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City announces planned cemetery cleanup week in May; clerk says unauthorized benches and items will be removed
Summary
City clerk briefed council on a cemetery beautification plan with a targeted cleanup week beginning Monday, May 5; families were sent multiple notices and staff said benches and unauthorized items would be removed if not reclaimed during the notice period.
The city clerk presented a cemetery beautification and cleanup plan—part of ongoing enforcement of existing rules—and outlined outreach completed to lot owners. Staff said 2,000 letters were mailed to lot owners with a removal deadline and a reminder; the city plans a cleanup beginning Monday, May 5 and the cemetery will be closed during that week except for funerals. Clerk Mary Hageman told council the goal is safety ahead of hurricane season and to remove non-permitted items such as fences, curbing and benches that exceed the allowed memorial items (flat vase arrangements). She said signs have been posted and additional permanent signage is planned.
Explaining the schedule, the clerk said, “our projected cleanup date is gonna be Monday, May 5 through Monday.” Council discussed whether to tag and store benches for reclaiming, and staff recommended a short final reclamation window but said storage would create cost and risk; council directed staff to proceed with the cleanup timeline, to continue outreach and to return with any necessary adjustments to permitted memorial options and potential bench purchase programs if council wants formal bench placements in the future.
