HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-88 Page 2
Cemetery Committee Meeting
July 7, 1988
recommended that copies of monument /marker regulations be sent to
vault companies in the area.
In addition, Mr. Collison suggested charging an inspection
fee for monuments and requiring monument companies to acquire
approval before placement by requiring them to send written notice
of the type and dimensions of the proposed monument. No marker
could be placed without prior approval. If a monument was
installed which did not meet regulations, it could be required to
be removed within a limited time.
Both Mr. Collison and Mr. Boettcher advised the Committee to
handle the cemetery in a way to pay for itself. They recommended
increased charges for spaces to provide funds for upgrading the
appearance of the cemetery and for its upkeep. They explained
that current charges of $75.00 per space for residents and $300.00
for non - residents are far below the rates charged by other
cemeteries in the area. Representative charges for other area
cemeteries are as follows:
Woodlawn $595 - $990
Greenwood $400
City of Winter Garden $200 resident 5400 non - resident
City of Apopka $250 resident $375 non - resident
Mr. Collison also suggested that one person is needed on a full
time basis to be responsible for the cemetery and to be held
accountable for its upkeep. He commented that the grasa had been
knee -high when he had directed a funeral there two weeks ago.
Mrs. Hager asked if the City was notified when a funeral was to be
held. He explained that the City is notified because a City
employee marks the space. Though at the present time it is not
always possible to completely mow /trim before a funeral, City
employees make every effort to mow /trim the immediate area. In
response to Garry Smith's question about the size of the area
which it would be most vital to prepare, Mr. Collison replied that
an area 20 feet by 20 feet in the vicinity of the marked space and
the area from there to the road would be most important. Mr.
Breeze agreed on the necessity for a full time person on the scene
to be responsible for the cemetery maintenance. Mr. Elmore
noted that a part -time position (twenty hours a week) had been
included in the budget.
Mr. Collison also reported a problem with the markings of spaces
on week -ends. Current dispatchers have refused to contact the
Street Department on week -ends. Commissioner Johnson suggested
that the City Manager be asked to send a formal memorandum to the
Police Department to request that dispatchers call the Street
Department employees when contacted by the Funeral Home on week-
ends.
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Cemetery Committee Meeting
July 7, 1988
Mr. Collison said that a copy of a plat book to mark spaces
would be helpful.
Mrs. Hager inquired about addition of spaces through use of
some of the roads. Mr. Boettcher observed that the area along the
East side could be surveyed and used for lots.
Commissioner Johnson maid that the cemetery is a vital part
of the City and he would like to see it expanded to the Hawthorne
property (four acres on the South aide). He said that the land
along the east aide could be filled in with dirt. Mr. Elmore said
that the Environmental Protection Agency might have a problem with
that.
In further discussion, Mrs. Hager asked Mr. Collison if he
had any reason to use the Pagoda. He replied that he had not been
using it. Mr. Collison and Mr. Breeze suggested that the flag
pole be moved to the entrance.
Mr. Boettcher questioned the current policy about the locking
and unlocking of the cemetery gate. The Ordinance stipulated that
it would be unlocked at dawn and locked at dusk. He said there
might be a problem with the gate so that it might not lock
properly. He said that if it was to be locked, Quality Vaults
needed a key to permit access when the police officer whose
responsibility it was to unlock the gate might be delayed. Mr.
Elmore would check on the gate.
There was general agreement that the "City should get in the
cemetery business or get out."
The next meeting was set for Thursday, July 21st in the
conference room. At that time the Committee would determine the
recommendations to be included in their report to the Commission.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M..
Respectfully submitted,
Marian Green, Deputy Clerk
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