Library Board - Regular Meeting

Should we start? Okay. It's passed. Party started. 05:30. Okay. I'd like to call to order the meeting of the cemetery commission for Monday, February 9. Let's do a roll call. Amanda Roddy? Here. Mike Racine? Here. Ed Razar? Here. Rico Camacho? Here. Terry Tim? Who's not here? And Don Brown is don't mark him absent. Walking in soon. Yes. Wow. And Pegrelke. Present. All right.

Public comment is item two on the agenda. Seeing no one here from the public, we will move on to item number three, which is approval of the minutes from 12/08/2025.

I'm reviewing them right now and I see no issues with meeting. So I'd like to make a motion to accept the meeting minutes, I believe December '25. I'll second.

Okay. It's been moved by Mike and second by Rico to approve the minutes of December 8. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? I'm gonna abstain. Okay. Amanda abstained. And otherwise, it's passed unanimously. Alright.

The next item of business is to review and act on the request of the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery to host the third annual Tombstone Trot Run Walk fundraiser on Sunday, 10/18/2026. So I don't see anyone from the friends here. But, yeah, the

president is sick and But so they first two tombstone trots went very well. And last year, they raised over 13,000 tombstone trot and would like to do the third annual on October 18. It's a Sunday again this year.

Will they be using the same is it Silver Circle? Mhmm. Silver Circle is for instance. Okay. Any other questions? Yeah. They must do a really good job at sponsorship too because

Most of the dollars come in through the sponsorships. Yep. Okay.

That's great. Alright. Is there a motion for this item?

At restaurant, I move that we allow enable the Friends of Prayer Home Cemetery to host the third annual tombstone trot on Sunday, 10/18/2026.

Second. Okay. It's been moved by Ed and seconded by Amanda to approve the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery to host their third annual tombstone trot. So all in favor, aye. Aye. Opposed? Passed unanimously. Then we'll move on to reports. And the first one is the cemetery director's report. Yeah. Okay.

Sorry. I'm trying to Okay. Okay. So as part of the report, you received the twenty twenty five service summary summary report, and you'll see that, our services, went up to one eighty nine last year. And, of note, I think it's very interesting that for those that are related to cremation, it's 58% this year.

Last year, we're at about 50. So we are seeing the need for cremation options growing, and The US average is about sixty three percent. They averaged last year for those that passed away that are cremated. So we're very close to that with our, services and kinda highlights our reasoning for adding more cremation options in the boulevard. So we will need to do that this year.

And then another interesting thing is with our sales, property sales for property items, pre need and at need. We're seeing last year, 34% of our property sales were natural burial. So we're not seeing that, you know, it's about 7% of our services are natural burial. Obviously, then our sales are mostly preneed. So there is a growing interest in, the natural burial as well, which is very interesting.

We do get quite a few inquiries about that. So for the prairie areas, we are planning a spring burn prairie burn of all three sections that are planted or that are planted as a prairie. So one is currently being used for natural burial. The section to the east of it, we'll have to look soon on getting that planted in the next few years for natural burial. And then the area to the south that's planted as a prairie, we'll have that burned to you know, that will be way down the road deciding on what that's going to be used for. So just thought I'd let you know that.

And who does the burning?

We'll be using Midwest Prairies. It's a company that does prairie burns. And they've already submitted to the fire marshal for the permit. They have the permit with conditions that they have to provide a little bit more information when we get to that date because the date is unknown. So let's see.

And then the items of now Prairie Avenue street light pole was replaced last week and is now functional. So it hadn't been for some time, and there was an old wooden pole. So it's now a black metal pole, and then there's a streetlight pole on the West Avenue side that will be replaced this spring. And then once those are up, hopefully, the cameras will be installed shortly thereafter some sometime this year anyway in security cameras. And then CIP projects that are in the works, not being done right now, but the exterior tuck pointing of the chapel building will be done this year.

Those bids were received last fall, but because of weather, it's being delayed. So, hopefully, this spring, and the security cameras and the autumn garden roof replacement project. That RFP is going out soon, and that also, the autumn garden tuck pointing and caulking project It's on the docket to be done this year, but that RFP is not out yet. And then we are still planning for that Section 8 Veteran Tribute Garden to be complete by Memorial Day. So that's the hope and weather dependence. Finally.

And

then also in your packet, there is the reminder about the celebration dinner. Did you all receive the email about that? Okay. I was just asked to remind everyone and please RSVP if you haven't already.

Yeah. Exactly. Mhmm.

So that's Wednesday, March 4.

Okay. Any other questions for Karen?

I have some questions for Karen. Sure. Are there any wiring that we should be doing ahead of time? I'm sure that for the cameras on these poles are all gonna be cordless. But since they're putting in a they already put a pole in, replacing another pole Mhmm. There shouldn't be any underground wires.

There's a cameras. There yeah. There's a a second conduit was added that is vacant right now that will be used for that. Alright.

How long has when was the last time the city of Waukesha fire department did a prairie burn? Or they have never done a prairie burn.

As far as I know, they haven't done it. I believe it was also Midwest Prairies the last time, but it's been more than ten years since it's been

done. Yep. That was answers my questions.

Alright. Thank you, Karen. Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery president's report. He is not here this evening.

And then I did mention, I I did speak with him about the tombstone trot, obviously. And then also, their next fundraiser with Taco John's is scheduled for June 10. You wanna mark your calendars. Those have been very successful fundraisers as well.

June 10. I'm sorry.

Yeah. June 10. I believe it's from four to eight. That's a Taco John's Mhmm. Fundraiser for the friends.

Do we know how the last one turned out?

It was over $500 that they made. Mhmm. And the Culver's one, did I think it was over 800.

Why is Culver's more popular?

Well, actually, they they received quite a few. They were couple of the friends were on-site, and they received very nice donations in the box. It was, you know, it's for the Veterans Tribute Garden. Right. Okay.

Right. Cemetery commission president's report. I have no report at this time. Alderman's report.

I have a couple items. I'm also fortunate enough to serve on the Landmarks Commission. And they had a, at one time, a Landmarks let's say almost friends of Landmarks and Springs in the city of Waukesha, and that has not been very active, and they are seeking new members. So I brought up that. I'm proud to serve with Rico here.

You guys have a great thing that continues to grow and grow and grow. And just letting people know that if someone has a passion or wanna do something with Landmarks and wish to serve on, Landmarks team is being formed as we speak. You know? Doesn't matter what it used to be. It's gonna be what it is going forward just because it's, you know, people didn't use emails or texting or social media to keep in touch.

So they're updating what they're doing. So I'm just letting you know that they are looking for new members for the Landmarks Commission and Friends of Landmarks and Springs in the city of Waukesha. And I'm just mentioning another tidbit. When we have snowfall, we talk about keeping our fire hydrants clean and sidewalks, but also if you are near a sewer grate, you all should keep those things clear. It's something that yeah.

If they're shoveling or snow blowing, that really helps get the water off your street and refreezing because if there's a puddle because it can't drain, it stays slippery or icy or city operations after all the salt. Another plug for the drains are Waukesha County has a really neat program where you can actually adopt a drain. And then once you adopt a drain, you can name it. Like, I named it after my kids and my father-in-law. You can come up with crazy fun names. Something's right on the city of Wauwah. So excuse me, Waukesha County's website, but I don't care so much about that. If you have them on your street, keep them clear. And that's the end of the alderman's report.

Alright. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Number six is referrals. I don't believe there's any referrals. Our next meeting date will be April 13, Monday, April 13. And with that, I'll be looking for a motion for adjournment.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Okay. Moved by Ed and seconded by Amanda to adjourn the meeting. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Thank you for coming this evening. Happy New Year. See you in April.