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6. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 6a. Consideration of acquisition of the Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery. (SR 06:203) Administrative Services Director Lorie Tinfow indicated the Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery is owned and operated by the International Order of Odd Fellows Livermore Lodge #219. They are interested in selling the site. The Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, Inc. has incorporated as a non-profit and is interested in preserving the cemetery. It has asked the City to acquire the site, and maintain and operate it with its assistance. A preliminary report was presented to Council on May 2, 2006. At that time, Council directed staff to collect additional information and develop specific ownership options for further consideration. Ms. Tinfow gave a history and commented on the cemetery's current state of disrepair, as well as the current situation, covering revenues and expenses. It was noted that the physical condition of the site is poor. She continued by presenting photos of the current condition of the cemetery. Staff indicated three ownership alternatives had been identified as follows: Ownership Alternative #1: The City owns the Cemetery but leases its operations to a private cemetery operator. Ownership Alternative #2: The City owns and maintains the Cemetery grounds and partners with the Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) for funeral, burial and cremation services. Ownership Alternative #3: City owns the Cemetery and delegates responsibility to the Pioneers for maintenance and oversight. Staff covered other cities' experience with cemeteries and provided two maintenance options which were: Maintenance Option #1: Maintain at "Pioneer" standard without grass; and Maintenance Option #2: Maintain at "Landscaped" standard with grass. Staff covered the impacts of city ownership, records management, pricing and fees, as well as expansion considerations. Liability concerns were presented, as well as Zoning and General Plan consistency and CEQA compliance. Staff covered the impact of not pursuing city ownership, noting that it would be expected that it would continue to have maintenance and operational/financial issues. Staff's recommendation was to authorize acquisition of the Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery using ownership Alternative #2 with the following conditions: 1. Immediately stop all plot sales until the records are more thoroughly examined and more information is available about potential liabilities; at some point in the future (1-2 years) the issue can be revisited with the benefit of greater understanding of the site. City Council Minutes 4 September 5, 2006