SR 06:203 - Laserfiche WebLink

A preliminary report was presented to Council on May 2, 2006. At the meeting's conclusion, Council directed staff to collect additional information and to develop specific ownership options for further consideration. In an effort to fully address Council direction, this report is divided into the following sections: . Cemetery History & Issues . Current Situation . City Ownership . Cemetery Renovation & Maintenance Options . Impact of City Ownership . Impact of Not Pursuing City Ownership . Summary & Recommendation CEMETERY HISTORY & ISSUES The Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery is an approximately five-acre site located at 5780 Sunol Blvd. in Pleasanton. The Cemetery was owned and operated by the International Order of Odd Fellows Pleasanton Lodge #255 and is contiguous with St. Augustine's Cemetery. Lodge #255 was organized on January 17, 1877, and historical archives indicate burials started at the cemetery in 1886. A number of Pleasanton's founders are buried there and more information about the cemetery's history is included as Exhibit 1. In 1999, Lodge #255 disbanded and the I.O.O.F. Livermore Lodge #219 became the trustees for the cemetery. In addition, the Cemetery also falls under the jurisdiction of the I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge of California based in Saratoga, California. The Cemetery's current state of disrepair was created in part by the confluence of several elements: . The Cemetery's history as a non-endowment cemetery so there is no funding available to maintain the site beyond its current state. . The diminishing activity of the Pleasanton Lodge over a long period and eventual disbandment of it as an organization. . Prices kept below-market. . The long tenure of the cemetery's proprietor, Robert Barnes, has limited options for a serious discussion maintenance issues until the last few years. For the last 28 years Robert Barnes has operated the Cemetery with assistance at times from his son. Barnes was a member of Lodge #255 prior to its disbanding and now belongs to the Livermore Lodge. He handles all aspects of cemetery operations including plot sales, burial activities, and financial accounting. Mr. Barnes maintains landscaping via a combination of his own efforts, contractor services and volunteers. He wants to retire and there appears to be no firm plan for a successor. The Livermore Lodge membership is also aging and has little interest in actively operating another cemetery. Their focus is on the cemetery they currently operate in Livermore. No other group or individual has expressed interest in owning the cemetery given the State regulations and/or economic realities of the site. SR 06:203 Page 3