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She continued by indicating her interest in the fund that staff talked about that would take around $25,000 to maintain it at its currently level. Staff noted their profit and loss statement shows total expenses between $20,000 and $26,000, which covers other costs associated with maintaining it, such as health insurance for the caretaker. Councilmember McGovern asked, of the four cities staff contacted which currently have cemeteries, did they recommend that we purchase this cemetery? Staff responded no, that they strongly recommended that we do not purchase it. The reasons expressed were everything from disconnect between the city providing cemetery services because, again, both the cemeteries are active and are still selling plots. In Benicia the issue was poor recordkeeping. There have been a number of times where a family has come to them, they have gone out to host the burial, and there's a body in the spot that has been designated for their family. For this reason staff would want to do the mapping and get a better handle on what is in our cemetery. Councilmember McGovern expressed concern about unknown liabilities, specifically draining problems and creek contaminations. Ms Tinfow advised that the current operator has stated that every grave he digs tends to fill up with water and he has to pump the water out. Other sources indicate that this is not that unusual. Staff would want to look at that and get a better handle on it. She clarified that the city is not currently paying for weed abatement on the property. Councilmember McGovern asked if the City has funds set aside to apply towards supporting the cemetery. Staff responded the cemetery created a maintenance care fund in 2003. Mr. Fialho indicated there was another fund that the City has on record that has about $45,000 in it. That was supposed to be used to help us with this analysis. We have only spent about $5,000. The remaining could be applied to capital improvements. Councilmember McGovern noted that the City would assume any liabilities on the cemetery if it takes it over. Ms Tinfow felt the City would have the opportunity to negotiate something with the Oddfellows. But, they are probably not in a position financially to shoulder that. She noted that the City should expect to assume the liabilities associated with it. Mr. Fialho advised that part of the needed capital improvements pertain to safety issues and the improvement would need to be performed immediately. Council member McGovern inquired about the possibility of the City maintaining graves without purchasing the property. She believed the current fund could be used in perpetuity to support historic gravesites. Ms. Tinfow responded the City could offer a grant to the Oddfellow's to help offset some of the costs; however, the City would not want to invest funds to improve the site only to have it sold. City Council Minutes 6 September 5, 2006