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Council outlines plan to publish and clear long‑unused cemetery lots, offer reclaimed plots to families
Summary
Midway staff told the council they will publish a list of cemetery lots that have not been used for decades and begin a phased cleanup under state law; the city plans to offer reclaimed plots back to families and provide notice periods before reassigning title.
Midway city staff updated council on a program to identify and clean up long‑unused cemetery lots in accordance with an existing statute that allows the city to reclaim lots not used for 60 years.
Staff said the city holds hundreds of lots purchased decades ago; prior outreach two years ago produced only a few responses. Council and staff discussed publishing the list of affected lots on the city website and conducting targeted outreach so family members can claim or document ownership. Staff recommended a phased approach: publish the list, open a response window and help claimants with title work where feasible. For lots with no claimants after the notice period, staff proposed clearing title and offering reclaimed lots back to families (possibly at a discounted price) rather than simply absorbing the lots into city holdings.
Council members and staff acknowledged that some families will be unable to supply full chain‑of‑title documentation; staff suggested the city support family claims where records exist or allow a streamlined process for those who can show a reasonable familial connection. Staff said the city will provide ample notice and a means to contact the city attorney and staff for assistance before any lots are reassigned.
Council did not take a formal binding vote at the meeting but directed staff to develop outreach language, publish the lot listing online and design a process that balances cleanup of abandoned lots with assistance to legitimate family claimants.
