Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:06 am by Chairman Jerry Buzzard.
1. Roll Call
  
  Present: Chairman Jerry Buzzard, Trustee Carol Connerton, Trustee Erin Gardiner, Trustee Gary Mirata, Trustee Rick Iverson
Public Comments
Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes - May 21, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting
2. Approval of Claims - May 2024
Trustee Gary Mirata motioned to approve. Trustee Carol Connerton seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Chairman Jerry Buzzard Aye Trustee Carol Connerton Aye Trustee Erin Gardiner Aye Trustee Gary Mirata Aye Trustee Rick Iverson
Office Manager's Monthly Report
1. Financial Statements presented for May 2024
  
  The financial statements for May 2024 were presented to the board.
2. Draft budget for 2024-2025 fiscal year
  
  The draft budget was presented to the board to review and make changes to.
3. Transferred $30,000 from Stifel endowment interest account to the general fund for water line replacement projects.
  
  $30,000 from Stifel endowment interest account was deposited into the general fund to cover a portion of the main water line replacement. Kornegay will inform Sandra from Stifel to hold funds from the endowment interest fund when they come due to reimburse the general fund for the remainder of the water line replacement jobs.
Correspondence
1. Public Cemetery Alliance conference - Grass Valley - August 1 & 2
  The Public Cemetery Alliance conference will be held in Grass Valley on August 1 and 2, 2024. Office Manager Kornegay and office assistant Perry will be attending the two day conference.
2. Historical Society netted over $33,000 on Springtime Soiree
Grounds Foreman's Monthly Report
1. Burials for month and year to date
  
  Burials for month and year to date:
  Grounds Foreman Cooper reported that year to date burials are 26 full and 31 ash for a total of 57 burials. 2023 year to date burials were 23 full and 18 ash for a total of 41 burials
2. Grounds maintenance
  
  Cooper reported that sod will be laid in Deer Park Development (DP), Lot 6 on Wednesday.
  On Monday, June 17, Cooper came into the Cemetery Office and asked Kornegay if she knew what was happening over at Frank Zeek School. Ukiah Unified School District is adding security fencing around the school and removed the fence between the school and cemetery and some trees without notifying the District. Cooper and Kornegay believed the fence and the trees were the cemetery district's property. Cooper talked to Gabriel Sherman Director of Maintenance and Operations for UUSD. Mr. Sherman stated the fence was UUSD's property. Cooper asked Mr. Sherman to attend the board meeting, he agreed, however was unable to attend last minute. Trustee Gardiner contacted the school district and told them to halt all work until she received a call from Mr. Sherman. The Trustees are not happy regarding the lack of communication on UUSD's part and will discuss holding a special board meeting regarding the matter.
Investment Committee Report- Stifel Investment financial reports presented for May 2024
The Stifel Endowment Investment reports were presented to the Board for May 2024. The balance in the Stifel Endowment account as of May 2024 is $1,720,182 and the balance in the Stifel Endowment Interest account is $136,497.
Employee salaries 2024-2025 fiscal year
After reviewing employee evaluations, the Board decided to give all employees a $1.00 per hour raise effective pay period 14/2024. In addition, Grounds Person 3 Hernandez will receive an additional $1.00 per hour, bringing him to the same salary as Grounds Person 3, Sturges.
Trustee Gary Mirata motioned to approve. Trustee Erin Gardiner seconded the motion.

The roll call vote:

Aye Chairman Jerry Buzzard Aye Trustee Carol Connerton Aye Trustee Erin Gardiner Aye Trustee Gary Mirata Aye Trustee Rick Iverson
Closed Session
1. Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
  Robert Gates and Linda Gates v. Russian River Cemetery District
2. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation
  Grounds Foreman and Office Manager
  
  Entered closed session at 12:06 PM.
  Return to open session at 12:34 PM.
  No reportable action taken.
Trustees Discussions, Questions & Comments
1. Trustee Gardiner - QR codes on stones/markers
  
  Trustee Gardiner spoke to a Trustee of the Potter Valley Cemetery. They are wanting to add QR codes to the pioneer family graves like Gualala Cemetery has done. Gardiner thought that was a great idea for our cemetery and found a photo on Gualala Cemetery's website to present at the board meeting. Gardiner is going attend Gualala's board meeting via zoom to get more information.
2. Next cemetery walk - Saturday, July 6th @ 9:30 am
Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting - July 16, 2024

Posted 8:11 pm on December 7, 2025