1978 ADJ MTG MIN JUL 24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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104 owned cemetery or those that pertain to a private cemetery. In addition, if the lessee were to operate under a license by the State Cemetery Board would the City then have no control over the operation of the cemetery. Mr. Young continued another area of concern was what happens at the end of a long-term lease insofar as the City's financial condition and the condition of the endowment care fund. Mr. Young outlined the commission's recommended program for placing the cemetery on a break-even basis as follows: 1. Adoption of a rate increase. 2. Enter into a maintenance agreement for the maintenance of grounds. 3. Contract for burial personnel with the Parks Division and purchase a vault lifter. 4. Retention of an office sales person on a commission basis. 5. Increase the endowment care charge to $50 per lot. 6. -Completely write off the current deficit. 7. Any profit from sales to be retained in the cemetery fund for future development. 8. The City Treasurer should enter into a vigorous investment program with the endowment care funds. 9. A surcharge for nonresidents should be levied. co 10. Eliminate in -lieu taxes from the cemetery budget. 11. A promotional campaign is a must. 12. Every attempt should be made to transfer and absorb the three employees presently assigned to the cemetery. < Additionally the budget proposed by the Cemetery Commission would place the cemetery on at least a break-even basis. The proposed budget totaled $62,575; Revenues totaled $79,400; Expendi- tures totaled $73,275; for a net profit of $6,125.00. Mr. Young concluded that the resolution forwarded to the City Council reflects the increase in cemetery rates and schedule and allowance for companion burials. Discussion followed on allowance of companion burials with the consen- sus being that a separate document, perhaps an ordinance would have to be drawn up to authorize companion burials. Mrs. Darlene Trimble, Cemetery Commissioner, addressed the Council to reiterate the position of the commission and to request favorable action on the proposal. Mayor Gonzales stated in his opinion the local mortuaries need to lend support in directing burials to Hermosa Cemetery and that he would be opposed to writing off the $214,965 deficit. Councilman Rehrer asked what amount would be realized by the sales person in commission. Mrs. Trimble responded the amount would be $30.00 per sale and that in response to writing off the deficit, the Commission was flexible and wants to try in every way to work something out. Moved by Councilwoman Cisneros, seconded by Councilman Rehrer, to tentatively approve the twelve step proposal of the Cemetery Commission, the Proposed Budget, and to instruct the City Attorney to draw up an ordinance or whatever documentation is needed to authorize companion burials. Unanimous vote. Councilman Hayes asked that the City Attorney _look into the legality of leasing the Cemetery based on the questions posed by the Cemetery Commission in their report to the Council of June 23, 1978. Water Quality Control Plant City Manager Calabrese reported his recommendation is to lease out the Water Quality Control Plant as proposed earlier in the -year. The contract would be for five years with a cost savings of $180,725 the first year. JUL 2 4 1978