Title
Ordinance No. 24-29 Platting Two Columbaria in Evergreen Cemetery in Block 210
Presenter:
Britt I. Haley, Director - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Kim King, Assistant 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. Of the total 565 interments in 2023, 295 were cremations and 270 were burials. In 2023, the Enterprise purchased and installed a new columbarium in Block 210, which has been very popular with 25 niches sold to date. Now, the Enterprise has the opportunity to add two additional columbaria, through a donation by First Christian Church, which would increase its inventory by 78 niches with an anticipated revenue of $390,000.
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. First Christian Church, located in downtown Colorado Springs, is in the process of selling its building. As part of that sale, the church needs to relocate its two columbaria. Of the 96 niches available within the two structures, only 18 have been sold. The church reached out to Evergreen and offered to donate the columbaria and its available inventory to the Enterprise if the two structures could be relocated somewhere within the cemetery. Evergreen has space available in the same location as the new columbarium purchased in 2023 which is in Block 210. Please refer to Exhibit A which highlights Block 210 in relation to the rest of Evergreen Cemetery. Each of the donated columbaria has 48 niches. Please refer to Exhibit B which illustrates the layout of the new columbaria.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
Anticipated revenue from sale of the available niche inventory is approximately $390,000. The only costs to the Enterprise will be the installation of concrete slabs under each columbarium which is minimal and can be accounted for in the existing 2024 budget allocation.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board was presented this opportunity at its March 14, 2023 meeting. The item will be back for a recommendation at its April 11, 2024 meeting.
Stakeholder Process:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board meetings provide opportunities for public comment.
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve Ordinance No. 24-29 platting two columbaria in Evergreen Cemetery in Block 210
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance Platting Two Columbaria in Evergreen Cemetery In Block 210