City. Superintendent Sutherland advised the sealcoating has been done in the past by Public Works department on the non-colored carvings. Chairman T. White agreed to have Public Works continue with the spray sealcoating of non-colored carvings. Alderperson Connor has also been in contact with Faraway Mercantile owner Amber Rush on potential designs for one of the two tree carvings. Updates will be discussed at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

Headstone Repairs - Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee he had spoken with Debbie Crew of Otto's Monument and headstone repairs will begin as weather permits. Superintendent Sutherland also stated that the boat dock ramp will be opened this week.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. 

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/03.18.2025%20cemetery%20&%20parks.pdf