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Management Intern Schmidt indicated staff and committee members referenced numerous <br />records in the research for the burial inventory. From these records and the ground-penetrating <br />radar, 163 known burials were recorded within the cemetery along with one unknown burial for a <br />total of 164 burials. The cemetery has 60 plots, with six lots in each plot for 360 possible burial <br />lots. The old records and ground-penetrating radar showed that some sites have multiple burials <br />within a lot. Sixteen of the 60 plots were determined to be full by either the total number of <br />burials within the plot or the uncertainty of the location of burials within the plot. He explained <br />the remaining plots contain 170 open lots, of which 41 are depicted by the City Cemetery <br />Records as being owned by an individual or family. Of those remaining 129 open lots, staff <br />researched the potential ownership that was depicted on a window shade. The window shade is <br />thc historic record that has been passed down through generations and numerous residents of <br />Ramscy. He advised staff is proposing to go through the process of declaring the 96 lots, which <br />show ownership but no activity in the past 50 years as available lots. Staff would publish the <br />plot/lot number and family name information in the Anoka County Union and in the City <br />Newsletter to give the families of historic record an opportunity to claim the plot/lot. All <br />plots/lots unclaimed after the publication would be available for purchase. There are currently <br />33 unowned open lots within the cemetery. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked what procedure would be followed if someone were to come <br />lbrward without any records, and state that a burial site was purchased for them in the past. <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Nelson replied the City would likely grant the person a deed for the <br />lot. She explained it is likely that lots were passed down by the original owners. Ramsey did not <br />get involved in the cemetery ownership until it became a City. She advised it is not necessary <br />lbr thc City to follow this process of making the lots available if that is the Council's preference. <br />The decision is whether the City would like to make more burial sites available to the residents. <br /> <br />Councihnember Strommen noted another option would be to see if there is a demand for the <br />burial sites. It could be determined how fast the first sites fill and advertise the other sites later. <br /> <br />Councihnember Olson commented many residents do not know about the cemetery, and it would <br />be good to provide information about the cemetery with the notification. <br /> <br />Councilmcmber Elvig concurred. He stated the City is learning more about its history, and a <br />cemetery is a wonderful way to learn more about that. From a historical perspective it may be <br />good to generate some interest. <br /> <br />Ms. Twiss explained the window shade with records of the lots was given to the city of Ramsey <br />at sonic time and the City mailed it back. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec inquired about the status of the ledger book. <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Nelson replied the ledger book is at City Hall. Items of historical <br />interest like this will be displayed at the new Municipal Center. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / June 21, 2005 <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />