City Council/Cemetery District - Oct 14, 2026

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Executive Summary

The City Council and Cemetery District held a joint meeting on October 14, 2026, focused primarily on the ongoing issues at Maplewood Cemetery, including infrastructure concerns, budget shortfalls, and community outreach. The tone of the meeting was generally concerned and collaborative, with Councilmembers and Cemetery District representatives working to find solutions, but also marked by some frustration regarding the challenges and slow progress made to date. Key discussions centered on a proposed assessment district to address deferred maintenance, a consultant’s report on cemetery operations, and public feedback received during a recent community forum.

Topics Discussed

  • Maplewood Cemetery Infrastructure & Deferred Maintenance: Council discussed the escalating costs of maintaining Maplewood Cemetery, specifically addressing issues with failing infrastructure including compromised vault platforms and drainage problems identified in a March 2026 inspection report. The Cemetery District estimated $7.5 million in deferred maintenance needs. Councilmember Ramirez raised concerns about the financial burden on the Cemetery District and the potential impact on families with limited resources. Director Thompson of the Cemetery District presented options for funding, including a proposed Assessment District.
  • Cemetery District Operations & Consultant Report: The Council reviewed the report from Evergreen Management Solutions, a consultant hired in July 2026 to assess the Cemetery District’s operational efficiency. The report, presented by lead consultant Mark Olsen, indicated inefficiencies in staff utilization, outdated record-keeping systems, and a need for improved marketing and outreach to attract pre-need sales. Olsen’s team had interviewed 15 district employees and conducted site visits over two weeks. The report recommended exploring technological upgrades and restructuring some administrative roles.
  • Community Outreach & Feedback: Council considered feedback from a community forum held on October 10, 2026. Several residents expressed concerns about the upkeep of Maplewood Cemetery and the perceived lack of transparency concerning the financial situation. Resident Sarah Miller shared photos of crumbling vault platforms and urged the Council to prioritize repairs.
  • Assessment District Feasibility: The proposed Cemetery Assessment District (CAD) was a major point of discussion. District Treasurer David Lee presented a preliminary CAD assessment model, estimating annual costs ranging from $50 to $200 per cemetery plot for property owners. Public commenter, Robert Jones, voiced strong opposition to the CAD, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on property values and the fairness of the assessment.

Procedural Actions

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the September 16, 2026, City Council Meeting were approved.
  • Consent Calendar: The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously.
  • Proclamation: Mayor Thompson presented a proclamation recognizing October as “Historic Cemetery Month.”

Motions, Decisions & Votes

  • Motion to Approve Cemetery Operations Consultant Report: Councilmember Nguyen moved to accept the Evergreen Management Solutions report. Councilmember Ramirez seconded. The motion passed 7-0.
  • Motion to Initiate Cemetery Assessment District Study: Councilmember Davis moved to authorize staff to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Cemetery Assessment District, including further analysis of assessment models and potential impact on property owners. Councilmember Silva seconded. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 6-1, with Councilmember Ramirez voting against.
  • Motion to Amend Budget Allocation for Maplewood Repairs: Councilmember Garcia moved to reallocate $250,000 from the Parks & Recreation budget to address immediate vault platform repairs at Maplewood Cemetery. Councilmember Nguyen seconded. The motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment

  • Sarah Miller expressed concern regarding the condition of Maplewood Cemetery vaults.
  • Robert Jones voiced opposition to the proposed Cemetery Assessment District.
  • Several other residents praised the historical significance of Maplewood Cemetery and urged the Council to prioritize its preservation.

Actions, Referrals & Follow-ups

  • Staff was directed to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Cemetery Assessment District and report back to the Council within 60 days.
  • Director Thompson was asked to prepare a detailed plan for utilizing the $250,000 allocation for vault repairs.
  • Evergreen Management Solutions was asked to provide a timeline and cost estimates for implementing the recommendations in their operational efficiency report at the November meeting.
  • The Council announced a follow-up community forum on November 20, 2026 regarding the Assessment District study.