Council discusses Riverside Cemetery columbarium, plans town-hall input and request for proposals

Council members discussed Riverside Cemetery plans and the possible addition of a columbarium, stressing a desire for public input before moving forward.

A council member raised the January 9 Board of Control minutes, which reference a Riverside Cemetery columbarium and indicated the Board planned to present information to the council. Council members said they expected a town-hall meeting for public input before the council approved a design or location. One council member said the Board of Control met with the cemetery sexton, Rob Sarrigan from engineering, and other staff to prepare materials for public presentation.

Staff said the Board intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) because relatively few vendors build columbaria; staff estimated perhaps three responses. Council members emphasized functionality, durability and aesthetics in vendor selection and asked that renderings and options be presented at the public meeting. The discussion included a timeline concern: some council members said the cemetery has fewer years of available space than previously estimated and that urgency for planning had increased.

No ordinance or funding appropriation was adopted during this discussion. Council members said they plan public outreach before a formal council presentation or vote.