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Soledad Cemetery board reports map scan, new niche wall and maintenance steps
Summary
The Soledad Cemetery District reported a ground-scan mapping project to locate unmarked burials, plans to add 125 niches to an existing wall, improvements to office and grounds, and steps to reduce truck parking and weed buildup on cemetery-owned property.
Desiree Barba, a member of the Soledad Cemetery District board, updated the City Council on the district’s recent work and near-term plans. She said the American Legion has developed a new veterans section next to the cemetery office and the office received a cosmetic update. Barba described a paid mapping scan of the grounds intended to locate burials that have no markers and to create an accurate map the office can use to reconcile records.
Barba said the cemetery plans to add 125 niches to the existing niche wall near Metz Road and expects to begin selling niches in January once mapping and record work are complete. She said the project will later allow the sale of additional plots on the “dirt side” once ownership and availability are confirmed.
Barba asked residents to follow cemetery rules, including no glass, no food or drink on the grass side, and no large gatherings or loud music that would disturb neighbors. She said rodent damage (gophers, squirrels) has made graves uneven and that limiting food left on graves is part of the effort to reduce burrowing animals. The district expects a Dia de los Muertos event on Nov. 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; vendors will pay a $50 fee and must register with the office.
On maintenance and safety, Barba said the district hired Century Mapping for the scan and that the cost was significant. She reported Cal Fire cleared accumulated brush at a cemetery parcel near Bryant Canyon, that the district will post no-parking signs and has started warning large trucks that have been parking on cemetery land, and that fencing work is planned for the parcel. Barba thanked staff—Valdez, Olivas and Cornejo—for irrigation and grounds work.
Council members asked how truck parking complaints would be enforced; staff advised residents to use the police nonemergency line or the city’s online report system, and said the city can notify code enforcement and police to monitor the area. Council members and Barba discussed signage, vendor outreach, vendor applications and social-media notices; Barba said she posts meeting notices on local Facebook community pages and provides the city clerk with materials for the city website.
Barba said she had prepared a slideshow but experienced a PowerPoint glitch and will provide the presentation to the city for distribution.
Questions from council clarified timing for niche sales, enforcement steps against truck parking, and the Dia de los Muertos vendor application process. Barba said the district will notify truck drivers and expects them to move within 10 days of receiving notice.
The council took no formal action; this item was presented for information and questions.
