SR 06:049 - Laserfiche WebLink

", . Lone-ran.", olannilli of a ccmcterV i~ imponan\ to make sure \here art vlable tt'itIlues \0 Dt\)"\~t rot m";,,tCD~ in the future when cemeteries an: built out for example, cemetery managen should have a cemetery plan that cxtends to the build.out of the cemetery SO that ....nen revenues from burials are no longer available. the cemetery has a subslaDtial endowment fund to finance the long-term maintenance of the cemetery. Use of Public Funds. The City's acquisition or maintenance of the historical gravesires could cc:rtainly serve a public purpose for which public funds could be expended. It could also be argucd that the velerllllS' gravc:sites could be maintained with the use of public funds. Despite the policy reasons to support tbe use of public funds to care for these gravesiu:$, there may be questions from the general public ora majority ofresidenl$, as to why the City's revenue would be used to CaR: for the gravesites of a minority of our residents. VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Given the infonnation presenled, staff nOW needs ditection on Voi1ether: I. 1be City Council would like staff first to pursue the maintenance of the site with the Odd Fellows national. regional and local lodges and second 10 pwsue mainu:nance opportunities with the community's veterans organizations, museums, churches and ministries prior to exploring the potential acquisition of the Cemetery; or 2. The City Council would like to further explore the potential acquisition of the Cemetery. If so, additional work and researcb would need to be: completed, including: an audit and reconciliation of the Cemetery's financIal records to detc:rmme \be extent of obligations under existing agreements, including those that call for pcrpetual care (a separate contract with an audilOr woutd be required); a fonna! survey of the property to determine the extent of the r..m~ining developable space and the location oftbe County's potter's field as well as a detailed analysis of capacity for more graves (a separate contract with a contractor specializing in cemeteries would be required); a determination whether the vacant pateellocatcd next to cemetery should be investigated as a part of a cemetery development proposal; and a long-tClDl analysis of staff time and financial resources needed for the City to acquire and operate a municipal cemetery, including when the Cemetery is built out.. Staff Reeommendation: Staff recommends that the City initially address tbe maintenanCe issue by pursuing options between the Odd Fellows and community groups prior to pursuing city ownership of the property. Pleasanlon Memorial Gardcm Cemeruy Repotl Page IS of 16