HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.23.2000COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 23, 2000
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Jim Rodemeyer, Personnel Director, presented recommendations on the Riverview Cemetery to
the city council. Mr. Rodemeyer reported that he, the Assistant City Attorney and Leisure
Services Director toured Fairview Cemetery's maintenance facilities, looked at the cemetery's
equipment inventory and met with the Board Chair and cemetery employees. In addition, they
received a breakdown of the cemetery's revenues and expenditures for the past several years. Mr.
Rodemeyer presented the following two recommendations for the council's review.
(1) That Fairview Cemetery be maintained as a separate entity, independent from the city, with
the understanding that the city will subsidize the cemetery based on financial need. An
analysis of the cemetery's revenues illustrates that the cemetery continues to receive
approximately $9,000.00 per year in donations from citizens. It was felt that reorganizing the
cemetery as a city function could impede efforts to raise charitable donations. In addition,
because of the city's higher salary and fringe benefit package, the cemetery's expenses would
increase if it became a city function.
(2) An agreement be signed with Fairview Cemetery. The agreement outlines several conditions
that should be met in exchange for the continued subsidy of Fairview Cemetery. Among the
conditiqns are the following: (a) That a city employee, preferably the Leisure Services
Director, be appointed as a liaison between the city and the Fairview Cemetery Board. (b)
That the city's liaison or the City Council Finance Committee review on a monthly basis the
cemetery's expenditures and revenues. (c) That the Fairview Cemetery Board continue to
maintain its own liability insurance policy and name the city as an additional insured. (d) That
the city retain the right to expand the current five -member cemetery board by adding three
additional board members to be appointed by the mayor and approved by the council. (e)
That the city will provide, upon approval by the city council, a cash subsidy, with the amount
to be determined after an audit or less formal annual financial review of the cemetery's
revenues and expenses. (f) That in addition to the cash subsidy, the city will continue to
provide in -kind services and assistance as requested by the cemetery board and approved by
the city council. Such services may include mowing, tree trimming, snow removal, etc.
Bob Brown, representing the Fairview Cemetery Board, stated that he can appreciate the city
wanting to keep Fairview Cemetery autonomous. Mr. Brown stated that the cemetery currently
has liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, but will need to add the city as an additional
insured.
Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reported that the city currently mows the cemetery
through our contractor on a price per acre. Since June 1999 through August 2000, it has cost the
city $8,391.60 to mow the cemetery.
Mr. Brown stated that the Cemetery Board is considering increasing the cost to purchase a lot at
Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Brown recommended that two African -Americans be appointed to the
board, and that Aaron Saunders would like to be a member of the board.
Councilperson Getty stated that the city council needs time to review the agreement and that
another work session be scheduled.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Gronen that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk