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8.2 Cemetery Regulations CITY OF SALINA REQUEST FOR COMM I SS I ON ACT ION DATE TIME 03/23/92 4:00 P.M. AGENDA SECTION: Administration ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR N0. 8 City Manager AGENDA: NO. 2 IBY: Dennis M. Kissinger . BY: ,, ~ Ordinance No 92-9497 (includes matters relating to Petition No. 4032, asking that a curfew be established for Gypsum Hill Cemetery. ) Background: Over the past several weeks, staff has been looking at issues involving Gypsum Hill Cemetery, in response to some citizen concern and questions. Specifically, we have been reviewing what constitutes appropriate conduct and activities in the municipal cemetery. Three issues come to the forefront: (1) Hours open to the public (curfew); (2) A~imals; and (3) Sports and. game activities. In addition, last week the Commission received a petition asking that a curfew be established in the cemetery, from sunset to sunrise. This Ordinance: The enclosed ordinance deals with those questions by: (1) Establishing hours for the cemetery (establishing a curfew). This ordinance proposes hours the same as those in most of our parks which have curfews, closed midnight to 5: 00 a.m. (2) Prohibiting any ai~imal~ in the cemetery, except those anlmal.~ assisting persons with disabilities. (3) Authorizing the City Manager to establish regulations and guidelines for activities and conduct in the cemetery. This type of action is more appropriately taken by administrative reg~]lation than by ordinance, since it may require adjustment or interpretation from time to time. Dis cus sion: Staff has requested public comment on these cemetery issues. That comment has been mixed. COMM I S S I ON ACT I ON MOTION BY SECOND BY TO: CITY OF SALINA REQUEST FOR COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME 03/23/92 q:O0 P.M. AGENDA SECT I ON: OR I G I NAT I NG DEPARTMENT: APPROV ED FOR NO. City Manager AGENDA: ITEM NO. BY: Dennis M. Kissin~er BY: Ordinance No. 92-9497 Page 2 Curfew: Most seem to agree with the curfew concept; if a curfew is adopted, staff would prefer listing specific hours rather than "sunset to sunrise," which could easily lead to enforcement difficulties. It would seem logical to use the same hours as most of our parks, but the Commission could establish other hours if you wish. Two of our parks have an 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew. We have experienced some vandalism in the past, but it does not appear to be a great problem at this point. There is some use of cemetery roads as a "lovers' lane" at night, or for other late-night activities. ArLimal.~: Those who are opposed to ~11owing aplmal.q, even on a leash, base their opposition prima_wily on' the problems of dogs defecating on or near gravesites. Some feel very strongly about this issue. Others, who enjoy wslldng their dogs on the cemetery roads, do not believe we should ban 8l~imal.q. Sports and Games: Most of our comments received seem to agree with reasonable regulation of games playing. We would anticipate restricting activities such as sports (baseball or football) and golf practice. No one seems to object to walking, jogging, casual bicycle riding or slm~]a~ activities. We would not propose to restrict them. Very limited, common-sense regulations and conduct guidelines would be established in the coming weeks if this ordinance is approved. Action: Peter Brown, of the City Manager's office will be staff contact and attempt to answer questions on this matter. This ordinance represents the staff recommendation at this time; the Commigsion may choose to amend, approve or defeat this Ordinance, and provide further direction to staff if you have different ideas or concerns. COMMISSION ACTION MOTION BY SECOND BY TO: Pea cef ul cern e te es en rice th e vin g ~ AS~ tamers: I am respond- surroundings than to take a chance tery. It was such a peaceful place inl to the lady who obJected to people on this city's streets where I'm that we, as children, loved playiM Jovial and children playin~ at the seared to death of getting mugged er there. Now, 80 years later, we still em~whorehorsonishorled, z~J~rlrl hit by a drunk driver. This cemetery ioveit. Wa live nm~t to a beautiful came* is a garden of Eden by comparison. Buffalo, N.Y.: I come from a fam- tery ~md go fer walks there often. Tho Landor9 sliver Siftings, Md.: Land today !~ liy of funeral directors. We seldom IMme~ul slm'o~, tim oeca. too valuable to be used for bm'iai went to a cemetery. My bushand*s slmml Jogger, th~ mqulrslds, the dogs grounds. I plan to be cremated mid fan,Aly was the opposite. I hope when and, y~, even the children make it a then have the ashes mixed with sotl I die that people will picnic On my pleasant place to be. If tim residents in Seattle in which geraniums will be planted grave and bring their kids. If some could talk, I'm sure they would want us to be ther~, knowing how much we Dear Dave: What a beautiful let- and given to my friends, youngster's frisbee hits my stone, X Charleston, S.C.: I'm one who is hopo he takes a second look and sees enjoy It. tm*. Hundreds of readers wrote to guilty of using a cemetery for p~r* my name. My wife and I have had many share their thoughts about came* poses other than visiting the de* Bloomington, Ind.: I grew up in wonderful conversations in that teries. I was mm~ed at the interest, ceased. I bicycle through a cemotm'y Sioux City, Iowa, and the cemetery cemetery while admlrin~ the fall Here they are : because it is a safe and beautifttl there was the favorite spot for high leaves, spt'tag flowers and fountains From Miami: My brother died in place. During an unsettled time in school necking. There were no ~ in ~. We often read the head- 196~ in a motoroyele accident at the my life, I found peace there that I shining spotlights on us like there ar9 stones and speculate about the de* age of 28. He was buried in a small could not find in a place of worship, today, . according to my grand- ceam~andtheirfamllles, cemetery in Jackson, Tenn. When I because I am not a member Of alU' clRldren. Ah, yes, there was a lot of Last Halloween, we shared the go to Jaekoon, I always enjoy visiting particular faith, life in that Sioux City cemetery. Do warm feelings one family must have my brother's grave, because there is Irvine, Calif.: I would much rather you remember it that way, Ann? · had for its. mother when we found a IRe there -- the cemetery is the be buried where there is laughter ~ placed on a grave with the ~ children's favorite playground, it than &/riel. I hope people will enjoy Dear Bloom: No, I don't. We did nMmlmge, "We Miss You, Mom,*' seems. Their happiness lightens my themselves when they visit my our necking at the end of Jackson sl~nedwiththechfldren'snamm, grief, grave. Street. But then, we lived on the ln~l~mymom, too, but hor grave Name of City Withheld, Calif.: I Fort Myers Beaeh, Fia.:Myfather NorthSide. TheWestSldeteen*agers is l,f~10 miles away. I came away work in a large cemetery and it is a was in the monument business. His went to Stone Park to neck. I wonder feeling eleser to her that day. -- Dave lot safer to walk in these peaceful workplace was opposite the came* ff this is stlll the way it is.