HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2003 - Regular Minutes - Cemetery Advisory Committee
City of College Station
Cemetery Committee
Thursday, November 13, 2003
The "Exit" Teen Center
10:00 a.m.
Staff Present:
Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant
Director; Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; Delmer Charanza,
Cemetery Sexton; Ann Marie Hazlett, Parks Secretary; Glenn Brown,
Assistant City Manager; Jane Kee, City Planner; Trey Fletcher, Staff
Planner.
Members Present:
Katherine Edwards, Chairman; Sarah Adams; Mary Lind Bryan;
David Chester; Joe Wallace; Don Hensel; Ed Burns; Virginia
Reese, Alternate (left prior to item #8).
Visitors Present:
Councilman John Happ; Councilwoman Anne Hazen;
Greg Taggart; Dennis Goehring; Jimmy Bond; Dick Birdwell;
Weldon Krueger.
1.Call to order:
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m.
2.Hear Visitors:
Hearing none, this item was closed.
3.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of absentee requests:
No
absentee requests were made.
4.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of minutes from the regular
meeting on September 18, 2003:
Ed B. made a motion to approve the minutes from
September 18, 2003. Joe W. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion
passed unanimously.
5.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of minutes from the special
meeting on October 6, 2003:
David C. made a motion to approve the minutes from
October 6, 2003. Mary B. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion
passed unanimously.
6.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of minutes from the special
meeting on October 22, 2003:
Ed B. made a motion to approve the minutes from
October 22, 2003. David C. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion
passed unanimously.
7.Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the Aggie Field of Honor
project:
Joe W. started by handing out a map which highlighted several parcels of
land that are located at the corner of FM2818 and FM60 (see attachment #1). A list of
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the properties and owners, and the current estimated market value for each parcel of
land was also handed out (see attachment #2). The total acreage of the land discussed
is approximately 74 acres. Joe W. stated that based on past history, the Field of
Honor Ad Hoc Committee has reason to believe that the Texas A&M Board of
Regents would grant a perpetual easement to an amount of property that the Aggie
Field of Honor might encompass. In the example used, this was 24 acres; the other
50 acres would be available for a city cemetery. Assuming the Regents would grant
an easement of 24 acres, the City would need to acquire the additional 47.5 acres
from Texas A&M University and Dr. Kinman. The City already owns the remaining
2.5 acres.
?
Greg Taggert –
Mr. Taggert discussed the generic proposed costs of developing
24 acres for Phase I of this project (see attached #3). He explained that 12 acres
could be used as a city cemetery and 12 acres as an Aggie Field of Honor. The
total costs indicated for the Phase I development and construction do not include
the cost of the pavilion and fountain, which would be funded by some other
entity.
The project cash flow for Phase I was discussed (see attachment #4). Under the
item “Total Project Land and Development Costs,” the land cost included all of
the land that needs to be purchased, assuming that Texas A&M University will
grant perpetual easement of land as previously indicated. Mr. Taggert explained
that all of the land costs would be rolled into Phase I of the project. After eight
(8) years, all land purchase costs would have been paid, as well as the
development costs of the first 24 acres. In addition, he pointed out that most of
the land has already been taken off of the tax rolls, so valuable land would not be
taken off the tax rolls, depriving the School District or the City of tax revenue.
Furthermore, this project is a clean, green, industry use for this location.
Mary B. asked for clarification of what a "Field of Honor” is. It was answered that
a Field of Honor is intended for all Aggies, and is not a military cemetery. The
proposal is that the Field of Honor portion of this property will not cost the City
of College Station any money. Mary B. further asked if the Field of Honor would
be available for the citizens of College Station. It was answered that that was yet
to be determined. Sarah A. asked if Texas A&M University would only grant the
land if there is an Aggie Field of Honor on that site. Mr. Taggert replied that in
order to gain cooperation with the University, there must be a Field of Honor.
A proposed timeline was handed out for Phase I of the project (see attachment
#5).
?
Weldon Krueger –
Mr. Krueger spoke about the Association of Former Students
and the Texas A&M Development Foundation. He answered the question as to
why the Association of Former Students did not pursue an Aggie cemetery, when
the University had dedicated 35 acres across FM60 from the property which is
currently being discussed. He explained that it was a management issue. The
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Association has no experience in running a cemetery, and to get involved with the
project would take away from what their mission to the University is. Years later,
Mr. Krueger, while working on the Texas A&M Development Foundation,
pushed hard for the Foundation to get involved with this project. The Foundation
too came up with the same conclusion that they were not equipped to get into this
kind of business.
Sarah A. asked when the Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M
Development Foundation determined that the stumbling block was management,
were there any thoughts of hiring a private management company to run the Field
of Honor. It was answered, that it had been considered, however, even when
hiring a private firm, management time would still be needed to ensure that the
corporation is running things correctly.
Joe W. added that in 1992, the Board of Regents at Texas A&M agreed to give a
perpetual easement of 35 acres of land just inside the entrance of Easterwood
Airport, on the left hand side. Unfortunately, the FAA would not give their
approval for that type of use on the property.
?
Dick Birdwell –
Mr. Birdwell spoke about the economic impact of an Aggie Field
of Honor in College Station. He stated that $2 million would need to be generated
through the sale of lots for the development costs of Phase I, the purchase of the
property, and for monuments for the Aggie Field of Honor to make it attractive
and bring in a premium price. In order to raise the $2 million, 850 former Aggies
would need to buy two lots – one for themselves and one for their spouse. He
estimated that an average memorial service at the Aggie Field of Honor would
have approximately 20 people who would stay in hotels and eat several meals in
College Station. Approximately $5,000 would be generated every time this
happens. He figured that $1 million would be generated each year, based upon
200 burials per year.
?
Dennis Goehring –
Mr. Goehring summarized the former student survey report
that was conducted in 1993 (see attachment #6). He stated that to elaborate on a
key point, it is not written in stone that Texas A&M will contribute land. This is
based upon the University agreeing in 1993 to give 35 acres for the use of an
Aggie Field of Honor. In addition, the gravesites that are currently on University
property (located at Luther and Marion Pugh Streets) were established to be an
Aggie cemetery over 100 years ago. These graves would be moved to the new
cemetery, which would free up that land for University uses. Also, having a
cemetery at FM60 and FM2818 would preserve the integrity of coming into
College Station. (This meaning that the City could maintain that land, it would
look nice, and it would not be cluttered up with commercial sites.)
Mr. Goehring went on to discuss the emotional impact that an Aggie Field of
Honor would have on the community (see attachment #7).
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?
Jimmy Bond –
Mr. Bond explained that in the 1980’s, the Texas A&M Board of
Regents implored him to purchase what land he could in the FM60 / FM2818 area
in order to gain control of the land. At that time, there was considerable outside
interest in this property, and the University was concerned about what would be
built in that area. However, the University had no particular use for the property,
except to gain control of it and make sure that it was utilized acceptably.
Mr. Bond reported that a gentleman named Billie Mack McKenzie had the idea of
doing an Aggie Field of Honor. Mr. McKenzie’s feelings at the time were that
there are several Aggies that "bounce" around from town to town, and never have
a real hometown. When these people reach retirement age, an Aggie Field of
Honor would become a marketing tool to bring them back to College Station.
This would be beneficial to the community and the University.
Mary B. asked what timeframe the University had for making a decision on the
project. Mr. Bond responded that realistically, no decision would be made until
May 2004, when a presentation would be made to the Board of Regents as an
action item. Mr. Goehring added that the Aggie Field of Honor committee prior
to the meeting would do a lot of background work in order to get a feel for the
Board of Regent's stand.
Katherine E. informed the Aggie Field of Honor Committee that the Cemetery
Committee is an advisory group only, and that all decisions are made by the City
Council. She asked if they had presented this request to the Council. Mr. Bond
answered that the request had not been presented to the Council because they
thought it would be appropriate to come to the Cemetery Committee first.
Katherine E. expressed her and other committee member's concerns regarding the
seven-year struggle of obtaining land for a new cemetery: There is a piece of
property and a willing seller, and a feeling of anxiety of being asked to put this on
hold for information to be obtained on another piece of property where there is no
guarantee that there are willing sellers and no guarantee from the University of
granting any property. The concern was answered that if 1) the Cemetery
Committee would make a recommendation to City Council, 2) the Economic
Development staff could verify what the Aggie Field of Honor committee has
presented, and 3) a marketing effort could produce the money to pay for it, then
no bond issue would be needed, and the City could issue a certificate of
obligation. If the property owners are not willing to sell, then the City could
condemn the property because it is for public use; however very little property
would need to be condemned. If City staff could be encouraged to review this
project in detail and make a recommendation to the City Council, and if the
Council bought into this idea, then this project could move forward very quickly.
Mr. Goehring added that the City could obtain a six-month contract extension on
the Wellborn property. He asked that the Cemetery Committee give the Aggie
Field of Honor Committee six months to get the Board of Regents onboard with
this project.
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Steve B. brought up some questions regarding this project.
1)
What corporate entity is proposing the project? (It was answered that there is
no corporate entity.)
2)
What is the proposal? (i.e. Whom does and pays for what?)
3)
Who at Texas A&M University is involved with this project?
4)
Who needs to be involved with the change in scope of the cemetery project?
5)
What happens if the City does not buy the proposed site, and the Field of
Honor project fails?
Steve B. added that there are additional items that would need to be addressed. He
added that for this project to be successful, a strong commitment would be needed
from the Board of Regents and the College Station City Council. Also, the amount of
time required for legal agreements, land acquisition, and intergovernmental
agreements between the City and the University would take time to accomplish.
Operational issues would need to be included in the cost estimates, illustrating who
does what, as well as how the Field of Honor and City parts would operate. Finally,
the City’s Land Use Plan would need to be considered. The final concern and
question would be: If the City is to walk away from the Wellborn Road site, and the
Aggie Field of Honor project fails, what does the City do about getting a new
cemetery?
8.Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation for
the purchase of a cemetery site on Wellborn Road:
Mary B. made a motion that
the Cemetery Committee recommend to City Council to pursue the acquisition of the
Wellborn site, and to proceed to work cooperatively with the University on the
establishment of a Field of Honor on the corner of FM60 and FM2818. Ed B.
seconded the motion. After some discussion, two were in favor of the motion (Sarah
A. and Mary B.), and five opposed it (Ed B., Joe W., Katherine E., David C., and Don
H.). The motion died by a majority vote of 2-5.
Joe W. made a motion that the Cemetery Committee request that prior to concluding
any purchase of the 107 acres on Wellborn Road, City staff fully investigate the
acquisition of property owned by Texas A&M University and others at the northwest
corner of the intersection of Harvey Mitchell Parkway and Raymond Stotzer
Parkway, for a city cemetery to include a section of the cemetery for a Texas A&M
Field of Honor. Ed B. seconded the motion. After some discussion, two were in favor
of the motion (Ed B. and Joe W.) and five opposed the motion (Mary B., Katherine
E., Don H., David C., and Sarah A.). The motion died by a majority vote of 2-5.
Katherine E. made a motion that the College Station Cemetery Committee
recommend the purchase of the proposed Wellborn Road site (107 acres) for a new
city cemetery, not precluding investigation of a suggested site (74 acres) at the
northwest corner of the intersection of FM2818 and FM60 for the same purpose.
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Sarah A. seconded the motion. Ed B. asked to strike the word “purchase.” Mary B.
made a suggestion to strike “74 acres” from the motion as well. In addition, David C.
suggested replacing the words “for the same purpose,” to read “for a city cemetery
and/or Aggie Field of Honor.” Sarah seconded the motion with the amendments.
Five were in favor of the motion with the amendments (Katherine E., Don H., David
C., Sarah A., and Ed B.), one opposed the motion with amendments (Joe W), and one
was absent from the vote. The motion with amendments passed by majority vote (5-
1).
The final motion reads "The College Station Cemetery Committee recommends the
proposed Wellborn Road site (107 acres) for a new city cemetery, not precluding
investigation of a suggested site at the northwest corner of the intersection of
FM2818 and FM60 for a city cemetery and/or Aggie Field of Honor.” Six were in
favor of the motion (Ed B., Katherine E., Sarah A., David C., Don H., and Mary B.)
and one opposed it (Joe W.). The motion passed by majority vote 6-1.
9.Discussion of next meeting date and agenda:
The committee will meet on
Thursday, December 11, 2003, at the Central Park Conference Room at 10:00 a.m.
10.Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
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