CEMETERY COMMISSION 2019/04/24 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disa bilities who plan to
attend this meeting and who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participat e in this meeting, or who have
questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or the facilities, are required to contact City Manager Jason Wicha at (847) 234-2600 promptly
to allow the City to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
CEMETERY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
LAKE FOREST CEMETERY GATEHOUSE
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019, 5:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL: Chairman O’Brien called the meeting to order at
5:03 pm
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Dennis O’Brien, Chairman
John Dick
Patrick Looby
David Hooke
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
None
STAFF PRESENT
Jason Wicha, Secretary Treasurer, City Manager
Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry & Cemetery
Phil Alderks, Cemetery Sexton
Debra Warren, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS
Tony Hoban, William Blair
(Note – Agenda items were taken out of order at the discretion of the Chairman, but are
reported in the minutes in the order reflected on the agenda.)
II. WELCOME TO JASON WICHA, LF CITY MANAGER / LFC COMMISSION
SECRETARY-TREASURER:
Chairman O’Brien noted that a quorum of the Cemetery Commission was in attendance at this
meeting and welcomed City Manager, Jason Wicha, to his first meeting of the Cemetery
Commission. Wicha noted that he looks forward to learning about the totality of the Cemetery
Commission’s agenda. He has already had the opportunity to drive though the cemetery and
plans to walk through the cemetery with Sexton Alderks at some point in the near future.
III. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 24, 2018 MINUTES:
Chairman O’Brien presented the minutes to the Commissioners for approval. Motion by
Commissioner Looby, seconded by Commissioner Hooke to approve the Minutes from October
24, 2018. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
IV. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 23, 2019 MINUTES:
Chairman O’Brien presented the minutes to the Commissioners for approval. Motion by
Commissioner Looby, seconded by Commissioner Hooke to approve the Minutes from January,
23, 2019. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
V. FIRST QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT FROM WM BLAIR AND CO.:
Tony Hoban from William Blair and Company distributed a Quarterly Market Review for the
first quarter of 2019 as well as some strategy research to commissioners and reported on the
Cemetery investment accounts. Hoban noted the market is about to start growing globally.
Hoban informed the Commissioners that the total Cemetery portfolio was strong in the first
quarter and this strength appears to be continuing into the second quarter. This is reflected in a
April 24, 2019 Page 2
strong growth in accounts; the entire account is up 19.4%. Equities outperformed in the quarter
and the bond portfolio was up 4.5%.
2018 was a rough year but the increases in the first quarter of 2019, and into the second quarter
of 2019, made up for all the prior weakness.
Following the overview of market conditions, Chairman O’Brien made the following motion:
Motion by Chairman O’Brien directing Tony Hoban to continue with current investment strategy
regarding Lake Forest Cemetery investment with William Blair & Company. Second by
Commissioner Dick. Motion carried unanimously.
VI. REVENUE / EXPENSE REPORT
Sexton Alderks distributed the Revenue and Expense Report as of March 31, 2019. Alderks said
that the revenue side has been strong as indicated by robust sales and the Cemetery has already
surpassed the projected revenues for the year. On the expense side, while still under budget,
Alderks said the Cemetery experienced a higher than normal buyback of lots and niches
($116,000.00), which is an unbudgeted expense. Still, with investment income, etc., Alderks said
the Cemetery is approximately $480,000.00 to the good with 1 month remaining in the current
fiscal year.
VII. CEMETERY UPDATES
A. Barrell Entrance Restoration Update
Superintendent Myers reported he will be attending a meeting of the Historic Preservation
Committee to obtain a certificate of appropriateness for the gate restoration project. The
restoration project itself is moving along and progressing extremely well through
collaboration with the project consultant and contractor.
Sexton Alderks reported that all of the mortar has been ground out from the gate area and
that the gates themselves have been removed and are in the restoration process at Corsetti
Structural Steel. The contractor has completed large areas of patching with Jahn mortar. Two
test panels will be ready to be viewed by the Sexton and the architect on Monday; the panels
will reflect the two different choices of mortar: one fabricated with a larger grain sand and
one fabricated with a smaller grain sand. A decision will need to be made on which style of
mortar to be used to allow the mortar installation to be completed in May.
B. Memorial Garden Phase II
Superintendent Myers reported that Bleck Engineering completed an as-built survey of the
Memorial Garden. The design review for the Phase II Memorial Garden Project will be
broken into two projects. Craig Bergman submitted a quote for $18,000 for the hardscape
portion of the project. An architect is needed for review of the construction documents for
the spire and niche walls. A RFP was issued for review and revision of the 20 year old plans.
April 24, 2019 Page 3
Bids were received from Lake Forest Landmark Development and Melichar Architects. Both
bids came in under $20,000.00 and the bid was awarded to Landmark. Since the bid is under
$20,000.00, the City Manager can issue the contract to Landmark.
C. Ravine Update
Sexton Alderks reported that DeMuth completed the directional boring for the collapsed
storm sewer. The payment for this work is finalized. There was a blowout on the east ravine
(Deubler) during the storms in 2018. Conservation Land Stewardship will be working on this
project by adding rock checks and drain tile. There was recent storm damage and erosion
clogging in Section E of the cemetery. The Sexton is working on shoring up this area.
Superintendent Myers indicated he submitted two grant applications (Resiliency and Great
Lakes) for ravine restoration but both applications were rejected. He will continue to pursue
this type of grant funding in the future. He reported there is no immediate risk and the fixes
being performed on the ravines is buying time until a full restoration can be completed.
D. Rules and Regulations Update
Sexton Alderks reported that he provided all the relevant information to the City Attorney
and received a response yesterday. He will present the information at the July meeting to
allow the Cemetery Commission to vote on the proposed rules and regulations.
VIII. CONSIDERATION OF A VARIANCE FOR MEMORIAL MATERIALS
Sexton Alderks reported that the Carroll family purchased several Irish limestone slabs several
years ago from Ireland. Cemetery regulations require memorials to be fabricated with granite or
bronze. Barbara Carroll has requested a variance to the cemetery regulations to be able to use the
limestone material, acquired from a family business interest in Ireland, for markers on the
Pehrson lot where her husband, Barry, is interred.
Motion by Chairman O’Brien to approve a resolution to grant Barbara Carroll restrictive
approval to use limestone markers on the Pehrson lot, granting deference to the historical family
ownership of the limestone materials. The restrictive approval is dependent upon any markers
fabricated from this limestone material being in full conformance to cemetery size restrictions
and regulations. Second by Commissioner Dick. Motion carried unanimously.
IX: RECOGNITION OF PATRICK LOOBY’S SERVICE TO LAKE FOREST
CEMETERY
Chairman O’Brien expressed deep appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by
Patrick Looby during his tenure as a commissioner on the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission
and extended the Commission’s best wishes as retiring Commissioner Looby exits his role on the
Commission. Chairman O’Brien presented Commissioner Looby with a plaque commemorating
his years of service to the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission and the City of Lake Forest.
April 24, 2019 Page 4
X: RECOGNITION OF DANIEL J. KELLY’S SERVICE TO LAKE FOREST
CEMETERY
Chairman O’Brien expressed sadness at the recent death of Commissioner Daniel J. Kelly as
well as appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by Commissioner Kelly during his
tenure as a commissioner on the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission. Sexton Alderks will reach
out to the family of Daniel J. Kelly to present them with a plaque commemorating Commissioner
Kelly’s years of service to the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission and the City of Lake Forest.
XI. OTHER MATTERS
Sexton Alderks reported the cemetery is working with Ramaker to update the CIMS software
program currently utilized by the cemetery to record burials. The company is in the process of
revising Section F in the cemetery as a test area for a cost of $10,000.00. Once this test is
completed, Sexton Alderks will obtain a cost estimate to revise the remaining cemetery sections.
XII. CITIZENS’ OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS CEMETERY COMMISSION
No public in attendance at this meeting.
XII. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Cemetery Commission is scheduled for 5:00PM on Wednesday, July 24,
2019.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman O’Brien at 6:12PM