Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 02-02-2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: General Services Department
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion and possible preview of an ordinance amending the Broken Arrow Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 8, Cemeteries, Article II Park Grove Cemetery; Division 2. Babyland; Sec. 8-51., Created, to reflect the actual area used, Blocks 33 through 36, as designated for Babyland use, Sec. 8-55., Monuments and Markers, updated to include upright markers; and adding Division 3, Sec. 8-56., Created; Sec. 8-57. Niche, Sec. 8-58., Use of Property, Sec. 8-59., Identification of remains, Sec. 8-60., Cremains location, Sec. 8-61., Decorations, Sec. 8-62., Urn requirement, Sec. 8-63., Niche repair or destruction, Sec. 8-64., Errors, all providing for associated niche servicing and designating the remaining vacant blocks, Blocks 28 through 32 and Block 37 as an area for cremation niches; repealing all ordinances to the contrary; and declaring an emergency
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Background:
This ordinance was previously submitted to City Council on January 19, 2016. A copy of the preview Ordinance was not attached to the item and it is therefore being presented again for Council’s review and approval.
The ordinance amends and updates Chapter 8, Article II, Division 2, Section 8-51 of the Broken Arrow Code pertaining location of Babyland plots. In the 1970’s, an area called Babyland was created at the Park Grove Cemetery. The area divides a standard lot into two separate smaller lots, doubling the number of spaces available. This area is reserved for the internment of infants and babies at a substantially reduced price. The Babyland fee is currently set at $103.00 for a space, $103.00 for opening/closing of the space and is available for any infant or child that can fit in a half lot. In comparison, the standard grave space for a Broken Arrow resident is $1,589 with opening/closing costs set at $1,097.00.
The code specifies Block 35, Section N, Lots 1-4 inclusive as reserved for Babyland. The actual area being utilized for Babyland is Blocks 28-37 inclusive with lots in Blocks 33 through 36 having been actually utilized for burials. Blocks 28 through 32 and Block 37 remain vacant. Staff cannot find any historic records of when or why Babyland went from a single block to ten blocks.
There are a total of 160 spaces utilized in the area of Blocks 33 through 36 in Babyland area. In this area, 86 spaces have been used, 74 spaces remain available. Staff recommends amending the ordinance to reflect the actual area used, Blocks 33 through 36, as designated for Babyland use. Staff also recommends that the remaining vacant blocks, Blocks 28 through 32 and Block 37 be reserved as an area for future cremation niches.
Cremation niches are not yet offered at Park Grove Cemetery and if offered, will provide for an alternative means of traditional burial for our citizens. Staff will present a cremation niche plan to include proposed columbarium style, costs and customer pricing at a future council meeting in February or March 2016. Upon approval, cemetery staff will include in their budget the purchase and installation of columbarium.
Staff recommends amending Chapter 8, Article II, Division 2, Section 8-51 Created, Babyland to reflect the actual area used, Blocks 33 through 36, as designated for Babyland use, Section 8-55 Monuments and Markers, updated to include upright markers and add a new Division 3, Cremation Niches, providing for associated niche servicing and designating the remaining vacant blocks, Blocks 28 through 32 and Block 37 as an area for cremation niches.
Cost: None
Prepared By: Lee Zirk, General Services Director
Reviewed By: Development Services
Finance Department
Legal Department
Acting Assistant City Manager
Approved By: Michael L. Spurgeon, City Manager
Attachments: Preview Ordinance
Map of Park Grove Cemetery showing Baby Land Location
Map of Proposed Baby Land
Recommendation: Preview the Ordinance and set up for adoption at the next meeting