City of Jacksonville City Cemeteries Board met April 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The regular monthly meeting of the Jacksonville City Cemeteries Board was called to order at 8:25 a.m. at Kim’s Place, 211 East Court Street, Jacksonville, Illinois. The meeting was publicly announced by posting and by written notice to the local newspaper and radio stations.
ROLL CALL: Members present were: Chairman Linda Brown, Tom Newby, Gerald Scott, Vicky Scott; Treasurer Mary Fergurson; City Clerk Skip Bradshaw; Superintendent Doug Moore. A quorum was declared.
Motion was made by Newby, seconded by V. Scott, to elect Linda M. Brown as Chairman of the Jacksonville City Cemeteries Board, retroactive to January 1, 2022 and continuing to December 31, 2022. By voice vote, motion carried.
AGENDA: Motion was made by G. Scott, seconded by Newby, to approve the April 22, 2022 Agenda as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.
MINUTES: Motion was made by G. Scott, seconded by V. Scott, to approve the March 25, 2022 Minutes as presented in advance. By voice vote, motion carried.
FINANCE:
a.) Treasurer’s Investment Report – March 2022:
The $50,000 State Bank of India Certificate of Deposit (CD) that matured April 4, 2022 has been reinvested into a two year CD earning 2.00%, has a maturity date of April 4, 2024, and will be reflected on the April Investment Report. The Berthal Fisher Money Market Account balance of $135,662.16 still includes that $50,000, but will also be amended on the April Investment Report. The stock market continues to be relatively volatile given the economic situation in the United States, around the world, and with the crisis in the Ukraine. The next short term interest rate increase is forecast to be a half of a percent, which could prove to be a negative factor for stock market returns but will be a positive factor for bonds if you have money to invest. Treas. Fergurson feels that there will be a good opportunity in May to invest some of the accumulated cash for a higher rate of return. General discussion ensued regarding current investments and long term investment strategies, and how the current economic situation impacts investments.
Motion was made by V. Scott, seconded by G. Scott, to accept the Treasurer’s Report. By voice vote, motion carried.
b.) Cash Receipts Report – March 2022:
Chair Brown gave a brief overview of the March Cash Receipts Report noting that the operating fund cash balance is $175,013.26 as opposed to a balance of $120,986.96 at this same time last year. There is a balance of $71,418.43 in the Money Market account that can be used for reinvestment. The current Year to Date revenue balance is $142,964.73 (63.90% available) and the Year to Date expenditure balance is $68,217.94 (84.39% available) at the end of March.
c.) Cash Receipts Report and Claims Approval – March 2022:
Motion was made by Newby, seconded by V. Scott, to approve the Cash Receipts Reports and to pay claims when funds are available. By voice vote, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: (Chair Brown amended the Agenda by discussing Old Business prior to the Superintendent’s Report.)
The Memorandum of Understanding/Share Burial Agreement between the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (JMH) (formerly Passavant Area Hospital) and the local funeral homes has been signed. Discussion ensued regarding the Parental Waiver that must be signed prior to burial of the remains. Patsy Kelly from JMH talked about the burial process and the need for a waiver that states that the parents are not going to reverse their decision, and as proof that the burial was authorized by the parents. Burial services by JMH will be withdrawn if a family or parent has refused to sign the waiver. It is important to maintain accurate records and documentation prior to burial and to keep them on file, preferably at JMH. Chair Brown would like to keep some sort of record of the burial maintained at the Cemetery Department. Because HIPPA issues are of concern, JMH must be careful about giving out personal information. At the end of discussion, motion was made by V. Scott, seconded by Newby, to approve the Parental Waiver. By voice vote, motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Supt. Moore reported on the following:
✠ Supt. Moore continues to work with Dr. Zettler of Illinois College to establish an internship with students from the Biology Department to sustain the landscaping at both cemeteries. These students will be working alongside Terry McKinney who has been re-hired as a summer employee, and will be planting and maintaining plant beds and hanging baskets, and addressing any other issues with the landscaping that may present themselves.
✠ Several large indoor plantings in the greenhouse are being donated to Carlinville National Bank (CNB) in Jacksonville and will be placed in their atrium.
✠ There are two “Vacant Chairs” at Diamond Grove Cemetery and three at East Cemetery, which are placed in cemeteries for missing persons/loved ones by their family. There is an author writing a book about the vacant chairs and will be looking at the history of the practice and of the chairs located in Jacksonville.
✠ Summer help will be starting April 25th. Mike Walls, a former cemetery employee from Colorado, has been hired to replace Terry McKinney’s full time position and will be assisting with all duties as needed.
✠ Doug Pagel from Hutchison Engineering has been onsite at Diamond Grove Cemetery to discuss road maintenance matters. Mr. Pagel provided cost estimates for the repairs and Supt. Moore is hoping to include those repairs with the Motor Fuel Tax bid to gain better pricing. Brief discussion ensued.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No discussion.
OLD BUSINESS: See discussion above.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chair Brown will invite City Attorney Dan Beard to the next meeting as there are matters the Board needs to discuss with him.
Brief discussion ensued regarding how to manage the digital photos of markers taken at Diamond Grove Cemetery. Mr. Newby would also like to ensure that the cemetery information currently maintained by Bob Dalton continues to be maintained for many years in some way, either by the City or the Jacksonville Museum.
ADJOURNMENT: Hearing no further business, a motion was made by Newby, seconded by G. Scott, to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 a.m. By voice vote, motion carried. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Jacksonville City Cemeteries Board will be held Friday, May 20, 2022, 8:30 a.m. in the Commission Room at the City of Jacksonville Municipal Building.
http://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonvilleil/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/Cemetery_Board_Minutes/2022/Cemetery%20Bd.%20Mtg.%20Minutes%2004.22.22.pdf
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