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Page 1 of 2 <br />Item #7 <br /> <br />PARKS AND RECREATION <br />COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />May 8, 2025 <br />Library and Recreation <br /> <br />TITLE: REVIEW AND RECOMMEND A MODIFIED SERVICE MODEL FOR THE <br />PLEASANTON PIONEER CEMETERY, ELIMINATING OR LIMITING THE <br />GENERAL FUND SUBSIDY <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br />The Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery is currently operating as an enterprise fund subsidized by <br />the City’s General Fund. L.F. Sloane Consulting Group performed an operational analysis to <br />limit or eliminate the General Fund subsidy. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Review and recommend a modified service model for the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, <br />eliminating or limiting the General Fund subsidy. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, originally named Pleasanton Memorial Gardens Cemetery, <br />is an approximately five-acre site located at 5780 Sunol Blvd. The City purchased the site from <br />the International Order of Odd Fellows in January 2007 for $1. This purchase was made <br />because the cemetery had fallen into disrepair, and no other group could take on the operation <br />and maintenance of the site. <br /> <br />Since then, the City has invested significant resources into improving the cemetery's record- <br />keeping, landscaping, and overall operation, as outlined in the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery <br />Master Plan. The cemetery is currently operated utilizing three separate service contracts <br />managed by City staff. Graham Hitch Mortuary provides plot sales and burial services at a not- <br />to-exceed cost of $103,974.94 annually. American Cemetery Maintenance and Burial provides <br />grave digging and site maintenance for graves at a not-to-exceed cost of $224,000 annually. <br />Terra Landscape provides general landscaping, irrigation, and pest control at a not-to-exceed <br />cost of $58,908 annually. All three contracts run through June 30, 2025. <br /> <br />The ongoing operational costs of running the cemetery continue to exceed the revenues <br />generated from plot sales and burials, even while keeping sales prices at the mid-to-high point <br />of the market range. <br /> <br />Staff contracted with L.F. Sloane Consulting Group (Sloane), specializing in cemetery <br />management, business planning, operations, administration, evaluation, sales and marketing. <br />Sloane conducted a detailed analysis of the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />Sloane Consulting Group will present to the commission options for cemetery operations, <br />along with cost impacts of those options. Commission feedback will be incorporated into a <br />Page 28 of 29