SR-04-10-1979-6LTO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Introduction
Santa Monica, California April 4, 1979
Mayor and City Council
City Staff
APR 101979
Information Regarding Woodlawn Mausoleum and Recommendation
to Purchase Crematorium Grounds at Woodlawn Cemetery
The purpose of this report is to inform the Council of the Financial status
of the mausoleum operation and the proposed acquisition of the crematory
grounds.
Background
MAUSOLEUM:
The mausoleum was acquired by City Council approval on January 14, 1976, at a
total cost of $261,642.72. Inventory of unsold property at that date consisted
of 523 crypts and 577 niches. The City subsequently constructed 94 additional
glass front niches, and at the present time there are 365 crypts and
534 niches remaining to be sold. Revenues produced by the Mausoleum since
its acquisition total $458,981 to date, with operating expenses approximating
$12,000 annually. Since the Mausoleum and the Cemetery are operated as a
single enterprise, this amount is combined with the operating expenses of the
Cemetery for a total of $275,644.
The former owners employed a staff of three persons to administer the
mausoleum. The cemetery staff was not increased after the mausoleum was
acquired, but, in fact, has been reduced by two positions, which were
Assistant Cemetery Superintendent and a Laborer I position.
4 At
APR 1 0 1979
To: Mayor and City Council -2- April 4, 1979
The relocation of the Administration Office to the mausoleum released the
ground area worth over $700,000 for ground burial, and increased the
remaining life of the unsold ground burial plots to the year 1987. Currently,
the existing administration building is being leased to the Santa Monica Mon-
ument Company for $200.32 per month. The acquisition of the mausoleum
included:
1. Mausoleum Building, real property, inventory and assets as set forth
in the Bill of Sale and Purchase Agreement executed January 14, 1976,
all within Block II of the Cemetery.
2. 6,572 square feet of vacant land that can accommodate approximately
2,600 additional mausoleum crypts, which will sell for three times
construction cost plus endowment care, marker and entombment fees.
3. Endowment care fund with value of $130,000 which today has a value of
$178,556 and is projected to produce an income of $13,700 in the form
of interest and dividents.
4. Vacant areas to construct additional niches which are in great demand
because of an increase of public interest in cremations as an alterna-
tive to entombment.
Considering the above and with future expansion, the mausoleum would, with
the interest, dividends, and appreciation of the endowment care funds, not
only remain self supporting, but could also support the entire cemetery
operation for many years after all ground burial sites are sold, thereby
eliminating the need for general fund contributions in the future.
CREMATORIUM:
Attached is a letter from the owners proposing sale of the Crematorium to
the City. The estimated revenue the City would derive from purchase of
crematorium grounds is as follows:
To: Mayor and City Council -3- April 4, 1979
The lawn site on which the crematory is located is 65' x 272' (1,787.5 square
feet). This could be plotted to contain 64 adult grave sites. The following
revenues are based on sales of 50% double interment over a period of approx-
imately three years.
$ 26,880
Land Sales
8,960
Endowment Care
18,720
Interment fees
7,680
Vault Sales
832
Flower Container Sales
3,840
Marker Setting Fees
$ 66,912
- 11,840
Cost to Purchase Crematory
$ 55,072
Net Profit
Funds for the purchase are available in the Capital Improvement Fund.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council authorize the purchase of the crematorium
site as proposed, appropriate $11,840, and authorize the City Attorney to
prepare and the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to
accomplish such purchase.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl
Ed Lash
Roy Alioth
Attached: 1. Letter Offering Sale of Property
2. Map and List of Woodlawn property owned, leased, or
reserved for private organizations.
91
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arch 28, 1979
FRATERNAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN WOODLAWN CEMETERY
ODD FELLOWS
Seaside Lodge No. 369 of the I.O.O.F. were issued a deed to lots 16 thru
51 inc. of Block 4. As of this date there are 97 unsold graves.
ELKS
Santa Monica Lodge No. 906 B.P.O.E. owns all of Block 16 and graves 1001
thru 1376 of Block 8. As of this date there are 597 unsold graves.
MASONIC
Woodlawn Masonic Cemetery Association was issued a trust estate on August 19,
1935 to all of Block 14. This trust estate declares that this must be used
for burial of Masons only. As of this date there are 347 unsold graves.
Agenda Item 6 -L: Presented at this time was a recommendation to pur-
chase crematorium grounds at Woodlawn Cemetery. After discussion,
Counc-ilmember van den Steenhoven moved approval of the staff recom-
mendation; i. e., authorizing the purchase of crematorium grounds at
Woodlawn Cemetery at a cost of $11,480 by award of Contact No. 3203(CCS)
and directing the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to
execute appropriate documents. Second by Councilmember Reed.
Council Vote: Unanimously approved 7 -0
CITY" COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 10, 1979