In December of 2019, two members of the Cemetery Board resigned their positions. This included the treasurer/secretary, who was the primary point of contact for plot sales and funeral coordination. Since that time, City staff has acted as the point of contact for funeral homes looking to schedule services and confirm burial sites. The Cemetery Board has been transitioning from a body managing the operations in the cemetery to a policy-making and planning board. These recent resignations created an opportunity to expedite that transition through consolidation with the existing Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
The functions of both bodies are largely identical. They are comprised of appointed members of the community that provide policy guidance and recommendations regarding municipally-owned grounds. Neither group has staff under their direction, but work with a staff liaison to communicate needs and schedule work. Both groups periodically schedule special community events to take place in their respective areas.
After meeting with both groups and explaining the concept behind this consolidation, both bodies are in favor of the transition. The recommended action would retain the Cemetery Board’s structure, as the group was formed via state statute. Ordinance No. 1028 expands the group to eight appointees and widens its scope of review to include the duties of the former Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. The initial membership will be comprised of the existing resident members of both groups with the following proposed initial term periods:
Terms Expiring Feb. 2021 | Terms Expiring Feb. 2022 | Terms Expiring Feb. 2023 |
Amber Duren | Luis Fasani | Kenny Shaw |
Mike Wheeler | Michael Hernandez | Wayne Snider |
| Bonnie Sandburg | Zachary Estes |
The new board will be known as the Cemetery, Parks, and Public Spaces (or CPPS) Board. Their duties will be the same as both previous bodies with administrative functions being conducted using City staff. Other duties that the board will undertake include event planning, infrastructure review and planning, and program reviews. Staff has reviewed this concept with members of both boards and all members have indicated they support the move and requested to retain their positions, which was also finalized at the 2/24/20 Council meeting.
The first meeting of the group will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Edwardsville City Hall