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Council approves first reading to standardize cremains marker sizes after discovery of inconsistent installations
Summary
On first reading council approved Ordinance 1511-26 to standardize cremains-area marker dimensions to match a 12x12 plot (allowing 11x11 markers); staff said they will identify any purchasers who believed they bought larger plots and 'make them whole' before second reading.
The council held a substantive discussion on Jan. 12 about inconsistent cremains-plot dimensions in the City cemetery and approved the ordinance on first reading to standardize marker sizes.
Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc told council the underlying issue is that the cemetery was originally platted on a 12x12-inch grid, but newer paperwork and some records listed larger dimensions (17x17 or 18x18), producing cases where a purchased headstone would not physically fit in the installed space. LeBlanc cited a specific resident whose ordered 17x17 marker would not fit and said the city discovered installation inconsistencies.
The first-reading ordinance (No. 1511-26) amends section 94.06 of the City code to revise and standardize cremains-area marker dimensions and to eliminate the erroneous 18x18 category. Under the proposed rule going forward, the city will sell 12x12 plots with 11x11 markers; existing purchasers who reasonably expected larger plots will be contacted and "made whole," staff said.
Councilmembers pressed staff for an exact count of previously sold larger plots, pricing differences and the process for remediation. Staff said they would compile those numbers and return for second reading (anticipated at the Jan. 26 meeting) with estimates and options: contact affected owners, offer refunds or provide appropriately sized markers at city expense.
The measure passed first reading by voice vote; staff will provide the requested follow-up information before the ordinance's second reading and final adoption.
