SR 06-28-2022 5B
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 28, 2022
Agenda Item: 5.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Cemetery
Subject: Approval of purchase agreement to purchase twenty-five (25) cemetery plots
back from The Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale
agreement with The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in an amount not to
exceed $87,500 for the purchase of twenty-five cemetery burial plots;
2. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
section of this report.
Summary
The City-owned Woodlawn Cemetery provides cemetery and mortuary services to the
Santa Monica community. As burial plot inventory is depleting, staff recommends
purchasing 25 unused burial plots from The Independent Order of Odd Fellows to
increase available inventory for the community’s use. Plots would be purchased at a
cost of $3,500 per plot for a total cost of $87,500. The purchase would be fully covered
by the Cemetery Fund.
Discussion
Woodlawn Cemetery (Woodlawn) has been providing cemetery services to the Santa
Monica community for 125 years. Plot sales make up 45% of Woodlawn's operating
revenue. In order to maintain operations and provide sufficient burial options, staff
needs to continually evaluate methods for adding burial plots to the available
inventory. Staff recommends the purchase of twenty-five (25) unused burial plots from
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The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which would add approximately one year’s
worth of inventory to Woodlawn’s portfolio for community use.
In 1877, the Odd Fellows purchased 267 burial plots at Woodlawn for their membership,
and in 1927 the organization purchased the perpetual care for the graves. 145 years
later, approximately 88 of the 267 lots remain unused. Currently, the Odd Fellows use
one plot every three years for interment.
According to Municipal Code 7.20.070, no person may resell any plot, crypt, or niche to
a third party. Only Woodlawn has the legal authority to buy back plots from a private
entity. Thus, staff and Odd Fellows leadership have engaged in negotiations for the
sale of the 25 burial plots back to Woodlawn. Woodlawn and City Attorney staff are
ready to prepare a purchase and sale agreement for this acquisition. As part of the
purchase transaction, a quitclaim deed will be executed in favor of the City and the
property will be returned to Woodlawn’s inventory for pre-need and at-need cemetery
plot sales.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve funding from the Cemetery Fund to purchase twenty
five burial plots from The Independent Order of Odd Fellows with the following one-time
budget changes. Plot purchase price was mutually agreed upon by both parties based
on the age, and the volume of plots that are subject to this report.
FY 2022-23 Budget Changes
Appropriate Funds
Account Number(s) Amount
59500001.532300 $87,500
Purchase and Sale Agreement Request
FY 2022-23
Budget
Request
Amount
Department Account # Total Contract
Amount
$87,500 59500001.532300 $87,500
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The revenue budget changes from the resale of property will be included in subsequent
year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Adam Lopez, Cemetery Administrator
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. IOOF Oaks initiative form2022-06-14-095030
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5.B.a
Packet Pg. 69 Attachment: IOOF Oaks initiative form2022-06-14-095030 (5124 : Woodlawn Plot Return Purchase)