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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.