Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am by Chairman Jerry Buzzard.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chairman Jerry Buzzard, Trustee Carol Connerton, Trustee Erin Gardiner, Trustee Carolyn Johnson, Trustee Gary Mirata
Public Comments
Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes:
  March 18, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting
2. Approval of Warrants/Claims - March 2025
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Gary Mirata seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor 0 Opposed
0 Abstained 0 Absent 0 Recused
Correspondence
Office Manager's Monthly Report
1. Financial statements presented for March 2025
Investment Committee Report
The Stifel investment reports were presented to the Board for March 2025. The balance in the Stifel Endowment account is $2,274,049, balance in the Stifel Endowment Interest account is $133,615 and the balance in the Stifel Capital Projects account is $1,031,119 of which 238,688 is in the smart rate account.
Grounds Foreman's Monthly Report
1. Burials for month and year to date
  
  Grounds Foreman Cooper reported that year to date burials are 10 full and 16 ash for a total of 26 burials. 2024 year to date burials were 17 full and 21 ash for a total of 38 burials.
2. Grounds maintenance
  
  Grounds Foreman Cooper reported that they are continuing to replace lateral water lines. The City of Ukiah informed Cooper that we will possibly have recycled water this coming fall. No above ground hose bibs are allowed. Employees are working on taking out the above ground faucets.
Mendocino LAFCo Election
Adam Gaska from Redwood Valley County Water District and Dave Shpak from Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District are two candidates running for one seat for Mendocino LAFCo special district alternate member. The Trustees reviewed the two candidate's nomination forms and unanimously selected Adam Gaska from Redwood Valley County Water District to fill the remainder of the four-year term ending December 31, 2026.
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Chairman Jerry Buzzard seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor 0 Opposed
0 Abstained 0 Absent 0 Recused
Open General Fund Cash Account with Stifel and Transfer Funds
The District approved the opening of a new Stifel General Fund Cash Account. $238,688 will be transferred from the Capital Projects smart rate account to the new General Fund Cash Account.
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Carol Connerton seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
  5   In Favor      0   Opposed
  0   Abstained      0   Absent      0   Recused
Local Agency Investment Fund funds transfer
Transfer $315.81 from Local Agency Investment Fund to the Savings Bank of Mendocino County General Fund.
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Carolyn Johnson seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor 0 Opposed
0 Abstained 0 Absent 0 Recused
Vacation Accrual and Employee Longevity
The District voted to adopt the County of Mendocino's Vacation and Longevity Increase policies:
Changes to the Vacation Policy:
0 to 90 days = 0 hours, >91 days to 3 years = 80 hours, >3 to 8 years = 120 hours, >8 to 15 years = 160 hours, >15 years = 200 hours. Max accrual will remain the same at 240 hours. No additional vacation will be earned until accrued vacation time is used.
Adoption of Longevity Increase policy:
Employees who complete multiple years of continuous employment, which is a period of employment without a break in service, shall receive a longevity increase to the base rate of pay based on the following: After completion of seven (7) years of continuous employment, the employee shall receive a 2.5% wage increase to the base rate of pay. After completion of ten (10) years of continuous employment, the employee shall receive an additional 2.5% wage increase, for a total 5% increase to the base rate of pay. After completion of fifteen (15) years of continuous employment, the employee shall receive an additional 2.5% wage increase, for a total 7.5% increase to the base rate of pay. After completion of twenty (20) years of continuous employment, the employee shall receive an additional 2.5% wage increase, for a total 10% increase to the base rate of pay.
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Carolyn Johnson seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor 0 Opposed
0 Abstained 0 Absent 0 Recused
Review proposals from CemSites and Cims - Cloud based cemetery software companies
Office Manger Kornegay presented two cemetery software proposals. One from CemSites in the amount of $34,600 and one from Cims in the amount of $49,500. Both companies offer a cloud-based program and will include the cemetery maps. The District's current software program is not cloud-based and does not include the cemetery maps. Trustees approved the purchase of CemSites software program up to $35,000. CemSites will transfer the cemetery files from the District's current software program, Pontem.
Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Gary Mirata seconded the motion.

The motion passed with the following vote:
5 In Favor 0 Opposed
0 Abstained 0 Absent 0 Recused
Trustees Comments
1. Cemetery walking tour
  
  May 3rd at 9:30 will be the first cemetery walk. Trustee Mirata suggested making a map and posting it in the message board with the "Ukiah notables" highlighted. Trustee Johnson spoke to a family who believes a native burial took place in the 1950s or early 1960s in the Redwood Valley Cemetery.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 12:47 pm.
Next regular meeting - May 20, 2025

Posted 8:11 pm on December 7, 2025