HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Memo to City Manager with proposed cemetery ordinance and budget changes Memo
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TO: Steve Schainker, City Manager
FROM: Duane Pitcher, Finance Director
DATE: September 12, 2008
SUBJECT: Cemetery Ordinance and Upcoming Cemetery Budget
Background
Perpetual care cemeteries in Iowa are regulated by the Regulated Industries Unit of the Iowa
Securities Bureau. A compliance officer from the Securities Bureau conducted a compliance
visit of the City Cemetery operations this past spring. The compliance officer noted several
areas of the Cemetery operation that needed modification to maintain compliance with
regulations. The recommended changes were primarily related to recent changes in the Code
of Iowa. Changes needed include updating disclosure documents, adjustments to repair and
maintenance costs charged to the Perpetual Care Fund, and the adoption of a City ordinance
to regulate the Cemetery. The Finance, Legal, and Public Works departments have been
working together to implement the recommended changes.
Next Steps
To maintain compliance with state regulations, the City will need to adopt an ordinance setting
rules and regulations for the cemetery including a fee schedule. The current cemetery rules,
regulations, and fees are included as an appendix to the Municipal Code and were approved
by resolution. City Attorney Doug Marek is drafting the new ordinance to submit to the City
Council at an upcoming meeting.
Additionally, Code of Iowa changes allow fewer classifications of maintenance and repair to be
paid from the Perpetual Care Fund. To continue funding the cemetery primarily with fee
revenues, we will need to reduce the allocation of fees to the Perpetual Care Fund and
allocate more to the General Fund to fund current maintenance and repair activities. City staff
will review this issue and recommend a change as part of the FY 09/10 budget process.
APPENDIX A
AMES MUNICIPAL CEMETERY RULES AND REGULATIONS
PURCHASE OF LOTS OR COLUMBARIUM NICHES
Persons desiring to purchase rights to interment in a lot,space,or columbarium niche in a city cemetery are
referred to the Cemetery Superintendent for assistance.Once a selection is made,the superintendent will issue a report
to the Finance Office of the City of Ames, where an invoice will be prepared.Upon receipt of payment and a signed
agreement of interment rights from the purchaser(s),the superintendent's report will be forwarded to the City Clerk,who
will then issue a certificate of rights for the lot or columbarium niche.
OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF INTERMENT
The terms "Lot Owner" or"Ownership" shall be construed to mean the right to use a lot,space,or part of lot
or columbarium niche,as purchased from the City for a consideration,for burial purposes only and under the existing
or subsequent rules and regulations as prescribed by the City for such use. The term"Lot"shall include a columbarium
niche,unless expressly stated otherwise.The terms"burial"or"interment"shall include use of a columbarium niche,
unless expressly stated otherwise.
Upon full payment of the purchase price,the City will issue a Cemetery certificate of rights under its seal that
will be recorded in the records of the City as evidence of ownership of rights to interment in the lot or columbarium
niche. Lots or spaces for which deeds or certificates of interment rights have been issued by the City will not thereafter
be divided except by consent of the Cemetery Superintendent.All lots are exempt from taxation and cannot be seized
for debts,(except those owed to the cemetery),nor can they be mortgaged.
The City shall have the right to assume at all times that the lot owner acquired rights to a lot for the interment
of the owner and members of the owner's family.Unless otherwise directed in writing by the owner in a document filed
with the City Clerk, the cemetery will permit the interment of members of the owner's family at the request of any
interested person upon proof of eligibility for burial,as follows:
(a) The surviving spouse of the lot owner shall have the first right to interment or to direct the right of interment.
(b) When there is no surviving spouse,seventy-five percent(75%)of the known heirs of the deceased lot owner,
or,if the lot is devised under a will of the deceased lot owner,seventy-five percent(75%)of the devisees may,by written
agreement, determine who shall have the right of interment or power to direct interment in said lot. Heirs or devisees
shall provide evidence of such agreement on forms provided by the City Clerk.
(c) In the event the owner,devisees or heirs shall not have arranged for future interments,then the devisees or the
heirs,as the case may be,of such owner shall have the right of interment in the order of their need.
Only such persons as names appear on the Cemetery records of the City will be recognized as owners or part
owners of lots.
The title to a cemetery lot vests in the owners the right to use such lot for burial purposes only,for themselves,
their heirs,or for any such persons as they may choose to admit,in accordance with the Cemetery Rules and Regulations.
Transfer of title of rights to interment may be made only by surrender of the original deed or certificate of
interment rights and issuance of new certificates of interment rights by the City to the new owners of lots or parts of lots
so transferred.Substitution of an unused lot or niche for interment rights in a like lot or niche is permitted with approval
of the Cemetery Superintendent. Charges may apply for these services,as prescribed by the fee schedule. Lot owners
desiring to dispose of an unused lot may surrender the original deed or certificate to the City Clerk and be reimbursed
by the City for the original purchase price of the lot.(Monies deposited into the perpetual care fund are non-refundable.)
All profits above the original sale price on transfer or resale shall accrue to the benefits of the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Sup #2008-4 A-1 Rev. 12-31-08
CARE OF LOTS
Prior to 1917, lots in the Ames Cemetery were cared for from the proceeds of lot sales, service charges,and
yearly assessments on lot owners if and when they could be collected. Such an indefinite and unreliable plan resulted
in inadequate care.In 1917 the City assumed responsibility for the Cemetery through transfer from the Ames Cemetery
Association. In order to assure a more reliable means for permanent care,the City,by Ordinance No.292,April 5, 1917,
set up a perpetual care fund,from which the income provides maintenance of the Cemetery. This fund is composed of
a portion of the money received from each lot sale. State law directs the minimum amount to be put into the fund and
that the fund itself shall always remain intact,with only the annual income received from it being used toward furnishing
care. The amount set aside into the fund from each lot sale will vary from time to time as determined by Council,and
in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Iowa.The City shall maintain a record of such amount.The fund may
also be increased by gifts,bequests,a portion of memorial charges,and other service revenues.
The term"Perpetual Care" shall be construed to mean the obligation which the City assumes to use the net
annual income received from investment of the fund to provide for the perpetual maintenance of cemetery property.Such
care shall include maintaining a pleasing lawn,leaf disposal,filling sunken graves,caring for avenues, alleys,fences,
buildings,and grounds in general.It is being understood that such expenditures shall be made at the discretion and under
the direction of the officer in charge of the Cemetery.The City shall not be bound to make a separate investment of the
money set aside for perpetual care from a particular lot sale,but the same shall be added to the perpetual care fund of
the City and the proceeds therefrom used by the City in the manner as heretofore provided. Nothing herein shall be
construed as modifying any existing contract as to perpetual care.
PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS
Each lot in the Cemetery(except a columbarium niche)will,prior to its sale,be suitably marked by the City
with a metal or concrete post placed on each lot corner and set level with the adjacent ground.To maintain accuracy and
uniformity of marking,substitute or additional corner posts may not be used.
No mounds shall be raised upon any grave above the general level of the lot.Mounds are difficult to maintain,
as the sod grows in an unnatural position and is easily injured by heat,drought and frost.The City reserves the right at
any time to remove unsightly mounds and to re-sod the grave at the general level of the lot.
No hedges,fences or enclosures of any kind will be permitted on or around lots.Wooden boxes,wreaths,glass
jars,bottles,toys,cans, and other unsightly objects will not be permitted and when used will be removed by the City
without notice. Flags and emblems may be used for a five-day period around May 30th or special days but will be
removed,without responsibility for preservation,if still in place after the five(5)days.
All landscaping,care of lots,and other work in the Cemetery will be done by the City,but it is desired that each
lot owner feel free to consult with those in charge of the Cemetery at all times.
The Cemetery reserves the right for its workers and those persons necessary to performance of normal cemetery
operation to enter upon or cross over any lot in the Cemetery in the performance of such duties.
The Cemetery or its employees assume no liability for actual damage or mental anguish created by the
performance of normal operations,or for loss by vandalism or other acts beyond reasonable control.
The Cemetery reserves the right to furnish,supply,and/or sell to its patrons such items as may be normally used
within the Cemetery,such as floral pieces,floral receptacles,grave decorations,memorials,and vaults or other burial
cases,etc.
The City reserves the right to amend or change rules and regulations to conform with newly developed
Cemetery practice.
The City reserves the right to alter,change,or close alleys,roadways,water mains,and other physical properties
of the Cemetery.
Sup#2008-4 A-2 Rev. 12-31-08
RULES FOR VISITORS
The Cemetery will be open to visitors at all times between the hours of 8:00 a.m.and sunset.Permission to enter
the Cemetery at any other time must be obtained from the Superintendent or Police Department.
Children less than fourteen years of age will be admitted only when accompanied by parents or guardians.
Persons or picnic parties with refreshments will not be admitted.
All dogs must be confined inside a vehicle,except for service animals.
Firearms will be allowed in the Cemetery only at Military funerals.
Motorcycles and horses will be allowed in the Cemetery only at funeral processions or parades.
Snowmobiles will not be allowed in the Cemetery.
Visitors are required to use the walks and drives and are forbidden to trespass on cemetery lots,or pick any
flowers(either wild or cultivated),or injure any shrub,tree or plant,or mar or deface any monument,stone or structure
in the Cemetery.
Vehicles traveling within the Cemetery shall proceed at a speed not to exceed twenty(20)miles per hour.
INTERMENTS
All interments shall be made in a permanent-type outer container. The City reserves the right to supply a
minimum quality outer case of sufficient strength to support earth covering at a cost plus handling charge if not otherwise
supplied.
All graves shall be dug by the City under the direction of the Superintendent.Depth of graves shall conform
to ruling by Iowa State Board of Health.
A charge for opening and closing a grave and the sodding and seeding of the mound will be made at a current
rate set by the City,which charge shall be paid in advance of interment,and include opening of the grave,removal of
excess material,refilling,and sodding.
The interment of the bodies of persons who have died of a contagious disease shall be in strict accordance with
the rules of the State Board of Health.
The lot owner or funeral director shall designate the location of the graves on the lot to the Superintendent and
any change of location made after the opening of the grave has begun shall be at the expense of the lot owner. When
definite information for locating a grave is not available in ample time for grave preparation to meet the time requested
for interment, the cemetery will exercise its best judgment in making location in order that the requested time for
interment may be met. The cemetery assumes no responsibility for any error in such location and an additional charge
will be made for any change requested.
The Cemetery Superintendent shall be given twenty-four hours notices in summer and thirty-six hours notice
in winter when the ground is frozen,for the opening and preparation of the grave prior to interment.
The interment of two bodies in one grave will not be allowed, except in case of mother and infant, two
cremation remains,twin children,or two children buried at the same time.No interment of any body other than that of
a human being will be permitted.
The Superintendent or delegated representative is expected to attend every interment,and to see that the rules,
regulations and strict proprieties of the Cemetery are observed.
As soon as flowers, wreaths, emblems, etc., used at funerals, or placed on graves at other times, become
unsightly and faded,they will be removed and no responsibility for their protection or maintenance is assumed.
REMOVALS
Removals of bodies from graves in the Cemetery will only be made by the City in accordance with the
requirements of the statutes of the State and the rules of the State Board of Health.Charges made by the City for removal
will be based on the actual costs to the City of time and materials, with a minimum charge equal to twice the current
charge for interment.
Lot owners or their heirs desiring graves opened shall secure the necessary disinterment permit from the State
and deliver the same to the Cemetery Superintendent.All removals will be made by the City under the supervision of
a licensed embalmer.
For sanitary reasons,graves will not be reopened for inspection except for official investigation.
Sup#2008-4 A-3 Rev. 12-31-08
STONE AND MONUMENTAL WORK
All stone and monumental work shall be subject to the following regulations and requirements:
Installation work shall be done between the hours of 8:30 a.m.and 4:00 p.m.,Monday through Friday(except
on City holidays),or at such other times as may be arranged with the cemetery superintendent.
All memorial foundations shall be placed on solid ground not included in actual grave space, except where
grave liner is of permanent type and of sufficient strength to support the weight of the foundation and memorial,and will
not interfere with future grave openings.
Each monument or grave marker shall rest on a foundation approved by the City and paid for by the lot owner.
An installation service charge shall also apply.
Grave markers will be set according to regulations specified by the City. Specifications and instructions
governing the installation of memorials in specific sections of the cemetery are established by and available from the
cemetery superintendent upon request.For large monuments the City reserves the right to require the construction of
a foundation of such material,size,and design as will provide ample insurance against possible settlement or injury to
the stone work.The top of the concrete foundation will be constructed approximately one(1)inch below the base of the
stone work so as to permit the monument or marker to be set in a bed of cement mortar evenly covering the concrete
base.
The setting of monuments, stones, and markers and the transportation of all tools,materials, etc.,within the
Cemetery grounds shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Superintendent. Heavy trucking will not be
permitted within the Cemetery when in the opinion of the Superintendent such work might cause injury to the driveways.
Family monuments may be used in designated areas only,on lots of 180 square feet in area or more. On lots
containing less than 180 square feet of area, only grave markers may be used. Grave markers (sometimes called
"headstones" or "foot stones") may extend no more than three (3) inches above the natural ground level. All grave
markers shall be of bronze or a single piece of standard granite corresponding in color to the monument on the lot and
with all lettering on the upper surface of the stone and flush with or below the stone surface. No raised lettering will be
permitted.
The length of the base(including cap)of memorials or grave markers may not exceed 60 percent(60%)of the
total width of the grave space,or of the total width of contiguous grave spaces under the ownership of one family.The
width of the base(including cap)may not exceed fourteen(14)inches.
Stone or monumental work will not be permitted on a lot until the lot is fully paid for,and the City reserves the
right to refuse permission to erect any monumental work not in keeping with the good appearance of the grounds.
Stone work or monumental work once placed on its foundation shall not be removed,except by permission of
the Superintendent of the Cemetery.
The City of Ames has no obligation to repair memorials or memorialization in the event of damage or
defacement by acts of vandalism,nor to restore them as a result of deterioration caused by age or weathering.
The following restrictions regarding monuments and grave markers apply to the sections of the Cemetery as
designated below:
"Unrestricted Monument Sections." Certain designated portions of the older part of the Cemetery have
unrestricted monument privileges which permit the erection of monuments or grave markers of any selected size and
design where lot area is sufficient to place monuments on solid grounds and will not interfere with future grave openings.
"Restricted Monument Sections." In these sections of the Cemetery,monuments larger than double headstones
will be permitted only on designated lots containing a minimum of 180 square feet,and when individual grave markers
are used in addition to the family monument the top surface of such markers must be flush with the natural ground level.
"Burial Park Sections."Certain sections of the Cemetery have been designated as'Burial Park Sections." In
such sections no monuments or grave markers will be permitted which extend more than three (3) inches above the
ground surface of the lot.
Other Burial Park Sections have been designated for the use of flush-type memorials only. In such sections
memorials shall not extend above the surface of the lot and may not exceed six percent(6%)of the lot area.
Sup#2008-4 A-4 Rev. 12-31-08
VAULTS, MAUSOLEUMS, COLUMBARIA
Vaults and mausoleums may be placed only on such lots as may be set aside or designated by the City for such
structures.All applications for permits to erect such structures shall be made in writing to the Cemetery Superintendent.
Complete plans and specifications of the proposed construction,including details of materials,workmanship,method
of constructions, etc., shall accompany such application and the approval of the Cemetery Superintendent shall be
obtained thereon before any construction work is begun.The right is reserved to prohibit the erection of any structure
that is not considered safe,suitable,or desirable.
Vaults or mausoleums will not be permitted on lots containing less than four hundred(400)square feet,and
the portion of the lot occupied by the building shall not exceed twenty-five percent(25%), as determined by the City.
A minimum setback of five(5)feet shall be required between the vault or mausoleum and the lot line.Where
the vault or mausoleum exceeds five (5) feet in height, the setback shall be five (5) feet plus one (1) foot for each
additional foot or fraction thereof over five(5)feet in height.
A columbarium shall have no attachments to the niche plates other than standard name and date plaques. The
bronze niche plaque must be provided by the manufacturer of the columbarium through the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
TREES, SHRUBS, AND FLOWERS
All landscaping including planting of trees,shrubs,and flowers will be done by the Cemetery,but lot owners
are urged to feel free to consult with the Superintendent regarding matters pertaining to the general beautification,care,
and maintenance of lots in the Cemetery.Existing individual lot plantings that become unsightly or undesirable may be
removed by the City.Voluntary or memorial contributions for enhancements to the cemetery grounds are welcome.
Fresh-cut flowers may be used and will remain until,in the judgment of the Cemetery,they become wilted or
unsightly.Containers for cut flowers are to be of a type that is installed so as to be level with the ground surface and not
holding water when not in use;or of the type to be disposed of when flowers are removed.Flower containers and grave
decorations not permanently installed may be removed and disposed of at the discretion of the cemetery staff.
Potted plants may be set on lots,without disturbing sod,on special occasions such as Memorial Day,birthdays,
anniversaries,etc.,but,if not removed within five(5)days,will be picked up and destroyed if unsightly,or preserved
for use in beds within the Cemetery if suitable.
No person will be permitted to trim, prune or remove branches from any tree or ornamental shrub in the
Cemetery whether on their lot or not. All work of pruning or trimming trees and shrubs shall be done by the
Superintendent or under the directions of the Superintendent. Upon request the Superintendent will do any pruning
needed without charge.
Plants or flowers may not be taken up or removed from the Cemetery or cuttings removed from plants without
permission from the Superintendent or under the Superintendent's directions.The observance of this rule is necessary
to prevent the theft of plants. Many plants, especially vines, interfere with the proper care of the lots and graves and
injure the grass. Such plants will be removed when found objectionable.All grave and flower beds will be cleaned of
tender plants after the first frost in the fall.
FEES,,CHARGES AND PAYMENTS
The payment of all fees and charges shall be made at the City Finance Office in the City Hall,where receipts
will be issued for all amounts paid.
A schedule of fees and charges as established by the City shall be made a part of these Rules and Regulations
and may be changed from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
The price of lots shall in all cases include an amount for perpetual care at least equal to the minimum amount
stipulated by Iowa State Law.The perpetual care fund is an irrevocable trust.Deposits cannot be withdrawn even in the
event of cancellation. Lot owners or others may voluntarily increase endowments through additional contributions or
bequests.
Sup#2008-4 A-5 Rev. 12-31-08
SUGGESTIONS
It is urged that lot owners interest themselves in the present and future care of their lots,as a single neglected
lot mars the beauty of an entire section.
It is important that care be taken in selecting a monument to get a design which will harmonize with its
surroundings and not be a monotonous repetition of other stones in the Cemetery.Marble monuments are not permanent
in this climate and their use should be avoided.Granite offers the greatest permanence of any of the stones commonly
used. It is desirable that the Cemetery Superintendent be consulted before ordering monumental work.
Prospective patrons may feel free to visit the Cemetery for information without obligation or pressure to select.
Lot owners are urged to feel free to contact the cemetery at any time if the meaning or intent of these Rules and
Regulations are not clear or if other information is desired.
Sup#2008-4 A-6 Rev. 12-31-08
FEES FOR AMES MUNICIPAL
CEMETERY
Effective December 23, 2008
Lots
Adult $351.00/space $189.00 perpetual care'
Infant $106.36/space $57.26 perpetual care'
Interment(Does not include price of lot)
Regular-Adult $600.00
Regular-Infant $700.00
Saturday- Infant $250.00
Sunday- Adult $900.00
Sunday- Infant $300.00
Holiday-Adult2 $900.00
Holiday- Infant2 $300.00
For interments that require
grave thawing, add: $100.00
Disinterment: based on actual costs of time and materials;
minimum charge is 2 x current charge for
interment
Columbarium
Niche $617.50 each $332.50 perpetual care'
Cremation (Does not include price of niche)
Regular $325.00
Saturday $375.00
Sunday $400.00
Holiday2 $400.00
Markers & Memorials
Installation service charge $25.00 each
' The perpetual care fund is an irrevocable trust; monies deposited into the
perpetual care fund are non-refundable. (Iowa Code 5231807)
2 City of Ames holidays are: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, two (2) days at Thanksgiving, and two (2) days at
Christmas.
(Res. #04-158, 4-27-04)
Sup#2008-4 A-7 Rev. 12-31-08