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SR-081170-8A~~ ,.~``. m~~~ DATE: TO: FROM: .. CITY OF SANTA MONICA I July 6, 1970 Perry Scott, City Manager Bartlett L. Kennedy, Director SUBJECT: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - ~ ~i~ AUU ~`~ 1970 of Public Works THIS MUST L~ RETU?~NED '1'O i~~IE CIi Y T,ER' O::'..'~ "E Councilman Kingsley sr~~epp~;,U~-u I have reviewed the subject report, which was submitted to the City Council at its meeting of June 9, 1970. I find that I agree with certain of the recommendations contained therein - with certain of them I do not.. Some of the recommended rate increases actually are below the rates presently charged - perpetual care rates in particular. Quoted figures as to the number of graves which can be developed within the expanded cemetery area are considerably in excess of what actually can be obtained. Following is a summary of the recommendations of this office, based on my review of the subject report and of information previously submitted. I believe that the proposal as now submitted conforms in great degree to Councilman Kingsleyts ideas and feel confident that it will receive the approval of the majority of the members of the Council. Attached is a drawing showing details of our recommended development. A detailed discussion follows the summary, Summary of Recommendation 1, We propose a cemetery layout (see drawing) based on ground interments, but with the grave sites so laid out that small Garden Crypt sections can be constructed along the l~Fth Street frontage if this - or future - Councils so direct. 2. We propose to construct Magnolia Avenue at this time, but with the layout of graves, and location of the avenue, such that the avenue can be abandoned and converted to graves at such time as Block 19 is nearing capacity. This is the policy we have followed over the years with other former streets in Woodlawn. 3. We propose to set aside alternate rows of graves for single and double interments, so that markers in all rows will be in alignment. 4. We recommend remodeling the existing Maintenance Building, as originally proposed, in lieu of relocation as suggested by Mr, Kingsley. We do, however, recommend its future relocation to the north- west corner of 16th and Delaware at such time as Block 19 is nearing capacity and the cemetery is expanded eastward to 17th Street. Date: July 6, 1970 Page 2 Subject: Ydoodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley°s Report. An alternate recommendation is the immediate relocation as outlined above, provided this would not delay the improvement of the remainder of Block l . 5. We propose a °tCremain" garden at the north side of the present Administration Building. The above development would provide the following graves: Sriar P Lots S' les Doubles Total Immediate Use .................. 2214 1134 2160 3284 Future abandonment of Magnolia Avenue .............. 369 1$9 360 549 Future Use of Present Maintenance Building Site ,,,. 325 169 312 481 Grand Totals (Maximum) ......... 2908 1492 2832 4324 Cremain Spaces ..............>.. 240 240 Revenues Based on the initial improvement (2214 lots and 240 cremain plots) and using the recommended rates outlined herein, the return to the city in iot sales would be as follows: Administration Pro osal Kin sley Pro oral 567 lots @ $295 - $167,265 567 lots @ 320 - 181,440 540 lots @ 44© - 237,600 540 lots @ 480 - 259,200 2214 lots @ X266.40 - $589 810 $845,505 Costs It is estimated that the above work will cost (including $312,380 already expended for property acquisition) a total of $367,900. Of the $55,520 now required for construction, $32,000 already is avail- able in Cemetery Account 641-910. Date: July 6, 1970 Page 3 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley~s Report. following is a detailed discussion of the various items and recommendations contained in Councilman Kingsley~s report. Item. The statement is made that there are several hundred spaces tha~eauld be made available i.zz Block 17 and 18 if the existing hedge was removed from Magnolia Avenue,. Michigan Avenue and i5th Court frontages. It is true that there is a 5-foot strip between the edge of Magnolia Avenue and the nearest row of graves. There is the same width strip between the edge of 15th Court and the nearest row of graves. There is also an 8-foot strip between the property line of Michigan Avenue and the nearest row of graves. I have been informed (although I have no personal knowledge of this) that the original design of this section of the cemetery pro- vided for the construction of Garden Crypts along the perimeters of the property and that therefore these strips were .left for that purpose. WYsen this proposal was disapproved, the fences were built and the spaces planted with shrubbery, since they are not considered to be desirable grave properties being so close to the alley and/or the street. If all of these spaces were to be used as graves, a total of 204 graves would be obtained. It should be noted, however, that the 5-foot strip adjacent to both Alley 15 and Magnolia Avenue could only be utilised for inter- ments at right angles to the other plots ira the cemetery. This would not be objectionable if no further expansion of the cemetery were contemplated. However, since the city already proposes to expand the cemetery westward to 14th Street, there is no logical reason for inter- posing a strip of graves at right angles to the rest of the pattern in this area. The same reasoning applies if there is any future intention to expand the cemetery eastward beyond 15th Court. It is possible, however, to make one row of graves available at the northern edge of the property adjacent to Michigan Avenue by removing the existing hedge, and planting the fence with ivy as suggested by Councilman Kingsley. I have instructed the Cemetery Superintendent to accomplish the above as soon as possible. This will give us a total of 40 additional grave sites for immediate use. Item. The statement is made that Magnolia Avenue should not be maintain-ec~as an access roadway. The street should be abandoned and converted to use as cemetery plots. Date: July 6, 1870 - Page 4 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. It is our opinion, borne out by inspections of other ceme- teries, that the distance between 15th Street and 14th Street is too great for adequate service to the public, especially the older persons visiting the graves of their loved ones, and that it is necessary for Magnolia Avenue to remain so that there will be a satisfactory distance from the nearest street {15th Street} to the furthest grave site. However, in developing Block lg, and adjacent Magnolia Avenue, we would lay the grave sites out. in such a manner that we could, at some future date when Block lg was sold out, vacate Magnolia Avenue and convert it to grave sites as we have with other vacated streets in the cemetery. Item. The statement is made that the existing chain link fence that~~`aces Magnolia Avenue should be replaced on the sidewalk line of 14th Street and that there are numerous chain link fences on the properties now facing 14th Street that can likewise be used to complete a chain link fence around this new cemetery development. An examination of these fences by a representative of the Santa Monica Fence Company has disclosed the following: {1) The existing fence along Magnolia is in relatively poor condition, with 130 feet of said fence being beyond repair. 7~ie remain- ing 270 feet could be removed and replaced along 14th Street.. (2} None of the other fences existing on the recently acquired lots are suitable for relocation. All but a short length of one of these fences, about 7 feet high, actually is composed of two rows of fabric, one about 5 feet wide and the other 3 feet wide. The other fence is so overgrown with ivy that it would be virtually impossible to salvage the fence. The estimated cost of removing and relocating salvageable por- tions of the existing fence and completing the construction with new fence is $1600. The estimated cost of all new fence in the same area is $2056. The above figures were furnished by a representative of the Santa Monica Fence Company. Item. The statement is made that the location of the present maintenance T~ulding is ill-placed and that it should be relocated to a vacant lot one-half block north of Michigan Avenue outside of the cemetery property. I will agree that the.. present maintenance building is not in the best location. However, it is within the cemetery grounds and is close enough to the administration building to permit the men at work in the area to be supervised. The proposed location is at such a Date: July 6, 197© Page 5 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. distance from the cemetery that it can neither be supervised nor ade- quate security maintained after working hours. As an alternate to Mr, Kingsley's proposal, I would suggest the acquisition of the property on the northwest corner of 16th Street and Delaware Avenue. This property, while it is currently developed, would be an ideal site for a maintenance building since it could immediately be enclosed within the cemetery by relocating a short stretch of fence, is close enough. for supervision, and would fit into any future eastward expansion of the cemetery, However, I believe that the proposed reconstruction of tine existing facility as shown on my previously submitted plan is the most logical present solution to this problem, and that the relocation of the maintenance building should be deferred until such time as the cemetery is expanded eastward to 17th Street. Item. The statement is made that the Garden Crypt develop- ment is no~actical, for numerous reasons. We would concur that the complete plan, as presented, would be impractical. It was presented only because the Council asked for a mausoleum plan.. We do, however, believe that there is a need for a small crypt facility at Woodlawn, and would recommend that the layout of Block 19 be such as to retain space, at least for the present, for at least one section (31 crypts) of the Stage I plan outlined in my May 15, 1970 report. Item. Increases in rates are recommended, We would whole- heartedly concur, and have so recommended frequently in the past. Mr. Kingsley's recommended rate schedule in most instances is somewhat higher than the new rates we proposed, but we-certainly would not object to these higher rates if the Council feels that they are justified. Following is a comparison of present rates and the two proposals for increase: (continued) Date: July 6, 1970 Page 6 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. Block 19 - Woodlawn Cemetery - Lot Sizes and Charges Lot Sizes - Adult - 8' x 3'-4" = 26.64 sq. ft. Cremains - 2~ x 2' = 4 sq. ft. Charges Item Present drain, Pro osal ingsley Proposal Sq. ft, charge for lots ........ $ 7.65 $10.00 $11.00 - 12,00 Concrete Sectional box ......... 25,00 30.00 30.00 Single Interments: Opening & Closing (box) ...... 75.00 100.00 115.00 Opening & Closing (vault) ..., 85.00 110.00 130.00 Double Interments: Opening & Closing (vault) ..,. 170.00 200.00 280.00 Sq. ft. charge for Cremain Space ........................ 2.75 10.00 18.75 Opening 8c Closing - Cremains ,.. 30,00 40.00 14.50 Endowment Garejsq, ft. Single Interment ............. 4.20 4.20 1,50 Louble Interment ............. 4.20 4.20 3.00 Cremains ..................... 4.20 4.20 1.88 Saturday Interments ............ 0 50.00 50.00 Item,- Standardization of memorials is recommended. We concur, and our regulations presently require the same. In order to protect the markers and to permit edging around markers we will continue to provide a concrete border around each markex. Item. The recommendation is made that we should immediately start to se 1 bronze and granite memorials, flower vases, etc. we do at present sell flower vases, sectional boxes, and cremain vaults. I do not believe that we should engage i.n the sale of memorials since by doing so we would be in competition with two local monument companies, virtually all of whose business is dependent upon woodlawn. Date: July 6, 1970 Page 7 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley~s Report. It should be noted, however, that in order to guarantee uniformity of memorial markers in the Fraternal Plots (Elks and Masonic), as requested years ago by both organizations, and in the Cremains sec- tion, the Cemetery has, for over 30 years been furnishing, at cost, the memorial markers used in the above plots. In these cases, the cost of the memorial markers, plus installa- tion charges, is collected in advance wizen burial arrangements are made. Payment for the markers is made to the monument company upon delivery of the markers to the Cemetery. markers: Following are the amounts collected for the above memorial Marker Installation Charge Total -ouble Grave $ 42.00 $15.84 $ 57.84 Single Grave 35.00 15.84 50.$4 Double Cremains 27.00 7,00 34,00 Single Cremains 22.00 7.00 29,00 Item, Available grave sites. We propose a development based on ground interments only at present, but with the grave sites so laid out that small Garden Crypt sections can be constructed in the future along the Fourteenth Street frontage if future Councils so direct. We propose to maintain Magnolia Avenue, but with provisions for its abandonment and use as grave sites wizen Block 19 is nearing capacity. We propose to retain the present maintenance building until such time as the Cemetery is expanded eastward to 17th Street at which time we would build a new maintenance building at the northwest corner of 16th and Delaware and convert the present building site to Cemetery uses, We propose alternate rows of graves for single and double interments, so that markers in all rows will be in alignment. The above development would provide an immediate 2214 grave sites, with an additional 369 grave sites wizen Magnolia Avenue is abandoned in the future. If the maintenance facilities are relocated as suggested and the existing building demolished, an additional 325 grave sites will be available, making a grand total (maximum) of 2908 grave sites and 4324 interment spaces. In addition, the area immediately to the north of the existing administration building would be used for a Cremain garden and would provide about 240 - 2~ x 2~ Cremain plots. Date: July 6, 1970 Page 8 Subject: woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. Revenues Based on the recommended rates outlined herein, the return to the City for lot sales, opening and closing charges, and perpetual care charges, would be as shown below: Item I :Lot sales 567 lots 567 lots 540 lots 540 lots 2214 lots @ $266.40 - $589,810 opening & Closing 1134 lots @ $110.00 - $ 124,740 1080 lots @ .200.00 - 216,000 $ 340,740 Cremains 240 lots @ $40,00 Opening 8c Closing 240 lots @ $40.00 - $ 9,600 Perpetual Dare 1134 lots 10$0 lots 2214 lots @ $112.00 - $ 447,970 ~ ' @ 320 - i8i ~4o @ 440 - 237,600 @ 480 - _..259,200 $845,505 $130 - $147,420 @ 280 - 302,400 $449,820 @ $75 I @ $14.50 - $ 3,480 @ $40 - $ 44, 60 @ 80 - 86,00 $130,760 ~ Mr. Kingsley~s rate is considerably lower than the present City rate. The City's rate should be used. Date: July 6, 1970 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. Item II Future Use of Ma€ Lot Sales 189 lots 180 lots 369 lots Opening & Closing 189 lots 180 lots Perpetual Care 189 lots 180 lots 369 lots @ $112 III Future Use of Maintenance Bu lding i e Lot Sales 169 lots 156 lots Admin. Proposal nolia Avenue @ $266.40 - $98,300 @ $110 - $20,790 @ 200 - 36,000 $56,790 Page 9 @ 440 - ~ 752 $134,955 $13O - $ 24,570 @ 2880 - 50,400 $ 74,970 @ ~80 ~ 14400 - , - $41,330 $ 21,960 325 lots @ $266.40 - $86,580 Opening & Closing. 169 lots @ $110 156 lots @ 200 Perpetual Care 169 lots 156 lots 325 lots - $18,590 - 31,200 $49,790 @ $112 - $36,400 @ $440 - ~68;6~0 $118,495 @ $130 - $ 21,970 @ 280 - 43,680 $ 65,650 @ $40 - $ 6,760 @ 80 - 12,4$0 $ 19,240 Date: July 6, 1870 Subject: ktoodlawn Cemetery Kingsley~s Report. Costs Page 10 Expansion - Councilman The total estimated cost of the initial improvement is itemized below: Land acquisition (already financed} ......... $ 312,380 Clearing, turfing, fencing, alley reconstruction, etc . ...................... 36,700 Maintenance building remodeling ,,.....>..... 18,820 Total Estimated Cost ................... $ 367,900 Of the $55,520 required to prepare B1ocLt 19 for ground interments as outlined herein, $32,000 presently is available in cemetery budget account 641-910. Since the second and third stages of the project (Magnolia Avenue vacation and maintenance building site use} would not be accomplished for several years, no cost estimates for this work have been prepared. Recommendations We recommend approval of the following: (1) A cemetery layout based on ground interments only, but with. the graves so laid out that a small Garden Crypt section could be constructed along the 14th Street frontage if the Council so directs. (2) Construction of Magnolia Avenue at this time, with the location of said avenue ix3. relation to existing and proposed graves such that it can be vacated and used for graves at such time as Block 19 is nearing capacity. (3) Remodeling of existing maintenance building, as originally proposed, in lieu of relocation as recommended by Mr. Kingsley. Future relocation to the northwest corner of 16th Street and Delaware, and use of the present site for additional graves, is recommended at such time as Block 19 is nearing capacity and expansion of the cemetery eastward is accomplished, Date: duly 6, 1970 Page 11 Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery Expansion - Councilman Kingsley's Report. (4) The immediate clearing and turfing of the area, the remodeling of the maintenance building, and other appurtenant work, to make available 2214 graves (3294 interment spaces) and 240 eremain plots. (5) Appropriation of $23,500 to complete the financing of the above. (6) Immediate i.nerease in sales price of lots and in opening and closing charges, and imposition of a Saturday interment charge. 4., BA.RTLETT L. KEIVNEI?Y Director of Public Works Attachment: Drawing __ , .~~. _ .~, ...._~.., ._,_.._~.... .. _~_..W~...w.~..,~..,._a.._,,.,. r a s~v~,~~,s~-~1 yyi~nn f')P9 J®Ntly ~~ '~~ ¢aa . a _~p qq~yy,9 gy~9 w ~ ~~ 1 iJ i 1 i ~ w+~ 1 l\~E B ~: a. 6!7 (~ Cl .Y sd1 .-. S ~ ?lAU3oLEUA9 y ET~s't~ qq _t F'Zl;.gg yu~~Ti L/' ~ UC5 ~~ ~ ~ p ~ ~, 3 F ~ 5 2~ ~ n ~ ~~ ~ , MAGNOLIA AVENUE ~ r ~ ~~~q ~ ~ 19 ~ ~ ~ =~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PRO~osED ~xPAr~sio~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I i FOU>r7E1:~S'3¢d y ~ ~ J ~! ~~ !. 100 0 ~ Z ~ ~-~ ~C9TE~3 r~ASONIG-CITY OW9dE® ~ 1:.1.!(5 REST- O WttEP 8Y ELKS. CITY GQLLECT~ ONLY 3~~.~1='- ETtiAL. CAREA.td® QPENlNG.'~1dO CWSIAIG ~ s C Id AF~G E, s. ELKS FpIvIIL~-CITj' OWPS~,D ®DL7 FELLOWS-OWNED By QPp o BELLOWS, C17y ~ ~ ~ COLLEC'~:P ®edd.~ ~' QPENIPiG ~.t:,aB . CLOSONG C1;ARo;,~g, S'TREE7 -~-~ Additional documents available in City Clerk's Office.