Live Oak council asks staff, CRA to develop plan to beautify Northside and Eastside cemeteries; $30,000 budgeted

Councilmember Jefferson asked the City of Live Oak to move forward on a plan to beautify two municipal cemeteries, asking city staff and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) staff to develop a visual model for council and public review.

Jefferson said the Northside Cemetery lies in the CRA district while the Eastside Cemetery does not, and he asked that improvements be coordinated so both receive attention. "So tonight is now presented to this council because we do have city council who's gonna stand and present wealth. Give money also to help beautify the Eastside Cemetery, since it does not stand in the in the CRA district," Jefferson said, asking CRA staff to work with city staff on design and presentation for approval.

Council discussion confirmed that $30,000 has been budgeted for cemetery improvements. Councilmember Sessions asked whether the budget was already in place; a staff member confirmed the $30,000 allocation. Jefferson said the CRA staff and city staff would prepare a pictorial or model to present to the council and residents.

Why it matters: Cemetery maintenance and appearance were presented as matters of community pride and a visible representation of how the city maintains public spaces; combining CRA and city resources was presented as a way to ensure both cemeteries receive improvements.

No formal vote to expend funds or adopt a specific plan was recorded at the meeting; the item was presented as a request for staff to prepare proposals for council consideration.