Title
Ordinance NO. 23-20 Platting a Columbarium in Evergreen Cemetery in Block 210
Presenter:
Kim King, Recreation and Administration Manager
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Britt Haley, Director
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
The Cemetery Enterprise, consisting of Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries, periodically needs to expand their inventory of cremation sites. As local cremation rates continue to rise, the Cemetery Enterprise must meet the demand for more products to sell to be financially viable. In 2021, the overall cremation rate for the United States was 57.5%. In Colorado, the rate was 75.1%. Within the City cemeteries, cremations and traditional burials are essentially equal in demand. In 2021, there were 332 cremation inurnments and 346 traditional interments. At the end of 2022, a supplemental appropriation was approved to address several repairs and improvements to Evergreen Cemetery including the purchase of a new columbarium.
Background:
Due to the self-supporting nature of the Cemetery Enterprise, it is important to increase the inventory of cremation products to meet growing demands and to have available niches to sell.
A columbarium is an above ground structure which consists of niches for cremated remains. Evergreen has purchased, and is in the process of erecting, a new freestanding columbarium in Block 210. Please refer to Exhibit A which highlights Block 210 in relation to the rest of Evergreen Cemetery. The new columbarium has 80 double capacity niches with granite fronts, which will be engraved as they are bought over time. Please refer to Exhibit B which illustrates the layout of the new columbarium. Evergreen currently has a waiting list to purchase columbarium niches.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
Funding for the new columbarium was approved in 2022 as part of a supplemental appropriation for the Cemetery Enterprise with an estimated cost of $45,000. Anticipated revenue based on the current price of $3,500 per niche is $280,000. An additional $112,000 in revenue is estimated through opening and closing costs.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board meetings provide opportunities for public comment. Per City Code, this item will also be presented as an ordinance at a City Council meeting which will provide another opportunity for public comment.
Alternatives:
Staff recommends support of the proposed ordinance for the platting of the new columbarium in Block 210 at Evergreen Cemetery.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve an Ordinance Platting a Columbarium in Evergreen Cemetery in Block 210
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance Platting a Columbarium in Evergreen Cemetery in Block 210