CEMETERY COMMISSION 2014/01/15 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who plan to
attend this meeting and who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or who have
questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or the facilities, are required to contact City Manager Robert R. Kiely, Jr., at (847) 234-2600
promptly to allow the City to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
LAKE FOREST CEMETERY COMMISSION MEETING
LAKE FOREST CEMETERY GATEHOUSE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 5:00 P.M.
MEETING MINUTES
I. ROLL CALL, CALL TO ORDER: The Lake Forest Cemetery Commission convened at
5:00 p.m. at the Lake Forest Cemetery Gatehouse. The following members were
present: Chairman Colin Silvester; Commissioners Prue Beidler, Amy Schuetz, and
Patrick Looby; and Staff Members Bob Kiely, Secretary-Treasurer; Mary Van
Arsdale, Director of Parks and Recreation; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks
and Forestry; and Phil Alderks, Cemetery Sexton. Also attending was Tony Hoban
from William Blair and Company.
II. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Beidler motioned to approve the October 16,
2013 minutes and the 3rd Quarter Sales Report. Commissioner Schuetz seconded
the motion. The Commission then voted unanimously to approve the Consent
Agenda.
III. FOURTH QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT FROM WILLIAM BLAIR AND COMPANY: Tony
Hoban from William Blair opened his report by saying that 2013 has been an
eventful year working through areas of uncertainty in Europe, the slowdown in
China, and the threat of the ‘fiscal cliff’. Hoban said that while these issues
haven’t totally gone away, the heightened concern has cooled down and
downside risks have moderated. Hoban said that the Cemetery Funds were still
oriented toward equities as the bond situation still is lagging and as we look at
the equity portfolio we are biased toward ‘quality’ stocks.
Hoban said, overall, developed markets appear more attractive at this time than
emerging markets in general. We will be considering re-orienting the asset
allocation subsequent to a return to more ‘normal’ levels of uncertainty and
equity valuation looking toward alternative sources of conservatism and income
or dividend paying equities which we feel offer a more attractive risk/reward as
compared to fixed income investments.
Chairman Silvester thanked Mr. Hoban for his report which was received by the
Commissioners.
IV. CEMETERY COMMISSION FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT: Chairman Silvester
then reordered the agenda and spoke to item VI. Commission Finance
Subcommittee Report. Silvester said as the subcommittee has not yet had the
opportunity to meet that there is nothing to report specifically at this time.
Silvester further stated that he will be assuming the Chairmanship of the
Committee and asked Commissioner Beidler if she would sit on the committee
with him as her last duty before her term is up at the end of April. Beidler
responded that she would be happy to be part of the subcommittee. Silvester
wondered if it would be beneficial for someone from the City’s Finance
Department to sit on the committee. Bob Kiely suggested that rather than an
individual from the Finance Department, there is a new City Council member
that might be a better choice if she is available. Silvester said he would be
scheduling a meeting and report at the next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Beidler stated for the record that the Commission should
remember how Wm. Blair, when they were hired, sold off many of the financial
stocks the Commission held prior to the financial collapse and saved the
Cemetery a lot of money.
V. CEMETERY UPDATES: Sexton Phil Alderks, in response to a request by the Cemetery
Commission at the last meeting, discussed the potential for phasing ravine
restoration. The Commission reviewed the draft ‘phasing’ document and
instructed staff to begin the process of securing the design work for the project in
order to aid in securing a grant or if grant monies are not available, begin
phasing in the restoration.
Superintendent Myers stated that he did find another grant opportunity with
Sustain Our Great Lakes that he will be submitting and that we should know a
preliminary decision on the grant around April.
Commissioner Beidler then motioned to direct staff to proceed with securing the
design phase of work for the east and west ravine sections. This was seconded
by Commissioner Looby and passed unanimously.
VI. APPROVAL OF THE FY2015 BUDGET: Sexton Phil Alderks presented the proposed
Cemetery Budget for FY2015 to the Cemetery Commission Members. Alderks
stated that the budget was within the target number that the Commission had
established at the last meeting. Alderks did explain that there are some changes
to staffing that the Commission should be aware of. The budget includes adding
a part-time person to aid with administrative duties and projects in order to free
up the Sexton to spend time on the grounds. This position would be about 25
hours per week. Alderks further explained that this position will be partially funded
by a reduction in the 2 grounds seasonal positions from 11 months each to 9
months each.
Following discussion by the Commission, Commissioner Beidler motioned to
approve the FY2015 Budget as presented with the additional staffing.
Commissioner Schuetz seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
VII. OTHER MATTERS: None
VIII. CITIZENS’ OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS CEMETERY COMMISSION: No citizen
comments were made during this meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.