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Commission hears ongoing problems with cemetery mapping, sealed survey and plot sales
Summary
Commissioners and staff discussed delays in a sealed cemetery survey and mismatches between drone/software mapping and historic lot numbering; staff said they will work with the surveyor to correct errors before sealing the map and will send certified demand letters to reserve‑holders with incomplete payments.
Commissioners raised persistent problems with cemetery mapping, plot numbering and sales during the March 10 meeting, pressing staff for a timeline to resolve mismatches between the city’s drone/software overlay and the historic lot/row numbering.
Staff and the city attorney said the drone overlay and the preliminary survey appear to have discrepancies and that the final sealed survey has not yet been delivered. City Attorney Patrick Brackens and Public Works Director Will Toner said they would meet with the surveyor to ensure any errors are corrected before the survey is signed and sealed.
Angela Guy, the city clerk, told the commission the cemetery software is not yet live and that staff is currently maintaining a manual file of spaces sold and burials. She said the city believes there are two or so records that will require re‑recording at city expense once the survey is finalized. Brackens said staff will send certified demand letters to space owners with incomplete or unpaid balances; staff estimates roughly 30–40 reserved spaces may fall into this category and those owners will be given a deadline (60–90 days, to be set on the demand‑letter template) to show proof of payment or forfeit the reservation.
Commissioners pressed for quicker action. Staff said the issue with the surveyor is not atypical and that the city will not accept a sealed survey until it is correct; they also emphasized that emergency burials would be accommodated in the interim and that staff is working to avoid errors when deeds are issued.
No formal action was taken; the city attorney and public‑works director will take lead on meetings with the surveyor and follow up with the commission on corrections and the mailing of demand letters.
