Pleasant Hill council approves second reading of cemetery ordinance to clarify memorial rules

The Pleasant Hill City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 966 on Jan. 27, 2026, adopting several changes to Chapter 115 of the municipal code governing Oakwood Cemetery.

Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Merritt told the council the updates are intended to improve clarity, consistency and public safety while preserving respectful memorial practices. Key changes include clearer standards for on‑memorial decorations and floral arrangements, a 14‑day grace period following burials for funeral and sympathy items, refined placement zones and definitions, improved rules for lighting and prohibited items, and a move to three standardized annual cleanup periods to reduce disruption around holidays. The ordinance also adds notice, storage and appeal procedures meant to improve communication with families, Merritt said.

Merritt noted the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Cemetery Committee reviewed the proposed updates at their Dec. 11 meeting and that residents present at the Nov. 13 commission meeting were informed; the commission recommended council review. No public comments or questions were recorded since the previous reading, the council was told.

The motion to approve the second reading was made by Mark Konrad and seconded by Len Murray. Roll-call voting was unanimous: Murray, Birch, Hodges, DeMoss and Konrad voted aye and the motion carried 5-0.

The council record notes the update is intended to balance safety and respectful memorial practices; the ordinance text and any further procedural steps (for example a final adoption reading, if required) were not detailed in the minutes.