Res 1981-010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memo to: A. C. Gonzalez, City Manager December 31, 1980 Page 2 chase the area. This may cause arguments in which the Council could become involved. A minimum gravesite dimension is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. Walkways vary in width from 4 to 10 feet. Some walkways have curb- zng protruding 12 inches (per side) into the easement, Since most of the walkways are 4 and 5 feet wide, they would have less than the minimum width of 5 feet for a gravesite if curbing is in place. Even in a 10-foot walkway, if curbing is on one or b'oth sides, space is available for only one gravesite. Since curbing is usually constructed only bv those who have perpetual care, many of the easement sites would be available only to those who have not contributed to the perpetual care fund. The other con- sideration is the conflict that may occur to determine who has the right to a single lot between two properties. The easements have, obviously, not been staked for corners of grave- sites. If the City elects to sell the easement, it will need to be staked for burial spaces. The cost for surveying one space is $200, because field notes will be needed and location may be difficult. If more requests, such as this one, are granted, tRe City will have to undertake, the massive project of staking easements for burial spaces. This will definitely be a costly venture, Cf it is performed one space at a time. Of these six issues, the last one is the most disturbing because of the possible price to the City. Council has not been informed of tha number of previous requests made by otb.er citizens and therefore has no way of knowing the amount of requests that have been~ and will be, made. To many, the Cemetery is an emotional issue. For example, when Doriss Hambrick was responsible for its function, several citizens started a drive to allow curbing in the new Cemetery sections. The issue grew in political proportion until a number of leading citizens became involved. Council voted to allow curbing. Problems now include maintenance costs around the curbs, difficulty in ensuring that curb olacement is checked for accuracy and that perpetual care has been purchased beforehand, and that many citizens do not realize that curbing may now be Dlaced~ This requests re- presents' only one person; however, if it becomes a oolitical issue, the City will be dealing with many more persons, all wi~h different requests. Because of th~ possible outcome mentioned above, it would be my suggestion that the City-consider either: 1) selling no easements or 2) developing a plan to sell all easements which would benef£t the ultimate development and growth pattern of the Cemetery. The second option would involve the Council in deciding on oossible easements for sale and identifying funding resources for surveying costs. DHE: ml~