HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-2015 Cemetery Advisory Board Final Minutes Minutes
City of Bozeman Sunset Hills Cemetery Advisory Board
Thursday, October 22"d,2015
_ 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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88 Sunset Hills Cemry
340 Golf Way
R�lN CO. 0
Board Members present:
Katherine Ball: Present
Don Derby: Present
Lynn Flansaas: Present
Jim Korth: Excused Absence
Katie Tennille: Present
Russ Tuckerman: Present
Marypat Zitzer: Present
Other Staff present:
Mitch Overton: Present
Thom White: Present
Shane Surber: Present
Melanie Eubank: Present 's
1) Call the Meeting to Order: 10:00 am
2) Changes to Agenda k
3) Public Comment—None
4) Cemetery Tour: The tour began at the cemetery office with Mitch explaining that this was a casual,
freeform walking tour allowing for spontaneous discussion.
• As we walked south towards a view of the hospital,we stopped where 2 trees from the old
nursery were dying and had recently been removed. Russ noted that he'd like to see 2 new trees �?
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added here.
• Moving on to the memorial garden, one of the latest of the board's projects,Russ pointed out the
kiosk with the map and discussion took place about how it could work better for visitors. g
-At the new memorial garden bench,Katherine pointed out how the bench holds water. It isn't
able to drain any water in the seat of the bench. Solutions were discussed.
-Discussion included the possibilities of how this spot can grow in function and how the board
can take on the responsibility of keeping up the garden's beautification with plants and design
going forward.
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-A longer term project discussion took place regarding another option to offer as a different type
of service for end of life in the form of decomposable urns.
• Moved to the corridor perimeter of the cemetery. The possible second entrance was pointed out
and the lay of the land and history of the growth of the cemetery was explained. Thom White
explained about seeding and watering large open spaces. A question came up about when do we
begin to use xeriscape.An educational component is an important aspect to how we proceed with
that change.
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• Approaching the fox den we stopped to discuss the berm/hill area above it. Marypat Zitzer
explained a vision of using that berm to create to an amphitheatre-type area with stone benches
which would offer an incredible view to the east and our"natural beauty."It could be used as a
setting for an internment service or just to enjoy the beauty in reflection. It could also be tied to
the Veteran's cemetery and wall at the top of the berm.
-The discussion continued as to the logistics of using this area for large groups,the need for
parking, and the use of buses for the Veteran's Cemetery.
-Mitch Overton shared that the first donation to the Veteran's Cemetery came from the Vietnam
Veterans of America, who gave a$10,000 check to the SW MT Veterans Cemetery Fund. Their
goal is to fund the project with all donations,no tax payer dollars.
-A second gated entrance on the south east side: Comments were made that as the Veteran's
Cemetery is developed,the impact on the cemetery by vehicles in general needs to be kept to a
minimum.
- The landscape architect was scheduled to tour the Veteran's Cemetery the following week and
will sketch something up. (The property was adjacent to and at the top of the berm.)
-Along the side of the Veteran's Wall,the cement walk was over 378 feet. Don Derby went on
to explain how he is trying to get wif set up into a small structure near the wall. Don has been
part of another side group who has been working on this project(wall, flag poles,electricity, and
other parts)over the past 8-9 years.
• Russ asked if Jennifer Jolliff could attend the next board meeting to give an update of her tree
inventory to this point.
• The Columbarium: The discussion included that 2 more would be needed next because of the
popularity, where to put them,and what else should be planted to add color around the area.
Mary Blackmore was referred to as one of the original arborists who planted many of the earlier
colorful plants. Approximately 70%of the 140 people who were buried last year requested the
columbarium.
• Don Derby shared that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. are putting
everyone's name and photo of who was killed in the war on their website so we should spread
the word. (vvf.org)
• The circular drive: There was a short discussion of the possibilities of what would be nice to see
there,like a fountain or a statue.
• Last stop,prime infill in the cemetery,only irrigation around the edge,was an old nursery,
beautiful area for seeds, and the area can be used as burial. Katherine brought up the option of
another location for a columbarium. Discussion continued about a seed bed nursery for start up
of plantings of perennials for the memorial gardens including raised beds,low maintenance,
deer-proof plants.
Russ asked if we could start with some text plan for different areas of the cemetery. Marypat and
Katherine offered to come up with a plan on the Memorial Garden. Katie agreed to work on the
"Circle."Discussion of a timeline for the next edition to the master plan should be included in
the November agenda.
S) Confirm next Meeting Date Nov. 12,201 S
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6) Adjournment: Noon
Cemetery Board meetings are open to all members of the public. Ifyou have a disability that requires assistance,please
contact ow-ADA Coordinator, Chuck Winn 582-2307(TDD 582-2301).
Russ Tuckerman, Chairperson Date
Melanie Eubank, Recording Secretary bate
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