HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-013 - Williamsburg Cemetery - Serbian Section AgreementS~a~F Re opt
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REPORT TO:
DATE OF MEETING:
SUBMITTED BY:
PREPARED BY:
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
DATE OF REPORT:
www.kitchenerca
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
January 30, 2012
Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO Community Services, 741-2325
Keith Baulk, Director of Enterprise, 741-2393
All
December 30, 2011
REPORT NO.: CSD-12-013
SUBJECT: Serbian Section Agreement at Williamsburg Cemetery
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement satisfactory to the City
Solicitor with the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Kitchener-Waterloo respecting a
designated area at the Williamsburg Cemetery with terms as outlined in this report, CSD-
12-013; and further,
That the Manager of Cemeteries be authorized to sign amendments to the agreement
with the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Kitchener-Waterloo from time to time for
the purpose of expanding the designated area at the Williamsburg Cemetery; and further,
That the Manager of Cemeteries be authorized to hold burial space in the Williamsburg
Cemetery for reasonably foreseen expansion(s) of the designated area set out in the
agreement with the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Kitchener-Waterloo.
BACKGROUND:
In order to facilitate the acceptance of Williamsburg Cemetery as the City's newest `community'
cemetery, certain sections were developed based on striking partnerships with various
communities having different religious and/or cultural beliefs. Certain areas of the cemetery are
reserved for these communities and, in return, they direct members of their community to the
cemetery. Those purchasing interment rights pursuant to this agreement pay the same rate as
any other cemetery customer. The cemeteries have been successful in selling interment rights
pursuant to these agreements. When these sections were created, letters of agreement were
drafted to outline the terms and conditions relevant to the use of the designated lands.
REPORT:
On January 13, 2003, Council passed a resolution allowing for the reserving of interment space
at Williamsburg Cemetery for those authorized by the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church
Kitchener-Waterloo, Report CSD-03-006 (copy attached). In order to formalize the resolution, a
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letter of agreement was drafted by legal staff and executed by the Mayor and Clerk. Since then
the letter of agreement has expired.
Since 2003, the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church has been diligent in its support of
Williamsburg Cemetery. Pursuant to this arrangement 240 grave spaces have been sold. This
represents a substantial amount of business for Williamsburg Cemetery. Staff feel that entering
a similar agreement that renews perpetually is a logical next step of the relationship. Such an
agreement would eliminate the need for continual renewals while maintaining the City's right to
set fees and both parties' rights to terminate the arrangement upon provision of adequate
notice.
Because the relationship is working for both parties, staff also feels it is appropriate to `hold'
burial space adjacent to the existing area. This land would be used as a dedicated extension to
the Orthodox section once 80% of the existing lots are sold.
The approval of these changes to the letter of agreement will assist staff in continuing with a
partnership which has allowed the cemetery a presence with the local Serbian community along
with some Serbian communities outside of this region.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This report aligns with Effective and Efficient Government priorities, specifically section #E4.4
on customer service. Also, it aligns with section P3.1 of Culture of Inclusion.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
These kinds of partnerships are common and are important elements in assisting the Cemetery
Unit to achieve its annual operating budget targets.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
N/A
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department
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I~TC~~R
Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) [n~al~ed:
Da#e of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
RECOMMENDATION:
Community Services Committee
January 6, 2003
Keith Baulk, Director Enterprise Division
Lorelei Eckel-Braun, Manager of Cemeteries
All
December 18, 2002
CSD-03-006
SERBIAN AGREEMENT
That the City enter into an agreement with the Serbian Orthodox church as outlined in
report CSD-03-006.
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorzied to sign the agreement subject to the satisfaction
of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Several months ago, representatives from the Serbian Orthodox Church met with the Manager
of Cemeteries to express their interest in having an area at Williamsburg Cemetery designated
for people of an Orthodox faith.
REPORT:
Staff at Ki#chener Cemeteries have reserved a portion of land at Williamsburg for the sole use
of persons practicing an Orthodox religion. The area can accommodate approximately 800
grave spaces.
The City's Legal Department has drafted an agreement that formalizes the Terms and conditions
for development, sale and payment of burial rights within the designated section.
Within this area, a small portion of land has. been laid out for the construction of a domed
roofed, granite clad, gazebo-like feature, as per the Legal Agreement dated June 12, 2002,
between the City of Kitchener and the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.
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CSD-03-006 ' 2 ' / ~--~.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City wi14 benefit from the development of the $2x,000.00 feature within Williamsburg
Cemetery, which will be built at na cost to the City. There will also be added revenues, as this
section will draw Orthodox membership from communities outside this region.
CONCLUSION:
The approval of this agreement which formalizes the development of the Orthodox section, will
allow staff to move forward with a partnership that wiH heighten the City's profile within the
Orth~x community and strengthen the Cemetery's community outreach program.
Shelley Adams, Acting General Manager
Community Services Department
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