SR 06:203 - Laserfiche WebLink

Odd Fellows Discussion with Mr. Barnes about the Livermore Lodge's intentions, should the City choose not to acquire the property, were somewhat vague. He believes there may be Livermore Lodge members interested in operating the Cemetery but is uncertain. If the Livermore Lodge is not able to continue to care for the Cemetery, the site will become the responsibility of the Grand Lodge which is the state level of the Odd Fellows organization. Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, Inc. If the City chooses not to acquire the Cemetery, the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, Inc. will likely unincorporate. They don't have the resources necessary to own and operate the Cemetery themselves and without the City as a partner, have no obvious way to accomplish their goal of improving the Cemetery's appearance. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION Staff's analysis of whether or not to acquire the Cemetery included a number of elements including the Cemetery's financial viability, opportunities for additional revenue, alternatives that would accomplish the goal of improving the Cemetery's appearance short of City ownership, cost estimates for capital improvements and ongoing maintenance, other cities' experience with cemeteries, and liability concerns. For the most part, revenues have matched expenditures with little left for building a capital reserve for major improvements to the site. (Revenues in 2005 were the exception.) The revenue collected today pays for current operating needs but does not leave funds available for capital improvements or improved maintenance. Revenues will cease at some future time and under this structure, all expenses will eventually need to be covered by some other revenue source. Expansion could generate additional revenue for a period of time but eventually the outcome will be the same. Staff explored opportunities for another entity to purchase the site but state regulations and requirements preclude the Pioneers or a similar organization from doing so and the return on investment is not sufficient to make it attractive to a private operator in its current condition. We also considered offering financial assistance to the Livermore Odd Fellows but without Mr. Barnes, they have no real interest in supporting or operating the Cemetery and are focused on activities within Livermore. Other cities that operate working cemeteries have strongly recommended that we not acquire the site because of the financial and operational challenges they have experienced - which includes everything from worker's compensation claims for maintenance workers falling into open graves to faulty records placing a grave in the wrong location. Also, cemetery operation is not an area of City expertise and there are many unknowns. While there has been review of the Cemetery's records, there is still some uncertainty about gravesite locations and contract status. Further, because the Cemetery has not had any capital improvement in some time and the site is in such poor condition, the cost to bring it up to an easily maintainable standard is relatively SR 06:203 Page 13