(A) While the opinion of the Advisory Board shall be sought, the Board shall have no authority over the hiring or dismissal of Cemetery personnel. The Board shall have no budgetary or fiscal powers related to the operation of the public cemeteries. Any projects or activities initiated or created by the Board shall be financed solely by independent fundraising, in-kind services and other outside funding.
(B) The Board shall be charged with investigating and identifying ways to preserve and enhance the operations of cemeteries owned by the city. Duties shall include but not limited to:
(1) Providing assistance to the Sexton and staff;
(2) Repairing and restoring monuments, particularly those abandoned;
(3) Landscaping enhancements such as:
(a) Working with the Glasgow Garden Club to maintain plantings and continued contributions to the landscape;
(b) Investigating memorial gifts of plantings/landscaping and ways to organize and promote the offerings; and
(c) Exploring and developing a long-term landscaping plan for the cemetery wit the aid of a qualified landscape architect.
(4) Preparing for the future by carefully planning the development and preservation of the cemetery within the space and budget available. In addition to the plans for traditional burials, the Board should explore the community’s interest in:
(a) A mausoleum for entombment;
(b) A columbarium for the placement of ashes;
(c) A scattering garden for ashes;
(d) Endowed care for plots where owners pay a specified amount for special care above and beyond the routine maintenance/mowing of plots for a predetermined number of years; and
(e) A means of accepting donations for a permanent endowment fund.
(5) Public relations programs shall be investigated and implemented when possible including, but not limited to:
(a) Preparation of informational brochures about the cemetery’s offerings and types of plots/services available;
(b) Preparation of a brochure-type publication available at the cemetery office to allow visitors to enjoy self-guided tours of the cemetery; (Such a brochure should include a useful map of the grounds with specific points of interest included.)
(c) Increasing the user-friendliness of the cemetery by installing appropriate, attractive section markers to identify all sections of the cemetery;
(d) Providing a means for visitors to leave monetary donations to the cemetery fund;
(e) Seeking to implement programs which enhance the visitor’s experience as well as creating opportunities for citizens to develop appreciation of the cemetery, specifically:
(1). Further development of the existing cemetery walking tours;
(2). Development of a plan to organize activities for children visiting the cemetery to instill an appreciation of the cemetery and the history recorded there; and
(3). Development of a master map of the cemetery showing the many varieties of trees growing on the grounds and create educational programs relating to same; a similar program to catalogue varieties of birds inhabiting the property; use of technology such as digital photography to develop a website catalogue of cemetery information/markers and monuments.
(6) The Board shall work with the Renaissance Main Street Director to seek out funding opportunities to benefit activities at the cemetery. The Board shall assist with research and grant development when possible as well as oversight/disbursement of any grant monies received for these purposes under the guidelines and supervision of the City Council and Renaissance Main Street Committee.
(Ord. 2401, passed 1-28-2002)