Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Mayor Hosterman asked if funding is available for a historic site designation. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGovern said no and that the only reference was that local <br />governments are reluctant to take the step to buy cemeteries <br /> <br />Council member Thorne referred to the staff recommendation concerning fees and <br />questioned what the fees would be used for if plot sales are stopped. <br /> <br />Ms. Tinfow described the services that would require fees. <br /> <br />Council member Thorne believed a timeline should be developed to establish when plot <br />sales could resume. <br /> <br />Mr. Fialho suggested that it could take 1 to 2 years for staff to understand the <br />cemetery business. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman inquired about insurance coverage and whether it was consistent <br />with other city facilities. <br /> <br />City Attorney Roush advised that it would. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing: <br /> <br />Chris Beratlis, Chairman of the Pioneer Group, addressed the Council and provided <br />some history of their participation. He presented 1301 signatures on the petition <br />supporting the City's acquisition of the cemetery. <br /> <br />Peter Bailey indicated the mission of the Amador-Livermore Historical Society is <br />dedicated to linking the past to the future by preserving, clarifying and disseminating <br />information about history specific to the region. The preservation of this historical <br />edifice as it sets in the gateway to our City is an excellent example of meeting the spirit <br />of that mission. The early pioneers who settled here years ago recognized the beauty <br />and the potential of the valley, each of whom in his or her own way, contributed a bit of <br />his or her life toward the legacy that we all enjoy as residents. Preserving the life of <br />the cemetery and the promotion of that legacy are the goals of the Historical Society. <br />From the first burial recorded in the cemetery of September 2, 1886 there are more <br />than 5,000 people that permanently reside there. He indicated volunteers have <br />partially reconstructed records of the cemetery. From the perspective of the Historical <br />Society he encouraged council to consider the preservation of the cemetery. <br /> <br />Carl Aaron shared his unpleasant experience with the cemetery at Pacheco where his <br />grandparents were buried. <br /> <br />Frank Brandes felt the cemetery's condition was embarrassing to the community. He <br />felt it was just out of sync with our whole community. We have things that have come <br />before us in the past where we have old buildings that we thought to save, old city <br />halls, and this is part of our tradition. He believed the cemetery and its history is <br />important. He further believed the City should exercise the option to purchase the <br />cemetery. <br /> <br />Brian Arkin addressed the Council regarding his family's attendance at the Memorial <br />Day Services as a historical way to teach his children the history of Pleasanton. He <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />September 5, 2006 <br />