South Lyon council approves purchase of 96‑niche columbarium for city cemetery

The South Lyon City Council voted to award a bid for a 96‑niche columbarium at the city cemetery to Pentium Monument Company of Comstock, Michigan, for $49,009.

City Manager Zelnick told the council the columbarium will be installed in the cemetery's southernmost section (Section 11). The city received four bids ranging from $24,216 to $70,500 and recommended the $49,009 offer; the manager said the lowest bid came from an overseas supplier and was judged to be an inferior product. Delivery was estimated at 32 to 34 weeks.

The council was told the project also will include sidewalks from the road to the columbarium and additional sidewalks and footings if more columbariums are added later. A foundation cost estimate of about $10,000 was described in the packet as a DPW estimate; the city manager said DPW will install the footing. The council also received a draft of proposed cemetery fees to consider at a future meeting.

Zelnick explained burial and cremation capacity: a standard cemetery plot will accommodate one burial plus one cremation or up to four cremations; each columbarium niche will accommodate up to two cremations. The manager thanked Allison from the city office for researching vendors and preparing the bid materials.

Council member Bogart moved to award the bid; Council member Mosier seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call; the mayor announced the motion carried.

Next steps outlined by staff include awarding the purchase contract, scheduling delivery and installation within the stated timeframe, and returning to council later with a finalized fee schedule for niches and plots.