HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/2003 - Regular Minutes - Cemetery Advisory Committee
City of College Station
Cemetery Committee
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Central Park Conference Room
10:00 a.m.
Staff Present:
Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; Delmer Charanza, Cemetery
Sexton; Ann Marie Hazlett, Parks Secretary.
Members Present:
Katherine Edwards, Chairman; Sarah Adams; Mary Lind Bryan;
Virginia Reese; David Chester; Joe Wallace.
Visitors Present:
Neal Nutall
Members Absent:
Don Hensel; Ed Burns
1.Call to order:
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m.
2.Hear Visitors:
There were no visitor comments at this time.
3.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of absentee requests:
Joe W.
moved to approve the absentee request of Don H. & Ed B. David C. seconded the
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
4.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of August minutes:
Katherine E.
asked for a couple of clarifications on the minutes from August 21, 2003. In item # 6,
"at the request of a group of Texas A&M former students" was added. In that same
item "a committee of Texas A&M former students was formed" was also added.
David C. made a motion to approve the minutes from August 21, 2003 as corrected.
Sarah A. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed
unanimously.
5.Presentation of certificate to Neal Nutall for his service on the cemetery
committee:
A certificate was presented to Neal Nutall for his service on the cemetery
committee. However, he was not aware that he was not re-appointed to the
committee, and also did not know that he had to reapply to continue his service. Ann
Marie was asked to check with City Secretary Connie Hooks about what Neal could
do in order to be re-appointed to this committee.
6.Discussion, consideration and possible action on a variance request from
Thomas Kirk (see attached):
Mr. Thomas Kirk sent in a variance request for the
Cemetery Committee’s consideration to put a small memorial marker for his wife
between the foot stones of his wife’s parents. This request was sent in because
currently, College Station ordinance only allows one foot stone per space. Some
questions were raised regarding the impact on maintenance if this marker is allowed.
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Delmer replied that it would have no impact on maintenance. Currently, the space
between the two existing footstones cannot be mowed with a mower, and must be
maintained by a weed eater. Putting a marker between the foot stones will not really
impact maintenance at all. According to Delmer, the marker will be placed at the
same height as the foot stones, or flush with the ground, whatever the cemetery
committee feels would be best. Furthermore, the stone would be set with concrete
underneath it. David C. asked if there were any potential problems in accepting this
variance request. Ross A. answered that since there is no real concerns for increase in
maintenance there should not be any problems if this was approved. David C. moved
that the variance request be accepted. Sarah A. seconded the motion. All were in
favor and the motion passed unanimously.
7.Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the new cemetery
operational issues:
Sarah gave a sub-committee report on the naming of the new
cemetery. The sub-committee decided to come up with categories of names to
present to the Cemetery Committee:
Civic Names:
New College Station Cemetery, College Station Cemetery & Field of
Honor (if we have an Aggie theme), College Station Memorial Cemetery, Brazos
County Memorial Cemetery, Brazos Valley Cemetery, Brazos Valley Memorial
Cemetery
Romantic/Traditional Names:
Peaceful Rest, Pleasant Rest
Geographical/Topographical Names:
Bluebonnet, Post Oak, Creekside, Crepe
Myrtle
Persons Name:
“Person’s name” Memorial Cemetery (nobody in particular has
been suggested)
Religious:
The sub-committee did agree that they wanted to stay away from names
that held a particular religious connotation. However, All Faiths Cemetery would
encompass anyone's beliefs.
Ross suggested that instead of naming the cemetery after a person who donates a
large amount of money to the cemetery, that possibly an area within the cemetery
could be named after that person, similar to “The Madeley Memorial” in the existing
cemetery. Katherine also pointed out that until a site has been purchased, a
geographical or topographical name could not be given. Additionally, Mary B. stated
that the county name should not be used unless the county is going to contribute to
the cost of maintenance. However, Katherine did express that she liked “All Faiths”
because the committee has made and will continue to make a concerted effort to
explore the needs of various faiths when it comes to their burial practices. David C.
added that whatever the name will be, the name should have “College Station” in it.
This discussion will be tabled until the committee has had a chance to look at the
property.
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Ross updated the committee on the site selection process for the new cemetery.
There is a willing seller, and contracts have been sent to the owner for signature. The
sale would be contingent on approval by City Council. Once it is in the Council’s
hands, the Council would like for the Cemetery Committee to go and take a look at
the property. At that point, Council would like a recommendation from the Cemetery
Committee as to the purchase of the potential cemetery site.
Joe W. asked if a comparison would be done regarding the price per acre for this
property versus the price per acre of the property at FM2818 and University. Ross
does not see that the City will actively pursue that option, and asked if Joe W. would
like to find out that information.
8.Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the back entrance
improvement request:
This item has been an important issue to the committee for
approximately 5 years. These improvements include widening the back entryway that
goes out to Bee Creek Park as well as putting landscaping on either side. These
improvements are wanted because when phase 2 of Texas Avenue construction
begins, there will be a median in front of the Texas Avenue entrance to the cemetery.
When people leave the cemetery, they will no longer be able to go north onto Texas
Avenue. In addition, if you are traveling from the south to the cemetery, you will no
longer be able to turn left into the cemetery. The thought is that when this
construction does occur, there will be increased traffic in and out of the back
entryway of the cemetery.
Ross explained that the committee has requested money for these improvements in
the past couple of budget cycles and has not been successful and was not successful
in the FY04 budget either. However, $50,000 is coming to the cemetery for the sale
of land along Texas Avenue to Texas Department of Transportation, and has been
earmarked for these back entrance improvements.
th
9.Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding the College Station 65
th
anniversary initiative as related to the cemetery:
For the College Station 65
anniversary, the Historic Preservation Committee has been contacting people with
historic buildings (over 50 years old) and either events or subjects for markers. It was
suggested that possibly a subject marker could be placed in the Salem Section of the
cemetery. Ross offered to come up with the money for the plaque, however, the
committee would need to come up with the wording to put on the plaque.
Research needs to be done on the history of the Salem community to help develop the
wording that would be placed on the historic plaque. It was suggested that a starting
point would be the Carnegie Library in Bryan. They have staff that could help
research historical information about the Salem community. David C. offered to help
work on this. Also, Katherine E. agreed to contact the A&M Methodist Church to see
if they have any historic records on the Salem community.
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10.Discussion of next meeting date and agenda:
The committee will meet on Monday,
October 6, 2003, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 12:00 p.m. This will be a
special meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board regarding a population
growth report in College Station.
11.Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.
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