Crown Hill Cemetery Association members updated the Preston City Council on cemetery financial issues at the council’s March 2 meeting.
Kevin Ostern recalled that they had first approached the city council in July of 2017 about the dwindling financial resources and the possibility of the city taking over ownership and maintenance of the cemetery. City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained there needed to be legal research as to the city’s ability to assume ownership. It has been determined that the city can assume ownership of the cemetery.
City staff has developed a plan and cost estimate for maintenance of the cemetery. Hoffman recommended that if the city were to take over ownership, maintenance of the cemetery should fall under the supervision of the Public Works director. Policy decisions should be made by the city council.
Ostern suggested that the responsibility for the cemetery could be dumped into the city’s lap by the end of the year. It cost over $9,000 last year just for mowing. Ostern made it clear there is no way there is enough income coming in from internment fees and lot sales to keep going financially.
There is $55,000 in a “perpetual care fund.” Ostern questioned whether that money can be used for ongoing maintenance. If it could be it could fund operations for about four more years. Phil Durst noted that interest from this fund use to pay for everything; but, now interest is insignificant and maintenance costs have tripled.
Hoffman recommended the “perpetual care fund” be spent down before using taxpayer money to maintain the cemetery. Mayor Kurt Reicks agreed.
Reicks asked how the city can take over. City Attorney Dwight Luhmann said the cemetery board will first have to adopt a resolution transferring ownership of the property of about 10 acres to the city. The city council will then have to consider accepting the deed. The funds held by the Crown Hill Cemetery Association including the “perpetual care fund” could be turned over to the city along with the deed.
Reicks said the city staff will have to work with the cemetery board at first to learn how to operate the cemetery, which includes the marking of sites, the selling of lots, and so on.
Ostern said their regular annual meeting is coming up this spring; they will work on a resolution at that time. Maintenance of the cemetery will continue this year as it has in the past. Reicks suggested they shoot for December 31, 2020, for turning over ownership. This will allow the city time to figure out what is needed for the city to maintain the cemetery next year. The city may need another mower and another part-time employee to be a mower operator.
Downtown pop-up markets
Ilene Edwards requested and received approval for another season of Preston Pop-up Markets. The downtown markets will be held on the second Saturday each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, and September 19. The third Saturday in September will coincide with Taste of the Trail. Last year there was an average of 17 vendors at the pop-up markets.