Girdwood Cemetery Committee

August 10, 2017

Minutes

Call to order 1PM, Tommy O’Malley, Chair

Introduction of Guests - None
Agenda Approved for August 10, 2017 Meeting

Minutes Approved from July 13, 2017 Meeting

Old Business:

Discuss walk SUN July 16 walk thru

Prior to walk-thru, CRW Surveyor flagged the site, marking setbacks so that the main area was discernable for the walk-thru. Carolyn Brodin met with Tommy and showed him where existing trails are located.

At the walk thru, main goals were met: Showing the area and providing the public the opportunity to be involved in the conceptual planning phase.

Neighbors of the proposed site attended the walk-thru and were unhappy with the concept of a cemetery next door to their homes and business (Raven Glacier Lodge). They were aggressive at first. They spoke with Heather Hall and received more information about the conceptual project design qualities and discussed visual barriers between their property and the burial area.

Eryn Boone stated that the walk thru event was her first time exploring the area. She encourages the Cemetery Committee to continue outreach to neighbors.
Tommy explains that outreach has been on-going since site was proposed. Original concerns came from Bursiel family, regarding water quality concerns, but this was resolved through education on current burial methods. Neighbors have been invited to attend meetings, but have not chosen to become involved in the public process.

Heather Hall agrees that continuing to work with neighbors is important. She will email minutes to the neighbors, and their concerns can be considered (ie visual barriers, low headstones, parking).

Next steps

Kyle recommends a phased approach to move forward on the project:

Current understanding of the phased approach is:

Phase I:

Contract with CRW Engineers to produce an estimated cost for having an engineering company create engineering, design, and construction packet

As a term contractor with the MOA, CRW can be hired for projects under $50,000 without going out to competitive bid. CRW would use the preliminary concepts generated from the Cemetery Committee.

Kyle to invite CRW Engineers to attend the next Cemetery Committee meeting, which is scheduled for THU September 7 at 1PM in the Girdwood Community Room, to receive the information generated so far on desired amenities and style of the cemetery.

Tommy O’Malley is to check with Rob Jones at the Anchorage Cemetery to see what they estimate annually for Anchorage burials. This information will be used to estimate the number of non-Girdwood burials if a municipal cemetery is located here.

Second public outreach meeting would be scheduled to review contents of this report.

Cemetery Committee can use this report for fundraising.

Girdwood Cemetery Committee is a sub-committee to the Girdwood Board of Supervisors

Agendas and minutes are available on line: http://www.muni.org/gbos

Phase II:

After enough funds have been raised based on the cost estimate from CRW, an RFP can be issued for the engineering, design and construction packet.

Phase III and beyond:

Additional fundraising toward construction

New Business

2018 GBOS budget

GBOS has held 3 budget work sessions and is likely to approve 2018 budget at the August GBOS meeting.

At this time, $20,000 is allocated for cemetery project.

Tommy O’Malley has provided reports to GBOS at previous meetings. Tommy states that he will be out of town in August, Mike Opalka agrees to attend the GBOS meeting on August 21 on behalf of the Cemetery Committee.

Public Comment:

None.

Other Business:

None

Adjourn 1:35PM