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Council reviews cemetery expansion plans and potential cremation niches
Summary
Staff proposed a $127,000 cemetery expansion to add ~900 burial plots (extending capacity ~7 years) and a $205,000 option for about 224 cremation niches; council discussed double-depth burials as a policy option and asked for a future policy discussion.
Finance and community development staff described a phased cemetery expansion, proposed capital spending, and policy options about burial practices.
"We are proposing a $127,000 cemetery expansion that would add approximately 900 burial plots and extend the cemetery’s lifespan by about seven years," Anna Montoya reported. She also said staff included a $205,000 proposal to construct roughly 224 cremation niches and a placeholder of about $234,000 for possible future expansion. Community Development Director Derric Rykert explained the expansion would primarily use the former pony fields and existing parking area and would not impact active ball fields.
Council Members discussed the feasibility and appropriateness of requiring double-depth burials to extend capacity; Mr. Rykert said double-depth burials are feasible in new sections though not possible in older developed areas. Mayor Frost and councilmembers agreed the question of requiring double-depth burials and the inclusion of niches should be addressed as a separate policy discussion at a future meeting.
Staff will return with fee schedule details for cremation niches and bring cemetery policy considerations back for council direction.
