Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Cemetery, Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee met June 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members of the Cemetery & Parks Committee met in person on June 17, 2025 at 5:00 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 Connor, Alderperson Crabtree

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:

JoAnne Gordon, 619 N. Sixth Street, addressed the Committee stating that she has purchased a double niche for herself and her husband as well as a single niche for her son who they recently lost to cancer. She is asking to have "Son, Dad, PawPaw" added to the engraving of her son's single niche. Per the City Code engraving is limited to name, date of birth and date of death. Each member of the Committee was provided a copy of the City Code for review. (See attached). Mrs. Gordon mentioned that she had seen on a single niche already engraved at the Columbarium the addition of a maiden name was allowed, therefore if space is available she would appreciate having the Committee consider her request. Mrs. Gordon stated she had spoken with Clerk Byrnes earlier today and was advised to attend the meeting with her request. Clerk Byrnes did inform the Committee that if the ordinance is amended it would only apply to single niche's, as the double niches allow for 5 lines that are used for the family last name, first name, date of birth, date of death of 1 family member and first name, date of birth and date of death of second family member. The consensus of the Committee was to move this to Council to refer to the City Attorney to amend the ordinance.

Alderperson Connor read an email from Anna Contratto regarding the recent "No King Day" protest that was held Saturday June 14, 2025 on the 4th Street sidewalk in front to the City Cemetery. (See attached) Chairman T. White stated he had spoken with both the Mayor and Police Chief about the protest, it was a peaceful protest and no laws were broken, however the concern was that the protestors parked their vehicles inside the Cemetery. Chairman T. White instructed Clerk Byrnes to add this to the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting agenda for discussion.

PURPOSE:

DISCUSSION: - COLUMBARIUM ADDITION:

Clerk Byrnes presented to all Committee members, the Mayor and Superintendent Sutherland the updated pricing provided by Ashley Diebel of MasterCraft Memorials for straight vs curved 1,2 or 3 level columbarium additions. (See attached). Clerk Byrnes informed the Committee that there is a bank account labeled "Cemetery Set Aside", it is funded by placing 30% of the revenue from the sale of cemetery grave spaces and foundation monument permit fees into said account. The funds are to be used for Capital Additions, Land Development and Professional Services, relating to the development and maintenance of the City Cemetery. As of April 30, 2025 the total amount in the account is $90,019.50. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to review this at a later date as a potential project for the 2026-2027 budget. Updated quotes from MasterCraft Memorials will be obtained at that time.

DISCUSSION - SALE CEMETERY PLOTS – DREW'S PLOTS:

Chairman T. White stated he had reached out to Brad & Robin Bannister, they are not interested in purchasing additional grave lots at this time. Clerk Byrnes informed the Committee that in 2015 the Bannister family approached the City requesting discounted grave lot prices for them to offer to anyone in need, in memory of their son Drew. The lot prices at that time were $700.00 per lot and the City agreed to sell them 13 waiver granted lots at a discounted price of $500.00 per lot, a discount of $200.00 per lot. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to leave the remaining grave spaces in the Cemetery at the current price.

DISCUSSION - PRICING NEW CEMETERY SECTION:

Clerk Byrnes informed the Committee that at the April 22, 2025 Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting that after discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to leave the existing cemetery lot prices unchanged as new sections are opened.

DISCUSSION-ROADS FOR NEW CEMETERY AREAS:

Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee that as new sections are opened he will contact City Engineer Horton for guidance on road placement. This agenda item will be brought back to the Committee at that time.

DISCUSSION - CEMETERY FENCE FOUNDATION:

Superintendent Sutherland informed the Committee the existing fence located at the Cemetery building is in disrepair. He would like to replace it with a concrete stub wall and add a vinyl fence on top of the concrete, preventing the bucket truck from hitting the fence when moving soil. He obtained 2 quotes, Engbrecht Concrete - $26,500.00 and Ray Yarger - 28,300.00. Superintendent Sutherland is asking the Committee to move the Priority One Cemetery Project - Cemetery Concrete Fence in the amount of $45,000.00 forward as an approved project, waive the bid process and award the concrete fence project to Engbrecht Concrete in the amount of $26,500.00, avoiding additional engineering and bid letting costs. Superintendent Sutherland to present above mentioned invoices to Office Manager Passage. The remaining balance of $18,500.00 for the fence addition will be brought back to the Committee at a later date. The consensus of the Committee was to move this agenda item to Council for approval.

DISCUSSION - BEAUTIFY CITY PARKS:

Chairman T. White discussed a rendering of proposed updates to both City Park and Cutright Park that he is still updating. Chairman T. White asked the Committee to reconsider adding the diagonal sidewalk back into the City Park rendering that he had previously removed, he has spoken with both the Chamber of Commerce and the Carnival organizers, neither are opposed to adding the sidewalk. He felt adding a sidewalk offered a much safer option for residents to utilize Nat's, and Molly's Pizza for both food and alcohol while attending events at City Park. He will provide an updated rendering to the Committee members at the next meeting.

DISCUSSION: PORTA POTTA & FENCING - RIVERSOUND PLAYGROUND:

Chairman T. White announced updates will be discussed at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

SIDEWALK-CUTRIGHT PARK:

Chairman T. White announced sidewalk plans are on hold, due to the potential addition of picnic tables with concrete pads in Cutright Park. Once location of the picnic tables is determined, the sidewalk will be discussed at a future Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

PURCHASE - MOWER:

Superintendent Sutherland proposed to the Committee that the Priority One Parks Project - Mower, in the amount of $20,000.00 be brought forward as an approved project to purchase a John Deere Z930M ZTrack 16 inch deck mower with twills, in the amount of $13,050.00. With the remaining balance of $6,950.00 he would like to purchase a set of AP12F fixed palate forks in the amount of $1,250.00, both from Heritage Tractor. Superintendent Sutherland to provide an invoice to Office Manager Passage. The consensus of the Committee was to move this agenda item to Council for approval.

PURCHASE - PARK PICNIC TABLES WITH CONCRETE:

Superintendent Sutherland proposed to the Committee that the Priority One Parks Project - Picnic Tables, in the amount of $20,000.00 be brought forward as an approved project to purchase 10 New Series 46" round picnic tables from Belson Outdoors at a total cost of $9,437.72. Superintendent Sutherland to provide an invoice to Office Manager Passage. Color of picnic tables to be determined prior to placing the order. Superintendent Sutherland also proposed that the Priority One Parks Project

Park Improvement, in the amount of $100,000.00 be moved forward as an approved project and approve the quote of $15,000.00 from Engbrecht Concrete for the installation of ten, 10 x 10 concrete pads for the picnic tables to be anchored. Superintendent Sutherland will present to Office Manager Passage the above mentioned invoices. The consensus of the Committee was to move this agenda item to Council for approval.

DIAGONAL SIDEWALK CITY PARK:

See DISCUSSION - BEAUTIFY CITY PARKS:

PRIORITY 2 PROJECT - CEMETERY KIOSK:

Shademakers Chairman/Alderperson Connor stated she would like to keep the same motif for the cemetery kiosk as existing signs within the City. She spoke with Owens Design Group about replacing the existing Cemetery Rules sign and they are in the process of creating options for review. It was discussed that the length of information on the existing sign is making it difficult to create a structure that is both aesthetically pleasing and affordable. Clerk Byrnes will provide a copy of the Cemetery Rules at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting for the Committee to review to potentially reduce the language on the sign. Alderperson Connor will report updates at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

TREE CARVING DESIGN - WALNUT STREET:

Shademakers Chairman/Alderperson Connor stated she had been in contact with Tim Gill, TC Stump Carver, he will begin work in mid-July on the first of 2 stump carvings. The quote of $1,200.00 was prior to the City's 25-26 budget, new quotes will be obtained and presented at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting. Updates will be discussed at the next Cemetery & Parks Committee meeting.

SHADEMAKERS UPDATE:

Alderperson Connor stated there was no meeting this month. The Shademakers Committee is accepting nominations for the 32nd Annual Catch The Beauty Contest, until 3:00 p.m. Friday June 20, 2025. Winners will be announced at the Sweet Corn Festival on July 19, 2025. (See Attached).

OLD BUSINESS:

Headstone Repairs - To continue as weather permits, no updates to report.

Superintendent Sutherland addressed the Committee stating he still has one seasonal employee position open. He had three applicants, however felt only one, Victor Schwiderski, was qualified. Superintendent Sutherland to submit Mr. Schwiderski's application to Office Manager Passage. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to move his request to Council for approval of hiring Mr. Schwiderski subject to pre-employment testing.

AGENDA:

Approve - Priority One Cemetery Project - Cemetery Fence

Approve - Waive Bid Process - Cemetery Fence

Approve - Proposal - Engbrecht Concrete - Cemetery Fence

Approve - Priority One Parks Project - Mower

Approve - Purchase of Mower and Fixed Palate Forks

Approve - Priority One Parks Project - Picnic Tables

Approve - Purchase of Picnic Tables - Belson Outdoors

Approve - Priority One Parks Project - Park Improvement

Approve - Proposal - Engbrecht Concrete - Installation Concrete Pads

Approve - Hiring Victor Schwiderski - Part Time Seasonal

Refer City Attorney - Amend Ordinance - Columbarium Niche Engraving

CHAIRPERSONS ACTIONS:

None

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/06.17.2025%20cemetery%20and%20parks.pdf