Russian River Cemetery District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
July 16, 2024 11:00 AM
940 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482
https://russianrivercemetery.com/


  1. 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 Erin Gardiner, Trustee Gary Mirata, Trustee Rick Iverson

      Absent: Trustee Carol Connerton


  2. Public Comments

  3. Consent Agenda

    1. Approval of Minutes - June 18, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting  

    2. Approval of Claims - June 2024

    Trustee Gary Mirata motioned to approve. Trustee Rick Iverson seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Chairman Jerry Buzzard     Aye   Trustee Erin Gardiner     Aye   Trustee Gary Mirata     Aye   Trustee Rick Iverson     Absent   Trustee Carol Connerton  

  4. Correspondence

    1. LAFCo notice of vacancies for special district members

      The Mendocino Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) invites interested persons to apply for the position of the Alternate Public Member on the Commission to complete a four-year term ending December 31, 2027. 

    2. GSRMA board meeting report

      Rick Beale was reelected to GSRMA board for another term.  Oct. 24 & 25 GSRMA will hold their annual conference in Corning. PCA Conference will be held in Grass Valley on August 1 & 2. GSRMA's board approved RMAP awards to 59 members which included 19 cemeteries. RRCD received $3,395.21 for participating in the program.

    3. CAPC summer newsletter


  5. Office Manager's Monthly Report

    1. Financial statements presented for June 2024

      The financial statements were presented to the board for June 30, 2024.  The County is hoping to close fiscal year end 2024 on labor day weekend.

    2. Funds held with the County

      Kornegay talked to the District's current auditor, David Farnsworth CPA, prior auditor Michael Celentano CPA, Attorney Robert Hunt, and MCERA regarding the pros and cons with having the County being the District auditor/treasurer.  The Trustees will discuss the possibility of withdrawing its funds from the County at the August 2024 board meeting. 

    3. Property tax administration explained by County

      Darlene Betts, Senior Accountant Auditor from the County e-mailed the District the "Teeter Plan" which explains the property tax distribution.

    4. Review cemetery price list

      Trustees and staff discussed the current cemetery price list.  The District has not raised plot or interment rates in over 10 years.  Trustees instructed Kornegay and Cooper to bring their recommendations to the next board meeting.

  6. Approve 2024-2025 budget Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Rick Iverson seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Chairman Jerry Buzzard     Aye   Trustee Erin Gardiner     Aye   Trustee Gary Mirata     Aye   Trustee Rick Iverson     Absent   Trustee Carol Connerton  

  7. Approve June 30, 2023 Annual Financial Report Trustee Erin Gardiner motioned to approve. Trustee Gary Mirata seconded the motion.

    The roll call vote:

      Aye   Chairman Jerry Buzzard     Aye   Trustee Erin Gardiner     Aye   Trustee Gary Mirata     Aye   Trustee Rick Iverson     Absent   Trustee Carol Connerton  

  8. Investment Committee Report- Stifel Investment financial reports presented for June 2024
  9. Grounds Foreman's Monthly Report

    1. Burials for month and year to date

      Grounds Foreman Cooper reported that year to date burials are 29 full and 41 ash for a total of 70 burials. 2023 year to date burials were 31 full and 24 ash for a total of 55 burials.

    2. Grounds maintenance

  10. Trustees Discussions, Questions & Comments

    1. New fence installed by UUSD between Frank Zeek School and cemetery

      Trustee Gardiner talked to Ukiah Unified Superintendent Debra Kubin regarding the new fence that was placed between Frank Zeek School and the Cemetery. The District thought the fence was their property. According to UUSD the fence and some of the trees are the school districts property.  Trustees asked Gardiner to talk to Superintendent Kubin to clear up the boundary line issue. It was suggested maybe a property line adjustment.

    2. Next cemetery walk - Saturday, August 10th @ 9:30 am

      The next Cemetery walk will be held Saturday, August 3rd at 9:30 am.  Not August 10th.

  11. Adjournment

    Adjourned at 12:42 pm

    Next Regular Meeting - August 20, 2024

Posted 8:11 pm on December 7, 2025