M E M O R A N D U M 06-71

TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: MARY L. CALHOUN, CITY CLERK

DATE: MAY 1, 2006

SUBJ: AUTHORIZATION TO PURSUE EITHER EXPANSION OF HICKERSON MEMORIAL OR SEARCH AND PLAN FOR A NEW CEMETERY LOCATION.

Hickerson Memorial has 14 Blocks with 174 plots available at this time. Staff that administers and maintains the Cemetery, Clerk's Office and Public Works assigned staff, believe it is time to plan ahead for either an expansion to Hickerson Memorial or for a new cemetery location. Pioneer Cemetery on East End Road is full.

Block	Plots	Interred	Reserved	Open
1	44	45 (some double)	4	0
2	48	37	11	0
3	66	54 (some double)	12, 2 closed	0
4	66	36 (some double)	32(some double)	0
5	66	26	33	7
6	58	2	2	54
7	31	1	7	23
8	80	36 (some double)	31 (some double)	16
9	50	36	14	0
10	100	85(some double)(2 unknown interments)	14 (some double)	3
11	40	21	18	1
12	40	13	24	3
13	40	13	9	18
14	78	1	28	49

Page Two

Memorandum 06-71

City of Homer

Hickerson Memorial Cemetery was deeded to the City April 23, 1970. At that time 86 plots that were encumbered and that 37 plots accepted with no deeds (some of each were interred at the time of the deed to the City).

There are a total of 807 plots with 406 interments, 239 reserved and 174 available, and 2 plots are closed.

A high percentage of the interments are new purchases and not use of reserved plots. Many times when a family member dies the rest of the family purchase adjacent plots held in reserve. Therefore, the need for more cemetery space may not be that far into the future.

City Manager Wrede believes there may be some state or borough land available for this purpose.

Recommendation:

Authorize administration to pursue and plan for acquiring adjacent property for the expansion of Hickerson Memorial Cemetery or acquiring a new cemetery location.

Fiscal Note: Administration will report back to the Council regarding any fiscal requirements.