LYONS, Kan. — The cost of dying in Lyons was again discussed by the Lyons City Council Monday as continued review of a proposal to increase fees at Lyons Municipal Cemetery. At their May 5th meeting City Administrator Troy Houtman presented a proposal to increase charges for burial space, opening and closing of burial space, disinterment, and the surcharge for Saturday burials.
A cost analysis for lot sales and burial operations was given to the council. That analysis estimated the city incurs on each specific item that goes into the sale, opening and closing of a grave, and the cost incurred for Saturday burials for which most cities impose an extra charge.
He also outlined what is involved with disinterment, which is a much more complex process because of the additional care that has to be taken to avoid damaging the coffin and other steps.
Council member Debbie Metzger suggested the rate increases proposed for burial plots and opening and closing of traditional burial spaces be trimmed back, suggesting a $300 charge rather than the $350 proposed, which other members were generally in agreement with.
As proposed the disinterment fee would go from $500 to $700, the Saturday surcharge from $200 to $275, and the cremation space opening and closing charge from $100 to $200. The open and close fees for other cemeteries staff obtained data on are the same for cremation and conventional spaces. This will be back before the Council at their June 2nd meeting.
On an unrelated matter, several members discussed the large number of graves that have been purchased in the past are not being used, such as cases where graves were purchased many years ago and never used nor likely to ever be used. In the past, it was the practice to sell burial plots in units of at least two. In the past deeds for cemetery plots were not recorded with the Register of Deeds, but that is now becoming more commonplace.
It’s estimated there are some 100 grave spaces at the cemetery people would like to sell that they no longer intend to use. It was noted the process to this is rather complicated and would involve a lot of work. There has been a recent case where a person wanted to trade two plots for two others nearby, which since the other lots were available was able to be done.
It was estimated there are just over 1,000 unsold grave spaces available at the cemetery, which based on the number of burials they have each year would be about a ten-year supply.
Public Works Director Jared Jones gave a department update, during which he reviewed new water service installations, exercising water valves, repairing and upgrading meter sets, and work at the wastewater treatment plant including cleaning return activated sludge pumps which had become clogged with rags and wipes. They also have replaced traffic signs on East Avenue at Main Street, replacing and upgrading decorative lights, grading and sweeping streets and fixing potholes.
Jones outlined the current staffing of the department, which currently has four water and four street employees along with three working at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of whom also assists as needed with gas meter reading. He also provided an update on a meter change-out project.
Also giving an update was Police Chief Justin Holliday, who said he has filled two vacant officer positions, one of whom is already certified and the other to begin the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center’s basic training class next month, a class that’s been lengthened from 14 to 16 weeks.
Holliday said case counts are down so far this year, along with the number of citations issued. He reported on installation of a new server at the department funded through a grant from the Rice County Community Foundation.
He also reported on the addition to a drone with leftover funds from that grant, which it purchased in conjunction with the Hutchinson Police Department at a significant savings. One officer is being trained on its use, and Assistant City Administrator Tanner Faust is also a drone pilot.
The department is also looking a purchase of mini-shields for officers and has been in discussion with a gun dealer regarding trading old and seized weapons for new shotguns so each patrol vehicle would have one.
The Council approved waiving of rental fees at the Lyons Municipal Pool for a Boomfest fundraiser. Kristen Webb, who organizes this event, said last year’s fundraiser drew an attendance some have said was the most people they had ever seen at the pool, with many children in attendance, along with their parents.
Tyler Joiner was recognized as the April Employee of the Month. Joiner works in the Street Department and was described by Houtman as an “awesome employee” who has been taking on a lot of new responsibilities in the department.
In other routine actions, the Council approved payment of reimbursements to Rice County connected with the local share of the hangar and fuel system projects at Lyons-Rice County Airport, approved a change order to add a trench drain on the hangar project, and tabled until June 2 action on the compensation section of Revised Personnel Policies and Guidelines related to questions raised by two members, one of whom was not at the meeting on May 5 where it was presented.
