ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: June 27, 1996
Dept. File No. C324
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Manager of Real Estate
SUBJECT: Mountain View Cemetery Consultant
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council direct staff to prepare and issue a Request for
Proposals for an experienced cemetery consultant to review the
staff proposal and recommend on the following items, under the
general terms and conditions outlined in this report:
- new revenue sources
- staffing levels
- heritage preservation and opportunities
- maintenance levels
- management
- site planning and development
- public access and security
- formation and role of a Citizens Advisory Group
Staff will report back to Council at a later date on the results
of the evaluation process along with recommenda-tions, the
timeline and costs, and an appropriate source of funding for the
study.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Corporate Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
There is no Council policy directly attributable to this matter.
On May 16, 1996, City Council approved the following:
A. THAT the City retain control and operation of the
Mountain View Cemetery and staff be instructed to
investigate and report back on the most appropriate way
to organize the Cemetery to ensure a publicly
acceptable, cost recovery operation, including the
possibility of transferring the operational aspects of
the Cemetery to the Park Board under contract to the
City.
B. THAT staff be instructed to report back on the terms of
reference and estimated cost to hire a consultant
experienced in cemetery operations to review the staff
proposal and recommend on the following items:
- new revenue sources
- staffing levels
- heritage preservation and opportunities
- maintenance levels
- management
- site planning and development
- public access and security
- formation and role of a Citizens Advisory Group
BACKGROUND
Council on May 16, 1996, after considering three proposals for the
operation and maintenance of Mountain View Cemetery, decided to
continue the operation of Mountain View along the lines of the
proposal submitted by City staff. In addition, Council directed staff
to prepare terms of reference for a consultant to examine the
operation of Mountain View and prepare a recommendation on numerous
items.
This report provides Council with the specific terms of reference for
a consultant's report on Mountain View Cemetery operations. Rather
than guesstimate the cost of a consultant study at this time, we
suggest that the proponents provide that information for consideration
at the evaluation and recommenda-tion stages of this project.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. New Revenue Sources
That the consultant examine and make recommendations on the
appropriate fee levels for the following new and/or existing revenue
sources.
- Burials
- Niche Walls and Columbarium
- Cremation Plots
- Memorial Plaques
- Grave Markers
- Grave Liners
- Vault Liners
- Miscellaneous Fees
- Opportunities for grants, cost-sharing and other forms of
support from the community or outside agencies
2. Staffing Levels
That the consultant examine and recommend staffing levels for the
present level of maintenance and the consultant's recommended level of
maintenance. The report on staffing will also include basic job
description, required qualifications and recommendations on staff
training.
3. Heritage Preservation and Opportunities
That the consultant liaise with the Vancouver Heritage Commission,
Vancouver Historical Society, Community Arts Council of Vancouver and
the B.C. Genealogical Society to produce a plan for:
- the preservation and protection of all the identified
heritage aspects of Mountain View; and
- recommendations for public walking tours and eduction
programs based on the heritage aspects of the site.
4. Cemetery Management
That the consultant prepare one or more cemetery organizational models
on the basis that the City retains control and operation of the
cemetery and which will provide for a publicly accept-able, cost
recovery operation and the possibility of transfer-ring the
operational aspects of the cemetery to the Park Board under contract
to the City.
5. Site Planning, Public Access and Security
That the consultant, in consultation with the Greenways Team and the
Security Co-ordinator, prepare development plans to:
- integrate the 37th Avenue Greenway with Mountain View
Cemetery;
- enhance public access to and through the site;
- increase landscaping and trees to a more park like
setting; and
- increase the security of the cemetery grounds, headstones
and visitors.
6. Citizen Advisory Group
That the consultant advise on the make up and formation of a Citizens'
advisory group, in consultation with all interested community groups.
CONSULTANT DELIVERABLES
The consultant will provide:
- a resume of the experience and qualifications of the
consultant and any team members;
- the proposed study methodology, including a work program
and schedule; and
- the proposed fees, including charge-out rates, the
proportion of time and fee each team member will be
committing to this project and an estimate of
disbursements.
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