HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/2004 - Regular Minutes - Cemetery Advisory Committee
City of College Station
Cemetery Committee
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Central Park Office
10:00 a.m.
Staff Present:
Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; Delmer Charanza, Cemetery Sexton;
Ann Marie Hazlett, Parks Secretary.
Members Present:
Sarah Adams; Virginia Reese; Mary Lind Bryan; David Chester; Joe
Wallace; Don Hensel; Ed Burns.
Members Absent:
Katherine Edwards
1.Call to order:
The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m.
2.Hear Visitors:
Hearing none, this item was closed.
3.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of absentee requests:
David C. moved to
accept the absentee request of Katherine Edwards. Joe W. seconded the motion. All were in
favor and the motion passed unanimously.
4.Discussion, consideration and possible approval of minutes from the regular meeting on
April 8, 2004:
Sarah A. had a correction on the last page, first paragraph. The word
“Reagents” should be spelled “Regents”. Joe W. made a motion to approve the minutes from
April 8, 2004, with the previously stated spelling correction. David C. seconded the motion.
All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously.
5.Update and discussion regarding site selection process of new cemetery:
Ross reported
that City Council has approved the purchase of 102 acres on Wellborn Road. The city is
however, still looking at the possibility of locating the new municipal cemetery/Aggie Field
of Honor at the corner of FM60 and FM2818. Joe W. handed out a letter from Tom Brymer
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to Chuck Sippial dated June 7 regarding the Aggie Field of Honor (see attached). The land
on Wellborn Road will be available for a municipal cemetery if the site at FM60 and FM
2818 does not work out. A decision will be made one way or the other by September 2004.
This was an informational item only and no motion was made.
6.Update, discussion, and possible action regarding the rear entrance improvements to
the existing cemetery:
Ross reported that the back entrance improvements have been
completed. He also stated that letters will be put on the limestone wall at the front of the
cemetery stating “College Station Cemetery”. In addition, he will inform the funeral homes
and the police department that these improvements have been completed.
This was an informational item only and no motion was made.
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7.Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding the issue of ordinance
enforcement in the existing cemetery:
Sarah A. stated that she has noticed a problem with
potted plants being placed all over spaces. She shared an idea from her daughter regarding
how to handle this issue. When it becomes necessary to remove such items, have a card
printed up to explain why the item(s) have been removed referencing the ordinance and
where to pick up the item if it was able to be stored. Attach the card to a bouquet of flowers,
a single rose or some other appropriate decoration on the space. Ask a local florist to design
an appropriate bouquet and ask that they donate it with their logo on the card if they wish.
Ross added that the committee might wish to look at strengthening the ordinance to have a
maximum number of plants and other decorations allowed per space. In addition, adding
verbiage to the current ordinance stating that the placement of these articles be placed
adjacent to the headstone.
Mary B. suggested that a general statement be placed in the ordinance to convey to families
that they are expected to respect the need for maintenance and the keeping of the cemetery
tidy and orderly.
Ed B. moved to table the discussion. Joe W. seconded the motion. All were in favor and the
motion passed unanimously.
8.Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding operational issues for the new
cemetery:
Ross stated that the main operational issues are monument restrictions and the
ability to allow artificial flowers. Mary B. stated that some operational issues will be hard to
iron out until a location of the cemetery has been established. For instance, if the cemetery is
to be located at FM60 & FM2818 in conjunction with the Aggie Field of Honor, monument
regulations might be stricter than if the cemetery is located off of Wellborn Road.
David C. threw out the idea of allowing a small number of plantings on spaces adjacent to the
headstone, which could alleviate the number of potted plants being placed on spaces. Ross
would hesitate to allow a planting of a tree, shrub or bush on a grave space next to a
headstone due to extreme maintenance concerns.
This was an informational item only and no motion was made.
9.Discussion of next meeting date and agenda:
The committee will meet on Thursday,
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August 12 at the Central Park Conference Room at 10:00 AM. Ed B. asked that an item be
placed on the agenda for introduction of members. Ross also asked that an item for
recognition of service to Ed Burns be placed on the agenda. In addition, there will a new
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member orientation on Tuesday, July 13.
10.Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned at 11:03 AM.
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