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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6944 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.6944 ~�f toRr To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 5, 1984 C'. Subject: REQUEST TO TAKE POSSESSION OF NEGLECTED CEMETERIES The City has received a request from the Tarrant County Historical Com- mission to take possession of two cemeteries which are presently neglected and unkept. The cemeteries in question are: Harrison Cemetery 8550 Meadowbrook Drive Size - About 8,000 square feet Received a Historic Marker in 1982 Mitchell Cemetery 1 1/2 blocks southwest of Northeast 28th and Decatur Intersection Size - About 45,000 square feet Request for a Historic Marker made in 1984 The Historical Qamrmission has based its request on S.B. 218 which was passed during the 66th Legislature in 1977. That bill states in part: '". . .An incorporated city, town, or village having a cemetery within its boundaries. . .which threatens or endangers the health, safety, comfort, or welfare of the public may, by resolution of the governing body, take possession and control of the cemetery on behalf of the public health, safety, comfort, and welfare of present and future generations. ".. .Sixty days after giving notice, the City may remove or repair any fences,, walls, or improvements and will straighten and reset any memorial stones or embellishments that are found to be a threat or danger. . .and restore the premises to decent condition. Thereafter, the city shall maintain the cemetery so that it will not endanger the health, safety, comfort, or wel- fare of the public." Background The City has maintained only one cemetery in the past. In 1969, Oakwood Cemetery was declared abandoned property and the City agreed to assume maintenance responsibility for about 60 of the 100 acres. The other 40 acres were maintained by the Oakwood Cemetery Association with endowment funds which were left by descendents. The City initially agreed to mow the 60 acres five times per year and a great deal of time was devoted to restoring gravesites. From 1972 through 1975, CETA crews were used to maw the cemetery on a bi-weekly basis. By 1977, the City was only mowing the perimeter of the cemetery and the Association was taking care of the entire 100 acres. Since 1977, the City has provided little maintenance. V ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER --- FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6944 - Page 2 .`rPT(gFp `ffoltr To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 5, 1984 ), o pro rexPy Subject: REQUEST TO TAKE POSSESSION OF NEGLECTED CEME=, ES /011 The Park and Recreation Department has recently received a request from the Oakwood Cemtery Association for their organization to assume complete responsibility for maintenance of the cemetery. Based on the difficulties of providing maintenance that has been experienced in the past, the Department is recommending approval of this request. When the Department of Law completes a review of this matter, it is anticipated that the transfer of maintenance responsibility for the cemetery will take place. Harrison Cemetery This cemetery is located in far east Fbrt Worth at 8550 Meadowbrock Drive. The site is bordered on the north and west by apartment construction, the south by a vacant, wooded lot and the east by Meadowbrook Drive. The entire area is overgrown by weeds and trees and the headstones ,that could be found are in need of major restoration. Since the gravesites are not easily recognizable, Park and Recreation staff believes it would be extremely difficult to clean up the area without disturbing some of the graves. The Chairman of the Historical Qammission has indicated that the owner of this property is a Harrison heir who presently resides in a nursing home in Arlington. Mitchell Cemetery This site is also overgrown with trees and tall grass. The cemetery is located in an area between the Fort Worth Grain Exchange and Trinity Industries, near the Northeast 28th Street and Decatur Avenue Intersection. It is bordered on the east and west by railroad tracks and on the north and south by open fields. Because of its location, it would be extremely difficult to gain access to this cemetery to perform maintenance. Park and Recreation feels that in all likelihood, acquisition of right--of-way would be required. During a visit to the site, no headstones were found. However, the Chairman of the Historical Commission has stated that several have been located and efforts are underway to properly place the headstones that are found. Ownership of this property has not been determined. The Historical Commission believes it is a part of the old Stockyards property. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6944 - Page-3 T 1 4 1 June 5, 1984 (ejl"x COrrrA To the Mayor and Members of the City Council i' CEMErERIF.S P Subject: REQUEST TO TAKE POSSESSION OF NEGLECTED aT3 Estimated Cost of Maintenance Belay are Park and Recreation's estimated cost of maintaining these two cemeteries. The costs are based on contracting out this work and could vary substantially. Harrison Mitchell Cemetery Cemetery Total INITIAL CLEAN-UP Tree Trimming, Brush Removal, Mowing $3,200 $ 6,000 $ 9,200 Leveling 1,000 2,000 3,000 Grave Restoration 3,000 ? 3,000 Fencing Improvements 1,800 4,500 6,300 Total Initial Cbsts $9,000 $12,500 $21,500 RECURRING COSTS / Trimmin Litter Removal Mowing, g, , Tree Maintenance based on providing service. . . Once per Week $4,500/yr. $ 7,500/yr. $12,000/yr. Twice per Month $3,400/yr. $ 5,100/yr. $ 8,500/yr. Once per Month $1,700/yr. $ 2,550/yr. $ 4,250/yr. In summary, the first year costs could range from $25,750 to $33,500+. Annual recurring cost could range fran $4,250 to $12,000 per year, without taking into consideration the effects of inflation. Conclusion Based on the information contained in S.B. 218, if the City decides to take possession of these cemeteries, it would also assume long-term maintenance responsibility. The major problems encountered by Park and Recreation in maintaining Oakwood Cemetery have been vandalism and an inordinate amount of hand work. Present City forces do not have the capability of restoring damaged headstones, therefore, this work will have to be contracted out. During the past few years little has been done to maintain Oakwood. It is anticipated that in the future the City will formally relinquish its responsibility for maintaining a cemetery. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6944 - Page 4 aTo the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 5, 1984 Subject: REQUEST TO TAKE POSSESSION OF NEGLECTED CEMETERIES After considering the costs involved and the need to adequately maintain present and future parks, staff and the Park and Recreation Department recommends that the City deny the Tarrant County Historical Commission's request to take possession of the Harrison and Mitchell Cemeteries. Robert L. Herchert City Manager RLH:jc ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS